so i've been playin' squash this term with some biochem buddies (they're newbies) and i've quite enjoyed wiping their egos on the squash courts during our sessions. whenever they have a glimmer of hope that they might just pull a comeback...i shatter their dreams with a gut-wrenching drop shot. it's a great workout, but i haven't improved much in terms of skill.
anywho, so today one of my buddies decided to bring his buddy (who plays squash for fun and ranks #2 at various tournaments) to play...so i'm like...whatever, #2 in tournaments...psshhh, i can take him.
so i take him on.
and i got whooped. 9-0, 9-0, 9-1 kinda whooped. after the first game...i realized if i could even get one point off of him, i'd be a happy man. so he gave me a point in the last game. but wowsers, playing him really humbled me and brought me down to earth. it was kinda ironic...cause today i finally learned how to boast in squash (a move requiring the user to pop the ball off the side wall)...when in fact, i had nothing to boast about (did i mention that this friend played me with BOTH his shoelaces untied? apparently he only ties them up when he plays with serious players).
reminded me of a passage i read the other day:
"If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either." [Romans 11:17-21]
dang-diggity-doodad.
not gonna take it for granted.
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on a tangential:
ok, this is so good that i had to share. below are 3 links to Ravi's Q&A session in Seattle...man alive, brain food galore. i challenge you to listen to them.
feelin' rather defeated the grace within me depleted avalanche of lust abound sin and temptation all around
through the darkness i can't see there's actually a way out for me as my eyes gets cleared of haze i see a figure upon my gaze
it's the figure of a Man glowing forth with outstretched hands "Follow Me, and take My yoke." He cleansed my sins as He spoke
Grace Amazing renewed me through His blood atoned me, made anew "i'll try not to stumble." i replied "Faith up," He said, "I'm by your side."
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Monday, October 23, 2006
more tomorrow than today | 8:29 PM |
Purposeful
i used to think...that once i get a gf/wife i'd be really involved in ministry, go on culinary tours around the world, participate in short/long term missions trips, try and cook exotic foods...essentially, what i thought was that when i got a gf/wife...i'd start LIVING. slowly through the years, God's been teaching me that life starts now...where i am...i need to be Single and Purposeful. life doesn't start when i meet that fair maiden, life starts WAY before.
it doesn't sound as eloquent typed, but man alive did it hit the spot when i came to the realization of this revelation.
another lesson i'm hesitant to learn...is giving up the pen of my love life to the ultimate Lover. i wanna let Him write my Love Story...the God story. too many times i've tried to take the pen and scribble...and the story turns out worse than those limericks you read in public toilet stalls. it's hard...but i'm gonna let go...
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
more tomorrow than today | 9:59 PM |
Up
the razor wind cuts deeply subliming my skin and all that's within me veins pumping apathetic blood with commotions around me, useless worldly flood
the waves of injustice washes ever so close to home tearing away at the faith, Christ my cornerstone just wanting to let go, and go with the flow be like everyone else around me that i know
as my footings begin to slip the rope of grace caught me at the tip my grip tightens adrenaline within me heightens
"Nobody fights lone battles." The voice inside me rattles... "My grace is sufficient in your weakness..." "...give me your hand, I'll teach you meekness."
with one huge heave i went up the cliff the air so much fresher, as i sniff the wind not longer piercing, but a gentle breeze my soul flowing, no longer in eternal freeze
with renewed strength, i vow to fight shield in hand and Holy Spirit might though the trek ahead will be filled with fallings i'll never forget the Voice that saved me, calling
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aside: i don't think i can stay "un-sappy" very long...especially after watching this video...
Saturday, October 14, 2006
more tomorrow than today | 9:19 PM |
Classless
dang, today i realized that i'm a pretty darn self-absorbed person when i eat. i get quite carried away in enjoying the food...i don't realize the needs of the people around me. i'm more selfish than salted fish (hahaha, get it? "sel-fish"..."salt-fish"). and i'm lame.
and i also realized that sometimes i say kinda rude and obnoxious things for the sake of entertainment. i needa be more edifying in my speech and actions.
please kick me if i ever say things that offend you. seriously.
on another note, was listening to one of my favourite sermon series earlier this week by voddie baucham (instead of studying)... and was reminded that:
A husband is to lead in the Word (Ephesians 5:26).
A husband is to lead in righteousness (Ephesians 5:27).
A husband is to lead in selflessness (Ephesians 5:28-30).
A husband is to lead in intimacy (Ephesians 5:31).
i wanna be batting at least a .750 (instead of .000) before i start pursuing.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
more tomorrow than today | 9:48 PM |
Uncertain
haven't a clue what the future holds haven't a desire to find out or try as long as i'm always tumbling after into His arms i'll draw ever so nigh
The other day while I was driving home my world was shaken It occurred to me that I had left too many risks untaken I'm always sitting here just waiting for a revelation Is it ever gonna come?
All this searching yet my destiny is still unfound Makes me realize this world will always let me down So it seems that the only hope I ever had Was everything that You are
I'm falling down Tumbling after You I'm overwhelmed Tripping over simple truth In all I've found There's nothing that's more beautiful Than what I've found in You
You could always see right through the front I'd offer You Not believing my excuses, waiting for the truth When You could have turned Your back And walked away from me You, You picked me up instead
So we'll turn another page and change the way I look at You And maybe I'll begin to understand what You went through Not content to leave me wandering and unaware You took my hand instead Yeah, You lead me to the edge
You're everything that I ever needed Now I wanna believe this time That You would love me That You would say I'm Yours, I'm Yours, I'm Yours
Sunday, October 01, 2006
more tomorrow than today | 3:17 PM |
Gel
since the days of halo14, i've never played on a team where i've gelled as much as i have this past weekend. what a blessed opportunity it is to serve in such a capacity and with such mighty warriors. my tearducts kept getting weird sensations whenever we played this song...maybe cause it humbles me, maybe cause it's surreal...or maybe cause it's just grace amazing...
Did You rise the sun for me? Or paint a million stars that I might know Your majesty? Is Your voice upon the wind, is everything I know marked with my Maker's fingerprints?
Breathe on me, let me see Your face. Ever I will seek You Cause all You are is all I want, Always Draw me close in Your arms, oh God I wanna be with You
Can I feel You in the rain? Abandon all I am to have You capture me again. Let the earth resound with praise, can You hear as all creation lives to glorify One Name?
