Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name,
O LORD my God, how lovely is Your dwelling place! My soul and my spirit desire to be with You. My body and my mind cry out for Your presence. Even the small migratory birds pay pilgrimage to Your house and build their nests near Your altar. As I set my heart on the pilgrimage to Your House, my strength comes from You alone. Your Love sustains me and Your Encouragements keep my legs moving. When I walk through the Valley of Shadows and Death, You secure my heart and remove fear away from me. When I walk through the Valley of Weeping, You continue to refresh my soul and spirit with promised spring rain. In the Valley of Discouragement and Pain, where the fire of torment dries up my being, and my mouth and throat is made as parch as the desert floor, you send the cleansing rain to saturate my dryness. You send water over my burnt out forest and sprout fresh young shoots at the top of my broken branches. You fill my path with pools of refreshments.
Hear my prayers O LORD my Provider, You are the sustenance that I need. Hear my prayers O LORD my Savior, the blood of Your atonement redeems my soul and seals me to be your child. Hear my prayer O LORD my Love, the purity of Your AGAPE faithfulness and loyalty holds me tightly to the warmth of Your embrace. Hear my prayer O LORD my YHWH/Adonai, I am Yours.
How sweet it is to dwell in Your House and to be with You. It is better to be in Your courts for one day than to spend eternity elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in Your House than live in prosperity in the house of the wicked. O LORD, You are my Shield, my Strength, and my Honor. Show favor and shower unlimited blessings to those whose hearts are filled with REVERENCE for You. Show your FACE to those who have not bent their knees to wickedness. May Your strength overwhelm our hearts as we run into the Valley of Darkness. May your ENCOURAGEMENT refresh our Spirits as we take up adversity for the GLORY of Your Name’s sake. May we NEVER shy away from CHALLENGES of the Evil one, but to take COURAGE, because You are ALWAYS WITH US! In Your Name, we are never ashamed. Emmanuel, Hallelujah, Your Name is to be Praised!
AMEN.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
(*) I saw Heaven
Have you ever been to "Heaven" and seen "Jesus Christ," in person? Have you ever thought of the possibility that some of us, perhaps someone you've passed on the streets or in the grocery store, may have been to Heaven and back?! Really?
Ok, really. Please approach this subject with a humble heart. If not, don't read this. As I share this real story to you, all I ask is to please try to hold back your criticisms and skepticism and just simply enjoy. It is encouraging to know that some of us have made extraordinary decisions to walk the hard road for the sake of Christ. It is not to their own glories and claims or to boast of what they have seen, but, it is for the love of Christ and the love for those who have yet to have the privilege of dwelling in God's loving embrace that they have chosen to share this story. The author has given me permission to share her story with you. Her name is Joyce, and this is her story:
She had been struggling with a life threatening disease for the last 10 years. This disease constantly attacks her heart, her lungs, her kidneys, her skin, her bone marrow, her muscles... and is unusually aggressive. She has not had much of remission between episodes of acute exacerbations. Three years ago, her disease over took her and won. She was shipped to the hospital and then pronouced to be 'expired.' She was medically dead with no pulse and no heart activity.
Up until this point in her life, she had been a faithful worker for God's kingdom and a faithful Christian. She also served as a teacher to kids with special-needs. Life had been very challenging with her ever declining disease. However, through all this, she was joyous. She loves Jesus and she was sure to share some of that love with everyone around her.
So, once her body died, as she described vividly, her soul and spirit left the body. She remembered looking back as she rose toward Heaven, looking at her body laying in the hospital bed, surrounded by friends and family... sobbing. She saw that many in the hospital room were people who have not yet experienced God's love and haven't had the chance to make a decision to receive Christ's gift of Grace. As she rose, she now noticed that she was being lifted to Heaven by 2 angles, one on each side, holding her arms. At the same time, her memories of everything that had ever happened to her from birth to the moment she died were presented to her like a video right in front of her eyes. (To this date, she can describe to you in detail what happened during those years; it's almost like she had photographic memory of everything that had ever happened to her, because she was shown everything. If you've met her during that time, she could tell you what you were wearing, what you guys were talking about, and many other things to incredible details.)
