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.