Thought

"Everyone longs to give him/herself completely to someone, to have a deep and committed soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and unconditionally. But God says "no not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by me above, with giving yourself totally, unreservedly to me alone. I will love you my child, and until you discover that only in me is your satisfaction to be found you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with me exclusively of anyone or anything else; exclusively of any other desires or belongings, I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan existing- one that you cannot imagine- I want you to have the very best. Please allow me to bring it to you. Just keep your eyes on me expecting the greatest things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction knowing that I am. Keeping learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must be patient, don't be anxious. Don't worry. Don't look around at the things others have. Don't look at the things you think you want. Just keep looking to me, or you will miss what I want to give you. And then, when you are ready I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you can ever dream. You'll see until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working this very minute to have both of you ready at the same time), when you are both satisfied exclusively with me and live life I have prepared for you. You won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies the relationship with me... and this is perfect love."


I guess I will use this as part of my devotions from Ephesians 3:20-21, though this draws upon many verses throughout the bible. To think that God can do more work than ten thousand talented and diligent people, and create worlds more vivid than my uncontrollable imagination can conceive. And one of them would just happen to be a relationship with another important person.


I have realized I have hit the point in my life where those around me are consistently thinking about serious relationships and commitment (I see engagement, marriage, and even babies weekly in my Facebook news feed now), and many prayers sounded off in my prayer groups and church meetings are on this topic. I don't know how many times I've shared this quote, but many times I have to come back to it and use it as a summary of scripture to refocus myself to God. Yes, I want to pursue a relationship where all I want is to help her grow closer to Him. To quote Big Fish's female companion, "maybe even more precious is the man who seeks not only to protect or to cherish (or even to hold) but also to encourage that heart to grow in the only way that really matters--into the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit." (I hope you don't blush at your own posts too, just your boyfriend's). I wholeheartedly agree with you and hope the sisters in Christ around the world believe the same too. Statistically a christian woman is more likely to pursue an non-spiritual relationship than a christian man, and more likely to value traits like looks, success, and humor above spiritual maturity than guys. I guess its my blog, so I can just put it out there that a guy after God's own heart is all you need to seek in a potential lifelong companion. Trust and care are the foundation to a stable relationship, not feelings or emotions (yes it is possible to deep brain stimulate a human and cause them to fall in love with a lemon, though unethical and should never be done >_>).


I will remember daily that God is in control of my destiny. I will become a man after God's own heart.

Devo Post #2

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
   because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
   one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
   and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
   But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Today I listened to Pastor Darrin’s sermon on community. He chose this verse from the book of Ecclesiastes, known as the book of wisdom. The message here is very simple: do not go through life alone. Throughout most of Ecclesiastes, the author King Solomon emphasizes all the “meaningless”things in life. His overarching theme is life apart from God is meaningless. Pastor Darrin draws the notion that you cannot worship the creator or enjoy the life He has given you without having people supporting you, encouraging you, and challenging you. Sounds like Tim Keller right there (probably a source).

Now to elaborate his point, Pastor Darrin goes into the definition of a friend. What is a friend? We have enemies. We also have fans. But we rarely have friends. A friend is someone who will “believe the best about us, and wade through the worst with us.” Basically, someone you trust to be there for you through the good and bad. Sounds like a wedding vow to me...hopefully everyone’s spouse is their best friendl. But everyone needs friends, and for a Christian, spiritual friends that perform functions in our lives are absolutely necessary. When the time comes when you are in a lot of pain, you need people to come and assure you that God is still in control, that God is still good, and to answer the questions that are sure to be mounting in your mind. During those times of confusion and frustration, you need people to discern the situation for you and help reveal the sin in you that is preventing community. Everyone needs someone to share their hopes, their dreams, and their fears with. That is true friendship.

To me, my relationships and friendships are God’s sign to me that he has rewarded me and answered my prayers. I know He is watching over me and showering me with his love. I am grateful everyday that God has blessed me with many great friends who I trust and have fellowship, and will always be grateful.

