Spiritual Journal

It's about time to return to blogging.  I decided that this morning after listening to a radio program about keeping a spiritual journal and harvesting it.

STM

After 3 short-term mission trips and six years, I thought I've gotten too old to work with the high-school kids, and I thought I don't have the burden anymore.  It's true that those trips gave me lots of joy and sweet memories.  But then, the heat, the packed work schedules, the discomforting, diplomatic meals with the officials, it's hard work.  When I chatted with an old teammate last week, she said we sometimes get lazy and want to stay comfortable.  She continued to say that it's really a blessing to be called to do such work.

Getting lazy -- am I?  The blessing of being sent to do the work for God -- do I still want it?

* * *

I was a little early to play for the mandarin worship service at SGV church.  Auntie May was sitting there and shared with me,

  "I didn't like to share the Gospel with others.  Even though I knew that Jesus wouldn't return unless the Gospel is spread throughout the world, I thought it was okay for Jesus not to return, since I quite like this world.  But God said to me, 'May, the world is not going to stay the same.  It will turn into something that you will dislike.'"

 Auntie May continued to share with me,

"You know, it's true.  I never imagined that a son would murder and dismember his parent.  Yet it's happening."

I kept listening her talk, as I recalled reading that piece of horrendous news a few days ago.  I also didn't like reading about Manila's trying to develop herself as another Las Vegas, and I thought I'd read too many news of gruesome rapes in the past month.  I don't like how this world is turning into.  Pretty soon, there's no place for Christians like me to hide and live.  There's evil everywhere.

Jesus needs to return to make things right.

***

I came across a sermon by Dr. Philemon Choi on YouTube.  Some 30 years ago, he was called by God to quit the job of being a medical doctor to work with teenagers.  Now he's already a grandpa, yet his passion has not diminished and he's still active with the mission he was called to do.

Am I calling it quit only after 6 years?  Is there a calling for me?

Feeling Helpless

 I am re-reading Yancey's book on Prayer and he reminded me that admitting that I can't do it and am helpless is the best condition to pray. 如果我無理解錯的話，it's like, 0拿，神，我唔得，我唔掂，我唔撐落去因為我無力了，祢上！

The Best or the Worst

Strive to bring the best, not the worst, out of another person.

健康真的很重要，這兩個星期甚麼也做不了。

Grace

A pastor sent me this daily devotional by Chuck Smith out of the blue.

He also wrote me the following,

Romans 6:23,  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

"Eternal life" is a free gift in Christ Jesus our Lord.   We do not need to "work" on it.  This is His Grace.   

However, after accepted Christ, we need to serve and work hard.    

When Jesus talked about the woman who broke the vial and poured it over Jesus head, Mk. 14:8a  "Jesus said, she has done what she could; ... "  Mt. 25:21, 23  Our Master wants us to be "good and faithful." 

I believe that you always try to do your best.  This is also "by His Grace" that we can serve Him more and serve Him better."

I was at first puzzled by why this pastor sent me things out of the blue.   I think I do now.  God must know what I'm going through these two days.  I so need His Grace.  "God's blessings are not dependent on our faithfulness or our hard work but are predicated upon his nature of love."

He knows my every need

馬太福音 6 章  

7 你們禱告的時候，不要像外族人那樣，說話空洞，絮絮叨叨，他們以為話多了就必蒙垂聽。 8 不要像他們那樣，因為你們祈求以前，你們的父已知道你們的需要了。 (漢語聖經)

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."  ~ Matthew 6 (ESV Bible)

Both Matthew and Luke have recorded the Lord's Prayer, and more context is given in Matthew of how this teaching came about.  I think Matthew 6:8 holds the key to orient our thinking, in order for us to understand the essence of and to pray with sincerity the Lord's Prayer.

I no longer feel the need to pray for what I need, as the Lord has already known.  I needed friendship last year,  as much as I needed food and shelter.  I needed joy in my life.  The Lord has provided for me to my heart's desire.

No, I do not need to pray for what I need.  What I need to pray for is what the Lord wants:  Hallowed be His Name, His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  

青島

Almost a clean bill of health, now 青島, 去 或 不去？

2013 Outlook

"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,  

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." 

~Psalm 90:14 (ESV)

Pray to have a joy-filled, love-filled, and Spirit-led 2013.

It just so happened that the page with my 2012 resolutions was right in front of me this morning, and I then remembered that JOY was one of the items that I wanted to work on.  Hm... I think I wasn't a very happy person in 2011.

Thank God for giving me plenty of joy in 2012 through sending loving people my way throughout the entire 2012.  Yes, life has its problems and ups, downs.  But I made it through OK.  2012 was a good year despite my thyroid episode, neck/spine injury.  God made me glad in 2012.  PTL.

Yes, pray to have a joy-filled, love-filled, and Spirit-led 2013.