NYE '09

I'm going to ring in the New Year with the Newsboys at Knott's tonight.  It's too bad that there isn't a full Praise night like in past years; but, hopefully, it'll still be good.

I had to work all day; but, fortunately, with the holidays, it's been a quiet week.  And last night, I was able to do my Bible Study prep also.   However, I was also made aware of how truly important it is to be Holy, as He is Holy; to keep our minds on things of above, to pursue purity and holiness.   In James 1, he encourages believers to ask for wisdom to be able to act rightly in the midst of trials.  May I walk in His Ways; and may He keep my feet from stumbling.   In this New Year, may I start anew, and live victoriously.  Amen!

Taking Peeks at 2010

I know it's coming; but, somehow, I'm not ready to tackle it just yet.   I keep taking a peek at it, since Christmas is over, and inevitably it'll soon be time to ring in the New Year.  I almost feel like that time in the morning when the sun is about to rise; and I just want to pull the covers over my head to block out the sunlight that will be streaming in the window. 

I know that I have to prepare for the new Bible Study series starting this Sunday.   But, I haven't been able to sit myself down, focus, and study intently.   I know that I have to start taking down Christmas decorations; but, putting them up was so much more fun.  I know I have to start dealing with things that are coming up in the New Year, because life doesn't stop even if I'm not ready for it to continue:  there's my aunt's funeral next week; I have to put on my "shepherd" hat again for my class; I have to make appointments to see the eye doctor, the oral surgeon, the dentist, etc.; I have to get my oil changed; I have to start thinking about house projects again (e.g. exterior painting).....

At least I've been slowly but surely addressing life..... my house actually has a "new car smell" right now, since I just got new sofas to replace the ones that were torn/broken.   God did lead me to give an end-of-the-year donation to World Vision.  May He use it for His Work through that ministry.  I've been preparing for my class' New Year potluck, by making sure I have enough space, and tables/chairs to accommodate people.   In some ways, my mom's room project is changing my schedule and time; but, I do hope that by fixing it up, it will help improve her health by being rid of the dust and mold.

I think that what I feel like I need most right now is to just sit at Jesus' feet and find focus and renewal.  I've been reading Mike's journal on the Tenth Avenue North website, and I'm so impressed by his passion for God.  I read his entries; and in contrast to mine; I can see how he is writing about the amazing insights that God has given him, whereas I'm just writing about life and occasionally about what I learn.   I realize that I have a long way to go, when it comes to writing.   It's great that his faith is reflected in his songs.  In his "Hold My Heart" entry, he pointed out that in Mark 7:33a when it said "and taking him aside from the crowd, privately...", it was a reminder that we need to personally come face to face with Jesus (daily!).   My relationship with Christ should not just be going to church, playing Christian music, or even preparing for Bible Study.   It's having that intimate encounter with HIM, communicating with HIM, loving HIM, experiencing His Presence, allowing HIM to teach and guide me as I walk with HIM.  In listening to some of the stories behind the songs, a couple of quotes stood out:

• "Waiting is saying I'm going to be content in being discontent"
• St Augustine is quoted as saying "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord"
  

At the close of this entry, I'd like to write about one of my favorite verses to comtemplate around New Years', Luke 2:52.   It's the verse I use to evaluate my growth in the major four areas of life:

• Mental - I haven't read as many books the last couple of years as I have in the past.  I really should make more of an effort to get back into that
  
• Physical - I haven't been so consistent.  I'm not doing badly; and I was actually really good last week after returning from the cruise; but, I could definitely improve
  
• Spiritual - I'm still "thirsty"; but, hopefully, I will soon get back into the routine of preparing for studies and allowing God to teach me through His Word
  
• Social - I have good friendships; but, this is probably still my weakest area

After a year of nothing extraordinary, it seems to have also affected all of the above areas in my life.  Maybe, in order to have a more impactful life, I need to make improvements in these areas......

Nick Vujicic

I'm always so inspired everytime I hear Nick Vujicic speak.  Despite having no arms and legs, he radiates God's joy.   When I came across a TV program today that he was speaking on, he said two things that really stood out to me:
"Motivation is temporary, but Inspiration is eternal."
and
"If you put your happiness in temporary things, your happiness will be temporary."
These are simple, yet profound and true statements.

