this process is really stressful and scary. i've never had to raise this much money (4200!!!), so pray for me that i can faithfully accomplish this and keep up with the checkpoint deadlines.
if you know me or have even heard of me, you will probably get a letter, just a heads up!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
rob bell books
i dont read very much, but lately ive been inspired to read a couple books. one being Sex God by rob bell. the funny thing is that i am more compelled to read it because of the cool designed cover. i dont even know what its about.
look at that cover. it looks so cool. i saw it barnes and it caught my eye instantly!
his other books look really cool too:
i hear he's pretty controversial, but i still like his cover art.
look at that cover. it looks so cool. i saw it barnes and it caught my eye instantly!
his other books look really cool too:
i hear he's pretty controversial, but i still like his cover art.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Roman Road
cru just started having this ev training every monday, and im excited. monday we went over the roman road. while i already know most of it, its a good reminder that we should have this memorized...
the reason: romans 3:10 (to yuma???)
no man is righteous, not even one.
the issue: romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
-nobody measures up to God. we have all sinned by "missing the mark".
the consequence: romans 6:23
for the wages of sin is death,
the good news:
but the gift of God is eternal life.
more good news:
romans 10:9-13
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."a]">[a] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
--------------------------------
one thing i really like about campus crusade is its emphasis on evangelism. i think with all of the christian groups out there, its easy to get focused on personal growth, but that really isnt what we are called to do. while there is the element of our vertical relationship with Christ that needs to be "maintained", there is also the horizontal factor where we need to reach out to those around us. can you imagine what it would be like if Jesus only focused on his relationship with his Father?
the reason: romans 3:10 (to yuma???)
no man is righteous, not even one.
the issue: romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
-nobody measures up to God. we have all sinned by "missing the mark".
the consequence: romans 6:23
for the wages of sin is death,
the good news:
but the gift of God is eternal life.
more good news:
romans 10:9-13
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."a]">[a] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
--------------------------------
one thing i really like about campus crusade is its emphasis on evangelism. i think with all of the christian groups out there, its easy to get focused on personal growth, but that really isnt what we are called to do. while there is the element of our vertical relationship with Christ that needs to be "maintained", there is also the horizontal factor where we need to reach out to those around us. can you imagine what it would be like if Jesus only focused on his relationship with his Father?
"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."so just reminding yall to find ways to reach out on your campuses! go and fulfill that great commission! go go go!
-Matthew 9:12-13
Sunday, March 22, 2009
LOVE
i really like talking about relationships for some reason. past couple days, i realized just how much i liked talking about relationships when i tried to make it the topic of our spontaneous late-night discussion. relationships just seem to be the default conversation, but i am starting to see how it negatively affects me.
we recently did a bible study in epic on ruth. the bible study demonstrated how God's love is so much greater than any love we can experience on earth. although we always hear about it, something about felt so strange. i studied it, i led it, and i found that i still couldnt find the ability to fully grasp it (not that i could ever "fully" grasp it). its just so abstract and out there. sometimes i act like i would be able to understand it after i meet someone who loves me in a romantic sense. but i know that isnt true. it would probably just be a hindrance in my walk and only cloud my vision of the only true love in my life.
despite what i know, i still find myself urging to pursue an earthly love. its not something i actively do, but like i realized in the past couple days, its something that comes natural to me. i like chick flicks, i like talking about relationships, and i like taylor swift (too much taylor swift is just damaging to the male's mind, anyones mind actually). i think ive gotten so used to finding entertainment in those aspects that it has watered down my view of love. that is probably why i find it so hard to truly appreciate the Love that i already have.
just by writing this note, i already find myself embracing what i have and relearning to appreciate it. hopefully this is something that continues to grow and doesnt fade after a short period.
