10/22: I'm starting to see more and more that all the chaos today's world can clearly be described by one word - "sifting". Typically, most of us maintain outward composure when facing challenges, choosing to let frustrations go or appear like everything is okay for the sake of not making a scene, not hurting relationships, or maintaining a positive public image. But these days, in so many ways and on so many levels, circumstances are pushing people to make decisions that reveal their true characters, sifting out the bad from the good. Political issues have prompted many to be overly prideful or outspoken rather than weigh various opinions and establish grounded beliefs. Social injustice has prompted many to turn to violence or vandalism rather than take a rightful stand for what is right. Financial challenges from the pandemic have prompted many to seek dishonest gain rather than live more wisely or come up with innovative ways to adapt and survive. Having more time to spend at home for safety reasons has prompted many to file for divorce or be content with abusive words and behavior rather than deepen their love for family members. More and more, people are getting tired of putting up a front, and as a result our true colors are starting to show. Even something seemingly simple such as wearing a mask in public, even if only for the sake of complying with rules or making others feel more comfortable, has become a subject of conflict and even violence. In fact, many with particularly good or bad reputations have proven to be the very opposite of who they were thought to be.

One particular assumption that has proven itself untrue time after time is that Christianity automatically makes people or groups less susceptible to sifting. Over this past year or so, I've witnessed many of my own struggles, as well as the struggles of many close to me. I've seen or heard of Christians rejecting their faith, Christian marriages at the brink of collapse, and churches falling apart due to internal disagreements. I know Christians who, back in early March, boasted publicly in their confidence that COVID-19 was nothing to be concerned about, convincing many that the world was simply freaking out way too much about something that had less impact than even the common flu. On recent train rides to work, several times I've witnessed a woman walking from car to car without a mask on, approaching passengers at an uncomfortably close distance to share the gospel, as if Christianity were some sort of magical shield that makes people exempt from the law and protected against physical health risks. Christians who think, speak, or act without exercising wisdom are no better off than non-Christians who do the same. And there is no doubt that when it comes to sifting out the bad from the good, no one is exempt. After all, Jesus actually promised that we will face trouble in this world! Just as earthquakes test the foundations of buildings and either reveal their shortcomings or prove their strength, times of sifting test the foundations of our hearts. Either the strength of our characters is validated, or we reveal to the world that we're really not nearly as strong, honest, wise, kind, faithful, selfless, compassionate, generous, or loving as we'd like others to think we are. Good character traits can't be bought with money or status, and they can't be developed overnight. I've heard many people say that when we pray for things such as faith, love, or patience, God answers by placing us in situations that test our faith, love, or patience and allow us to grow in those areas. And these days, it seems like no matter where we go or where we look, there are situations for us to make a choice - either to grow in character, or to give up and settle into our weaknesses.

I've said this many times, but while there are many questions about God's goodness in such a corrupt world that we may not have all the answers to until we meet Him face to face, I believe God only allows any situation to happen because He sees good in it. Otherwise, either God is not truly good, or He is not truly sovereign or all-powerful, and the Biblical foundation of the Christian God would crumble. With that in mind, it would be wrong to assume that God sovereignly allows the sifting out of any individual without good intention. Therefore, times of sifting are also times of opportunity - a precious opportunity that we should recognize and seize.

For the many people who have looked for hope in the world, in themselves, or in other people, but ended up in seemingly hopeless situations, this is a good opportunity to look beyond what our eyes can see and realize that there's more to life than even the best things this world can offer. Our world is ultimately corrupted by sin and cannot fully satisfy anyone. God is a creative God, and when He breathed life into mankind, He gave us the ability to create new things, make new discoveries, and solve all kinds of problems. All the progress we have made in technology, health, and many other areas is proof of the creative spirit God blessed us with. However, even the strongest, wisest, wealthiest, most famous, and most powerful of humans cannot satisfy our inmost need for a sense of purpose. We have a tendency to want to be independent and self-sufficient, but the truth is that God created us to depend on Him, finding our hope, strength, peace, joy, and purpose in Him, and until we choose to do so, even our greatest efforts will still leave us discontent and longing for more.

