Learning

Pastor Chuck Swindoll truly has many great Insights for Living (pun intended ;-) ) On his pastor's blogsite (link), he gave a list of things that he has learned in his 50 years of ministry. With all the experience he's had and the success of his ministries, when he speaks about what he has learned, I take note; for, I know that I can absolutely learn and benefit from what he has learned. Following are what he listed: I’ve learned that I should tell people how I feel about them now, not later. I’ve learned that things I’m not even aware of are being noticed and remembered. I’ve learned that being real is a lot better than looking pious. I’ve learned that when you “fit,” most things flow . . . they don’t have to be forced. I’ve learned that it doesn’t pay to talk someone into or out of a big decision. I’ve learned that days of maintenance are far more in number than days of magnificence. I’ve learned that some people aren’t going to change, no matter what. I’ve learned that I have seldom felt badly for things I did not say. I’ve learned that perception overshadows reality. I’ve learned that time spent with my family is a good investment. I’ve learned that grace is worth the risk. I’ve learned to stop saying “never” or “always” when it comes to the future. I’ve learned that thinking theologically pays off, big time. I’ve learned that some things are worth the sweat. I’ve learned to give credit where credit is due. Finally, I’ve learned that you can’t beat having fun. I look at his list, and I find that there are things I could improve on: telling people how I feel about them, thinking theologically, and having fun. I'm also encouraged that I've learned some of the same lessons aleady: Often I'm not aware of what others notice, to be real, not to have to "force" anything or any big decisions, that some people aren't going to change, when to keep quiet, perception overshadowing reality, spending time with family, exercising grace, avoid "never" and "always", know what's worth the sweat, and giving credit where it's due. Overall, I like the reminder that "days of maintenance are far more in number than days of magnificence." In fact, I haven't had many days of "magnificence". But, I'm encouraged to persist in my "days of maintenance". To keep going and to keep striving for excellence. Pastor Chuck says "Staying faithful pays great dividends"; and that's what I'm counting on! That's what my life verse says; and that why I seek to be the faithful servant, wanting to hear the master say "Well done!" at the end.

Annual Church Meeting '09 and Weekend Happenings

We had our Annual Church Business Meeting and Potluck last night. It's always a great time of fellowship and praise for all that God has done throughout the year. It was reported that our Church has doubled in size since we moved into our new Church building, with 60% of the people in our Church involved in a Community Group. It was also neat to hear all the things that the various ministries implemented and accomplished. There were some pretty special moments when the ministry staff expressed their love for the support of their spouses. I made my Mexican casserole. There was a lot of food, so I had a lot leftover. It's interesting to be able to taste a lot of different foods at Church potlucks. I also had a conversation about dreaming God's dreams and catching the next vision. There was a suggestion that I consider getting involved with the missions team at Church. I was encouraged that this person saw my potential through my excitement and energy, which I hope is a reflection of my passion for God. This is something I will pray about, since I've always had a heart for missions. I watched Merlin again, but only caught the last half. What I like about the series, is how I see the characters develop; and especially, how the bonds of friendship between Merlin and Arthur grow. Over time, with each occurrence that draws them closer together in how they risk their life for the other, we can understand how they can have the strong relationship and trust they share later in life. In applying this to my life, this is what true friendship looks like. Friendship grows stronger over time, as it is built up through shared experiences that solidify trust in and care for one another. On the previous day, was the wedding of a distant cousin; and our family spent the day with many relatives that we have not seen for awhile. The wedding was pretty nice and it was simple. At the reception at the Universal Hilton, the setting was nice, and the food was somewhat Asian fusion. However, the sound in the ballroom did not carry well.

Foundations

We will be concluding our "King Solomon" Bible Study series this week. The 1 Kings 11 passage on the end of Solomon's reign and life is a sad one. We see that the strong foundation of Solomon's life, built on a Godly heritage, favor from God, and wisdom granted by God, crumbles and falls after all his compromises and sins (marrying foreign wives, questionable business dealings, use of Canaanite forced labor, building altars and sacrificing to detestable false gods, accumulating too much gold, silver, horses, and chariots, etc). He did not even heed the threats to the established peace as warnings and reminders to repent and turn his heart back to God. It is unbelievably sad, that the king who was able to offer such an amazing prayer and speech at the dedication of the temple, is the same one who has now fallen so far into sin. The hope is that Solomon did eventually turned back to the wisdom of truth in fearing God and keeping His commandments, as he wrote in his conclusion in Ecclesiastes.

