An Update

Well...I have less than a week before the big move. Actually, WE have less than a week until the big move. For those who may not know, Kristi and I are moving to Abbotsford Bc, I will be doing my internship out there (youth pastor, for 6 months), and Kristi will be finding a job. We will be living in her parent's basement suite, which sounds kind of lame, but it will be really good. wireless internet (finally), cable, a hot tub and actual things to do in the community, as oppossed to waldheim in which there is nothing to do. I have one more class, on Monday, and then will spend the rest of the week packing up and getting ready to leave. Please pray for us, pray that we will be able to fit everything in the car(s), as well as for safety on the roads, as mountain driving is not always the best.
So, today Kristi and I got a surprise visit by Jenni (my sister), as well as her boyfriend Peter, and another friend as well. They called us at 1 am, saying that they were on their way to Saskatoon, and they stopped in for a short time. It was nice to see them, as we will not be seeing Jenni for quite some time now.
Well...I have to admit not too much is going on right now. I figured I would do a general post without anything profound and stuff, as per request (thanks Laura). Blessings.

Follow My Blog

So, I am still getting used to this whole blogging thing, and I'm not exactly sure how to increase audience flow to my blog. I added a "Following" widget, which will track who is an avid follower of my blog. I would encourage you all to follow my blog, so if you could do that, that would be great. Also, tell your friends to check it out, I know it may not be the greatest blog right now, but I am working on it, plus the internet at the school sucks, so once I move out to BC I will be able to update more frequently and with better posts (ie pics and movies). So yeah...please follow my blog, and tell friends and family to follow it to. Thanks

Trans Siberian Orchestra

So, a few days ago, Kristi and I, along with some friends were able to go see the Trans Siberian Orchestra. It was an INCREDIBLE show. Seriously...the most amazing musicl and Pyrotechnic experience of my life. Anyway, in the middle of the show, a guy that looked homeless came out and sang. Of course, he wasn't actually homeless, he was just an actor, but he sang amazingly (although some drunks thought he sang a bit too long and started taunting him...but other than that it was really sweet). So...the point is, we all judged him before he began singing. In fact, as we were heading in to to the arena, he was standing outside, acting homeless. Everyone avoided him. He was a bum, he wasn't worth the time of day. But then he came on stage and sang, and it was amazing. We all had judged him, and thought he was someone other than who he really was. Sadly, we all do this all the time. We all judge people, based on their religion, their age, their appearance, their gender, where they are from, what they enjoy doing, how they smell, what they are wearing...whatever it may be. This needs to stop. we must accept people, and stop with the judging and the assumptions. God calls us to love, not discriminate. And who knows, just like the homeless guy turned out to be part of the Trans Siberian Orchestra, the person that you are judging may turn out to be someone whom you would least expect...maybe even an angel!

A Boy And His Piano

This weekend, October 30-November 1 is the annual Fall Production at Bethany College. All of the tickets are sold out, and it is going to be an awesome night. I play the part of a crazy Neurologist. Although I only have one scene, I love the play and really enjoy my role in it. The play is about a boy, Gregory, who wants a puppy. He believes he is getting a puppy for his birthday, but when the day comes, his father buys him a $2,875 Steinway Piano. Gregory then gets into numrous fights with his parents, especially his dad, and begins to pretend that his piano is actually a dalmation. He goes so far as to paint spots on the piano, and even gets 'puppies' for Steinway. It is a very funny, very heartwarming play which is going to resonate with many of the people who come to watch the play. I ask you all to pray for this weekend. Pray that lines will be remembered, props will all work out according to plan, lights will work, mics will work, and that God will work through the play. Ask God to open the hearts of those who come to the play, and that, somehow, they will experience God during the play. I wish you were all able to come (all 5 of you that actually read this, lol) and enjoy what is going to be an entertaining night.

Plans

"If you want to make God laugh, make plans". I don't remember where I heard this quote, and I know it is not necessarily true, but there are definately times that it does ring true. We all make plans, and we often all see plans fall apart due to unforseen situations. I'm going to share with you a story from my past few years at Bethany to illustrate this point.
My reasoning for coming to Bethany College, in the small prairie town of Hepburn, was to be a part of their travelling drama team The Bethany Players! I saw them perform at my church and I was enthralled, and wanted to follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately God had different plans, and I didn't make the team. He did put me onto a different, unofficial drama team, however it wasn't as illustrious as I hoped, and I was very bitter. My next year, I returned to Bethany with the same hopes and dreams. Once again, my plans fell through and God's plan won out (who would have thought). This year I was even more bitter. "GOD HOW COULD YOU!?" My entire year was spent being angry and bitter, frustrated at what could have been, and forgetting about what was actually happening. My third year, guess what happened...same thing. Once again God took my plans, and flipped them around. It was a very frustrating time for me.
Why do I share this story? Because I think, while the circumstances change for all of us, we all experience dissapointment. We all make plans, and we all have plans fail. The real question of life is, "when plans fail, how do you react?" I pray that you don't react the same way I did. I hope you don't get filled wiht bitterness, resentment and hatred for those who achieved what you only dreamed of achieving. I hope you don't write a nasty, hateful and hurtful blog which expresses exactly how you feel without any conscience for those reading it (yes...I did it, and it was a TERRIBLE idea...think before you blog). My hope is that you get up, move on and trust that God has an even bigger plan for you. Perhaps right now you are experiencing dissapointment. Maybe you wanted to make a team, a club, get a certain job, make a certain friend. PErhaps you wanted a special someone to like you, or you want a certain someone to just leave you alone. I have no idea, but trust me when I say this...while your plans may fall through, God will always make sure that his plan is fulfilled. While his plan may seem to be terrible, know that he loves you, and wants what is best for you in the long run. WE may not understand it, and often we don't, but God has a marvelous plan for you life. Don't be bitter and angry, just stand up, brush yourself off, and trust that he will get you to where HE wants YOU to go.