And for those who believe in Jesus, this is a good opportunity to respond to the wake-up call to get in touch with the reality of God, of ourselves, and of the world. Calling ourselves Christians will not magically make problems go away or make us immune to the world's challenges. Being Christian means constantly recommitting ourselves to God's Word and striving to know and obey Him. Yes, it will often clash with our personal preferences and require us to make choices that are against what the world around us believes is right. Yes, it will require us to admit that we're not as perfect as we'd like to believe we are. And yes, it will mean that we should be good witnesses by following Biblical standards rather than our own preferences, which includes obeying authorities and regulations out of reverence for God, forgiving those who have said or done things that hurt or offended us, and being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Through this pandemic, plus all of the racial tensions, political struggles, and economic challenges around us, we've probably all come to see that being Christians isn't as easy as we had assumed. And we should be thankful for that; God is not only using this time for sifting, but also for refining. By knocking down the many things we often build our worldly lives on, God is helping remove the many lies and distractions that blind us from the truth - that our faith should be in Him alone, and that only He can bring us true satisfaction. Yes, we'll find ourselves repeatedly stumbling and feeling like we've failed. But walking with God is a growing process - when we fall, we need to get up and keep going - not because we're strong on our own, but because God's grace is enough to cover all our shortcomings, and His power, wisdom, and goodness is enough to help us navigate through every challenge - and grow stronger through it.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

09/30: Every building is dependent on its foundation and structure. If those things are compromised, the whole building becomes unstable and may ultimately collapse. Regardless of how beautiful the building is or what/who is inside it, everything is subject to danger and destruction without a solid foundation and structure. I used to work in an agency that performs and enforces building inspections, and on numerous occasions those inspections have shed light on otherwise unseen hazards that could have led to fatal consequences if not addressed promptly. Our lives are similar to these buildings; unless we establish a solid core foundation, and keep that foundation in good condition, everything else we build our lives on or define ourselves by is essentially in danger.

This is especially important in today's world where more and more people are convinced that it's okay to simply avoid difficult topics and definitive answers and focus our thoughts on whatever makes us feel good and happy at the moment while pushing aside important questions that will inevitably haunt us sooner or later. This is true not only for individuals, but also in relationships. People date and even marry simply because it feels right, and are convinced that this "love", which itself lacks a solid foundation, is strong enough to carry them through all their differences and disagreements. But the truth is that deep inside, we all want to know who we truly are, and no matter how perfect we appear on social media or how many toys, relationships, or accomplishments we take pride in, we won't feel satisfied until we find a purpose truly worth believing in, defining ourselves by, living for, and even dying for. Why do we exist? How did we come into existence? What is our purpose? What happens after we die? It may be hard to be absolutely sure, but we all need to believe in something, and until we decide what to believe in, commit to that belief, and let it be the foundation of everything we are and do, life is ultimately as directionless as a boat adrift in a great storm. And when two such boats cross paths in the storm, they are just as likely to get separated again as they are to remain together, unless they are tied together, bound for the same direction.

Over the past weeks and months, I've witnessed several instances where dating relationships and even marriages involving people close to my heart are closer than ever before to falling apart. These are not relationships established on selfish motives or by people who lack commitment. In fact, these are relationships built on common values by individuals with a strong sense of commitment that have kept them going for several years already. So what happened? The one thing I noticed that each of these situations have in common is that at least one individual in the relationship allowed his/her foundation to shift and become unstable. Whether caused by personal choice or of unforseen circumstances, their foundation was compromised, and as a result the relationship became dangerously unstable.

My heart breaks for those going through these difficult times, whether as an individual or in a relationship. And that's the main reason I'm writing this - to remind myself and others of just how important it is to know our foundations, remain commited to them, and help those close to us do the same. As a Christian, I believe that I'm a helpless sinner, that God sent Jesus Christ to pay the price for my sins, and that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. I encourage you, if you are seeking answers to life's greatest questions, to consider opening your hearts and minds to Creator God and letting Him reveal Himself to you through prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with other Christians. I won't deny that many people have a bad impression of Christianity thanks to Christians they know who live less-than-exemplary lives. The truth is that I'm a hypocrite too. No individual, Christian or not, is perfect. That's why we all need a Savior. And being Christian certainly doesn't mean claiming to believe in God, feeling good about going to heaven, or showing up at church every Sunday while living lives no different from those of people with other beliefs. More and more people today call themselves Christians for selfish reasons, be it publicity, acceptance, or simply good feeling. Truly believing in something defines who you are and establishes your foundation. But when any cause, religion, or goal is used for selfish purposes, your real god is ultimately yourself. And unless your life up to this point has been absolutely flawless, you're setting yourself up for some real danger.

