Recently, I was super hungry, so I ordered chinese food to my dorm. The whole process was so quick and painless that it actually bothered my consciousness for a split second, and got me thinking.
What would that even feel like, to forego sleep due to hunger?
To lay restless because your body lacked the energy to activate the proper sleep function?
In my world, we eat and don't eat for the oddest reasons sometimes.
It's hard to fully appreciate the meals that go into my stomach, even when I am engorging the food.
Food is one of the great human equalizers, reminding us how
What happened to my thankfulness? Where did my satisfaction go?
The ability to be satisfied is there. It's all a matter of perspective.
--
"Hunger is the best sauce." -Matthew Henry
Proverbs 27:7 says, “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.”
"The rich forget their privileges, the comfortable forget their ease, but those who suffer savor even small graces. I need to take note of my afflictions while savoring God’s present graces and gospel promises." -Joe Thorn
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Abortion... and the holocaust...?
Friday, August 26, 2011
School Joy
School started this past week and I always enjoy the first week da most. Don't know why, but things just seem to go by WAY slower this week compared to the rest? I mean I've gone to all my classes but I'm sitting here in my dorm with Andrew complaining about the lack of movies to watch. We've gone out to eat like 10 times already. Seeing dem familiar faces again just creates instant gooddd times I guess :).
This week is also about bracing for when our pleasant circumstances start to fade away... we all know the all-too-familiar feeling that's on its way... so we should use the jubilant spirit of these first few weeks to propel ourselves deep into the difficult semester ahead. I have high hopes for the continued love, support, and encouragement amongst the bros.
With academics, my course load is probably the hardest I've had at tech so far. In the past, I was always trying to take some kind of shortcut strategy... delaying harder classes, taking minimal hours, and trying to get those ever-so-fleeting easy professors. Sometimes, there comes a point where there's only treacherous mountain ahead. No more shortcuts, hard teachers, hard classes, just damn. Hahaha but whatever, I'm not trying to avoid it anymore. Whatever happens, I want to try my best and be satisfied at that.
The time I spent this summer working and being exposed to semi-real life helped prepared me for this school year. My classes actually seem fun and interesting so far. Oh gosh, what is becoming of me...
I'm happy to be back on campus though! Cheers to the classmates and friends who I will be sharing this year with!
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPad.
This week is also about bracing for when our pleasant circumstances start to fade away... we all know the all-too-familiar feeling that's on its way... so we should use the jubilant spirit of these first few weeks to propel ourselves deep into the difficult semester ahead. I have high hopes for the continued love, support, and encouragement amongst the bros.
With academics, my course load is probably the hardest I've had at tech so far. In the past, I was always trying to take some kind of shortcut strategy... delaying harder classes, taking minimal hours, and trying to get those ever-so-fleeting easy professors. Sometimes, there comes a point where there's only treacherous mountain ahead. No more shortcuts, hard teachers, hard classes, just damn. Hahaha but whatever, I'm not trying to avoid it anymore. Whatever happens, I want to try my best and be satisfied at that.
The time I spent this summer working and being exposed to semi-real life helped prepared me for this school year. My classes actually seem fun and interesting so far. Oh gosh, what is becoming of me...
I'm happy to be back on campus though! Cheers to the classmates and friends who I will be sharing this year with!
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPad.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tee Party
Today, I went to the driving range with a buddy of mine that I haven't seen in ages. He's a younger cat, but in high-school, we hung out all the time... and everyday during summer of my jr year. He's just one of those guys that you can hit off anytime with from wherever you left off. You guys laugh at the same stuff, share interests, and just be straight up ridiculous with. That's so rare to find in life, you gotta cherish those people, no matter what the other differences are.
Out of the 30-something balls I swung at, I ended up hitting probably 5 of them past 50 yards... and STILL got blisters. Screw golf. Still, I've missed these kinds of times and I hope there's more to come in the future. It's been a lawn time buddy. Too lawn. Bahaha.
Out of the 30-something balls I swung at, I ended up hitting probably 5 of them past 50 yards... and STILL got blisters. Screw golf. Still, I've missed these kinds of times and I hope there's more to come in the future. It's been a lawn time buddy. Too lawn. Bahaha.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Trenton
Trenton... what can I say about this guy? A lot it turns out. So one Sunday afternoon at the Brittain dining hall on campus, I met a dude while watching the nba playoffs on the big screen. We struck up a conversation about the game and then got to know each other in the process.
Trenton came down from Chicago with his brother not too long ago, because he said there were supposed to be "better opportunities and real good weather." Funny, because we now both know that the weather in Atlanta is like HOT FIRE THAT SWEATS. What a terrible combo. As we talked about Chicago I got to tell him how much I liked it there when I visited last summer. He mentioned that he was from the south-side, near the area I stayed at in Chinatown once, so we connected on that. Chicago is one of those cities where it feels very homey... and everyone there wants to be there. It seemed like he missed it quite a bit.
