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First Blog Without the Use of Periods!

It's official ladies and gentlemen!

I am employed! WHAT?!

Where?

Gospel Presbyterian Church!

Journey With Me

It's been about 3 weeks since I started seminary and so far it's been a great experience for me. I'm learning A LOT about God which is awesome! I've never been so fascinated and engaged in the classroom before.

Although, I kind of wish that Biblical Hebrew wouldn't be a required course in seminary. But I definitely understand the importance of it.

But.....

It's still a dead language.

But......

It's very important. I'm just being childish because it's so much work.

However, as much as I'm learning a lot about God, I don't think I actually know him well. Or at least not right now.

And it's kind of frustrating because I always thought seminary equated with knowing God well in the context of a relationship. But then again, I'm reminded that Christianity is a journey. 

Such an overused cliche but definitely true.

But I'm ready to embark on the longest yet greatest journey ever known to humanity.

Watch Your Tongue

I just wanted to say a couple of things concerning the whole Kanye West and Taylor Swift incident.

First, I think Kanye was blatantly disrespectful for disrupting Taylor's speech. I couldn't even watch the whole thing because I felt so bad for her. I was shocked and couldn't imagine what Taylor was feeling at that exact moment.

Second, This incident just shows how powerful our tongues can be and the negative consequences that can come along with it.

James 3:5 says, "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."

Our tongues are pretty small compared to the rest of our bodies but James says that it has a lot of power. He uses a forest as an example; just one tiny, little spark can set the whole forest ablaze. That's certainly what happened to Kanye. I remember just a couple of minutes after that incident, it was already written on his Wikipedia page. Isn't that crazy?! In just a span of a couple of minutes and it's up on the internet for the whole world to see! Every news broadcast and website talked about Kanye.

He sure was popular. Everyone was talking about him.

Even President Obama.

I think Kanye earned himself multiple nick-names that he shouldn't be too proud of though.

Third, We're given a choice. We can use our tongues to discourage or build each other up.

Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

 Which one will you pick?

Obama's Speech to the Youth

I'm not a very political person but I read this article on CNN.com that caught my attention. Before you guys read on, let me tell you how I feel about it.

COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS

So Obama is going to deliver a speech to students in America on the first day of school which is pretty cool. I wish that happened to me when I was back in school. But what is his speech actually about?

It's the typical motivational speech that every child hears. Obama talks about the importance of working hard to be successful and that nothing comes without hard work. He addresses the importance of receiving an education not only for personal sake but for the sake of the nation.

The White House actually released Obama's speech online so you can read it for yourself. I highly encourage you to do so. Click here for speech.

I honestly do not know why there's so much controversy over this speech. I think it's a great and positive message to reach our lackadaisical generation today. I think it's great that the leader of our nation is actually addressing our kids. At least our President is making himself personal to our nation that many previous leaders haven't been able to do so.

Here's one comment that is just ridiculous that caught my attention.

"I believe this is the greatest country on Earth, and I try to teach that to my children. ... I don't want them hearing that there's a fundamental flaw with the country and the kids need to go forward to fix it."

Well let me say this. People are entitled to their own opinions so if this person thinks America is the greatest country; then be it. That's fine with me. But Obama doesn't say anything about our nation having a fundamental flaw. I mean, there are definitely a lot of flaws in our nation especially with the government and businesses.

But the point of his speech tells our students to be highly driven and passionate about their gifts and talents. He tells them to cultivate them so they can serve the nation through them. I love how Obama points to the fact that individual success has to go deeper and further. He says that our successes determines the future of this country. He's saying that we can play a huge part and be active in forming this nation.

So in conclusion...

Go Obama

8.30.05

8.30.05 from Timothy Yi on Vimeo.

?Question?

I don't know what to call it but I'm going through a stage in my life where I question everything. Maybe I should call it the "Question-ing Stage" or the "Got Questions Stage." It's kind of ridiculous. I feel like I have a question mark right above my head following me wherever I go. But like I said before, I constantly question everything that I see, learn, or feel. It happens a lot when it comes to my faith in God and the Bible.

I decided to read through the Old Testament and am currently in the book of Numbers. The previous books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus) were pretty interesting and fun to read. Well maybe not Leviticus, that was painful. But it's really fun to read the history of our forefathers and all that good junks.

BUT......

I've questioned so many events that took place in the Old Testament that it's kind of surprising to read.

