Have A Little Rhia To Brighten Your Day

I need You

2011-03-14T17:47:00.001-07:00

[it's been about a year since i posted last. life stole me away, and now i'm back. i hope you enjoy this.]

the silence of Los Angeles is still so loud i can’t hear when i sigh
i can’t hear when i think
i can’t hear when i sleep
i can’t hear the blood inside my veins

oh how i crave that nature silence
where you can hear when a cloud moves
where you can hear the sun
you can hear when trees stand still

i miss the silence that you can taste
it’s sweet and fresh and green
i want to live in that place again
where i can hear my thoughts again
please take me there, oh take me

take me where i can sleep in arms large enough to carry my mind
i need a heart vast enough to help me with my burdens
to love me through my burdens
to care for me through my trials

i need His silence that heals all my sores
His calm hand to hold my blistered thoughts
i’m tired of going and going and going and going
and doing and doing and doing and doing
and searching for nothing that is enough

i need a refuge. a Refuge. my Refuge.
i need Jesus. My Jesus. Only Jesus.

Everyone has Two Hearts

2010-05-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

here i am. heart: red, healthy, and full of that special living liquid. ready to work for the next half a century. the Lord makes it contract and pump. there's nothing wrong with my 1st heart. at least as far as i know.

but i have a separate heart; a 2nd heart. one that's a whole chalk-box full of colors. one that's very fickle, often too weak, and almost always misleading. it leads me down dead-end rabbit trails. i've learned that it's best not to listen to that heart. those warm-fuzzies, and tickly-tinglies aren't a faithful gauge of anything.

all that i can trust is my faithful Rock. my Jesus. recently i have found myself:

listening to songs that remind me of.
smelling that scent that brings me back to.
hearing a voice that sounds just like.
visiting the place from the day where.
driving with the windows down with the same weather as.
feeling the same emotions that were felt when i was.
seeing...
wanting...
dreaming...
wishing...
falsely believing...

But I know that that's all insanely small compared to eternity. I live on this earth, but I am a citizen of heaven. I exist to enjoy Jesus Christ and glorify Him forever. When my 2nd heart fails, He holds me tight and sets it straight again. And one day when my 1st heart fails, I will see Him face to face! Oh death where is your sting!?

Let the Redeemed of the LORD Say So

2010-03-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

^{PSALM 107:28-31
28} Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
²⁹He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!

The Lord allows His children to experience storms, or trials, or tribulations, or valleys, or whatever-you-want-to-call-thems. He is not ignorant to the whereabouts of His creation. He knows the state of each heart, because He is Sovereign. Each experience we have on this side of eternity is used to draw us deeper into His heart.

There are stormy seasons in each person's life, just like there are seasons on our earth. The rain pounds down on your foundation, and the wind howls at your stability, and the sky to scrunches up like an angry face and throws a temper tantrum. It feels like you've got nothing to hold onto, that the storm is drowning out your cries for help....but this is not the case.

Just like a frightened child burrows their head into a father's chest, so should we seek our Abba when circumstances are dire. Jesus is the crutch for the weary, who cannot walk on their own two feet. He is the Shepherd who guides His frightened flock. Our Father knows what we need before we ask for it, and He heeds each request according to His will.

The psalmist clearly stated that the Lord was their Savior in this state of confusion and chaos. He came to their rescue, and they gave Him the glory. Call out to Him, for He is Immanuel [God with us].

Humanity, what do you see?

2009-12-01T00:41:00.001-08:00

Do you ever look past a person's clothing style? Don't you want to be able to look past someone's skin? To look past their muscles, their bones, their flesh? To see someone in their center, their soul?

Boy, do I ever... and it's because I want the world to do that with me. I don't want you to look at me and see a girl; part-Asian, mostly American. I don't want you to see 5'5". I don't want to be known for a pants-size, or for the clothes I wear. I don't want you to see my hair color, or not-so-straight teeth. Please look past that. Look and see my heart. Do you see where it dwells? Look at my soul and who it belongs to.

I am a servant of Jesus Christ. My heart dwells in His heart. I belong to Him. He is my Beloved and I am His. My beauty is not worn on my sleeve--it's deep within me. I am beautiful because He is. Anything in me that's worth looking at is truly Christ in me.

