Stay Consistent

Most of us are spending the majority, if not all of our time at home. I've been thinking.. what could I do to make better use of this time? We could either waste our days away being a potato.. Or we could use this time to invest in ourselves, support others, learn new things, strengthen ourselves and grow in our faith.

Just because covid is still spreading and we're trapped in our homes doesn't mean we should stop living. This is a time to deeply reflect on our goals, hobbies, relationships and purposes. This is the time to truly look within ourselves and reflect on the life that we want to live and who we want to be.

Here's my condensed list of resolves I've been focusing on for the past months. They are not just goals for 2021. It's what I want to stay consistent with for life. I made a dumb acronym to help me remember. GREATNESS

1) G od First                                      
2) R ead more books                              
3) E xercise                                    
4) A ctive                                             
5) T hink Positive Affirmations        
6) N utrition                               
7) E njoy the Moment                           
8) S ave Money
9) S pend time with Fam/ Friends          

Christianity & Politics

This video is so good! Wayne Grudem is a well respected professor and definitely one of our greatest theologians of our time. He is a key contributor and editor of the ESV translation too! This guy is a spiritual giant when it comes to Biblical teaching and understanding of God's Word. His theology and doctrine is legit, accurate and sound.

Wayne Grudem wrote a book called, "Systematic Theology." It is so detailed on the core doctrines of Christianity. He covers subjects like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Nature of the triune God, justification & sanctification, scripture and the body of the church. That book had such a profound impact on me that it was one of the leading factors that lead me to pursue seminary. If I had to recommend one book that holistically encompasses Christian doctrine, this would be it.

To hear Grudem speak about politics in this video has deeply encouraged my beliefs. I'm so grateful to hear him speak on this topic. He makes some very strong points. He addresses Trump's character and policies. He stands up against any opposition to affirm that as Bible believing Christians we must do all things for the glory of God, this includes our political views.

Dear Future Chris,

I saw that a friend had written a letter to her future self exactly one year ago. It intrigued and inspired me. I was curious what I might say to the future version of myself. It's a way of forecasting and visualizing who you want to be in the future. Our thoughts speak to us everyday.. What do you say to yourself? Who knew introspection and writing to yourself could be so therapeutic?

Attachment Theory

Two are better than one, 

Because they have a good return for their labor.

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity if anyone falls
and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

>> If you''d like to learn more about the psychology of relationships here's my recommended playlist  

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlWGe3qgcF7yMja1eGWd-wweaZ9q-luWc

Youtube has been my teacher lately. I found so much useful information. It's kinda been mind-blowing..seriously hours of pure relational education I wish I knew before. I'm like "Whoa! This makes so much sense!" I really recommend learning about all the different dynamics that make a healthy relationship. 

Dating and relationships are fun, but it also requires a lot of work. It reveals areas of insecurity and places within ourselves where we need to confront ourselves and grow in self-improvement.  We can get caught up looking for the right person, rather than becoming the right person. Would you date you?  << woah..

But yeah these youtube videos are so educational! I learned a lot about myself in relational dimensions I never really thought about much. They really motivated me to become better all around.

The better we can understand and know ourselves + others, the more we grow in emotional/ relational intelligence, the better we'll be equipped for family, friendships, marriage and communication with all forms of relationships..

I realize there ain't a soul out there that will watch all these videos but whatever, the option to is there. 

Stoic Philosophy

God has been teaching me lessons on managing and controlling my thoughts + emotions. This is something I will need to continue to practice and work on for the rest of my life.

It’s an idea of stoicism, non-dualism, detachment, surrender, non-judgement, non-resistance, indifference, tolerance, perseverance, self-control, neutrality, having inner stability, peace, and self-confidence.

Letting go is something I have never been good at. I over-analyze excessively from every angle. Yes it makes for a good tactician or strategist that can critically think. But it is not healthy to dwell, ruminate or get fixated on someone or something. We have tens of thousands of thoughts every day. Many can be negative thoughts. We are not to suppress, repress, project, avoid, or look for escape when these thoughts arise. We must practice letting them go.

As much as you wish life played out differently, you must detach from expected outcomes, accept truth and reality and let go of any pain you harbor. Grief is holding on desperately to something lost. Kicking and screaming won't make a difference. Letting go is acknowledging what we can't control, and knowing that God is.

If you can embody and apply it’s principles and concepts it’s actually quite life-changing. What draws me to becoming more stoic is seeing how applicable and relevant it is every day. 

