Good points

Some good points of a Pastor Wong's sermon:

1. If you feel exhausted, look at Jesus on the Calvary's cross.
2. The more suffering you can endure, the more mature you are.
   
3. Predict the effects of today's action after 10 years time, especially for church development.
   

A sacrifice of atonement

Although my new home is quite near to Tsuen Wan MTR station, I normally take a mini-bus to reach there. In the morning of working days, there is often a long queue at the mini-bus stop. In the first few days, I wonder why certain people are regularly staying in the front of the queue, even if a mini-bus has arrived. Later, I understand that these people do not take the mini-bus themselves, but secure a front position for others. For example, a grandfather queues up for his grandson; and a father for his daughter. Although some people obviously jump the queue, I am not displeased, because they leave the queue immediately after their beloved have arrived. These people are willing to spend their time for queuing up because of their love. The act of these people reminds me of the sacrifice of Lord Jesus.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." 1 John 3:16

Live by faith

Paul once said, 'The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.' (Galatians 2:20)

Dear Lord,
lead me to choose a career by faith in you;
teach me to serve your church and others by faith in you;
strengthen me to preach your gospel by faith in you.

I am sure that you are eager to listen to my prayers because you loved me and gave yourself for me. In your name I pray, amen.

He knows us

"He (God) knows us better than we know ourselves. Isn’t it a comfort to be known so intimately by our Lord—even with all our flaws—and yet be loved so completely!"

From Our Daily Bread (18/12/07)

Love

"Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed.” 1 John 3:18
“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only” James 1:22)
"Love in deed is love indeed."

From Our Daily Bread (04/12/07)

Rainbow

"When the sunshine of God’s love meets the showers of our sorrow, the rainbow of promise appears." From Our Daily Bread 14/11/07


What a nice picture.

See your good deeds

1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

I have to keep this in mind. Thank you, father, for your reminder.

Back to office

Today, I start to work as a postdoc researcher in my home university. The new contract lasts for one year. The work is more challenging because I have to publish at least 3 more papers in such a short period of time, as requested by my supervisor. This year is also important to me in a sense that I can decide whether I am suitable to work in academia. Whether I am suitable to teach in university or not is not the most important, but the fulfilment of the Lord's purpose on me is.

Our Lord

After reading 1 Samuel 1-3, I have noticed some points:
1) Lord is the one who gives life (v1:5; 1:20)
2) Lord is the one who hears prayers, especially for those coming from a grief heart (v1:16;1:20)
3) Lord is the one who is to be worshiped (v1:28)
4) It seems Lord is always looking for someone who is willing to hear and follow his word. Lord is happy to be with these people (v3:1; 3:19)

Pure and peace-loving

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Lord, help me to be a peacemaker like you, who sacrifice yourself to bring peace to others. Amen.

Suprise

"Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected Him to come? ... No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way." from My Utmost for His Highest

My Lord often surprises me, especially when I think I have planned and predicted the best or the worst outcome of a event. Theses surprises remind me of the absolute authority of Lord on me that He can break in at any minute of my life. What I have to do is to admit my weakness in properly holding my future and follow His will that is the best for me.

Passed

Hallelujah! I have passed the PhD thesis examination. Although my presentation may not be perfect to the level of full mark, I have peace in the entire process. Thank Lord and thank you for your support and every prayer for me.

Rehearsal for PhD examination

I have just finished a rehearsal for my Thu's PhD examination to my supervisor and other fellow students in the research group. The presentation time was 50 minutes, which is within the time limit of one hour. After the presentation, my supervisor asked me to give a mark, with a maximum of 10 points, for my presentation. I gave myself a 6-7 points. He then invited other students to give comments. At last, he commented on every single slide of my powerpoint and suggested that if I can revise all the changes, make enough practices to show confidence and be well prepared to respond to all the questions, I will score the full mark of 10.

testimony

Here is a meaningful testimony about a private school for young people who were used to abuse drugs.

"林希聖說：「各人心中都有塊攔路石，要忍耐、咬緊牙根、流着眼淚去處理，你不處理，它永遠也是你的攔路石。」"

Humble

"Blessed Savior, make me humble,
Take away my sinful pride;
In myself I’m sure to stumble,
Help me stay close by Your side. —D. De Haan"

From Our Daily Bread (13/09/07)

Focus

Lord, I can be easily distracted, let my eyes be fixed on Calvary's cross.

