The thing about wisdom & humility

Verse of the Day Day 1

The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Wisdom). The fool despises wisdom & instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

Today’s verse

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

Proverbs 2 was a bit better than Proverbs 1- which was kinda like the introduction or the forward of a book. Even chapter was like the prolouge.

Of course there was a lot before and after that.

To get this wisdom, I need to seek it as silver, search for it like treasure.

Wisdom is a treasure.

Wisdom will keep me from sin, keep me from wickedness and evil people.

Wisdom leads toward righteousness and the way of the Lord.

Lord, I want to be wise.

And not in the sense I want to be seen as wise, thought as wise, or feel smart.

I think I often think that way when I think of being wise.

No, today as I read and reflect on today and yesterdays reading, I see I want to be wise because I don’t want to be a fool. I don’t want to sin. I don’t want to turn from You, leave You.

And to be wise, I need to be humble.

I need to see I am not wise.

I am not wise in myself.

I need help.

I need others to instruct me.

And I need Your Words…from Your Word.

You instruct me.

You lead me.

You guide me.

Not my own wisdom.

Not my insights.

Not what I think or feel.

Not my experiences.

You.

Not because I have gained much knowledge

Or read so many books.

Or have seen success.

I need to be humble before You

To allow You to speak

And let You lead me & guide me.

As I have been reading Exodus, I could be like the people of Israel who look simply and what they have and have not… who like at the people around them and what they do, how they operate, how they worship, how they have a king, etc. I could do things the way the world does it… or I could follow You.

Lord, may I follow You.

And I may think I have it all together. I could think I know what I am doing and I don’t need instruction and help. And I could feel insulted for how I am passed over, how I am not thought of, how I am not respected and want to show the world just how great and smart and knowledgable and wise I am… or I could walk in humility… and receive instruction, and let You lead me.

Lord, clothe me in humility.

May I do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with my God.

Lord, I need You.

And I am not so strong, not so smart I can do this on my own, by myself, without others.

Clothe me in humility.

Allow me to receive instruction.

May I not be unwise, but wise… honoring & glorifying You.

Today I am thankful for... (Jan 1)

This new year i want to try to write a daily blog... glorify God... keep people updated... encouraged & edify... and give thanks...

Today (Jan 1) this new year,  I am thankful for...

1. I am NEW. God has made me new. I'm not just forgiven. I was made new. I am a New Creation.

2. I have been forgiven of everything in the past... Completely Forgiven... or everything (and the future too).

3. I am free to mess up. God doesn't look down on me.

4. New Ideas, New possibilities.

5. The power to change is in me, in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit changes me. i take steps of faith, i am responsible... but it is the fruit of the Spirit... it is the Spirit who changes me.

Soo & i listened to a talk by Tim Keller today titled "How to change"
Pretty good... not about our ability... but that the Spirit produces fruit... gradually, but inevitably... internal and symetretical...

Of course i am Thankful for Jesus, my wife, and all God has for me.

i am looking forward to this new year... and Thankful for what God has in store for us.

2011 in Review

2011 is almost done...

i guess it was a year of being sick... and being tired... and perhaps being sick & tired...

It was a year of adjustments...

A lot happened this year. A lot of difficult things. A lot of draining things. A times felt close to God, other times not so much. There were fun times. And God showed up. God taught me. And this was a good year, even with difficulties. God answered prayers. God was faithful. God revealed Himself. And God sustained us. God took care of us and blessed us.

It was a year to watch Halle grow - which made it a great year.
She traveled to LA & Houston, grew up in Indiana... and flew across the world with barely a peep.
She rolled over, then crawled, then stood and walked and began running.
She got a tooth, then another and a third rather quickly... her 4th took a while, but 5-8 came with no problem... and she celebrated a one year birthday with chocolate cake and lots of friends.

Grandmas & Grandpas couldn't be there in person, but they saw her on skype.

My parents did come to visit- finally... and it wasn't as bad as they feared... we mostly went out to eat... but it was fun.


Soo was sick a lot, she even got surgery... i had a bout of pneumonia... and well, we got pregnant again, which led to more fun.


