Another in the Fire

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1wvgLkyVfQ

Humility Part II

Can we humble ourselves and give up our pride by putting others' needs before our own?

One phrase that stands out to me is this one: "Fight to be a servant". When I think about this phrase, it has such a deep meaning. Typically, when people enter a fight, they want to come out in a better position - to win, to be recognized, to gain glory. Yet, this phrase reminds me that fighting to be a servant takes even greater strength. It means I have to put down my pride or any judgment and replace that with compassion for others. I'm reminded that Jesus has fought to serve me and you, so I hope we can do the same for others! 

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Cheers to my first post in 5 years - so much has happened but God has always remained constant <3 

A look into Humility

Currently, I'm reading this book called "You and Me Forever" by Francis Chan. Although this book is written for couples who want to build healthy relationships with one another, I feel like this book has taught me about how to apply what I've learned to not just my future relationship with my spouse, but my current relationships - with family, friends, or even people that I don't know.

In the past week, I learned about the true meaning of humility. Jesus has so many positive attributes - but humility is definitely a big one which I think would help any type of relationship we have with others. In the book, it tells us that "it is easy to get blinded in the heat of disagreements. Soon, all we want is to win, even if victory requires sin". When I think about that quote, I try to think about those times when maybe in the heat of frustration, I would say something from spite, or just to feel like I have the last word to a discussion. Thinking back, this was a sense of pride that I wasn't willing to give up, and a sign that I lacked humility. 

Every relationship goes through moments of anger and temporary failures. As the book discussed, you must determine your goal. What matters more? Winning arguments or resembling Christ? I think we can all agree that we love to win - whether it's in sports, a board game, or a fight. It's in our human nature. But does that help our relationship with the other person? Is that a testimony of Christ's love and joy? Some food for thought!

[Part 2] soon! :)

TY

I haven't blogged in a while but I feel compelled to. I am just really happy because I can see and feel how God is working in me. I couldn't really think of anything specifically to blog about right now, but I just want to give all the gratefulness and glory to God right now. So...I'm just going to have a quick brain dump of some things in my mind that I'm thankful for. I definitely encourage you to do the same if you ever feel stuck in a rut. It's freeing actually!

Things I'm thankful for:

• My dad who always brings joy and simplicity to every situation. 
• My mom for showing me the example of striving for improvement and showing me the attitude of following Christ. 
• My sister for the closeness we have now and the honest advice she gives. 
• My brother because he's my brother (haha) and is always passionate in helping me with tech issues.
• My wonderful friends for listening to me, supporting me, and bringing me so much laughter. 
• My home 
• School and the ability to study
• My jobs 
• Gifts to serve God with
• Passion for basketball 
• Having the luxury to eat out
• To have clothing 
• Being able to connect with and care for others
• Good health
• Being chosen by God to be a Christ follower. 

God, thank you!!!

Faithfully Yours

Do you ever ask yourself the question, "How can we still be faithful when we don't see how God is working and we don't know what his plan is"? What if we feel like our prayers are unanswered?

Sometimes we ask God something and we just want such a definite answer. Yet, we still don't get one...

I want to share the story of Joseph with you. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold to slavery. Later on, as a slave, Joseph was falsely accused by his master's wife causing him to be imprisoned for years. Facing all this adversity, you can imagine what Joseph would feel - perhaps anger, loneliness, doubt, and the list could go on. In these times, Joseph could have blamed God for all these events, but he did not. Instead, he continued to faithfully serve God, faithfully love God, and faithfully honour God DESPITE his circumstances.

I learned that I should not just read the Bible, but rather take it as my own story. God is faithful, and like how he never left Joseph, he will never leave me or you. Now, let's strive to be faithful to God - we want to be faithfully yours.

Come

Jesus became one of us so we don't have an excuse to tell God, "You're up there and I'm down here". There is nobody too lost to be found. There is nothing that you could have done that will push God so far away that he can't reach you, if you let him. You don't have to do things...it's a gift.

Grace is something you can't pay for, but something you freely receive. 

Something amazing happens when you open your heart to Jesus. 

Just come and fill our hearts God. We want to be just like you.

CHOOSE

Ever since this summer started, I literally felt like I had a whole mentality shift.

At times, we are placed in difficult situations in which we have no control over. Things Happen. Things sometimes don't go our way or how we expected it to pan out. And the problem is, it's so easy to dwell on the negative.

"Why is this happening to me?"
"I don't know what to do now..."
"Why aren't things going the way I planned?"

It's so easy to come across these thoughts. And what these thoughts do is that they bog us down even further, they make us feel crappier, and they ultimately allow us to feel sorry for ourselves.

I realized that no matter what we do, sometimes we just simply can't change the situation. The only thing we CAN change, however, is our ATTITUDE. I quit feeling sorry for myself and wow what a great change.

I feel like I'm so much happier with whatever's in front of me. I realized that I really had two options:
A. I can look at a situation, be negative about it, and feel even worse about it by complaining :( OR
B. I can look at a situation, identify that I CAN be negative about it but I CHOOSE to be positive despite this situation happening because I know that will help me and the people around me cope with this problem even better.

Yup it's that simple WOOO! This mentality shift has definitely blessed me with a happier life so I definitely encourage you to try it! :)