Lord Jesus, who died on Calvary's cross, is sufficient to help me to go out all difficult circumstances that I am facing.

Boundary

Psalm 16
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." ...
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Surely, I am delighted to live in the boundary lines set by the LORD!

Don't worry

Bear this in mind:

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:7

PhD examination

My PhD oral examination is scheduled on 10:30am, 20 Sept., 2007. Thank Lord for arranging a common time slot at which all the five professors are available. Please pray for me. Many thanks.

Here with us

"The storms of our life prove the strength of our Anchor" Our Daily Bread (31/08/07)

When we suffer, we may be tempted to ask, 'is God sadistically absent?'.
On Wednesday night, I heard a news that a devoted sister in Lord has been confirmed to suffer from cancer. This news surprised me, and creates deep anxiety to her family, her husband and two young children. Our church seriously prays for her.

Although we often do not have completely satisfactory answer to painful events like her sickness. But we do know that the Lord is present with us, for He said He would never leave us (Heb. 13:5). Jesus’ name “Immanuel” literally means “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). Bay faith, we insist that God is here with us.

Weakness

"Do you sometimes feel small and insignificant like an insect? When you do, remember that God showcases His wisdom and greatness through even the smallest things. That’s because His “strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). —Mart De Haan"

When I too feel small and insignificant, may your strength can be shown through my weakness.

Giver

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Lord, help me to be generous to others and be willing to give for those who are in need. Also help me to trust in you who are a cheerful and wonderful giver.

Simple and right words

"The apostle Paul was willing to be flexible in his ministry in order to reach as many as possible with the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 9:19-23). That might have even included the words he used as he explained the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection."

"If we have God’s Word in our mind, He can put the right words in our mouth."

From Our Daily Bread (27/08/07)

Surprise!

Still working on my thesis now.

Surprised to receive a long distance phone call from FM. He remembers my tough time of writing my thesis. Thank you for his support and prayer.

Another surprise is that I received an email an hour ago from my supervisor. The email attached with a revised write-up of part of my thesis. Thank him very much.

Share in our sorrow

"When we are happy or when we are blue,
God is aware of whatever we do;
All of our sorrows He takes as His own—
And He will never leave us alone. —Hess"

From Our Daily Bread (24/8/07)

Toys

Hey, stop it!











HELP!

Satisfied

Isaiah 53:11
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Thank Lord for your suffering for us. Your silence in front of those who oppressed and misjudged you had set an example for us. May we live according to your example and make you satisfied.

Whisper

Behind a loud annoyed voice, it seems there is a soft whisper asking the following questions to me:

Are you serious about preaching the gospel?
Have you seriously read the Bible and strictly followed its instructions?
Is it sufficient to just preaching?

Printing

My thesis is now being printed in three printers: two in computational lab., another in TA office. I feel like waiting for my baby in its labour process. Someone sees that the printing is too rush to meet the submission deadline, so he give me a new pack of papers and suggests me to use another faster printer. Thank you very much for his kindly help.

Two Korean hostages freed

BBC news

19 to go.

Leap of faith

"Is God calling you to do something difficult? ...
If you aren’t sure you can do it, ask God to help you. Then, trusting your loving heavenly Father, dive toward that goal. It could be the best play of your life."

Our Daily Bread (14/08/07)

Be a mature man

Today, my supervisor and I go for lunch after a discussion on my thesis revision. During the lunch, we talk about how a mature man should like. He thinks there are two essential stages that a man should go through, namely self-awareness and self-actualization. Self-awareness concerns the true understanding of yourself, both strengths and weaknesses, whereas self-actualization involves the wise use of your strengths and talents to fulfill God's purpose. Self-actualization is more difficult because the process involves not only yourself alone, but also your family. As you grow, more and more burdens you have to take take up for your family and your children. He concludes that self-actualization therefore requires continual seeking for God to provide heavenly wisdom for you.

Education

A simple multiple choice question for all HK teachers.
When you consider to teach at a particular school, which factor affects you most?
1) Salary
2) Chance of promotion
3) Work load
4) Banding of the school
5) Relationship between the teachers
6) Relationship with students
7) Your teaching enthusiasm for the students

Deeper

Sitting on a seat of a MTR train and carrying my exhausted body after a discussion with my supervisor,
I sang in yesterday's evening:
"從前我風聞有你，主，未嘗親眼見你； 我雖知道我屬你，主，卻未能進你豐盛， 我今謙卑伏主前，願領受主千錘百煉； 求在我身彰顯你權能，使我經歷你更深"

Yes. Even in such a difficult condition, I would like to have deeper relationship between you, my Lord.