God is Sovereign Over All Things

Things are gonna be ok. 

We’ll be ok.

This applies to all the things we’ve been worrying about. 

God is good all the time.

and all the time God is good. 

Personality Test

https://www.16personalities.com/ 

https://www.16personalities.com/infj-personality  INFJ-T  or actually maybe INTP?

oh gosh i think im a perceiver and not judging.. definitely in the middle of T/F and and J/P
My professor said it's good to be in the middle because you can operate in both traits

Interesting how this site differentiates between Assertive and Turbulent

https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test  #2 Helper/Giver or #9 Peacemaker

https://www.careerexplorer.com/assessments/  extensive but informative


                        

                        
...

No Regerts

  

This tattoo makes me laugh. But it's also applicable. When you're inexperienced and don't know what you're really doing, you're likely gonna make dumb mistakes. You're gonna say and do things you shouldn't of, you'll lack patience and wisdom and you'll spill the milk. But it happens. That's life.

Stronger

i think i just discovered something profound that will help me. I think it's the answer i've been searching for. it actually applies to a lot of areas of life and not just finding healing, and moving forward. not chur if i know how to word it, but i'll try. 

basically, it's this idea that I will be ok no matter what. If i'm alone, i'll be ok. I can be self-sufficient. I need to cultivate happiness on my own without being co-dependent or relying on others to validate my self-worth. We often think love is what will validate us to feel secure and like we're enough. 

Thank you for Friendships

Friends are people who u can really share anything with. They understand and get you. They forgive and accept you for yourself. They're honest. They're fun to talk with and makes going through life better.

Quotes

What is Love?

Warning this blog is long. if you know me, my blogs tend to be long wordy paragraphs. I think there's something appealing about just being clear cut, simple and straight to the point to only say what ya need to say, to make it easy for readers to understand. But then I think no.. I am much more of a Mojojojo, the monkey that needs to repeat himself in several different and lengthy ways to be more thorough. To be a little extra descriptive in completing his thoughts. to keep using run on sentences. And now with new and improved colored Titles!

Discerning God's Will

Discerning God's will often takes a lot of quiet time of prayer, meditation and waiting in stillness. (scripture also talks about fasting, which is a whole subject in itself). Usually in seeking God's will, it takes a good span of time. God may not necessarily speak in words, or ways that we expect. or in the ways we're used to. Sometimes God communicates by putting certain thoughts, or feelings on our heart. Sometimes God just lets us know things, without over spiritualized or supernatural signs. God also repeats himself, confirms and reaffirms his will. God doesn't just whisper something to us once. No he continues to press it on our heart, soul and minds. This almost explainable knowledge becomes clear and distinguishable that it is from God and not from ourselves.

We are to consult God's Word to know his general will and call to justification and sanctification. But on top of that general will for Christians. we do have God's unique and individual will, purpose, call/ vocation for us, whether it be something short or long term. Also to be clear our vocation interestingly we often only seek God's will when we want answers or want something for ourselves. At the end of the day, often more important that receiving or getting an answer, is realizing that God ultimately just wants our heart and our communion with Him. God draws us to himself and then engulfs us with his love, and then we're reminded of how incredible it is to have intimacy with the living God. There is not one second that goes away, where God is not loving us.

Steve Porter

Prof. Steve Porter was my favorite Spiritual Formation teacher at Talbot School of Theology/ Biola University. So smart, so humble, such a good communicator, deep, relevant, practical and a great teacher. I wish I got to take more classes from him. He's easy to listen to and you can see he lives out to apply what he preaches. He also uses good examples, stories and experiences to teach his lessons.

One day I saw Prof. Steve Porter just playing with his kids on in the grass on campus. And I thought, that's exactly God's relationship with us. God invites us to simply be with Him, to enjoy spending time with Him, He delights in us and loves us much more than we can imagine. Without even knowing it, he demonstrated what the Father's love for us is like. Perhaps the reason he never made it to that wedding was so that it could be a great sermon example to teach others!

9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 
2 Cor. 12:9-10

Dear God, 
Thank you for the people in my life. Thank you for watching over the people I care about most. May you bless them and surround them with your love. Draw me closer to you in intimacy. Grow a hunger in me to seek more of you. Fill me with your desires. Create a new heart in me oh Lord. Wash away any filth I may have collected. Father God I praise you for all the big things and little things that you do. I know I can't express enough gratitude, or even worship you the way you deserved to be glorified. May I decrease, and may you increase. Protect my words and actions to not hurt anyone. Help me to be better. Help me to treat others with only love, kindness and respect. May I abide and remain in your love. Heal any brokenness I harbor and comfort me in my pain, worries or fears. May you replace it with peace, faith, and hope. Thank you for Jesus. May I grow in His likeness and in His will. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins of omission and commission. You're grace is sufficient. I place my trust in you. God please fill me with your Spirit. Give me patience, to wait, to be still in your presence. Father God speak to me, I am listening. I give you all the praise. Amen.

