Name:Pira Country:United States State:California Gender:Male
Interests:THE MOST HIGH GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; You; Truth; 6 strings, 3 chords, and one great story; Live concerts and stage-shows with people who actually have talent (no lipsync-ing diva dolls, please); Literature that compels change; Prayer that blows like wind and burns like fire; Traveling the world and the 7 seas (everybody is looking for something); Middle School fellowship kids who crack me up and make me cry; Good clean jokes; Healthy snack foods; Intense Bible study and stimulating discussion; Used and/or Independent CDs; Game shows (someday I'll win a car); Provocative teaching and learning; Sappy Piano ballads; Movie zingers; JOHN 3:30...more to come! Expertise:Organized chaos; 80s and 90s "Name that Tune"; Finding a great deal online for virtually anything from CDs to books; Unwittingly breaking computers;...and someday the ACCORDION (Jehovah Jirah! Opaah! Shalom!)!!! Occupation:Education/training Industry:Education/Research
Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
A Best Man Tribute Speech by Pira Tritasavit to Jeffrey & Kristin Lue on their wedding day, November 8, 2008
You told me on my wedding day, just do “my Pira thing” Don’t worry Jeff, I didn’t write a song, so for you I will not sing Instead I’ve written you this tribute speech in poetry no less I hope you won’t regret choosing this man to be your best
I’ve known Kristin since ‘93 in the halls of Lowell High In San Jose ‘96 we met as freshmen guys You almost went a different road than this one we now walk I’m grateful God has crossed our paths from that first all-night talk
You asked me questions about life and heard me out that night We laughed and talked through deeper thoughts until the morning light We hit the court for racquetball and kept our friendship growing But soon we moved off campus; who knew where this was going?
Then junior year, we moved into the house on South 12th street With Jimmy, Bo, and Jon and Cal, five church boys…and Jeffrey We studied like good Chinese boys and played our video games But you watched closely just to see’if our faith was strong or lame You used to mock me, that’s ok, I thought you were still cool You thought our Bible, church and prayer were only just for fools
Then Billy Graham came rolling by with a message just for you You prayed with tears when we walked down, and it was then I knew That Jesus called you to Himself, redeemed you from your sin No longer just as roommates, but as brothers to the end
We started studying every week God’s word with guys who pray He’s grown you up into the man of God you are today Sometimes we still don’t know what’s going on inside your head Do you ever get excited? “Look, I’m excited!” you said
“How did we become friends?” you ask, and only God knows why Others say we’re polar opposites, two totally different guys Some say we’re Bert and Ernie, or Balky and Larry Appleton Like Carlton Banks and Cousin Will, or Pedro and Napoleon
Because I’m kind-of-a loud mouth and you’re the mellow type You’re the usher in the back, and I’m up front in the spot light I’m a real mess, and a slob, and my wife knows this is a fact And you’re the organized and tidy one, so Kristin rest assured, it’s no act
He folds his clothes, and brushes his teeth with discipline and skill He exercises, keeps in shape, no wonder he’s never ill He’s worked a hundred different jobs and ministered to youth He’s swung a bat and danced the swing, to serve the Lord in truth
The Proverbs tell us of a friend who’s closer than a brother And you, Jeffrey, are that to me, my brother from another mother Dear Kristin, you’ve picked a winner in Jeff, he’s truly one of a kind He’ll care for you completely, body, heart, and soul, and mind He’s now your roommate, today and onward, to start each day and end Together as a bride and groom…and don’t forget best friends
Keep JESUS first in all you do, in prayer, and word and deed And glorify our God in Christ, He is your greatest need Hold tightly to each other’s hands each day as you do now And I will be reminding you to live up to your vows
So raise your glass to toast with me these two who now are one And praise our God who’s given us His precious Holy Son! Together let us walk with Jeff and Kristin and rejoice Instead of Cheers, let’s shout aloud HALLELUJAH in one voice!
June 8 marks the 11 month of marriage for Venus and myself and we have been completely overwhelmed by the love and support of our families, mentors, new friends, the body of Christ and prayer warriors! Hallelujah! I love my Bride.
Last weekend, we got to attend a family camp near Santa Cruz (Boulder Creek, CA) called Camp Hammer. I've been preaching at CCCAC (Hayward) and they go to Camp Hammer every year for a weekend retreat, so this year I got to speak on 3 messages based on the theme "Devoted to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word". For each message, we did an Inductive Bible Study based on the SOIL method (Scripture, Observation, Interpretation, Life Application) and we walked through Acts 6, Matthew 6, and Deuteronomy 6.
My father came with us, too, which is always a blessing to be able to give him a clear presentation of the Gospel and for him to continue interacting with Christians around his age. Dad is close, and he's open to learning, and I'm praying that he'll continue to hear the Truth and respond as God leads him. Here are some pictures from the weekend retreat!
Venus and I will also be heading to China in July/August to do some teaching in Baoding, Hebei province. We're thrilled at the chance to teach university students and revisit some of her former students/colleagues while out there. The Olympics will be in full-swing by the time we return in August, too.
