Pokemon and Non-Christians: Gotta catch 'em all?

Helloooooooooooooo!

First of all, congrats on getting 1st at the SG Sports Day! Good thing my ankle hurts because the only place we could have gone is down. And yes, I've been MIA the past couple of weeks. I won't name excuses so I'll just say I'll be back soon!

Earlier today, I had lunch with our SG leader, Ken, and we had a good talk about a bunch of things. One thing that came up in our conversation is the topic of introducing Christianity to non-believers. My closest friends at school, including my roommate, aren't Christian. I don't know. It just happened that way. For example, my roommate is a Japanese kid who grew up with parents who are atheist. I know that your parents play a big role in what religion you are. Like many of you, I have Christian parents so it was natural that I would be Christian too.

But what about those people who aren't born and raised in Christian families? How easy or hard is it to become a Christian if you're not surrounded by it at home? I think that it's extremely hard. Case and point: How many Christians do you know? Dozens/a lot. Now, how many Christians can you name that didn't grow up in a Christian environment? For me, I can name...none.

This came up because I want to preach the gospel to my friends, like my roommate, and bring them to church. Who doesn't want to?? But how are we supposed to accomplish this? It seems like a daunting task. I'm still working on figuring this one out. But when I do, expect to meet my roommate sometime in the near future!

Have any of you tried bringing a friend to church? How did it go? Any suggestions?

P.S. Sorry if you read this post hoping there would be something about pokemon. But if you want, here's the first thing that came up when I searched for pokemon on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDX1m0Y2Vkg

whaddup

Dang its real encouraging reading everyone's blog posts. there soo fun and really reflect who you are as a person i like that. other than that i have nothing really much to talk about but idk this week and the past week have been so happy. The weather probably has something to do with it as Superman is healed by the rays of the sun i think we are healed as well. the days are so bright and productive and you wake up hearing the birds and winds haha gay. but its the truth everything is going well cuz the sun shines.

also election is this sunday. i hope everyone does well and really tries there best and votes for the candidates who are the most well rounded to run the positions that they run for. ill keep the elections in my prayers. but other than that,

peace and love

rejoice!

this is a good song to listen to while reading this post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTvg8h3rQY

So in Leviticus 23, God basically tells Moses a bunch of different festivals and celebrations and stuff that he wants the Israelites to observe every year.

One that stood out to me was the "Feast of Trumpets" (v.23-25)

This one seemed strange because God doesn't give a reason for it, there is no occasion, it is just a day set aside to celebrate!

Note: this festival requires the people to make an offering to God; this makes sure that the people acknowledge that GOD is the reason they are taking this day off to celebrate.

I feel like this shows that God wants to make sure that his people never forget that they (and we also) always have reason to celebrate & be joyful; because God loves us!!

Be proud of your accomplishments

Genesis 1:25

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”

I was reading verse and on the side it noted, “People sometimes feel guilty for having a good time or for feeling good about an accomplishment. This need not be so. Just as God felt good about his work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we should not feel good about our work if God would not be pleased with it. What are you doing that pleases both you and God?”

This made me realize that sometimes I don’t acknowledge or celebrate enough on the small or big accomplishments I have made through hard work and perseverance. Often times, I would tell myself not to boast or brag because otherwise, it wouldn’t be a humbling thing to do. However, this made me realize that any accomplishments or actions that do not go against the works of God are meant to be celebrated and recognized with joy. Lastly, the last question in the application “What are you doing that pleases both you and God?” made me assess the activities I do throughout my day. And honestly, I didn’t have much that I could find that would “please God” nor did I find much to anger Him either. But that makes me so…NOTHING haha.

 So, if you guys were to look at your daily lives, how much of it could you say would be pleasing to God?   

Jeremiah

People have favorite bible characters.  Sounds kinda weird like choosing favorite sports athletes and cartoon characters and stuff.

I've never had one because I honestly have a poor handle on the Word.  My knowledge of the bible is laughable.  But I always had one favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11 (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.).  I randomly came across this verse when I was struggling with life like 4 years ago.

During Passion Week, I randomly decided to read the book of Jeremiah - and now I know that this is the right book of the bible for me to read right now.  Jeremiah struggles with being incompetent (like all bible leaders), passion for God, and spreading the word of God.  I feel the same struggles infiltrate my life.

I've honestly only read 2 chapters, but I'll let you all know how it goes.  So far, so good.  He's the biblical Kobe to me. (JK that's blasphemous)

1,2,3 God.

I came up with this thing while reading the book of James. I think it’s a good way of measuring where you are with God and if you are doing it correctly.

Step 1) James 1:5-8- “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

Step 2) James 1:22 - “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Step 3) James 1:12 - “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

We can’t be half-minded when we ask the holy-spirit to reign in us. If we want to grow in God and learn more about Him, we need to convincingly invite him in without any hesitation. Because even with the smallest of doubts in our minds, this will make us “double-minded” and we’ll get nothing out of it. Once we’ve received His wisdom, we mustn’t be dormant in what we know. Instead, we must implement it in our daily lives and take action. I think this part is the hardest for many of us; knowing is easy but taking initiative of God’s plan is much harder to do. However, if we are able to persevere through the trials and temptations during this process, God will bless us in the areas in which we asked and prayed for. 

