Everything As A Product

i once took a class that its primary goal was to carefully teach students how to analyze patterns in consumer's behaviors. People or consumers were pretty much broken down in different categories that eventually determined their final purchase of an object. much of such teachings were common sense. for example, someone would tend to buy things more often if he or she was more bold on other things; others, who were shy tended to save their money. now something that has ever stuck with me from taking that class is that literally everything can be, and is a product. a product by definition is:
"thing produced by labor or effort"^[1] or the "result of an act or a process",^[2] and stems from the verb "produce", from the Latin prōdūce(re) '(to) lead or bring forth'. Since 1575, the word "product" has referred to anything produced.

the definition goes a little further in explaining that the purpose of a product is to satisfy a want or a need. now, along with this we were taught that while it is possible to create a want, it is impossible to create a Need; i agree.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/girlfriend-South-Korea-Video-Calling-Nabix-virtual,news-9402.html

This link doesn't surprise me at all. I must admit that my first reaction to it was very judgmental; yet the more i watched, i realized how much truth there is to what it is attempting to offer the consumers. nothing deep here, but another thought came upon me. I asked myself, who really is the product or consumer in this situation? the obvious answer would be the person who purchases the app. its hard to imagine that one app will be enough to fulfill the intricate need of the human heart. it wouldn't be long for the "consumer" to go on his/her quest on seeking another product to fill their needs or wants. Sometimes, this feeling of filling in the void even extends to God. While there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that God does fulfill every need that we have, i believe there is some misconception in perceiving that it is His function. In other words, I find myself thinking that God is a product and I am the consumer; i had to repent hence for prayers such as declaring Him as the creator, for my thinking was wrong. God's main purpose is NOT to fulfill me, but to reach far and wide with His glory; which happens to fulfill everything on its path. rather than Him only existing to fulfill my needs, or in some cases wants, is limiting glory.

with a society full of messages that we are consumers exists, how easy it is to believe otherwise.

reflection on time

these days whenever I get home two thoughts come to mind. first is the realization that im much more awake than i was when i left, second, is time. the second thought is always triggered by the sight of my dad. he always somehow despite his condition, manages to greet me on his feet. countless 2-4 seconds of memories from when i was a child with him lighting firecrackers in dark parks in argentina to most recently him standing outside making asado this past thanksgiving break, pass through me. then the similar question of how such a strong man has become so broken hits me. from here, throughout the rest of my day, begins my reflections on time. i figured i would write some of them down for record's sake. furthermore, i figured i would write more frequently for sanity's sake as well.

i don't quite know why the memory of lighting firecrackers in dark parks is the first picture i see. my guess so far is because on that night, specifically on this one night, i was very happy. now, there have been other instances where i've been happy throughout my childhood. so why this one? then i rememberer that on this special night... its one of the earliest moment i can ever remember where my dad and I did something together with equal joy. there haven't been many other memories i figured where we literally held hands and individually partook in creating colorful lights.
when i keep on reflecting on that night, more things come to light. we were poor, firecrackers back then were pricey. work for my parents ended late, and it was also late; he never had the habit of doing such "childish" things, i was.
i realize that even one action done a long time ago, with time it gains value. much more value than i could have ever imagined. i thouoght i was happy on that night; but in truth, im more overjoyed and thankful now.
then this humbles me and reminds of of God.
Fathers...have a habit of using time for a greater purpose. whether my dad knew it on that night or not, him lighting firecrackers with me, taught me how to do it the next day. this goes likewise for God too, only difference being that He is aware of how the snowball will roll down the hill.
of course i believe that time has a characteristic of messing things up more as well. while a good wine gets better with time (they say), other types of food rot. for the sake of time, i hope to write more on this matter on my next post. since unfortunately, among those 3-4 second clips, not all of them are like wine.
Dear God,

thank you for time...

- Dae

A Prayer for You

Hello :)

Just as I was about to go to sleep, I felt the strong need to share my devotion with you all. Just reading it brought tears to my eyes and i've never felt so joyful in the midst of what would seem like sorrow. So here it is:

Book: My Utmost for His Highest

By: Oswald Chambers

Title: "The Source of Abundant Joy"

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us —Romans 8:37

Paul was speaking here of the things that might seem likely to separate a saint from the love of God. But the remarkable thing is that nothing can come between the love of God and a saint. The things Paul mentioned in this passage can and do disrupt the close fellowship of our soul with God and separate our natural life from Him. But none of them is able to come between the love of God and the soul of a saint on the spiritual level. The underlying foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless miracle of the love of God that was exhibited on the Cross of Calvary; a love that is not earned and can never be. Paul said this is the reason that “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” We are super-victors with a joy that comes from experiencing the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us.

Huge waves that would frighten an ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. Let’s apply that to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid and fight against— tribulation, suffering, and persecution— are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. “We are more than conquerors through Him” “in all these things”; not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4).

