Traveling

Sticker shock…

I’ve been trying to keep track of my expenses and budget myself using Quicken. And when I sat down today to check out how I’ve been doing….

I found out I somehow made 5G in 1 month. Now, don’t get all crazy on me, I think it had something to do with getting paid for unused vacation/personal time at my previous job. My monthly allotment is very, very shy of 5G.

But then… I looked over the expenditures for that month.  4.6G.

God does provide. Gotta see it, to believe it.

Pharisee!

So you think you know a religious person when you see them?

I was driving to work on wednesday and I was running a bit late. I was passing some slow traffic cruising in the left lane on Washington Ave when I had to slow down… you know why I had to slow down? There was this one-legged lady, slowly wheeling herself with one leg down Washington Ave. I wouldn’t have minded so much, if she wasn’t taking up half the driving lane. When there was a wide sidewalk… and a biking lane… So I cut around her thinking… “what a pain in the neck…” and Someone whispers to me…

“What exactly did you mean by that?“

I slow down to look at this lady in my rearview mirror. Some more quiet words slip into my mind…

“Whatever you do to the least of these… you do for Me.“

“Do unto others as you would have done unto you…“

I wish I could tell you that I turned around. I wish I could tell you I asked that lady if she would like a ride to wherever she was going. But I can’t.

“PHARISEE…PHarisee. pharisee, wash out the inside of your cup.“

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   On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
    “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
    He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
    “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
    But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
    In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
    “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
    The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
         Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

— Luke 10:25-37 —

“Eve was not taken out of Adam’s head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.“

– Matthew Henry

Do not forget, oh man… where each stands.

To the creator of the ChristineKwon_Is_PSYCHO blog:

There is a time to be laugh, there is a time to mourn. What justice do you hope to accomplish? What good do you hope for? Perhaps you think this is justice… or perhaps something deserved. Where’s the grace? where’s the mercy? I’m not going to take sides, I don’t know what happened. Revenge won’t satisfy you, it won’t take away the hurt or the pain. It just destroys you a little bit at a time… Choose the higher path, it’s harder to walk, but God sees and knows this path. Two wrongs don’t make things right.

– ha256

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     You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
 
     Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:5-15 (NIV) —

Dealing with Vermin…
Inspiration credit ===> TizzyAlexander

(I’ve been enjoying a sister’s writing style and this is my attempt to emulate it. Hopefully she’ll be flattered and not embarassed at my imitation. 🙂 )

     Mice are kinda cute to look at, but I don’t think anyone likes the sounds of little critters scurring and skittering around their house at 1 in the morning. We have been having trouble with mice for awhile now and couldn’t understand why there seemed to be so many in the house. We figured it had something to do with the college students next door. (It’s always easier to blame someone else.)

     I was rearranging the family kitchen about 2 weeks ago and I happened across a flour bag that someone accidentally left out in the open. I don’t think I need to go into a lot of detail, but let’s just say there were lots of little white prints and little black pellets, My mom calls them “mice rice”… but anyway. They also managed to gnaw a hole in the kitchen wall and after some more investigating, we found they had managed to climb and perform some acrobatics to get all over the kitchen workspaces. Clorox was the hero for the day.

     After we had done some cleaning, we made it impossible for the mice to get to the workspaces and then proceeded by laying down mouse traps. I didn’t think it was possible to catch over 5 mice in 1 day with the same trap. But it happened… it’s all about location, location, & location. We don’t have any more trouble with mice, but after co-habitating with half a dozen or more rodents… I’m thinking about getting a pet now… a cat or dog? or maybe something offbeat… like a rabbit/ferret?

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     In lots of ways, I see parallels between how I relate to God and my little experience with the mice. Each time the master of the house comes in, I’d go running all over the place. God’s kinda big and His plans for me… well, they’re a bit big as well. Go witness to an entire nation? How about loving those who hate and persecute you? Those are as big as any BHAG’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goal), I’ve ever heard of. How I live my life… I feel like I don’t really contribute to God’s house. That all I really ever do is chew at His walls and poop on his nice spotless floor. What good can mice do?

     But I remember, I’m not a mouse. I’m a man. God does have some big purpose in my life, but I’m not the one who provides the resources… I’m not the one who can make it happen. I’m just the one who’s going to follow in His steps…watch the smackdown unfold… and then bear witness. I’m not supposed to crap in God’s temple. I’m supposed to bring Him the glory. To show off all that the Creator has given to me and to see God’s hand in our lives… No more just eating from God’s table, but actually making use of what God has given to me. To act in such a way that will bring glory to a King of kings. Not to give in to earthly things, but to remember that I am a part of God’s temple… and to build up God’s kingdom… not of brick or stone… but made up of His people.

