Surrender to God

Do not be afraid of the darkness

Do not be afraid of the unknown

Do not be afraid of the monstrous

Do not be afraid of the pain

Do not be afraid of being alone

Do not be afraid of being wrong

Do not be afraid of being hated

Do not be afraid of a failed life

Do not be afraid of a lost heart

Do not be afraid of it all

Surrender your dreams

Because I Want To

Did I ever use God as a means to clear my conscience? Anytime I would lie, hurt someone, take advantage of a situation, be amazingly selfish, I would go to church, pray for forgiveness, and feel completely happy again without stopping to think about taking care of those that I hurt along the way. Or sometimes, I would take action in what the church deems “good acts” and feel better about myself through such actions.

What really got me thinking deep was that God asks less for our material sacrifices, but for our obedience. He always had wanted our purest praise. I believe that a part of the reason for Jesus and his sacrifice was for us to be able to praise God in the purest of form, out of true love. Never feeling the need to make amends, never feeling to need to do anything for God, but simply because we start wanting to. 

Living as one that truly needs God. One of the surest signs of salvation. 

Cute Confession

Most beautiful of all are those that are in praise of the Lord with utmost joy. 

I fall for it every time. 

Buildings and Foundations: Based on Love

Skyscrapers rising so high, sometimes you even wonder why.

Probably the one and only time I “studied” about buildings was when the Fluid Mechanics professor gave us an assignment regarding the application of Fluid Mechanics in real life situations. Our group came across a recently built building called the “Burj al Arab.” It was known for its sail boat like structure, but praised for the fact that it was built in the middle of the ocean. I remember watching a documentary on the engineering team that worked on the construction. I had imagined the program would show more of its beauty, but the documentary was actually focused primarily on building its foundation. The engineers drove large steel beams, deep into the sands below the ocean to set the initial framework. Then the engineers neatly build hallow cubes that would minimize impact from the waves in order to stabilize the main structures. Upon such solid base did the building stand.

Cool. What is all this post about then?

Jesus, our lives, the Bible is filled with “laws,” a behavioral code, if you so call it. For those remotely familiar with details about Christianity have probably once heard about the fires and brim-stones for those who disobey them. The reality, however, paints a vastly different picture.

As the founding pillars of any buildings are rarely ever seen, so are the pillars of God and his world. It is well kept deep beneath. Such is God’s love. All is based on love. It is kept hidden, only seen to those that want to see. For those who search through old photographs, probably in the times of the constructional phase, maybe even in the blueprints, will be those who see, will be those who realize the depths God has gone to hold us up in such a time as these, even in times like these.

Mobile Poetry: Spring Birds Migration

Hi there. Are you coming or going?
Are you here to stay or simply saying goodbye?
Has the change in season changed your heart?
It isn't so nice to flutter in and out.
My heart still lingers, but just enough for a fortnight fire.
Never had been enough to march on, parading.
So unsure of all that I feel nothing of measure.
Maybe just an excuse to write another verse.
Silence would actually be the better treat,
for I would like a good night's sleep.

PreMed-itated Thoughts

A good friend of mine was nice enough to ask me to read over his statement of purpose for his application to dental school. I am no expert in editing, but I guess he felt comfortable with my revisions the first time I helped him. Nonetheless, I was really glad to see that he has made it along quite a way, and was soon to apply to a different chapter in life.

Upon reading his essay, his thoughts about why he wanted to do what he wanted to do, I thought back to when I was writing all this down on a tiny laptop, holed up in my tiny room. The passion I thought I had was enough for me to save the world. Reality, of course, painted a vastly different picture.

Here was I living what I had wanted to live, yet I guess I never could have painted a more accurate picture of the life of a medical student.

Nonetheless, I carry on another day, enjoying what gifts God gives me. 

Less Than 3 Years

기도하다 짧지만 깊은 상상을 하게 되었다.

국시 보기 전날에 가족, 친구, 동기들, 모두가 한자리에 모여 그동안 하나님께서 함께 해주심을 찬양하고 감사드리며 기도하는 것을 보았다. 그 날이 반드시 올 것이다. 그 날에 부끄럽지 않게 오늘을 열심히 살려한다.

