"Stardust" - A Painting

    So, for a while I had been wanting to paint something abstract, but it took me forever to find my stinkin' canvas'. When I finally found one, it wasn't the one I wanted and it was smallish, I had to paint four coats of black over the pre-existing piece of failed art. Then I decided that that was too grey, so I added a purple hue to it, and that actually turned out really well!
    Anyway, you're probably sick of the story and ready to see the actual piece, right? Well... here it is!

Ignore the handsome figure behind the painting ;)

VERSE OF THE DAY:

"'For I know the plans I have for you.' Declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

A New Year, A New Resolution!

    Today is officially the last day of 2011!!! *holds for applause*
    Something that I really want to ask is... what have you done this year to make a difference in this world and make your life count?
    Good things and bad things have happened to me during 2011.
    This past year, I am thankful that God has given me opportunity after opportunity to share His Written Word with people. He has shown me wonderful new things and has let me experience Him in a way like never before!
Especially this last summer camp that me and my youth group attended. I can say without in reservation that my experience there and that of my group was an unforgettable one.
    The worship was incredible and powerful! I felt God move, and it wasn't just the rush of being with a bunch of other kids my age! The messages were powerful and God really spoke into my life through the words of the speaker. Me and my group attended the early morning prayers, and on one morning, I was asked to pray in representation for our church. I had no idea what I was going to say, but as soon as I took the mic God gave me the words and I just prayed them, speaking revival into those attending the camp and in our city and church.
    My camp experience was amazing, and I will never, EVER forget it.
    And then, in October, our group went once again to a youth convention in Salem, Oregon, where the workshops were repetitive and the sermons something that I had heard time and time again. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. But the worship was still powerful and moving and refreshing at the same time.
    When we got back, my youth leaders informed me that we would be ministering to the poor and homeless of Portland, with a ministry called Bridgetown Inc. http://bridgetowninc.org/ When I was informed of this, I immediately felt that this was something God wanted me to do, and that I wanted to do as well. I felt God tugging on my heart and leading me toward the service of others, which is an ongoing struggle in my life.
    With the trip to Portland not being until July of 2012, I continue to anticipate the ways God will use me to minister to the poor and homeless of Portland.
    As the days turned into weeks and in turn, transformed into months, it was New Years before I knew it! I now sit here, writing to you, in the hopes that this will influence you to make, yet again, a New Year resolution... Allow God to work in your life, and offer up your will to Him. Give Him all control. And dedicate the coming year to Him.

God bless!
Beleg

Vampires, Werewolves, Witches and Wizards - Exposed!

    I've been thinking a lot lately about the use of vampires, werewolves, witches, and wizards in Christian books, and also the act of Christians reading books containing those kind of things.
    I've noticed that a lot of my Christian friends enjoy reading such books as Hairy Potter, or the Twilight Saga, and also watching their movie adaptions. But we must ask ourselves a well-known and classic question... What Would Jesus Do?
    Would Jesus indulge in books or movies that dabble in hellish darkness? Would Jesus read books that involve demonic beings like vampires or werewolves, or books that delve into the demonic arts? Would he watch their movie adaptions? Certainly not!
    But, then, why do we?
    I've compiled a sort of Do's and Dont's list. :)

There are certain times that such things as vampires, werewolves, witches, and wizards, are acceptable, and there are certain times that they aren't.

• When you are using one of those beings as a demonic being instead of trying to sugarcoat it as something good, that is fine. In Christian novels, Vampires and Werewolves are often used as the offspring of evil. They often signify darkness and evil. Whereas, in The Twilight Saga, they are set up as something good. They're being sugarcoated, and that is unacceptable. 
• If you are using a witch or a wizard as someone entranced by evil's seducing abilities, that is fine. Especially in Christian allegory novels, because things like that represent the evil that a certain character battles. However, in books such as Hairy Potter, or Witch and Wizard, they are once again being sugarcoated. 

    Honestly, I am tired of the world sugarcoating evil as something good. Such things as Halloween are being set up as "just another fun holiday", when, in reality, Halloween is a demonic season. Although, I will not go into detail about its origin. But I will say this, Halloween originated from satanic sacrifices by the dark priests. And we celebrate this, why?

