The Road to Renewal

Redwood Glen is the retreat site this year, it only takes us 1 1/2 hr. drive, very convenient.


It is late Friday, everyone is tired and hungry, still everyone is patiently waiting for the orientation meetin. There is a lot of excitment within us.

We are only eating in the cafeteria, we are also having BBQ in the woods.

Everyone

is enjoying

each other in singspiration.

We have a time for meditation in the morning to enjoy, reflect and converse with God's creation

At night, we have campfire to get close to each other.

The Road to Renewal is the theme for this retreat.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transfored by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Living Sacrifice, simply means that I do not do what the flesh wants to do. It is a decision that I have to make everyday. Am I conforming to the pattern of the world or the other way round. Do I have conviction to most circumstances, but no action to support or repent? Am I serving to please God or please man? I pray that because of all the goodness & blessings from God, I can commit myself totally to Him. Mind renewal is the real secret to living holy and pleasing to God. So I pray that the Lord will help me be obedient and serve Him without any reservation.

The Lord is my Shepherd

"THE LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul, He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:1-3

In years, the Lord is always my shepherd, guiding and providing for me. Out of many busy schedule, the Lord did provided us with memorable family time, sharing time, relaxing time, sightseeing time, shopping time and laughing time in last week's vacation. The timing is just right, just like the sheep that always enjoying the green pastures and quiet waters, I also wish the good times can go on and on...

What will the sheep treasure most? Green pastures; quiet waters or the Shepherd himself?

After we returned home that night, I had to face a very tramatic situation. Tommy had to take care of a dead battery of his car that park on the street and I have to move all the luggages back home first. As I step into the house, little T.J. came to me and said, "They are yelling". It started with Teddy and Melissa arguing. After a while, everyone (Teddy, Melissa, Jenifer and Rafael) are yelling at each other from downstairs to the street. Later on, a fight between Teddy, Jenifer and Rafael started. I can only found myself standing on the sidewalk and yell,"stop fighting", of course it didn't help. Eventually everyone calm down when the police come by. Little T.J. was crying when he saw the police and Teddy went out of the house. Then Tommy returned after the police left.

During the whole incident, I can only called out for help to our Lord. After everything settle that night, the devotion from Psalm 23 surface in my mind. As sheep to the Shepherd, what will I treasure most? the good and joyful time that the Lord provided or the Lord himself.

Praise the Lord for turning my focus back to Him. My surroundings and situation may change, but only the Lord stays the same and always be with me during the most difficult time. In these two days, the peacefulness return. Teddy requested to have dinner together on Tuesday. So everyone was at the table for dinner and they were talking to each other. Jenifer initated to treat Teddy & Melissa, Tommy and Horatio for lunch on Thursday. They seemed to have a good time.

I thank the Lord for answering our prayer. I pray that when my focus is always on my Lord; even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because the Lord are with me; his rod and his staff will comfort me.

Amen.

On Water Pond

It is a story of a duck mama and 3 lovely ducklings (bravely, grumply and slipply). The duck daddy suddenly disappear after the restaurant van drove by one night.

Grumply said, " I haven't seen daddy for a while, where is he, no one play with me now."

Bravely said," Let's go mama, we can all go and look for daddy"

So duck mama and the 3 ducklings left their home. They have walked thru'
the malls, and roadways. Seeing strange faces and busy parking lots. They are hungry and thirsty. Finally, duck mama heard the sounds of the water fall. "There must be water somewhere" "But where is it"

After crossing the pedestrian roadway, duck mama saw the giant pond. Duck mama said," Let me try out the water first" Bravely anxiously reply,"Lead me in, lead me in!" and so he jump.
Grumply wants to jump, but frighten. "But mama, slipply is missing" "We need to look for her first"

Finally, Grumply met up with Slipply and they are trying to find ways to get into the pond.
"I am scared, Grumply" said Slipply. "What should we do now" "Let's run, the yellow hat is coming after us" " We need to escape from him"

"Slipply, you go around the other side and I will go forward" " We will meet up with Bravely and mama" "Run, Slipply, run......." "Oh, I am falling, it is too slippery" "Oh, no, help Grumply, help mama, help....." Unfortunately, Slipply slipped down the drain into another new world.

Eventually, the yellow hat turns out to be a good person. He pick up Grumply and led him to the pond with duck mama.

"Wow, it is fun " "The water is just right" " I wish Slipply can be here" "May be another yellow hat will lead Slipply back " "Let's quack together so Slipply can hear us" "Quack, Quack, Quackery, Quack"

The End................

Our Song

I was really touched by the Wedding ceremony of Calvin and Tiffany. The following song always pop up in my mind after the ceremony.

"Our Song"

Love is very patient and kind.

Never jealous or envious.

Never boastful or proud. Never selfish or rude.

Love does not demand its own way.

Love doesn't easily hurt.

Love does not renew wrongs, which have been forgiven.

Love has no end to its trust.

Love has no fading on its hope.

All the special gifts and powers; from God will someday come to end,

but love goes on forever.

It is beautiful in life to see Calvin and Tiffany clasping clean hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage. Can there be anything more beautiful than this young love?

The answer is yes, there is a more beautiful picture:

It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path.

Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped;

Their faces are seamed, but still radiant;

Their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. It is a blessing from our Heavenly Father.

"We love because he first loved us" 1Jn 4:19

Friendship

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else."

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:13-15

Jesus calls us to be His friend. By coming to him, we can finally find relief from the concerns that weigh on us.

Praise the Lord, you do not want us just to work for you as servant.

Praise the Lord, you want to develop a relationship with us, you want us to be your partner in life.

Praise the Lord, you have given me time to cultivate this relationship, I can spend more time with you on a daily basis.

Praise the Lord, you have shown kindness toward me as I draw near to you.

Praise the Lord, you are a friend who strengthens me thru' prayers, blesses me with love and encourages me with hope.

Amen