What About Torture?

The Economist has a simple article that shows attitudes of people toward torture.

I wonder what is it in Britain, France, and Spain that are so against torture. It would be an interesting thing to study why the culture is that way, considering that Spain does get many terrorists attacks (more than Britain for sure), yet so low. While the USA and South Korea are similar but at the same time very different and right above Russia and Iran respectively.

I know polls are polls and who knows how many people have been polled and what demographics, but I thought it was interesting. And I don't trust any information that comes out of China, but I guess the general populace would feel strongly against torture as their own citizens seem to be subjected to it.

Do you think torture is ok? Only for some situations? What if your daughter or sister was kidnapped, like in the movie "TAKEN"?

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Full Table

Things are adding up fast these days on my schedule. Coming up this weekend, guest speaking for a Youth Retreat at Glenoaks. Next week, inner city summer camp at Philadelphia. Classes at Biola throughout. Loans and looking for a Home. Trying to figure out how to get my nephew a student visa so he can come study in the US. Need to finish my Israel Trip Photo Book. Church website. Website for Amir Tsarfati, a tour guide in Israel. Praying whether I should attend the Spanish School of Ministry at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa--I graduated the regular School of Ministry, but want to practice my spanish--and I want to go, but we'll see how God guides.

Hmm... am I missing anything...? Oh yeah, weddings... October I'll be doing the video record for a friend's wedding, in November I'll be assisting as a 2nd Shooter for another wedding, December winter retreat, and another wedding...

I think the schedule for the year 2009 is full. What do you think? O_o

The Loss of Classical Meanings

I've always wondered what it would feel like to be able to observe meanings in vocabulary change right in front of my own eyes. For example, we have the word "gay" which used to mean "happy" to now meaning multiple things other than the "classical" meaning. "That's so gay!" or "He must be gay" (although not polically correct) I understand it differently than what people in the 50's used to use them. Or going back even further, the word "charity" had a meaning of an unconditional type of love, yet to us it is primarily used as in giving something to the poor, or needy.

Now I'm somewhat sad of experiencing this loss of a classical meaning. One word that I just realized that had lost its meaning is the word "Epic." I was reading online at a forum and the subject was "What's your favorite epic movie?" I click it and found it confusing when people were describing single moments in movies, as I was expecting EPIC to mean moviee with a scope and story that goes beyond the tiny story. Epic to me would mean Homer's Odyssey, Star Wars 1 through 6, The Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, etc.

So when I went to Urbandictionary.com and realized that the current meaning of EPIC has been washed down to mean any situation that has "moments of awesomeness". So according to the current EPIC understanding, a crazy car chase could be EPIC. A nice action sequence such as Jackie Chan fighting Jet Li in The Forbidden Kingdom could be EPIC (although it gave me much pleasure to finally see those two have an excellent fight sequence together).

I felt sad with the realization that EPIC has gone from something HUGE and BIG to something... AWESOME. Yeah, the word EPIC had just gone through a change right in front of me... my understanding of the word has gone through an... EPIC FAIL!

Visions of the Future?

Sunday I awoke to a strange dream. It might have been disturbing were I not a Christian, but it was interesting, in an "off standard" way.

I was relaxing at a retreat site with our group after a missions work had finished. I stepped outside during break to relax. I was standing between a decently tall building to my left and a wall to my right in what looked like a driveway to the retreat site. Behind me was the retreat site I had just stepped out of, and in front of me was a street with buildings and homes. (yes, quite a detailed dream, most of my dreams are because when they aren't detailed, I realize it is a dream... and I like to fly around when I do... anyhow)

I felt the need somehow that I should stand closer to the wall, so I walked to the wall, then suddenly an earthquake hit and things shook for a couple of seconds before the ground kind of shifted to the left, I fell to the right (as if someone pulled the rug on where I was standing), the wall on my right falling away from me, and the building on my left falling toward me but not on top of me as I was standing near the wall and not the building. Woah, I thought and the retreat site behind me was in ruins, I thanked God for moving me toward the wall and sparing me from being crushed.

Suddenly there was another earthquake, this time it was a strong vibration (as in a massage chair) rather than shaking. Oddly, my feet got off the ground and I "floating" for about 3 seconds then I landed on the shaking ground which subsided again. As soon as I landed I thought that the reason I was "floating" for 3 seconds was either the ground and everything around me was falling at 9 meters per second (pull of gravity), or suddenly gravity stopped working for 3 seconds. (I know, even in my dreams I'm a sci-fi nerd)

Suddenly, we cut back to a place where there is a TV, and we're watching the news, and it announces that there has been 5 devastating earthquakes throughout the world. One was in Mexico, another in the U.S.A., and the other three I didn't listen... as my brain had gone to thinking "Is it time now?" As in, is it time for Jesus to come back?

