I like the idea of putting a verse on a blog once in a while, just to make people think.
Here is one of my favourites (thanks Amy for introducing me to this verse)

Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame

Everyone has a name and that name is important to them, whether they have chosen that name for themself or whether someone else has chosen it for them, because that name gives who they are a personality and depth of character. Most people are named by their parents after someone who has either been a great influence on the parents' life or on the history of the world. And because of this they live their lives, almost you could say, living up to that name. Some people live their whole lives just to be worthy of the name they have been given and others live their life to create an immortal name for themselves. Usually once one has accomplished the former they attempt the latter. Alexander the Great is an example of this. He lived his life to be worthy of his father's name (family name) but after becoming just as well known or defined as his father he strove to be the greatest, to gain an even greater name. This verse says two things to me. Firstly those who look to God will never be covered with shame. They choose to do His will rather than the will that the world expects of them (namely following the fate their name has left them) and because of that share in Christ's glory. Secondly this verse, as you are probably aware, has a personal impact on me because i am known as "Radiance" or "Rayd". So in that respect this verse tells me that to fulfill my name's fate i have to look to the Lord, or else how can i be the radiant person i am destined to be?

Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame

MC Hammer Blog: Father Father Father

MC Hammer Blog: Father Father Father

A Day FulFilled

I feel like i've been knocked out. Every muscle in my body aches, every movement is with force. Yesterday from 4 o'clock to 6 o'clock i was at the school bowling ball after ball to a batter in the nets, trying to increase my speed and get in shape for the upcoming wintersport Indoor Cricket. I don't feel i did so well in the former, but i certainly did more excersise than i have done in a very long time. I became totally exhausted.

I got up this morning at 9 to the doorbell ringing. I knew who it was, but didn't expect them because to be honest i thought they were already in my house. My friend Josh from Dunedin and his mates are on a road trip from the dunners to Blenheim to pick up a pool table and then head back down. So they arrived late last night from Dunedin and i thought Josh was staying at our house but i was just too tired to stay up and welcome him in so i just went to bed at about 11:30. So at 9am this morning i quickly got up and went downstairs to meet the fellas. My whole body ached! Anyway i had a shower and then ate breakfast (with a moche frapee) after a few hours of catching up they had to leave to drive up to blenheim.

At that time i too had to leave to go to Sasha's birthday brunch. I didn't have time to get a present for her so i told her i would get it after the meal before i saw her later on again in the day. I ate a breakfast that i couldn't even finish. I still had about a fith of a pancake left [and gave half of one to Amy] (ordered big plate of pancakes, 2 side plates of bacon and 1 side plate of eggs). So after that i bought Sasha's present, and headed home to digest the food i had just eaten.

Right on 2:55pm i went to Church to meet up with OBY. Played pool for a bit. Then we all headed to Spencer park where we played Touch, Cricket, Extreme DONKEY, Forceback, Bouncy Wrestling, etc AND had a BBQ. The bouncy boxing got me totally knackered. I faced Steve Jaegar and then Mark straight afterwards. i could hardly crawl after that. By the end of the day i felt dead. So we all went to Randall and Kate's house after..except of course my carload who confused going to Randall's with going to Randall's parents Castle on the port hills. (other side of city) So after driving up the hill, playing corners (lucky Rayd, sitting in the back seat with not one but two girls the whole way ;)), we realised we were the only ones there and decided to turn around. But the car overheated trying to drive back up the impossibly steep driveway. So after help from Noeline Diggs (:D)we headed back down towards the Diggs Junior's House. After arriving we got a big applause and some cheesecake. :D

The night ends with me coming home, getting on the computer, void of energy, knowledge of Classics homework that will have to be done at some point tomorrow afternoon, and awaiting Josh to return to possibly play a game of Settlers of Catan Cities and Knights.

Guess Who Just Became A 2006 Cashmere High School Prefect?

