The phoenix is a mystical bird (like an eagle or a peacock) whose legend has inspired people across all countries from generation to generation.
Most accounts relate the phoenix's life span as 500yrs. As the time of it's death neared, it made a nest of frankincense, myrrh, and other spices. It set the nest (and itself) afire and an egg was brought forth from the ashes. Similar accounts say a worm was formed from the decomposing body of the dead phoenix, which fed and grew on the juices within. Only one phoenix existed at a time.
Voltaire described the phoenix as about the size of an eagle, with eyes as mild and tender as the eagles are fierce and threatening. It's beak was rose colored, it's neck was like a brilliantly colored rainbow, it's plumage was thousands of shades of glistening gold (the Greeks and Romans described it as more purple/red or crimson), it's feet a purple/silver, and a tail more beautiful than that of all the most beautiful birds.
Early Church Fathers (most notably Tertullian and Clement) used the symbolism of the phoenix as an allegorical witness of the new life which one can find in Christ.
In a commentary on Genesis, a Jewish rabbi (Osaia) tells of how every animal partook of the forbidden fruit with Eve but one, the phoenix. And another legend (noted by Keil & Delitzsch in their commentary on Job 29:18) states that in the ark, a bird quite similar to the phoenix, not wanting to further complicate Noah's efforts, remained quiet and didn't fuss about not getting fed or tended to. Noah favored the creature with the blessing of immortality.
Many Bible scholars have thought that Job was thinking of the phoenix when he thought, "I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand." Sand (chol in Hebrew) has been translated phoenix (or even palm tree) in the past, and the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Jewish interpretors favor a translation of 'phoenix'. In context it seems to fit more with what Job seems to be conveying.
Whether factual or not, the meaning most often taken from the phoenix is resurrection, or new life. And that is precisely the point behind Christ, future resurrection to eternal life, and current resurrection from a dead ultimately meaningless life to a new life filled with purpose and overcoming power.

I sit here at the McCarron Intl Airport in Las Vegas reminiscing on the last 5 days. Before we came to Vegas this time we had kinda made up our minds that this would be our last trip to Sin City, seeing as though we were married here 2 years ago, and spent our first anniversary here as well. After this time though, we can confidently say we will be returning.
It's quite interesting how two missionaries can be so infatuated with Sin City. But could it really be any other way?! In a city of (around) 1.5 million people where immorality is coveted, tis good to come here and stand for something different. No drinking, no gambling, no crazy orgies; just having fun and trying our best to love on the people whom God sends us to.
We were kinda disappointed early when we discovered almost all the Cirque de Soleil shows were on break this week. But we seen 'O' last night, and it was overwhelmingly incredible. It has been running 11 years now, and sells out nightly. We also seen Penn&Teller at the Rio, which was pretty entertaining too.
We arrived here late Sunday night, and met Jan Kluever (a wonderful friend from the FPCLV) Monday morning for lunch. Immediately after that, we ran into Josh Heymans in the Las Vegas Hilton lobby, who was coming to hang with us for a couple of days. We spent a great couple days hanging with Heymans: going to the Premium Outlet shops, seeing Penn&Teller, the fountains at Bellagio, and all the other craziness of the strip.
On Wednesday, Geoffrey Nighswonger and Jessice Reyes (fellow Cambodia missionaries) drove up from LA to spend the day with us. We started their visit with lunch at Hash House A Go-Go at the Imperial Palace. Amazing! Then we spent the rest of the day cruising the Bellagio, Venetian, Caesars Palace, Fashion Show Mall, the volcano at Mirage, and then the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas where we seen more of the fountains of Bellagio. After all that we were pretty bushed, so we parted ways, and they started their journey back to LA, and we went to bed!
Thursday was our 2nd anniversary and we spent the day cruisin around. Went some time at the pool at the Flamingo. We tried to get to the Sirens of TI at Treasure Island but were late so we went and ate at KGB (Kelsey's Gourmet Burgers) in Harrah's which was decorated in Soviet propaganda cartoons! Awesome spot! Here we met the amazing hostess Courtney who we visited a couple more times before our trip ended. After KGB, we went back to catch the Sirens of TI but  because of the technical difficulties the show was cancelled after 5 minutes :( So we went back to KGB for a milkshake! 
Yesterday was great too. We went back to the outlet stores where I got a trendy outfit consisting of Gap pants, and a Hurley v-neck t-shirt. Then we lounged at the pool at the Hilton. In the evening we witnessed the spectacle that is Cirque de Soleil's "O". It is hailed as the #1 in Vegas and tickets in the last row of the balcony section will run you $112! (Better seats run for about $160!) It was pretty indescribable though. After the show we went to KGB for supper and then did a final strip walk before heading back to our hotel.
We did so much in these 5 days, but we realize that there is still so much more unfinished business for us here in Sin City. We can't wait to get back!

After beating Hurricane Earl in a race, we travelled approx 12 hrs from Charlottetown --> Toronto --> Chicago --> Norfolk. We were picked up by Travis at the airport and had a great time of catching up, before being treated to the best Chicken-Pot-Pie I have ever tasted in my life. It is great to be back in Newport News, but we aren't here for long, as we are gearing up for another day of airports and flights which will end with our arrival into Las Vegas to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary later this week.
Cheeks McGee went to stay with friends of ours for the 11 nights we are away.
Suffice to say, that we are among saints right now, and we will be amongst the crazies of Sin City, later this evening.