Okay for all you gym newbies, there are some unwritten rules that you have to live by in the gym. I was doing squats today and had one of the neck pads on the bar. So I finish my set and start to unload some weights to make it lighter, then this kid walks up and takes the neck pad and walks away!
I was like, "Hey, (louder) HEY!" He takes off his headphones, "Oh were you using this?"
"What do you think I'm doing here?!", I yell. He apologetically gives it back.
Then later when I'm using the leg press, he comes over and steals in a set without even asking me if he could work in!
I didn't say anything that time, but I was thinking this guy is killing me right now!
I think he was a little der, der der, and I felt kind of bad yelling at him afterwards. I really need to learn how to confront people sans the anger. Even when I think I'm not yelling or looking angry people will always say different.
So here are some more etiquette tips to help you survive whilst at the gym so you don't get pounded by some 300lb gorilla:
1) Don't take a machine or a weight that someone else is using
2) Ask to work in if you want to use the same machine as someone else
3) Wipe down your sweat
4) Put your weights away. (Ok if you have worked out so hard you feel like throwing up, I can understand if you leave them).
5) Don't hog a machine. (I do this all the time).
6) Don't hog two machines. (I do this all the time too).
7) Don't spot someone if you don't know how, they could die.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Pros and Cons of Alcohol
Pros
1) Relaxes me
2) Makes me feel sedated/high
3) Usually makes whatever I am doing seem more enjoyable
4) Makes me more social at times
5) Most people drink so it helps me to fit in at social gatherings at work, etc.
6) It's my favorite hobby, the thing that I look forward to doing the most
Cons
1) My wife hates it
2) Expensive
3) Bad for my health
4) Sometimes makes me angry, violent, argumentative
5) Can't drive
6) Don't have full control of my gross motor skills
7) Blackouts
8) Makes me anti-social sometimes
9) Can't effectively watch my kids
10) Feel physically crappy the next day
11) Makes me feel depressed
12) Don't want to pass on alcoholism to my sons
13) Alcohol destroyed my family growing up
14) Have no control of how much I drink
15) Makes me completetly ineffective the next day
16) Diarrhea
17) Bible says not to get drunk
18) Takes away any ambition or desire to do anything besides drink
When I drink I drink for the high, the buzz, but most of the time I don't even get a clean one. It's usually a sloppy buzz. And most of the time, actually all the time I drink past the point of feeling buzzed to either keep chasing it or keep it going, and then I black out and fall asleep.
Is it even really that fun!? Wouldn't I have a better time at doing whatever it is I am doing if I was able to do it coherently and remember doing it!? What is this constant need to chase that high, to desire the feeling of sedation? I guess that is why they call it an addiction, a habit, a compulsion, a need, a dependence, a craving, a compulsion, an infatuation, an obsession. I'm physiologically and psychologically dependent on it. My God how I love it though!
1) Relaxes me
2) Makes me feel sedated/high
3) Usually makes whatever I am doing seem more enjoyable
4) Makes me more social at times
5) Most people drink so it helps me to fit in at social gatherings at work, etc.
6) It's my favorite hobby, the thing that I look forward to doing the most
Cons
1) My wife hates it
2) Expensive
3) Bad for my health
4) Sometimes makes me angry, violent, argumentative
5) Can't drive
6) Don't have full control of my gross motor skills
7) Blackouts
8) Makes me anti-social sometimes
9) Can't effectively watch my kids
10) Feel physically crappy the next day
11) Makes me feel depressed
12) Don't want to pass on alcoholism to my sons
13) Alcohol destroyed my family growing up
14) Have no control of how much I drink
15) Makes me completetly ineffective the next day
16) Diarrhea
17) Bible says not to get drunk
18) Takes away any ambition or desire to do anything besides drink
When I drink I drink for the high, the buzz, but most of the time I don't even get a clean one. It's usually a sloppy buzz. And most of the time, actually all the time I drink past the point of feeling buzzed to either keep chasing it or keep it going, and then I black out and fall asleep.
Is it even really that fun!? Wouldn't I have a better time at doing whatever it is I am doing if I was able to do it coherently and remember doing it!? What is this constant need to chase that high, to desire the feeling of sedation? I guess that is why they call it an addiction, a habit, a compulsion, a need, a dependence, a craving, a compulsion, an infatuation, an obsession. I'm physiologically and psychologically dependent on it. My God how I love it though!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Intercessory Prayer
I got a letter from our new sponsor child John Carlo the other day. He is one of the kids whose compassion center we visited on our Philippines trip.
What blew me away in his letter was that he said he was devoting himself to praying for me and my health. It’s so astounding to think that I am so blessed and honored to have someone pray for me on a routinely basis from across the world. I admit I was a little bit taken aback and had to lift up a quick moment of thanksgiving to God for being able to experience this and to pray for John and his huge family.
I have another friend that I have mentioned before, Nelly. Despite our age differences we became close on our trip, and we have been keeping in contact via email. At least once every other week she emails Mary and I just keeping in touch, sharing, and letting us know that we are in her thoughts and prayers. How freaking amazing is that!
