Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

Amen.

EIGHT songs that rock my world at this moment

1.) in the mystery-hillsong
2.) living for your glory-tim hughes
3.) everything-tim hughes
4.) captivated-shawn mcdonald
5.) hallelujuah-shawn mcdonald
6.) circus-britney spears (don't judge)
7.) poker face-lady gaga
8.) right round-flo rida

Simplicity

I was ordering a smoothie today, and it was really hard because I wanted everything in it. I ended up adding random fruits into a basic mango peach smoothie. Then I took a sip, and realized something really.. simple.

I tend to like fancy, extravagant things. My food is always doused with crazy toppings. I always have these ideas that are so complicated sometimes that they are way over my head. I'm never satisfied with the simple.

As a high-schooler, I had big, big, big dreams. I wanted to change the world, and the only way I thought I could was through these unrealistic goals. Even now, as my views of my future shift, I still hold onto the desire to do something lavish and grand.

Maybe it is in the simplest things that we can make the greatest impact. As I drank my smoothie with mango, peach, banana, passionfruit, and 10-fruit juices.. I realized that maybe I think so complex that I tend to overlook the basics. I need to hold onto the simplicity that God offers. God's message is to know Him and follow Him with all your heart. It's so simple yet I add on all these grand thoughts that I lose track of the real reason. I want the only reason for ALL my choices to be "for God's glory". God doesn't demand lifestyle that directly changes the world. All He wants is faithfulness, and that lifestyle can be seen in the simplest forms.

Maybe I won't be traveling around the world or ever be featured on Oprah. But if what I am doing is for God, I will be satisfied whereever He puts me. As long as I am following God, then it will be His will and for His glory. I realize only God can change the world, and I only hope to be a part of it.

i love feeling convicted

everyday. pride. anger. envy. it's a subtle feeling getting convicted, and i never really grasp the entire concept because i still struggle with these sins. thankfully, God just puts me in my place.

but once and a while, God convicts me through these huge revealing moments. it's during these times where i realize the full extent of my sin, my disobedience, unworthiness, and lack of faith. not to mention it's usually pretty sudden so it's completely emotionally draining.

and i love love love it.

even though God breaks me down completely and i feel so much sorrow and shame for not understanding before, it's really only through convictions where i know God is working in me. it's these moments where i can really, strongly feel God's presence, and even more, His love. for it is only because He loves us that he is willing to convict us--to bring us closer to Him, so that we can enjoy Him for all that He is. and as frustrating and draining as it can be, being convicted gives me hope that God has not given up on me. & i know that by faith alone, He can guide me away from the things that hold me back from loving Him with all I have.

so, i pray i keep getting convicted. i know there's a lot more on the way, and i'm truly thankful.

on another note, i probably spent an hour figuring out this blog-template business. never again.

“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

I've been reading so much recently how Christianity (or all religion, for that matter) is just an emotional crutch for ones that are weak and are not willing to place blame on themselves for the consequences of their life. Today I read that an Atheist organization has plastered ads on buses in London:


When I came to Christ about 4 years ago, I was an emotional wreck. I don't really know what I was going through or what I was thinking, but I think I secretly wanted something to make me feel better about the issues of my life. During my time dealing with depression, I found God. Therefore, I used to wonder if my faith came just from my wishful hopes that my life was not in my hands. It is a question that I used to always come back to during my times of doubt.

During my walk with Christ, it's amazing to see how God has taught me so much. How can we submit to God and understand His great majesty, if we don't acknowledge our own weakness? When we are satisfied with what the world is offering, we are too full of pride in ourselves to realize that there is a God. It is often brokenness God uses to bring people into the truth.

With that said, I believe with all my entirety when I say that my faith is NOT a delusion. I am not looking for a way out of blame or fear of uncertainty. In response to the Atheist campaign, a life poured out to Christ does entail worries and convictions that non-Christians often never face. However, for me, it is only a life with Christ that I can fully enjoy life. With God's word, I get the privilege of knowing God's wonders and how He works. With prayer and time with God, I receive peace about unsettling situations knowing that God's timing and wisdom overcomes any human understanding. Just knowing God and what He has done has allowed to accept my past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future.