D.C.

I was inside your Whitehouse. How the heck did that happen?!?

wrestling.

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. (Genesis 32:24-29)

I feel like for the past six months I've been wrestling with the issue of whether to go to seminary or not. And if not, then to do what? So many times I felt like I had come to a final decision and got excited about it. But not without a lot of frustration and re-thinking and re-thinking again about what I should do. I could never let it go - to just let whatever happens happen. A lot of the time I was probably fighting for one over the other. I'm sure the idea or hope of attending seminary was oftentimes crossing into idolatry. But I think on a good day, I was really fighting for peace from God, His blessing, for whichever path I chose to take. I just wanted to find the direction that led me closer to Him. And I wouldn't know which was right until I had (a.k.a. God graciously gave) His peace to rule in my heart. Only then could I truly "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

As of now, I won't be going to seminary any time soon. Sad and limping, but I'm also excited. All to the glory of Him.

make me.

Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob.... I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. (Isaiah 41:14-15)

"Follow Me, and I will make you..."

Make you speak My words with power,

Make you vessels of My mercy,

Make you helpful every hour.

"Follow Me, and I will make you..."

Make you what you cannot be-

Make you loving, trustful, godly,

Make you even just like Me.

- L.S.P.

chinatown in the movies.

In the movie "Brooklyn's Finest," there are a couple scenes in front and supposedly inside my previous chinatown apartment building. Unfortunately, it's where cops do uncoply things.. at least as depicted in the movie.

not ignore.

"To seek approval from God, rather than from man" doesn't give me the ticket to ignore man altogether.

Names and Jerseys

Today I saw someone wearing a NY Rangers jersey with the name "Del Zotto". He's the younger brother of a guy that I went to high school with. I won't ever have people wearing my name on a jersey...

day in and day out

Of course it's easy to love people when I'm standing in a pew at church on a Sunday. But to do it day in and day out, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, at a job that I'm not particularly passionate about, and to not allow the weariness to seep into my outside-of-work relationships too, requires something or someOne greater than me.

"For when I am weak, then I am strong."

My weaknesses "are to be the platform for demonstrating the Lord's power and grace."

So if you ever see me smiling or sounding somewhat alive on a weekday during/after work, then you know that it's not because of me that I'm able to smile. But I have a reason, a Person.

Psalm 27

Can I relate this psalm to the Olympics? I think I will try...

From this year's Olympics, I have learned that it can be hard to cheer for a team that isn't supported by the majority, even if you do manage to rally some like-minded fans. The Games have served to remind me that I am not where I grew up. I am in a place where the culture, history, and values are actually pretty different. I realized that I missed Canada. And watching the beautified images on TV of British Columbia and other natural treasures across Canada, I couldn't help but feel that God had made a pretty good-looking Earth. There are parts of this Earth that are awesome, awe-inspiring, and probably fun to spend some time in. And then again, I take a step back and remember that there is only one thing that I ask of the Lord, that I will seek: "that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord."

LORD, I have fallen a little in love with the beauty of your world. Like you said, "it is good." But I haven't forgotten the Creator. I appreciate all the blessings that you shower on me, but may they all point me back towards you. I want to seek more of you, that I may grow more to trust you, run to you, and find strength in you.

continuing this stream of patriotism...

From the rollin fields of wheat to the busy city streets,

There's a feelin and a spirit all our own,

True North strong and free stand on guard, you and me,

From the East to the West we've roamed,

This is our home.

- Mike Plume, "8:30 Newfoundland"