"If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done." Ecclesiastes 11:4
I am not perfect, nowhere near. God still has a lot of work to do in me. But He has called me. This week I am setting out in a new direction on my journey. I start my new job as Youth Pastor at St Simons (part time). God has prepared me for this, and, while the 'conditions' may not seem perfect, God's timing is. I have met some of the young people at St Simons and they are wonderful. I am excited about this opportunity to walk alongside them, to shepherd and disciple them as they navigate through these challenging years. And this will be a challenge for me too. Growth happens when we are stretched (challenged). Please pray for me and the youth ministry at St Simons.
God bless xoxo
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The PBJ Experience
I would like to share with you my first pbj sandwich (that's peanut butter and jam, for the uninitiated) experience. Thanks to a generous gift from my friend in Newfoundland, a jar of crowberry jam makes it truly Canadian...
Stay tuned for the outcome...
Stay tuned for the outcome...
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Autumn Festivities
On October 25th, my friends and I attended the festivities on Commercial Drive known as The Parade Of Lost Souls. Dee, Jesse and I, along with some friends, mingled with the weird and the wonderfully dressed along the Drive.
After crepes at Euro Cafe, we followed the sounds of drums and caught glimpses of the revelers through the crowds, creatively attired stilt walkers and musicians celebrating life and having a good time.
Nearly every week there is a festival of some culture or another. Vancouver likes to party and celebrate its diversity. I am inspired by the creative and experimental in this city.
I would like to share some of what inspires me today:
- wall tattoos and amazing graphics at www.surfacecollective.com/
- fun and inspirational www.coastalregeneration.org/
- random and intriguing thoughts at jessechan.ca
Find what inspires you and go out there and do it!
xoxo
After crepes at Euro Cafe, we followed the sounds of drums and caught glimpses of the revelers through the crowds, creatively attired stilt walkers and musicians celebrating life and having a good time.
Nearly every week there is a festival of some culture or another. Vancouver likes to party and celebrate its diversity. I am inspired by the creative and experimental in this city.
I would like to share some of what inspires me today:
- wall tattoos and amazing graphics at www.surfacecollective.com/
- fun and inspirational www.coastalregeneration.org/
- random and intriguing thoughts at jessechan.ca
Find what inspires you and go out there and do it!
xoxo
Monday, September 29, 2008
I love this city!
I have completed the Grouse Grind! Jesse and I walked it in 2 hours. Not a very impressive time, but great fun none the less. A challenging hike. You can see some hikers summitting the Grind just behind us in the trees.
In this photo, you can see Vancouver spread out below.
The weather was perfect, temperature in the 20's with the freshness of fall. The leaves are beginning to turn their gorgeous fall colours. A beautiful day!
I, however, do not look so beautiful after a 2 hour sweaty hike!
This summer has been amazing. I worked on 3 movies (including my first feature film!). Jesse and I went camping on Salt Spring Island.
We have been kayaking several times. I stayed up (nearly) all night at the Art Gallery, viewing an exhibition on Anime and comic art, watching performance artists and dj's do their thing. I have been to the theatre, the mall (several times!), and the beach (also several times). I have laughed (a lot), cried (not so much), and got sunburnt (a lot!).
Currently, I am searching for the next job. I hope to have photos of the Avatar Circus show to share in the near future.
My first feature film was a zombie movie!
Working with C. Ernst Harth was a real privilege.
God bless.
Love Jill
xoxo
In this photo, you can see Vancouver spread out below.
The weather was perfect, temperature in the 20's with the freshness of fall. The leaves are beginning to turn their gorgeous fall colours. A beautiful day!I, however, do not look so beautiful after a 2 hour sweaty hike!
This summer has been amazing. I worked on 3 movies (including my first feature film!). Jesse and I went camping on Salt Spring Island.
We have been kayaking several times. I stayed up (nearly) all night at the Art Gallery, viewing an exhibition on Anime and comic art, watching performance artists and dj's do their thing. I have been to the theatre, the mall (several times!), and the beach (also several times). I have laughed (a lot), cried (not so much), and got sunburnt (a lot!).
Currently, I am searching for the next job. I hope to have photos of the Avatar Circus show to share in the near future.
My first feature film was a zombie movie!
Working with C. Ernst Harth was a real privilege.
God bless.
