In my younger years, I did not have a very positive image of my father. I viewed him as passive, not decisive, not musculine, always as followers. The father figure he protrayed did not match the one I am hoping for.
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and prayer to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. " Matthew 6:6
Praise the Lord, once again He reminds me of a positive father image.......
- our Heavenly Father is a personal God,
- He is a soft and caring God,
- He provides protection & supplies for our needs,
- He teaches us responsibility and give us courage to live everyday of our life.
Jesus told me that our Heavenly Father is our father. No matter
how our earthly father protrayed, we have our Father in Heaven that we can rely, depend and talked to. He definately will listen to us if we can pray to Him quietly in our room, He will reward us accordingly.
感謝耶穌告訴我要如何與父神相遇, 不是父神需要隱秘, 是我需要安靜, 才能清心見你.
進我的內屋, 關上門; 父啊, 我在這裡, 請向我說話.......
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
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.
"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.
Friday, July 17, 2009
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.
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.
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!
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