Zechariah

I am now looking forward to the Bible Study series on Zechariah.  It is so amazing to see what the Spirit reveals to me as I do preparations for the series.  This also ties in well with the study of Luke we just finished this year, since it is the most Messianic of the prophetic books, next to Isaiah. While it is also apocalyptic, I can focus more on the fulfilled prophecy.

It's also the longest of the Minor Prophets (i.e. the most "major"); which works well, since the study will take us through to May.

My outline will be based on the theme of "Motivation and Encouragement".  Unlike most of the other prophets, Zechariah uses positive motivation, focusing on the blessings that will be received when we are obedient as God's People; rather than on the negative things that happen for the disobedient.   And, one of the key verses from the book is one of my favorite:  "So He said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

In the introduction, I will ask the class to consider how they would go about motivating a group of people to do what they've been neglecting.  From the outline, I would say that one summary overview of the book would be that the most effective motivation and encouragement comes from looking at what God has done and Who He is.

This series applies to me personally in that there are times when I've been in need of motivation and encouragement, and these truths will be a good reminder.  We can be motivated by reminders of lessons from the past, living for the Lord, being filled with grace when we mourn our sins, and also remembering that the LORD provides comfort & blessing, is with us, has taken away from our sins, is just, is priest and king, is faithful & true, delivers, cares & answers, is the true shepherd, is God even through trials, reigns, and that the Spirit enables.  This should encourage whenever we face repeated trials, have just gone through discipline and reproof, are not sensing God's presence, feel shame due to sin, are discouraged by inadequacies, see oppression, are disillusioned by earthly leaders, are just "going through the motions", have doubts, fear enemies, feel like He is not listening, are going through trials, or are in need of hope.

Also, I may have opportunity to utilize the new room configuration, in that we may be able to do some sharing around the tables on each area of motivation in each person's life; and then to share with the class as a whole; since, the chapters are not very long and we may occasionally have extra time.

I trust God to bless this study and to give me wisdom and guidance as I facilitate.

5-Jan:  As I've been meditating on this book, it occurred to me that one of the reasons that motivation and encouragement comes from looking to God; because it helps to take our eyes off of ourselves and our situation; and allows us to get the proper perspective.

16-Jan:  Some examples of specific prophesies from Zechariah fulfilled in the Gospels are:

•  Zech 9:9 - Triumphal Entry ("Matt 21:5" and "John 12:15")
• Zech 11:12-13 - Betrayal with 30 pieces of silver (Matt 26:14-15 & 27:5-7)
• Zech 12:10 - Pierced (John 19:34-37)
• Zech 13:7 - Shepherd Struck ("Matt 26:31")

Looking Forward

As I look forward to seeing what God will do next year; I see that He is still at work this year teaching me and helping me to grow.   Just in my area of focus on Loving God, last night's devotions stood out clearly "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands." (1 John 5:3a)  And then, this morning as I read the verse for the day, it was a reminder of the importance of saying it:  "I love you, O Lord, my strength." (Psalm 18:1) 

And then, already He is showing me areas that I can put into practice Loving Others.   Starting with ringing in the New Year with others, I've also been invited to a fundraising dinner early in the year for Ugandan Lambs; for which I have an opportunity to invite someone and hopefully bless them as well.

29-Dec:  On this last Sunday of 2013, I praise God for His faithfulness and graciousness, still being at work in my life despite my failings.   He was able to clearly show me that I should study Zechariah in the next Bible Study series for my class.  Also, I was really  blessed with the time I was able to spend with my friend who came to worship with me today.   We can relate to each other in the things we go through and what God teaches us.  We shared about seeking the JOY of living, being Present and Alive through CHRIST.  I also realized that she is a really good choice to invite to the Ugandan Lambs fundraising dinner, and she even had a chance to meet the founders of that ministry today when she came to church.
And then yesterday, I had a chance to put into practice already what I will be focusing on next year.   My brothers and I were able to paint and put in new lights for our parents' kitchen.   It is a blessing to them, but also to me.  There is satisfaction in knowing that we are able to help and do good for others.

31-Dec:  I'm praying about this one friendship, for wisdom and perspective to know what it should look like going forward.  I never really spent a lot of time thinking about it, but, I recognize that it is not a very equitable friendship.  So, along the lines of stewardship, it may be best to step back and not devote so much time, energy, and resources; especially when it appears that it may not be fully understood or appreciated.  I sense that this person may be harboring some resentment towards me, without really accepting who I am nor realizing why the resentment may not be so justified.  I've always said that apart from sincere faith in God, one of the qualities that I most value in a friend is the ability to be open, direct, and honest.   This person has shown to be remiss in these areas.  So, while I am sad to be "letting go", it may be good in giving me back more time, energy, and resources to devote to "Loving Others".  I place this into God's Hands.
Also, it dawned on me that I can view my home remodeling as part of "Loving Others"; for, I will keep in mind what changes will enable me to host and welcome people in my home.  Today, I set up the funding which followed a decision made a few weeks ago.  I view all this as coming together as part of all that God is doing in my life, and I think the timing is now right.

3-Feb:  Having gained some additional perspective now that yet another month has gone by, I am convinced that to step back and transition from a close friendship to just a general friendship is the right thing to do in this particular situation.  What I have found is that in the last couple of months, I still sensed avoidance and those "negative feelings" towards me, yet, she still continued to ask for my help in various areas.  This last time we got together, she didn't even offer any encouragement at all; and after our time together, I became even more resolute in stepping back further.

9-Feb:  I am further convinced that it is time to let go of this friendship.   I heard that she was at church today with her friend; and she did not even bother to make the effort to even come by to say hello or to introduce me to her friend.   That does not reflect the actions of someone who is supposed to be a very close friend.

25-May:  I finally addressed the friendship head-on, and asked directly whether there was anything that was bothering her or that I needed to apologize for; and she confirmed that it wasn't anything like that.   I don't totally understand, but she cited how different we were; and then went on to say that with all the struggles she was going through, she just wanted to be alone with her self-pity.  So, that confirms to me that I can close the book on this close friendship and hereafter, we are just general friends.

28-May:  As I began evaluating this "friendship", I actually began to wonder what really sustained it.  We may have met through a mutual friend and shared a love of music.  However, when I review our old email communications, I realize that I was always the one helping, encouraging, and doing things for her; whereas, she was also apologizing for things, asking for help and prayer, and struggling with life.  I don't know why I didn't really see it, but she has always been needy and a resource vortex.  And when a "diva" attitude has now been added, it's no surprise that we have grown to be even more different.  I'm glad that circumstances have now helped me to see this clearly.   I now have a much better picture of what a truly good friendship should look like, and this is not it.   I just wonder why it took me so long to come to this realization. 

20-Jun:  Just as good friendships are a blessing, failed ones can really affect our lives negatively.   Just processing through it all has over the back of my mind since the beginning of the year, and in the last couple of weeks, I've even been having bad dreams about this person, leaving me with troubled and hurt feelings as I woke up.  I really do need to have better resolution for dealing with our "friendship" ongoing.  I place it all into God's Hands and trust that He will reveal to me the best course of action.   I am grateful that God has revealed to me that this is not a truly good and mutually beneficial friendship; and I am ready to let go of it.

7-Jul:  In keeping with my focus on Loving Others and on looking for opportunities to be a witness, one of those I've been praying for in the past 20 years, finally came to church with me on Sunday.  I'm not sure if there was more I could've steered the conversation into, but I do hope that what she was able to hear will sink in.   We did get a chance to go to Katella Deli for breakfast/brunch - the Belgian Waffle was good.  And she loved my bathroom remodel and wants the same porcelein slab for her shower.  I'm just trusting God to guide me in all that I say and do.   She did say that she was willing to come to church with me again.  May the Lord touch her heart and may His Will be done.  Amen.

