the vine
DESCRIPTION
February 2012 IssueTRANSCRIPT
WE’RE WATCHING
Will you answer the call?
http://1040movie.com
1040
WE’RE LISTENING TO
There’s a cry in my heart
For Your glory to fall
For Your presence to fill up my senses
—Starfield
“Cry in my Heart”
WE’RE FOLLOWING
Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek Your face
Lord all I am is Yours
January 28th Oasis Saturate: Love
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150561043563142.432311.638928141&
type=3
Kelly Yu’s Digital Art
Editor’s Picks!
Got suggestions?
Email or facebook
or tweet us some
of your favorites
so we can feature
some of them in
the next issue!
Next Year’s Editors!
Tiffany & I decided to start training next year’s editors earlier
so they would know what to do once we leave for college.
We know they’re awesome at everything and will do a great
job! :) I told them that if they didn’t write a bio for them-
selves, I would write one for them, and only Sharon submit-
ted one. So for the other two of you, HAHAHA.
My name is Kelly Yu and I’m a junior at Rochester High School. I like to
draw on my computer and make cool art. I also have a lot of things in
my schedule so I couldn’t make it to the first Vine training which is very
sad but Robotics and Band are very important things so yeah. No but
really. I like to make food and I like to make cool origami boxes inside
boxes inside boxes inside boxes inside boxes inside boxes inside boxes
inside boxes inside boxes inside boxes inside (giftception!!!) and cool
gift bag things. [editor‘s note: I wrote this. Sorry, Kelly.]
17. dancer. I spend my free time dabbling in song, writing, and photog-
raphy. Sometimes when I’m not too lazy I actually enjoy going for a run.
I have crazy dreams and pray a wish at 11:11—I like to do insane things
with my friends and family; a kid at heart. But ridiculously scared of spi-
ders and the dark. I love my stuffed animals and my electric blanket-
probably the only thing that has saved me from freezing in my house,
chewing on my pens(or anything else I have handy), crazy colors, heels,
calling my sister babycakes, coffee and starbursts. And God<3
This picture of me is overexposed and it’s really hard for the editors to
choose a picture of me because I never smile for photographs because
I’m just too cool for that. I think bottles of water should be kept in the
refrigerator, not the garage. This is very important. Very. My favorite
hobbies are eating and sleeping — it’s true, you can even check my
facebook page! Friend me! Also, this Vine is being released on my
birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!
I’M SO EXCITEDDDD!!! TO BE OLD!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!! [editor‘s note: Sorry.]
4
There's so much to write about because so much has happened since our last
issue! Everything from GRACE and the New Year seems like forever ago. Happy New
Year? Happy Chinese New Year? Happy Valentine's Day!
This is a new year, a new era for us, for ourselves and for us as a ministry. Let us
to come together. To be unafraid to show God our love for Him.
Recently I've been watching a few videos from I Am Second. Check it out at iam-
second.com. Basically, a lot of more or less well known people give their testimonies in
video form.
And they all end it with, "I am second." God is first. First.
When I was little, I was really shy, but I wanted to be famous. And in middle
school, I was this awkward, shy, little Asian girl but I decided I was going to be more
that. Because I think in a way, we all want to be known, "for to be known is to be
loved." To be needed.
We were raised in a culture that subliminally tells you, you have to prove your
worth to be wanted. Show me what you can do.
Show me how hard you can work. To be the best at
something. To be first. (Or was that just my up-
bringing?)
So it's hard when you're anything less. When
you feel like less than you should be. When there's
so many expectations to live up to. It's easy to lose
that sense of "life," hope.
I'm watching famous people like Lecrae (the
Christian rapper), like Bethany Hamilton (the girl
that got attacked by a shark and lost an arm), Bailee
Madison (the girl from Bridge to Terabithia), Mi-
chael W. Smith (the worship leader), etc. Maybe I've
been doing too much 12AP English work, but I defi-
nitely see the thread through all of them.
"And that's when my life fell apart."
"I couldn't keep up."
"I couldn't do it by myself."
"It was too much."
From the Editors
- Alice Liang
I'm looking at these people who are famous, who've so called made it in the
world, which is what we're trying to do, admit it or not, right? Make it in the world? I
can't believe they've had so many struggles. Every story is amazing. Including yours. He
is the perfect author. And in this story, Jesus is the hero.
The struggles are so evident in their lives. They're different, but they're evident
in ours, too, which makes us wonder how we could possibly be loved by the Ultimate
Lover. We cast ourselves unworthy.
"And then I prayed."
Then God revealed himself. Then God has to revive us over and over again. We
keep praying for revival, but revival is here. He is redeeming us at every moment, as
long as we hold on His hand in order to stand up.
