New Year's Eve '08

The last day of 2008 is now here. Tomorrow starts a whole New Year. I've already been reminiscing quite a bit over all that has happened this year; and I am in anticipation of what God will do this coming year. I would think that my theme is one in which I should expect things to happen, because isn't that what not being afraid to take risks suggests? So, as I contemplate here on New Year's Eve, do I want to look back or look forward? This is probably the best day of the year to do both. After all, it does represent the end of one year and the start of a new one. Looking back, I think I may have been able to dream bigger dreams; but, I am grateful for the dreams that God did fulfill. What a blessing to see my Church and my class grow. What a blessing to be able to be baptized in the Jordan River. What a blessing to have been able to go to Sydney, Australia and catch an opera and concert. Looking forward, I have great hopes of how God may use me and stretch me through boldness for HIM. I do anticipate having the privilege of being able to touch the lives of others through caring for them more deeply. I know that God is still at work in me; and I trust that He will continue to be. I would say that in the last couple of years, each year has gotten better and better; and I can clearly see ways in which I have grown. I am deeply thankful for all that God has blessed me with; and I praise Him for being my LORD God Almighty.

Exiting

It looks like it is time to "exit the freeway" (Reference "Response" blog entry from Dec 29th). People can sometimes be so complex; and this almost feels like deja vu. I received a reply from my estranged friend, and I am reassured that she is not in need of any immediate help and seems to be doing the same. However, the picture that she has painted of me is one that is not very pretty. From my perspective, it is an inaccurate portrait; and I struggle with deciding whether or not to send a reply. I think I would only be defending myself to someone who may not be ready to see a different perspective. And even if I were successful in defending myself in this situation at this time; who is to say that she may not revert back or that something else may come up. The root cause has not changed; and there is not much I can do about it at this time, except to continue to pray. I know that I placed value on the friendship and on her as a person, because I cared about her and I recognize the inherent worth in each person because they are created in the image of God. Yet, I also see that until she is ready to pull out a new canvas and paint a more realistic picture; the chasm will continue to exist. So, I've restarted the car, and am headed for the off-ramp. I can always get back on the freeway when I need to; but, for now, I no longer need to put on the facade. I can just be cordial without anticipating anything more. I will respond when she corresponds; and I will still be here for her. I place her in God's Hands; and may He continue His Healing Work in her life. Amen.

Morally Bankrupt

My pastor concluded his "Strong Convictions in a Moral Fog" series yesterday with a sermon on evil. The topic is also related to the Truth Project discussion on Ethics and Morality. Naturally (no pun intended), in a discussion about morality, we need to address our society's incorrect assumptions that everything is relative and that there are no moral absolutes. This is tied with humanism (man is the measure of all things), situational ethics (right and wrong determined by circumstance), and utilitarianism (right and wrong determined by what is best for the majority). Interestingly and sadly, I've heard all three of these "arguments" in discussions with non-believing friends. Situational ethics is related to sociological law - morality being determined by the prevailing viewpoint of society. And, something we see clearly in our society, is the incorrect notion that we do not need God or religion to make moral choices. On the contrary....God's design for the "State" is for the leader to rule under the ultimate leadership and guidance of God. And that morality is best defined when aligned with the ethical absolutes, based on who God is. The pastor talked about the signs of a morally bankrupt society, taken from Isaiah 5:8-22

• Unrestrained Greed (vs 8-10)
• Pursuit of Pleasure (vs 11-12)
• Religious Skepticism (vs 18-19)
• Moral Reversals (vs 20)
• Intellectual Arrogance (vs 21)
• Widespread Corruption (vs 22)

It is no surprise that we see these signs in our society today. Greed and Corruption are everywhere. The pursuit of pleasure obscures the view of what is truly important in life; and devalues true character. Religious skepticism is taken to the extreme in outright attacks. Moral reversals are the norm, where what is obviously wrong, is considered right; and what is right, is disdained. And, intellectual arrogance puts reasoning above revelation; instead of trying to find where the two complement and support each other. So, how do we live in the midst of a morally bankrupt society? We are urged to share the positive testimony and enjoy the benefits of a moral life; and to communicate God's love to those who are broken by sin.

Response

So, I wrote my letter of response to my "estranged" friend. I could no longer carry on the facade that all was well, and just be cordial if I happened to run into her, to politely thank her if she decided to send me a card, or to bring my hopes up every time there is the slightest hint that she was ready to renew the friendship. I could no longer tiptoe around her feelings, not knowing what is truly going on or where I stood. I likened the whole situation to driving full speed on the freeway, and then being asked to stop suddenly without knowing why I was asked to stop; and when I could take my foot off the brakes. I feel like I am suffering from the pain of whiplash, still stopped on the freeway, watching all the cars around me speed by. This is a precarious position to be in; and I need to know whether we can keep going; or whether, I should pull over and take the off-ramp. I am also concerned for her, not knowing what is truly going on. Is she struggling? Is she reaching out for help? I needed to know. I told her that no matter what, I will continue to keep her in my prayers, and that I am here for her. That's all I can do for now, as I wait......

After Christmas

Christmas has come and gone. The Christmas programs, the family gatherings, the parties, and celebrations are over. The decorations which were so joyfully and meticulously put up, now need to be taken down and stored away until next year. But, the after Christmas sales may continue go on until all the items in stock have been sold. Unfortunately, it was clear this year, that our difficult economic times have affected many people this year. I am grateful for God's provision in my life; and I do pray for those who are in need. I will continue to look for ways in which I can be most effective in helping others, with what resources I do have. I have been thinking of ways in which I can put my theme into action this year--how I can take risks and invest more deeply in the lives of others. I trust God to teach me this year; and to use me to reach out for HIM. In times like these, when it is easy to become cynical; it is a good reminder to focus on the true meaning of life. I look forward to seeing what God reveals to my class as we study Ecclesiastes and explore King Solomon's search for meaning and hear his conclusion. I did receive an ecard from one of my "broken friendships". I am in prayer for wisdom and the right words to say in my response. May God be at work to heal our friendship; and to help her through all that she is dealing with in her life. Well, I look back, and I do think that the most meaningful parts of Christmas this year were having my class as well as my family over to my house. I also enjoyed the Christmas programs; and I'm glad that I took the opportunities to serve, in spite of the background struggles. I am in anticipation of what God will do in my life this coming year. I see needs around me; I can see how my theme this year can be related; I have some ideas; I will just continue to pray and be open for God to guide me and use me. Amen.