The undiminished radiance, which is the result of abundant joy, is not built on anything passing, but on the love of God that nothing can change. And the experiences of life, whether they are everyday events or terrifying ones, are powerless to “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Do not be dismayed, hopeless, bitter, or weary. Be joyful :) We are not just ordinary people. Better yet, we are not even just conquerors. We are super-victors that find joy in the very things that overwhelm us. Not because we are crazy, but because we have a Father who is King that has conquered it all for us already AND because we know these trials will only stretch us and bring us closer to Him. Be joyful, because our lives aren't built on things that fail, pass, or fade away. Be joyful because our lives and our joy is built on the unconditional, overflowing, abundant, love of the most perfect God.

Now, take the load off your shoulders, and REST in this living truth. :)

Love, Your sister and friend Sharon

Fast Forward

All of the sudden, someone pressed the fast forward button on my life. Everything is changing, i'm faced with new choices and decisions left and right... And I feel like I'm running at a pace i was not ready for. It's hard for me to get used to this new pace.. and I'm having trouble convincing myself that this is reality.

Today, I had the privilege and honor to hear Missionary James Cha's testimony of his ministry in the Middle East. Listening to the amazing testimonies of the Muslims who came to Christ really had such a strong impact in my heart. With graduation only a couple months away, I've been thinking about all of my needs and what i must fulfill or accomplish to achieve my life goals. It wasn't a joyous feeling at all. It was only stressful and made me feel trapped. However, after todays sermon, i've realized that, God didn't give me this life so that I can live to fulfill MY NEEDS. but that He has created me to use me as an instrument for the PEOPLE in NEED. After this conviction, I felt so free with peace and happiness restored in my heart.

So if you are reading this, I encourage and challenge you to look and seek beyond your needs and respond to the needs of the people around you and all over the world. There is greater joy and freedom when you are living for the Father God and His beloved people. There is so much more to live for.

Dear God,

Thank you for speaking through Missionary Cha today. Thank you for his family and their desire to serve you. Thank you for keeping them safe up to this point. I pray that you will continually bless his family, especially his children as they are growing up and attending universities very soon. As they go on to universities, I pray you will continue to grow their hearts as ambassadors of your Gospel. May they be a light to their friends and the campus that they are a part of. I pray for Missionary James Cha and his wife Faith as they are in the states, sharing their stories and preparing to do more of your work. I pray that you will grant them health and lead theirs paths in your perfect way.

Lord, I pray for my future. I have no idea what is ahead of me, but I trust in you. Whatever it is that you have planned for me, Lord I will do it with all my heart and my life. So I pray that you will grant me the ability to do so. The faith to be submissive to you. And the patience to endure anything that comes my way. I pray for joy in every circumstance. And lastly i pray that you will give me wisdom in making spirit lead decisions in my life. I love you Lord.

Love, your daughter Sharon

Be My Valentine

WARNING: If you are allergic to mushy-gushy-ness, DO NOT click the link, you just might gag. thank you.

Dear my sweet sweet VALENTINE,

Something special for you! hope to spend many many more with you :)

Love, your girlfriend

Magical Powers

Everyday, more and more, I am falling in love with my kids :).

BUTTTTTTT (a huge one)!!! My student teaching experience would be SO much more delightful without the praxis, portfolio, and student teaching interview deadlines coming up in March. The process has however begun! I went to target & staples today (thank you danbie!) to buy all the things i will need. I called my mom and cried on the phone for a good 20 minutes. And I have begun to organize some files on my computer. It is only the beginning but all I'm wishing for is the end!!

Dear God,

I wish you could gave me magical powers so that I can snap my fingers.. or sing a jingle... or do a litto whistle so all of this could be COMPLETED :) BUT yea yea, I know, wheres the life in that? So God, instead of magical powers, I pray that you'll give me perseverance throughout the last stretch of my college career! I want to finish strong! I want to end in styyyyle. On another note, I pray for a special friend of mine who is going through some really tough times. I pray that during these times, you will bring his family close together and that this will be the opportunity for you to bring them closer to you. I pray that this hardship will not create bitterness or distance from you but they will cling on to you and trust that you will be faithful to your promises..

Love, Sharon

Tomorrow is THE DAY

Today, as I was sitting in my final teaching orientation, all I could think about was how quickly time has passed. I cannot believe I am at my final semester of undergrad at Temple. I cannot believe that I'll be entering a first grade classroom tomorrow morning as a student teacher. I cannot believe that by April 29th, i'll be DONE with my final semester. I cannot believe that on May 12th, I'll be a Temple alumni.....The grace of our Father God :)

Dear God,

First of all, thank you so much for resolving everything for my financial aid. You heard me whisper "please Lord, Please!" x100 while i was sitting in front of that guy at the financial office right?? hehe Thank you so much for your grace :) Second of all, I know I promised you that I wouldn't be nervous, but for the past two days, my stomach has been in knots :( I don't know why I'm so nervous Lord.. Mostly I think it is because I feel incompetent to be a teacher. Every time I think about myself in a classroom, all i can think about is the mistakes I would make :( I hate being negative nancy! Father, give me patience, give me LOVE. Give me wisdom. Help me to stop thinking about everything that could go wrong, but be excited at all the great things you will do within in me and through me. AHHH!!!! LORD!!!! I'm getting excited already :) No more worries! No more doubts! You are with me, and with you by my side, I can do anything!!! :D Thank you Father.

Love, Sharon