11-Aug:  I learned that my friend's visa was denied last week.  It makes me wonder whether the struggles in our friendship were related in any way to possibly preparation for this.  I'm trying to identify whether I see signs of God's "Fingerprints".  I'm just grateful for all that I had learned through all this.

18-Aug:  So, my friend apologized for lack of maturity and communication in dealing with the issues from the trip.  I told her she didn't need to apologize for how she felt, but also expressed how much it hurt that she felt she couldn't talk to me about it.  I could've left it at that; but, I didn't want a friendship with issues swept under the rug of an apology that I suspected did not account for the present circumstances.  So, I went on to talk about what God has taught me about true friendship and open communication; and faced the present circumstances head on.   It was a difficult conversation, and in her words "awkward".   This morning, I wonder if I should've let it go; but, I know that I prayed about it before pursuing the conversation; so, I trust that God has a purpose in the direction it went.
As I "contemplate" it, I'm glad I did address it; because any friendship of mine needs to be genuine and open.  This one no longer was; and it would not be good stewardship of my limited resources to continue a merely tolerable co-existence.  And again, I wonder if this is related to God's plans related to her visa situation.

19-Aug:  After processing and talking it through, there are some additional insights and perspectives on the situation.  Until recently, my friend has essentially been a student all her life.   Since graduating, she has been going through this transition into the "real world" but has not yet found her "place".   With the uncertainty of her future with the visa situation, compounded by trials and challenges she has faced, she may feel a bit overwhelmed.  Add to that her issues with her dad, her own insecurities, different expectations for our trip, and our differences in personality, I ended up in the line of fire.  The other thing is that, rather than communicating her frustrations so that we'd be able to clarify any misperceptions, she just let it simmer.  Unfortunately, she has also wallowed in self-pity and depression; and thus, has not been able to effectively process, but instead sunk deeper.  I will just continue to pray for her and send her a card of encouragement.

22-Sept:  It's interesting that this "friend" has found herself in need of my help once again; and even though she hasn't been a friend to me since our trip, yet I'm still here for her when she needs it.  It doesn't feel right, and it makes me wonder if there is something I should've done differently.  I'm just not the type to person to refuse to help; but, I do somewhat feel "used".  It is interesting that as we studied Malachi where God said that He would have wanted the Temple doors shut so that no one could offer vain sacrifices, it made me wonder whether I really should put off anything that is not a true friendship; and not tolerate an empty imitation.

Links

This weekend, I experienced the truth of the saying "You are only as strong as your weakest link."   For our homeless outreach, we had everything all planned and preparations were all underway.  But, it is all not going to happen this month, mainly because of one person who was neglectful in communications and not fully invested.  There were so many who ended up being disappointed - those who looked forward to going for the very first time, because they were finally able to be off work; those who had taken time off work or had set apart time in their busy holiday schedules to fit this in; those who had prepared the message or rehearsed for the special music; those who invited friends, etc.  I'm not even sure if our "weakest link" realized what he had done or the number of people he had let down.   I was left with having to deliver the disappointing news to everyone; and am now left to consider how to better handle this ongoing.  I am seeking God's wisdom, for I need it.

However, I do trust that God is at work, even in our disappointments; and that His Timing is perfect.  We have all the blankets ready for the homeless outreach; though we will now have to wait yet another month before we can give them out.   I am thankful, though, that the blanket gift wrapping event turned out well.   About 23 people showed up to wrap the 200 hundred blankets (we put a tract in each package, and had personalized gift tags printed).   The blankets came in 6 large boxes (36 in each box about 30 pounds each). Fortunately, they were all able to fit into my car for transport.    It is nice that we were able to use the time, not only to wrap gifts for the needy, but also to fellowship with one another.  We met right after class, but was still able to set things up such that we have 4 tables with people wrapping, and were able to provide food:

• Turkey wrap rolls
• Mexican Salad (red leaf lettuce greens, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell pepper, black bean and corn with lime juice and cilantro) with Jalapeno Ranch or Lime Vinagrette dressing
• Chips
• Taquitos, Chimichungas, and Mini Tacos
• Cookies and mini chocolates
• Drinks (sodas & juices)

It ended up being almost like a class Christmas party (with a purpose).

So, having all the blankets gift-wrapped, message ready, music prepared, and people lined up - it really is a let down to find out that we are not going to be able to serve until next month.  It makes me wonder what I could've done differently to avoid this.   May God help me to learn and grow through this experience, to be a better leader.  Amen.

However, it is our link to God that enables to have the hope that He will work all things together for good, no matter what.

Update:  While it takes only one weak link for the chain to break, it turns out that it only takes one really strong link to help pull it back together again.  So, our homeless outreach is back on for this month; and we will have a chance to give out the blankets as planned.
The question then becomes, whether it is better to just bypass the weak or broken link; or to try and strengthen or fix it?

This experience made me re-evaluate one of my other friendships.  I realized that it was actually more of a drain on my energy and resources than a benefit; so, it is not so equitable.  I'm starting to "pull back", and I need to be in prayer about whether I should.  It also dawned on me that this person actually makes me to feel not so good about myself, and I do not need additional discouragement in my life.   This is contrasted by other people, like in my church, who really seem to appreciate and respect me.

26-Dec:  So we did serve yesterday.  The music was great and the message seemed to have went well.   It was just that the numbers were lower.  We were told that because it's been so cold, many were taken to the winter shelter of the rescue mission instead.   Still, we were able to serve large portions and so, were able to serve most of the food.  We gave out about half of the blankets.   The rest I took over to be given out to the rescue mission winter shelter.    I just pray that God will use all of this for His purposes and glory.

Reflections of '13

As I take some time to look back on 2013, following are the things that stand out:

• I focused on the area of "Loving God", and what I learned is that the best way to Love God is to learn from His example of Love.  He is Love, and I should Love HIM the way He loves me - to give Him my all.  I'm looking forward to focusing on the second greatest commandment next year on "Loving Others"
• From reading through the Bible, I really enjoyed seeing threads woven through that I had not really seen before.  The Jan 9th blog entry also records many of the lessons I had learned through devotions.
• I finally went on the cruise to Hawaii as my friend and I planned.  It was a nice get-away and was very enjoyable.  There were some memories made that are memorable.
• The Lord drew me to think and learn about some new perspectives and considerations related to singleness and marriage.   I went on a couple of blind dates this year.   I'm glad I went through the experiences (I think); but, neither were totally what I hoped for.  I also gained some new understandings through reading the book I bought.   My thorn is still on the altar, and I don't know what the Lord has in store for me; but, I do trust in HIM.
• Also, I learned more about being a faithful steward.  Going through the estate planning process caused me to really evaluate how I am handling all the resources that God has placed in my care.   There are some changes in store.....

Overall, it was a good year.  Though there was not anything majorly noteworthy or new, I still grew and learned.   I also feel like I continued to be a faithful servant.  I believe that I have taught His Word faithfully, touched some lives, and helped others.  I cling to the Truths in His Word.

End of Chapter

Today marks the end of a chapter in my life.   This was my last Elder Selection Committee meeting for this past three year term.  It was such a privilege to serve on the committee and I am so grateful that I gained the experience of seeing how the Holy Spirit was at work in guiding the selection of leaders for our church.

