Relying on the Sustainer

Enamoured by the splendor of God’s relentless grace.

Being continually reminded of the importance of prayer in the Christian’s life. It’s been said that “Prayer for the Christian ought to be like breathing”… and of this, I most certainly agree. And much like breathing functions as a necessary sustainer of one’s life… so does prayer act as a most crucial of elements, if a Christian desires to possess a vibrant and lively relationship with the Lord.

Seeking to change my every day mindsets and lessening my daily missed opportunities, as I continue to conform my character to Christ’s while keeping my fellow bros and sissesess up in prayer. Looking forward to seeing my family this weekend! =)

~Grace and Peace

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Stephen the Levite recently dropped an album! Seems like a good one, I’m considering purchasing it. Here’s a song from “Stephen the Levite’s” album “The Last Missionary: entitled “Give it Up”. Enjoy! 

 ^”And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.¹⁰ Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~Apostle Paul; 2Corinthians 12:9-10

“Machinations”

Hey all.

I have quite a week ahead of me. Filled with, not so much work… but many very challenging somewhat complex issues i’m to face. My prayer is this… that God would guide me by His Spirit and word to traverse through this week carefully… with open eyes and in a way that makes Christ well known. I don’t know what the future holds… but this I know, that God has my days and the machinations of this world within the grasp of His sovereign hand. He knows my situation… He knows my heart. For His direction and strength I pray, as I seek to love Him in my dealings this week… please keep me in your prayers as well, fam.

~Grace and Peace

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A video me and my church fam created in celebration of Mothers day. Me and Sir E did the video recording and editing, while Mitch worked on the audio. Also, each individual’s monologue and video recording were conceptually thought out and executed by the members of Gospel Life’s Remnant ministry. This was a project that, truly, came into fruition by the work of body of Christ.

Most of all, this project is devoted to God’s glory! Enjoy! =)

Window of Opportunity

Hey all! Definitely been a while since I’ve posted, so please excuse my lack of eloquence! Or… perhaps the over-saturation thereof haha! But, I figure I’d post up an update, since so much has happened , plus since it’s been such a long time! =)

These past few weeks have been very busy ones. The amount free time I have weekly is either minimal (existing only in a few hours of RnR bi-daily) or non-existent. Working overtime nearly every week, the immense amount of time needed for the preparatory study of preaching a bi-weekly sermon, leading a weekly small group Bible study, dealing with the many home-tending issues that arise within my living conditions, plus being involved with the many other misc. ministry related tasks have taken up much day’s time.

Nevertheless, it’s certainly been quite an interesting journey! I would NOT have made it through these past weeks if not for God’s grace. Finding time to get into the word consistently has been such a challenge, but it’s His word that’s been fueling me through such a tumultuous lifestyle while maintaining a sound mind lol. (Im so thankful for his grace, in every area of life!) I see how crucial the time God has given me is… having a full time job and so much of ministry helps one appreciate and use well the free time given you by God. I regret much of the time I’ve wasted over the past years of my life, time I could have used for more fruitful endeavors… nevertheless, as I’m still alive, I’ll endeavor to live the remaining days of this live for Christ!

There’s so many things God’s teaching me… about who He is, about trusting Him. In His word yes, but also in life! Wish I could elaborate more, but even now… time is minimal. Have work again tomorrow morning, and a full few days ahead of me. For those of you, tens of thousands im sure, that are reading this…. please continue to keep God’s people, His church in your prayers! I dearly desire to see His people grow and mature… as does my God. (Oh… and that tens of thousands thing was sarcasm… in case u didn’t catch it hehe)

Anyways, goodnight all! I do look forward to posting more up here again, God willing. If time permits, then it shall be so! =)

~Grace and Peace!

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~Bought an audio book! Ravi Zacharias’ “Jesus Among Other Gods”. Definitely want to get some more of his books and listen to them all, possibly finishing them by the end of the next month or so! Listening to Zacharias… I’m beginning to appreciate more and more just the type of wisdom one can obtain from such a Godly and well versed/traveled man.

~It’s been an interesting journey! I’ll be returning to WBC next semester God willing, and hopefully I’ll be able to finish college! (Sooner than later hopefully… but we’ll see hahah!) Will be praying that God will continue to mold me into His Son… cause my honest opinion about this is that I don’t necessarily care about the degree. Getting it is simply passing a cultural ‘game’ we play. What’s most important to me however isn’t necessarily the degree… it’s ones CHARACTER, a character that love’s God. That’s what’s most valuable… and I pray that returning to the college will help me become, both in character and in skill, the man He desires me to be. May I have the right perspective.

