look,

i work for God.

that is all.

/hoping in the end, as rev tran preached, i may have the blessing of having been used as part of His glorious plan 

i think out of all the vices one can have

selfishness is if not the, one of the most detestable to me.

discouraged.

i don't know when this started happening

(perhaps God has been teaching me after all)

but

i've gradually cared less and less about having more money

and grown a greater and greater distaste for consumerism

to the point that

i suspect it is sinful

when people have hobbies like shopping.

shopping never implies purchasing for need

shopping is entirely recreational

to use a resource (often to an extreme) that could help people

for enjoyment.

*i suppose one could make the same argument

for other limited resources such as a time, energy

humans need enjoyment to survive

but where do you draw the line?

do we even know there should be a line?

i think i dislike it when people are unimaginative.

lessons learned from serving in cw (in progress):

1. kids are apparently often disobedient and will test your limits. (i think - especially if you are new.)

2. how kids act in the classroom does not necessarily indicate whether they like you or not.  keep in mind that when in a group, the way they interact with you may affect their perceived social reputation.

3. kids have short attention spans, no matter how interesting or entertaining you try to be.  plan better so that the meat of the lesson closer to middle, not last thoughts because they're gone already.

4. church teaching for kids is an especially tricky paradigm.  there is a delicate balance between teaching them about God and building a relationship with them so that you can lead them to God.

5. mitigate your desire to joke.  if they see you as more of a clown than a teacher, you've lost them.  establish authority but be a friend.

6. remember to love, interact, have conversations outside of the worship service.  just like with any group, it is the relationships that allow you to influence and move.

i am a

serious, sensitive, creative soul

+ friendly extrovert

= ideas for everyone!

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

   “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
   their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

i have a superhero power

it is the ability

to be anyone's friend, often within just a few minutes of conversation

has happened so many times

so many that now i get interested in the prospect of a challenge

so and so hates everyone?  let me meet them!

i will love them into being my friend!

and then

of course

i will bring them to Jesus!

supertiff, away!