In tonight's meeting, we selected the two people who would be replacing me and the other person who started when I did.   I think that these were two very qualified and experienced candidates who will serve well on the committee.

As I look back, I feel that I have been able to contribute to the committee through writing all the elder bios and serving as secretary to take meeting minutes.   Also, one candidate I had nominated eventually became an elder; and I think that I've been able to ask some pretty good questions during the interviews.  So, I leave, feeling that I have done my best and that I have served faithfully.

30-May:  The current Elder Selection Committee chairman encouraged me yesterday when he said that I was missed, especially in the area of taking care of the minutes of the meetings.  It's nice to be affirmed that I made useful contributions when I served.

Christmas'13

Christmas is fast approaching.  As I am busily trying to keep up the rapid pace, I feel the need to stop and reflect on CHRIST, the true reason for this season.   Even taking a break from leading Bible Study makes me feel like I haven't been seriously in the Word at this time.  I have taken time to pray, and being at church is a good reminder (although, it also adds to the busy-ness).  I did want to note that I was really glad to see is how my class was able to glean solid truths out of the lesson that was being taught. 

I've been preparing for the COA outreach, with organizing everything for the blankets (purchasing, wrapping, transport, lunch, etc).   We're in the midst of the selection committee process.   There are family things going on; and I'm hosting our family Christmas dinner.

Last night was our Community Group Christmas Party.  It was, as usual, so much fun - we have such a good group of people.   During time of sharing, some told stories of "wonder" from their experiences.   White Elephant is always fun - I got a nice tea set this time.   Then, we did Christmas carol pictionary.   It was a great time of fellowship.

I've wrapped my gifts; but, still need to do cards.   I also need to arrange to get-together to give the gifts.  And, there is still "normal" responsibilities and obligations, including AV duties.  This is still one of my favorite times of the year; and I do try to ensure that what I am busy with has eternal purposefulness.

 20-Dec:   It actually felt like I was finally ready for Christmas when I sent off my last card yesterday.  I do still have the COA outreach blanket wrapping get-together and my family Christmas get-together; but, those are all planned already.  They just need to be implemented.  Before New Year's, I do want to stop and review all that I've learned and grown through this year.

24-Dec:  It's Christmas Eve.  Our church had wonderful services this evening, and they were both really well attended.  The music was good - we had handbell choir, choir, violin, band, and brass band.
But, as I reflect on Christmas this year, there are two passages that stand out:
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  (John 1:14)
and
"Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  (Philippians 2:5b-11)
Also, when I had a chance to wish my Pastor and Assistant Pastor a Merry Christmas, they in turn  encouraged me in my teaching and serving.   That means a lot to me coming from two people who I admire and respect much; and who I follow as examples of leadership.

26-Dec:  Christmas was nice.   It was a fairly quiet time spent with family.   I did spend all day cooking, and the food turned out fairly well:

• Kalua Pork - I slow-cooked ~5lb pork butt for 10 hours with about 1 Tbsp each of Alaea Salt and liquid smoke.  I then added some more liquid smoke towards the end, when I removed the skin from pork butt.  It's important to remember to oil the slow-cooker first before starting.  The meat was soft and tasty, especially when served with the juices
• Spinach Quiche - I used half-and-half rather than whipping cream.   It has a soft texture (not sure if the whipping cream would make it more firm).   It was fine though, and better than using just milk.
• Fish Hot Pot - This ended up being served as a soup and was good for a cold evening.  The flavors were really good (stir fried the fish, mushroom and celery separately and added tofu, fish balls, and imitation crab meat).
• Chicken w/Green Bean - I marinated the chicken with cornstarch, sweet soy, and sesame oil.   It browned fairly well, and stayed fairly moist.  When cooking the green bean w/garlic, I kept adding broth to ensure that it stayed soft and didn't dry out
• Sweet Potatoes - Boiled, mashed, and added honey from the Big Island, along with cinnamon and nutmeg.   Place the marshmallows in the nice round pattern before browning
• Asian Cucumber Salad - Diced cucumbers and mixed with green onion, rice vinegar, sugar, and island soya sauce
• Cranberry Bread - Used fresh chopped cranberries - it was quite good   (I had also tried to make cinnamon raisin bread - but it didn't rise so well and tasted old, so I tossed it out)
• Cranberry-Strawberry-Pomegranate-Apple Cider - Started with juices, then added real apples, cinnamon sticks, oranges w/cloves, and nutmeg.   As I continued to boil it, it seemed to thicken and get sweeter - probably works better in a crockpot
• For dessert, I baked a pumpkin pie; but also made an apple puff pastry.  Cut puff pastry into thirds, put apple slices w/brown sugar on top and baked at 400deg for about 18min.   It was easy and not bad; but, I probably wouldn't make it again.

Christmas Concert

Last night was the FISH Christmas concert.  I was not very familiar with the line-up, except for Brandon Heath; but, it was nice that there were a lot of people there to listen.

City Harbor has a lot of room to grow; and Rush of Fools was okay.   I was actually impressed with Colton Dixon.   I did not watch his season of American Idol; but, I had heard his song "You Are" before and liked it, not knowing who the singer was.  He is talented, interesting to listen to, and really played the keyboards enthusiastically.  And he also seemed comfortable sharing about God and praying.  Brandon Heath shared that he got engaged in New York recently.   I've heard several of his songs before.    However, overall, I felt that even though the venue for the concert was a church; I didn't really feel like any of the artists really brought us into worship.   Colton tried and the last song when we all sang "Silent Night" together came close.   So, that was somewhat disappointing.

But, it was nice of the FISH to put this concert together for their listeners; and I definitely cannot complain about the price (can't beat free).  I'm just glad that I had a chance to spend some time with friends listening to some Christmas music.

Hawaii

My Hawaiian Cruise was a really nice 15-day get-away.   It may have been a little too long to be away from email and work; but, I'm glad I had a chance to do so.  There were many great memories and highlights from the trip.

It was  nice to be able to visit Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island again.  And, going on shore excursions allowed me to learn some new facts I had not known before.   As usual, the beauty of God's creation is clear - in the ocean, waterfalls, mountains, canyons, rain forests, etc.  This time around, my favorite island was Maui.   I really liked the Heritage Park, with all the buildings representing the various cultures that came to Hawaii (Portugese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polynesian, etc).   And the Maui Tropical Plantation was impressive, with all the different types of plants and fruits they were able to grow there.

On the cruise, I enjoyed being able to learn to play the ukulele, and even to play it as part of a show with hula dancers as well.   I also really liked the Zumba Fitness class.   It is a fun way to stay in shape.   And, the food was really good also.  I was also glad to once again hear David Klinkenberg perform.

I had a chance to do devotions daily; and to consider what my next class Bible study series will be.   I'm leaning towards Zachariah and Habakkuk.   I even went jogging on the top deck area a few times.

I did get sick in the beginning; and it took me several days to get "caught up" with mail and email when I got back.   But, overall, it was a really good trip!

Christmas Movies

It's not even Thanksgiving yet, and the end of the year is too rapidly approaching.   But, I did watch a Christmas movie today that I wanted to write about.   I have actually always enjoyed Christmas movies:   A Christmas Carol, Love's Christmas Journey, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, etc.

Today, I saw A Very Merry Mix-Up.  It was sweetly romantic, exhibiting the value of family, love, romance, memories, and traditions.  It was nice to see the two main characters share those values and realize that they belong together.   I also really enjoyed the family tradition game they played - Notes.   There was one cup per person, and each person had to write something nice about each other person and put that NOTE in that person's cup.   Then, the person whose cup it is, would read each NOTE and guess who wrote it to them.   I think that could be very encouraging and memorable.   The only thing is that family members would probably recognize each other's handwriting.  Still, it would be a special "game" to play with loved ones.   Overall, I personally wouldn't mind too much if I had one of those kind of "mix-up"s in my life.