Broken Friendship

I keep looking for closure. While it gets better over time, full closure is slow in coming. Does one ever truly get over a broken friendship? It's like the broken friendship bracelet... it may be able to be tied back together; but, it will never be like it was before; especially if a bead or two become lost in the process. I look back, and I don't really miss any part of the friendship. It was full of drama, it drained me of energy and resources, it was all one-sided, and I was the one who was constantly giving. Even the Cosmopolitan magazine article "Signs You Need to Dump a Pal" reinforce that it was no true "friendship". Similar to what is mentioned in the article, she is negative, constantly complaining about everything in her life; she would spend money on things rather than trying to save for what is necessary and never thinks to "give back" to those who have helped her; she is self-absorbed, never really cares about what is going on in other people's lives; never really wants to listen to differing opinions; she is jealous, rather than supportive of the successes of others; she is not someone you can trust, especially with personal information; and she has a long string of other broken "friendships." Even Scripturally, I have support that there are times when it is wisest to let go, when a relationship is too unhealthy. I hold nothing against her, I will always be available to help if she is ever in real need; and if she ever shows that she has truly changed, I would be willing to renew the friendship. But, until then, I need to be a good steward of all that God has given to me; and pouring it into a black hole is not the best use of the resources placed under my stewardship. The part that I have difficulty dealing with is rebuilding my trust in people and renewing my desire to help others. I entered this friendship with the desire to help a person that I thought was in need. I did everything I could to alleviate the difficulties in her life that she had been complaining about. I was there to provide a listening ear, to try to encourage and be supportive, to provide a nice place for her to live that was within her budget, and to be there for her. I look back, and I see how much I sacrificed - my time, my energy, my resources, my finances, myself..... I think that the worst part of it all, is that I feel like it was all "wasted." She shows no appreciation or recognition for any of it. I can only trust that I was being obedient to the LORD, that my heart was in the right place, and that God works in ways that I am not able to see. I have another broken friendship; but, that one is a little different. I still have a glimmer of hope that it may one day be restored. Also, I don't feel like that one was a total "waste." Even at the "end," she expressed appreciation; and over the years, she seemed to have noticed and recognized. While I think actions speak louder than words, and that she seems to have thrown all that away, I do think that she is struggling with other areas of her life. So, I keep praying for her; and hoping that one day she may recognize that having friends support you through difficult times is better than trying to endure it all alone. Through all of this, I just hope that I have grown through these experiences; that I have learned how to better be able to interact with those who are troubled. I don't think I've become hardened; and I am fortunate enough to have many healthy relationships that I know I can still trust. "Helps" is also still one of spiritual gifts; and I recognize the importance of still exercising that gift for the edification of the Body of Christ, the Church. Actually, in some ways, I can say that I am grateful for these trials. I have become a different person through them; and I have seen God work in ways that I had not previously experienced. Even the fact that I feel hurt and pain shows that I care; and love and compassion are a reflection of HIS characteristics. I know that trials are a part of life, while we are here in this fallen sinful world; and I am grateful that God is in control and that He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love HIM and are called according to His purpose."

Christmas Eve '08

Christmas Eve conjures up many thoughts, emotions, and memories. It means that Christmas is almost here; and I am filled with joyful anticipation. I've been able to finish wrapping all my gifts and sending all my cards; so, I can just enjoy the celebration of Christ's Birth. Some of my favorite memories of Christmas Eve as a child were when we would go to the First Congregational Church in L.A. for Candlelight Service. I loved the music in that church; and I always remember the recessional, as the choir would carry candles as they walked out; and then lined up on both sides of all walkway, ready to light our candles as we exited the church. It was a beautiful picture of sharing the light of the Savior with one another and with the rest of the world. My current church does not have a candlelight service; but, we will have a Christmas Eve service. One of the highlights is hearing my pastor sing "O Holy Night." What a great piece; and he has an amazing voice. Whenever I think of Christmas now, I not only remember the baby in the manger; but, I invariably see the Savior on the cross and the empty tomb, showing HIS power of sin and death. I am grateful that I worship the God who has resurrected from the dead; and has offered me the gift of salvation, justification from my sins, having paid the penalty on the cross. After having studied the Book of Romans this year, I have a better understanding of what that truly means; and I stand amazed at the great love of God! Amen!

Dreams'08

So, this year, I started off focused on dreaming God's Dreams, learning to see that God can do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. Having gone through the "God is Able" series, I saw how God used various Bible characters to do amazing things as part of HIS plan. I realized that it was my role to find what my part of God's Plan was, and to allow HIM to use me for HIS work. Since I am a very practical person, I don't often dream big dreams with child-like wonder and imagination. It took effort just to even dream a little; but, God is good; and as I look back, I can see HIM at work. Some of the dreams that I saw fulfilled this year were:

• The growth in my Sunday Adult Fellowship Class
• Being able to submit an written entry to a magazine for publication, and making it to the last round of consideration (I still do not yet know if it has been accepted though)
• Maintaining a separate blogsite that has had over 2,000 hits
• Being baptized in the Jordan River
• Travelling to Australia
• Finishing my Certificate in Apologetics at Biola
• Having the opportunity to teach the "God is Able" series to another group of people, in my Community Group, next year

So, next year, I look forward to seeing what new dreams will be glorified in:

• I would love to get involved consistently in a Community Service
• I would love to build deeper relationships and be able to touch more lives for God
• I would love to be able to develop my writing skills and expand into new areas

There are also some personal areas that I would like to explore.... continue my goal to travel to all continents (such as South America), continue my house remodeling projects, develop more in some areas of interest (music, dancing, some sport - maybe fencing or volleyball, cooking, etc). And wouldn't it be great if God would include THE ONE, as He writes my "love story." If I were to dream big Dreams, I would love to be able to travel the world, either supporting a spouse in some ministry like music; or being a guest speaker or author. Or maybe, just impacting the lives of many locally through a ministry or community outreach. No matter what, my hope is that I will glorify God in all that I say and do; and that He will be able to use me to further HIS Kingdom. Amen!