I Feel Good!

Isn't it crazy how good music is? It always seems to better my mood. Gosh i feel so good right now! Aw yeah boyyy!! Turn dat muzic up! cheeewhooooo!!

There's music to pump me up, get me dancin and motivated, Den there's this kind of music that just puts me in a certain groove. those songs that u can't help but move. the beat just takes over! And then there's also a chill trap or just chill mix playlists that is usually my go to. Somethin that's relaxing and lets ya just enjoy the present. Oh and then there's also classic oldies music that always does the trick. 

The Kingdom of Heaven Is a Treasure

John Piper hands down my favorite pastor. First 20mins is on the Kingdom of Heaven. It's an old sermon, yet always true and relevant.

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46

7 "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him" Philippians 3:7-9

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

For some reason I woke up with this Kingdom of Heaven passage in mind. There are things in this life that are like finding a treasure hidden in a field. Yes the kingdom of Heaven is by far our greatest treasure! As Christians we joyfully submit to the rule and reign of our King. 

some other random thoughts..

There are other very rare treasures that we come across in life. I think I found a treasure that is very valuable. In fact, it's priceless. You know it when you find it. Similar to the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven, it's worth giving everything up for. If you find a treasure that is worth more than all the rubies and diamonds in the world, you need to do everything you can to protect it, cherish it and keep it safe. Fight with everything you've got for those you want to keep in your life. "Anything valuable is worth our best effort." God is not just another number in the equation, rather He is the parenthesis and the solution. 

I was reading an interesting thought about porcupines. Two porcupines trying to keep warm move closer. But if they move too close they can get pricked by each other's spines. Perhaps there is a sweet spot. In the same way, humans long for closeness and yet also need space. 

Beyond the strength of how one's heart feels, we are to Listen to God first and foremost. This is something I'm praying for. Divine clarity, guidance and discernment. I think this requires more time in prayer and waiting on God. Just like in any relationship, it's important to prioritize spending quality time.

Fancy line graphs will not always look like the ideal. There will always be ups and downs, highs and lows. But we are to focus on the positive and forgive any negatives. Generally the positives of acceptance, appreciation and gratitude should outweigh any downward declines. i used to think between two people it needed to be a 50/50. But then i heard a professor say, "No, it should be 100/100" I thought that was really profound.

One thing i've realized is that.. when something is right, it usually feels very organic and super easy. you don't need to force two puzzle pieces to fit. If two pieces snap quickly easily together, it's usually because they're supposed to. If two magnets naturally gravitate together, it's probably because they're supposed to. hmm.. socks and shoes also go really well together. You get the picture. 

It's possible to speculate and predict what the future may look like, but we really don't know. And this is why faith in God is pivotal for growing one's commitment and devotion. True flourishing intimacy is not a quick sprint. Rather, it's a marathon that aims to thrive for the long run. 

Psalm 91

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

Closing the Sanctification Gap

The following is a little excerpt from John Coe's Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. He was one of my spiritual formation professors in school. His article is titled "Spiritual Theology: A Theological-Experiential Methodology for Bridging the Sanctification Gap." It piggybacks on Richard Lovelace's journal article on The Sanctification Gap.

This Sanctification Gap is the difference between our Ideal-self (all the oughts & shoulds of who God calls us to be) and our Real-self (Who we actually are). I don't think it's possible to fully obtain being our ideal-self at all times. In my understanding, I think God brings our sanctification to completion in the process of glorification when we are with Him in Heaven, but while we're still here there will always be this tension of our Ideal and Real-self. And this is why the doctrine of God's Grace is so important to understand. God's grace not only covers our sins, but helps us to do what we cannot do ourselves.

In short, in order to close the Sanctification Gap, John Coe is basically saying to apply systematic theology and the Biblical teachings to our daily lives to promote spiritual maturity. Not just spiritual maturity, but a deeper relationship with God by growing in the likeness of Christ. A Christian must also draw observations and reflections of the work of the Holy Spirit in their life. We desperately need God's help in order to apply and experience God's truths in our lives. If we could just do one thing right in life, it'd be correctly interpreting scripture and joyfully obeying it by applying it to our life. 

