joyful

my parents don't go to church. i think my mom believes in God but her faith in Him is still so spiritually immature that i question her salvation. and my dad is definitely not saved. i consistently pray for them and pray that one day, i won't ever have to question if they're saved or not. however, i sometimes get discouraged a little bit because, like all humans, we want to see something happen NOW. we want to see the result NOW. goodness.

but today....

i called my mom to ask her why i've always been a child who was afraid of so many things. she gently replied, "it's true that you're naturally scared of many things. it's because you have a more sensitive personality than other people. but, jihae (my korean name), you don't need to be afraid because God is always with you."

o.O did my mom just encourage me by reminding me of God?!! woah. i was so surprised and so overjoyed.

dear Lord, my mom talked about You today which is really rare. she mentioned Your holy name to encourage me that i don't need to be scared. my mom said Your name! this really encourages me to continually pray for both my parents. thank You so much. amen.

"do you trust me?"

i was studying today and for some random reason, i thought about trust. and then i thought about the movie, Aladdin, haha :)

remember the scene where aladdin and jasmine are on a rooftop and they're escaping from the guards and he asks her, "do you trust me?"

aladdin: "do you trust me?"

jasmine: "what?"

aladdin: "do you trust me?"

jasmine: "...yes...?"

aladdin: "then jump!"

i have many doubts. i have many worries. i'm definitely not a risk-taker. i tend to think and analyze a lot. and i think i'm afraid a lot, too.

but i shouldn't be afraid because i have God! as jasmine trusted aladdin and jumped off the rooftop, i want to take God's hand and leap without fear. because i trust that God will always be protecting me :)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

PTL

no matter how "ugghhhhh" i feel, i just gotta...

praise.the.lord. PRAISE THE LORD. ptl!!

wisdom

a young adult is what i am.

not a baby. not a child. not a teen.

but a young adult.

more specifically, a young woman.

as a young adult, i need to be more cautious of what i say and how i act. i need to be more careful on how i behave towards other people. sometimes, i wish i could still be viewed as a young girl. because then, i can get away with saying something stupid or acting childish. but that's being selfish, isn't it... yep. i want to learn how to have discernment with my words and actions. if i can act with wisdom, then there would be no need to "tip-toe" around people, or worry if i'll ever offend them in any way. so... how do i become a wise young adult? and, what kind of wisdom should i be seeking?

the book of james knows the answer! :)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. -- James 1:5

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. -- James 3:13-18

everyday

Hillsong - Everyday

What to say, Lord? It's

You who gave me life and I

Can't explain just how

Much You mean to me now

That You have saved me, Lord

I give all that I am to You

That everday I could

Be a light that shines Your name

Everyday, Lord, I'll

Learn to stand upon Your word

And I pray that I

I might come to know You more

That You would guide me in every single step I take, that

Everyday I can

Be your light unto the world

Everyday, it's You I live for

Everyday, I'll follow after You

Everyday, I'll walk with You, my Lord

It's You I live for, everyday

It's You I live for, everyday

It's You I live for, everyday

It's You I live for, everyday

cute :)

i learned that it's rude to point fingers at people... but i think this can be an exception to that rule :)

reality check

i have a friend who makes me feel like i'm the most horrible person ever. it brings me down at times but it also challenges me to be a better person. i'm thankful for this friend. God has definitely been using my friend to show me what an unloving and very immature and foolish girl i have and always have been. here i was, thinking that i may have grown up a bit, but no way. in reality, i truly am a horrible person. i still lack in so many ways and there are so many characteristics that i need to improve on. i have never felt so inadequate as i do now.

but this slap-in-the-face is good. it motives me to want to be a very compassionate person and a devoted daughter of God. i hope i can be this girl someday.

and on a side note:

you know, i think all of us are so concerned with what type of guy or girl we'd like and we'd want to date/marry... but we rarely think of how we can be a good boy/girlfriend or husband/wife. i keep hearing from older women that we should pray for our significant other... but i also think it's important to pray for ourselves. for example, how we can be more caring, more giving, more loving while being less prideful, less stubborn, less impatient. and in a christian relationship, how we can help each other grow in Christ. mm.. yea.. anyways.

an encouragement to myself: grow up, fool.

to myself

STUDY!!!

one more month until... dun dun dun...!!!

공부하세요!!!!