But sometimes we feel like He's not with us, like He's not reaching out to us. Be-
cause we are blinded.
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." —Psalm 27:14
When we are successful with Him, God is proud. But when we are successful in
spite of God, we are blinded. Without Him, we are nothing. Not even second because
there is nothing to be second to. I read recently, "patience implies peace." For me, it
feels like an interim. But God, He has truly perfect timing, as He's revealed to me again
and again, and sometimes God holds answers and dreams off for when your heart is
ready, for when the time is right. It could be forty days in the desert. It could be a year
in a flood before we see a rainbow. It could be forty years.
So we live by faith. With trust. Let Him live through you.
The speakers in the video, they had to wait. They did. What is remarkable is the
incredible humility they display. There's a football coach on there that talks about his
team praying at the Super Bowl. I don't really "get" sports but even I know that there
are quiet a few prominent athletes who serve our God. Unafraid. Unashamed. Every-
thing is for God. We want to honor God in all that we do. To put him first. Daily. In eve-
rything. To live a lifestyle of worship. At the feet of Jesus. In the hands of Jesus. With
the mind of Jesus. In the heart of Jesus.
We are loved. Loved.
God is first in my life, and I am second.
6
- Kelly Yu
From the Editors From the Editors God is Faithful. And God is Love.
Last Saturday, at Saturate, I felt more alive than any other day this year. I felt charged. The
atmosphere in Oasis was filled with energy. With realization. That God was with us, is with
us, and will always be. That He is for us and is there to support and love us no matter what.
I felt His presence, permeating the room. Overflowing, to such an extent that touched and
moved us. That forced us to recognize His Majesty. Something uncontainable, unlimited,
unsurpassable. Something that He offers us.
He offers us hope in the midst of our worry.
Confidence when we are in doubt.
Support for us, the weak hearted.
Always there, always God, never failing, never leaving,
never.
And I think it’s a beautiful beginning.
We all know that Oasis has so much potential. To reach, to
transform, to give, to serve. It’s God’s tool.
We also know that it isn’t reaching that potential. And I feel
that it’s a new beginning to turn that all around.
To step out of our comfort zones, take leaps of faith, try new things, discover who God cre-
ated us to be. Discovering who God is, Seeing His Face, Living the life of Christ. Being the
body of Christ. A Family. A Unit. Together.
Fighting against this complacency that so often suffocates our desires to serve God. Ditch-
ing that double life that is so easy to lead. Loving like God, unconditionally, despite all im-
perfections. Casting aside judgment. Adopting a new, godly lifestyle. Worshiping every mo-
ment, with each breath, each step. Loving life, every second, every day, every single pre-
cious moment, praising, being thankful.
Adopting the mindset, the heart, the attitude of complete humility and servitude of Jesus.
Being transformed through the works of God the Spirit. Transforming others as well.
Oasis, let’s grow together. God has so much in store for us.
I am so excited.
From the Editors From the Editors Sometimes I just have to ask myself: you of little faith, why do you doubt.
Recently I’ve been reading Don‘t Waste Your Life by John Piper. Every night I reexam-
ine just why I am living every day. Why I wake up and go through endless routines at
school, before I realized—I’m not really living.
Knowing this I feel almost as if we, brought up in the culture we are brought up in,
are restricted in the amount of truth we tell ourselves, taught that everything is about our
grades, our futures, while still drowning in our presents.
Recently, I’ve remembered that nothing I do is in my control. That God, our healer,
our friend, our judge and our savior, is watching over us. That in him there is nothing and
no one to fear, and yet I have doubted.
This lack of understanding, because of all I have shut away inside of me, in the back
of my mind “out of sight, out of mind” has caused me to doubt more, to believe that so
many things were untrue, that in front of my very eyes, Oasis was falling apart.
But as it is, this church has in fact been building anew. Perhaps not in the way of our
generations past—but that is all in the past. It is time for something new.
I no longer believe in sugarcoating reality, but rather that in our age, full of distrac-
tions and fighting worldly desires and false loves, that this is the time to search for truth.
And truth is found in Christ alone.
Why don’t people stop us and ask us of our hope?
Can people tell that you are living for so much more than this world can ever offer?
Can people tell that you are different, because you are radiant with Christ’s love? Why
should you or I call ourselves Christian—until we can really live with Christ’s love, and his
hope, his heart, from the inside out, unashamed in our stand?
This is not about judging politics or debating about whether or not
God exists or wondering why other people who call themselves Christian
don’t act like it—this is about taking your life and living it out for the glory
of God, taking your life and living it so that others may find joy in Him as
well—before your life is wasted.
For one day when you stand in front of the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, will
he tell you “well done, my good and faithful servant” Or will you stand ashamed, knowing
your life was not one that furthered the Kingdom of God.