When she reached Heaven, she saw that the entired city, as described by the Apotle John in Revelation 21, glowed. There were no light source, the entire city had windows and gems as diamonds on the walls that were incredibly bright. The entire place was grand, beautiful, and brilliant. Then, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to her in long brilliant robe... She was not able to see His face, because it was too brilliant... She recognized His voice and He said this to her, (paraphrase) "Joyce, you see, I've brought you to a place without tears, without sickness, without pain and sorrows, and have given you a perfect body that's incorruptable." But, as she looked back down to her hospital room, she said to Jesus, "But, there are so many people who may not get to know You!" She made her decision, though it would be perfect to stay, but, she knows she would be back soon. As she inhaled a deep breath, her soul and spirit went right back into her body and she awoke.
I ask her, did Jesus send you back to us with a mission? She said no. But, she did say that since she had seen Christ, she has had interesting visions of how God is going to do His work through her. Praise God for people like Joyce, who deeply loves those who God loves, especially those unreached. We don't talk about these incredible story for the sake of boasting. No, no, no. God's incredible works and unique experiences are meant to edify the Church. This is an encouragement that God is ever present with us. That as we ask for His 'spiritual eyes' to see spiritual things, we would appreciate what is important in life! Folks, if you think that you can place trust in your senses, (what you see is what you get), then you are missing most of this life! In fact, as divine paradox would expound, "Truth" lies deeper than what's obvious. Don't be fooled by the obvious!
As I pondered on what I just received, I was reminded of Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. He wrote the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ, the last book of the Holy Bible on the exile island of Patmos when he was 92. As I read of his description of Heavn detailed in Revelation 21, my curiousity went wild. I would've loved to take a lawn chair and sit on top of one of the gates in the Heavenly citadel and simple observe every little detail of the city and wave hi to the saints that are passing by. I would also love to lay in my lazy-boy recliner with Jesus and have Him explain to me of all the wisdom in how He designed the city... I would also love to meet Father Abraham, King David and his 30 mighty warriors, and all the beautiful saints...
Then my mind shifts to feeling sad for those who I know I may not see there... loved ones I know, perhaps family, perhaps friends, perhaps those I passed in the streets or helped at the hospital. The reality is that I may not see some of those I cared about in Heaven... As I read Revelation 21, this worry of mine became a reality. Like Joyce, we each are given a special and unique story to tell. Our story is like all other stories told in the Bible. There is a 'before Christ,' 'how Christ met us,' and 'after Christ.' Do you have a story to tell?! Please pray for God to give you wisdom, then tell it!
After all, as we read Revelation 21, though nearly 2000 years apart, the story of Joyce and Apostle John are curiously familiar:
"10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."
If you have questions, there is only one place to find answers! Pick up the Bible and start reading in the Gospel according to John, the 4th book in the New Testament. Don't ignore the tickle in your heart, your mind wants to know!
One last plug, it was amazing to get a glimpse into what happens after death, however, please keep in mind that Joyce is very much in the middle of her struggles each day. Please remember to lift her up in your prayers. May God's beautiful childrens come together to support and encourage one another! I will do the same.
Ok, really. Please approach this subject with a humble heart. If not, don't read this. As I share this real story to you, all I ask is to please try to hold back your criticisms and skepticism and just simply enjoy. It is encouraging to know that some of us have made extraordinary decisions to walk the hard road for the sake of Christ. It is not to their own glories and claims or to boast of what they have seen, but, it is for the love of Christ and the love for those who have yet to have the privilege of dwelling in God's loving embrace that they have chosen to share this story. The author has given me permission to share her story with you. Her name is Joyce, and this is her story:
She had been struggling with a life threatening disease for the last 10 years. This disease constantly attacks her heart, her lungs, her kidneys, her skin, her bone marrow, her muscles... and is unusually aggressive. She has not had much of remission between episodes of acute exacerbations. Three years ago, her disease over took her and won. She was shipped to the hospital and then pronouced to be 'expired.' She was medically dead with no pulse and no heart activity.
Up until this point in her life, she had been a faithful worker for God's kingdom and a faithful Christian. She also served as a teacher to kids with special-needs. Life had been very challenging with her ever declining disease. However, through all this, she was joyous. She loves Jesus and she was sure to share some of that love with everyone around her.
