Francis Chan

Recently, I talked about Francis Chan and Reverend Don asked me what Chan's theology was. And I realized, I don't know. But honestly, it never bothered me. To me, Francis Chan was never one of those pastors that fell under a label. He's definitely passionate, but I've never heard anyone call him charismatic. And his church, Cornerstone Church, is non-denominational. So to me, he's simply a man who has given up his life to serve Christ whole-heartedly, and tries his best to preach the Word with integrity. Someone I respect, admire, and strive to be like.

Nevertheless, my knowledge of the guy is limited. I've only heard a couple of his sermons. And I plan to read his book, "Crazy Love" this summer. That being said, I decided to see how much "dirt" I could dig up about him. I didn't find much, partly because I didn't really look hard, but mostly because I got distracted by one of the first things I did find.

Just a while ago, Francis Chan posted on his church blog his plans to transition out of his ministry in Simi Valley, CA. In other words, he's leaving his church after 16 years and 9 church plants. But not to stop serving; his future plans include speaking all over the U.S., serving in a third-world country, and beginning a new ministry in a major city. [To read more, go here: http://blog.cornerstonesimi.com/2010/04/a-letter-from-francis/]

It's people like him that really make me reflect about how much of my life glorifies God. Or as Francis Chan may phrase it, how much does my life show that I'm in love with God?

I may not know Chan's exact theology. (Although I looked at his church's statement of faith and I have no problems with it.) But like it says in the Bible, you can tell a man's faith by looking at the fruit of his life.

I stopped because it never came true.

And now I look forward to someone better.

I saw this comic and it reminded me of a sermon I heard this past semester about our faith. How often do we ask God to show us His faithfulness before we show Him our faithfulness? Do we have true faith (Joshua 3) or do we tell God to stop the Jordan before we step into it?

Are we any different from the man in the comic?

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Currently Listening To: Cry in My Heart, Starfield

God Almighty, Chris Tomlin

Been reflecting a lot on (musical) praise and faith. Is our faith becoming too me-centered instead of Christ-centered? And in doing so, are we destroying the firm foundation of our faith?

Like the water's roar
Is Your voice, O Lord
There is none before
And none beside

You are set apart
You alone are God
Your glory reaches far
From sky to sky

Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning we will sing
Holy, Holy, we bow down before Thee
All Your children love to sing Your name
God Almighty

You're the breath of life
You're the God on high
Your song shall rise
And never pass away

O, Your Majesty
Evermore shall be
The earth, the skies, the sea
Shall bring You praise

And I hide my eyes
With my face to the ground
In the presence of Your Majesty
And I clap my hands
And I lay my crowns
In the presence of Your Majesty

I need to learn to be much more thankful for certain people and situations in my life.

Grades came out today.... Let's just say I'm going to have to work hard to make it up and it may be wise for me to reconsider pre-med.

On a happier note, talking to friends the past couple of days has really been very helpful. I realized it's not about finding the right solutions to situations that make them better, rather it's about having the right friends while you're going through those situations.

Lessons I Learned in College

...so far anyways, from my first-year:

1. I have much more that I have yet to learn. I say this in terms of the maturation of my character and my spiritual life. This year really showed me the depth of my own sin: my selfishness, my laziness and lack of discipline, my foolishness and lack of wisdom, my lack of compassion, and the list goes on and on....

2. Honor Thy Parents. I really learned to appreciate how much my parents have done for me, do for me, and will probably continue to do for me in the future. They have sacrificed so much and still continue to make sacrifices every day. And here I am only beginning to understand and really give them the respect they deserve.

3. Nature vs. Nurture. It is easy to blame your environment and circumstances for your failures. But when it comes down to it, the truth is that the only one you can blame is yourself. I need to realize that truly successful people do not let themselves get burdened or blinded by unfavorable situations. It's like Reinhold Niebuhr wrote, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

4. God is the Master Tapestry Maker. Looking back and reflecting, I see how God has answered so many of my prayers, even for things I had forgotten I had prayed for. And He always has a better way of weaving things together than I ever would have imagined. I just need to learn to be patient while He is working, and trust in Him that when the day comes for the tapestry to be revealed...it will be perfect.

To be continued....

Hmm...wonder if this is how pastors feel - that the work week starts on Fridays instead of Mondays.

It's not all the shattered dreams of what could've been that upset me;

Because I know that God is sovereign and has a plan.

But the saddest part is that I lost a best friend.

I have to stop settling for mediocrity in my life...in my spiritual life, in my (school) work, in my relationships, etc.

Break's been good so far. Just finalizing plans for this summer and meeting up with people. I haven't even had time to unpack. I'm really excited for this summer; I'm looking forward to seeing where God will bring me.

On a side note, now that I started driving again I realized how nice it is to drive alone at night with the music blasting.

On Repeat:

- Break Your Heart, Taio Cruz

- Live Like We're Dying, Kris Allen

- Hey Soul Sister, Kollaboration artists

- The One, Backstreet Boys

- Airplanes, B.o.B.

- Whataya Want From Me, Adam Lambert

- Breakeven, The Script

- Juicebox EP, AJ Rafael

- Nothing on You, B.o.B.

- Remember the Name, Fort Minor (after Dan Shih got it stuck in my head during finals week)

Name a dream job of yours that people probably don't expect you to say.

Author and/or screenwriter.

Ask me anything

Ugh...just finished my biology final. Maybe I won't be pre-med. Might not have a choice in the matter anymore.

One final left to go: human cognition final. And I don't feel like studying anymore....

Then a lot of laundry, packing, etc. Heading back to NY this Saturday. I have to start solidifying my summer plans. I feel bad for missing graduation so maybe I'll come back for it...?

Life feels kind of surreal at the moment. Maybe it's the lack of sleep.

For those who know me well they know that when I'm listening to music at my desk I tend to dance around in my chair. I remember that before I left for college, Michelle saw me dancing in my chair and we joked around about how our roommates were going to think we're weird because of our silly antics.

So today my friends were talking while I was listening to music on Youtube and I started dancing/singing in my chair. Sunny started laughing and my roomate Sakina was just used to it, haha.

And before that my roommate looked at my screen and saw me procrastinating on Youtube and we talked about how we'd be more productive if we had bookworm roommates, but she said "Nah, I'd never trade my roomie."

=)

P.S. Youtube is really distracting. I've been watching/listening to videos of Kollaboration artists all day, or since I woke up at 2PM anyways haha.

Analyze, Tim Be Told

Tim Be Told - Analyze - (Official HD Music Video) from TimBeTold on Vimeo.

Finals Week: Spring 2010

I'm sweating so much and my feet are red. Now I remember why I dislike summer...so hot and humid....

To Do:

- English Final Portfolio: Paper #5, Re-revision, Self-assessment memo [Mon]

- Chinese Final: Writing [Mon/Tues]

- ASA Senior Banquet [Tues]

- Biology Final: Part 1 [Mon/Tues]

- Biology Final: Part 2 [Wed/Thurs]

- Biology: Final Group Project [Fri]

- Human Cognition Final [Thurs/Fri?]

- Organize ASA Binders

- Laundry

- Wash dishes, etc.

- Pack

*Home by Mother's Day and Mom's Bday? Hope so...we'll see....

我很想我的家人。。。