I'm Home for Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!
So at the moment, I am sitting in the living room of my parents house. I am at home, relaxing, enjoying my break from school. Don't get me wrong, I like school. The tree in front of me, music on the television, it is nice to know that I can be here, my life the way it is because of Jesus Christ. With each passing year, it becomes less about how much I open, but what I do. I love doing devotions. God speaks, He really does.
Tonight was the first of the gathers of the season. It was awesome, family, supper, games. Just the blessing of spending time with them. God really blessed me.
So remember, not just think about it. Jesus is the reason for the season. (Even if we have our timing off)

Blessings,
Daniel

Coffee Break

So here we are, Monday evening, I am taking a break from studying. My roommate is pretty tired, so I started to make some coffee. Decided to take this picture. It was like this, I liked the way it looked. A few more moments, then finish up coffee. Then back to studying. Have my Corinthians exam tomorrow morning. Then driving back home for Christmas. This year has a twist to it that it hasn't for many years. There is my family gatherings only. I was thinking about this yesterday. I only need to go to two things. Little slower this year. I like it, but I need to wake up my roomie. Blessings, and Merry CHRISTmas.
Dan Van

Doing my best Buddy Holly

So this weekend was our Christmas banquet here on campus, The theme was he 50's. It was a good time full of food, swing dance music, greasers, jocks, mobsters, poodle skirts and even a fire. Nice way to finish of the semester. I was going to go as Danny from grease, but my hair at this point is not long enough. So it was my best Buddy Holly impression. Got some guff about not getting rid of my gotee, but I am not ready to part with it yet.

Oh the gotee. I think its awesome, most people don't, but eh its my face right. But need to go study, Peace.

Dan Van

Hello,
Today is going awesome. Unlike the other day, when I wanted to put my head through a wall, today started off with a bang. Woke up and God was already at work. Then breakfast and getting ready for the day. Usually when I go to class, I am almost a wake, but today was like nothing before, no coffee or caffeine before hand, but I was awake and bouncing around. So with coffee in hand finished up classes. I am now done till after the break. Have an exam tomorrow, a weekend, then three more on Monday and Tuesday. Then hit the road to come home.
So yea, today is good. God has granted it to me, and I am LOVING IT!!!!! Still gagged when I went on Facebook and saw a status update. Whatever though, what is done is done. So yea chatted with an old friend yesterday and that was good.
But I need to go study, Blessings
Daniel

Head/Wall, Not usually a good combo

Good day,
Some days I find easier to put my head through a wall, then think straight. I am pretty sure that this is the effects of have not staying single for an extended amount of time after my last couple of relationships. It has only been a month and a half, but sometimes feel like much longer than that. The whole struggle with finding everything in Christ is really a day to day thing. I miss things about being in relationships, but I know for now, that I need to be single. I need get right with God, and not want to put my head through a wall every second day. This gets hard, when habits of knowing that someone is always there kick in, but when that person is not there. Have I been hiding in relationships from who I really am. Am I still dealing with needing to feel loved? Some days it feels like it, others I know Jesus is with me. I know that my family loves me, I know there is love all around. Why do I feel like I need a girlfriend to feel loved? Well the train keeps moving, and lets see whats around the next bend.
Blessings,
Dan Van

