Chi-Chung Ho

Monday, December 24, 2007

  • LESSON FROM JACK BAUER

    Having some spare time after the end of the semester, I got a chance to finish watching the latest season of the "24."  Couple scenes just caught my very attention.

    Remember the super CTU agent Jack Bauer?  He is always right about what needs too be done in a crisis.  However, other government agents always see/do things the other way no matter how Jack tries to convince them.  And usually, when things finally turn out wrong, they would apologize to Jack and say that they are wrong.

    Now, here's the good part: Jack never says, "See?  I told you so!"  Instead, he usually just calmly says, "Don't worry.  You just do what you think that is right."  Then, he goes on and tries to fix the mess of other people.  Wow, what a lesson!  If we have the same kindness, patience, and understanding like Jack when we are facing different opinions in church with other brothers and sisters (even though they turn out being wrong), then I believe our heavenly Father would be very pleased!

    Um... I guess I would work on this lesson that I've learned, and offer it as a Christmas gift to the baby Jesus!  ^.^

    Have a wonderful wonderful Christmas time!

Thursday, November 22, 2007

  • GIVE THANKS . THEN WHAT?

    If Thanksgiving is a day for reminding us Christians to give thanks . . .

    . . . then it as well reminds us that we might not have thankful hearts for the rest of the year.

    If "faith without deeds is dead" . . .

    . . . then a thankful heart without corresponding actions in one's daily life also worth nothing.

    So, on this particular day, after we've expressed our thankfulness to God . . .

    . . . then what?  Turkey & Party?

    I guess I should simply enjoy being all by myself without turkey this time... and have a good time for reflection.

    Wish you a wonderful, and yet meaningful, one!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

  • COMPASSION


    "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them..."     (Matt 14:14)
    "耶穌出來、見有許多的人、就憐憫他們 . . . " (太 14:14)

    I'm been thinking for a while concerning what would be the best way to introduce the Compassion International.  I guess the following 2 video clips would be better than thousands of written words.

    Michael W. Smith and his wife's sharing:


    Includes several grown young men and women's (who were sponsored kids) testimonies:

Sunday, November 11, 2007

  • * BAD RECORD *

    Woke up a little late this morning.  I sped in order to get to church on time for the praise team's practice.  This shameful incident is noted here as a reminder for myself!

  • COMFORT ZONE

    What's our comfort zones?  Our stable lives, well-paid jobs, nice families, pretty girl/boyfriends, a restful 8-hour of sleeps, or our loving and caring brothers and sisters in church?  If one day our names are called like Abraham, Moses, Daniel, or Isiah, are we dare to challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones in order to participate in Jesus "unfinished business" on the earth?

    Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:34-37)

    耶穌說 ：「若有人要跟從我、就當捨己、背起他的十字架來跟從我。因為凡要救自己生命的、必喪掉生命。凡為我和福音喪掉生命的、救了生命。人就是賺得全世界、賠上自己的生命、有甚麼益處呢。人還能拿什麼換生命呢。」 （可 8:34-37)

    Below is the hit song in our church lately...  What would be our responds to God?

Sunday, November 04, 2007

  • SANCTIFICATION . VESSEL . MISSION

    "Sanctified, and meet for the master's use (成為聖潔、合乎主用)" was one of the very few annual themes that I still remember from my church in Hong Kong many many years ago.  It has never meant too much to my life until these last couple months.

    Last Sunday's sermon was a very good reminder concerning the right attitude and steps for the being in the mission.  The speaker used God's calling to Isaiah to illustrate that before we can be sent by the Lord for His works, we need to realize how sinful and unclean we are.  Then, we need to be sanctified and let God molds us to become a proper vessel that He can use.  How true!

    So, the commitment of being involved in full-time ministry should not merely base on our passion, because it certainly won't last.  It requires us to initiate our determination to walk closely with the Lord, encounter Him, and submit to Him daily.  In other words, a full-time ministry begins with we our sanctification instead of simply "okay, let's go!"  It needs our persistence and patience to let God to work on and change our lives completely.  So, when the time comes, we can then be ready and say "Here am I, send me!"

