I have no idea of what this post will be about. I'm just going off this feeling of wanting to blog; its therapeutic I suppose... I have to go parable status right now- what happens when a tree branch gets too long and gets in the way of a trail or path that is nearby? when a child gets out of line and throws a loud tantrum that disrespects the authority of the parents, what should be done? when a small barking dog doesn't back down from confronting a larger stronger dog, what'll happen?
the branch will get trimmed down to its appropriate size/length.
the child will be disciplined and made to shut up.
the small dog not knowing when to be quiet and settle down will be enlightened of its role in comparison to the bigger dominate dogs of the pack.

Everything has its place and its role. Everyone who thinks they are something that they are not, will be put in their place- either by the easy way or by the hard way. Simply said- you'll be humbled if you aren't already. Major reminder to be humble rather than to be humbled when you aren't careful with what you say to someone you love. I don't know how to describe it exactly, but I would rather be beaten bloody than to make someone I love deeply cry and feel hurt because of something I said or did to them...
I used to say that I had no regrets.
But I now regret those times where I had done this.
I wish I would've just kept my mouth shut and did nothing at all.
And a lot of the time is stems from thinking you are bigger and better than someone else.
Why do we hurt those that we love the most?

Get low and stay low. That way you can only be lifted up by others.

I thank God for His forgiveness, grace, peace, and love.

I am a firm believer that life is not truly life with out people. We were not created to be alone and solitary individuals. Only God knows how long exactly Adam was left solo before Eve came to be his companion in the Garden of Eden but I don't think that it was for very long.
The start of the summer months in the U.S. brings me back to seeing old friends from returning missions trips and making new friends with those people on their first missions trip with Strong Missions. Regardless if I am working with old friends or meeting new people, it all is a huge reminder that my job revolves around people. Without people and interacting with them, I would definitely be less passionate and motivated to do the work that I do... that's assuming that I would still have a job.
I thank God for all the people in my life. God created people, uses people, and reveals a bit of Himself through people. And just like God built up people; we can not forget the power we each have to build up and encourage one another. The photograph above I captured while walking around San Jose with friends and it embodies the beauty of having each other. Having a brother, a sister, a mother, a father, a lover that is there for you and who you care about. A self-serving life is no life at all. I repeat, a self-serving life is no life at all...just think about it and wonder why sooner or later all those wealthy celebrities end up choosing to end their lives despite the riches they've amassed and that has left them alone and paranoid... That's not life. It's a downward spiral that leaves the person dead though they made still be physically alive. We are called to serve. To serve God and to serve one another. And the blessing and reward is the love and relationships that are produced from it all; and that's the start of life.

I swung a pick ax for the first time in a long time today at one of the work sites with a group. Other than being exhausted, breathless, and feeling as if I'm habitual chain smoker- it left me with part of my hand with torn that is characteristic of a typical blister... ugh it burns when I type...

My boss tells us (the rest of the staff) from time to time that:
'we do holy work, but we are not holy people...' I mostly agree with his statement; mostly with the truth that we are all under God's grace and far far from any type of perfection being the sinners that we all are. Yet it blows my mind and humbles me tremendously when God's grace falls on me and He chooses to use me to do something to allow his glory to shine. I'm not a pastor or a holy man. But I am starting to understand better what His grace is and what His love is since I don't deserve any of these blessings that He passes on to me. Randomly I read a certain bible scripture earlier today:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
-JER29:11
Always when asked what lies ahead for me in the future- no way that I can really tell details of what exactly will happen. All I really know is what's going on now and what I have gone through to bring me to what I am doing now.
More and more I am reminded that God is using me here. I can't be closed up. I can't be blind...



open your eyes to see by faith
open your heart to live by love
open your mind to think of God
who is always by your side.