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01 - 01 - 01
Konniti wa!!
Hey, how is it going this fine day? The sky here is an azure sky
of deepest blue and a most brilliant sun engulfing the land in celestial
light. It's pretty tight. I'm chillin over here chowin down on some soup.
The Scripture email is going to be a lil different today. Today, I'm
actually going to share what God has done for me. Enjoy.
Before I went off to college, I got baptized. Some of my peers were
somewhat puzzled and asked how could i do that? I mean, because I'm going
off to college. There are soooo many things and situations to do and get
involved in. IT'S COLLEGE MAN!! I only said, yeah, I know, but this I gotta
do. Baptism is a public expression of leaving the old self and becoming new.
It means that you are committing your life to the will of God. In other
words, "I'm runnin da race on da straight and narrow and I'm gonna reach dat
goal, ain't no one, and no thing gonna stop me" Heh heh, full throttle for
God. So I could understand why some of my peers asked me that question.
Nevertheless, I went on. I went to MIT the summer before I actually became
a freshman and was involved in some program for 8 weeks. God put key people
in my life allowing me to find an excellent church early on. So that was
tight. And as I continued through the program, I began to touch people's
lives with the good news, not because I talked the talk, but also because I
walked the walk. I showed most by example than by speaking. The term
started and I got into a fraternity. I didn't get hooked up with a
christian fellowship on campus yet, but Got kept sending them. Got emails
upon emails about the different ones that existed there. And man was I
surprised that MIT had so many Christian organizations. It seemed like an
oxymoron. But wait, nothing is impossible with God. Finally the chaplain
and president of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship (i didnt know their positions
then) paid me a visit at my fraternity. And i thought, wow, a lot of
Christians tend to avoid places like this just cuz of their reputation. But
these guys, it didnt phase them in the slightest. So I got hooked up with XA
(chi alpha). God is workin, all these things are falling in to place so
perfectly. Coincidence? Na, I don't think so. So life goes on, im chillin
in my frat. It seemed that I was the only Christian in there. I wasn't
sure. But I knew that I wouldn't change, I'd stay the race on the straight
and narrow and reach my bruthaz not by word of mouth but by living example.
How much more impact can one receive by not only hearing but seeing for
themselves someone who actually practices what he speaks day in and day out.
And, it was working. God began touching the lives of bros throughout the
frat. Some began asking questions, others went with me to Church to
chickittycheck it out. Was this all my doing? Heeeeeeeck naw. It was God
baby. God workin through and through in mysterious and perfect ways. I
went through the XA Discipleship by Design class where i learned much more
about God and people and more. I went on retreats with XA and met members of
XA from 5 other Universities. And at these retreats was blessed to see
students, mere students, doing great and awesome things through God.
Students reaching their campuses and dorms. It was tight, and i was
encouraged. Then Pops (God), man He blessed me with a tight Internship at
Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas. And man, that summer living there was
an even greater blessing. I hooked up with some awesome MIT peeps. One of
them was a new Christian, he had come to Christ in January of that year.
And I saw God work in his life making him stronger in his faith, allowing him
to grow at an exponential rate. It was awesome to witness. We also started
going to DCBC (Dallas Chinese Bible Church). Yeah, my buddy is asian. So we
got hooked up there because when we went we saw students our age with a fire
and a hunger for the things of God. Each and everyone one of them fervently
sought after Him. They wanted constantly to know more and more. And the
pastor, who happend not to be Asian, was just as enthusiastic to teach and to
share. The truth was like fire in his bones and in the students, just
bursting out and could not be contained. Both Fred and I leaned much there
and touched many as well as were touched ourselves. Coincidence? man, i
dont think soo, things are still fallin into place so effortlessly. It was
at TI when i first started sending the Scripture emails (actually a lil bit
before) to one person. Then it grew to 3 (one of them my immediate
supervisor at TI). And it continued to grow. If you look at the send to way
above, you'll see tons of addresses. But these aren't the only ones getting
the emails. Many of them in turn send it to many other people. And who
knows if these other people are sending them to others. I dont know, but i
can tell you that many people are being reached. It's exponential. And its
God's hand at work. And I pray that God continues to draw them to Him. Who
would of known, in fact, i didn't know until much much much later. So we
kick it back to MIT for my second year. And man, I'm on fire, its in my
bones, the truth wantin to BURST out. In the last year, God let XA grow from
5 members, to 15, and in that year, we had faith that God would yet again
triple our numbers. Needless to say, that is happening too. Some of the
newer members of XA and I were now student leaders and would be leading Bible
studies along with the older members who will still continue to lead Bible
studies. And we set out to do God's work gettin about 100 contact cards and
visiting each and every one of them. The chaplain and i hit many of the
fraternities and got a couple started. And, in my fraternity another one was
started. 7 came, 5 consistently from within the fraternity itself. Two
will be going to the Discipleship by Design class. Two go to church with me.
And second term awaits. So i look back and reflect. God allowed me to find
a tight church early on, He got me hooked up with Chi Alpha, He placed me in
a tight Fraternity (i love all da fellas, we are all tight), He placed key
students in my path, He hooked me up with a tight internship, He hooked me up
with a tight temporary church in Dallas for optimum growth, He hooked me up
with a new Christian whom he continued to strengthen, He allowed XA to grow
exponentially again, He allows the scripture emails to spread exponentially,
He helped me to get a Bible study going in the fraternity, and He's put it on
two of the bruthaz heart's to go to the D x D class. Coincidence? heh heh
heh, i think not, look at how perfectly everything has gone, how much more
will God do? The second term awaits, and I can't wait to see God work yet
again.
When my peers asked me back then, why am i gettin baptized, im going to
college, there is soo much to do, i can tell them, "Yeah, that's true, but
look at what God has done." Man, God is awesome. Young people tend to say,
"Let me do my thing for a lil bit, then later on, when i'm a lil bit older,
I'll look into God and let him do his thing." My question is, what are you
waiting for? What could the world possibly have to offer you that is greater
than what God has for you? Man, God is the Creator. How can the creation
offer something better than what the creator can give you? Man, the world
can offer you some things, and you can have a life, but with God you can have
a life, but not just a life, life more abundantly. What the world has is
material, transistory, and can be gone in the blink of an eye. What God has
for you is eternal. God is not of this world right. So if you are of God,
you too are not of this world. So then, how can the things of this world
hold you captive or bind you? That's right, it cannot. What are you waiting
for? God is chillin yo, chillin, waitin there with open arms, for you. Heh,
and he's waitin for you to chill with him. You and the creator, chillin,
that's got to be tight. 1 John 5:11 "And this is the testimony. God has
given us eternal life. And this life is in his son."
