[children's camp]
Posted on July 19, 2010, under Uncategorized.
Just in few hours, I will be listening to a clickety-clack of the steel wheels on polished railways. I am going to a children’s camp.
To be honest, I am a bit nervous. It shall pass once I will meet my kiddos (I’m gonna be a boys team counselor) - thank God for the “Camp Mode” that is obviously pre-installed in my personality - but right now, I am trying to think whether I got everything I need and whether I will be a good example for my kiddos as well as for the two friends who are co-counselors along with me. *SHRUG* This is normal for me.
However, that is not to say that I am not excited. I am especially excited that I am going to be working with boys - for some reason, I find myself bonding much easier with boys that girls - probably because I find boys much easier encouraged for action and games. With girls you gotta deal with “I’m too hot” or “This is a silly game.” With boys, motivation’s way easier - at least from my numerous past experiences.
Another thing I am happy about - the counselor’s team that we’ve got for our team - I’m gonna be working with one of my best friends Tonya and my little brother (not blood-related, but we just treated each other like a brother and sister…for his entire life) Philip. This is going to be fun.
So… I am not going to be posting here for two weeks (until the end of July). I might be posting some updates on my Twitter account. I don’t know yet - maybe I will succeed in hooking my lappy to the cell phone and using the mobile internet. We’ll see.
Have great two weeks!!! I am going to miss you, my online friends.
[crowing once, crowing twice]
Posted on July 15, 2010, under Faith, Holiness, Life, The Battle, Visiting Thoughts.
The other day I was going home in a bus and listened to audio-drama Bible on my iPod. The New Testament chapters were on random and among other passages, Mark 14 turned on and as I listened a thought suddenly struck me which never occurred to me before.
Peter blurted out, “Even if everyone else is ashamed of you when things fall to pieces, I won’t be.” Jesus said, “Don’t be so sure. Today, this very night in fact, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
Mark 14:29-30, MSG
Peter got really nervous and swore, “I never laid eyes on this man you’re talking about.” Just then the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered how Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows twice, you’ll deny me three times.” He collapsed in tears.
Mark 14:71-72, MSG
Mark (and ultimately Peter, who, according to the tradition, was sharing all the stories with Mark) said the rooster was supposed to crow twice.
I know the other Gospels just mention the fact that the rooster was supposed to crow, yet Mark (read: Peter, for whom this story was rather a personal and touchy subject) for some reason mentioned the detail about the number of crows.
I might be wrong, but the thought that occurred to me the other day…
Why didn’t Peter hear the first time when the rooster crowed? Was he too busy denying that he knows Jesus that he did not even pay attention to the crowing of the rooster?
It was really convicting for me as I reflected upon my own decisions and actions. How often do I miss the first warning or am too busy doing my own thing (that I initially said I won’t do at all…)…
*Sigh*
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
[chris rice - my tree]
Posted on July 14, 2010, under Songs that Matter.
I was digging through the code today and listening to music on random. A song came up and the lyrics caught my attention. I have heard this song many times, yet today I paid attention to what it really says… and I sat amazed and mesmerized by the amazing reminder and imagery.
The song is by Chris Rice called My Tree.
On a hill far away stands a tall mighty tree
Where a boy and girl used to take turns pushing the tire swing
I remember the pocketknife in hand
And her name in my heart
And thinkin’ there ain’t no way for a boy to contain
The love that he feels inside
So I carved her name into my tree
Then I carved a heart around her name
Then I carved an arrow through the heart
Just to say “I love you”
Now on a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
I remember the nails through my hands
And your name in my heart
And how in their wordless way the nails explain
The love that I feel inside
As they carved your name into my tree
Where I wrapped my heart around your name
Then I took your arrow through my heart
Just to say, “I love you”
Just to say, “I love you”Now I can never forget how much you mean to me
‘Cause I will always remember whenever I see
Amazing His love is.
[lessons learned: relationships]
Posted on July 14, 2010, under Life, Uncategorized, Visiting Thoughts.
A friend of mine and I were chatting today and one of the topics was relationships - as in dating.
I shared a bit about my last experience and he asked “But did you learn anything from it?”
I thought for a second and replied, “Yep.”
It was definitely a weird relationship and I know where I went wrong… So, the point of this post is basically to record the lessons that I have learned (for future reference, if for nothing else) and maybe someone else will read it and not make the mistakes I did.
Learning that sometimes one’s just not ready for a true relationship
I thought I was ready. However, I was 19, a mere sophomore at the university, and the relationship stared rather oddly. We had over 6,000 miles between us and that certainly did not help to make the situation any easier. Besides, it was right after the three tough years for my family and I (well, those were the years when my family suddenly became half of its previous size…), mom got married, and I guess I was looking for someone for me. I felt utterly alone during that year and the relationship seemed like a lifesaver. WRONG idea.
Learning that not everything was my fault
I am not skirting responsibility for the mistakes I have made, but it took me a while to understand that it wasn’t all my fault. Sometimes when depression threatens to tide over me, that relationship comes to haunt me, yet… I know that it wasn’t entirely my undoing. Some issues were his, and some issues were caused by simple incompatibility, not necessarily someone’s fault.
Learning to observe more carefully
It was during that time that I became an observant - trying to distinguish between different emotions and moods. It became quite a useful thing afterwards. Also it helped me see myself from another person’s point of view.
Learning that sometimes it’s better to remain quiet
Although it was also during the recovery time when I shut my personality inside myself, not wanting to share my hurt or bother anyone with it, it was also a time when I realized that some problems can be avoided if one thinks before s/he speaks… I know it’s quite common sense, yet back then I guess it wasn’t so common for me.
Learning that I love sharing a comfortable silence
Sitting on a porch swing and watching stars, or sitting in the hotel room and gazing at the downpour outside as well as vicious lightnings struck the parking lot in front of the hotel… No matter what - it was nice to just be together without having to talk.
Learning that God still remains faithful even when life hurts
No comments there, really; it’s rather straightforward.
There were other lessons I have learned, but it’s 12:30AM and I need to call it a night.
What were the lessons you’ve learned in your relationships - either dating or some other?
[Church as a Lighthouse?]
Posted on July 12, 2010, under Faith, Life, Prayer, Preaching, Spiritual Formation, Theology, Visiting Thoughts.
We all have grown quite accustomed to the idea of Church being a Lighthouse. There are even Churches that are named Lighthouse Church…
However, the sermon last Sunday made me think. Darrel Harvey (same guy who brought up the idea of having coffee with Trinity) changed my opinion of the Church as a lighthouse.
The idea we usually get is this magnificent tall tower that beckons the lost ships to the land, shining its light in the darkness, an image that brings to mind Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:14:
You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
The imagery is almost borderline on romantic… yet, think of the other words of Jesus from the same Gospel according to Matthew 28 (MSG):
God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.
The lighthouse image is wonderful and hope-inspiring, yet if one thinks about it, it’s an immovable tower that beckons the lost, yet does nothing really (besides shining the light) to help them come home.
Instead, Darrel pointed out, true followers of Christ’s teachings should be people with the flashlights venturing out into the darkness of the world to find those who are lost and share the light with them. Jesus said, go out and train everyone you meet - that hardly can be accomplished if we stay in place and just shine the light without moving from our comfortable place on a shoreline.
As I am writing this, I am reminded of the fact that I need to heed to my own words.
I’m off to grab a flashlight and venture into the wildness. Anyone else with me?