World Vision - 40 Hour Famine

I am doing the 40hour famine for the first time (i think i haven't done it before anyway)
When Amy wanted me to do it i was quite reluctant seeing i'm always hungry and indulge my self in food the majority of the time i spend at home (despite my appearance). So Amy offerred me another choice, a Techno Fast. Staying off electronics like phones, computers, t.v, movies, etc.
Thinking about the children i could actually help by rasing money for giving up in the things i enjoy hit me quite hard and i spend a few days contemplating my choices. A) Food Fast, B) Techno Fast, or C) No Fast. Then it occurred to me, why not suffer the loss of both? But because there will be a movie that night with OBY i decided that i would only half techno it. No computer, no internet, no blogging, no checking people's blogs for 40hours! And in the midst of that, no food (but the stuff i'm allowed of course). I'm happy for any sponsors.
I will be bringing my world vision booklet to the AGM, and to school for the next while. If you wanna sponsor, i won't stop you from giving hope, and life for those who need aid so much more than you. Sacrificing a little money can do so much to those who need it most.. "the AIDS patient who gets her medicine, thanks to you...the African entrepreneur who can start a small family business, thanks to you.... digging waterholes to provide clean water" - bono

No more google ads

I have removed the google ads from the top of my page as the ads were not all relevant to my posts. When i saw the Voodoo ad i figured it was best to just get rid of the ads altogether. Unfortunetly now my side bar has gone bung and stands far too far to the right. It doesn't matter all that much though (but if you know how to fix it, i would be grateful for anyone's help, thanks)
Incase anyone was wondering, in the time i had google ads I had 8 people click on them and made US$1.20 or there abouts. It really wasn't worth the ugly affect it had on my page.

Religion through the eyes of a secular world

Today in Classics the topic of study changed to Roman Religion. The teacher at one point touched on monotheistic (belief in one God) religions and how they became more influencial in more modern times. One of these 'monotheistic religions' was Christianity. My teacher warned the class that he was not very informed on the ideals of Christianity but did talk about what he seemed to think it was about.
To him Christianity was summed up as this:
The thought of death confused people and they sought answers as to what happened after death. Some people began to believe in one God who created and ruled the earth/universe and believed that based on following (or not) a moral code (the Bible) your after-life would be determined. Those who followed the Ten Commandments would go to heaven, those who did not..would not. Although there were also those who believed there was only good after death and thus regardless of how you acted on earth you would go to heaven. It gave cause to worship this creator for creating, this omnipotent and omnipresent God for influencing the atmosphere/seasons/fertility/etc to reward those who were most pious. People sharing their beliefs was a way of bringing people together to have a common cause. That was what Christianity was.

To me Christianity is more:
Christianity is not just about what happens after your life on earth is over, but more importantly about your life on this earth. You only get one life, one test from God. So following the law is important, but moreso is following Jesus' teachings. Living to get to an happy ending is right, but living to fulfill a destiny that will make you more than content is essential. Believing in one God is true, but so is the understanding of the trinity. Three in one, one in three! Living a morally acceptable life is great, but shining God's radiance that others are influenced by your deeds is imperative. It is God-pleasing to worship Him, but funadmental to do it full heartedly and to live that which you promise to Him in your act of worship. To be pious but not over-pious. It's nice to have people share your beliefs, but there is more to it than that, It brings about a fellowship and close loving relationships (not in the sense of how the world sees "close loving relationship" today) between those involved. It builds a net of love that catches all those who trip over and fall and offers hands to help them back to their feet.

Maybe one day his views will change.


To add into this post (because i can't be bothered creating a new one):
After work i went to the Growth Coaching Celebration. I have applied to be growth coached.
Also; Hearing Pete talk both on Sunday and today and I am very much in awe of Pete and Sylvia. I really look up to the two of them, and the way they live. Like silent mentors.

Destiny and how it sways my approach on Criminal Sentences

A few posts ago i was talking about how destiny was an essential thing in life. I was thinking about it today when i was talking to someone about Prison sentences. I heard things like "Pimps should be locked up with the key thrown away so that they can rot in prison. They ruin so many people's lives they don't deserve a second chance" But what i realised was if you lock someone up forever then there is no point in them living, they have no purpose. They don't have anything to aim for. Maybe they aren't the kind of person who will take a second chance and use it for the good of themselves aswell as others but they should not be deprived of their destiny. A much more suitable punishment for the vilest of offenders would be a long sentence of solitary confinement say seven years, and then once completing that a reintroduction to a normal prison ward with other prisoners. And from there a little more benefits, and gradually completion of one thing leads to another and that to another etc giving them a reason to change their life, a reason to live. I'm not saying that prisoners should all be let free after time and i'm not saying they should all be kept locked up. People change, and some prisoners will change for the better. Likewise some change for the worse, become more bitter. But you can not deprive either group of that destiny which they have the choice to fulfill. That is my view on Criminal Justice. It is not a rock solid view however, just a thought.

