Thank You Thursdays

I spent this past week cleaning and trying to organize my life. Out of this, I realize I've accepted some of my mess as "normal" and therefore didn't see the real urgent need for change. The other day, I put my laundry in the washing machine, then the dryer. But I had to run out to work and some meetings, so I completely forgot that I had left my laundry in the apartment complex's public dryer. Upon returning home later that night, lo and behold, I found all my laundry neatly folded and stacked by an anonymous, kind stranger. I was sorry for having left my laundry overnight and possibly making someone else wait for the dryer longer than they should have. But in that moment, I think that small act of kindness was exactly what I needed to be reminded of. That same night, our LIFE Group studied one of the passages on Jesus speaking to his disciples on servanthood: "...But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served bu to serve, and to give his life as a random for many." (Matthew 20:26b-28) This person's secret service really made me stop and be thankful for people who selflessly volunteer their time and energy to benefit others, without accepting or expecting anything in return. I highly doubt this mystery person would read my blog, but thanks! Appreciate people today!

The REAL DEAL

You know, authenticity is important. Today's society values authenticity a lot - perhaps misguided sometimes (more on that in a later post), but I think that points to our hunger for the truth and our frustration with being lied to all the time.

But sometimes, we just plain ign'ant.

For all y'all who been bumpin to that new, popular "Harlem Shake" song, y'all gotta get your facts straight! Disclaimer: The artist didn't actually claim that his music video/song is the real "Harlem Shake", but people sure conceived that it was - perception is dag'gone important too!

Here are real Harlem folk reacting to all those viral "Harlem Shake" videos:




Now here's the REAL Harlem Shake. It's a dance that represented the people living in Harlem, New York originating from the 80's. Just do your research.



And..... here's our Hong Kong shake from our Global Access Retreat.
Almost... but not quite.



"Are we done yet?"
"Yea, we're done. Thank you."

Top Ten Tuesdays

Top ten truths about timeliness:

10.  It's not about me

       I need to honor what I have because it was ultimately given to me, and it's not mine.

9. It's not only about me

    Others are depending on me to be reliable. If I am late, I make others late. If I'm on time, I help others to be on time.

8. It's not about doing everything I want

    When I try to do everything I want at once, nothing really gets done. 

Overwhelmed, unfocused Joe = unproductive, late Joe.

7. It's more than just me (and the here and now)

    Life is an interconnected series of non-linear actions and reactions. If I neglect one area of my life, I'll have

   to play catch up somewhere down the line.

6. It's not about how much I can do

   When I overestimate myself and assume I can do more than I actually can, things are half-finished and I

   feel justified in my bitter busy-ness.

5. It's not about how much I can't do

   When I underestimate myself and assume I can't do what I need to do, I stall and bury my head in the

   sand.

4. It's more than just my expectations

Good foresight and planning ahead takes reality into consideration - real life doesn't go the way we want or expect. Roll with the punches, because you will get punched.

3. It's not only about what I want
Desire and good intentions don't actually get me anywhere. Those things may be the diesel, but the engine required to move forward needs direction, destination, discipline, and dedicated hard work.

2. "Help me" - it's not all up to me
Even if I think I'm an island, an island is merely the exposed tip of a great underwater mountain. I'm not alone and need to ask for help - more of it and sooner!

1. It starts with me

Discipline. Humility.

I've been running late. One of the major reasons why? I'm full of myself. I think I am capable enough to do things last minute and cram everything in versus steadily, faithfully preparing with discipline.

Family influence? Maybe.
My dad is super-prepared, always ready, and early to everything and my mom is more last-minute, adrenaline-rush-scramble-do-everything-now fashionably late to everything - although she puts in a lot of thought and preparation into things. So, it's pretty crazy in the Yun household.

I'm kind of both. Sometimes I'm early and well-prepared, and other times I'm running behind. I need help!

It starts with me.

Thank You Thursdays

Today, I am thankful that God doesn't and hasn't stopped pursuing after me.

He started it. He's working on me now. And He'll complete the good work He's started in me with the work that He already finished on the cross.

"The man... hid (him)self from the presence of the LORD God...

But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, 'Where are you?'"

Genesis 3:8-9


"...yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God"
Jonah 2:6b

"But while he (the son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him"

Luke 15:20

Story of my life.

Free Friday

I requested off work today and next Friday so I can get to work on other things.

I use my free time for work. Ha!

With time constraints, physical capability constraints, "brain wavelength" constraints I just needed a little break to catch up on life.

More than just being able to tick off all the items on my "to do" list, it's a chance for me to take a deep breath and get inspired for what's coming up ahead.

It's different from replacing my anxieties with more busy-ness. It's mental, emotional, and spiritual digestion.

Yesterday, I read about the woman in Scripture who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and hair, showering her Lord with kisses. The words hit me - is my heart that tender? Or have I allowed the busyness of life to harden my heart and am now looking for a quick, superficial fix?

I came across this little diddy, and I've been chewing on it for some time:

"People like to microwave everything, God loves to marinate"

I constantly try rushing into the next new thing, accumulating more and more stuff and responsibilities, then worry about getting fast results. Like microwave cooking, the end result is kind of sloppy, uneven and sometimes explodes all over the microwave ceiling.

A good marinade and some slow-cooking produces a tender meat that can be more fully enjoyed and appreciated.

It's a slow-cooking kind of day. Different pace, for sure, but God's still at work in me. I need to do my part and work it on out!

"... much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13)

top ten tuesdays: Halloween

We're having a Halloween shindig at work tomorrow and everyone's supposed to bring in a homemade dessert. Well, I didn't have time to go shopping and I don't have squat for baking ingredients at home...

So, here's what I can whip up with the things I do have:

Top Ten Dishes for An Office Halloween Get-together

10. Ten hard boiled eggs sprinkled with salt and store-brand hot sauce

9. Boatload of pasta

8. Leftover Cinnamon sugar donuts

7. Can of New England Clam Chowder

6. Steal my roommate's cake mix (just kidding Darma...)

5. Steak ... nah, this is just for me.

4. Buy some drinks at the convenience store on the way to work

3. Bake a cake from cake mix (Darma, please~!)

2. Popcorn (might be about 2 years old)

1. White rice with soy sauce and sesame oil plus egg on top (FTW!!!!)

See, also: Top Ten things to eat when Superstorm Sandy pwns your city

thank you thursdays - second chances

Hard work, persistence, discipline, determination and talent - surely, all important.

But if I had to choose one way God has manifested Himself in life?

Second chances. (A bit of a misnomer really....)

I used to think that people gave me second chances because they believed in me and my innate ability to make progress, to improve and succeed. But after receiving "countless second chances", I'm convinced that it's definitely not me worth believing in. That's quite foolish actually - because if I was indeed so solid and a sure thing to believe in, why would I still need to receive "second chances"?

It is not the one who receives the second chance who is trustworthy and reliable, but it is the "chance-giver" who is worthy of being trusted.

The one who extends the second chance, extends mercy. And the one who extends mercy has either experienced mercy herself/himself or has a great supply of mercy to give. Mercy begets mercy.

Thank you.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5)