November 2, 2012

stock piled

okay. i confess... i have PDS: Perpetual Disaster Syndrome.

when hurricane Sandy hit, it was apparent that nobody within a 1 mile radius could starve even if they tried. why? because i've always been somewhat of a hoarder. so yeah, our apt was well prepared even before those crazy winds and rain and moon tide conceived Sandy!

i thought about why i have this 병 and it definitely stems from childhood. my older brother ate his food faster than i could blink and then always came after mine (he also called me fat and said he was doing me a good deed -_- but that childhood trauma I will save for another rainy day). to me, a meal was a struggle between slowly enjoying my food and forcing myself to rush so that it wouldn't get taken away. as a combative strategy,  i always had a back-up plan: 1 for me, 1 for brother, and another 1 for me in case he pillaged my first. 

i could stop at that reflection of my PDS... but that would only be a superficial analysis of my heart condition. the reality is that i want security. even my roommates notice that i get my panties in a bunch when our stock pile diminishes.... i feel safe when i'm surrounded by a never-ending wall of toilet paper and sacks of white rice. even my purse is a Mary Poppins bag of tricks and supplies. i find security in knowing i am prepared no matter what kind of disaster should strike.... but geez, witnessing Sandy or, actually - seeing God's mighty hand over our earth - leaves me thinking: can we ever really be prepared?
Matthew 6:25-34  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life.... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

October 29, 2012

three

 after 1 year of working on a list that was continuously growing i have decided that it all comes down to 3 ABSOLUTE non-negotiables, the rest are just [strong] preferences or synonyms for:
1. HUMBLE
2. SELF-LESS
3. RELIABLE
Basically, the characteristics that make Christ, Jesus Christ.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit:

FOUR
Humble
Empathetic
Reliable
Self-less

October 26, 2012

teaching parallels

The other day as I sat in a new teacher workshop, the speaker said we should be hitting the Disillusionment phase. I immediately saw this as a parallel to the phases found in new Christian life at the beginning of our relationship with God (and I suppose romantic relationships as well, but I even start that dialogue right now).
  • Anticipation - Teachers are eager and excited about their initial teaching assignment.  They have “big plans” about how it is going to be.   
  • Survival - Reality hits.  New teachers can become overwhelmed with all the aspects of the job they didn’t anticipate.  They are working 60 hour weeks.  They still maintain their enthusiasm but are getting tired.  
  • Disillusionment - New teachers are working hard, but feel they are not getting anywhere.  They are shocked at reality and wondering if this is the right profession for them.  Illness often characterizes this phase.  This phase also corresponds with parent conferences, first report cards, back-to-school night, and the first evaluation conference!! 
  • Rejuvenation - New teachers have just had a few weeks off for winter break.  They have completed half the year and can see the end in sight.  They have gained some coping strategies to manage the problems they may encounter.  They begin to feel a sense of confidence.  They begin to focus on curriculum development. They are more optimistic about their capabilities. 
  • Reflection - Towards the end of the year, new teachers begin to reflect on changes that they want to make for the next year.  They begin to critically analyze the past year, thinking ahead to what they will change for next year.
Steps towards coping with the Disillusionment Phase:
      1. Avoid highs and lows.
      2. Let go of perfectionism.
      3. Expect obstacles.
      4. Seek support.

Plug and chug "Christian" with the word "teacher" and you can see that with any meaningful and transforming event in life, there will always be stages of self-discovery, high energy, disappointment, struggle, loss, gain, reawakening, reflection, sorrow, and joy. However, the difference is that we don't rely on ourselves because we are too prone to sin and failure. Thank God we can always go to Him for wisdom and strength to win victories....
Isaiah 55:8-9  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

October 16, 2012

daddy's girl

this weekend, there were so many awkward but silly and very endearing moments! praise God that our lives are so filled with idiosyncratic people and events, big and little!

i must say that when it comes to weddings, my favorite part is the moment between newlyweds and parents. it's the only time i cry a little bit. at Y & J's wedding on saturday, what began as a seemingly typical and polished waltz between father & daughter turned into a deeply poignant moment - indescribable by words... just feelable. when she drew her daddy tight around the neck and cried on his shoulder like a little girl, all that came flooding to me was a perceived lifetime of memories, gratitude, longing, painful separation, sweet parting, and slight fear for the unforeseen changes to come without each other. that made me miss my dad very much too. and then i thought to myself (oh boy, every bride needs super waterproof mascara on her wedding day!) hee hee. oh how sentimental our hearts can be! * mine just happens to become tender at the sight of a parent/child bond.

