if at first you don't succeed...

found this quote it andy wong's profile..

Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.
- Jacob Riis

have you ever tried to share your faith with someone you cared about, only to get rejected? have you ever tried to convince someone to simply listen to your beliefs, only to get ignored? have you ever prayed for someone so persistently, only to get no response?

your efforts are NEVER in vain.

mandy shared her testimony yesterday during CBS, and i must say that i was really touched by her message. like she said, you never know how much it may mean to a friend if you do the little things: invite them to church, spend time with them in fellowship, pray for them, share your faith with them, etc. God has His reasons for everything, and with that, His timing is always perfect.

we do not have the power to "convert" or "save" people. we do not hold the gift of salvation at our fingertips. it's all up to God. our only job is to simply spread the Good News. and you never know. maybe that one hour you spent sharing your testimony with a friend today will help in him/her coming to know Christ 20 years from now.

doesn't that thought alone make every effort worth the time? of course. so keep hammering away..

OpHeEeNieEe: perccusiongurl: u sure ur a hs senior?
perccusiongurl: u seem older then mok

hahaha awesome. i look younger than i am. or...wait. i just "seem" younger..

thought this was also quite encouraging:

froggerinthesky (5:01:19 PM): heh, so here's the fuinny thing.
froggerinthesky (5:01:40 PM): just yesterday, after work, i was venting how "PEOPLE SUCK!! I HATE PEOPLE!! "
froggerinthesky (5:01:46 PM): u know, work stress..anyway
froggerinthesky (5:01:49 PM): so then i open up ur blog
froggerinthesky (5:01:55 PM): and it says, "PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE"
froggerinthesky (5:02:17 PM): ....haha, i just thought that was cool. God's so awesome. hehe, just thought i'd share

God is awesome. understatement? yeah =)

people need people

got this from ophelia who got it in an email..

***
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

LOVE: THE ONE CREATIVE FORCE

When you see geese flying along in V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. by flying in V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone - and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.

If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are headed the same way we are.

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.

It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people or with geese flying south.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
What messages do we give when we honk from behind?

Finally - and this is important - when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.

If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that.

By Source Unknown
***

hehe man, how awesome. this just reminds me of clements for some reason. i think it's cuz of those singing valentines, where the choir people would go around to different classrooms singing some really sappy songs =P but hey, i enjoyed them. here's one of my favorites..

Lean on Me
- Bill Withers

Sometimes, in our lives
We all have pain, we all have sorrow
But, if we are wise
We know there's always tomorrow

Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

You just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I might just have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

Lean on me
When you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

hehe..can't help but snap my fingers when singing this =P

What Would Jesus Do?
- Big Tent Revival

some people just want to survive
and I don't know about you
but I am alive

lately it seems
that I need a hand
in a fallen world
I just want to stand

What would Jesus do walkin' in my shoes
workin' at my job and goin' to my school
and I hear people say, "Jesus is the way"
I believe and that is why I'm asking you,
"What would Jesus do?"

and as we all know
life can be tough
and all that we need is love-sweet love

so where do we go? well here's what i see
to change my world
i gotta change me

sometimes choices don't seem black and white
and they can leave you black and blue

what would Jesus do?
He'd give His life for you
if you follow HIm,
you'll give your life to them

shine on, shine on -- follow with Jesus
shine on, shine on -- follow with Jesus

the world as we know it

i found this on calvin's blog..

**This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLoud. I thought it was worth sharing with the world and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It shows clearly just how far this country has gone in the wrong direction.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."

Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem.

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor God and to ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.

This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except God and His Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.

"However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God and ask Him, in the name of Jesus, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.

They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!

The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under God."

Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise God that His remnant remains!

Celebrate Jesus in 2003!

Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of Me before men, then I will be ashamed of you before My Father."

If you are not ashamed, pass this on, but only if you mean it.

Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing, but with Him, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

This is the simplest test . . . if you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things He has done for you, feel free to pass it on!!!**

so this is the world we live in now. i dig into my pocket, pull out a shiny penny that has "IN GOD WE TRUST" engraved into it, yet in this "great country," things have gotten to such a point where public prayer is against the law because those who don't believe in this "God" may be offended.

hearing stuff like this, for some reason, reminds me of being an Awana volunteer. hehe maybe it's because when i hear the word "ashamed," i think of AWANA, which stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed." this comes from 2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

i am not ashamed.

i am real SMRT

my business administration assignment was to come up with my personal mission statement..

well, here it is..

While never taking my focus off of my faith in God, I will try my best not to take anything for granted, but instead, to always count my blessings.

While never allowing my dreams and goals to take priority over my responsibilities and beliefs, I want to discover an area of life that I have a true passion for, an area where it is not the smell of cash that attracts me, but the appeal of my heart.

While never forgetting the friends and family who helped me along life’s road with support and encouragement, I promise to cherish each relationship, no matter the distance of separation.

