Filed under 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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usher for the 1st time

It was the 1st time I served at my local church yesterday as usher! It’s very interesting as I can feel more belong as people notice I have an usher tag on me and begin to nod and smiled at me – and I reacted differently as my role has changed, I need to carry a super warm and big smile on my face as I am representing the Church, and God. One of the duty is also to pass on offering bag to collect donations. While I was handing it along, some people appear super friendly, while some people’s face look super cold and almost ‘unfriendly’. I know they don’t mean it, I guess they wouldn’t realize that is how others would perceive their facial expression. But I think to myself, next time, I really would have to smile to the staff or whoever is working at the church, coz that would be encouraging or motivating. And this should not be done only to my fellow church mates, if I could do this to all the others in the street, people’s day would be better?! Isn’t it. Today, I said bye to the cashier at 7-11, and I would say thanks when I get off the mini-bus! Being a person who serve, I realize a gentle smile or a word of thanks, indeed mean something. Just do it for yourself as things come around, go around.

Daily Quote
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

Galatians 5:22

I pray to God that I will express kindness more often to everyone, including closed ones and strangers alike!

Postscript Quote
Be friendly to everyone. Those who deserve it the least need it most.

Bo Bennett

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His corner

I have recently bought 2 bookshelves to give my extremely packed books a breathing space. Each time I need to find a book at the back of the shelf, I have to move out all the books in the front to get it, it’s like those super small parking lots in HK, they ask how long you would pick up your cars and then they decide which parking slice they would park your car, the sooner you need your car back, the more front your car would be parked – it’s like my bookshelf!!! And one of the new shelf I have dedicated to all my Christianity books, I told my sister it’s the God’s corner. Sad that I can only give Him a bookshelf but He gives me my life. But this is a start I suppose! All the books from Philip Yancey, Rick Warren, C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, and the Bible of course now lie comfortably in the shelf without needing to squeeze for space with other books. It’s not so much the space in fact, it’s the action and thought that I know if I want to excel in my religious studies, I got to read more and refer more to the Scriptures, there is no easy way out. Joyce Meyer once said in her conference, she said ‘you got to study it, if you want to know it well! You just have to spend the time and study it.” It’s not only reading it, it’s study it – as if you are going to school! If you want to be good, you have to do something. I am still following my One Year Bible plan and I am on track! I have just finished 1/12th of it! Feeling awesome! If I can spend so much time on other magazines, why can’t I spend similar amount on God’s words?

Daily Quote
It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees

Deuteronomy 17:19

I pray to God that I will pursue to read His words and further to act His words.

Postscript Quote
If you can read this, thank a teacher.

Anonymous

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do you regret regret

Chatting with colleague who is trying to get another tattoo on her wrist soon after her first one which she got like a couple of months ago. That reminded me to send her a TED speech I saw just over the Lunar New Year. It’s delivered by Kathryn Schultz who is a journalist, author and public speaker. Her topic is “Don’t regret regret. Click here to watch the speech. Her intro line is about tattoo as tattoo is one of the first thing people quote as their regrets of life. And in her studies about regrets, she found out other subjects which most people regret about are: Education 32%, Career 22%, Romance 15%, Parenting 10%, Self 5.5% and Finance came to 2.5% and at the bottom of the list is Community 0.95% and Spirituality of 1.3% is just above Community. It’s interesting to see what you spend the most time in seems to make you less regretful? Or because of future status and power that money could bring you, you chose the education you don’t really feel for which causes you to regret the most? One thing I learn now since I ever gone spiritual with God is that don’t really look back but take things as it is for what it is. If I did something wrong, I ask God for forgiveness and then start all over again. I am learning to embrace regrets or wrongs with the power of God.

Daily Quote
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

I pray to God that I will rely on His forgiveness to do His will.

Postscript Quote
Sometimes we know we shouldn’t and that’s exactly why we do.

Anonymous

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