Absence

This is my second time of absence in the annual summer camp organised by my church. The first absence was due to a surgery on my right knee. This time, I cannot participate in the camp because I have to make all necessary revisions to my thesis draft before it is sent out for reviewing by an examiner outside the university.

Psalm 23

In front of an open sea view at the university centre of HKUST, I sing:
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Pray for Korean hostages

Dear Lord,

I would like to pray for the 21 Korean hostages held captive in Afghanistan. May You protect them in your love in eternity, and they remain faithful to you even to the point of death. Help them to bear a trustworthy witness of your Kingdom, to those in Korea, Afghanistan, and the whole world. Comfort the families and friends of the two dead christians, who are likely to enjoy joyfully fellowship with Jesus. I trust that you will crown your loyal servants with glory, according to what you have promised in Bible.

To the members of the Taleban, give them the wisdom to distinguish the difference between the truth of life and the teaching of devil. The truth of life displays smiles on the faces of its followers who are threatened to be killed. Teaching of evil pushes you to kill people with smiles.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

First draft of PhD thesis

Just submitted my thesis to the department of civil engineering. Although this copy is not finalised, it represents an important milestone to graduation. Thanks be to Lord.

You and me

2 Corinthians 6:16
God said to Israel people in Old testament and to Christian in New Testament that, 'I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.'

Are you walking with your God?
Do you ask for the permission of your King to every decision?

Lord, please teach me how to walk properly with you and enjoy your presence with me.

Common yoke

2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Paul gave a list of considerations before a believer yoke with an unbeliever. He urged us to consider the five differences: between righteous and wickeness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, a believer and a unbeliever, and the temple of God and idols. He challenged us if we can find any commonness, fellowship, harmony, or agreement between the five differences.

Be reminded that yoking with an unbeliever is a serious decision referring to the pursuit of a common vision with him/her for a long period of time (could be for the rest of your life). Make a wise decision in Christ.

Press on

Too busy to pose any message in recent days, as I am pressing on to the goal of finishing up my PhD thesis on coming Tue. Thanks for many who support and pray for me.

Vote

One of my submitted entries was short-listed for the public voting in the competition "100 reasons for why we love Hong Kong". Here is my entry. If you vote for your favourite entries (not necessarily mine), you may win a round-trip flight ticket.

Life example

2 Corinthians 6:4-5
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;

Lord Jesus, Paul commended himself through his sufferings, which are similar to your sufferings on this Earth. Through the four gospel books, you demonstrated your teachings and showed us your great endurance in troubles, hardships, distresses, beatings, hard work, sleepless nights and hunger. May we follow you in the way of living.

Endurance

2 Corinthians 6:4
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance...

Among every way that Paul commend himself to others, endurance is the first personal quality. Endurance is important to a Christian because he or she must encounter suffering in this world. Even if you try your very best to avoid suffering by using all of your wisdom, suffering still can come to you as it comes to others. Although most people do not like suffering, servants of God are different. They do not afraid of suffering, but bear them with great endurance, and even are proud of suffering for their Master. Paul did not commend himself with spiritual experience, his apostolic authority from God. Rather, he commended himself to Corinthians through his endurance of a variety of sufferings.

Precious gifts

I receive many precious unexpected gifts today.
1. a living place for our new family
2. a dozen of my favourite gundam models
3. a round ticket from Cathy Pacific

Thank you, my dear Lord. Hallelujah.

Discredit

From a Cambridge dictionary, discredit means 'to cause people to stop respecting someone or believing in an idea or person'.

In a commercial world, banks bring discredit on one whose past financial record is bad. Likewise, our past record of relationship to others could discredit us in others' eyes. Paul avoided our ministry to be discredited by eliminating any possibility of blocking anyone's path. I know that sometimes our work and way of living would not be pleasing in everyone's eyes, but I do hope that I can be a trustworthy person and avoid putting anyone at risk by blocking his/her way of reconciliation with God.

