Career Day
A friend of mine invited me to speak at her intermediary school’s career day. I agreed to do it since I seldom get the opportunity to speak into the lives of the youth and I had been looking for a way to use my EVP(Employee Volunteer Program) days. Career Day wasn’t that easy because it already takes some effort explaining what my job entails to adults and then dealing with the non-reaction kids get when they find out I’m not a policeman, firefighter, or doctor is also a challenge. What I ended up doing was using a cup stacking competition to illustrate firm and shaky foundation. Once they understood the concept of foundation, I talked about houses and the time/cost benefits of a strong framework, then I made my way into Liferay’s software that provides a framework to create web pages. **pant** At the end of the day I was exhausted from speaking to six groups of kids at half an hour per group, and I questioned my fancy of ever wanting to teach for a living.

In hindsight, I’m not so sure the kids understood the concepts I was trying to teach them. For example, one girl asked me what the best thing about my job is. I told her that most companies are only concerned about how much money they make, but that my company is equally concerned with how much we serve and give back to others. Perhaps this went straight over their heads, but I’m hoping for better. I’m super happy that I took the opportunity to participate in Career Day. It taught me how exhausting it can be to be a teacher, and it helped me reflect on the vital importance that a solid academic foundation has on an individual and society at large.

Basketball Championship
The following is an excerpt of an email I received from my mom. I changed it a bit to make sense.

This is the last night of the high school basketball season, and tonight, your sister’s JV team clinched the championship !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She and her girls did it together and it’s a Cinderella story

Well, she taught and trained those girl irregardless of their talents and expected a lot from them. They responded and worked hard.
Tonight is especially sweet (to me, and I assume to her). They beat the well known sports school of the league at their home court by 13 (I dare not go watch, and grandma said it was good she forgot the championship was on the line tonight or she would be fretting all evening !)

This line says it all, “she taught and trained those girl irregardless of their talents and expected a lot from them.” I personally got to witness the lack of individual “talent” on this squad. The previous teams always had a few standout players and was able to rely on them for a boost. I’m SO proud of my sister who took a low-chance-of-success opportunity to give these kids their own chance to shine as a team. And true to her faith, she gave all the glory to God, who gives to us imperfect beings countless opportunities to grow closer to Him.

Faith is NOT believing in something you do not know or believing in something solely based on facts. Faith is based on trust, supported by facts. You cannot have faith in someone unless you know them. Faith is believing in something that has not happened yet, but having the certainty that that will happen.

These statements clarified the problems about “blind-faith” and people intentionally staying ignorant in order to have faith. They also imply that faith is required to believe in God since it’s impossible to know everything about God, a concept likened to a pill prescribed to you by your physician. When it comes down to it, you have faith in the system to help your illness. Do you know for sure that the drugs would cure you? You can certainly put a lot of effort into tracing the drug back to the research facilities and manufacturers to make sure they are putting the right ingredients into the capsules. You can do a background check on your physician to make sure he’s qualified to be making decisions related to your health. You can do all these things, but you don’t. You simply have faith knowing what you know, and people come to faith for a variety of reasons. They may do their own research about the health care system or hear about the drug from their friend.

Intellectual agreement is when you agree with something mentally, but there is no follow through. Using the same analogy, had you expressed “faith” in the health care system, but you never once used the health care system, but instead used home remedies or some other same-cost alternative, you are merely intellectually agreeing that the health care system is trustworthy.

The Christian faith is described as an active one that transforms a person’s attitude and behavior. Sadly, it’s not too uncommon to find people professing their faith in Jesus for years, when there is little evidence of surrendering their life (opinions, ambition, possessions, career) to Him.

The reason I’m not depressed is the same reason some of us are celebrating Christmas. Today marks an event that brought hope and purpose into the world. Without Jesus coming into the world, the end of the year and birthdays would be a reason to celebrate memory loss. But since Jesus freed me from the confines of the temporariness of the world, there is reason to be excellent in all I do, mend relationships, and go through struggles. Happy birthday!

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/07/02appleletter.html

“…gripping almost any mobile phone in certain ways will reduce its reception by 1 or more bars. This is true of iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, as well as many Droid, Nokia and RIM phones.”
Really? I tried gripping my phone right now and couldn’t reproduce this problem. I grabbed my friend’s iPhone and gripped it…I gripped it real hard and still could not reproduce the problem. This is starting to sound like my emails to support customers at work…”please tell me how to reproduce the problem.” 2 out of 2 failed attempts for me does not add up to Apple’s “almost any mobile phone” defense claim.