Christmas Concerts

I had the opportunity to go to three different Christmas Concert programs this weekend at three different Churches. I love music; and combined with the glorious sounds of Christmas and festive decorations, the concerts were absolutely enjoyable. My favorite moments were when the music led me to experience worship in the presence of God. I do wonder sometimes if that is a glimpse of what it will be like in Heaven. Great music always makes me wish that I were able to have the gift to be able to sing or play an instrument that beautifully. My favorite instrument is the organ. To be able to listen to a master organist on that grand instrument is amazing. I would've loved to hear Bach play; and because he composed all his music for the glory of God, he is one of my favorite composers. Friday's Christmas program at my Church was nice. It had a good message; and I had a chance to serve by running the projector during the message and the singing. Saturday's program was the best. The music director was in his 30th year of conducting Christmas programs at that Church; and it was noticeable. The orchestra played and the choir sang in harmony. The music was glorious and grand; and the musicians were talented. The message was interesting, utilizing the words of well-known Christmas hymns; and there was a variety of music - traditional, gospel, jazz, contemporary; orchestra, organ, handbells; adult, children, soloists, ensembles..... it was great! Sunday's program at my old church was nice also. I miss hearing the organ, orchestra, and choir on Sundays. Richard Unfried is one of my favorite organists and I've always loved his recitals. What stood out for me in the program, was the reminder when showing scenes from the Nativity movie, that God does sometimes speak in the "gentle whisper", like that of a child born in a humble manger. Also, that He watches over us to reassure us when we are in His will, despite difficult circumstances. I'm sure that Mary and Joseph must have had so many doubts as they travelled to Bethlehem, and then were unable to find a place to stay, and then had to give birth in a manger. But, what a reassurance it must have been to have so many visitors, such as the shepherds, and the wise men bearing gifts, showing them that this was no ordinary child. That's the scene that I always enjoyed at the EV Free Christmas program, the re-enactment of the Nativity Scene, when all the characters who came to visit baby Jesus, would all together kneel down to worship. They didn't do that scene yesterday; but, they showed the similar scene from the Nativity movie. It didn't quite have the same impact, though. Still, it was a good program, and a nice celebration of our Savior's Birth.

Leadership

As I previously wrote about, I've been developing my leadership skills because I have been put in such positions both at Church and at work. And as I contemplate what are the areas I have grown in, I find that there are some very specific things that I have learned. I know that I still have much to learn; but, figured that as I blog about it ongoing, I may see a progression of my growth over the years. So, at this point, in my initial limited view of leadership, the following is what I have seen are important:

• "Not passing the buck" - In the past, I have always shied away from making decisions, where possible. Of course, in everyday life, and in areas where I knew I had to, I would. However, if there was someone else who was in a position to make the decision, I would usually let them. Looking back, I mainly did not want to be responsible for making a bad decision, if that's how it turned out. Yet, now that I run projects and I teach class; the responsibility squarely falls on me. Interestingly, I have gotten somewhat used to making decisions now; and I'm pleased to find that I actually have good background, experience, and knowledge/wisdom to make good decisions. This also involves trying to solve and address problems and issues that come up, and not giving it over to someone else.
• "Navigating the waters" - This involves being able to understand how to interact with all different kinds of people; being wary where necessary; and in situations like work, this also translates to learning how to survive the politics. This takes understanding how all the various areas that you encounter function; and being able to see the big picture, not just one specific area.
• "Developing thick skin" - Anyone in positions of leadership are bound to encounter opposition and criticism. That's because you can never please everyone at all times. I think one of the most important components of this, is to be able to know what is the right thing to do, and to learn to stand firm in that, no matter what.
• "Delegating" - This is a very important part of leadership, especially as our role expands. There comes a point that we as one person will not be able to handle everything; and we need to be able to find the right people to help. This also involves being able to assign tasks and to track & follow-up on them. Even Moses was advised to delegate, when his responsibilities became too great.
• "Calm in the midst of a Storm" - A leader needs to be able to keep a calm level head through anything that comes up, enough to be able to make clear decisions on how to handle the situation.

It's been an interesting growth process; and over time, it will be neat to see how much more I grow and develop.

Not as Eager to Volunteer

I'm usually the person who would be one of the first to jump at opportunities to help, especially when there is a need; and often, even without having to be asked. So, I am struggling with what to do, since there is a need now; and this is a rare occasion where I am not so eager to volunteer. I ask myself, "What is the right thing to do?" That's a harder question to answer than "Why am I not eager to volunteer?" I already know why I am not eager to volunteer. It's because the person who oversees the area does not motivate us to want to help. In fact, he did the exact opposite by criticizing and offending. He made us feel like we were expendable and not needed. And when he tried to show appreciation, it was in such contrast to his previous actions and words, that we're not sure if he is sincere. So, if he doesn't consider that what we do is important, then we are no longer motivated to go out of our way to make sacrifices to help, as we have in the past. As for the right thing to do.... well, I know that I am serving God. So, if there is a need, I should not let one person deter me. I suppose I will no longer go out of my way; but, if I am able to, I can. So, I guess that answers the question. I will go ahead and volunteer. And I just need to make sure that the fact that I am not as eager, does not get in the way of my heart to serve.

Crusoe

The show "Crusoe" on NBC inspired me to read Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. It is such a familiar story that I don't really remember whether I've read it before; or that I may have read a children's version of it. For such a popular story, I am surprised to find that it is such "slow" reading. The wording does not flow; and the inherent adventure does not translate naturally into excitement in the story-telling. While the TV version does not adhere very closely to the book, it is certainly a lot more interesting and exciting. I hate to think that I've succumbed to this culture's attraction to the small screen, rather than reading words; but, I don't think I have. I generally love to read, and still do so frequently. I do think that the TV version makes it easier to visualize the interesting gadgets, his dwelling place, and the adventures. And it also involves a lot more people throughout the show, than the book does; which actually brings me to one of the main points that stuck out to me as I was reading. Often, Robinson Crusoe would talk about how he was now "king" of his island kingdom and had all that he needed, except for society. It makes me ponder the meaningfulness of living a life like that. Some of the most important parts of life are in the interactions with others. So, I would think that if I were stranded on an island, my motivation of continuing, would be to someday be once again among others and be able to share my experience of being alone on the island. I don't think I could become content with being "queen" of my kingdom without any hope of ever interacting with another human being again in my life. Yet, I would trust that God has a plan; and I would wait to see what He had in store. The TV version has the added appeal of having a main actor, Philip Winchester, who professes to be a practicing Christian. I applaud those who are able to stand firm in their faith in an industry that is generally contrary to the Christian worldview. And, in keeping with that, being a show that honors integrity and Christian values, it appears that Crusoe may not continue to be showing on air after these initial episodes. I do hope that the network does not go through with cancelling the show.

