I'm reading this book called "Searching for GOD knows what," and i just had to share an excerpt with you. The author is Donald Miller and below is him trying to imagine being an alien and reporting to his planet or head-alien about what people on earth were like. He goes:
"Humans, as a species, are constantly, and in every way, comparing themselves to one another, which, given the brief nature of their existence, seems an oddity and, for that matter, a waste. Nevertheless, this is the driving influence behind every human's social development, their emotional health and sense of joy, and, sadly, their greatest tragedies. It is as though something that helped them function and live well has gone missing, and they are pining for that missing thing in all sorts of odd methods, none of which are working. The greater tragedy is that very few people understand they have the disease. This seems strange as well because it is obvious. To be sure, it is killing them, and yet sustaining their social and economic system. They are an entirely beautiful people with a terrible problem."
7.22.2010
7.20.2010
so far, everything's good :)
I started this blog on the vain assumption that i had enough funny or interesting things to say to keep it going. So you can imagine my shock when i finally realized that i'm not as great as i thought i was. But i'm okay now. I microwaved myself some humble pie and it was exactly what i needed. Now i'm overdosing on God's word to try and keep myself from slipping into what i considered to be a very worldly state of mind. Which is really nothing more than allowing myself to be so influenced by American reality tv shows that all i wanna do is buy little dresses from Forever21 and dye my hair blond. And maybe get a really bad tan and talk about getting plastered in Vegas and making drunk phone calls to exes. And, no, i'm not making a reference to Jersey Shore. Now i'm trying to sing worship songs while reading a Christian book that my friend Josh just lent me. It's not working, i couldn't focus on either. Singing made me wanna practice on my guitar more so i can play while i lead worship, and reading made me feel awful about the fact that i haven't been reading as much. Pretty intense stuff.
For the longest time i knew i wanted to blog about my trip to the United States--how as i was boarding my New York flight, i had to step out of the line to get ziplock for the liquids i was carrying. Which i already knew i needed but overlooked on purpose because i'm lazy. So even though i was first in line, i had to go back to the end. I came here wanting to make the best of being alone (without family) in a foreign land. I wanted to immerse myself in a culture that fascinated me as a child. Because, coming from my background, it seemed like life in America was always exciting and interesting. Everyone was beautiful and lived in very nice homes and could go to Disneyland anytime they wanted. They have every imaginable tool for making life more comfortable. They always have toilet paper and hand soap in their public bathrooms. They have every flavor of salsa dip you could ever want. They kiss their pets on the lips and they have salad bars, a great selection of freshly baked donuts and cookies and cakes in their grocery stores. They say "hi" and give compliments to each other on the sidewalk, i mean, how pleasantly different is that from everything back home? One of my favorite things here is that i can wear shorts without getting unwanted attention. I love it :) I am having the time of my life!
But today i woke up and realized that there is absolutely nothing in this world that could replace (even for 3 seconds) the joy of beholding, knowing, hearing, loving, worshipping, trusting JESUS :) And He was very gentle about reminding me about it. You see, i'm living very comfortably in a house that has an extra living room, and a dining room that hardly anyone even goes to. The house has 4 floors, 3 1/2 bathrooms, a patio, a front and back yard. I have my own room, which i have never had before in my entire life. I have my own phone and computer and my own bathroom. I've been to ritzy beaches and had lobster and 2 kinds of beverages because i couldn't make up my mind and Uncle no1 was feeling generous. I have Coach, Armani, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Lucky Brand, 7 new pairs of shoes and yesterday i bought 2 of the same Michael Kors bags in different colors. It's easy to lose yourself in comfort. So i did. But i needed the wake up call. There's nothing quite as terrifying, beautiful and life-changing as GOD speaking instruction into our lives. Being alone and away from family has its down side. I've fainted off a bike and onto the side of the road from trying to ride alone on a mountain only to be told on the phone to get up and keep going. I've walked uphill in the dark for almost 2 miles while carrying bags on both arms. I realize this one doesn't sound so bad, but i was walking aroud the biggest mall in America for 7 hours already and then had to walk up to the house. I've had to call 911 because my ride forgot to pick me up and it's 11pm and i just knew it was only gonna be a few more minutes before zombies started appearing out of nowhere to feast on my pasty 5 lbs heavier Asian self.