______________________________________________________________
There exists a serious gap in the mind of many believers between what they know to be the goal of sanctification and growth and where they know they actually are in their life. The goal or spiritual ideal is somewhat clear to many, at least as an ideal: to be conformed to Christ, to love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves, to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, to pray without ceasing, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We hear these good words from the pulpit and our teachers; we read them in books and meditate on them in Scripture. However, the frustration begins right there: in the awareness of an immense distance between where we should, could or ought to be spiritually and where we in fact are—a huge chasm that some have termed the “sanctification gap.”

The church and its leaders would be better equipped to address this “sanctification gap” if its ministries were informed by a robust Spiritual Theology, understood in two senses or forms that are interrelated: (1) its more general form of drawing out the spiritual and existential implications of theology in order to better understand and participate in the process of transformation; (2) its fullest sense as a theological discipline in its own right that attempts to integrate (a) the Scriptural teaching on sanctification with (b) observations and reflections of the Spirit's actual work in the believer's spirit and experience. 

Some Spiritual Formation Books & Authors for my new reading list

Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal 

by Richard Lovelace

The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God

by Dallas Willard

Hearing God Through the Year: A 365 Day Devotional

by Dallas Willard

Father God, 

Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your Spirit to help me. There are things that are unknown and uncertain to me. There are things that i feel stressed about. I find myself worrying about these things. God please help me to trust you and to grow in faith. Guide me and have your way with me. Help me to draw closer in intimacy with you. Help me to listen, to understand, to apply and follow your Word, Will and Way. Help me to trust and receive your grace. Fill me with your Love and your Peace. Thank you God, Amen.

COVID-19

 Got this from a coworker and thought I'd share it too

The world continues its battle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which now has likely impacted, either directly or indirectly, nearly every person on Earth. This is far more than just a health crisis—this is a human crisis. Its fearful wake will only be bested by the bravery, perseverance, and hope of a determined world. It is more than just a dangerous illness; it is a test of our resolve.

Resolve requires more than just the courage to stare down the unknown—it is the commitment to overcome it. It all starts with the heroism of the first responders, health care providers saving lives and scientists working tirelessly to find a cure. It shines on the truck drivers and market workers restocking empty store shelves at the markets.   It’s a reflection to think of why we do what we do and how we can make a difference in someone life less fortunate than ours. 

There are more negative storylines yet to be told in this pandemic as new cases continue to grow in the United States, concern remains elevated, and market volatility reigns. Every day, we are inundated with more and more cancellations—everything from shuttered workplaces to closed schools, cancelled graduations, and restricted public gatherings. But, optimism for the near-term future has not been cancelled. Neither has hope. And, neither has the will to help others in a time of crisis.  Our future is not cancelled—it has been ignited with our resolve.

April 23rd, 2020

Hawaii

Confirmed 592

Recovered 444

Deaths 12

United States

Confirmed 867,771

Recovered 79,817

Deaths 48,900

Worldwide

Confirmed 2,665,122

Recovered 727,170

Deaths 185,494

        Last year in December 2018, the coronavirus was found in the city of Wuhan in China. Some speculate that the origin of the virus came from a seafood market, or possibly by an animal such as a bat or pangolin. In mid-February there were about 15 confirmed cases in US, and by March 1^st around 80,000 cases in China. On March 9^th there were a total of 101.8k confirmed cases. On March 11^th, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.

As I write this on March 29^th, 723,328 cases are confirmed (143,025 cases in US), there have been 34,005 total deaths (Italy 10,779, US 2,509, Spain 6,803), and 151,809 have recovered. Currently there are 175 confirmed cases in Hawaii. Some symptoms include, cough, fever and shortness of breath. The incubation period averages around 5 days. There is still a lot about the virus that is unknown. It’s uncertain how contagious and deadly this aggressive virus really is. But it is obvious that this is a very serious virus that spreads quickly. Treatment and vaccines are still being clinically tested and researched. Another name for the virus is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or (SARS-CoV-2). About 80% of the population infected with the virus will recover without any specialized treatment. Being a new virus factors into why our immune system doesn’t have antibodies already to defend against it.

The R naught of COVID-19 is estimated around 1.95 -2.2, meaning that approximately 2 people will catch the virus from every person who already has it. The seasonal flu has an R naught of 1.3 and infects around 49 million Americans a year, killing between 290,000 = 650,000 people globally in a year. The mortality rate of the seasonal flu is 0.1% while the Coronavirus is estimated around 4.5% meaning it is potentially 45 times more deadly.

