CHRIST, rhymes, & Life

It was Christmas Eve and a bunch of the family was gathered around eagerly awaiting midnight to open presents. This was the first time we had done this together with our cousins and all, and it was the first time I opened my presents at midnight in a while. I guess the fact that we did secret Santa this year added to the excitement. The tree had so many presents under it, about half of the living room was filled, we could barely wait. Then the time came. We took pictures, then opened the presents one person at a time. It was fun hanging out with everyone, receiving gifts, and watching the people we gave gifts to open theirs. Everyone got spoiled this Christmas, but the next morning it seemed like all the excitement was gone. I was left with a feeling of dissatisfaction. Don't get me wrong, I really like the gifts I got, but I was reminded of how the things of this world do not satisfy. The living room which was filled with presents the night before now seemed empty and I just th...

" So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing... " - Ephesians 6:21 Obviously, I'm not very good at this blogging thing. Plus, I've been pretty busy so it's been hard to find the time to do this. I want to blog more frequently, but at the same time I don't want to just post things just to do it. I want to carefully consider what I write and take the time necessary to do it, since transgression is not lacking where words are many. An idea just popped into my head: for those of you who actually read this, I think it would be cool to do a Q&A, so if you want just comment on this post with questions and I'll do my best to answer it in my next post! Anywho, here's a quick update on what's going on in my life. Thanksgiving yesterday was great! Started off the day playing some flag football. I'm so out of shape but it was fun being able to run around. I spent the rest of the day with family and it was cool hanging out together, wat...

Get's me pumped every time!

" ...to mature manhood... " - Ephesians 4:13 During the month I spent meditating on the book of Ephesians, this phrase stood out to me and has stuck with me. This three word phrase has so much power behind it. Biblical manhood. It's something I am passionate about. I want to be a true man of God and lead others to this by setting an example of what a man should be. About three and a half years into my walk with Christ and I think I'm finally starting to get it. Unfortunately, the presence of true men is weak in today's society and the view of what a man is, is really distorted. It's very evident. Look around and you'll see a bunch of boys. Our culture says do what you want, do whatever makes you feel good, be tough, have sex, build up your reputation, get money, the list goes on and on. Do the very things God hates, and that's what makes you a man. The truth is twisted. " ...they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and ...

 Such a powerful message. I still get chills every time I listen to this. I'll let it speak for itself.

" Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. " - 2 Corinthians 13:5 My first ever blog post is about part of my testimony and this one will be sort of a continuation of that, as I will be sharing what I believe has been crucial to the growth in my walk with God, especially over the past few months. For the longest time in my relationship with Him, I experienced little growth. It was a turning point in my walk when God opened my eyes to see this. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Psalm 51 , where David is just completely real with God. It's so powerful. He humbles himself before God and pours out his heart to Him, confessing his sin and asking for God's mercy and forgiveness. Through his brokenness, he ends up rejoicing in God because he knows His love. David is focused on God and worships Him. This psalm is a beautiful display of what our relationship with God should look like. Looking back, I know throughout most ...

This might be the last post about the trip to India and Ethiopia, for now. If you would like to know more just ask me and I would be glad to share. Our last night in India we shared our highlights and lowlights of the week, so I'm going to share mine for each week right now. India Highlight: My favorite moment from this week from our first day of serving, when we went to visit the home of girls rescued out of the red light district. It was a little awkward at first and for a while I was just off to the side while they were all making their bracelets. But I felt a pull on my heart, God telling me to stop thinking about myself, most of these girls have probably seen so much of males treating women as nothing other than sexual objects, and go love on them because He does. So I jumped into it and it was great. I enjoyed hanging out with a good amount of them, making bracelets, talking with them, learning a bunch of names, and learning some Hindi. What happened next is something I...

It's been about a week since we've been back in San Diego and I've finally decided to set some time aside to write about the rest of our trip. On Sunday in India, we began our day by attending the service at Avatar Church and it was great. It was similar to a church service in America, but I enjoyed being able to worship the Lord with the Church in India and the people there were very loving. We got to go out to lunch with some of them, including the pastor and his family, and had a great time with them. After lunch, we went to South Mumbai to meet with a financial journalist who is also part of a church plant in Mumbai and is involved with ministering to more affluent people. This part of Mumbai was the wealthier part of the city, with businesses everywhere and cleaner streets. We even passed by the most expensive house in the world, which was ridiculous because you can find a slum less than ten minutes away. After hanging out with this man for a while at the church, mos...

