Update

It's been a while since I've updated this blog, and I wanted to share the things that have happened recently.

The other day, I found out that Ywam rejected me. At first, I didn't really know how to react because I never expected rejection. I thought my entrance would have been guaranteed. To be completely honest, it was hard to go throughout the day without tearing up or crying because Hawaii meant so much to me. Hawaii was the place for me to start over and to re-establish a firm foundation with God. I had a huge desire to attend and hopefully, come back to once again a changed man. It's hard for me to understand why this happened. I'll admit that I didn't prepare my heart at all but my desires were genuine and honest. Simply, I wanted to go to seek and further my walk with God, so why did I get rejected? Even in these times of confusion, I realized a couple things:

1. Everything happens for a reason.
For me, this is one of my laws of life because I have witnessed and experienced too many "coincidences" to say that everything doesn't happen for a reason. Just because I don't know the reason doesn't mean there isn't one.

2. Don't ever take anything for granted.
I always thought that Hawaii was just going to be there for me. I thought that God would just give it to me but as you can see that's not the case. So many times in life, it's so easy to complain and to point out the things that aren't falling your way but I think it's important to really appreciate the things you have in life. I could continue to cry and to whine about the fact that I got rejected but when I really look at my life, I can't help but to say that I'm blessed.

3. Learn to man-up.
Since my last entry, I've always felt like a victim to the harsh worldly ways. I always felt like every situation I was placed in, I got the shorter end of the stick. To be honest, I still think that I did receive the shorter end but now I realize that it doesn't matter. Life will punch you in the face and you will get fucked over but victimizing yourself won't change anything. You have to suck-it up and deal with it. Life goes on.

4. Have faith in God.
Even in these times of confusion, I can say that God does have a plan for me and he knows whats best for me because "this I know-I know nothing." The fact that I know nothing reminds me why I have a God that knows everything.

As I write this blog, I know I'm going to fall again and that times are going to be rough but that's okay. At least, I'm on the right path again.

Dear God

Dear God,

I'm sorry for all the sin that I've committed lately.
It's not even about the sin. I'm sorry that my sins have kept us apart.
Honestly, I miss you and I love you, even if my actions don't show it.
I really do miss you and love you.

But lately, I've been placed in this situations where I feel trapped.
I don't want to hurt the other people so I hurt myself instead.
I allow other people to walk over me and I can't deal with it, so I just smoke away my troubles.
I know and I realize that other people's sins (even if they affect me) do not justify me sinning but I'm not ready yet.

Life is just too much.
I don't want to hurt other people and bring them down but in doing so, I'm bringing myself and my family.

I've decided, for now, I'm going to do my own thing.
I promise to still care and love for other people but at the same time, I'm going to be far from you.
It's not because I don't love you anymore. I still do.
It's just hard on me right now.
I feel like if I live in my own world, then I could be the hero and that will keep me going temporarily.
I know that it's wrong but for right now, give me time and safety.

I promise I'll come back. I promise.

Yours Truly,

GhanDEEP

Enter Encouraging Quote Here.

Like I’ve emphasized a million times before, I want this blog to be as open and as raw as it can be. I want people to be able to read my blog and know that there are no hidden messages or underlying purposes, other than me expressing myself and my life. For many of you, it may seem absurd and almost ridiculous but ever since I was little, all I ever wanted to do is express. Whether it was through painting, writing, or simply speaking, I’ve always been open. I don’t know why. I guess it’s who I am.

Moving on, part of being open isn’t only about sharing your good times but it’s also about sharing your bad times.

Honestly, today is the first completely sober day in the past week or so. I don’t really know what triggered me to smoke but I do know that I felt off and lonely. Lately, I’ve felt so distant from everything. I feel like I’m great at zooming out, looking at the entire picture, and understanding people even if I have no experience in what they’re going through. And I’m thankful that I have that ability but at the same time, I feel extremely lonely.