More Reflections

As I sit listening to Christmas music, my thoughts just naturally once again turn towards reflections upon the past year and looking towards the new year. I feel like I have grown this past year in several areas of my life. I have developed my leadership skills. In work, I've been able to establish my "niche" in project management; and have developed my ability to lead meetings and track projects. I've also learned to accept the responsibility of making decisions. I have also been able to develop my skills in leading my Adult Fellowship class. There is still much to learn; but, it's good to know that I am growing. I also look back upon last year's challenges; and see what a difference a year has made. My new renters are great; and I am encouraged to know that they are in ministry and I do hope that having a nice place to live that is close to church helps them in their ministry. The relationship I have with them are what I expected; and is such a nice contrast to the one I had previously. No longer is my life filled with drama and emotional turmoil in this area. I also receive more in rent, which really helps financially. I do sometimes "cringe" at how much I've apparently wasted in trying to help my previous renter; but, I trust that it was all part of God's plan somehow. I do know that I have grown so much through that experience. I also feel like I've matured in my perspective of friendships. While it may not be such a good thing to have lost that child-like trust in the goodness of others; the harsh reality of life is that it is necessary to have a wary knowledge of the imperfections of others, even in close "friends". I also have a better understanding of who my true friends are now. The scars from previous wounds have made for "thicker skin". Yet, this does not mean that I have given up on taking risks to invest in the lives of others. On the contrary, I will continue to do so; but, hopefully, now with more wisdom. I also have a renewed confidence in my independence. This time around, in dealing with contractors when changing my windows, I was able to benefit from my experience in the past. I also no longer wonder about Mr "Not-Quite-Right"; and have an almost ethereal assurance and peace in waiting for Mr Right, whether or not he exists. And, I went on the Israel trip with Insight for Living on my own; and enjoyed it. I am at peace and I can see that God is still at work in me.

Realization

There is nothing like coming face-to-face with the brevity of life that causes a person to come to the realization of what is truly important. I went to the Memorial Service for a friend this weekend. She had been battling with melanoma for the past two years; but, with such strength of faith and peacefulness of spirit. In her service, we were reminded of her ministry with children and her great desire to bring them to the knowledge of the Savior. Even in the midst of grieving, her husband said that he hoped the Memorial Service would be one of evangelism to those who did not yet know God. We could see how she had touched the lives of those around her. I honor her memory and consider it a blessing to have known her. I am glad that she is in the presence of Christ for His Birthday Celebration this year. I also went to visit another friend in the hospital last night. He is suffering from a weakened heart that is no longer functioning at full capacity. He is such a wonderful example of a servant of God, one who is reliable, responsible, and caring. Even in the hospital, I could see his loving spirit; and the many visitors that he has had testifies to what a special person he is. I pray for God's Healing Hand upon his life; and His strength and wisdom to help him take care of his health. Occurrences such as these help to remind me about what life is really about. Our time here on earth is truly temporal; and we need to live for the eternal. It is important to invest in the lives of others; which fits well with my theme for next year "Be Not Afraid". Investment can often be a risk; but, I should not be afraid and should trust God to be at work. I will run with endurance this race that is set before; and when I finish the race, I want to be able to look back and know that I have been able to touch the lives around me for God. Amen.

Dark Knight

As part of the Cinematics program at church, we had a discussion of the Dark Knight last evening. It was sponsored by Wheatstone Academy, and John Mark Reynolds was the speaker. He made his usual assertions that we need to look for "goodness, truth, and beauty"; and that we should not be caught up in being "edu-tained"; but, to pull away from the virtual reality and recognize what is truly real around us. In terms of films, he suggested that we should view films openly, while still thinking critically; and also, to be accountable to know what we personally can and cannot handle viewing. Specific to Dark Knight, he pointed out how the director controls our perspective and how the music affects the impact. We talked about the use of color. We also talked about the lack of emotion displayed by everyone except the Joker, and consequently how at the end people seem to identify or sympathize more with the Joker than any other character. We talked about how there is no use of greenery and natural beauty while depicting Gotham, possibly to depict the dark, cold, rigid environment. And while we talked about the use of square framing of scenes and close-ups, as a reflection of our society's familiarity with viewing through a "small screen"; I thought the square framing seemed to reflect the stoic coldness of the characters giving a contrast to the Joker's erratic and more "colorful" personality. We viewed the scenes where the people did not enable the detonators, as reflections of Christian morals displayed in the film. It was interesting when John Mark Reynolds said that because God is the Creator, there is nothing in this world that is totally and wholly evil. I could see that while we all have a sinful nature, yet, we still bear that image of God within us, however marred by sin. One thing that was mentioned, that I may not totally agree with was, that when people sin they actually set out to do good; but, they either do it too much or don't do it well. The reason I disagree is because, with the sin nature, there is no one who does good or wants to do good. Not all sin is just too much of a good thing. But, I do believe that all sin is a belief in a lie. Well, it was interesting to discuss the movie critically. I do think it is helpful to evaluate all things in this way; so, that we will not be unaware when something else sways what we think or perceive. That is one of the goals of the Truth 101 class, to help us all gain the perspective of the Christian Worldview; and be able to critically assess all that is around us through that filter of truth.

Spiritual Gift of Teaching

It has occurred to me in this past year that God has been preparing me all my life for teaching my Truth 101 Career Adult Fellowship class at church. That may sound a lot more astounding and significant than I intend it to; but, in an unassuming practical way, I have found it to be true. Firstly, He has repeatedly affirmed my spiritual gift of Teaching. It's been challenged several times, particularly when faced with the questions of whether or not women should teach. However, every time I have served as a teacher or facilitator in a class, a fellowship group, a mentoring situation, or in a Bible Study; I've seen how God has used me effectively through it. It is something I enjoy doing; and it comes naturally to me. So, I've actually been teaching and leading studies in some form or another, now for about 20 years. All the experience I've gained is now being used as I teach. I needed that background and experience, in order to have given me the confidence necessary to be willing to start this new class in the first place. Also, I realized that the lessons I learned, from teaching groups all these past years, about letting the Spirit work and not worrying about numbers or visible results; helped me to persevere through the first year we struggled to get Truth 101 off the ground. Now, it is a strong, healthy, solid group of people who love to study the Word and fellowship with each other. Praise God! I also had long wondered why God allowed me to be interested in so many areas related to marriage, family, relationships, and psychology; and to have listened for so many years to Focus on the Family, and read so many books on these topics. I was especially baffled as the years went by, and I remained single. I thought I wouldn't have a chance to put any of this into practice; until I started teaching this class. As a teacher, I have found that I am often put in situations where I may need to offer advice in areas that I may not have any personal experience. While I have been able to use what I've learned in the past, I see clearly now, that as a teacher in a new growing church, it is especially helpful. Another area of my life that I had struggled with, and now see it as part of God's plan for me to be the teacher in the Truth 101 class is that related to Psalm 73. For years, I did wonder why the wicked seemed to prosper and whether it was in vain that I kept my heart pure. I knew that it was good to seek holiness and to live in obedience; but, when I looked around me and saw other people seemingly having more "fun", I wondered if I was being to stringent. However, I now truly appreciate that I have tried to walk the narrow path as closely as possible, since teachers often serve as examples and are "held to a higher standard." This is not to say that those who have a "colored" past couldn't be a good teacher. In fact, many can draw on their negative experiences to have an extremely powerful message. However, I do think that God would want teachers who have tried to live a pure and holy life, and can be an example to those they teach. So here am I, pleased to find that I am well-suited for this position God has placed me in. Even as I am developing leadership skills in my professional life, I am able to apply some of those skills to being a teacher in my class. I'm able to incorporate things I've learned through the Apologetics program and the Truth Project. I love being able to be used by God to help others grow in knowledge of HIM.