Broken

As I was looking towards the New Year, and contemplating this past year, various thoughts crossed my mind.   Firstly, I'm amazed that we are starting yet another decade.   It just seemed like not too long ago we were preparing for Y2K, and here we are now about to start 2010.

This past year was nothing extraordinary.  I did seem to have some challenges since 2009 started; and throughout the year, I was dealing with being more tired than usual.  But, everything else progressed as usual.   It was, however, nice to end the year with the Panama Cruise with my family; allowing me to visit my fifth continent, South America.   So, now, I just have Africa and Antarctica left since I've been to North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia already; and then, I'd be able to say I've visited all the continents.

Recently, if I were to pick a word to describe the things in my life, I'd unfornately have to pick "broken".   I was wondering why there were so many things in my life that started breaking - my sofa, my sprinklers, my glasses, my watch, and most recently my dishwasher.   Yet, it makes me think that this may be preparing for my theme next year; that God can bring beauty from ashes (or from brokenness).   I place all things into HIS Hands, as I do my part in trying to address all these.    I look forward to seeing what He will teach me.

Christmas Day '09

In preparation for Christmas, last night, after Christmas Eve service at my church, I started reading some books that I had, related to Christmas.   One particular book, The Heart of Christmas, just spoke to me; and I read another section from it this morning as well.

I loved Max Lucado's chapter on "Joseph's Prayer".  He gave us a glimpse into what may have been going through Joseph's mind as Mary was about to give birth in the stable.   It truly was nothing like what he had expected.   Here they were, far away from home, without any comforts, family, or friends around them.  I do wonder, as Max Lucado did, whether Joseph started having doubts about what was happening and whether he heard God right.  But, what a wonderful reminder that it is at times like that, in which we just need to obey.  And, that's what Joseph did.

I was also encouraged by John Maxwell's chapter on "When you Follow a Star and Find a Stable".  I've been there, and in some ways, am there right now, with my "thorn".   The wise men were following a star; and I would think that they did not expect to find a King being born in a stable.  Yet, what a wonderful reminder, that when we do encounter unexpected "stables" in our lives, that we should just look for God.  That's what the wise men did, and they found Him.

This morning, I was also reading the letter from Focus on the Family in which Jim Daly quoted Mike Huckabee.....that Christmas is God doing the unexpected for the undeserving.   How true.   I am humbled by what my God and Savior has done for me.

Psalm 42:1-2

I've been thinking about the Psalm 42:1-2 verses for the last couple of days:
"As the deer pants for streams of water,
       so my soul pants for you, O God.
 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
       When can I go and meet with God?"

These first came to mind as I was returning back from vacation.  While I did attend a "fellowship meeting" on board and I was with my family and I was even preparing for the upcoming James Bible Study; yet, I felt "drier" than usual.    I had missed church for two weeks; I am typically more intensely preparing for each Sunday lesson; and I would have community small group midweek every couple of weeks.   By not having all these, my soul was thirsting for God.

I did have some great moments of communing with the LORD, as I tried to find quiet places to pray or read Scripture while on the ship.   But, environment, fellowship, and corporate worship do make a difference on our spiritual walk.

The last couple of days, I have really felt the need to stop and spend quiet time with the LORD.   I felt like I needed to be impacted by the true meaning of Christmas.   I realize that spending time meditating, thinking, reflecting, or contemplating is really important for listening to and learning from the LORD.   When I don't stop to satisfy the thirst, I'll miss out on truly meeting God.   Just going to church and even just doing routine reading of Scripture and prayer is just not as meaningful, without taking the time to really "drink in" from the streams of Living Water.

Christmas '09

It's that time of the year again, when I reflect on the true meaning of Christmas,  ponder all that God as done during the year, and look forward to what He will be doing the coming year.  

I am so grateful that Christ came to die for my sins and restore my relationship with HIM.  I am thankful for the gift of salvation and of eternal life.   What a privilege it is to KNOW HIM!

As I look back on the year, there was nothing extraordinarily new.   I am grateful for all that God is continuing to do in my Church and in my Adult Fellowship class.  If I were to point to what stood out the most this past year, it would be how God is making me more aware of World Vision.  It was good to be able to read the book, to give, and to be able to volunteer for the organization.