Christ, who said to the disciples “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another” The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others. They are no greater than the beauties of a thousand other men; by Friendship God opens our eyes to them. They are, like all beauties, derived from Him, and then, in a good Friendship, increased by Him through the Friendship itself, so that it is His instrument for creating as well as for revealing. At this feast it is He who has spread the board and it is He who has chosen the guests. It is He, we may dare to hope, who sometimes does, and always should, preside. Let us not reckon without our Host. - C.S. Lewis

Devo Post #1

Jeremiah 29:11
“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“

There is not that goes by where I do not wonder what my future is going to be. I spend lots of time wondering about it actually. One of my deepest fears is loneliness, so I am always wondering wherever I end up, will there be people that well like me, hang out with me, and be there for me? Today I read a book, and a quote from it says, “When we are children we seldom think of the future/ This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can/ The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind.” Sometimes I still want to feel like a child. Like I always say, “have the mind of an adult, but the heart of a child.” Yet sometimes I wish for a mind of a child too, and a lot of times my heart grows to be that of an adult: calculating, cold, and distrustful. That kind of heart is the leading cause to the distrust of the Lord. Like yesterday’s devotion, it is very hard for the average person to trust that there is someone out there that is willing to die freely and give us a gift so precious such as salvation and free love. As adults, we learn such a thing cannot exist, but we secretly long for it to exist. That is the biggest pushing point to Christianity: the promise of such a love pushes people towards Jesus, yet also pushes people away since they cannot believe in the impossible.

How hard is it to believe that someone out there holds the plans to “prosper” you, will not “harm” you, will give you “hope”, and a “future”? Even for me, as a Christian, it is very hard. Why? Because as hard as I try not to, I still develop expectations from God. Expectations that God will lead me down a path so seemingly perfectly arranged by His Truly, from my perspective. I set up expectations that God will answer all my prayers the way I want them to be answered. But I guess God is a funny God, and definitely an all-knowing one. Still, as a puny and wishful person, I still long for my hopes and dreams to come true, especially when they seem pretty aligned with the kinds of dreams God would want his children to have. I don’t know, but I guess all I can do is believe, hope, and see.

When there is still a glimmer of hope, reach for it!

"Up to a certain point it is good for us to know that there are people in the world who will give us love and unquestioned loyalty to the limit of their ability. I doubt, however, if it is good for us to feel assured of this without the accompanying obligation of having to justify this devotion by our behavior" - Eleanor Roosevelt

A friend once told me that once he felt lonely and wondered why no one ever called him or asked him to hang out. It turns out, those people were expecting the same thing from him. If no one ever reaches out to anyone or takes the initiative, who will know they are loved? Needless to say, it always takes two to build a relationship.


"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one" - Jesus


I am glad He took the initiative with me, and also with the church.

source jonathan wong

"From this never changing days, I wanted to escape, so I stepped out on my own.
If I spread this map in my hands, I thought I could struggle to somewhere
But I just become vexed, and unable to progress
I became unable to see my steps, and stumbled on the asphalt, rolling
I look up at the sky with my eyes closed
I was hurt by the everyone's empty smiles

Always when I look back, there's a never-changing place
So I can overcome whatever adversity and unease
And I'll be able to step out into the never-ending unknown road

But I misunderstood, I thought I became strong alone
I realised my own weakness and got confused but light shone and I saw everyone's faces
Since there's a voice that pushes me, for sure I have now passed through
Finally when I understood and broke my shell apart, feelings of gratitude sprout

Always I rush and do it my way
Selfishly, unreasonably and stubbornly
The wall I want to overcome, the wings to fly over, for the strength I desired
I stand up and move forward, no matter how many times I fall
'Cause everyone should have a place to return to
A bond that can be relied on always
Hands in the air let out a yell and stick your chest out

Always when I look back, there's a never-changing place
So I can overcome whatever adversity and unease
And I'll be able to step out into the never-ending unknown road

On the never-ending journey, I stopped
The wounded irreplaceable things
The flame in my heart bursts forth
I probably could go anywhere and everywhere
The power to protect people, someday I'll have

Always when I look back, there's a never-changing place
So I can overcome whatever adversity and unease
And I'll be able to step out into the never-ending unknown road"

Today I was walking by the DUC, and a few tourists stopped me.

Tourist: Hey, are you a student here?
Me: Yeah.
Tourist: Is that the Graham Chapel?
Me: It is.
Tourist: Cool Thanks.

Such a short and also typical conversation occurred today. After taking a few steps, I realized I just lied to them. I wonder to myself, "Am I still holding on to something? Am I ready to move on?"

"Being alone is more painful than being hurt" - Luffy

The core instinct of humans.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Luke 18:1-6

The job I have always wanted the most, was to work with animals such as this. The look on the worker's face showed how much care and love she has, and how much she is enjoying her job. I wonder...if one day I will enjoy my career that much. The people visiting the zoo say things like "oh my gosh, sucks to be the workers here. Their job must suck a lot!" But in my heart, I long to be one of them.

