Hey all. Sorry about the lack of posts lately... school recently started back up and it's been hectic getting back into the swing of things! I've been doing great. SEU has been great. I'm taking a whole bunch of classes and they've been super awesome so far. Yes, the workload can be unbearable at times but I'm just thankful for the opportunity to study.

So what else is new? I'm thinking of studying in Toronto for a year! Things are still coming together and there is a whole lot of things that need to go right in order for it to happen. Each and every day though, it's become more and more of a reality. I think this whole thing has reminded me of something. And it's challenging me daily.

There's a song by Jon Foreman titled "Your Love Is Strong" and the first line of the song just jacked me up.



Heavenly Father, you always amaze me
Let your kingdom come in my world and in my life
Give me the food I need to live through today
And forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window the birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune or out of place
I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl on her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens is now advancing
Invade my heart, invade this broken town
The kingdom of the Heavens is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself to buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

Our God in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

It got me thinking of this studying abroad business. I think to all those times where I'm sitting there, waiting for a meeting with important school higher-up people, going, "Oh man... what if this doesn't work?" and then when everything does work, I always go, "WOW. Praise the Lord. This is awesome."

Yes, I realize that nothing is finalized and who knows... it might not even work out in the end. But it really got me thinking of the moments where everything does work out and it's fine and dandy.

Why is it only during those times that I'm just speechless about what the Lord just did? Why am I so quick to forget of all the other times where the Lord amazes me?

I think it's because so many times, we (I) have become so calloused to seeing the Lord moving in each and every facet of life. And we've become so used to glossing over it all. "Oh we're breathing? another day? meh." Or we've become so used to looking at the problems in our lives that we forget that He is moving in ways that if we were to just stop and think about, it WOULD amaze us.

There was a sermon I listened to a little while back where my pastor said, "the problem is that we glance at God, then proceed to gaze at the problem." Is our callousness or even our lack of belief in the fact that the Lord moves in mighty ways preventing us from seeking Him and being aware of all the ways that He can amaze us?

I challenge everyone (including myself)... pray to be more aware of the Spirit and continually seek after the Lord. That way, when we can see Him move, it'll not only always amaze us... but I think it just makes God (at least in our finite, small minds) to be that much greater.

So I was sitting in Bible class today and my professor said something that made me go, "wow."

"Bad theology and bad religion comes from a misunderstanding of who God is."

Kinda makes me rethink why we spend so much time arguing over denominations...

So a couple weeks ago, I had the joy of hosting some CTI friends.


And although I miss them all, it got me thinking of an experience that I had coming back from Taiwan.

I remember the customs agent looking over my passport and saying these words. “Welcome home Mr. Lee.” I had just spent the longest period of time away from the states (that I can distinctly remember) and it was one of the hardest experiences as well. And with those 4 words, I felt at ease. And it wasn't because I had all of these luxuries again. Or not having to deal with a language barrier. Or having ice cream truck music actually come from ice cream trucks, not garbage trucks. Or cold water at restaurants. Etc. You get the point. No, I was more at ease because I knew that there were people back home that were thinking of me. Cheering me on. Who were praying for me during each circumstance I was going through.

In that same way, I think that's something to be looking forward to... after we have all passed and gone on, I hope to hear those comforting words. "Welcome Home!"

Just some random thoughts.

Hope you are doing fantastic!