Today

I’m feeling better today. I think yesterday I was going through some moods but today even though it’s like any other work day I’m feeling more of God and felt a desire to talk to him and spend time with his word.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We struggle and get discouraged but God sees us in his truth and finds joy. Even if we are going through a tough time with our faith or wrestling, he’s just happy that we are struggling through this in his waters. And to know that he’s happy that his child is walking with him, makes me pretty happy that my King is smiling at me, that he sees me and finds joy. 

God, thank you for helping clear my mind last night and for this morning to be here. I pray that you’d be with me in my thoughts and help me to be desicive and not all over the place. I want to be at peace while I work to move onward towards your kingdom. And although I’m finding out now that there are many ways I can help build your kingdom, help me to discern what is righteous in your eyes by reading and filling myself with your truth. I pray for protection over my family and I pray for an open tender healed heart ready to give and receive your love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Spiritual Status Update

hmm. Well I haven’t been doing QT’s regularly but I have been thinking about God here and there and sometimes I see him working in little ways.

I guess it’s weird for me because I am usually hardcore all in or all out with my faith but right now it’s interesting because I think I found a middle. I realized though, that I haven’t been praying as often but when I do I’m usually feel pretty close with God and I think that’s why I’m feeling spiritually okay. I think I didn’t understand the balance of having a heart for God yet living in this world without looking at every move I make “bad” in the eyes of God because it goes along the lines of “pursuing this world”. But I realized that’s not a mindset to have, to condemn things in life but to see them as gifts. It’s a weird transition but I’m oddly content with this newfound middle where I don’t have to always be on fire for God. It’s a different fire, like how little things of thinking of God’s love makes me smile, or how I naturally think that all good things are from God. All in all I think I’m just enjoying that he’s part of my day to days and the only thing I question is, “is it wrong to not feel on fire and not to have ambition to hype myself on God’s fire?”.

I’m sure with the college ministry’s semester starting up again I’ll start to be more heavily involved with prayer and testing faith but I’m happy to say that I didn’t go down a rabbit hole for the first time without the constant support of my church meeting up 4x a week. I’m happy to know that during this “winter break” season I was able to finish daily tasks, meet up with friends, enjoy time with my siblings, work, while in all with the power to defend and stand strong for the gospel and my faith everyday.

God, thank you for today and this time that I’ve spend reflecting on my spiritual faith with you. I don’t think that everything in life was meant to be questioned whether it’s right or wrong in your eyes but that it’s the core of it all. Lord I can confidently say that I have you in the center of my heart, that I belong to you, and that all glory goes to you. I just pray that you’d protect that core, that I’d protect it as well and that I’d be able to see you everyday a little more. I do miss you a lot actually. Today’s the first day I didn’t go to church because of this weather but I really do miss talking to you. Can you make me unafraid to make promises and that disappointments wouldn’t pull me away from you but make a heart that prays at least once a day to not get sucked up on this world. I love you God always. In Jesus name, Amen.

Here I am God.

God,

This world is truly filled with so many wonders and excitements. Just today my friend bought a lottery ticker for the power ball 700 million dollars! I’ve been caught up in working and thinking to advance my career, how I can become bigger and yet I’ve seem to have yet again forgotten where I stand with you.

I guess I’m feeling overwhelmed by the fact that how I’m doing is not the best of how things could be going and I just want to remind myself of how much you love someone little and insignificant as me; that this world is so temporary after death and that you fill me with wonders everyday so willingly.

God really do pull me closer to you. Let me one day feel that everything I do isn’t foreign from you and that every phase in my life, whether I’m reflecting or just enjoying the day, in those little moments let me remember the heart you’ve given me and the sacrifice that was taken so that I may find peace with you.

I want 2016 to be filled with not only prayer but conversations with you so God I lift up this year to you, to be spent searching for quality time with you not expecting anything but your company. God help my heart run after you.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Romans 6

So recently I’ve read Romans 5 & 6 and I’m sure I read it before or maybe small verses at a time but can I just say Romans is amazing (just wanted to get that out there).