God taught me much of His grace.
He extended grace to me, even though i sinned often, neglected Him, was full of pride, and often selfish.
As a husband and father, i saw how little i loved, how selfish i wanted to be, how little i wanted to forgive - how little i was like Christ.
God never gave up on me.
He has remained faithful. He continually pours out grace.

Furthermore, He taught me of His kindness and His love... towards poor and unworthy... and His desire for me t be involved to show love & grace, to reveal His grace.

Mostly though He made His Gospel even more clear to me... how i often try to earn favor or feel i must by sacrifice and labor... but His grace is sufficient... and it is never about me. God's grace is all i need.

So, 2011 was another good year in God displaying His goodness to me.

i am thankful for friends, for family.
i am thankful for Soo & Halle and the new one on the way.
i am thankful for God's Grace and for Jesus Christ my Lord & my Savior who leads me and takes care of us day by day... year by year.

The thing about Steve Jobs

I am writing this on a Mac.

I had said I never wanted a Mac and never would get one. 

In college, as a writing major, we had to use macs all the time – apparently they were great for design… but at Purdue, they were just old…

and I hated not having my right click/left click buttons…

later, I thought it was just ridiculous how expensive they were… and it all just felt like a fad, like something popular… but... I broke down. I got a mac.

It has been good. I am no mac apologist, but I do love my Ipod touch. And my computer has lasted me longer than previous computers… and I hope to by an Ipad some day…

About 13 hours ago I found out Steve Jobs had died… I was mildly surprised, but didn’t realize how much his death would impact so many people (then again I still don’t understand why John Lennon’s death was so impactful on others).

I began reading some things about him- and he certainly led an interesting life.

Put up for adoption… rejected by original people… college drop-out… formed Apple before he was 20… filthy rich by 30… fired from the company he formed… made Pixar what it is today… revolutionized the computer industry… entriguing lifestyle…and battled cancer… The only question is who plays him in a movie? 

Soo & I watched his Stanford commencement speech. Which was really good.

It was so good in fact, we framed our date this afternoon around it.

His words were inspirational, visionary & challenging…

You should watch the video.

Steve Jobs was a visionary. He is an inspiration. His innovations changed the computer world – and thus he had a huge impact on the world as we know it.

Not only are his inventions being used, but now his words are being quoted, and shaping many more young minds.

And his words are inspiring, they are challenging… but in the end, they are still just human words of human wisdom.

And we must remember they are not the words of God. Words of a god you may say, but now the words of God. So thus, while there is a lot to be gleaned from his life & his wisdom, it still falls short.

Living each day as it were his last

Truly Steve Jobs was not the first person to live this way. Steven Covey has challenged millions to begin with the end in mind. Steve Jobs wanted to live each day as if it were his last. He wanted to make a difference.

And a difference he made.

In his time on earth, he made a difference. In fact, the difference he made will influence generations beyond him.

But there will come a day when he is forgotten. There will come a day, when new technology will be introduced. And while he still would have influenced the world… what if there were something more?

What if he lived for something beyond his lifetime & for something beyond this world. He lived everyday as if it were his last to make a difference… he brought beauty & convenience and pleasure… but what if there were something even more meaningful, something even more important?

There is no reason not to follow your heart

He makes a great point that “your time is limited, so don’t waste living someone else’s life. And he also right to say there is intuition in the heart that knows what is best…

But our hearts can deceive us. Our hearts are wicked. And intuition isn’t always best.

You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.

We do need something to trust in. Without anything to trust in, how will we get by? What will motivate us? How will we keep going?

But will just anything do?

He hits on a big point- that we all do trust in something. We may not realize it, but there is always something pulling us or pointing us to make the decisions we do. Without anything, there is no drive, there is no life.

But will anything do?

I suppose many things could work… but will it be sustaining? Is it worth trusting? Is it something to cling to?

His meaning surely is – Whatever works… so that you follow your heart. Follow your self.

He comes to a point of recognizing there is something beyond himself… but doesn’t recognize something greater than himself (or ourselves).