So, once her body died, as she described vividly, her soul and spirit left the body. She remembered looking back as she rose toward Heaven, looking at her body laying in the hospital bed, surrounded by friends and family... sobbing. She saw that many in the hospital room were people who have not yet experienced God's love and haven't had the chance to make a decision to receive Christ's gift of Grace. As she rose, she now noticed that she was being lifted to Heaven by 2 angles, one on each side, holding her arms. At the same time, her memories of everything that had ever happened to her from birth to the moment she died were presented to her like a video right in front of her eyes. (To this date, she can describe to you in detail what happened during those years; it's almost like she had photographic memory of everything that had ever happened to her, because she was shown everything. If you've met her during that time, she could tell you what you were wearing, what you guys were talking about, and many other things to incredible details.)
When she reached Heaven, she saw that the entired city, as described by the Apotle John in Revelation 21, glowed. There were no light source, the entire city had windows and gems as diamonds on the walls that were incredibly bright. The entire place was grand, beautiful, and brilliant. Then, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to her in long brilliant robe... She was not able to see His face, because it was too brilliant... She recognized His voice and He said this to her, (paraphrase) "Joyce, you see, I've brought you to a place without tears, without sickness, without pain and sorrows, and have given you a perfect body that's incorruptable." But, as she looked back down to her hospital room, she said to Jesus, "But, there are so many people who may not get to know You!" She made her decision, though it would be perfect to stay, but, she knows she would be back soon. As she inhaled a deep breath, her soul and spirit went right back into her body and she awoke.
I ask her, did Jesus send you back to us with a mission? She said no. But, she did say that since she had seen Christ, she has had interesting visions of how God is going to do His work through her. Praise God for people like Joyce, who deeply loves those who God loves, especially those unreached. We don't talk about these incredible story for the sake of boasting. No, no, no. God's incredible works and unique experiences are meant to edify the Church. This is an encouragement that God is ever present with us. That as we ask for His 'spiritual eyes' to see spiritual things, we would appreciate what is important in life! Folks, if you think that you can place trust in your senses, (what you see is what you get), then you are missing most of this life! In fact, as divine paradox would expound, "Truth" lies deeper than what's obvious. Don't be fooled by the obvious!
As I pondered on what I just received, I was reminded of Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. He wrote the book of Revelation of Jesus Christ, the last book of the Holy Bible on the exile island of Patmos when he was 92. As I read of his description of Heavn detailed in Revelation 21, my curiousity went wild. I would've loved to take a lawn chair and sit on top of one of the gates in the Heavenly citadel and simple observe every little detail of the city and wave hi to the saints that are passing by. I would also love to lay in my lazy-boy recliner with Jesus and have Him explain to me of all the wisdom in how He designed the city... I would also love to meet Father Abraham, King David and his 30 mighty warriors, and all the beautiful saints...
Then my mind shifts to feeling sad for those who I know I may not see there... loved ones I know, perhaps family, perhaps friends, perhaps those I passed in the streets or helped at the hospital. The reality is that I may not see some of those I cared about in Heaven... As I read Revelation 21, this worry of mine became a reality. Like Joyce, we each are given a special and unique story to tell. Our story is like all other stories told in the Bible. There is a 'before Christ,' 'how Christ met us,' and 'after Christ.' Do you have a story to tell?! Please pray for God to give you wisdom, then tell it!
After all, as we read Revelation 21, though nearly 2000 years apart, the story of Joyce and Apostle John are curiously familiar:
"10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life."
If you have questions, there is only one place to find answers! Pick up the Bible and start reading in the Gospel according to John, the 4th book in the New Testament. Don't ignore the tickle in your heart, your mind wants to know!
One last plug, it was amazing to get a glimpse into what happens after death, however, please keep in mind that Joyce is very much in the middle of her struggles each day. Please remember to lift her up in your prayers. May God's beautiful childrens come together to support and encourage one another! I will do the same.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Phoenix
Today is a 111F, OMG, it is like a sauna. I hurry from apartment to school then into the cafeteria where its nice and cool. As the Native Americans before us have said, the dry heat in the Southwest purifies the soul... well, I'm gonna have to reach for my eye drops.
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Here are some pictures of my trip back to AZ:
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Here are some really cute videos:
Hand holding otters:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno
Talking kitties:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z3U0udLH974&feature=related
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Here are some pictures of my trip back to AZ:
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My Jet :) ... and a 'Dancing Flamingo'...
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Welcome to AZ from CA; the AZ desert
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The Glendale Dome... or spaceship, the Superbowl was here this year; the beautiful AZ sunset!
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Welcome to AZ from CA; the AZ desert
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The Glendale Dome... or spaceship, the Superbowl was here this year; the beautiful AZ sunset!