Again honored and blessed are the only words that come to mind. It is a great reminder of how we as Christians are bound together and though separated by great distances, we can instantly lift up an intercessory prayer for those we know and love. Again how freaking amazing is that! It just blows your mind.
What blew me away in his letter was that he said he was devoting himself to praying for me and my health. It’s so astounding to think that I am so blessed and honored to have someone pray for me on a routinely basis from across the world. I admit I was a little bit taken aback and had to lift up a quick moment of thanksgiving to God for being able to experience this and to pray for John and his huge family.
I have another friend that I have mentioned before, Nelly. Despite our age differences we became close on our trip, and we have been keeping in contact via email. At least once every other week she emails Mary and I just keeping in touch, sharing, and letting us know that we are in her thoughts and prayers. How freaking amazing is that!
Again honored and blessed are the only words that come to mind. It is a great reminder of how we as Christians are bound together and though separated by great distances, we can instantly lift up an intercessory prayer for those we know and love. Again how freaking amazing is that! It just blows your mind.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
2 Kings 5
I’ve always liked the story of Naaman. Maybe because I could relate to his skin condition somewhat. I have leprosy. No I don’t, but in college I had a break out of keloids on my chest, tons of them and I had to get them injected at the dermatologist for years. Keloids are just overhealed scar tissue, but I had tons of them on my chest and it looked unsightly. That’s the main reason why I got the large dragon tattoo on my chest, to cover up the scars, and also to look bad ass.
Anyways Naaman was this great general, rich, powerful, but he had leprosy. When he went to get healing, he scoffed because all he had to do was get naked and dip in the Jordan river. He expected more of a show, after all he was this important and powerful person.
Our church needs a lot of help. I was thinking lately of things that I can do to help our church. I guess in a way I was acting like Naaman, thinking that I needed to something grand, because I am so important. But I realized that the simple small things are just as important. Throwing away the garbage every Sunday, putting the chairs and table away after service, watching the kids, providing Sunday snacks. Those are the things that nobody gets recognized for doing but are so crucial to our Sunday service.
Attitude is important too. Lately I haven’t been getting much out of the messages, but whose fault is that? The biblical principles are sound. Maybe it’s my heart that is cold and unaccepting of the word. Maybe I am expecting some type of grand theatrical show, that gets me excited. I need to humble myself and reexamine the simple message of the gospel.
Second lesson for me, Gehazi, the poor servant of Elisha. He was only looking out for his and his Master’s own welfare. But Elisha rebuked him saying, “is this the time to be hoarding for ourselves!?” Dude got leprosy.
I have much, God has blessed me. But sometime I can get really petty like Gehazi. Recently we gave away two snap and go sets along with a stroller to our house cleaners. I remember thinking we should sell them on Craigslist instead, I bet we could get at least $100. I even suggested that we hold on to them and give them to our friends who might have babies in the future. I wasn’t really even thinking that, I just wanted to hold onto them.
How petty is that!? What are we gonna do with $100? Our friends wouldn’t even accept a used snap and go set. They of course would want to buy a new set of their own for their precious child. But I had people in front of me who would willingly and happily accept our used gear and I was hesitant to let it go. Luckily I have a better half, who helps me to see outside of myself sometimes.
Anyways Naaman was this great general, rich, powerful, but he had leprosy. When he went to get healing, he scoffed because all he had to do was get naked and dip in the Jordan river. He expected more of a show, after all he was this important and powerful person.
Our church needs a lot of help. I was thinking lately of things that I can do to help our church. I guess in a way I was acting like Naaman, thinking that I needed to something grand, because I am so important. But I realized that the simple small things are just as important. Throwing away the garbage every Sunday, putting the chairs and table away after service, watching the kids, providing Sunday snacks. Those are the things that nobody gets recognized for doing but are so crucial to our Sunday service.
Attitude is important too. Lately I haven’t been getting much out of the messages, but whose fault is that? The biblical principles are sound. Maybe it’s my heart that is cold and unaccepting of the word. Maybe I am expecting some type of grand theatrical show, that gets me excited. I need to humble myself and reexamine the simple message of the gospel.
Second lesson for me, Gehazi, the poor servant of Elisha. He was only looking out for his and his Master’s own welfare. But Elisha rebuked him saying, “is this the time to be hoarding for ourselves!?” Dude got leprosy.
I have much, God has blessed me. But sometime I can get really petty like Gehazi. Recently we gave away two snap and go sets along with a stroller to our house cleaners. I remember thinking we should sell them on Craigslist instead, I bet we could get at least $100. I even suggested that we hold on to them and give them to our friends who might have babies in the future. I wasn’t really even thinking that, I just wanted to hold onto them.
How petty is that!? What are we gonna do with $100? Our friends wouldn’t even accept a used snap and go set. They of course would want to buy a new set of their own for their precious child. But I had people in front of me who would willingly and happily accept our used gear and I was hesitant to let it go. Luckily I have a better half, who helps me to see outside of myself sometimes.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Deuteronomy 31
"Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. 20 When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. 21 And when many disasters and difficulties come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath." 22 So Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites.