Romans 6 takes you through the process of Jesus’s death and I never really thought of my baptism process from the crucifixion to rising from the grave.

v4. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

With Christ, I died and was buried and raised from death in order to have this new life. Really meditating on that process is a transformation, and all so that I, someone who will still make mistakes again is given this new life and that God will continue to love and accept me with all my flaws… it really makes a person want to strive after his kingdom even more.

God time and time again I question the greatness of your love. Not what it is but why it is. Why is it so big and so abundant? Why do you love us when we are really not worth all the trouble to send your son so die for us all so that we can live a new life. Well either way, thank you God for loving us and giving us a chance to seek after your eternal kingdom. I pray for courage that I may be spiritually steadfast and unafraid to declare that you are my King, that I am a spiritual person and be unafraid of the judgement of this world. Thank you for this morning and I pray for me to seek this new life everyday. In Jesus name, Amen. 

John 21. 153 fishes

In the first passage, Simon Peter and other disciples go out at night for fishing, doesn’t catch anything, Jesus comes (disciples unaware it’s him) and tells them to throw it on the right, and after catching fish they eat together.

I remember my Pastor from High School (P.Matt) further explained this chapter by stress how tired and disappointed the disciples would have been after trying all night to catch fish and yet didn’t catch a single one. But Jesus simply asks them to throw it to the right and (with I’m sure with a lot of disbelief) they did it and caught 153 fishes. It’s amazing how following God is so simple and all set; like he’s basically giving you all the answers to ace the test. I think there are many times when I lack faith when Jesus asks me to do something and at those moments, I fail to obey because of fear and other things. I think it’s a matter of trust and willingness to follow God’s word and believing that he already has given you the answers to the test.

Also I found the scene where Peter jumps out of the boat finally realizing it’s Jesus and swimming to him so beautiful and amazing. He just caught so much fish after a whole night of not catching a single one but yet after he knows it’s Jesus, he doesn’t stay in the amazement of the fishes caught but ‘swims’ after Jesus to be with Him (I’m like picturing the videos when kid’s see they’re dad back from military service and just drops everything in their hands to go hug him).

I pray that when the moment comes to listen and obey God, that we would lack the moment to fear and have complete faith in Him knowing that he has everything in his hands and that even when the best comes to us, we would alway run back to God to thank him, glorify him, and to just be with the Father of peace that our hearts thirst for.

John 20 ‘Peace be with you’

Goooood Morning Jesus! (currently listening to ‘Pieces’ by Amanda Cook)

First thing Jesus says to his disciples is, “Peace be with you.” (v. 19 and v. 26)

It’s been a while since I’ve had a morning to myself to spend unrestricted time with him (mainly because I’m not working today and it’s not crucial for me to get anywhere). This morning, is such a good morning because I’m able to go to him first. Okay, honestly, second because I got distracted by my new iPhone this morning. But still being able to give him time this early feels good.

After reading this passage, I can hear God clearly say, “peace be with you,” this morning and every morning, and to start the day with peace… from all the ‘today’ that’s coming forth… is a great feeling.

Father God thank you for this beautiful morning where I’m able to find peace in you before I start my day. God I pray that today would be productive and that also you would heal my brother’s ankle and watch over it so that everything would go well. I love you God. Your joy gives me so much joy so I pray I keep seeking to satisfy your soul and do righteous things or even just rest in you to have you smile and call it good. In Jesus name, Amen.

John 19 / Life

I always get heavy hearted and teary while reading about Jesus’s Crucifixion. Sad fact though, I did not know they had three versions of Jesus’s death on Luke, John, and Matthew. Comes to show how little I know about the bible and how much I have yet to learn.