Love Jill
xoxo
Thursday, February 21, 2008
No More Hiding
Hi,
So now I finally feel like my head is above water again (work, stress, work...), I would like to share with you my experience at Breakforth Conference in Edmonton, Alberta at the end of January. Breakforth is a "renewing and equipping conference" for Christians and those curious about the Christian faith.
So, here it is...
Friday 6am Vancouver: 0 degrees
It’s too dark to get up!
I argue with myself for a while, but still manage to make it on to the flight to Edmonton with Jason.
Edmonton: 1pm, –10 degrees and sunny, not too bad!
For the next 2 nights 5 of us will be sharing a suite at the Delta hotel downtown.
For me, the conference begins this evening, with worship led by Mercy Me, and Erwin McManus talking to us about our craving for intimacy, meaning and hope.
At 9pm, I’m tired, and yet it goes on, with late night festival choices including a concert with Mercy Me, stand-up comedy, worship cafes, and the Faith Film Festival.
So I’m interested in finding out more about what Christians in the arts are producing now. One of the films I watched there: a short film shot in the Czech Republic called Most (meaning the bridge) - A beautiful production, a well-known story, told in a way that hurts in its revelation, and has convicted me to find a way to respond to grace.
Saturday 6.30am (6 hours sleep)
Edmonton: today a balmy –12 degrees
The morning begins - with breakfast, of course, buffet style, yumm.. – ok, moving on..
This morning Josh McDowell addresses us on the need to build relationships. I’m getting the feeling that God’s trying to make a point here. Perhaps I will get it by the end of the weekend.
Christian life isn’t about telling people the bible is the truth, it’s about building relationships with people so they can see that the bible is the truth as it is lived out in my life.
But how can I live it if I don’t know it? If it’s not in my heart?
Spending an hour with David Nasser telling us we should read our bible every day sounds tedious and uninspiring, but he managed to present it in an entertaining and convincing way. The stuff you’re passionate about, you’re going to know about, you’re going to store in your heart. Aren’t you passionate about Jesus? If not, why do you bother? If it’s not bringing passion and joy into your life, where’s the motivation to continue? God’s passionate about you. Do you let him bring that into your life? Do you spend time cultivating that loving relationship? If you store up God’s word in your heart, when the storms come, you will see God above the fear, above the shame, above the panic.
After that spiritual nourishment, a mad dash through the crowds to find some nourishment for my body. Yum yum. Every mealtime, however, becomes a lesson in queuing patiently. Remember, patience is a spiritual gift – I’m sure God gave me some!
After lunch, the session I chose is entitled “Uncovering the Sacred” with Chris Seay and this is how he starts off:
(Read, or even better, listen to "Totally Like Whatever" by Taylor Mali)
Next challenge: If you have something to say, why don’t you say it? If you have a point of view, why do you hide it when you’re challenged by your friends? If you believe in something, why does it sound like you’re not sure when you talk about it?
It’s not our story that makes the difference in peoples lives, it’s the holy spirit. So don’t be afraid to open your mouth and speak, cause he’s just waiting to get started.
Everything is God’s, so let’s stop dividing it up between the world and God, let’s stop separating the secular and the sacred. Everything is God’s, so let’s find those broken places, those broken people, and bring God’s redeeming, transforming love.
Sounds easy, right? But how?
So I’m kind of feeling challenged by this so far. I’m finding it hard to step out of the boat, out of my comfort zone, but somehow, it doesn’t look as scary as it used to.
It’s like Breakforth is giving me the tools that I need, the structure to work within so I don’t feel lost.
Chris Seay challenged me to live in the midst of this worldly culture, immersed in it, to challenge untruth where I can find it, not to hide inside the church where I feel safe. Our church should not be a place apart, but a transforming part of our community.
The next hour I spent learning how to work out my spiritual body, led by Andy Braner. You are what you eat, and likewise, your spiritual body will take on whatever you put into it, through your eyes and ears. And we put a lot of junk into our spirits from the media-soaked world in which we live. We have three choices; You can separate yourself from the world, or, you can be a consumer of immorality, or, you can be the salt and light of the world (as Jesus tells us in Matt 5:13-16).
In effect, the same challenge: don’t hide from the world, challenge the untruths that you find there. Speak up!
Saturday night, 11pm, our hotel room, cup of tea in hand, the 5 of us share together our experiences of Breakforth so far. This is one of the most powerful moments of the weekend for me. No longer just a spectator, but letting it all sink in, deep into my soul.