But JESUS was with me through all that. I know this because i know that i'm not physically fit enough to pick myself off the ground the way i did when i was shaking and sweating on the sidewalk. I am only beginning to learn to really rely on HIM instead of myself or anyone else. He has supplied me with all the equipment i've needed for being renewed. I'm not saying i'm a different person now. I mean, certainly being restored to the likeness of Jesus will take all my time and all my life and all of me. But i think that part of the first few instances of restoration and renewal is indescribable peace. I'm learning to value the love He has for me and i hope for my own sake that i don't ever lose sight of that. The bible tells us that every good and perfect thing comes from the Lord :) I think that's a crucial truth to share and to keep in mind on a daily basis. That way we can never boast about ourselves or anybody else. That way we can worship HIM constantly. That way HE can take us into a new level of depth in our relationship with HIM where there's us, His children, and HIM and life to the fullest!
For the longest time i knew i wanted to blog about my trip to the United States--how as i was boarding my New York flight, i had to step out of the line to get ziplock for the liquids i was carrying. Which i already knew i needed but overlooked on purpose because i'm lazy. So even though i was first in line, i had to go back to the end. I came here wanting to make the best of being alone (without family) in a foreign land. I wanted to immerse myself in a culture that fascinated me as a child. Because, coming from my background, it seemed like life in America was always exciting and interesting. Everyone was beautiful and lived in very nice homes and could go to Disneyland anytime they wanted. They have every imaginable tool for making life more comfortable. They always have toilet paper and hand soap in their public bathrooms. They have every flavor of salsa dip you could ever want. They kiss their pets on the lips and they have salad bars, a great selection of freshly baked donuts and cookies and cakes in their grocery stores. They say "hi" and give compliments to each other on the sidewalk, i mean, how pleasantly different is that from everything back home? One of my favorite things here is that i can wear shorts without getting unwanted attention. I love it :) I am having the time of my life!
But today i woke up and realized that there is absolutely nothing in this world that could replace (even for 3 seconds) the joy of beholding, knowing, hearing, loving, worshipping, trusting JESUS :) And He was very gentle about reminding me about it. You see, i'm living very comfortably in a house that has an extra living room, and a dining room that hardly anyone even goes to. The house has 4 floors, 3 1/2 bathrooms, a patio, a front and back yard. I have my own room, which i have never had before in my entire life. I have my own phone and computer and my own bathroom. I've been to ritzy beaches and had lobster and 2 kinds of beverages because i couldn't make up my mind and Uncle no1 was feeling generous. I have Coach, Armani, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Lucky Brand, 7 new pairs of shoes and yesterday i bought 2 of the same Michael Kors bags in different colors. It's easy to lose yourself in comfort. So i did. But i needed the wake up call. There's nothing quite as terrifying, beautiful and life-changing as GOD speaking instruction into our lives. Being alone and away from family has its down side. I've fainted off a bike and onto the side of the road from trying to ride alone on a mountain only to be told on the phone to get up and keep going. I've walked uphill in the dark for almost 2 miles while carrying bags on both arms. I realize this one doesn't sound so bad, but i was walking aroud the biggest mall in America for 7 hours already and then had to walk up to the house. I've had to call 911 because my ride forgot to pick me up and it's 11pm and i just knew it was only gonna be a few more minutes before zombies started appearing out of nowhere to feast on my pasty 5 lbs heavier Asian self.
But JESUS was with me through all that. I know this because i know that i'm not physically fit enough to pick myself off the ground the way i did when i was shaking and sweating on the sidewalk. I am only beginning to learn to really rely on HIM instead of myself or anyone else. He has supplied me with all the equipment i've needed for being renewed. I'm not saying i'm a different person now. I mean, certainly being restored to the likeness of Jesus will take all my time and all my life and all of me. But i think that part of the first few instances of restoration and renewal is indescribable peace. I'm learning to value the love He has for me and i hope for my own sake that i don't ever lose sight of that. The bible tells us that every good and perfect thing comes from the Lord :) I think that's a crucial truth to share and to keep in mind on a daily basis. That way we can never boast about ourselves or anybody else. That way we can worship HIM constantly. That way HE can take us into a new level of depth in our relationship with HIM where there's us, His children, and HIM and life to the fullest!
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