Feb 24 2012
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after thought

do you feel like it?

It’s amazing that my friend told me her experience in dealing with alcohol and cigarette which both are things addictive to people and hard to shake away for years. She said she has been alcohol free for 13 days already and she has never been not drinking for that long a period and then she came across something in a book: “Forming new habits will require making a decision to not do what you feel like doing unless it agrees with God’s will. You will have to say NO to yourself quite often, and that is “dying to self”. I guess she is reading the book “Living Beyond Your Feelings”. I find this particularly true about how we treat our feelings, we don’t feel like this and that very often and that is why we feel frustrated and things become very self-oriented. If we can put our eyes forward in understanding if we can overcome ourselves in doing something not prudent, if we can break away from those, we would be really proud of ourselves, just like my friend here. She said she is feeling good coz she knows what is right and that she has done it. I guess it feels like you have passed the finishing line at the marathon. Go Team!

Daily Quote
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.
Proverbs 14:22

I pray to God that I will go beyond my feelings and treat His will as my anchor.

Postscript Quote
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Stepping into Freedom: Rules of Monastic Practice for Novices

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Feb 23 2012
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after thought

team up with Trinity

I was talking about my church course God at Work yesterday and want to share further what I see as highlight of the class. actually It is about how God does work with us as a team instead of Him being just our Holy Father, our Creator and our Savior. God does play multiple roles like everyone of us do. But my pastor points out one thing which never hits my mind at all is that the Trinity is actually a team, and the Trinity: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit they each point to each and another and forms this three yet one integrated unit. And one way to fulfill our role is to work with the Trinity as a team and do things that He wants us to do. It’s like our ever popular Taiwanese basketball player Jeremy Lin who stirs the “Linsanity” worldwide now openly points his glory back to God and cited scriptures from the Bible as what backs his training and hard work. If we can strategically understand further how we can work with God as a team, I believe we could rise up further and be empowered more efficiently and effectively. Training of our minds and muscles to be a fit team does require effort and dedication. Look at Jeremy, nothing comes easy but he has God to be His coach. Please see below Jeremy’s favorite lines from the Bible.

Daily Quote
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

I pray to God that I will work with God and not just seek Him for help and treat him like a customer hotline!

Postscript Quote
This is my dream being lived out and I am so thankful for that.
Jeremy Lin

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Feb 22 2012
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after thought

what is work?

I attended the 1st class last night at my church for the course God at Work. It’s a 6-week session based on the book by Ken Costa, a leading financial investment banker and click here to know more about him, which focuses on how we could explore the purpose of life and how God is working in us through work. It’s a very fruitful class and sharings at the same time. Senior pastor leads, explains, with testimonial support and also small group sharing and summary to wrap the whole thing up. What I find insightful is that there are things which are brought up which I know I have read and known all the time, but on a superficial level – coz they are actually scriptures. But my pastor is explaining the lines in a new perspective and insights. I was like dozing underneath the tree and got hit by the apple from the tree above. It’s very interesting how we got so convinced or comfortable with some ways we translate life and God’s teachings, but when you are open in your minds and eyes, you just can see so much more. I guess people are still warming up in the first class, they are a bit quiet. I will persist to go and speak up coz we only could learn from each other by exchanging experiences and failures. Joyce Meyer this morning in my podcast mentioned one line which rhymes so much and I like, she said “It’s not about WHO, it’s about what you DO.” It’s so true and we determine what we do, God gives you choice and you could choose Him. I’ll share more what I learn tomorrow!

Daily Quote
Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
Exodus 15:11

I pray to God that I will make use of each chance I can be closer to Him, and find Him my purpose of life.

Postscript Quote
Folks who never do more than their paid for, never get paid for any more than they do.
Elbert Hubbard

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Feb 21 2012
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after thought

recruit

Recruitment is such a tough thing which also happens almost quite often in our lives when you reach certain seniority. Recently I have to interview candidates who all are so different, different from each other and different from our expectations. Being different is not a bad thing but it’s tricky, you don’t know if that person could fulfill what you need, however when someone fulfills the check list, then his/her personality does not seem right. Skills and characters both make such a crucial factor of a person as a whole to decide if they are the right fit of a position. But when I look at what my church is doing – asking the congregation to dedicate their time and heart for the different roles at the church, it never really asks you what you can do, but rather if you want to do it. Some people are more gifted than the other, but if we don’t let go of our heart and mind and willing to step out of what we think we could do, but also what we want to try to do, I don’t think any church could sustain till today. God chooses to call upon the weakest and lowliest to be shining at the end, just like what I wrote yesterday about the limbless Nick Vujicic, he could be the unwanted in a typical society’s standard, but he has proven to us all he is the extraordinary gem, and God will reward these souls.