While never allowing excuses such as lack of time to get in the way, I vow to my future spouse that I will be the best husband to ever set foot on this earth, and to my future children, that I will be the best daddy that you will ever find.

While never ignoring the truth that I am a representative of my faith, I commit to living the rest of my life for Christ, always keeping in mind that the Bible says “let your light shine before men.”

While never disregarding the well-being of others, I intend to do everything with sensitivity and compassion, for I would appreciate others taking the same approach to their actions.

While never condoning people’s wrongdoings, I resolve to constantly bear in mind that no one is perfect and to follow the simple saying, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

While never neglecting the difference between “growing up” and “growing old,” I plan to ceaselessly remain young at heart and maintain a tight grip on my sense of humor, while remembering there’s a time for fun and a time for seriousness.

While never overlooking the fact that I can do nothing apart from God, I pray that God will forever receive all the glory.

bam warrior: wtc is mokaka?
jen nn mokaka: no idea
jen nn mokaka: haha
bam warrior: ...

bam warrior: sounds indian.
jen nn mokaka: thats cause im half-hindi
bam warrior: right.
bam warrior: and fully retarded.
jen nn mokaka: hey, thats cold
jen nn mokaka: ICE cold
bam warrior: right.
jen nn mokaka: YAH-huh!

jen nn mokaka: FASHO MY HOMIE G
bam warrior: lahoo
jen nn mokaka: lahoo?
jen nn mokaka: you mean Yahoo?
bam warrior: zaher.
jen nn mokaka: zaher?
bam warrior: loser
jen nn mokaka: My indian friends name is zaher
bam warrior: wow really
bam warrior: my hindi sister is named mokaka
jen nn mokaka: yea omg i KNOW her!
jen nn mokaka: HERH HERH HERH HERH HERH HERH HERH.
jen nn mokaka: HEE HEEEE HEEEE HEEE.
bam warrior: um.

for the sake of time...

time is not exactly on my side right now, so i gotta give you the cliff notes version of my weekend..

1) youth carnival

pretty fun seeing everyone back home again; time sure has a way of flying by, huh? let's see, deborah destroyed my face with paint, supposedly making me look like a tiger. it was all good until the paint started drying, and then my face started hurting, which wasn't too pleasant. played cakewalk, won some brownies that i gave away, and i helped out with ophelia's putt-putt golf booth, until the kids got bored and decided to start adding obstacles..but anyhow, all in all, a very enjoyable time. oh yeah, and after the carnival was over, fred and i were overmatched by gloria and ophelia at the foosball table. man, it was terrible. lost 2 straight games, 10-1 and 10-3. but then again..it's not like we were really trying.. =P

2) dim sum

saturday morning, annie and tiffany came by to pick me up to go to kim son for lunch. we planned on meeting everyone at the restaurant at 12:15, but then again, i guess we were all running on chinese time. we finally got a table to fit all of us, and the food was quite decent. i actually tried something new this time...forget what it's called, but it was some sort of thing like a tsa siew bow except inside was some yellow-orange stuff that was sweet. *shrug* it tasted pretty good..

3) galleria

after eating, half of us decided to go to the galleria, and the other half decided to head home. i had nothing else planned, so i tagged along to go to the galleria. i no longer have car insurance, so i hitched a ride with ophelia. well, the traffic turned out to be pretty bad once we hit 610, and then ophelia says that she's supposed to meet at church at 4:00. i look at the clock, and it's already 3:00. haha so basically, once everyone got there, we shopped at one store (dylan's candy store?), and then the next thing we know, it's already 4:00. great..

4) basketball

went to ball with jon-erik and gary at about 5:00. surprisingly, for the first time ever, there was basically no one else at colony meadows except this guy named dow. so we played 2-on-2 for a while, which was pretty fun. i mean, it's always fun breaking JE's ankles, isn't it? hehe j/k, but yeah, we played til it got dark at 6:30, then we busted out with our glow-in-the-dark basketballs!

..im j/k. then we went home.

5) movie night

at bout 8, peter picked me up to head over to annie's house to hang out. we ended up watching 2 movies: "identity" and "10 things i hate about you". "identity" was a very good movie. i enjoyed it alot. hehe even though i'd seen "10 things i hate about you" before, after watching it again, i must say i enjoyed it. and no, contrary to annie's beliefs, i am not a teenybopper.

6) focus

note to self: next time you go to focus, bring a blanket.

yes, i enjoyed quite a breeze sitting up there in the front row. quite a breeze indeed. i looked up to my left and my right, and i was happy to notice that both the air vents were pointing directly at me. but anyways, today john lin talked about getting into God's word. it was an awesome reminder to just "chew" on His word daily. i mean, if we really believe that God's word is powerful, then what reason do we have to not read it every day?

so there's my weekend in a nutshell. time to do my homework! yay..