            According to a CDC journal, the worst pandemic on record was the Spanish flu of 1918 which killed between 50-100 million people across the world and killed around 675,000 Americans. The Spanish flu had a mortality rate of 2.5%, and if the Coronavirus continues to increase in its mortality rate it could become twice as deadly than the 1918 Spanish flu.

            The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule covered by a protective layer of lipid fat. The virus is very fragile. Soap foam, alcohol and heat above 25 degrees Celsius help to break down the outer layer of fat which makes the protein molecule break down and disperse. The virus molecules can remain very stable in the cold, moisture and darkness. Social distancing and washing your hands are the best ways to protect yourself from catching the virus.

            I can see why many are filled with fear, worry and anxiety in regards to COVID-19. Besides the virus itself there have been huge ripple effects. Businesses have had to close down resulting in the loss of jobs. There has been a huge decrease in the economy, stock market and travel. Our nation is currently in at least a 14 day quarantine. Many hospitals don’t have enough ventilators to help patients who are in severe conditions. 

Do not Fear, God is in control

            In a situation where there is chaos, suffering and uncertainty, God remains completely sovereign, just and in control. There is a passage in Matthew 6:25-34 that talks about how God ultimately cares for us. It’s easy to get concerned about all the possible what if’s that could happen. And I think that’s where fear starts to creep in. Even if we were to all die tomorrow, God would still be perfectly sovereign, supreme, holy, just and good. Everything really boils down to trusting in our Lord and Savior. Some churches and leaders have made wild claims that they don’t need to practice social distancing because if they are a true believer God will protect them from the virus. Some say that this is God’s judgement for one’s sin. Scoffers will say that the COVID-19 is evidence that a loving God does not exist, because a loving God wouldn’t want people to suffer. Do I have all the answers to why God allows suffering, evil and the coronavirus in this world? Nope. But God may be using this as a wake up call for our faith. Ultimately where do we place our security in? Even in the midst of chaos, God does not waiver, or change. God continues to be the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love is constant and relentless. God calls us to Himself, because he is our highest good.

Nothing can Separate us from the Love of God

In John 21, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” And I think God is really asking us, “Do you love me? Do you trust me? Even if you were to get deathly sick, would you still trust and glorify me? Where, what or who do you place your trust in?” In Psalm 46, God is pictured as our refuge and fortress. God is our strength, our redeemer, our comfort, our shelter, our shield, our rock etc. Romans 8 talks about how nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Even if I were to get sick and die, I know that nothing can separate me from the infinite, everlasting and perfect love of God. Every day and every moment we have the opportunity to draw closer to God. We have the opportunity to receive God’s love and commune with Him.

Rest in God. Our God is Greater.

God may be using this coronavirus for hundreds of reasons we can’t understand. The ripple effect of having people stay home could be to have his people find rest in Him. It may be a way of drawing believers and non-believers closer to Him in intimacy. For example someone who feels alone at home, may turn to seeking God in prayer and realizing that he is Emmanuel, God with us and that he is always omnipresent and yet a personal and loving God to even the smallest of details and thoughts of an individual. Unlike humans, God can give his full attention to every living and non-living thing created at the same time without having to lift a pinky. God knows the deepest worries of our heart and calls us to find rest in Him, to cast our sorrows and to not fear because he is with us. The Bible has several verses that minister to someone dealing with anxiety and stress. The solution he gives is himself. He is our source of true peace and contentment. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Paul writes, “I heave learned the secret of being content in any and every situation..” (Phil. 4:12). The amount of sin, evil, chaos, and suffering may be great, but our God is greater. God can use anything for multiple reasons beyond our comprehension. But if we ponder our circumstances, it’s possible we might find some lessons to learn and other spiritual meanings. For myself I am using this time at home to find a deeper sense of solitude and rest in God. Usually everything can get very busy and require us moving at a fast pace to get things accomplished. In a indirect way, this could be one way to get our attention to slow down and acknowledge Him.

What COVID-19 is not.

