December 15, 2011

Christmas means a lot of things to a lot of different people. But, what is the real meaning of Christmas to you?



  November 29, 2011

First, I hope that you had a "thankful" Thanksgiving!  I recognize that being thankful is not automatic in us ... it is something that we have to work at and be reminded always, even during Thanksgiving.

 



  October 31, 2011

According to the latest survey, Halloween is catching up fast to Christmas celebration!  Isn't this alarming? 

 

  October 06, 2011

Sometimes we have no clue as to the number of people around us that are suffering from discouragements -- to the point that they feel like life itself is not worth pursuing. I don’t always have the answer, but time and time again, these five powerful little words always come very handy ...

 

   September 20, 2011

We know that there are circumstances in our lives that are not always the best. In fact, they may be utterly bad, but still, we are to look for something to be thankful for.



   September 14, 2011

Just visited a care home again yesterday, glad to see them again especially those very touching smiles!  I notice this one old lady who always looks ‘jolly’ in her ways. I sat with her while she was eating and I felt like I am talking to a sweet child …

It reminds me of our dear Lord when He said, “Unless you can become like little children…”

What a major consideration for us adults!  There are ways that we should remember and keep with us no matter how old we get:

• Be curious like a child. What will kids do if they want to know something bad enough? You’re right, kids can ask a million questions! Sometimes they can drive you crazy.  They want to keep learning!  Someone said, “Have you ever noticed that while adults are stepping on ants, children are studying them?”  To really think about it, a child’s curiosity is what helps them to reach, learn and grow.  So do yourself a favor, don’t become a 'dinosaur' … better yet study the Word of GOD!

• Be excited like a child.  There is nothing that has more magic than a child excitement. You see it’s not the magic that makes Disneyland work, it’s the way they work that makes magic! That is what I like from Dara Torres. An inspiration in her own right as the oldest member of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team, recently answered the question with simple confidence: “I’d be 41. When you hit the water, the water doesn’t know what age you are.” She is very right!  It’s her excitement in the water that made her the most decorated female athlete.  So, if you’re too old to get excited, you’re old … hey, don’t get that old!

• Have faith like a child.  How else would you describe it? We adults have a tendency to be cynical. But kids aren’t that way.  They see life as full of hope and adventure.  You tell kids, “We’re going to have three swimming pools.” And they say, “Yeah, three, one each for us!” See, they start dreaming, but adults are not like that. Adults say, “Three swimming pools? You’re out of your mind! Most people don’t even have one swimming pool. You’ll be lucky to get a tub in the back yard.”

No wonder kids sleep so well at night ...!

Jesus called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  - Matthew 18:2-4



   September 04, 2011

We bought  a “to go” dinner tonight that came with its plastics and paper containers.  After eating, my wife blissfully said, “Glad nothing to wash, just throw away everything!”

Well, we have been living in a culture of disposables (throw-away) for quite some time now.  It is part of our living called ‘consumerism’. The fact is our economy is very much driven by it.   The problem I see living in a much consumer mentality means that things are becoming disposable to a fault. We prefer disposables in the name of convenience. And the trend is that if we don’t like something, we just go buy a new one and get rid of the old one.

It unfortunately translates over into relationships and values too.  

One author said, “Consumerism is a supremely self-important worldview in which everything’s value is determined by its usefulness to me.  I stand at the center while everything and everyone orbits around me.”

While consumerism may fuel our economy but consumer mentality will not do anything good for us in the way GOD intended us to live with each others.  If we allow consumerism in our relationships and values, it can look like this:

• When my husband no longer meets my needs I can discard him and get a new relationship.
• When my friends no longer meet my expectations I discard them and get a new group of friends.
• When my wife isn’t meeting my immediate needs for intimacy I will just engage in disposable intimacy called ‘pornography.’
• When someone does not agree with my agenda, I’ll run over them with no regard to their heart.

The truth is we are seeing these now a day. As a result, many are feeling unwanted, unappreciated and unloved.  Remember, we are human beings and not human things!  I  believe that this mentality is doing immense damage in our culture today ...

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” –Romans 12:2



August 25, 2011

All of us can be a big fan of something or someone.  The word fan is defined as “an enthusiastic admirer.” We’re all fans of different things, right?



