If...

If God wants me to be a researcher, I want to be a good researcher, not for my professor, or even myself, but solely for God, so that His glory can be manifested.

God be in my head

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at mine end, and at my departing.

The Choir of King's College version
A wonderful choir!

On His shoulders

Luke 15:4-5
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Deuteronomy 33:12

“The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him,
Who shelters him all the day long;
And he shall dwell between His shoulders.”

Count my blessings today

I have missed the school bus today, the second time this week...
But thank God that I have more time to read Bible when I take MTR to the university.

Some reminders from the reading:
1. Be a faithful servant as Mose did to God's house.
2. Allow no unbelief in my heart.
3. Keep the gospel as it is proclaimed by the Trinity.
4. Aim to enter His rest.

Remember Lord's promise

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Proverbs

Some good proverbs read today:

Pro 11:13 往來傳舌的，洩漏密事；心中誠實的，遮隱事情。
Pro 11:21 惡人雖然連手，必不免受罰；義人的後裔必得拯救。
Pro 11:24 有施散的，卻更增添；有吝惜過度的，反致窮乏。
Pro 11:25 好施捨的，必得豐裕；滋潤人的，必得滋潤。

Pro 12:1 喜愛管教的，就是喜愛知識；恨惡責備的，卻是畜類。
Pro 12:15 愚妄人所行的，在自己眼中看為正直；惟智慧人肯聽人的勸教。
Pro 12:16 愚妄人的惱怒立時顯露；通達人能忍辱藏羞。
Pro 12:25 人心憂慮，屈而不伸；一句良言，使心歡樂。

Pro 13:10 驕傲只啟爭競；聽勸言的，卻有智慧。
Pro 13:24 不忍用杖打兒子的，是恨惡他；疼愛兒子的，隨時管教。

Last words

"Paul’s last recorded words dealt not with what he had done in life and ministry but rather with how he viewed people. What makes it even more significant is that some of those words were about people who had disappointed him." ODB 08/09/27

2 Timothy 4:9-18
Those people include:
Demas, his fellow worker, who loved this world, has deserted Paul and has gone to Thessalonica.
Alexander the metalworker did him a great deal of harm
Those who deserted Paul when he was imprisoned.

"His last words were those of compassion and kindness instead of harshness and retaliation."

Dear Lord, may my last words are like Paul's. I should not boast about the work that I have done, but express gratitude for those who have done good to me and kindness to those who have harmed me. Amen.

God's love

John 3: 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

In this verse, John the Baptist gave the testimony to how God loves the Son. Everything on Earth is under the ownership and authority of the beloved Son.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This famous verse, however, tells us that God so loved the world (mans on earth) that He is willing to sacrifice His beloved Son for them to have eternal life. Comparing the two verses, we are convinced that God loves human beings than His beloved Son.

If God asks you today, 'Do you love me more than these (probably refers to something very important in your heart)?', like what Jesus did to Peter by the Sea of Tiberias. Can you answer to God 'I love these more than you'?

Be His solution

By God’s design, there lies in wait for you
Important work that no one else can do.
Just as the planets find their paths through space,
You too must grow to fill your proper place. —Thayer

When God shows you a problem, He may ask you to be His solution.

from our daily bread (08/07/05)

Taking the next step

A very good passage that I read today. Put it here to remind myself. When I read it, I think of a good friend. Miss Law, maybe this is a good one to you too.

"When you have no vision from God, no enthusiasm left in your life, and no one watching and encouraging you, it requires the grace of Almighty God to take the next step in your devotion to Him, in the reading and studying of His Word, in your family life, or in your duty to Him. It takes much more of the grace of God, and a much greater awareness of drawing upon Him, to take that next step, than it does to preach the gospel.

Every Christian must experience the essence of the incarnation by bringing the next step down into flesh-and-blood reality and by working it out with his hands. We lose interest and give up when we have no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experience our everyday life with its trivial tasks. The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. Never allow yourself to think that some tasks are beneath your dignity or too insignificant for you to do, and remind yourself of the example of Christ in John 13:1-17 ." Excepted from here.

you will live also

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also." John 14:19

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

When I read the first verse today, I immediately think of the second. Once converted to Christianity, believers are no longer on their own, but have unified Christ in life.

The time for perfect justice

Moreover I saw under the sun:

In the place of judgment,
Wickedness was there;
And in the place of righteousness,
Iniquity was there.

I said in my heart,

“ God shall judge the righteous and the wicked,
For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

Ecclesiastes 3:16-17

Be a soldier

1. Am I a soldier of the cross,
  A follower of the Lamb,
  And shall I fear to own his cause,
  Or blush to speak his name?

