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Issue FIFTY-ONE: August 13 - August 19 |
August 13 – August 19
Here are your top 5 interesting, must-know news articles from the past week. Enjoy!
"God makes Himself known in often the most unconventional ways—even in devastation and persecution. But it’s sometimes those hurdles that remind us of God’s presence the most. Despite difficulty, some find certainty in God’s calling and quit an envied career." |
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love is never enough, more than enough |
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Reflection: Love is...
Finding forgiveness even when you don't deserve it, when there are no words to say something important, it speaks volumes, when a simple smile, turns into a hearty laugh behind the innocence of a young child's embrace, promises left broken to friends that were not meant to be wronged. But behind these mysteries, lies God's unchanging hand. The power and might of one that is completely in charge is gentle and soft to the touch...
Satan is described by Christ as one who "steals, kills and destroys". He really did try this past month. To steal my family from me, To kill my hope of having hope, and to destroy any kind of love that I have for anything. He tried. Boggles my mind to think that such a being could even fathom to do such a loathesome act. So I feel sorry for him. Because if he simply just listened, reacted as he was supposed to, none of the BAD things would be upon him.
I feel that God is truly showing me just how much he loves me. Not that he hasn't before, but it feels so subtle.... First by entrusting all of my mom's health issues, although they are not through completely, God is a healer, and restorer of all things broken. To entrust your faith in the likes of man, is nothing. Satan tried to use this to persuade me, that if only we trust this doctor, everything would be fine, it really wasn't all that. All of Dr. Gonzalez's work as a doctor, his life that lead him to meeting with us, and exercising the ability to perform surgery on my mom, was indeed God's doing. All his tedious work as a neurosurgeon, his love of learning, and exploring and correcting, and restoring families, is totally God given. Then, to work in a miracle in itself, when the impossible seemed so vast a distance from here to timbucktoo, it is God's revealing grace that everything works for a higher purpose than our own puny thoughts.
The God of the world, had in mind for us, moments to sway us, even since the start of time, ways to sway things that will be so fantastic, and out of the ordinary, we are completely unable to fathom its greatness and vibrancy because of our humanistic nature. But Jesus said, I have overcome the world, so that you might live. So it is. I live by his love for me. I live and love, and have a heart for loving because he has created in me, the ability to see another as they perceive themselves. But regardless of the output, we are called to living such arduous, incompatible lives because we can not comply to the worldly standards enforced by the world alone. Just because we are human does not make it right to live to live. We should strive to live, a life dedicated to mirroring the footsteps of Christ, so that in our daily provisions as sons of man, we can at least devote that portion of ourselves in willingness, and aptitude though we fall miserably short.
The love of family, the love of friends, the love of neighbors, and the love of strangers. All encircle the fact that it remains, you still receive something at the end of the circle. That is, it benefits to your gain, that this outwardly gesture you position yourself to, clings to a hope, of finding love, of acceptance, and profit to your advantage. (this was an excerpt from a sermon recently...)
Even though I do not know what is to come, I am still so grateful thatGod hears me. My prayer usually starts this way: Father forgive me for all the wrongs that I have placed between you and I. There is no reason to justify all of it, but simply, I beg that Jesus is enough to cleanse me of my sins. so I repent to you, with everything I hold inside of me, forgive me Father, for my sins, and remember them not any longer. so I thank you, for hearing me, in this moment and for its future. Thank you for everything. For my kids, my husband, & my family who love me, my friends who also show me that they love me, for giving me a vision to walk to, and a passion for understanding what I lack most, which is everything...
I love you O lord my strength, with all that is truly within me. May I bless you all the time and I pray that praise never part my lips... In Jesus Precious Name
Amen. |
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Issue FIFTY: August 6 - August 12 |
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August 6 – August 12
Here are your top 5 interesting, must-know news articles from the past week. Enjoy!