End-of-the-Year Thoughts

It's that time of the year when I invariably begin to start thinking about what happened throughout the year; and about what I might expect for the coming year. I'm sure that over the next month or so, I will have several more such contemplations. I've had quite a full year. I participated in the life events of friends - weddings, funerals, and anniversary celebrations. I worked on my house - started painting the garage, changed the windows and patio doors, and bought a new HDTV. I saw my Career Adult Sunday School class quadruple in size. I finished the Apologetics Certificate program at Biola. One renter moved out of my condo property; and a new one moved in. And, I would say that two of the highlights of my year were probably my trips to Israel and to Australia. I didn't really expect to go back to Israel again this year; but, I saw the flyer from Insight for Living; and took the opportunity. I'm so glad I did; for, it really was a neat trip and I had the privilege of being baptized by immersion in the Jordan River. I also thoroughly enjoyed hearing Pastor Chuck Swindoll preach; and listening to the great music of the piano duo Nielson & Young. Australia is somewhere I've wanted to go to for a very long time. Sydney was beautiful; and I had the great privilege of being able to go to both an Opera and a Concert at the Sydney Opera House. As for what I may expect the coming year, I hope to see my class grow closer together. People in the class are already actively serving in the church; but, it would be neat to see how we might be even more effective serving together as a class. I have more plans for work on the house; and I would be interested to see what new areas of service the LORD will bring me into. I would like to form deeper relationships and make more of an impact for the Kingdom in the lives of those around me.

Newsweek on Gay Marriage

Newsweek published an article in which it claimed that what the Bible teaches about love argues FOR gay marriage. As I read the article, there were two areas of objection that kept popping up in my mind. Firstly, most of the examples used were the exception, rather than God's design; and secondly, many of the Bible verses were quoted out of context. The first example used was Abraham sleeping with his servant when he discovered his wife Sarah was infertile. But, the article did not point out that the Bible shows that Abraham was wrong in bearing Ishmael through his servant, because he did not trust God to fulfill His promise; and that God fulfilled His promise when Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Other examples used were of polygamy, but, God never showed approval for it; and the article did not point out that the Bible shows all the negative effects of polygamy on those who practiced it. The article even used Jesus being single as an example. But, Jesus came to earth to be the Savior, and the Church is metaphorically the Bride of Christ. So, there was a purpose for Jesus being single; but, this was a special situation and should not be used to indicate anything about God's design for marriage in general. The apostle Paul was similarly an "exception" rather than the "rule"; in that his ministry caused him to constantly be on travel to his missionary journeys, to be imprisoned, and to have his life in danger. So, for his ministry, he had the gift of celibacy, and may have been more effective in singleness. Again, that does not change God's design for marriage. If the article, by citing these examples of exception, are trying to make an argument that gay marriage should be allowed as just another exception; the problem with that is the Bible does not support any of the exceptions that go against God's design either. Just because it occurs in society does not mean that it is right. This goes back to existing discussions about absolute truth versus relative social laws, and ethics versus morality. So, for example, even though society has made it legal to have an abortion, the absolute truth is that killing is wrong, and therefore the destruction of human life in the womb is wrong. The Bible has clearly stated that homosexuality is a sin and goes against God's design, such as in Romans 1:27: "And in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error" Then, as for Scripture being quoted out of context, we can often cite verses to support our viewpoint, but, by not taking into the context of the whole Bible, the verses can be misinterpreted. So, for example "There is neither Greek nor Jew, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ." was used in the article to support gay marriage because of it's inclusiveness. The passage in Galatians 3:28 was talking about "inclusiveness", but not for marriage. It was specifically referring to the salvation through Jesus Christ. The arguments about being loving, inclusive, and accepting the opinion of society can be used to condone many things. However, when something goes against the design of God, the Creator, we cannot just say that it is right. In Genesis, God's design for marriage was clearly one man and one woman. And studies support this by showing that the best environment for children is one in which they have one father and one mother.

Be Not Afraid

I've found my verse for next year's area of focus. I was reminded of this verse that I had previously memorized:

"For God hath not given us a spirit of timidity; but of courage, of love and of a sound mind."--2 Tim. 1:7.

That summarizes well the various aspects of what I was looking for - to be unafraid, to have boldness, to be willing to take risk because of love, and of course, to have a sound mind, which to me includes wisdom.

I'm excited, because this ties in well with when God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous, such as in Chp 1 vs 9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for God is with you wherever you go." Many times in Scripture, we see the phrases, "Fear not" and "Do not be afraid". God may have just revealed to me what the next summer Bible Study series will be.....

Christmas'08

Christmas is definitely here. It's easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of the Season; but, I do try to make sure that I do not lose sight of the true reason and meaning for it all. On Saturday, I went to a Christmas Repast at EV Free Fullerton. As usual, it was very beautiful, creative, and well-organized. I had a chance to spend time with some friends; and I even ran into an old "friend" that I am praying for. I also started getting some ideas for my area of focus next year, somewhere along the lines of being bold and unafraid for God, being willing to take risks for Him. But, one thing in particular that stood out for me, was when the niece of Hugh Martin spoke of his conversion to Christianity and consequently his re-writing lyrics to his well-beloved Christmas song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". She sang the new lyrics:

Have yourself a blessed little Christmas
Christ the King is born
Let your voices ring upon this happy morn

Have yourself a blessed little Christmas
Serenade the Earth
Tell the world we celebrate the Savior's birth

Let us all proclaim the joyous tidings
Voices raised on high
Send this carol soaring up into the sky,
This very merry blessed Christmas lullaby.

Let us gather to sing to Him
And to bring to Him our praise
Son of God and a Friend of all
To the end of all our days

Sings hosannas, hymns, and hallelujahs
As to Him we bow
Make the music mighty as the heav’ns allow
And have yourself a blessed little Christmas now.

Such a neat story, and I love the new lyrics. I have printed it out and will use it whenever I sing to the tune of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" Last night, I also had my fellowship class over for lunch. It was a nice time and I had a chance to show my pictures of the Holy Land.

O Death where is thy sting?

Handel's Messiah has long been my all-time favorite musical masterpiece ever. So, I was very interested this week to study the passage from which Handel took the words for "O Death where is thy sting?" In Hosea 13:14, right in the middle of pronouncing severe judgment and denouncing Israel's sinful behavior, God shows His great love and His desire for them to be saved:

"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?"