I do look forward to what God has in store for me the coming year.... maybe more involvement with World Vision, maybe another service/ministry, etc.   I just know that I will focus on the theme of "Beauty from Ashes", inspired by SCC and all that he has gone through this past year.

May God's will be done!  Amen!

Church Growth

I was just reading Chuck Swindoll's Pastor's Blog entry on church growth.   He said:
"A properly functioning church stays committed to its four biblical essentials: teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (see Acts 2:42)."   This is something valuable to keep in mind, for churches like mine that have doubled in size since we moved into our new church building. 

It is also good to keep in mind in relation to my class growth as well, since in many ways, we are like a church within a church.   And, I am glad to see that we have been focusing on those areas - Biblical teaching has definitely been a priority, we've been doing better in terms of fellowship, most of our gatherings involve "breaking of bread" in terms of eating together, and we have also incorporated prayer at the end of each class.

Four Days till Christmas

Is it really just four days until Christmas?   Where did the year go?

I just got back from a Panama Cruise with my family; and being away for two weeks in the middle of December can have quite an effect on this "busy" Christmas Season.  Fortunately, I was able to do my Christmas cards before I left; but, it also meant that I only had time to send cards to a limited list of people, and not to all the people I usually do.   I also had to restrict my gift giving as well, since I don't as much time to get together with friends.

In some ways, it was a more "bare bones" Christmas, which can be good.   It can help to focus on what's truly important, and to not be caught up in the busy-ness.   And, I was able to spend time with my family; and to relax and enjoy time off.

And, I still had an opportunity to catch some Christmas programs before I left for vacation; and now that I am back, I was able to be at my Church Christmas program, run the projector on Sunday and for Christmas Eve, and celebrate Christmas with my family at my home.

It took me 5 hours to get through my 600 work emails; and about 200 personal emails; and I still have some catching up to do.  But, my main work project has been delayed; and I still have this week to sort through all the other things before Christmas.

As for the Panama Cruise.   The Norwegian Star was nice; and going through the Panama Canal was definitely the highlight.    But, the ports were not as good as I expected.   I liked Cartegena, Columbia; but, the rest were a little disappointing - Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Hualtulco, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   I did get to watch a few movies on the cruise.  The one I liked best was probably August Rush.  I love music, and it was interesting how they used listening to music as the way to bring that family back together again.  I also watched Kung Fu Panda.  It was funny, and I learned that the five martial arts styles are Monkey, Tiger, Crane, Snake, and Mantis.  And, I liked Julie & Julia, since it involved cooking.  As for other aspects of the cruise, the food in the dining rooms were actually not great; and there were flaws in some of the service.  However, overall, it was a good trip and a good get-away.   I did get sick at the end; so, I'm still recovering; but, I am grateful for having the opportunity to go.   It is important to value opportunities to spend time with family.

Hold My Heart

The last couple of days, I've been singing in my head, the chorus from Hold My Heart from Tenth Avenue North.  The lyrics are meaningful and the tune is somewhat hauntingly sad.

Here are the first stanza and chorus:
How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will you turn to me?

One tear in the dropping rain,
One voice in the sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breakin' heart?
One light, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart

FISH Christmas Concert '09

I went to the FISH Christmas concert last night.  It was a nice break from the craziness of work; and a good reminder to keep my focus on Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.

Only half of the Tenth Avenue North band was there; but, they were still really good to listen to.   Mike, the lead singer, is really talented and has charisma; but, more so, he is able to get his message across clearly.   He reminded us that Christianity is all about what Christ did for us; and is not so much about what we do.   We just live our lives in response to what HE did for us.  I can see Mike's joy and excitement for the LORD in the concert.

Matthew West was the headliner.   As usual, he is a good singer, has good songs, and has a good message as well.   He also has a good sense of humor; and even in his funny "Happy Day After Christmas" song, he was able to remind us that even when Christmas is over, the Light of Christ continues to shine throughout the year.  At one point in the concert, Matthew got audience participation to sing on one song; and he actually came down the stage, and stuck the microphone in front of me, since I happen to be in the front row.  That was funny, and memorable  (and maybe a little frightening ;-) ).

I pray for the music ministry of these Christian artists.  May God bless them and use them to reach many through their music.   And may God protect their families and give them strength through times when they are on the road.