Here are some really cute videos:
Hand holding otters:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno
Talking kitties:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z3U0udLH974&feature=related
Talking kitties -- Translation: Very funny.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
(*) Answered Prayer. Yes, God loved us first.
God is so good. Thank you for praying for me. Remembered about a month ago on 4/24 I asked you to pray for me for a 'spirit of refreshment?' Well, let me share:
During this last year, I’ve seen a lot, done a lot, and also learned a lot. Working 80-100 hour per week for most of the year; traveled around the US (AZ, CA, OK, NY); witnessing lots of pains, suffering, and traumas; seeing the end result of depression, anxiety, suicidal attempts, years and years of not taking care of their bodies and let diseases run its course; dealing with people faking ‘medical needs’ to get attention or drugs. As a 3rd year medical student, I struggled to soak up everything I’m learning and it never seemed fast enough, while balancing with insecurities of not knowing enough and not knowing what to do… at times being afraid of doing the wrong thing while trying to help patients… inadequacy of not sure how to comfort patients as they suffer their pain and visibly see their hearts break… or getting embarrassed by the attending physician as he/she harshly correct your mis-knowledge ‘for your benefit.’ There is always the next level of excellence, and at times, your best is just not good enough.
As exhaustion sets in at the end of the school year, amidst life struggles, I was almost at the end of myself. I was so mentally and emotionally exhausted that asking for God’s help usually leads to rapid somnolence. I wondered to myself, what is all this medical stuff for? Why do we attempt to heal people and send them home… then what? They are just going to come back anyway? People have not taken good care of their bodies for all their lives, now they have some serious ‘preventable’ illnesses, and it’s now irreversible, how much good are we going to do for them? It’s like applying band-aid to heart surgery! What about those who are suffering emotional pain? What am I going to do for them? THERE HAD TO BE MORE THAN JUST HEALING TO THE BODY…
God had spoken to me and confirmed some of these passions that I have through many friends in Tulsa at the In His Image residency program. I love people and God had given me some ability to identify and understand pain. I have come to understand that pain demands faith. Reason, structure, or rule/law does not comfort pain. All people in pain need comfort, touch, and someone to just sit beside them and be compassionate.
When we treat people’s physical needs, they walk away feeling better. Patient ended up depended on the doctor. Yay doctor, you are the greatest, how can I live without you?
When you share Jesus with your patients as you treat their physical needs, they walk away feeling better and with an eternal hope. When you pray for them, you place the unknown in Jesus’ hands. You no longer claimed to be the healer; you help patients to understand that Jesus Christ is the healer. Patients ended up depended on Jesus. Yay, Jesus is the way, and we are just the instrument that is used to share His love!
When I was in Tulsa, I got to see how to be a Christian that happens to be a doctor as opposed to a doctor who’s a Christian. We had praise/worship and devotional times every morning before we started rounds and seeing our patients. I got to pray with my patients. We got to pray with family when a patient is going to die. The attending physicians join us and lead Bible studies. Doctors go all of the world for disaster relief trips… tsunamis, Katrina, Pakistan, China, and including Myanmar right now… I saw how to live out a fruitful Christian life and be a doctor as a way to facilitate healing of the body/mind/soul. I now see that medicine does not have to be an everlasting climb of the tower of excellence, and the endless provider of band-aids during heart surgery… I found that the love for medicine and people really is a LOVE DEEPLY ROOTED IN GOD. I seriously feel like I just got back from church camp!
So, GOD GAVE ME REFRESHMENT! You see, He answered your prayers and my prayers… You can never say again that God doesn’t answer prayers! I am now ready to study for my tests and I am totally looking forward for this coming year! I am very excited! To Him be all of the glory.
During this last year, I’ve seen a lot, done a lot, and also learned a lot. Working 80-100 hour per week for most of the year; traveled around the US (AZ, CA, OK, NY); witnessing lots of pains, suffering, and traumas; seeing the end result of depression, anxiety, suicidal attempts, years and years of not taking care of their bodies and let diseases run its course; dealing with people faking ‘medical needs’ to get attention or drugs. As a 3rd year medical student, I struggled to soak up everything I’m learning and it never seemed fast enough, while balancing with insecurities of not knowing enough and not knowing what to do… at times being afraid of doing the wrong thing while trying to help patients… inadequacy of not sure how to comfort patients as they suffer their pain and visibly see their hearts break… or getting embarrassed by the attending physician as he/she harshly correct your mis-knowledge ‘for your benefit.’ There is always the next level of excellence, and at times, your best is just not good enough.