2. Must I be carried to the skies
  On flowery beds of ease,
  While others fought to win the prize,
  And sailed through bloody seas?

3. Are there no foes for me to face?
  Must I not stem the flood?
  Is this vile world a friend to grace,
  To help me on to God?

4. Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
  Increase my courage, Lord;
  I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
  Supported by thy word.

5. Thy saints in all this glorious war
  Shall conquer, though they die:
  They see the triumph from afar,
  And seize it with their eye.

6. When that illustrious day shall rise,
  And all thy armies shine
  In robes of victory through the skies,
  The glory shall be thine.

From CCEL Midi

Home sweet home

Finally Home

written by Don Wyrtzen

When engulfed by the terror of the tempestuous sea,
Unknown waves before you roll;
At the end of doubt and peril is eternity,
Though fear and conflict seize your soul.

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

When surrounded by the blackness of the darkest night,
O how lonely death can be;
At the end of this long tunnel is a shining light,
For death is swallowed up in victory!

But just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!

以便以謝

撒母耳將一塊石頭立在米斯巴和善的中間，給石頭起名叫以便以謝，說，到如今耶和華都幫助我們。 撒母耳記上 7:12

A Question Of Motive

“The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

"When we find ourselves ready to judge another person’s motives, let’s pause and remember—only God can see the heart, and only His Word can expose its motives. Our responsibility is to let the Lord and His Word convict us about our own hearts." from Our Daily Bread (19 May, 2008)

10 more days

Recall the story between David and Nabal: 1 Samuel 25:32-39

If you were David, do you want to kill Nabal with your own hands, or
wait for 10 more days when God struck Nabal for his evil?

Friendship is more important

Compare and decide

Two questions pop out after reading this news, 'For what will it profit a man if he gains millions of dollars, and loses his freedom? Or what will a man give in exchange for his freedom?'

Now, what if the comparison is made between the whole world and one's own soul?

Seek his kingdom

And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Luke 12:29-30

忍耐

"忍耐，是一種涵養，一種學問，一種人生境界。
在憤怒中安靜，
在激動中自持，
在寃屈中沈默，
在危險中鎮靜，
在貧窮中安然，
在寂寞中怡然自得，
在苦難中泰然自處。
你要把眼淚收起來，把笑臉擺出來；把傷口遮起來，把胸膛挺起來。
你要在心口插著一把刀的時候，還能笑得出來。"

杏林子 ＜行到水窮處＞　p34

Love

I like this quote: "All the love you give away comes back to fill your heart each day."

Confidential

I received a document from a company a few day ago. In the front page, it has a confidentiality statement, saying, 'The contents of this document and any attachments are confidential and are intended solely for HKUST. This transmission is sent in trust, for the sole purpose of delivery to the intended recipient. If you have received this transmission in error, any use, reproduction or dissemination of this transmission is strictly prohibited."

Including such statement is a common practice in business world. If, one day, we have to use this statement in daily communications between family members and friends, it will be horrible that there will be a lack of trust between us.

When in doubt

"When in doubt, we must take our doubts to Jesus."

From Our Daily Bread (14 April, 08)

The Challenge Of Forgiveness

"Forgiveness is achingly difficult, and long after you've forgiven, the wound lives on in memory. Forgiveness is an unnatural act, and my wife was protesting its blatant unfairness."

"I view Genesis 42–45 as Joseph's way of saying, "I think it's pretty amazing that I forgive you for the dastardly things you've done!" When grace finally broke through, the sound of Joseph's grief and love echoed through the palace. What was that wail? It was the sound of a man forgiving."

Today's quote: We can stop forgiving others when Christ stops forgiving us.
From Our Daily Bread (10 April, 2008)

Stop complaining

"Our best may not always measure up to the standards of others. But God takes our inadequacies and humble efforts and uses them for His glory."
From Our daily bread (9 April, 08)

Good for you

All sunshine and no rain make a desert.
From Our Daily Bread (07 April, 08)

Do you feel the nails?

They tell me Jesus died
For my transgressions
That he paid that price a long, long time ago
When he gave his life for me
On a hill called Calvary
But there's something else I want to know

Chorus
Does he still feel the nails
Every time I fail
Can he hear the crowd cry "Crucify" again
Am I causing him pain
Then I know I've got to change
I just can't bear the thought of hurting him.