As for opportunities, when I got around to asking him, he told me about his dream to become a mechanic. He wanted to go to Atlanta Technical College (hopefully, he said) and one day own his own shop... and he wanted to do it because that was his vision of how he could help others. He said he loved the idea that he could build long-lasting relationships with his customers, one day at a time, fixing their cars and helping them out. All of this, is what he is be working towards now.
That blew me away.
To be frank, this guy was too young... and too good to be working in a dining hall, doing the stuff he was doing, and working the hours he was working. Everyone he meets probably asks him how old he is because he looks like a kid. That's the reason why I ended up striking it up with him in the first place too.
I couldn't imagine being in a position like his, from a position like mine. I always thought there were people who had their dreams and were chasing after them hard, but I honestly didn't know many people personally who did. That might come as a shocker, but it really isn't, considering that too much comfort leads to complacency, cockiness, and whatever other negative c word out there applies. His dream was specific and his heart was set on it. Although I've never wanted to be a mechanic, I wanted to be like Trenton in that moment, having his heart, his desire to serve people one day... driving the things he was doing now. Who knows if he is a believer, but I want to live my life the way he does, for higher purposes rather than earthly ones...
As the game on the screen started to get a bit more exciting our conversation paused for a bit. We both shook our heads in amazement after another Memphis Grizzlies' basket was fueling an improbable underdog comeback. After a while, Trenton said he had to get back to work. While we exchanged our it-was-nice-to-meet-yous... I couldn't help but feeling like I had just met a legend in the making.
I looked towards the screen and Memphis was now on top. Trenton was like the Memphis team, grinding it out against the bigger dogs of this world, and I was rootin for him. There's a reason we always cheer for the underdogs to get to the top. They're the ones who make the most with what they have... when they have any success, they always remember where they came from first and try to identify and give back. May I be someone who always remembers where I come from, making the most of what I've been given.
"As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand." Ecclesiastes 5:15
Let's go grizzlies!!
Trenton came down from Chicago with his brother not too long ago, because he said there were supposed to be "better opportunities and real good weather." Funny, because we now both know that the weather in Atlanta is like HOT FIRE THAT SWEATS. What a terrible combo. As we talked about Chicago I got to tell him how much I liked it there when I visited last summer. He mentioned that he was from the south-side, near the area I stayed at in Chinatown once, so we connected on that. Chicago is one of those cities where it feels very homey... and everyone there wants to be there. It seemed like he missed it quite a bit.
As for opportunities, when I got around to asking him, he told me about his dream to become a mechanic. He wanted to go to Atlanta Technical College (hopefully, he said) and one day own his own shop... and he wanted to do it because that was his vision of how he could help others. He said he loved the idea that he could build long-lasting relationships with his customers, one day at a time, fixing their cars and helping them out. All of this, is what he is be working towards now.
That blew me away.
To be frank, this guy was too young... and too good to be working in a dining hall, doing the stuff he was doing, and working the hours he was working. Everyone he meets probably asks him how old he is because he looks like a kid. That's the reason why I ended up striking it up with him in the first place too.
I couldn't imagine being in a position like his, from a position like mine. I always thought there were people who had their dreams and were chasing after them hard, but I honestly didn't know many people personally who did. That might come as a shocker, but it really isn't, considering that too much comfort leads to complacency, cockiness, and whatever other negative c word out there applies. His dream was specific and his heart was set on it. Although I've never wanted to be a mechanic, I wanted to be like Trenton in that moment, having his heart, his desire to serve people one day... driving the things he was doing now. Who knows if he is a believer, but I want to live my life the way he does, for higher purposes rather than earthly ones...
As the game on the screen started to get a bit more exciting our conversation paused for a bit. We both shook our heads in amazement after another Memphis Grizzlies' basket was fueling an improbable underdog comeback. After a while, Trenton said he had to get back to work. While we exchanged our it-was-nice-to-meet-yous... I couldn't help but feeling like I had just met a legend in the making.
I looked towards the screen and Memphis was now on top. Trenton was like the Memphis team, grinding it out against the bigger dogs of this world, and I was rootin for him. There's a reason we always cheer for the underdogs to get to the top. They're the ones who make the most with what they have... when they have any success, they always remember where they came from first and try to identify and give back. May I be someone who always remembers where I come from, making the most of what I've been given.
"As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand." Ecclesiastes 5:15
Let's go grizzlies!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Prodigal
Some times... for some reason you feel as if you cannot escape God's GRACE... not his wrath, judgement, or anger, but his GRACE.
That's how I feel right now as if the sky is starting to close down on me and wants to crush my deepest inners.
Most of the time, I want to run from it... it seems like the easier, more pleasant way.
But honestly, how can I?
God, I'm here. I will stay here, waiting. Help me to receive. Don't leave me or forsake me. Be with me and comfort me. For you God, are not a God of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33.
That's how I feel right now as if the sky is starting to close down on me and wants to crush my deepest inners.
Most of the time, I want to run from it... it seems like the easier, more pleasant way.
God, I'm here. I will stay here, waiting. Help me to receive. Don't leave me or forsake me. Be with me and comfort me. For you God, are not a God of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Jargs... yarg
Religious jargon gets people lost in translation.
