Christ the Saviour is Born

Every year Christmas seems to arrive earlier and earlier. This year is no exception. It is, of course, embellished by the fact that I have agreed to front the Christmas Eve Service at Burnett. That means that I have been listening to and sampling Christmas songs for the past five days. And believe me when I say that planning a service of such proportions is a challenge. But it's a challenge that I do enjoy, and it was not forced upon me. I have listened to more Christmas songs that probably in my life. There are a lot of terrible Christmas songs out there. Now keep in mind I do not like a lot of it, but the basics are fine with me. Remixes of said classics can be fantastic, but more often than not they are awful. Now if you are up for a good one, based on my opinion, Silent Night by a pretty sweet band called Seabird. It is not anything like any other Silent Night I've ever heard. And that helps make it as good as it is. It is unique. As unique as a remake of a song done by thousands (not an overstatement) can get.

On a side note, yes, I have realized it has been a while since I be blogging. I will try to get back into the habit of spending some time here and there updating all you interwebbers on my somewhat bland lifestyle. But until then . . . Merry Christmas, I guess!

Girlfriend

As relationships progress you learn more and more about a person. This should be something you know, unless you're a loner. If that's so my apologies. I have an awesome girlfriend. I don't know if you know her but she goes by Leah, and yes that is her real name, too. She is the coolest, funnest, amazingest, everythingest I've ever met. Back on track to that learning as you get to know someone thing. I have learned many things about Leah through our on again off again two-and-a-half year relationship. Some bad, many, many good. This one, well, it is probably good. She is not the best at keeping secrets. Case and point, my birthday is coming up. In a few weeks actually. And she tells me that she has bought me gifts. I managed to guess... what I am getting. With some people you can guess what you're getting and they either lie, or find a way to cover up. She tried doing that but after guessing still managed to blurt it out. I love her. I could tell you what I am getting, but if I do it will just make it harder for me to "act surprised."

Pointless.

Why is it that "Cinderella Teams" in sports never, ever, ever, ever win? Never. Not ever. The worst team to win the Stanley Cup was ninth place. Barely in the bottom half. Probably fifth in the Conference. Thats still the top sixty percent. Seriously, though. So many times do teams make a run for it. Inexplicable runs. Destiny some call it. But they always fall short. Always one or two games short. It happens more often than you'd expect as well. Off the top of my head... Mighty Ducks 2003. Lost in game 7 of the finals. Oilers 2006. Lost in game 7 of the Finals. Flyers 2010. Lost in game 6 of the finals. Teams that should lose badly in the first round make it to the championship only to lose. Maybe its just me, but I love the underdogs. Unless I have a "beef" against a team, or they are playing my favourites, I am all about the Underdog. I'm still holding out for one of them to pull through. Maybe next year.

Hockey. My Apologies.

Philadelphia Flyers. I've never really thought to much into destiny. At least not in sports. But days like today make you wonder. My case and point in the first two words of this post. Three games to none. Not up, down. Improbable. Ineffable. Unlikely. How could they come back? Especially since they were seventh seed out of a possible eight. Fifteenth of sixteen league wide. They probably didn't win four in a row many times in the regular season. And there they are standing on the brink of elimination. Overtime. All they need is one goal, and they found it. A couple more jibs and jabs and boom series tied. Three games in a row. Good thing they never thought of how unlikely the task at hand was. They had no chance. Not four in a row. Not in the playoffs. But somehow it happened. They had a clean slate. One game takes all. One game advances. But here's the tough part. On the road. The fans do not like you. And they are loud. The only solution? A quick start. Get the crowd out of it. But 'woops.' Penalty call. Goal. Down early. Not good. Another penalty. Two nothing. Maybe it was not meant to be. Breakaway. Three down, games gotta be over. They put up a fight tied the series but it was not enough. Wrong. They roared back. A late goal in the first. Two in the second (Three some may argue). A bad decision by the other team leads to a late powerplay. A chance to cap the comeback. Both in the series and the game. The opportunity was not wasted. The Flyers posted the greatest series comeback in NHL history. Sure it had been done twice before. But not being down three to nothing in the final game. Not with such a plethora of injuries. Absolutely incredible when you think of the adversity they faced? Their starting goalie was injured during the season, for any other team thats a season write-off. After another injury or two they bring in this guy who started for them ten years ago. He gets them to the playoffs and; moreover, the second round. Only to get hurt. So they bring in their original backup. They were also missing 2 of their top scorers entering the series.Back to the destiny part. The funny way that fate has been working in the Flyers is downright unfathomable. This team was in a last game, winner makes the playoffs, loser goes home on the very last day of the regular season. Ironically enough that game needed a shootout. And the Flyers miraculously pulled it off with a mediocre, washed up goaltender. What if Boucher played like he was washed up? What if Mike Richards didn't devastate David Krejci, thus putting him out for the series? What if Simon Gagne thought of returning for game five instead of four? What if .. There's so many little things that have happened to help the Flyers along the way. One point got them in the playoffs. Barely ahead of the Montreal Canadiens. Whom they are playing in the Conference Finals. They made the playoffs by one point... how do they have home ice advantage? Beyond explanation. Destiny? Maybe. Destiny has sure got them to this place. But will it get them any further? Maybe destiny was that they'd be an easy opponent for the Canadiens. Maybe it was the opposite. Maybe the Canadiens improbable run was so that Philadelphia wouldn't have had to play Washington or Pittsburgh. The likely event has the West winning the cup. Because the lowest seed to win the Stanley Cup was an overall ninth. The Flyers are fifteen. Destiny brought them here. But only time will tell if Stanley is the fateful end,