20-Dec:  Fir Crazy was another one of those sweetly cute movies of a career-minded childhood-avoiding person who rediscovers the more important things in life as reflected in Christmas.  And, I've always liked Sarah Lancaster as an actress.
As for The Christmas Spirit, I was not so sure when I first learned about the cast; but, it turned out to be an enjoyable movie that reflected the general Christmas spirit.
Holiday Road Trip was a little slow, but the main characters grew on me; and I was glad to see them end up together at the end.
Christmas Belle reminded me of Beauty and the Beast.  Some of the things that Belle did, I didn't really agree with; and found myself being much more sympathetic with Hunter.   But, it was not a bad Christmas movie.
For Let It Snow, I'm sorry to say that the acting was not so great; and the movie was predictable.  Yet, I didn't really dislike it.  It was fine.
Holidaze was another one of those movies that didn't have a particularly new plot and was somewhat predictable.  However, I actually liked Cameron Mathison's character in the movie and I'm glad it had a happy ending.
Christmas for a Dollar is the best Christmas movie I've watched this year.  It was so touching to watch the love of this family who lost their mom but worked with each other make it through.  The Christmas spirit is really embodied in this movie.
Looking at this list, I sure do watch quite a bit of Christmas movies, don't I?   I think that it is because Christmas movies generally do try to reflect some of the Christmas spirit; so that in general, they are more family-oriented and will show good values in a positive light.   And, I like romantic movies with happy endings - like modern day fairy tales.

2-Jan:   Continuing to watch Christmas movies even after the New Year demonstrates the appeal of Christmas movies.  I just finished watching Christmas in Conway.  It was a tear-jerker of a movie, as expected since one of the main characters was facing death.  The acting was convincing, and the story was touching, truly demonstrating loving and caring.
Angels Sing was a nice movie showing how a father overcomes his aversion to Christmas in order to help his son handle a loss he similar to what he had gone through.  It was also a musician-studded show.
Guess Who's Coming to Christmas was a nice romantic movie that also shows how the main character rediscovers the more important things in life.  I have found that movies by UP are truly uplifting family movies.
Living Proof is not a Christmas movie, but demonstrates the same spirit.  I'm also a fan of Harry Connick Jr, whose good nature comes across.  It was a really touching movie on life and death, where one can't help but root for hope. It's also a reminder of how important it is to find someone that I truly respect and support.
Silver Bells had a clear message on faith, and showed a change in the life of the father who changed his aggressively competitive ways to see the more important values in life.

8-Jan:  It's more than a week into the New Year and I'm still watching Christmas movies....    I just watched "Catch a Christmas Star".   It was sweetly romantic, and I liked the main characters and their relationship.  Now I'm watching "Finding Christmas".  It's similar to "The Holiday", in that two of the main characters swap homes for the holidays.  I liked the characters in the movie and it was enjoyable.  Only, there was just a comment in the movie along the lines of us all being connected through the stars which was questionable.

My Hope America

As I was watching the My Hope America with Billy Graham series of videos, it was clear how much his heart for evangelism comes through.   What an amazing legacy he has built through his faithful service and use of his gift.  One of the quotes that stood out the most to me from the videos was:  "Jesus lived the life I could not live; and died the death I should have died."

Conversations

From the workshop I attended today presented by the CEO/Founder of Compelling Conversations and author of “Transformational Business and Communication Strategist”, there were some good tips on conducting successful conversations.   Following are some of the highlights:

• Address your audience rather than just trying to gather the information you need or focusing on yourself.   This includes understanding the differences in gender communications
• Seek emotional connection instead of just listing facts (allows switch from left to right brain)
• Pay attention to body language, tonality, and words (e.g. some words are better for connecting, such as "imagine" or "share" or "excited")
• A good starter is to ask if the person has time or if this is a good time to talk.   When you ask people "How are you?", ensure that you stop to listen to the answer; and don't ask that of people you don't know 
• Typically, people can only process information in threes, fives, or sevens  (bullet points are more effective than long sentences)
• Create a sense of safety, so that insecurities don't pop up
• Bring out the things that make you unique so that your conversation can stand out (include laughter)
• Don't write emails or make calls when you are angry, overly stressed, etc.   Include in email a greeting or intro, state purpose and timeframe,  and finish up with a unique way of signing out

Encouragement

I received encouragement this morning when one of the people in my class said that during devotions, Hebrews 6:10 brought me to mind:
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."

This verse happens to also be hanging on my wall, and was actually a gift from my class.

The Singlehood Phenomenon

I didn't think I would be picking up yet another book on singleness to read; let alone buying one.  I have read so many in the past and have a shelf full of them.  But, I came across "The Singlehood Phenomenon" by Drs Beverly and Tom Rodgers, and their ten reasons for the current existing singlehood phenomenon seemed interesting, plausible, and relevant.

#1 - Skepticism About Love and Marriage  "I'd rather be alone than in a bad marriage" - yes, I've said that and I still think that; but, after reading the chapter, I think that over the years, I've been able to gain proper perspective and balance.  I have at some point in my life gone through some of the fears mentioned (e.g. making a mistake, relational insecurity, etc) and even used the defense of "reaction formation" occasionally.  I can also relate to the story in the chapter.  But then, I do recognize that I still hold to a hope of being married one day.

#2 - Lack of Faith in God's Provision "I'm not sure if I have a soul mate" - I don't really have a problem with this one in that I can dissociate disappointment of those around me from God's provision.  In fact, I have clearly learned that it is God Who is the only one who is perfect and will never fail me.   He is the One I look upon when I am disappointed by others here on earth.  I also do have a realistic view of "soul mates" and don't consider that an obstacle.  However, in some ways, I did relate to the story in the chapter, and I have had to work harder to be independent and successful in my male-dominated profession.  I do have some "disappointments" that may color my views.

#3 - Unresolved Issues from the Past "I always seem to attract unhealthy people" - This chapter focused on family history, soul wounds, and childhood hurts.  It was interesting to think about the stages of social development:  1) Attachment (birth-18mnths), 2) Exploration (18mnth-3yrs), 3)  Identity (3-4yrs), 4) Competence (4-7yrs), 5) Social Concern (7-12yrs), 6) Intimacy (13-19yrs).  I think I have addressed these areas in my life; and I don't think I've had unhealthy relationships.  However, maybe if I evaluate further, I may be able to improve my social skills

#4 - Confusion about the Rules "I don't even know how to date" - I liked the term "intentional dating", which is between casual dating and courtship.  This chapter shows me that it is important to avoid unclear intentions.

#5 - A Poor Understanding of the Purpose of Marriage "I think being single may be an easier way to live" - I see this as being similar to #1.  Despite society's negative view and redefinitions of marriage, I understand God's design for it; and I know that the world's ways are often not the same as God's.

#6 - Fear of Getting Hurt "I don't want to be hurt again" - This chapter seems to combine some of the ideas from previous chapters, such as dealing with fears, family history, etc.   I haven't had any really bad relationships, so I don't have a fear so much of being hurt.  I do think that with the right person, it is worth the risk.

#7 - Wanting the Perfect Mate "I'm not a perfectionist; I'm just picky" - There may be people who likely think that this one applies to me.  I will admit to having high standards; but, they are in areas I consider Scriptural - godliness, love-respect, etc.  I don't feel that I relate to the story in the chapter; though, I found the discussion of hormones and chemistry interesting.   And, the "four-year itch" may have played a factor in my experiences as well.