“…we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.”
Apple is claiming they made a mistake of throwing in 2 bars..so when you see 5 bars, it’s actually 3. Umm…how does this make one feel better when they see zero bars?! Does zero bars equal negative 2 bars? Does 2 bars equal zero bars? Where is the logic in this?

Ok, forget the faulty claims and illogical arguments. The tone of the letter is not sympathetic at all, but attempts to make you feel small for suggesting that Apple’s “most successful product” in history has a hardware defect. I am god of the coolest mobile device ever, don’t you dare question me! But seriously, I would think that this letter would’ve been more tactful coming from Apple. Personally, I want Apple to succeed; perhaps I’m interpreting the letter in the wrong way. Please tell me that I’m wrong; I’d admit it if I really were.

If you are as intrigued about the people of China as I am, this movie will do it for you. I think a documentary on a primary school classroom election would be interesting already, but this happens in China for the very first (documented) time. If you aren’t getting how interesting this movie is by now, you’ll probably have a more enjoyable time watching (dont’ kill me) Eclipse!

Spoiler..your eyes might water up a bit!

You can find it on youtube (5 parts):

or Netflix:

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Please_Vote_For_Me/70084322

This past weekend a coworker bounced around Budapest with me. I sampled “The best strudel in Hungary”, explored the Labyrinth below the Castle District, paid for a mediocre cave tour, and walked across the famed Dunabe River one of the city’s many bridges. The highlight for me was visiting the House of Terror, a museum depicting Hungary in the 1900s when it fell into Communist rule under the Soviets. The museum was very well thought out and interactive, hiding nothing about the atrocities that happened. Did you know that Hungary went through a period where peasant farmers were demanded from the government an unreasonably high quota of produce (grain, livestock, etc) and it was not uncommon for land to be confiscated from a person who didn’t meet the quotas? Does this sound eerily familiar to you? I’m curious now if this was how it came to be in Communist run countries in general or if it was my luck to visit two countries with similar events.

So I’m here for another 3.5 weeks, on this short term trip…I already feel like I’ve taken in more of the culture and way of life than a mere weekend visit, which is more interesting to me than hit-and-run vacationing. Thank you job for this opportunity!

Psalm 13
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

The prayer is about rescue. How long will you allow this trial to persist? How long will you allow me to take comfort through my own means (which is not adequate)? If you don’t help me, I will be defeated by my enemies; do you want that? I trust in your ways and I will rejoice when you do save me. Looking back, you have always done the best for me, and that won’t be any different this time.

Verse 1
Just a small town girl
Livin’ in a lonely world
She took the midnight train
Goin’ anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train
Goin’ anywhere

Two people from dissimilar locations and life circumstances hop on the same midnight train to “anywhere.” There is no specific destination or reason; all we know is that they’re leaving where they came from.

A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

The first two lines describe a setting that isn’t all that romantic or pleasant. Is this describing the boy and girl from the first section? They clearly weren’t intending on meeting, perhaps a chance meeting? The last line suggests some sort of cycle.

Chorus
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching
In the night
Streetlights, people
Livin’ just to find emotion
Hidin’, somewhere in the night

What are they waiting for? What are they searching for? People, as streetlights do, go through life in cyclical patterns. What’s this cycle you may ask? It’s the ever going cycle in search of emotion. Verse two explains more.

Verse 2
Workin’ hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

Everyone wants the same thing, no matter what the cost. People would pay the price to find this emotion even if it means they have lost before, or even if they are on a long losing streak. It’s a cycle.

Instrumental Interlude
Don’t stop believin’
Hold on to the feelin’
Streetlights, people
Don’t stop believin’
Hold on
Streetlights, people

Don’t stop believing what? Hold onto what feeling? I believe the song is talking about love, and how people from any background would risk it all to find it even if it means sacrificing convenience, self-image, and emotional safety. You would think this is a song of hope, right? Perhaps you might think otherwise. One line that throws me off is “Some were born to sing the blue,” which is an incredibly realistic and pessimistic take on life. Are there people out there who were destined to never experience the type of love that they desire? Hmm, I’m not sure, but the line does sound a bit funny in the middle of the other lyrics encouraging one to “Don’t stop believing” and to “Hold onto the feeling.” Why should one fated to never find love, go through life holding onto hope?