As exhaustion sets in at the end of the school year, amidst life struggles, I was almost at the end of myself. I was so mentally and emotionally exhausted that asking for God’s help usually leads to rapid somnolence. I wondered to myself, what is all this medical stuff for? Why do we attempt to heal people and send them home… then what? They are just going to come back anyway? People have not taken good care of their bodies for all their lives, now they have some serious ‘preventable’ illnesses, and it’s now irreversible, how much good are we going to do for them? It’s like applying band-aid to heart surgery! What about those who are suffering emotional pain? What am I going to do for them? THERE HAD TO BE MORE THAN JUST HEALING TO THE BODY…
God had spoken to me and confirmed some of these passions that I have through many friends in Tulsa at the In His Image residency program. I love people and God had given me some ability to identify and understand pain. I have come to understand that pain demands faith. Reason, structure, or rule/law does not comfort pain. All people in pain need comfort, touch, and someone to just sit beside them and be compassionate.
When we treat people’s physical needs, they walk away feeling better. Patient ended up depended on the doctor. Yay doctor, you are the greatest, how can I live without you?
When you share Jesus with your patients as you treat their physical needs, they walk away feeling better and with an eternal hope. When you pray for them, you place the unknown in Jesus’ hands. You no longer claimed to be the healer; you help patients to understand that Jesus Christ is the healer. Patients ended up depended on Jesus. Yay, Jesus is the way, and we are just the instrument that is used to share His love!
When I was in Tulsa, I got to see how to be a Christian that happens to be a doctor as opposed to a doctor who’s a Christian. We had praise/worship and devotional times every morning before we started rounds and seeing our patients. I got to pray with my patients. We got to pray with family when a patient is going to die. The attending physicians join us and lead Bible studies. Doctors go all of the world for disaster relief trips… tsunamis, Katrina, Pakistan, China, and including Myanmar right now… I saw how to live out a fruitful Christian life and be a doctor as a way to facilitate healing of the body/mind/soul. I now see that medicine does not have to be an everlasting climb of the tower of excellence, and the endless provider of band-aids during heart surgery… I found that the love for medicine and people really is a LOVE DEEPLY ROOTED IN GOD. I seriously feel like I just got back from church camp!
So, GOD GAVE ME REFRESHMENT! You see, He answered your prayers and my prayers… You can never say again that God doesn’t answer prayers! I am now ready to study for my tests and I am totally looking forward for this coming year! I am very excited! To Him be all of the glory.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Oklahoma Aquarium and Fireflys
Little shimmers of neon green glow... randomly appears in mid-air... what it is? You know, I've never seen fireflys before; we don't get them in CA or AZ. I finally saw a few tonight and it fascinated me enough to make me wonder all over the parking lot to randomly chase hardly visible little flies in the dark hoping they would pleasantly surprise me with their 'after'-glow. Wow, I wanted to catch one, but they only were kind enough to spark my curiosity then disappear into the dark.
So, I finished my final rotation of my third year today and I decided that I want to relax and go check out the famous Oklahoma Aquarium. I thought it had a pretty decent collection of fishes and such and a few sharks. I took some pictures and videos of a few things that I thought were interesting. You know I like the weird stuff... here are some weird creatures...
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Sea Hare; Pencil urchin (don't they look like underwater explosives?)
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Sea biscuit: when I saw the first biscuit, I thought it rolled around the sand and covered itself in it... then, I saw the second one... I was like, well, I think they are decorating themselves with rocks and sand and shells... hum... isn't that interesting!
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Fishes that have lungs... King of my rock!.JPG)
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So, I finished my final rotation of my third year today and I decided that I want to relax and go check out the famous Oklahoma Aquarium. I thought it had a pretty decent collection of fishes and such and a few sharks. I took some pictures and videos of a few things that I thought were interesting. You know I like the weird stuff... here are some weird creatures...
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Sea Hare; Pencil urchin (don't they look like underwater explosives?)
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Sea biscuit: when I saw the first biscuit, I thought it rolled around the sand and covered itself in it... then, I saw the second one... I was like, well, I think they are decorating themselves with rocks and sand and shells... hum... isn't that interesting!
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Check out these Jurassic Age like creatures!
