jesus, people & love.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. Luke 9

I think that there are some hidden secrets in this passage. Jesus tells us over and over again throughout the gospels that there is power in His name. We will sing about it at church and talk about, but sometimes I forget that there truly is power in Jesus name. When I pray and truly feel like God is listening, despite my emotions of the moment, and say "in Jesus name," there is a power that comes over me. There is a lot of power in Jesus name.

I also struggle with the fact of saying "Oh yeah- let me just leave all my food, my money, and make absolutely no plans." That stresses me out, especially because I am a crisis-oriented person. For most kids in America we grew up hearing "be responsible" from our parents daily. Making plans is what we do for the future and if you are not already saving for your retirement by age thirty, then something is terribly wrong. You should just say "adios" now because you will be dying by the time you are sixty. Or at least that is what it feels like. The fact of the matter is that most of us aren't going to leave all of our things and go preach in villages, but God desperately wants us to be in a place where we are fully reliant on Him. It is in that place where joy comes. It is in that place where we realize that God truly does care and wants to care for our needs- emotional, physical, spiritual, social, etc. If we believe that God created this Universe, if God created us, if God knows all history (past, present, and future), than why on earth don't I rely on Him more for the little things- let alone the big things?

Since some of us are not going to be going to the rural bush of Africa, to the high desert mountains of Pakistan, or the jungles of Peru. We can make friends right here in Los Angeles. There are people everywhere. Did you know that there are over 100 recorded languages in LA and way more that are not even recorded- due to the influx of immigrants and foreigners? P.s. Got that figure from a Professor- not sure where he got it so do not quote me on it. I just love this, so much. I get so excited meeting people- probably due to my personality. If I could make it a goal, I would meet someone new every day. There is always a way to relate with someone- you just have to find the common ground.


Sorry I am going on a tangent. I just get really excited about these things. Last weekend I went to Echo Park with a friend and to my surprise we were the only white people in the midst of hundreds of Latin American families. I was in love. It was so comfortable- despite my lack of Spanish. The same thing goes when I go to Arabic Festivals. Maybe something is wrong with me. P.s. Recently I feel like my life is going to turn out like the lady in "Pray Eat Love."

So ending point: Jesus' name is strong. He wants us to rely on Him- which really is worth it. He wants us to be a light because after all we are imagine bearers.

tiny update

I think I am due for some updates about summer and some realizations (random), as I haven't touched on it much. Here is a brief list:

1.     Jesus needs to be first. 

2.     Prayer is essential.

3.     I don't want to work in a Christian Organization- at least for a while.

4.     I really do love Muslims.

5.     I feel more comfortable around a bunch of people who are not my same ethnicity.

6.     I love that Los Angeles is full of Spanish speaking people.

7.     I need a people oriented job.

8.     I can't sit for more than 30 minutes. Might have A.D.D.

9.     I love communication- need it. I did not realize how strong of an “E” I am.

10. I have a strong friend force- so thankful for them.

11. I have no idea what I want to do with my life. All I know is that I love people, cultures, and development.
12. I have been having crazy dreams almost every night. I wake up pushing the snooze button multiple times because I don't want them to end.
13. I miss stars a lot.
14. I am convinced that dancing cures any sadness.
15. I am ready for school to start and live a "college" life again- that does not involve paying rent and working 8-6. 
16. I think about Washington D.C. daily.

17. I am falling in love with Henry's Farmer's Market. 

That is a tiny update. 

love

Monday morning I woke up with the realization that I had to do lead my department in devotions that morning. I had precisely two hours to come up with an idea, figure out what I would like to say, get ready, and drive to work. It was not the best timing on my part. Some of you may think "Oh, that's easy... it's a devotion, just open the bible and figure it out." My mind does not think like that. This goes for most things in life... I cannot just come up with a devotion if it has no meaning to me. I cannot just talk about freewill or grace if I have not been thinking or experiencing it recently. Same goes for a speech, I cannot just come up with a speech out of no where... it has to come from the heart. So I wanted this devotion to come from the heart. I sat on my bed for a few moments and pondered on where I was in life- which can be quite tricky at times.

Got it- I have been trying to figure out what love means. What does it really mean? Does love have strings attached? Can we give it freely? Are we able to give it freely? Do we treat it like money or some kind of commodity where we expect something in return? Do we even attempt to love- or do we sit in our own pride all the time? Do we only chose to love people when they will love us in return? Do we have an agenda with people- or do we let life happen and love along the way?

These are just a few of the questions I have been asking myself recently. The reason this has been brought to my attention is because I want to intentionally love others. I really do, but I struggle with how it looks. If anyone has read "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, he spells it out pretty clearly.

I do not want to just say I love someone. I want my actions to be an outpouring of my love for them. I want my mind and heart to align my work. That is so much harder then it sounds. Try it for a work day- then tell me how it is.

Anyways, I talked to my group about love as a commodity in the Church. Love has become something that has strings attached to it- or at least it does sometimes. Do we just hang out with non-Christians so we can tell them about Jesus? What if they already know but aren't interested? Is it not possible to just love? Some people would probably say that loving people is sharing about Jesus and if you do not share about Jesus then you really are not loving. I agree with that to a certain extent. But what if someone already knows where I stand, I have shared, and my life (hopefully) reflects that... would you continue to hang out with them? Of course you should.

I am getting off track- but my point is that love is something that should be given freely- as much as humanly possible without being stupid or careless. It should have no bounds. I wish we could love regardless of opinions, political views, religious views, and economic backgrounds. Most of the time it just does not work out like that.

Just a few random thoughts. I have met a lot of people who love deeply, so do not get me wrong. I just think our world needs a lot more love- which I am sure everyone agrees on. I need to start loving more too, so do not worry we are in this together.

if i had the money...

i'd open my own tea room and sell lots of tea from all over the world. i'd travel to all the different locations to get to know the farmer's and learn about them and the history of the tea in their country/region. very random- i know. but that thought excites me.