Some Recent Updates...

Such a wonderful gift given to me on the most solemn day of all - Good Friday. I had a dream last night, that the results for Erasmus Mundus scholarship is out, and when I checked my mail.. Ta-da! The results IS out. It's just that I didn't get into the main list...

Ok, the story is this: I applied for Erasmus Mundus scholarship end of last year, and today the results is finally out. Although I'm not in the main list for category A scholarship (9 are awarded for this category this round), I'm quite happy to know I'm ranked third in the reserved list. I can't help feeling disappointed that this door to studying in Europe is not opened, but I know God has a better plan for me. Whatever that may be, I shall await with hope. If the door will be opened, someone will reject and I will be asked to fill in the position, right?

Blessed Good FRIDAY!

Lenten Reflection: Wrestling with God

Currently I'm at Beringgis Resort's main lobby after morning walk at the beach... And I read out loud the readings by the seaside. What a calm, cool and clear morning, listening to peaceful whispers of the ocean!

Here's the reflection I have done of today's 1st reading taken from the book of Jonah, chapter 3, verses 1 to 10....

Everyone has a time when they wrestle with the Lord so that they can do what they think is the best for them. The thing is God doesn't need to wrestle with us, but He will allow us to do what we like, because of the free will He gave us. Yet, there will always be a time when we will realize that what we have chosen is the path we desire. This is not necessarily a path that leads to a full and complete life. And, second chance is always given to us free by God. Again, it's up to whether we want to be obedient this time or still remain stubborn and self-sufficient.

I had my time wrestling with God when it comes to my future planning. I wanted so badly to stay where I am now that I gave up the offer that GIST's professor presented to me in the middle of my internship. If I had taken the route, I'd have gotten my Ph.D by now. Yet, the Lord is once again presenting me with this chance of furthering my studies. Like Jonah who was obedient to the Lord (c.f. Jon 3:2-3), this time I am certain I must go - be it GIST or other places. Not only that I have to give up all that I think I possess here for now, like the king who took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes (c.f. Jon 3:6).

How I wish there is an easy way out of this! How I wish I can retain all these! Yet, I know things will change. The only thing that remains constant is change.

At the same time, I'm wrestling with God about a person... This person knows God too, and me, he knows well. And he refuses to see me, to keep in touch for whatever reason. And when he's like that, I know there is no possibility to see him, except by divine intervention. Yet, I badly want to follow God's timing... When it's time according to His watch, I'm certain God will let us see each other again...

Couch Surfing!

Frankly speaking, I'm still deciding if I should share too much publicly at the moment, but I guess there's no harm sharing something interesting... I've decided to join some other KK friends to Europe for World Youth Day and Youth Arise International. After that, some self-searching traveling around nearby areas. Would really love to experience Europe... Hence found that I could do such a thing known as COUCH SURFING! It's like sleep over at some stranger's house for a night or two, sharing a dinner or so with them... and some companionship I guess.

Adventurous, yes. 100%. I pray God will guide me to the helpful, kind, truthful people of Europe! I can only trust God to take care of me and my budgeted trip.

Shall update you guys my plans soon!

5 cm. fir tree removed from patient’s lung / MosNews.com

5 cm. fir tree removed from patient’s lung / MosNews.com

Well, this is interesting... Sorry for not blogging these days. Just wait for another month, then I shall regain blogging. One more month to go before things gain more certainty in my life ^____^ Can't wait, really...

Happy 1st Sunday of Lent 2011!!!

The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

This book is written by the President of World Vision U.S. about poverty and the reaction of the world's population towards this issue. Generally, the grand idea is that our faith is not just about believing but the concept of "faith and works". Very much similar to the teachings I have received as a Catholic, where we are being encouraged to put our faith to work. I appreciate the exhortation which Stearns gave about handling the issue of poverty. It is true that everyone is called by God to answer His call. And I am glad that he answered the call to be the President of World Vision U.S. where God is using him to reach out to the poor and hungry.

On the other hand, I was not used to the writing style, hence had a difficulty to finish reading the book. It took me a lot to try connect to the topics he was trying to connect to the readers. Hence, as much as the essence of the book is encouraging, I'd say I did not enjoy much reading it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Presents? Yeah, Presents...

Just a quickie: Would you cherish a gift more because it is more expensive? Or because it's from the person who cares for you?

I was browsing random blogs just now and here's a statement which brings me to the attention of the importance of presents...

"I’ll go find a decent and useful gift for that, let’s just hope I won’t be getting yet another WWJD plaque. Come on now, there’s nothing godly in being a cheapskate."

I received presents for various occasions throughout the years... and one of my cherished items is a pewter pin stated Jn 3:16. I am trying my best to not judging what kind of person who would state such things openly but it really caused me to think back of what gifts I give to people. I wonder if this person's friends would be hurt by statement as: "there's nothing godly in being a cheapskate". My impression on the statement is WWJD plaque as gift is a way of being cheapskate. Maybe I misunderstood the writer's opinion...

Then my next question is... "What kind of gifts is considered decent?" I used to love giving people gift cards with bible verses or bookmarks. So does that mean I am a cheapskate? NO. We evangelize to people around us in our own ways. God did not teach us to splurge and spend money not according to how much we earn. So my stand is it doesn't matter how much is the price of the present, but how much love was there when the giver chose the gifts.

So my friends who read my blog, even if you have that bit of hurtful feelings after reading it, remember to choose gifts with your heart and not with your brain inside the wallet/purse.

Love, as if never been hurt (사랑하라, 한번도 상처받지 않은 것처럼)

춤추라, 아무도 바라보고 있지 않은 것처럼

사랑하라, 한번도 상처받지 않은 것처럼

노래하라, 아무도 듣고 있지 않은 것처럼

일하라, 돈이 필요하지 않은 것처럼

살라,오늘이 마지막 날인 것처럼

~알프드 디 수자 ~

Translation into English:

Dance, as if nobody is watching you

Love, as if never been hurt

Sing, as if no one is listening

Work, like you do not need the money

Live, as if today is the last day

~Alfred D' Souza~

This is the title poem of the book I was given by a cherished friend, Kwon Ho-keun, in 2005 when I left GIST after my internship in Gwangju. I never found out what he meant until I used Google Translate tonight to finally get the poem translated. There are so many more to go... But these are quotes of famous people translated to Korean language. I am blessed to have met a friend who wants me to live my life well.

I hope he does well in his future undertakings too.