My heart of flesh is whole

2009-11-18T00:22:00.000-08:00

Let me be frank with you. I have days where I laugh at myself for being Christian; where I cannot comprehend how I [the person that I've been forever] could believe such an incredulous notion as Christ crucified. I used to mock the idea of God. "Ha--what a crutch! WEAKLINGS!", I would shout...I would laugh and scorn anyone who went to church. What was church anyways, besides a building full of lunatics!? I convinced myself that only fools believed in God [and of course I also managed to convince myself that I was no fool]. I argued that it was in their very Bible, their beloved Scriptures, where Christ said that His very Cross was foolishness. I bickered with anyone that Christians were hopeless and pathetic.

Jesus said that He came to save those who needed saving, and let-me-tell-you, the last person that thought they needed saving was me! My self-righteousness should have won an award. I was thoroughly convinced that I DESERVED their mythical heaven and more! Their Bible was full of contradictions...or so I had thought. I was so self-assured that I had studied enough to know Christianity. I esteemed it as nothing more than a plague. I'd watched too many documentaries on the Universe to be able to believe some lie they called "The Gospel". They said that it was good news, and I just spit in their faces.
My cold mind and hardened heart refused it. I'd been so scarred that I thought love was a complete lie...I thought that humanity had made it all up. I believed that "love" existed solely to rub more salt in my wounds of sorrow. There was no way that any "Savior" could fix my brokenness; my heart was beyond repair.

But there was one fateful day. Yes, that Easter Sunday over two and a half years ago where........ I died. I gave my life to Christ. He plucked me out of darkness and placed me into light. I truly feel as if I had no say in the matter. I came to the Easter service an atheist, and somehow I left as a new man.

Now, of course I faced opposition. Of course there were obstacles that when looking back, I cannot understand how they were overcome. There were hardships. It took a very, very, very long time for Christ's love to penetrate past the scars on my soul. It took even longer for His Grace to wash away religiosity. And it is taking longer still, for His Spirit to instill an unwavering faith in my doubtful heart.
So like I said, let me be frank. There are days when I don't know all the answers to every theological question that people throw at me. I still sin; I'm not perfect. Time after time, I am confused and frustrated and I FAIL ROYALLY! But to be fair, I can never deny that my heart is now whole and complete. The world will never be able to deny that there was once a "Rhia" who lived on this earth that spewed hatred and harbored continents full of hurt. And the world will never be able to deny that that man is dead, and now there is a new one. I finally have a heart of flesh instead of stone.

So if you, dear beloved sister or brother, are facing opposition on all sides by the world's intellect, their persecution, their scorn, than remember your old self. Realize the progress that has come to pass; progress that no human or created thing could have brought about. It was only His love that healed your heart and made you new.

EZEKIEL 16:5-8
5"No eye looked with pity on you to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you. Rather you were thrown out into the open field, for you were abhorred on the day you were born. 6When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, 'Live!' 7I made you numerous like plants of the field. Then you grew up, became tall and reached the age for fine ornaments; your breasts were formed and your hair had grown. Yet you were naked and bare. 8Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine," declares the Lord GOD.

Ma poésie pour mon Jesus

2009-10-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

I wrote this for my french class and ended up really liking how it came out. The translation is below the original :].

