Monday, June 3

today was quite a day.

i had slept over with pastor JH, so that we could get up early and set things up for the youth group service. i had trouble sleeping, again. i just lay there, thinking crazy thoughts...i don't remember anymore. i do know that i was still awake at 5:30am.

just as it felt like i was about to fall asleep, PJH woke me up. we took showers, washed up, and then headed over to the RCC (church building). as promised, i sported my LAKERS jersey.

PJH gave a rousing sermon about the PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN, but with a much different message than that i was used to hearing from this passage. the title was:
Not the Minimum, but the Maximum.
Luke 10:25-37
a brief summary of some major points:
* who is an "expert of the law?" ironic that this person has this title, when one considers whom he addresses (Jesus, of the Trinity, AUTHOR of the law)
* sometimes, we treat christian life as little more than knowing which hoops to jump through. but it is NOT about jumping through hoops; it is about falling in love with Jesus. a special RELATIONSHIP with this being.
* in such a relationship, when one falls in love, one doesn't do the minimum to keep the other in a relationship merely satisfied. one does his/her upmost and more, for the one you are in love with.
* many christians are content with, "i'm going to heaven, so i'm ok. i don't need to do much more." but the essence of heaven is not having all the desires of your heart, not about little cute angels flying around playing harps. heaven is ETERNITY with GOD. for this relationship, we should be spilling our all.
* threrefore, knowing the correct answers to get that toe in heaven is not enough. what MORE can i do? How can I do more for you, JESUS?
* don't "do church." don't go through the motions. FALL in LOVE with Him.

afterwards, went to the main service in Hunter college auditorium. things were changed, now the worship time was longer to allow true worship. it was simply awesome. before, at times, it seemed a mere formality, because it would be 2 songs or so, and people were having trouble entering that heart of worship. or at least i was. this was simply awesome. PV also gave an amazing sermon in 1 Samuel 6. i didn't take as good notes for this sermon....

after service, i got a lot of playful flak for wearing my LAKERS jersey. dave wore his minneapolis lakers jersey. it was great. all in good fun.

had a quick lunch, then back to RCC for worship practice for the 5:00 service. was just awesome, practicing with such talented and blessed musicians. later, the pastors took us aside and prayed over us, and we also went around praying for the service.

5:00 service. praise was just awesome, just absolutely kickin'. today was amazing in this way. maybe because of what began with yesterday at the wake up new york thing, but it seems as though all the praise bands i've been hearing or been playing in absolutely rock. it was one of those days when the music aspect becomes so small, and you are able to just give your all to worship. thank you, GOD!
PV gave ANOTHER awesome sermon, and jeeH sang. her voice is just...just...wow, you know? i make her sing for me whenever we are in a car together. she has such a unique, certain, and soulful voice. it was great.

after service, headed back to my school. there were a group of sisters playing basketball at my school's court, and some brothers helping them out. it was cool to see them interacting and having a good time. i guess the sisters had planned this a while back.

7:00pm. game time
we had close to 25 people in my lounge, where there was a large screen TV. we had the intense LAKERS fans, mostly my brothers and myself, plus several others, who are becoming good fans (though not as intense as us, i think...) the others were mostly LAKER-haters. they are not true fans, just haters...haha. TASTE THAT.

so, the game was really intense, hotly contested. we jumped and screamed with every play. the result? i was sure of it, and it came true. the lakers won, in overtime. what a great game.afterwards, i was just drained. i had nothing left in me. it was hard to speak, i was kind of hoarse. but i was happy.

i was so tired, i wanted to shower and go to sleep after such a long day. but dave and jimmy wanted to ball, at 11:30pm. so i went. up to cornell med. surprisingly, there was a large number of guys there, all arriving after the game. we balled until 3:30am. we're absolutely crazy. and NOW, i am TRULY, TRULY drained. one of the longest days i've ever had...

i hear birds chirping. it's supposed to be a happy sound, but i'm really getting to dislike that sound; it signals that i've been up too late.

good morning! (now, i will lay my head to rest...)




yakob at 5:16 AM

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