I hope that a bad translator will never end up becoming a diplomat between warring countries because then we'd have a lot of dumber wars than we have now.
That being said, words like "Grace," "gospel," "Jesus," can be such flimsy words without understanding the substance behind them. This is why I think the Bible records so much detail about things like ceremonies, rituals, rules and regulations... they're so long and tedious. These are the old requirements to approach God. This is why we need to understand our separation before we can value our fellowship.
This is why we need to be single for a while so we can value our marriage.
This is why we need to understand people before we judge them.
This is why understanding context is so important in all of life.
Context first... conclusions second. Or else, dumb conclusions.
I hope that a bad translator will never end up becoming a diplomat between warring countries because then we'd have a lot of dumber wars than we have now.
That being said, words like "Grace," "gospel," "Jesus," can be such flimsy words without understanding the substance behind them. This is why I think the Bible records so much detail about things like ceremonies, rituals, rules and regulations... they're so long and tedious. These are the old requirements to approach God. This is why we need to understand our separation before we can value our fellowship.
This is why we need to be single for a while so we can value our marriage.
This is why we need to understand people before we judge them.
This is why understanding context is so important in all of life.
Context first... conclusions second. Or else, dumb conclusions.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Quote of the day:
This is cool. A dude who is an artistic baller and loves Jesus.
''If I have time to do everything else, I have time to read the Bible,''
-Ziarekenya Smith, young & aspiring designer, of God Inspired Designs.
Remember the name.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ziaregraphicartist/
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Journey Basketball League
It was really great having fellowship with brothers and some sisters through something as simple as basketball. I realized that having a good attitude can make a world of difference. Let me explain:
Yesterday night, I was having a lot of complaints. I didn't like the team that was chosen for me, the distance, the costs, the amount of time it would take. I almost wanted to tell David that I didn't want to be a captain anymore and be a quitter...
However, late into the night... I stumbled onto a Youtube video of some Xavier basketball players. Don't ask me how. They were freaking hilarious though. Basically, they are "walk-ons" or guys who aren't scholarship players. They self-proclaimed themselves as the "three-headed monster". LOL. I couldn't help but crack a smile, and I was definitely taken aback by their upbeat, joyful attitudes. They were simply thankful to be part of the team, thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of a community. Anyways, after this video, I was reminded to be thankful myself for the same things and ditch the negatory attitude as soon as possible. Pretty inspiring if I'd say so.
Yesterday night, I was having a lot of complaints. I didn't like the team that was chosen for me, the distance, the costs, the amount of time it would take. I almost wanted to tell David that I didn't want to be a captain anymore and be a quitter...
However, late into the night... I stumbled onto a Youtube video of some Xavier basketball players. Don't ask me how. They were freaking hilarious though. Basically, they are "walk-ons" or guys who aren't scholarship players. They self-proclaimed themselves as the "three-headed monster". LOL. I couldn't help but crack a smile, and I was definitely taken aback by their upbeat, joyful attitudes. They were simply thankful to be part of the team, thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of a community. Anyways, after this video, I was reminded to be thankful myself for the same things and ditch the negatory attitude as soon as possible. Pretty inspiring if I'd say so.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Stream of Continuous Living
Just as we physically feel dirty everyday and thus require ourselves to shower, we must also similarly be washed and renewed in the blood of Christ daily. His blood became our water. His death became our life.
Sometimes I try not to shower for as long as I can, as nasty as that sounds. You might be able to relate... (maybe) hahaha. It's not that I don't want to, but the motivations for me to shower usually have to push me hard enough out of my usual tendencies towards laziness and contentment with being dirty. I might only shower when it is absolutely necessary- like when I think that others might begin to take notice, or when I finally can't stand walking around in my own sweat anymore after exercise. Can anyone relate? The majority of guys I know are like this... I can't speak for the girls, but I definitely know my fair share who are.
The problem is, I often approach my walk with Christ this way too. The things that bring me back to Christ have similarly been for the eyes of others or when the overbearing guilt of my own sins eventually becomes too much. I might go about, doing whatever I want, giving into my passions and flesh throughout the day. When I come home, I'll distract myself for hours upon hours, knowing in the back of my mind that my soul actually thirsts to spend time with the Living God instead... However, I continue in the things that I feel like I have to do first, and essentially put my life with God last.
Is this wrong? Does Jesus Christ close His arms to me when I keep living my life this way? NO. NEVER. In fact, his arms are open wide.
See? It's renewal that I'm lacking. It's the reliance and dependence that I'm missing. It's the opportunity to put every day in the "good" column, simply because I am living my life for Christ again (for that day), that is absent. Although I am still able to arbitrarily walk with God throughout the day, and worship Him in the things I do, it becomes wearisome after a while without renewal! It then becomes burdensome, if not outright impossible! The dirt in my heart begins to build up and my motivations for coming to Christ slowly become different. Perhaps, one day a portion of my messed up character might show out to someone, causing my fear of man to kick in again, or I might become so bogged down with guilt because of my various sins, that I'll finally begin to cry out for help.
