Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Song of the Day (#20)
Might not be my favourite Sigur Ros song, but it is definitely my favourite Sigur Ros video. Iceland is so hauntingly gorgeous, it's unreal, and the people seem to be pretty as well. If you ever seen 'How to Train Your Dragon', doesn't this vid really remind you of the main characters. The whole Viking setting, with the clothing and everything. Anyways, I was stumbling this morning and I came across a treat for the eyes. +1 for my Bucket List. Shit, I got to get on that traveling, quick! The place is called Seljanlandsfoss and there is a picture below. Don't get me wrong, I love the song, but it's the video that makes it for me. Breathtaking!
Glosoli - Sigur RosWednesday, December 29, 2010
...at it's Finest
There is so much to photography
It is slightly overwhelming
But at the same, inspiring
Photography...
...at it's Finest
I love stumbling
Stockholm Library
If there was one place
One place you could be locked away
One place you spend the rest of your life in
It would be the library in Stockholm
Sweden beckons me
And I'll see her someday
Someday...
~Stumbled~
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Song of the Day (#19)
Boy, do I ever have a doozy for you today! Another Pacific North West band from the amazing city of Portland, Oregon. I actually have the pleasure of introducing you to them while they're still relatively unheard of. They don't even have a Wikipedia page for crying out loud. I have come to a conclusion that they have the coolest band name I've ever heard. Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you Y La Bamba!
Juniper - Y La Bamba
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Top Ten European Cultural Sites
10. Hanseatic Town of Visby, Sweden
I had to include a little Sweden! With me probably going to Lund in a couple years for Go Global, Visby will definitely be a destination one weekend. I love the peaceful atmosphere and the pretty architecture.
9. Bryggen, Norway
Bergen has always been a place I wanted to see. Bergen has the same qualities as Visby but is way more beautiful. It totally makes sense with these two being similar and all, with Norway and Sweden once being one country. All the different colours and such, really remind me of the old part of Stockholm. Bryggen actually happens to be a series of buildings on the waterfront, and the oldest part of town. Such a picturesque place, and I happen to know a couple, who went there on their honeymoon and that really says it all.
8. Old City of Berne, Switzerland
The old city of Berne, is the mediaeval center of the city and it happens to be untouched since its construction hundreds of years ago. From above, it really looks like a island surrounded by a canal separating it from the rest of Berne. It really is a treat for the eyes with all the gothic architecture, overflowing with beautiful buildings.
7. Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint John, Greece
I saw a car commercial awhile back for Lexus I believe, and it was just a car driving around a beautiful city with white buildings looking over a big body of water. This monastery is on the island of Patmos in Greece and it fits the description perfectly. It’s probably stinking hot there, but I totally see myself sitting back watching the sun set over the Mediterranean.
6. Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia
My sister, while in Sweden, got to travel around Europe, and as you probably guessed, she went to Croatia. A friend of mine from DTS went to Croatia recently as well, and he uploaded some pictures. It’s crazy tropical, and crazy beautiful as well. Dubrovnik was already on my list though, but it would be a travesty to not include it here.
5. Upper Middle Rhine Valley, Germany
I always thought of staying away from Europe for now, because one, it’s so expensive, and two, it’s relatively small, so why not tackle it all at once. Germany has looked very attractive lately. It seems like a very cool country with cool people and a lot to see. With Berlin and Munich, and my good friend Irene, it’s only a matter of time. With this new Valley I discovered, it only raises Germany’s stock, in my books anyways.
4. Hallstatt-Dachstein / Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, Austria
I’ve seen this place heaps of times before, on post cards and whatnot. It’s like a story though, or a fairytale of sorts! I’ve really been impressed looking how much Austria and Switzerland has to offer. I have another DTS friend in Austria so I’ll have to make my way there soon.
3. Las Médulas, Spain
I don’t understand how this place isn’t a natural site, because it’s one hell of a place. Apparently it was a gold mine at one point. There are paths and such up there and everything. It’s beautiful though eh? Would easily be top five in the other list. The picture really says it all though. Just imagine having a house up there!
2. Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegodvina
I was looking at pictures of Mostar, and damn, Eastern Europe is so beautiful. This bridge in particular, and just the surrounding area might probably be, one of the most scenic places I have ever seen. Next to number one of course!
1. Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay, France
I think it’s pretty amazing how I never seen this place before, because it’s seriously majestic! France has a lot to offer, being the biggest tourist attraction in the world. I could of easily made a top five with just French places, but with everybody flooding to Paris, I bet this place gets passed up quite a bit. It is located in Northern France, on the shores of Normandy. I wonder how much significance it had with the WWII, but I always wanted to see the D-Day beaches. The place makes one hell of a picture though.
Honourable Mention:
Struve Geodetic Arc, several countries
Pretty incredible chain system that works it’s way around several countries. It spans ten countries in total, around 2000km. It was used to measure the earth or something like that. Thought it was pretty cool, so I had to include it.
Canal du Midi, France
Already had a French entry so had to pass on these canals, but it’s pretty crazy to pass by so I put it here. This canal system in Southern France is pretty incredible in itself. Its 250km long, and it links the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Would be interesting to see if you can take a boat all the way through…
Historic Site of Lyons, France
Another entry for France. If anyone has seen Amelie, they’ve seen this before. Besides the one place from one country rule, there is just so many tourists that go to France, and Paris more specifically. I will go again myself someday, that’s for sure.
Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Another tourist hot spot, but a must on everyones travel list. I’ll make my way there some day.
Skellig Michael, Ireland
This place looks absolutely breathtaking. This is what I think about when I think of Ireland. I quite frankly don’t know why this is a cultural site rather than a natural one. If it was a natural site, I would of for sure put in my top ten. I think Ireland is probably the most likely the next country I visit so this might not be too far in the future…
Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow, Russia Russia is more and more appealing. The Red Square in Moscow is another tourist frenzy, but again, it’s something everyone should see.
University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares, Spain
Thought this place was pretty cool. Me, being in University myself… Not good enough for the top ten though!
Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces, Switzerland
Another entry from Switzerland. With me going there only a couple of years ago, might be awhile till I make it again… Switzerland really is a beautiful country.
Heart of Neolithic Orkney, United Kingdom
The home of my good friend Ruth. Mighty Orkney! Such amazing people, the Scots are… This is what I think of when I think of Scotland, the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, Viking type setting. Beautiful!
Friday, December 24, 2010
World Heritage Sites - Top Ten Natural Sites
I happen to have one of my high school teachers on Facebook. Weird? I know… but not really. We bickered and somewhat argued, but he probably was my favourite teacher, or up there anyways. He kind of influenced me to teach as well, not intentionally though; I’m pretty sure he doesn’t even know that either… He’s one insane photographer though, and he loves to travel as well. Ring any bells? I know right! Anyways, he went to Europe last summer, for the millionth time it seems, and took heaps and heaps of pictures. Really made me jealous, but I’m still young I guess… He happened to go to a place on the west coast of Italy called Cinque Terre. Seriously, it might be the most beautiful place I’ve never actually seen! Some of his pictures below… Well, I added it to my ever growing list of places to go and also did some further research on the place. I read that it is a World Heritage Site and that intrigued me. I’ve seen the UNESCO World Heritage Site title before, like on the Angkor Temples I visited last year in Cambodia, but I wanted to see the whole list. There are heaps and heaps of places on the list, so many in fact that it is slightly overwhelming because there is no way I can make it to all of them… I’ve also noticed that there are some places I’ve heard of that aren’t on the list….. Well, the list is split into Natural Sites and Cultural Sites, so are the ten that peaked my interest the most. It was actually very difficult to narrow it down to ten, and to put those ten into order of the most interesting.
-Michael Enns
10. Sutsey, Iceland
UNESCO: Surtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. It is all the more outstanding for having been protected since its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, Surtsey has been producing unique long-term information on the colonisation process of new land by plant and animal life. Since they began studying the island in 1964, scientists have observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the appearance of moulds, bacteria and fungi, followed in 1965 by the first vascular plant, of which there were 10 species by the end of the first decade. By 2004, they numbered 60 together with 75 bryophytes, 71 lichens and 24 fungi. Eighty-nine species of birds have been recorded on Surtsey, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland. The 141 ha island is also home to 335 species of invertebrates.