And Paul, quoting from the LXX version, at the end of his great dissertation on the centrality of the Resurrection in Christianity in I Corinthians 15:55, used that words that Handel incorporated into his musical piece:

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

How amazing that God, even as He had to justly execute the due punishment for Israel's sin, was looking forward towards the hope of redemption and salvation. And how true, as Paul said, that if there is no resurrection, then our faith is useless, for there would be no victory over sin and death. And, since the resurrection is so central and critical to Christianity, how assuring it is to know that Christ's resurrection is supported by evidence and facts. As Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection, pointed out in a lecture, the resurrection can be supported by 4 "E"s:

• Execution - Historically, it is well-documented that Jesus Christ was crucified and was buried
• Early Accounts - The news of his death and resurrection are documented so soon after it occurred that there was no time for "legend" to develop; and the documentation had to be accurate, for those who had been there were still living and would be able to refute any inaccuracies
• Empty Tomb - It is well-documented that the tomb is empty and the facts support the resurrection as the best explanation
• Eyewitnesses - There were many eyewitnesses over a period of time at different places

The resurrection is not only central to Christianity, but, it can also show that Christianity is true. Since the Gospels are accepted as historically reliable documents, and in them, Christ made claims to divinity and his death and resurrection are recorded there; that when the resurrection occurred (the best explanation of the facts as mentioned above), it supported Christ's claims to be God. If He is God, then what He says is true; and since He supported and quoted the Old and New Testaments, then what is recorded in the Bible is not to be ignored.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas....

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year, right next to Easter. Usually, I put up my decorations right after Thanksgiving; but, since I was out of town this year for the Thanksgiving weekend, I just finished putting them up inside the house last night. The Nativity scenes, the pine, the beautiful colors, and the smells all evoke warm feelings of Peace and Joy. I know that the Holiday Season can be a difficult time of year for many people; and being an unattached single, I could be considered one of those people. But, as Thanksgiving reminds me, I really do have much to be thankful for; and most of all, Christmas is when Christ came to earth in order to become my Savior. So, how can I not be filled with the Christmas Spirit. This year, I am not only having my family over for Christmas Dinner; but, I have also invited my Sunday Fellowship Class to come over for lunch this weekend. I enjoy hosting, and fortunately have gained much experience from all the bridal showers, baby showers, Birthday gatherings, and family get-togethers that I have organized. I hope that when people enter my home, they may feel warmth, love, peace, and joy; and be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving will be here tomorrow; and in a spirit of gratitude, I want to take the time to "count my blessings" and to thank the LORD for all He has done for me and given to me. First and foremost, I do thank HIM for the gift of salvation, and the abundant blessings which accompany it. I am amazed that I am adopted into the family of God; and that I can have a close personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the assurance of His presence and guidance in my life, knowing that I am never alone. I just pray that I may live my life in a manner pleasing to HIM, and that He may continue to use me for His Work here on earth. I thank HIM for His Word that He has given us, in order that we might know HIM better. I'm grateful for the love of His Word, which He has instilled within me. I thank HIM for the opportunity to lead a Bible Study class. I thank HIM for my family. While we have our flaws and imperfections, I have the security of knowing that we care about each other and that I can turn to them for help and support, whenever needed. I thank HIM for my friends. I have been blessed with a few close friends who share my faith, with bonds of friendships which have been strengthened through time. I thank HIM for my job. I love the convenience of not having to commute for work. I'm grateful that my job utilizes my background and experience; and is one in which I am capable of handling. I am grateful that it adequately provides for my living. Especially in tough economic times as these, that is something to be very grateful for. I thank HIM for my health. Though our bodies and health naturally degrade and decay with age, I am grateful that I am relatively healthy. I still have use of all my limbs; and I have no serious illness or disease. This is something that can easily be taken for granted; but, for the few times that I have loss the use of a body part or have been ill, I recognize that good health is to be appreciated and valued. God is GOOD! He has blessed me abundantly, according to His grace, far above what I deserve. Amen.

Behind the Mask

Some of the characteristics I've always valued in others are honesty, sincerity, and openness. In contrast, just this week, in the Hosea study, the characteristics of the Israelites emphasized, were their lies and deceitfulness. I know that when I encounter those who hide behind "masks", I find it disappointing, for it dispels my trust in them. There are many types of masks people hide behind. There are masks of false sincerity, deceit, stoicism, etc. No matter what kind of masks people wear, they are essentially trying to hide the TRUTH. At this moment, I can specifically think of three people who have broken the trust I have in them, because of the masks they put on:

• The first puts on so many different masks that all I see is mass contradiction; and I no longer believe anything that person says. I will listen to the facts that can be verified; but, have to ignore anything related to opinion, because I don't really know if it is true. I have come to view this person as someone who lacks integrity and is not to be trusted.

• The second is someone who may have started off on the wrong foot and could possibly be trying to remedy it. However, how this person is currently contrasts so greatly with what they previously said; that, I'm no longer sure whether what this person is saying now is truly sincere. I'm trying to give this person the benefit of the doubt; and to accept as much as possible; but, it will take time to rebuild the trust.

• The third is someone I was sad to see wear a mask. I thought we had the type of friendship that the person would feel safe enough to be themselves, and not have to put on a mask. Yet, I found that under the guise of interest in something else, this person seemed to be hiding ulterior motives.

Rare is the relationship in which both people are fully honest, open, and sincere with one another. When a person is fortunate enough to find themselves in such a relationship, it should be treasured.

Thanksgiving'08

"Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His Love endures forever." Psalm 106:1 The Holidays can be a really busy time; and for some, it can be an especially difficult time. I think of those who have lost loved ones; or those who have just lost their homes in these last fires. There are many who may find it hard to "celebrate" Thanksgiving. However, while it is wonderful to be able to gather together with family and friends and to share a meal; Thanksgiving is so much more than just turkey and get-togethers. The purpose is to thank God, in a spirit of gratefulness. I have found that even through trials and difficulties, when I focus on what I can be thankful for, I gain a better perspective on the circumstances. The apostle Paul encouraged us in Phil 4:6 to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." There is always something we can be thankful for; and when we focus on the good, it helps us endure the bad. And for those of us who are believers, the amazing blessing that we can truly be thankful for is the gift of salvation given to us through Christ's sacrifice of love on the cross. Amen!

Weight of Responsibilities

Fortunately, I don't have the weight of the world on my shoulders, like Atlas did in Greek mythology; but, sometimes I feel like I do. That's why, when I came across a related quote from The Greatest of These, it resonated with me: "It's like the Bible says, 'unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.' [Luke 12:48] I've been given much, and there's not a day goes by where I don't feel the responsibility of it in some fashion or form." How true. Most days, I just accept the responsibilities and do my best to fulfill them. But, occasionally, it hits me, and I struggle not to feel overwhelmed. As always, the best way to face our challenges when we are tempted to give up, is to look to HIM and remember what He has said in His Word. I am reminded that He said that "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt 11:30); and "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (I Corinth 10:13) I am going to trust that He will help carry the weight of my responsibilities; and that He will be with me every step of the way.

