I woke up this morning and a specific scene from a specific movie came to mind. I got on the computer, flipped to Youtube and saw a piece of my childhood unravel before my eyes. Here are the lyrics and if you can guess the name of the movie, then kudos to you!
When you're the best of friends
Having so much fun together
You're not even aware, you're such a funny pair
You're the best of friends
Life's a happy game
You could clown around forever
Neither one of you sees, your natural boundaries
Life's one happy game
If only the world wouldn't get in the way
If only people would just let you play
They say you're both being fools
You're breaking all the rules
They can't understand, the magic of your wonderland
Hu-hu-hu
When you're the best of friends
Sharing all that you discover
When that moment has past, will that friendship last?
Who can say? There's a way!
Oh I hope... I hope it never ends
'Cause you're the best of friends
It's funny because it made me think about the book I just finished reading (Mere Christianity Great Book). Lewis describes a situation in which at times we don't really feel like being a certain way, say happy. At that moment, we realize that if we can put on an attitude that suggests that we were happy to begin with, we start to actually feel happy. We put on a mask to hide ourselves, pretending that we are someone else and with time, that mask starts to mesh with our actual face until all anyone one can see is that mask. That really blew me away. I can act a certain way, but that mask will hide my flesh and show Christ to the world. Of course I can't do it myself, I need Christ to give me that mask, to give me the Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
How did this song make me think about this mask? Well for starters, the song made me think of best friends as the title suggests. When you see best friends, don't you see two people who talk alike, dress alike, do everything together and can never go anywhere without the other? I have seen a handful of people whom I just described and it saddens me that I don't project this relationship with Jesus everyday. The One who paid my debt; the One who gave me life; the One who showed me Love; the One who is for me seems to be the one who always stays at a close distant because I don't want Him to walk beside me. I absolutely love walking next to people because it feels as though they have accepted me and I actually belong. How much more does Christ love it when I don't push Him away to a close distance. How much more does Christ love it when I ask Him to walk beside me. How much more does Christ love it when I want the whole world to see us together! Now, going back to the lyrics, I read it and started thinking about segregation. I'm pretty sure there were more than plenty of children who made friends across their "natural boundaries" a.k.a. color of their skin. However, they didn't care! They loved one another because whenever they were around each other, they had the most fun ever! They are "not even aware, [they're] such a funny pair". I sometimes think that Jesus and I are a funny pair. The God of the universe, the One who made the heavens and the earth, the one who was, is and is to come, the alpha and omega, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords...wants to be my friend? How silly is that! Someone perfect wants to be friends with me! Because I have seen friendships in which the pair are nearly one, I can't even imagine why Jesus would want to be my friend because we're nothing alike. However, as much as we are different, He wants to make me the same as Him. He wants to spend much time with me so that I can be like Him. Our natural boundaries are quite clear: Perfect and imperfect. Christ doesn't see my imperfection though, He sees Himself in me. Christ puts His mask on my face and allows time for it to sink into my skin. So I say to the world that you can't get in our way! We are breaking your so called "rules"! "You don't understand, the magic of [our] wonderland"!
I invite you to break away from the world and get to know the Awesome Power that is Christ. Whether you like it or not, whether you notice or not, He is following you wherever you go wanting to be your best friend and walk along side you. Do you wonder whether or not His friendship will last? Don't worry, it will last for eternity "'cause you're the best of friends".
Pabs
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Let Your Name be Lifted Higher
Let's imagine for a moment that you're walking down the street, or wherever you may be walking, and all of a sudden, an elephant falls from the sky and onto your head. The elephant gets up after awhile and walks away with you stuck to his butt. It's a weird image, but that is probably the only I can describe what I felt today when I flew in the "Weightless Wonder": extreme pressure all over my body, then I was shot into the air with no pressure at all.
On board the aircraft, I was able to experience what it felt like to be weightless as well as extremely weighed down by two times my weight. This opportunity was so worth all the frustration and stress I went through. So the plane takes off and travels to a restricted air space owned by NASA I think and once it arrives there, everyone gets to their spots and waits for the parabolas to begin. For the first few parabolas, the crew wants you to adapt to the environment so you can ease into to it instead of going head on. Once I got to my station and made sure everything was ready, I laid down in front of the glove box and held on to the steel frame of the table it was sitting on just waiting for the amazing experience to begin. At first I felt the elephant just squeezing the life out of me and as soon as I felt him, I felt extremely light. Almost instantly, I saw my feet just rise before my very eyes and soon after, my whole body went with it! I tried to hang on the to table, but I just couldn't stay down! I floated to the top and my body felt as though the ceiling was the floor and vice versa! Throughout the entire flight, I was just in extreme awe that I was floating, I barely got any research done! Besides the experiment, I twisted, turned, rolled, flipped and twirled around in the air with ease! It is something that I can not and will not forget about in the near future.