Daily Quote
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:29

I pray to God that I will use His gifts to go further for both Him and myself.

Postscript Quote
It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.
Walt Disney

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Feb 20 2012
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after thought, faith

YES

I just got to know my favorite motivational speaker Nick Vujicic got married and it’s like a week ago! This is one of the most fantastic and fascinating thing to know. Nick is born without limbs and I remember when he was speaking in HK, he moved me tremendously with his power, charisma and most of all – his complete reliance on God. He made fun of himself and his ‘happening’ and just tell us how lucky he has been and all those of us who are born with more than himself, should be thankful. I bought his DVD and notice many times he mentioned he hope one day, he will be able to be find his love one and get married, just like so many of us do. He speaks with sincere hope and truly believe God will pave way and decide. And in a few years time, he found his girl and she is extremely beautiful! Click here to see more. God has demonstrated to us all, believe – and you will receive. Nick & Kanae, I wish you both all the very best and continue to manifest the God-like life incessantly. Say YES to Lord!

Daily Quote
Have faith in God, Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:22-24

I pray to God that I will have zero doubt in Him and trust Him completely.

Postscript Quote
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu

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Feb 17 2012
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after thought

believe it or not?

Last night while I was eating out with friends and watching the news flash and saw the HK Chief Executive hopeful – Henry Tang announcing his apology at a press conference about the discovery of illegal structure at his house, he explained the situation has been a result of his wife’s decision. It’s very disheartening to see such incident being explained in this manner. There were too many obvious bits about this case that indicates Mr Tang has not been candid and truthful, and such handling of the situation could almost be considered as a betrayal to his wife, and to the HK citizen. For personal interest, Henry is now putting the 7+ million people’s interest after his own desires. I thought of how Jesus being betrayed by Judas. How do we handle betrayal, dishonest and untruthful happenings, it’s a tough one. We all cannot be right all the time, and thus we have to admit what we have done is wrong and then take up the consequences with things we could do. I believe there are things that could be done when it’s broken. Do we forgive Henry Tang and believe he has a dedicated heart to run for the best interest of HK people, I m not sure. I truly believe we need to pray for the future of HK to be led by genuine, faithful, capable person to bring the best out of this one of the most blessed place in the world.

Daily Quote
You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 25:15

I pray to God that we could all contain and sustain our honesty in hearts and mind.

Postscript Quote
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.
George Washington

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Feb 16 2012
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day to day, travel

respect

During the trip to Singapore, I attended the Sunday service at the St. George’s Church. It’s an amazing old architecture made of red bricks, I just can’t take my eyes away from the ceiling and the walls etc. The church was so full of people and there were barely seats left by the time I arrived and thus have to sit all the way at the very last row near the control panel at the end of the room. And there were still people flocking in and they sat on the floor with their young kids. There were almost 10+ kids next to me running and chasing each other like they were in the park or Disneyland. Ok, I tell myself, it’s fine…they are kids and they don’t really know what they are doing. But the parents just gazed at them smiling and letting them do whatever they want to do. I am wondering, do you realize you need to behave in a church and so are your kids? Anyway, I continue my worship and trying to keep my head focused. But then later on, I must admit that the pastor’s sermon is really quite flat and sorry to say that it’s not engaging me, then I notice many people near me they are just checking emails with their phones and they completely surrender – they don’t even bother to try to listen. And I recall once I went to a church discussion panel at night after work, one lady who sat at the very front row of the room actually was playing game with her iPad while the speaker was speaking just like 2 arms’ length away from her – my jaw dropped.  We all should respect the people around us, and not to mention when we are Christians. My friend told me a lot of the people attend the church service like as if it’s a social function, and we both said — at least they go and God will be in action.

