JUST GO DO IT!

Do you ever get that feeling where you feel like you need to do something, or you feel like God put something on your heart and he's tugging you to go do it. For example, maybe you re feeling you need to talk to this person if you see that they re going through a struggle or if God is really pushing you to go be a leader in lets say your fellowship or small group and mentor the younger kids. But then you stop and think... i don't know what will happen if i go talk to that person, or if i commit my time into mentoring or leading this fellowship. Or maybe you think that, that certain person or fellowship would reject you if you offered to help. So in the end, you just don't and that passion that you feel in your heart just sits there and eventually goes away.

In Hebrews 11: 13-16, it says:

"All these people (Abraham, Noah, Issac, Jacob, etc) were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

So in scripture, it says that these people were looking for a country. I am going to compare that to that passion or that thought that you think you really need to do that God has placed on your hearts. So these people were striving towards this new country, living righteous lives and looking towards God every step of the way. If they thought of returning to their old country, they would have had an opportunity to return.
So im going to compare returning to their old country with all the doubts that you think of not fulfilling that passion. Then you will give yourself the chance to NOT fulfill it. So why not just keep looking towards God to keep that passion alive and for encouragement and JUST DO IT

Soooo if that seemed confusing.. here it is... Instead of doubting yourself, its not whether you re adequate enough to do something, its whether or not God is sending you to do it. If God is sending you (by instilling in you that passion) pray about it and just do it. If you start doubting yourself or your ability, then chances are... you wont do it and for the things that you really wanted to see happen, it will not be done. And in the end you will still be unsatisfied with way things are because you did not take that step to fulfill that change.

This message also goes out to the procrastinators out there. If you need to do something, JUST DO IT. If you sit around, thinking later.. I'll do it later... chances are... you wont get to it, or you will be rushed to compete that assignment or even it will have missed the opportunity to go help your friend who is going through that struggle, or you end up missing a great opportunity to go help out at a soup kitchen or sandwich run where you may end up meeting someone who's pretty cool and has such a great story to tell you!

I know this blog is a little messy, but its kind of hard to explain in writing, i would rather say it in person for whoever is reading this blog, but this is my main message:

If you feel that passion in your heart, pray about it, trust in God.. and JUST GO DO IT!

Life after undergrad

So its the beginning of February, a month into my last term of my science undergrad. And i guess i havent written a blog since half a month ago, so why not write one on thinking about what happens after we graduate. So as many of you know, i am in the application process of applying for Optometry school at waterloo... yes, another 4 years at waterloo.. haha. But anyways I am in the waiting process after doing my interview back in November.

I have some friends who are also graduating. Some have found full time jobs, but those who are still looking and are applying for grad school don't have an answer yet and therefore dont know what they will be doing next year. So they re pretty much in the same position as I am. Ive talked to many of them and there is a fear of not getting into school for next year. As the term goes on, some of these people are getting anxious, nervous, sad, maybe even a little depressed. This is because We as human beings fear the unknown. And that is why we keep going out to search for answers (pretty much what sciences does but that could be for curiosity reasons) For example, that H1N1 Flu. People were getting sick and dying, so everyone around the world feared it. The reason they feared it was because they didnt know what to do about it. There was no vaccine, no cure, no knowing how badly it might affect you and ultimately it was something of the UNKNOWN.

Personally, how i feel about optometry is that I don't need to fear. I feel that God put me in my 4th year instead of letting me into optometry so that I can learn and mature and most of all, persevere (James 1) I was able to experience things that I never would have if I got into optometry. Also being the next one in line to get in off the wait list, i really believe that it was God telling me that, im making you go through your 4th year for a reason.
For these reasons, I have lifted my future up to God, whether I get into optometry or not, is up to him. But I have faith that whatever happens to me, it will be for good reasons and a greater purpose.

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Hebrews 13:5-6

And this is the reason I do not fear my future. Ive been through so much with God and ive been so greatly blessed. How can I not put my trust in God?

I do hope that who ever is reading this feels encouraged to pursue God. That this faith and grace we have received from God (Eph 2: 8-10) is really something special, that not everyone can see,that I pray that people will be able to see.
If you want to know more about what Ive been through drop me a message, i will gladly tell you my story!

