Blog: Entries Tagged With 'faith'
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Glorious Purpose - Thursday, February 13, 2025
I've been thinking a lot about purpose lately. It's now been four months since I left my job with Pure, and being free of a job has afforded me time to actually do things like think.
But kidding aside, in some senses I've been busier than ever. I've definitely had my hands full with fixing things around the house, doing things for parents, working out, researching health, relearning science concepts, and fellowshipping with people at church and in our small group.
I reckon that most of us won't find our "grand purpose" in lofty ideals like changing the world or becoming the top ranked in something. But, to loosely paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, we can all do a bit of good where we are, with what we have.
To say that life is more about finding purpose in the day-to-day rather than living out some "grand purpose" is helpful. But, for followers of Christ, I think that doesn't capture the whole picture. We are called to a higher purpose, and that is to glorify God and find joy in doing so. Our purpose should be the one that He has set for us. Nothing more, and nothing less.
So we continue to live each day - learning, laughing, and loving. Finding small doses of purpose in enjoying life and helping others do the same. All the while, allowing Christ to work in us and wanting the same for others. That, I submit, is our grand, glorious purpose.
But kidding aside, in some senses I've been busier than ever. I've definitely had my hands full with fixing things around the house, doing things for parents, working out, researching health, relearning science concepts, and fellowshipping with people at church and in our small group.
I reckon that most of us won't find our "grand purpose" in lofty ideals like changing the world or becoming the top ranked in something. But, to loosely paraphrase Theodore Roosevelt, we can all do a bit of good where we are, with what we have.
To say that life is more about finding purpose in the day-to-day rather than living out some "grand purpose" is helpful. But, for followers of Christ, I think that doesn't capture the whole picture. We are called to a higher purpose, and that is to glorify God and find joy in doing so. Our purpose should be the one that He has set for us. Nothing more, and nothing less.
So we continue to live each day - learning, laughing, and loving. Finding small doses of purpose in enjoying life and helping others do the same. All the while, allowing Christ to work in us and wanting the same for others. That, I submit, is our grand, glorious purpose.
Mountain Fire Update - Monday, November 18, 2024
In my last post, I mentioned that the Mountain Fire was raging in Camarillo Heights and areas to the north. Our neighborhood was evacuated that Wednesday. Fortunately, Priscilla and I were able to go stay to my parents' place far from the fire (one of the benefits of not living too close to parents). The power at our house was cut in the morning but was restored 7 hours later, so we had a limited view of our street from our Ring Doorbell camera.
The first day was excruciating, not having much information and fearing the worst. The fire map showed that the fire was 2,000 feet from our house. At least two of our neighbors decided to not evacuate, and in the evening one of them sent Priscilla a picture showing the sky glowing orange just over the ridge in front of our house. Fortunately, the 60mph winds that fanned the blaze started subsiding that evening, returning to a normal light breeze the following afternoon. Had the heavy winds continued for longer and in our direction, I could imagine the fire, or at least embers, coming down the hill and reaching our house. The 182 structures that ultimately burned were in the mountain area north of us where there's more vegetation and where there aren't as many direct roads into the area, but I think it could've easily been a lot worse. We're thankful that our neighborhood was spared.
After the first two days, the fire perimeter was kept from expanding significantly more thanks to the tireless work of the fire crews. We returned to our home on Friday, and the evacuation order in our area was downgraded to a warning later that day. We're also grateful that we receive city water and didn't have the water quality issues that some other Camarillo residents had. Many of the outlying areas are unincorporated and have their water provided by local companies, some of which had issues with contamination due to toxins and firefighting chemicals seeping into the water supply.
As of today, the fire has burned 19,904 acres and is 98% contained. Life in our area pretty much returned to normal that weekend, just 3 days after the fire started, though air quality was noticeably impacted for the first week or so. There's still a trace of smoke at night, but it's so much better now.