I don't know why, but animals always go for the ears.

Guest Post: Identity vs. Reputation

Q: Is it self-serving for God to seek His own honor, to make His sole goal the pursuit of worship?

Think Zoro from One Piece. “I will show you the difference in power between you and me.”

Job 38:3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

One Piece characters all have a certain characteristic they personify. One of the most famous and well-loved One Piece characters, Zoro epitomizes powerful, determined characters. His goal is to become the best swordsman, “My name will reach the heavens!” To be the best. To be great. Characterized by an indomitable will and a deadly seriousness to make good on his word and to stick to his own convictions; failure is unacceptable. He does not seek the approval of others—a character whose very presence commands awe from the ordinary and whose dedication merits the respect of the powerful. “It doesn’t matter if it’s as a devil or a saint; my name will be heard all over the world.”

Is seeking honor a selfish ambition or when is it? There’s an important distinction to make here. The goal is not to become a legend, to gain recognition but to be so great that people cannot help but acknowledge it. True greatness demands acknowledgement. Think of it as a standard of greatness. A selfish person wants to BE TOLD that he is great, but an ambitious person wants to BE great. Those who strive to be great with a self-serving ambition strive according to the standard that is man’s approval. Those who strive to be great with an ambition not born of selfishness strive according to a standard that history cannot change.

Without people to talk about it, a legacy is simply not a legacy. So while the honor sought by God requires people, the standard by which it is measured is not something as weak as the approval of man. That standard is greatness—of which God is the very definition. The book of Isaiah is all about God showing this to the world over and over again. Actually, the entire Bible is testament to the greatness of God. God does not seek anyone’s approval. He lays low the proud and protects the humble. He does not need your worship and at the same time commands it and is worthy of it. Only one who is truly great has permission to say, “I am great. Worship me.” Behold, I AM.

Isaiah 45:22

Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Arrogance is the overestimation of self-worth. While ability, skill, and other attributes certainly differentiate, the intrinsic value of a person is the same as that of any other. To be arrogant is to overestimate that value relative to the value of others.

Zoro’s character is a unique blend: confident but not arrogant, ambitious but not self-serving. “A wound that would kill an ordinary man… I won’t lose to it! To face one who is extraordinary…I can’t allow myself to be ordinary!” Is this kind of person realistic or is it truly larger than life? That it is possible makes it truly moving and inspiring. One Piece is one of the most widely acclaimed anime/manga in history because it is just chock-full of these larger than life characters that really aren’t that much larger than life. But to be like this guy, we should look at what drives him. He enters the story with the goal of being the best to fulfill a promise to a fallen friend. Later in the critical moment of being faced with the immense distance between him and his goal, it is his current obligation to his captain that gets him through the fight—to continue to pursue the dream instead of giving up. He strives to be the best both for himself and for others at the same time. It is his personal conviction and ambition that pushes him, but his convictions and ambitions themselves are based on those important to him. So let’s draw lines between OP and the Bible. God calls his people to be great, to love others and so overcome the world. ‘Nuff said. Dream big.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Think of the most powerful character or person you have ever met, read about, or heard of. We have a word for those kinds of people nowadays. I personally really like the word “heroes”; but this new word really focuses on that attribute that makes them heroic, that powerful feeling—whether of conviction or of raw strength and confidence—that just emanates from their very being. Today, we call those people “ballers”. And just like most newly created words, it has multiple functions of speech. In this case, “baller” can be used as either an adjective or as a noun. So think of the most baller person or character that you can, whether realistic or not. And then, I’ll tell you that God is hands down more baller than anyone or anything ever thought up or already in existence and that He is in a way that you sincerely hope and expect him to be.

God. The very definition and embodiment of every value that is truly good in a perfect, humanly unachievable balance called love; an unfathomable existence truly worthy of and only sufficiently describable by the title “God”.

Isaiah 46:5

To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we can be compared?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Was God invented? Well, ask this ancient, staggered yet consistent collection of writings we call the Holy Bible, the Word of God. But is the Bible true? It’s possible as well as completely feasible; and that’s good enough for me. Come on; everyone says that, so whose God is the real one?? Well, which one do you like the best? Because a God that creates a people that can think up a better God isn’t really God at all. I believe that the real one is going to be the best one, and I am confident that the God of the Bible truly resonates with the hearts of all mankind.