O and i just set it so that anyone can comment on the blogs, so comment away!!

Its not what you put in your Jar of life, but what goes FIRST!

Alrighty... i haven't posted anything up for a while because i've been kinda busy. Not with school work... OK.... for the parents and family reading... i did do some reading ;) but there are also other things keeping me busy, like being on the worship team for CCF, leading a Discipleship group, ICE HOCKEY!!!! and just chilling with some friends just to catch up. For those who know me, i like to keep myself busy busy! That can be good or it can be bad. Good in the sense that I enjoy all these things and wouldnt give them up for the world! and bad in the sense that i can be so busy.. i wont have time for myself or for God, but anywho here's a little story (kinda long sorry... it makes my blog longer than it actually is)

"When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Coffees.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two coffees from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed..
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children.
Spend time with your parents.
Visit with grandparents.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your spouse out to dinner.
Play another 18. (For those non sporty people.. this means 18 holes of Golf on a golf course)
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities.
The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'
The Coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Coffees with a friend.
LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS... ...IT'S LEARNING HOW
TO DANCE IN THE RAIN !"

Yup This story is about Prioritizing and just generally live out your life to the fullest and dont let the sad times keep you down. A lot of people complain that they re always so busy with no time to do anything and that they hate school or work because it takes up so much of their day... but they end up slacking off in between anyways!. I think i even heard one of my friends say that they dont like sleep cause it takes up most of the night haha ... personally i like my sleep, so for me its one of my golf balls! But people get so caught up with all the sand in their life that they dont have the time to put the golf balls first!

Its all priorities.. no matter what stage you are at in your life.. Whether you re in school, working or even retired, make sure you take care and treasure your golf balls because those are the things that make your life worth living!

And for those who are always like.. Jason... why do you always have time to go out and chill with your friends... those are the times i can fit in my coffees just to catch up or even just listen to a friend in need... no matter how busy your life is.. you can always fill the jar with a couple coffees before it really gets full!

Moral of the story... no matter how busy or busily miserable (yes i believe i just invented a word..) you are.. remember that you MUST learn to prioritize your golf balls first and that you will still have enough room to fit in a couple coffees no matter how many pebbles and sand you throw into your JAR! Only then can you have a, although full, awesome and amazing life! Think about it... you have so many years of your life left ahead of you... why waste it filling it up with sand?

You got your golf ball, pebbles and sand.... now MAKE YOUR MOVE!

And another year passes by

So 2009 has come and gone and now its 2010... Wait... 2010 already? haha it just feels like time flies by quicker the older you get. I swear it only sunk in that i had turned 21 a couple minutes after the countdown... probably because of exams or maybe im just that slow haha. Who knows.. but 2009 has been one of the best years i've ever had, from the good times and bad times, i feel like i've experienced and learned so much this year. Im not only talking about learning about things but to actually go and live life to the fullest and attempt to step out of my comfort zone

The highlight of 2009 will have to be the Winter and fall retreats with UWCCF... i think those were definitely life changers.. (you can ask me about them in person if you want, i like to tell stories)

Because of these retreats i think i have a totally new perspective on life and what my purpose is... well maybe for the near future, but generally i think i have a good idea what i can do, what i need to do, what i need to stay away from and just overall be joyful!

I mean, bad things happen to everyone at some point in their life, and even many times, but why dwell on those bad times? While you re complaining, being emo, being antisocial, etc, you can use that time to focus on the positives and enjoy life! especially when our time here on Earth is very limited... maybe way more limited than we sometimes thing. So why not go out and laugh, play, and just just be joyful?

I really need to thank all my friends and family for getting me through the tough times this year, and there was quite a bit of them. And also for celebrating the Good times with me. Its such a blessing to have such a great supportive group of friends and family around me and there are no words to explain how thankful i am of them

I also want to thank my 2 brothers in Christ, one my mentor and a good friend who has helped me grown so much spiritually through our discipleship group and also being in a leadership role for CCF, i don't think i would have become the person i am right now without their guidance and support. Thanks guys!

