"Love It Forward" 60's Themed Party!

I heard it through the grapevine... Darlin', won't you stand by me at the upcoming 60's themed event at the TWU Bookstore on March 20th?

"Love It Forward" with snow cones, cookies for a cause, fair trade coffee, live music and much more!

Starts @ 11:30AM (after chapel)

Come on out and celebrate with us! We'll be dancin' in the streets (or aisles!) Either way, it's going to be a blast from the past!

For more info, contact the Bookstore at bookstore@twu.ca or come on by!

Deception Infection (Chapter Review)

Soul Detox by Craig Groeschel: Chapter 1 - Deception Infection

"No matter how objective we hope to be, our viewpoint is always distorted to some - sometimes large - degree. Here's the challenge: The longer we view ourselves through a distorted lens, the more likely we are to believe a distorted truth. The longer we lie to ourselves, deceive ourselves, or remain in denial about the truth, the more likely we are to base our decisions and actions on a false belief system" (pp. 22-23).

How hard is it for you to accept the truth? Have loved ones of yours, maybe even friends, told you something that they notice about you, and instead of listening to what they have to say, you dismiss it?

I know I have.

It is the hardest thing to accept criticism. We often want to run the other way - believing our own thoughts - which in turn, feed the lies that we hold as truth.

And they could be simple. Maybe you think you're a great singer - the next American (or Canadian) Idol.

And they could be complicated. Maybe you think you don't have a problem with gossiping, but your friends notice it in you. Or maybe you struggle with telling the truth - covering up the real facts with fake ones.

No matter what it is, we all deceive ourselves in some way.

In Jeremiah 17:9, it says: "The heart is deceitful above all things."

If I were to put 100 people into a room right now and ask them these two questions (as conducted by Groeschel in his church):

1) How many of you battle with self-deception? and,
2) How many of you know someone who is very self-deceived?

I guarantee that way more people would raise their hands on the second one.

Get it? Even in THAT instance, we are deceiving ourselves.

God calls us to listen to those around us - our friends, our family, our co-workers - because they see a side of us that we don't see ourselves.

In Proverbs 15:31-32 it says: "He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding" (NIV 1984).

A loving person gives a loving rebuke because they care enough about us enough to confront us lovingly.

So think about it: Why do we so easily deceive ourselves?

Craig Groeschel thinks it's simple: Because we are afraid of the truth.

And I second him on that.

So let us stop lying to ourselves, let us stop lying to others, and come before God - naked and bare - ready to accept our faults. Stop drinking the poison and start drinking the living water.

As you've heard it said: the truth will set you free.

It will set you free, indeed.

-R.H. (Note: all ideas/quotes come directly from the chapter - my opinion is merely expressed through them).

 

"Victoria" Mission Spring 2012- Winning Essay

All you can hope for when God leads you to take part in a mission or service trip is that you will be a blessing to the people you are serving and that you grow not only in character but in your relationship with the Lord. I always find when I participate in service trips that the people I’m trying to serve end up blessing me so much more than I feel I was a service to them.

The catalyst that lead me to participating in Global Projects’ spring trips was actually participating in another Trinity outreach program called Nightshift last year. I loved going Monday nights to Surrey with fellow students and meeting people in the downtown core and genuinely listening to people’s stories and getting a glimpse of what their lives are really like. After weeks of doing this you begin to recognize God’s work in their lives, even if the individual doesn’t recognize it as God’s hand, prayers are getting answered. That’s when God started to whisper in my life that this type of service is something to be looked at closer and I started to look for other opportunities in that I could serve those that society tends to cast aside. At that time God directed me to the Global Projects spring teams, and the fact that three weeks before the teams were to leave I was able to be placed on one, was God’s work at hand. Going to Calgary was a growing experience, I didn’t know anyone on my team and I was out of my comfort zone. But the people I met and the stories that I head were aspiring and encouraging. Once again, even though I gave up a week of work, God blessed me in so many little ways on that service trip that I feel I got so much more than I gave. After going to Calgary I knew that the next year I wanted to once again give up my reading week to serve others. Although the decision to go didn’t seem as significant this year because I knew what I was pursuing, God had a plan to make this opportunity another  growing experience that would push my comfort level, when He gave me the opportunity to lead a team this reading break. Although I don’t see myself as leader quality since I tend to be quiet and shy in larger groups, I have to trust God that his strengths will continually work through my weaknesses so that I may not boast in my accomplishments, but give the glory of my accomplishments back to God knowing that this experience will challenge and allow me to grow in character. You may wonder why this fact pertains to inspiring stories of missions, and its relevant because on previous trips I listened to people’s stories of how they reached the bottom; where they felt there was no way getting out of the pit they had created. But then organizations like the Mustard Seed in Calgary give them a place where they can find a source of hope again. These organizations, whether Christian-based or not, give those in need a hand in battling addictions, they walk beside the broken as they fight against weaknesses; they have decide to take the time and befriend those society wants to ignore. I hear these stories of redemption, of people fighting for their lives, overcoming what seems the impossible, and I ask myself why wouldn’t people want to help even for a couple days? Why wouldn’t you want to be a hand that the Lord uses to bring even the smallest positive influence on another person’s life? I’m always amazed and in awe of the way God works in people’s lives, the way he reshapes and claims them for his own and then uses those very people who had hit the bottom, who were on the edge to help others yet again. At the Mustard Seed in Calgary I met numerous people who were volunteering there because they wanted to give back to the organization that was helping them. I understand that some stories may be fabricated, and many people who live in poverty are there because their money always goes to their addictions, but what stops us from helping, from trying? In my mind, giving up a week of income to serve others within an organization that provides a source of hope is a blessing all on its own. I’m excited to seeing God’s plan develop through this trip, to see Him at work through the organization that my team volunteers and to see my team grow and be challenged.