From Rob Burke

It is our fifth night here in India and it has been amazing so far. From the moment we stepped off the plane, we were able to feel the thick, humid air here. After finally getting out of the airport, we met the leader of the organization whose work we've been checking out, his wife, and our guide during our time here. It's so busy here in Mumbai. There's an estimated 24 million people in this city alone. It's ridiculously crowded and the driving is pretty chaotic. They don't drive according to rules, but more of a flow, and they use their horns to communicate so there's hardly ever a moment where you don't hear one. Although it's definitely very different from what I'm used to, it's actually not that weird being here. The atmosphere and sights are similar to what I remember from when I went to Vietnam a few years back, which might be why. But it has still been eye opening. Going around, seeing the people here and what goes on, I have noticed a se...

From Rob Burke

From Rob Burke

 " But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' " - Acts 1:8 Tonight, I will be going with 8 other members of Harbor Presbyterian Church on a mission trip to India and Ethiopia. It is a blessing to be a part of this and I am humbled that the Lord chose me for this. It's a little weird, just getting back from Young Life Camp a couple days ago, which was amazing, but the two experiences will be completely different. It was good to be able to enjoy the week there before heading out on this trip.   Our trip will be from June 26 to July 12. We will be in India until July 4 and in Ethiopia from July 5 to 11. In India, we will partner with the organization, Sower of Seeds ( www.sowerofseeds.org ), and will be visiting schools that provide education, food, clothing, medical check-ups, and mentoring for 3-6 year old children from the slums. We will ...

" For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do ." - Ephesians 2:10 In the past few weeks God has been revealing so much to me and growing me. At first I was a little overwhelmed but after getting through that phase it was awesome. I'm so joyful and excited about God and everything He's doing. Especially in my life. He's been teaching me a lot about surrendering to Him, His sovereignty, and just following Him the way He calls us to. What I believe He's calling me to right now seems crazy, but then again God is pretty crazy right? In everything, I am confident in God. At the same time, with everything He's throwing at me I still think, "Why me?" It's like Isaiah in chapter 6. I feel like such an unworthy servant, definitely undeserving of Him and His blessings. But it's also amazing how He still chose me. I'm going to be on the other side of the world in exactl...

" For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. he was put to death in the both but made alive by the Spirit... " - 1 Peter 3:18 This weekend, we celebrated Good Friday and Easter Sunday. These are not just two more holidays. I want to bring light to the significance of these two days. These days celebrate the most revolutionary events of all time. Events which changed the course of humanity and are the foundation of the Christian faith. I wish I could do this story justice. You have to experience it for yourself. Around 2000 years ago, a man named Jesus walked the Earth. But this wasn't just an ordinary man. He was 100% man, yet 100% God. God in the flesh. " the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14) . He spent 33 years here, the last three years consisting of His ministry where he healed, performed miracles, taught, served, and more. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John talk...

" Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. " - Hebrews 11:1 Hebrews 11 is often called the Hall of Faith, as it talks about many who put their faith in God and His promises. " These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised " (Hebrews 11:39) . They all did amazing works and many were persecuted, all for what they did not see and for no reward on this earth. By faith. Because they lived by faith, " the world was not worthy of them " (Hebrews 11:38) and they received eternal glory. And that's what God promises those who are in Christ. " Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us " (Romans 8:17-18) . These people of faith had eternal p...

" For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. " - Titus 2:11-14 I've heard a friend of mine say many times, "If Jesus were to come tomorrow, how would you live today?" If we continue to live in sin, are we really saved? God did not intervene in our lives so we can continue to live as the world does. He came to bring us to Him and conform us into His image. " Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer ...

"For you created my inmost being;   you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well." - Psalm 139:13-14 Yesterday was my 18th birthday. It was an awesome day, being able to reflect on how blessed I am and spend the day with my best friend. I am so grateful for God's love, His grace, all He has blessed me with, and how He allows me to enjoy Him and His creation. There are times when I struggle with how I view my significance, but I am just reminded of the fact that He sees me as special! My significance is in Him. It's so amazing to me how much God cares about us. He worked out every single little detail in creating us and works out every single little detail in our lives! He was diligent in creating me and He made me unique. He chose a specific day and time for me to be brought into this world. "All the days ordained for me were written in your book befo...

Man, it's been forever since my last blog! And so much has happened since then. I'm going to try to stay more consistent with my blogs from now on as well as share more about what's going on in my life. So with that, I'd like to say...God is so good! Over the last month I've been through some ups and downs but He is still amazing! He continues to allow me to enjoy His grace and continues to grow me in my relationship with Him. My winter break was filled with those as I got to spend time with God, relax from school, hang out with people, and spend time with my best friend. Earlier today, I got back from a Young Life area leader weekend and man, that was such a blessing. It was cool to just get away from my regular routine and fellowship with some great people. I'm so thankful to be able to serve the Lord in this way and with these people. That's all I have to say about the long 44 days in which I did not blog. Let's get started. " Trust in the LORD...