Apple Cider and Medicine

Good evening everyone,

Well, here it is. Another Monday night, another runny nose, but there is a twist with this one. I have the biggest headache ever. Thankfully the meds are taking care of it, I just cannot focus on getting my lines for my presentation tomorrow. It may be fun. The other part of this shannagains is that the headache is tensing up my neck. I dont remember if I have ever had this bad of a headache. But that is enough complaining for one evening.
So, I have been relying on God a lot more lately. Most of today, I have been reading my script, its 20 verses from Ezekiel. The remnant is out in Babylon, and God is tell Ezekiel to tell the people that He is still God. Yes God is still God. Its one of those, yea, I can see where Israel is coming from. Then I hear a small voice saying, "Daniel, I am still God." When everything is not what you think it should be, God has a plan to bring you back to the promised land. I know that when God is speaking to Israel, I can take it and know he is talking to me.
It is still a day to day thing, trying not to get bitter. I know there is someone out there, somewhere in this world, that God has for me. I just am left wondering, do I need to change how easily I forgive people. I have been praying about this, since March and I know that God has forgiven me when ever I ask for it. It is one of those, I know I need to do this, but I have been hurt by trusting people who have shown themselves not trustworthy. I know I am not trustworthy. So, am I going to be like the king who lets the debt go, or the slave who was forgiven for lots, and wants everything from another. This is hard to say, I will leave myself vulnerable, for the sake for Christ. For my life is redeemed from an unrepayable debt.
Right now, literally, as I wrote that, bitterness lost a grip on my heart. I finally just gave it to God. Prayerfully, I enter this next part of my life with Adonai, and only holding onto him.
God Bless
Dan Van.

Promises

Promises are meant to be kept. It hurts more to be lied to about it being broken though. I poured out everything I had. Fought with every fiber of my being. I have been left thinking, Am I trusting of those who have hurt me in the past?

God is with me. Giving me peace, my place to hide, fulfilling my deepest needs. It is still a daily struggle to walk with Him with all that I am, but fortunately He is uber forgiving. He has paid for my sins, and promised to never leave me. He is close, even when I am far. I feel Him with me every morning. The blessing of just feeling His presence is amazing. I thank Him for where He has put me.

What happens next in my life? Not sure, but do know that it will be fun.

Peace,
Dan Van

Boredom. It sucks. Campus is empty, most have gone to the volleyball game, which I wanted to go to, but either people had rides, or no room to take me. So I am here, in my room. Gah. SO BORED. I have already planned what I am taking home this weekend. Wait, I Get to go home!!!! This is so exciting. But I am going to do something productive.
God Bless.

http://thousandfootkrutch.fancorps.com/signup/ref/DanVan

Join to help TFK

It Is Well

First of all, Thank you God for giving these men a heart after you, and the musical talent to show it. Earlier this week when I was out in Swift Current for a blood donor clinic, I picked up the new Kutless CD. Wow, I don't I have found a better way to be distracted from homework. I would be working on something and then I would have my eyes closed and just be praise God. At the moment I am listening to a song called Redeemer. "There is a Redeemer, Jesus God's own Son, Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One" I know it is not their own lyrics, but wow. Once, I started signing, and just kept going till the CD was done. It is not the band that did this. God is amazing, He is like, hmm, well I can't really say. If I had a word perfect enough to describe God, my brain would explode. God created me, with the talents I have. I can have an impact for the Kingdom of God, even if I am not reaching millions at one time.

So the blood donor clinic. Found out that my rest BP is lower than most people. Em I really that relaxed. Then again, my active BP is higher, so does that mean I am stressed. Meh, I gave blood. Just under 5 minutes as well. Only had one person from our group that had a little mishap. She finished giving blood, and was holding the cotton ball and became light headed, it was a grand old time bugging her. It was a good time, was able to spend some time with my mentor. It was a blast.

So yea that was the exciting part of my week. Next week should be fun, teach on Monday, Preach on Thursday. This weekend is going to be full of prep work. Youth Edge is coming up soon, 2 weeks from now. Then a break for a week.

"I've been ashamed/I've been put down/Head in my hands/My life on the ground/Left heaven to save liars and thieves/Sinners like me/Your blood sets us free."

God Bless,
Daniel

Looking up from my notes

Good Evening Ladies and Gents. Just got back from a worship time. My trip back home was nice, not long enough, but it never is. Saw some people that I really wanted to see, still wish I could have connected with some others more.

This up coming weekend I am going out with my Field Ed team to the YFC drop-in centre in Weyburn. One of my friends from here at school worked there this past summer, and told us that we could have many kids or none. This will be I good opportunity to work with youth and share Christ with them.