Aight peeps, time to chickitty check out. I'll see yall or talk to yall
later. May the peace of God be with each and every one of you always. latah
bruthas and sistaz.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 02 - 01
Konniti wa tomodati!
Wow, its the second day of the year 2001. It's gonna be awhile
before i get the year right when i have to date stuff. Never fails man, i'll
probably be puttin 2000 until march when it finally gets in my head that its
2001. Anyways, the countdown begins for when i leave fl and head back to
MIT. 5 days left (not including today). Aiiight, on to Scripture.
Kyoo, I read Galatians 3:26-29
26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all
of you who
were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28
There is
neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are
all one in
Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's
seed, and
heirs according to the promise.
This passage is pretty tight if ya ask me. First it says we are all sons
of God....through faith in Christ Jesus that is. So what's the first step?
Faith my friends. Over and over again in the Scriptures it keeps repeating
faith. Not some insubstantial belief, but to know that you know that you
know. And then it continues and says for all who were baptized into Christ,
that is since you were baptized into Christ, you have clothed yourselves
with Christ. Faith, baptism (leaving the old and becoming new). The next
is awesome, not as awesome as the last verse but awesome nonetheless. Here
it go "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for
you are all one in Christ Jesus." BAAAAAAM!!! One baby!! In other words,
there is no separation among God's people. I should rephrase, there SHOULD
be no separation among God's people. In other words, when you see another
brother or sister, you shouldt see race, rank, nationality, and more. All
you should see is a fellow warrior (i like usin the word warrior heh heh).
You should see a fellow person in Christ. One body, one body. How can a
body exist if it has divisions within itself? One part fighting against
another part? It can't, it will divide and fall. It's too bad that it does
exist however in the body. And that must be dealt with man, cuz love is the
greatest commandment. If there is division, where is the love? But, man,
when you see where there are a group of believers truly walkin the walk, you
see this passage as truth, like when i went to a Chinese church over all of
last summer. I didnt feel awkward at all, cuz that sort of division did not
exist. All there was were fellow believers. It was tiiight. The church I
go to now is also very diverse, very diverse, it's tight. And here is the
awesome of awesome verses for this passage,
"If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to
the promise." Checkit, if we belong to Christ, aka sons and daughters of
God, then we are Abraham's seed. Abraham was the kat way back when that did
not have the Law to follow. Nope, the law was given to Moses some 430 years
later. So how did this kat receive such promise and blessings? He was
justified through faith. Yup, there its again man, faith yo, faith. And
because of his belief, God made him a promise. And if we belong to Christ,
aka sons and daughters of God, we too are Abraham's seed, and as seed and
sons and daughters, we are also heirs according to the promise.
tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Heirs man, heirs.
Aight, time to bounce. Hope you have a blessed day. Im checkin out,
peace.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 03 - 01
Hey hey heY,
WAAAAASsabi! Well, today is the first day of school for many of
those still in middle school and high schoool. Funny, many of them were
doing their homework last night hee hee hee. Procrastinators aren't we all.
One would think it changes in college... heh heh, NOOOOOPE!!! That's all i
have to say about that. Aiiight, I can finally write this email. I've been
taken way from this time again having to take my sis somewhere, then my moms,
then pickin up my sis. Man, aight, on to Scripture.
Kyoo, I read Luke 18 31-34.
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem,
and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be
fulfilled. 32 He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him,
insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. 33 On the third day he will rise
again." 34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was
hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Ever talk to somebody who talks so fast that you can only pick out one or two
words and then you throw your hands up in despair? You be like, "YOOOO, slow
your role!!! I can't hear a thing you sayin. Talkin all fast and stuff, who
you think I is huh?" heh heh. The disciples are sort of in that situation
right now, except Jesus ain't talkin real fast. He's just talkin and they
not understandin. See, Jesus was talkin about the prophesies that spoke
about him, about what would happen when he goes into Jerusalem. But the
disciples, they didnt get that. I wanna concentrate on this last verse.
"The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from
them, and they did not know what he was talking about." Interesting no? The
disciples have been walkin with this kat, Jesus, for almost 3 years, and they
still did not know even this. Why? Well, ever read somethin in the Word and
not understand it? Ever try to ask someone about it and they also not
understand it? That's whats happening here. Nowadays we've got the Holy
Spirit to help us out, the disciples did not have Him yet, not until after
Jesus is crucified and ressurected. So they learned their stuff from Jesus.
But in this instance the meaning of what Jesus said was hidden from them. It
is the same as today. Sometimes we be readin somethin from the Word and it
seems like a total enigma. But we also have the Holy Spirit who aids us in
discerning Scripture. But if everything were made clear to us at one
instant, would it make sense to us? Take your computer's tower for instance.
Say you are wondering what the
heck is inside, so you bust open that baby,
and BAAAM it is made clear to you what is inside. You see toooons of
circuitry and wire and blahsayblahsay. So it is clear, but does it make
sense? No, you need tle learn first the little before you can understand the
big. Hence it is the same with the Word. There is sooo much in the
Scriptures but before the Holy Spirit reveals to us all of it's mysteries, it
must reveal to us the little. And as time goes, our knowledge grows
according to God's time and our current state. See, the disciples had no
clue, but in due time, they did learn and understand for their eyes were
opened and it was made clear to them. So when something comes along that
boggles you mind, be chill. Patience is key, even the disciples were
boggled, but in due time, everything was made clear. Thus, be Patient and
wait on God, and don't get frustrated. When the time is right, it'll be like
an epiphany. BLING, just like that, a light bulb will light. heh heh.
Aight, i gots ta go. Check you later. Countdown, 4 days left till i
head back ta school.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 04 - 01
Hello,
How's it going? I'm still maxin and relaxin. I went to my old Bible
Study group last night. It was hot. I love going to that Bible Study. You
learn sooooo much. Today is gonna be another packed day of visitin peeps.
So it'll be fun. And the countdown is now at 3 days left.... On to
Scripture!
Kyoo, I read Matthew 20 29 - 34. I wanna concentrate on 29-31.