This ordeal made me and Priscilla think about our priorities. We didn't bother getting fire insurance when purchasing our house because it seemed pricey and the fire risk in our area seemed low. Our next-door neighbors don't have it either, and apparently neither did some of the people who actually lost their homes. Our neighbors who have lived here for 13 years told us that a fire has never gotten this close to our area in that time. But we're considering getting insurance now. Premiums will probably increase due to what happened, though rates in California are still being kept artificially low - that's why a lot of insurance companies are leaving the state. We still think that our house will probably be fine, but it's good to have peace of mind. And I think of it as a way to help subsidize insurance for people who need it more.
But moreso than insurance, we've been thinking about the things that we treasure. Seeing how anxious we were about our house, and thinking about how devastated we would feel if we lost it, made us realize that we don't have enough of a stewardship mindset. Ultimately God owns everything, so if it's His will that we should lose something, then we should be able to say like Job, "blessed be the name of the Lord." Easier said than done, of course. Lord, increase our faith and our dependence on You, and let us act as stewards over all you've given to us - our home, money, time, and relationships.
The first day was excruciating, not having much information and fearing the worst. The fire map showed that the fire was 2,000 feet from our house. At least two of our neighbors decided to not evacuate, and in the evening one of them sent Priscilla a picture showing the sky glowing orange just over the ridge in front of our house. Fortunately, the 60mph winds that fanned the blaze started subsiding that evening, returning to a normal light breeze the following afternoon. Had the heavy winds continued for longer and in our direction, I could imagine the fire, or at least embers, coming down the hill and reaching our house. The 182 structures that ultimately burned were in the mountain area north of us where there's more vegetation and where there aren't as many direct roads into the area, but I think it could've easily been a lot worse. We're thankful that our neighborhood was spared.
After the first two days, the fire perimeter was kept from expanding significantly more thanks to the tireless work of the fire crews. We returned to our home on Friday, and the evacuation order in our area was downgraded to a warning later that day. We're also grateful that we receive city water and didn't have the water quality issues that some other Camarillo residents had. Many of the outlying areas are unincorporated and have their water provided by local companies, some of which had issues with contamination due to toxins and firefighting chemicals seeping into the water supply.
As of today, the fire has burned 19,904 acres and is 98% contained. Life in our area pretty much returned to normal that weekend, just 3 days after the fire started, though air quality was noticeably impacted for the first week or so. There's still a trace of smoke at night, but it's so much better now.
This ordeal made me and Priscilla think about our priorities. We didn't bother getting fire insurance when purchasing our house because it seemed pricey and the fire risk in our area seemed low. Our next-door neighbors don't have it either, and apparently neither did some of the people who actually lost their homes. Our neighbors who have lived here for 13 years told us that a fire has never gotten this close to our area in that time. But we're considering getting insurance now. Premiums will probably increase due to what happened, though rates in California are still being kept artificially low - that's why a lot of insurance companies are leaving the state. We still think that our house will probably be fine, but it's good to have peace of mind. And I think of it as a way to help subsidize insurance for people who need it more.
But moreso than insurance, we've been thinking about the things that we treasure. Seeing how anxious we were about our house, and thinking about how devastated we would feel if we lost it, made us realize that we don't have enough of a stewardship mindset. Ultimately God owns everything, so if it's His will that we should lose something, then we should be able to say like Job, "blessed be the name of the Lord." Easier said than done, of course. Lord, increase our faith and our dependence on You, and let us act as stewards over all you've given to us - our home, money, time, and relationships.
An Eventful and Nerve-Wracking Week - Wednesday, November 6, 2024
We're not even a full week into November and already this month has turned out to be one for the books.