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Fishes that have lungs... King of my rock!
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Toad Fish; Electric Eel (can generate 650Volts of electricity)
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Paddle Fish; Alligator Gar
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Animals in action
Dancing Jelly Fish
Upside down Jelly fish - fishes, don't be tricked by the 'green sea weeds' they are part of their tanticles!
Paddle fish tank, what a weird fish
Feeding the Electric Eel... the sounds represent the electricity they are generating.
Archer Fish feeding: look at the shirmps on the glass, do you see how these fish shoot water to hit the target into water, then snatch it? They've got to have good eyes and good aim! My favorite!
Beavers:
Thursday, May 15, 2008
End of my third year...
I just realized that my third year in medical school will end tommorrow! I just had a day of interviews with the big cheeses in this family medicine residency, and I thought it went well. The people running this program are amazing! They love Jesus and are not ashamed of making their passions known! This program is currently involved in starting numerous family medicine training program around the globe. It's awesome!
So, here are my plans for the next few weeks: I am flying back home to CA on Sat morning... unpack... pack... and drive to Phoenix on Sunday. I am going back to my school in Phoenix for a week of testing, then 2 more weeks of class... then studying for my second series of medical board exams.
Yay, at the end of next week, I will officially be starting my 4th year in medical school! I am very excited. I wanted to offer congratulations to Kavi as she officially become a DO tommorrow, in Pomona... I'm sad that I won't be able to make it.
Thoughts on the last rotation of the year: I'm glad I came to Tulsa to In His Image. I've met with many amazing people, each with a miraculous story about how they came to love Jesus and how they come to be in medicine. I've also learned of their passion to be 'physician-christians' instead of 'christian-physicians.' (a perspective of where our identity lies) They have a passionate and God centered vision in using medicine to reach the souls around the world. I believe and identify with their vision and mission. God inspired, God ordained, God sustained... to Him be ALL of the Glory! It is awesome...
A spoon of sugar: dwell on this: Why are we treating and helping people for? To make them feel better? Then what? If our purposes are to help people, then when will it end, and for what purpose?
If your answer ends with helping people, make them feel better, make you feel better... and that's it, then I can suggest that your efforts WILL be short lived. May we seek to prepare everyone we get in contact with for God's seed. Be the 'tiller,' prepare the soil for growth. Send me.
So, here are my plans for the next few weeks: I am flying back home to CA on Sat morning... unpack... pack... and drive to Phoenix on Sunday. I am going back to my school in Phoenix for a week of testing, then 2 more weeks of class... then studying for my second series of medical board exams.
Yay, at the end of next week, I will officially be starting my 4th year in medical school! I am very excited. I wanted to offer congratulations to Kavi as she officially become a DO tommorrow, in Pomona... I'm sad that I won't be able to make it.
Thoughts on the last rotation of the year: I'm glad I came to Tulsa to In His Image. I've met with many amazing people, each with a miraculous story about how they came to love Jesus and how they come to be in medicine. I've also learned of their passion to be 'physician-christians' instead of 'christian-physicians.' (a perspective of where our identity lies) They have a passionate and God centered vision in using medicine to reach the souls around the world. I believe and identify with their vision and mission. God inspired, God ordained, God sustained... to Him be ALL of the Glory! It is awesome...
A spoon of sugar: dwell on this: Why are we treating and helping people for? To make them feel better? Then what? If our purposes are to help people, then when will it end, and for what purpose?
If your answer ends with helping people, make them feel better, make you feel better... and that's it, then I can suggest that your efforts WILL be short lived. May we seek to prepare everyone we get in contact with for God's seed. Be the 'tiller,' prepare the soil for growth. Send me.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Crisp morning sun
As I was fix'n to drive to work this morn'n, I found myself actually driving with the SUNRISE... it was around 6:15am here in Tulsa, enveloped in a crispy clear air of 43F... (well, pls overlook the smoke stacks and all that... yeah, take a deep breath of crispy whatever...) It was such a liberating feeling. Makes me wanna fly, fo reals...
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Saturday, May 10, 2008
Never a dull day...
Here are some foreign video links that made me laugh... thought I share them with you. Don't worry, these are all very clean.
Spa prank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omu4G8igoVc&NR=1
Taxi prank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqNxrK-hkHA&feature=related
Waterbed prank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmsr8Sy4K0
Porta-Potty prank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDbOMJOMgQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cm1r3d2Qw4
Trains in China... I'd think twice!