29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd
followed
him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they
heard
that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy
on us!" 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they
shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
Peeeer pressure my friends. There's the good kind, then there is the bad
kind. Then there are those who just try to put you down. Like this crowd.
These two kats are blind, and are callin out to Jesus. But the crowd,
they're sayin, man these two guys are blind, they are beneath us man, just
tell 'em to shut up and sit down, they aint got no business with Jesus" But
these two blind guys knew the truth. And they did not just sit back.
Instead, "they shouted all the louder, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on
us.'" And Jesus heard their cry and healed them. But what is awesome here
is that these 2, despite a crowd yelling at them and pushing them down,
stood their grown and held to that which was truth. They didnt let
persecution or peers deter them. What does that mean for us? Man, if you
got the truth, don't be ashamed of it. Proclaim it, and let not outside
forces deter you or make you feel inadequate or weak cuz if God is for you,
who can stand against you? Stand firm in the truth bruthaz and sistaz. Cuz
what you got, it can lead to life, and life more abundantly.
Well well well, its that time. I got about 10 minutes before i bounce
up out this house and go see a couple potnas. So ill cya when i cya. Take
care.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 05 - 01
Yo yo yO,
WASSSUUUUUUP!!! It's Friday people. Fridays are awesome. Its the
end of the week, the beginning of freedom from work for the weekend (unless
you work on the weekend......), end of school for 2 days, and da list goes
on. Well, this will be my last Friday in FL for this break. Countdown is
now at 2 days left. One of my buds came down from another state yesterday.
It's great, so ill get to see him before i leave. How are you doing these
days eh? Some of you will be startin 2 term in college now. FUN FUN......
On to Scripture
Kyoo, i bounced around a lot and settled on Luke 12:11,12
11 "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do
not
worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for
the
Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
Paul, Stephen, even Jesus himself was brought before such authorities and
questioned in sly ways such that their supposed guilt could be found. But,
I realized whenever they were brought before such authorities, they were
always chill. It didnt phase them at all. And another thing, they were
always silent at the beginning and allowing those questioning them to wallow
in their, for lack of a better word, stupidity. They would be chillin in the
center, and all those around them would be fighting, bickering and arguing
about how they might fool these men and slam a false charge on them. But
they could not come to agreement and the whole place would go into uproar.
See, the authorities themselves were divided amongst themselves. And da man
they wished to persecute was chillin, secure in the fact that they were in
truth, proclaimed the truth, and would stand on the truth. Heck, they were
in a win win situation, live or die both proved beneficial. Live, they gain
the chance to continue proclaiming the truth and chillin wit Pops; die, they
come closer to being with Pops for eternity. What's their to lose? Nothin
yo, its a win win situation. So they maintain their chill, and when it was
time for them to speak, the Holy Spirit was their to help them out, no doubt.
Stand firm in the truth my friends, be chiiiiill. "... do not worry..."
Let the Spirit of God work in you and in that place. Who knows, He could
simply disrupt the session and cause confusion, or let their evil intent
devour their thinking and fail. You, however, rest assured in the truth. Do
not compromise the truth. Cuz that truth is by far greater than anything
this world has to offer. It leads to Life.
Aight, i gotta go pick up my sis from work now. Have an excellent
weekend and a great friday, and i'll write to you Monday from good old
Cambridge, MA. peace.
God blesss,
- patrick
01 - 08 - 01
Heey Heey Heey (courtesy of fat albert),
Man, its cold up here. Not really, its actually kind of nice. The
cold isn't too cold. Snow is everywhere, and I am waiting for the opportune
time to launch a snowball heh heh heh. My one class begins tomorrow. It
should be tight, ill be learning about computer graphics along with the
mathematics and physics involved (collision detection and such). Aight, on to
Scripture.
Kyoo, I read a lot in Ecclesiastes. I realized I never really read that
book. It is very interesting and there's lots of good stuff. Whenever you
get a chance you might wanna thumb through it. Anyway, here is todays gold
nugget, Ecclesiastes 5:10,15
10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is
never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
15 Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he
departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.
I'm pretty sure many of us have heard that there are three kinds of people,
those who work only for the love of money, those who work out of passion for
their field, and those who just have to work (which encompasses everybody,
everybody work in some capacity to get a lil dough or some food). Verse 10 is
talkin about that first kind. And it definitely rings true. Whenever i meet
a kat who loves money, he/she never seems to have enough and always wants
more. They are like crows. All for them and none for anybody else. And this
also rings true for those who love wealth, they too are never satisfied with
their income. As a result both are in this constant state of, I need more i
need more i need more, no doubt frustration will come in to play, as well as
pseudo-friends (fake friends). It's a shame, and as the verse says, it "too
is meaningless." Life is empty except for the pursuit of money and material
things. True friends, i dont know if they exist for these peeps. For the
guys, women will flock cuz he gots flow, but when that flow is gone, so are
the chicks. So many negatives man, so many. And if a woman gots the flow,
she'll be swarmed by guys for the very same reason. The vows are "for rich or
for poor", not "for rich or else i up and leave." Placing value and basing
love on the material wealth of an individual, man that leads to disaster, not
too mention love that is everything BUT real. And verse 15 sheds light onto
another reason why it is meaningless. Naked a man enters the world, naked he
leaves. All that material stuff they got on earth, it remains on earth. They
cannot take the wealth with them. So all that time spent on earth striving
after money is all for naught when time could have better been spent makin
real friends, finding true love, enjoying life, and having life more
abundantly. Rockefeller, John D. was the richest man of his time. He was
asked how much money is enough. He replied, "Just a little bit more." its a
shame. Dont become the green monster, instead, actually live.
Aight peeps. I'm about to go liftin. It's gonna be awesome. Aight, latah
latah.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 09 - 01
Yoooooo!!! WASSUP!!!
Nothin much over here. Except that I'm a lil sore. I've started
exercisin' hardcore again yesterday, and today im feelin' it in some places,
and tomorrow i'll feel it in even more places. But its worth it, goin for the
chisel (liftin) know what i mean, not to mention optimizing to the tightest
fighting edge (jiu jitsu). It's also mad fun. And after about a week or two,
no more will soreness be a factor cuz the body gets used to the exertions. Oh
yeaaaaahhh. My class finally occured today too. It seems pretty kool thus
far. So I am anticipating good things. Aight, on to Scripture
Kyoo, I read Ecclesiastes 7:20
20 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and
never sins.
