| | A Whole Semester of Learning Okay. So I've been gone for a while. But since my paper journal is gone now, I have no journal to write my thoughts in as of yet. So here goes. This semester, God has shown me SO MUCH about myself that needs changed & that He has changed. For one, I pay too much attention to what people think of me. I cannot base myself on other's expectations & opinions, no one but God's. If I do this, then I will always fall short of grace & love & forgiveness, b/c no human can provide 100% forgiveness & love. Only God, who's Son Jesus died mercifully for our sins & who's blood was shed on that fateful day for our pardoning, can forgive us with pure intentions & a pure heart. Everyone falls short of God's glory. My worries about others opinions of me have become a sort of ... idol. God has been showing me this in just this week alone. My desire to please man above God has become a tiring game, somewhat. Funny... how every time we mess up in some way, we come running back to Jesus, the only being that can truly forgive us, love us, provide grace & mercy, & accept us 100%. We need Jesus, people. Another thing that God has been showing me is His grace. I used to live by the law. When people said "Saved by grace," I thought I knew what it meant. But realizing my faults this semester has allowed me to take a closer look at the idea, definition, & true meaning of grace. I cannot be perfect...ever. No matter HOW HARD I try, I will always fall short of perfection. BUT... I have a Lord who covers me in His blood when I repent of the things that I have done wrong. I have a Lord unlike any other god or definition of the one TRUE God in this world! The God of Christianity, the TRUE GOD, is a God who forgives & loves beyond any human comprehension or good doing. Good works WILL NOT SAVE US, people. We can never be 100% good. What saves us is a Lord who is in love with His children, every day, despite their shortcomings. Checking your intentions & your heart is not always fun, but it is something that needs to be done 24/7 in the life of a Christian. We are called to be different, so how can we be different if we are giving into the corrupt definitions & lifestyles of this world, even if it is unknowingly? We need to constantly check our heart, & make sure it is on the same track as the Lord Jesus Christ's. We were made in His image, after all! It is time that we start acting like it. So that's the end of my semester.... ending this semester with a full recognition of my need for Jesus, & my need for the grace He gives freely. I hope that this helps you. Have a great summer, ya'll! I will try & update more often,... I'll TRY. Haha. :) In 5 days, I will be going to Japan on a mission trip with my group in Chi Alpha. Please pray for me & my team, guys! Pray for favor, pray against the spirit of depression & suicide (which runs rampant in Japan!), pray for protection, & pray for divine appointments & for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Thanks ya'll. :) God is good! "Freely grace has been given to you, so freely give grace to others." ~ Unknown "Here I am, take me as an offering. Every heartbeat, living for You. Worthy is the Lord." ~ Alabaster Jar by Christ for the Nations Institute To the Korean students who are leaving tomorrow - Saturday, I love you. I dedicate these pictures to you. I will forever miss you, my friends. God is with you always, & so am I. 
me & Shin Young from Korea, last International Student Friendship Ministries meeting, May 4th 2007 
"Peter," Mina, & me at a football game, Fall semester 2006 
Si Joon & I at the last ISFM meeting, May 4th, 2007 
me, my mom, my pastor & his wife, & 2 people from church with some of the internationals & another SHSU student at my house, April 2007 
Mina, me & "Peter" ~ International Office Programs Volunteer Recognition banquet, May 2007 I'll miss you, my friends, always. |