I believe that the Christ is the only one who can bring new motivations into my heart. I have to remember that it isn't the act of touching His robe (synonymous to daily renewal) that changes me, heals me, or forgives me, but it's because of Jesus Christ himself. What do I mean by that? The act of daily renewal has power because the renewal is through Christ.
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
Sometimes I try not to shower for as long as I can, as nasty as that sounds. You might be able to relate... (maybe) hahaha. It's not that I don't want to, but the motivations for me to shower usually have to push me hard enough out of my usual tendencies towards laziness and contentment with being dirty. I might only shower when it is absolutely necessary- like when I think that others might begin to take notice, or when I finally can't stand walking around in my own sweat anymore after exercise. Can anyone relate? The majority of guys I know are like this... I can't speak for the girls, but I definitely know my fair share who are.
The problem is, I often approach my walk with Christ this way too. The things that bring me back to Christ have similarly been for the eyes of others or when the overbearing guilt of my own sins eventually becomes too much. I might go about, doing whatever I want, giving into my passions and flesh throughout the day. When I come home, I'll distract myself for hours upon hours, knowing in the back of my mind that my soul actually thirsts to spend time with the Living God instead... However, I continue in the things that I feel like I have to do first, and essentially put my life with God last.
Is this wrong? Does Jesus Christ close His arms to me when I keep living my life this way? NO. NEVER. In fact, his arms are open wide.
See? It's renewal that I'm lacking. It's the reliance and dependence that I'm missing. It's the opportunity to put every day in the "good" column, simply because I am living my life for Christ again (for that day), that is absent. Although I am still able to arbitrarily walk with God throughout the day, and worship Him in the things I do, it becomes wearisome after a while without renewal! It then becomes burdensome, if not outright impossible! The dirt in my heart begins to build up and my motivations for coming to Christ slowly become different. Perhaps, one day a portion of my messed up character might show out to someone, causing my fear of man to kick in again, or I might become so bogged down with guilt because of my various sins, that I'll finally begin to cry out for help.
I believe that the Christ is the only one who can bring new motivations into my heart. I have to remember that it isn't the act of touching His robe (synonymous to daily renewal) that changes me, heals me, or forgives me, but it's because of Jesus Christ himself. What do I mean by that? The act of daily renewal has power because the renewal is through Christ.
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Fickle pickle
Have you ever gotten yourself into a fickle pickle?
Yes, that moment when you don't know which bball shoe model to buy and you end up choosing the "wrong" one. So you end up returning it and then getting a different one. And then you happen to do it again because this time you chose the wrong size. It was too tight and you should've gone for the slightly looser fit. Poor choice! And then your dad is with you when you happen to make this exchange and he sees the extraordinarily-long receipt that shows the previous attempted exchanges as well. Yup, and then it's lesson time in front of everyone in the store!
Ever happen to you?
Well the heart is very fickle. Now you know.
Yes, that moment when you don't know which bball shoe model to buy and you end up choosing the "wrong" one. So you end up returning it and then getting a different one. And then you happen to do it again because this time you chose the wrong size. It was too tight and you should've gone for the slightly looser fit. Poor choice! And then your dad is with you when you happen to make this exchange and he sees the extraordinarily-long receipt that shows the previous attempted exchanges as well. Yup, and then it's lesson time in front of everyone in the store!
Ever happen to you?
Well the heart is very fickle. Now you know.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Stop the Candy Shop
An amazing, powerful film to raise awareness and stir action for child sex-trafficking in Atlanta and across the world. This makes me want to throw up... seriously. I have to believe there's some light at the end of this dark, dark tunnel.
Watch:
The Candy Shop from Whitestone Motion Pictures on Vimeo.
Find out more:
http://stopthecandyshop.com/
Watch:
The Candy Shop from Whitestone Motion Pictures on Vimeo.
Find out more:
http://stopthecandyshop.com/
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Good Advice
Don't you sometimes wish you could talk to the most knowledgeable person in the world about an issue you're having?
Well, I sought advice from the most well-respected person I knew for mine and got it. I knew the matter was such a delicate one that could cause all sorts of divisions and defenses... and good wisdom was too hard to find elsewhere... so I went to a guru.
Imagine not knowing someone too well... let's say... you shared the same basketball court with them. For this illustration, let's use Barack Obama. You guys happened to play basketball against each other randomly, you with your boys, and him with his secret agent squad. Then he allows you to be his friend on Facebook because you insta-added him so he wouldn't forget you. 6 months pass by... and you randomly chat him, not expecting him to respond. To your surprise, he responds, and not only responds, but decides that he wants to call you about some of the minor concerns you were having, even though it's 2am and he's at a UN conference getting ready for the next day tomorrow.
This is similar to the conversation I had with this guru person on Facebook... that then somehow got turned into an hour long phone conversation. The simple fact that this man called me really impressed me and blessed me.
Beyond the fact that he called me, I received so much encouragement and truth from him... it was one of the most overwhelming things. I was truly taken aback by the large amounts of one man's generosity, kindness, affection that he showed me. How was it possible that he would be willing to do this even though he was tired and didn't even know me well? I could not fathom...