P.S. For those who insist upon being mice rather than men… beware when God comes to clean out His house. I hope & pray that God will not find you a waste of grace… I pray that He will come with discipline rather than wrath.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

— Matthew 25:31-46 (NIV) —

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So I’ve been tagged …by Exit39!

The Rules: List five songs that you are currently loving. It doesn’t matter what genre they are from, whether they have words, or even if they’re any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying right now.  Post these instructions, the artists, and the songs in your blog, then “tag” five other bloggers/friends to see what they’re listening to.

1.  Indescribable (Chris Tomlin)
2.  By your side (Sade)
3.  Everyday (Hillsong United)
4.  Cotton Eye Joe (Rednex)
5.  Can’t Hold Us Down (Christina Aguilera feat Lil’ Kim)

Septa is currently on strike. Pray for a quick resolution. It’s really the low income people who are most affected by this. And if you can… give someone a ride.
http://wb17.trb.com/wphl-102905-septastrike,0,6983278.story?coll=wphl-home-3
http://www.fox29.com/news/index.shtml
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=business&id=3588611
 

     This is my second week working at the WAG group here at UPHS. It’s been pretty challenging with all these projects and deadlines. All and all, alot cooler than my last job. It’s strange getting up ever morning and actually making sure I dress to a standard. Business casual takes awhile getting used to. It’s been interesting transitioning from a suburban call center to an urban office.

     One thing has been getting to me: Trying to find parking. >_< You’ll find me early in the morning (8-ish) driving around the UPenn area trying to find a “free” parking spot. I don’t believe I can really afford ~13 dollars a day for a parking lot spot on top of my gas/insurance costs. So I’ll drive around in circles, hoping and praying to find an open spot somewhere between all the Philly, UPenn, and Drexel people.

     If, by God’s grace, I find an open spot within 4 blocks that is even vaguely large enough to fit my 4-door import sedan, you can bet I’m going to try my best to fit into that .75% of a parking spot. The parallel parking section of the drivers’ test has nothing on this! I’ll even bump the cars in front and behind me. I have no shame… I’ll “lovetap” those cars if that’s what it takes to get me in that tiny spot. Beware all ye with spotless bumpers, I’m driving a used car and my bumper is well used. I’ve bumped and tapped a’plenty in South Philly and I’ll bump you too. (Yes, I’ve got dents and dings too… I have no fear of a little keying of my door either.)

     I can’t afford to pay for parking and I don’t want the joy of walking ~7 blocks from 42nd Street down to work. I’m not usually that lazy, but walking in a tiny 1.5 inch heeled dress shoe is actually quite painful, I don’t even want to think about power walking… Or perhaps, I can choose the joy that is SEPTA. Waiting for buses, trains, and trolleys.

     My everyday struggle for a spot reminds me, it is just as hard and just as good to find my place with God. To find my spot in God’s body, to rub shoulders to fellow christians and inevitably, to annoy, irritate and even hurt people around me. But I struggle on, I remember that it’s not about that parking spot. It’s about where I’m going… heaven, baby! I know it’s a poor comparison to a short stroll to work, but that’s life for ya. Heaven just blows everyday life out of the water…

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

P.S. I was blessssed today. I got a parking spot 1 block from work. Now… if only I could park & stay parked so close to God….

More Tidbits

The Truth Project ( Absolute Truth !)
Honesty meets “PC”-ness
Blogging & Company Policy
Rest in peace, Rosa Parks.
Overweight job seekers disadvantaged
Scale JELLO model of SF

The Gospel…

Ever thought of those who have fallen away from following Christ? They have gone their own way and followed their own hearts or desires… and where does it get them? Do people come to church only to socialize or to have fun? Is church nothing more than just a social club where people who like each other can hang out?

Have we lost the message that has been entrusted to us? Whether we have distorted by our own perception or lost it through personal passivity… Have we not been called to bear witness to Christ’s rescue plan and the transformation of our lives through the Holy Spirit? Where then is the transformed lives? How much thought have we given to carefully studying God’s rescue plans… so that when the time comes and the crucial moment appears, you are prepared to pass along those plans to your brother/sister?

How do you explain salvation by grace? display the love towards enemies? compare wrath and discipline? slavery of sin? the mystery of faith? why people go to church? love? mercy?

How about your presentation of the gospel? Are you ready to talk about how God’s hand is in your life? What picture do we paint in people’s minds via our words and our actions about our God?