Death is the destination we all share, no one has ever escaped it

And now Steve Jobs shares that destination. He also was not able to escape it. He made billions of dollars, did things he loved doing, had an adventurous life, achieved success, fame & acclaim, and made impact on the world… but he still died.

Steve Jobs got it right in so much. But he missed it.

He made a difference in this world, but he could have made such a bigger difference. His impact will influence thousands of years, but he could have had an impact on eternity. His heart led him & led him to happiness that many will never experience, but he could have had joy unspeakable for an eternity.

We all need something to get us through the difficult times, we all need something to move us & direct us- but there is a specific someone… and that someone is the one who didn’t avoid death, but one who did overcome death.

Jesus overcame death. He is worth following more than your heart. And a life given to following Him and living His life is worth following. He is the One you can trust in the midst of difficulty, the One you can trust to work out the details, the One who will take care of you, protect you & love you. And He is the One who makes your life significant. He is the one who satisfies. And the impact you have on the world for the glory of Christ- is the impact that will last and will change the world in ways beyond what we can wildly imagine.

Many are saying today Rest In Peace Steve Jobs.

And I hope, by God’s grace, that he found his way to Jesus.

Jesus said  “…Come unto me and I will give you rest…”

I thank God for how he used Steve Jobs. I pray for his family. And I pray for you. May you change the world by being a witness of Christ. May you make an impact for eternity. May you find faith in God who is in control of everything. And may you experience Life, instead of death when you die.

Thank You Jesus for giving me Life

35 years in the books... Thank You Jesus for giving me life.

35 years is significant... my sister didn't make it to 30, Jesus died when he was 33... i have lived 5 years more than my sister did and have had more than a year than Jesus did too.

Life would be so different if my sister were around... i could imagine her being a great aunt, loving Halle & Soo well... sending a package every month... then again, i wonder if she hadn't gone through what she did, if i hadn't seen her faith, if i hadn't experienced disappointment, if i hadn't experienced death... would i be where i am now?

God gave me life. He created all peoples. God Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Author of all things.

But He not only gave a physical life, He gave me real life, everlasting life, the abundant life.

i may have had a physical body and lived life on earth... but my spirit was dead. My sin brought death. i was enslaved to sin and on path to eternal destruction... Jesus came to rescue me from death & give me life.

Looking back, my life was empty. i went to school, i played sports, i watched tv- but life had no meaning. i felt insecure, unimportant, useless, worthless. i didn't like life- at least my life. i had buddies i guess, but no friends. i could do some things, but i was nothing spectacular. There was no hope... i was just looking forward to death.

Christ established hope, brought me joy, poured out love, changed my life... gave me life!

If you know me, you know i am a sinful person. You know i am selfish. You know i can be impatient & anxious and certainly full of pride. i needed a Savior. God saw my need and sent His Son to die for my sin.
Now, i have life, life everlasting!


Looking back, i can see God's hand on my life. All over the place.
I am Indian.
Born to parents who were arranged in marriage
Indian parents who were Christian
Born in America... in Indiana
in Septmeber... so i'd be younger/smaller than everyone in my class
born ten years after my sister and eight years after my brother.
Born to parents who loved God, loved us, were giving to others.

i went to Purdue
lived in an all-guys dorm
there was a Bible study on my floor
lived on the same floor as Brian Bettag
at the last second he asked me to live with him sophomore year
met his brother Kevin, Kevin's best friend Andy, their co-worker Brack
i got involved in a Christian group i tried to avoid
i joined a Bible study i didn't want to be in, but didn't have the guts to say no on the phone
i made friends who changed my lfie

My sister got cancer.
My prayers weren't answered
i felt forgotten by God... when a friend told me he was praying for me... when my dad told me to keep faith...
i went to a conference around the same time, and learned about surrender
2 weeks later my sister died... i was far away from home with a lot of time to think...
Somehow i wasn't angry or scared... but hopeful... and given new perspective
... and i began praying more

i got convicted about going to the world... i hoped my parents wouldn't like the idea, but they were excited... until i told them i was going - they forgot all about that conversation... then i went... and i went again... had hard times... but God was still leading.

He led me through the book of Acts as i was considering my future... and He led me to Asia...
while in Asia, He laid the University of Michigan on my mind... and when i joined... that was the 1st option they mentioned...