Beyond the feelings, there lies a greater truth that much of the love that we seek is somehow tainted or doesn’t last. Maybe that’s why we roll the dice so many times in search of that perfect love. I think human beings intrinsically know that there is such thing as a complete love that brings life and fulfillment; we aimlessly hop on the same midnight train hoping that it’ll land us where we want to be.

So can we be sure about anything? Is there a good, lasting reason to not stop believing? The book of Psalm in the 113th chapter talks of a loving God who reverses the wrongs in this world. The wrongs, introduced by our sin, resulted in disharmony, broken promises, war and famine, the inability to have children, and everything that God did not include when He first created the world. He never stops making things right, even though human beings keep doing wrong. This is the reason to hold onto the hope of a lasting love in this world. This is the reason to keep believing that you will one day find that perfect and committed love that you’re heart has been yearning for.

People go through experiences that not everyone is able to relate to, and in most cases, this fact is what keeps most people sane. You may have a friend who you care about, deeply. Your friend goes through some tremendous difficulty that you have never experienced, so you offer the support that you can within the limits of your ability…and you are fine with that. You’ve done your best. This is not the case with “chameleons”, who often times ignore these limitations thinking they can relate to any situation if they just try hard enough.

What happens when chameleons ignore their limitation to relate to others? The chameleon himself may handle the limitation with difficulty, viewing the limitation as a blemish in his character. “Why can I relate to everyone, yet when it comes to comforting a friend in need I am worthless?” The friend of the chameleon may view the chameleon as prying, or trying too hard to relate to them. “You haven’t gone through the exact same experience, how can you understand? Why do you want to understand so badly? Just drop it!” This leaves the chameleon in a state of anxiety as he is stuck at this point.

I recently came across such anxiety and compare this feeling to that of my mother who wanted to support me while I was going through an identity crisis in a way that she would never understand. There really wasn’t much she could do, but faithfully pray for me. As a maturing chameleon, I realize that there is great hope that comes from Jesus, who can sympathize with our weaknesses, being tempted in all things. Since Jesus can relate to anyone, I do have a way of supporting anyone by depending on Him to comfort those struggling with their own shortcomings and temptations. (Hebrews 4:15) Yes, Christ is the perfect mediator between man and God, and also between man and man.

The message of “The Words I Would Say” by Sidewalk Prophets really touched me. The song talks about a guy who’s writing these words of encouragement to a friend going through hard times, so in turn I pray these same words acknowledging that He is strong when I am weak and limited:

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

There’s a story about a guy named Gideon who was called by God to deliver his nation from the enemy. Gideon was an ordinary guy, like you and I, and really needed some convincing to take action. God did a lot of persuading…He sent fire to burn up a piece of meat…He soaked a piece of fleece, then dried it up as proof that He ges 7: was with Gideon. (Gideon asked for these signs because he was hesitant and still did not totally believe God would use him to defeat the enemy).

Gideon is finally convinced that he is meant to do this, that this is his destiny and calling, so he rounds up 32,000 men to fight! Gideon is probably thinking, “At least 32,000 people were also convinced to go into battle with me. Now we have a chance!” On the contrary, God says, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give [the enemy] into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me…’” So God starts this process of altering the process of which Gideon will use to complete his calling. First He dismisses 22,000 men, so 10,000 are left. Then He pares this number down to merely 300 men! You know at this point Gideon is *afraid* of this change of plans because God tells him to scout out the enemy camp, and to bring another dude if he is afraid. Lo and behold, in Judges 7:11, “…So he went with Purah his servant down to outposts of the army that was in the camp.” In the end, Gideon and the 300 men defeat the enemy, and if you asked them, they’d tell you it was all God and not of their own power.

I also think about some of the other great characters in the Bible who had a dream that God blessed them with, and yet the process was not so smooth. Solomon asked for wisdom, and got it. But I bet he did not foresee part of the process included becoming the richest man in the world for the purpose of coming to the depressing conclusion that the things on Earth are temporary and will pass away. That is wisdom. David’s life was spent going after God’s own heart, yet God allowed the process to include adultery and murder…and not listening to David’s pleas to save his baby. Do you think David questioned his dream or the process during those trials?

I have my own goals and desires that I frequently envision the process for, and I find that when I do allow God to be involved in the process, then the Giver of Life get’s the credit, and it’s so much better anyways. Be encouraged if you are in a process that is not going as well as you want it to go. Take courage to continue dreaming of being the person the person that you were created to be, and do the things you ought to do as a steward of the gifts and talents given to you. Know that God loves growing you during the process, and gives good gifts throughout.