le coeur que Quelqu'un a tenu
l'espoir que quelqu'un a rêvé
les poésies que quelqu'un a lues
les chansons que quelqu'un a chantées
le souhait que quelqu'un a cru
le ciel que Quelqu'un a mis en bouteille
les prières que Quelqu'un a reçues
l'amour que l'été a capturé

~~~

the heart that Someone held
the hope that someone believed
the poems that someone read
the songs that someone sang
the wish that someone believed
the sky that Someone bottled
the prayers that Someone received
the love that summer captured

This deepened my day

2009-10-20T00:49:00.000-07:00

Sonnet XVII

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way than this:

where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. "
— Pablo Neruda

How are you doing?

2009-09-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

Do you need something to put a smile on your face?
click here
Are you tired of searching for a better life?
click here
Are you weary of never being in control, of never being good enough?
click here

6 Days

2009-09-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Oh the psalms, the psalms

2009-09-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever struggled with patience? with wanting something RIGHT now? with hoping for something and never getting it?

Here's the best solution I've found.

Psalm 62:5-8 (New King James Version)

5 My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.

8 Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

I always loved "Where's Waldo?"

2009-09-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Can you find me?? :)

Beauty

2009-09-07T12:52:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be perfectly honest. I have always struggled with the concept of being "beautiful". The idea that I am an attractive person has forever been something I've found ridiculously funny and definitely impossible. However, the most unfortunate fact of all is that I am certain that there are countless others who have been/are plagued with this destructive mindset.

If this is you, than you know what it feels like to look in the mirror. You know the sinking emotion to like someone, but lose all hope due to the lie that all you offer is a good personality. You probably hate trying on clothes, getting ready in the morning, social events, and the worst of all....PICTURES! Oh the devil created every camera in the world! [Or so we've declared in dramatic moments of self-hatred.]

Oh dear reader, I understand. I really know each of those slimy feelings. And wouldn't you agree that they're the absolute worst! They ruin your day, your self-esteem, and your attitude. No matter how hard you try those stupid self-help techniques, like telling yourself that you're beautiful when you look in the mirror [so awkward], you just never seem to get over the "you're-ugly" bug....like some bad case of the flu.

Firstly, I would like to help you recognize that all of those feelings are from the fiery pit of hell. The devil wants you to think that you're useless, ugly, unlovable; all of the things that will hold you back from growing into who God made you to be. With that said, I'd like to share a break-though story of mine. =]

I've really been struggling with the "you're-ugly" bug lately. I've found myself in the place with feelings for a person, and yet I've been weighed down with the much too familiar burden low self-esteem has. I must confess that I've allowed it to morph, on occasion, into jealousy for other girls' appearances; however, the Lord has finally broken through with truth! He gently reminded me of my origin. He broke it down nice and simple in an easily understood way:

Jesus Christ is absolutely beautiful. Human words fail to describe it fully. [Daniel 10:5-6] [Revelation 4:2-3]
I was created in His image. [Gen 1:27]
Therefore, God had to have created me with His beauty. [Song of Solomon 4:7]

WOAH! Hold up! I'm beautiful!? WHAT!? You're kidding right? ME...? This awkward, clumsy, confused girl could actually be beautiful...........................!?!?!

According to God and to His perfect Word: YES!

And it's not because of anything that I've done or can do. All of my features and attributes were designed by the Lord. [This is the most important application point.] All I have to do to be beautiful is allow myself to be who God created me to be.

And so my friend. Those three numbered statements apply to you as well. You were created by Him; therefore you truly, truly are beautiful.

8.29.09

2009-08-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a few days since I returned from my amazing trip to London. God manifested Himself there in more ways than I was ready for, and it was truly awe-inspiring. I learned so much about His heart through the beauty that flows from His creation. And so, now that I'm back in the states, I've been challenged by the Lord to seek for Him with a new passion and zeal; to look in places that previously had not seemed likely to hold His glory. Thus far, I've found Him on a bike ride in the middle of the night, in the branches of a tree with golden leaves, and at the bottom of my coffee mug. [All of those stories are just as great as this...] Yet the reason I'm writing this note to you, dear person, is to recount this morning when I found my most precious Savior on the side of the road at sunrise.