If you're interested in finding out more about where we'll be teaching, what we'll be doing, and how you might partner with is in prayer/financial support, please send me a direct message (via xanga/myspace/facebook or email) with your contact information and I'll get that information to you right away.
I've been meaning to give some props to and plugs for a few awesome people I know.
First of all, my brother Tani has been very successful in his new career venture at Toyota (Geary) in San Francisco along with balancing his Real Estate opportunities with Prime Realty. If you or anyone you know of is interested in buying a Toyota, run on over to 3800 Geary Blvd @ 2nd Ave. (http://www.sftoyota.com/) and ask for TANI and tell him that Pira sent you.
Then there's his bride, my awesome sister-in-law Gloria (Wong) Tritasavit who has been running her own Wedding Design business for the past year. She is an exceptionally gifted designer and planner and was featured recently on ABC 7's View from the Bay, right before Oprah. Watch the segment here: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=view_from_the_bay/everything_else&id=6186249 (she gets a few plugs by name...way to go Gloria!)
Gloria's website is http://sashandsugar.com/ so let any of your engaged friends or soon-to-be engaged couples know about her website and work. She's family!
Finally, as I've got about one month left in my internship, I just wanted to give God major praise and thanks for teaching me all about His grace. Each week my bride would give me very specific feedback and I am so excited about the ministry that God has given us as husband and wife, and as preacher/teacher. We make a great team and love learning and all that comes out in our teaching is just a small sample of the great stuff God continues to teach us every day about Himself, and about one another.
We just wrapped up our 7-part series on AMAZING GRACE today and all of the messages will soon be available for download through the CCCAC website (http://www.cccac.org/sermon.html).
It was an amazing journey through the amazing story of an amazing apostle who experienced the amazing grace of an amazing God! WOW indeed! Jesus is most worthy of our praise and I give Him all the glory. Soli Deo Gloria!
Next weekend: Father's Day! May I encourage you to make it a Father's Week and a ongoing daily Heavenly Father's Day every day! Give Him glory!
So I missed the live broadcast a few weeks ago, but the American Idol Finalists sang "SHOUT TO THE LORD" twice in a week. The first time, Jesus was conspicuously missing from the first line of the song, but the second time around, he was back in the lyrics.
Here a few of the various possible reactions that the Church (from all ends of the spectrum) might have had to American Idols singing the Hillsong classic praise chorus!
Option 1: How dare these idol-worshipers take such a sacred song and commercialize it! These songs belong to the Church and belong only in the Church!
Option 2: Awesome, I knew this song would be a popular cross-over hit! After all, Time-Life infomercials have been selling it too! When's the remix CD coming out?
Option 3: Truly, this is proof that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Every nation tribe and tongue will know that God is worthy of praise and glory! Hallelujah! Amen! Isaiah 45:23, Philippians 2:10-12
Option 4: Isn't this American Idol? How come they're singing a song by an Australian composer? And isn't American Idol a spinoff of Pop Idol from England? Where are all the original American ideas?
Option 5: That song is played out anyways; let's see one of the finalists sing a Chris Tomlin or Matt Redman song! Or Jehovah Jireh? Or the Papaya Song?
Option 6: What kind of politically-correct move is this that Fremantle/19 would include this with "Seasons of Love" from Rent? They have nothing in common, shame shame, tsk tsk!
Option 7: When a secular show like American Idol can bring more attention (and money) to the plight of AIDS/Malaria/Hunger/War/Suffering in Africa than my own church can, perhaps we need to stop arguing amongst ourselves and start praying and rolling up our sleeves to live out Matthew 25!
Which reaction did you have? Or did you have a different reaction? Post a comment!
If you missed it, check out both episodes on youtube here.
"Shout to the Lord" (Without Jesus)
"Shout to the Lord" (With Jesus)
"Seasons of Love" (That Archuleta kid messed up the words: "Times that she died"??? sigh)
"All Praise Be to the Creator of the" (earth day)!!!
Today is April 22 and the world is saying it's EARTHDAY! Watch out for earth-day worship that honors creation over the Creator! I freely worship the "Creator of the Earth" today and every day! Soli Deo Gloria!
Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
On that note, I just caught Ben Stein's documentary called "EXPELLED" at the Metreon last night. Extremely provocative and eye-opening. Exposing the Darwinian elite (including author of "The God Delusion" Richard Dawkins) and shedding light on the invisible wall that forbids the freedom of inquiry among scientific academia.
Check out the trailer here, especially those of you in high school, college, and science-related careers:
Finally, yesterday April 21 was the one-year marker of the day that my dad asked Venus if she would like to be his daughter in law. We were at Treasure Island on a rainy Saturday night and instead of saying "Yes", she told me "I would love to!" Oh how awesome this miracle and mystery of marriage has been. Thank you Jesus for my precious pearl and beautiful bride!
For those who are married or pursuing God's ideal for marriage, The Weekend to Remember Conference in Burlingame is coming soon (May 16-18).
Sign up right away (and if you want to get in on a discount, get in touch with me soon and I'll hook you up with a group rate).