For example, there's some dude that picks up firewood on the Sabbath. Keep in mind, he picked up FIREWOOD. Totally harmless, right? But God KILLS him!

When I read that, I'm like WTD? (What the Ddong?) And this is just one of the many examples that are in the Bible.

God killed a man.....Picking up firewood.....God slaughtered many nations.....Etc. Etc. Just read through the Old Testament and I bet you will be shocked and your eyes will be opened. Yes, it is possible even if you're Asian. Everything is possible through Jesus Christ. Your eyes will open!

This might sound weird but I'm glad that I question everything in the Bible. I don't want to be a Christian because I've been told so in Sunday School. I want to believe in Christ because I genuinely want to develop a relationship and to know His heart.

Maybe then, I won't have any questions.

$1,250

In the past 3 months, I've made two of my biggest purchases in my life thus far. The title of this blog sums up the total of the two purchases that I've made. It's a lot of money, no doubt. Now that I think about it, I could have used that money for more useful purposes like the water crisis or the AIDS foundation. Bummer.

The first thing I bought was a Dell Vostro 1520 for about $650. Here's a picture of it.



My second one is a Canon Powershot SX1 IS for about $600.



You guys might be thinking that I spent a lot of money on these two and you're right. But I don't regret any of these because I planned them out pretty well. I did all my math and made sure I could make all my payments. So I didn't just spontaneously buy these two but I really did plan them out and made sure I was financially stable to. So don't judge me!

Holmdel Park

My church holds an annual picnic every year right around this time. I love going to the picnic because it takes us physically outside the church building into a nice park where we can fellowship, worship, eat, and play altogether as a church. It's always a nice feeling to see little kids screaming and running around. It's even better to see the Korean adults do that. That's a sight you will rarely ever see but every year on this specific day, these Korean parents become like children like they once were before. I must admit, when the Korean parents play their organized games I get pretty jealous. The games that they play look like so much fun. I love going to Holmdel Park.

Another reason why I love this day is because I get to play massive amounts of volleyball. So I uploaded a video of some clips of my friends and I playing so hope you enjoy it!

Out With the Old and In With the New

I had a little late night fun. =)

4 Years Come and Gone

Oh brother. Here I am blogging away about how much I miss college already. It's only been about a week and a half since graduation and I'm reminiscing about everything. Man, time really does fly by so quickly. I can't believe I'm back home in New Jersey. I've become attached to living my life in Massachusetts so much that it feels foreign to me being in New Jersey.

Change is inevitable. Even as I was driving around my town, I noticed new buildings and stores and it made me think how fast things could change. Nothing is the same as it was before. It's a scary thought because people change just as much. I'm a person who is ok with changes for most of the time but for some reason, I don't want anything to change right now in my life. I don't want to leave the life that I lived the past 4 years at Umass. I don't want to leave my friends. I just don't. I don't want to accept that change. I can't. Or at least I can't right now.

What can I do now? Time is a force that I can't control and it's against me. Honestly, it's really hard for me to move on to the next stage of my life but time doesn't help it at all. I guess all I can do is hold onto these memories and cherish them with my heart.

Man, I would do anything to re-live my college years.....

But I guess it's time to grow up now and to move on....

You Will Suffer

I want to share this video I saw. It's a 10 minute video of some segments of John Piper speaking at a conference. It's deeply powerful to the point it made me tear. Not because he was telling some sad story but because he was speaking truth to my life. This truth that he's talking about is something that's been on my heart for so long and it makes just a little more sense to me now. Just a little bit. Enjoy!





What do you guys think? Comments? Agree? Disagree?

Heaven to Earth

Gosh, what do I write in this blog?

I never knew that writing in this blog consistently would be so hard! Anyways, I've been reading this book by Rob Bell called "Velvet Elvis." It's an easy read and I encourage anyone reading this blog to check it out. You don't have to necessarily agree with what he says or thinks, but it definitely gives you new and fresh perspectives on the Christian faith. 

There are so many things that I would want to talk about in this book but there are just so many. So I just want to write about one specific point he brings up. He quotes...