Then I awoke, and was quite sad that it was a dream, maybe I was looking forward to God saying "it is time" or I'm just a sadist, haha. And no, I don't think it's a premonitory dream. I never had such dreams of foretelling the future and I hope I don't, because such dreams would be scary (unless, they are good premonitory dreams, but whenever you see in movies they seem to be about destructions haha)

God sometimes answers my prayers through dreams. And I had no prayer regarding any such thing, and when the dream happens I know it is an answer to my prayer, and I can tell you, this is not one of them. (Although, today's message was about God's Timing and not My Timing)

Couple of examples of answered prayers through Dreams.

One, I was wondering what a murderer would be thinking before and after the murder so I casually asked God if He could shed some light. Summary of the dream: there was a serial killer and I ended up on the roof with him, and he was about to fall off the roof, I grabbed him before he fell to his death, he looked at me with relief and what looked like thanks. Suddenly, realizing he was a serial killer, I smiled (a wicked smile) and... let go of my hand... dropping him to his doom. Guilt then set in and I ran away out of fear.

Two, during my college years, I was wondering if I was really saved, if death would suddenly dawn on me, if I would have complete faith that I was going to Heaven. In my dream, I'm driving on the freeway with one of my friends, an earthquake hits and the freeway suddenly breaks apart in front of me and I know I'm going to fall and die. While flying through the air, I look at my friend who is also a Christian, and say, "well, I'll see you in heaven..." and I smiled.

Three, I was wondering how I could help others when I can't discern between good and evil spirits. In my dream a pastor is speaking then he looks at something that comes next to me, and I feel a presence right next to me that I can't see. However, now I'm awake from my dream, but afraid to open my eyes because this "presence" that feels disgusting is still next to me. I feel God telling me to cast out this evil spirit (a fallen angel, a demon), I try to cast it out "in the name of Jesus" but it doesn't budge, I say it again with conviction and assurance from God, and I feel this "presence" leaving my side and moving off. I open my eyes...

Fun stuff. God doesn't answer prayers to everybody in this manner, you might want God to answer this way, but this is heavy stuff... I actually know what it feels to kill a person (at least in my dream which seemed real)... and the last one... I get shivers all over just remembering and writing this down again. But God is good, He answers our prayers whatever way He sees fit, but when He does, we know in our own individual way that He did answer our prayers.

So yeah, this earthquake dream is what Koreans would call a "Dog Dream" aka "Bologna"

Entrapment!!!

Another day, another fun talk with my mom. She calls me in the morning and she tells me the documents she needs to send are ready and she is double checking my address. Done. She then asks if she should send the documents expedited or just regular mail. I answer without thinking much, "regular should be fine". She immediately snaps at me, "we are trying to expedite the process as much as possible! How can you be so nonchalant about this!? We have to get this to you as fast as possible!!!"

In the back of my head I'm thinking "...then why did she even ask me for my opinion if she already was planning on expediting it to me?!?! Was this a TRAP?!!!" but with my mouth I just said, "then expedite it, no problem."

I can't wait to have conversations like these everyday once she moves in with me... haha. Challenge accepted, God!!!

Inconceivable!

There are definite benefits to looking young but these days it is just absurd.

Take yesterday for example. I went to a korean market for grocery shopping. I was getting some marinated short ribs and the lady gave me extra meat by not giving me the bone part (which weighs more as it is by pound), then after she weighed it she added another piece for good measure.

I thanked her for her generosity and she asked if I was living by myself and if I was a foreign student (as in if I came to study from Korea.) I told her I am living by myself but that I was not a foreign student.

This means that she saw me as either a college student or a graduate student at most, but a student nonetheless. Yikes! Seriously, I'm 34 not 24 no matter how young I look... that is just absurd!

Gundam Odaiba Tokyo Japan

Gundam Odaiba Tokyo Japan 334, originally uploaded by erichskwon.

My friend Eric went to Japan, and he had some shots of the Gundam at Odaiba getting ready for the Robot Festival...

ah... a model robot builder's dream come true, a 1:1 scale Gundam model *droooool*

Darryl Strawberry

Couple of weeks ago, i was just remembering the time I started to like baseball. Back in 1991, when I moved from New York, to California, one of my favorite NY Mets player, Darryl Strawberry moved along with me to the LA Dodgers. (not literally WITH me but you know what I mean). But it eased my move to California as I had a familiar figure haha.

Yesterday after watching some Mail Call (Military History stuff), I was flipping through some nightly news and ended up at the Tavis Smiley show, and lo and behold, it was Darryl Strawberry.