Father's Day '09

I hosted Father's Day dinner last night. It was nice, although, a few members of the family were still full from the luncheon they had at Church; so, they weren't so hungry for dinner. I tried a few new recipes, and I think they turned out okay. Of course, there are always lessons to learn from trial-and-error; so, hopefully, the next time, it'll turn out even better. One of the things that I struggle the most with, is how not to overcook chicken breast; since, it's been turning out a little dry. I know that I've done it before, but, I don't know what I did to make it turn out well those times. This is what I prepared for last night's dinner:

• Beef stew
• Chicken and Mushroom
• Fish & Ginger Stir-fry
• Yams
• Snow Pea and Tofu
• Pea Tip Stir-fry
• Bok Choy Soup

The Beef Stew is a tried and true recipe; except that I have not yet determined what is the best beef to use. I was able to buy London Broil on sale this time, and it was good; but, probably not the most cost effective choice continually. The chicken and mushroom had good flavor; but, I don't have a large enough steamer to do it all at once (I had to do batches); and the chicken didn't turn out so well. This was a new recipe, so I'm sure I can improve upon it. I should probably use wings next time, instead of the chicken breast. The fish, using a new recipe, actually turned out really well. Coating them in corn starch really did help them to pan fry better and keep from falling apart. The yams, again a new recipe, tasted really good. They were baked and then broiled with honey and maple syrup. I would definitely do this again; and next time, I would broil them longer, since the glazed coating when crunchy is really good. With the snow peas and tofu, I put a little too much cornstarch when making the tofu. I would cut back on that next time, and try to add more flavoring. And the snow peas weren't cooked enough, probably because I had a little too much. The pea tip stir-fry was simple and lightly sauteed with garlic. I haven't had it for awhile, and I've always liked it. As vegetables go, it's a little more expensive; but, it's easy to cook, tastes good, and is healthy. For the soup, I kept it simple. I did overcook the bok choy a little; but, that was only because I was cooking other things in parallel and not watching as closely. What I did differently was I cut the bok choy into small chunks. It was easier to eat; and looked nice. Adding tofu to it, would've worked also. After dinner, I watched the premier of Merlin. It was quite a good show. The special effects were good; and the story-line was interesting. Also, it gives a different perspective, with Merlin and Arthur still young, and we can see how they would eventually develop into legendary characters. I'm sorry that Crusoe was cancelled last season, but, I'm glad that NBC has added this show the line-up. I hope it is here to stay. At Church, we had our annual car show and pancake breakfast. I think it's a great tradition; and it's fun. It was also nice to have a break, since I didn't have to teach class or run the projector. The message continued the End Times timeline, and with what is stated in Scripture, it made sense that the Day of the Lord would be the first day of a period that starts with the rapture, through the seven year tribulation, and finishes at the end of the millennial reign. The weekend went by fast; but, I'm grateful to have one. All I did Saturday was go grocery shopping and the early food preparation. Friday night, I did get together with my friend to celebrate her Birthday. We had dinner at Dominic's. The food seemed better the last time I went; but, it was still okay. I had the Baked Halibut, and it seemed really healthy. Afterwards, we took at walk at Seal Beach and then "hung out" at my place. I hope that my friendship is an encouragement to her; and that the time spent, the conversations, and the gift are a blessing to her. Well, another weekend is over; and it's time to tackle a brand new work week.

Fear

I was doing more research for my next Sunday class series, "Do Not Fear", and came across some notes that more clearly explains what I had previously mentioned (ref) There are two types of fear: 1. Reverence for God and Who He is (including proper respect for His Wrath) 2. Spirit of fearfulness and timidity that does not come from God The first type brings many benefits. It's mentioned in the conclusion of Ecclesiastes in the search for meaning: "Fear God and Keep His Commandments". In Proverbs, it's the beginning of wisdom. The second type, in contrast, rises out of the alienation of man from God after the Fall. This fear is mentioned throughout the Bible, first in Genesis 3:8-10 and last in Revelations 21:8. When man sinned, we no longer enjoyed close, intimate, loving fellowship with God; and instead begin to fear punishment, dread evil, and feel inadequate. Fear is lack of Faith; for when we trust in the promises of God, we will not be afraid. That is the message of the series - our fears stem from our alienation from God through sin and can be conquered through faith and trust in God.