I think more than a regular seventeen year-old should think. (That’s probably why I have so many grey hairs) I actually think so much that a lot of times, I forget to enjoy life and I think that’s what separates me from people my age. Almost in a sense, I would say that it’s hard for me to click with people because I am so different and more mature in my thought process. Yes, you read right. I did just say that I am more mature in my thought process. I’m not going to sit here and say that I am mature because I’m not. Many times, my actions are very immature and that’s something I still have to work on. But what, I am saying is that I am mature in my thought process. Most of you guys probably don’t understand and that’s what I mean when I say I feel lonely.

For last month, I’ve been hanging out with my mentors and older people in general and when I talk to them, we click. They understand my thoughts and what I’m saying and I understand their thoughts and what they are saying but at the same time, they are in college meaning they don’t know and understand what high school is like now days. No matter how much we click and understand each other, we will never fully click because of the age difference. People my age don’t really understand the way I think and most of them are so stubborn or simply ignorant to thinking as deep and as much as I think, which is fine. I realize that most regular normal teenagers want to have fun and don’t really want to think as much. On the other hand, I am the exact opposite. I actually find joy in thinking. All that said I am somewhat lonely but I have friends and I love them to death. But it’s a different kind of loneliness, deeper than physical or emotional companionship. I can’t even explain it that well.

Other than that, I realize that I’m still holding on to certain things. There are still chains and bonds of this world that I haven’t been able to let go of, mainly because I don’t know how and also because I don’t want to. To be completely honest, I wish there was a way for me to still be able to smoke weed and be a good Christian but at some point, you have to choose. Will you take the blue pill or the red pill?

I think it’s not so much about choosing God’s way of life but more about sticking to it. Honestly, I’ve experienced a lot of crazy things that I know are divine and not coincidental. I’ve heard so many crazy stories that I know are true but do I really believe? I know God is real but do I fully believe it? I think for many of us, we somewhat know that God is real. Whether, we experienced a miracle, witnessed a miracle, or simply felt God’s presence, we know God is real but we don’t believe it. There is such a big difference in knowing something and believing it. Knowledge only makes you wiser but belief will change you. I think it’s completely ok and normal to doubt God. I mean if I’m going to devote my life to an invisible man, I better know and fully belief that he is real.

Love All,

GhanDEEP

The Secret Recipe for Change

Hello my dear readers,

Two nights ago, I stayed up till two in the morning, praying and weeping to the lord (Yes, I like to cry) because this walk is extremely hard. But don’t get it twisted. This walk is definitely worth it. It’s similar to working out. It takes time, hard work, and perseverance. Just like lifting weights, you have to push yourself or you won’t see any growth but no doubt, the big muscles are worth it. In a spiritual sense, I was fatigued. An entire day of battling the enemy will do that to you, so I gave my burden to the lord and asked for encouragement. Funny thing is; he gave it to me.

As I was sitting in the cafeteria in the morning before school, one my sisters walked up and randomly handed me a note. It was nicely folded up and well-written. When I opened it up and read it, I instantly felt so much better. It was basically a note of encouragement. It’s funny how I prayed for encouragement the night before.
As the day continued, I begin think what is God?

For so many of us, we think God is an authoritarian or a teacher so we try to impress him. We try to “be good” and “be holy” so that he will love us and accept us. We try to perform for him and in return, receive his blessings but that’s not who God is. I know for a lot of us, it’s hard to change our mindset on God because especially because in Korean culture, we have “perform” for love and sadly, we carry that same mindset into our relationship with the lord. I’ll be the first say, that I was guilty of it. In the beginning times of my walk, I tried so hard to “perform” for him. When in reality, I didn’t have to do anything. He loved when I was praising him and he loved me when I smoking. Where can you find that kind of love?

