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| Update.Oops. I really should have posted this two weeks ago.
The retreat has been a month ago. Leading up to it, work was
hard. I praise God for putting the messages together and for
teaching me during the prep time about humility. I definitely
felt inadequate, but it also helped me to trust that God would be the
one working in these college students' hearts. One of the
messages was on Nehemiah, and prayer was a big part of my
preparation. I did end up using more english and less cantonese
that I would have liked, but I did not want some of the thoughts and
ideas to be lost in translation. I was just joyful by how God
worked in the hearts during the retreat!!!!! I have been in a
little bit of a recovery mode since.
Big switch on topic.
Wow. I am still shocked by Cal's loss yesterday night. It
could have been one of the top 5 finishes if we completed the comeback
(maybe second to the Cal win over $C a few years ago). Now, it's
on my list one of the most disasterous finishes. I feel bad for
the QB, but this year could be that "magical" year. Now, we will
have to see how the team regroups.
What's next?
Dec: Israel - Egypt - Jordan (the trip is confirmed for most of
us. Please do pray for this trip as God uses this trip to impact
our lives.)
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| Humbled.So, I have been reading Job with my accountability group.
I was just reading Chapters 29 -31 as he recounts past blessings,
rehearse current sufferings and reaffirms his integrity. I am
just humbled by the type of man that he is.
Chuck Swindoll also share Psalm 103 which encourages me:
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
The LORD performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children,
To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them.
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
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| Reflection upon a video.So, tonight turned out to be quite interesting.
I was contemplating yesterday night as to whether I wanted to go to my
coworker's fellowship. Well, I sort of decided that I wasn't
going to go. Afterall, I should really start preparing for my
messages in the upcoming retreat. Then, my coworker asked me a
few times over the duration of the workday, and I told him that I
probably would end up wasting my time at home anyways, so I may as well
go.
It turned out to be a huge blessing!!!
They were watching a video series called "The Cross". The video
series capture stories of Christians in China. Tonight was their
last video, and it was on a lady called Xiaomin. As it turns out,
she is the sister in Christ who wrote all the Canaan Hymns. I
have sang quite a few since I start serving the youths. She did
not even finished her high school, yet God gave her the melodies and
lyrics that are absolutely amazing. She ended up in jail, and she
used her songs and changed the other inmates.
After fellowship, I had dessert with my coworker. We talked about
many things. One thing actually came to light through my recent
conversation with a friend. We were talking about music, and I
was saying that I tend to get bored with songs fairly quickly. I
seem to be able to pick up the melody and beat, and I just get sick of
it after a little while. However, there are songs that I don't
sick of. Most of them are worship songs. There is something
about them that I just feel renewed each time I listen to them. =)
Another thing that came up was how I was just absolutely HUMBLED after
watching the video. I have nothing to offer to my King in
Heaven., not that God need anything from me besides a contrite
heart. Yet, watching this video and from my good friend's sharing
about his trip to Africa two years ago, there are so many Christians
that faced so much more persecution and had to put their faith on the
line than I ever have. How would you even begin to speak of God's
grace??? Then, I remember Paul and how he humbled himself as he
preached God's Word so passionately. Now, I know I can only offer
myself to my King and allow Him to use me as He leads me.
Who knew tonight would actually turned out to be such an awesome experience with God?
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| Well, it's been a few months since I last posted. Quite a bit has happened during this time.
I was in NYC back in June. I really enjoyed Calvin and Carol's wedding =).
I also had a chance to visit the kids that used to be part of my youth
ministry. They are in different situations. May God
continue to watch over them.
Altar Boys was cool and got a chance to hang out with new and old friends.
Then, I was off to Chicago visiting Jerry, Jackie and Josie =).
Jerry and I got to catch a Cubs game. That was good times!
Josie is adorable.
Right after Chicago, I went rafting with my coworkers. That was good times.
Well, I was in Minnesota last week for a course on Pharmacokinetics. That was intense but met some really cool people.
What's next?
Aug: Dad's 70th Birthday; maybe another rafting trip with coworkers
Sept: Speaking at College retreat; Cal-Tenn game
Nov: Israel
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