...Just once more...

So I've picked up the sport or activity disc golf. I never knew such a thing existed until my internship in Eau Claire, WI; which lead me to countless games and experiences with my friends and cousins. After the internship I returned to school and decided to buy some disc of my own at play it again store. It is great place for beginners with great prices for sports wears and gears. I got some discs and called up my friend Chao for a few rounds. We both knew that our school had a course, but we were noobies for sure. WE had no directions of the holes and tee off sections. Of course we did not play by ourselves; we decided to invite some of our friends to come along.

When we all got to the course, we met Robin and his friend playing already. We asked him if he did not mind, to show us the course and he did. We played two rounds total and I ended with a +0 the first round, and then +2 on the last. Sighs...this course was so difficult to play on. The thick trees, creeks, hills, and shining sun made it challenge for such a noob like me. I knew that this new sport or activity was going to bring great time for the guys to chat and bond. What I did not know was that it was going to be an addiction.

Days after our first game together, I set out for a practice round all by myself. I made a few birdies and pars. I was really proud of myself and wanted to play with the guys. Moments later, a friend off mine called and said he wanted to play a round. A round went to two, then to three. I told the guys I had to go and that it was getting late. The sunset was cast out it in the open and the sky was being painted with purple. Sighs, what a beautiful painting.

Sometimes we don't admit to our addictions, sins, and faults. We all need to admit to it and correct our self before it is too late. Too late that many lies have covered it up. Too late that we lost trust, love ones, and our self image. The bible teaches many things and rebukes many. People have studied the bible for many years. lets look at it this way for once, instead of studying it...live by it, speak God's words, breath His truth, think of His thoughts, and thirst for it. I still have a hard time doing this, but I will not grow if I have no one to share it with. Just once more.

Spring within

So as I make my way into the new city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin I figure that it will looks a lot like Stockton or Willows, California. Since it is known for the Green bay Packers or aka Cheese heads I thought there would be a lot of farm land or Dairy farms. Believe it or not I have seen over 10 dairy farms & over 20 farm lands. I am impressed and astonished that Eau Claire, WI can hold that many farm land.

But the reality here is that I am here for my Pastoral Internship. Shadowing a Pastor is not easy because they are capable of accomplishing their tasks faster than I am. This Pastor that I am shadowing is a man of God who continues to encourage me daily as we study God's word together. I am truly blessed to have found this man of God and it has been countless prayers that has brought me here as well.

There are times where you need someone else to lead you. Then there are times where you just needs to set back and relax. Letting someone else lead you is pretty hard if you have been a leader all your life. I am currently reading a book called "Developing the Leader Within You" by John C. Maxwell. It is a very encouraging book that teaches leaders to be even better leader in whatever, wherever they are leading their group. Many stories from the book are from actual leaders life experiences and changes they made. A quote from the book "You will only become What You are Becoming Right Now." I believe this is true because if you focus on becoming something else rather than what God had planned for you, or what you have planned out, then you'll never become person or reach that goal.

Being mindful of what is to be done right away seems to be too much for some people. Lets break it down then!
- Write out what you value in life
- Ask someone who knows you well what areas of your life they
see as consistent (you do what you say)
- Ask someone what areas they see as inconsistent (you say but
don't always do)

This is a simple grid or answer sheet that Maxwell had in his book.

Life brings many obstacle, but if we face those that are coming right at us first then we will conquer our goal faster. If we choose to scatter our self all around and not tackle one at a time or the first obstacle then we will just fall.

Ephesians 4:17-24
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

In this passage it talks about being followers of Christ and putting off our old self and to put on the new self. We are made anew because Christ died for our sin on the cross and he took all of our sins and threw it all away into hell. We are to be glad and especially praising God for His one and only Son Jesus Christ that He gave to us. "Life is not easy" some may say. But it is when we all share it together and help one another along the way.

Internship

Pastoral Internship here I come!

Tomorrow morning at 8am I will be leaving to Sacramento airport to catch my flight to Minneapolis, Minnesota international Airport. There I will be doing my Pastoral Internship with Rev. Shalahng. I am super excited and nervous all at the same time. I pray that God will us me in His way to help serve and better His kingdom. Four months is the total time I that I will be there. Looking forward in helping the youth, congregation, leaders, elders, and kids as well.

God continue guiding me, teaching, leading, and showing me your way in everything that I do. Everything that I do is for your fame, glory, honor, and praise only. Amen.

..isn't it..?