I naturally woke up at about five till 6:00 this morning with the feeling that this day possessed more than its surface held. I had this undying urge to go far away to the crest of a mountain or to the flourishing depths of a ravine--and so I dressed and embarked. I rode with no convictions on my rickety bicycle, with a chain that breaks at least once per outing and annoyingly veers left once my hands leave the handle bars. With iPod going and stocking cap on, I peddled East. I took a road less traveled [literally—not in some cliché sense] whose bike path narrows and nearly disappears making it dangerous for riders, especially when they share the road with drivers who are late for work, but I kept on. A still, small voice kept saying, "Keep to this path. Continue. Just around that next corner." Fifteen minutes into my ride I spotted a small, open patch of dirt on the side of the road; it seemed like the only place to stop and reassess my journey's end. I parked, dismounted, and took a seat among the weeds--the kind that, finally freed from a gardener's fetters, consume the earth.

And then I looked up.

The sky was marble. Pink against blue with wisps of dark purple and hopes of pale yellow that kissed special clouds into gold. It was overwhelmingly beautiful. I couldn't tell one cloud from the next, and that's when I found another, new, special piece of my Lord's heart. He said to me, "Just like these clouds intermingle—so should you and I mix together. Strip away your barriers, and let Me consume you. I want to be in every part of your life. Fall into My depths so that no one will be able to distinguish where you end and I begin. Let your heart to dwell in My heart."

I was mesmerized. Entranced. Enthralled. In love with the glory of my Lord.

And so now I challenge you, dear reader, to search for such truth. Look in places that are not normally thought of, for God is in every corner of the earth. As the English Standard Version of the Bible puts it:

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ~Matthew 7:7

All for Him.

This Made Me Smile

2009-07-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

Relationships are sticky things

2009-06-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

If you are human, you have probably experienced the desire to dip into a fairy tale once or twice. You want to live happily ever after with your Prince Charming or your Sleeping Beauty....but life always seems to throw in the poisoned apples, the evil step-sisters, or even a Maleficent or two. You were always told that "good things come to those who wait", but who in the world enjoys waiting!? You figure that you're practically a senior citizen by now and you better get those church bells ringing soon or else you'll be too ripe for the picking. And even if you're not concerned about being single at your age, what about in five years?... in ten? Will you be worried then?

There are so many things throughout the world that tell you to go out and find love, and if you can't find it, trick yourself and settle for less. I know that I listen to the lies all the time, but when you realize just how dangerous those lies are, please reconsider how you handle your heart.

When you're dealing with relationships, there's so much more to think about than "that person is so attractive" or "he/she makes my heart flutter" [mind you, neither of those are bad things when they are appropriate]. The Lord of the heavens and earth designed us as relational people. We crave and desire to be loved, because that is exactly why we were created. God fashioned us out of the dirt just so He could love us. Our life goal is to enjoy the Lord forever =]. We try to fill that Jesus-shaped hole in our heart with everything else but Him, and we're so quick to try and "complete ourselves". When another person says "i love you" and that they want to spend the rest of their life with you, we jump on the opportunity like ants on a picnic sandwich. But that special person who's saying these things to you, wasn't the first. Since the beginning of time God has called to you with His perfect love, inviting you into His perfection forever.

So let me just ask, what makes the guy/girl that you're trying to fill your heart with better? Is it that they just understand you.... they make you feel loved.... they make you special things to show how much they care.....or maybe it's their patience with you. Maybe it's that no matter how many times you've hurt them, they say that they forgive you and hug you really tight...............gosh, i must agree with you, they sound pretty great, but I know someone who has done all of that and so so so much more!

Now, I know it's corny to say "Jesus loves you" or to say "Jesus is better", but those statements are true. All of those attributes that you are attracted to in that special someone are mere glimpses of God's perfection. I'm not saying that the person you're filling your heart with is bad, but they're just not meant for that occupation. They're supposed to be a tangible example of God's love....they're not supposed to replace it. Those things that they do out of their love for you pail in comparison to what the Lord has done. Jesus Christ died on that Cross because He couldn't bear the idea of not spending eternity with you. He created the world for you to enjoy! Every sunset that you've watched with your girlfriend/boyfriend God made it for you! He will ALWAYS forgive. He is ALWAYS patient, and He is more beautiful than anyone, anything, or any place, period.

Like the title says, relationships are sticky things, but when God is in your heart, and you've given Him control, the other relationships in your life don't seem so important. They become much less sticky, because you've let God come in and clean up the mess. The fairy tale ending is waiting for you, and Prince Charming has saved you not only from an evil serpent, but from a fiery pit of eternal suffering!!!!!!! Wow! =]