Of course, this also counts as some great revelation as well. While on the ride home, I was thinking to myself, what if sin could be measured in units of weight? What if every sin I had committed was transformed to an ounce of added baggage on my person? I came to the conclusion that I would probably be feeling the way I felt laying down on the aircraft with so much excess weight just overpowering my movements. My sin would just take me down hard and keep me incapacitated. I would feel my arms being forced down by something. I would truly feel the weight of my sins. However, as I felt this weight upon me, I somehow felt like my burden was lifted off me entirely to the point where even the weight of my flesh was overwhelmed by the power of the person who lifted this burden from me. This was truly amazing because I was able to physically feel what happened when Christ took all my burdens away. As the transition from 2G to 0G was instant, so was the transition from my old life to my new one. Now, I just can't even begin to imagine something. If I could barely carry this weight, how can Jesus stand to carry my sins upon the cross, not to mention the sins of the WHOLE WORLD! It's just not possible...unless you can do the impossible. How great is my God that He is quick to love me and take away all my burdens. He carries my burden to the point where I feel like I'm just floating away and that nothing can possibly bring me down when I'm with the Father.
I felt really dizzy from the transitions from 0G to 2G. It got so bad after a while that I had to sit out and hurl chunks into my plastic bag. In the same way, when I am just floating up above and for some reason, allow sin to enter my life, I feel immediately thrown down to the floor. I can't move at all because sin is just paralyzing my movements. It always feels worse when you fall straight down to the ground carrying a huge weight. I'm so grateful that I never have to feel like sin is paralyzing me. I am free from sin! I am no longer bound in chains to sin! I am free to float up above with Jesus! I am free to stand in His presence and let Him take me away! I Love it!!
We have a lot of photos and loads of videos so once we put those together, I will be more than happy to show you my experience!
On board the aircraft, I was able to experience what it felt like to be weightless as well as extremely weighed down by two times my weight. This opportunity was so worth all the frustration and stress I went through. So the plane takes off and travels to a restricted air space owned by NASA I think and once it arrives there, everyone gets to their spots and waits for the parabolas to begin. For the first few parabolas, the crew wants you to adapt to the environment so you can ease into to it instead of going head on. Once I got to my station and made sure everything was ready, I laid down in front of the glove box and held on to the steel frame of the table it was sitting on just waiting for the amazing experience to begin. At first I felt the elephant just squeezing the life out of me and as soon as I felt him, I felt extremely light. Almost instantly, I saw my feet just rise before my very eyes and soon after, my whole body went with it! I tried to hang on the to table, but I just couldn't stay down! I floated to the top and my body felt as though the ceiling was the floor and vice versa! Throughout the entire flight, I was just in extreme awe that I was floating, I barely got any research done! Besides the experiment, I twisted, turned, rolled, flipped and twirled around in the air with ease! It is something that I can not and will not forget about in the near future.
Of course, this also counts as some great revelation as well. While on the ride home, I was thinking to myself, what if sin could be measured in units of weight? What if every sin I had committed was transformed to an ounce of added baggage on my person? I came to the conclusion that I would probably be feeling the way I felt laying down on the aircraft with so much excess weight just overpowering my movements. My sin would just take me down hard and keep me incapacitated. I would feel my arms being forced down by something. I would truly feel the weight of my sins. However, as I felt this weight upon me, I somehow felt like my burden was lifted off me entirely to the point where even the weight of my flesh was overwhelmed by the power of the person who lifted this burden from me. This was truly amazing because I was able to physically feel what happened when Christ took all my burdens away. As the transition from 2G to 0G was instant, so was the transition from my old life to my new one. Now, I just can't even begin to imagine something. If I could barely carry this weight, how can Jesus stand to carry my sins upon the cross, not to mention the sins of the WHOLE WORLD! It's just not possible...unless you can do the impossible. How great is my God that He is quick to love me and take away all my burdens. He carries my burden to the point where I feel like I'm just floating away and that nothing can possibly bring me down when I'm with the Father.
