Finally...

... an article that supports my coffee addiction! This article was published as part of a Medscape Continuing Education Package, and its great for all of us women who drink WAAYYY to much coffee!

Coffee Intake Associated with Decreased Stroke in Woman

February 19, 2009 — "A new analysis of data from the Nurses' Health Study
shows that long-term intake of up to 4 or more cups of coffee per day was not
associated with an increased risk for stroke and actually appeared to be
protective against stroke in women who did not also smoke.

Among women who currently smoked, there appeared to be no effect of
coffee intake, neither raising nor lowering stroke risk. No association was seen
with other caffeinated drinks, including tea or soft drinks, and decaffeinated
coffee still showed a trend toward a protective effect.

"Our data support the hypothesis that components in coffee other than
caffeine may lower the risk for stroke, although the association was modest and
the biological mechanism is unclear," the researchers, with first author Ester
Lopez-Garcia, PhD, from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain, and
colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, Massachusetts,
conclude.

Through the Fire

"So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances
Or things I could not understand
Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
And my frustrations get so out of hand
It’s then I am reminded I’ve never been forsaken
I’ve never had to stand the test alone
As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me
It’s through the fire my weakness is made strong

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
He never offered victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the hand of God, He’ll shield the flames again

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again"

I like this song that BBC's Cross Wind did one year. I like the message that it gives Christ's Followers, and its something that i struggle with. As a follower of God i want things to be easy, to be sunshine and roses because after all i am doing His Plan. But lets face it that's not what Christianity is all about.

The past little while i have been struggling with a few things, wondering why things just aren't working out. I'd love to be settled and at peace and out of the distress and storm life has thrown my way. But then i listen to this song, and i am reminded that God hasn't left me. He isn't throwing me to the wolves, he is mearly strengthening me. God's word promises that with Him we can do all things and even in the valley of the shadow of death we do not have to fear because GOD IS WITH US. I guess sometimes i get so caught up with my own life that i forget that God is there and He is going to help me and if i trust Him He will bring me through the fire. And just like a refinery or a pottery Kiln it takes heat and fire to create something beautiful. I look forward to seeing all the beauty that God will bring out of this either now or in eternity!

Is There a Peter in all of Us

Many have heard the storey of Peter denying Christ. Its a integral part of the Passion Storey. Today a member of our church spoke of Peter's denial in the service, it was the spring board to something else(another day's storey perhaps) but it got me thinking, is there a bit of Peter in all of us. I doubt that many of us on any given day blatantly DENY Christ, but i wonder are there other things in our lives that are denying Him? Are there words we are using that go against him. Are there things we are doing that dishonor or displease Christ, are their things we SHOULD be doing that we aren't? If we can answer yes to these then in essence are we too not denying Christ??? It really hit me. Are there any of these things in my life that i need to evaluate? At the end of my life i want to be able to stand before Christ and know that i lead a life pleasing to Him, and in THIS life i want there not to be any doubt that I am a Christ follower. Its hard at times, but in the end whats more important, this life? or the next?

Oh to be like Catherine of Siena

"According to legend, her devotion to the ailling poor was so pleasing to the Master, who had gone healing the ailing, that she a number of visits from celestial personages. Above all the Christ Child was so much interested in this young women who when scarecely more than a child, had insisted on devoting herself to His ailing poor..."

We Have Met to Worship

It's a Good Day

It's a good day to be alive. The sky is bright, the snow is pretty on the ground (not so on the roads however), and although nothing big is happening in my day I am thankfull to be here. With american thanksgiving on its way i am beginign to think about all that i am thankful for.
1) Family; although all of my family is in NB celebrating this holiday this year, i am blessed to have a loving family, who when push comes to shove come together and supports eachother no matter what. And we have a new addition to the family Baby Michal who by the way is ADORABLE!
2) Work; Although somedays i complain when i get called in for overtime, or am asked to stay late to do Med Pass, over all i am blessed with a Job that i love, and thank God for daily.
3) Friends; I am blessed with some really great friends in my life. I spent the day with my College Rommie yesterday laughing, and talking just enjoying eachother's company. It was so great.
4) Deep Water; I have been so blessed to be able call Deep Water my church home. I am not there as much as i would like what with work and such, however i am so impressed by the vision God has given the church. THier focus on compassion ministy lines up with the desires God has placed on my heart. God is using AJ and his team to impact eternity, Praise Him for that!!!!!
So i guess with all of that and soo much more its a great day to be alive!

It was a little after 7 when i left the floor and headed down to the staff lounge to get my coat and boots. the night had been long filled with much to do. We started the cold walk up the hill to J's apartment. We had decided that it would be easier to stay at her house as she was closer to work then I. We arrived home with enough time to shower, eat, and get ready to leave for church. Tired, it would have been very easy for us to skip we had worked all night after all, we had every reason to stay home. But we didnt, so coffee in hand we went to the theater at Park Lnae where we meet and met with God. . THe worship was great and the message poinient. But i think the thing that hit me the most, was how the crowd lined up to recieve communion. I was filled with emotion to see so many lining up to celebrate the gift Christ gave when he suffered death on the cross. I am in no way capturing the raw emotion i felt in that room, but i guess thats ok, God was in that service today and i am so thankfull to serve the God I serve!

He is here!

HE is here halleluah, HE is here AMEN! That is very evident in the creation of earth, man kind, and the universe, galaxies otherthan and including ours. We watch an incredible video at church yesterday that was so eye opening and well AWESOME! THe worship was excellent as well. I knelt on the floor of the theater in my seat and prayed for Gods continued presence in my life, in the church and with every part of my world. God was there, and how great it was! I am beyond tired and hungry after a loooooong 12 hr shift so i am going to getr some supper, and curl up with some TV, i well deservedc luxuray!!!!

Sometimes I Forget

I just got home. The rain has drenched my hair, and it deffinatley feels like fall in halifax. The family i board with is having thier family christmas get together. The laughter from above seeps down to where i am and i am reminded of christmas's past, where my own family once gathered and laughed, ate, sang and reminiced. How often we take for granted those we love. Perhaps we don't call as often as we should, or maybe we forget to tell them how much they really mean to us. But being miles and miles away from my own family make me realize just how important it really is!