If

如果我能彌補一個破碎的心靈，我便不是徒然活着。
如果我能減輕一個生命的痛苦，撫慰一處創傷，或是令一隻離巢的小鳥回到巢裡，我便不是徒然活着。 狄更斯

Servants of God

2 Corinthians 6:3-4
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way...

Lord, if I hurt anyone unintentionally, please let me know and forgive me.
If I have brought any trouble to anyone, please forgive me and grant me courage to admit.
If I hinder anyone from knowing your love and righteousness, please forgive me and punish me.

Same as that of Jesus

Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

Lord, thank you for your kind reminder. My attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. You seat on the throne of God, but had come down to earth to be a man died shamefully on a cross. How humble you are!

When one ignores me and looks down on my ability, may you teach me to respond as humble as you are, and let me realise that I have nothing lost on that, but please you. Amen.

Be polite

My mum always teach me to be polite, and she herself always demonstrates such philosophy to others. She believes that '禮多人不怪' (meaning that there is always no harm to be polite to people).

Today I read a book with the following excerpts:
"講禮貎不會失去什麼，卻能得到一切"
"你可以沒有金錢，你可以沒有地位，你也可以沒有智慧，但你不能沒有禮貌。學會禮貌待人，在尊重別人的同時，你會發現自己也正被別人尊重。"
from 不可不讀的名人名言1 張健鵬 胡足青 編

Now, I am convinced that my old mum's wisdom is the same as those famous philosophers.

Seize - part 3

In Luke 14:16-24, there is a rich man inviting guests to come to his great banquet with all the food ready. He invites his friends and says: 'Come, for everything is now ready.' Unexpectedly, the guests refuse to go by making different excuses. The excuses have a similarity: they have to try out something new. Why? Perhaps because they are bored with the banquet's master. They do not enjoy the friendship with him any more, as the banquet can represent the joyful sharing in friendship.

What a pity that those guests miss the chance of enjoying the free banquet, in the presence of the joyful master. Now, if we miss the chance of enjoying the relationship with the Lord, the chance will be given to others.

Seize - part 2

Recently, there are two news sharing one similarity: People crazily rush to one place for a product or a souvenir, but unfortunately the unexpectedly large crowd eventually causes disorder and even injuries at the end. One news is the souvenir distribution event in the Jockey Club, the another is the limited selling of a bag called 'I'am not plastic'.

Even people seize the chance of material things which are considered as valuable in their eyes, how sad if Christians do not seize the change of earning eternal favours in the limited period of the time of God's favour and the time of salvation.

Seize

2 Corinthian 6:2
I tell you, now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation.

Paul associated the time of his writing to the Lord's gracious promise to Isaiah for Israel people.

This is what the LORD has said in Isaiah 49:8
"In the time of my favour I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people..."

How long the Israel people had been waiting for the realisation of the Lord's promise?
How many lives of Israel people had been killed by men of Babylon and Assyria?
How much bitterness the Israel people had suffered till the born of the Saviour?

How about gentiles?
How long the gentiles had been expelled from the presence of his Creator?
How many lives of gentiles had died with the false hope that his idols could bring him into eternity?
How much sinful entertainment the gentiles had enjoyed, without knowing the judgement ahead for him?

Paul announced to the gentile of Corinthians: NOW is the time of God's favour, NOW is the day of salvation. Seize such a grace period, as it won't be forever, but will be gone shortly.

Abnormal weather

全球氣候反常
西歐寒夏 英國結霜
全球氣候異常，西歐夏日卻受寒流侵襲，預測英國下周更將結霜，法國也出現潮濕寒冷的天氣。但在大西洋另一邊的美國東岸，卻受熱浪侵襲，而南美洲阿根廷首都也因異常寒流來襲，出現百年一遇的降雪。 明報國際11/07/07

Lord, are these phenomena signalling Your glory return?

Fellow worker

2 Corinthians 6:1
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.

in vain = useless, without producing expected results

Are you surprised that Paul addressed himself as a fellow worker of God? How would you feel if a servant addresses his master as his fellow worker? I don't think Paul was unaware of the huge difference in position between him and the Lord, but he stressed that he was speaking on behalf of God and for God's will. From the preceding verses, we understand that Paul was conscious of his ministry of promoting reconciliation between man and God. Now, Paul urged us not to receive God's grace, but take no actions in fillfulling our responsibility. Paul's actions were consistent with his message.