Whether we share the same foundational beliefs or not, I must say that it's crucial for everyone to effortfully seek answers that define who we are. I'll even go as far as to say that commitment to a serious dating or marriage relationship shouldn't take place until those foundations are firmly established. Yes, there's always the possibility of change. Couples with different foundations can potentially cause each other to change and ultimately become foundationally united. But it's a huge risk, and one that most people who have put unbiased thought into would consider not worth taking. By committing to a relationship you are allowing yourself to lean on someone else and allowing him/her to lean on you. If either individual doesn't have a solid foundation, or if either foundation is incompatible with the other or compromised by the other, it can cause both individuals to fall. But when two individuals share a common foundation, together they become even stronger.

And for those who are committed to a relationship with shared foundational values, remember that it is absolutely critical to do whatever it takes to help each other remain focused on and committed to those values. For quite some time up to just a few months ago, I had gone through a long period of what I felt was spiritual decline, with increasing doubt about my core identity, which not only weakened me but also reduced my ability to encourage other believers, both at home and elsewhere. Thankfully, I recognized the issue and discussed it with Tiffany, and we agreed to commit to spending time together in God's Word regularly and submitting to His authority in every situation we face both individually and as a family. Our lives and our relationship now are nowhere near perfect, but we once again have the assurance that we are united by a common foundation, which we are committed to upholding and strengthening.

My own experience, and the experiences of those who are currently wrestling prayerfully with reviving their relationships, have helped me understand a frightening reality - a lot of times, you won't know how strong someone's foundation is until it is put to the test. No matter what foundation we choose, there's no doubt that there are voices everywhere tempting us to compromise. Those voices may come from other people, challenging or tragic circumstances, world events, or even simply gradual desensitization or lack of focus over time. Even buildings with the most majestic appearances or those that house the most precious treasures may crumble and fall when the ground inevitably shakes, unless its foundation is properly built and maintained. In fact, sometimes it's actually the beautiful appearance or precious treasures - all very good things - that cause us to lose focus on what's most important. When a spouse becomes too focused on money and work, the family gets neglected. When a couple becomes too focused on taking care of children, the marriage suffers. Even religion or ministry can become an idol. No matter how strong we may think we are, or how strong those closest to us may appear, we must regularly evaluate our hearts, and encourage others to do the same, so that our foundations remain standing and strong.

I hope and pray that all-powerful and sovereign God will work in the lives of those who have lost sight of their identities and those who are trying to reunite their foundations. And no matter what stage of life we're in or what kind of relationships we're involved in, I hope and pray that we will remember the unquestionable importance of a solid foundation. Challenge yourself to ask questions, explore, and establish a solid foundation. Build your life, your priorities, your values, and your relationships around it. Know why you've chosen and committed to that foundation, and commit to upholding and strengthening it. Choose committed relationships based on foundational values, and don't compromise. Do whatever it takes to ensure that you and those you're committed to will remain foundationally rooted. Remember, times of testing are inevitable, and while those with weak foundations may fall, those with solid foundations will not only stand strong, but also ultimately grow stronger.

09/15: After having kept all our windows shut for several weeks due to ashes and smoke from the brushfire that began in mid-August, I was just about ready to start breathing some fresh air again when another big fire happened, this time on probably the hottest day in history. And this fire (what does the Bobcat Fire have to do with bobcats, anyway?) is not only several times bigger than the last one, but has very little containment even after burning for over a week. Just like the last one, it can clearly be seen from my neighborhood (though not directly from our unit). It's not close enough that we need to be worried, but it's certainly a little too close for comfort.

The sound of helicopters buzzing and sirens wailing has now become a part of our daily background noise. And anytime we go outside, we're greeted with the smell of smoke and the sight of ashes falling like snowflakes. Last week on my way home from work, I couldn't help but take a few moments to stop and gaze at the fiery orange sunset behind a seemindly endless blanket of heavy smoke. Too often we get so focused on our busy day-to-day lives that we forget that all it takes is one glance at the sky to remind us just how big the world around us is, and just how small we really are. The fiery sunset, both gloriously beautiful and humbly frightening, reminded me of what it really means to "fear the Lord". God is truly beautiful, as shown in so many ways and through the colors and scope of His creation. But He is also perfectly holy and infinitely powerful, and it wouldn't be right for anyone to approach Him without a reverent fear. He is the only one in complete control - over nature, over the future, over each of our lives. And He loves and cares for each of His children.