Spa prank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omu4G8igoVc&NR=1
Taxi prank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqNxrK-hkHA&feature=related
Waterbed prank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmsr8Sy4K0
Porta-Potty prank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDbOMJOMgQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cm1r3d2Qw4
Trains in China... I'd think twice!
Gilcrease Museum
Another beautiful day in Tulsa, mild breeze, 76F, sunshine, and clear air. This is GC360 bring to your living rooms the highlights of the Gilcrease Museum of Art. Gilcrease Museum was founded in 1949 as a private museum by Tulsa oilman Thomas Gilcrease (1890-1962), who amassed the nation’s most comprehensive collection of art of the American West, as well as major collections of historical documents and artifacts.
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Inuit art: Man and Three Animals, Man Struggle with a Bear
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Totem pole, and "At the End of the Trail"
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French map of 1763: notice, 'Tout ceci est Inconnu" means "everything here is unknown"... that is refering to the Pacific Northwest of America! Our 'growth' in knowledge and population has really sprouted in the last 100yrs!
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Struggles...
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More Struggles...
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Man and nature...
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Inuit art: Man and Three Animals, Man Struggle with a Bear
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Totem pole, and "At the End of the Trail"
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French map of 1763: notice, 'Tout ceci est Inconnu" means "everything here is unknown"... that is refering to the Pacific Northwest of America! Our 'growth' in knowledge and population has really sprouted in the last 100yrs!
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Struggles...
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More Struggles...
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Man and nature...
Monday, May 5, 2008
(*) WOW
Ever feel helpless living life as a Christian and seeing how corrupt the world is becoming? The report that we often hear about the rise of Islam and the diminishing Christian influences in the news/media/universities... Well, I've recently got an encouraging news... here is how it works. I think this will encourage you too, or at least get that hamster wheel rolling...
So, in 33AD, Jesus' time, there was about 120 committed believers who are sold out to do God's work. There was 1 committed church. There was 60,000 unreached people groups who have never heard the Good News (out of a total of 200,000 people on earth). The ratio of commited sold-out believers to unreached people groups was... 1 to 59,999!
Now, 2008AD, there are 700 million commited believers who are sold out for Christ, which is about 10% of the world's population of 7 billion. There are about 7 million committed churches. There are about 7,000 unreached people groups. That makes the ratio of committed Christ-followers to unreached people group to be... 1000 to 1!
What should we do about that?
Another fascinating thought: since the beginning of the world to about early 1900's, the world's total population has remained under 1 billion people. In Christ's time on earth, there was about 200,000 total people on earth; that was 1AD. Within the last 100 years the population went from 1 billion to almost 7 billion! It basically EXPLODED! According to some scientists, the planet earth as God had created could sustain a total of about 9-11 billion people... So... WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US? WHY ARE WE MAXING OUT NOW! SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS, ANYONE? ANYONE?
So, in 33AD, Jesus' time, there was about 120 committed believers who are sold out to do God's work. There was 1 committed church. There was 60,000 unreached people groups who have never heard the Good News (out of a total of 200,000 people on earth). The ratio of commited sold-out believers to unreached people groups was... 1 to 59,999!
Now, 2008AD, there are 700 million commited believers who are sold out for Christ, which is about 10% of the world's population of 7 billion. There are about 7 million committed churches. There are about 7,000 unreached people groups. That makes the ratio of committed Christ-followers to unreached people group to be... 1000 to 1!
What should we do about that?
Another fascinating thought: since the beginning of the world to about early 1900's, the world's total population has remained under 1 billion people. In Christ's time on earth, there was about 200,000 total people on earth; that was 1AD. Within the last 100 years the population went from 1 billion to almost 7 billion! It basically EXPLODED! According to some scientists, the planet earth as God had created could sustain a total of about 9-11 billion people... So... WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US? WHY ARE WE MAXING OUT NOW! SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS, ANYONE? ANYONE?
(*) !POWER!
Ever thought of what POWER is? Here is a perspective for you: the display of Christ's power is meant to start from the GRASS-ROOTS! What do I mean by that?
Right before Jesus Christ was taken up into Heaven at the end of His physical ministry on earth, He was asked one question (Acts 1:6-8): "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?" Then, Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Alright, allow me to expand on this by some questions:
Right before Jesus Christ was taken up into Heaven at the end of His physical ministry on earth, He was asked one question (Acts 1:6-8): "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?" Then, Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Alright, allow me to expand on this by some questions:
- What kind of 'Kingdom' are people looking for then, what about now?