Rocking Chair on an Old Porch

How did I get here? I'm not even halfway to retirement; but, I already feel like an old-timer sitting in my rocking chair on an old porch looking out at the horizon, lamenting the future. How is it, that though I generally live by the verses that encourage us to "be content in whatever circumstances" (Phil 4:11), and to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil 4:4); yet, I still can find myself being drawn to the cynicism of Ecclesiastes and going through times in which I find it hard to be optimistic? I wonder if there isn't just something in our culture that has diminished our hopes and filled it negative fatalism. As I reason it through, I can see how our society's determination to remove God from our culture can play a large part in our slide towards pessimism. True HOPE comes from God. Only when we believe that there is a God who created all things and has a Plan and Purpose, can we see how our lives fit and have meaning as part of the Big Picture. So, maybe I should get out of the chair on the porch and stop looking at the horizon; and instead, I should lay out a blanket in the open field and look up at the stars and the vast expanse of God's creation. After all, as Hebrews 12:2 says "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus" !

Search for Meaning

The age-old philosophical question "What is the meaning of life?" has been asked and pondered a countless number of times. In light of all that we see in the world around us, it would not be surprising for a cynic to echo chapter 1 verse 2 of Ecclesiastes, and say "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!" We are about to embark on the next Bible Study series, through the Book of Ecclesiastes. We will follow King Solomon's journey as he searches for meaning in knowledge, pleasures, work, power, wealth, etc. In all his wisdom, and with all his power, wealth, resources, and experiences, he comes to the conclusion, true meaning cannot be found apart from God. The only path to the meaning of life is to obey the Lord and revere HIM.

The Greatest of These

I was reading "The Greatest of These" by Judith Bronte; and a quote from the book stood out to me: "As for what others say about me, all I can do is live my life in the fear of God, so that when others try to defame my name, those who truly know me, will recognize a lie when they hear one." That quote reflects my thoughts on how I live my life; and was something that I had to live out last year. I was constantly reminded that the only opinion that truly matters in life is God's; and that even if there are others who may say things about me that are negative and untrue, whenever it is out of my control, I can only be responsible for living my life for HIM and believing that the truth will someday be made known. The title of the book, of course, comes from the Love chapter in the Bible: "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love." -- 1 Corinthians 13:13. It's interesting that in my current class study in the book of Hosea with "The Love of God" series, I've had a chance to contemplate more about love. Truly, we are to live our lives 1) Loving God and 2) Loving others.

Sydney, Australia

I had the privilege of going to Sydney, Australia last week. I've been wanting to go there for years; and it is as beautiful as I've heard it to be. It is surrounded by beaches and harbours; and the public transportation system is great, with it's buses, ferries, and railways. The people are also friendly; and overall, I had a really enjoyable trip.

One of the reasons I love to travel is to experience and learn about other cultures. I found that I was able to keep up with the US elections while I was in Australia, almost as well as I could have if I were in the US; for Obama, McCain, Palin, and Biden were constantly in the headlines in the Australian newspapers. Australians have compulsory elections and those who don't vote are fined. It's an interesting concept; and maybe it's because of that, they seem to have an interest in in politics in general.

Common American retail establishments existed throughout Sydney - Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Woolworth, etc. I was there on Oct 31st and found that they don't really "celebrate" Halloween. While the food was really fresh and tasty, particularly their fruit and seafood, it was all quite expensive. Even though I am used to California traffic and real estate prices, I found that Sydney traffic was just as congested and possibly worse because some roads did not have multiple lanes; and their properties on the harbour were reportedly around $30 million. An apartment, likely similar to a small condo, costs over $1 million.

I found Sydney to be similar to Singapore in many ways: the demographics, with a large Asian population; English as the primary language; the Opera House or Performing Art Center as a landmark; and the geography, surrounded by water.

I was able to catch the last evening of La Boheme and to listen to Mozart's Requiem at the Opera House. I was surprised that the building was not well-equipped to accommodate the elderly or the physically-challenged. However, overall, it was a really neat experience.   I was most moved when, along with the Mozart Requiem, they performed Barber's "Agnus Dei"  (Adagio for Strings for choir).   What a beautifully haunting melody.....

I would love to go back one day. The next time, I'd like to visit the Outback and see more of the Australian wildlife (koalas, wombats, wallabys, kangaroos, etc) than just at the Featherdale Wildlife Park; and to hike more than I did at the Blue Mountain trails.

And, the Olympic Park was impressive. It's nice that most of the venues were all in one place. I'm sure that was convenient during the Olympics. However, I felt that they could enhance the Vistor Center and offer more to visitors who are interested in the Olympics. To me, it seemed like they just tried to convert the Olympic Park more to be used by the residents in everyday activities (swimming, concerts, recreation, etc); and neglected to preserve the significance and memories of the Olympic experience. I have been to the Olympic village in L.A., Barcelona, and now Sydney; to the Olympic centers in Lausanne and San Diego; and am planning to go to see the one in Beijing. I've always loved the Olympics and what it represents.

It really was a well-rounded trip. I caught some cultural events, saw the Olympic sites, saw tourist locations, visited beaches and harbours, went to an art gallery and a museum, and rode the buses, trains, and ferries.

While I have heard some great Christian music coming out of Australia from artists such as Rebecca St James and Darlene Zschech with Hillsong Church, I would've loved to see more of the Christian influence while I was in Australia. Still, it was a blessing to have had a chance to go there.

President-Elect '08

History was made last night - the United States elected it's first African-American president. It will be interesting to see what will happen the next four years when Barack Obama takes office. He is unquestionably eloquent, has a beautiful family, and as shown by his win last night, has the support of the majority of the voting American public. As an American and a Christian, I will be praying for Barack Obama to be a wise leader for this great country. I will pray that the liberal views of the administration will not effect in loss of my rights as a traditional conservative. I pray that Life will not be jeopardized by an increase in abortions, euthanasia, or eugenics. I pray that our courts will not gain strength in legislating from the bench by radical judicial appointees. And, I pray that our country will be a nation that God will want to bless. May we, as a country, recognize that we are a great nation because it is "In God we Trust" and that our laws were based on Judeo-Christian values.