When they have eaten their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them. Recently I shared a testimony at my church about my Philippines trip. I stated that in comparison to the many poor people I visited in the Philippines, people in America, well at least the ones I see, don’t need God. We are self sufficient and thriving. We have all eaten our fill and continue to do so every day.
We have food to eat in plenty, warm clothes to wear, roof over our head, hot running water, comfortable bed, and we have an assortment of entertainment options at our disposal. What need do we have for God!?
God said he knows his people, when they have enough they become complacent and lazy. “I know what they are disposed to do”, he says. The Israelites when lost and wondering in the desert relied on God and called out to him for their needs. For manna when they were hungry, water from rocks when they were thirsty, for direction when they were lost. But as soon as they reach the Promised Land, a place flowing with milk and honey, they turn to other gods.
The story of the Israelites wandering in the desert is an allegory of us today. We may not turn to actual physical idols, but instead we turn to sexual immorality, laziness, hoarding of wealth, accomplishments, drugs, you name them.
Even good things can become idols of worship in our lives. Our own children, they are such a sweet, rich blessing, but when parents start to live their own lives through their kids and start putting unrealistic expectations on them, twisting them with their own pathologies, then that sweet blessing can become tainted.
When they have eaten their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them. Recently I shared a testimony at my church about my Philippines trip. I stated that in comparison to the many poor people I visited in the Philippines, people in America, well at least the ones I see, don’t need God. We are self sufficient and thriving. We have all eaten our fill and continue to do so every day.
We have food to eat in plenty, warm clothes to wear, roof over our head, hot running water, comfortable bed, and we have an assortment of entertainment options at our disposal. What need do we have for God!?
God said he knows his people, when they have enough they become complacent and lazy. “I know what they are disposed to do”, he says. The Israelites when lost and wondering in the desert relied on God and called out to him for their needs. For manna when they were hungry, water from rocks when they were thirsty, for direction when they were lost. But as soon as they reach the Promised Land, a place flowing with milk and honey, they turn to other gods.
The story of the Israelites wandering in the desert is an allegory of us today. We may not turn to actual physical idols, but instead we turn to sexual immorality, laziness, hoarding of wealth, accomplishments, drugs, you name them.
Even good things can become idols of worship in our lives. Our own children, they are such a sweet, rich blessing, but when parents start to live their own lives through their kids and start putting unrealistic expectations on them, twisting them with their own pathologies, then that sweet blessing can become tainted.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Stupid Oven!
I have been getting angry at inanimate objects lately.
The other day I was cooking a Boboli pizza and the door of my oven would not unlock. I kept pushing the button frantically. I turned the oven off but my pizza began to burn, so I became even more frantic. I started to go blood frenzy on the damn oven and started to shake the hell out of it. Stuff started falling off of it but the door still would not open.
I was seconds away from grabbing our frying pan and smashing the hell out of our 1980’s oven. But my fear of Mary’s reaction when she got home stopped me. I started to yell in frustration, calling the oven some pretty harsh expletives. Christian immediately began scolding me, “Stop that right now!”
Finally after much anguish the door latch buzzed open. By this time I was exhausted, and our dinner was burnt. Well the bottom part was, we scraped off the top part and still ate it for dinner. Stupid oven!
The other day I was cooking a Boboli pizza and the door of my oven would not unlock. I kept pushing the button frantically. I turned the oven off but my pizza began to burn, so I became even more frantic. I started to go blood frenzy on the damn oven and started to shake the hell out of it. Stuff started falling off of it but the door still would not open.
I was seconds away from grabbing our frying pan and smashing the hell out of our 1980’s oven. But my fear of Mary’s reaction when she got home stopped me. I started to yell in frustration, calling the oven some pretty harsh expletives. Christian immediately began scolding me, “Stop that right now!”
Finally after much anguish the door latch buzzed open. By this time I was exhausted, and our dinner was burnt. Well the bottom part was, we scraped off the top part and still ate it for dinner. Stupid oven!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Blanky
Today was the first day at school without his blanket. Apparently Christian threw a tantrum recently at school because of his blanket and we were advised that it be better that the blanket stay at home. Last night I told Christian that he couldn’t bring his blanket to school and he said, “Alright”, almost as if he expected it.
He loves that blanket. It’s funny to me because I used to read Peanuts and I remember Linus and his blanket, but for some reason I didn’t think it was a real thing. I guess it’s because I couldn’t relate, I never had a security anything. I sure could have used one growing up though.
Christian is just like Linus. He carries that thing around with him everywhere he goes. In the Peanuts cartoon Linus is traumatized every time his blanket has to be washed. Christian is just like that, he doesn’t want us to take it away from him to be cleaned. Sometimes he has to go to sleep without it because it is still being dried, and we have to give him one of Aiden’s blankets to soothe him. He reluctantly accepts the counterfeit. When he gets his blanket back from the dryer he always throws out an exuberant, “Yay!” and welcomes his blanket back with a joyful hug.
Most of the time he doesn’t even hold it, he just like the comfort of knowing it’s there. I hope he’s ok at school. Poor thing. This morning he was whimpering on his way to class, “I want my blanky.” It was so sad.
