Philippians 2:14

I have a job.

That’s something that 14.1 million Americans don’t have.

It’s one of the coolest jobs in the world and is said to be a harder job to get than admission to Stanford.

Yet something happened today that caused me to start rationalizing and complaining inside. I also fell into the sin of comparing myself with others and dwelling on thoughts of what my job can’t provide rather than the opportunities my new job my open up.

What ungrateful worm am I!

I needed greatly today to repent and to be grateful for the blessings that God has given me. All this is still very new and unusual for me, and in addition to my ingratitude, I’ve been eagerly praying

• That God would in His time reveal to me how my new job will fit in like puzzle pieces for my long-term career desires
• And much more importantly, how God can use me as a Christian in my workplace for His glory.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. -Jonathan Edwards

Peacetime

Bald Eagle - Alaska

“In Sugamo Prison, as he was told of Watanabe‘s fate, all Louie saw was a lost person, a life now beyond redemption. He felt something that he had never felt for his captor before. With a shiver of amazement, he realized that it was compassion.

At that moment, something shifted sweetly inside him. It was forgiveness, beautiful and effortless and complete. For Louie Zamperini, the war was over.

-Laura Hillenbrand (on Louis Zamperini‘s conversion to Christianity), Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

Modern Medicine

I found this baby picture of me in a closet today!

It’s hard to believe that for the first five years of my life, my left ear looked like a slug or something. Thanks to amazing surgical techniques, 18 or so years ago, I was given a new left ear! Every time I look in the mirror, I praise God for the knowledge He has given mankind to make life more enjoyable in Him through medicine. I was reminded today that He’s fearfully and wonderfully made each and every one of us unique, yet in the image of the Almighty God.

Perhaps this is why God called me to be a biomedical engineer.

If you’re curious how my new ear was formed, you might want to check out this YouTube video of the process. The surgeon in the video is world-renowned and was also the same doctor who made my ear (warning: not for the squeamish!).

The Longing

Harold Camping may have been wrong about the end of the world, but in my heart, there is undoubtedly a longing for Home.

“I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” -Philippians 1:23-24

Anyone want these books?

I’m trying to clear my bookshelves to make room for my NT commentary set that will be arriving next week. I’ll be selling a bunch of books to my local secondhand bookstore and want to know if anyone wants any of them? Most are good, some are ehhh, but all are free!

• The Final Question of Jesus – Joseph Stowell
• The Next Generation Leader – Andy Stanley
• Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller
• Jesus Freaks – DC Talk
• Be Amazed (Minor Prophets) – Warren Wiersbe
• Be Mature (James) – Warren Wiersbe
• The Seven Wonders of the World – Ron Tagliapietra
• Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility – Chuck Swindoll
• Just Like Jesus – Max Lucado
• The Kingdom of God – D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
• Look Who’s Toast Now – Kevin Johnson
• Jesus Without Religion – Rick James
• Living Beyond the Limits – Franklin Graham
• Joseph: A Man of Character – Gene Getz
• Music in the Balance – Frank Garlock, Kurt Woetzel
• Harmony at Home – Tim Fisher
• Experiencing God – Henry Blackaby
• What in the World is Going On – David Jeremiah
• Under God – Toby Mac, Michael Tait

two years gone

from 2009

Today marks the two-year anniversary of being unemployed. I’d celebrate tonight, but it’s a “work” night, so there’s probably no one to celebrate with.

“Uncertainty is the beginning of adventure.” – C.L. Max Nikias, USC President (128th Commencement Opening Remarks)

“[Jesus'] grace and love are compatible with what seem to you to be unconscionable delays. ‘I will not be hurried because I love you.” -Tim Keller (King’s Cross)

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” -Psalm 27:13-14

Jesus is Coming Again Soon (But Probably Not Next Month)

I had to comment about this because, especially in light of the events we celebrate this week, both parties sadly don’t believe in Jesus for who he truly is, and both have an absolutel deluded understanding of His Word.

Apparently, Bay Area atheists have put up billboards in response to Harold Camping’s claim that the rapture will occur on May 21 (note to Camping from God: Matthew 24:35-37). I find it strange how they think just 2000 years of “any day now” is nonsense when they believe in millions of years of evolution from primordial slime into humans. I’d say give me a couple million more years (when I’ve evolved a third eye or mutant powers), then maybe I’ll consider whether or not all this waiting is actually nonsense.

In all seriousness, it certainly does require much more faith to be an atheist.

See you all May 22.

Shepherd

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. ” -2 Timothy 2:1-2

Spring Reading List

CURRENTLY READING:

 

Baseball in much of the Bay Area this season may be focused on the World Champion San Francisco Giants, but I will unashamedly admit that when it comes to the Bay Bridge Series, as an East Bay native growing up watching the likes of Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson, and Dennis Eckersley, my loyalties lie with the boys in green. Perhaps even more so after reading this interesting account of how A’s GM Billy Beane used science and mathematics to form an immensely talented, but dirt-cheap playoff contending team. Plus, there’s a movie adaptation coming out, so I’d rather read how Michael Lewis portrays Billy Beane before I see how Brad Pitt portrays him.

I’ve heard much about Francis Schaeffer in college, but it wasn’t until now that I was able to get hold of one of his books from my public library. In addition to an insightful look at God-centered/humanistic philosophy throughout recorded history, the accompanying artwork that Schaeffer explains makes me wish I had toured Europe a little later in life. Europe tour, anyone?

 

ON THE SHELF:

Louis Zamperini is the embodiment of the perfect Trojan in my opinion. Not only is he a proud USC alumnus, but he is also a war vet and POW who survived a major disaster told in this book. He is also an Eagle Scout and an Olympic runner. His speed in 5000m was apparently enough that he caught the attention of Adolf Hitler and shook his hand! Most inspirational was the fact that he was a devout Christian who even took a trip to Japan to meet and witness to those who held him captive in a POW camp during the war. I gotta meet this guy, pronto.

Mary Roach was the first author I read that made science really entertaining for me to read, but Bill Bryson’s Short History spent over six months on the New York Times bestseller list, so I had to see what all the excitement was about. Depending on how philosophical he gets, it might be the perfect companion to How Should We Then Live for me!

The Road

My car is like my second home. Life’s circumstances has caused me to spend a lot of time and travel a lot of miles in this car. In many ways, it’s become more than just a machine to me.

I think I’ve spent so much time in my car that, despite the notorious traffic I often sit in, I find driving to be an extremely cathartic experience.

Driving in solitude, the journey gives me the opportunity to reflect on my thoughts and ponder what the Lord might welcome me with at my destination. There have been numerous times when I’ve driven away, saddened about disappointing outcomes that had just occurred. Likewise, answers to prayer allow me the opportunity to shout to the Lord in thanksgiving. Some of my best devotional times have come during my long commutes, and some of the deepest porings of my heart to the Lord come when it’s just me and God and a long journey ahead.

My favorite opportunities to fellowship and chat actually happen in the car. For me, my car is a fairly non-threatning environment where I feel more comfortable opening myself up to my fellow passengers. Often times, I honestly wish the drives were longer so the stimulating conversations won’t have to end.

Driving is also a metaphor for my life right now. I feel like I’m on the road of life, not knowing the destination, not knowing who will join me for the adventure. Right now there are roadblocks along the way, and I always feel lost when I encounter detours or don’t find the scenery familiar. I pray that I can let God take the driver’s seat and let Him guide me to the destination, showing me the roads to travel and the hazards to avoid.

That way, I can sit back, partake in blissful fellowship, and enjoy the sunsets.