Hah. Now if I just acted like it.

Regardless, I will own these words.

To the glory of God.

By Big Fish (aka dyu)

Romans 12:9

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

(Rough Draft)

To Mother by Yui. Relay for Life!

To Mother - YUI (english Subbed)

Because you told me
Teary voiced looking away

That if you couldn’t even lie anymore
Living on would not be possible

Since you wanted to be loved
You kept on laughing
Through any hardship

Sadness is something
I could endure
If I were alone

Kindness is so
Cruel, Isn’t it?

Even your heart
Becomes confused

I want (us) to be together forever but
Things I don’t like about you seem to
Increase by each passing day

We’re like-minded, aren’t we?
I feel like I understand

I have someone I can love now
If that day were ever to come
I wonder if I could change

Happiness is…
Although it doesn’t
Shine like magic

Isn’t hatred
Just a slight misunderstanding?
Please don’t cry

Mere fate
Is something you can change
Crying into the night as I ran from the house

And in that secluded park bench
I waited for you to come pick me up

Sadness is a thing
If snuggled together,
A thing of great warmth

Kindness is
If it’s close to you
Its taken advantage of

Hey…
I’m happy
Probably
Because

I had you

With me

Borrowing this from Mahhh: Coming Home Again

SMS (Shine)

I listened to this profusely when I was sad. Now I listen to it diligently when I am happy. The message is clear, and the stats are crazy.

"Take a look at David Crowder’s brand new single, “[SMS] Shine”! This amazing video was created with a LiteBrite and 1 million pegs. Everything you see in the video actually happened – NO computer generated graphics or effects! Even details such as the piano playing in the background and the monkeys beating a drum in perfect time was done free of digital affects and computer animation. It took 2,150 man hours, 1,200 LITE-BRITE images, 83 friends and 148 pizzas to complete the video."

It took me 60 (yes 60) views to realize that the girl dies in the music video.
It took me 3 months of watching it daily to realize that there was a piano playing by itself in the back.
I think the 3 drummers are pretty darn cute.
I want a lite brite now.

But it is not all about the statistics, nor the lyrics, nor the musicality. Its about how I see God and feel his love when I listen to the song and watch the video.

SMS [Shine] MV by David Crowder Band

Revelation 5:10-12

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

2 Kings 6:16-18

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

(I don't know about you, but I want to be able to hear and see angels like that)

(Verse 1)
Send me a sign
A hint, a whisper
Throw me a line
Cause I am listening
Come break the quiet
Breathe your awakening
Bring me to light
Cause I am fading
Surround me with the rush of angels wings

(Chorus 1)
Shine Your light so I can see You
Pull me up, I need to be near You
Hold me, I need to feel loved
Can You overcome this heart thats overcome?

(Verse 2)
You sent a sign
The hint, a whisper
Human, divine
Heaven is listening
Death laid low
Quiet and in the night a stirring
All around the rush of angels

(Bridge)
O the wonder of the greatest love has come

(Chorus 2)
Shine Your light so all can see it
Lifted up, cause the whole world needs it
Love has come, what joy to hear it
He has overcome, He has overcome

Bro-Sis

So...I got found out in 3 different ways by thursday (friend guessed from my gifts, got caught making a gift with her name on top, and attempting to run away when delivering a gift) but its all good!

I got to know my sister better, and hopefully this will continue after bro-sis. I was able to appreciate her and work my BUTT off to show how much I care. It really reminds me of two years ago. I see a lot of similarities. And it also reveals how much I care for both fringe people and international students.

Need to outdo myself! Last year, cat tree? This year CASTLE!!!

I WILL make a CASTLE and learn how to PAINT SUUUUUUPERBLY!!! Just you wait!!!

New talent found...PAINTING! Now I need to learn how to paint at a relatively decent pace...a box shouldn't take 4 hours.

Sigh..."Daniel, you should have just pretended you were delivering it, but I know you are too nice to lie." - Tina

Edit: Okay...the castle was unrealistic w/ the veritas meeting and career fair, so BAKING! Not my forte, but this recipe deserves to be tried out:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/chocolate-puddle-cookies-recipe.html

Why do these cookies require no flour or oil...mind is blown.

Psalm 98

A psalm.

¹ Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.

² The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

³ He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.

⁴ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;

⁵ make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,

⁶ with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

⁷ Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.

⁸ Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy; ⁹ let them sing before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.

Theme of the week...HEDGEHOGS!!!