Looking at other pictures, it looks like Sutsey is just a big rock floating in the ocean. Looking at pictures also shows you the raw power of nature. I recommend you Google Sutsey and see for yourself the billows of smoke rising miles; the overflowing lava, spewing about, and the freakish lightning storms that were a common occurrence way back when. The desire to go there is more for the region though. The typical terrain you see in Ireland and the UK as well; the terrain illustrated in Sigur Ros’s amazing ‘Glósóli’ video. Iceland has always been beckoned my name and Sutsey just adds to that.
9. Pirin National Park, Bulgaria
UNESCO: Spread over an area of over 27,000 ha, at an altitude between 1008 and 2914 m in the Pirin Mountains, southwest Bulgaria, the site comprises diverse limestone mountain landscapes with glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and predominantly coniferous forests. It was added to the World Heritage List in 1983. The extension now covers an area of around 40,000 ha in the Pirin Mountains, and overlaps with the Pirin National Park, except for two areas developed for tourism (skiing). The dominant part of the extension is high mountain territory over 2000m in altitude, and covered mostly by alpine meadows, rocky screes and summits.
There is not too much to this choice, other then fact that it looks absolutely breathtaking. Not what I usually think of when I think of Eastern Europe, but I will definitely have to make the trek when I eventually get there!
8. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
UNESCO: These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than 2 km wide at this point, plunges noisily down a series of basalt gorges and raises an iridescent mist that can be seen more than 20 km away.
I tried to have a rule of not having two of the same kind of things on this list, i.e. two waterfalls, but unfortunately, I failed. While narrowing the list to ten from fifteen, I couldn’t take either of the waterfalls out, and it turned out that Victoria Falls was my only African destination. As you can tell, I don’t have too much longing to go to Africa like a lot of people I know, including my sister, who is in South Africa right now as we speak actually! Don’t get me wrong, I believe there is a lot Africa has to offer, and I would love to experience all that someday. Indeed, I actually have a lot of interest in Northern Africa like Morocco, Egypt, Libya, etc. A good Scottish friend of mine named Ruth is actually moving to Zim in January, so I might have to make my way now!
7. Yosemite National Park, United States of America
UNESCO: Yosemite National Park lies in the heart of California. With its 'hanging' valleys, many waterfalls, cirque lakes, polished domes, moraines and U-shaped valleys, it provides an excellent overview of all kinds of granite relief fashioned by glaciation. At 600–4,000 m, a great variety of flora and fauna can also be found here.
California has a hell of a lot to offer, and I find it remarkable how many times I’ve been there and how many places my family have driven right by. Of course it was always Los Angeles, Disneyland, and visiting my few uncles in the area. Yosemite look familiar to people who spend anytime on Youtube, or people who have a fascination with rainbows. Yes, yes, it is the home of the most amazing man to walk this earth, excluding Jesus Christ of course. “Double rainbow all the way, across the sky”. I’ve actually stumbled over a gallery on Flickr all on Yosemite, and I strongly recommend you take a look at it because it is only testament to why it’s on this list! Unbelievably gorgeous!
6. Laurisilva of Madeira, Portugal
UNESCO: The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon.
The whole island of Madeira seems pretty cool. I love all the little islands I discovered looking at this UNESCO list, especially the heaps of them that belong to France. It’s pretty strange how France has an island in every ocean… It’s what you get for being a powerhouse back in the day. The thought of island sparsely populated and unheard of is pretty intriguing to me. Perhaps because of all the Lost I’ve been watching lately. But it is the Laurisilva forest that makes it even more special. So prime for taking photographs, with just how some of the light makes it to the bottom, only some light making it to your camera lens. Yes, very forest-esque. I love how Laurisilva has my last name in it as well! Yes, very Portuguese.
5. West Norwegian Fjords, Norway
UNESCO: Situated in south-western Norway, north-east of Bergen, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, set 120 km from one another, are part of the west Norwegian fjord landscape, which stretches from Stavanger in the south to Andalsnes, 500 km to the north-east. The two fjords, among the world’s longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine, such as submarine moraines and marine mammals.