So, which and what are you?

VP

so after long consideration and advice and criticism from multiple people i decided that if nominated i was going to run for VP. I go into this race with expectations not too high but the least i can do is try.

alot of people if they were to hear that i was running would take it as a joke for many reasons and yeah i dont blame them. i havent exactly been the best kid around but we all make flaws, we all struggle we are all humans agree? so despite everything i hope it turns out and future prayers of congratulations to the next pres and pc.

also i like our sg we have a good group of people. but with so many big personalities all bunched up in one room, things may happen. About 4 times a sg session there are those moments of silence. we all know exactly what im talking about. why is it that this unexplained phenomenon occurs? well there are many theories of why this might happen but lets not talk about those. instead we should acknowledge it when it occurs and do something funny everytime it happens.

until next time
Peace and Love

Watch your mouth! and...

Proverbs 12:18-22

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue last only a moment. There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” 

I met up with a close friend today and I was reminded of the following things: the way you choose to express your opinions and thoughts will really impact how others will feel, be honest no matter the circumstance and be a righteous, humble man. Like the verse in proverb states, reckless words can be like a sword because what we say can ultimately damage or mend one’s soul and mind. The closer we are to that person, the more impact and damage we can have with our words. As a result, we must learn to use our words and tongue in a way that can be understood pleasantly even if we are confronting a wrongdoing they have done. Also, truth and righteousness must always be the foundation of our faith and life. If we choose to bring in specks of falsehoods and deceits into our life, little by little we will find it convenient to tell a lie rather than facing the truth. In the end, the path of little lies will be self-destructive in living a lonely deceit-filled life rather than an open true relationship with those around you. Therefore, we must first seek righteousness and be honest to others and most importantly, ourselves.

detest the detestable

I don't particularly like Leviticus, because it seems to be so strict & legalistic... but I learned something from Leviticus 11 today that I wanted to share with you guys!

context: God is giving Israelites instruction on which animals they can and can't eat

---

verse 10 "All creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales... you are to detest"

verse 13 "These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable"

verse 20 "All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you"

---

i thought it was strange, because "Detest" just seems like such a harsh verb. in a sense, he's not only commanding them to keep away and not eat them, but to want to have nothing to do with those things in general.

But since he made all the animals and insects and birds and fish, aren't they good? why would he want his people to detest his creation?

-but i think whether or not something is "good" depends on its use in relation to God's original plan for it... things can be so easily twisted (just look at us people!)

anyway, like usual, God has a reason behind his instructions;

"you will make yourselves unclean by these; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening" (verse 24)

-So this is what stood out to me:

1. the unclean things make people unclean, merely by association.

God's solution: stay away, have nothing to do with them

2. in contrast, God is holy, and He makes people holy by association

"I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy" (verse 44)

What does this passage reveal about people?

-we are easily influenced by the things we surround ourselves with

-BUT we also have the capacity to choose things for ourselves

What does this passage reveal about God's character?

-He wants us to choose Him, all the time, every day (for the Israelites, food was a constant choice, needed to be made 3x a day)

-Our lifestyle choices matter to him, even the ones that seem unimportant

don't eat the fat

Leviticus 7:25 "Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which an offering by fire may be made to the Lord must be cut off from his people."

I came across this command this morning and thought it was strange.

context: Lord giving Moses instructions/rules for living, to pass on to the Israelites

1. What's so important about the fat? Was it natural to eat it//was this a hard command to keep in this cultural context?

-The fat is the offering, and it belongs to the Lord (Lev 3:16)

-it is an offering pleasing to the Lord (Lev 3:5)

-the study notes in my bible says that the fat portions were regarded as the best part

2. But why was the consequence so severe?

punishment= be cut off from the Israelites, God's chosen people. So basically, the person was no longer considered one of God's people. that seems harsh!!

But the answer came as this:

eating the fat symbolized putting your own gratification as more important than pleasing God

it demonstrates:

1. self-centered

2. lack of humility (you think you deserve the best)

3. lack of gratitude (not acknowledging that everything you have belongs to God)

In contrast to those things, God's people need to be:

1. God-centered

2. humble

3. grateful

So yeah! that was what I learned this morning. It was a good reminder to me of what God expects his people to be.

Today's SG

This is not a knock on other small group meetings, but I felt that today's was very enjoyable for good reasons.  Many times it's hard to talk about our struggles, things we suck at, things we need to improve on. And I feel like a lot of times, in small group, we try to discuss those things - not that it's a bad thing, because it's good to depend on small group for accountability and such.

But I feel that it's very important to raise each other up and to compliment each other as much as possible.  Like David blogged earlier, it's hard to live a self-less life, especially when we should try our best to be humble and not look for recognition.  We are selfish beings, and because we are selfish we do things for ourselves.  But as brothers and sisters, it's important to continue to encourage each other and to build each other up.