Wisdom. Or Lack Thereof

It's so hard to not give a facebook status right now. I've had a few doozies. But where would that get me? It's like my vengeful nature is trying to seep through. But that is not me. I don't want to anyways. What's the point if it has the chances of destroying what I have spent the last 3-4 years working towards? There is none. I am ashamed that I had these negative thoughts for ten seconds. I could say that I am bothered that I actually took the time to change. But thats not true. I am a much better person than I was 2 months ago. Still horrible, but I am progressing. I have this odd sense of peace and patience that I didn't have in April. Whether that makes a difference to you, is beyond me.

Blessed.

It has been extremely hard for me to be positive recently. I am trying really hard though. Today made it easier. The government is my friend as of right now. I am blessed. I live in the best province. I have an amazing family. All of whom love and support me. I have some awesome friends. I did not lose Leah entirely. That has helped a lot. If I have to spend the rest of my life just being her friend, I would be honoured. Disappointed. But still grateful. God has given me so many great things and I take them for granted all of the time. I don't know what He has in store for the future, but I hope and pray He makes me better through everything. And that He is glorified, not myself.

More of a Middle than an End

God is great. He sent His son to die for me! Even though he knew how horrible I am. He did it so I could live forever. So I could glorify His name. So I could be there in His incredible presence. I will be there on that beautiful day. Because Jesus Christ died on the cross for me. I don't know how to glorify Him with all of me. I just pray that He uses my music and my gifts to bring glory to Him. It's true that sometimes it takes heartbreak to bring you closer to God. It has helped. I wish I didn't need that. I have fallen onto Him and asked Him to carry me. I know He will. He will bring US through. And He will be praised for it. He will be praised forever. His love for us is so overwhelming. I can't believe it. Even though my heart is broken and trampled on the floor, I will seek Him. I will follow Him. I will trust Him. I will love Him.

Romans 9: 17. "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Broken and Empty

The first song I wrote was depressing. I had never felt so bad in my life when I wrote it. I now topped that feeling. God, help me.

Front Row

The title says it all. I'm going to see a concert front row, albeit Starfield and Fee. But it is still front row. The rest of my life is falling into its same old boring self. I would say I enjoy it but it may be a lie. I am not sure. I do enjoy it sometimes. But others I do not. I am watching the News currently. That doesn't do much for me. It is hard to stay optimistic while watching other people win the lottery (when clearly that would solve all of my problems). On the bright side I have been pretty encouraged and inspired the past few days. I'm pretty stoked to see where God leads me. Wherever the heck that is. I'm hoping for big things. I am positive I was made for them. But some days I get down on myself for being such a failure with absolutely no motivation. One of these days I will break that spell and spread my wings and fly. I'm half expecting to fall on my face and maybe break a few vertibraes. Should be fun, I am pretty stoked. Thankfully I have a great medical plan working at the Dollar Giant...