What do you know, he is now Christian. He said that once he committed his life to God, he was able to get rid of drugs, sex, money, etc from his life. He went to church 3x a week, read the Bible everyday, and had an amazing relationship with Jesus.

He says that him going to jail was "God's wake up call to him."

He has a book out titled "Straw" that goes into details, I might pick up the book. I love personal stories. He says his book is about redemption, salvation for him, and an inspirational book.

"why don't you try for yourself who God is... it is a personal commitment... it is not about what people think... my commitment is to the Lord, I don't care what other people think, I care about what God thinks."

Go God, bringing another soul into the kingdom!

Suspense, Anxiety, Worry, Fret, Loss...

Scary title huh? Just some emotions that are going through me now and then these days. When these emotions come, the only thing I can do is not dwell in them but trust in God, pray and do what I can from my side.

It's interesting how hard it seems to raise a child. Two of my nephews are going through puberty in totally opposite sides of the spectrum. One of my sisters is worried because his son rarely stays home and is always out playing with friends and such. An extrovert. She wants her son to stay home more. Another sister is worried because her son plays computer all day (World of Warcraft) and doesn't feel like going out to play with friends as his friends are all online anyhow. An introvert. This sister wants her son to go out more and not stay home all day.

I could simply tell them to trust that God will take care of them in their own way and not what her expectations are of the perfect child... but I told them that plenty of times with me as an example of what God does in His own time for His own children.

In elementary and jr. high, I was never home. Always outdoors playing futbol, or some outdoorsy game that my friends and I would invent and later end up fighting as we had to create rules as we went along. Run around in cemeteries. Riding bikes, skateboards, roller... skates. Going to the public swimming pool. Getting into fights. Oh yeah, I did stay home to read books when there was nothing to do.

In High School when puberty hit full-on for me. I locked myself in my room. Playing Lucasfilm Adventure games, building my own computer, getting on bulletin boards (early 90's when there was 2400 baud modems and text based bulletin boards), reading Tom Clancy books and Sci-Fi books, building and painting model airplanes, cars, tanks, robots. I would come out for dinner, and go back in and lock myself in again.

I was and still am oblivious to what my parents were thinking and trying to do with me to "fix" me in what they thought was the correct way to live, and I bet my nephews are quite oblivious as well... because right now the world revolves around them alone most likely. If I remember my past correctly.

What there needs is a stronger trust on God. Biblically speaking there are plenty of Bible verses but I guess until I get there I won't truly know the struggles of being a parent.

Will I ever be a good parent? Actually, will I ever BE a parent? Currently I don't see myself getting married. Maybe because I haven't met the right person you might think. However, according to my understanding of what God wants from my life, I don't see myself getting married... at least at this "season".

Prov 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

It's a concept that runs through Scriptures. The idea that we rely and God and when we do He will make things straight. And THUS we will automatically thank God instead of thinking we did anything so great.

Changes Addendum

Now my mom wants me to actually buy a house. She mentioned that I could use the house once I get married instead of paying exorbitant amounts to rent a 2 bedroom for her and I currently.

2009 is half-way through and this is a really unexpected "change" as I never felt the need to "own" a home and would not have done so by myself... but I guess this is a good time as any as it is considered a "buyer's market" and there is also that $8000 Tax Credit that Mr. Obama gave us.

Brethren Pray For Us - 1 Thes 5:25

I was reading some Charles Spurgeon...

This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader’s memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now repeated by us.
Brethren, our work is solemnly momentous, involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ’s army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labour to take us by the heels.
Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners; therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel.
We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you

“Brethren, pray for us.”

Changes

I mentioned previously in passing that this year was a year of CHANGE. Many things were foreseen changes such as changing churches, finishing the School of Ministry, etc. The most surprising and unexpected change is happening right now, which is that my parents will be moving in with me.

Last year when I visited my family in Brazil, my mom mentioned that if I ever go to missions, that she plans on going with me. I didn't say anything to her back then but the thought of supporting a ministry in a foreign country AND taking care of my mom at the same time was daunting, considering my mom's health is less than stellar with her high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and 20+ pills she takes a day....

A pastor has mentioned to me a good idea on not compromising our call and at the same time being a son that honor's his parents. With that in mind, I mentioned to my mom that I was willing to live with her while I was in the United States, but that if and when God would call me to the mission field, that she would refrain from following me as it would interfere with my ability to serve God fully. (Can you imagine Paul from the new testament traveling with his mom in tow? heheh)

So I have to change my lifestyle a little to accommodate my parents. No more bachelor pad and convenience (for me) of living in downtown Brea. And time to move closer to church for her comfort.

anybody know of a decent two bedroom in northern Anaheim/Fullerton area that's not too expensive?