Lord, we don't like working in vain. Working so hard for so long time but leaving no result is an discouraging experience to most people. Lord, help me to respond properly and actively to your grace and love, such that you do not get disappointed.

Flawed impression

"Don’t judge too quickly what you see; Treat lightly first impression; Misunderstandings multiply
Without communication."

From Our Daily Bread (09/07/07)

Which one do you prefer?

There are two learning styles for you to choose:

Option 1:
Your teacher tells you every bit of the teaching material: the assumptions, the logical steps, and the conclusions for your application. The only thing you have to do is to remember them all.

Option 2:
Your teacher provides the basic background, defines learning objectives, and suggests some hints on possible ways to achieve the objectives. You have to collect relevant information, discover potential ways out of many dead-ends, discuss many times with your teacher in presenting and clarifying your ideas. Eventually, you may conclude your findings and achieve the objectives.

Which one do you prefer?

Chatty

Women is more chatty than men? An interesting article from FM suggested, 'Not nessearily'!

"If women listened more we might find men talked more than we thought, and if men listened they might find that women actually don't talk a lot of rubbish all the time. Some of what we say is actually valuable."

'Giant' baby

Happy birthday to "羅小B"!
Congratulations to Welly and Cedric! You are now mother and father of a giant baby weighted over 8 pounds.

Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

Ambassador: an important official who lives in a foreign country to represent his or her own country there, and who is officially accepted in this position by that country.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, ambassador is an important position of a country. A Christ's ambassador therefore also represents the kingdom of God. Ambassadors of God are first "officially" accepted by God and are then sent to this world to make appeal to non-believers. If people expect to see God from His ambassadors, should we behave ourself well so that His appeal can be made through us?

One audience is enough

Yesterday, I glanced through the context of a book in a bookstore. One of the chapters says "We don't need any audience". Although I didn't go on reading the content, I can tell from the name of the book that the chapter is intended to encourage young people to have their own stand out of peer pressure.

Indeed, one can be easily influenced by the audience in one's life. To one extreme, some ends their life simply because they thought there is no one caring about their existence and, in other words, they have no audience in their life.

Do I need any audience? Certainly. One is probably sufficient, and two is a bonus. I know Jesus Christ is always willing to be my audience. Although we Christian, like Paul, could suffer in loneliness or be made a spectacle to the whole universe (1 Corinthians 4:9), Jesus is watching over us as our faithful audience, appreciates our work for himself and courages us in tough persecutions.

Lord Jesus, 2000 years ago in Israel, when you shout loudly, ''We played the flute for you; we sang a dirge.' , there was hardly response from the audience. No matter how hard you tried, the audience just ignored you and continued on their own ways. Just before the point of death on a cross, you beared our sins and caused your only audience, your beloved heavenly father, to forsake you. Teach me how to enjoy you as my only audience in this world. More importantly, may my sings and priase will be enjoyable to you in the eternity.

War

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Lord, teach me the real meanings of the above verses.
If I am confuse, lead me.
If I am weak, strengthen me.
If I am worldly, renew me.

Reconciliation

2 Corithians 5:18
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

Matthews 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

The creation of new being in Christ is from God. Sinners on their own have no ability in transforming themselve into righteous people with clean conscience. Having no bargaining power to God, sinners can do nothing, but wait for God's wrath. Thanks be to God. He is willing to reconcile those who have faith in Christ, leading them to a dramatic change from the position of sinner to that of a beloved God's children.

To those who believe in Jesus, God grant them the privilege of his ministry of reconciliation, which is the major mission of Jesus Christ on Earth. Reconciliation makes peace among conflicting relationships. If you help reconciliating among persons to God, as what Jesus had done, you are qualified to be called son of God.

Flexibility

"...A willingness to go with the flow and adjust to whatever changes we might encounter was especially valuable. Life has an element of unpredictability for which flexibility is the best response..." Our Daily Bread (28/06/07)

I regard myself as a flexible person who like changes from time to time. From one place to another, I often take alternative paths. Recently, I suddenly realise that I become even more flexible because some unconcious mental constraints deep in my heart have been released.

Lord, are you preparing this flexible person to respond immediately to your will? Please let me know your will and I will do it.

Explore

Romans 10:8
..."The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"...

