phileo love

what is it about older brothers that makes you hate them so much one second... then the next you're following them around everywhere, doing everything they do? i'm 27 years old and i still do it! :0)

well, my brother is so weird and awkward and embarrassing and kookie and "artistic"... ( i'm sure he thinks i'm just as weird and even more embarrassing as a sister! haha) but he is also creative and talented and honest and minimalistic and affectionate and subtly caring and wise in rare moments... and he is the funniest guy i know. 

i love him cuz he's the only older brother that God gave me. 

Praise the Lord God for saving his soul and for the Holy Spirit revealing to him all the wonders and glory of Christ, our only Savior. 

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

James 4:6
But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

1 Peter 5:5-6
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

Matthew 23:12
And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

Colossians 3:12
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

Philippians 2:3-11
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Lord, I pray for more humility every single day.

super additional additions

Non-negotiables:
1. true disciple. (humbly depends on God alone)
2. trustworthy & full of integrity. (does what he says and says what he does.)
3. genuinely good hearted. (it hurts for him to hurt others, he cares about people too much)
4. assertive/considerate/thoughtful/compassionate (good noonchi & high emotional intelligence)
5. passionate & hardworking. (about something worthy)
6. giving and generous. (in all ways, but esp. with quality time and emotional sharing)
7. fun! with the same sense of humor (please?)
8. devoted (eyes wholly on me) & protective ( like a rottweiler~)
9. sociable and gregarious (no cavemen allowed!)... but not flirty

02/2011---
Addition:
10. understands who i am and connects with me on a deep level

08/2011------
Super Additional Additions:
11. demonstrates true sacrifice & selflessness
12. forgiving & grace-ful (with Christ-like unconditional love)
13. patient & wise (knows when to cham-muh and when to speak up)
14. gentle hearted & loving & caring
15. teachable & yielding (like softened clay)
16. determined, hardworking, committed (ah, the art of compromise)
17. great leadership skills (but also submits to authority- esp. God's!)
18. accepting (because we all fall short of God's glory and grace)
19. supportive (emotionally available and open)

10/2011
Super Super Additions
20. filled with the Holy Spirit (shameless persistence for more of it)
21. humble and private (cuz true humility comes from God)
22. dignified, respectable
23. manly (in more ways than just the outer shell)
24. makes me feel super special and precious

04/2012
Super More Super Additions (the list never ends)
25. good communicator (knows how to open up and express his emotions)
26. always prayerful and full of faith

06/2012
GIANT SUPER more additions:
27. not attention seeking
28. mature (emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially)
29. kind and friendly... definitely not an ounce of douchey-ness.
30. believes that i can be someone greater than i am (and encourages me to be my best)
31. patient about my shortcomings (good listener)
32. intelligent and articulate (can carry good conversation for hours)
33. not critical of me or others
34. HEALTHY and free from addictions (drugs, alcohol, attention, prn, relationships, sexual impurity, $$$, prestige, spending, gambling, mama's boy image, etc)
35. constant and consistent (so i know what to expect!!! sheesh)
36. considers others better than himself (and does not look out for his self-interests)

09/2012
ridiculously more additions:
37. honorable
38. sexually attractive but firm in his conviction of purity
39. grounded and sensible


#1: loves me more than he loves himself and loves God more than he loves me.



i refuse to settle for anything less.
God is faithful!!!!

wait a minute.... these are all things that i should prepare as well....  looks like i have a lot of work to do! =/

today, as i looked down at my two keys A and B, i had a simple revelation about how specific and funny our God is.

the two keys were seemingly identical from a distance, but under further scrutiny, i could see that one tiny jagged edge of each key was different.

who would have thought just that sliver of a piece from a metal key would be significant? the difference between locking and unlocking... between gaining access and being shut out.... between safety and exposure...

our God is creative, generous, and purposeful.... completely worthy of all trust and worship.

"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 a hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11