we recently did a bible study in epic on ruth. the bible study demonstrated how God's love is so much greater than any love we can experience on earth. although we always hear about it, something about felt so strange. i studied it, i led it, and i found that i still couldnt find the ability to fully grasp it (not that i could ever "fully" grasp it). its just so abstract and out there. sometimes i act like i would be able to understand it after i meet someone who loves me in a romantic sense. but i know that isnt true. it would probably just be a hindrance in my walk and only cloud my vision of the only true love in my life.
despite what i know, i still find myself urging to pursue an earthly love. its not something i actively do, but like i realized in the past couple days, its something that comes natural to me. i like chick flicks, i like talking about relationships, and i like taylor swift (too much taylor swift is just damaging to the male's mind, anyones mind actually). i think ive gotten so used to finding entertainment in those aspects that it has watered down my view of love. that is probably why i find it so hard to truly appreciate the Love that i already have.
just by writing this note, i already find myself embracing what i have and relearning to appreciate it. hopefully this is something that continues to grow and doesnt fade after a short period.
Friday, March 20, 2009
photohunt
i havent been keeping up with my daily flickr uploads as much as i wish. this weekend i plan on taking all my lighting stuff on campus and i want to take some portraits using the sun as a light source. here are some random pictures that show what i want to do
source
source
source
completely random pictures that i found where the sunlight was used in the lighting. anyone want to be my subject? nothing fancy, just changing up the set up. ive never shot with more than one light source, so this will be my time to experiment!
wow its 4:35 am and i just got back from janies place, along with everyone else. we were all just talking in janies room asking random questions, questions pertaining to the opposite sex. the discussion never got serious, but still...fun times. i will miss this at ut. no more late night escapades to friends apartments and eating baked food and cooked noodles.
source
source
source
completely random pictures that i found where the sunlight was used in the lighting. anyone want to be my subject? nothing fancy, just changing up the set up. ive never shot with more than one light source, so this will be my time to experiment!
wow its 4:35 am and i just got back from janies place, along with everyone else. we were all just talking in janies room asking random questions, questions pertaining to the opposite sex. the discussion never got serious, but still...fun times. i will miss this at ut. no more late night escapades to friends apartments and eating baked food and cooked noodles.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
soularium aquarium
today marked the first day of my restarting of bible in 90 days. i started in the summer with church friends and pretty much gave up 2/3 of the way. i am making a vow to finish it this time!
next week we are going to start our campus evangelism again. after talking with the other leaders, we all agreed that is something that we need to keep up doing, not only because its good to reach out, but its good to practice sharing your faith with strangers. a lot of us are going on summer projects, so this will be good for us to prepare. with our spiritual growth class ending this week, it'll be a good thing to replace it. next wednesday we (hopefully most of epic) are going to practice soularium with each other. week after that, we will use it on random fish in the sea! i am excited
get it? fish in the sea? aquarium? ha ha ha
next week we are going to start our campus evangelism again. after talking with the other leaders, we all agreed that is something that we need to keep up doing, not only because its good to reach out, but its good to practice sharing your faith with strangers. a lot of us are going on summer projects, so this will be good for us to prepare. with our spiritual growth class ending this week, it'll be a good thing to replace it. next wednesday we (hopefully most of epic) are going to practice soularium with each other. week after that, we will use it on random fish in the sea! i am excited
get it? fish in the sea? aquarium? ha ha ha
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
i have decided..
that i will take my camera to class every day. i want to take pictures more. i will also only use the 50mm because it forces me to look harder
i realized today that i am really self conscious when i have my camera out. if it were a little point and shoot i'd be fine. but it is a big and bulky (well, not that big) dslr and i feel like everyone is looking at me if i carry it.
i realized today that i am really self conscious when i have my camera out. if it were a little point and shoot i'd be fine. but it is a big and bulky (well, not that big) dslr and i feel like everyone is looking at me if i carry it.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Three Places
besides through the Word, there are three places where i feel like God speaks to me almost every time i am there. 1) my shower at home, not in san antonio, 2) while driving on highway 59 when it is empty, and 3) the gym at utsa.