He loves that blanket. It’s funny to me because I used to read Peanuts and I remember Linus and his blanket, but for some reason I didn’t think it was a real thing. I guess it’s because I couldn’t relate, I never had a security anything. I sure could have used one growing up though.
Christian is just like Linus. He carries that thing around with him everywhere he goes. In the Peanuts cartoon Linus is traumatized every time his blanket has to be washed. Christian is just like that, he doesn’t want us to take it away from him to be cleaned. Sometimes he has to go to sleep without it because it is still being dried, and we have to give him one of Aiden’s blankets to soothe him. He reluctantly accepts the counterfeit. When he gets his blanket back from the dryer he always throws out an exuberant, “Yay!” and welcomes his blanket back with a joyful hug.
Most of the time he doesn’t even hold it, he just like the comfort of knowing it’s there. I hope he’s ok at school. Poor thing. This morning he was whimpering on his way to class, “I want my blanky.” It was so sad.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Hello Post
Hello Post it's been a long time.
Just wanted to free flow. What has been going on in my life, well a lot actually. I just got back from an amazing trip from the Philippines where I got to experience poverty up close. Not only was I able to experience poverty but I got to see God's people doing something about it. I believe God can end poverty. But for some unknown reason beyond you and me, he wants to include us in His great work.
It was my first mission trip of any kind. In college I avoided mission trips, not sure why. Maybe because I never wanted to be sent permanently. But now I am hooked. Send me on another mission trip soon. It's just amazing being in God's presence and his work all day every day. We had a missionary from China come speak at our church recently, he is looking for short term missionaries , I immediately wanted to go. We are having a meeting with him this Wed to discuss.
I hate crying, but I have been crying a lot lately. I cried when I gave my Philippines presentation, I cried last Sunday after the missionary shared his testimony about China. Not really sure what is going on, I think it is God stirring my cold, cold heart.
The devil is real, I truly believe that. As soon as I came back from the Philippines, I was kind of on this spiritual high. The devil hates that and I believe that he tried his best to bring havoc and mayhem into my life as quickly as he could so I would stop being joyful. It worked. But through God's grace I feel like I came out it stronger and I think maybe my family did too.
I met a woman in the Philippines named Nelly. For some reason I love that name. I was seated next to her on both plane rides over to the Philippines. We got to talking and I found out she sponsored like 10 children over her life. This trip to the Philippines was her 5th! During our conversation I kept thinking what a strong wonderful woman. I immediately wrote down in my journal, that I bet I could bench press over 5 times what she could, but the strength of her spirit dwarfed mine.
We became pretty close on the trip though she didn't speak much, I don't either for that matter. But I shared about her during our wrap up session and I shared about her at church a couple weeks ago when I gave my testimony. But I left out the most important part.
During one of the days over there Nelly asked me how many people she thought were on that plane where we were seated next to each other on. I said, “I don't know 700”?
Then she said, “Do you think it was a coincidence we were seated next to each other?” I guess I didn't give it much thought.
Before we went on the trip to the Philippines, the group that was going shared some exchanges over email. I wrote about how I was worried about the heat in the Philippines since it’s my kryptonite, then I wrote something pretty poignant, I said even though I am always physically hot, I am spiritually cold and have been struggling spiritually for awhile now. Nelly said since she read that email God put it on her heart to pray for me every day. And she did, during her walks she would pray for this stranger from across the country she didn't even know.
I was blown away, still am. I am convinced that her prayers helped me meet and experience God all the more during my time in the Philippines. She and I still exchange emails periodically. She emailed me today and said that she still prays for me every day. What a wonderful woman! Mary and I call her the grandmother we never had. I hope we can visit her one day in Florida. She worked for Disney World and offered to be our tour guide. How much would the kids love that! God bless you Nelly! You bring tears to this cold hearted man’s eye.
Just wanted to free flow. What has been going on in my life, well a lot actually. I just got back from an amazing trip from the Philippines where I got to experience poverty up close. Not only was I able to experience poverty but I got to see God's people doing something about it. I believe God can end poverty. But for some unknown reason beyond you and me, he wants to include us in His great work.
It was my first mission trip of any kind. In college I avoided mission trips, not sure why. Maybe because I never wanted to be sent permanently. But now I am hooked. Send me on another mission trip soon. It's just amazing being in God's presence and his work all day every day. We had a missionary from China come speak at our church recently, he is looking for short term missionaries , I immediately wanted to go. We are having a meeting with him this Wed to discuss.
I hate crying, but I have been crying a lot lately. I cried when I gave my Philippines presentation, I cried last Sunday after the missionary shared his testimony about China. Not really sure what is going on, I think it is God stirring my cold, cold heart.
The devil is real, I truly believe that. As soon as I came back from the Philippines, I was kind of on this spiritual high. The devil hates that and I believe that he tried his best to bring havoc and mayhem into my life as quickly as he could so I would stop being joyful. It worked. But through God's grace I feel like I came out it stronger and I think maybe my family did too.
I met a woman in the Philippines named Nelly. For some reason I love that name. I was seated next to her on both plane rides over to the Philippines. We got to talking and I found out she sponsored like 10 children over her life. This trip to the Philippines was her 5th! During our conversation I kept thinking what a strong wonderful woman. I immediately wrote down in my journal, that I bet I could bench press over 5 times what she could, but the strength of her spirit dwarfed mine.