Recently, I have bought a tourist guide of Macau, where many Hong Kong people have been for at least a couple of times. Some of my friends even questioned the need of buying such a guide of Macau. Having also visited Macau for several times, I still like to explore the small city. The guide is a good book full of interesting places and food that I haven't tried. My friend planning to visit there also finds it very useful and informative. Without a good guide, you won't be able to explore to the full extent of the features of this tiny but dynamic city.

Do you also realise that the word of God is actually near you? To fully acknowledge the true exciting sides of your life, you need a quiet heart and a good guide of life, the holy spirit. Explore yourself in the holy Bible.

We love HK competition

My entries submitted a week ago for the compaign organized by Cathay Pacific are now avaliable publicly.

Entry 1
Here, we can have different voices for one goal

Entry 2
Concerted efforts

Please leave your comments if you have any.

Research

My research supervisor said, 'Research is an educated trial and error process.'

The word 'error' in the process means it's almost certain that researcher is doomed to encounter problems and even dead-ends. If you can succeed continuously till the end of your study without encountering any problem, there are only two possibilities that I can think of. Either your research problem is too simple, or you have such a great supervisor who can point you to the right way out of numerous possible ways.

So, when you encounter problems, you are actually in the right process of research. Take courage and align yourself with your research supervisor.

Econmic Freedom

Index of Economic Freedom 2007

Place Score Rank
Hong Kong 89.3 1
Taiwan 71.1 26
South Korea 68.6 36
Thailand 65.6 50
Italy 63.4 60
.
..
...
Indonesia 55.1 110
Source of information

What will I do if I will live in the future in one of the places where I had visited before?

Lord, remember your servants in the places where people are experiencing threats related to economic, social, and even life.

Take away in order to give

A wise old minister said to a young sister in Lord when she was facing a risk of lossing her sweet voice, 'If God take away what we consider precious to us, this is because He is trying to give something even more precious to us'.

From 死亡，別狂傲, 2002 ed. p.28, 蘇恩佩

New creation

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new one has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

What a great promise for the human race!

This claim applies to all people in the world. The word 'everyone' includes a poor skinny baby born in Afria as well as the richest CEO in America.

The old refers to our previous life, including whatever bad things that make us regretful in many sleepless nights.

The new refers to our newly created life in the same nature as that of Jesus.

Lord, if I dishonur any of your creation in any way, please forgive me and grant me a vision of how you look at your children. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Enjoy a sweet home or Fight the good fight

Oh Lord, if I am satisfied in enjoying a sweet home, and forget that there are so many loyal warriors fighting hard out there, please take away my sweet little shelter and push me back to the battlefield.

Do and don't

Do whatever you will do for Christ's sake to other people;
Don't do whatever you won't do for Christ's sake to other people;

Because Jesus Christ loves all his people.

Turn weakness into strength

"Real life proves we are insufficient to battle the overwhelming burdens that confront us. Even those who want to be self-sufficient can’t manage life in their own strength."

"In our relationship with God, we find a sufficiency for life that can overwhelm our inadequacies and enable us to live victoriously."

If you think about today's meditation, remember:
"We must experience our weakness to experience God’s strength."

From Our Daily Bread (20/6/07)

Prayer

Pslam 119
[65]Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD.
[66]Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.
[67]Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
[68]You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
...
[71]It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
[72]The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Smiles in a jail

Impressive smiles in a jail of Indonesia.

Imitate me

If you think about today's meditation, remember:
'Imitate those who imitate Christ.'

Our Daily Bread (13/06/07)

TIME: Picture of the week

I like this photo.

Husbands, love your wifes

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wifes, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

How Christ gave himself for the church?

Love her when she do not understand his teachings.

Matthew 16:8-12

Love her when she do not understand his feelings.
Matthew 26:36-40
Love her when she do not understand his plans.
Matthew 16:21-23

He showed the greatest love to the church
by
bearing her sins and wrongdoings on a cross
even to the point of death.

Husbands, fiancé, and boy friends, are you ready for that?

Lessons in foreign intervention

"History teaches us these lessons for the interveners: leave your prejudices at home, keep your ambitions low, have enough resources to do the job, do not lose the golden hour, make security your first priority, involve the neighbours."

from a BBC Special Report

One same goal

Lord, please help me to set all of my minds on pleasuring you, regardless where I am and where I will be.

