It sucks.
I'm not into abstract art and this is worse.
It looks like a 3-year-old made it.
because it is.
But I love it because my son made it.
I think about Kobe every time I drink out of it.
It would be romanticizing if I said, "He made it for me."
because I'm sure it didn't come from the heart and he wasn't even thinking about me when he made it.
It was just another art activity in preschool.
for Father's Day.
But it's my favorite cup.

I'm not the only one who feels this way.
A hat of a celebrity.
Even a signature.
A pen from a lover.
wallet from a best friend.
a scarf from a loved one who passed away.

I wonder if God feels the same way.
Even if I didn't do it for Him
he loves it because I made it.
My own hands baked that cake.
I achieved that goal with my own will.
I got that job with my own skill.

When I pray for a sports team, I know he doesn't care who wins
but maybe he'll do it
because he knows I care.
Even though he knows
that not making that flight at the airport
won't change my life
maybe he'll delay it
just to make me smile.

Even if I didn't do it for Him.

But what if I did?
How good is the art of a 3-year-old?
How good is the worship song of a 30-year-old?
Even though my service doesn't compare with Abraham or Moses
Even though my achievements don't rank with John Piper or Billy Graham
He loves the cup that I offer
because it was mine to give.

And every time He drinks out of it,
it is He who is glorified, not me.
It's His favorite cup
And he thinks of me
Because he loves me.

A trainer had reserved the deadlift area for 10 am so I only had 10 minutes to do that exercise, which meant no lazy waiting around between sets. There was no time to waste, and I had a really good workout.

I think that's the reason I'm always hustling. Uber. Acting. Youtube. Pastor. Travel Agency. From undercover interviews to driving at the Gay Pride Parade to street race meetups to visiting high schools to car shows. I don't do it for the money. But time's a tickin.

There's only a limited number of days before my name is called up to heaven. There's only so much I could do while I'm here on earth, so I'm trying to make the most of it. There are so many people to reach with the gospel, and different people do it in different ways. This is my way of using the 'talents' and opportunities God has given me. and I want to tell God, "I gave it my best" when my time is up.

It's probably not the best way to live the Christian life, because God doesn't give us that kind of pressure. It's not like he's tallying points every time someone is saved. And I don't always do it right. I make mistakes. But when I worked as an EMT on an ambulance, I learned that it's about doing everything you possibly can, even if it's not always right, because it could save a life.

But it's like Jesus is more chill than I am. I’m not superstitious, and I don’t see God under every rock, but I’m prettty sure God wished me a happy birthday.

I started driving Uber around 10p, 2 hours before my birthday. Every ride had interesting characters, which is what I pray for almost everyday. As the minutes counted down, 3 cute girls get in the car. They’re going to a club to celebrate a birthday. It’s Britney’s birthday in a few minutes. It got interesting when I told her I had the same birthday! We had some fun talks, and then as the clock struck midnight, she prayed a prayer for all of in the car. After she prayed, I told them that I’m a pastor – they’re like wow! We all agreed that this isn’t just coincidence, and I prophesied about their night and the people they might meet.

It was just cool how I ended up praying during the first couple minutes of my birthday. and I wasn’t even planning on it. I got prayed over, and God was among us my first few minutes of my birthday. Then I ended up near the Gay Pride Parade and picked up these gay dudes in their bikinis. They said they were actually celebrating an anniversary of June 11 of a funny story – their friend poo'ed himself at a club, literally, and today was the anniversary of that. a lot of funny jokes and laughter ensued in that ride. It’s like God was wishing me a happy birthday, even giving me a comedy break, and a wisdom break, saying “No matter how hard this year gets, at least you didn’t poo yourself in front of everyone!” Words to live by.

Then I got back home at 1 am, to see my son and daughter sleeping. my wife doing something. and yeah, I have a great life, especially with these 3 right here. But the purpose of life is not about enjoying a great life. I got work to do, and only 10 minutes to do it. Time's a tickin.