Here’s a brief glimpse into what has been playing NONstop on my iPhone, iTunes, etc.
I just love the warmth & sincerity of the lyrics as well as the creativity in musical expression.
Will Reagan and United Pursuit Band
Kim Walker-Smith and Jesus Culture
Will Ketterer of United Pursuit Band
Derek Redmond was a world-class 400m sprinter from Great Britain who was a favorite to medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. During the semi-final heat of his race he suffered a devastating hamstring injury. What happened next was one of the most inspirational moments I have EVER witnessed. I had the privilege of watching it live on television as a 13 year old boy.
EVERY time I see this video, I am reminded of the FATHER’s LOVE for us… “my flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 ESV
One of my favorite passages in the Bible comes from Philippians 3… In which Paul writes,
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16
Sometimes, we are faced with daunting challenges and difficult decisions in life… We may get knocked down or even lose our way at times, but the FATHER’S LOVE never fails!
I have made my fair share of mistakes and committed some crazy sins throughout my life, but as the LORD continues to reveal HIS LOVE for me, I am moved to repentance and filled with hope. Because I know that HE is going to help me FINISH this race! Whether it is with the use of both my legs or completely carried within HIS mighty arms… GOD is truly the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of our faith!
Blessings ^^
Rushed to NYC for the 2nd time in 3 days.
Got stuck in traffic and the Chinese Consulate General closed at 2:30pm so I couldn’t get my visa work done.
Plan B was to walk from 12th Ave. and 42nd Street to 86 Allen to take the Chinatown bus back to Philly.
Waited 5 hours and missed 4 buses while getting pushed by the mobs of selfish people trying to cram on it.
Hit Market East in Philly at midnight where the Regional Rail had mechanical difficulty for 20 mins, was filled with drunk Phillies fans, and it finally dropped me off at Glenside station at 1:20am so that I could walk 2 miles to my sister & mehyung’s home…
MORAL of this LONG story is… GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD! I am truly blessed beyond measure! Although I didn’t get to spend that time with my family, I got a chance to spend it with HIM! ^^
The Consulate General of China in NYC… open from 9am-2:30pm Mon-Fri with a 1 hour lunch break in between. =POver the past few weeks I have been writing about patience… allowing GOD to work all things in my life according to his timing. It’s just ironic how whenever I proclaim to be waiting on HIM that’s usually when I am the least patient. =\
John Mayer wrote this song a few years back, and I immediately identified with it… one of the stories of my life. It definitely wasn’t over a date, but I had a conversation with a dear friend two weeks ago and boy, did I ever bomb that delivery! I guess y’all can call me Captain Backfire. =\
“My stupid mouth has got me in trouble. I said too much again… Oh, the way she feels about me has changed. Thanks for playing, try again. How could I forget? Mama said, ‘Think before speaking.’ No filter in my head. Oh, what’s a boy to do. I guess he better find one soon…
I’m never speaking up again. It only hurts me. I’d rather be a mystery than she desert me. Oh, I’m never speaking up again… starting now… Starting now…”
This song has resonated in my heart numerous times throughout my life. I wonder if I will ever truly learn. This is where I need wisdom from the LORD. I don’t ever regret wearing my proverbial heart on my sleeve, but it definitely can be painful sometimes, and at other times simply confusing.
FATHER, I pray that YOU will forgive me for my haste and impatience and that YOU will increase my ability to speak with clarity and with wisdom. I don’t ever wish to cause anyone confusion and/or heartache over words that haven’t been carefully thought out on my part. Thank YOU for listening, LORD! ^^
Last but certainly not least, to my dear friend, I am truly sorry for being careless with my words. You deserve much better than that from me. I was being selfish and short-sighted. I miss simply chatting with ya and laughing with ya. Hoping with time you will offer me a second chance/forgiveness and a clean slate at our friendship! ^^
Blessings
Benjamin ^^
In the fall of 2008, I was blessed to become the youth pastor for a special group of students in the suburbs of Philly. Although my time with them was short (1 year), I am continuously reminded of GOD’s faithfulness and love whenever I reminisce about them…
inspired by 1 Corinthians 13, I came up with 2 acronyms for our youth group:
I am a CHILD of GOD.
C.aptivated by HIS Beauty & Majesty
H.umbled by HIS Mercy & Grace
I.mmersed in HIS Holy Word
L.oved and Forgiven Beyond Measure
D.evoted to follow Jesus Christ in Prayer & Service
If GOD is LOVE, and we are HIS Children, then we are Children of LOVE.
L.ive for the Glory of the Lord
O.ffer up your heart, mind, and soul
V.alue the worth of Christ above all
E.ncourage & edify the Body of Christ
Blessings ^^
Was having dinner tonight with two of my friends, and one of them mentioned that I looked “down” today. I didn’t realize it at the time, but something, perhaps in my body language, tipped my friend off to this fact before I myself even knew it.
… a portion of my heart was feeling “down”.
I believe with all of my heart that GOD has placed some incredible and amazing dreams within me, but sometimes I feel like I’m not actively moving towards that direction, or I’m moving at a snail-like pace. It may be sheer impatience, or a holy restlessness that groans inside of me. Either way, I’m reminded of 2 particular verses of Scripture…
The first verses remind me simply that I need to fully depend upon the wisdom of the LORD and to wait patiently on HIM. The second ones remind me of my FIRST LOVE, that HE is the One Who has fashioned me for HIS kingdom purposes.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26
Dad, I love YOU and I need YOU!
Teach me to abide in YOUR SPIRIT, both day and night, and to always guard my heart!
^^
“Testify”
I was chatting with my dear sister, Audrey, tonight, and as I shared some of the amazing things that GOD has done over the past 14 months of my life here in Seoul, she simply encouraged me to “Testify”… to write down the various instances of GOD’s grace poured out upon my life.
So, here I am on wordpress… ^^
LORD, I pray that my entire life may be a testimony to who YOU are and to what YOU have done/are doing/and will do. May this blog and my very life give YOU all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise due unto YOUR magnificent name!
I love YOU, DAD!
Ben ^^
Patiently contending in faith and in prayer…
not according to my timing, but may all things be according to YOURS!
FATHER, YOU are awesome! =)