~Found out recently that “Mountain Dew” and “Tropicana: Fruit Punch” is a spectacular mix! Try it out sometime! =)

Picking up the pace

It’s been a while since I’ve listened to any sermons. Personally, I’ve been keeping away from them, and sticking with only reading the Word, for the purpose of reassessing my understanding of Scripture. It’s been an intriguing and challenging time… but definitely beneficial, in many ways. To not simply rely on the teachings of others… but to have the ability to properly exegete and apply the principles of Scripture more personally, was the goal heh. (To see what God’s word says about God myself, without simply inhaling the ‘second hand smoke’ from someone else’s labor)

But hey, recently I’ve gone back to listening to sermons by folks like Macarthur. And, while I disagree with things he teaches here and there, I definitely still respect the guy and there’s alot to be learned from listening to his preaching. In particular, I enjoy his illustrations! He’s pretty good at creating scenarios that adequately express the point he’s trying to get across, and there’s definitely a thing or two I can learn about teaching the Word, from listening to his sermons!

I view sermons alot differently now, I’ve noticed… more exegetically that before, I guess… but moreso, analytical concerning the hermeneutical (preaching) styles and technique used therein. There’s still so much to learn about how to properly teach and preach God’s word… perhaps I should ask around, find a good book on it hah? We’ll see.

~Grace and Peace!

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This week’s agenda/to-do-list… just so I can remember lol

~Training for new job

~Revising manuscript for future Sat preaching

~Sorting out struct. outlines for future small group BBS’

~Prep a BBS for March 24′s event

~Defeat the laundry (currently doin haha!)

~Sort out college business

~BONUS: Redesigning/Re-vamping my room’s layout! (We’ll see… hopefully there’s even enough time for this)

Looks like from here on out, things will be kickin’ up again… gonna need a planner again, I suppose heh. Here’s to an interesting and hopefully, God glorifying week!

At the precipice

Yo!

Alot of interesting things happening! So many time sensitive events going on tomorrow… it’s one thing after another hah. I’ve completely and precisely scheduled out my intended tasks for tomorrow… definitely gonna be wild day… time to rest up in preparation! Gonna be a prayerful and action filled few days ahead heh. Goodnight!

~Grace and Peace!

Oh… and today is the day I got another job heh. Praise God! =P

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“I’m humbled and honored to do so”

A great quote  from a great man of God. Definitely someone who’s made quite an impact in my life, and who’s humility I admire… as to who it is. Secret stuff! =D

Morning!

Myaaaa!

Actually, it’s afternoon…

~Grace and Peace

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Remember that guy I talked about a few posts earlier, NAK? Well, I found the background instrumentals to his song that I posted and I KNEW the instrumentals sounded familiar! It’s a remix of a piece from Spirited Away! Here’s the remix instrumental, and the original. Enjoy =)

Wy-i’s hip-hop remix, instrumental

The original, from Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away”

A chance-potle meeting!

Heylo all!

Got some Chipotle today for lunch (good stuff!), and ran into a certain someone from Gospel Life church. Miss Tita Michelle was there, having Chipotle and studying. I believe sir Jeremy was supposed to be with her, but decided to stay at home to study… however, we decided to eat lunch there together haha! We had some really good conversation, it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to sit down and really speak with her, what with everything that’s been goin down. I’m definitely encouraged by some of the stuff discussed. Also, amongst the various things we talked about, there were some good personal reminders and encouragement of the importance of the ministries I’m currently involved in. Good lunch! Hopin’ to have some more opportunities to talk with more Gospel-lifians, in the near future!

Continuing to keep all my bros and sissessess at Gospel Life in prayer. Gonna be small group meeting/discipling some folks tonight. Gotta further pray for and prep for that, so off I go!

~Grace and Peace!

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Final fantasy 13 has such a great soundtrack! (Some of the best I’ve heard in a FF game, in my opinion heh) Hope you enjoy these beautiful instrumental pieces from the game, composed by Masashi Hamauzu. (All the songs ‘crescendo’ wonderfully! Also, I really like that word haha!) Enjoy! =)

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“27-H”

Yo!

This post’s title will serve as a personal marker point! So don’t even try to interpret what it means haha! =P

Meanwhile, you can enjoy the ever-so-stylish musics of the musician, sir “Evan Awake”. (An artist I recently discovered. Really enjoy his stuff! Lookin’ forward to hearing his “Minowa” album, that’ll be droppin’ sometime soon.)

Mad tired, time to sleep! Goodnight =)

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~Grace and Peace!

“TheANAK”

Hey all!