My only conclusion was that all of those things I saw in him were fruits from his relationship with Jesus Christ. He had the Spirit... and I'm only thinking this because his relationship with Jesus... is very open. He's a pastor! Even still, he had no other real incentives, rather than to just genuinely help me.
I'm glad I got my question answered, but I think I got so much more out of it. This isn't the first time I've met someone who's made me feel this way, but I was reminded that Jesus transforms people into his likeness. I will become like him through my fellowship with him. I will become like this man too. It's one thing to hear about it, and another to experience it. We've been given a new Spirit inside of us! So... let hope... rise! A hope that does not put us to shame. A living hope.
Well, I sought advice from the most well-respected person I knew for mine and got it. I knew the matter was such a delicate one that could cause all sorts of divisions and defenses... and good wisdom was too hard to find elsewhere... so I went to a guru.
Imagine not knowing someone too well... let's say... you shared the same basketball court with them. For this illustration, let's use Barack Obama. You guys happened to play basketball against each other randomly, you with your boys, and him with his secret agent squad. Then he allows you to be his friend on Facebook because you insta-added him so he wouldn't forget you. 6 months pass by... and you randomly chat him, not expecting him to respond. To your surprise, he responds, and not only responds, but decides that he wants to call you about some of the minor concerns you were having, even though it's 2am and he's at a UN conference getting ready for the next day tomorrow.
This is similar to the conversation I had with this guru person on Facebook... that then somehow got turned into an hour long phone conversation. The simple fact that this man called me really impressed me and blessed me.
Beyond the fact that he called me, I received so much encouragement and truth from him... it was one of the most overwhelming things. I was truly taken aback by the large amounts of one man's generosity, kindness, affection that he showed me. How was it possible that he would be willing to do this even though he was tired and didn't even know me well? I could not fathom...
My only conclusion was that all of those things I saw in him were fruits from his relationship with Jesus Christ. He had the Spirit... and I'm only thinking this because his relationship with Jesus... is very open. He's a pastor! Even still, he had no other real incentives, rather than to just genuinely help me.
I'm glad I got my question answered, but I think I got so much more out of it. This isn't the first time I've met someone who's made me feel this way, but I was reminded that Jesus transforms people into his likeness. I will become like him through my fellowship with him. I will become like this man too. It's one thing to hear about it, and another to experience it. We've been given a new Spirit inside of us! So... let hope... rise! A hope that does not put us to shame. A living hope.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Quote of the day:
-How, you do anything is how you do everything-
Wow, what a powerful reminder for my life.
Wow, what a powerful reminder for my life.
"Calm Down"
Have I become a person who is continually saying sorry all the time? My actions have been warranting them these days...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I came from the dust
Jungmin, my roommate is sleeping soundly beside me right now. As his teeth chatter, he looks oh-so-cute. We got into a little argument today over housing. Good to see him in such peace now.
We won our intramural basketball game to make it into the 2nd round of playoffs. It was so exciting and intense as we played against a team that got two technicals and scratched us up everywhere. Jiwon showed his man side to the other team and we had his back, but nothing happened, which was good lol. Next game should be a lot harder as we face the #1 team in the league tomorrow...
I'm learning a lot. There is truly no growth without hardship. God, thank you.
We won our intramural basketball game to make it into the 2nd round of playoffs. It was so exciting and intense as we played against a team that got two technicals and scratched us up everywhere. Jiwon showed his man side to the other team and we had his back, but nothing happened, which was good lol. Next game should be a lot harder as we face the #1 team in the league tomorrow...
I'm learning a lot. There is truly no growth without hardship. God, thank you.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sleeping
I have been sleeping every night at 4am-ish. There's not a need in the world for this.
I thought about a lot of stuff today.
Am I satisfied with where I am going now?
Can I accept the sacrifice of basketball in my life?
Can't I ask and let God lead me where He wants me to go?
I thought about a lot of stuff today.
Am I satisfied with where I am going now?
Can I accept the sacrifice of basketball in my life?
Can't I ask and let God lead me where He wants me to go?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Conviction & Loving
I have the privilege of reading into so many convicting things (mostly blogs) on a regular basis. People pouring their hearts out about God, their life, and others. It's quite the look into someone's life. It goes deeper and fuller than any regular out-of-the-blue conversation that you might have with most of the people in your life. It's almost what I desire in real life with people. I almost wish we could be so close together that we would not hold back from each other with the love that we've been given. However, I do understand why this isn't the wisest thing. We don't have that feeling of love in our hearts all the time, right? If we as human beings could only pour out love, or else nothing at all, we then might be stuck with many dry, sapped-out conversations and relationships. We have that little love inside of us. Sad, but true.