I've gone public

http://inhisradiance.blogspot.com has gone public for the first time. All my Msn Messenger contacts have now been told the site. So now i have built the final bridge between the two aspects of my life. Let's sit back and see what happens

Weekend

Saturday:
Went to Lyttleton to catch the Black Diamond over to Quail Island with OBY. Dave's carload missed the first boat and thus had to wait 2 hours for the next trip over there. Steve, Jessica, Nick, and I made for an uphill treck to the other side of the island. One hour later we had conquered the lay of land we had set out to, and walked around the edge of the Island to reunite with the rest of OBY. Just before hitting the beach again we slipped into the forest above them and picked acorns off trees. Steve, Nick, and I (Jess had found Warwick and Alyssa and left us to our endeavors) set about to split up amonst the trees and then descended upon and attempted to besiege the unwary below. The problem with our tactics however was not the distance in which to throw the acorns but the obsticles in their flight path. Trees and branches blocked the way for acorns to reach our unaware prey. We had to get closer...but at the risk of being spotted. I originally tried to get people to come towards the forest by throwing acorns on the roof of the toilets nearby making loud thudding sounds, but it was all in vain. Eventually i made it right up to the tree just infront of everyone unnoticed (though Warwick and Rebecca already guessed we were in the trees). And just after getting there Sasha and Anna decided to get up and walk right passed me leaving me completely unexposed to them. I knew any second they would turn around and see me there so i threw my remaining acorns at the two of them (missing every shot i must admit). In my shame i quickly rejoined the rest of OBY and had lunch. After lunch, and the assemblement of Randall and Kate's smallest boat (they have 3!!!!!), i jumped onto the boat and Steve and I sped off into the horizon (ok ok, we stayed in view of the beach, but we did speed). I spent most of my afternoon on that boat clinging on for my life as the sun's rays slowly but surely beat against me and reddened my back. I also biscuited but i spent as much time in the water as skimming across it. The end of the evening was not immediately after the return boat ride back to Lyttleton, those who chose to headed to Amy's house to watch the OC on the deck, play games, dress up in women's clothing (Steve...cough, Steve, yeah Steve...), Visit Matt Sands at the WareFare to drop off a parking ticket, and watch Sweet Home Alabama. At 10 i went home, checked emails, etc then attempted to sleep on a very sun-burned back.

Sunday:
Sunday morning Sermon was really good, I enjoyed listening to the scripture as it took on an entirely different meaning. Growth Coaching. I like the idea and i think that now Youth Group is relieving itself of DTCs i should really look into getting one.

A few people came around after church and i got to meet some of Ben's (Rach's Boyfriend) Family. They seemed really nice. I had to go to work at 4 :( . Evening service was really good too. Really great worship music (i know i probably shouldn't say that because worship is to God's ears not mine, but it was really good). The Sermon was on Passion. Who isn't passionate about passions? You can't go wrong preaching on Passion and Steve certainly didn't. Supper was at McCafe Riccarton. Good Company, tasty food, excellent conversations (satisfaction of the heart, stomach, and mind) What more could i ask for in a weekend?

Word for today

Take a moment and ask yourself, "Is this how I live?" If not, make some changes!