Keep moving&God bless
truly one of your new vine editors, -Sharon Shen
8
From the Editors From the Editors Dear Oasis,
The busiest season of the year has yet to blur past many of us, leaving our minds disori-
ented and lost in faith and hope for greater things. The confining schedules that the stu-
dent life falls into may be, at times, plenty overwhelming. At the end of the day, though,
what matters but to dwell in His glory? To be still and stand in awe of all that He is?
We are in this world, not of it. It’s certainly not about our works and accomplishments, but
how we can best praise Him with what He has given us. Yet I know that by the time I have
studied my mind full of dates, words, and numbers, what is left of me is nothing more. And
this leftover energy is what I offer to God. And not even all the time, no, these leftovers are
not even consistently offered, but spared for some self-interest or relaxation. Why do we do
this, Oasis, doesn’t our God, our everything, deserve more? Our hard work in school, at
work, and other activities should be motivated to better His name, for He is the one who
gives us strength. Don’t we do them just because though, or for prestige, or the college, or
the parents, or “peer pressure” (how ironic)…or any other reason besides living it out for the
One and only?
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift
of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.‖
– Ephesians 2:8-9
-Melody Zhang
“That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a
crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.‖
– Philippians 2:15
I’m tired. Tired physically, confused emotionally, lost spiritually. Being so hard on ourselves,
it takes a lot of sacrifice and reflection to accept the fact that this life is simple. Trapped in a
world that categorizes, based on meaningless accomplishments and numbers that define
who you are to them, and none of it matters. You are not theirs to define.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.‖
– Isaiah 43:1
I am fighting, fighting to understand, to live freely, to trash these deceptive chains and live
in peace, knowing that numbers don’t work in Heaven, knowing that we live for a greater
purpose. So I search. I search for promises and a constancy, a solace from all of this. And
what I’ve been holding on to is that His presence and His love will never fail us, not matter
how many times we fail to love Him.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let
not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.‖
– John 14:27
Love is why we’re here. His love is more than enough, because He has overcome all else.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.‖
– Matthew 11:28-30
Because we rest in the palm of His hand. Because we can soar with Him, above.
―I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
– John 16:33
10
Love Like No Other Have I ever deserved to complain, to curse, to be mean, uncaring, unloving, to any-
body? Have I ever deserved to be given so much love from not only people but also from a
God that is all-consuming, all-powerful, omnipotent, omniscient, amazing, beautiful, Savior,
Healer, Redeemer…
Why would the creator of the universe look with love on me, when there are so many
more people better than me? Why would He lose His life so I could hold on to my own?
Why did He go through the greatest suffering to release me from the sin I created, I dealt
upon Him, I should be bearing? I would always question to this God about such things, and
usually the answer was: “Because of Love.”
Then, what is love? Is it that emotional turmoil you feel when you see someone,
those fluttery feelings, static jolts, spasms? Is it calmer, the love of a best friend, or the hum-
ble love toward the ones in pain? Is love only for that one person in your world, the one
you “love” with all your heart?
―Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it
is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight
in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always per-
severes. Love never fails.‖
—1 Corinthians 13:4.
If love is all of these, is there any love in the world that could fulfill all of those? If not,
would it still be called love? Maybe I understand a little bit now that I’m writing about it .
The love we’re expressing and feeling through people is flawed, imperfect, filled with other
emotions, lust, greed, and selfishness, just like us. The only TRUE love is God, and that’s
probably why I can’t comprehend Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for us. In this world, we will proba-
bly never become just like Jesus, but some people can be close, and it’s a good goal to try
to pursue right? I haven’t really found a real purpose for my life yet, but I’m inching closer
to something I could love, something I won’t fear speaking out for, something I would die
for. Is my faith strong enough to move mountains?
―Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard
seed, you can say to this mountain, ‗Move from here to there‘ and it will move. Nothing will
be impossible for you.‖
—Matthew 17:20.
Nothing is impossible with God. Keep believing in Him, and He will guide us Home .
-Peter Sun
12
-Rachel Liu
Of Little Faith All of the chapters I read today stood out to me in some way. In Nehemiah 4, they had faith
that God would provide and protect them against their cruel enemies. Against all the vio-
lence, opposition, ridicule, and negativity, they continued to build the wall. In Acts, Paul was
stoned and dragged out of the city because they thought he died. However, he got up and
walked back to the city and continued to preach (perfect example of how we’re immortal
until God has finished what He wants to do in us). We must endure many trials to enter the
Kingdom of God. In Genesis, God makes the covenant with Abram to make his offspring as
great as the stars in the sky. He physically represents this by the parting of the animals. This
covenant leads to many acts of faith that Abram lives out in the future.
