www.kristas-random-thoughts.com

Christmas Family Time

2009-12-27T17:45:00.003+01:00

We had a great time with my family over Christmas on Lake Erie. Clark loves cars, and of course 'gamma' and papa gave him a really fun remote control car (they make remote controls for 2 yr olds!) I love my family and am so thankful for what the Lord has done in each of us.

Merry Christmas from the Davis Family!

2009-12-25T04:23:00.003+01:00

Joy To The World!

2009-12-25T03:55:00.004+01:00

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Joy to the World, originally written by Isaac Watts in 1719 was based on Psalm 98.
While we sing it today at Christmas to talk about Christ's first coming, Watts actually wrote the hymn glorifying Christ's truimphant return at the end of the age, or His second coming!

So as you celebrate Christ's birth this year, may his imminent return be foremost in your minds... as we remember Him who was born in human flesh, took on the very nature of a servant, died to redeem us, may we also remember the truth that Christ the King is coming back for us. His kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!

.in case you thought seminary was lame.

2009-12-04T16:00:00.002+01:00

Ok, so seminary is full of reading and writing, especially during exam week. But i am also
grading for BE101 with Prof Hendricks and he always has the students to a creative piece
[observation.interpretation.application] on Acts 3:1-10 about Peter and John healing the lame man at the beautiful gate. This was fun, so i wanted to share it...

"Lame Man Walkin'"

Lil' PJ feat. B Money & Baby Georgia
Directed by DrewButta
Fall 2009, BE101

Go, go, go, go
Go, go, go lame man
It's the ninth hour
We gon' heal ya on the ninth hour
We gon' praise Jesus fo His mighty power
Yeah its in the name of Jesus, dont be sour!

[Chorus] (2x)
You can find me in the temple, my ears hear you beg
Homie I got what chu need if you want to feel your leg
I'm into discipling and showing Gods love
He was a Nazarene and he kinda was a stud

[Verse]
When we walk up out front, we see you asking fo some alms
People dissin you big, people giving you qualms
You thought we'd give you money, but we're gonna show you love
You say you want to walk, I say homie get on up
But homie you need faith, feet down stand up
I see the lame man walkin, now leapin thats whats up
Watching how you move, no callin Christ a liar or wimp
My brother now youre healed, dont even walk wit a limp

You were at the gate, with people thinking Dude, youre lame
Now theyre amazed, impressed with you cause you love God
But holla in the temple, people sayin God, youre faithful
And the plan is to put Satans game in a choke hold
I'm feelin' focused bro, my Lord on my mind
You got a miracle out the deal and now youre just fine
Now the people seeing your style, feeling His flow
Youve been healed by the Man, everybody lets go

[Chorus] (2x)

.bring me anything that brings you glory.

2009-12-02T06:30:00.004+01:00

I've been reflecting a lot on suffering as I write my position paper for class.

this song by mercy me has really challenged me, as i think about the things in life i've endured (which i have concluded are so insignificant they can hardly be considered suffering) and God's purposes in our trials and pain... can i really say, "bring me anything that brings you glory"?

the words to this song are deep and meaningful,

and incredibly real to me as i think about so many that i've crossed paths with in life.

watch the video, read the words, and praise Him for the rain.

Bring the Rain

Mercy Me

I can count a million times

People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that

I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may

loom above because you are much greater than

my pain you who made a way for me suffering

your destiny so tell me what’s a little rain

Holy, holy, holy

is the lord God almighty

I'm forever singing

You and the Glory of God

2009-11-30T23:28:00.004+01:00

Do You…

Do you love the thought that you exist to make God look glorious?

Do you love the thought that all creation exists to display the glory of God?

Do you love the truth that all of history is designed by God to one day be a completed canvas that displays in the best way possible the greatness and beauty of God?

Do you love the fact that Jesus Christ came into the world to vindicate the righteousness of God and repair the injury that we had done to the reputation of the glory of God?

Do you love the truth you personally exist to make God look like what he really is—glorious?

I ask again: Do you love the fact that your salvation is meant to put the glory of God’s grace on display?

Do you love seeing and showing the glory of God?

- John Piper

(found this on a friends blog and was encouraged, motivated and challenged by it)

December Calendar

2009-11-27T17:52:00.004+01:00

So today is the day after Thanksgiving in the US, which means the biggest shopping day of the year (directly following the biggest eating day of the year). And rather blog about the seven deadly sins, including gluttony and covetousness (aka. materialism) which i am in deep thought about as i read an incredible book on Sin (Sin: Radical Evil in Soul and Society), I figured I would blog on something a little lighter.

