watch out for the people pleasers!

do you ever wonder why you do things sometimes? i'm talking about the dreaded chore or favor you do because you fear feeling guilty. not because it's out of the goodness of your heart or because you desire to serve them, but simply out of "fear". why is that i am so pressed to being a "people pleaser"? how do you get out of that mode and simply "do" because you want to and walk away whenever you desire to.... without guilt? does that day ever come? being a people pleaser can be a lot of hard work. it's a job in itself. i need to lighten the load!

Blue Like Jazz -- Digging Deep!

I recently read a book which has caused me to really think about my faith: what i believe, why i believe what i believe, and how what i believe... impacts my life. Blue Like Jazz, written by Donald Miller, is a candid "journal" of thoughts which challenged me to look at the christian faith and really dig deep. It caused me to reflect and to see my "faith" in a different light. The last time i read a book that caused this type of impact was Putting Amazing Back Into Grace by Horton. Although the books are very different, nonetheless, it was an eye opening look at how much i often restrict the christian faith into a narrow box and how i at times feel like the outside is "bad". but is that always the case? being different in the world yet standing firm in my beliefs can actually happen. so often i think "different" is bad. why is that?

how can i reach the world for christ, when i am to "afraid" to step out, be different, stand for something (that acutally means something), and not be fearful that i won't relate to others? my desire is to passionately pursue Christ and reflect him daily. the ironic thing is: when i'm in the "box", i seem to be more consumed with "myself" yet its safe. its a case of getting over myself. boy, seeing my sinfulness and selfishness can be hard to swallow... yet its so refreshing. i consider that progress!

On That Midnight Train to Georgia?

Top TEN great Things about the SOUTH...

1o. Sonic lime-aid slushie
9. Crawfish Mac and Cheese
8. Chick-fil-A on every street corner
7. minimum of 5 Christian radio stations
6. grits and country style potatos for breakfast
5. ducks at the peabody while sippin a tennesee mudslide
4. saw the Mississippi river like huck finn
3. shrimp po'boys
2. Sweet Tea!!! for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack
AND...
1. Saw "the KING" at graceland (nuff said!)

i even came back with a slight southen' accent. ya'll need to come visit sometime!

i could potentially see myself living in tennesee, but i'd surely be the only asian there in memphis. anyone want to join me? y'all would love it ya hear!