Today's small group, with all the awards and fun teasing, was a great example.  Thank you SO MUCH to Elaine and David for setting that up.  I think spending time to compliment each other is VERY IMPORTANT.  I'm not just saying this because I got the Michael Jordan award (but that was probably the best compliment someone has ever given me).  We should continue to vocalize our appreciation for each other and to outwardly LOVE each other.  Although I may not show it, I love you all very much.  Quite a blessing to know you all and to serve you all.  Let's finish the year with a BANG BANG BANG.

Byebye.

BO BO HAE JO.

Proverbs 3:5-8

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Proverbs 24:24-27

“Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”- peoples will curse him and nations denounce him. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”

I’ve been working at my parent’s store the past couple of days. Normally, I don’t really enjoy working there because of the long hours and the type of customers I had to deal with occasionally. In some ways, working there made me irritated, impatient and anxious. Except this time, it was different.

Ever since the renewed relationship with my parents I felt this strong joy and strength that I’ve been missing. Knowing there was nothing to hide or lie about except for the truth alone…this itself gave me an insurmountable uplifting in my heart. So as I was doing QT I really learned from these two passages one speaking about trust in the Lord and the other about the goodness of honesty. Because to me, this NEW relationship would have never happened if I was dishonest and kept astray from God. Funny thing is, before all this happened I prayed to God to give me strength to be a bigger man of truth. And then he REVEALED me to my parents. I felt so butt-naked and ashamed. But the way in which they reacted was so loving and understanding it made me feel stupid. So all this irrelevantly trickles down to my favorite part, “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” I think God censored this part a little. Just kidding.  Amen.

the men behind the curtain

the man behind the curtain. the people who do alot but yet receive no credit. im not one of those people. i like to be acknowledged for what i do especially if i did something noticeable. but i do struggle with this and not trying to take the credit or at least taking not as much as i should. But in a religion where we shouldn't share too much about stuff for example fasting and in a religion where boasting is taught against, its hard to live. and in a world where we really are humans and the natural human tendency is to accept appraisal from others and boost confidence its like we are caught in a world of contradict.

so what should we do. we cant receive recognition for the good things we do, we cant boast to others about the accomplishments we do so what do we do.

u know i was re-reading over what i just wrote and yeah alot of my writing probably reflects what sort of mood im in at the time of writing. had a cool chill day but the last half was just frustrating and u know what for no good reasons at all just mad about everything and stuff here and there would just add to it.

lemme tell u man satan is strong. really he is but GOD is stringer. but in the earthly sense satan is the master of deceit and lies. he whispers into our ears so he can turn ourselves against ourselves. so with all this in mind i proly dont mean too much of what i wrote earlier and it was just a tangent caused by anger caused by satan caused by nothing if that made sense.

and for no particular reason at all i always seem to look forward to reading ruth and charles's blogs but i do read everyones. so until next time

peace and love

idk if you guys know this, but i'm a princess!

this morning I was reading in song of songs

but what is the girl's background?

she is a vineyard laborer, ashamed of her dark skin compared to the fair skin of all the other girls, because she has to work outside (ch 1:5-6)

but after marrying the king, he refers to his beloved as "a prince's daughter" (7:1)

she is made royalty by extension! just because she is associated with the king, and HE is royalty... everything of his is becomes hers as well, including his status.

a question that came up was, "are you confident of god's (the king's) love for you and your status as royalty today? if not, what might be causing you to question it?

and for me, I've been feeling distant from God lately, guilty because i've been skipping QTs and been letting myself get caught up in schoolwork. and when i have a moment to rest, i waste it with watching tv or something, and then afterward, i feel even more guilty about that.

but this morning I am gently reminded that God's love is not conditional based on my actions.

I am a princess because I am associated with the king, not because I worked my way up there... (the girl couldn't change her birth, dark skin, & family status, she only became royalty because of the king)

I ran into a brick wall but it was good.

John 15:9-11

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. l Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

These two verses went hand in hand while I was doing my QT today. These past few weeks have been very disruptive and chaotic for me. For a long period of time I was very deceitful and dishonest to my parents about a lot of things. I loved them very much but for my own convenience, since couple years ago I started to make excuses and lies to avoid any unnecessary conflicts with them. Eventually, the somewhat intimate relationship I had with my parents suddenly became broken and distant. Finally, I had to confront my fears or more like I had no other places to run. 

Out of all this I realized God and my parents wanted me to face my problems and not hide from them. I needed to “obey his commands” and really be filled with his love. Instead of letting my fears control how I think, if I let myself be filled with God’s’ love I won’t have to lie or make excuses to get out of a conflict.  I need to stop being so anxious and really seek strength in God who will ultimately give me peace in my mind. It's hard to go into detail about what happened but I'm really glad it happened. At least now I can start a fresh relationship with my parents and also, myself. I hope I don't overlook this event and really learn from this and grow. AMENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. wow it is so hot right now.