shower: there is something about the shower that is so calming, especially my shower at home because the water sprays so evenly and comfortably! when i am in there, i have nothing to do but clean myself and think about my life. those two activities work very well together because...well, i dont know why, but they just do. thoughts just come into my head while i am in the shower and thats usually when i decide to blog.
highway: an empty highway is so relaxing. the analogy of life being a highway is always so relevant. also, that is when the radio is on. i usually have nothing to do but listen. God speaks to me through song lyrics on the radio. that was a pretty bold statement, but i have found it true multiple times in my life.
the gym at utsa: i dont know why i think this. its only when im by myself that i notice thoughts coming into my head that seem to center around God. when i see people working out, it reminds me of how we are to build His body, and at the same time, help others to do so as well. building muscle is so analogous to building our spirituality.
dont get me wrong though. i am not claiming to have prophetic powers, and i am also not claiming that every thought in my head is from God. i have just come to realize that God uses those times, especially, to speak to me. and while i do not always hear God's voice speak to me, i know that those are times that i should cherish because of what i have realized.
shower: there is something about the shower that is so calming, especially my shower at home because the water sprays so evenly and comfortably! when i am in there, i have nothing to do but clean myself and think about my life. those two activities work very well together because...well, i dont know why, but they just do. thoughts just come into my head while i am in the shower and thats usually when i decide to blog.
highway: an empty highway is so relaxing. the analogy of life being a highway is always so relevant. also, that is when the radio is on. i usually have nothing to do but listen. God speaks to me through song lyrics on the radio. that was a pretty bold statement, but i have found it true multiple times in my life.
the gym at utsa: i dont know why i think this. its only when im by myself that i notice thoughts coming into my head that seem to center around God. when i see people working out, it reminds me of how we are to build His body, and at the same time, help others to do so as well. building muscle is so analogous to building our spirituality.
dont get me wrong though. i am not claiming to have prophetic powers, and i am also not claiming that every thought in my head is from God. i have just come to realize that God uses those times, especially, to speak to me. and while i do not always hear God's voice speak to me, i know that those are times that i should cherish because of what i have realized.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
twitter? tumblr? bloggr? God?
i have so many forms of blogs now. i'll admit, i like staying connected...with everyone..all the time. but now im starting to feel a bit bombarded with all this communication.
with all these forms of interaction, i feel like all my communication has been getting reduced to a twit message. ive found that i will think something along the lines of, "i'll just twit this!" or "i'll blog about it" and then i find that i dismiss the conversational aspect of this interaction. we lose the special moment we usually gain when we tell someone the exciting moment that just made our day. that special moment gets diluted to the text message received from twitter, tumblr, or even blogger. i am not saying they are bad things to have, but when having so many mediums for communication, we put ourselves in the center of attention, and we lose the conversational aspect of it.
while writing this, i realized that this is how my prayer life has been like. with all these mediums for talking to God, i forget about the conversational aspect. God is not only there to listen to all our requests, worries, and trivial matters - he isn't a good luck charm. it's not about us, its about Him. as much as God likes hearing our prayers, He likes to talk to us. God's voice isnt a loud booming aslan type sound that comes from the sky after a scary thunder storm. he speaks through the crackling of a burning bush, the little whisper in the wind, or even through the melody of our favorite song.
dont get my wrong though, im not bashing all these internet sites. they all have awesome uses and i think plenty of people are using them for good. sometimes i just feel overwhelmed though
with all these forms of interaction, i feel like all my communication has been getting reduced to a twit message. ive found that i will think something along the lines of, "i'll just twit this!" or "i'll blog about it" and then i find that i dismiss the conversational aspect of this interaction. we lose the special moment we usually gain when we tell someone the exciting moment that just made our day. that special moment gets diluted to the text message received from twitter, tumblr, or even blogger. i am not saying they are bad things to have, but when having so many mediums for communication, we put ourselves in the center of attention, and we lose the conversational aspect of it.