Examine your heart and see what you're trying to fill it with. Are you putting a created person in the place meant for the Creator? I can promise you that if you allow Jesus to enter into His puzzle piece spot, you will never, ever, ever, ever regret it. He will never let you down. He will never break your heart, because He created love, exudes love and is love.

Are you over it?

2009-03-19T00:12:00.000-07:00

28"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

-Matthew 11:28-30

This dear, dear boy, who I have not yet had the pleasure to meet, could have so easily been weary and heavy-laden. He could have so quickly been weighed down by the burdens in his life.....but he wasn't. I won't spoil the story, look and see for yourself.

http://www.abcchurch.org/clayton/highlife.htm

Jesus was speaking to the multitudes of people when he said "Come to Me ALL who are weary and heavy-laden...", but I am positive that He's speaking to you too. I wish I knew who you are, whoever you happen to be, my reader. Jesus is saying this to you, just like He said it to the multitudes 2,000 years ago, and just like He reminded me tonight.

Life has seasons, just like our planet. There are plentiful, wet seasons. There are labor-filled harvests. There are restful periods of waiting. There are meticulous seasons of planting. And there are seasons of unyielding, destitute dryness.

If we try to get through all of the seasons on our own strength, we're going to fall on our faces. And depending on the seasons, the ground's either going to be muddy, covered in crops, covered in manure, or rock-hard. Anyway we look at it....it's not going to be fun. We can't make it on our own. When we think we can take on the world, we give ourselves burdens no man is meant to bear.

There is rest for us. There is peace for everyone. There is restoration, and joy, and salvation.

So it's almost Valentine's Day and I'm stuck on Love

2009-02-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

You know how when you do something over and over and over again it looses it's "umph"...like how the pledge of allegiance all throughout public school turns into "eye pledgg a lee junce to thuf lag uhv the blahblahblah"

A wonderful treasure that should never loose it's umph but unfortunately tends to be forgotten is the verse John 3:16

I mean I understand that the Word of God never comes back void, and I totally support the spreading of the Gospel...but come on!!! Can we really just print a name with some letters and think that we bird-brained humanity will get it!?!? In the Great Commission, Jesus gave His mandate for us to GO AND DISCIPLE all people. That means....you gotta go....and you gotta disciple...as in move yo little tooshie and start lovin on da peoples. [Using His undying love as your foundation and sustenance of course.] He never said to scribble a part of the message on the UNDERSIDE of things we throw away!!!! We secretly put it on the bottom of soft-drink cups at fast-food chains, or inside the fold of a shopping bag......I meannnnn REALLLLYYY!?!?!?

We are a fallen people that need to wake up and smell the wonderful coffee that JESUS LOVES! No because of anything that we did, do, or will ever attempt, but solely because

GOD so loved the world, that He sent His ONLY Son, that WHOEVERRRRRR believes in Him shall not perish but have EVER-STINKING-LASTING LIFEEEEEE!!!!

AHHH!!! I hate the evilness of society that I am so prone to. I feel like we've degraded the Good News into another "peldgg uhv a lee junce". Even me, someone who loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength is guilty of forgetting the potency of the Gospel. I will be the first to admit that I fall short of the glory of God.

...But transitioning to a more philosophical note....If everyone really truly grasped the full power of those 20-some words depending on your translation.....we would not live in the world that we know now. I'm not saying all of our problems would melt away and we'd be completely carefree, but I am saying it'd be a heck of a lot easier to fulfill our purpose which God ordained...to love Him and worship Him forever.

Recently, I did some desperately needed cleaning of my emotional closet with God. There were a handful of things that I felt were dragging me down and they all centered around the ginormous love-problem we have as a society. I kept wondering why "so-and-so" didn't love me, why I'd been missing out on the fullness I could feel, why I didn't have this or that....why me.....and then I remembered that it's not about me. It's never about me. I'm just a selfish, self-centered poophead that gets really caught up in the RHIAshow. Everything that was ever created was created to point to Jesus as King forever and ever. I realized that all of these problems in my emotional closet were because I'd forgotten the complete AMAZINGNESS of john 3:16. The God of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE LOOOOOVVVVVEEESSSSS ....me!!?? Ohhh mannnnn!!!!!!! What a horrible point to ever miss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could go on and on and write your patience away with this topic so I'll make my point. Whoever you are.....probably the only person who reads my blog other than myself.....God L-O-V-E-S you! He hearts you! He adores you! He sent His perfect Son to go and die a horrific death just so you can be with Him! That's why it's not a show stopper if your friends don't love you, or your girlfriend or boyfriend. Those are privileges to have. It's not the end of the world if your family doesn't love you, even though it can MAJORLY SUCK!!!!

And it's not utter destruction if you don't love you, because HE loves you....more than you can understand, He does.

So please, on valentine's day, let Jesus be yours, because He's calling and asking "Be mine beloved, be mine."

Oh, For The Love Of GOD!