It’s easy to glorify and praise God when life is going well. But really, I think God is more glorified in times of suffering, during trials and tribulations. Yeah, the coronavirus absolutely sucks. But there have been wars, famines, and hundreds of other natural disasters before that God was still governing over and completely supreme over. There are examples in scripture when God could have easily prevented deaths and other chaotic disasters. Sometimes God intervened and sometimes He didn’t. Either way, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” It’s possible to get cancer and God can 100% use that for his glory. Do I know exactly why and how God works? Of course not. But I know that God demonstrates both his Grace and Justice. Does someone dying mean that God is demonstrating his wrath and judgement for sin? For those who are Christian, I would argue definitely not. Under the atonement of Jesus Christ there is no more condemnation. Through double imputation, Christ gave us the right to be called Children of God. God made him who had no sin to become sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). God reconciled us to him and does not count our trespasses against him. And by his grace we obtain his righteousness. We become a new creature and are given the Holy Spirit. Some might think that the COVID-19 might be a first plague that appears in the end times. It likely isn’t because the plagues are directed towards those who belong to the Antichrist. If saints were not affected by the virus and immune to it, there would be a much stronger argument for it being one of the seven plagues mentioned in Revelation 16-17.

I spoke with a friend over the phone and it turns out that late at night he drove to a hospital. He knew he wouldn’t really be able to visit patients with the coronavirus, but he still drove to the hospital parking lot and decided to pray for all the sick, not only at the hospital but those across the country and the world. Sometimes in our first world country we have so many distractions, technology, wealth and abundance that it’s easy to only focus on ourselves and our own circles. It’s easy to not think about those who may be dying or the poor going hungry. There is always a need for Christians to demonstrate Christ’s love by being the salt and light. In this pressing time Christians ought not to be consumed with overwhelming anxiety and fear of the virus. Rather Christians are to express love and compassion by offering their support to help those in need.

Matthew 10:7 says “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand is synonymous with several other passages in the gospels. Preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand is really Jesus’ main message. “The time has come,” he said, “The kingdom of God has come. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). However the good news wasn’t understood as salvation through the atonement of Christ. Jesus was still alive. The good news was the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is already, but not yet in it’s complete fullness. The kingdom indicates God’s rule and reign, not only in the realm of heaven, but that God’s people can rejoice in submission to God’s sovereign rule and government.

            In conclusion, our world has faced pandemics, wars and devastating disasters before. The COVID-19 is a game changer and has in some way affected all of us. Christians are to let their light shine by putting their faith in God and ministering to others in this time. There are things we can control to protect ourselves from the virus, and for the things we cannot, we need to put our trust in God’s providence. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. God works all things for the good of those who love him. It is in darkness, the hopelessness, and suffering, where God is most magnified. In the darkness, Christ is our light. God is our hope, our refuge and our fortress. And in our pain, sickness and suffering, we can cry out to God for healing, restoration, rejuvenation, comfort, and peace. This is a time to draw closer to God in intimacy. For those quarantined at home, they are given the opportunity to worship God in the spiritual discipline of solitude. We can also practice the discipline of giving and charity to those in need. We can intercede and pray for those who are sick. And more importantly, we can proclaim the good news of God’s Kingdom. We don’t need to fear, because our God is with us.  

Kobe Bryant the Legend

My friend texted me that Kobe passed away. My first reaction is.. Are you serious? This is some sick joke right? then it started showing up on the news everywhere. Not only Kobe, but his 13 year old daughter and 7 others in the helicopter crash. Apparently there was bad weather, but they were still given the go ahead to fly to their basketball game.

I never met Kobe in real life, or even seen him play in real life. And yet, it feels like I lost a close friend. Whether you liked the LA Lakers or not, it was obvious that Kobe Bryant put everything he had into being the best basketball player he could be. He had a tremendous impact and influence on a lot of us. We looked up to Kobe, and everyone would yell, "Kobe!" before they took a shot. Some may only see him as a great basketball player, but even off the court, his mentality applies to several aspects to life.

Kobe was a fierce competitor. When fourth quarter came, you of course gave the ball to Kobe, because that's when he most thrives. When the pressure is on, he wants control of the ball. He wants to defend their best player. No one could beat his work ethic. He had more Drive than anyone. He'd train more hours and work hard everyday to achieve his goals. He was committed, determined and passionate to be the best version of himself. He taught self-belief and that there is no substitute for hard work. That also applied to business, and taking care of his family. He would know how to relax and have fun, but when it's time to work, he's maximizing his advantages and grinding at his craft. He'd chase down mentors to learn from them, and ask them questions on how to develop his game better. He'd learn from his failures and challenge himself to grow stronger.