I begin to break it down further and I realized God is not a teacher. He is not an authoritarian. He is not a friend. He is not a father. He is not a savior. He’s none of these things. First and foremost God is love, meaning he is whatever you need him to be. Notice this; whatever you NEED him to be, not whatever you WANT him to be. Maybe God is distant in your life, or maybe God is being unfair and disciplining you but he’s doing whatever he’s doing because you need it. You may not want but you definitely need it. Who better to trust than the guy who created you? Who better to trust than the guy who loves you?

And since we are all broken and damaged, we NEED a father, we NEED a savior, we NEED a friend, we NEED an authoritarian, and we NEED a teacher so therefore, and God is all of those things. But again, first and foremost God is love. He does what he does because he loves you and he knows it’s best for you.

So lately, I’ve been receiving so many positive comments about my blog and how encouraging it is. But I want to reinforce that’s not about me. It’s not about my personal glory but rather, it’s about me being real and raw, and whether it impacts you positively or negatively doesn’t matter to me, whether you choose to believe in it doesn’t matter to me, but what does matter is that you guys find God in your own life. You guys may read these blog entries and be touched and encouraged but honestly, it means nothing unless you go out and search for God yourself. You read it and are encouraged for a couple hours and then continue living the life that you’ve been living, which I won’t judge but there’s more to life than the superficial worldly ways. If you want real change in your life, it won’t happen by reading my blogs. It will only happen through God.

How many of us are sick of everyday living? How many us are sick of this “fucked up” world? How many of us are sick of the injustice in this world? How many us are sick of this bullshit?

I know I am, but complaining doesn’t change anything. It just makes the world a more unpleasant place to live in. We have shut up and do something about it. We have to change the tide. We have to change the world.

I know how you feel. It’s hard. It’s difficult. But trust me, when you come to lord, you’ll be able to do things you never imagined yourself doing. Trust me, the tide can be turned-All you need is a pinch of faith, a sprinkle of hope, and a whole lot of Jesus.

Don't worry. God doesn't ask you to sacrifice everything at first. Just like in a real relationship with a real person, you build on love and trust and from there, the sacrifices naturally come because of the overflow of LOVE. You don't believe me? Try it out.

All Glory to the Lord-my savior, my king, my father, my everything

Love All,

GhanDEEP

Blessed

Before I even begin sharing about my day, I want to let the readers know that I’m going to try my best to update as often as I can. Not because I want the public to view me in a certain way, but so I can share my life and be as honest as I can, in hopes that people would relate or be encouraged. And even before that, updating and writing about my day reminds me to constantly reflect on my life and sharing is a part of who I am. This is how God made me and I am not ashamed. My dream is that I will be able to be completely one hundred percent honest, and that this blog would honestly reflect my life. I don’t want it to be a “Christian” blog or a “preaching” blog because I’m not a preacher or special spiritual guru. I’m just another average 17 year-old teenager. If blog does seem like a “Christian” blog it’s because I am Christian and it makes me who I am.

Moving on, today was an average day filled with an extraordinary joy. I went through the same old routine-go to school, come home, and go to the gym. In fact, I actually desired to smoke today but my desires are getting a lot better. Before I would smoke to numb the pain and suffering, but now I only smoke for fun. There are only four things to do in Georgia-eat, sleep, play basketball, and play video games (all of which are more fun when you’re high). But fortunately through God’s love, I wasn’t able to smoke. I didn’t realize till I got home but God is always looking out for me. He knows the desires of my heart and how badly I want to quit. Sadly, I may be the first person addicted to marijuana but I’m definitely sick of the hypocrisy. I’m sick of writing blogs, and going to church then finding myself smoking the next day. God knows this but he also knows that I can’t quit alone. Today, he protected me and helped me take one step closer to quitting. I am blessed.

This got me thinking. How many other things has God done for me?

So many times, in our own little world, we complain and cry over the smallest things. I know I’m guilty of being a whiner but let’s zoom out and look outside our little boxes. Are we not all blessed?