Friendship

In the past couple of years, I have learned the hard lesson of what friendship is not. But, in contrast, I was just contemplating what friendship should be. Of my close friends, I have known some of them for a very long time - one for over 25 years, another for about 22, and two within the last 5-10 years. My closest friends share my love for the LORD, and are sincere and reliable. I enjoy spending time with them; and often gain encouragement from sharing with them and hearing about how God is working in our lives. I have learned that a true friendship works both ways - each should feel blessed by the other. In this fast-paced hectic world we live in, time, energy, and resources are often in short supply. So, it is important that friendships do not drain us. In fact, the best friendships are those that "fill our tanks". I do have other friends that I would spend time with and keep in touch with; but, the characteristics of our friendship differs from those of my closest friends. There are a few that I enjoy talking to or doing things with. There are some that I try to be a witness to. But, I think the main difference with my closest friendships is that these aren't tied by the special spiritual bond. However, these friendships are also important, especially if we can help point them to God. I also have a fairly large outer circle of friends. These are people that I've gotten to know beyond just an acquaintance or occasional interaction - people I went to school with, met at church, was in a small group with, worked with, etc. These are important for all those places and situations that we are in, to remind us that we are not alone. The interactions with others beyond "hello" help to make life more meaningful. Just last night, at Community Group, I was reminded of those who helped make me feel at home in my Church; and who supported me in getting started with teaching my class. I am grateful for the blessing of friendships! I thank God for bringing these people into my life.

Winds of Adversity

I was just listening to a message from Chuck Swindoll, and what he said was such a great reminder that I wanted to write it down. He said that these are difficult times; but, God often uses adversity to define us and the refine us. He said that when the wind blows stronger, the roots grow deeper. I do hope that, in my life, that will be true. When I am faced with the winds of adversity; I hope that my roots truly grow deeper in Christ, and that I will become more like HIM and will be refined through the fire. Amen.

Dreams

It really feels like it is time to dream new dreams. I am anticipating what God has in store for me next; since, I actually feel ready to start something new. This is nice, since I haven't really felt this way in a long time. I don't know what's changed; but, it's nice that halfway through the year, things seem to finally be turning around. Maybe I feel like I've tackled enough of the mountains in my way; that I'm ready to face whatever else comes my way. This is not to say that I no longer have any challenges in my life. On the contrary, my work projects are still an uphill battle, I still have some health-related appointments to make, I still have house maintenance, financial considerations, etc. There are still friends I should see; and all the normal things that require my time and attention. My friend just finished visiting me again; and we had a good time of fellowship with one another. I am grateful for good friends. I just went to a 50th Anniversary celebration on Sunday. It was a blessing to be able to share in such a special event. I'm ready to start the new "Do Not Fear" series in my Sunday class. I think it'll be a good series; and I've already gotten some good feedback. May God continue to work in my life; and may He reveal to me His Vision and Plans.

Lakers NBA Champions '09

The Lakers are NBA Champions. They proved that they can really play and win, when they want to. It looked like a different team from when they were playing the Western Conference Finals. And team members stepped up behind Kobe's lead: Fisher, Gasol, Ariza, Odom, etc. I'm happy for them - I've been a long-time Laker fan; and can remember back to the championships in the 80's. However, I do think that the Orlando Magic is a really good team and Dwight Howard is an excellent center. It was a good series; and the outcome is a great one for Los Angeles!

End of Week

"TGIF"... I find myself saying that often. The workday is just about over; and Friday is almost here. As much as I am grateful for my job and career, and try to focus on the positive aspects, I do look forward to the weekends. This particular week was challenging; but, the meetings are done now; and I am glad to have made it through. I am also glad that it all went better than expected. I still have much to learn; and I know that I should work on better leadership skills; but, hopefully, that will just come with time and experience. Looking back at this week, I am truly grateful that I completed what I set out to do. I have even completed my Bible Study preparation for Sunday's class. It always astounds me when I first read a passage, I'm not sure what I would be able to teach. But, as I prepare, the Holy Spirit reveals insights and truths to me. This week is no different. The passage tells the well-known story of the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon. It illustrates to us that we should live our lives in such a way that we will draw others to us to want to see more and ask more; and to be pointed to our God. She was also able to recognize that when a wise leader ruled with justice and righteousness, those under their leadership are blessed. However, sadly, we also see that as Solomon's wealth and splendor grew, he also continually violated God's commands in the Mosaic law by accumulating horses from Egypt, gold and silver, marrying foreign wives, etc. This is the king that had David, a man after God's own heart as his father, the one who was granted wisdom from God, the one who was given the privilege of building the Temple in Jerusalem, and the one who experienced God's fulfillment of His promises through the Davidic covenant. I do pray that I will, on the contrary, be able to be faithful to the end.