We became pretty close on the trip though she didn't speak much, I don't either for that matter. But I shared about her during our wrap up session and I shared about her at church a couple weeks ago when I gave my testimony. But I left out the most important part.
During one of the days over there Nelly asked me how many people she thought were on that plane where we were seated next to each other on. I said, “I don't know 700”?
Then she said, “Do you think it was a coincidence we were seated next to each other?” I guess I didn't give it much thought.
Before we went on the trip to the Philippines, the group that was going shared some exchanges over email. I wrote about how I was worried about the heat in the Philippines since it’s my kryptonite, then I wrote something pretty poignant, I said even though I am always physically hot, I am spiritually cold and have been struggling spiritually for awhile now. Nelly said since she read that email God put it on her heart to pray for me every day. And she did, during her walks she would pray for this stranger from across the country she didn't even know.
I was blown away, still am. I am convinced that her prayers helped me meet and experience God all the more during my time in the Philippines. She and I still exchange emails periodically. She emailed me today and said that she still prays for me every day. What a wonderful woman! Mary and I call her the grandmother we never had. I hope we can visit her one day in Florida. She worked for Disney World and offered to be our tour guide. How much would the kids love that! God bless you Nelly! You bring tears to this cold hearted man’s eye.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
My Favorite Foods (in no particular order)
-Togos #9 Hot pastrami
-Porterhouse steak at Claimjumpers
-Seafood alfredo at Olive Garden
-Maguro and Sake sashimi from Japanese market eaten with hot rice and lot's of soysauce and wasabi
-Mary's Gori Gomtang (oxtail soup)
-Mary's Spaghetti
-Hot links from Top Dog
-Spicy pork over rice at Steve's Barbeque (Berkeley)
-Fat Slice Pizza cheese/pepperoni (Berkeley)
-Vietnamese sandwiches from Banh Mi (El Cerrito)
-Cheeseburger and fries from Big Al's (El Cerrito)
-Big Mac and filet o fish sandwiches from McD's chicken nuggets too
-Carnitas plate from Gordos with extra jalapenos
-Vermicelli noodles with porkchops and spring rolls from Huong Tra (El Cerrito)
-Bul go gi (Korean bbq) sandwich from Espresso Experience (Berkeley)
-Fried Chicken sandwich from Bakesale Bettys (Oakland)
-Shrimp (any)
-Spicy scallop rolls from Ichiro's (Oakland)
-Super Burrito Famoso from La Pinata (Alameda)
-Dok Bosom from Shik Do Rak (Anaheim)
-Porterhouse steak at Claimjumpers
-Seafood alfredo at Olive Garden
-Maguro and Sake sashimi from Japanese market eaten with hot rice and lot's of soysauce and wasabi
-Mary's Gori Gomtang (oxtail soup)
-Mary's Spaghetti
-Hot links from Top Dog
-Spicy pork over rice at Steve's Barbeque (Berkeley)
-Fat Slice Pizza cheese/pepperoni (Berkeley)
-Vietnamese sandwiches from Banh Mi (El Cerrito)
-Cheeseburger and fries from Big Al's (El Cerrito)
-Big Mac and filet o fish sandwiches from McD's chicken nuggets too
-Carnitas plate from Gordos with extra jalapenos
-Vermicelli noodles with porkchops and spring rolls from Huong Tra (El Cerrito)
-Bul go gi (Korean bbq) sandwich from Espresso Experience (Berkeley)
-Fried Chicken sandwich from Bakesale Bettys (Oakland)
-Shrimp (any)
-Spicy scallop rolls from Ichiro's (Oakland)
-Super Burrito Famoso from La Pinata (Alameda)
-Dok Bosom from Shik Do Rak (Anaheim)
Friday, June 25, 2010
1 Corinthians
I've probably read 1 Corinthians like a thousand times, but I got something different out of it today.
Often times I will judge people in our congregation because they are different, they don't do the normal things that the rest of us do. They don't come to the normal fellowships, bible studies, group outings, are clickish and only hang around certain people, etc.
God not only gives us different gifts, but he gives us different personalities. Those unique traits that are individual makes us repulsive to some, yet attractive to others. Churches need all of those different people, in order to become a thriving community. Some people will never want to meet up one on one with a pastor but may open up and share with someone else in the church, someone you would least suspect.
I think the term leader gets thrown around at church too often and too flippantly. We all are and can be leaders in diffrent ways. You don't have to belong to a designated group to display leadership, even in the church environment.
God has defintely made me unique, many bad traits but some good. I have to use my gifts or personality to reach out and affect my sphere of influence.
Often times I will judge people in our congregation because they are different, they don't do the normal things that the rest of us do. They don't come to the normal fellowships, bible studies, group outings, are clickish and only hang around certain people, etc.
God not only gives us different gifts, but he gives us different personalities. Those unique traits that are individual makes us repulsive to some, yet attractive to others. Churches need all of those different people, in order to become a thriving community. Some people will never want to meet up one on one with a pastor but may open up and share with someone else in the church, someone you would least suspect.