 Again, I probably wouldn't be this torn up about any other celebrity or athlete. It shows how much his philosophy, hard work and mentality really influenced my life. On the court he was an assassin. He was aggressive, quick and paid attention to detail. If it weren't for Michael Jordan, it would be no contest that Kobe Bryant is the G.O.A.T. But for a lot of millennials, he was our Michael Jordan. We grew up watching Kobe on TV. He was our greatest for our generation. He literally played on a different level and tier than anyone else. But this goes beyond just the sport of basketball. Kobe represented a way of life. Kobe was persistent, dedicated, resolved, and had confidence. You attack and fight for your attaining your goals. You don't take short cuts and cheat yourself. You develop the discipline to make your dreams a reality.

His passing is tragic. He was only 41. and really just started his retirement. He had still had so much left to give. His daughter had potential to go to the WNBA one day. Words have a hard time expressing how much he meant. The whole world became devastated with this news. It brings up so much emotions. You feel sick, and even angry that he's gone. Some guys want to change the game of 21, to 24. Many basketball games that day ran out the 24 sec clock and ran out the 8 second backcourt penalty to pay honor and tribute to him. He was really one of a kind and we'll all miss him.

Dimensions of Health

I know some folks that have been dealing with depression, isolation, loneliness, helplessness, loss, regret, emptiness, discouragement, and negative thoughts. It's very easy to see the difficulties of life. It's not always easy to be optimistic and to push yourself to grow, transform and pursue a better life. Setting goals, pursuing them and consistently fighting to become the best version of yourself is not easy. It's challenging. 

When I help folks with these sort of issues, I relate with them well because it's things I also struggle with. It's easy to make excuses, it's easy to stay comfortable and to not want to change. Sometimes we lack the means, the motivation, inspiration, or energy. Or so we often think. The truth is that we really do have the strength and power to change ourselves and our circumstances. Sure there's external things outside of our control, but much of what we can manipulate, cultivate and grow comes from having a strong internal locus of control. You can see this in ambitious people you might know. It's a mindset. A work ethic. A devotion and commitment to achieve their goals. 

As Christians, we honestly have the greatest source of power we can tap into. At any moment, anywhere, anytime, we can be present with the living God. Sure there are some natural formation things we can do to improve ourselves. But there are things that we really cannot do alone. There are things we can only develop, achieve and obtain by surrendering to God. True strength, virtues, holiness, power and love all come from Him. God's grace does not only cover our sins, God's graces sustains us and empowers us to live for his glory.

I know I tend to blog about holistic health pretty often. But it really does apply to all aspects of my life. Sanctification does not just seek God in our spiritual disciplines. Sanctification also seeks to apply spirituality to all areas of health in our life. There are several spheres of health that are all interconnected. When one area of our health is lacking, it impacts us in other ways. And vise versa, when one area of our health is thriving it helps us to flourish in our other categories of health.

This stuff can kinda seem like a no-brainer, and yet I still find myself having to remind myself to focus on all aspects of health.

Spiritual Health
Arguably the center of our health. Drawing closer to God. Being present with God and finding Joy in Him.

Physical Health
A huge aspect of health that can be broken into subcategories that I'll explain. Exercise! Our bodies were meant to move! Hygiene. Medication management. Actually seeing the doctor.

Nutrition
This deserves it's own category. Eating right consistently is critical to our entire well being. We generally already know what's good and bad for ourselves.

Sleep
Nothing good happens after 2pm. Go to sleep early and get the rest we need. Setting a consistent routine sleep cycle.

Emotional Health
Our mood really does effect our day to day choices. This aspect of health is closely tied to our behavior. Sometimes we let our emotions get the best of us. It takes some introspection to understand ourselves.

Cognitive Health
Also known as intellectual health. We need to think about our thoughts and often change the way we perceive and think.

Financial Health
The discipline of saving money, investing, budgeting and not over spending.

Occupational Health
What we do for a living isn't our identity, but our vocational calling does play a role in pursuing our purposes. Not everyone has the luxury to work doing something they love. But regardless of what career we're in or pursuing, we can make a difference. Hard work pays off.

Environmental Health
I consider this one's living situation. Maintaining a orderly home. A safe place of peace, restoration and not of conflict.

Relational Health
A vital aspect of health that often gets neglected. It often takes intentionality to reach out to friends, grow in community and create opportunities of kindness. Quality time comes out of quantity time.

I remember..