Lord be with little Evie.....
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

September 22, 2012

fruitless


Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
people generally praise my high level of self-awareness and depth of understanding. however, this is often followed by genuine curiosity about why i am unable to apply this knowledge to my life in a practical manner [...]

the truth is that sin and deception are so deeply woven into our psyches, personalities, reactions, and habitual tendencies that it's hard to break free from such chains, especially subtle ones.
this is why we must rely on a high power other than our own intellect and problem solving skills. yes, faith and trust in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

in the mean time, it's selfish of me to pretend i'm healthy enough to engage in a stable and fruitful relationship with someone i care about.  i'm still wounded and therefore self-centered, and too tempted not to meet my own needs first.

of course, that doesn't make it okay and it definitely means i need to work even harder!
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

September 4, 2012

sane


insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result each time."

sanity is "wholeness of mind; making decisions based on the truth."

i choose to [at least try to] be sane.

My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. - Psalm 73:26
And this is the secret: that Christ in your hearts is your only hope of glory. - Colossians 1:27

August 3, 2012

5 pillars of manhood (jason ma)

WE NEED MEN OF GOD WHO WILL LOVE & RESPECT WOMEN OF FAITH...NEXT STOP "MANHOOD"

"I spent the day with a group of men in our house church learning what it takes to be a man of God when it comes to loving and respecting women. In our day an age most men are not men, they are boys. Most guys still want to marry their mom, have a women serve and take care of them, are not willing to take initiative or commit in a relationship, most men are still living in fear, not pursuing their callings by settling for “safe” because its easy. This is sad, upsetting and the standard must change.

Women don’t want to marry boys, they want to marry men. Women don’t want boys they have to put up with, clean up after and take care of, they want to be lead, pursued and taken on an exciting life adventure. If you go to most of the churches in the Western world today, you will find that there are very few spiritual men, instead there are many spiritual women. It’s disappointing, but I hear it from women of faith all the time, “Pastor Jaeson, where are the godly men?”

Today, a good brother and leader in our GBS community Daniel Ra explained what God showed him to be the “5 Pillars of Manhood” in how men must love, respect and serve women. It was enlightening and reinforcing from what I have been teaching men for years when it comes to pursuing a woman of God… of course none of us are perfect, we all have our mistakes, but we must each strive to be better and greater than what we were before yesterday, everyday making an effort to be more like God, to be just like Jesus, to be a man of faith and honor.

The 5 Pillars of Manhood…

1) Lead - A man must be a leader in a relationship, in a marriage, in a family. There are no excuses. A woman doesn’t want to make the decisions for her man, she wants her man to lead in the relationship. A man must take initiative. A man of God is leader, not a follower, a servant, not a slave, a hero not a coward. A man of God knows God and therefore knows himself. He should be the leader spiritually first, emotionally, mentally and physically he should set the standard for others to follow.

2) Protect - A real man of God will protect his partner. That means he is willing to lay down his very own life, needs and wants for the protection of the one he loves. Every decision he makes when it comes to a relationship has her protection in mind. A woman needs to feel secure, that she is protected and safe with her man. She doesn’t need to second guess, wonder if she will be okay, or have her heart and mind played with. A real man of God will not only protect his woman physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He always has the highest good in his mind for her safety, well being and wholeness. This is for the Christian guys out there, don’t emotionally rape a sister, play with her heart and tell her you are just her brother or friend. That is BS. Man up. You either pursue a woman of God because she is God’s precious creation, or you don’t try touching it at all, or play with their hearts emotionally, unless you are willing to be up front and clear with your intentions and the direction of the relationship from the start. Emotional rape is as painful to a woman as physical rape. Women are emotional beings and their hearts are not to be played with. Protect your sisters heart.