I think the term leader gets thrown around at church too often and too flippantly. We all are and can be leaders in diffrent ways. You don't have to belong to a designated group to display leadership, even in the church environment.
God has defintely made me unique, many bad traits but some good. I have to use my gifts or personality to reach out and affect my sphere of influence.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wang Nguyen
Like most typical 1.5 generation Asian Americans, it was instilled in me at an early age by my father that I should become a doctor when I grew up. There was no other option for him, it was doctor or I was a failure. The only problem is that I never enjoyed science and never really excelled in the subject.
I was actually talking to Mary this morning about how I hated my primary physician at Kaiser. Just because someone is good at science and wrote memory doesn’t necessarily translate into them becoming a good doctor.
Now to what I originally wanted to write about…Ed Wang has become the first Chinese American drafted into the NFL. Dat Nguyen was the first Vietnamese American drafted into the NFL, and they are the only two full blooded Asians to have been drafted into the NFL to date.
I believe that in the next 10-15 years you will begin to see a lot more Asians entering into professional sports. Parents around my age/generation are no longer instilling this eastern mystical garbage into our kids, that a career in Medicine or Law is the only respectable career. I feel a lot more parents our generation will encourage our kids to follow their passion and support them no matter what they want to do, especially if they want to become a professional athlete.
Perhaps some of the reasons are that we don’t want to suffocate them the way our parents did, but a lot of it has to do with financial stability. Unlike our parents who often had to grind it out every day in their stores or multiple jobs, we have careers. We don’t feel the financial burden and impress upon our kids fear tactics of becoming rich and successful so they can help the family out.
Dr. Harry Edwards a sociology professor at Berkeley argued that African Americans dominated professional sports not because they were genetically gifted, but rather very much like the whole Asians becoming doctors phenomenon, most African Americans were channeled into that career as an only option.
I don’t completely buy into his theory, but I do believe there is a sociological aspect to explain why there are less Asians in professional sports. And as I mentioned before, in the next 10-15 years you will see more and more news of 100% Asian Americans playing in American professional sports, including the NFL and NBA which is currently dominated by African Americans.
I was actually talking to Mary this morning about how I hated my primary physician at Kaiser. Just because someone is good at science and wrote memory doesn’t necessarily translate into them becoming a good doctor.
Now to what I originally wanted to write about…Ed Wang has become the first Chinese American drafted into the NFL. Dat Nguyen was the first Vietnamese American drafted into the NFL, and they are the only two full blooded Asians to have been drafted into the NFL to date.
I believe that in the next 10-15 years you will begin to see a lot more Asians entering into professional sports. Parents around my age/generation are no longer instilling this eastern mystical garbage into our kids, that a career in Medicine or Law is the only respectable career. I feel a lot more parents our generation will encourage our kids to follow their passion and support them no matter what they want to do, especially if they want to become a professional athlete.Perhaps some of the reasons are that we don’t want to suffocate them the way our parents did, but a lot of it has to do with financial stability. Unlike our parents who often had to grind it out every day in their stores or multiple jobs, we have careers. We don’t feel the financial burden and impress upon our kids fear tactics of becoming rich and successful so they can help the family out.
Dr. Harry Edwards a sociology professor at Berkeley argued that African Americans dominated professional sports not because they were genetically gifted, but rather very much like the whole Asians becoming doctors phenomenon, most African Americans were channeled into that career as an only option.
I don’t completely buy into his theory, but I do believe there is a sociological aspect to explain why there are less Asians in professional sports. And as I mentioned before, in the next 10-15 years you will see more and more news of 100% Asian Americans playing in American professional sports, including the NFL and NBA which is currently dominated by African Americans.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Judges, Not Those Type
In the Old Testament, God raised up judges to preside over the Israelites because they became so corrupt. Whenever God raised up a judge, he was with that judge and the Israelites followed God. But each time the judge died, the Israelites returned to their corrupt ways and became even worse than before.
This passage stood out to me because I was having a conversation recently with a group of friends about how Christians need clear guidance in their lives and they need somebody to tell them what to do. It might seem childish for us to be told how to live as Christians, but isn’t that what we are most times?
We are children, and like children when we go unsupervised by an adult, we become like The Lord of The Flies. We run amock with corruption and our own sense of right and wrong.
This passage stood out to me because I was having a conversation recently with a group of friends about how Christians need clear guidance in their lives and they need somebody to tell them what to do. It might seem childish for us to be told how to live as Christians, but isn’t that what we are most times?
We are children, and like children when we go unsupervised by an adult, we become like The Lord of The Flies. We run amock with corruption and our own sense of right and wrong.
Men do it all the time, when their wife is away, they return to their bachelor ways of old, eating fast food only, drinking too much, messing up the house, pizza boxes and beer cans everywhere, socks on the floor, and then quickly cleaning everything up and returning the house to the way it was right before your wife comes home. We all do it.
The Israelites are a representation of man kind. Left to our own wits we return to sin, again and again. Often times even adult Christians need someone to spank them, and show them what’s right and what’s wrong. Maybe not in the same way our parents did when we were children, but we need God apointed judges to show us how to live right with God.