#8 Not Dealing with Prior Heartbreak "I don't want to feel the pain" - In many ways, this can be related to #3 and #6.   However, the story dealt particularly with those who have been divorced; and it actually describes well what I see in L. and her never having dealt directly with nor healed from her divorce.

#9 An Unbalanced Focus on Career "I want to be established before I get married" - I'm glad the chapter talks about the healthy focus on career, because being "established" is not a bad thing, considering that finances is one of the major areas of issues in a marriage.   I don't have an unbalanced focus; and I'm only where I am now because the alternative has not presented itself.

#10 Concern That the Marriage will Fail "I don't want to get divorced" - This may be the best chapter in terms of information provided.  It was interesting that the list of issues couples typically fight about are:  money, sex, roles, child rearing, in-laws, religion, and jealousy.  It's good to know that these are things that need to be resolved or avoided.  I also like the list of characteristics that can be used as predictors of divorce:  Criticism, Stonewalling, Defensiveness, and Contempt.   Definitely characteristics to watch for and avoid.  Then, on the flip side, characteristics that can be used as predictors of marital success:  Repair Attempts, Accepting Influence, Soft Versus Hard Start-Up, and More Positive Than Negative Comments - Good things to keep in mind and develop.  The keys to marital success they listed were:

• Practice healthy mate selection and seek God for His choice for you
• Learn all that you can about developing the skills of a healthy marriage
• Keep the Lord the center of your union
• Sign up for keeps.  Do not consider divorce as an option.
• Commit to being a soul healer in your marriage

What I liked most about the chapter was that they said that they found that what was found in many research as needed for marital success was actually already in Scripture, particularly the Book of Proverbs.   It is so true, that the best "marriage guidebook" is the Bible.

Overall, rather than 10 reasons for the Singlehood Phenomenon, I think it could have been consolidated into maybe 3:

1. Unsound Perspective of Marriage  (would include not understanding God's Design, influence of society, lack of Biblical foundation, etc)
2. Unresolved Issues (would include Fears, "Soul Wounds", Social Development, Family History, Past Relationships, Divorce, etc)
3. Unbalanced Priorities (would include looking for "perfection" or "chemistry" only, focus on career, lack of intentional dating, etc)

I believe that over the years, I have developed a Biblical perspective of Marriage, that I have worked on issues and fears, and am fairly well-balanced.   What this book is beneficial in doing, is to confirm what I have learned; and also to give me additional thoughts to ponder about other possible areas that I can adjust and work on.

Weekend Thoughts

It was another one of those full but blessed weekends....

Friday, I went to the Fish WNO.   Jonny Diaz opened.   He had a good sense of humor and his songs were fun to listen to.   His hit "A More Beautiful You" was the start of the thread of messages that God seemed to be giving me.

Then Selah sang.   I've always enjoyed their music.  Amy Perry also shared a message on what she had learned through her insecurities throughout her life.  It was powerfully touching; and when she sang afterwards, it was like crying out to God.    Beautifully touching!

On Sunday, I went to the Steven Curtis Chapman "The Glorious Unfolding" concert.   He started with "Good to Be Alive".  Jason Gray opened.  He also shared about his stuttering.  Then Laura Story sang.   I've always enjoyed her singing.  She is a good worship leader; and her songs are moving.  It's nice that Steven actually kicked off the concert and took the time to introduce and sing with each of the "opening" artists.

Of course, Steven's music is great.  His longevity in Christian music is amazing.   It was also his anniversary, and he sang the song on his latest album that he wrote for his wife - "Together".   He also sang "I Will Be Here".    But, the song that fit in with the thread of messages from God was the song he had written for his now teenage daughter Shaohannah, "Only One and Only You".   What beautiful lyrics in the chorus:
"There’s no other masterpiece like you
You are the only one and only you"

This thread of messages is so clear that I cannot help but acknowledge that this must be God's response to my prayers.  He is speaking to me, and I should listen though I may often have doubts about this particular message, due to my inbred insecurities.

Centered Leadership

At work today, there was a webinar on "How Centered Leaders Achieve Extraordinary Results" presented by Lareina Yee (McKinsey Centered Leadership Project).   She started with the picture of the iceberg; where the visible part represented our Behaviors, which can be seen.  But, our Behaviors are affected by the parts which cannot be seen, namely: 1) thoughts and feelings, 2) beliefs and values, and 3) needs and fears.

Leaders that can in turn "inspire, engage, and mobilize others" meet certain preconditions - desire to lead, talent & knowledge, and capacity for change.  Then, the 5 capabilities of "centered leadership" are:

inspire, engage, and mobilize others

inspire, engage, and mobilize otheThen, the 5 capabilities of "centered leadership" include:

• Framing - self-awareness and perspective
• Connecting - networking with others, building trust, working in teams (not going it alone)
• Engaging - ownership and being willing to take risks and action
• Energizing - sustaining practices and recovery (like weekends to prepare for the week)
• Meaning - purpose, core strengths (playing to our strengths)

This was a really good talk, with some very practical perspectives to take into consideration when leading.  From a personal viewpoint, I find that it is important to link each of the 5 capabilities to God.  For example, in Framing, I need to include the eternal perspective; in Connecting, to include God in all things; in Engaging, to take action based on faith; in Energizing, to find rest in HIM, and in Meaning, to use what God has given me and to be purposeful in all things.

Luke 22 & 23 & 24

It was Passover, and Jesus was to be the once-for-all Passover lamb.   What a deeply emotional and poignant time this must have been.   One of the Twelve, Judas Iscariot gives opportunity to Satan to enter his heart to betray Jesus who he has spent the last three years closely with.   Even at the Last Supper, after the disciples were discussing who was the betrayer that Jesus revealed was one of them, the disciples started disputing about who was the greatest.   And Jesus had to remind them that they needed to be servant leaders; and He was their ultimate example.

Jesus took the bread and the cup and gave them to His disciples, telling them to "do this in remembrance of Me."  So, that each time we eat of the bread and drink of the wine, we will remember that His body was given and His blood was shed for our sins.   The shedding of His blood sealed the new covenant - the forgiveness of our sins through faith in Jesus Christ; because no one was able to keep the old covenant based on the Law.

 Jesus warned Simon Peter of the testing that would come; but also encouraged him that He has prayed that his faith would not fail and afterwards, he will use what he has learned to strengthen others.  Jesus said "when" you have turned back to me, not "if" you turn back to me.  This is assurance that He will overcome.  Jesus also warned the disciples to be prepared for the coming challenges after He fulfills prophecy on the cross.

Then in agony, Jesus prayed in Gethsemane at the Mt of Olives, as the disciples slept when they should've also been praying. There, Judas led an armed group of chief priests, temple guards, and elders to Jesus.  It must have been such a poignant moment when Jesus asked, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  It is now close to the final moments, the "hour, when darkness reigns."

13-Oct:  We see how Peter learned from his trials and was able to "strengthen others" through his leadership in Acts and his writings in 1 & 2 Peter.  While Satan may have thought that nothing would be left after the sifting, Jesus knew that through it, the "wheat would be separated from the chaff", and Peter would come out "refined" like through fire.

