The series of catastrophe’s in Japan is a humbling reminder to us all: How fleeting is life? How brief are the material things we strive for? It reminds me of this verse…

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

More importantly, though, I pray that this incident in Japan, along with the other disasters that have unfolded recently, will spur on a revival among those who have a burden for Japan and the people there. Not only for Japan, but also for everyone else who has yet to receive the gospel. There is no time left for us to stall. Reach out to fulfill the Great Commission and live the life we are called to live.

Let this event, and others of the like, add to the glorification of our Lord, Jesus.

Lord, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I’m not scared ‘cause You’re holding my breath. I only fear that I don’t have enough time left to tell the world that there’s no time left.

Group 1 Crew - Forgive Me

Ok, so I understand this post is a bit long, but if you’re into Biblical science, this will (probably) be fun for you :). Enjoy!

For those scientists out there who try to prove “Biblical phenomena” to be “acts of god”-as opposed to “acts of God”-through experimentation and research, I applaud your ignorance and lack of knowledge of my God (the way you underestimate and belittle Him… tsk tsk).

Before I go any further, note that in a previous Random Thought, I stated that God is a God of order. He’s the one who created this science; the same science that we humans try to understand so vehemently. Moving on now…

For example, there is a group of scientists who think the “10 plagues of Egypt” may have actually happened (check the source for the link)! Gasp! They acknowledge a Biblical story that was previously thought to have been complete myth! There’s a slight twist to it, though. According to these scientists, it wasn’t God punishing Ramses II, but just a series of unfortunate coincidences that can all be explained through science. It obviously couldn’t have been God punishing Egypt in an effort to free His people, because there had to be so many geological/natural events occurring before the plagues to lead up to the plagues themselves!

Found under “Final Thoughts” of the article: “If the plagues were brought about by the Hand of God, then the stories from the Exodus are true and God himself removed the Jews from the bondage of slavery. But what if science really has proven the cause of the plagues to be ***nothing more than natural occurring phenomenon*** presented to Ramses by a very skilled performer [Moses]?”

WRONG (and laughable)! This God of mine, the God that led the Israelites out of Egypt is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. He’s everywhere, all-powerful, and knows everything (past, present, and future; time is an open book with a beginning and an end for Him). He knew before Creation that this was going to happen, so, using nature (which He created, by the way), He set up the scene for the 10 plagues absolutely perfectly. God Himself planned out these “natural occurring phenomenon” to fulfill His will. Everything rolled out according to His plan.

So yes, you scientists did a good job in finding evidence for the 10 plagues of Egypt. You probably are correct; I’m too lazy to review the work myself (as if I could review and confirm the validity of this research ahaha). Assuming all of the work is valid, the only problem lies in your assumption of a limited, weak God.

(Source: theweeklyconstitutional.com)

Here’s an interesting article discussing the religiousness of modern medicine. Just read to the 3rd or 4th paragraph and you’ll get the gist of the entire thing, although I recommend you read on ;).

http://www.naturalnews.com/031589_modern_medicine_scientism.html

Like some religious faiths, medicine clings ferociously to its worldview when challenged by congregants (patients) whose firsthand experiences sometimes lead them to believe otherwise. It defends its dogma with a powerful form of groupthink and is quick to lash out at heretical ideas that threaten its doctrine and its territorial interests. Like some religious movements that purport to be the one and only true path to salvation, it displays an unusual degree of intolerance when faced with nonbelievers who dare to ask questions. It is a closed belief system that does not allow innovation or new ideas. It lays claim to truth, fact, and objectivity, but exposes itself as otherwise when we closely examine its assumptions, politics, and practices.

You’re beautiful. It doesn’t matter what you, or anyone else thinks; you’re beautiful. Don’t let the world define beauty for you. Go by God’s standard. You’re beautiful, just as you are; inside and out. You don’t have to change for him or for her. You don’t have to put on that mask everyday before you go out to please others. God is pleased, just as you are.

Bible trivia! Did you know the Trinity is mentioned in the first three verses of the Bible? Yeah, you know, Genesis 1:1-3. I thought that was pretty cool; here it is:

Verse 1: “In the beginning God [the father] created the heavens and the earth.” That one’s pretty obvious right? Let’s move on…

Verse 2: “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” This one is pretty obvious, too, but the next one is only slightly harder to catch. 

Verse 3: “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” Did you catch it? Try reading it one more time, but with the bold: “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” By the process of elimination, you should’ve figured out that this one mentions Jesus. Just a bit tricky, but if you refer to John 1 in the new testament, it tells you that the Word is Jesus.

What do you think, pretty cool, huh?

Racial Justice and the Godness of God:

The gospel that reconciles the sons of slaveholders with the sons of slaves is the same gospel that reconciled the sons of Amalek with the sons of Abraham. It is a gospel that reclaims the dignity of humanity and the lordship of God. It is a gospel that presents us with a brother who puts the lie to any claim to racial superiority as he takes on the glory and limits of our common humanity in Adam. Jim Crow is put to flight ultimately because Jesus Christ steps forward out of history and announces, with us, “I Am a Man.”

I really like the argument Dr. Russell Moore places on the validity of the civil rights movement. He goes a step beyond the common claim of “human rights,” and reaches into a deeper, much less known domain: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ died and was resurrected for all of the sins of everyone, meaning we are all the same. Scary right? “What? I’m the same as him? I’m the same as her? But they’re so ___________!” Quite bluntly, yes, yes you are. Sinful by nature, but cleansed by the blood of Christ. Stop hating. Intolerance—particularly in the form of social prejudices— is ungodly (though any form of a human showing intolerance towards another is hated by God). 