Couple things to notice here: the words righteous, right, never, sins.
Notice first that it says "there is not a righteous man on earth who..." In
other words, it is implying there are righteous people, but there are none who
blah blah blah. What's the blah blah blah? it is "...does what is right and
never sins" Here we see da words right and never and sins. If one does right
all the time, then he never sins right? I mean both terms are completely
opposites, if you are doing right, you are not doing sin, if you are doing
sin, then you are not doing right. So he/she that does right never sins.....
That's the mistake we make about ourselves. We sometimes forget one simple
fact, we are human. And how does the saying go? Humans make mistakes. And
thus, the Word is saying here that if one is righteous, he does indeed sin as
well as doing what is right. Why? Cuz we, as humans, make mistakes. We are
not perfect beings hence there is no way we could possibly never ever sin. If
so, then we cannot be righteous for "There is not a righteous man on earth who
does what is right and never sins." Because of who we are, it's just not
possible to never sin. BUT, we can reduce how much wrong we do. How? By
doing more of what is right and following the Word, not only listening to the
teachings Jesus taught, but also DOING them. Anybody can listen, it is doing
that proves you have actually heard. Be the one who hears and actually hears
instead of the one who hears but does not actually hear. Another point to see
here is the common misconception that if one is Christian, he/she has to be
spotless, superbly clean, as if walking on the clouds. Christians themselves
make this misconception, people moving towards becoming Christian make this
misconception, and the world make this misconception. Being Christian doesnt
mean he/she will never sin. He/she is a human too. So if ya see a Christian
sin, don't be so hasty to condemn him/her or the Faith itself. Cuz that is
not what it's about. One doesnt have to be Christian to focus their life on
doing what is right. It is realizing that there is a God, and realizing that
He sent His one and only Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. If you a Christian, don't beat yourself over the
head trying to be perfect, it wont happen, in fact, you'll just lose your
chill. And ya can't lose that, cuz if ya have God, man you should be in
ultimate chill. There are none righteous who never sin. Don't fall into that
misconception that to be truly truly righteous, you must never sin. It's
inevitable that we will make a mistake, but Jesus paid the ultimate ransom so
that we can make that mistake and not fear losing salvation but instead going
to the Father and speaking to Him. It's tight.
Aight, im out, gots homework to do now (first time in a while). latah yo!
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 10 - 01
Konniti wa!
Today seems to be a colder day, but the sky is blue as can be, and the
sun as magnificent as ever. It was tight. Nothin' much really going on over
here. More bruthaz keep slowly filtering back, house duties are beginning to
call, jiu jitsu is slowly revving up, soon this place will be bustling with
people going this way and that. And then...... aight, on to Scripture
Kyoo, I read Matthew 6:5-8
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to
pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen
by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in
full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and
pray to you Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what
is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep
on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because
of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows
what you need before you ask him.
Prayer is such a powerful thing. Ask my moms yo. For some reason it seems
that da mommas are always da ones who are strong in prayer. But nonetheless,
prayer is powerful. But how does one pray? Here, Jesus teaches on prayer a
lil bit. First he warns of what NOT to be like.... da hypocrites. You know,
as well as i do, there be some posers everywhere you look: in school, in
government, in relationships, in churches, in the martial arts, everywhere.
And here, Jesus is talkin about prayer posers. These kats loooove to
pray....in big groups where they can be SEEN that is. So instead of praying
earnestly to Pops, they pray to get the looks, to get the praise from men
"Look, there's billy bob. Maaan he is sooo religious. He's got somethin",
"Look, its ol' billy bob again, he's so pious", not to mention all the
negative stuff people might be sayin, jealousies rousing, etc. So what does
billy bob achieve by his actions? Well, all thus far said (see above) have
been negative. So why do soemthing that brings about all these negatives?
Pride maybe. Maybe arrogance, or maybe just wantin to be seen. But all is
false, the whole thing is a charade, and billy bob is nothin more than a
poser. It's too bad. And then Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, they have
received their reward in full." Now when the Son of God says "I tell you the
truth", whooo watch out now. seems to me that reward has a bad vibe. Then
Jesus goes and teaches what should be done. He says, "But when you pray, go
into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father..." In other words,
go to a quiet place. No distractions baby, be one with Pops and talk to him.
Just talk to him. Dont play it off so that people can see you, be sincere.
It's like when you actually talk to a friend and just talkin to someone cause
it makes you look good. Except in this instance, its Pops, da Creator, da one
and only, God. And then Jesus says when Pops sees what is done in secret, He
will reward you. Now THAT doenst have a bad vibe, not at all. But then Jesus
continues to teach a lil more. He says when you pray, "do not keep on
babbling like pagans." Checkit, if your moms said no to you right, and she is
steadfast, will you keep asking and asking and askin (aka babbling)? All you
will here from her is No, and very soon nothing for she will pay you no mind.
Just cuz one babbles more to moms doesnt mean she's gonna hear you any
different. She done heard da first time. There is a difference between
babbling and being persistent with a case to back you. Babbling is a waste of
time. So Jesus is teaching, when one prays, dont babble. Instead, talk.
Babbling leads to nothing. Babbling is babbling. And dont you get annoyed
when your friend babbles to you? yeah.... Pops is there man, just talk to
Him like He's your potna, your homeboy, your Dad.
Aight, time fo' me to ride out. Peace my bruthaz and sistaz.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 11 - 01
Konniti wa
Howdy doody? Me? I'm runnin out of food. Gotta go buy some mo'. But
I can't wait till our house chef comes back man, then there will always be
food. mmmhmmm. oh yeah. Aight on to Scripture.
Kyoo, as I flipped through the Bible, everything I kept landing on dealt
with Jesus and his coming crucifixion. It was weird. I'll share it with you.
Matthew 26:12 "When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to
prepare me for burial."
Mathhew 26:37-39,42,44-46
"He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and
he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them,
'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.
Stay here and keep watch with me.'" Going a little farther,
he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father,
if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not
as I will, but as you will." ... 42 He went away a second
time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this
cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
... 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the
third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the
disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and
resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed
into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my
betrayer!"
Mark 15:16-20
The soldiers lead Jesus away into the palace (that is, the
Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers.