I felt really dizzy from the transitions from 0G to 2G. It got so bad after a while that I had to sit out and hurl chunks into my plastic bag. In the same way, when I am just floating up above and for some reason, allow sin to enter my life, I feel immediately thrown down to the floor. I can't move at all because sin is just paralyzing my movements. It always feels worse when you fall straight down to the ground carrying a huge weight. I'm so grateful that I never have to feel like sin is paralyzing me. I am free from sin! I am no longer bound in chains to sin! I am free to float up above with Jesus! I am free to stand in His presence and let Him take me away! I Love it!!
We have a lot of photos and loads of videos so once we put those together, I will be more than happy to show you my experience!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Fine Line
God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...God Loves Me...
God loves me so much, He would break my fingers just to set my hands free from the pot that is burning my hands. He loves me so much, He would destroy every single wall surrounding me; every single defense I have set up just so He can hold me and Be my Defense. He loves me so much that He would burn me up so I can shine brightly like the precious metal He believes me to be. He loves me so much that He would do anything just to be with me. He loves me so much that He would come down and live a life hated by all just to show me the way. He loves me so much that He personally took all the blame for My sins and paid the price. He loves me so much...
What else can I say other than:
My Soul Sings! My Soul Sings! My Soul Sings! My Soul Sings how I love You! Just a little while longer and I'll see you. Just a little while longer and I'll know you. Just a little while longer and We'll be together. All I want is just to know your heart and would you keep me here until we're one! I'm never going back...only going forward.
It feels so good getting Love Encounters at 3 in the morning! I Love you God!
If you're still reading, I just want to encourage you with this. This world has given us a box that can hold a measurable amount of joy, love and peace. I invite you to toss that box down the garbage shoot and embrace the heavenly box that God provides for us which can hold an IMMEASURABLE amount of JOY, LOVE, PEACE and SO MUCH MORE!! There is so much more in the Lord than in the world. We were made to enjoy God and Love Him!
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
-Ephesians 3:18-21
Well I have to get up in about an hour so, later!
Pabs
So I end up not sleeping, but instead I just browse through blogs, emails and some of my pictures until about 5:30.
I asked God for just 30 minutes of soaking in His Presence. For what seemed like the longest time, I just couldn't seem to sit still. I was tossing and turning on my bed just trying to relax but I couldn't. Then, finally, I was able to catch my breath and get an extremely vivid vision. I was driving home and I think someone was with me. For some reason, I stop about two houses before my house and walk the rest of the way. It looked like it was around dusk and as I get to the porch, some random child screams out "That house is on fire!" I quickly glanced in his direction but he was gone and I'm left seeing my old room's window shine brightly with shades of orange. I ran into the house and into that room filled with fire. Bright orange and yellow flames that consumed everything. Then I see a man walk through them towards me. I step back out of shock and fear, but an arm wraps around me and pulls me towards the man. I didn't take two steps before I woke up.
Oh Jesus, I just want to soak up every ounce of You!
Peace (for reals this time),
Pabs
God loves me so much, He would break my fingers just to set my hands free from the pot that is burning my hands. He loves me so much, He would destroy every single wall surrounding me; every single defense I have set up just so He can hold me and Be my Defense. He loves me so much that He would burn me up so I can shine brightly like the precious metal He believes me to be. He loves me so much that He would do anything just to be with me. He loves me so much that He would come down and live a life hated by all just to show me the way. He loves me so much that He personally took all the blame for My sins and paid the price. He loves me so much...
What else can I say other than:
My Soul Sings! My Soul Sings! My Soul Sings! My Soul Sings how I love You! Just a little while longer and I'll see you. Just a little while longer and I'll know you. Just a little while longer and We'll be together. All I want is just to know your heart and would you keep me here until we're one! I'm never going back...only going forward.
It feels so good getting Love Encounters at 3 in the morning! I Love you God!
If you're still reading, I just want to encourage you with this. This world has given us a box that can hold a measurable amount of joy, love and peace. I invite you to toss that box down the garbage shoot and embrace the heavenly box that God provides for us which can hold an IMMEASURABLE amount of JOY, LOVE, PEACE and SO MUCH MORE!! There is so much more in the Lord than in the world. We were made to enjoy God and Love Him!
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
-Ephesians 3:18-21
Well I have to get up in about an hour so, later!