But need to get back to some studying. Peace and God Bless!

Relief!!!!

I AM DONE!!! Well at least for this week. Just finished up my Hom assignment. I was trying to read Greek. It didn't go to well. I can say I tried, kinda failed, but came out okay. It was nice to have some people to be working along side.

I am so excited to be going home this weekend. I get to see Cassie, and her amazing driving skills. Still have 2 more days of classes and then and then a drive home, but it should go by fast. This month has gone by fast. A lot of things happened. God has protected a couple of friends this week. They rolled their car and stayed safe. God is truly amazing, we went to look at the car and the way the roof was sitting, they shouldn't have made it. Considering each came out with only a concussion, one worse than the other, but still. God had a hand in saving them.

Only a couple more weeks and then its Youth Edge. It should be a blast, the youth group is coming out. Cassie and Aryssa will be there too, they will get to see where I am living and the campus.

"To be preoccupied with heaven, is to be preoccupied with the one who lives there." John MacArthur

Historical Books Paper???

Yea, I am suppose to be writing a paper, but I just thought it was time to break. Plus I just felt like not working at the moment. So, the paper is about how God is trustworthy and how humanity contrasts that. Well, we trust God, but so easily forget how much He has done for us. Israel was pulled up out of Egypt, provided for in the wilderness, given the Promise Land and they still think they can do it better. WOW!!!! Then I was thinking how often do I not trust God. Hmmm. I don't think I could number how many times that is.

On another note, this weekend is Thanksgiving. Get to go home to all the people I love. I like being here at Millar, but miss my home so much. Plus I get to meet someone new, Liam. A couple at my church had a baby this past weekend. So excited!

God blesses us in every way possible. Keep that in mind next time you want to try and do something without him.

Guess who's back. That is right, two days in a row for a post. So some following may ask what has happened since I have been here at school. Well it has officially been two weeks since I've been at school. My classes are great. God has put me in the right spot at this time. I am learning so much and thank God for Millar. The teachers are just wanting to pour so much into our lives. To drink it in is amazing. The community feeling is starting to grow. People are starting to settle in(freshmen are still taking a little more time, or it could be the fact that they had paper due tonight).

I love the fact that I was able to play football, and with very little pain. It was great, my aim throwing the ball needs a little work, but the team as a whole is working well. I still haven't been able to get into the gym. Need to work on that.

God has really been making me trust him lately. I started getting sick basically the day I got out here. I was just really tired and was able to focus much. Today I am feeling like 95%. So almost out of the woods.

So, I made a passing comment about coffee in the last post. Well first, thank you Josh and Vanessa, the french press is amazing. Really enjoying it. Secondly, I get to drink Starbucks in my room when ever I want, and not travel 6 hours on a round trip for it.

God Bless.
Daniel

Running to Class

Gotta go soon. God has blessed me with another year at Millar. Classes are teaching me so much. Day after day I see how great God is. But I need to finish up my coffee(Starbucks, and there isn't one for about 3 hours) grab my books and head to class. More will be posted soon.

God Bless,
Daniel

How often is it that I just sit by the water???

I asked myself this the other day. I was in downtown, looking over the river, then rang out the sound of a siren. An ambulance going to help someone. It got me thinking, how often do I just sit at the Father's feet and just be cleaned. That's all, not doing anything else.

It really got me thinking. How are others going to feel this cleansing, if no one goes to bring them to the water? This world is in a state of searching. Wanting to know what the ultimate goal is in life. Most come to money, fame, things, people, activities. That is what consumes their lives. When they don't achieve this goal, or for the few that attain it, what is there after having "everything"?

God wants to be part of life. He created us to glorify him, not to chase after the things of this world. It can't be done by just words. I need to go out and live for God. Show his love, take some water to those who are thirsty and dirty. Show God's everlasting love, the love that sent Jesus to die. No one deserves to go a life without Christ washing them.

So being ever renewed by God's love and forgiveness. I will go forward, showing a love that is not my own.

Peace,
Daniel