3) Provide – A real man of God will do whatever it takes to provide for his significant other. That means monetarily in finances, in basic needs and as well as what she desires. When a man asks a father for his daughter in marriage, the father will not ask, “How are you doing spiritually first?” No, the first thing the father will ask is, “How will you provide for my daughter?” Because part of being and becoming a man is providing for others, especially your wife and children. If a man can’t provide, he isn’t a man. God gave us hands and we must put our hands to work, no excuses to be lazy, God made us to rule the earth. Women are not be treated as toys, trophies or a luxury item, women are God’s highest creation, the very image of God.

I tell men all the time, “Treat your woman like a queen and you will live like a king.” Don’t be cheap brothers, you need to go all out when it comes to pursuing a woman. This is not a one time thing, but a continual practice. Women were created for beauty. They were created beautiful, to feel beautiful to be treated beautiful. You don’t handle a rose without care, it is the same with a woman of God, you treat her with the utmost care, honor and respect. Practically, that means you don’t take a woman to Denny’s on a first date, you take her to a place that hurts your wallet, but it’s worth it because she is worthy.

Also, men must also provide for women emotionally. When a women asks you, “How are you doing?” She is really asking, “How are you being?” Meaning, what are you feeling, thinking, seeing, being about at the moment. To love a women we must provide at every level – basic needs all the way to providing for them mentally, emotionally and spiritually, if not their hearts will die. Be a man, provide for your women.

4) Integrity – A true man of God is a man of his word. Too many men in our culture break promises, play with women’s hearts, date girls as if it was a game, and have no respect for women at all. This is disgusting. In old times, when a man said “You have my word!” that word was bond, it was as if an actual contract had been written, because your word was your reputation. How many men do we know today who say one thing, but do another? Men who do not keep their word, their promise or follow through with their verbal commitments. In our culture we don’t take words seriously, but in God’s world words are everything. Blessings and curses come out of the same mouth. What comes out of our mouths determines what is truly in our hearts.

What a woman wants is a man of integrity. Someone who says what he does and does what he says. Someone they can trust at their word. So as a man you must come through. Words means nothing if they are not backed up with action. Don’t say sorry unless you mean it. Don’t say sorry unless you are able to back up your apologies with doing the right thing. Integrity is doing what is right, whether people are watching or not. Integrity is what you do when no one is looking. Does your woman trust you completely? If not, it is a question of integrity. Don’t tell a women you love her unless your love shows, words carry weight. They either carry false weight or real weight, a woman knows when a man means what he says.

So live by your words, live by action, be a living proof of your values, convictions and commitments. Don’t get involved in a relationship unless you are sure this what you want and what God is leading you both to do. I’ve had my share of mistakes in the past, where I got into a relationship without thinking about the consequences, protecting my sisters heart and the fear of the Lord from the get go, I’ve had to make amends and face the results of my sin and foolishness. Trust me brothers, don’t do what I’ve done in the past, don’t play games, don’t feed your fleshly desires, rather seek God, seek the best interest of the one you are pursuing, be honest, forthright from the start about your commitment and your vision for the relationship and stick to your word. Be a man of integrity.

If you pursue a women, it should be with the intentions of marriage. If not, stop playing yourself and her. It’s not about finding the right woman, it’s about being the right man. That starts with first knowing God in order to know yourself, then you will know how to love and respect a woman.

5) Courage - You are not a man until you climb the great wall of China! This is what it says at the actual great wall. Well, I have climbed the Great Wall of China so I guess I must be more of a man than others, just kidding. What is the greater underlying message here? It is a message of courage. It is a message of adventure. A man of God is a man of courage, a man of adventure, a man who is willing to take risks and do the impossible. Men were born to live a life of great adventure. Men were created to fight battles. Men were created to rescue beauties. Men were created to live.

Sadly, most men are not living. Most men are cowards, fearful and afraid of failure. Imprisoned by their own thinking and what others think about them. Many men are just boys waiting for their mother’s approval, or the approval of others in society. Most men I know are people pleasers, not God pleasers. They are more afraid of how others may reject them or not accept them if they choose to take the road less traveled.

All men die, few men truly live.