Pabs
So I end up not sleeping, but instead I just browse through blogs, emails and some of my pictures until about 5:30.
I asked God for just 30 minutes of soaking in His Presence. For what seemed like the longest time, I just couldn't seem to sit still. I was tossing and turning on my bed just trying to relax but I couldn't. Then, finally, I was able to catch my breath and get an extremely vivid vision. I was driving home and I think someone was with me. For some reason, I stop about two houses before my house and walk the rest of the way. It looked like it was around dusk and as I get to the porch, some random child screams out "That house is on fire!" I quickly glanced in his direction but he was gone and I'm left seeing my old room's window shine brightly with shades of orange. I ran into the house and into that room filled with fire. Bright orange and yellow flames that consumed everything. Then I see a man walk through them towards me. I step back out of shock and fear, but an arm wraps around me and pulls me towards the man. I didn't take two steps before I woke up.
Oh Jesus, I just want to soak up every ounce of You!
Peace (for reals this time),
Pabs
Monday, June 21, 2010
Drenched in Sweat
Okay, no need to panic...I'm going to do a great job here! Left, Right, Left, Right...Okay I'm in step...Sigh...I can't believe that it has been 6 months since we began this difficult trek. I still remember the first day when I made so many mistakes that I thought I was going to get kicked out. Left, Right, Left, Right...Who would have thought that we would have made it this far? Who could believe that we were capable of achieving this level of honorable mention? Thinking back a year ago, I wouldn't have been able to put together a string of thoughts that would connect to this place...Okay keep your eyes forward, stay focused...to think, a kid like me would ever accomplish this feat. Okay stop...the announcer is introducing our team...are we ready? Yes we are! Let's get on this field and do our stuff! Left, Right, Left, Right...I mustn't forget what we rehearsed; what we've been working on for the past 6 months; what we have only dreamed of doing...Okay time to get into position...Sigh...Okay, calm down...here they come...you can do this! You've practiced so long...you know this stuff like the back of your hand!
"North Shore Senior High School, are you ready?"/"Okay San Jacinto College, are you ready?"
That's the signal! This is it! 1..3...dut dut dut dut!/Alright, no biggie...Let's do this!
I don't know what I'm doing here...but I thought it was a little creative! I was thinking about how to write down my feelings for today's adventure at NASA, and the best thing that came to mind was the first time my high school marching band went to Area Competition (kind of a big deal...). It has been such a long journey of researching, brainstorming and practicing our parts for this day. As I mentioned in my last post, today was the day in which we had to present our experiment to a committee of 20 engineers, biologists, astronauts and crew members and convince them that we know what we are doing, what we are working with and how we are going to go about safety protocols. The only time I've felt this nervous was when I was first marching down the field to our first position to start our performance...not to mention my first solo while marching ever! I think it's so cool how circumstances come into our lives to challenge our limits. No matter how much it may hurt or how difficult it may seem, we can always overcome with major help from a Savior. It feels that we come to a point where it's so terrible, that we can't even think about anything else except how much we need Jesus. It's something that I've gone through several times...and something I've forgotten several times. I really get annoyed when I think highly of myself by believing that I can go through these obstacles on my own; I don't really need a Savior because I can handle it. The fact is, I can't. I cannot handle such a difficult situation! I need help because I am WEAK and Christ is STRONG!
So today, we presented our experiment and despite the horror stories that our mentor told us, it was not bad at all. The only questions they had was whether or not we were using real blood. Of course we weren't, only plasma and they were fine with it. Although I was annoyed that our mentor and "team leader" exaggerated everything way out of proportion, I was glad to have prepared more than I needed rather than less. Go Team SOAR!!! Now that the review is over, we can concentrate more on the actual experimental procedure and hopefully get some sweet data from this flight (not to mention the experience of being weightless)! Well, I'm off to get some shut eye. I'm so exhausted, I could eat a whole cow.
Pabs
Oh I found our Team's website that needs to be updated! If you want to take a look feel free to check it out and laugh at my picture!
http://www2.sanjac.edu/teamsoar/
"North Shore Senior High School, are you ready?"/"Okay San Jacinto College, are you ready?"
That's the signal! This is it! 1..3...dut dut dut dut!/Alright, no biggie...Let's do this!