What can we do? Well, all we can do is increase in our love. That kind of love is only found in Christ Jesus. We can't really do it any other way. I'm sure you've tried just as much as I to do it ourselves. He is the name above all names and He is love. He died on the cross and "took it like a man" instead of walking away from it. Many questioned why He didn't call upon legions of angels to destroy haters or cry out to be saved if He was truly the Son of God. Listen, you and I, we're the ones that received the gift of relationship with God through Christ dying on the cross. We can love by just knowing and accepting the love that was first shown to us. That's it. Like I said earlier, you might read this- and see the words that I write, my conviction, my life poured out onto digital ink. I pray that you would receive conviction instead of burden. Burdens must leave so that convictions may enter. Eventually, I pray that you may cast your burdens upon Jesus Christ. Amen.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 6:23
What can we do? Well, all we can do is increase in our love. That kind of love is only found in Christ Jesus. We can't really do it any other way. I'm sure you've tried just as much as I to do it ourselves. He is the name above all names and He is love. He died on the cross and "took it like a man" instead of walking away from it. Many questioned why He didn't call upon legions of angels to destroy haters or cry out to be saved if He was truly the Son of God. Listen, you and I, we're the ones that received the gift of relationship with God through Christ dying on the cross. We can love by just knowing and accepting the love that was first shown to us. That's it. Like I said earlier, you might read this- and see the words that I write, my conviction, my life poured out onto digital ink. I pray that you would receive conviction instead of burden. Burdens must leave so that convictions may enter. Eventually, I pray that you may cast your burdens upon Jesus Christ. Amen.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 6:23
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Romans 8
This is related to the last post. I know you don't really want to read
the rest of this, because it's long, but trust me. Just read a little
bit of it.
Life in the Spirit
1So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature.
So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body
like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to
sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4He
did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully
satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead
follow the Spirit.
5Those
who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but
those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that
please the Spirit. 6So
letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But
letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9But
you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the
Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that
those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong
to him at all.) 10And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11The
Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just
as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your
mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13For
if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of
the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15So
you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead,
you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17And
since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with
Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we
must also share his suffering.
The Future Glory
18Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23And
we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us
as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be
released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the
day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
26And
the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know
what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with
groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And
having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called
them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them
right standing, he gave them his glory.
Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
31What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34Who
then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was
raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s
right hand, pleading for us.
35Can
anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer
loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry,
or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36(As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39No
power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all
creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is
revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Boys
This is going to be thought dump, but I want to put something out there.
I think every guy that I have talked to wrestles with something called lust. I don't know the depth of the wrestling- we don't really talk about it. The silence sometimes leads me to doubt that there are many who struggle with it, even though I know others do.
It's the kind of thing that leads you to doubt your own salvation- it's a reality check. You say- I can't keep going on sinning all the time if I've been given new life. "What kind of new life is that?" we ask.
I think that many of us want to be men of God who don't seem to have this struggle. "Men of God" and "struggles" don't usually fit into the same sentence in our minds. Whomever we marry- we hope to be fully committed and faithful them, without exception. But when we're messing up even before that point, we can't help but to constantly think about how unprepared and how big of failures we are. To us, we're letting down God, our spouses, and ourselves, all at the same time, over and over.
When we ask for forgiveness, we only feel like it covers us temporarily, until we mess up again. Then we become dull to the whole cycle, as it repeats itself. It can lead us to the brink of the the abyss. Don't slip any further, it's the point of no return.
Admittedly, I have struggled through this.
--
HOWEVER,
"Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do" Romans 8:12
Concisely put, Christians are no longer bound by the flesh, but rather the new Spirit. However, they can still act like they still are. Non-Christians are simply bound by flesh and do not have the ability to disobey it.
You see, we're all the same... but some are also not. We can both go down a way that leads to death. However... as those who have been bought by Christ, we have a choice for a path that leads to life. Now and forever.
--
What?
The funny thing is, once you realize that you have been permanently covered (as opposed to temporarily covered), you can start to find yourself leading a life of freedom that ends up naturally wanting to choose the path to life. This road looks brighter and more appealing than it did before. The other road still exists and can be travelled on... but it's appeal has waned.. it's power squelched.
Listen, we were never meant to achieve perfection in it of ourselves. That will never happen. However, we were given a new way to receive it through Jesus. In this way, he asks us to walk in a close and intimate relationship with him, walking out into the good things he has planned for us.
We must remind ourselves of the things we have forgotten.
Our new lives are lived simply through reminders. Simply through faith in truths. This is only able to be received, not bought... but given, and never earned. It is something that can only be too-good-to-be-true, unless it is actually true.
Boys will be boys... but then some will become men, through faith.
I repeat, through faith.
I think every guy that I have talked to wrestles with something called lust. I don't know the depth of the wrestling- we don't really talk about it. The silence sometimes leads me to doubt that there are many who struggle with it, even though I know others do.
It's the kind of thing that leads you to doubt your own salvation- it's a reality check. You say- I can't keep going on sinning all the time if I've been given new life. "What kind of new life is that?" we ask.
I think that many of us want to be men of God who don't seem to have this struggle. "Men of God" and "struggles" don't usually fit into the same sentence in our minds. Whomever we marry- we hope to be fully committed and faithful them, without exception. But when we're messing up even before that point, we can't help but to constantly think about how unprepared and how big of failures we are. To us, we're letting down God, our spouses, and ourselves, all at the same time, over and over.