( I’m not asking what the Bible has to say. I’m asking you about your God. Events are verified by witnesses. Have you verified God’s message to you, personally? Or is it only a rumor? )

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Tagged by JLimGarfield:  20 random facts about me

01. I have more female friends.
02. I can say “I don’t speak/know ___ ” in 5 languages. 
03. I hate it when people pull my hair.
04. I’m a gadget fiend.
05. I enjoy reading D&D books, but not playing the game.
06. Calvin & Hobbes rock !
07. My reading interests include science fiction, fantasy, psychology, apologetics, inspirational, comics, technology and philosophy.
08. I usually give phone calls instead of receiving them.
09. I still can’t play Mary had a little lamb.
10. I dislike topical sermon.
11. I enjoy expository style.
12. I have a seven-pack.
13. I don’t like beer.
14. I don’t watch sports.
15. I like my food spicy! (not tangy like Wendy’s…)
16. I am a video game addict.
17. I distrust pretty people.
18. I am an introvert.
19. I am stubborn and have trouble taking criticism properly.
20. I am going to be a “Best Man” at the end of the month.

Interesting Tidbits

Design meets Risk (Orgami House)

Thug sues God

Philadelphia is one of the safest cities????

Rat outsmarts scientists

Tracking communters

First “God bloggers” conference

For today till Monday… I am effectively unemployed.

This is really confusing and tense time for me. I think it has alot to do with how much I identify with my job or my position. Makes a person think… how much do I identify myself with Christ? In his suffering… in his compassion… in his passion for goodness & righteousness. I feel uprooted and some part of me approves… but another part of me says “How do you know you can trust this God of yours?”

He has yet to fail me.

How much more cynicism do I have inside, Lord?

How many more nails will it take?

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Pray that I would learn to stop putting my foot in my mouth, pursue sexual purity, and  learn again… to feed His sheep.

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This song was running around in my head while we were studying about Abram’s encounters with God.

Today:

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. – Proverbs 26:11 (NIV)

I’ve been a fool today. Forgive me, drop my sins to the bottom of the sea. Be Lord over each area of my life. Hold back deserved wrath and instead discipline me, Father. In Jesus name, Amen.

Response: (wall plastering…)

Sow your seed in the morning,
and at evening let not your hands be idle,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that,
or whether both will do equally well.

Eccl 11:6 (NIV)

== EDIT ==

My apologies about the eprops thing… I use eprops more like a bookmark to say I’ve read a post rather than just give some “bleh…” comment. Just my way of saying… “yes, people actually read what you’ve posted” As simp1e_song has noted… I’m a bit absent-minded sometimes, but I will try to remember to comment… ^__^;; Have patience with this forgetful, stubborn brother, eh ?

Double Talk about Naughty Bits…

I was tripping at Oaks today. All the elements were there for a good time chilling with the Big Man, but I was having trouble concentrating. One of the sisters there was… let’s just say too easy on the eyes. Not to say a lady shouldn’t dress nice, but some times more discretion would be nice. I guess I wasn’t really prepared for such a struggle in my own family group. Maybe it’s just a sign that I need more discipline in my life. That I need to renew a covenant.

Just some thoughts I had before I drifted off into sleep.

Props to the sisters that know how to love their brothers!

== EDIT: Leave it to my boss to finish off my thoughts with a zinger… ==

—–Original Message—–
From: Johnny  XXXXX
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2005 8:40 AM
Subject: OLS: How green is the valley

“Father, it has been one month since my last confession. I have had sex with Nookie Green every week for the last month.”

The priest tells the sinner, “You are forgiven. Go and say three Hail Marys.

Soon after, another man enters the confessional. “Father, it has been two months since my last confession. I have had sex with Nookie Green twice a week for the last two months.”

This time the priest questions, “Who is Nookie Green?”

“A new woman in the neighborhood,” the sinner replies.

“Very well, ” sighs the priest. “Go and say ten Hail Marys.”

At Mass the next morning, as the priest prepares to deliver his sermon, a tall, voluptuous, drop dead gorgeous woman enters the sanctuary. The eyes of every man in the church fall upon her as she slowly sashays up the aisle. Her dress is green and very short, with matching shiny emerald green shoes. The priest and altar boy gasp as the woman in the
matching green shoes sits in the front pew, with her legs slightly parted.

The priest turns to the altar boy and whispers, “Is that Nookie Green?”

The bug-eyed altar boy can’t believe his ears but replies, “No, I think it’s just the reflection off her shoes!”