I don't know what I'm doing here...but I thought it was a little creative! I was thinking about how to write down my feelings for today's adventure at NASA, and the best thing that came to mind was the first time my high school marching band went to Area Competition (kind of a big deal...). It has been such a long journey of researching, brainstorming and practicing our parts for this day. As I mentioned in my last post, today was the day in which we had to present our experiment to a committee of 20 engineers, biologists, astronauts and crew members and convince them that we know what we are doing, what we are working with and how we are going to go about safety protocols. The only time I've felt this nervous was when I was first marching down the field to our first position to start our performance...not to mention my first solo while marching ever! I think it's so cool how circumstances come into our lives to challenge our limits. No matter how much it may hurt or how difficult it may seem, we can always overcome with major help from a Savior. It feels that we come to a point where it's so terrible, that we can't even think about anything else except how much we need Jesus. It's something that I've gone through several times...and something I've forgotten several times. I really get annoyed when I think highly of myself by believing that I can go through these obstacles on my own; I don't really need a Savior because I can handle it. The fact is, I can't. I cannot handle such a difficult situation! I need help because I am WEAK and Christ is STRONG!
So today, we presented our experiment and despite the horror stories that our mentor told us, it was not bad at all. The only questions they had was whether or not we were using real blood. Of course we weren't, only plasma and they were fine with it. Although I was annoyed that our mentor and "team leader" exaggerated everything way out of proportion, I was glad to have prepared more than I needed rather than less. Go Team SOAR!!! Now that the review is over, we can concentrate more on the actual experimental procedure and hopefully get some sweet data from this flight (not to mention the experience of being weightless)! Well, I'm off to get some shut eye. I'm so exhausted, I could eat a whole cow.
Pabs
Oh I found our Team's website that needs to be updated! If you want to take a look feel free to check it out and laugh at my picture!
http://www2.sanjac.edu/teamsoar/
Friday, June 18, 2010
Unexpected Life
Wowsers!
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do better things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for,
but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men,
most richly blessed.
–Anonymous Confederate Soldier
Today was such an extremely loooong and exhausting day! We pretty much finished setting up our project and we are working on our experimental presentation for Monday. This pretty much decides the outcome of our flight whether it be a yes or a no. Things are getting pretty hectic. I'm barely able to walk out of there from all the things that are going on. It's hilarious actually, a couple of months ago, if you asked me if I wanted to do the project, I would have replied no. Everything seemed to have fallen apart, things were getting so intense that I just wanted to pull out so I wouldn't have to deal with this stuff. Now, I'm so glad that I didn't quit because God is doing so much work in me. As the above poem says, "I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak so that I would humbly obey". Each day that goes by, I find that more and more things are happening to just exhaust me physically and mentally. The strange thing is, each day that passes by, I react a little more peaceful to the problem or burden. Now I understand just how much I actually need God. I love you God. Let me just soak up Your Goodness and Grace.
Here are a few videos I took containing some projects.
Pabs
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health, that I might do better things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for,
but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men,
most richly blessed.
–Anonymous Confederate Soldier
Today was such an extremely loooong and exhausting day! We pretty much finished setting up our project and we are working on our experimental presentation for Monday. This pretty much decides the outcome of our flight whether it be a yes or a no. Things are getting pretty hectic. I'm barely able to walk out of there from all the things that are going on. It's hilarious actually, a couple of months ago, if you asked me if I wanted to do the project, I would have replied no. Everything seemed to have fallen apart, things were getting so intense that I just wanted to pull out so I wouldn't have to deal with this stuff. Now, I'm so glad that I didn't quit because God is doing so much work in me. As the above poem says, "I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak so that I would humbly obey". Each day that goes by, I find that more and more things are happening to just exhaust me physically and mentally. The strange thing is, each day that passes by, I react a little more peaceful to the problem or burden. Now I understand just how much I actually need God. I love you God. Let me just soak up Your Goodness and Grace.
Here are a few videos I took containing some projects.
Pabs
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Morning Dew
There is so much frustration and stress going on in my life right now. I woke up this morning and just felt frustrated about things I've been thinking about since the summer began. It came to the point where I started to complain to God about these things and why people did this and why they did that...just a releasing of emotions. Frustration is something that I know way too much about...but what astounds me is how I've changed my way of venting out this frustration, anger and stress. I still remember how I would hit walls, doors, myself and even go for a drive to just scream. I always felt a little better afterward, but my problems still lingered and I just dealt with them after my little rampage. Now, I've started noticing that instead of going off like some deranged nut, I talk to God about what is bothering me and let him know how angry I am or how stressed out I am. Obviously this is a much more healthy way of "venting", not to mention a much more satisfying one. I am beginning to get sweet revelations of what is really going on and how God is fixing it. I get so peaceful and gentle when I give God all my burdens and problems...I guess I never really learned that when I give Him my burdens, I no longer have to worry about them.