Women don’t want nice guys or good boys, women want men on a mission, men on adventure, men who are dangerous. This is why many women are drawn to bad boys because bad boys live with a sense of risk, danger, mystery and unknown. Men were created to live fearless and to live by faith. But if you walk into a church today what you find are a bunch of boys playing with their toys, working at predictable jobs — not their true callings, and living boring lives. It’s sad, but most guys get their sense of adventure from playing video games or watching TV, what happened to our men?

A man of faith will sweep a woman of God off of her feet. He will challenge her to go the distance in God, in their relationship and in life. A man of courage is someone who in the face of fear still chooses to move forward with trust in God, setting out to obey God’s voice at whatever the cost, because that is what matters the most. We need men who have hearts fully alive, hearts full of passion and are on a mission to change the world. There is a high cost to being a man of courage, there is a price to pay if we want to be a real hero, it means we are willing to go against the grain, follow God against all odds and live a life of honor, courage and righteousness.

When a woman finds a man of courage, it will encourage her to be all that God has created her to be. As a man, your goal is not how your woman can serve you, but how can you serve your woman? As a man, your goal is not how a woman can serve your destiny, but how can you do all that you possibly can to release the fullness of God’s glory and destiny in her.

Men take the lead, protect at all costs, provide in every way, live by your word and live a life of adventure with the Holy Spirit — obey God, not man and you will be the man of God you were created to be — and your woman will love you for it."

July 24, 2012

fear and self-loathing


i recently met a kindred soul who understands my internal struggle to behave like a "normal person". she too shares in similar childhood experiences and feels the same desire (to be a quieter, calmer, shyer, more feminine girl).

she mentioned hurtful trigger words:
  • calm down...
  • be quiet !!!
  • chill out !
  • you're loud.
  • you're scary... (ok, i added this one)
i agree with her. something inside me truly shuts up when people tell me to be quiet or calm down. i admit that i have a hyper-sensitivity that "normal" people don't - stemming from a deeply profound complex and fear of being pegged as loud and attention-seeking; and therefore unattractive and burdensome.

well,  i've come to terms with the fact that i probably won't change my outgoing, rather rambunctious nature. even trying has made me completely miserable, not to mention a super phony. instead, i embrace that God has given me something that i can fine tune (with maturity, control, and self-awareness) to be used for good and not evil.

To Be Continued...

July 12, 2012

"damn few"


war movies deeply affect me in ways that other movies cannot. although Act of Valor fell short in acting and seamless coordination of script and action sequences... it still left me humbled by the reality that there are men and women putting themselves in the line of fire - every single hour, while we continue to live in the ignorance of the imminent threats around us.

courage. honor. discipline. sacrifice.

how can you not respect and honor soldiers for their bravery and commitment? they put my civilian life into perspective.... how petty are my complaints and worries!

::spoiler alert::::

at the climax of the movie, one soldier jumps on a grenade not only to save his fellow band of brothers, but for the ultimate success of the mission at hand (to keep suicide bombers from dispersing into the US).  i know real life soldiers are willing to do this everyday (giving up their lives, their families, their futures) so that they can secure the nation's safety.

what an illustration of the great and beautiful sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He jumped on that ultimate and eternal grenade so that all creation could be forgiven and know God intimately.  what then, should we not be willing to do for God and to spread the good news of His love and eternal kingdom??
"What is all the fame and flattery worth ... when a man comes to face eternity? I know that cricket would not last, and honour would not last, and nothing in this world would last, but it was worthwhile living for the world to come. If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me." -Charles Studd (Cambridge Seven Missionaries)


July 9, 2012

when clouds part


"Have you ever traveled to a mountainous part of the world when it was cloudy and rainy? You look out your windows and you can see almost nothing but the ground. Then the rain stops and the clouds part and you catch your breath because there, towering right over you, is this magnificent peak. But a couple of hours later the clouds roll in and it has vanished, and you don't see it again for a good while. That is what it is like to get to know Christian. You have an old self and a new self. The old self is crippled with anxieties, the need to prove yourself, bad habits you can't break, and many besetting sins and entrenched character flaws. The new self is still you, but you liberated from all your sins and flaws. This new self is always a work in progress, and sometimes the clouds of the old self make it almost completely invisible.  But sometimes the clouds really part, and you see the wisdom, courage, and love of which you are capable. It is a glimpse of where you are going. "