This is also the day that many American start to decorate their homes and prepare for Christmas (i wish i could say prepare their hearts and homes... but i'm not sure that is accurate of the greater part of society at all). Anyways... as I spend the day studying, I decided to listen to Christmas music and the other day I found this nifty calendar the other day on www.bluemountain.com. I'm posting it here but they have calendars for each month with theme-filled-funness. Happy Christmas decorating - Enjoy!

Sammy the Dog and Clark

2009-11-25T05:11:00.004+01:00

Sammy is my sister's dog. This past week we got to spend 10 days with Sammy and my nephew, Clark. Sammy is a little crazy and has lots of energy. She settled down some but still loves her frisbee and can literally play fetch for 2 hrs non-stop.

Clark is my sister's son, my nephew, my parents first grandson. Yes, he's well loved! He is now 2 yrs and 2 mths... and in just a few months he will be our ring bearer! While we were home he loved to wake up Ben by shouting "wake up! wake up!" He loves cars and bath time. He may be the only kid i've ever seen that asks for a bath and asks to go to bed! We had many fun adventures with Clark including once when we went to feed the horse that lives by my parents house he made the noise 'eh - on' like a donkey does... i guess a horse is kind of like a donkey, when you're 2.

We like Clark and Sammy. Now that i'm back in Texas, i miss them already. Good thing I get to see them again in 3 weeks!

* both Clark and Sammy are also co-property of my brother in law, Matt :)

.canada.

2009-11-22T23:38:00.004+01:00

I can't believe we've been here 10 days already! Tomorrow we return to Dallas to finish school, but it has been a busy week full of family, fun and friends and wedding preparations!

.slinky.

2009-11-22T23:29:00.003+01:00

i forgot how fun slinky's are until a few days ago when we were hanging out with my nephew and one of my best friends kids. ben showed them how to use the slinky and they were thrilled!

Ben showing the boys how it works

Clark... eager to help

"i'll get it! i'll get it!"

fun.fall.fest.

2009-11-02T01:03:00.002+01:00

our church hosted a fall fest for the kids in the church and neighbourhood.
we stopped by and here is a glimpse of the fun...

Weekend with the In-Laws

2009-11-01T04:18:00.002+01:00

Ben's parents came to visit us in Dallas this weekend and we had fun hanging out and just being together. We took them on tours of our campuses and to the 6th Floor Museum (where JFK was shot from). It was fun to drive around downtown Dallas and just enjoy this city where we live and study... and hardly ever really 'get out' :)

Wedding Invitations & Cake

2009-10-20T22:08:00.005+02:00

Planning a wedding so far has been pretty fun. One of the fun parts has been to have our friends involved. It is a beautiful picture to me of the body of Christ.

My friend in Poland, Sylwia is a great graphic designer and designed our wedding invitations!

And my friend Kris from college is an amazingly creative cook, and is going to make our wedding cake!

P for Pumpkins

2009-10-19T19:12:00.003+02:00

Pumpkin carving is such a fun North American tradition! Last week Ben and I got together with some other friends in our building and carved some faces :) We are really enjoying spending time together and living in Community. It has been fun to see Ben invest in relationships with some of the guys around us, and makes me smile about our future together (even if he is trying to scare me :)

Room with a View

2009-10-15T22:37:00.003+02:00

This year i live in the same building on campus but in a different apartment. It's amazing how much 3 floors makes a difference! (and also changing sides of the building) We watched a storm come in a few weeks ago... it's was pretty amazing to watch.

Community & Canadian Thanksgiving

2009-10-12T17:42:00.005+02:00

Ben and I hosted Canadian Thanksgiving here in Dallas yesterday. It was so fun to learn how to work together, in blessing people. A few of the Canadian professors and their wives came, as well as Dr. Pentecost, who is 93 yrs old! We invited the other Canadian students and our American friends and just had a blast! Ben cooked 3 turkeys! We shared what we are thankful for this year, and it is fun to worship the 'giver of all good gifts' in this way. It was such an enjoyable day, what a blessing it is to be able to bless others. I am excited for our future together and hosting many more 'Canadian Thanksgivings' together in the future, regardless of which country we reside!

4 Turkeys!

Yum, Gravy!

Classic Side Dishes

our table of 25!

Dr. Pentecost & Jonathan

Ben & me... happy

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...
James 1.17

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

2009-10-10T23:44:00.004+02:00

What a year it has been! I feel like the Lord has lavished his blessings on me this year.
Yet I know there will be years that are hard, and even yet I want to praise Him and thank Him, because He is good.

As I was reflecting on his goodness, and looking through the scriptures, I came across these verses...

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. [1 Chronicles 16:34 & Psalm 106.1]

... we are to thank the Lord for his goodness... he alone is good and dwells in unapproachable light... 'why do you call me good?' Jesus asked the Rich Young man... 'God alone is good'... to know a love that endures forever is beyond the comprehension of the finite human mind. But if our love 'ends' and his 'never ends' that must be really, really good.