So pretty much, I've been dealing with lots of problems, specifically ones that pertain to this NASA project. However, I will not gripe because God's grace is sufficient for me. I will delight in my weaknesses because when I am weak, then I am strong! Besides, as I've said before, how can I truly experience The Comforter when I'm comfortable?
Tomorrow is a big day for me! I'm gonna go to NASA and convince these people not to pull the plug on us. Wait, who am I kidding? God's going to convince them!
Night,
Pabs
So pretty much, I've been dealing with lots of problems, specifically ones that pertain to this NASA project. However, I will not gripe because God's grace is sufficient for me. I will delight in my weaknesses because when I am weak, then I am strong! Besides, as I've said before, how can I truly experience The Comforter when I'm comfortable?
Tomorrow is a big day for me! I'm gonna go to NASA and convince these people not to pull the plug on us. Wait, who am I kidding? God's going to convince them!
Night,
Pabs
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
India Gulf Niner Niner
Howdy!
Whoa, it has been awhile since I last posted something! To start off, I have really found just joy in the Lord through playing some instrument. There is something about it that I can’t quite put my finger on it, but when I start playing, I feel amazing; it’s almost as if my spirit is tuning into God at a pretty close frequency and it’s a feeling that’s really indescribable. As always, satan tries his hardest to take me away from this connection, that loser. Several days after I started feeling this sensation, I start getting discouraging thoughts in my head that told me that I wasn’t good enough to worship God, I sucked, I wasn’t going to be able to play well at all, etc. It actually started to get to me but thankfully, I made the connection to that loser and dismissed it entirely.
Today was my first day of training for my NASA project! I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep at all the last night. It’s like when I started high school as a little fish, I didn’t know what to expect despite all the stories I’ve heard from pretty much everyone, but I felt that anxiety, excitement and fear all rush in my system like a waterfall of emotions. To make things even better, we were told that we had to arrive 10 minutes before the actual class started, which was at 7:30am, because the instructors were ex-military and extremely strict. This of course did not help with the anxiety, for if we had gotten there late, we would be turned down and disqualified! I woke up early and called my fellow crew member and ask him if he was going to pick me up and he replied, “I’m on my way”. So there I am at the meeting place at 6 waiting for him to arrive and as time went by, there was no sign of him and butterflies were practically gushing out of my mouth. 6:15…6:20…6:25…the wait was nearly unbearable and I just started to worry my butt off texting him and another crew member! After 6:35, I just simply told God that He is in control and that all things will work out. Not only was I filled with such peace, but this guy was just around the corner so he picked me up and off we went to NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Center. The awesome thing about this is that, when we arrived, not only did we make it on time, but the instructors were LATE!! Hallelujah! Praise God!! At this center, we were required to complete a physiological training in order to actually fly as an aviator. From about 8 till 11:30, we listened to lectures about the safety of flying and the dangers that can occur from being in a higher altitude. I know what you’re thinking: BORING! Actually, the instructors were pretty laid back and very funny so it wasn’t too bad. After lunch, we finished up the last portion of safety and did a briefing of what we were to expect. Basically, we were to enter a pressurized cabin with oxygen masks and gradually “climb” to an altitude of 25,000 ft. Our objectives were to experience what it felt like to be at 25,000 feet above sea level and notice any symptoms that we may feel at the time all while answering a simple questionnaire. So there I sat, completely excited and anxious, and ready to face anything that was going to happen! I had my mask on, my Oxygen tank was plugged in and all my equipment was ready as I was. After about 30 minutes of breathing in 100% oxygen and listening to a safety lecture, we were ready to begin our ascension. And as quickly as we could show them our Gig ‘em sign, we were off!
