My first name

Should be Ballpoint.

Or Potan.

Or Fri Ying

Or Ja.

Or Wings.

Or Sam.

I'll go with Matteus.

Wisdom from above

is:

Pure.

Peaceable.

Gentle.

Open to reason.

Full of mercy and good fruits.

Impartial.

Sincere

James 3:17

:) This is how we differentiate between our human folly and God's wisdom.

The past week has been crazy! Recovering from the exhaustion of my fall break computer science assignment, an exam, and lots of work. Haha and two more exams next! But then I'll have a temporary break, and I'll look to get on with life after that ;)

But God is good, and reminds me through song.

Reading list for my free time:

"Leaving Microsoft to change the world", by John Wood.

"How to change the world: Social entrepreneurs and the power of new ideas", by David Bornstein.

and

"Praying the Bible - the pathway to spirituality", by Wesley and Stacey Campbell.

The challenge: Finding some free time. Haha. Probably Thanksgiving if I'm lucky, else Winter Break. Sighs. The day I'll be able to sleep without having to set an alarm will be sooo sweet.

Fall break:

Italian Market.

Red and green peppers.

Legs of lamb wrapped in plastic wrap.

A shot of espresso in an Italian coffee house.

Writings on windows.

Rest.

A pesky assignment due Monday night.

Rittenhouse Square.

Rain. Wind.

Quaint shops and cobblestone.

Clarity of direction.

Linguine and rigatoni.

Prayer for more direction.

Oven-baked bread.

Old posts.

Dinosaur fossils.

Music to pump you up.

Small art galleries. Local artists.

South Street.

God is good. I.need.Him.so.much.

Lessons from a long week

Sunset view, take #2.

Lessons learnt:

1. Many know how to talk and spew out big ideas. But few have the capacity to actually make things happen and generate walk from talk. I'm thankful I work with a board of such people :)

2. Something I learnt over the summer: You can't merely depend on your prior knowledge or experience of God to sustain you through busy periods - the busier you are, the more you should stay in touch with God and draw strength from Him. Not actively realizing this is why my sophomore year was so spiritually dry. It's something I need to consciously keep in mind as I strive to keep my life from swirling into a vortex of activity.

3. Letting go of the drive for success and grades and accomplishments, and merely doing your best because you enjoy it and trust that God is in control, is very refreshing.

4. Hebrews 9:11 - "... the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." When I think about the contrast - how we have been purified from dead works of futilely pleasing ourselves, to serve the living God, I am blown away.

5. Philly days of sunshine and cool breezes are lovely :)

6. It makes me soo thankful and fulfilled knowing that investing time and energy into people/things really can make a difference. Be it serving in bible study where someone draws a little closer to God. Or just listening and being there for someone. Or bringing in a speaker who inspires students with his life story of creating a footwear company that provides employment and poverty alleviation for African communities.

7.This song quietened my heart so much.

After the rain...

The sky is a glorious sight.

First exam for the semester done and over with, thank God.

Today I saw someone I met at orientation my freshman year - how time has flown! I remember the first few weeks so clearly as if it were only yesterday, how I desperately tried to get into the dorm music room that remained locked for the first few days when I was suffering from piano withdrawal haha, how people would talk about these strange sounding class names like or CIS 110 or ESE 301 that have now become part of my everyday language, or how I'd let my little kettle boil continuously so it'd spew steam and alleviate the dryness, or how I'd sit astounded in the lounges listening to my hallmates talk about their high school experiences and friends in American-speak, or how my teachers were suddenly not addressed by Sir or Ms, but by Doctor and Professor.

A small student in a big place then, finding my Creator and myself.

And now I'm still ever as small in a place ever as big. But probably a little closer to knowing who God is, and who I am.

And thank you for the birthday wishes everyone :)

My priorities for the year

2nd Timothy 2:22:

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

When all is stripped away, I pray this would've been the cry of my heart - that I pursued righteousness, faith, love and peace.

Things've been going so-so thus far:

• Large research presentation due last Friday, big hw assignment due this Friday. So a little less sleep.
• The Bible study I'm co-leading this year has been great, but a little big for someone weak and inadequate like me. But His grace is sufficient, His power is made perfect in weakness.
• Small things here and there that have rattled me a bit. But I'm fine, knowing He's in control.
• I wear nerd glasses at night now. Sometimes.
• Man Utd beat Man City. But Federer lost. F1 crashgate is terrible.
• So is a sore throat :/
• But some encouragement for the hard work so far: A $100 windfall as a small reward. And this article on PennSEM yay

Ahhh. I love the quiet underlying currents of unexplainable peace, coming from the child-like trust that God is faithful, through all circumstances. It envelops me...

I am thankful.

Still more awesome than I know

Psalm 4 (New International Version)

Psalm 4

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.
6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

--

School has begun. And no worries - I'm not drowning/overwhelmed (hopefully I won't be haha), but thinking and praying over the last few days has made me realize how much I need to be rooted in Him this semester.

In seeking for wisdom - because He gives graciously to all without finding fault.

In finding true joy - greater joy than when grain and new wine abound. And His joy is my strength.

In finding rest and peace and contentment - for He alone makes me dwell in safety.

In finding relief from distress and internal turmoil - because He is merciful and hears my cry.

I will trust in the Lord.

A gentle assurance and quiet confidence that He is in control.