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. [1 Chronicles 16:8 & Psalm 105.1]

... thanking the Lord and making known what He has done among the nations are tied together in this verse... God's grace to me, in redeeming me... God's grace available for others, in redeeming them... oh that the nations would know that He alone is God.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18

Not everything has been good this year but we are to give thanks in all circumstances... that's his will for us... when i thank God for even the smallest thing, i am reminded that I am a recipient of grace and that life is not all that bad, even when it seems like it is. It changes my attitude, instead of demanding of God, I become full of gratitude.

The Peasant Princess

2009-10-05T19:11:00.003+02:00

I was writing a paper on the Song of Solomon today and remembered that Mark Driscoll does a series on the book and human sexuality. I stumbled across this on the Mars Hill website and thought the video was absolutely hilarious. The topic is also incredibly important in the church, yet so many see it as taboo.

Check out the website for the series - The Peasant Princess

And just a disclaimer, I haven't finished watching the series (only just begun) and have no clue what Mark is going to say. Any of the contents are his views, and not necessarily mine... though i tend to agree with a lot he says, and i think he is a pretty amazing man, because he says things that other people think but won't say...

Oh, also check out the game "Wac-a-Fox" on the website where you get to bop the foxes in the garden (shame, betrayal...) It rocks.

The Bride of Christ

2009-10-04T17:18:00.003+02:00

I can't wait to go to church today. I think that's a good thing. I haven't felt that in a while.

I've been reflecting lately on how the church IS the BRIDE of Christ.... as I wait eagerly to become Ben's wife, it has forced me to think about how Christ loves the church.

How often we can make the church out to be ugly, sinful, weak, blemished... all of which at times are true (we are sinner, living in a fallen world). But no one EVER says that about a bride. A bride is the essence of beauty and purity in the eyes of her beloved and wedding guests.

How many people i have heard say they love Jesus, but they are just fed up with the church. Jesus called her, his bride.

free download

2009-10-05T06:41:00.001+02:00

i like these calendars...
and the download is free!
click here

Pumpkin Spice Season

2009-09-27T16:29:00.003+02:00

It is the season... I love fall. Honestly, Dallas does fall too hot. I love the cooling of the air on the first day of school, the changing of leaves, wearing a fall jacket and long sleeves after a hot summer. The sun still shine bright in Dallas (30C) but the air conditioning provides a faded imitation of the feel of fall.

Every year Starbucks brings out their 'Pumpkin Spice Latte'. [which fyi, i now must order with skim milk due to my apparently recently developed lactose intolerance.] And the other day, I found this fun package of coffee at TJ Max (i love that store!)

98 days...

2009-09-26T21:32:00.005+02:00

It hit me the other day, in 100 days i will have a husband! Quite an amazing thing the Lord has done in my life. I am excited to begin this new phase of life called marriage.

As i study God's word, i have encountered time and time again a nation who was faithless... they turned away from the Lord who loved them and wanted the best for them. They wanted to be like other nations and so they asked for a king. But... it was never God's desire for Israel to have a king. He gave them one because they asked for one.

But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 1 Samuel 8.6-8

How sad God's heart must have been. Now I don't believe that marriage is the same thing, but I want God always as the king of my heart. And as I enter into this new phase of life called marriage, I want to remember that ultimately God is my provider, my husband. What a joy to know that even as we walk into marriage, that it is God who holds our hearts, our lives, our futures in His hand.

So as Ben and I enter into covenant relationship with one another, what a blessing it is that he will not replace the Lord's role in my life and place in my heart, rather become my fellow traveler, my best friend and my partner in crime. I can hardly wait!

.friends.

2009-09-21T01:58:00.001+02:00

I love my girlfriends! As much as I'm looking forward to married life and love being with Ben, there is nothing that replaces girl talk. These two girls (Caitlin & Natalie) have been my roommates here in Dallas for the past 2 years and will be 2 of my bridesmaids! On Saturday we went to get their dresses for the wedding and had a fun detour to Starbucks!

ISRAEL pictures :: Wildlife

2009-09-20T23:44:00.006+02:00

ISRAEL pictures :: The People

2009-09-15T05:43:00.005+02:00

As i'm back in Dallas now studying i realize what a blessing it was to be able to be in Israel this summer on a study trip. I am only now beginning to look at some of my photos and wanted to share some with you.

I am always fascinated by people. Today in class we are going through Isaiah and again i was struck that the Jews are God's chosen people, Israel. He has chosen them, out of all the nations on the earth... Here are some of the people...

Two Young Jewish Boys

Palestinian girls in Jericho

Older Jewish Man in the Old City

Reading God's Law
(at the wailing wall)
Walking to a Funeral at the Mount of Olives

Reading the Newspaper

.world wide web.