Yes, Jesus Loves You!

Back in college, some of my friends and I recorded a rap music video all in one night (we wrote verses about some of our friends who were graduating), and we showed the video less than 24 hours later at our end of the year celebration. Yes, that's right. Michael Chen and his friends RAPPING. :) I crack up every time I watch this video.

I uploaded it not only to amuse you but also to point out the last verse (about 4:15 in this video):

It's God's grace that brought our friends, and He takes away
And He is still good, and He has never changed
He saved us from wrath and works all for our good
And at the end look back--by His grace You've always stood!

So in these days of going to new schools, saying goodbye to good old friends (and sponsors) and saying hello to new friends and new challenges, remember this.

God's love for you is MASSIVE, my beloved TIGers in Christ. Do not forget!

Free Phil Wickham CD

Speaking of free music, Phil Wickham recently put his live CD Singalong up online for free download at his website. I haven't listened to this one either, but it looks pretty cool!

Theological rap?

Voice may be the most theologically-oriented rapper you've ever heard (interesting, huh?)! You can download two of his songs for free at his PureVolume page.

Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King tomorrow

I love and admire Steven Curtis Chapman, so I was shocked and saddened to hear about the recent tragedy in his family (his daughter Maria was killed in May when one of his teenage sons accidentally backed into her in their driveway).

The Chapmans were on "Good Morning America" recently (watch the interview here) talking about the tragedy, and he will be on Larry King Live tomorrow at 6 pm on CNN. I haven't seen either show yet, but from what I hear and expect, these will probably be pretty honest, moving examples of how we can grieve with hope through God's great gospel.

From SCC's news page:

"Initially Steven talked about never doing any concerts or media ever again," comments Jim Houser, Chapman's manager. "But quickly God began to show Steven that if he ever believed the songs he was writing, singing and recording before May 21st and Maria's loss, that they must still be true now. It's the family's hope that these appearances with serve as a chance to proclaim to a watching world what they know and are deeply convinced of even in these difficult days, the Gospel is true and faith in Christ is our Hope."

Mike's Psalm 23 sushi ninjas

Sensei Mike took several of his Psalm 23-memorizing young charges to Mizu just now. And we picked up a few extra people, too!

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Kim came with her family, and Shihong blessed us with his words of wisdom :). Actually, it was great to hang out with Shihong and get to know him a little bit more and to hear how God has been growing him! And he really did pass on some words of wisdom to us about being in TIGS vs. CY, being a high school student, etc. ...

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Got some straws stuck...I hate it when that happens. Thankfully, Joseph was there with the shell crackers to help! :)

Kim's Psalm 23 sushi junkies

Today I had the privilege of grabbing sushi with Kim and her Psalm 23-memorizing small group. We had a great time at Daruma Sushi House in West Sacramento! (That is, after I arrived with the guys, having made just about every wrong turn possible on the way to this West Sacramentan restaurant ;).)

Below are our group pictures.

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While the rest of us take the group picture, Daniel suddenly remembers the 457th digit of Pi!

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Meredith gets HAPPY, Chris gets violent, Daniel gets the munchies, and everybody else is just plain WEIRD.

:)
heee

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Can you think of any better captions for these photos? If so, please post them in the comments!

Worship team testimony, part 3

I recently started posting installments of a testimony that I wrote several months ago at the request of the worship team. Below is the third part. (You can also read the first and second parts.)

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A second “trauma”: sovereign love

Another “trauma” I suffered that year: Our pastor preached on Romans 8:28-29, which reads, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” That's when I saw that God controls every single molecule (Eph 1:11, 1 Corinthians 8:6)! He does this every minute and nanosecond! He does this and never sins! And He works all things for our good!

Thus, in every trouble I go through, I know that God is ultimately behind it, and He works all things for my good. It is never hopeless; it is bottomlessly optimistic, even in the worst tragedies.

The extent of God's control amazed me, and His love impresses me. It is very practical and hope-giving. These verses amazed me.