dancing in the rain

Life is an ever changing process I have learned to dance through. This is how I got there and continue to grow.

[imbuvi]

Traveling Arrow

[imbuvi]

A night at the theater.

[imbuvi]

Elected.

We have a new president elect. Donald Trump. While I am sad and sort of heartbroken over this, I can’t deny the fact that I am hopeful for the future. One may ask, “how can you have hope in this depressing outcome..?” And my answer is simple. I love Jesus. I have hope in Jesus. And I trust in Jesus whole heartedly, so much so, that no one can, no not even President Elect Trump can shake my faith. Jesus has something planned here. He isn't a flippant God. He is calculated and mysterious, and I am along for the ride, continuing to use each life situation as a way to spread the gospel to people whole may not know this Jesus I speak of. 

This nation has something else coming. Maybe no one can see it yet. Blinded by their own biases and judgements. But I will continue to serve the Lord in my heart, and in my life. Jesus is worth that.

[imbuvi]

Jammin out to this swift beat today. #onreapeat

[imbuvi]

Encouraged.

Do you ever have days where you receive massive amounts of clarity from Jesus? I had one of those days today. The cliché response to a day like today would be, "God has so much grace on me!" "I feel so blessed!" "Aw man! Look at God!!" All with a big smile, jumping up and down with the utmost excitement and joy. That is not melt response today. My response to this clarity is massive amounts of righteous anger welling up and an urgency to start waking people up to the issues at hand. I only have one question: Are you willing to wake up and obey Jesus?

[imbuvi]

Grateful || Most days I'm excited to blast music in the car a sing along. This song has been on repeat for the past few days. it's such a great worship song!

[imbuvi]

Oasis.

The other day, a series of guitar chords came to mind. With it came a melody. And with that can a concept for a song. Now I can’t say that the song itself came into me, but the concept did, thus began the wonderful writing process.

Sometimes I read the Bible and wonder, “How on earth did the Israelites just not get it?” If you are unfamiliar with the stories in Exodus, here’s a brief overview... God frees the Hebrews slaves from the hand of the Egyptians. They are led by Moses to the land promised to them by God, affectionately named the Promise Land (flowing with milk and honey!) However, because of their lack of faith at times, they wander in the desert for 40 years. After the 40 years, they finally enter the Promise Land.

So now that we are all caught up and on the same page... let me get back to the song concept. The idea that the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years is crazy to me. I keep thinking, how could they be that dense that they wouldn’t see God’s faithfulness time after time? This morning, it dawned on my, how this journey in the desert is a reflection of my walk with God. How can I be so dense that I wouldn’t see God’s faithfulness time after time?

It’s a cycle. Something great happens, I think of all the things I did right, everything is good in the world. I even think of how thankful and grateful I am that God helps me do great things. But the moment something awful happens, I begin to doubt God’s perfect faithfulness. As if the good times become null and void now that something terrible happens.

Why do I do this? Why do I chose to stay in the desert when the promise land is just over yonder? My hope and prayer is that over time, I become less dense, less doubtful in times that do not go the way I want them to go. Let there be more opportunities for an oasis as I walk through this desert land.

[imbuvi]

Pursued.

There was a moment last week that I was praying, and after after I was done praying, my heart fluttered because of how much Jesus loves me. 

[imbuvi]

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, where ever you may call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my savior.”

[imbuvi]

Realize.

You can only see what's in front of you. Don't waste time looking back on your past mistakes or successes when Jesus is in front of you, leading you, guiding you, showing you exactly what steps to take forward.

[imbuvi]

[imbuvi]

Netflix.

WOW. If you haven’t checked out the recently added movies on Netflix this month, you ought to do that soon. From classic favorites like “The Little Rascals” and “My Girl” to “V for Vendetta” and “Grease Live,” April is going to be a busy month watching some good picks!

[imbuvi]

Loved.

Here’s a bit of transparency. Yesterday was a rough day. It hit me that my friendships are about to morph, and look different as three of my good friends get married this summer. Obviously, I don’t believe it is the end of those friendships… But in a way it feels like it. What is ending is this type of friendship. This era of friendship is ending and a new one will emerge.

Yesterday, I felt as if my world was crashing. As if I stood alone in the chaos of change. Two of the three brides are my best friends, one will move across state lines, the other will not longer be my roommate.

*sigh* Just when I thought I had my life figured out… Everything changes. It’s never easy. For me, it’s never easy to trust the unseen. Once again, my life is being stirred. What could God possibly be adding to me this time?

Today, I got a few texts from some friends that were completely unexpected, unwarranted, I didn’t ask for it, but they reminded me of the Father’s love for me. They reminded me of their love for me. They reminded me that God sees me through this time. He seems me through all of the pain of change. Where I am weak, He is strong. So often I ignore that fact. But today, I remember that I am loved.

[imbuvi]

Brooklyn Bridge || The adventure, the excitement, this is the Brooklyn Bridge.

[imbuvi]

Brotherly Love

So there's this movie on Netflix called "Brotherly Love." Y'all just need to go watch it.

[rd2jericho]

Visit Original Link

While praying through this new year and worshipping to songs translated to Mandarin, I was repeating my translation for the chorus of “Ever Be” when I felt inspired to write pairs of prayers for the new year. Writing pairs of blessing and poetry is a traditional celebration and expression for many Chinese people, so this song quickly became a melding of traditional mandarin verse with contemporary acoustic style and a heartfelt cry and worship to God, thanking Him for what He is doing.

新年快乐 万事如意 Happy new year, may everything go according to will … a traditional greeting during CNY       愿神赐福 万事顺服祢意 May God bring blessing, may everything submit to Your will   家庭合一 上帝心意 Family united, as is His heart 全命牺牲 全命为祢 Our lives sacrificed wholly to You

新年来领 信心加强 The new year has come, may faith strengthen 忘记背后 努力向前 forget what’s behind, diligently moving forward 家庭合一 上帝心意 Family united, as is His heart 祈求圣灵 烈火充满 Praying, Holy Spirit, fill us as fiery flame

Chorus: 愿祢名 永远被我高举 x2 May Your Name forever be lifted up 愿祢爱 永远做我赞美 x2 May Your love forever be worshipped

大家来吧 来称颂主 Together we come to worship God 互相帮助 来侍奉主 Helping each other to serve the Lord 家庭合一 上帝心意 Family united, as is His heart 迫切爱神 热心爱人 Fervently loving God, passionately loving people

大家爱主 深深仰望 Together we love Him, deeply hope in Him 弟兄壮胆 姐妹壮爱 Brothers, gain courage, Sisters, gain courageous love 家庭合一 上帝心意 Family united, as is His heart 再来聚集 再来感谢 Again, we gather, again, we give thanks

Bridge: 永远赞美 永恒大爱 Forever we worship His eternal love 永远信靠 实在父神 Forever we depend on faithful Father 赞美耶稣 救恩丰富 Worship Jesus, abundant with saving grace  赞美圣灵 与我同在 Worship Spirit, God’s presence with us

[imbuvi]

Cannot wait for the day that we will worship in different languages. This is beautiful

[imbuvi]

Travel.

Airports are so much fun. I love to people watch. And I love that people are such strange creatures, that I fit in right in with my weirdness... This is my life, I am a little off my rocker some times, but how boring would life be without a little crazy? Some people are really bothered by the fact that there is no normal, but let's be serious, life would be boring.