    In conclusion, I will say this: When we Christians, especially teenagers, are out in the world reading books or watching TV, we must always be wary, for the world will continually try to sugarcoat the evil that lurks around. 

God bless,

Beleg

Name Change Notice!!! *READ*

Well, I have changed my blog's title to "The Written Word". Though one of the themes of this blog is Starcraft, the Written Word is also a theme of this blog.
The Written Word also happens to be another element of Paradox. ;)

Well, I don't know how long this name will last, but I do hope that you enjoy the fullness of this blog!

"Forbidden" by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee - Book Review

When I first started Forbidden, I was busy doing tons of stuff. I wondered if I'd ever get the time to read or if the book would even motivate me. Now, I stand corrected. Forbidden was a wonderful tale that I could NOT put down! Dekker and Lee masterfully crafted this book together, melding their styles together to create a piece of thought-provoking art. Forbidden asks the question, "Are you alive?" Are you truly alive, or do you just live your life with no true life flowing through you. This book challenges you. You can only have true life if the blood of Jesus flows through your veins. In this world, we're all dead to truth and we live in fear. But when we accept Jesus' gift of His blood sacrifice. This book is another hit in Ted Dekker's fantasy collection. And Tosca Lee adds a freshness to it, as well! 

I give this book a Five Star review. I definitely recommend this book. 

The New Revolution: Stirring It Up - Part 1

This is part one in a multi-part series that I am going to do on this wondrous blog. It is called The New Revolution. Part one is titled "Stirring It Up" ^^^ As you can see above. ;)

THE NEW REVOLUTION: STIRRING IT UP (Part 1)


As the title says, this part one is focused on stirring it up. By it I mean our Spiritual lives. Especially for teens, who are constantly surrounded by peer pressure, and conform-ities in the lives of other "Christian" teens.

• One thing that I continually ask myself is "Why are 'Christian' teens continually using swear words?" Why do teens find swear words okay? They absolutely aren't! This is a very big area of conformity in the lives of teens all over the world. And it is one thing that should be taken into consideration when praying or talking to your pastors, youth pastors, or parents. 
• Another area of conformity is dating. This is a BIG one. The majority of Christian teens find themselves in relationships. And many times those relationships put temptations in front of them. This is especially difficult for new Christians who are still getting used to what the Bible says and what is morally right. It is better to avert yourself from any temptations by not dating until you have become an adult. 
• Yet another example is listening to non-Christian music. Why do Christian teens find hard rock music or love songs entertaining? Why do they dabble in rock? Non-Christian music is Satan's way of perverting worship. He was the leader of worship before his fall from the heavens. And now he is out to distort the pure form of music.

There are many, many forms of conformity that are evident in the lives of pressured Christian teens. I would be unable to list them all!

I hope that this post (short as it is) has stirred your heart in any way and helped you to either stay strong, or devote yourself to not conforming to the darkness of this world. 

Remember, in Christ we have Strength. 

ENDURANCE AND VICTORY!!!

My Journey to the Reaches of the Earth

    Well, I will be going to Nicaragua in a month. I hope to get lots of pictures, collect lots of rocks, and have lots of fun.
    I also hope that God will use me during my time there. I am not going there specifically for ministry (I am going for a cousin's wedding), but I still hope that God will use me to bring a blessing to anyone and everyone I meet.
    This was one of Jesus' commands before He ascended into the heavens after His resurrection. "Go into all of the world..." Though many Christians these days find it hard to meet the financial requirements you need in order to go to the far reaches of the earth and preach the Gospel, that doesn't mean we should just give up. We are able to preach the Gospel right where we are! We can be a ministry tool to our friends and our family who don't know Jesus as their Savior. And we can even minister to others through things like blogs, websites, email outreaches, Christmas gifts for kids in third-world countries. There are TONS of things we can do to minister from right where we're at.

I will leave you with this:

VERSE OF THE DAY

"Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."

MARK 16:15

It's Our Turn Now

Our Time
(This is a poem I just recently wrote)

Where are the miracles
that our fathers witnessed?
Where is the move
that our fathers started?
Where is the Spirit
that our fathers felt?
Where are the people
that our God has risen?