Sunrise

Almost like a sunrise, or the clearing of clouds, I feel like I see a dawn of a new day or the sun coming out of hiding. The bulk of the dreaded meetings are done; and we actually made some progress. Now, the proof is in whether or not we can test out and validate all the assumptions and plans. And, I need to incorporate it all into the project that I am leading. There is some direction and the fuzziness is becoming clearer. Also, another "bright spot" in my week, was that my friend was able to come visit on Monday and Tuesday. It's always nice to have fellowship with a close friend and sister in Christ; and to encourage one another. I've also been able to address a troubled area of my life; and have been able to come up with a framework of how to deal with it, that I'm at peace with. I am able to be cordial and pleasant, and still be sincere and true to myself. Right now, I am looking for the next big dream. I want to know what God has in store for me next. What vision do I need to catch? After all, it's a dawn of a new day, in which I can search for new possibilities.

Prayer

This week's Sunday class lesson, when God appeared to King Solomon a second time, after he finished building the temple and palace, included the familiar verse in the parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." We, like the people of Israel, truly do need to turn back to God, and desire to obey His commands and worship HIM. I'm grateful for the power of prayer; and for the direct access to God always. There is so much I need to call on HIM for; and I feel privileged to be able to go before HIM in prayer. Last night, my pastor showed pictures and talked about their recent trip to Israel. I am grateful that I've had the opportunity to go to the Holy Land. I'm also grateful for the encouragement of people telling me they appreciate me for running the projector for service; and for teaching class. God truly does show us His Love, especially when we are in need of it. As I write this, I feel like I'm gaining peace because I am putting into action what Phil 4:6 says: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." It truly does help to put things in perspective when I approach it all with a grateful heart and thankful spirit. Even in the areas that fill me with unease, I can just place them into His Hands and trust that He will cause all things to work together for good. I will rest in that thought. My role is just to do my best; and to face all the challenges with rejoicing that God is with me. Amen!

Work Week

I've been dreading this work week. No matter what I try to do or tell myself, I still feel the looming apprehension and unease. My week is just packed full of meetings. Considering all the meetings we've been having the past couple of months, I have doubt that these will be any more productive than the others. These will just be more time-consuming in a shorter period of time. I think that what I am dreading, is that with so many meetings, there may be a greater expectation of results; and I do not want to be involved in the disappointment when that does not happen. I'm also managing projects that these meetings are related to; and I feel a responsibility for a positive outcome; yet, because it is so big and involves so many people, I am not able to have control over the outcome. Nobody wants to "fail"; and I feel like that's what this work week is leaning towards - failure. And not being able to do much about it is the worst part. Maybe I should be more optimistic, cling to the hope that there is the possibility that this week will turn out better than the past couple of months; that maybe the right people will be able to make decisions this week and that we can have a well-defined scope and direction. All I can say is that I'm glad God is in control. I will do my best, but, in these projects, I am truly limited. May He cause it all to work out.

Major Yard Work

So, the major yard work is now done. This is something I've wanted to take care of for a long time. The vines and roots have been removed from two of my backyard walls; and the trees have been cut back. I feel that God was with me throughout the process. While I felt alone in making decisions, I also felt that He gave me wisdom. He also caused it all to work out, even when I wasn't sure what tree service company to go with, and when the cost of the estimates spanned such a wide range. The work ended up being done by the company that my research indicated was the best one to go with; and it turned out to be the lowest price. They did good work, and they worked hard (4 people for about 8 hours). Right now, my backyard looks quite plain and empty. But, I'm hoping that the leaves of the trees will grow back nicely. And, I have time to consider whether I want to do some landscaping. However, I am glad that I no longer have to worry about the overgrown vines in the back. I left vines on one wall, since I didn't want to kill the vines on that neighbor's side of the wall by removing the ones on my side of the wall. Long term, maintenance of vines on just that one wall, along with my front yard and lawn should be manageable. Even though I feel like I've lost a lot of the privacy that the vines and trees had previously provided; one of the benefits of having it all removed is that the rooms at the back side of my house (e.g. family room and kitchen) are so much brighter now; since, there is no longer anything blocking the sun. And fortunately, for the most part, in my daily routines, I'm not directly facing any of my back neighbor's windows. Little by little, with all the changes I make to the house, it's becoming a true home that I can enjoy and be able to live out the rest of my life in. I thank God for all that He has blessed me with.