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

The end of the semester is here, and that means a MESS load of studying and papers to do. Wish me luck everyone =)

~Grace and Peace!

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On a random note… I always have trouble saying “wish me luck” since I don’t believe that “luck” really exists… Nevertheless, I still use it from time to time as an expression (It just feels weird to use it haha)

Anyways, about to head out, peace!

Also, what a privilege… that as followers of Christ, we can look past the beauty and power of creation, see it’s Creator and worship. This creation is simply a reflection of His power and beauty! What an amazing God!

~Beauty and Goodness

As the days progress, it seems that the busyness of life can often lessen time spent with the Lord. Personal time spent alone with Him, talking with Him, hearing from His Word… just being with Him.

I am reminded once again… the necessity of making time for Him.

^“1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.  ³He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” ~Psalm 1:1-3

We also watched the movie “Battlefield Los Angeles” today, as well. Great movie! Don’t want to spoil anything though… so Im not talking about it haha! I definitely suggest it as a watch though! =P

I’m very excited about what I’m hearing from the PGCC group! I pray that God continues to move there!

~Grace and Peace

While having a Bible Study with some folks today at Pho on witnessing, I noticed a lady sitting behind us reading a book. Upon further analysis… I realized that the book was one of those hardcore Atheistic books! (I WISH I could remember the title of it, but I recognized the book’s title and author) So I asked her about it! Turns out, she’s a pretty adamant atheist. Got the opportunity to sit down and chat with her a bit about her faith in atheism and evolution, got into some debates… at the end of it all however, didn’t get to talk about the gospel because she was too rejecting of any notion of the existence of God. Makes me sad… seeing someone like that. After hearing so many logical explanations about the existence of God, and debunking opposing arguments, she still rejects it. Nevertheless… God’s the one who saves and I pray that He does save her. After chatting with her (Laura) we left for other business.

Small group went wonderfully tonight. We’re growing… not only numerically, but spiritually as well. I see God moving… I pray that He continues to build up these people into leaders.

~Love is an action. If you say that you love someone, apart from acting, you don’t really love that individual. Faith is also an action. If you say that you have faith in something, but your life doesn’t manifest that faith in action, then your declared faith isn’t legitimate.

Lappy broke today due to a corrupted file… whatever lol, didn’t really need it anyways. I’ll use on of my cousins to update this thingy for the time being. =P (Good time for me to learn how to live without it, as well!)