예수님. 그는 반드시 올 것이다. 그 날에 부끄럽지 않길.

The Case of David and His Flight to Samuel

When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied. Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said. So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 19:18-24

Though I am no historian, no student of the Old Testament, I was interested to find the distance David had traveled in fleeing from Saul, which marked the start of David’s long fugitive life. Simply put, it was not far. Few commentaries state how David’s deep refuge was God, and this was seen in him taking shelter where Samuel was, who was indeed the symbol of faith at that time. Interestingly enough, Samuel would have been pretty old by then, not to mention his severe lack of armies to even stand against men of Saul. I highly doubt Samuel even had any weapon.

Though David had a head start, he did not leave Samuel’s place until Saul’s men caught up. God, however, came down heavily in Spirit and had protected David. Sure, the first time may have been divine intervention, buying just enough time for David to take flight once again, but it happened two more times; a total of three times, including Saul helplessly prophesying himself.

Was fear within David? I sure would have been out of there the moment I sought more supplies. Then again, I probably would not have had anywhere to go, but to God. 

예배로의 부름

좋은 예배는 끝나고 좋았더라 하는 예배가 아니고 하나님께서 그 예배의 향기가 좋았더라 하는 예배이다. – 어느 학생의 고백

그러므로 형제들아 내가 하나님의 모든 자비하심으로 너희를 권하노니 너희 몸을 하나님이 기뻐하시는 거룩한 산 제사로 드리라 이는 너희의 드릴 영적 예배니라. 로마서 12:1

Spring Cleaning of the Mind

Every year when spring comes, all my emotional junks wash away. I thank God, and say to myself, “let’s try to be less stupid this year.” 

Dedication Ceremony

March 15th, 2014. 

All my life, I have said many in prayer, 

but there was one that I never have said until now. 

Lord, I dedicate this life to you. 

Only do I ask is that I remain in your courts forever. 

χαρις και ἡ αληθεια

“Who is it that overcomes the world? 

Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:5

One of my best memories in high school was when I was part of the junior varsity basketball team. I was the all star bench warmer. I think I may have gotten a total of 5 minutes of playing time throughout the entire season. During the last game of the season, I had a chance to score for the first and the last time in my life, but I had missed. That sure broke my heart. Nonetheless, the best memory part actually came from the times before the game. We would gather around the locker room, huddle together and recite a prayer. Since I went to a Catholic school, it had something to do with Mary, mother of God. I don't remember any of the prayer, except for the last part, which was, "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us at the hour of our death, amen!" The camaraderie, the brotherhood that stemmed from reciting such a powerful prayer was so much exhilaration. At this point in my life, however, I don't think it is  too healthy to pray to Mary, so I made some changes, and this is what I will share today. 

Jesus Christ, son of God, pray for us at the hour of our death. Amen

Awaken My Soul

목사님의 설교를 들을 때에는 나의 상태에 따라 그 말씀이 다르게 들리는 것 같다. 기분이 좋을 때에는 말씀이 쏙쏙 들어오기도 하고 기분이 않좋을 때에는 참 설교 못하신다는 생각을 하기도 한다. 하지만 깨어있는 목사님의 설교를 들을 때에는 나의 상태가 어떠하던지 하나님의 말씀이 온전히 들린다.

우리도 그러하다

내가 잠들어있을 때에는 나의 행동과 말들이 그들의 상태에 비취어 반영된다. 하지만 내가 깨어있을 때에는 그들의 상테가 어떠하던지 하나님을 만나게끔 인도하게 되는 것 같다. 

Wordplay of the Day

We, in the present tense, live in the present, tense, often forgetting our present sense, barricading our lives in a presentable fence, presenting offense, regretting the present, thence. But the love of God is unending until the present hence, we carry on. 

My Mission Statement

Mission Statement: To extend your stay here on Earth just enough, so that you may prepare for eternity with Jesus.

Death Be Not Proud By John Donne

Death Be Not Proud By John Donne

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.