Gift of God. Because all things come under Jesus who rules at the right hand of God. Nothing is accidental, and all will be made right.
Romans 8:28
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Also want to praise Father in this time! I am seeing in the current moment how God can use the gift of administration. Learning slowly.
Yes, some things are very minor like scheduling and making sure everyone knows where to meet. But I am slowly realizing that even something as simple as “waiting patiently” is a powerful act of obedience to God. It is a gift I can give to Father who has all things and created all things, and in whom all things are made.
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
The city is slowly coming back to life although classes will still be held online. And I guess dragon boat will proceed...although I'm not sure I feel comfortable standing in line for showers after. Need to figure out how to change out of wet things without spending a lot of time in crowded enclosed spaces.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world is discovering what it's like to live with the virus.... and as it turns out, they're not always rational either, hah.
I saw the wave coming but couldn't dodge it. My shoes got wet.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
"Kingdom"
Alright, come on, let's go! Said "Hello, how you doing? You took your time" When I met You at the corner of insanity I didn't know what I was doing, just wasting time It was clear I couldn't see And You knew that I was looking for something or someone new I heard You knocking but I couldn't take the truth See my reflection but I can't make out my face I thought I heard a whisper that You say I heard You say Ooh, let 'em be forgiven Let 'em be, Father I heard You say Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom My sons and daughters I feel the sound of many waters, it hits my chest Like I wasn't even shining, started flickering A voice beyond my understanding, it pulled me in It didn't matter where I've been And You knew that I was looking for something or someone new I heard You knocking but I couldn't take the truth See my reflection but I can't make out my face I thought I heard a whisper that You say I heard You say Ooh, let 'em be forgiven Let 'em be, Father I heard You say Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom My sons and daughters I heard You say Ooh, let 'em be forgiven Let 'em be, Father I heard You say Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom My sons and daughters Come into the light Come into the light All of Heaven's waiting for You Just step inside Come into the light Come into the light All of Heaven's waiting for You Just step inside Come into the light Come into the light All of Heaven's waiting for You Just step inside Come into the light Come into the light All of Heaven's waiting for You Just step inside Ooh, let 'em be forgiven Let 'em be, Father I heard You say Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom My sons and daughters I heard You say Ooh, let 'em be forgiven Let 'em be, Father I heard You say Ooh, welcome to the Kingdom My sons and daughters
Saturday, February 22, 2020
My toddler niece carried her mom's phone to show me the kitchen on video call (I never saw it though). As she was walking she whispered to herself, "我的English不好," and it broke my heart. Father, hear my cry.
Just thinking again today that God pursued me long before I ever thought to seek Him out. God is my future because He was everywhere in my past. Hannah! The answer to prayer that was set into motion twenty-one years ago! Why do my hands still hold on to grubby, broken things when my Father wants to put His hand in mine? Thankful that God is infinitely more patient than I am ....
Bumped into my boss in the corridor and he was surprised to see me, but I explained that I live within walking distance, and the walk is never crowded. Hardly anyone is here too so I feel very safe coming to work. I think many people would like to get out of HK at this point. Well, Isaiah 30:15-18 for me.
Friday, February 07, 2020
"Fear tells you that you will not be able to cope. Faith tells you that your Father in heaven knows when you will need strength to cope and he will supply all you need just in time." -- Nicky Gumbel
I was just thinking that despite all the trials for the past few months, I can't complain too much because God has given me a lot of what I have said is my "treasure," that is, to be able to learn. God has a sense of humor. In the last few months, He has taught me a great deal. Despite the pain, there has been a great deal of pleasure too.
I need to be careful what I ask for. He takes us at our words.
I often get password-protected files at work. Usually, they are randomly generated. The latest password chosen by one of our administrative staff is "2020beHealthy." Haha.
In times of struggle--and even in the best of times--our hearts long to hear the gospel story again and again. The story of God pursuing us, even to the point of death.
I was really struggling with this and I asked the Holy Spirit, how do I know I have really put something to death? We know that Isaac never really died. What if a part of me still hopes that my "Isaac" never really dies? Is that truly faith? And the HS pointed out that while Isaac didn't die, Jesus really did die for me. But in the process, He broke the power of death. Because of what Jesus did, nothing truly ever dies anymore. When we put things on the altar, they are no longer bound by death. By His power and resurrection, God gives them new life. These gifts may undergo transformation, but we can trust that that transformation is for good because look at Jesus. Even in Isaac's case, he was never truly bound by death! God always took that death upon Himself (via Jesus). Abraham believed even when he didn't understand.... Wow.
It's interesting to note now that I'm back to "normal" life, i.e. not having people constantly around me and not having to get on buses, trains, or navigate strange streets that God has been changing things. He hasn't changed things on the outside, but I feel a change on the inside. Compared to previous experiences, I feel so much more peace and rest even if I did go through periods of mourning, grief, and wrestling. I might still go through future bouts of grief and wrestling, but I know with so much certainty that God is working things out in the unseen. This certainty was never available to me before. God gave me words of encouragement from C and non-C in my life, and confirmed multiple times that I only need to be still and that He is the one who fights my battle. My challenge this year: break the habit of looking ahead and "needing" to know what is coming up. This is a tough one. It's something I've always done and "needed." Gosh. Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
