DrIBEX Ideas

DrIBEX Ideas

God is faithful. He is so faithful when He hears my prayers. I know that He is active when listening to them because He is present. This was the wisdom I received from a woman, full of kindness, gentleness, and passionate about the things of the Lord. A very blessed woman, who mothered Natalie faithfully and also, cared for my soul.

I recently went through a trial, which showed me a lot about my walk with the Lord. I learned that I continue to have idols of the heart. The first commandment, which I memorized since I was 10 years old is “Thou shall have no other God before me”. God is not pleased when we have other idols before His throne. An idol can be just about anything we desire far more than our Creator. Our first and foremost love should be for God the father in heaven. Happy married couples I meet in church have shared this understanding too. Our prayers and requests are made known to Him through the son Christ Jesus.

For God gives and takes away...did you know that? Psalm 24:1 reads, “The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains… The world, and those who dwell in it”. Natalie and I ended our relationship, which lasted a year and half. A very sad time for the both of us yet we both acknowledge that God is in full control. Despite this grief, we rejoice in God because He is faithful to bring us peace in our hearts. I share this because I want my readers to know that I never proclaimed myself as being perfect or having a perfect life. I was born as a sinner and will die as a sinner. See Romans 6:23.

In the Old Testament, the book of Isaiah says, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…” Paul the Apostle also reminds us that none are righteous.

Many who speak into my life remind me that God is sovereign for I am quick to forget. He knows the desires of my heart and will fulfill them as I seek Him first. God’s word says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Who's holding your hand?

One of the greatest books I enjoyed reading this past summer was, "Holding Hands, Holding Hearts" by Richard and Sharon Phillips. A book written by a married couple, who had to learn how to date in way that would honor God. There is nothing in the bible that says how one should date. However, there is a lot of information on how to honor God the Father thru the Lord Jesus Christ in a marriage relationship.

The book covers so many topics in just a few pages. I was amazed right from the start on how it brings up the most important thing a man or woman should consider even before dating. How can I glorify God as a single person? The book is one of the highest rated books on the topic of Marriage/Dating on the internet. I spoke to over 5 married couples myself, who read the book and each one expressed their high recommendation for anyone serious about dating. The purpose of dating is to pursue a marriage relationship. Anything outside of that, would be detrimental to anyone's life because it would compromise our purity and pursuit of righteousness. We pursue this virtues because we love and want to honor our Lord. I have now read this book with my girlfriend, who gave me my first copy. I now give copies of this book to my closest friends, even before they begin to date.

Today, I can't begin to tell you how many times I now pay closer attention to those holding hands.

Summer feels like its almost over.

This summer went by quick and I think it was because I had many days, full of activities. From visiting family members from far off places to wedding parties celebrating the joys of marriage, I was occupied. Perhaps I am getting older or my days are getting shorter. I learned that everybody I know is busy these days. For example, if I want to have lunch with a friend, it feels like I have to make an appointment one month in advance. However, I try to remember that those people I want to meet with are no less busy than I am. It would be selfish of me to expect someone to be available as soon as I need them.

One of the things I got to do a lot this summer was attend many weddings it felt like. Last year alone, I was at a wedding almost every month. I enjoy attending weddings that truly share the Gospel. I got to share a wonderful scripture verse at a wedding ceremony for Andrew & Sharon Fung in June. From the pulpit, I read, “We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16. I really enjoyed reading that verse because it clarifies the true definition of love.

That definition of love will withstand all time on earth because it is biblical. Love is not about what I like or feel, it is about where my heart is and my relationship with God. The world has fooled us into believing that love is that thing you feel inside when you feel good. That’s a lie and nothing but fantasy, which does not hold truth. I am thankful to have many friends, who understand the true meaning of love.




My roommates, Brandon, Andrey and even Natalie gave me a book to read on dating. The book is called, “Holding Hands, Holding Hearts” by Richard and Sharon Phillips. I think it’s the best dating book I have ever read and also shares the meaning of love.

We love The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Byron and I meet up at the Coffee Bean because we like their beans and their leaves more than, take a guess. I have known Byron now for more than 5 years. He has been such a kind and faithful friend. Always full of joy and making time for me. He has such a lovely family, a very nice house and so hospitable. I can't wait to tell his daughters when they get older how we used to stay up late in core group and talk about nothing but the wonderful God of creation.