What happened to the miracles
that so freely were worked?
What happened to the movements
that were birthed?
What happened to the Spirit
that so freely moved?
Where did the people
that God rose go?

It's time to rise with a new song.
To dance a new dance.
It's time to wake from our centuries-long sleep.
It's time to wake the dead,
comfort the mourners, the sojourners.

Our time has come for us to change our world.
Our time has come for us to change their hearts.
Our time has come for us to rise above the darkness.
Our time has come for us to sing a new song.
Our time has come for us to prepare the way for our God

What happened to the Revival?
Where did the Great Awakening of our fathers go?
Why weren't we allowed to witness the miracles,
the Spirit's movments?
Why aren't we filled like the great revivalists?

The time has come for us to stand above the world's expectations.
The time has come for us to rise above the enemies wiles.
It is our turn to move in this dark world,
It is our turn to move in the Spirit.

What happened to the gifts
that were so freely used
by our fathers?
What happened to the prayers
that were prayed with weeping?
Where did they go?
They're so far from us!

It is time for our praise to rise
and shatter the gates of hell
It is time for our song to vibrate
through the heavenly corridors.
It is time for our prayers to heal,
make live the dead, awake the sleeping.

This is our time to sing a new song,

pray a new prayer,
dance a new dance.
NOW is our chance!

VERSE OF THE DAY:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

The Real Christmas Tree

Today, me and my family are putting up our Christmas tree. *jumps up and down for joy*

Well, I got to thinking... When people think of a Christmas tree, they usually think of this:

Rarely, do they ever think of the real Christmas tree. 

One tree is covered in flashy and visible ornaments, garlands, lights, 

The other is covered in crimson stains, nail holes. 

One is generally centered around "Santa's/parents gifts" under the tree.

The other is centered around the gift of salvation. Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who died for us so that we may have everlasting life. 

As we go into this Christmas season, remember the true reason for the season. Jesus Christ. His birth and the salvation that it brought. Without it, we'd be nowhere.

VERSE OF THE DAY

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder; And His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

The wonderful world of photography!

Here is a very lucky shot I got of a seagull as it flew by. :)

Here is an awesome picture of the sunset behind our house! :)

This is my grandma's lily

This is a piece of abstract art. It is the back outside wall of the store I work at 

The bright sun reflecting off of the rolling waves

The pier up in Canada

A friend at summer camp

The beautiful lake next to our Summer Camp

Well, I hope you enjoyed. :) I hope to post more soon. 

Verse of the DAY!

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" MATTHEW 16:26

Starcraft: Basis, Foundation and Definition

First off, I am new to the blogging industry :) *holds for applause*

Secondly, I'm sure you all are wondering, "What exactly is Starcraft?" Well, there are a few points to the definition:

• It is a gift given to a specific people in a book that I am writing... Paradox.
• In Paradox, the race known as the Starcrafters are given abilities that allow them to save the lost, and protect the godly. Really, this symbolizes the gifts and talents that God has given His people, and the ability they have to bring people into His kingdom.
• Starcraft is the spiritual gifts of Holy Spirit: Prophecy; Discernment; Speaking in Tongues; Working of Miracles; etc... 

Thirdly, you may also be wondering, "What exactly does a Starcrafter do?" Well, I'll explain.

• Each star in the sky that you can't see is represents someone who is lost to the things of God, but each star that you can see represents someone, past, present, future, that has/is, been/being brought into God's everlasting kingdom. Every time a Starcrafter brings a person into God's kingdom a new star is made visible and very, very, bright. But *cues depressing music* every time someone leaves God's kingdom, a visible star disappears from the night sky. Understand? If so, good. :) If not, read over this point again, very carefully. ;) Okay... I'll try to make it clearer. A Starcrafter crafts stars. Lost man is a star that can't be seen, but a saved person is a star that you can see. 

And of course, this is all symbolic, as in my book, which is allegorical, as you've probably already figured out. ;) 

Anyway, now you know the basis, foundations and definitions of Starcraft.

Are you ready to join the ranks of the Starcrafters?