Dear Blog

I'm sorry I've been neglecting you. School's begun and is selfishly taking up my time. And my lap top is failing me with its unwelcoming illnesses. But I will make this right. And for the time being, I will try to make a better effort to visit you more often; for surely there will be many tales to tell as this year progresses.


Sincerely,
JoJo

One Reason Why the Internet Is Sometimes Awesome

It's simple. Find a cause. Pick a sponsor. Create a spiffy-looking widget. Put this spiffy-looking widget amongst your many social networking circles. Earn some money to help your cause. Make a difference. Give it a try!*

*(This is a far cry from those e-mails you used to get about AOL donating three cents to an untracable dying baby.)

Today is a Good Day

1college algebra class has been finished forever.

2cd's have been bought for $2.99 each, which is great.

3more weeks left of summer vacation are to be spent.

4hours of some much needed catch-up sleep have been spent.

...and a new not-so-new song stuck in my head:

Thank You Father for a really nice day.

Oh What a Small World We Live In

So, the fine people here of Southern California got a taste of a 5.8 magnitude earthquake today. I was hanging out with my little brother at home when the whole place started shaking for a good 30 seconds or so! It was very exciting to the least. But anyway, by the time I logged onto my computer, the BBC (which is my homepage) already had a "breaking news" story on it within 20 minutes of the earthquake. It's amazing to think that an organization whose headquarters is located half-way across the world can keep its pulse on world events so proficiently. This world just became a little smaller to me.


The BBC's article:

Strong quake felt in Los Angeles

A strong earthquake has been felt in the US city of Los
Angeles.

The quake made buildings in the city shake and was
felt as far south as San Diego, witnesses say, but so far there are no reports
of casualties or damage.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor had a
magnitude of 5.8, after initially measuring it at 5.6.

The epicentre of the quake was located 29 miles south-east of
downtown Los Angeles, near Chino Hills in San Bernardino County, officials said.

In 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Northridge, California,
killed 72 people, injured some 9,000 and caused $25bn worth of damage in the
area.

(I also have to note how I love that last little sentence BBC threw in there. I guess the news story by itself wasn't dramatic enough.)

You+Me=Wii

Today is a happy day. My family and I are now the proud owners of a Nintendo Wii! A friend of ours from the youth group was generous enough to sell his console to us for a decent price. Not only did we get the standard stuff that comes with the wii, but he also threw in Super Smash Brothers Brawl and a sweet controller dock! I definitely see good times to be had in the near future.

In other news, I only have one more week left of college algebra. I'm looking forward to not waking up at 6:00 a.m. anymore. well, at least until I have to take another early class. oh, college. Three more weeks of summer break...

There Are So Few Words That Never Grow Old

verses.1&2
O, for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer’s praise
The glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace
My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim
To spread through all the earth abroad, the honors of Thy name

chorus.
So come on and sing out, let our anthem grow loud
There is one great love, Jesus

verses.3&4
Jesus, the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ‘tis life and health and peace
He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoners free
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me

verses.5&6
He speaks and listening to His voice, new life the dead receive
The mournful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe
Glory to God and praise and love, be ever, ever giv’n
By saints below and saints above, the church in earth and Heav’n

reflection.
There are so few words that never grow old
Jesus, Jesus


I pray that these words would never grow old. More than ever before, I've felt like I have to fight spiritual numbness in my life. Too often I feel too weak or simply not willing to put up a fight, to strive for God, to believe that this race is worth running. One thing that I wish I had more of right now is focus. Anything long-term seems so far away and out of reach to me, and the short-term is confusing, tedious, and honestly a little annoying. But even more, I feel like my core spirituality is starting numb. Salvation, the cross, Jesus - I know the reality of it, but I feel a disconnect that I can't understand. I know so well in my mind that these truths are alive, but my heart has a difficult time making that connection. I don't know what God is doing (or if it's just me). I'm writing this because I just wanted to be honest. At this point in my life, my faith is confusing and shaky; and I pray with every bone in my body that this season will pass. But for now, I pray that things will start making sense and become real to me again. I pray that Jesus would be my companion, not only my belief. And I pray that I will develop a willing heart to live my life for Him.

I also ask for your prayers. I know that the prayers of my brothers and sister in Christ can make a difference. If God should ever put me on your mind, pray that He would give me a sound mind, diligence, and a living passion for Him.

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

I Peter 5:10 - “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”


Thanks for reading to those of you who do. :)

God bless,
JoJo

Beautiful Evening!

The summer evenings have been really beautiful lately, especially today. Sunsets and cameras = a good time.