2009-02-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

All of the awesomeness in the statement:

I GOT MY ACCEPTANCE LETTER TO BIOLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!

I attribute to the One and Only, Savior of the World :)
Go Jesus! Y Y

Oh sweet, fresh restoration

2009-01-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

A dear dear friend of mine and I, who have faced many instances of opposition, finally were able to reconcile all of the past to the Lord and are freely able to fellowship without the bonds of bitterness raining lies into our friendship.

In honor of this restoration I wrote a poem, and my hope is that by publishing it on my blog, you may be spurred to reconcile with a friend or ex-friend that you've neglected for too long. If you are Christian, know that you were given the ministry of recocilation, just like Christ reconciled all sinners to the Father via the Cross. You are called to reconcile your brothers and sisters to yourself: Be blameless in all disputes by being the first to admit error and apologize...even if you didn't do anything wrong. God is sooo good to restore all that the locusts have eaten.

-Reconciled At Last-

Under browned leaves of loneliness,
On the tree of our past,
Memories of bitter conversations
Limply sway.

Crawling on cracked branches of brokenness,
Acrid emotions attempt to surpass,
The gloriousness of restoration
That weighs.

How wonderfully our new tree flourishes,
Sprouting blooms fast,
A strong friendship; God’s creation--
This shall stay.

Can one know a Lord more vast?
Who brought beauty from our ash.
Who, through love, worked transformation.
To Him be all Praise

Glory to our Lord who works all things for good
for those who love Him

Excuse me, may I tell you something?

2008-10-31T01:56:00.000-07:00

Dearest you, whoever you may be, I hope that your day is finding you well :]
I hope that you feel loved and valued, because you are. There is no one in the entire world like you! And there never will be another! So since there's only one of you, please please know how much more amazing you are because of that.

Now people have said that since everyone is different, that different loses it's pizazz, but i strongly disagree. If you have one wonderful daughter, it would make no difference about how you love and value her if you had 5 more wonderful daughters..........am i making sense.....

Anywho, I was just saying how you are truly wonderful. You are alive, breathing, thinking, your heart is beating between your ribs, and you are reading this. How magically your body works! A heart, eyes, lungs, a brain, a mind!! Whoever made you, made you well! And with such care!!!! To think that all of those things underneath your skin hardly ever break! And if they break, how amazing is it that people have the knowledge to fix you! Remarkable.

I love that you are so unique, original. Your fingertips, your eyes, your mouth, your ears, your genes--> ONLY YOURS! Imagine how many different versions there have been throughout history!!! AND STILL yours are different from everyone else's..ever. There is no thought more lovely.

You are fascinating dearest reader! There truly is no one like you! No one can even compare! You are so loved and valued! I rejoice that you live, dwell, inhabit this earth with me, even if we're only a vapor on eternity's scale. So please, next time when thoughts of "unimportance" and "uselessness" try to attack you, remind yourself that without you, the world would be lacking an original masterpiece! A NEVER BEFORE AND NEVER AGAIN EXQUISITE BEING! Foo to anyone who says their version of self is better! How can they know if they've never been you! Who's to say that you're inferior or superior. Such statements are always relative. But it is a fact that you are exclusive, a rare, limited edition of the utmost value. I ask, can you even put a price on a life?

You are enchanting my reader, and i'm not the only one who loves you so.

VVV
Psalm 139

because i stole it from anna......

2008-10-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

tee hee

1. Where is your cell phone? dying
2. Your significant other? Yeshuaaaaaaaaaaa <3
3. Your hair? ugly
4. Your skin? no
5. Your mother? downstairs
6. Your favorite thing? Bible
7. Your dream last night? nope
8. Your favorite drink? bloooooddd haha just kidding...sorry
9. Your dream/goal? servanthood
10. The room you're in? bedroom
11. Your ex? who?
12. Your fear? SPIDERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? submitted
14. What you're not? perfect
15. Muffins? scones
16. One of your wish list items? wishes
17. Where you grew up? 805
18. The last thing you did? breathe
19. What are you wearing? blue
20. Your TV? death
21. Your pet(s)? snoring
22. Your computer? broken
23. Your life? Christ
24. Your mood? tranquil
25. Missing someone? sigh
26. Your car? sooooon
27. Something you're not wearing? shoes
28. Favorite store? trader
29. Summer time? nostalgic
30. Like someone? stupid
31. Your favorite color? purple
32. When is the last time you laughed? earlier
33. Last time you cried? sunday
34. Who will reply to this? you?
36. Whose answers are you anxious to see? ........wait where's 35?

Yoonj

2008-09-29T23:08:00.000-07:00

i just want you to know that i love you more than air. i'd cut my arm off for you any day. right or left! or both! they're yours!

but really, i love you sooooo much its almost ridiculous.

I hope

2008-09-21T23:09:00.000-07:00

that this brightens your day :)

The glory of the Lord of Hosts

2008-07-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

The glory of a splendor much too vast
For words of any human’s voice to mask
Or even attempt with letters ..i tremble, while