August 16, 2011

As the saying goes, 'Life is a series of choices." At times, we all experienced having troubles making a decision in which path to take especially when facing crossroads.

August 12, 2011

I’m saddened that I’ve made some assumptions and not really try to clarify it first with my dear wife.  I’m not really at liberty to talk in details, it turned out to be my own miss-reading.  I was just relieved that I had a chance to understand it, but it got me thinking …

“Assumptions” can be that silent deadly attacks that do nothing but destroy healthy relationships. To simply put, an assumption is one person’s “idea” of what someone else is thinking, feeling or doing:

• parents often assume they know exactly what their children feel, think or want;
• a child can sometimes assume that he/she is not love;
• a friend may assume that he is being neglected;
• a relative can assume that he or she is being disliked;
• bosses may assume employees know exactly what they want when they ask for something;
• a wife can easily assume her husband’s motive;
• anyone can make an immediate assumption that he/she is being attacked!

All of these mind-readings or assuming can be dangerous. While you may be right from time to time, more often your assumptions may lead to unnecessary conflict, worry, misunderstanding and broken relationships. If you’re not careful these assumptions can lead to misconceptions and rumors too.

One author said, “Some of you are more comfortable with your assumptions because it serves your agenda quite nicely. Making assumptions simply means believing things are a certain way with little or no evidence that shows you are correct, and not mindful that this can lead to a terrible trouble.”

One time at a store, I had never seen one individual buying so many flowers in one time … this lady in front of me with five push carts full of flowers and plants!  I grew increasingly tired of waiting.  I’m beginning to realize that I made a mistake to get behind her.

I noticed that the person behind me was getting uneasy too.  Then suddenly …

The guy behind the counter, who was also somewhat perplexed by the large quantity of flowers, bravely asked the lady what she was going to do with all of these.

The lady hesitated for a second and then replied, “My best friend found out this week she has stage four breast cancer. She’s always wanted a really nice garden so I’m going over to her house to plant all of this for her to enjoy when she gets back from the hospital.”

Instantly everything changed. I was no longer focused on my self-centered desire to get out of this line as quickly as I could.

I assumed wrongly.

Suddenly, I was reminded what a gift it was for me to be standing there waiting in line:

• I was blessed to be there and be healthy.
• I was blessed to be there and be able to afford to make my purchase.
• I was blessed to see a person’s love in action!
• I was blessed to be given a chance to pray for her friend, silently.

 To my own lesson, I will aim for aspirations over assumptions … so then I can continue to walk in love, serve in freedom, and be right before GOD...

 Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  –Luke 6:41-42



   August 3, 2011

Visiting a loved one in a critical condition, I sense his hope and relief despite the pain as he’s being surrounded by his loving family -- providing support, encouragements and prayers.  It pays to be selfless.

I spoke to a guy whom I met for the first time and he shared to me how his life was messed up.  But now, instead of making excuses … he is standing up, admitting his mistakes and taking the responsibility to save the marriage. The wife in tears gave him another chance.  It pays to be selfless.

I asked a frail mother of what she would like for me to pray for her. And her immediate answer, “Please pray for my children.” I asked her how about you… her reply, “Their happiness is my happiness.”  It pays to be selfless.

I learned of a young man who just passed his licensing exam. Now he is willing to go far away from his dear love one to find a new job and prepare for their future.  It pays to be selfless.   

Talking to a mother who became a single mom before the birth of his son who is now about nine years old, I asked her how is she coping? “Oh, I have to do the best as much as I can… not for myself but for my only son, I want the best for him.”  She is now very successful in her care home business.  It pays to be selfless.

I visited another lady and requested me to pray for their clinic.  They are thinking either to sell or keep it.  I asked what she prefers and her reply, “We wanted to keep it as much as we can as my brother is finishing his degree and we would like for him to take over it.”  It pays to be selfless.

I learned that this aging but very vibrant guy just had his prostate operation.  Now, he’s back to work.  I said, “I’m glad that you are now doing well!”  His reply, “Oh, it’s my wife who looked after me in those grueling and painful days.  He stayed with me the whole time when I needed all the help I need.  It pays to be selfless.