My love for Scandinavia is one thing, I get that, but Norway might be the most beautiful country! A friend of mine stumbled upon (stumbledupon.com) another place in Northern Norway that could of easily of made the top five of this list, but unfortunately UNESCO has not made their way up that far yet… Link below if you would like to see some amazing pictures. And yes, when I say the most beautiful, I include my own country, Canada, and my other love New Zealand. I had to exclude another fjord with the ‘one of each thing rule’, but I will have you know that this Danish fjord is in the honourable mention section at the bottom.
http://www.kuriositas.com/2010/12/lofoten-arctic-circle-anomaly.html
4. China Danxia, China
Unesco: China Danxia is the name given in China to landscapes developed on continental red terrigenous sedimentary beds influenced by endogenous forces (including uplift) and exogenous forces (including weathering and erosion). The inscribed site comprises six areas found in the sub-tropical zone of south-west China. They are characterized by spectacular red cliffs and a range of erosional landforms, including dramatic natural pillars, towers, ravines, valleys and waterfalls. These rugged landscapes have helped to conserve sub-tropical broad-leaved evergreen forests, and host many species of flora and fauna, about 400 of which are considered rare or threatened.
Like noted above, Danxia is just a name given to a certain terrain. That terrain happens to be the one you see in a lot of movies, well the rural China that is, and not the bustling people hotspots, i.e. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing… China has always been attractive to me. I even remember hoping that China was a outreach location for my DTS before actually knowing the three locations chosen for us. The people there seem amazing; there’s a lot of history; or maybe it’s the strict handle they have on religion, or Christianity, or in general actually. Hell, I can see my self setting up shop in a place like this with no electricity or running water, living the life like that one guy from that one movie! Yeah, that one! Give me a good wife and a good family and I’m definitely game. Good luck with that they say, HA!
3. Iguazu National Park, Argentina/Brazil
Unesco: The semicircular waterfall at the heart of this site is some 80 m high and 2,700 m in diameter and is situated on a basaltic line spanning the border between Argentina and Brazil. Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The surrounding subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans.
When I said earlier that there was another waterfall, I lied… Turns out to be a good thing actually with the ‘only one of each thing’ rule eh… There are waterfalls in this park though, where the two different rivers meet. South America use to be a turn off for me back in high school with some of the horror stories you read about; the crime, kidnapping, etc. But I must say that countries like Chile and Peru have quite recently topped my to do list. Iguazu park seems to have it all really, it seems to be a few places in one, a festival of fiesta if you will. Get two stamps in your passport as well which is pretty awesome in itself.
2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
UNESCO: The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.
The Great Barrier Reef would top a lot of peoples list, but it falls a little shy for me. Maybe because I’ve been to that region before, but at the same time, I know already how beautiful that region is. You cannot go wrong with Oceania!. I have this irrational fear of the ocean… I think it stems from a paranoia of sharks, but it’s just the vastness of the water on this planet that gets me. I see pictures of this so vast openness and it gives me the shivers. I see pictures of sharks and other marine life, with the endless darkness beneath and I get spooked. A lot of people of scared of sharks, but it’s more, it’s just crazy! What better to help break that than the GBR, eh? Maybe a little snorkelling will do the trick! I have been snorkelling before though, in Mexico… but that was before this fear arose. If I got my Australian coasts straight, I have a good friend from DTS who lives around Brisbane. I also have an aunt that lives there too, and she has a boat!
1. Pitons, Saint Lucia
UNESCO: The 2,909-ha site near the town of Soufriere includes the Pitons, two volcanic spires rising side by side from the sea (770 m and 743 m high respectively), linked by the Piton Mitan ridge. The volcanic complex includes a geothermal field with sulphurous fumeroles and hot springs. Coral reefs cover almost 60% of the site’s marine area. A survey has revealed 168 species of finfish, 60 species of cnidaria, including corals, eight molluscs, 14 sponges, 11 echinoderms, 15 arthropods and eight annelid worms. The dominant terrestrial vegetation is tropical moist forest grading to subtropical wet forest, with small areas of dry forest and wet elfin woodland on the summits. At least 148 plant species have been recorded on Gros Piton, 97 on Petit Piton and the intervening ridge, among them eight rare tree species. The Gros Piton is home to some 27 bird species (five of them endemic), three indigenous rodents, one opossum, three bats, eight reptiles and three amphibians.