Just for today, I'll enjoy each moment to the fullest and try not to tackle my whole life's problems at once. Just for today, I'll try to improve my mind by learning more than I know; I'll read God's Word faithfully for it's my source of wisdom and strength. I'll be particularly sensitive to those Scriptures that require personal obedience, corrective action, and greater commitment. Just for today, I'll be agreeable, try to look my best and make sure my words are "seasoned with grace." Just for today, I won't find fault or try to change or improve anyone - except myself. Just for today, I'll have a plan and a goal. I might not follow them exactly but I'll have them nonetheless. By doing that I'll save myself from two enemies - hurry and indecision! Just for today, I'll develop my character. I'll do someone a good turn and keep it secret; if anyone finds out it won't count. Just for today, I'll do something I don't naturally want to do, thereby train my spirit to rule my f! lesh and my will to rule my emotions. Just for today, I won't be afraid to love or to risk; I'll take steps of faith that stretch me beyond my present comfort level, try to enjoy all God's blessings, and believe that every seed I sow in His Kingdom will be multiplied back to me many times over. This is how I'll live - just for today!
(word for today - Bob Gass)

It's easy to think, But so hard to actually do. Maybe because we don't look for oportunities to do someone good in secret so we never find one, maybe because we don't want to think about the future that we never strive to achieve it, possibly because we fear risking, and stepping out in faith that we fail to recognise a chance to do so. It may just be the attitude towards these things that make them so hard to do. Sometimes I do start thinking critically of other people..and i know it's wrong, it's something i need to work on. For instance, i get really irritated (for some reason) when people spell words wrong. I don't mind when it's just a little mistake, but when the person continues to misspell the word, or misuse a word (in the wrong context) i get irritated. Something inside me screams "hey that word is spelt wrong, someone needs to correct it" and i become consciously focused on the misspelling of the word and fail to concentrate on other things. And because of this i usually tell people they have misspelt a word and thus people get annoyed at me for being a 'know-it-all' or a 'mr perfect'. I know i have to learn to stop pointing it out, and eventually that urge to fix the mistake will fall away.

One thing i see in Bob Gass' word for today is "i'll try to look my best"
I gave up trying to look my best a long time ago, i realised that spending time on looking good didn't really pay off, it wasted time, money, and effort, and the people that are worth being friends with in life don't care what you look like outwardly. All you get is a little satisfaction knowing that the people around you might give you a second glance. Is it really worth it? But "i'll try to look my best" has a much deeper meaning. Deeper being a meaning of much more significance, and that meaning being deeper than the skin. It is of the soul. The purity of our thoughts. Our thoughts are a part of who we are, and they influence our actions. And from my favourite quote in "Batman Begins": "It's not who you are, but what you do that defines you". We still have that choice to do what we think. And so Looking my best, is living my thoughts. There are two words to remind me to do this. And to remind others (thought not critically).
"Be Vivacious"
The word Vivacious came to me as i was reading Phil Baker's blog and i changed my msn messenger name to a quote i took from one of the commenters. My msn name accurately puts the word into a vision which shows people how to live vivaciously. It says this: "Vivacious...Like when a girl has a twinkle in her eye, a joke on her lips, and sunshine in her heart"

I like it anyway :)

So here is my message to you. Be vivacious!

The First Day Of School (for the last time)

Back to school today, ignorant in where i was to go and unaware of how the day was to unfold itself before me. I felt like i was totally unorganised, yet this time i was not at fault. The senior common-room proved the place to be. A short declaim from my head of school and then my classes were revealed to me. My form teacher was Mrs Anglem (also my Biology teacher). In my form class we were asked to compose a letter to the teacher informing her of ourselves. And so i did. Second period was used to build up trust in my year nine group. I enjoyed it, i hope they did too.

One of the greatest privileges of being a year 13 is freedom. The freedom to wear what you like, something that defines you (with the maturity to be non-judgemental of others), the freedom to leave school during lunch or interval for whatever unbeknown intentions, and the freedom of choice to do work, assignments, etc (obviously with the expectation that we are now wise enough to decide rightly)

Whilst in Biology a thought occurred to me. A catterpillar lives it's life in order to become a butterfly. That is it's purpose, it's destiny. And thus it lives it's life to fulfill that destiny. It eats what it must to achieve the strength/plumpness it requires to allow for it's change into a butterfly. However once the butterfly is born it lives a very short lifespan. I have been informed 1 day. The butterfly still eats, lettices unfortunetly, and thus it has a purpose. For how can something live life without one? If the butterfly was to intend on dying within one day then would it bother eating? Would it not make the most of it's life? I think it so, so then i am faced with the question "What is the Butterfly's destiny?"

