it's you, not us

we often try to do things in order to impress God or receive his approval. i know i try to read my Bible as often as i can, but more than that, i try to read as much as i can in one sitting - thinking that this way i've gotten a whole few days worth of God's word. WRONG. we are not better than others, especially when we see others fail and think "look what they did. i'm not like that". just as human beings, by our nature, we do not deserve God's approval. it is only through his grace and his mercy that we are approved.

let now our hearts burn with a flame

Day 2 -

today was a tough day. for some reason, something wasn't right. something felt like it was missing. the weather forecast said it would rain all day long though in the end, there was no rain. i had a stuffy nose (which has been bothering me since a week ago) and i felt throbbing in my right temple throughout the day - especially when i moved too quickly. also, tonight at fellowship, i didn't feel so engaged. the more time i spent there, the more distant i felt. i had a quick temper and i'm sure i was not an encouragement to anyone around me.

there are so many questions going through my head and lists and lists of things i need to do before spring break begins. i live my life in a hurry. a hurry to get from one place to another. a hurry to do as many things as i can with the time i have. a hurry to do my devotionals with God so i can get to bed sooner. a hurry to fill my life with as many commitments as possible.

through all of this, God is good. he has always been there for us and he is always by our side. in Romans 1, Paul has such enthusiasm for the gospel, the good news. he is unashamed and he is empowered and dedicated to his mission. this is the passion we lack - going out and proclaiming the Word of God. sharing his love and loving those around us.

the beginning

today is the first day of the Lent season, praise the Lord! may this period be spent as a time in preparation for Easter - that we can practice the following: reflection, repentance, readiness, resolution, and renewal.

this year i am fasting from ALL FORMS OF INTERNET ENTERTAINMENT and i am taking up praying with a purpose for a specific person and memorizing scripture. i will use this website to blog about each day or each few days - how i am doing and how the Lord is working in my life. i have no crazy expectations but i have an open mind and an open heart.

today i thank God for the people he has placed in my life and for the spiritual friendships i have formed with friends. i praise God for helping to plant Symphony Church on the BU campus and for rising up students to get involved.

he's got the whole world in his hands

Jeremiah 29:11

"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."

Let's just trust in God and have faith in his amazing plan. We fear nothing. Whatever plan we have for our own lives cannot compare with his plans for us - our plans are much too small and insignificant.

your spirit is water to my soul

Praise God!

I had no one to share this with, but I figure this is not a moment I want to forget and let slip away.

As I was listening to Pandora, the song "better is one day" started playing. In my mind, I was thinking, "oh, I haven't heard this song in a while. It's a nice song." I also happened to be reading Psalm 83. I was already at the end of the chapter so I moved onto Psalm 84 which began with:

"How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God."

God is truly wonderful and amazing. Many times I feel spiritually dry and distant from him but he always finds a way to pull me back. The little things he does in my life mean more to me than anything else. They are proof that he is here with me. I am not alone, and I am blessed by the Living God. Better is one day in God's courts than a thousand days anywhere else.