Last Friday, Priscilla and I visited my parents and then her parents. We stayed two nights at her parents' place so that we could drive them to the memorial service at CCAC for Priscilla's uncle William, since her dad can't drive anymore and her mom isn't comfortable driving far. It was a nice time seeing parents and the memorial was really touching. We didn't know Uncle William well, but we learned about his great faith and his love for others and desire to see them come to Christ. He had a quiet spirit but such a profound faith in the Lord. His words of "Be a Christian on the inside," as recounted by his granddaughter, were such an encouragement to us all.
On Sunday, we drove over to Hollywood and stayed at the Lexen Hotel. We joined Gina, Weber, their parents, and Gina's friend Sally at the Hollywood Bowl for the concert for David Foster's 75th birthday. A lot of the songs were too old for us to recognize, but it was cool to hear and learn that he had produced songs like Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," Celine Dion's "All By Myself," and Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up."
Fast forward to this morning when news broke that Donald Trump had won the presidential election in a landslide. I consider myself a moderate, and my views on various issues generally fall closer to the middle than towards either end of the political spectrum. That said, in terms of character and moral fiber, I think Harris would've been the better person by far to represent this country, and had I lived in a swing state, I probably would've voted for her out of fear for what Trump's presidency means for the country and for the world. I really hope that Trump will serve with integrity, humility, and fairness, and that he will submit to the perfect Judge who gave us the ultimate example of love.
With a Republican majority in the Supreme Court, Senate, and possibly the House, I'm concerned about issues like the environment. But regardless of who's in power, I think massive repercussions of climate change will be inevitable. Society is just not willing to make the drastic lifestyle changes needed to avert a crisis, and by many accounts it's already too late. As followers of Christ, we know that this world is temporary and will eventually pass away. The book of Revelation talks about hail and fire and a third of the earth being burned up - metaphors for climate disasters and nuclear warfare, perhaps? It saddens me how many people, some Christians included, don't seem to act like stewards when it comes to taking care of this world. Nonetheless, our ultimate hope must be in Christ, knowing that only what is done for Him will ultimately last.
And on that note, I'll finally mention that there's currently a wildfire blazing in parts of Ventura County including Camarillo Heights. We lost power this morning when the power company shut off power to tens of thousands of residents as a precautionary measure. The Mountain Fire, as it's now called, quickly grew to over 10,000 acres due to the strong winds that are expected to last until tomorrow afternoon. We had to leave around noon when the evacuation area expanded to our neighborhood. On the fire map, the fire boundary appears to be 2,000 feet from our house. Supposedly, many homes to the north have already burned, but that area seems a little more remote with more vegetation. Some of our neighbors stayed behind and one of them just texted a photo showing the sky lit up in orange behind the hill that's close to us. Power was restored around 3:30pm, which is encouraging. I have confidence in our fire crews and I know they're working tirelessly to contain the fire. We know that the Lord can (and does) give and take away, and that He is sovereign over all things. It's hard to not be anxious, though. And I don't think that anxiety will just go away. We just need to trust, and pray. In all things.
Last Friday, Priscilla and I visited my parents and then her parents. We stayed two nights at her parents' place so that we could drive them to the memorial service at CCAC for Priscilla's uncle William, since her dad can't drive anymore and her mom isn't comfortable driving far. It was a nice time seeing parents and the memorial was really touching. We didn't know Uncle William well, but we learned about his great faith and his love for others and desire to see them come to Christ. He had a quiet spirit but such a profound faith in the Lord. His words of "Be a Christian on the inside," as recounted by his granddaughter, were such an encouragement to us all.
On Sunday, we drove over to Hollywood and stayed at the Lexen Hotel. We joined Gina, Weber, their parents, and Gina's friend Sally at the Hollywood Bowl for the concert for David Foster's 75th birthday. A lot of the songs were too old for us to recognize, but it was cool to hear and learn that he had produced songs like Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," Celine Dion's "All By Myself," and Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up."