"For Jesus, the question wasn't, how do I get into heaven? but how do I bring heaven here? The question wasn't, how do I get in there? But how do I bring there, here?" (pg. 147)

Man, if you really think about what he writes, it actually makes sense. "How do I get into heaven?" is such a selfish question to ask. Christians are so consumed with their own individual lives. We try to "escape" this world because it's so evil, rotten, absent of morals, etc etc. We want to escape the "hells" of the world. But I believe that this isn't the story that God wants to write over humankind. It's not about figuring out strategies in getting to heaven, but rather it's a story of God using his people to bring heaven to earth. Believe in the power of the cross. Believe in the grace that is poured into your life redeeming you and setting your life free from eternal death. Believe that you have been saved. But God's heart is hurting from injustice, impoverished children, rape, genocide, etc etc. God is telling a story of redemption and restoration to you and I.
Jesus tells a parable about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, giving water to the thirsty, and welcoming the stranger. 

How will we fight against the "hells" of the earth? How will we bring heaven to earth?

The Season of Lent

Sorry to all my faithful readers out there for not blogging in a while! All 4 of you! =)

I know this is really, really late but I want to talk about the season of Lent. I'm not a theologian or anything of that sort so I'm going to try my best to inform not only all people reading this blog but also myself. I'm really doing this for myself because I believe it is important to have knowledge about Christian tradition and history which is something that I lack in. A LOT!

If you grew up in the church all your life, then you know this particular season to be a time when you "give up" something in your life for a period of time. Back in my youth group days, I gave up internet, fast food, certain types of food, and the list goes on and on. I've been told over and over again that we should "give up" something but never fully understood why and the importance behind it; if any. So that leads me to ask many questions...

First off, what is Lent?

Simply put, Lent is the 40 days that lead up to Easter (excluding Sundays). During these 40 days, all believers reflect and meditate on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is when churches heavily emphasize the importance of prayer, fasting, and repentance. Basically, it's a time where we get back on track with our relationship with God in whatever way you feel convicted. If you feel the need to pray more, then pray more. If you feel the need to read Scripture more, then read more. You get the point right? This is obviously not out of habit or duty, but it should come from a joyful heart that yearns and thirsts for an intimate relationship with our Father.  

When does lent begin and end and why is it 40 days?

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and leads up to the day before Easter Sunday.  Throughout the Bible, there are many significant numbers that are mentioned multiple times and this is one of them. Moses spent 40 days on a mountain praying to God, the Israelites spent 40 years in the desert, and Elijiah traveled to Horeb in 40 days. The 40 days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness praying, fasting, and getting tempted by satan. This is why many people "give up" types of food or even straight up fast for forty days to imitate what Jesus did.  

Is there any importance or significance to Lent or is it merely another "Christian" thing to do?

I believe there are many aspects why Lent should be of importance to all Bible believing and Christ following people. Of course, my reason may be different from yours and I would love to hear different aspects why Lent should be important and the things that we learn in this season. I also understand the argument that Lent is just another "Christian" thing to do on the list and that we don't need this season to reflect on the Death and Resurrection of Christ. I totally agree that we don't need Lent to repent of our sin and our need for forgiveness; that should be a daily part of our Christian walk. But knowing myself, I need this season of Lent to serve as a healthy reminder to myself to remember the Cross. I need to remind myself of the pain and sacrifice that Christ had to endure for my sin. Why do we have Veteran's Day or Black History Month or President's Day? We don't necessarily need those days; that's what textbooks are for. But honestly, if those days didn't exist on the calendar, then would we even remember the importance of those days? I don't even know when Veteran's Day or President's Day is. Oops.

So does that mean I have to fast?

That is totally up to you. If you feel convicted to "give up" something for God, then go ahead. If it will help you remember the Cross and the cost that had to be paid for your salvation, starve all you want. Well not literally, but you know what I mean. The point is, don't just "give up" something because you were told to do so in youth group or Sunday School. I think it's ironic how all the stories in the Bible that reference 40 all have something in common. You know what that is?

Utter Dependence. On God. 

Jesus Christ depended on God for strength and wisdom when getting tempted by satan for 40 days. The Israelites depended on God for 40 years in the desert for food and water. Elijiah depended on God for food and water when he traveled to Horeb for 40 days. Moses depended on God for food and water for 40 days on Mount Sinai. Get the gist? Yes, all the scenarios had to do with the lack of food and water which God provided, but what's the bigger picture? 

Dependency. 

Agape Night 2009

This post may be a little late but better now than never, right?