17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown
of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to
him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19 Again and again they struck him
on the head with a staff and spit on him, they took off the
purple robe and put his own clothes him. Then they led him out
to crucify him.
I read these, and I was like, "man..." Jesus, the Son of God, came down as
man to bring Life and be the ultimate Sacrifice. Key point is he came down
and became MAN... and everything that comes with it. Now imagine, He knows
the time is at hand, he knows what is about to transpire, he knows he will
take on the sins of the world. And the time was fast approaching. Then this
woman pours perfume on him, and it is a preparation for his burial. Then the
night of his betrayal (of which he knows about) he goes to pray and brings a
couple disciples with him. He prays to Pops asking if there is any way, take
this cup from him, but may your will be done. He comes back to find his
disciples sleepin. He wakes 'em up, talks to them, then he goes away again
and prays, this time saying if it is not possible to take the cup away unless
he drinks it, then let your will be done. Comes back and his potnas are
sleepin' again. He lets them be and goes away a third time and prays the same
prayer. He is man here, imagine the mix of emotions going on, the thoughts in
his mind, and the impending cup he knows its about to be upon him. And the
only person he can talk to is Pops, his disciples are sleeping and then again
dont even really know whats going on. He comes back, wakes them up, and says
behold here comes my betrayer. Later, the Praetorium have him, they dress him
up, mock him, spit on him, beat him, and then carry him off to be crucified.
Got me thinkin, sometimes we got problems you know. And sometimes we make
them bigger than what they actually are. In fact, we waste time and cause
arguments over things that are so petty. And then i read this, about what
Jesus is about to go through, and he knows it. All my problems dull in
comparison. Jesus could have just forgot about it and didnt die, but he
didnt. He continued on his path so that each and every one of us has a chance
to attain Life. What i read today is only a fraction of the things done to
him and the emotional turmoil he felt as he went through this. Think on it,
it is humbling indeed.
Aight, time to eat a lil sumtim sumtim (dont know what yet, but sumtim).
latah
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 12 - 01
Konniti wa watasi no tomodati!
Iiiiiiiit's Friday!! OH yeah OH yeah!! Well, pretty much everyday is a
friday during IAP (for me at least), except this IS friday. Aight im just
rambling. Everything is goin' pretty well up here. Caught a lil bit of bad
news today, but hopefully it will be rectified. But the highlight of the day
is yet to come, some potnas and I are gonna go see Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon. It's gonna be tight. Aight on to Scritpture.
Kyoo, I read Romans 5:12-17
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by
the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the
gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow
to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of
the one man's sin: The Judgment followed one sin and brought
condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought
justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death
reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive
God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness
reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
This passage is kinda tight. Checkit, when it talks about the trespass, as if
personifying it, it is referring to Adam. You know, dat first man God
created. Yeah, him. Through him, sin entered the world, cuz he rebelled
against God by falling into Satans web of lies and eatin da fruit from the
tree of Knowledge (which was forbidden by Pops). So anyway, because o' of
that, events went into place and sin, aka death, "reigned". Pretty glum and
gloomy huh? Yeah, but that's not how its gonna be says Pops, and he gives us
this awesome gift. This gift is sooo tight that it "is not like the result of
one man's sin", instead, it "brought justification", it "overflow[s] to the
many", and it "reign[s] in life". What was this gift? Jesus Christ yo. Here
is verse 17 again:
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death
reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive
God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness
reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
So by one man death reigned. But compare that to God's abundant provision of
grace and gift... (you comparin?) Death came through dat man's actions, but
God is counteractin that. But yo, Pops is DA MAN, the creator. How much MORE
will anything he does counteract that of man? Uh huh, God who's knowledge is
limitless, whom we still cannot understand fully, He showers grace and gives a
gift. And so, how much more will those who receive this grace and gift "reign
in life through the one man, Jesus Christ." Wow, dat is hot. Life
Aight peeps, gotta study up on some Japanese and such. Take care until next
time. Cya
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 15 - 01
Konniti wa!
Wassup people. How was your weekend? It was pretty good over here.
More bros and pledges have come back so there are more people in the house.
Always a good thing cuz more interactions. I woke up today and it was snowing
like crazy. I was like, "Whaaaaaat." But its all the more better for
snowfootball soon to start heh heh heh. Aight on to Scripture.
Kyoo, I hopped around a lil bit and saw read some things. Then I settled on
Ephesians 6:19,20
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me
so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for
which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it
fearlessly as I should.
As you may have guessed, this is Paul writing to the Ephesians. Here, Paul
asks for prayer. Not just any kind of prayer, but something specific. He
asks that his brethren pray for him, that whenever he opens his mouth, he may
be led in what he should say and fearlessly, making, of course, the mystery of
the gospel known. If you notice, Paul had a specific need, and so he asked
for that need. In fact, he had a goal set in mind, something tangible, and
that was to be fearless. As an example for us, it shows that when we pray,
pray for something specific, something attainable, something tangible,
something that you pray for earnestly. The second thing here is that Paul is
asking his potnas to pray for him so that he may be built up. Built up yo so
that he "may declare it [the gospel] fearlessly." How fearlessly? It only
says "fearlessly as I should." What does fearless mean? Without fear. Hence
there is no degree of fearlessness in the question how fearlessly, because to
be fearless is to be without fear. So he asks his bruthaz and sistas to pray
for him that he may be built up, so that he may continue to do battle against
the evil one with renewed vigor and strength...and faith. In the same way,
let us pray for one another, that we each may be built up, that we may grow
fearless in proclaiming the truth. One cannot not wage war alone, s/he needs
back up. And by praying for your potnas, you are backing them up as they are
backing you up. Da evil one, man, he does'nt stand a chance as we build one
another up in prayer, this kat backing up that kat who is backed by that kat
who is backed by that kat... and its a chain reaction yo!. God is aweseome.
Aight bruthaz and sistaz, time to head out. Check yall later aight, peace.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 16 - 01
Yo wassup!
Patrick over, chillin chillin. How are you doing? Hopefully your are
chillin chillin. Things over here are same o' same o' except the ball is
rolling a lil faster now. I got something pretty good in the mail today. I
think around december or november, it might have been december, i submitted
one of my poems to poetry.com Apparently they run a contest every month so
only one poem entry can be sent at a time. So i put one up there and saving
the rest for later. Today i got a letter in the mail from them saying my poem
was chosen to be published in a new book about to come out called
The Silence Within . So i thought that was kinda tight. They are still
entering the poem into that $1000 competition as a semi-finalist and it will
be automatically entered in the final competition held in February 2001 of
which the Annual Grand Prize is $10,000. Whatever the outcome, I'm just happy
that it was selected to be published (i wasnt expecting anything like that).