Fast forward to this morning when news broke that Donald Trump had won the presidential election in a landslide. I consider myself a moderate, and my views on various issues generally fall closer to the middle than towards either end of the political spectrum. That said, in terms of character and moral fiber, I think Harris would've been the better person by far to represent this country, and had I lived in a swing state, I probably would've voted for her out of fear for what Trump's presidency means for the country and for the world. I really hope that Trump will serve with integrity, humility, and fairness, and that he will submit to the perfect Judge who gave us the ultimate example of love.
With a Republican majority in the Supreme Court, Senate, and possibly the House, I'm concerned about issues like the environment. But regardless of who's in power, I think massive repercussions of climate change will be inevitable. Society is just not willing to make the drastic lifestyle changes needed to avert a crisis, and by many accounts it's already too late. As followers of Christ, we know that this world is temporary and will eventually pass away. The book of Revelation talks about hail and fire and a third of the earth being burned up - metaphors for climate disasters and nuclear warfare, perhaps? It saddens me how many people, some Christians included, don't seem to act like stewards when it comes to taking care of this world. Nonetheless, our ultimate hope must be in Christ, knowing that only what is done for Him will ultimately last.
And on that note, I'll finally mention that there's currently a wildfire blazing in parts of Ventura County including Camarillo Heights. We lost power this morning when the power company shut off power to tens of thousands of residents as a precautionary measure. The Mountain Fire, as it's now called, quickly grew to over 10,000 acres due to the strong winds that are expected to last until tomorrow afternoon. We had to leave around noon when the evacuation area expanded to our neighborhood. On the fire map, the fire boundary appears to be 2,000 feet from our house. Supposedly, many homes to the north have already burned, but that area seems a little more remote with more vegetation. Some of our neighbors stayed behind and one of them just texted a photo showing the sky lit up in orange behind the hill that's close to us. Power was restored around 3:30pm, which is encouraging. I have confidence in our fire crews and I know they're working tirelessly to contain the fire. We know that the Lord can (and does) give and take away, and that He is sovereign over all things. It's hard to not be anxious, though. And I don't think that anxiety will just go away. We just need to trust, and pray. In all things.
Life Sucks. Or Does It? - Thursday, November 8, 2007
Ok I'll admit it- I'm not an optimist. But I've been thinking about all the times I've complained about something or felt sorry for my circumstances, and I've realized... compared to so many other people, I really don't have it that bad.
How many people in this world don't have a roof over their heads, while I bemoan how my room in my house is so small? While I'm stuck in traffic cursing the trickling flow of cars in front of me, how many people don't have access to the transportation I take for granted? As I pout about my nose being clogged up when I have a cold, do I forget that there are millions of people dying from incurable diseases and terminal illnesses?
Sure, I may only make $40,000 a year upon graduating from college, but that still puts me in the top few percent of all households in the world. Going to class is a drag, but to those without access to higher education it'd be more than a blessing. I complain about the taste of the food I'm served, when millions are dying from starvation and lack of clean drinking water. Unlike some, I don't have to fear being shot at while walking down the street, or being blown up by a roadside bomb, or facing persecution for my religious beliefs.
So really, I have no right to think that my life sucks. Who am I to make that call? I need to be content with what I have, and what I don't.
"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference."
How many people in this world don't have a roof over their heads, while I bemoan how my room in my house is so small? While I'm stuck in traffic cursing the trickling flow of cars in front of me, how many people don't have access to the transportation I take for granted? As I pout about my nose being clogged up when I have a cold, do I forget that there are millions of people dying from incurable diseases and terminal illnesses?
Sure, I may only make $40,000 a year upon graduating from college, but that still puts me in the top few percent of all households in the world. Going to class is a drag, but to those without access to higher education it'd be more than a blessing. I complain about the taste of the food I'm served, when millions are dying from starvation and lack of clean drinking water. Unlike some, I don't have to fear being shot at while walking down the street, or being blown up by a roadside bomb, or facing persecution for my religious beliefs.
So really, I have no right to think that my life sucks. Who am I to make that call? I need to be content with what I have, and what I don't.