I Googled every location to find a nice picture in which I could use, and when I Googled the Pitons, it was just in a whole different level. I don’t think any picture does this place justice though, and only looking at a collection of photos would do the trick, or looking at the Pitons with you eyes of course. I was talking about living the life before, and I guess you can say that this is a new dream for me. When I get married, or if I get married, and when my children (if I have children) move out, I’m moving there! So beautiful!
Honourable Mention:
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Canada/USA
Nahanni National Park, Canada
Ilullssat Icefjord, Denmark
Central Highlands, Sri Lanka
I would of loved to include the Canadian entries but thought it inappropriate due to being a little bias. The fjord in Greenland (Denmark) could of easily made it as well if not for the fjords in Norway. The last mention was more of a shoutout to my motherland. Would it of made the list if it was a different country, I don’t know...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Song of the Day (#18)
When it comes down to bands, there are so many, and it is very difficult to isolate one and choose them over the countless others. It changes, from time to time, but like I said in an earlier post, it probably would be Bon Iver. You would think that picking a favourite song would be even harder, but you would be wrong. I've had a favourite song for quite some time now actually... I tried to remember where I heard it, or how it came into my knowledge, but I'm afraid I can't remember. I do know that it was before this song was famous and I do remember that this band, virutally, were only known in the UK and Australia, where they're hail from. I knew of this song before YWAM as well! You may think that this holds no significance whatsoever, but it does! Well, the song is Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap. If I remember correctly, I heard the song in a Premier League ad a couple years back. Yes, before 500 Days of Summer and before New Zealand. Why New Zealand you may ask! I'll have you know that the lead singer (a guy from Bali) and the bassist actually went through YWAM, and are believers themselves! AND the bassist's father is head of YWAM in Australia, and he spoke at my school in Auckland! Crazy... Anyways, I don't think I would ever of used this song if I did not hear this amazing cover of it by this amazingly talented girl named Ellie Goulding. She also covers Bon Iver's 'The Wolves' so I recommend you check that out as well! Enjoy...
Sweet Disposition - Ellie Goulding
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Class Act
I am a rabid sports fan, or more particularly, a hockey fan, or even more specifically a Canucks fan. Being first generation Canadian, I didn't have that hockey background that most Canadians do, well, the Canadians with Canadian parents that is. When it comes to being a fan, there's not many who are more passionate and knowledgeable than me. A lot of people don't think too much of sports, but I love them. Reminiscing memories and all; the many bad ones like the Canucks (or Luongo) inability to beat ByFUGLYien and the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs.
Or the good times like game 7, 2004, when Matt Cooke tied the game with seconds to go on the Canucks season. Never screamed that loud in my life... Video sums it up pretty well, with the girl crying and all, Jovo jumping in the box like a mad man..... Too bad we still lost!
I started watching in 2002, in the prime of the West Coast Express days, when Markus Naslund, Todd Bertuzzi, and Brendan Morrison were the hottest line in hockey. Just recently, Naslunds jersey was retired here in Van and just brought on some great memories. It's well deserved in my books. During his ceremony, there was a lot of Sweden incorporated with Naslund being Swedish and all. Made me want to go really badly, but it will have to wait. I convinced a friend to go to Sweden for a year of schooling as well. Anyways, Naslund is a class act and he will be remembered in Van forever.
Song of the Day (#17)
If there was one artist I could take out of New Zealand (and I was introduced to many...), it would have to be Mr. Ray Lamontagne. He happens to be one of favourite musicians now. Whenever I think of him, I happen to think of New Zealand... There was a lot of things that went down in NZ with friends of mine, stuff that I should not of been mingled with. One of those friends, a Kiwi, told me of Ray and this is a little shoutout of sorts to him, and just those good (and bad..) times. He really is so so so good, so yeah, enjoy...
Let it Be Me - Ray LaMontagne
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Pray Like Jesus by Mark Driscoll (#2)
I finally got to finishing Mark Driscoll's second sermon for his Pray Like Jesus series. It could not of come at a better time. Had such an intense time of worship this morning! My heart is in such a fragile state right now and I was in tears in no time. Man, I was a wreck, but it felt so so so good. I wrote the entire first entry five minutes into the sermon. What might of not been said last time is that part two (this part) is on the Lord’s Prayer and this will make sense more now.
