meaningful

Our careers are only a single means of how we live. Sure, some careers may be more "meaningful" than others, but it's not your career that defines you.

I'm sure there are "directionless" people in "meaningful" careers and "purposeful" people in less "meaningful" careers.

It's about how you live.

Too many quotes.

"forget the money."

what do i desire

spiritual warfare

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17

fight

I need to remind myself that it's a fight, everyday.

That Jesus doesn't abandon, ever, because on the cross, when suffering the worst pain of all--forsaken from God, he didn't abandon us.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Soften my heart, O Lord...

piper

"Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap, and be faithful even unto death, who will lose their lives for Christ’s, flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in this service? Where are the men of prayer? Where are the men who count God’s Word of more importance to them than their daily food? Where are the men who, like Moses of old, commune with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend? Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?"

fear

I realize that the fear of awkwardness drives me. 

It's terrible and I hate it.

empathy

No one purposely lives "weirdly," meanly, or any other negative adjective that we cast people off with.

People live their lives how they know to live them, and people learn to live from previous life experiences. They live by the truth that they know.

Understand that every action they take and word they say is logical to them, even if it might not be to you.

Empathize, rich.

lie

There's this lie that's deeply ingrained in me that says I am not enough. Especially at Northwestern where naturally high achievers abound, it's so easy to want to be smarter, study harder, sing better, play music better, be more athletic, exercise more, look better, eat healthier, be a better conversationalist, learn to cook better, dance better, pray better, be more disciplined, hold better bible studies, and more...

The lie says that in order to be a true man, a true Christian, a true _____, I need to do more.

As Pastor Jason says, we make ourselves jump through hoops for approval, listening to this lie. And, I'm tired of jumping through hoops.

I'm far from perfect and I'm a great sinner, but I'm righteous before a holy god.

No more hoops. Just me, now.
Richard Ho Chang.

good start to the day

EDDIE AND JIA COMING TO CHICAGOOOO :)

( JEFF =[ )

AND..

Dad let me drive back to Chicago after winter break. 

WOO

"that's when i hear the rooster crow"

conviction this morning


and

http://kyledonn.com/blog/sexy-christianity

"They were not interested in joining popular justice movements, environmental preservation clubs, or wearing anything that made them seem trendy… they had one track minds: Jesus’ death and resurrection for the redemption of all nations and the glorification of God. That was it. And they were so compelled to tell the Good News that they proclaimed it to men in power who were threatening to put them to death. The Gospel was the hill they would literally die on, and there was nothing cool about it. The world hated them for it.

Here is where “Sexy Christianity” starts to crumble. When a believer is more interested in the idea of loving Jesus than actually loving Jesus, then that is not Christianity."

--

how much have I compromised?

another bucket list

• ride a moped in taipei

suicide

Two former Northwestern students committed suicide this past Tuesday and Saturday.

I don't even...

Death is a reality that we too often forget about.

strangers, again.

awaken me

Awaken my soul, come awake

To hunger, to seek, to thirst

Awaken first love, come awake

And do as You did at first

Spirit of the Living God come fall afresh on me

Come wake me from my sleep

Blow through the caverns of my soul

Pour in me to overflow,

to overflow

stan

this is what kingdom living looks like.

22/365

A light snowfall today to start the wintry coldness.

get your shit together, rich.

zzzzzz

why am i so tired

oh rich

what's the point of all these thoughts if they only stay in your mind?
or grace without thankfulness?
or love without forgiveness?
or faith without joy and hope?
or life without trials.

20/365

play

"Do students need more time to learn, or do students need more time to play?"

http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/children-today-are-suffering-a-severe-deficit-of-play/

thoughts

being justified and the feeling of superiority

escapism vs "clearing thoughts"

God and self-worth

actions first or attitude first

loving the world vs loving those around you

popularity vs self confidence

a shallow rejection or a deep rejection

too cool for school and northwestern

too cool for school vs not feeling at home

let's learn the lesson this time, rich, and not just ride the curve up.

abba...

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Rom 8:15