"God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference."
Tags: faith
Resolutions - Monday, February 26, 2007
The words from the Resolved conference still echo in my mind. I want to live a life that is pleasing to God, and make decisions that honor him. In so many ways I fall short of that. That is only human. But to be complacent is a sin.
In line with Jonathan Edwards' 70 resolutions, and in trying to live a God-centered life, I have composed a (somewhat shorter) list of key points that I think I need to work on most. I tried to be a little more specific than Edwards was, and I expect my list will change over time as need be. (But the one I'm posting here I won't modify)
Resolved...
1. never to stay up past 3am without an academic reason.
2. to as quickly as possible discard every impure sexual thought that enters my mind.
3. to read my Bible every day.
4. to pray every day. And not just those "rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub" prayers.
5. to be unashamed to address my shortcomings and faults.
6. to speak the truth.
7. to not praise God with hypocritic lips.
8. to be patient with everyone.
9. to treat my parents with the kind of love they show to me.
10. to repent sincerely when I break one of these resolutions, and to desire and strive for change.
In line with Jonathan Edwards' 70 resolutions, and in trying to live a God-centered life, I have composed a (somewhat shorter) list of key points that I think I need to work on most. I tried to be a little more specific than Edwards was, and I expect my list will change over time as need be. (But the one I'm posting here I won't modify)
Resolved...
1. never to stay up past 3am without an academic reason.
2. to as quickly as possible discard every impure sexual thought that enters my mind.
3. to read my Bible every day.
4. to pray every day. And not just those "rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub" prayers.
5. to be unashamed to address my shortcomings and faults.
6. to speak the truth.
7. to not praise God with hypocritic lips.
8. to be patient with everyone.
9. to treat my parents with the kind of love they show to me.
10. to repent sincerely when I break one of these resolutions, and to desire and strive for change.
Trials - Monday, February 12, 2007
A life without trials. What a Utopian bliss that would be. But none of us will experience that- not in this life, anyway. We all have conflicts, make stupid decisions, and get ourselves into trouble. What matters is how we deal with those trials, the experience we gain, and how we approach the future.
If you're a Christian you can take comfort from the words of Romans 8:28, that all things work for the good of those who love God. God is sovereignly in control of every situation, and while it is important for us to do our best, we ultimately place our trust in him. Nothing happens that is not part of God's plan, and just because we can't see past the mire around us doesn't mean that he doesn't have the best planned for us. What we think is best is often not what God thinks is best.
If you're a Christian you can take comfort from the words of Romans 8:28, that all things work for the good of those who love God. God is sovereignly in control of every situation, and while it is important for us to do our best, we ultimately place our trust in him. Nothing happens that is not part of God's plan, and just because we can't see past the mire around us doesn't mean that he doesn't have the best planned for us. What we think is best is often not what God thinks is best.
Tags: faith
Renewal - Sunday, October 15, 2006
Today was interesting.
I've been in a mental, physical, and spiritual rut since school started. I've been excruciatingly busy, sleep-deprived, and since last week just out of it. I've also been going home every weekend, and customarily not studying well there, a great ingredient to add to the mix.
Today started pretty lousily. My brother and I were to drive to church separately from my parents, who had to leave early. Before she left, my mom woke us up, but we fell right back asleep. We would've missed church (or been very late) if it weren't for her calling 15 minutes before the starting time to ask us to bring something that she had forgotten. Needless to say, I was pretty tired, and I ended up nodding off during half of the sermon.
Adult sunday school went better. We are doing a seminar on spiritual warfare, and the topic was the breastplate of righteousness from the Armor of God section of Ephesians 8. The breastplate back in the day was also called the heart protector because of its obvious function.
In the same way metaphorically, God's breastplate is the strength we gain from his Word to protect our hearts from the snare of guilt that the devil brings. This is a big issue for me, as I always struggle with guilt from wrongdoings, as well as for not living the Christ-centered life I think I should be. I sometimes feel that God can't forgive and accept me because I am so wretched in his eyes. But my group leader said this kind of thinking is a slap to God's face. It is denying that his grace is sufficient to cover even our biggest sins.