Sooo, Praise God yo!! No doubt. Aight, on to Scripture
Kyoo, I read Mark 2:15-17
15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax
collector's and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples,
for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the
law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax
collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax
collectors and 'sinners'?" 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them,
"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not
come to call the righteous, but sinners."
This passage is awesome by the way. But first, a lil background. Tax
collectors, back in the day, were extremely hated. Why? Cuz the roman gov't
enlisted people within the town to be tax collectors. So, it was not roman
officials doing the tax collectin, but the towns own peeps. That wasnt so
bad, except that the Tax Collectors collected "tax". See, they collected a
lil extra for themselves. In other words, they were stealin from their own
people. In harsher words, s/he became a betrayer, a backstabber in the eyes of
the town. Now the Pharisees are a religious group of people bogged down in
tradition losing true sight of who God is. And these kats dont like Jesus cuz
his messin everything, not going by tradition. So they try their best to
ensnare Jesus,and this is one of them. By tradition, jews dont chill with
gentiles. It was socially unacceptable. Sort of like today where in some
areas people are taught not to chill with the less fortunate or vice versa.
It's sad, but its true. In any case, these Pharisees see Jesus chillin wit
these baaaad people, these "sinners" and tax collectors. In fact, Jesus, his
disciples, and these so called "sinners" and tax collectors are grubbin. (I
could use some grubbin right now, but ill wait). This is blatant disregard to
the social code and tradition. So they ask the question, "yo, Jesus'
henchmen, wassup? What's all this? why you over here grubbin with these
heathen? You know ya can't be doin dat mess. Dat's MESSED up homeboy!" Well,
Jesus heard the question and said, "check dis potna, do you see a doctor
visitin healthy? heck naw, most of their time spent with the sick yo. What
does it accomplish for healthy to see a doctor when they dont be needin
nothin!? Check dis man, I have come not to call da righteous, i came to call
da sick." Several things, first, before one goes to a doctor right, one has
to acknowledge that he is sick. Once he does that, then he goes to the doc.
So Jesus is saying he came to call on those who acknowledge that they are
sinners and wish to be Freed of this sickness, to be healed yo. If one doesnt
ackowledge that s/he is sick, what happens to 'em? They get worse right? If
they dont acknowledge it, they wont do anything to better their situation, and
hence get more sick, sometimes leading to death. It's the same here, Jesus
didnt come to call those who believe themselves to be righteous. He came to
call those who acknowledge the truth of the matter. Cuz those who do, will
come to him, and those who dont, will remain blinded. The second thing here
is the fact that homeboy is chillin with the "sinners" and tax collectors.
How is one going to spread the message, the good news, the truth, if s/he is
chillin with people who already know of it and are running the same race. It
wont. One has to go out, break out of shell, that comfort zone, and go to
where the message is not and spread it. Many Christians have been brought up
where everyone and and everything they knew was Christian. And so they
continue that way. Nothin wrong with that, but the message has to get out.
Others have just been brought up like that and wont even think of socializin
with someone who is not Christian. Man, that's not how its supposed to be yo.
Who did Jesus chill with man? Everybody, and mainly the people who didnt
know. Yeah, he had his posse of 12 whom he lived with and trained more
closely, but he also chilled with everybody so that the message is spread and
that "not one would be lost". Go out, break out of that comfort zone, and see
the truth spread, that truth burning like fire within your bones that won't be
contained but is bursting forth.
Aight, man this was a long one huh? heh, hope it finds you well. This
passage is awesome, it shows many things, but above all, it shows how the
greatest commandment, Love, is being poured out.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 18 - 01
Konniti wa watasi no tomodati,
Whas happenin'? Anything excitin' goin' on out there in jersey,
texas, florida, new york, and other places? Here in MA, it's same o' same o'.
There is a ton of construction going on everywhere, as always. Even more so
within the school itself. It's crazy, but at least new things keep happening
everyday: some new crash, some new hole, some new construction vehicle, etc
etc. I don't know what it is, but i am feeling extremely tired today. Just
burnt out, but why? i dont know, anywho, on to Scritpure
Kyoo, I read Titus 1:15,16
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted
and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and
consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their
actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit
for doing anything good.
Before the chapter got to this part, it was describing the requirements to
becoming an elder and a bishop. How they should be of good character and what
not. Then to what we just read. "To the pure, all things are pure..." See a
leader will have a great impact on the people. Whatever he does people will
see it and be critical about it. It can be good criticism or bad, but that all
depends on the action of that leader and what s/he is standing up for. If
they say one thing, then do another thereby conflicting with whom they claim
to be, what else but doubt will be cast on s/he and her/his beliefs. And
hence this passage. To those who are indeed pure, all things will be pure,
their speech, their walk, their thoughts, their actions, their character, etc.
But to those who are corrupted, whoooo.. You've seen it and I've seen it,
corrupt leaders abound everywhere whether it be in the schools, nations,
religion, independent living groups, frats and sororities, even in families.
Corruption breads contempt among the people as well. In passage, it says,
"those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure" How can one any
bit produce pureness if s/he is corrupted? What is something pure? without
blemish right, without guile and chicanery. It is true that as humans we will
make mistakes, but there is a difference between those who intentionally make
a "mistake" and those who indeed make an earnest mistake. The former lacks a
pure heart, ie, not pure of heart and "in fact, both their minds and
consciences are corrupted." In speaking about leaders who supposedly bring
truth in the Word, there are two kinds, the ones who are indeed pure of heart,
and the ones who are corrupted (may even seek dishonest gain). The latter,
man "thy claim to know God, but their actions...." whooooo. Yall know what i
mean. Their actions are everything but what they preach. Their actions run a
complete 180 from what they say. In fact, though they claim to know God,
their actions "deny him." Yup, instead of bring people to the kingdom, they
turn them away with disgust. Who is gonna believe someone who says one thing
but does another? That's hypocrisy, and no one trusts a hypocrite. And to be
called a hypocrite, man that's harsh yo. That's like an arrow going straight
through da heart. Be pure bruthaz and sistaz, be of pure heart and honest
intent, not merely by word of mouth but also by our actions.