16-Oct:  "When darkness reigns" summarizes what happens in the rest of the passage:

• Peter, one of Christ's closest disciples, fails the testing from Satan and denies Christ three times as predicted.   While he wept bitterly in sorrow and repentance here, we must remember that Christ reinstates him during one of His post-resurrection appearances, and Peter later goes on to become a great leader of the Early Church and encourages others (e.g. through 1 & 2 Peter).
• Guards mock and beat Jesus - how painful to read this passage and see that Jesus, who is God and has all power, willingly suffered through this
• The Religious leaders in the Sanhedrin blinded to the Truth condemn Jesus of blasphemy, when He was only speaking the truth, for He is the Messiah and Son of God

This is what happens when the prince of darkness reigns - there is violence and truth is suppressed; and even believers can be tempted to fall.  So, we are reminded that earlier in the passage, it is important to be in PRAYER.

23-Oct:  Darkness continued to reign as Jesus was sent to the Roman Governor Pilate.   The Jewish religious leaders brought false charges and kept insisting on the accusations despite both Pilate and Herod not finding any basis for the charges against Jesus.   And even though Christ was innocent, He was subjected to unjust insults, mocking, and scourging.   The religious leaders and the crowd even asked for the release of the rebel and murderer Barabbas instead of Jesus for the customary release of a prisoner during Passover.   They asked that Jesus be crucified, the worst form of punishment for criminals; and Pilate "surrendered Jesus to their will." 

Words are not adequate to describe the horrific injustice that Jesus willingly suffered for our sake.  I have no words.....

25-Oct:  Not only did the religious leaders, Pilate, and Herod bring about the worst injustice in human history, they also lost out on an amazing opportunity.   They were face to face with the creator of the universe and could have asked Him anything in the world.   Instead, they mocked and scourged Him and condemned Him to die on the cross.  What a travesty....

30-Oct:  As Jesus was suffering and facing excruciating death on the cross, He still showed His love and mercy to the women weeping, the criminal who believed, and even through asking forgiveness to all those who "do not know what they are doing."  Of all the reactions we see from the women, the crowd, the soldiers, the rulers, Pilate, the centurion, His followers, I wonder what my reaction would've been had I been there at that time.   Looking back, with what I know now, I would've wanted to be like Simon the Cyrene to help bear the cross or the centurion who glorified God.  I am grateful that Christ bore my sins and opened up direct access to the Father through Him our High Priest.

A question did arise related to Christ's prayer "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing".   What did this forgiveness entail?  Were they/we no longer accountable for what was done?    There are many angles to view this from:

• For one, there is the positional vs relational forgiveness aspect.   That Jesus forgives what they/we did against Him and does not harbor bitter resentment, just as He taught His disciples.   Yet, it says nothing about positional forgiveness that comes when we are saved by faith and receive full atonement and justification.   
• Also, just because we don't know what we are doing does not make us unaccountable for the consequences nor does it take away the guilt.   That only happens through confession and repentance and faith in Christ.
• Then, it is interesting that it was a somewhat "open-ended" prayer, in that he did not specify who "they" were nor what it is they had done.  In that respect, it can apply also to us; for we were also responsible for Him having to die on the cross, for we have all sinned and deserve death.  And, there are times when we did not fully understand or know when we did sin.  So, in that respect, this is an example of Christ's intercession for us.

6-Nov:  Even Jesus being buried in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, was a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 53:9).   The women were the first to learn that Jesus has Risen, because they came to the tomb early Sunday morning as soon as they could after the Sabbath.   They found the stone rolled away from the tomb and the body not there.  Angels told them that He has Risen and was living.   The initial response of the disciples was not believing the women; and Peter (and John) ran to the tomb to see with their own eyes.

This passage shows us that remember His Word and observing the evidence can help us to see the Truth; and the Resurrection is a truth that is a foundational pillar of the Christian faith.  Evidence from this passage counters many of the myths that were meant to discredit the validity of this event.  It is seen that the women knew exactly where the tomb was (and would not have gone to the wrong one), that there were many different eyewitnesses at different times, that Christians began meeting on Sunday instead of the normal Sabbath, etc.

13-Nov:   On the road to Emmaus, Jesus appeared to Cleopas and another follower.  The two men were initially downcast, had lost hope that Jesus was their Messiah and Redeemer, and were slow to believe the women's testimony and the prophecies.  Yet, Jesus brought them to the realization that "the Messiah [had] to suffer these things and then enter His glory"; and then explained to them from Scripture.  When their "eyes were opened", they then became excited and joyful witnesses of the Resurrection!

As Jesus was explaining Scripture to the two, they said their "hearts were burning".    It makes me wonder what exactly it means to have our hearts burning.... From my own experiences, there are times when I am filled with so much joy that I'm ready to burst; and I think this may be similar; that their hearts were so on fire for God as Scripture was revealed to them.  Also, Jesus didn't just reveal Himself to them right away.   He had them go through the process leading to their understanding of the Truth; and as soon as they recognized Him, He disappeared.   So, it shows that the Christ's main purpose in talking with them was to teach them through Scripture that He had to suffer and die; and then resurrect and ascend to glory.

And then, the specific mention of Jesus appearing to Peter shows the heart of Christ in the restoration of Peter after his failure in the denials.  The details of what they discussed was not recorded in Scripture; and this was prior to the restoration described in John, because by that time the disciples had returned to Galilee.  How special for Peter, that Christ made a point to appear to Him after the Resurrection.

12-Jan:  As the Apostles and followers of Jesus are gathered discussing the post-resurrection appearances; Jesus appears in their midst.  His greeting "Peace be with you"  is significant in several ways - "Peace" or Shalom is a common Jewish greeting and there is also a Greek equivalent; but, also, they may have needed to have peace in the midst of their fear after the crucifixion; but most importantly, now that Jesus has died on the cross for the sins of the world and has resurrected in victory over sin and death, they can now truly have Peace with God.  Jesus then provides evidence to them that He has truly resurrected, showing them the wounds in his hands and feet and even eating in their presence.  Then, He pointed them back to Scripture and ensured they understood some essential points:

• He, the Messiah, was to suffer and die; and has resurrected
• They are to preach the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins, because it is for our sins He had to die; "in His Name" because it is through Christ that we are forgiven; "to all nations" showing that God's Plan has always been proclaiming the gospel to the world
• They are to be His Witnesses; but, they had to wait for the Holy Spirit; for we can do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus then Ascended, and the Ascension signified that the Holy Spirit can be sent to us (which it was 10 days later at Pentecost); that we too may rise and enter glory as Christ did; and that this was the end of His coming to earth when He emptied Himself, but now returned to glory sitting at the right hand of the throne of God and interceding for us.

In response, the disciples worshipped, were obedient (went back to Jerusalem), were filled with joy, and praised God (boldly in the temple).

Learning and Growing

God has been teaching me and making me aware of some things lately.  Just yesterday, at church, my assistant pastor talked about being fearfully and wonderfully made; and that one of the most important uses of our minds is to know God.   Then, for Harvest America, I reviewed some of the talking points needed for counselors.  It was a blessing to see the whole event come together; and we were able to rejoice that a couple of people placed their faith in Christ or made recommitments.

Also, I've still been thinking about what it means to have God as our inheritance, for we are now part of the "royal priesthood".   Some of the things I've thought of, is that we have access to all of Who God Is.   He provides for us and sustains us, just as the inheritance of land would've done for the tribes of Israel.  Also, He is a treasure that we can "pass on" to others who become part of the Family of God.

Another thing that He has repeatedly spoken to me, is that I should find the Joy in Living.   It began with the Ecclesiastes study, and then, I read about it in "Unfinished", and saw it referenced in "The Trial" movie.  There have also been other references here and there.   It is something that I probably should work on; since, my attitude lately has more been towards wanting to be in the presence of the LORD, for "to die is gain".   Yet, I am still in God's presence here on earth, and while I am here, it makes sense to live joyfully.