For my last Agape Night ever, I wanted to do something fun and entertaining so I decided to re-create the "Evolution of Dance" with a little style of my own. This video is pretty famous with about 115,000,000 hits so far. Hopefully I did it some justice and you like the video. There's also a surprise guest that appears in it. Watch and you'll see!

In the mind of a sushi chef

It's already been a week since I started this blog and here I am trying to figure out what to write. This blogging stuff is pretty weird for me because I'm not used to sharing my thoughts over the internet for the whole world to see. Some random person across the world could be reading the mindless ramblings from my head. I feel bad for them.

I recently started working at my school's dining common as a sushi chef and it's been pretty interesting so far and I learned a good amount from it. Here are some reasons why:

1. As an employee at the dining common, I have the opportunity to go into the kitchen where they make all the food for the students to eat. Let me tell you this, it's a whole new world back there! I would have never realized it if I didn't work there. It's actually pretty cool to be back in the kitchen. So for all you UMASS-ers, sucks for you! You will never experience the awesome-ness of being in the kitchen. Unless you work at the dining commons.

2. I'm pretty proud of myself at the fact that I can make sushi now. Laugh all you want but remember when there's a sushi making contest, I'd pwn since I have experience. Except when I'm facing against actual sushi chefs like the ones at Minado.

3. I have to wear a black bandana for work and whenever I put it on, I imagine myself getting ready to go into a samurai battle.

4. It's really interesting that students wait in a long line for the sushi that I make. Honestly, I can't make sushi really well. A lot of the times I have to re-roll the sushi because I put too much stuff in it; usually it's the avocado that gives me the biggest problems of all. So I tend to stay away from putting avocados in the sushi (even though it's supposed to be in it).

5. The dining commons waste SO much food. It's crazy to see that we throw away food so easily. Man, I remember going to Nicaragua for missions and every little grain of rice was so important to me because that was my meal! I couldn't afford to waste precious food like that. Yet, I'm comfortable with throwing away a burger that I took two bites out of from the cafeteria.

6. Making sushi is somewhat therapeutic in the first hour of work........ok maybe the first 30 minutes of work. Then the next 3 and a half hours is just dreadful and painful.

7. For some reason, I was reminded of myself when I make sushi. Let me explain this one. When I make sushi, I spread the rice over a piece of seaweed, then add the avocado, cucumbers, crab meat, and roll it up. Everything has to be in the right place with the right amount so that I can make a pretty good sushi roll. It takes so much time and dedication to make a single sushi roll! I've come to the conclusion that I'm like the sushi roll that I was creating. You and I are the living creation that God has made.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."-Psalm 139:13

He specfically created each one of us with different gifts, talents, and passions so that we in turn can bring him the glory through those things. Let me tell you, I enjoy the sushi I make for myself. Imagine how much greater it is for God to see his people turn and praise him for the work he has and is and will do in our lives.

P.S. I love Philadelphia and Spicy Tuna rolls. So if you ever have the urge to buy me sushi, you know what I want.

The beginning of the last

My first post on this blog. I'm exciting for this.

So it's been two days since I've got here at the oh-so-awesome Umass Amherst. Honestly, I'm happy to be back in the pioneer valley despite it being my last semester here. So much to do before I graduate. I want to take jumping pictures in front of the schools here. Umass-Smith College-Amherst College-Mount Holyoke College-Hampshire College. Who's with me? Let's do it!

I'm re-taking a general chemistry class and I'm not looking forward to it knowing that I failed the first time. But my teacher said something very profound in class the other day and made me think about Christianity.

He asked how many baseballs would fit into our classroom (note: this is a huge auditorium that fits 300). As I was working with random people trying to come up with some concrete number, I said "man, I really hope he tells us the answer." After some time, our teacher tells us that he doesn't have an answer. Now at this point, I'm disappointed because I did all my calculations and wanted to see how close I was to the right answer. But he didn't have a freaking answer! He then told us that there are many questions without answers in science.

Then it hit me.

I have many questions that I want to ask God. I want to know all the answers to life problems and struggles. Life would be so much easier and smoother if God just gave us the answers. I want to know what my future is gonna look like. I want to know who I'm gonna marry and how many kids I will have.

But then I realized life would be dull knowing all the answers. God would play no part in my life if I knew the answers to everything. God's sovereignty would cease to exist. Knowing everything takes away the fun, adventures, risks, and most importantly, the dependency on God.