jan 28

 Zechariah 6 - 8

Reflections

As I read these 3 chapters, I am reminded on how God after Israel was being exiled, was being brought back to Jerusalem. But what stood out to me is not that Israel deserved it, but that God had planned for it, and whether or not Israel was going to do it, he ensured they were given back their lands. I am comforted in this passage that however bad things goes, my success won't be taken from me, and the planned big moments, or "lands" that is allocated to me won't be taken away, all I need to do is focus on my lane, and do my thing

jan 26

 Zechariah 1 - 5

Reflections:

As I read these 5 chapters, what comes to mind is my current walk. How it has progressed through out the years. How I struggled, never gave up, how certain days was worse than others. The book... is one of the most floaty I have ever read. The visions... don't feel relevant, and a lot of it... I can't really apply. But after reading the 5 chapters, I feel at peace, and there is less worry in my head, like something cleared up. Even the restlessness and the insomnia all gave way. Weird thing is it's early in the morning, so I don't think I can sleep again.

Jan 25

 Habakkuk, Zephaniah & Haggai

Reflections:

Today is one of those days where everything goes south. The whole week probably... nothing went right. I quarreled with Valerie the whole week, my sleeping schedule and time table got messed up, I struggle to even secure deals.. Everything went South. Today is one of those days where I wonder what on earth am I doing, what on earth is going on, and is God even with me, am I doing something wrong, why is nothing going right, am I supposed to pivot into something else, am I supposed to push on, what is going on. There's like no stability in my life, no consistency or constant. Everyday is like fire fighting. Everyday is like reinventing, and it is so exhausting. The whole real estate career is full of more downs than ups. I am wondering where did I go wrong, am I not enough, what did I not do right... I am.. in such a mess.

Jan 20

 Nahum 1 - 3

Reflections:

As I reflect on these books that talks about the destruction of Nineveh, I find a very interesting contrast between them and Jonah, and also more that the book came closely to each other. I now think I can identify with Jonah even more. It wasn't just that he was running away, he had every reason to be bitter against Nineveh as well. This is the capital of Assyria, and God ask him to go and preach salvation to them. In a way, it is like asking someone to forgive their worse enemy. as I reflect on the book of Jonah, the bitterness that Jonah shown towards Nineveh, I start to feel like I understand where he is coming from. And it is not like God doesn't feel unhappy towards them either, as I read about their destruction, I can see that God himself was upset too. The book describe it as God will not let the guilty go unpunished. 

I look at it and see that when men become prideful and think of themselves as higher than God or with potential to become independent, then God comes in swinging. I also noticed that Egypt was cited, also noting that Egypt became a nation used as example as well. Another thing to note is this is before the Babylonian nation becoming a powerhouse. Context that it was also the period where God is long sufferingly tolerating Israel, but also, Israel's timeline hasn't reach its worse point. They however continued to reign for many many centuries before finally getting hammered down.

Jan 19

 Micah 4 - 7

Reflections:

These chapters, as I read it, it feels like the prophet is talking about the coming of Jesus. A fair amount of narratives dedicated to that. From Bethlehem, rise up to shepherd like no other. And the tone used for it. But to it I also can see why Judaism mistakes it as a savior that comes for war. because after that, right after that, God talks about slaughtering the Assyrians.

Jan 17

 Micah 1 - 3

Reflection.

The 1 that stuck out to me most is chapter 2. most recently, I had a dealing in real estate where the buyer is a christian, and a really difficult one at that too. The property was purchase for the purposes of investment. I helped him negotiated a good deal, but he still wanted more. Wanted to come out with ways to reduce his downpayment. and the mistake I made was helping him. I helped him get a marked up loan for the property where the landlord sells at a higher valuation, and the buyer pays a certain portion of the marked up valuation as mark-up fees to the landlord. But when the deal goes through and the property changes hands to the buyer, the buyer does not want to pay up for his part of the deal, and backs out, leaving a very sticky situation between him and the vendor. In fact, this thing also happened between him and the lawyer and banker where after they finished half the work, he backs out not wanting to pay them, and initiate connections with another lawyer. And now as I read chapter 2, I find comfort that it says God will judge him, by removing the fortunes and profits given to him. I don't know how, but I do know it will be done fairly. Same time, from this I also learn... I will not a gain conform to doing deals like this ever again.

Jan 16

 Obadiah

Reflection:

this book.... is probably 1 of the shortest of the Old Testament... and I got very little from it. the only thing I feel like it is implying to me is that it is do not take revenge or look down upon fellow christian brothers and sisters, also do not rejoice in their short comings or fall, if not, it will happen to me to.

Jonah: 1- 4

Reflections

As I grow older, this book becomes less and less of my favorite book. I start liking it less and less, probably because Jonah himself is a personality that... I don't like. but what he does, are things that I myself have done.

What amazes me most in chapter 1 is the people who were in the boat with Jonah. they did not want to kill him even though they know he was running away from God. in fact, they tried their best to save him, by trying to row to shore. This... I was impressed by, because it is pretty much what mercy I think looks like, but of course it didn't work out because God has a plan. And before they throw the fella into the sea, they prayed to God asking for mercy to not take it on them for the life of Jonah. Another thing that interest me is, they know God, though they do not pray to him. And also? after that? they pray to God and worshipped him. though I am not sure if they recognize God as the God we know, or whether he is just an immensely powerful God.

Then chapter 2 was equally amusing. As Jonah repented and submitted to God, God told the fish, ok. He has finally repented. Your job is done, you can spit him out now. LOL!