I know that it’s easy for me to say that because I do live in a country club, where a dollar is worth a penny. And I know that, other kids my age have to work where as I am spoiled and money is given to me but that’s why I have so much respect for teens who make their own money, even if they do it illegally. But what did we do to be born the in our context? We live in the United States, the land of the free. People all over the world would die to live here but why do we get to be live here? We could have easily been born in North Korea or Africa and suffered so much more. Did we do anything as fetuses to be this lucky? And even deeper, what did we do to receive life? Why should God let us breathe?

Today, I once again realized that I am blessed.

My prayer is that, this perspective to life would continue and not only be a joyful emotion but also be a way of life.

Love All,

GhanDEEP

Update.

Last week was a hard week for me. I fell into a lot of sin and what made it worse was the discouragement that came my way. In fact one of my friends actually got angry at me and another said, “Eric, you’re always on that quit tip.” (Referring to smoking weed) I don’t judge them for judging me but honestly, it didn’t feel good. Yet at the same time, how they reacted still spoke truth in my life and through that I realized something.

Yes, God’s love does allow me to stand in my own filth and hypocrisy and praise him, which I am so thankful for. But at the same time, does that justify sin? No.

I realized that I stretched the line of grace too far. In a place where I felt so loved and so comfortable even in my own filth, I manipulated grace. Because he doesn’t judge, I tricked myself into thinking that sin is ok. But Sunday night, someone told me, “Sin is the very thing your father died for.”

I’m not saying that you have to perfect and sinless to be with lord (no one can) but I think personally for me in my walk, I’m at a level of spirituality and experience where I need to give up these things. I’m also not saying that I’m going to be perfect. Who knows, I may even fall tomorrow or next day but just know that whatever happens, I’m always going to fight.

And finally, just know this: I know a lot of people look at me and see hypocrisy and “bullshit”. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not perfect and I am a hypocrite. I still stand in my own filth and hypocrisy, with high arms praising the lord because his love allows me too. Yes, I still sin and yes, I still love the lord. Honestly, people can judge me all they want but someone wise told me, “You know you’re doing your thing when you got haters.” I don’t mind the judgment that comes my way. I understand. Honestly, if I was an outsider looking in, I’d probably do the same thing. My life is filled with a lot of hypocrisy and bullshit but instead of judging my every move, how about you take that time and search for God yourself? (I promise it will be worth it.)

Ps: Life is awesome. Today, I was reflecting on my life and I wanted to cry. I am so blessed to live to where I live, to have the things that I have, and to be loved the way that I am loved. All glory to the lord :]

Love All,

GhanDEEP

Homeless Outreach

Through a series of blessed events, I partook in my first “homeless outreach”. As we were walking to the park where the homeless stayed, I realized that I had no idea of what to do, or how to even approach a homeless person. After all, it was my first time. But I did know one thing-I knew God wanted to bless me.

As we awkwardly approached a group of three to four homeless people sitting on a bench, we offered them sandwiches and bottled waters. The moment I looked into their eyes, I could sense an unbearable pain. It seemed as if, they wanted to cry. This alone broke my heart and I began to tear up. Eventually we sat down next to them and just talked. Honestly, I was still very awkward and shy so I just listened but something stood out to me. One man seemed to be resting his bare feet on his boots. It was weird because how many times in public do we see someone resting their bare feet? I was so curious and shocked that I had to ask him.

And it went something like this:

(He was the quiet one but suddenly he said something to me but I didn’t understand because I was zoned out on his feet so I just smiled and nodded)

“Yeah, sorry but I didn’t catch your name before. What’s your name again?”

“Odus”

“Oh, my name is Eric.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too. This may seem really random and weird but I realized that you were resting your feet on your boots. Why were you doing that?”

“Oh, I’ve been wearing this tims for the past two days and my feet hurt.”

At first nothing hit me, but then I realized this man didn’t take of his shoes for two days because he didn’t have a sanitary place where he can walk bare foot. So many times in life, we complain about the smallest things and yes, they are uncomfortable but here’s a man who doesn’t even have a place to rest his feet. Little things like that never cross our minds because we are truly blessed.