When we ask for forgiveness, we only feel like it covers us temporarily, until we mess up again. Then we become dull to the whole cycle, as it repeats itself. It can lead us to the brink of the the abyss. Don't slip any further, it's the point of no return.
Admittedly, I have struggled through this.
--
HOWEVER,
"Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do" Romans 8:12
Concisely put, Christians are no longer bound by the flesh, but rather the new Spirit. However, they can still act like they still are. Non-Christians are simply bound by flesh and do not have the ability to disobey it.
You see, we're all the same... but some are also not. We can both go down a way that leads to death. However... as those who have been bought by Christ, we have a choice for a path that leads to life. Now and forever.
--
What?
The funny thing is, once you realize that you have been permanently covered (as opposed to temporarily covered), you can start to find yourself leading a life of freedom that ends up naturally wanting to choose the path to life. This road looks brighter and more appealing than it did before. The other road still exists and can be travelled on... but it's appeal has waned.. it's power squelched.
Listen, we were never meant to achieve perfection in it of ourselves. That will never happen. However, we were given a new way to receive it through Jesus. In this way, he asks us to walk in a close and intimate relationship with him, walking out into the good things he has planned for us.
We must remind ourselves of the things we have forgotten.
Our new lives are lived simply through reminders. Simply through faith in truths. This is only able to be received, not bought... but given, and never earned. It is something that can only be too-good-to-be-true, unless it is actually true.
Boys will be boys... but then some will become men, through faith.
I repeat, through faith.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Two different words
Words are important because they can divide hearts and trap feelings. Sometimes, you should be patient with the things you say stemming from the way you feel. Your words can make those feelings permanent. However words can also unify hearts and pour life into people too. I want my words to belong to the latter.
Today, I told a brother about how his words have affected me negatively. Ironically, I didn't use my words well to let him know this. Irony is the worst thing ever.
Anyways, what did I conclude?
For me: Let me be one who can take light things lightly, and serious things seriously!
Today, I told a brother about how his words have affected me negatively. Ironically, I didn't use my words well to let him know this. Irony is the worst thing ever.
Anyways, what did I conclude?
For me: Let me be one who can take light things lightly, and serious things seriously!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Freedom for a Few Dollars
Julio Diaz has a daily routine. Every night, the 31-year-old social worker ends his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx one stop early, just so he can eat at his favorite diner.
But one night last month, as Diaz stepped off the No. 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn.
He was walking toward the stairs when a teenage boy approached and pulled out a knife.
"He wants my money, so I just gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go,'" Diaz says.
As the teen began to walk away, Diaz told him, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm."
The would-be robber looked at his would-be victim, "like what's going on here?" Diaz says. "He asked me, 'Why are you doing this?'"
Diaz replied: "If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner and if you really want to join me ... hey, you're more than welcome.
"You know, I just felt maybe he really needs help," Diaz says.
Diaz says he and the teen went into the diner and sat in a booth.
"The manager comes by, the dishwashers come by, the waiters come by to say hi," Diaz says. "The kid was like, 'You know everybody here. Do you own this place?'"
"No, I just eat here a lot," Diaz says he told the teen. "He says, 'But you're even nice to the dishwasher.'"
Diaz replied, "Well, haven't you been taught you should be nice to everybody?"
"Yea, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way," the teen said.
Diaz asked him what he wanted out of life. "He just had almost a sad face," Diaz says.
The teen couldn't answer Diaz — or he didn't want to.
When the bill arrived, Diaz told the teen, "Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for this bill 'cause you have my money and I can't pay for this. So if you give me my wallet back, I'll gladly treat you."
The teen "didn't even think about it" and returned the wallet, Diaz says. "I gave him $20 ... I figure maybe it'll help him. I don't know."
Diaz says he asked for something in return — the teen's knife — "and he gave it to me."
Afterward, when Diaz told his mother what happened, she said, "You're the type of kid that if someone asked you for the time, you gave them your watch."
"I figure, you know, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world."
http://www.npr.org/2008/03/28/89164759/a-victim-treats-his-mugger-right
But one night last month, as Diaz stepped off the No. 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn.
He was walking toward the stairs when a teenage boy approached and pulled out a knife.
"He wants my money, so I just gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go,'" Diaz says.
As the teen began to walk away, Diaz told him, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm."
The would-be robber looked at his would-be victim, "like what's going on here?" Diaz says. "He asked me, 'Why are you doing this?'"
Diaz replied: "If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner and if you really want to join me ... hey, you're more than welcome.
"You know, I just felt maybe he really needs help," Diaz says.
Diaz says he and the teen went into the diner and sat in a booth.
"The manager comes by, the dishwashers come by, the waiters come by to say hi," Diaz says. "The kid was like, 'You know everybody here. Do you own this place?'"
"No, I just eat here a lot," Diaz says he told the teen. "He says, 'But you're even nice to the dishwasher.'"
Diaz replied, "Well, haven't you been taught you should be nice to everybody?"