Daily Quote
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
Proverbs 13:13

I pray to God that we use our head, hand and heart to love God.

Postscript Quote
Submission is not about authority and it is not obedience; it is all about relationships of love and respect.
William P. Young, The Shack

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Feb 15 2012
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after thought, travel

the cut

I was away for the weekend and thought I could have access to email and turned out I couldn’t and can’t email you guys! It was Singapore where I went and an outdoor concert event. It was fabulous as the weather was great and the location is amazing. In front of me stood 2 little girls in their vests exposing their two skinny ‘fat-less’ arms. But 1 girl on her left inner arm, I notice there were several cuts – fresh cuts which are still red with blood stains on the surface while there are the less deep cuts around the much deeper ones. It’s quite a scary thing I saw, and then I notice on her left shoulder, there are some ‘older’ cuts on top. This girl likes some kind of handicraft on herself indeed using her right hand. And I told my friend that this person like many youngsters are self-destroying. I thought of a friend I know who committed suicide long time ago when she was younger and she cut her wrists and her legs too…and she was fortunately, rescued. But the lesson is never going away coz there are many wounds remained. I have no idea how these people have in their head thought of harming their own lives while so many are hoping to just survive. It’s a shame and it’s a pity that God create us with such beauty that we don’t like ourselves and to the extent we want to destroy them in crazy ways. The only thing I can think of is just to live our life to the fullest to say Thanks. It happened to be my birthday yesterday and I couldn’t thank Him for more coz He creates me with love! And I will make full use of my mind and body to tell Him I love Him. You would do the same!

Daily Quote
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
Psalm 107:8

I pray to God that I will do what He wants me to do, with unfailing trust and faith.

Postscript Quote
It takes a long time to grow young.
Pablo Picasso

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Feb 10 2012
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day to day

variety

I am heading to Singapore in a few hours, and will be meeting up super good friends over there who used to be my HK church buddy as well. And there is a chance I will checking out the Singapore church this Sunday. This is going to be interesting as I always like to check things out always, I change hair stylist almost every single time, I always find different way to commute to and from office, and I like to go to different church services just to see how different church does their things and speak to their congregations. And of course I love to see the different pastors their style, their gifts and their spirit. It’s important that we all see enough to decide what work for us and I hear friends who have bad experience with one or two church and then conclude that Christianity does not work for them. It’s a pity to hear this kind of things as these people obviously have not seen the fair side of the situation. Let me come back to you guys and let you know how I find the Singapore church!

Daily Quote
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 

I pray to God that I would be diverse and be loyal at the same time to His teachings.

Postscript Quote
The finest souls are those that have the most variety and suppleness.
Michel de Montaigne

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Feb 09 2012
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Christianity, faith

de-baptism

I never really heard of de-baptism not until I read about the news of the 71 year old Frenchman Rene LeBouvier has been requesting to have his name removed from the book of the Roman Catholic church but was being rejected, thus he is taking the case to court. The triggering point could have been “the pedophile scandals and the pope preaching against condoms in AIDS-racked Africa, a position that LeBouvier calls “criminal.” Again, he asked the church to strike him from baptismal records. When the priest told him it wasn’t possible, he took the church to court.” Click here to read further. This is a very interesting situation it’s like when you have joined a private club with hope, and after joining it and you notice it’s not exactly how you feel it should be like, thus you would like to retreat. But the church or believing God is not a membership, it’s something way more significant and it’s life-long. There’s no turning back I suppose and what I find it’s such a shame about the issue is this old man does not seem to notice what he sees or believes is about the physical representation of the belief, and no one human being is perfect, not even the Pope. If he is let down by these several “sinful” people, I guess he forgets that he is sinful too, but in a different way, and thus we need to go back to God for redemption and forgiveness. For the energy that he is trying to fight against the Church to have his name removed, why does he not spend the rest of his days praying further to God and hear His suggestions, maybe Rene did and just did not hear anything but his very own voice and anger? It’s an art to know how to hear from God, I am still learning it but it also takes some wisdom in our mind to help move along. Stay open to God’s land to take His open grace.

Daily Quote
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:43-45

I pray to God that I will be flexible and fluid in learning to see God in my daily life, and just stay warm, mild and nice!

Postscript Quote
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
John Adams

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