self-awareness

This word has been on my mind a lot as of the past few weeks, and recently I have realized the benefit of having people in your life that are not afraid to point out your flaws. In this sense, you are not so much self-aware, but aware through your community. I don't know if that makes sense, but too bad, it's finals week and I'm not going to go back and edit this right now.

Basically, thank you people for pointing out what I need to improve on, and not just staying silent. I think this in many ways is God speaking through your community. Without community, one would just keep on keeping on, oblivious to his faults and ways in which he is not glorifying God.

I blame the brevity of my posts this quarter on the monstrosity that is e105 and lj103 reading and writing assignments. And some other extra-curricular stuff perhaps.

Weep not, children. Winter break is almost here.

meaning behind the obvious

God's strength + believing you can do it = success

Give us self-awareness for that which we do.

"Giving your best to equip yourself for God's work."

Isaac Bruce

[This post is a bit late, but I thought Isaac Bruce's jersey retirement ceremony warranted mention. I truly miss watching that guy play for the Rams.]

During the number retirement ceremony for No. 80 of the St. Louis Rams, Isaac Bruce was introduced at last after a lengthy introduction.

Walking up to the podium with boisterous cheers and a standing ovation, Bruce simply says "Glory to God, Glory to God" to start off his speech. No "I want to thank..." Just re-directing the praise right away.

"Just another example - you honor God, he honors you."

Thank you Isaac for always being a player who despite not being the tallest or the fastest receiver, always played the game the right way and got the job done.

"[Bruce is the] standard of the definition of how that position is supposed to be played." - Mike Martz

against better judgment

Sometimes, going with something that seems somewhat silly can turn into moments you don't forget.

Case in point:
1. Being at Disneyland for 1.5 hours
2. Karaoke-ing at 11:30 p.m.

All in all, not a bad Thursday. Not bad at all.

Pause

I feel like life is whisking by at a rapid pace right now, and I just want to click the pause button and take a second.

A second to appreciate how unbelievably good God is, and how much He has provided.

Looking back, this time period will probably go down as one of the greatest eras in my life, and I don't want to go through it in an unappreciative manner.

So let's all take a deep breath, smell the roses, and maybe even clip a few...pink ones while we're at it.

thunder!

So lately some random clashes of thunder (sans significant rain) have disrupted the dreary and anti-climactic Southern Californian skies, much to the delight and amusement of some of my friends and colleagues. We take whatever variance in the forecast we can get.

However, my dog Ranger has apparently yet to experience such shattering and booming noises of nature, and keeps freaking out every time he hears the thunder. The first time he frantically clawed at the door, which my Mom misinterpreted as a need to pee. Nope. Ranger took off galloping around the neighbor in a delirious stupor, winding up at the local elementary school where kind folks called us reporting our "scared little puppy." (Despite being 3 years old, he will forever look like a puppy German shep) Next time around, my mom ignored his escape requests, so Range dove under the kitchen table, scrambling for whatever cover he could get. Silly dog.

In some ways, I can understand what he's going through. "I know how you feel, Rangedogs." It's frightening to go through experiences that you haven't dealt with before, especially when things may be out of your direct control. Luckily, my Californian public school education (thanks Dr. Parham!) and well, God (thanks Holy Spirit!), have equipped me with the tools to carry on without ducking under the table.

And so I will keep trotting along to the best of my ability, and maybe someday, that thundering will be from the confidence and knowledge of my step.

give 'em some air

You can't hold too close,
for God needs room to shine His light in.
Nary a rip will be painfree,
shredding that which has been intertwined.
But remember to guide with love.

. . .

Cheers, Summer '10. Cheers.