Tim Keller - The Meaning of Marriage

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

July 5, 2012

blessed are the meek

     Gentleness is never a false modesty, a self-depreciation, or a spineless refusal to stand for anything. Gentleness is never a cowardly retreat from reality, which substitutes a passive selfishness for real gentleness and avoids trouble in ways that allow even greater trouble to develop. Neither is it a false humility that refuses to recognize God has given us talents and abilities or that refuses to use them for His glory.
    Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary does give an older meaning for meekness as “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.” The French versions are closer when they use douceur, which has the meaning of sweetness, mildness, gentleness, and good nature. Gentleness is never self-important but is considerate, courteous, and modest, yet willing to try when a job needs to be done. In The Full Life Study Bible it is defined as "restraint coupled with strength and courage."
     Aristotle gave its classic definition as halfway between excessive anger and indifference. That is, he felt the gentle person could be angry at the right time and submissive at the right time. We are not carried away by rage, personal vindictiveness, greed, or pride as we seek victories for Christ. But with the gentleness of Christ we can triumph powerfully.
     Gentleness includes the idea that we do not care about what happens to our honor as much as what happens to God’s honor and what happens to others. In our daily lives we cannot help coming into situations that bring conflicts with people. It is easy for us in the natural to react with violence or anger, especially if we feel insecure in our position. But when we accept the reality of who we are in Christ and trust the Holy Spirit to help us, we can be gentle, whatever conflicts may arise.

swan duck

if you can't tell by my latest entries, i am in a perpetual state of self-examination; self-actualization; self-betterment.

not purely for the sake of heightening my self-awareness so that i can become a better person or be more attractive and desirable as a spouse (those are bonus!!), but because of my calling.
Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
through books such as Understanding People (Larry Crabb) and The Meaning of Marriage (Tim Keller), i have come to see my own self-centeredness, self-involvement, and self-everything in very specific and shamefully repentant ways. no more excuses of "well, I just can't fake it!" and "but i'm so wounded..." as a way of deterring myself from loving others the way i was called to love. only hope for redemption and continued sanctification reign in these parts!

well, everyday is a struggle. and as Pastor Danny says, 'you should be desperately asking for God's help every hour of every day.' so at least i'm glad that i find my desperate need for God in this way...   yes, i am alone in my apt without a job; kind of relaxing and watching netflix - but my mind and heart are working hard on my self (doubt, respect, protection, denial).

little by little, moment by moment, situation by situation, i'm trying.... and i'm beginning to see and appreciate the tiniest victories, which transcend the shameful failures...
Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
we'll never be perfect in this lifetime, but we can still push and strive for Christ-likeness! Lord help me...

July 1, 2012

on woundedness

        "There are many reasons that we cannot see our own self-centeredness. One of the main factors that hides it from us is our own history of mistreatment. Many people come to marriage having been seriously hurt by parents, lovers, or former spouses... All of these experiences can make it extremely difficult to trust the other sex, while at the same time filling you with deep doubts about your own judgment and character. "Woundedness" is compounded self-doubt and guilt, resentment and disillusionment.
     We come to one another in marriage with these things in our backgrounds. And when the inevitable conflicts occur, our memories can sabotage us. They can prevent us from doing the normal, day-to-day work of repentance and forgiveness and extending grace that is so crucial to making progress in our marriages. The reason is that woundedness makes us self-absorbed.
      When you begin to talk to wounded people, it is not long before they begin talking about themselves. They're so engrossed in their own pain and problems that they don't realize what they look like to others. They are not sensitive to the needs of others. They don't pick up the cues of those who are hurting, or, if they do, they only do so in a self-involved way. That is, they do so with a view of helping to "rescue" them in order to feel better about themselves. They get involved with others in an obsessive and controlling way because they are actually meeting their own needs, though they deceive themselves about this. We are always, always the last to see our self-absorption. Our hurts and wounds can make our self-centeredness even more intractable. When you point out selfish behavior to a wounded person, he or she will say, "Well, maybe so, but you don't understand what it is like."
      There is the essence of sin, according to the Bible- living for ourselves, rather than for God and the people around us. This is why Jesus can sum up the entire law- the entire will of God for out lives - in two great commands: to love and live for God rather than ourselves and to love and put the needs of others ahead of our own (Matt 22:37-20).
    All people need to be treated gently and respectfully, especially those who have been wounded. They will be unusually sensitive to rough handling. Nevertheless, all people must be challenged to see that their self-centeredness hasn't been caused by the people who hurt them; it's only been aggravated by the abuse and they must do something about it of they're going to be miserable forever...."