It seems that I'm so good at breaking promises
And I treat his precious grace so carelessly
But each time he forgives
What if he re-lives
The agony He felt on that tree

Repeat Chorus

Holy, holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy Holy
Holy is the Lord

Do you still feel the nails
Every time I fail
Have I crucified you Jesus with my sins
Oh I'm tired of playing games
I really want to change
I never want to hurt you again

Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord
Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord

A song by Ray Boltz

我和炒麵娘的故事

差不多每主日，我都以炒麵為早餐，因為我和那老闆娘建立了友誼。

話說當我買了幾次炒麵後，炒麵娘對我有點不滿，有一次她有意無意地說：返教會的人真沒禮貌！我走後，心想：她怎樣知道我返教會呢？我又那裡得罪她、叫她覺得我沒禮貌。於是我決定下一次一定要叫她改觀，不能叫主的名蒙羞。結果，我那次很大聲又有禮貌的說：阿姐，早晨！她從忙碌中抬起頭來以希奇的樣子呆著看我。從此以後她就對我友善起來：稱呼我阿仔，常常給我兩倍的食物分量，又介紹新的炒麵款式給我！上主日，她還告訴我剛帶隊從吳哥窟回來，有機會還可以作領隊帶我們教會的弟兄姊妹去旅遊。

Communion

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown? —Watts

Don't be afraid

Once upon a time, there is a father in despair, whose only daughter was dying. Out of the darkness, he saw a beam of light: he eventually met Jesus, whom he saw as the only hope of healing his daughter. When they were on the way home, he was told that her daughter was dead already. With the exciting expectation of seeing his recovered daughter, he was plunged into deepest darkness.

Right at that moment, here came a soft and comforting voice, saying, 'Don't be afraid; just believe." (Luke 8:50)

Be on God's side

When faced with tragedy, one commonly complain to God. The action of complaining leaves an impression that they are opposing to each other. But I think what a wiser action should be putting trust in God, and be on His side, like Ruth did (Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. —Ruth 1:16).

Inspired by Our Daily Bread (13/3/08)

Trust

One man once said to me, 'Hey, trust me, because of my thirty-year experience in working and in this place. You know how famous my name in this field? The matter is just not as simple as you think, and you just know very little. Trust me, don't be naive'.

I want to trust the man and believe in his good intention. But it seems something is absent from his heart during this short conversation. A humble heart, like Jesus's one, is lacking. That worries me.

(Jesus) Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:6-8

Rise, and get going

"Never let the sense of past failure defeat your next step."

My utmost for His highest (Feb 18)

Laugh

My Christian friend asked me today, 'What can you do to make Jesus laugh?'.

I immediately think of the story of the younger son who returns to his father. The father is so happy that he orders a big banquet to be held at once for celebration. I can imagine the bright smile on his face.

Kiro and his flash movies

Having not visited Kiro's website for quite a while, I find that three new flash movies have been posed. The English version of the earlier two can be viewed here (click 'flash' at the upper left corner).

Kiro is a Korean Christian, whom I had visited in last May, after my presentation at an academic conference in Seoul. During the short visit, he invited me to go to his parent home, which is nearer to Seoul than his home. We enjoyed a good chat, even though we actually met for the first time. He also brought me to a nearby park for a walk with his lovely daughter, Yula. Thanks also to his wife and his mother, who prepared delicious lunch and dinner for such a stranger like me.

How do I know him? Long before the trip to Korea, I had already visited his website and love his short but touching flash movies. Just before the trip, I suddenly came up with an idea of meeting him face to face. After sending an email to him according to email posted on his website, I were excited to receive his reply after I had arrived Seoul. At first, we were not sure whether we could meet personally, because his home is actually quite far from Seoul (should be 2 hours by train). However, thank Lord that, at last, we were able to meet because he was just visiting and staying with his parent for a couple day. To me, that was an interesting experience.

Talents

"As we observe the animals and people around us, we’re reminded that God made each of us unique for a purpose. One person’s natural tendency is to look up and see the “big picture,” while another looks down and focuses on details. Both are important. One is not better than the other. God gave us individual talents and spiritual gifts so that we can work together as a body."
Our Daily Bread (17/1/07)

If you understand the unique talents that God gave you, you won't feel discouraged when you see other's talents that you don't have and won't boast about yourself in front of others. You also have to understand that the talents are not for your own benefits, but for building up the church of Christ. What a peace and harmony picture, when everyone is contributing their talents to the church for God's sake.

I am with you

Today, I found a old hymn book from our church. There is a hymn that touches my heart, one of the paragraph says:

Jesus whispers I am with you in the hour of deepest need;
When the way is dark and lonesome, I am with you I will lead.
I am with you, I am with you, Jesus whispers sweet and low;
In the sunlight, in the shadow, I am with you where you go.

That reminds me of the most difficult period of time when I started writing my PhD thesis. Yes, Jesus was with me, and lead me through the entire process. Praise Him.