But soon time at Michigan would be up too... and i left the country, just when everything was starting to go well
And though times were difficult, He convicted me to stay... then we started seeing some incredible things happen...
And i committed to 3 more years... with no wife... and after rejection after rejection after rejection... i met Soo... we got married, got pregnant, had a baby(notice no pauses)...

Been reading Exodus...
...without Esau hating Jacob, he would have never met Rachel
...without Rachel having difficulty conceiving, Joseph wouldn't have been favored so much, causing him to be hated
... without Jacobs brothers hating him and selling him into slavery, and Potiphor's wife slandering his name, Joseph would have never had the opportunity to advance as far he did
... without Joseph's power, Israel would have never been in Egypt and become slaves
... without being slaves, Israel would have never been delivered and gone to the promise land
And
without Jesus being wrongly accused, wrongly put to death... we would never be able to receive the blessing of eternal life with God



God's hand has been upon me.
He has led me.
He has been with me.
He has been with me during the hard times and the pleasant times.
He has been with me in America, Asia, Turkey, all my travels.
He has been with me when i was a Jesus freak, when i was apathetic, when i doubted, all the time

He is the source of joy.
He is the source of peace.
He is the source of love.
HE is the source of LIFE!

Where would i be without Him? i don't know.

But i am thankful for all the people He has put in my life.
i am thankful for all the places He has taken me.
i am thankful for the challenges and changes He brought to me.
i am thankful for the trials & difficulties & disappointments.
i am thankful He has changed my heart and changed my life.
i am thankful He has saved me.

John 15:5
Psalm 16
Acts 20:22-24


Thank You Jesus for giving me life!

My birthday wish

Soo & my parents and others have asked what i want for my birthday... but reality is: i don't need anything... and i get to live with my beautiful wife and amazing child... i have wonderful parents, a meaningful job, and a relationship with God Almighty & Savior Jesus Christ.

i don't need anything.

But y'know what millions elsewhere are suffering.

On twitter a few weeks ago, i saw Erwin McManeus post a tweet asking people to make donations to Charity:water. And so i have followed suit

http://mycharitywater.org/Matthew1042

Matthew 10:42 Jesus says: "And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”


Last year i read the hole in our Gospel, which talks a lot about our need to help the poor as disciples of Christ, as well as the huge needs people have - especially for water. i do suggest WorldVision as a source to give to as well.


As i think of this bday wish i think of the old Steve Martin SNL skit, and wonder if i'm honest is this what i wish for?


Well, actually that wouldn't be first


1st would be that my friends who have had trouble having kids would receive good news! i have 3 good friends struggling with infertility... i guess on top of that would be those who recently had kids with some health troubles... or those having trouble in marriage... even those struggling with lonliness... yeah, my wish would be these folks going through trouble would be blessed! i pray not only they would have kids or get what they want, but they'd experience the Lord and the Lord would be glorified in them!


There are some selfish wishes too... Overall, i'd say:


1. friends receive good news, esp those having trouble having kids
2. A day without an conflict:
    No conflict with Soo, people on my team, my leaders, random people... man i hate conflict
3. A day free of obligations & responsibilities:
    i love being a dad... and i love being a leader... but it means a lot of responsibilities (my buddy erik warned me when we got pregnant "remember in 'the life you've always wanted' when he said he'd take a day to do nothing for himself so he could serve others? Welcome to the rest of your life). 
    It'd be nice to have freedom to serve, ability to do everything on my schedule
4. the poor would be helped: water, food, etc 
5. A day with Dad: enjoying Him, connecting with Him thru His Word, writing, praise, prayer...
6. A day with Soo: a date... no conflict...
7.     Phone calls from good friends… and those friends who haven’t returned phone calls – you know who you are… good fun & deep conversations


As long as I’m dreaming, and let’s face it, these are all pipe dreams... 

1.     A night of playing Settlers with Corey, Mark, Ben & Doug… maybe we could add Josh & Jason too…  if someone asked who the lord of catan is at the end that'd be fun too..

