Today I remembered the message preached to me over the past few months on Jacob and Joseph and I realize how they are speaking to my life. Yes, they are powerful stories that remind me of how God is also at work in my life in the similar ways that these men experienced Him. And so I remember them from inspiration by the Holy Spirit, expecting amazing things to come, and with great hope for the future. 

For some reason, I was also thinking that I could end up marrying a woman that I already know. Hmmmm....I can't remember how I actually came to that realization but I did as I was driving away from the local 7/11 convenience store to pick up some food.

Ahhhh....it just came to me now. Yes. I was thinking about the movie Lion King and how this is another story that is speaking to my life now. Well, as these three stories intertwine with my own, I am excited to see what God is doing and will do with all my dreams!

05192013

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? —Romans 8:35

God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, “I will be with him in trouble . . .” (Psalm 91:15). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. “In all these things we are more than conquerors . . .” (Romans 8:37). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are “super-victors” in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.

“Shall tribulation . . . ?” Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be— whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness— it is not able to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you (Matthew 13:22).

“Shall . . . distress . . . ?” Can God’s love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?

“Shall . . . famine . . . ?” Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be “more than conquerors,” even while we are being starved?

Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Out of the wreck I rise” every time.

Oswald Chambers

Today I am reminded of struggles and hurts from the past. As I see many people in the world today express their pain and suffering in this life due to sin, I hold on to the words of Apostle Paul in Romans 8.

If God is for us, who can be against us???? Hallelujah!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. YES! 

Neither death, nor life, neither angels or demons, neither present, nor future, nor any powers, nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen!

Nothing can stop the work of God's love in our life. 

                           And this.... 

NBA NEWS
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Posted May 15, 2013 8:25 PM

SEATTLE (AP) -- After nearly four months of awaiting a decision on the return of professional basketball, Seattle was left Wednesday feeling jilted again.

And wondering when, and if, the NBA will ever reappear.

The NBA Board of Governors rejected the prospective relocation of the Sacramento Kings, voting 22-8 in Dallas to deny the move of the franchise and with no promise of a future team for fans in the Puget Sound region.

That led to angry and frustrated reactions from NBA fans in Seattle who spent several months thinking they might see the return of the SuperSonics with investor Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer as owners.

"I share the disappointment of Sonics fans about today's vote. But we are in this for the long haul," Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said. "The memorandum of understanding we have with Chris Hansen is for five years, and we will continue working to bring the NBA back to Seattle."

Fans of the league and supporters of Hansen's efforts believed this was the best opportunity to bring the NBA back. Political and public support was at its peak since the messy and ugly departure of the Sonics for Oklahoma City following the 2008 season.

Now all that support is thrown back into limbo with little clarity about a future path toward acquiring another franchise.

"This was not an anti-Seattle vote, but a pro-Sacramento vote," NBA Commissioner David Stern said.

If there is hope for Seattle fans, it came from NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, who indicated that expansion was discussed for the future.

The league is beginning the process of negotiations for its next national television contract and Silver indicated that once the league has an idea of what revenue could be coming from that future deal, expansion could be back in the picture.

"We've never wavered in our desire to return to the Seattle market at some point," Silver said. "... Expansion was discussed at least as a possibility down the road. We want to wait and see what happens in our next national television negotiation but we're very appreciative of the fans in Seattle, as we always were. We regretted leaving the market. ... We fully expect we will return there one day."

05142013

. . . that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body —2 Corinthians 4:10

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that “the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of “myself” that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me. No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, “Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this.” Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.

You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to “supply all your need” (Philippians 4:19).

Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.

New International Version (©2011)
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.

; )

As my journey as a San Jose State University Master of Public Health student winds down, I realize that life and the challenges ahead don't get any easier but more intense and more difficult. However, the wisdom and lessons I have learned from the journey this far will guide and strengthen me for the days ahead. More troubles and obstacles will arise and more impossible situations, however, it is with grace and the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life, that I am sure of victory!

John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I am inspired by one of my favorite NBA legends Bernard King who was able to overcome a serious knee injury to become an NBA All-Star again. I look to his example as I make my comeback in this life from past disappointments and failures in my academic and professional careers as well as personal life.  Thankfully, this journey has never been about me but God who is at work in me and in this world for His ultimate glory, honor, and praise!

It is through the strength of my community that I will transform my life and this world into what God desires.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. On earth, as it is in heaven.

TIME TO RISE UP!