the journey... @iamestar-blog - Tumblr Blog

...

And time flew by just like that. Here’s comes the next chapter of E*’s Life.

Thank You Papa. Thank you friends. Thank you family. Thank you mentors & patients.

Here’s to the last few pages of this chapter...with what started out with eagerness to frustration to the most depressing and hell-ish moments to the sprint at the end of the race...the end of this chapter has been filled with epic reunions and goodbyes. It’s going to be a bittersweet ending.

But I’m so ready for you Michigan.

#아감사하다

suddenly,

“...The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-12

If I ask, “Abba, what is Your Heart longing for? What is Your vision?” If I wonder, “Father, I want to know again. I want to understand.” I can’t just dig around and look for the answers. I must understand through the Spirit, and not through my mind. I must be deliberate about wanting to understand through His Spirit.

#wisdomfromthespirit #eyesopened #renewthemind

humansofnewyork

“I saw the army burn my neighbor’s house. They set it on fire and took photographs while it burned. The next day I saw the same house on TV, except the headline claimed that it had been destroyed by ‘terrorists.’ The army began to arrest 300 people every day. They were arresting everyone. They came for me during Ramadan. I was eating with my entire family when suddenly we heard the sound of a car outside. Soldiers kicked down the door and they tied my hands behind my back. My children were screaming. The soldiers said: ‘We know you are working with the opposition! You are a terrorist!’ I told them: ‘Please. We are poor people. We have done nothing. We are trying to live.’ I never thought I’d see my family again. They brought me to the prison and blindfolded me. They made me kneel on the floor. They asked me questions about the opposition, but I knew nothing. When they asked me a question, I only had two seconds to answer before I was kicked. They beat me for hours while they questioned me. I begged them to stop. I kept promising that I would tell them if I heard anything. Then they attached cables to my body. They would run electricity through me for 25 seconds, then they would stop, and they would ask another question. When I said: ‘I don’t know,’ the electricity would start again. They kept me for three days. When they finally let me go, I couldn’t stand. I went home and hugged my family but I had to go straight to work. Because there was no food in the house and no one had eaten for days.” (Lesvos, Greece)

Fears,

Be gone.

You guys are holding me back from so much.

zesungkang

Was organizing my room today and found this in the back of the closet. 5ft x 4ft painting I did way back in high school. Throwback-Thursday or something like that i guess

theloverstraces

Fight humbly for what is right, but help those who have been wronged. Your voice will only be heard if your heart is moved and your hands are moving.

J.S. (via jspark3000)

“Glorious Ruins”

Learning from lonely seasons and from moments where you feel like you’re losing that passion you once had.

Went to hear the Word today and worship, and goodness, it was refreshing. So much of the calloused thoughts, lonely feelings, lost purpose started to dissolve away and I felt at Home.

Home feels so good. But although I know Home is where Abba is, I know I will wander off again, once I step out and return to my week.

So as we were reminded today of the Shepherd and the sheep. I want to be in tune with the Shepherd voice. I want to recognize His voice again. That is my prayer.

하나님, 도와주세요.

And help me to fight and pray with a hopeful, truthful spirit.

recent realizations

- humility. live and want to live in humility. 24/7

- step by step. take the stairs one step at a time. no more skipping steps and almost loosing your balance.

- more battles await. it’s not about finishing up one and living in perfect harmony and peace thereafter. rest up, and be ready.

wanderthewood

Englishman River Falls Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada by michellerlee

sublim-ature

Tuscany, Italy Reinhold Samonigg

mercycorps

These 2 adorable smiles come to you from a tree nursery in Ethiopia, where we’re working to combat deforestation. #potd #photooftheday

memory

"to remind me of who You are...” Kari Jobe - You Are For Me

that season, was a life-changing season. it was THE season of healing, of slow restoration in esther’s heart. but as incredibly grateful i am for those miracles, the most sweet, tangible, life-transforming, icannevergoback miracle was when i fought hard to look at Him only and make Him the center of my heart, my mind, my soul. there were many tough moments where inside, i was warring, wanting to focus and do everything for God. i learned and realized that i was the “nina of Tus ojos”, and I wanted to return that love, i wanted it to be mutual. every act, prayer, thoughts strove to look at Him and do it for His glory.

in that moment, i didn’t think i was getting anywhere. but looking back, man...those battles were won.

keepongoing. keeponlearning. keepongrowing. keeponfighting.

thoughts

to be influenced by good. it marks a strong impression on my heart, and especially if it’s someone i see in person do good in public, i’ll never forget it. I always remember it in similiar settings. and it strangely gives me courage to act.

a while ago, in berkeley, i walked past a gentleman that was asking for change. i gave a small smile and gave a “sorry, i gotta be somewhere” look. i had no excuse, as usual. then on the way back, as i was about to pass the gentleman again, there was a young student that approached him and i overheard her ask, “can i get you anything from the market?” i walked passed them. in that moment, my heart sank in guilt, but it also made me thankful for that moment. man, i can do that! i don’t have to struggle about stressing over whether i should give change or worry if i’m being judgemental.

99% of the time, the sensitive, avoidant, clamshell person that I am walks away with a “smile”. wishing i could’ve given something, wishing i could’ve said something, wishing i could’ve had a longer conversation. wishing i had the social aptitude to make them feel loved, that i care. or do i care?

but sometimes, i’ll chase down that courage and do something. instead of just wishing.

...i have thoughts, morals, beliefs...but what use is it if it doesn’t come to life? increase that 1% esther...

thank you student for spreading your contagious compassion.

#contagiouscompassion #goodinfluence #thoughts