Found a rather interesting Christian rap artist, while parousing around Youtubia. This individual, who goes by the name “theANAK”, or NAK, composes music of the “Hip-hop” genre, in a couple of which he discusses certain things that he’s thought of, concerning his faith in Christ. He’s a very… interesting artist, certainly not like the Reformed individuals I’ve been more exposed to. While the Reformed rappers are more forthright about Christ and focus on making songs that are very educational in their demeanor, “theANAK” will mention Christ not as often and takes a more artistic route about the way he raps. Looking through his Youtube page, he’s obviously not ashamed to associate himself with Christ, so being ashamed of Christ isn’t really the issue. He’s just doesn’t repetitiously and constantly use His name in his songs, as the Reformed folks often do. (which I don’t really think is a bad thing. Again, I feel as if he has a bit more of an artistic style about the way he creates his music rather than educational)

Hahah anyways, that being said! Take a listen at his stuff for yourself. This following song begins with him struggling with certain issues in his life, then progresses and ends with him on the rooftop of his building, looking at the night sky and worshipping God by examining and elaborating on the majesty of His creation. (And being encouraged, as a result) Very cool style, and he says some cool stuff on God as creator! Dont know him personally or what he actually believes about certain things, but I do enjoy him as an artist. Check him out for yourself hah!

So hey, what do y’all think of it? Enjoy his artsy style of Christian hip-hop, or perhaps it’s not as forthright about the gospel as you’d prefer? Any interesting thoughts on Christian music, in general? Please, post up any opinions, critiques, questions, whatever… in the comments section below! Until we next meet…

~Grace and Peace

Father

Ever get those nights where you cant sleep? With a pounding heart, an unsettled spirit, and a vigorously active mind?

Yup! I’m totally there right now! So, I’ve decided to give this old place a visit, and a nice dusting off, as I write out one of the many things current on my mind and heart.

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~For those of you who actually know your father, ever think about how your relationship, as an individual, with your father has developed over time, and how it is now?

Not many people, I realize, have been able to either know, or grow close to their fathers due to their life situations. I’ve been given the great privilege to not only have a father that loves me, but to actually get to know him. Heh, its interesting how my view of him has developed through my life. I remember times when, as a young child, I would think of my father as someone I trusted, almost instinctively and naturally. As I grew older and entered middle/high school, I remember how my view of my father changed. He wasn’t around often due to work… well, maybe he was, but we never spent too much time together then lol, we each had our own “hobbies” that occupied our hearts and time. (Ahh… I realize now how colossal an idiot I was for spending more time gaming and nerding out than with my father. So much, im sure, could have been different had we spent more time together…) Heh, much to my shame, I also remember times where, as an often stupid and naive teen, I blatantly disrespected him in many ways. Counter arguing or ignoring any type of life advice or discipline he would try to administer to me, thinking myself “clever”… heh. Oh High school days… so dumb, in many ways.

It wasn’t until the divorce that me and my father began to spend more time with one another. I mean REAL time, not just during fun family trips… but during life. We’ve been through some stuff together. My realization of, not only all that my father has done for me, but also his love for me deepened during this time. Although these were harsh and painful times in many ways, nevertheless I’ve seen God work mightily amidst this period of our lives, and strangely, it’s been something I’ve come to appreciate.

Haha oh, I remember those college days! My father would drive me to and from my college sometimes (even though I could drive… now that I think about it, I think he just wanted to spend some time with me heh), and during the drive home, I’d be soooo excited about what I’d just learned in class that I would recap and share everything with him haha! And I think he actually enjoyed listening. He certainly had a question to ask, here and there, about it. (It must’ve been a bit like a mini-sermon every day home from Christian Life class lol. Sometimes I wonder…) There are also days when me and him would eat out at restaurants! Smokey Bones, Applebees, TGI Fridays, Buffalo Wild Wings… a bunch of places! (Really mundane stuff to some people, im sure… but not me hah! These moments are treasured memories, that i’m gonna hang onto as long as I can.)

When I think about the type of man my father is and everything he’s done for our family, it breaks me up to think that I’ve failed to reciprocate that love to him so many times, in so many crucial ways. And yet he still loves me. Although he’s a flawed man in many ways, haha I personally don’t really care! I wouldn’t want another father. I love my him, and I thank God for giving me a father like him. (And I honestly believe that I’m able to understand God the Father’s love for me a bit more robustly because of the love my own father showed me)

I only pray that he too would one day come to know the Jesus that I’ve grown to love…

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So hey, how’s that for a dusting off haha? Maybe I’ll put some stuff up here from time to time… on another thoughtful night like this, perhaps? =P

~Grace and Peace