While waiting at the airport, I saw a person in panic as his wallet was missing.  It’s a dilemma for any traveler. Then suddenly, his name was announced to come to the customer counter.  There he got his wallet back, found by a kid.  It pays to be selfless.

I received good news about an answered prayers, praise the LORD!  If only they knew the dedicated people who keep praying for them.  It pays to be selfless.

Inside the plane, I saw a lady trying to lift up her heavy luggage towards the overhead compartment.  When it about to reach the compartment it suddenly slipped from her hands … but gladly caught by a nearby guy that made his own stuff to fall instead.  His immediate act had saved another older lady sitting right under it!  It pays to be selfless.  (By the way, the bag was really heavy!) 

Looking outside from the window of the airplane, I thought of those who sacrificed so much in perfecting airplane flights to be safer than ever.  It pays to be selfless.

I thought of the missionaries around the world, leaving the comfort of their homes to risk the unknown in order to bring the Gospel to the lost. It pays to be selfless.

Coming home, I am so glad see again my wife and children who did not see me for a few days, in order for me to accomplish my mission.  It pays to be selfless.

I thank our dear heavenly Father who gave His only begotten Son for the salvation of mankind.  It pays to be selfless.

What does “selfless” means?   “Having no concern for self.”  -Webster dictionary

I got a new meaning for the word selfless …  “making others better!”

Matthew 10:38-39 “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it.”

It really pays to be selfless …



July 28, 2011

I received a bothering news about a loved one who is in a critical condition.  Once more, the storms of life come in many forms.

I believe that storms are some of GOD’s best tools.  And though I don’t believe He causes every storm, I know that He uses every storm.   When the storm hits and your life is thrown upside down, that’s when we start thinking about what’s really important ...

   July 25, 2011   

I heard a mom telling her small sweet daughter, “What do you say?”  Apparently, her bigger brother just shared the other half of his popsicle to her.

And we all expect that the appropriate response that would satisfy would be, “Thank you…”

In our high speed and results oriented culture, those two words may even carry a larger weight because they seem to be becoming more ‘extinct’ with time. The concern is that we’re becoming less grateful to the gifts in our lives and progressively less observant of the importance of recognizing them.

So …

What do you say to your spouse who serves you in some small but faithful way today?

What do you say to your child who does something without being asked to do it?

What do you say to someone who goes out of his/her way to help and pray for you?

What do you say to a GOD who has given you gifts after gifts including His Son --        Jesus Christ?



   July 19, 2011    

MANY people have dreams, but MOST don't achieve them and just walk away.

WHY?  The dream is NOT EASY than they realized... especially when set-backs come in.
“I’ve had it. Enough. No more. Never again.” 

Not knowing that most of the time, defeat can be the best beginning. Because for one
thing, if you’re at the very bottom, there’s only one way to go—UP!

I learned that a lot of people don’t change themselves, mostly wait for change. So, be
grateful for your adversity as this can be the change that you're waiting for.  As foolish as
it may sound, you should be thankful for your current limitations or failures. Why?
Because they are the building blocks from which to create change -- a change from which
to create greatness!

Some of the most inspiring success stories have started with failure. Walt Disney started
with failure, he was fired by a newspaper that felt he had no talent!  Lincoln started in
many failures.  Michelangelo started in failure. Mr.KFC started in failure. Oprah started in
failure, a poor girl from an abusive background. Richard Byrd crashed his plane on his first
solo trip before he became one of the world’s greatest explorers.  Steve Jobs faced failure
even health failure ... and now see how his Apple is revolutionizing the world!   And the other success stories continue.

So, the key is the word, "KEEP" ... like a frog in a jar of cream who keeps kicking and
kicking and kicking, and pretty soon the milk will turn into a lump of butter and he’ll be able
to jump out. That’s tenacity, because that’s how it really works. You’ve got to keep trying,
keep learning, keep hoping, keep believing, keep praying!  Keep your eyes firmly set on
achieving your GOD-given dreams.  Don’t settle for mere existence and self-pity. Make a
commitment to excellence by His grace.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your GOD. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right Hand."   -Isaiah 41:10