In the afternoon I met with my discussion group to go over the first three chapters of the book we are studying - The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Unfortunately, due to unforseen constraints, the group has dwindled down to just me and Priscilla. But we had a good conversation, and from Chapter 3 I realized that my life is driven mostly by guilt.
I arrived home exhausted and couldn't help taking a nap. I awoke right before dinner, still fatigued, and feeling (overdue) illness creeping over me. I realized that, despite being behind in school, I had not done any work over the weekend, and now it'd be even harder because I was getting sick. I felt miserable.
But afterwards, as my mom was driving me back to school, I had a moment of clarity when everything I had heard that day sunk in and clicked. God really did know every detail of our lives, before we were ever created. I can stop worrying about how things will turn out because whatever it is I am going through, he has allowed it. My life is in the hands of someone who is vastly more powerful and wise than I will ever be. And he has accepted and chosen me. There is nothing that can separate me from his love.
After I realized this, I confessed my biggest struggle to my roommate and asked him to help keep me accountable. I will no longer allow guilt for things done in the past to interfere with how I live in the present. I thanked God for what he has done for me, and I asked him to give me a renewed sense of purpose. I still don't know his will for me, but going through life, going through school and doing my daily grind, have a new meaning.
Whatever we do, we should do it for his glory. It's not about me. It's all about God.
I've been in a mental, physical, and spiritual rut since school started. I've been excruciatingly busy, sleep-deprived, and since last week just out of it. I've also been going home every weekend, and customarily not studying well there, a great ingredient to add to the mix.
Today started pretty lousily. My brother and I were to drive to church separately from my parents, who had to leave early. Before she left, my mom woke us up, but we fell right back asleep. We would've missed church (or been very late) if it weren't for her calling 15 minutes before the starting time to ask us to bring something that she had forgotten. Needless to say, I was pretty tired, and I ended up nodding off during half of the sermon.
Adult sunday school went better. We are doing a seminar on spiritual warfare, and the topic was the breastplate of righteousness from the Armor of God section of Ephesians 8. The breastplate back in the day was also called the heart protector because of its obvious function.
In the same way metaphorically, God's breastplate is the strength we gain from his Word to protect our hearts from the snare of guilt that the devil brings. This is a big issue for me, as I always struggle with guilt from wrongdoings, as well as for not living the Christ-centered life I think I should be. I sometimes feel that God can't forgive and accept me because I am so wretched in his eyes. But my group leader said this kind of thinking is a slap to God's face. It is denying that his grace is sufficient to cover even our biggest sins.
In the afternoon I met with my discussion group to go over the first three chapters of the book we are studying - The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Unfortunately, due to unforseen constraints, the group has dwindled down to just me and Priscilla. But we had a good conversation, and from Chapter 3 I realized that my life is driven mostly by guilt.
I arrived home exhausted and couldn't help taking a nap. I awoke right before dinner, still fatigued, and feeling (overdue) illness creeping over me. I realized that, despite being behind in school, I had not done any work over the weekend, and now it'd be even harder because I was getting sick. I felt miserable.
But afterwards, as my mom was driving me back to school, I had a moment of clarity when everything I had heard that day sunk in and clicked. God really did know every detail of our lives, before we were ever created. I can stop worrying about how things will turn out because whatever it is I am going through, he has allowed it. My life is in the hands of someone who is vastly more powerful and wise than I will ever be. And he has accepted and chosen me. There is nothing that can separate me from his love.
After I realized this, I confessed my biggest struggle to my roommate and asked him to help keep me accountable. I will no longer allow guilt for things done in the past to interfere with how I live in the present. I thanked God for what he has done for me, and I asked him to give me a renewed sense of purpose. I still don't know his will for me, but going through life, going through school and doing my daily grind, have a new meaning.