Aight peeps, im gonna take a knap, then i'll be studying japanese for a
looong time. I have to see my japanese sensei tomorrow. Pray for a brutha heh
heh, thanks.
God bless
- patrick
01 - 19 - 01
Hola,
Pizaaap? Been a good day? It has for me a lil bit, i got paid finally
(for the work i did last spring here at MIT), my run in with my nihongo no
sensei (japanese teacher) went pretty well, made my awesome juice again
mmmmmm, it was cool outside today (although it was raining all day, like a
constant drizzle), and more. So all in all, it was a good day. How about
you? How has life been treatin' you thus far? Aight, on to Scritpure.
Kyoo, I jumped around a lot and settled on 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. Here,
Paul talks about the divisions occuring within the Church.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no
divisoins among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and
thought. ... quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you
says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another "I follow
Cephas [Peter]"; still another, "I follow Christ." 13. Is Christ
divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name
of Paul? ... 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach
the gospel -- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ
be emptied of its power.
Division isn't good. How does one win war? You divide your enemy, and then
conquer. If a group of people aren't together in focus, then they will be
divided, and the work they set out to do will never be done. Here Paul is
addressing such division in the church. You have some kats saying i follow
Peter, other saying I follow paul, and still others saying I follow Christ.
So Paul is like, naw naw, that aint how it supposed to be. Was Christ
divided? Nope, therefore neither is the church to be divided. How can they
spread the truth if they can't agree amongst themselves. Paul makes it clear
at the end that he was called to preach the gospel not with words of human
wisdom. See, cuz if he relies on his own wisdom and not God's, he'd come up
with his own stuff, which may not agree with this kat, and which may not agree
with this other kat, and so on and so forth. However, if he relies on God,
then he will be led in truth. The point, "agree with one another so that
there may be no divisions among you". Division brings problems, not to
mention a blurred or jaded focus and sense of the truth. In other words,
agree. Agree with one another so "that you may be perfectly united in mind
and thought." One is not following man, one follows God. Heeeeeck yeah, you
might have a phat pastor and such, but be careful not to follow him. He
himself isn't following himself, he is following God, and in doing so is
sharing the truth with you and you and you. Follow God, not man, but hear
those who are speaking truth.
Aight, im gonna go chill wit some homies. take care peeps. Cya when i cya.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 23 - 01
Hey hey Hey,
What's happenin? Chillin over here... kinda. Going through motions
and such, and doing some things on improv. My roommate and i went to this one
store that's closin down, i'm talkin total liquidation, and got lots of good
stuff for maaad cheap. I'm talkin 40%-70% off. Yeah, we are gonna hit it up
again tomorrow. shonuff. aight on to Scripture.
Kyoo, I read 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2 The two verses that popped out at
me were verses 5:17 and 6:2
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old
has gone, the new has come!
2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day
of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's
favor, now is the day of salvation.
The first verse talks about those in Christ. Checkit, he who is in Christ is
a new creation. Brand new dawg! New means clean, fresh, sharp, brilliant.
And who is all these? Those who are in Christ. How is that possible? Well,
Christ paid the ultimate price for us so that none would perish but gain
everlasting life with Pops, God. So, by being in Christ, the old has gone,
and the new has come. Old, what does that mean or could entail? Well, here
are some: ragged, dull, blunt, used, forgotten. Which would one rather be,
old or new? Man, its sooo awesome, the old is gone, the old and all of its
setbacks, hangups, limitations, etc, and the new... the new has come, clean,
fresh, sharp, brilliant, limitless, etc. And verse 2 of chapter 6 comes in.
Pops heard us, and helped us. So why wait? What is there to wait for? Now
is the time of God's favor, and now is the day of salvation...... the old
going, and the new coming. The NEW yo! If ya gots time, practice with your
sword. Open that baby up, and read that passage. There is a lot more in
there. These two however backs one up. It's awesome to know that in Christ,
we be a new creation, that in Christ, the old has gone, and the new has come,
that now is the time of God's favor and now is the day of salvation. New
baby, new.
Aight, time for me to do some work. Take care my sistaz and my bruthaz,
peace.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 24 - 01
Hey yo!
It is another wednesday, pretty good day. For some odd reason,
wednesdays are always my busiest days. Is it that way for you? Hmm, weird.
But its all good. I got some more good stuff from that store thats going out
of business. Savin lots of money on quality stuff. Uh huh, oh yeah. Most
things are going pretty well for me right about now. I'm just chillin.
Anywho, on to Scripture.
Kyoo, I read many things. All very good. Here is one of them, the passage
I read in Romans 6:1-14. Actually, here is 1-7.
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may
increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any
longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried
with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live
a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his
death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the
body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be
slaves to sin -- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from
sin.
This passage brings up many valid points, the first of which answering the
question, "Well, if Pops is gonna forgive me anytime i ask him, ill just do
whatever i want and then ask forgiveness and it'll be aaaaall good uh huh, no
doubt, right?" No no, there is a difference. A lil something called being
intentional and another being an honest mistake. "Shall we go on sinning so
that grace may increase?" In other words, should we keep on doing what the
world does, fillin our fleshly desires, material things, etc? The writer
responds with exclamation, "By no means!" Checkit, when someone believes,
accepts, and baptizes, he is in fact dying to sin. Remember yesterday's
Scripture, in Christ, the new has come and the old has gone? Yup, that's what
this is talking about. By being baptized into Christ, we died to sin hence
"how can we live in it any longer?" It would be like cooking this phat meal,
the best ever, and then putting a lil bit of bacteria on it, and other
unmentionables, and continuing to contaminate it. It's like taking something
pure, and and destroying it, making it filthy and dirty. See, we were
baptized into death so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too
may live a NEW life. A new life potnas. And guess what, there's more good
news besides that. Since we were united with Christ in death, then also will
we be united with in in his resurrection. Verses 6 and 7 is a complete recap
of the whole shebang. Our old self was crucified with Christ so that the body
of sin can take a hike. That nasty messed up hunk a junk that rattled our old
self, man, it can be gone, just like our old self... SEE YA. And the new
comes. And with it, we no longer are slaves to sin. We become free. Sin has
no power over us. By being new, we are no longer of this world, but of God
yo. And since sin is of this world, it cannot keep us in chains. For how can
something of the world bound something that is not of the world? It cannot.