Then, I've been thinking about what to write on COA for my church newsletter.  We've been serving now for over 3 years in this outreach; and it is neat to see that how God is at work.   The gospel message is clearly given and we have seen lives touched.  It is an opportunity for me to be "the hands and feet" of Christ to the homeless and needy in the community; and to be able to show His compassion and love to others.

7-Oct:  A good verse I came across as I was looking for Scripture to include in the newsletter article was "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God."  (Hebrews 13:16, NLT)

31-Oct:  God seemed to be opening up views into singleness and marriage this past year with the dates, the book I just read, and awareness of the Boundless MarryWell site.  This Sunday's message at church is supposed to be on singleness, as my pastor has been going through a series on family and home.  Even today, I'm listening to a Focus on the Family broadcast on "Navigating Dating and the Single Life" with Lisa Anderson from Boundless.  She talked about many of the things that I have faced as well - feeling that as singles we are "no one's most important person".   We should also not be afraid to be intentional in desiring marriage; and because marriage is a reflection of God's character, it is under attack and we need to have a healthy perspective of marriage.  We are to remember that marriage formation starts while we are still single, learning to build and maintain relationships, gaining Biblical perspectives, etc.

Cooking Fish

My experience with cooking fish has had its ups and downs.  For the longest time, I even avoided it altogether, since it would leave the whole house smelling like fish for days.   However, I've found that certain ways of cooking fish cause less of a residual odor than others.

Steaming fish seems to leave a strong odor for a long time.  Quick pan fry less so; and small fish chunks work well for the dishes I've been cooking.  Baking can leave a lingering odor; but, one that worked fairly well was to broil (such as miso teriyaki salmon).

However, it wasn't until this weekend, that I feel like I've finally cooked fish really well.   It's a simple pan fry.   Salt and Pepper the fish; heat pan (not too hot) and oil; sear best side first (side without skin) a few minutes (rule of thumb I read was about 5 minutes per inch) until the sides look like fish was started to get done; then flip over and cook till done (NOTE:  it is best to turn over only once).   Then melt some butter and add lemon.  At end, add some herbs (like parsley).   This turned out really well.

14-Oct:  Using a similar method, I cooked fish with lemon butter and dill.  It was good, but the previous one seemed to have turned out a little better.  On the side, I also made a persian cucumber salad with dill, rice vinegar, red onions, salt, and sugar.   It was a nice light salad.

Getting Up

"For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." (Proverbs 24:16)

Heard this verse today; and it really stood out.  What a great verse, since it is a reminder that God helps us up when we fall.   I have experienced this myself; and it is encouraging to know that no matter how many times I fall (even when I am tripped), God will help me rise.

Luke 20-21

Despite knowing that His DEATH on the cross was within a few days, Jesus still taught in the temple proclaiming the gospel, thus showing His heart for the lost.   Then, in several rounds of verbal "battles" with the religious leaders, Jesus:

• Makes a point regarding His divine authority without having to answer the religious leaders directly
• Through a parable, clearly shows that the religious leaders will be killing the Son of God, the Cornerstone
• Wisely shows that we are to "give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s", effectively circumventing the "trap" the religious leaders were trying to set

Jesus shows His wisdom and grace in dealing with His opposition.

As the verbal "battles" between the religious leaders and Jesus continue, the Sadducees pose a scenario and question on Levirite marriage, which in their minds exposed the absurdity of resurrection.   However, Jesus answered in such a way that showed that they are not only incorrect in their views on the resurrection, but also on angels and how things will be in eternity.  In this round, He was once again able to silence His opponents.

Jesus, then, posed a question about the Messiah; which showed that though He was a descendent of the line of David when He came to earth as a Man; but, that He was also Lord and God.  Jesus also gave a warning to His disciples against the hyprocrisy of "the teachers of the law".

Then in Chp 21, Jesus commended a poor widow who demonstrated sacrificial giving.  This is similar to when King David had said that he would not sacrifice to God anything that costs him nothing.  Also, Jesus could have been using this example as an illustration of the religious leaders "devouring widows' houses" (Luke 20:47).

As Jesus then spoke to his disciples of the coming destruction of the temple, He also answered their question about the sign of the End Times by giving them a series of signs to will indicate "that the kingdom of God is near" (False Messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, signs from heaven and in the sun, moon, stars, tossing of the sea, etc).  The End Times will be a fearful "time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written", with distress, death, and captivity.   

Jesus also warned them of coming persecution and betrayal; but, assured them that He would "give [them] words and wisdom that none of [their] adversaries will be able to resist or contradict".  He encouraged them to stand firm, for they will know that their "redemption is drawing near".   When Jesus returns, He will "in a cloud with power and great glory".

With a parable of the fig tree, He assured them that the signs are an indication of the assured fulfillment of prophecy.  They were not to be weighed down by the world and its sins; but, to always be prepared and ready for His Return. 

Jesus continued teaching, even though His end on earth was near. 

Heaven on Earth

My small group started a new series from Dr David Jeremiah of Turning Point ministries on "Searching for Heaven on Earth" based on the book of Ecclesiastes.  So far, it's been a good reminder that we will never find true meaning "under the sun"; for the true meaning of life is found only in the SON, in God.   Asaph came to the same conclusion in Psalm 73.

One "insight" came to me as we were discussing, and when combined with what God has been teaching me about stewardship, I'm reminded that for those of God's people who have much, much will be required.  For someone like King Solomon of great wealth, much would've been expected of him, for he was given stewardship of so much.   So, from that perspective, wealth is greater responsibility, and if seen in that light, would be something that we may want to ponder before pursuing; to see if we can faithfully handle that responsibility.

Something also that was mentioned, was related to Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart".   I think I've heard it before; but, I didn't remember it.  But, a better interpretation of this verse is that rather than God giving us what we desire; it is really saying that He will give us desires, which are in line with His.

10-Oct:  In the lesson on Ecclesiastes 3, Dr Jeremiah said that if you take all the trials out of your life, it would be "vanilla".   Life is made of both with and black (sharp and flat) keys.  vs 12 emphasizes being happy and doing good; and vs 13 being thankful.

10-Jan:  The lesson on Ecclesiastes 7 is one of the best of the series so far.   The title itself "When Bad is Better" demonstrated a different perspective than usual.   Some of the "right-side up" points made were:

• Sorrow is better than Laughter - adversity can develop us as nothing else can; and it is easier to learn through adversity than prosperity for wisdom is forged through trials.  In vs 1, when Solomon said the day of our death is better than the birth; it was related to a good name.  At death, when we have lived our life well, then we die with a good name; but, at birth, we have our lifetime to affect our "name".  Man's highest purpose is not to be happy, but to know God
• Rebuke from the Wise is better than Praise of a Fool
• The Hard way is better than the Easy - similar to the first point, sometimes it is best not to look for the "short cut"; but to grow through the process of the "hard way".  We should also start with the end in mind, asking "where will this path lead me?"
• Today is better than Yesterday - In the valleys, we cannot help but turn to the LORD and see HIM high and lifted up

Overall, what we KNOW is better than what we can't figure out; so, TRUST in the LORD Who we KNOW.  Also, it was interesting that in the lesson, I made a connection with what I was focusing on last year on Loving God.  In Psalm 119:67, it showed that affliction helped the Psalmist grow in obedience; and since those who love God obeys His commandments; then, it can follow that affliction helps us to love God more.