“Our Father…”
Mark starts off with just the significance and importance of actually what you’re doing when you speak to God and refer to Him as Father. Mark cannot emphasize that enough. Mark then goes on with how God has no gender, but how when Jesus walked the earth he told us to refer to God as Father, and that he himself did that, like in the Lord’s Prayer itself. Some people have trouble with referring to God as a father figure, having bad past experiences with their fathers and such. Mark threw out some stat like 40% of children do not have fathers. I never had trouble calling God father or dad, why? Probably because I had a great dad myself, but I must say, I use to hesitate while praying, ‘cause I thought I sounded foolish... NOT ANYMORE! I truly think that is the key to a good prayer life, just the acknowledging of God being a Dad, and just you speaking to him like one; you’ll know how to pray.
Mark then goes on a tangent, telling a story of his daughter seeing him take his wife on a date and wanting to have a date with him as well. Mark had a lot of work to do, preparing for a sermon and whatnot, but he took the time to spend time with his daughter. Mark initially failed to see that this time that he spent with his kids, meant the world to them, and the same old story happens with God and us, but the other way around of course. God would love to take us on dates, and spend time with us, but we tend to not make time for him (story of my life!).
A good father is what I strive to be, and I love how Mark emphasizes it because it is so important to me.
1. Prayer of Adoration “…in heaven, hallowed be your name…”
Mark lists five different prayers, or five things you have to remember while praying, and the first one is adoration. Just to think of Him in heaven, just blows my mind. His sovereignty is no too farfetched and that line, or lines, illustrates that so well. Mark was talking about how a lot of people wonder what the point of praying is, God being so sovereign and all, but that’s the point of it, He is sovereign! So a time of just taking in accord, God’s power and just His magnitude.
2. Prayer of Worship “…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”
God’s kingdom coming is such a pleasant though. When I think of that, I think of community and what a sweet thought that is. Like I said earlier, I’ve been struggling with some stuff that I usually struggle with, but entering worship always, always, always humbles me up, and brings me to my knees, in a good way! I find that worshipping even when you’re not in the mood, really cheers you up in the end. I love it! A prayer of worship is a given, just thanking Him for everything under the sun. Prayer is all about aligning our will with Gods, having his will be done; so in other words, praying for the right thing, and asking God the right thing.
3. Prayer of Provision “Give us today our daily bread…”
If you’re thinking this means thanking God for food and such, you would be correct, no pun intended of course. We had a little conversation in English awhile ago about consumerism and advertisement today, and how people are always looking for things that they don’t have, more and more and more! An ever going cycle of buying, keeping them in debt for eternity! We tend to do that with our prayer, overlooking small things and praying for luxuries. Something like our food comes in heaps which makes it easy to forget. Notice how it’s “give us our daily bread…” so praying for more is the point, but pray for something you need rather than your greed. Pray for healing and such; God is a giver, and maybe you should just even acknowledge that.
4. Prayer of Confession “…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgave our debtors”
Notice how Jesus used the word debt, and not sin, but he really meant sin. Mark thinks that people find it easier to relate to debt, with most people being in financial debt themselves. Once again, we go back to the whole consumerism thing above… We’re all in debt with the banks, and at the same time we’re all in debt with God. Jesus was our ransom to pay God’s debt. That quite frankly does not sit with me well, makes God seem like some big mobster, but I know it’s true. Mark says that this prayer is one of repentance, and when we’re sinned against, we forgive! Forgiveness is something I’ve always understood. I remember when I was a kid and I use to get into these fights with my sister and I was always the one to make it up with her because I always would forget about it right after, but she would hold a grudge a little longer. She’s not like that anymore, don’t worry. There’s nothing but good things that come out of forgiveness and I’m sure I don’t need to go on. God takes our sin and we become righteous through him.
5. Prayer of Protection “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”
The world is full of darkness, no denying, so asking God for protection is not surprising. There’s a lot of debate with this line of the Lord’s Prayer. Does God lead us into temptation? No, it’s more of agreeing and recognizing it; stating the obvious. Pray for the safety of you and your loved ones day to day is a must.
Mark ends with a story of temptation in his own life. He was just going on about being faithful with his wife while alone traveling, preaching and such. It was really encouraging, because that is what I’m going through. It’s something a lot of men go through including a lot of the other guys on my DTS even, and frigging Mark Driscoll for crying out loud!
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