Anyway...i have a fair bit of Japanese homework and if i am going to stick to my new study routine the homework must be done. (with, of course, the company of music)

Janeii

Blunder

i thought i should go onto hotmail and delete all the contacts i don't email so i don't have email addresses no longer in use, or people i don't email, or people from like 5 years ago etc...so i did and then came on messenger and all my contacts were deleted but a select few (namely the ones i actually email and recieve emails from). So if i usually talk to you on msn messenger and no longer do then just re-add me because i probably deleted you. (Atleast now i can use my hotmail address book though, before i never used it and had to type out people's address one by one because my address book was so chaotic.)

Peer Leading

Went to school today for the peer leading. Was a bit nervous of how receptive the children (sorry, teenagers) would be. Found my third form class's form teacher and she told me and the other peerleaders in her class that one girl had to be watched out for as she had an anxiety disorder. Got me a little anxious. After meeting the class my friend Georgie and i were seperated with about ten students and went to our own class to know the students better. If you know Georgie she is very ...dominating, which was brilliant for me. She was so good at keeping them under control that they didn't even try to get on her bad side. It was great. We had the Axiety girl in our group but to be honest i couldn't tell at all. She was the sweetest girl and she never seemed the least bit frightened or worried. She wasn't a loud mouth but she wasn't afraid to talk. I had a great day. I start school on Tuesday, i don't know what class i'm in, who my form teacher is, how i'm supposed to find out. All i know is i have to be back in my peer classroom second period and that i have to be at the info centre before or something (but that sounds stupid because they can't post everyone's classes on a notice board).

Digestion this weekend!!!
If you haven't already seen Amy's blog there is now an official OBY blog---->

Firstly, I just want to really thank those who prayed for those of us who went to Parachute. Prayers are always good! So thankyou!

Secondly, Yesterday OBY went to Taylor's Mistake. I played some volleyball (until no-one could be bothered putting the net back up...again), got my feet wet (felt really good having nice cold salty water on my sun-torched ankles), ate a good feed (i perhaps ate a little much colslaw ;) ), and went on a treasure hunt (to the victor go the spoils). It was really awesome spending time with Opawa again, it felt like i hadn't hung out with some of them for ages. Eventually it was time to leave so we decided to drop off at Coffee Culture Cashmere for a good olé drink of coffee. So off we went through sumner, passed coffee culture sumner, through linwood, passed Opawa, and into Waltham where i picked up my car and drove to CCC so that i would be home by curfue. After a short wait for the others to arrive they decided that maybe we should go the the Stewart's instead, seeing it was Jessica's birthday. So i dropped my car off home as the others went and bought some takeaway drinks. The Stewart's is always a good place to hang out (let us know anytime if you don't want us there Neville and Pauline) After a time the time came to leave, and that we did. But Nick and Myself stayed behind with the company of Lydia whilst we waited for Amy to drop off one load of passengers and then return to pick us up. After that...i went home and ate dinner whilst i watched Lost which Mark so kindly taped for me. Then it was off to bed and the day was done.
Incase anyone wanted to know what i did with my life yesterday.

A Question...

Last night as i was praying a thought came to my mind...
If i were to have one thing for myself on this earth from God, what would it be?

My answer was this;

That i would lovingly serve God following His every word with a faith that can move more than mountains.

Can anyone top that wish?

A Dream

I had a dream a few weeks ago, and i never remembered it but last night a flashback came to me of that dream. I don't remember the whole dream only the bit that i saw in the flashback but it was something like this. (the actually dream was much much longer)

I looked up to the sky and it was black, a deathly coal black but spread throughout the sky were demonic-red glowing suns. Each looked like a ball of spitting, toiling fire and each so much bigger than the sun today. By each sun was a moon, much smaller and insignificant compared to the sun in which it stood against. There were (i think) seven red balls of fire in all, with seven small moons, one each.

I don't remember what happened after seeing the Red Suns, but i do remember the story continued, and i do remember i became frightened at one point or another in that dream.

I wonder what it means...if anything...