Overall, this was a great experience but the funniest thing is that we call it an “outreach” and expect that we will help them but in reality, they are blessing us. They are the heroes of the world.

Love All,

GhanDEEP

Roller Coasters

For many of us, we struggle with riding that spiritual “roller coaster”. We believe that it’s “bad” because of the spiritual inconsistency. But what if this “roller coaster” was a blessing from God? What if this “roller coaster” was actually a “good” thing?

So many times, we focus on the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, and the inconsistency, that it leads us further away from God. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that inconsistency is a good thing but I believe that the enemy has cleverly twisted this concept. After encountering God, our hearts desire to please our father, yet so many times, our actions don’t reflect our true intentions. We repent and start over, through God’s mercy. But soon enough we began grow sick of the guilt and condemnation found in inconsistency and because of that, we choose the dark path. Kudos to Satin for such a clever scheme but brothers and sisters, know that guilt and condemnation come from the enemy. God desires to love and only to love and in love, there is no condemnation.

These trials and tribulations we go through are here for our growth, but the enemy has seized this opportunity to attack us. They lie to us. The moment we fall over and over again, they feed us the guilt and that ultimately hinders our growth.

But I began to wonder; “If these trials are here for our growth, then why do we constantly fall over and over again?”

For the longest time, I struggled with not wanting to fall. My heart longed so much to do everything right for God but as time passed by, the more and more I fell. But one day I saw this video. It talked about how Jesus, himself, went through 30 plus years of training and all the other great prophets also endured 30 plus years of training. So what makes me think that I can walk this walk for 4 months and be transformed? God cares more about the journey. He wants to teach you and show you the way, rather than snapping his finger and changing you into a super prophet. All good things come with perseverance and patience.

But then I asked, “How does falling over and over again help me grow?”

Each time I fell, I realized that God taught me a certain lesson. Whether it was learning to run to God or rebuking me for seeking my own glory, each fall had a purpose. But now that I look back and analyze my falls, I realize that there is something common in each of them. With every failure, God never failed to reveal his everlasting love for me. Now imagine a roller coaster. Before you can fall down the steep slope, the chains must pull you up and notice that you cannot pull yourself up but you must rely on the chains. God is similar. He pulls you up to a high point and lets you fall so that when you lose momentum, he will pull you up again. He doesn’t focus on the fact that you lost momentum because he is too eager to pull you back up again. God wants you to rely on him. That is love.

In parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-24), the younger son foolishly spends his share of the estate in wild living. Soon enough, he becomes broke and desperate. He surrenders all pride and runs to his father to find that his father has been waiting all along. If he had never fallen, then he would have never ran to his father and he would have never realized the love his father has for him.

The truth is simple, God loves you,and don’t let the enemy take that away from you.

Love All,

GhanDEEP

"It is what it is"

In class today, my teacher was talking about the “Chaos Theory”, which basically states that all events that occur in life are totally random and cannot be controlled. For example, we have experienced “weather” every day for thousands of years yet still to this day, we cannot predict it. We never know when it rain or when it will snow, therefore proving that every event in life is absolutely random and uncontrollable. Another example is driving. We, as humans create rules and regulations for the road in order to prevent accidents from occurring yet they still happen, which only proves the “Chaos Theory”. In every aspect of life, we try to maintain order but eventually these “random events” disassemble our humanly plans and create chaos.

This got me thinking; “Does that mean our sole purpose for living is a mere coincidence?” or “What if these so called “random events” are actually planned?” Maybe there is a plan behind all of this and we are too minuscule to understand it. Just because we are the superiors on this planet, doesn’t necessarily mean that we are the superiors of the entire universe. Sometimes, we have to realize that there are things greater than us.

Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not saying that we should rid of all our rules because then there would be complete chaos but maybe, we should acknowledge that there is an underlying plan behind each event and we are just too incapable to understand it. After all, it is what it is.

Love All,

GhanDEEP