from The Meaning of Marriage - by Tim Keller
Romans 15 - We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.  Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself ...May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 


June 28, 2012

forget yourself!

"C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity makes a brilliant observation about gospel-humility at the very end of his chapter on pride. If we were to meet a truly humble person, Lewis says, we would never come away from meeting them thinking they were humble. They would not be always telling us they were a nobody (because a person who keeps says they are a nobody is actually a self-obsessed person). The thing we would remember from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or less of myself, it is thinking of myself less . 

Gospel-humility is not needing to think about myself. Not needing to connect things with myself. It is an end to thoughts such as, "I'm in this room with these people, does that make me look good? Do I want to be here?" True gospel-humility means I stop connecting every experience, every conversation, with myself. In fact, I stop thinking about myself. The freedom of self-forgetfulness. The blessed rest that only self-forgetfulness brings... I do not have to do things to make me look good. I can do things for the joy of doing them. I can help people to help people - not so I can feel better about myself, not so I can fill up the emptiness."

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy - Tim Keller

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)  You are my beloved child in whom I am well pleased. (Luke 3:22 ) 

my counter-part

when it comes to personality.... i think i would be most compatible (and consequently, happiest) with a man who is of quiet strength but loud morals, slightly introverted, quirky intelligence, reliable, steady character, appreciative, highly supportive and minimally critical/judgmental, frugal but not cheap, a truly great listener, accepting, easy-going, short on complaining and long on patience, easily amused but not easily frustrated, big hearted, youthful,  generous, and humble above all things.  It also wouldn't hurt if he enjoys eating soggy fries, bread crust, and cilantro :")

well, then.... i suspect i should marry someone just like julie.

June 25, 2012

Renewed

"A renewed mind does not mean a mind pumped up with exhilarating cliches about the joys of living or our potential to turn tragedy into a triumph.

Real change means change in the inner man, where a deceitful heart, full of motives hidden even to ourselves, and a darkened mind, holding ideas that we may consciously disown, must be exposed and confronted by the message of God.

If sin really includes unconscious beliefs and motives that deny the truth about life in Christ and lead us away from Him to other alleged sources of life (wrong ways that lead to death do seem right), then we must look carefully at how we think, what we think, and how our thinking can be renewed."

Understanding People - Dr. Larry Crabb

What is Healthy?


"Healthy people deeply enjoy God, expressed with occasional bursts of ecstasy followed by long periods of quiet allegiance. Their lives are anchored in him. They know that in their deepest parts they have felt His touch.

That touch increasingly liberates them to be more fully involved with others. They are free to enter into other people's lives, openly and vulnerably, with neither protection nor defensiveness, because they are not threatened by the pain of disappointment and conflict that inevitably occurs in rich involvement among fallen people. This inevitable pain does not cause them to back away behind walls of appropriateness ("I'll do what is expected of me") or spiritualized retreat ("Well, we must pray about it"). Mature Christians don't retreat, they increase the level of their involvement.

Healthy people do understand the importance of timing and discretion as they move toward people with whom they experience conflict. And they know, as not-yet-glorified saints, that their efforts at involvement will never be perfectly timed or thoroughly discreet. But still they move toward, not away from. Involvement, not retreat, is their lifestyle. And therefore their lives have quiet power. Their very presence is felt by a few people in a way that makes them want to live more nobly.

Healthy people are not afraid of confusion. They have given up their claim to independence and control and can therefore tolerate, even welcome, uncertainty. Confusion deepens their vulnerability to being led by someone who is not confused. They enter warmly into their inherent dependence as finite beings by defining faith as the courage to move on in the absence of clarity.