Perspectives

Just as viewing a performance through opera glasses gives quite a different perspective than watching the full stage; so, too, does looking at life from our own viewpoint as opposed to trying to see God's perspective. In many situations, I can easily just react based on emotion or human nature; or to be swayed by the opinions of others. Yet, I recognize that the wisest thing to do is to stop and consider how God sees the situation and what He would want me to do. While I have found that God's path can often be challenging and "less-travelled", it is ultimately the best and right path to take. And that is what I am doing in my current situation. Most people have said to just give up and let the person who, whether knowingly or unknowingly, has insulted and generated waves, just suffer the loss and have to deal with it. Yet, when I step back and think about it, I make the decision to continue, because my motivation is to serve God. If circumstances beyond my control prevent me from continuing, then so be it. But, while I feel that I am still serving; and that God is able to use me, then I will keeping going. I have evaluated my heart, and I know that it is right before God; and I do believe that I have a perspective that the other person is not realizing yet at this time. In that also, God has given me the confidence not to take personal offense or to lose self-esteem; but, instead to trust that eventually the truth will be made clear.

Living Word

This week was a good example of how, as Hebrews 4:12 says, "the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." While preparing for my class Bible Study on Hosea 8, I was reminded and convicted that I cannot live my life as the Israelites did and ignore the "warnings":

• I should not claim to "acknowledge" God, and at the same time "reject what is good"
• I should not "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind"; for, I cannot compromise in "little things" and forget the destructive consequences of sin
• I should not be a "stalk without grain"; for I do not want to give the appearance of walking with God, but in reality be fruitless, and no longer a useful vessel for His use
• I should not be a "solitary wild donkey"; for I do not want to be stubbornly wandering away from Him, making myself vulnerable to attacks from the enemy

I recognize that I need to be consistent in what I teach, and how I live my life. I fully believe that if I continue to compromise in sin, God would no longer be able to use me as effectively in serving Him. I need to keep walking CLOSELY with Him, I need to keep my heart pure and my mind on that which is good, and I need to be thankful for my "thorn."

Autumn

Summer is clearly over, and the Fall Season has blown in with the cool crisp winds. This is actually my favorite season of the year. It's not as cold as winter, not hot like summer, and not as "flowery" as spring. We can pull out the sweaters and boots, and dress in warm brown tones. There is something about Autumn that brings about a contemplative mood. It may be that the lonely howling of the wind outside, makes me want to just wrap myself in a warm blanket and stare outside at the changing colors and rustling leaves. Or maybe it's realizing that I need to take a breath and sit still, before the hectic holiday season begins. Nevertheless, I have many things to think about. I wonder why the painting contractors I requested estimates from the last two weeks seem like they were not interested in painting my house. They claimed that with the economy and the time of the year, work was slow; yet, they were still either lax in getting back to me or never responded at all. So, because of the timing, I now have to wait until next year before I start over by getting a new round of estimates before scheduling the painting. I figure that for whatever reason, God may be telling me to wait for His timing. There are other things to plan and prepare for as well - my trip to Australia, my Sunday Fellowship class coming over to my home for an end-of-the-year get together, planning for the next Bible Study series, and wondering what's the next step for me in God's Plan. There are things that sit in the back of my mind - Where's my Apologetics certificate? What will happen with running the AV projector at church? When can I schedule doctor's and dentist's appointments? Is there a community service area that I can help out with? And then, there are the things that many people now worry about - What will happen with our economy? What about all this financial insecurity? What about the future? What will happen in the elections? Who will be the next president & vice president? Will California redefine marriage? In light of all these, I'm just glad that God is ultimately in control. No matter what happens, He is with me; and I trust in HIM.

Fireproof

I watched Fireproof, from the makers of Facing the Giants, over the weekend. I am very glad to see that there are now more wholesome Christian-themed movies being made available in the theaters. And it's great to see that it's been in the top 10 box office movies the first two weekends it's been shown. I'm hearing amazing stories of how the movie is affecting the lives of some of those who watch it, by motivating them to work at saving their marriages. Since it is focused on marriage, the movie doesn't have as broad applicability as did Facing the Giants; but, I can see how it has the potential to be really effective for use in ministries to couples. The whole idea of the "Love Dare" and the reminder of the need for Love and Respect in a marriage are putting Biblical principles into action. For me, it was neat to hear the movie use John Waller's song "While I'm Waiting." Ever since I first heard John Waller's album "The Blessing," I've loved his music. "While I'm Waiting" has significance in my life as well, because it reflects my perspective well, in that while I am still single and waiting, I have still been serving and worshipping HIM, allowing HIM to work in my life and use me in my singleness. If I, as a person who is single, can still truly enjoy the movie so much, I would not hesitate to recommend it to others, especially to those who are married.

Redeeming Love

I just finished reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The inspiration for this amazing love story came from the Book of Hosea in the Bible. Naturally, a great love story like this would be a reflection of the true source of love, God Himself. God loved us first, when we were unlovable, living in sin and rebellion against Him. He is continually faithful, even when we are unfaithful. Yet, He also gives us the freedom to choose to accept the love that He offers to us. And when we choose to love Him back, we can fully experience His saving grace. I've been struggling this week, in preparing for a Bible Study on Hosea 6. It seems like such a short passage, a mere ten verses. Yet, the passage talks about the healing love of God. Surely, this is an area which is so relevant and deeply meaningful. Maybe I struggle because I sense that this can be such a powerful study; yet, I don't know how to present it adequately. The last chapter of Redeeming Love even quotes Hosea 6:1 "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." It is clear that only God can truly heal. We may search for other ways to heal; but, many will only cover up or offer temporary relief. The cure, the renewal, the true healing comes only from God. For those who blame God or don't think that a God who has allowed such pain and suffering in the first place would or could heal, we see in the passage that in the cases where the pain is a result of judgment and chastening, the ultimate purpose was that in one's misery, one might recognize the need to turn back to God. Pain and suffering entered the world when sin entered the world as a result of our rebellion against God and the breaking of our covenant relationship. God continually desires to heal the broken relationship and to restore us to intimacy with HIM. Every single person needs healing. In this fallen world, there is no one who is unscathed and whole. Every single one of us has been broken and hurt. Not one person can say they have never experienced pain. And that is why we all need the great Physician, the great Healer - God.

Love

I remember listening to a lecturer one day ask the question, "How would you define LOVE?" Throughout history, so much has been written about love; and so many have pondered upon it. We know that it is much more than just emotions and feelings; but, how would we really define it? 1 Corinthians 13 offers a Biblical description of characteristics of love; and how it is lived out in life (i.e. patient, kind, etc). Yet, when I contemplate a more succinct way of defining something as complex as love, I would consider John 15:13 as the best illustration: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." I would define love as being willing to sacrifice for that person, even to the point of death. In the last few weeks, I finished reading some very famous love stories: Romeo and Juliet, Phantom of the Opera, and Lady Miriam. In each story, we can see that true love indeed was willing to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the object of their affection. And, of course, in the greatest love story ever told, "God so loved that world that He gave His Only Son"; and Jesus Christ loved us so much that He willingly lay down His life for us on the cross.