The Israelites are a representation of man kind. Left to our own wits we return to sin, again and again. Often times even adult Christians need someone to spank them, and show them what’s right and what’s wrong. Maybe not in the same way our parents did when we were children, but we need God apointed judges to show us how to live right with God.
Friday, May 7, 2010
I'm Fat
So my wife thinks I'm fat. Not that I disagree with her, but I don't completely describe myself as fat.
I guess one of my icons that I can fall back to is the "Rock". In my opinion I thought he looked better "big ' back than he does "now".
Okay fine he's more ripped. But in my opinion he looks anorexic. I guess there are different opinions on what is considered fat. But I definitely don't consider myself fat. Big yes, but fat no.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Vengeance is Mine
I'm still chewing on Total Forgiveness and as I read on today I had some more thoughts. Often times in our lives when we see injustice, we want retribution immediately, and often times we take it on ourselves to be the judge or punisher if you will.
But that angers God. He said, “Vengeance is mine and mine alone”, we don’t have the authority to be a judge because we are flawed people. Kendall said in his book, What if every time you judged someone an angel of God came down and told the person you were accusing all of your sins? Would we feel so bold to point the finger then?
David was considered to be a man after God’s own heart. Yet even David could not escape the justice of God. He would have to answer for his sin of sleeping with Uriah’s wife and then having him killed so no one would find out about it.
You read in 2 Samuel the harsh punishment that God gives to David through the voice of Nathan the prophet, “The sword will never depart from your house!” Wow what a sentence! You see later on in David’s life his sentence being carried out in 2 Samuel, David’s illegitimate son with Bathsheba dies, later his other sons rise against him, his closest friends die by the sword, one of his sons sleeps with David’s wives on top of a roof in public for all to see.
What I am getting is that God doesn’t need our help in being a judge; he does just fine by himself. Nobody needed to carry out vengeance on behalf of Uriah’s honor. God saw everything and even though he loved David, David needed to be corrected. My conclusion is not very good, but I think I got more glimpses at God’s character and also mine through today’s little bathroom study of Total Forgiveness.
But that angers God. He said, “Vengeance is mine and mine alone”, we don’t have the authority to be a judge because we are flawed people. Kendall said in his book, What if every time you judged someone an angel of God came down and told the person you were accusing all of your sins? Would we feel so bold to point the finger then?
David was considered to be a man after God’s own heart. Yet even David could not escape the justice of God. He would have to answer for his sin of sleeping with Uriah’s wife and then having him killed so no one would find out about it.
You read in 2 Samuel the harsh punishment that God gives to David through the voice of Nathan the prophet, “The sword will never depart from your house!” Wow what a sentence! You see later on in David’s life his sentence being carried out in 2 Samuel, David’s illegitimate son with Bathsheba dies, later his other sons rise against him, his closest friends die by the sword, one of his sons sleeps with David’s wives on top of a roof in public for all to see.
What I am getting is that God doesn’t need our help in being a judge; he does just fine by himself. Nobody needed to carry out vengeance on behalf of Uriah’s honor. God saw everything and even though he loved David, David needed to be corrected. My conclusion is not very good, but I think I got more glimpses at God’s character and also mine through today’s little bathroom study of Total Forgiveness.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Do Not Judge, or You Too Will Be Judged
So I am still working through this book my pastor gave me called Total Forgiveness.It takes me a while to finish a book because I only read when I'm on the John. Oh I also got distracted with this other book I bought Fedor.
It's an MMA book about Fedor Emelianenko, arguably one of the best mixed martial arts heavy weights out there. I know I'm such a dork.
Anyways, yesterday I was reading through a passage about Jesus' command "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."I am one of the most hateful and critical people I know. I love to hate, and I love judging and criticizing people. But when I do judge and criticize, I am essentially saying that person needs to change, that person needs to be more like me...I am better than that person.
I really need to look at it from this perspective the next time I want to judge someone harshly. I should be the last person to say I am better than you because I am a terrible person. My friend often jokes that some people come with baggage, but you come with one of those immigration bags! It's true.
Jesus is saying if you judge, others will judge you. There are probably a lot of people I know that don't like me for one reason or another. People might think or say, I'm a punk, insensitive, mean, angry, who does he think he is. More importantly I think Jesus is saying don't judge or God the ultimate judge will also judge you.
I already know he has given me so much grace, why can't I afford the same grace to others???
Thursday, March 25, 2010
New NFL Overtime Rules
Every season the NFL adds, takes away, and makes a bunch of changes to the way the game is played, and in true fashion Roger Goodell has done it again. I feel like overall he has made a lot of changes to ensure the safety of the game and its “superstars”, but he has essentially robbed it of its grit and made the game that I fell in love with soft.So what do I as a fan think of the new overtime rule? Well first let me lay it out.
• Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner.
• If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If [that team] scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after [both teams have a] possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner.
• If the score is tied at the end of a 15-minute overtime period, or if [the overtime period's] initial possession has not ended, another overtime period will begin, and play will continue until a score is made, regardless of how many 15-minute periods are necessary.
Confusing right? Like many of its other rules it’s pretty drawn out.