while writing this, i realized that this is how my prayer life has been like. with all these mediums for talking to God, i forget about the conversational aspect. God is not only there to listen to all our requests, worries, and trivial matters - he isn't a good luck charm. it's not about us, its about Him. as much as God likes hearing our prayers, He likes to talk to us. God's voice isnt a loud booming aslan type sound that comes from the sky after a scary thunder storm. he speaks through the crackling of a burning bush, the little whisper in the wind, or even through the melody of our favorite song.
God is in heaven and you are on earth. therefore let your words be few. Ecc. 5:2i need to think of ways to keep my words few, in life and in spirituallity.
dont get my wrong though, im not bashing all these internet sites. they all have awesome uses and i think plenty of people are using them for good. sometimes i just feel overwhelmed though
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
C-C
ive been learning a lot this year. thats a paraphrase of my intro to my ut essay. more specifically, the idea of "Christ-centered" is becoming clearer as i begin to experience it for the first time. Cc, not only in my friendships, but in my life.
what does Christ centered mean? ive always had a very vague and skeletal image of CC, but im beginning to see what it can consist of. its so easy to look at a relationship and proclaim its Cc because you guys go to church together, talk about Jesus every once in awhile, and when youre feeling REALLY spiritual, you guys even pray together.
while those are attributes of a Cc relationship, i would say that is just a glimpse of what is required of a Cc relationship (besides church). my accountability group and i were talking about what it means to have a Cc relationship. in my opinion, a Cc relationship is a relationship that resembles Christ in ALL aspects of your life. this can be by continually spurring one another on to seek after Him (As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17), at the same time, being fully dependent on God, not dependent on each other. by having this dependence and central relationship on God, i believe it will resemble Gods unconditional love towards us.
but of course, easier said than done. that doesnt mean we cant strive for it though! i wish i had more scripture references...
what does Christ centered mean? ive always had a very vague and skeletal image of CC, but im beginning to see what it can consist of. its so easy to look at a relationship and proclaim its Cc because you guys go to church together, talk about Jesus every once in awhile, and when youre feeling REALLY spiritual, you guys even pray together.
while those are attributes of a Cc relationship, i would say that is just a glimpse of what is required of a Cc relationship (besides church). my accountability group and i were talking about what it means to have a Cc relationship. in my opinion, a Cc relationship is a relationship that resembles Christ in ALL aspects of your life. this can be by continually spurring one another on to seek after Him (As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17), at the same time, being fully dependent on God, not dependent on each other. by having this dependence and central relationship on God, i believe it will resemble Gods unconditional love towards us.
but of course, easier said than done. that doesnt mean we cant strive for it though! i wish i had more scripture references...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
home
i cant wait to go home! i am a little homesick. when i see pictures of people at church i wish i was there! here are some pictures of my family and friends..its so weird looking at these pictures of everyone before college started. we were completely different people at the moment these pictures were taken...well, for me at least. i know i have changed a lot since college
bellaire prom!
daniels grad party at JINFU. utsa, utsa, utsa, ut, utsa
rice, trinity, utsa utsa, ut, ut, atm, uh
mom and ava after my graduation. this was at maggianos
robin sabrina and ava
family after graduation
two roadrunners
my church family at bellaire graduation.
omg uploading pictures is a PAIN! i want to upload more, but this is too much work. i miss everyone, goodbye!
bellaire prom!
daniels grad party at JINFU. utsa, utsa, utsa, ut, utsa
rice, trinity, utsa utsa, ut, ut, atm, uh
mom and ava after my graduation. this was at maggianos
robin sabrina and ava
family after graduation
two roadrunners
my church family at bellaire graduation.
omg uploading pictures is a PAIN! i want to upload more, but this is too much work. i miss everyone, goodbye!
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