After economics discussion from 1-2, Sean and I went to main stacks where I stayed a few hours and got a lot of work done for a project in 61C. From there, we went home and then to prayer meeting, and afterwards I got more work done at dwinelle. We were planning to play DFL, but it didn't happen tonight.

DFL stands for Dwight Football League. So far, it has been Sean and Dustin on team SoCal, and Joseph and I in team NorCal. We don't have official team names yet.

The third picture was taken in main stacks by sean. The laptop is his and the head is Vivian's.

I was looking at a few past entries today, when I came across a photo I really like. It's of me and my brother sitting in an airport terminal in china. The entry was July 3rd, 2005.

In the first picture is a film crew of Indian men surrounding a large video camera and video equipment. People on the street were staring at them, since they were trying to film something big on a busy Berkeley street (Telegraph). They shouted across the intersection at some other Indian men, and suddenly the other Indian men ran across the intersection, started breakdancing on the other side, and did some "freezes" (I think that's what they're called).

Twas a pretty strange sight.

Bollywood in Berkeley?

Devotion time questions:

Haggai 1

What can I learn from people’s excuse that “The time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built?”

I need to be careful not to put off important things with weak excuses, and keep my eyes open for things that demand urgent attention that I might not have noticed before.

What is God’s response to their excuse about it being the wrong time?

He points out that the people are spending time building up their own houses and their own lives while neglecting the house of God that lay in ruins.

In what ways am I refusing to build up God’s house by citing the “time,” or some other excuse?

Thoughts omitted here.

When will that right time be for me to fully respond to God’s call to build up His house?

Thoughts omitted here.

How do the words “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little” true of all pursuits outside of God?

As Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Everyone who works for and expects the things of this world will ultimately be disappointed because they will not last.

Reflect on the words “… my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.” What are some ways in which this captures the actual priorities, time and resource investment, and lifestyle choices of many church-going people today?

People don't consider church their top priority, and leave it relatively neglected while spending the majority of their time, money, and efforts towards their own lives.

In what ways is it true that being “busy with [my] own house” has no end, like putting money in a “purse with holes in it”?

If you are focused and absorbed on improving your own life in various ways, you will never get around to doing other things because there are infinitely many ways to "improve" your life in a worldly sense. Thus, doing this has no end, and is like putting money in a purse full of holes.

What are some things I am busy, or occupied with that I am neglecting God’s agendas?

Thoughts omitted here.

What is so beautiful and right about vs. 12?

The people turned to God as one body and the whole remnant of Israel obeyed and feared him.

When a clear message from God comes to me, what is my usual response?

Thoughts omitted here.

What is the role of human obedience in experiencing God’s presence?

It is necessary, because disobedience causes us to distance ourselves away from God.