However as a betting man who loves betting on football, I think it works in my favor as the better team has a greater chance of winning and not losing on a fluke 40 yard pass that puts the other team in field goal range.
If they really want to make the game of football more interesting, they should just get rid of the field goal and extra point kick all together. I guess because they adapted the game of football from rugby, they just kept it in even though it doesn't seem to fit into the rest of the game. (stupid British)
We all know football is a game of inches. 11 players battling another 11 players in a ground war, trying to gain ground into their opponents end zone. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere, this other team comes on and rallies around this Italian guy who tries to kick the ball through a big Y! Just doesn't make any sense. Hey, but What the Hell Do I Know (What the Hell Do I Know is the name of my blog, see I'm being witty).
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Aggresive Morning
Good Lawd what a morning! I had a very aggressive morning from the moment I stepped out of my house. We get out and Christian is running to my car as he always does and there is this huge pitbull lurking in our yard, from first glance he looked unleashed. He was actually on one of those long 25 yard leashes.
So I called for Chrsitian to come over and the owner comes up and say, “Oh he’s not a biter, he’s a licker.” And he just keeps his dog near us like we want us to pet it or something. I said, “Dude I don’t want to pet your dog I’m trying to get to my car.” Then he looks at me like I am a pitbull hater or something.
Then on my way to drop my son off I come to a 4 way stop and the car to my left doesn’t go, so I just cut in front of him. The guy driving gets pissed and starts to follow me. He follows me all the way into my preschool. So I get out of my car and he drives by me giving me a mean look, then makes a u turn around the parking lot and comes creeping close to me.
So he ends up pulling right next to me and so I walk towards him ready to get into a fight. The guy comes out and so I slowly approach him and he asks, “Is there a problem?” I am a bit confused and then I say, “You’re the one with the problem!” and I kind of tense up in a fight position to let him know that I am ready to throw down. Then his wife yells out, “Sir we are just dropping off our son, it is our first day!”
Then all of a sudden I realized that this was all in my head and that I was the aggressor!
I immediately apologized and told the guy it was all a my misunderstanding. Then I follow them in with Christian looking and feeling really sheepish. The family was obviously frazzled and cautiously held the door open for me. They were probably thinking they chose the wrong preschool.
Inside I apologized again, the mother asked me for my name and we all shook hands, but I still felt like everybody was unsettled.
I seriously think something is wrong with me. =)
So I called for Chrsitian to come over and the owner comes up and say, “Oh he’s not a biter, he’s a licker.” And he just keeps his dog near us like we want us to pet it or something. I said, “Dude I don’t want to pet your dog I’m trying to get to my car.” Then he looks at me like I am a pitbull hater or something.
Then on my way to drop my son off I come to a 4 way stop and the car to my left doesn’t go, so I just cut in front of him. The guy driving gets pissed and starts to follow me. He follows me all the way into my preschool. So I get out of my car and he drives by me giving me a mean look, then makes a u turn around the parking lot and comes creeping close to me.
So he ends up pulling right next to me and so I walk towards him ready to get into a fight. The guy comes out and so I slowly approach him and he asks, “Is there a problem?” I am a bit confused and then I say, “You’re the one with the problem!” and I kind of tense up in a fight position to let him know that I am ready to throw down. Then his wife yells out, “Sir we are just dropping off our son, it is our first day!”
Then all of a sudden I realized that this was all in my head and that I was the aggressor!
I immediately apologized and told the guy it was all a my misunderstanding. Then I follow them in with Christian looking and feeling really sheepish. The family was obviously frazzled and cautiously held the door open for me. They were probably thinking they chose the wrong preschool.
Inside I apologized again, the mother asked me for my name and we all shook hands, but I still felt like everybody was unsettled.
I seriously think something is wrong with me. =)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 2 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Maybe it speaks to my pessimistic, depressive side. As I was reading through it today something stuck out that I never thought about before.
After writing about each of his worldly, pleasurable experiences he ends each thought with, yet through all this my wisdom stayed with me. I thought that was particularly interesting because here is King Solomon the wisest man on earth trying out all the best the world has to offer to please a man. And he comes to the conclusion that it was meaningless, pointless, boring, nothing, like chasing after the wind.
If the smartest and wisest man that ever lived is telling us this, we should take his word for it.
After writing about each of his worldly, pleasurable experiences he ends each thought with, yet through all this my wisdom stayed with me. I thought that was particularly interesting because here is King Solomon the wisest man on earth trying out all the best the world has to offer to please a man. And he comes to the conclusion that it was meaningless, pointless, boring, nothing, like chasing after the wind.
If the smartest and wisest man that ever lived is telling us this, we should take his word for it.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Darkness
Whenever the Bible talks about darkness I don't think us modern folk really comprehend the full meaning. Even at night we can still see pretty well because of street lights and just the overall brightness that constantly surround us from city lights.
I’ve only encountered total absolute pitch blackness a couple times and it is very scary. Sometimes I forget that people around the world still live without the constant brightness of city lights to shine their way.
I’ve only encountered total absolute pitch blackness a couple times and it is very scary. Sometimes I forget that people around the world still live without the constant brightness of city lights to shine their way.
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