So I finished reading my book on style and I feel no different really. Maybe a little more energized to pursue things in life but with what purpose? I end up spiraling in questions (which is a good thing at times) about my intentions for investing my time into things like uploading a post or starting a project.

Recently I’ve been thinking about creating a blog, more than just think.grapefruit where I journal where I can share the things I do the work I enjoy doing but downside, it’ll eat up my time for doing the ‘important stuff’ like doing my QT or finding a job in fashion.

There is no right way,” I told myself; for almost everything like reaching success and entering a career in the industry. But I’m sure with God, there is a righteous way where it would honor him rather than following my own signals to pursue a career thats only temporary.

My dad’s uncle on my grandmother’s side recently passed away. There he was laying in his coffin neatly placed, resting before me an empty vessel, leaving the world behind. So when I think of doing things, I always think… will this thing I do be seen in God’s eyes?

In the end and the answer I’m trying to avoid is, am I doing this for me or for other people or for God? And it’s a tricky answer because how is writing a blog (not on daily devotionals) for God? and it leads to questions like “Does everything in my life have to be devoted to God?”

I’m working now, at my dad’s newly opened store basically assistant manager taking care of the store, cashiering, moving clothes around, and a bunch of other small tasks, reporting big new back to my dad when he comes back from other errands. Now I have a paycheck coming in which I really didn’t think about because after paying for my tuition, it’s okay dad, you REALLY don’t have to but he does to show that work pays off. So now I have a weekly salary and I’ve been using it up like daddy’s little gold digger. Surprisingly today I was driving home and thought, does this mean I have to start putting money in the offering box on Sundays? But I’m still poor recent graduate without a steady income not really at my real job. Then the thought of Jesus’s Crucifixion came up, how he didn’t sacrifice an arm or leg for us but his whole self; how the poor (samaritans?) gave up everything yet the tax collector who had so much to spare gave up so sparingly. There my answer was pretty clear.

And going back to devoting everything in my life to God, I don’t think its an extreme case of making sure the water was approved before drinking it by God but knowing the foundations for the reasons I do things.

God didn’t create a blob like the million other blobs that live around me; he created a unique individual soul with gifts and talents that would glorify God and he loved it through all the mistakes he knew he or she was going to make. I am different than my brothers and sisters and I love dancing, illustrating, singing (not so well I’m told), designing, thinking, believing, trying new things and I think it’s something to celebrate because God put all those things in me to make up who I am. I’m still not sure how people can so confidently post on fb about God’s love for them on a picture that doesn’t reference the writing that goes with it and get a jillion likes but I I’m starting to think it all comes from the heart of loving who you are, that is, God’s most precious, loved child.

And yes, there are still times that God’s love amazes me to the point of doubting this perfect love all together, but in the end I’d rather look like a fool that found freedom from fear and worries than following what the world says is ‘cool’.

God, there’s never a day like today, right now, to worship you and to love you. No matter what situation and circumstance, whether I’m doing nothing or if I’m traveling to Italy on vacation, let me always think of you and all that you’ve done for me. My life is literally not my own, I don’t call the shots because I’m better off not calling the shots. God help me to be courageous in the things I do, the words I say, let me be wise but still true to myself in the way I speak and move so that I may not lose myself. God, this blog thing is all really tricky in my head but Lord I love all parts of me that want to express in a shape, form, moment, 2D, 3D and I want to be doing that in a way that still honors you. Help me to always give thanks for the mercy, grace and blessings you provide each day. Make me into a more thankful person and be able to smile at the gifts you’ve provided. And so, Lord I thank you for my family that supports me and for providing me with them and providing them with finances and joy. I thank you for this precious time where I’m able to elaborate my thoughts deeper with you and where I’m able to reconnect with my one Savior, my one place of freedom. Help me to refine myself and I pray for more of your heart in me. Thank you for the cross God, thank you for your word and always remind me of the love you give so freely. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Barnes & Nobles Trip