"The marks of a Christian are persecution and suffering. To become one is to expect such things to occur. Let’s face it; we live in a fallen world. But while some spread messages of hope to the hurting, others discourage to disassociate themselves with Christians, particularly in dangerous regions where Christ is not so readily accepted." |
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August 2, 2010
Reflections for today:
No matter what things might become of my tiny unimportant life, it is through the absolute sovereignty of our Lord, that he has revealed to me, yet again, the power, and authority that is poured out on another day's worth of wanderings, thoughts, actions, and reactions. I truly believe, that in everything that is to come, we can not come to fathom the greatness God has in store for us, for the bible recounts that his thoughts about us are indeed innumerable. that is, too numerous to count. So, if then, when we think that we are being measured by our own foolish standards, by the standards that are confessed through the likes of man, how much greater is the purpose of the one who is above, who lavishly pours out blessings to the children he so loves. It is true we can not come to change things that are in our life, that is, the things in the manner which they develop, unfold, or continue to pan out for the length of our stay on this planet. But, if God, in all his deity, his righteousness, loved us, so much so that he was completely willing to sacrifice his one and only son, for the sake of a person as you and I, then, how much more, how much greater would those blessings be if we dare try to understand them ourselves?
It is completely by our willingness, by our obedience, our commitment to our promise made that changes everything. There will be doubt that arises, there will be hardships, and challenges in your life, but throughout every ordeal that comes to pass, have not your experiences pointed towards righteousness, or even better, our unworthiness? For even with these little things that we hold as significant, God has already put into view, and loved, with a greater smile, and love left unspoken, is left for us to find, in our own journey, at our own pace to lay at the cross, and at the feet of the Lord Jesus?
The one thing that is certain, is that even though whatever may come, I welcome the challenges, I welcome the hardships, for it is through such hills and valleys, I am clung to the cross myself, and the sweet whisper of redemption, of mercy, of grace, can be felt, overwhelmingly throughout the course of the day and week. For trials are supposed to be meant for growth without such, I'd be in a plateau of arrogance, of self indulgence, of sin...Though I do not have much to offer or show, my heart, my desire to completely obey is all that I can give from a creation who is abundantly corrupt, outlandishly sinful, and completely unrighteous.
therefore, what shall we do? What shall we say, and how shall we step forward? The world cares not about who you are, because all the joy, all the glamor that this world can offer, means absolutely nothing. There is fulfillment through a hope that this world does not know of, there is contentment, there is satisfaction, and an all encompassing knowledge that has been hidden for a deeper purpose. Taking a stand when you can't, when you feel discontented, when you feel that family, friends, or people close who would want the best for you, matters not. What matters is your heart, your focus, your drive in how you start to think about handling such hardships. The world judges us not only by our outwardly gestures, but is adamant about proving all the wrongs that you have done, all the wrongs that you have shown, twisted the things that are good, into bad, and through all this, to simply blow it off as nothing is quite remarkably why we are all called to be followers of Christ. If living a Christian life was meant to be easy, and everyone had the ability to go to heaven, simply on the whim of a few phrases uttered, what would be the purpose of the life and death of an innocent man hold? For what purpose was he tortured, for what purpose was he showing, if being a christian, a follower of Christ, would be so easy? So he says, the road is straight and narrow and not everyone is able to go down that road....
Turning the other cheek means start by thinking, devoting how you think, how you view things, how you inhale God's goodness by the things that come forth through the actions and reactions of your choosing. We are unworthy because Christ declares there is no one righteous, not even one. So, then, if we are in the light, and have no fear of the light, unlike the world, how much greater shall our flame burn? It starts by the word, 1 John 1:1. In the beginning was the word, and the word was God, and the word was with God. So, before all time, God was, he himself claimed to Abraham, "I am". So then, if he is, and was, and will come, do not our actions bear into account the willingness we hold ourselves accountable to, not only by our words, our actions, but also completely by our thoughts as well? So it is, the road traveled is harsh, and coarse...
I am hoping, through my candid, ordinary interventions of musical expression, kind devotion, and scars of hopelessness, I am still able to utter such words as Praise be, & Blessed be. For I am nothing, have been nothing, and will be nothing in the years ahead, and the memories to come. What matters is how I can prove to another, Christ's compelling evidence of life, love, joy surpassed, and the blessings which bound to all who come and draw near to Him.
