Still the most basic of things….

I was checking my email when I noticed that a friend was online. I sent him a short message and asked if he was still in Singapore. He said he flew back to the United States because his grandfather suddenly died even though he was still relatively strong.

I had met his grandfather so we talked about the details.  I remember back in 1992 when I visited his family in Buffalo, his grandfather cooked ravioli and he made his own pasta.  It was most wonderful.  That was my first time to witness a pure Italian chef at work.

Well our conversation shifted to other personal details. I shared with him my desire to go to Law School this school year so we briefly talked about possibilities.  Then for some reason after talking about his work, we ended up chatting about the Finals of the American Idol.  My wife is a David Cook fan while I am an Archuleta fan.  Archuleta’s voice is really so pure and that song “In This Moment” was something I really felt.  When he sang “Imagine” – it was not as great perhaps because I had already heard it – but nonetheless it was still very good.
Well anyway, here we were – my friend who was riding a train bound for his work gave me the warning.

“I will be disconnected in two minutes…”

“Really why?”

“I am riding a train – and we are nearing Grand Central…”

“Are you using your laptop”

‘yeah – I can work anywhere…”

I told him how awesome it was.  Here was my friend riding a train in New York while I was more than 12 hours ahead and more than halfway across the globe – and we were loving the technology that made this possible.

“Hey Ron, I said.  Funny how this world has gotten really high-tech and look at us… but we are still talking about the most basic of things.  Our love for music and who we think should win the IDOL season.  He was very amazed too – then he got disconnected.

I came down the stairs and told my wife that my friend Ron is another David Cook’s fan.  As it turned out, Kelly, his wife is an Archuleta fan.

The messages were sent via a web of underground network cables in synapses of binary codes.  My friend was using a laptop while I was using an old reliable Pentium 4 Desktop…. a lot of things have changed in the way we communicate. But what is amazing is that, the content of our communication hasn’t changed at all.

We use high tech gadgets – but basically, deep inside, we still care about the most basic things. Love, friendship, family, relationships and yes, whoever is going to be the next American Idol.

” I can only imagine…” by Bart Millard

Yesterday (May 20th ) was the closing of the Summer Enrichment Program. 102 teary-eyed campers were waiting for me to give the final devotional that morning.

Within those very short minutes, my thoughts were racing to all the things I wanted to share with them for the last time.  Thoughts I may never be able to share with them anymore once they board their cars back to their respective areas.

I wanted to talk about a lot of things – but the only thing I felt that mattered most in those precious minutes was the reality of who GOD IS.

I ended the devotional by highlighting Ephesians 3: 20 – 21 ” Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

AMEN.

I played a video entitled “THE GREATEST DAD” about this awesome father and son www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRHxHapwirw

and the powerful song ” I can only Imagine ” by Bart Millard

Lyrics:

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side.
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine when that day comes,
When I find myself standing in the son,
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You . . .
I can only imagine.

I wanted to leave them with a lot of things – but Ephesians 3: 20 – 21 would more than suffice.  Imagine GOD. Imagine Him doing beyond what you can measure. Imagine him doing immeasurably more than I can ask.  Imagine God doing more that what I could even imagine Him doing….

And all these things are according to His power that is at work, within us.

No words are enough.

I can only imagine……

Thank you Lord for an awesome SEP camp in Silang, Cavite. It was definitely beyond what I could ever ask or imagine.  You are the God who blows away our imaginations.

Thank you. I can only imagine what will be next.

In Jesus’ name

AMEN