2 Weeks Later

Today marked my first time driving with a stranger. No, it was not a hitchhiker though. Although that is a goal of mine. I took my licensing test less than two hours ago. I failed. I am disappointed. I could argue it. I did feel I deserved to pass. Supposedly I did not shoulder check. I am sure he missed them. I don't know how, but I looked. Supposedly I also hit a curb. Not gonna lie, I think I would remember that, wouldn't I? Anyways, it is over. I am over it. I will get it next time. I was gonna rant, but where will that get me in the long run? Peaaaaaaace!

It's Only A Crime If You Get Caught

Amidst the twelve thoughts I had going to and returning from "7-11" just minutes ago there was one that really stuck with me. I am a believer in Christ. I believe He came, as God's son to save anyone who would choose His salvation. I believe that because of Him, our sins are forgiven. Whatever I do wrong, I can claim this forgiveness because of His love. I have known this almost my entire life. I ignored these truths until recently, but thats besides the point. One of the truths I believe is that I am forgiven despite my wrongdoings. Currently I am conflicted, though. Is one of those wrongdoings shame in the way my life is forming? Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for everything God has given me. My many gifts, and the extraordinary people that have been placed in my life. But I feel like I could do so much more with them. God has given me so much and I feel like I am wasting them. I feel like where I end up could be so far from where I am supposed to be. Is that even a sin? And if it is (which I feel is so) is that beyond forgiveness? Ignoring potential. Seeing a future with so much promise, but completely failing to even follow through in the smallest way. And if I do miss all of these opportunities could I ever forgive myself let alone claim the forgiveness of my creator?

Bad Character

I need a place to rant. My blog won. Vancouver sports fans suck, with the exception of a few. Maybe there are more out there that I am unaware of. But a majority of them are awful. They are so negative. You would think Canada lost their shot at the Gold today. They are the best players in the world. They dominated the US today. Plain and simple. The Yanks just got a few more good bounces. And you guys jump ship and start blaming everyone. They have the best management and coaching of anyone at the olympics. They picked the best team possible to win Gold. They may not have the star power but they have the depth to win it. And because all you guys hear about and see is your precious Canucks and whatever Crosby's doing, you don't understand the talent of the other players there (besides the vets like Nieder and Prongs etc). They will pull through. It is not over yet. When we play the Russians on Wednesday, that is when you can start pointing fingers. But even then, I think we'll win, but if we don't, on paper the Russians are possibly the best hockey team ever. And I would be proud to say we lost to them. More-so to say that we beat them. So stop bailing ship, have faith in the team and cheer your hearts out. Oh, and B the W, there is more to life than hockey. And much to my dismay, I will be working for pretty much all of the games up to the Gold. But I booked that off. And I am confident I will be watching the Canadians next Sunday. Go Canada Go! Oh and before I forget, congrats to all of the other medalists. Pretty sure I expected like 6 overall medals.

Olympics Shmolympics

Hey Y'all. So nothing much is new on the Zielke front. Just living life. Had a job interview, didn't get the job, per-say. But I didn't not get the job. For those of you wondering. 5 weeks until my N test. Learned how to parallel park yesterday. Yeah! Umm, still with Leah, expect me to be saying that in 75 years. What else? What else? Oooh the Grammy's sucked. Taylor Swift was awful, which oddly enough made me feel good about myself. The Ducks traded Jiggy. Good for him, good for the Ducks, because Hiller is amazing. What he did last year was incredible. Go Colts, this week. I am pretty stoked. I think I can watch the commercials this year. Digital Cable is awesome.

Here's Jonny!

Sorry for the lack of blogs the last couple months. I got distracted with life and all. To tell you the truth, you did not miss much. I am still with Leah, and she is amazing. Christmas was fun. New Years was great, too. But who cares, right? You guys are here to read my opinions and stuff. This is what has been on my mind grapes recently. I have never ever ever liked ... Robert Downey Jr. There is something about him that has yet to appeal to me. None of his movies have stuck out, and I thought he was quite a terrible actor and human being. As you know, he is in the new Sherlock Holmes. (Boo to that decision). Sherlock Holmes was not meant to be played by a jackass like RDJ. Sherlock Holmes was meant to be played by a guy like Hugh Laurie. Yes! He would have been perfect. Hugh may not have gotten as many people to see the movie, but he would have done ten times better and he would have been more true to the original Sherlock. With that in mind, I have not seen the new Sherlock flick, nor will I by choice. Also, before I forget, Adam's two cents were, that Watson be played by Rowan Atkinson, alongside Laurie. And I would have definitely paid to see that.