The other day, we met up at Coffee Bean early morning Saturday. We began talking about manly things and then he brought up my thoughts on marriage. What am considering and what should I now be meditating on if I wish to get married. We talked about how important it is to understand how to protect, lead and adore the woman we marry. As children of God, we must remember that as I date, I must never forget that she is God's daughter. She must be protected and kept pure before the altar just as the bible says in Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

What a contrast to how the world teaches marriage when you think about it. Byron and I talk about how the bible teaches us how to live a life that honors our Creator. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "you are not your own, for you were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body". That's so beautiful because it means that we worship our creator not just in song and praises, but also how we protect ourselves in the flesh. Byron and I talk about everything from how to live daily in the Word to how to have self control making no provision for the flesh.

I am thankful to call him my brother in Christ. He has been such an example of a man who walks in righteousness always acknowledging himself as sinful man. There is none righteous, Romans 3:10. I see how he protects his wife, cares for her and his children. He still admits he has much to learn on how to raise his daughters and serve his wife. We share lots of other things like his career in banking and my life as a single man, who desires to be married. I look forward to learning more about what the Lord has planned for him. This summer will be a quite a warm one, with lots of coffee and tea to go around.

I'm no spring chicken you know.

Spring is a season of change for it brings new leaves and new flowers to grow. Now I feel the warm sun kissing my face and my eyes admiring the blue skies more frequently. I turn my head up and watch in awe the beautiful creation of God. I am thankful to live in a place, we call California for so many reasons. Did you know that the Golden State is the largest populous state in the entire nation?

I am thankful I live in this state, even though there are a few things I wish I could change, like the freeway traffic and sudden earthquakes. We do many things around here in Cali, such as making movies and growing quality produce all year round. On the same day, I can go skiing in the morning and tanning at the beach in the afternoon. Go see documentary movies in art house theatres and shop for good food at farmers markets. We also have some of the most famous restaurants in the world. I can eat homemade Italian pasta and Mediterranean food at the same time in one place.

The other day, Natalie and I went to Spumoni Italian Café with Roberto and Deborah Miranda. The restaurant is a nice place that serves classic Italian fare. I had the pesto pasta with chicken that made my mouth water. Natalie and I like to spend time with family and friends, who care for us and want to help us grow as adults. We enjoy spending time with the Mirandas because we talk about history, arts, music and everything in between. Mr. Miranda is a talented musician and teacher so that’s fun. The Mirandas love the Word of God. They demonstrate their love for Natalie and I by sharing their knowledge and kindness. They care for me, pray for me and share their wisdom so I can make decisions according to God’s will.

I encourage anyone, to seek wisdom from people, who know the Word of God and have been on this planet longer. For example, the Mirandas have so much knowledge to offer and speak the truth to me. That is how you show love to someone, which honors the Lord. Why not ask someone, who has been through it before. Wouldn’t you want to know what’s coming next in your life by asking a person of wisdom? Would it be better to say, “I am so glad you shared that with me, I probably never would have known.” For someone to speak into your life means a lot more than you think. I am enjoying this season because it is a season of growth for my life.

God answers prayers.

I love to laugh... but this time, I need to share something so amazing...its serious. Natalie and I met one year ago today at "the 310". Ok, now for the serious part. Natalie had surgery this week to get her gall bladder removed. She has recovered from the surgery and resting with her parents by her side. Her surgeon called her at home yesterday to share some interesting news. After the surgeons removed her organ, they could not see with the naked eye if this was the cause of her chronic pain. Sometimes it can very difficult to see an organ not functioning correctly from the outside. Doctors could not scientifically confirm the cause of Natalie's stomach side pain until now. After the surgery, the organ was taken into a lab and cut open for further research. It was discovered that the organ was inflamed and abnormal. This confirms that the pain she had been having since she was 12 years old, was the major culprit. In other words, the organ was causing her severe pains all these years and thankfully doctors were able to discover it. Natalie's parents had been searching for a cure for a long time.

Our prayers have been answered. For it was by the prayers of many in the church who care for her that we can rejoice. The bible says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" Philippians 4:6. Natalie is doing well, walking and eating enchiladas. That's a good sign. Amazing that God will answer prayers. For there is only one God and He can do it all. This is the evidence.