I remember being so deeply in love with God. I remember being filled in awe. I remember God non-stop speaking to me and drawing me closer. I remember tasting the depth of his love. I remember being so fascinated by the things unseen. I remember wanting nothing more than to spend just a few more minutes being synchronized in communion with God. I remember a burning uncontainable joy that I used to have. I remember listening to worship music non-stop, and hearing God whisper to me in so many different ways. I remember encountering the power of his Holy Spirit. I remember my faith being stronger than how it's been lately. I remember having tons of christian friends and having long deep conversations, reading and studying the bible daily, listening to different authors, pastors and teachers,, going to bible studies, going on retreats, doing ministry, being discipled and making disciples. I remember not needing a reason to do something, except to glorify God and make him first. I remember pursuing obedience and holiness because I desired to grow in intimacy with God. I remember the energy I used to have. I remember seeing and feeling God through the midst of dark depression days. I remember getting tons of visions and dreams. I remember always having worship in my heart, and learning to die to myself. I remember God's grace covering all of my sins, guilt and shame. Why are these only things I can remember and not more present with me today?

Sometimes i can't tell if i'm too hard on myself.. or not hard enough.. Seminary filled me with a lot of head knowledge, but somehow I've forgotten a sense of heart knowledge. Somewhere I began seeing going to church, reading the bible, and other spiritual disciplines feel like it was more of a chore rather than a desire. Somewhere the the idols of this world crept in more and more. Pursuing a relationship, seeking material wealth, seeking entertainment and comfort more than anything else. Somewhere down the line, I became less passionate, less confident, less in tuned with putting my faith in God first. I made excuses. I stopped, "feeling it." I became a fat lazy sloth. I lacked community and accountability. I had a much harder time sensing God, and only focused on living for myself. Seeking something to fill the void and yet never being satisfied. I wrestled with my sinful ways and in a sense closed myself off from seeking God. I fell into despair, depression and a negative attitude. I feel like I lost my way and ran off like a prodigal son. I ran off trying to seek happiness in people and things. God has been with me the whole time, but I have not acknowledged him and treasured him as he deserves. I guess my heart hardened and I wandered in a dark ocean. Sure there are always a few moments when I run back to the Father. But then why do I continue to run away again like a prodigal son? Why am i so inconsistent? Why do i continue to struggle to live for him? Why does my heart keep seeking idols before him? Why have I drifted so far? Why have I become so blind and deaf? Open my eyes and ears to see and hear you Father.

I had a co-worker mention how he is against "organized religion" and going to church. There's a lot that I completely understood. There's leaders in ministry that don't set a good example. there's bad examples of christians for sure. There's cults and distorted teaching. There's so much division and controversy surrounding the Bible. My friend thinks, "well if the Bible was written by flawed men, (who apparently are inspired) then how exactly can we take the Bible as reliable and true?) He had several arguments and personal beliefs and legitimate questions and concerns. in listening to his different beliefs, it made me realize how important my beliefs were to me and how I haven't been matching up to my beliefs. He talked about how Christians are hypocritical. And i completely understand that. He didn't like being told what to do or how to live. And i dunno, it just feels like God used a conversation to remind me of all the things that I do hold to be true. There's somethings that require faith that I can't explain well. There's One True God, the Bible is true and Jesus really did die for my sins to give his church salvation and reconciliation, justification and sanctification. Life isn't pointless. This life isn't the end. There is a loving God, not just waiting in the afterlife of heaven but a loving God outside of time that is always with us at every moment. My friend didn't get the point of knowing who God is. He didn't want to go to heaven forever. He just wanted to live for himself and then die and have that the end.

 Somehow hearing his very different views, increased my faith. Two other Christian co-workers also jumped in the conversation and were trying to convince him of the positive things of church and the truth of scripture. My other friend wasn't interested in subscribing to Christian things. He believed that there were or are several different gods. Trying to argue the truth and reality of scripture and God isn't always easy when they haven't really experienced God, or have only experienced a negative view of church. He ended up leaving because he had to go. And even tho he didn't really change his mind about things, maybe he will at least give it more thought. He likes basketball, so i said, "Yeah there are definitely some bad coaches and you can have bad teammates, but that doesn't mean there aren't good coaches and good teammates out there." And he said, "yeah that's actually a good point." that he understood. so even if we may not break through to someone.. in a way we have to let the Holy Spirit do his work. idk.. somehow, it reminded me how important it is to actually be confident in my faith and what I believe is true, and who i believe God is. God used this conversation to really remind me what is valuable and how our spiritual life far surpasses this physical world. So if God is who I believe he is, and the God of the Bible is very true, my life should follow in accordance and in joyful obedience. Ask and it shall be given to you, Seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be open unto you.. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.