23-Jan:  "Wisdom to be Thankful For" - In the Ecclesiastes 7:11-29 lesson, what stood out was that wisdom is better than wealth; so either in prosperity or in poverty, we can trust God.  We are not to let what we don't understand cause us not to trust HIM

5-Mar:  Folly - In Ecclesiastes 10, foolishness even in little things can cause ruin.  It can easily get into leadership, labor, and language.   He gave an acronym of H.A.R.M. for Hit and Run Mouth.   Throughout the OT, foolishness is associated with sin and wisdom with righteousness; so that acting in wisdom requires yielding to the Spirit's leading in contrast to our sinful natures

20-Mar:  "Before It's Too Late" - In Ecclesiastes 11 and 12, we are reminded that:

• Life is uncertain so embrace it (11:1-6) - The phrase to "cast bread upon waters" refers to putting grain on ships for commerce, and the use of the plural points to diversifying)
• Life is short, enjoy it (11:7-10) - Live each day with gusto
• Express faith thoughtfully (12:1-2)
• Embrace aging thankfully (12:3-7)
• Life is mysterious, examine it (12:8-12) - Get wisdom from God; Christianity and Knowing God is not about search but finding
• Life is Obedience, express it (12:13-14) - Fear God and Keep His Commandments => so, the meaning of life in found in relationship with Him

The series ends with Psalm 92:12-15 - The Righteous will flourish even in old age.

Tears

There is something cleansing in shedding the tears of a heart in deep pain and sorrow.  And this is where I find myself.   No matter how much I prepared for this possibility, the reality of it just pierces the heart more deeply than I could imagine.

It's not just the loss of him specifically that I am grieving.   It's the embodiment of what this represents; it's the realization of my fear of rejection; and it's the doubts created by my insecurities.

Yet, I did say that I would trust God no matter the outcome; and I believe that He knows what is best for me.  So, maybe this is a test to see if that is true; and whether I still believe that His grace is sufficient for me.   I know that I will get through this; I do love God with all my heart, soul, and mind; and there is nothing on earth I desire more than HIM.    That has not changed, even in spite of my circumstances.

What I learn from this experience, is that my faith is still strong, though tested.  And that what I advised another person is demonstrated in my life.

Also, this experience ties a loose end, and I no longer have to ever wonder about it.  I also see that I will just continue what I have been doing - serving God wholeheartedly and letting HIM use me, no matter my circumstance.

Even in the midst of the disappointment and sorrow, I can see that God's Hand was in this.  He did not leave me to be utterly crushed; but showed me that there was some measure of interest and gave me the clear message that there was respect for my being a faithful servant, that I was an "impressive person", and that time spent together was enjoyed.

I trust that I learn and grow through all my experiences, this one included.

8-Sep:  God, in His wonderful love and caring, provided the reassurance and encouragement that I needed.  I've felt affirmed by several others; and I do feel that the self-esteem that was shaken has been restored.  I love my God who provides all that I need.   Amen!

25-Sep:  Looking back, I do think that overall, what I take away from this experience is that tying of the loose end; and knowing that I have been able to face my fear of rejection and come out of it stronger through God's guidance.

30-Sep:  There was a quote that stood out to me, spoken by the Mulan character in the "Once Upon a Time" show of all places:  "Your belief in love was not strong enough to overcome your fear of rejection."  Interestingly, what that says to me is that we would be willing to risk rejection if we found a love worth risking it for.

9-Oct:  I heard a quote today from Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" that I thought was beautiful:  "I love you with so much of my heart that none of it is left to protest with."   I would like to find One I would love that much.

1-Nov:  The Focus on the Family newsletter today talked about find the value in spouses; and I'm reminded how important it is that the person I am with would recognize my value.   Proverbs 18:22 says "The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD."


31-Jan:  Enough time has passed that I feel like I have been able to process and gain some perspective.  Looking back now, I can accept that this was likely for the best.  As I have learned more about the situation and about him, as well as having had time to think it through; I can see that there would have been challenges and I wonder if there are areas that he still needs to resolve and grow in.  So, I can truly say that I am resting in God's decisions for my life; and I entrust my future to HIM, waiting for His best for me.

Martial Arts

Looking into the various martial arts forms, it would appear that the ones most suited for me would be Aikido or Hapkido.   They start from the same roots, but have a different philosophy.  Aikido is from Japan and seems to utilize the flows from an attacker; whereas Hapkido is from Korea and seems to be more geared towards counter-attack techniques.   Both can utilize weapons and are useful for self-defense.

Some of the other popular forms are Kung-Fu (China), Karate & Judo (Japan), Jiu-Jitsu (Brazil, Japan), or Taekwondo (Korea).  These seem less suited for me.

Luke 19

In this chapter, we see the life of Zacchaeus change as he progressed from curiousity to joy to repentance, and finally to salvation through his interactions with Jesus.

Then, Jesus told a parable to clarify about the Kingdom of God.  A nobleman leaves for a distant country to be appointed king, just as Jesus will die on the cross to usher in His Kingdom.   He gives his ten servants a mina each to do His business; and when He returns asks for an accounting.  The main lesson of the parable is summarized in vs 26: "I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away." Once again, Jesus taught that the servants of Christ are to be faithful stewards of all that have been entrusted into their care.  Moreover, those who rejected and rebelled against the King would receive judgement and death.

So, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem, thus marking the end of His public ministry and teaching outside of Jerusalem, and the beginning of the events leading to His death on the CROSS.  He demonstrated that He knew all that would happen, as seen with the colt; and He fulfills the Zachariah 9:9 prophecy entering Jerusalem on the colt as Messiah and King.  He receives the praise He deserves.  But, He weeps over the city for their eventual rejection of Him.  He then cleanses the temple, and teaches there daily.   There is mixed response from the audience - people hung on His words, while the religious leaders wanted to kill Him.

This familiar Palm Sunday passage showed me how much Jesus loves me, willing to go to the CROSS knowing exactly the pain, rejection, and suffering He would experience.  His weeping over the city shows His compassion for the lost; and His cleansing of the temple reflects His justice and holiness.

This passage also led me to ponder when it is that Jesus is crowned King.  Because, the Messiah King is to be from the line of David, He was born to be King; but, His dying on the cross is what provided a way for citizens of the Kingdom.  And when He ascends to heaven, He sits on the throne.  At His return during the 2nd Coming, He comes as King and will be recognized as King by all the world.   His coming in the "name of the Lord", shows that authority was granted to Him to be King.

In doing a word study on that phrase:  "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!", what it is really saying is Praise to the King who comes in the authority and character of God in heaven; and the peace and glory mentioned is a fulfillment of the prophecy referenced in 2:14.  That Christ came to earth to bring us peace with God, by dying on the cross to save us from our sins and the judgment of divine wrath.

Spinach Quiche

Tried making spinach quiche again, but this time using milk instead of cream.   The consistency ended up being more like scrambled eggs; so, cream is much better.   Also, I just cooked the spinach with the onions before adding to the milk and eggs mixture; and it seems that it is better to have chopped the spinach as well.   I also probably didn't add enough cheese this time; or maybe it was because of the type of cheese I used.   The other time definitely turned out better.

Some other ideas I had:

• I could try using tofu instead of milk; and put it all in a blender.   The consistency would probably be closer to what I would expect
• I could try using the ingredients I do for my normal Mexican scrambled eggs and see if adding in salsa would make for an interesting Mexican quiche
• Definitely for baking, it is best to put it on foil and then use it to cover the edges towards the latter part of cooking, so that the crust doesn't burn