Almost immediately, my ears began to “pop” and so I performed the valsalva (where you pinch your nose, close your mouth and blow through your nose to release the air in your ear canal) and I began to feel a little light-headed but not too much. As we kept climbing, the gas in the chamber began to expand and you could see a light fog throughout the entire chamber. Before we reached the 25,000 mark, I did feel something weird in my ear. For some odd reason, I felt bubbles move around my ear and all of a sudden, the bubbles were released from my ear making a flatulent-type noise. It was weird, but there wasn’t any pain so I dismissed it as insignificant for perhaps the air was simply escaping. Better out than in! After we reached our mark, we were to take off our oxygen masks and for about 5 minutes, breathe the thin air as we waited for any symptoms to occur. Luckily, my group was second so we were able to watch the first group take off their masks first so that we may observe any signs that may occur. One of my crewmembers looked like he was about to just flop over and pass out after 2 minutes! After several kicks and giggles, it was my turn to see what everything was about.
I took off my mask and everything seemed fine so I signed my name at the top of the questionnaire. After working on it for awhile, I started to feel kind of dizzy and disoriented so I jotted that down. After about 2 minutes, I felt my eyes grow very heavy, tired and noticed that things were starting to look fuzzy. After about 3 minutes, I began to feel tingling all over my body and some hot flashes. Although I felt as though I could keep going, I decided to stop there and get my mask back on. Once everyone had their masks on, we descended and discussed what we felt and whatnot. Afterwards, we had to take a small test to show that we were paying attention to the instructors and we were allowed to leave.
The entire time going home, the only thing I could think about is how the tingling really felt familiar. It felt similar to when I am in the presence of God and can feel the Holy Spirit flow through me. Could it be that entering His presence is a lot like entering an environment that is hazardous to our bodies? It’s like, since our flesh is sinful, it cannot stand to be in His presence without feeling all sorts of weird things such as tingling sensations. Almost like, the body reacts violently. Almost like, our spirit is trying to emerge. I truly cannot imagine what it will feel like when I am standing in His presence. Will it be a tingling sensation? Will it be a disorienting sensation? Will it be a fuzzy sensation? I have no idea what I will feel but I can say this: when it comes to that day, whatever I feel, it will totally be out of this world; a feeling that will completely obliterate any prior experience that I have ever encountered.
Well that was pretty much my day in a nutshell and with that I am signing off!
Pabs
Whoa, it has been awhile since I last posted something! To start off, I have really found just joy in the Lord through playing some instrument. There is something about it that I can’t quite put my finger on it, but when I start playing, I feel amazing; it’s almost as if my spirit is tuning into God at a pretty close frequency and it’s a feeling that’s really indescribable. As always, satan tries his hardest to take me away from this connection, that loser. Several days after I started feeling this sensation, I start getting discouraging thoughts in my head that told me that I wasn’t good enough to worship God, I sucked, I wasn’t going to be able to play well at all, etc. It actually started to get to me but thankfully, I made the connection to that loser and dismissed it entirely.
Today was my first day of training for my NASA project! I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep at all the last night. It’s like when I started high school as a little fish, I didn’t know what to expect despite all the stories I’ve heard from pretty much everyone, but I felt that anxiety, excitement and fear all rush in my system like a waterfall of emotions. To make things even better, we were told that we had to arrive 10 minutes before the actual class started, which was at 7:30am, because the instructors were ex-military and extremely strict. This of course did not help with the anxiety, for if we had gotten there late, we would be turned down and disqualified! I woke up early and called my fellow crew member and ask him if he was going to pick me up and he replied, “I’m on my way”. So there I am at the meeting place at 6 waiting for him to arrive and as time went by, there was no sign of him and butterflies were practically gushing out of my mouth. 6:15…6:20…6:25…the wait was nearly unbearable and I just started to worry my butt off texting him and another crew member! After 6:35, I just simply told God that He is in control and that all things will work out. Not only was I filled with such peace, but this guy was just around the corner so he picked me up and off we went to NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Center. The awesome thing about this is that, when we arrived, not only did we make it on time, but the instructors were LATE!! Hallelujah! Praise God!! At this center, we were required to complete a physiological training in order to actually fly as an aviator. From about 8 till 11:30, we listened to lectures about the safety of flying and the dangers that can occur from being in a higher altitude. I know what you’re thinking: BORING! Actually, the instructors were pretty laid back and very funny so it wasn’t too bad. After lunch, we finished up the last portion of safety and did a briefing of what we were to expect. Basically, we were to enter a pressurized cabin with oxygen masks and gradually “climb” to an altitude of 25,000 ft. Our objectives were to experience what it felt like to be at 25,000 feet above sea level and notice any symptoms that we may feel at the time all while answering a simple questionnaire. So there I sat, completely excited and anxious, and ready to face anything that was going to happen! I had my mask on, my Oxygen tank was plugged in and all my equipment was ready as I was. After about 30 minutes of breathing in 100% oxygen and listening to a safety lecture, we were ready to begin our ascension. And as quickly as we could show them our Gig ‘em sign, we were off!