    It's a hard and very challenging journey for each serious Christian, but nothing would be more joyful than finding out the right direction of life.  So, my dear brothers and sisters, let's start our races.  And, let's not be called a "wicked and slothful servant" on the day of the Lord's return.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

  • JUSTICE & CONFRONTATION

    If something that can costs me two days of sleep, then it would be something that really troubles my mind.  When I knew that I was not treated fairly in my oral exam, I instantly have the whole plan concerning how to confront those people and make them feel ashamed of what they did.  However, while I was planning the detail over this weekend, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Apostle Paul's teaching:

    Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.  Be not wise in your own conceits.  Recompense to no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

    不 要 志 氣 高 大 、 倒 要 俯 就 卑 微 的 人 。不 要 自 以 為 聰 明 。不 要 以 惡 報 惡 、 眾 人 以 為 美 的 事 、 要 留 心 去 作 。若 是 能 行 、 總 要 盡 力 與 眾 人 和 睦 。親 愛 的 弟 兄 、 不 要 自 己 伸 冤 、 寧 可 讓 步 、 聽 憑 主 怒 ．因 為 經 上 記 著 、 『 主 說 、 伸 冤 在 我 ． 我 必 報 應 。 』... 你 不 可 為 惡 所 勝 、 反 要 以 善 勝 惡 。

    It's really a challenge for not confronting those people who treat me wrong (esp. something really wrong).  Nonetheless, when I think about how Jesus responded to those people who treated Him really really really really really wrong, then I realize that nothing that I encountered can compare to what He had suffered.  Now, I know what I have learnt and what I should do.  What I need is the strength to act out my faith... and your prayers of course!

Friday, October 12, 2007

  • MEETING TAN DUN (譚盾)

    God has special treat for me this week, while I'm so sick and yet so busy at work and school (exam + paper).  He let me meet and work with (and more… pls read on... ^.^) Tan Dun, an internationally renowned composer and conductor, and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.  If you don't recall who's Tan Dun, let me give you a hint.  He's the music composer of movies Crouching Tiger.Hidden Dragon, Hero, and others.  He also composed the Symphony 1997 for Hong Kong's return to China 10 years ago.  Anyways, he's more a contemporary classical composer and conductor.  Unlike most famous musicians, he's extremely nice, friendly, and humble.  The only other famous musician who has such amazing characters that I have ever encountered is Yo-Yo Ma.

    Originally, I was assigned to BSO just as his cover conductor for this concert.  Meaning, if there is any accident, then I will step up and conduct.  Usually, that actually means… doing nothing, except just to prepare and study all the music.  Seldom a cover conductor would get any chance to conduct the orchestra (including rehearsal) at all.

    With God's grace, Tan Dun treated me as his assistant conductor and let me conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for part of the 2 rehearsals and part of the dress rehearsal.  Afterwards, he invited me to be his assistant conductor for future productions of this particular piece, THE MAP – Concerto for Cello, Multimedia, and Orchestra.

    Without exaggeration, it's truly one of the best things that have ever happened in my life so far.  Therefore, I have to spend some time to write and share about it, even though I’m still trying to survive my ultra hectic schedule these two weeks.  However, I must give thanks to the faithful Lord, and all the prayers from brothers and sisters!

    FAN Q WELY WELY MUCHY!  \(^o^)/

     

Saturday, September 29, 2007

  • HOW MUCH MORE TIME DO WE HAVE?

    We learnt about God’s Kingdom, Jesus’ Second Coming, and Love Your Enemies from tonight’s bible study.  It’s true that Jesus will “sneak” back anytime and no one knows when (except the Father).  Are we Christians still comfortably living our own lives, chasing our own dreams, and have no urge to fulfill the duties that Jesus has left for us?  Will we be called a faithful servant when His kingdom comes?

    We always remember Jesus’ love, sacrifice, and resurrection.  Nevertheless, how often do we remember His second coming?  If we are aware of His return and our duties on earth for His Kingdom, are we going to live and plan our lives the same way we do now?

    On my way home after the bible study, I heard the song Go Light Your World from WGTS 91.9 in my car.  I think it’s a very nice “song of response” for tonight’s bible study, which I would like to share it with you.  My dear brothers and sisters, I challenge you to start being a faithful servant to our God’s Kingdom.  Let’s all be accountable to each other and grow together, shan't we?  Emmanuel!


Wednesday, September 19, 2007

  • DO’s & DON’T’s (a.k.a. FAITH in ACTION)

    “… faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)

    I believe it’s time to have several issues taken care of.  The reasons that I post them here are to (1) have a record of promises that I made, and (2) have you as my witness and hold me accountable.  Willing to help me out?

    . No more DVDs (movies) buying until I receive my doctoral degree (well, now you know what you can get me for my birthday ^.^ );

    . Watch no more than 2 movies each week;

    . Be sensitive to the needs of brothers in church;

    . Speak, not because I’m right, or when someone’s wrong.  Make comments only if they can contribute to the growth of that person, not the situation.

    “… should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:19-21)

    Some of them sound silly, eh?  But they do affect my life greatly, and it’s a good way to take discipline in action… I believe.

    “… his (Abraham’s) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:22)

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