Tolerance is a game we have to learn. Without tolerance, there can be no love, which is our greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).

*I would like to remind you that the content of my blog is not only directed outwards from me; rather, it’s directed universally, to everyone, including me.

Unfortunately, 97% of Tumblr users will not reblog this. When Jesus died upon the cross, He was thinking of you. If you are one of the 3% who will stand up for Him, Just reblog this. I am proud to be one of the 3%.. He Is the Reason for the SEASON

It sort of bothers me to see those posts on Tumblr or anywhere else, at that. Especially when the only people heeding to the posts are definitely not living life by the Spirit (I’m not condemning, this is an observation). If you don’t (choose one: reblog/repost/retweet/copy paste this msg to status), it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re denying him. Before you witness about him by (choose one: reblogging/reposting/retweeting/copy pasting this message to your status), remember that He doesn’t only look at what we say. What’s really in our hearts is usually plainly visible to everyone, not just God, by the fruit that we bear (Galatians 5:13-24). It takes more than just words to witness. Remember, “He is not one who can be fooled” (amp movement - The Vision).

I was reading Matthew and went over chapter 6 verses 19-21 which says:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Sometimes, I lose track of my priorities, of what’s important in my life. I forget that God is the provider of anything and everything I need. He is the only treasure I should seek. Please pray for me, so I don’t keep losing my way. I will be doing likewise for you all.

For 2011: Let’s continue to encourage each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. praising God with all our hearts and minds and souls. Seems just a bit cliche to be saying this kind of thing for the new year, but it’s still something to be said and followed. I pray that we’ll all become even more dedicated soldiers for the kingdom of God. I’d be happy to take prayer requests in my ask box. I’ll keep the requests confidential at your request :). Look forward to the promises God has made us for this coming year! 

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

If you go around cussing, lying, stealing, smoking, doing drugs, etc. and trying to spread the gospel, you’re bringing a bad reputation for not only Christians, but Christ HIMSELF. What do you think people would think? “Oh… yeah, I’m not interested in Christianity because they (do that stuff).” Please, don’t preach by spewing out empty hypocrisy but by example… You know, like that cliched phrase “practice what you preach”?

3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:3-5

This isn’t only directed outward from me, but also to myself. I, in NO WAY, claim that I am completely free of hypocrisy. It’s something we all need to work on

Even though Christmas is coming to a close, let’s continue to remember and glorify our God. Our God who came to us and humbled himself into the most humble position. Our God who graciously showed us, undeserving sinners, mercy.

So, I got home yesterday from my church “retreat.” We went on a Grand Canyon/Creation tour. Over the past 3 days, I learned that evolution requires more of that stuff called “blind faith” than the Biblical creation. You know the tree model of evolution, where all living creatures have a common ancestor? Yeah, I found out that according to EVOLUTIONISTS’ CHARTS (as opposed to charts manipulated by creationists) all the areas of the tree where evolution was supposed to happen (the connections of the branches) are missing. You take out those connections and what do you get? Giraffes were always giraffes. Penguins were always penguins. Dogs were always dogs. Monkeys were always monkeys. Humans were always humans.

A birthday letter addressed to my mom.

To my beloved mom,

Happy birthday! I have so many things to be sorry for, huh… I’m really sorry. Although I can’t become a perfect son, I’ll do my best from now on. Anyway, this letter shouldn’t be depressing so I won’t go too deep into that topic. Although I’m sorry for a lot of things, I’m more thankful than sorry. Thank you so, so (SOSO!) much. Even even it doesn’t seem like I’m thankful all the time, I really am, I just don’t say anything. You lovingly raised a son like me for going on 20 years, of COURSE I’m grateful, don’t you think? Mom, I love you. You already know that, though, right? :). Don’t ever forget that! No matter how I treat you at any given moment, never forget how much I really love you!

Love, Josh.

A lot of the meaning (and continuity, at that) got lost in the translation because I wrote it in Korean. Oh well :)

I just read something that was reblogged that started off in a dissatisfied, complaining tone. She was wondering if God loved her, why she and her boyfriend had to face so many obstacles (long distance, very little time together, etc.). Then she said she realized: true love conquers all.

Before I go on, I’m sorry to say, but not afraid to admit, that I did in fact judge the post and poster at first glance. No worries though, the source of this post isn’t from being judgmental.

Moving on, it reminded me of the fact that God is not backing us up 100% with what we want to do. He may in fact be against some things that we want to do. Then we go off and complain “If God loves me, then why/how _________?” But we shouldn’t be complaining to God about this kind of stuff. It’s because God loves us, He is supporting us 100% in the ways He sees fit; that may not always be what we want, but it is what we need. God sees the bigger picture. He has the full view of everything, not just the narrow perspective we humans hold.

Sometimes, He places obstacles in our lives because He knows we’re headed the wrong way. Because He loves us. Then we complain about it. What then? God won’t remove those obstacles He placed for our sake because He loves us. To no end.

To the girl who posted the inspiration behind this post: Again, I’m not saying that God’s trying to keep you guys apart. He could be. Or He might be showing you that “true love does conquer all” like you said. This post started off about you, but the main point is general. Please don’t take this to offense x.x. 

“I love you.”

What is love? (baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me no more :D)

The answer to this question is all so simple, yet so complex. Here’s part of the answer to the question at hand:

When you say “I love you,” it is an acknowledgement of the fact that the two individuals/groups WILL have differences. Not only that, but also to the commitment that you will try to work out these differences to the best of your ability. This is a small portion of the Biblical definition of love that we tend to forget or overlook.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

My girlfriend (re)taught me that today.