blog4purpose

Christmas

Josh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:29:51 +0000

I look back at this year and I realize how important Christ is in my life. The way He works has been very apparent throughout this past year. As Christmas comes up, I challenge you to focus on what Christmas really means. The birth of Jesus Christ and the fact that He came to die. I love the lyrics to the song Born to Die by Shane and Shane. These words keep me thinking about Jesus and what He did for me. I challenge you to enjoy the the food, time spent with family, and the presents, but I want you to reflect on what Christ has done for you this past year.

When the babe was born.
In a manger on the hay.
God saw a veil torn.
He saw Good Friday.
He was born to die.

Gold laid before the Christ.
Incense, His presence is sweet.
Myrrh to signify victory over death’s sting.
He was born to die.

It came in a dream.
To Joseph late on night.
That Herod sought the King.
But could not take His life.
He was born to die.

He said, “You won’t take my life.
You won’t take my life.
You won’t take my life…
I lay it down.”

We came here today
to celebrate His birth.
But let us not forget
why Jesus came to earth.
He was born to die.
-Born to Die by Shane and Shane

Get ready for the New Year!

Josh — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:17:51 +0000

Just talking about the upcoming blogging for the new year. I hope you enjoy.

Fulfilled

Josh — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:21:52 +0000

My life can only be fulfilled by God. In so many ways I try to take it into my own accord to make my life purposeful. In essence, doing that so I can feel fulfillment. This concept never seems to work out, it takes more effort and I get burned out. So why do I constantly desire to try to do things on my own? Honestly, it’s the easy path, I begin to put my trust in the idol of myself. We all know what happens when we build our golden calf. Something about that golden calf wants us to turn away from God, but we must cease this constant battle. We must desire only what God wants, nothing that we want. Our focus must be in the Word, in order to learn what God’s desires are. If we are not in the Word, we cannot be fulfilled. I know this can be harsh, but it is so true. We need the truth to set us free.

Undecided

Josh — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:52:59 +0000

My life up to now has been full of schooling, fellowship and structure. However, as this year comes closer and closer to an end, I realize how my life is going to change…drastically. The hard part about the future is running into the unknown. This battle of flesh and faith constantly at the helm of my ship. A ship that can take wrong turns which could lead to disaster. I see God, but I don’t know how to follow. Prayer seems repetitive and action is required, but the action I want to take could be my downfall. The constant fear of doing something wrong holds me back from a dream so far-fetched. Is this dream right or wrong? I don’t know. Is it from God? I am unsure. How and when will I know? Never. Is it time I just step through the door, even with the possibility of failure? I draw to a final conclusion of yes, but not a comforting yes. It’s a yes of faith. The yes where there are still worries, doubts, and fears. The yes where only God can come through. I can’t take the yes upon my shoulders, but I can only rest upon Him alone. My desire is that this will stir something inside of you and keep you thirsting after Jesus.

Honor

Josh — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:44:30 +0000

It felt like yesterday when I began to attend First Korean Baptist Church. I remember going there not to experience God, but to hang out with my friends, meet girls, and to play silly games. I had no clue what death meant and I did not desire Jesus. I thought Christians were weird, constantly singing their silly songs (funny part about it now is I am a worship leader). Along the way I met Eddie Smith, a fun kid. We would constantly be competing to get attention from people, even if it meant cutting each other down. I would think as the years went on it continued to happen, but as we both got to know Jesus more we turned away from our silly childish games. We continued to grow up and when college began, I decided to continue pursuing my faith. This is where my story about Eddie ends, because in college I lost track of the people who went to FKBC, losing touch with some solid Christians who grew me in my faith. With all this said, my desire is that you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Not because you should, but because you want to. He loves you the same even when you don’t love Him. I said my story with Eddie ended, but it didn’t. He passed away Oct 25, 2009 in a tragic car accident, a week and two days before his 22nd birthday. Even though at some points we had anger and malice toward each other, deep down I respected and loved Eddie. He had Jesus in his heart and I know he is looking down on us. Happy Birthday Eddie Smith.

Fight

Josh — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:43:26 +0000

A part of me says I’m tired of it. A part of me is ready to give up. But…my passion is so strong. I am a fighter and a winner, even if I fall I’m going to keep going at it. Sometimes going at something may require me to hit it at a different angle, but eventually I hope to break through. I’ll fight no matter the cost. I’ll fight to the death if I’m passionate about it.

I think of a mother black bear when she is protecting her young. She will fight off all the predators, even if she puts herself in danger.

Sometimes life just requires passion and we must not waiver.

Where

Josh — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:58 +0000

I don’t know where to start. It’s been so long since I wrote on this blog. Life has changed for the better I believe, but only the future that God has determined will be indicative of that. I think my struggle with the fact that my future is so undecided has been really weighing on my heart. Sometimes, I rest my life in God’s hands, but many times I try to take my future in my own hands. A verse in Jeremiah seems to come to mind when I begin to take the future into my own hands. ”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”‘ Constantly reminding myself that God has the where part figured out, gives me hope. I want my desire to have control to cease and His control increase. Ahhh, just some thoughts.

Hiatus

Josh — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:29:48 +0000

It’s over, I’ll be back soon.

My thorough review on E*trade

Josh — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:35:46 +0000

Recently, I became a stock trader with the heart of turning small investments into quick cash. I searched around the Internet for the best online broker service and came to the conclusion that E*trade is the best for the beginning investor.

E*trade helps the average user by providing detailed easy to decipher research and even real-time quotes. This information E*trade provides helps beginning investors make wise decisions. The commission rates are low provided that you make a certain amount of trades a month. Additionally, they provide full lessons on trading securities.

Even with all these positives, negatives still exist. E*trade does not let you trade options unless you are a level 2 trader. Furthermore, you must sign up to get real-time quotes and they don’t update all throughout the site. You have to search each individual security to get the update by typing it in the quote search.
With all this information, I feel overall E*trade is the best beginning investor brokerage firm.

p90x reviewed

Josh — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:06:38 +0000

Recently I began trying out P90X, an “awesome” workout program that uses muscle-confusion to target fat on the body. P90X stated out to be a great program, but all great events fall… and P90X fell. After about 2 weeks of listening to Tony Horton, I saw the joy of what was a stupendous workout become mundane. If you like to hear him over and over again you would love p90x, but as for me I am done. I’ve taken his workouts and turned them into my own, adding a few things here and there. P90X is marketed very well and it has really saturated the public. You can get yours for $120, but I recommend just learning a routine of workouts and doing them on your own.