Sunday 6.30am (6 hours sleep)
Edmonton: snowstorm developing, -27 degrees, with a windchill of –41!! (it hurts!)
I start off this morning with Dan Webster, talking about being led by God before leading others. In John 16:13-14, Jesus says, “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”
In his session, Dan makes some good points (so good, in fact, that I buy his workbook). If I am trying to lead out of my own ability, rather than with God’s direction, then I am leading others in my own desires and mistakes, rather than helping them find the best direction, God’s direction for their life.
Leaders tend to neglect their own spiritual well-being and focus on those they are leading. I need to spend time developing my relationship with God, so that I might find it easier to listen to the leading of the holy spirit in my life, and in the lives of others.
Before leaving the cold of Edmonton, we shared a meal together at the Elephant and Castle. Then headed out into the biting wind, and surprisingly, our flight was on time, back to Vancouver and a warm 0 degrees!
Falling in love is fun. If I let myself fall in love with God, I can find the joy again, and the blessings that flow from him.
My internal radio station may not always be tuned in to God, but I’m certainly getting better reception now. I hope that you too can let God radically transform your life into one filled with love and blessings.
Let him challenge you – you never know what you might accomplish together!
So now I finally feel like my head is above water again (work, stress, work...), I would like to share with you my experience at Breakforth Conference in Edmonton, Alberta at the end of January. Breakforth is a "renewing and equipping conference" for Christians and those curious about the Christian faith.
So, here it is...
Friday 6am Vancouver: 0 degrees
It’s too dark to get up!
I argue with myself for a while, but still manage to make it on to the flight to Edmonton with Jason.
Edmonton: 1pm, –10 degrees and sunny, not too bad!
For the next 2 nights 5 of us will be sharing a suite at the Delta hotel downtown.
For me, the conference begins this evening, with worship led by Mercy Me, and Erwin McManus talking to us about our craving for intimacy, meaning and hope.
At 9pm, I’m tired, and yet it goes on, with late night festival choices including a concert with Mercy Me, stand-up comedy, worship cafes, and the Faith Film Festival.
So I’m interested in finding out more about what Christians in the arts are producing now. One of the films I watched there: a short film shot in the Czech Republic called Most (meaning the bridge) - A beautiful production, a well-known story, told in a way that hurts in its revelation, and has convicted me to find a way to respond to grace.
Saturday 6.30am (6 hours sleep)
Edmonton: today a balmy –12 degrees
The morning begins - with breakfast, of course, buffet style, yumm.. – ok, moving on..
This morning Josh McDowell addresses us on the need to build relationships. I’m getting the feeling that God’s trying to make a point here. Perhaps I will get it by the end of the weekend.
Christian life isn’t about telling people the bible is the truth, it’s about building relationships with people so they can see that the bible is the truth as it is lived out in my life.
But how can I live it if I don’t know it? If it’s not in my heart?
Spending an hour with David Nasser telling us we should read our bible every day sounds tedious and uninspiring, but he managed to present it in an entertaining and convincing way. The stuff you’re passionate about, you’re going to know about, you’re going to store in your heart. Aren’t you passionate about Jesus? If not, why do you bother? If it’s not bringing passion and joy into your life, where’s the motivation to continue? God’s passionate about you. Do you let him bring that into your life? Do you spend time cultivating that loving relationship? If you store up God’s word in your heart, when the storms come, you will see God above the fear, above the shame, above the panic.
After that spiritual nourishment, a mad dash through the crowds to find some nourishment for my body. Yum yum. Every mealtime, however, becomes a lesson in queuing patiently. Remember, patience is a spiritual gift – I’m sure God gave me some!
After lunch, the session I chose is entitled “Uncovering the Sacred” with Chris Seay and this is how he starts off:
(Read, or even better, listen to "Totally Like Whatever" by Taylor Mali)
Next challenge: If you have something to say, why don’t you say it? If you have a point of view, why do you hide it when you’re challenged by your friends? If you believe in something, why does it sound like you’re not sure when you talk about it?
It’s not our story that makes the difference in peoples lives, it’s the holy spirit. So don’t be afraid to open your mouth and speak, cause he’s just waiting to get started.
