Versailles et Paris

Have you ever heard of Versailles? Well, that was where we were at for a good portion of our day. We had an interesting guidée du châtue. Of which we afterward had a lunch. This was the first time I ordered my food without the aid of anyone in French. It turned out well enough to where I got what I wanted and was able to ask for my check afterward.





































































Then we left for Paris to continue our guided tour. We pasted by some major sights: les Champs-Èlysées, l’Arc de Triomphe, la Tour Eiffel, les Grands boulevards, les Invalides (where we stopped and saw the Crypt, or tomb, of Napoleon), Notre Dame (where the President of France just happened to be, so we were not able to really see it), etc.


















































































After our tour we were dropped off near Montmarte where we could walk around. We spotted Moulin Rouge and also found a wonderful view of Paris, then at 19h30 (7:30) we had Dîner en commun sur la butte Montmartre. By the way, if you are vegan, which I am, it is very hard to eat around here. But it is possible.

Château de Chambord, Cathédrale de Chartres, et Paris

This morning we had an early petit-déjeuner à l’hôtel (breakfast at the hotel). About 09h00, we left for château de Chambord. This is one amazing castle. After spending a few hours there we went to Chartres, had lunch, and then visited the Cathédrale de Chartres. It was amazing. Officially the first Cathédrale I have seen in Europe. A few minutes before leaving, though, a friend and I were able to run up the North Tower and take a few shots. Truly a wondrous view.








































































































































Afterwards we found ourselves officially leaving and arriving in Paris. Since we were able to travel around a bit after we checked into our hotel a few of us were off at once. I’ve included pictures of some of the sights we saw.

Des Hospices de Beaune et Blois

Today we began our journey to Paris, France. The language institute that I am part of has a few travel experiences that it brings its students to throughout the year. And the first major one is to Paris with a few stops on the way and one after.

Today we visited libre des Hospices de Beaune. Where we had out déjeuner (lunch). The Hospices de Beaune was a hospital that functioned for years. With amazing architecture and more amazing artwork, this place was just enjoyable to be at.



















































We continued our journey to Blois where we stayed at à l’hôtel. It was wonderful. We were able to walk around and take some pictures. So I have included those for you.

Up the Seléve

Today is going to be my last Sabbath in Collonges for a few weeks. Thereby meaning that it will be my last few times to catch the fall leaves before it is winter. So, we hiked up the Seléve. The Seléve are a series of mountains that are wonderful and majestic. I have posted some of the pictures that I was able to take. Hope you enjoy.

Chamonix, France

Today the language institute took IFLE student to Chamonix (pronounced Cha-mo-ni). Chamonix is a wonderful place with tall mountain ranges. From here, one could see many various sights - probably one of the most famous is Mount Blanc is is situated directly behind Chamonix’s peak. Hope you guys enjoy the pictures.

Goodbye Sweedes

There are times in life when one meets people that just pass by and recollections are not so meaningful. But then there are times where one meets people who will affect and truly impact them. As for the last few weeks, this is what a group of relatively recent friends have become; a group that has made a powerful impact in my life. And to want them to be here would be selfish. So, I am thankful for the time that I have had to spend with them.

The memories have become many; and as one said to me, “It is as if we have known you for a long time.” I am moved to the same sentiments. As another has said, “We know why God sent you to France. It was to meet us.” And, if for no other reason, I am sure that I have already fulfilled part of my mission here in France. I have been truly touched to a part of my being that has needed to be filled by friendship and joy.

The fact is official. The words are certain. The reality is true. I miss all of you and I hope to meet all of you once again. May the Lord add his watch, care, and grace over each and everyone of you. Truly, I have been helped to see from the beginning of my European journey the true reason as to why I exist - to help spread the Three Angeles’ Messages to all the world in this generation as a young person!

Revive the Remnant 2005

This is something that I found and have forgotten that I once had. I hope that you enjoy.

Our Understanding God

Sermon at the Chandler Seventh-day Adventist Church. I have also included a picture of the technical difficulties that I have experienced lately. I am sorry for the delay. If there are any other problems, please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you.

