"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.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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"
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"
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 hi
m"
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................
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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"
"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
Saturday, July 4, 2009
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
"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
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Faith and Doubt
Doubt sees the obstacles,
Faith sees the way;
Doubt sees the blackest night,
Faith sess the day;
Doubt dreads to take a step,
Faith soars on high;
Double question, "Who believes?"
Faith answers, "I"
It wasn't a very good day for me yesterday. When I got off work at 5:30pm, I quickly walk up the hill for my car. It disappeared, where might it be. I was frantic for a short while. Then I went to the police station to inquire for more information regarding my car. Praise the Lord, it wasn't stolen. My car was tolled because of blocking the driveway. I need to retrieve it back in another place. Praise Him again, I can catch a ride from Walter to go down to the impound area. Finally I got my car back.
I remember yesterday thru' the daily devotion, I have read how Jesus calms the storm. Although it was windy and stormy on the outside, the disciples were frantic and anxious, but Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. When Jesus was waken by the disciples, he asked " Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
外面的風浪與裏面的焦躁, 原來沒有一定的必然關係. 耶穌的心靈平靜如鏡, 完全安穩於掌握天地與今生來世的父神. 無論是自然界的風暴, 或是人際間的壓力, 都無法使祂慌張失措.
Yesterday God prepares me for this little incident, although it is not a big storm, but it still created some waves in my mind. Thru' this, it reminded me to dwell in him daily, so that my faith will be preserved daily.
Praise the Lord!
Faith sees the way;
Doubt sees the blackest night,
Faith sess the day;
Doubt dreads to take a step,
Faith soars on high;
Double question, "Who believes?"
Faith answers, "I"
It wasn't a very good day for me yesterday. When I got off work at 5:30pm, I quickly walk up the hill for my car. It disappeared, where might it be. I was frantic for a short while. Then I went to the police station to inquire for more information regarding my car. Praise the Lord, it wasn't stolen. My car was tolled because of blocking the driveway. I need to retrieve it back in another place. Praise Him again, I can catch a ride from Walter to go down to the impound area. Finally I got my car back.
I remember yesterday thru' the daily devotion, I have read how Jesus calms the storm. Although it was windy and stormy on the outside, the disciples were frantic and anxious, but Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. When Jesus was waken by the disciples, he asked " Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
外面的風浪與裏面的焦躁, 原來沒有一定的必然關係. 耶穌的心靈平靜如鏡, 完全安穩於掌握天地與今生來世的父神. 無論是自然界的風暴, 或是人際間的壓力, 都無法使祂慌張失措.
Yesterday God prepares me for this little incident, although it is not a big storm, but it still created some waves in my mind. Thru' this, it reminded me to dwell in him daily, so that my faith will be preserved daily.
Praise the Lord!
Channel of Blessings
Last Friday was Calvin & Tiffany's farewell party. We had a very good turn out. Many brothers and sisters attended.
According to the scripture, Jesus said" Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matt 5:16 Knowing Calvin, he is not only the light to his small group, but a channel of blessings to the all brothers and sisters in the fellowship. Praise God for bringing Calvin and Tiffany into our lives.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Temptation in our lives
When I examine myself, I find that I am very vulnerable to the daily Temptation. I lack the will power to resist shortcut solutions to my needs. I lack the patience to allow God to work in a slow, gentle way, but trying to control by myself, to compel other to help accomplish the causes I believe in. I am willing to trade away certain freedoms for the guarantee of safety and protection. I am willing to trade away even more for the chance to realize my ambitions.
As I am doing my devotion regarding the story of Jesus and Satan in the desert, Jesus resistance against Satan's temptations set a good reminder for me as I face my own.
The temptation in the desert reveals a significant difference between God's power and Satan's power. Satan has the power to coerce, to overpower, to force obedience and to destroy. On the contrast, God's power is internal and noncoercive. I need to make decision to commit to transform gently from inside out.
In the story of Noah, God saw how corrupt the earth had become, He would like to put an end to all people and to destroy both them and the earth. So the Lord told Noah to make an ark of cypress wood. The most important is to : "....make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out" Gen 6:14 As the storm is coming, the Lord wants the ark to be ready for use. The Lord emphasized the importance how the cypress wood need to be done, it need to coat each rooms with pitch inside out will protect the water from leaking & mineral to damage the ark. It will save us and serve as a tool to help us float and be rescued.
Lord, I pray for your help, to prepare me for all temptations that I don't have strenght to resist. Help me to coat my mind, heart, and mouth with you words. Help me tranform myself into a piece of coated cypress wood for others to hang on when storm arise.
Thanks You Lord!
As I am doing my devotion regarding the story of Jesus and Satan in the desert, Jesus resistance against Satan's temptations set a good reminder for me as I face my own.
The temptation in the desert reveals a significant difference between God's power and Satan's power. Satan has the power to coerce, to overpower, to force obedience and to destroy. On the contrast, God's power is internal and noncoercive. I need to make decision to commit to transform gently from inside out.
In the story of Noah, God saw how corrupt the earth had become, He would like to put an end to all people and to destroy both them and the earth. So the Lord told Noah to make an ark of cypress wood. The most important is to : "....make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out" Gen 6:14 As the storm is coming, the Lord wants the ark to be ready for use. The Lord emphasized the importance how the cypress wood need to be done, it need to coat each rooms with pitch inside out will protect the water from leaking & mineral to damage the ark. It will save us and serve as a tool to help us float and be rescued.
Lord, I pray for your help, to prepare me for all temptations that I don't have strenght to resist. Help me to coat my mind, heart, and mouth with you words. Help me tranform myself into a piece of coated cypress wood for others to hang on when storm arise.
Thanks You Lord!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)