I want to thank all of the new friends i've met this year, listening to their stories, getting to know them, and just chilling... its been great meeting so many cool people this year!

And theres also my softball team... It was probably the most fun and chill season i've had with CCSA just cause of the how easy it was to coach these guys and girls. I think they've taught me so much more about myself as a coach than i taught them..... of course i taught them a lot of stuff about softball... you know what i mean

So how do i rate how 2009 went? even with the tough times i would still give it 11/10 just because there were so many more good times than bad ones. Not only that, but i feel like my spiritual walk has grown exponentially and ive done so many things that I never would have thought i would be doing just a year ago! (stepping out of the comfort Zone)

I guess now its 2010, i wonder what the future holds? But i just really want my spiritual growth to grow like it did in 09 because no matter how much i grow, i dont think i can know enough about God. I mean when you look at any type of relationship you have, you just keep learning new things about that person, only if you seek it. Its the same thing when developing your personal relationship with God... ONLY IF YOU SEEK IT... so im hoping to just keep seeking, constantly
Then theres optometry... still waiting on whether i get accepted or not... i'll most likely know early march-ish.. soo fingers crossed
I mean theres no way to know what to expect in the upcoming future
In a mans heart he determines his course, but the lord determines his steps... proverbs 16:9
I mean we can choose what we want to do and each choice has its own consequence, but sometimes we forget that with every step we take, God is there to help us through tough times and God is there to celebrate the good times, sooo hopefully i don't forget that along the way!

So Hopefully 2010 will be just as good or even better than 2009, but either way, I just have to focus on the positive things in life... and that will help carry me through the year. Thats pretty funny because today, the first day of 2010, i had dinner at my grandparents' house and we were looking through old photo albums of when i was 1 and 2, and in every picture i had a big smile on my face (there was a lot of them too cause im the first born on my moms side! yup im that special haha), so if you re wondering why i seem like a joyful guy, i guess i was just born like that.... a happy kid all grown up and ready to live out 2010.... PS... i was a pretty cute baby too!! HAHA

the Christmas spirit of Giving

So its the Christmas holidays and everyone is shopping, giving, serving and helping left right and centre. People like giving food to local charities, giving food to the poor and homeless and good stuff like that. Walking around Toronto, you can definitely see that stuff on Christmas eve.

The question is... have you really thought about why you give? What motivates you to help others who need it?

Is it because you want to do a good deed this Christmas? or you have extra change lying around the house that you can spare? Or are you required to give that 10% tithing at the end of the year? Or maybe its just the Christmas spirit pushing you to give to others.

For me, because i feel like ive been so blessed in my life, i cant help but want to give back. I mean, ive done nothing to deserve anything that I have and gone through, but yet, im here and im living out my life with all the things ive been blessed with. I remember a pastor saying that We are blessed to be blessed in this world. Which means that God has blessed us so greatly that we can in turn use this blessing and go out and bless others through our good works, through how we live our lives, through kindness and compassion.

There are many things we can give... not just material goods. We can take a couple hours out of our life give out hot chocolate to the homeless people, to have a coffee and chat with someone who could use someone to talk to, maybe even a little smile will make someone's day or a simple thank you.

I always like to say... and ive seen this in action.. that something small to you may be a huge blessing for another person... so the challenge here is to reflect on why do YOU give? Look deep down inside and think about why you actually give and not just say because it feels good to give... why does it feel good to give? I believe that in order to help ourselves grow, we need to constantly challenge ourselves and ask why and take some time out of our busy schedules to reflect. To reflect about our past, our experience, our "stories" and think about things like how we became a person who likes to give. And maybe after you read this blog... go out and do small good deed... even saying merry christmas or give an encouraging quote or your favourite passage to a friend (since christmas day is almost over ... its 9 30 pm) and see how it goes for you and if you re lucky, you'll see if it brightens up that person's day

the B-I-G 21!

Sooooooo how does it feel to be 21? some people may ask.... well right now.. im studying for my finals, so i dont think its going to sink in until after i finish my finals (dec 22nd)... let the countdown begin.