- Why did Jesus correlate the Holy Spirit with 'POWER?'
- What will 'you' (or us as readers) do with the 'POWER' of the Holy Spirit?
- Where will the power of the Holy Spirit take us?
So, here are my proposed answers:
- To put the verse into historical context, Middle-Eastern cultures and people groups desired literal display of POWER... such as the 'Kingdom of Israel,' 'Kingdom of Assyria'... When the walls of Jerusalem was broken down, Israelites cry and torn their cloth to display shame. Today, Muslims consider it shameful that a visible and literal kingdom of Islam on earth under Shar'ia law is not a reality. Our nature is to desire domination and control. We want a powerful authority structure that give us visible POWER and GLORY from the TOP-DOWN. Look at the world around you, as the bumper sticker says, "The person die with most toys wins."
- Holy Spirit brings POWER to us... Holy Spirit is the ENCOURAGER and the COUSELOR. Holy Spirit is the POWER we need to be VICTORIOUS over ANY and ALL FEARS.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit WILL allow us and make us into Jesus Christ's WITNESSES.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit, that removes all FEARs, will take us to the 'ends of the earth.'
So, the Power that Christ brings through the Holy Spirit is from BOTTOM-UP, which WILL make us into FEARLESS WITNESSES. It's a grass-root movement! If you don't notice it, then have got to ask yourself, am I part of it?!
(*) Faithfulness
God's "F"aithfulness abounds! When we are Faithful to God (Father, Christ, Holy Spirit) in and through our tough times, we are actually the 'image' of God to those around us! I understand that we may just be trying to survive from situation to situation and are not necessary thinking about what others are thinking as they watch us go through stuff. But, when we are Faithful to our Lord through how we handle and experience hardship, we are 'In His Image' as a representation of Him to those around us.
Father Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son Issac, Abraham obeyed and trusted the Lord to provide regardless of the consequence. He was called the 'Father of Faith!' I don't think he had in his mind to be called that. But, through his display of Faithfulness, we saw God's Faithfulness. Thus, the ability to be Faithful in any situation is ONLY from GOD and it's a HOLY GIFT. I want to encourage YOU. When you are Faithful to our Lord even when nothing feels right... you're displaying a GIFT of GOD and GOD IS WITH YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE!!!
BE FAITHFUL AS THE FATHER IS FAITHFUL. WE ARE A 'LITERAL' IMAGE OF GOD.
Father Abraham when he was asked to sacrifice his son Issac, Abraham obeyed and trusted the Lord to provide regardless of the consequence. He was called the 'Father of Faith!' I don't think he had in his mind to be called that. But, through his display of Faithfulness, we saw God's Faithfulness. Thus, the ability to be Faithful in any situation is ONLY from GOD and it's a HOLY GIFT. I want to encourage YOU. When you are Faithful to our Lord even when nothing feels right... you're displaying a GIFT of GOD and GOD IS WITH YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE!!!
BE FAITHFUL AS THE FATHER IS FAITHFUL. WE ARE A 'LITERAL' IMAGE OF GOD.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Philbrook Museum
Hi y'all! Today is such a beautiful day in TULSA. The temp is around 75F, the sun is shinning, and the air is breezy and clear! I felt like taking a study break today and visit the museum. This museum is an Italian Renaissance-style villa that was built in the late 1920's. Here is a little tour for you :)
The entrance and the head of John the Baptist on a plater
Eros and Anteros fighting over a heart
Rodin's Eternal Springtime
The twisted columns of Bellini and the grand staircase
The ecstasy of St. Francis
Second look? This is actually not a real old leather suite case... it is ceremic sculpture of an old leather suite case!
Chapel and the reflection pond
Garden Sculptures
This is a ridiculous glob of depression... that's what this is!
The entrance and the head of John the Baptist on a plater
Eros and Anteros fighting over a heart
Rodin's Eternal Springtime
The twisted columns of Bellini and the grand staircase
The ecstasy of St. Francis
Second look? This is actually not a real old leather suite case... it is ceremic sculpture of an old leather suite case!
Chapel and the reflection pond
Garden Sculptures
This is a ridiculous glob of depression... that's what this is!
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