2.     A conference like CSU- some good speakers, P&W… with a lot of my old staff friends like Berg, Dueck, ej, others… having those good conversations about the Bible and faith… of course guys I still keep in touch with like Ken & Scotty(though he’s not on staff anymore)… so how ‘bout other former interns & stinters like Sean, Will, Smylys, Scholten… yeah, that would be even better than #1...

3.     A Waffle ball reuion- with actual basketball games and actual waffles… no reunion would be complete w/o the Brothers Bettag, Brack, The Messmerizer, Crazy Uncle Tim, the Dowds, Justin, Big Sol & al… maybe some others... that would be fun

4.     Watch some football with a few friends… eating wings (maybe at Buffalo wild wings itself) and drinking something cold… i really miss this right now

5.     To be able to go on a walk at 10:30 at night with Soo & puppy… cool air, a nice breeze, good conversation, and a happy puppy

6.     I’d love to see some of my Asian friends again too… and hear about their faith

7.     Be able to share the Gospel… lead a Bible study… IN ENGLISH… and with people who really want to hear... though maybe more important would be a person coming to Christ or growing in faith... i guess this would be more important than anything on the list i suppose

8.     Returning to America for Food would be good too… In N out… jamba juice… Chipotle… Skyline… Grand Lux… a bleu cheese & bacon burger… Outback Special with a caesar salad… pepperoni pizza...

9.     Sleep in

10. If we’re talking about returns… how about Christ’s return? i guess that would be ultimate...

11. And i suppose if we're going past this year...i guess most of all, i pray Halle (and other children we may have) would love & follow Christ.

All in all...

My desire for this year... my motto for the year...

i would be sensitive/attentive to the direction of the Holy Spirit and i'd be sensitive/attentive to the needs of others! (which often are the same thing i think)

Oh, that i may be a blessing to others!

Bless others, Glorify God.

This is my hope, my desire, my goal, my prayer. 

Lessons from a lost dog: The state of the lost

Some people may not like the term “Lost” when referring to non-Christians.

It seems so archaic and offensive.

It is implying there is something wrong with them, that they need to be found.

But this is how Jesus referred to them, because it is indeed their state. There is something wrong, they need to be found.

See, my puppy didn’t realize she was lost either.

She thought she had found freedom!

She had escaped from those who put her captive on the plane.

But the reality was, she was in a foreign city in a foreign place and she had no resource for food or love or comfort.

She had ran away looking for protection, not realizing those she was running away from- were trying to help her, protect her and reunite her with the ones she loved.

If she had gone with them, she would find what she needed and what she wanted.

If she would come to her senses and realized she needed help, she could have found it.

The non-believing world is like that. They don’t realize they are lost. They think they are safe. They think they found freedom. And they run away from those trying to help them.

They need to be found. They need to be helped. Even if they are rejecting it right now and opposed to it now.

We may not see it either. We may think they look free. They seem happy. But it is not the happiness they truly long for.

My dog was happy to be out of that plane. Happy to be free. But her happiness was not complete, but she was really looking for us.

We need to help people find Jesus. Even if they are running away from us, and running away from Him at the moment.

We may need to help them realize they are lost and need a Savior.

But when they do find Christ, they will find true freedom

It is not just non-Christians who are lost sometimes. We all get lost from time to time. We lose sight of what is important. Or we get lost in our own little world. We get lost in our ambitions, lost in our pride, lost in our pleasures, lost in our self.

In the parable of the prodigal son, there are 2 sons. The father goes out to find both. To run out to his younger son, one who smelled of pig, one who rejcted him- certainly would be scandalous. But to leave his own party to search out the older son would have been scandalous as well.

Both were lost.

One was lost in his pursuit of pleasure and wealth.

The other was lost in his self-righteousness and his effort

Neither was enjoying the father.

Both needed to be found.

How are you lost?

In what way is your heart lost?

Are you looking for pleasure outside of God?

Are you looking to yourself or your performance for your sense of worth

Have you lost focus on Christ?

We all need Jesus. We all need a Savior

Christ goes to the extreme length in giving up His life, so lost may be found. He found His joy in the Father. He found joy in the work on the Cross that would allow many to be saved and God glorified