-Megan Schellenberg

how old is "old"

This morning on news 1130, they talked about a poll (there must be a poll for everything) that asked baby boomers how they would catagorize themselves:  old or middle aged?  The majority thought they were middle aged and when asked when "old age" began, they said "about 80 years of age". 
Asking the same question of 20somethings, they thought "old" began at 60.  OH MY! I thought.  Noooooo......I just had that milestone birthday last month and "old" doesn't register with me yet.  Interestingly, a decade ago, I had identified myself as "the oldest of the young".  I'm going to have to relabel the current decade otherwise it will have to be "the youngest of the old."  And maybe that is correct but I want to delay the "old" factor for as long as possible and it is not YET. 
So, when is one old?  Is it when you turn 30? 40?   This is not a useless question.  We get only one life.  What will define what I can do, or who I am?  Will I waste time decrying the age I am, mourning the loss of youth?  I have observed this attitude in any/every decade of life, mine included.
What do you think?  When is one old? 

Vacations

"Do you have plans for vacation this summer?"  That's the best conversation opener these days at the bookstore.  The answers are always interesting.
I'm sure you've all been wondering what our summers are like here at the store.  So, let me tell you the whole scoop (or part of the scoop).

  Jeff, our manager,the guy with an eternal smile on his face, is off to "see North America".  He and a friend are going on a roadtrip through New England.  They fly to Boston and rent a car, visiting 7 states, covering over 1100 miles in 10 days.  This is the 3rd trip in this quest.

 
Rhoda is the one responsible for the TWU clothing, including the designs.  She had an adventure of a lifetime.  In May she spent 10 short, packed days in China, immersed in a cultural experience "I will never forget.  The architecture in Beijing was amazing; visiting the Pearl Market was a blast; seeing the hectic traffic in the city of Changsha was nothing short of scary."  She met some terrific people who are committed to making life better for some of China's disabled and abandoned children.

Mel Buhler, our textbook teddy bear, oh, I mean manager, had just one thing to say (being a man of few words):  "Four weddings and a funeral."  That's his summer in a nutshell!

Beth is our "queen in the counting house, counting all our money..." (and that's as far as I'll take that rhyme...). No "cushy" vacation for her.  She and her husband will explore "another" Gulf Island, Savory Island for a week in the sun and surf.  If you're not familiar with Savory Island, you'll need to know that you have to take a water taxi from Powell River to the island where there are no stores -they have to take their own toilet paper and everything else.  "It's like Survivor".  Good luck, Beth.

Marj, the shipper/receiver for the store, doesn't do vacation haphazardly.  Noooooo!  She went to Maui with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and 3 year old granddaughter.  If it wasn't the beach, or the wonderful weather, it was the 2 hour sunset cruise on a sailing catamaran that took the cake!  She has more vacation  to  take.
Then there's Niki, who makes sure there are interesting books in the store and is the one who makes sure there's lots of great books on sale every day.  She's the "daughter" that went with Marj to Maui.  Yeah, how could you beat a  2 hour sunset catamaran cruise for some fun!

And me?  The plan is a motorcycle trip on the long weekend in July to William's Lake on our Yamaha Venture Royal (new to us, but it's a collector) and if that's comfortable enough, we'll ride to Saskatoon for a cousin reunion.  Marg reminded me that mosquitoes are horrendous in Saskatchewan and it could be a REAL mess on the visors, etc.  We'll see.  Maybe the car would be dandy after all!

What are YOU doing for vacation?  I'm sure your adventures could outdo any of ours.
Anyway, how about those Canucks!!!!!
Naomi

I promised an update....

Since that first blog, when the wisteria vine was just bare twigs and the sun shone warmly, fooling us into thinking that summer was here, the campus has become even more beautiful.  These are some of my all time favorite flowers.

The gardeners on the maintenance crew planted a new "garden", which makes the circle in front of Mattson Center and RSC look so fabulous.  The Rhododendron bushes are in their glory right now!

This is how Neufeld Science Center looks this week.  It's painted now but I don't know if these are the final coats. 

The North Fraser dorm is another matter!  It looks like a disaster area!  I suppose that's good news to whomever will live there next fall.  It can only get better:
It's Friday again so, here's wishing you all a great weekend.

Just asking..."What is one thing you think of that always makes you smile?" (Kobi Yamada)  For me?  being cheek to cheek with my grandchildren.

Where's home?

Summer is often a time of transition and the idea of "home" can become elusive.  Where  IS home?  How important is it to be home?  I guess the answer to those questions will vary with each one of us.  
For me, I will always be FROM Saskatchewan even though I have lived away from there 3 times longer than I actually lived there.  Apparantly, where you lived when you were 11 is where you feel at home. 
For one of my daughters, there's going to be a different house for her family this summer.  Ben, her husband has finished Med School and will they will be moving to Kingston Ontario for a couple of years. It probably won't ever be HOME for them but they will make it homey.  
For another of my daughters, home is changing from Courtenay BC to Victoria in a month or so. Not all their children are happy about the transition- one in particular is feeling somewhat displaced by the plan to move. 
 Another daughter has made a new home near San Francisco.  She can make any place home. 
The home my husband and I live in is not their home.  None of them grew up there and have no emotional attachment to the house except that's where we live and that's where they bring their children, who attach no other place to Grandpa and Grandma. 
Where is your home?  Are you home?  Are you glad to be away from home?  Do you wish you were home?  Are you making your own home?  Is TWU as much home as anywhere right now?  We'd love to hear where you actually are, where do you wish you were, are you loving where you are. 
It's a great weekend coming up weather-wise.  BBQ's will be out this weekend, I'm sure.  It will be at our place. 
These were the musings in the bookstore today.
Naomi