I have so many things I need to profess, with a dire satisfaction of complying to Christ's standards and not mine, perfection is unattainable by me alone, but I believe through his blood, his life, sanctification, purification, and salvation unlike no other, will be attainable, if only I am bent at the knee. Come Lord Jesus, Come, as you may, with swiftness and power.
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For Umma's operation, for Appa's loss of hearing, for paul's trip home, and paul and susanna's marriage to come, For Reo, tita ning's heart, soul, and mind to incline towards the Lord, for Jaehan and matthew to find Christ, and be used in extraordinary ways, and more than anything else, my life be used for the purpose of glorying in the cross.
Through Jesus, His Blood, his sacrifice, and Redeeming grace to us, To God be given all praise, honor, power and glory.
I love you O Lord My Strength, with all that i have within me, may you be all that I need, all that I want, and all that I hope for.
In Jesus name Amen |
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"praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.The Lord is my strength&my shield;my heart trusts in him,& I am helped.My heart leaps for joy & I will give thanks to him in song.The Lord is the strength of his people,a fortress of salvation for his annointed one.Save your people & bless your inheritance;be their shepherd and carry them forever. Ps 28: 6-9 Quite simply, it is the greatest feeling in the whole world. When your hope and fear are at odds with each other, and everything is left in the hands of our Father, you are still left with a little bit of doubt. Maybe that's Satan playing mindgames with us. The bible says that he has come to "steal, kill and destroy". So, then, would my faith in our father be in jeopardy? I believe not, but still, you must confess that as well. We are doomed of living a life of inadequacy. A life full of sin, but even then, God will forgive you if you ask. You must earnestly seek His forgiveness, but, still, there is still redemption if only you seek to find it. I am not sure why I do this blogging. It just helps me personally to express all that I hold in my tiny brain, but more than anything, to help me see the road stretched behind me and see, that God is indeed good in all that he does, but also, to share with you all, a little bit of hope. So for now, I thank you, for understanding me and my wacky ways, but simply soaking everything in, and letting it ferment with Christ's love. To another day ahead, may Christ be all that you need, desire, and hope for. Me |
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A Heart for U.S. Veterans |
 Homelessness. Post traumatic stress disorder. Substance abuse. Theseare some of the challenges that U.S. veterans face when they returnfrom active duty. As a social worker for the Department of VeteransAffairs, Karen Lee has worked tirelessly to keep vets off the streets. She shares her experience with working with vets on this specialepisode of "Upper Room." |
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Issue FOURTY-NINE: July 30 - August 5 |
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July 30 – August 5
Here are your top 5 interesting, must-know news articles from the past week. Enjoy!
"Occurrences in one area can have national or even international impact. The devastation in Haiti, for example, affected more than just Haitians. It affected the entire world. Likewise, an influential individual’s personal decision could have ramifications in the community she is involved in, namely the Christian community. And lastly, the overturning of Prop 8 has legal and monumentally foundational implications for the entire nation." |
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The Pan Pacific Film Festival |
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PPFF(Pan Pacific Film Festival) is a Christian Film Festival dedicated to serving film makers who in turn will motivate others to know God. The 2010 Pan-Pacific Film Festival will be held on Saturday, October 2nd at The Aratani Japan/American Theatre within the heart of downtown Los Angeles. If you're interested in attending or submitting your film, please go to www.panpacificfilm.com for more information. |
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ProJECT Light: No Limitations |
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August 5th - August 8th
Harvest Rock Church is hosting their 2nd annual Arts and Entertainment conference, ProJECT Light: No Limitations, at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. ProJECT Light is directed by Gabe Ahn, the son of the church's senior pastor, and is intended to equip and empower artists to live out their calling as believers in Christ while they chase their dreams to break into the Arts and Entertainment industry.
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Issue FOURTY-EIGHT: July 23 - July 29 |
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July 23 – July 29
Here are your top 5 interesting, must-know news articles from the past week. Enjoy!
"The top five news of the week is back after a short hiatus with news that seems like it may belong in a tabloid. But rest assured that there’s nothing comical about spreading the Gospel using modern means, nor is there anything not serious about sending out a message through a burning of another religion’s holy book. This week also focuses on Asian-Americans, particularly the first Asian-American (Christian, for that matter) to be draft-picked into the NBA for none other than a California team." |
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