1 Corinthians 5:9

Soaring high

Our famous "turkey" in HKUST

Research progress

My supervisor wrote:

% of completion on research = 95%
% of completion on thesis = 70%

Assessment of student's work completed during the year:
The student is at his final stage of PhD study. He has completed two journal papers and one conference paper in the past year. One journal paper has been accepted for publication, the second journal paper is under review and the conference paper has been presented in the 7th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization.


"I see the light"

Manager and Engineer

An interesting story from Kelvin Ng,
http://www.xanga.com/ngKelvin/572146095/thursday.html

Cartoons

Change

Once upon a time, I think I can change others in the ways they lives.

But today, I pray to the Lord that I can be changed by His power to conform to His way of living.

What's learning?

「學習是一條十分漫長的道路，每人也要走過。在這條路上，有很多挑戰、困難，而且愈來愈難行。我們必須咬 緊牙關衝去。我們身邊還有朋友、老師、家長的支持和鼓勵，我們不是孤身上路的！我們要經過努力才有好的收成！這條路可能永無止境，但也有可能很短，我們要 學多少、學多久，我們這段路便有多長。一直至死亡才完結……」

A secondary school student sharing how he/she thinks what is learning. Ming Pao - Education (08/06/07)

I also agree that learning is a life-long process, but am glad that we are by no means alone. I think both teacher and student are learners, and just happen that teacher has the chance to run ahead for a while. If a teacher becomes refluctant to learn one day, his students will overtake him soon.

Actions speak louder!

"As we tell people about Christ’s love, those words will communicate powerfully if surrounded by acts of love and kindness. Actions do speak louder!"

Our daily bread (7/6/07)

Research

Research, itself says its meaning "RE-SEARCH". Repeatedly search for the truth or the underlying principles of things. In the process of research, it can be frustrating to many people as they only have the goal and direction, but don't even know how to get to there. Effort spent is often not proportional to the success of the outcome. People can feel disappointed, frustration, and even depressed.

Thanks be to God that I understand why I have to go through all the tough times. His will is always good to me, as well as to others.

Fair or unfair?

"Love is not self-seeking, and the odd thing is that the happy saint who open his or her hand to be robbed at the will of others will always be found to be richer than those who do the robbing."
Tozer A.W. This world: playground or battleground?, p.79-80

The One who knows me

There is only One who knows
All the answers to my woes;
He will all my needs supply
When in faith to Him I cry. —Morgan

from Our Daily Bread (07/06/06)

New toy

May I introduce you my new toy?

Mental first aid course - Day 2

Some good points to be remembered and put into practice:

1. Mentally ill people rarely attack others, except when they think they are in danger or at the risk of being attacked. This point actually applies to some wild animals like lion and polar bears.
2. If we respect those patients, they will respect you in return.
3. If you think you are not calm enough to clam the patients, leave that job to others and observe how people handle the situation.
4. Stay alert to one who tells you that they want to die, no matter how frequent he makes such fake claim.
5. If you want them to trust you, don't lie to them. Accept their feelings, but speak the truth.
   

Salute!

Salute to all social workers in the world, no matter paid workers or volunteers. Your care and work for the mentally sick people, who are often ignored and even discriminated by most people, desire my sincere respect.

Should I buy a new camera?

My Canon G3 has been used for four years (I bought it before the WCSMO-5 held in Italy). Although it is still in good condition, its shooting button is insensitive (other people often find difficulty in pressing the button...), it is slow in launching, shooting, and focusing. Maybe I should try a digital SLR, but that's expensive. I may decide to choose Canon IS S3. Advantages of this camera to me:

1. 12x
2. flip 'n' twist LCD viewer (I consider this as an advantage over DSLR)
3. 6M is sufficient
4. Low-price
5. I can use my wide angle lens of G3
   
6. Use AA battery

A review of S3 can be found here.

Mental first aid course - Day 1

Today Vincent, the course instructor, told us how to observe the symptoms of depression. In the process of talking to a depressed friend, we need to listen non-judgmentally. He pointed out that we usually speak and respond judgmentally to our family members and close friends. This point reminds me of the conversation between Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar (Job 2:11). The friends' judgments on Job provide no comfort to Job, but add more pain to his suffering.

Lord, please help me to be one who can comfort others with your love and kindness.

Hello World!

Eventually, I open a blog for myself. Thanks Nick for introducing many interesting web tools for us. And I hope these tools will be eventually benefical to my students (if I really will be a teacher).