Everything is God’s, so let’s stop dividing it up between the world and God, let’s stop separating the secular and the sacred. Everything is God’s, so let’s find those broken places, those broken people, and bring God’s redeeming, transforming love.
Sounds easy, right? But how?
So I’m kind of feeling challenged by this so far. I’m finding it hard to step out of the boat, out of my comfort zone, but somehow, it doesn’t look as scary as it used to.
It’s like Breakforth is giving me the tools that I need, the structure to work within so I don’t feel lost.
Chris Seay challenged me to live in the midst of this worldly culture, immersed in it, to challenge untruth where I can find it, not to hide inside the church where I feel safe. Our church should not be a place apart, but a transforming part of our community.
The next hour I spent learning how to work out my spiritual body, led by Andy Braner. You are what you eat, and likewise, your spiritual body will take on whatever you put into it, through your eyes and ears. And we put a lot of junk into our spirits from the media-soaked world in which we live. We have three choices; You can separate yourself from the world, or, you can be a consumer of immorality, or, you can be the salt and light of the world (as Jesus tells us in Matt 5:13-16).
In effect, the same challenge: don’t hide from the world, challenge the untruths that you find there. Speak up!
Saturday night, 11pm, our hotel room, cup of tea in hand, the 5 of us share together our experiences of Breakforth so far. This is one of the most powerful moments of the weekend for me. No longer just a spectator, but letting it all sink in, deep into my soul.
Sunday 6.30am (6 hours sleep)
Edmonton: snowstorm developing, -27 degrees, with a windchill of –41!! (it hurts!)
I start off this morning with Dan Webster, talking about being led by God before leading others. In John 16:13-14, Jesus says, “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”
In his session, Dan makes some good points (so good, in fact, that I buy his workbook). If I am trying to lead out of my own ability, rather than with God’s direction, then I am leading others in my own desires and mistakes, rather than helping them find the best direction, God’s direction for their life.
Leaders tend to neglect their own spiritual well-being and focus on those they are leading. I need to spend time developing my relationship with God, so that I might find it easier to listen to the leading of the holy spirit in my life, and in the lives of others.
Before leaving the cold of Edmonton, we shared a meal together at the Elephant and Castle. Then headed out into the biting wind, and surprisingly, our flight was on time, back to Vancouver and a warm 0 degrees!
Falling in love is fun. If I let myself fall in love with God, I can find the joy again, and the blessings that flow from him.
My internal radio station may not always be tuned in to God, but I’m certainly getting better reception now. I hope that you too can let God radically transform your life into one filled with love and blessings.
Let him challenge you – you never know what you might accomplish together!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The wheels on the bus...
I'm so happy to live in this city.
The city where people randomly break into song on the bus on the way home from work. A jovial young lady and her friend started people singing "the wheels on the bus go round and round" on a packed bus heading home this evening in the rain.
It made me smile. It's the little things that make me happy.
Hope you are happy too.
Love Jill
xoxo
The city where people randomly break into song on the bus on the way home from work. A jovial young lady and her friend started people singing "the wheels on the bus go round and round" on a packed bus heading home this evening in the rain.
It made me smile. It's the little things that make me happy.
Hope you are happy too.
Love Jill
xoxo
Monday, January 7, 2008
Surreal experience
I want to share with you an unusual experience I had when using a public toilet recently.
We were enjoying dinner at a brew pub, and I went to use the washroom (as you do). What I didn't expect when I closed the cubicle door behind me, was the music that started playing! Hidden in the cell phone advert on the back of the cubicle door was a small motion sensor. When you move in front of it, hip hop music starts playing at you! Surreal!
Well, I've had worse public toilet experiences.
PS. For my dancing friends, Dance War, the US version of British show DanceX, premieres here tonight. So that's makes Monday my TV watching night, as it is followed by the new season of Project Runway. Miss you guys.
Love Jill
xoxo
We were enjoying dinner at a brew pub, and I went to use the washroom (as you do). What I didn't expect when I closed the cubicle door behind me, was the music that started playing! Hidden in the cell phone advert on the back of the cubicle door was a small motion sensor. When you move in front of it, hip hop music starts playing at you! Surreal!
Well, I've had worse public toilet experiences.
PS. For my dancing friends, Dance War, the US version of British show DanceX, premieres here tonight. So that's makes Monday my TV watching night, as it is followed by the new season of Project Runway. Miss you guys.
Love Jill
xoxo
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