Almost immediately, my ears began to “pop” and so I performed the valsalva (where you pinch your nose, close your mouth and blow through your nose to release the air in your ear canal) and I began to feel a little light-headed but not too much. As we kept climbing, the gas in the chamber began to expand and you could see a light fog throughout the entire chamber. Before we reached the 25,000 mark, I did feel something weird in my ear. For some odd reason, I felt bubbles move around my ear and all of a sudden, the bubbles were released from my ear making a flatulent-type noise. It was weird, but there wasn’t any pain so I dismissed it as insignificant for perhaps the air was simply escaping. Better out than in! After we reached our mark, we were to take off our oxygen masks and for about 5 minutes, breathe the thin air as we waited for any symptoms to occur. Luckily, my group was second so we were able to watch the first group take off their masks first so that we may observe any signs that may occur. One of my crewmembers looked like he was about to just flop over and pass out after 2 minutes! After several kicks and giggles, it was my turn to see what everything was about.
I took off my mask and everything seemed fine so I signed my name at the top of the questionnaire. After working on it for awhile, I started to feel kind of dizzy and disoriented so I jotted that down. After about 2 minutes, I felt my eyes grow very heavy, tired and noticed that things were starting to look fuzzy. After about 3 minutes, I began to feel tingling all over my body and some hot flashes. Although I felt as though I could keep going, I decided to stop there and get my mask back on. Once everyone had their masks on, we descended and discussed what we felt and whatnot. Afterwards, we had to take a small test to show that we were paying attention to the instructors and we were allowed to leave.
The entire time going home, the only thing I could think about is how the tingling really felt familiar. It felt similar to when I am in the presence of God and can feel the Holy Spirit flow through me. Could it be that entering His presence is a lot like entering an environment that is hazardous to our bodies? It’s like, since our flesh is sinful, it cannot stand to be in His presence without feeling all sorts of weird things such as tingling sensations. Almost like, the body reacts violently. Almost like, our spirit is trying to emerge. I truly cannot imagine what it will feel like when I am standing in His presence. Will it be a tingling sensation? Will it be a disorienting sensation? Will it be a fuzzy sensation? I have no idea what I will feel but I can say this: when it comes to that day, whatever I feel, it will totally be out of this world; a feeling that will completely obliterate any prior experience that I have ever encountered.
Well that was pretty much my day in a nutshell and with that I am signing off!
Pabs
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Pachi-kow!
I got blasted today by God. I just finished reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan and here is a quote that has been on my mind all day.
"...ask yourself if you possess each (trait of the Holy Spirit) to a supernatural degree...that's when the world notices. That's when people say, 'Your Lord-He is God'"
This whole book has been challenging me to not only live more in the Spirit, but also to exhibit His traits, as Chan describes it, supernaturally. It's easy to have a little joy, heck anyone can express a joyful attitude, but to express it in such a way that everyone around you praises God? That seems pretty impossible. Its a good thing that I have the Almighty God, who Can do the impossible, help me make this possible. Of course, if I just sit on my butt everyday with my eyes glued to the computer screen, then I'm just not going to be able to live life with the Holy Spirit. I need to be active and not passive. That is why I'm so thankful that not only did I get my old job back, but I'm occupying my self with practicing my trumpet and the piano during my extra time. Hopefully I'll be good enough to lead worship one day!
-Pabs
"...ask yourself if you possess each (trait of the Holy Spirit) to a supernatural degree...that's when the world notices. That's when people say, 'Your Lord-He is God'"
This whole book has been challenging me to not only live more in the Spirit, but also to exhibit His traits, as Chan describes it, supernaturally. It's easy to have a little joy, heck anyone can express a joyful attitude, but to express it in such a way that everyone around you praises God? That seems pretty impossible. Its a good thing that I have the Almighty God, who Can do the impossible, help me make this possible. Of course, if I just sit on my butt everyday with my eyes glued to the computer screen, then I'm just not going to be able to live life with the Holy Spirit. I need to be active and not passive. That is why I'm so thankful that not only did I get my old job back, but I'm occupying my self with practicing my trumpet and the piano during my extra time. Hopefully I'll be good enough to lead worship one day!
-Pabs
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