Now, in Matthew, this passage stood out to me the most:
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I.
Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on
the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat,
walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he
saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried
out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why
did you doubt?”
All of the chapters I’ve been reading lately are about faith, whether it be about peo-
ple of faith or acts of faith. As I read, I was convicted by the last sentence. Me, a spiritual
baby of little faith, who Jesus continues to reach out and catch when I fall. I’ve been called
to have faith greater than the size of an atom. Even a mustard seed of faith can move
mountains. To strive for that mustard seed—and more—is my goal.
alum article!
While I’m Waiting One day, I’m going to look back on my life…and I hope that I don’t think, “Wow, that
was really a waste of time.”
Except, I don’t really know what I want to do with my life. When people ask me what
I want to be when I grow up, I never know what to say. I change my mind constantly. I
wanted to be a teacher, now I want to be an engineer. And then I thought I might want to
be a psychologist. Or a professional musician. Or something else. My mind is constantly fo-
cused on my future—what I want to do, what college I should
apply to, my ACT/SAT score, how many kids I’m going to have…
yeah, I know I’m only a sophomore, but a lot of my thoughts still
are about how I’m supposed to survive without my parents mak-
ing me food. Seriously…what?
Let’s be honest—my fear of the future reflects my insecu-
rities with what God will provide for me. Whenever I worry about
how I’m supposed to score a 36 on my ACT (well, my parents ex-
pect me to do it), it shows a lack of faith on my part. When I
wonder how I’m supposed to get into a good college, it proves
that I don’t trust God to fully provide for me.
But God says,
―Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your
body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at
the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Fa-
ther feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying
add a single hour to your life?‖ — Matthew 6:25-27
What I can do is trust God. Trust that He will know what’s truly best for my future. And until
He makes that clear in my life, I will wait for Him to give me direction in my life.
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
-Esther Yan
14
- Vincent Chu
Love Just what can be as wonderful as love? What can be so amazing as to see the person
that you love and be able to be with them? In the perfect society, don't you think that true
love exists? Where people find soul mates and live happily ever after? No fighting, no argu-
ing, no divorces. They would be happy together for life and never leave each other. Doesn't
that sound like a society where everyone is happy? Doesn't that sound like something per-
fect and amazing? To be able to find that perfect person that is like the perfect piece of a
puzzle to fit you? To live in such a society, the world would be happy. Or at least, so one
might think. But is that the society we
live in? I don't believe it is.
Love is a crazy thing, but it doesn't
seem to fit into our imperfect world very
well. People fight all the time, arguing is
common within a relationship, and the
divorce rates are up. I'm not saying that
people never find their "soul mate", but it
rarely happens. I just think that the per-
fect love between two people is almost
nonexistent. There are a few exceptions,
but who knows, were they really that
perfect? Maybe the flaws were there all
the same and they still loved each other.
Or maybe that's just the definitions of
perfect love? At this point I no longer
know. Maybe the perfect love is to love
everything, even the flaws. Just stick with
it, maybe you'll find that perfect some-
one. But even of you don't, there will al-
ways be the one true perfect love. God.
102.3 Often we school people would think that we don't even have the time to focus on
God, or that we stay up so late that we just forget to do our prayers at the end of the day.
However, here I am to say that throughout all your busy schedules, you can fit in this one
easy thing—worship music on the radio! If you're like me who drives around lotttt, then I
really recommend this for you. But hey, this can also apply greatly to those who don't drive
as well, and own some radio in their house. :)
One day, when I was rummaging on the radio dial to find a good song to listen to, I
accidentally stopped upon 102.3, and the music being played sounded really..powerful. At
that moment, I knew that this was going to be my new favorite channel. As I am guilty of
being one of those people who forget to pray
to God every day, listening to these songs while
driving has helped me stay connected with God.
It calms my heart, and it reminds me that God is
there. And often I would just sing aloud to these
songs (when I'm alone, of course :P); that alone
can revive my spirit, can bring me into good
hopes. Sometimes I even just sit in my car after
a long drive and just listen and think about God.
But umm...that's all I have to say! Sorry
for it being so short, I just wanted to share this
with ya'll :) I encourage you guys to find your
way to stay connected with God; you can always
try this one out! But whether you decide it's
writing, bible, music, etc., it can turn one day
into something great.
-Katie Zhong
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
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The Word says “Give drink to
those who are thirsty and feed
the hungry” How about dinner?
You are a
Galatians 5
fruit salad.
Is it a sin that
you stole my
heart?
Would you like to
join my Purpose
Driven Life?
I went on a mission
trip, but all I ended up
doing was mission you.
You know Jesus?
Me, too!