Blessings.

Kansas Senate Prayer

I had received this from my ethics professor, Jack Blano, a few months ago. I hope you enjoy.


When Pastor Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities. But on January 23, 1996, what they heard instead was a stirring prayer, passionately calling out country to repentance and righteousness.

The response was immediate–with a number of legislators walking out during the prayer. In six short weeks Central Christian Church logged more than 5,000 phone calls, with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. Commentator Paul Harvey aired Pastor Joe Wright’s prayer on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other program Paul Harvey has ever aired. In addition, Central Christian Church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea.

The prayer is reprinted below as an encouragement and challenge for each of us to stand for the truth of the Gospel wherever the Lord gives us opportunity.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Words says, “Woe on those who call evil good,” but that’s exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that:
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;
We have worshiped other gods and called it multi-culuralism
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building
self-esteem;
We have abused power and called it political savvy;
We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition;
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it
freedom of expression;
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it
enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them Your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will. I ask it in the name of Your Son, the Living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Great Booking Experience

This afternoon I finally got enough money to purchase a ticket for a friends wedding in Toronto. So as soon as I got off work I drove to Chatt. Airport to have them help me with my ticketing; but they recommended that I just call the number provided. Since a I had cancelled a flight, I was told that I could use the money for that flight on a future flight within a year. But, they still said it would actually be cheaper to call.

Well, as soon as I arrived I called the number got transfered to two different people who finally transfered me to international travels. After going through my ticketing with great ease (one thing that I like about Delta), the ticketing agent told me that he lived in Montreal, and then I told him that I was just there a few months ago. We talked about Montreal a little bit and then asked me a few questions. We started to talk about the snow there, but then I said that I have been stuck in Montreal twice because of snow storms. However, I was soon going to move to MI, which struck his curiousity. He asked, so I told him that I was going to do my Ph.D. there, "Oh in what?" He said. "In church history."

"Oh, really, its unfortunate that there are less people who are even my age, and I'm 38, who go to church." And I said, "Oh, you are a Christian?" "Yes, I am." "Really?" He then told me about his sons, and then we got back to the topic of Church History and asked me what I want to do with that, so I told him "I really want to make church history exciting. People think that is boring, but I want to show them the excitement that church history has." "Really, so what do you talk about?" After a little while, I told him, "You know what I have really appreciated your services for my ticket and I would really like to send you a book for free on church history. Its a great book, actually a little famous, and I really think that you would like it. Its called The Great Controversy and it goes through church history." "Really?" "Yeah, I mean if you want it." "Yeah, I will just give you my address." After that I obtained his address, we talked a little bit and now I'm going to try to find a French version of the book.

Praise the Lord. I would not have talked with this man unless the Lord led me to him.

Making Dream's Visions

Quote from class:

“Vision is a dream that God puts in your heart of what can be, but is not yet. God’s vision lifts our minds from what is to what can be." - Mark Finley

I had a dream last night that I cannot forget, and its not leaving me. I haven't had this kind of dream for a long time. But I would like to make it a vision. Please pray for this.

- Hope to add more later -

Talents - COL 363

I just finished devotions and came across some powerful statements from the chapter on "Talents" in the book Christ Object Lessons, p. 363.

The Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service. The unused capabilities are as much brought into account as are those that are improved. For all that we might become through the right use of our talents God holds us responsible. We shall be judged according to what we ought to have done, but did not accomplish because we did not use our powers to glorify God. Even if we do not lose our souls, we shall realize in eternity the result of our unused talents. For all the knowledge and ability that we might have gained and did not, there will be an eternal loss.
But when we give ourselves wholly to God and in our work follow his directions, He makes Himself responsible for its accomplishment. He would not have us conjecture as to the success of our honest endeavors. Not once should we even think of failure. We are to co-operate with One who knows no failure.
We should not talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a denial of His word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is a hard master, that He requires what He has not given us power to do.

Are those not powerful and yet grave statements? What do you think?