As a new start of semester starts, it opens up doors to opportunity of gaining new information and wisdom. Though these knowledge and wisdom are passed down from generation to generation, we are still hit hard by them. The professor may use the same phrase or statement over and over with new classes and it will still be effective.

For the word of God that is read by us, and studied by many, it is still powerful and the word of God alone to save, guide, teach, and love. Loving someone is hard enough but we all know that with God's love then we to love those who has not been loved before. Some of the times you'll have to love those who hates you.

The word of God, that has been passed down from century is now in our own hands. Keeping it close to our hearts and alone time. The bible teaches us, rebukes, loves, and cares for those that has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. The bible is not meant only for Christians, but it is for everyone, anyone who wants to accept Jesus Christ as your LORD and SAVIOR. The writings in it is God inspired. In saying that through their personal tribulation and conviction inside their heart, God spoke to them and turned their life around. Each of us, the apostles, disciples, each had their own turning point in life.

(Col 1:11-12 [ESV])
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Out into In

When someone starts out a relationship with a certain individual, it is not known or popular from the start. Since the relationship that the two has is fresh and barely noticeable, no one really cares. But throughout time as the couple gets more serious and they are acting upon their words people will start to notice that they are together and no one dares to interfere. Then if everything works out for the two love birds or couple, they will soon get marry and they will be a legitimate couple and the ring that they both wear is the symbol that they will show the world. This is exactly how God wants a relationship us, just some few adjustment to it!
God does not ask us to be in a relationship but we already are! God does not want us to love, and depend on our self to do great things for Him, but He wants us all to know, to recognize, and to accept His greatest love who is Jesus Christ Himself. Throughout time, people have fallen away from Him, used Him, cheated Him, and lied to Him. Anything you can think of in a relationship that will happen has already happened to God already. In this sense, God still loves us all unconditionally even though He knows we are loyal or obeying Him. That is who God is, all loving, all merciful, all powerful, always forgiving, and the Creator.

A Change

Since I am a student at Bible University, I am helping out at an Church. The Hmong Christian Missionary Alliance Church of Chico. I have helped this ministry for almost a year or more now. The team consist of 6 single male students and a married couple. We all have devoted our weekend and time for this small church for the past year and God has done so much and blessed this church so much. We knew that God meant it for us to come and help this church in Chico because there were two brothers who open their heart and passions to serve their home town church. It was a blessing to work with all these people who devoted their time and heart for Jesus' ministry.

But this year, I have changed direction and after countless prayers I have decided to go even farther then Chico to help another Hmong Church in Oroville, Ca. It is 30 minutes away from Chico and 1hr 1/2 from Redding. The drive to Chico is not too bad, I am pretty use to it so driving an extra 30 minutes is perfectly fine. I am not the only that is helping at this Church but a ministry team from Simpson called: S.M.Y.L.E. (Simplifying Ministry to Young Leaders Ever where) is helping out as well. They plan to go and help the youth, encourage them, equip them, and establish a solid foundation of friendship and relationship so we can grow spiritually together!

It was hard deciding whether to stay with the Chico ministry team or not. But I saw that God had already blessed them with the team was suitable and well equipped. They had their own praise and worship band all ready to praise God in every Sunday. The team is blessed with many talented people, gifts of playing multiple instruments, teaching, discipleship, encouraging, and evangelizing. The Chico is surely blessed, so they are blessing Chico Hmong Alliance Church. I am happy to have been apart of that ministry and well help, whenever I am called or ask by them. So right now I am in a new ministry, hoping that God will use me, and that His blessings will be poured on to the Oroville Hmong Church. I know God is blessing them already. This change, it is through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that will empower me, the S.M.Y.L.E. ministry to bless this Church.

O God, we give you praise, Glory, and Honor.

..show time..

We are like flowers that are being unfold into different life experiences and challenges.We might be put into hard challenges in life, but we have to remember that God is in control and he wants us to let Him be in the center of everything. We will meet new people daily so we should let them see the true beauty of ourselves to them. Let the world know that this beauty that you contain and have is undying and everlasting because our God in heaven has bestowed you his beauty also. We have to be able to accept our different beauty because God wants us to shine in various ways for him so the people in the world who have not seen it yet can be able to see it. Flowers are sometimes thrown away because they did easily or just too fast. We need to grow spiritually together, feeding one another abundantly with the word, and Love of God. Sometimes people don't see what you have to offer them and what you have already offered them. In this case don't feel bad because it is their lost. Do keep encouraging them spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. GOD is always at work in us.