They struggle - and sometimes fail. They feel some temptations more deeply than less healthy people - and occasionally they yield. But they know what it means to repent from the core of their beings, to tear down the idols to which they looked for satisfaction, and to return to the God of life through whom relationship and impact are available.

Healthy people are not free of the common symptoms of emotional trouble, but the symptoms do not control them, at least not for long. Sometimes they feel profound loneliness and unbearable hurt - and at times it seems as if they are touching reality more honestly than when they are feeling good. But they go on, aware of a reality yet to be grasped that will replace loneliness with satisfying intimacy and hurt with sheer pleasure. Their styles of interaction with God and others are varied as snowflakes. But one thing they have in common: a growing ability to be touched by God and to touch others. "

Understanding People: Why We Long for Relationship - Dr. Larry Crabb

June 21, 2012

Christian human

Maybe the real discussion is about being a Christian animal versus being a Christian human. I would argue that the Christian animal is concerned with little more than survival (receiving sustenance), procreation (increasing numbers), and preserving the integrity of the herd (worship of religion). By contrast the Christian human embodies the burning desire to question and reason—to seek knowledge and truth—to sacrifice safety and security for the sake of humanitarian efforts—to save and rescue other tribal members from the savages of neglect, abuse, and hunger.


from Rogue Christianity's blog

June 13, 2012

do you love me?


today, it finally dawned on me.
my #1 love language is Quality Time.

there, i said it. yes. i feel most loved when people sacrifice their precious new york minutes to get to know me, talk with me, share with me, partake in an activity with me, or simply be with me. makes me feel like an important and special part of someone's life. can't a girl just get some attention around here?

(i'm greedy so i will say that my #2 love languages are: actions & words. gifts & touch are bonus icing on the cake!!!! meaning... you super love me!!! hee hee)

i get upset and aggravated (my grievances overfloweth) when people try to act like they know me, are close to me, or pretend to care what is going on in my life when they don't have a clue because we don't talk or hang out! conversations seem feigned and catching up feels less meaningful when a mutually warranted and surely progressing relationship doesn't exist.

so what then, are my favorite forms of quality time, you ask?
oh! don't worry, i'll spell it out for you (with visual aides:

1) having conversation over food, dessert, drinks, anything edible (feel doubly loved if you buyin~)
2) joint attention (prefer dvd > movie because the environment prohibits casual conversation and my very necessary commentary).
3) pillow talk time (my head is on the pillow - your head is on your pillow - and we talkin on the phone or face2face!)
4)kakao talk or text! (i love me my random emoticons & hellos & picture messages, tells me you're thinking about me and that we're connected throughout the day.)
5) gchat/vchat - inferior forms of QT, but nonetheless superbly entertaining and occasionally insightful.
6) play a game or watch a game (sports & high fives!)

there. now have your pick!!!
"To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us." -Tim Keller


June 11, 2012

Met ah more pho sis

Lately I have just been moved with such gratitude. Our God is one who is active, loving, generous, and completely caring - even about the most trivial things in life. He reminds us that he cares and is listening to the smallest pains and gripes. Thank you Father! I feel so heard and understood...

So my mom came and went. Somewhere along the line I had a spectacularly clever and emotionally vulnerable blog post about the depths and heights that our relationship was able to find during our four short days in new York together (NYC is truly magical) but then I got busy and lazy and lost my train of thought... not to take away from the significance of the said trip, but I just cannot recall the verbiage I had in my mind last week so its quite pointless to try and recreate a less worthy post. So I won't. But you get the point, right?

Next thought: The thing about Metamorphosis is.... that a caterpillar cannot feign a transformation into a butterfly, can it? It cannot grow fake wings or shed its scales. Transformation is total and genuine... as seen by the finished product. But what if the caterpillar tries to escape the confines of the cocoon prematurely... thinking that it is ready when it is really not? What then?! Consequences such as a wing that isn't yet fully developed enough to fly right (kind of like Nemo's tiny arm)... or skewed vision? I guess we must trust in the process... and in a greater power: God.