Be of God bruthaz and sistaz, and be free.
Aight, Jiu Jitsu is callin my number. Gotta go get my workout on. Peace.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 29 - 01
Hey hey,
Wassup yo! Patrick over here, chillin chillin. Actually, this week is
going to be pretty busy. I have to program like mad as well as study japanese
like mad. Well, at least this week there wont be any other distractions (some
of you know what i mean). In any case, gotta do what i gotta do, and remain
chill. I also wanna say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dawg Darnell,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YO!!!
Aight, on to Scripture.
Kyoo, i read, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28. 14-22 hit da spot.
14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the
timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that
nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each
other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually;
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you
in Christ Jesus. 19. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not
treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the
good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
mmhmmm, mad tight mad tight. Checkit, you got fellow bruthaz urging fellow
bruthaz on, building their confidence and resolve, backing each other up.
That's tight. Instead of backstabbing and gossip, they are uplifting each
other and not creating dissension. And what's more, they also worry about
those who are shy. Instead of cuttin them down (aka making fun), they instead
tell those who are stronger to encourage the weaker, those who are more
outgoing to encourage the shy. And most of all, to be patient with everyone.
With who? Everyone, even with the most annoying of people, be patient. Cuz if
one can't be patient, one gets frustrated. And in the words of yoda, "fear
leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." Just
substitute frustration in for fear. See the path? Patience is key bruthaz
and sistaz. Verse 15 then warns against paying back wrong with wrong. We've
all heard the saying Two Wrongs Dont Make a Right. In fact, two wrongs just
lead to more wrongs, more contempt, more anger, more suffering. If ya ask me,
man that's not worth it. Instead, rise up and show yourself to be a better
person, be kind. Show yourself to be above the petty squabbles occurring
everyday, every minute, every second. Sometimes a kind word can turn a life
or death situation to just a life or life situation. A kind word can melt
anger away. Next, be joyful always. If one is constantly joyful, how can
those around him/her remain unjoyful. You know, joy is contagious. One
second someone is all happy and such, and the next person catches the bug and
they start getting all happy, and then it becomes exponential, and all of a
sudden there's not a sad person in the room. Be joyful, always. Pray
continuously, cuz if ya talkin to Pops all the time, imagine how much closer
you and He will be, you and da Creator yo! Mad tight mad tight. Give thanks
in all circumstances. Key word is all. In any situation give thanks, it
could be much worse, or it could be much better. When the Spirit is jivin
with ya, dont put it out. Listen to that kat and hang. He is there to aid
you in all situations, not to mention bolster you up. No doubt. Test
everything. Not everything one says is true, no everything that one reads.
And so, test everything. If not, one might just get sucked in to one of these
myriad of cults traversing the planet. Test everything and do not be fooled.
God has given you ears to hear, so hear, and eyes to see, so indeed see.
Finally potnas, avoid every kind of evil. If evil is avoided, how can one
take part? Tell evil to eat your dust and take hike. Tell evil it aint got
no place with you, cuz you are above it and will not be destroyed with it.
When evil comes around, show it the hand and say, "Poof be gone." But better
yet, be like Jesus and say, "IT IS WRITTEN......!" Uh huh, wield the sword of
truth and cut through the layers of deception and emerge victorious.
Well well well, it is DINNER TIME !!!!! I gots ta get my grub on, dont
hate, heh heh. Peace, love and honor my bruthaz and sistaz. I'm out.
God bless,
- patrick
01 - 31 - 01
Hi ho... hi ho... its off to work we go...
WASSssuuuUuUPi!
Man today has just been a rain drenched day. And all the snow that
had become ice now is melting like a gushing river. mmmhmmm. Well well, I'm
in a pretty good mood. Yesterday night i got to spend some quality time with
the Christian Fellowship i am involved with. Hadn't really seen any of them
during IAP. So yesterday we had prayer and planning, and after that we all
chilled. It was funny to see also how, as time progressed, we would separate
into groups of two, each group immersed in a world of their own. So we had
some dinner then we all watched a movie. Well, how are things with you? Life
treatin ya well? Makin new friends, contacts? Hit me back. Aight on to
scripture.
Kyoo, I read 1 Corinthians 4. Verses 3-5 are pretty interesting. Its
about judging.
3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed,
I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not
make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge
nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will
bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of
men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
This is my dawg Paul talking. This is an issue we see everyday. People do
stuff to others and are immediately judged, sometimes unfairly, sometimes
justly. But more times than not, from what i've seen, people judge others
unfairly. Why? Beats me, maybe to sate the hunger of seeing someone cringe,
or maybe they were so hurt by what someone did that almost any judgment s/he
passes must be fair. There are all kinds of reasons why it occurs. But the
question we forget to ask or even consider is, "Who am I to judge?" We forget
to, in the words of Paul Viti (Analyze This), "look inside yourself, look
inside yourself, and find out who you are." Who am I to judge my bro when
there are things in my life that I may have done that are far worse. Paul
makes a valid valid point, especially in his situation. This kat used to
persecute Christians with a vengeance. He would hunt them down, find them
guilty, and have them killed or jailed indefinite. Then he had a miraculous
experience and was changed, made a complete 180, and became one of the
foremost speakers of the truth, the Word of God. In fact, Pops chose him as
his "chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings
and before the people of Israel" (Acts 9:15). He definitely wasnt gonna judge
anybody, he did far worse, and yet his testimony proves just how powerful and
awesome God is. And whats even better, that's just a hint of what God can do.
Therefore, Paul writes, he cares little if he is judged by human court or
others, neither does he judge himself or others. Cuz, in reality, who are we
to pass such judgement. Instead, Paul advises to judge nothing, but wait for
the Lord. We cannot see or even come to correctly know the motives of man for
doing one thing or another thing unless that man himself willingly expresses
all (a rarity indeed, there is always something left out). But Pops, at the
appointed time, will make all things known, "He will bring to light what is
hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." So, just
save yourself the trouble hombres, Pops will handle the judging, let us
instead be chill, dont lose that edge, dont blow your top, seek truth, but
dont pass judgment, dont let what someone else does bring you down cuz you are
of better stuff, you are of God.
yo yo...... i said yo yo, i gots ta go. Take care peeps, and dont forget
to hit me up. latah latah.
God bless,
- patrick
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