"Yea, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way," the teen said.
Diaz asked him what he wanted out of life. "He just had almost a sad face," Diaz says.
The teen couldn't answer Diaz — or he didn't want to.
When the bill arrived, Diaz told the teen, "Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for this bill 'cause you have my money and I can't pay for this. So if you give me my wallet back, I'll gladly treat you."
The teen "didn't even think about it" and returned the wallet, Diaz says. "I gave him $20 ... I figure maybe it'll help him. I don't know."
Diaz says he asked for something in return — the teen's knife — "and he gave it to me."
Afterward, when Diaz told his mother what happened, she said, "You're the type of kid that if someone asked you for the time, you gave them your watch."
"I figure, you know, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world."
http://www.npr.org/2008/03/28/89164759/a-victim-treats-his-mugger-right
Hoopful Hearts
Today, jca boys hooped it up. There was good fellowship and good basketball. Looking forward to things to come!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Things Past
I cannot help but say that I have seen my pathetic self over the past few days.
I did not go to my internship fair that I had prepared minimally for, but nonetheless prepared for. I have not been applying for internships although many of the deadlines are this week. I did not go to my first family group meeting. I went to another, less good, meeting instead. I've been sleeping everyday very late, almost helplessly because I am enslaved to my body in that sense. I have not been doing my homework in the time that I have been allotted each day. I push it until I am under pressure of having it due the next day. I have not gotten my resume edited at career services like I have been planning to for the past week.
However, there is an internship fair coming up in two weeks with IIE, I will apply for internships this week, I will go to fg today, I will sleep earlier from now on, I will allot my time better to do homework, and I will have my resume edited tomorrow.
These things that continue to test me for character are for the better.
I know I am talking about things I will do this week, but my "will" is weak, actually. I hope I can learn what it means to seek God's will over mine.
This is a process of getting humbled, and it stings a little.
I did not go to my internship fair that I had prepared minimally for, but nonetheless prepared for. I have not been applying for internships although many of the deadlines are this week. I did not go to my first family group meeting. I went to another, less good, meeting instead. I've been sleeping everyday very late, almost helplessly because I am enslaved to my body in that sense. I have not been doing my homework in the time that I have been allotted each day. I push it until I am under pressure of having it due the next day. I have not gotten my resume edited at career services like I have been planning to for the past week.
However, there is an internship fair coming up in two weeks with IIE, I will apply for internships this week, I will go to fg today, I will sleep earlier from now on, I will allot my time better to do homework, and I will have my resume edited tomorrow.
These things that continue to test me for character are for the better.
I know I am talking about things I will do this week, but my "will" is weak, actually. I hope I can learn what it means to seek God's will over mine.
This is a process of getting humbled, and it stings a little.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
This race wasn't meant to be run alone.
Lord, please bring good brothers in my life that will keep me going to love JESUS as much as I can.
Fellowship
There is nothing like fellowship after the filling of the Holy Spirit. It fills people with an immeasurable joy that cannot be bought, so precious but at the same time so readily poured out for others to have as well.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Passion is endurance
I find that knowing is half the battle. Experiences in themselves are not enough. LIVING is where it's at. I want to be alive.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Father's Love
Just as a father calls his son on the phone, just to hear his voice for even a moment, so our Heavenly Father calls out to us and desires to hear us speak to Him, if even for just a moment. His love is so patient, it is so gentle and kind. This is the Father's love for us, His children.
My dad called me today. Thank you daddy!
My dad called me today. Thank you daddy!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Scrub
Today, I got my stuff rocked.
I was planning on getting my resume together for an internship with deloitte consulting... problem is... the application for the BTA (business technology analyst) position was DUE today.
An older brother who had been helping me through the process, didn't know I was so far behind on my resume.
Boy, did I get a lesson when he found out.
There's always something to learn from mistakes, so I will learn from these and look forward to the next time I can forgo repeating them.
Lord, thank you for the opportunities to learn and grow.
I was planning on getting my resume together for an internship with deloitte consulting... problem is... the application for the BTA (business technology analyst) position was DUE today.
An older brother who had been helping me through the process, didn't know I was so far behind on my resume.
Boy, did I get a lesson when he found out.
There's always something to learn from mistakes, so I will learn from these and look forward to the next time I can forgo repeating them.
Lord, thank you for the opportunities to learn and grow.
A Quote i heard today
Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:
“What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.” - C.S. Lewis
“What! You, too? Thought I was the only one.” - C.S. Lewis
School
Today's the first day of school.
The sun is shining brightly today.
After a 3 day hiatus due to some 'massive' amounts of snow, we're finally going back...
I'm secretly excited for classes hehe.
First day always sets the tone for the rest of the semester :)
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPad.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
First but not last
I like to state the obvious. This is my first livejournal post :). For one, I know I'll be needing a place to place the matters of my heart this upcoming semester, so I have turned here. On another hand, sometimes my prayers are better thought through written words instead of uttered words.
Purify my heart, help me to see with eyes of faith.
Purify my heart, help me to see with eyes of faith.
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