Why I Want a Pretzel

Well, Once again I begin a new blog entry by apologizing for failing to update my blog for a while, but as you all know, planning a wedding takes up a lot of time. Amazingly the big day is only 2 weeks away. Anyway, I figured I would write a post explaining my choice for using the url "iwantapretzel.blogspot". To be honest, the main reason, and the initial reason that I chose the name was after a Family Guy episode. I know, all of you are now gasping that I would watch such a distasteful show, and I admit there are many things that are bad about it, but it is super funny. Anyway, in one episode Stewie (the crazy 1 year old) chases out of the room yelling, "I want a pretzel too!". But the more I thought about the name, the more I began to imagine a more deep, and spiritual meaning behind it. Another hilarious tv show, Seinfeld, has a great pretzel line; "These pretzels are making me thirsty!". And that is where I want to take this post. being made thirsty. I want to be thirsty for God, thirsty for an intimate relationship with my Saviour. I want to hunger and thirst for Him, and learn more about Him everyday. I never want to be full, never want to be satisfied. My prayer for all of you is to eat all the pretzels you can; spiritual pretzels that is. Get thirsty for God, drink up his blessing, drink up his love. Let him quench you, and you will never thirst again.

The Start of a Journey

First of all, I need to apologize for not updating this blog for the past little while...of course only about 4 people checked it out so far anyway, so it doesn't seem like there is a massive outcry against me. Anyway. things have been incredibly busy and hectic out here. First of all, I got engaged...which is awesome, and then the hectic thing is...the wedding is in just over a month. That's right, August 24 I will be tying the knot with my beautiful fiancee Kristi. Marriage is a wonderful thing isn't it? Of course, currently I am speaking as an outsider, as I have not personally experienced marriage, but the concept and purpose is amazing. Two people becoming one. Seperate individuals becoming one identity. It's beautiful. God created something amazing. Unfortunately, our world has made a mockery of marriage. Divorce, especially amongst celebrities and other "role models" is rampant, and almost expected. Abuse is common, and unfaithfulness lurks around every corner. I haven't even mentioned the whole same-sex marriage controversy. What has happened to the beautiful thing that God created with Adam and Eve?
God wants to marry us. That perhaps sounds weird, and twisted, but it's true. Just a man becomes one with his wife, God wants us to become one with him. He doesn't want us to live as two seperate identities, only knowing eachother as aquaintances. He wants to be ONE with us. He wants to be the first person you talk to, the last person you talk to, and the top priority in your life. Talk with him, laugh with him, spend time with him. Give him your all, just as, in a marriage (as they are suppossed to be anyway) the husband gives his all to serve, honour and respect his wife. What are you waiting for? Walk down the aisle, God is waiting at the front. It will be the start of a gorgeous journey. Yes, it will have many difficult times; what marriage doesn't, but the whole entity is beautiful. Give him your all. Give him everything you are, and say "I do".

Great Opportunity, Intense Responsibility

So, this is my first blog. I will admit that I have attempted blogging before, but it's never lasted long, so hopefully this blog will be different. I also need to admit, that past blogs I have written have caused many problems, and hurt many people. My hope and prayer is that this blog will be honest, yet pure, possibly funny, and also spread the Truth of the Word of Christ. It's amazing to think that, now, with technology the way it is, any average joe can just write a paragraph or two, post it onto a website and millions of people around the world can access it. More than ever, one person can truly change the world. A small word, a tiny sentance, and lives can be changed-hopefully for the better.
The Bible commands us to be a city on a hill, a light to the world. This is why I chose the name "A Torch On a Mountain" for my blog. It may seem kind of lame, and I admit I'm still not entirely sure if I like the sound of it, but there is a meaning behind it. A torch gives light, and allows people to see in otherwise dark places. A torch on a mountain can be seen by everyone. As a Christian, I have the tough challenge to live my life so that those around me can get a picture of the Kingdom of God, a small glimps of Jesus. Obviously, I mess up many times, and there are numerous incidents when I failed to act as Jesus would act. Being a light to the world is not easy. I hope that the words I write on this blog will encourage those who read it, challenge those who's hearts need to be challenged, and help give guidance to those who are walking the wrong way. I may not have all the answers, but I hope I can at least get you to ask the important questions, and find the Truth that comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.