I was driving home back from NY Sunday night and my arrival time to home was 4:55pm, and I really thought I could make it but I couldn’t hold in my pee any longer and I had to stop somewhere. I stopped at a Barnes & Nobles and after I “relieved” myself, I became really attracted to the sign ‘Art’ and all the colorful books under it. So I unconsciously started walking around as if I had planned to come (and it wasn’t because I was planning on going home and painting for the first time in forever). I began to indulge myself in Art and my desires, my foundation for my career choice, and tried to find inspiration in what to paint. I looked to the right of the shelf and surprise, surprise, Fashion Books. My heart sank and started to feel the little voice in my head guilting me of all the time and money spent the past four year to not have yet obtained a job in design. As I further looked into the Art books in my hand I started to feel sad. I felt somehow caged and obliged to pursue fashion for the rest of myself, as if I had signed my life away in blood to this industry, and sad because I had lost touch with what I loved the most which was creating in whatever freedom that my heart desired without searching for the approval (and grade) from others. I sat and journaled as I read away on Impressionism and Modern Art as well as Starting a career in fashion and other things to get my mind pumping.

After much alone time sitting and reflecting on the floor as people walked by, I came to a conclusion: I lack clarity in my style of living and in my voice of who I am. Introverted me would have chosen fine arts but I re-found the sense of challenge in fashion design, as I did my sophomore yr in college struggling through a foreign land beyond paints, pencils, and brushing into a world of fabrics, sewing, and concept development all contained in a well thought presentation with a personal aesthetic.

So I bought I book (that I have yet to read from work and all) about style, finding out who you are, how to love yourself and it sounds cheesy but I don’t love myself enough. I don’t have as much confident in the gray areas of my life and I really want to make all parts of me to good use.

Now the reason I’m writing all this is because finding myself is tricky land. It comes with a lot of “how you present yourself” and sets back on the thought of how God loves you rather than how people love you. So I really want for this journey of discovering my aesthetic with God together. I know that God loves me and finds me already worthy despite all my shame, and I don’t want this “loving myself” to come from other things that I surround myself with because I treat myself nice. I need to always come back to the ‘OG’ love that God is and remind myself that I can love myself the way I do because God can source me with that powerful love.

So if you are reading this right now, I would appreciate a little prayer over this phase that may or may not change me while I discover myself and how to make good use of my time (hopefully glorifying God and not me) but also motivating myself to get on with life already and stop being lazy because God loves me. I have the gifts, I just need the character and opportunity to use them and sitting home all day on Netflix won’t do anything so here I go.

Father God, I find myself on stammering waters where things are started to fog up but God help me to focus on your voice. Let me hear not from the books or from myself but from you. I’m sorry if I offend you by desiring more from myself but I hope you would reveal the truth of this matter. To be not of this world yet be the best I can be while I’m here (for you). In Jesus name. Amen

John 8

DL's avatarECHO FAMILY GROUP QUIET TIMES

Dang. Jesus is being recklessly questioned and in the end, the people in the temple ends up throwing stones at him. WHAT?!

One verse that stood out to me was John 8:47 “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

On a side note, I specifically prayed last Monday to have more devotion to God and to spend more genuine time with Him, and that’s exactly what I didn’t do. So right now as I right this, I’m supposed to be getting ready to go to work because my dad said to come as soon as possible but, if I wait, I don’t know when I’m going to come back to Him so I told myself, “right now.” QT’s are for me and it definitely shows that serving doesn’t and shouldn’t measure my…

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Malachi 1

DL's avatarECHO FAMILY GROUP QUIET TIMES

7By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. 8When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts. 

Here reading this, it makes me think of all the times I told myself, “it’s to glorify God,” and rethink if it was tainted to ask for more favor towards me. It comes down to the true source of being fueled by God’s Love, His Perfect love that started with Him and not us. I pray for my brothers and sisters and remind them, being Christian isn’t for God, we don’t really have the right to say, “God, how can…

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