So far, even though my exams are taking up most of my life these days, turning 21 aint too bad. On saturday, me and my roomates featuring WAYNE YIPPERS went out for dinner at Oliver and Bonacini. Newly opened at conestoga mall. I had sesame salmon with a bunch of side stuff like green mango and some fried noodle things as you see in this picture.



Over all it was pretty good, a little on the pricey side, but once in a while or for special occasions, not too bad.....
Then my roomates got me an apple pie tart sort of thing as you see in this picture


Now this was really good.. haha and i like deserts a lot! I would definately recommend this one for people who want to eat there.

On the 14th.. i spent the day studyingg with the froshies featuring derek ma, tyler, Matt and rosanne. Good timess in that study room.... people leaving their laptops unlocked... lots of changing of statuses and commenting andd not studying... i actually got quite a bit done though haha. But yea.. jasmine brought in her cake for her bday and shared it with us. It was Marble slab cookie dough ice cream cake!! yumm.... Right before i left to go home to get caked (i knew it was coming.. after 3 years of hanging out with them) the froshies sang happy bday for me! THankkkssss FROSHIES.

And then i went home... opened the door.. and my roomatess sang happy bday for me.. i checked anna's hand to see if there was cake ready to cake me... and i didnt see anything... then i blew out my candles.. and then grace and karina caked me.... i was really surprisedd.. thennn anna full Cake slapped me haha.. good times.. as you can see in THIS picture...soo i technically got caked 3 times... except all at the same time.. and my face smelled like cake for the rest of the night haha.






Good times for sure... so even though i was stuck studying ... i had a pretty good 21st bday. Looking back... God has blessed me with soo much... i could list it all right here in this blog.. but then you readers would stop reading cause it would take days (ok...maybe im exaggerating just a bit)

But one thing i feel really blessed about is.. all the friends and brothers and sisters in christ that God has surrounded me with. All the support, all the things ive learned, all the things ive been through, whether good or bad... ive had a really good group of friends around me, so at this very moment i feel very very very X1000000000000000000000000000000 blessed for my friends and of course family.. i cant forget family... they raised me the way i am today... but i'll stop at that before i start listing a million things that im thankful for..

PS... did i tell you my roomates got me an IPOD... blessed FO SHOO
PPS... Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone!

The hard part is reaching out

During the past 2 months, God has really put something in my heart. Especially at the 2009 fall retreat, the speaker asked... how many people did you tell about God in your lifetime? I thought about my grand total of 20 years of when i first started breathing and i looked down at my hand and lets just say i failed the test and im not even talking about Asian standards! I mean we were called to share the gospel with people and i dont think ive even done much in that department.

This brings in Evangelism to the picture. When people think of evangelism, people think of someone standing out on the busy streets of Toronto and just shouting out stuff about God. I guess it is one method, but like many other christians, im not brave enough to go out and do that. I dont think i'll be doing that anytime soon either, but there are other methods of evangelism and easier ones at that. Something as simple as sharing your testimony and experiences and praying for them or inviting a friend out to a fellowship or church event that he/she might be interested in, or even using youtube, to show a friend a video of a sermon that you find interesting or even funny. These are pretty simple things to do to get anyone thinking about who Jesus is and why do i put all my trust and faith in God.

Another method that a lot of Christians dont think about when it comes to evangelism is living a life comparable to that of Jesus. I know some skeptics might say that we are all sinners and we can never compare ourselves to Jesus, but why not try our best to? Isnt that what God wants us to do? Surely your friends, whether christian or non christian will see how you re living your life and they notice all the small things that you do. Some things i can think of are devoting some time to God through prayer or reading the bible, showing forgiveness, showing love and compassion for others, showing patience, joy, self control, gentleness, kindness (Galatians 5), listening to a friend who is in need of comfort and just in general, living a life where you are able to shine the goodness and joys of God onto the people around you. Im not saying that I perfectly carry out this type of life.. haha i dont think i would be human if i did, but what we can do is try our best to be like this.

In the best case scenario, if one of my friends were to see this and ask about God, i would surely tell him/her about how greatly ive been blessed by God even though i dont deserve it and why ive put all trust in God (life experiences). But how many people actually come up to you ask right?

From what i know of myself, i dont think im good at evangelism at all, but you have to start somewhere right?