Touching with my frailty the immense iceberg of forever
That is my God

His majestic hand sprinkled light into the velvet of black
That draps like royal curtains ‘cross the heavens
Accentuated with star dust that blushes my cheeks silver
Reflecting the regality of
His masterpieces

Oh constellations that bow down in praise
He is Adoni, and the lover of my soul
Only His breath can bring life, and I breathe deep
Wishing for my heart to be wide enough to love my Savior

My sweet Jesus, only you can speak, and bring existence
You formed the planets with your righteous tongue
You are worthy of all praise
And worthy of all glory

May these hands and this heart worship you forever and ever until
eternity tires and only you remain

If you don't know of God, or of His Love, that He sent His ONLY Son, Jesus Savior of the world... well all i can say is that i pray you come to.

Knowing that there is a God, is revelation, yes.
Knowing that there is a God who is merciful, is hope, yes.
Knowing that there is a God who is just, is reassuring, yes.
But knowing that there is a God who not only loves, but IS love, invented love, exudes love, is all love, and anything that isnt love isnt Him.........that, is worthy of all praise, worship, and love in return, yes He is worthy.

The Season For Prodigal Sons!

2008-04-08T20:50:00.001-07:00

so wait, wait, wait. have i ever talked about HOW GOOD THE LORD IS!!!!!!!

THIS IS THE SEASON FOR PRODIGAL SONS!!!! THIS IS SUCH SUCH ANSWER TO PRAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH

I now officially know 2, YEAH THAT'S RIGHT! 2 prodigal sons. This one's name is Cheyenneeeeee <3333333 oh i love her so so so so much. I've been friends with this girl since KINDERGARTEN! i even lived with her for a month temporarily when i was without a home. she has the biggest heart for people, and is sooo happy-go-lucky.

last summer, i was there when she accepted Jesus Christ into her life, and it was SUCH A JOYOUS CELEBRATION! everyone was cheering and ecstatic, but once that short short time of celebrating ended, she seemed to fall back into the life she'd always been living. Parties, focusing on boyfriends, forgetting completely about Jesus Christ and her new life that was waiting for her. Things would always be so dry for her, and she would never seem to have that supernatural joy that she'd had last summer.

THERE HAS BEEN LOTS AND LOTS of prayer for that girl! lettt meee just sayyy, that people really do love her. more than she understands, and God is so good to hear all of our prayers! A specific prayer for Cheyenne was answered last week, with dramatic results! the prayer had been for something drastic to happen so that she would come to the realization that Jesus doesn't want to see her wasting her life on fruitless things anymore..............and whadduyaknow.......WABAM, the Lord showed the me/everyong else who prayerd just how closely He listens.

Last week, Cheyenne was in a major car crash. A driver going about 70 mph hit the side of her vehicle! It was so serious, that police told her, she should have died from the impact. Her car went spinning off the road, while the other car crumpled to pieces! The car that Cheyenne was in was completely totaled, and the other driver was carried away on a stretcher, BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD Cheyenne walked away with not even a scratch! She has a little whiplash, but nothing compared to the pile of metal formerly known as the car she was in. Last Saturday night, she gave me a call saying how God had been speaking to her so intimately, and she really wanted to come to church. So Sunday came, and we sat together, and prayed, praised, and worshipped side by side. The service was alllll about how serious having and not having salvation is. A definite reality check that spurred her to rededicated her life to Jesus Christ!! Now, she wants to dig into her Bible, she's dead serious [no pun intended] about living a Holy life for our merciful Lord and Savior, and says that nothing is better than His comsuming love!

i stinkinnnn LOVE Jesus! He never had to die on the cross and save us from death, just like he didn't have to have grace on Cheyenne during that car accident. But PRAISE Him for his ever-abounding mercies that are new every morning! She is ONNNNN FIREEEE for Jesus now, and i ammmm Lovingggg every second where i can watch my oldest friend fall so in love with the God of the universe!

All Glory and Honor and Power and Praise and Worship and Blessings to the God who saves!!!!!!

THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-03-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!

JESUS IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!! I would never have imagined how good God is until tonight happened! I have experienced Joy at its finest! The Lord is SOOOO FAITHFUL!!! gooooooooooddddddnessss gracious I could sing from the tops of mountains! Praise His Holy Name! Immanuel! God with Us! OH ABBA!!! HOSANNA!!!!

Soooooooo this isssssss my story of praise!

I officially know a prodigal son! OH HOW SWEET TELLING THIS STORY IS!
So for the past few days, I have had absolutely no happiness what-so-ever. I was so consumed with the lies of the enemy. They were restricting me from the eternal victory that Jesus won on the Cross! Life in general has been exceedingly hard in the past month or so, and it escalated to a horrible Easter day.
I have been praying for my mom's salvation to the point of tears every night for what seems like forever. I had my heart set on her being saved at Easter... However, i was letting myself get in the way of God's will and His perfect timing. My mom never made it to Easter service, but instead we had a horrible fight, and i ended up roaming Carpinteria until well past dusk while she and her boyfriend drank the night away. It was a very discouraging sunday.