Whatever we do, we should do it for his glory. It's not about me. It's all about God.
Inspiration - Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Psalm 39: 9-10
If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
That's so true. I love the imaginery as well.
If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
That's so true. I love the imaginery as well.
Tags: faith
Pastor's Book - Saturday, November 27, 2004
In October my pastor got his book published! I guess he had spent years writing it, because I asked him a question a few years ago, and he mentioned he was writing a book on it. His book is called Sinners in the Hands of a Good God and concerns the no-less-than-profound issue of predestination. I would buy one, but apparently he gave me a copy as a gift!
Tags: faith
I've Read Through the Bible - Monday, October 18, 2004
Tonight I read the last chapter of Revelation. I am done!! Tonight marks the end of my maybe three years of reading the Bible straight from beginning to end. I envy those who can read through the Bible in a year. But this is still big for me.
I remember what prompted me to start: one afternoon at high school Christian fellowship, the speaker poised the challenge that if Christianity is rooted in the Bible and we regard it as the Word of God, then Christians should at least read all of it. So every night from then on I would read a chapter or two, starting at the beginning. At first the task seemed daunting, but I stuck to the regimen and paced myself casually, and slowly the bookmark moved further and further back.
Besides something new to boast about (well, not really), I have gained an important framework that will help me better to understand context and references when I read passages in the future. So if you're a Christian and haven't read the entire Bible, start today. It's an invaluable investment. And if you're not a Christian, read it anyway. =)
I remember what prompted me to start: one afternoon at high school Christian fellowship, the speaker poised the challenge that if Christianity is rooted in the Bible and we regard it as the Word of God, then Christians should at least read all of it. So every night from then on I would read a chapter or two, starting at the beginning. At first the task seemed daunting, but I stuck to the regimen and paced myself casually, and slowly the bookmark moved further and further back.
Besides something new to boast about (well, not really), I have gained an important framework that will help me better to understand context and references when I read passages in the future. So if you're a Christian and haven't read the entire Bible, start today. It's an invaluable investment. And if you're not a Christian, read it anyway. =)
Tags: faith
Wildfires - Monday, October 27, 2003
I didn't know how bad the Simi Valley wildfire was until my mom called me tonight, saying that she could see flames over the hills surrounding our house. She asked me what I wanted my family to pack in case they needed to evacuate, but all I could remember was my secret money box.
I got on AIM and talked individually with Roger and Raymond. I was feeling pretty worried and hopeless. Elaine from Van Nuys messaged me, comforting and assuring me that everything would be ok as long as my family was safe. "Your house can be replaced, but your family can never be replaced," she said. Later Roger, Raymond, and I went to a chatroom and talked and typed short prayers. I know that whatever happens is because God has allowed it to happen, so I need to trust Him with this. The Bible verse Romans 8:28 came to mind. Also one of my reference booklets had a good verse: Psalm 18:2.
I got on AIM and talked individually with Roger and Raymond. I was feeling pretty worried and hopeless. Elaine from Van Nuys messaged me, comforting and assuring me that everything would be ok as long as my family was safe. "Your house can be replaced, but your family can never be replaced," she said. Later Roger, Raymond, and I went to a chatroom and talked and typed short prayers. I know that whatever happens is because God has allowed it to happen, so I need to trust Him with this. The Bible verse Romans 8:28 came to mind. Also one of my reference booklets had a good verse: Psalm 18:2.
Christian Students - Wednesday, October 1, 2003
October is here! Classes seemed to drag on and on today. In the afternoon I went to check out a Bible study put on by a campus club called Christian Students, and in the evening I attended one of their series of welcome dinners. I had a long discussion with two graduate students of the club about their view of Jesus Christ as a life-giving spirit. I came back to Hedrick fatigued from such a loooong day, so all I did was play online games. Bleh.