I woke up on monday morning to a full day of school ahead of me. I was incredibly moody all day, snapping at even the littlest things. None of my friends would just listen to what was going on in my life and i felt like no one understood.
School ended on a rather bad note, and i came home to a house full of tension. I ate another TV dinner just like every other day, locked myself up in my room to try and do my ridiculously massive amount of homework, and ended up sitting there. Of course i couldn't think straight with so much on my mind. Everything started to bubble over, i was being totally taken advantage of by the enemy; i was letting Satan get the best of me.
Soon enough I was on the floor crying out to God, asking for SOMETHING, ANYTHING to answer my prayers. I'd submitted it all before..I'd given my mom's salvation to Him, I'd lifted up my living situation, my school work, and i didn't seem to be getting any answers. I asked for SOME kind of sign, anything to help me know He was there......He was listening............................................................................................and of course nothing happened while i was so frustrated.

So i called a friend and they helped calm me down, but we then had to resort to very inefficient communication via AOL Instant Messenger, however they were not the only person who i was talking to.
Much to my surprise a very dear friend of mine started up conversation, who i hadn't really gotten the chance to talk very much. They'd been Christian in the past but had fallen into the world; which broke my heart terribly. Now, they were so anti-Christian, that it was hard to hold conversation. So many nights i had prayed for their return, but only seemed to meet opposition and no answers.
We started talking about how down i'd been, and to cheer me up, they shared a story with me. At first i was skeptical that anything they had to say would help me out, but BOYYYY WAS I WRONG!!!!!
To sum up what the story was about......my beloved friend has reaccepted God into their life.......They are like the Prodigal Son!!!!!!, they are living the victorious Christian life that they should be!!! MY PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED!!!!!!!!!!! OHHHHH GLORY TO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN WHO IS FOREVER FAITHFUL!!!!!
i was in complete shock!!! this person who had so fervently opposed church and God for so long was now quoting Scripture to me.............................

my mom may not have been saved on Easter, however, the Lord was soooooooooo amazingly good to answer my prayers, to soften my friend's heart, to bring them back! TO GIVE THEM THE SCRIPTURE THAT I NEEDED TO HEAR! to make them like the prodigal son....ohhhhhhhhh THE JOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY THAT ABOUNDS FROM THIS STORY!!!......Jesus Christ is more marvelous than anything the words of man can attempt to say.

PRAISE THE LAMB OF GOD!!!!!

Psalm 103 is so amazing!

2008-03-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

War Dance

2008-03-07T00:08:00.000-08:00

"Dancing is like closing my eyes and being with friends. It feels like home."
-Nancy, 14,a young Ugandan dancer she helps run her household while her mom travels countless miles to work and back, but still rejoices through the freedom of dance.

She reminds me why living is so great.

"Apologia"-defense

2008-03-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

The reason why we [a few friends + myself = a small, untrained, ridiculously goofy group of teenagers] are attending an apologetics class is due to the fact that we love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths, and want people to know that.

This Blog, shall now be blessed with golden nuggets of knowledge given by the Holy Spirit via this apologetics class every Thursday.
Thus, not only randoms from life in general shall be displayed, but material of a much higher caliber and calling.

I pray for any reader, that the Lord would bestow blessings upon you and increase your knowledge of Him. Let Him be glorified.

Jesus loves you.

burfday

2008-02-13T22:36:00.000-08:00

ode to the seasons [ranting and ramblings of a discombobbulated teen]

2008-02-10T22:39:00.000-08:00

seasons are like candy,
always the best! and greeted with
delicious welcome.

justlike, after an autumn lolly
for months on end,
even the cherished cherry flavor
can get old,
and a newer, galloping gumdrop
dusted with a sugary powder like
little flakes of snow.
freshly fallen.
is deemed trophy worthy,
but soon will tire with the ages,
and greet with salutation,some
sweet, shooting-star flavored
shocktarts of spring.
that make you yelp and leap for joy,
where your singing keeps on ringing through the trees
and my tastebuds anticipate
and the new flavors of a season.

so now i wait, and wait, for spring

things that are beautiful that i have seen in the last 48 hours

2008-02-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

consequences of tagged-ness

2008-01-26T00:52:00.000-08:00

seven things no one knows:

1) i'm addicted to chapstick
2) there is something hidden between my matress and my bed frame
3) i wave when i say goodbye to people on the phone
4) i used to only like prime numbers
5) when i was little, i thought it was the coolest thing in the world to be able to spell my name
6) when i'm in the car, i pretend the wheels fly over any shadows
7) the most played song in my itunes has been played over 200 times

:)

This is the beginning of my end

2008-01-26T00:32:00.000-08:00

1.....2..........3...............................GO