Emotions are intensified for youth and young adults. I just realized the truth of that yesterday. I was having a bad day for no apparent reason. Small irritants that are a part of life made me angry. I had a good cry when I went to bed. But my emotions are not as strong as […]
In a previous post I quoted Eric Lidel, the Olympic gold medalist – “God made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure.” I like that quote. Lidel says when he does what God gave him the ability to do, God is happy with that. We may be good at something, but it doesn’t […]
In the book of Matthew in the Bible, chapter 8 recorded the well-known event of Jesus calming the storm. The disciples were in the boat with Jesus when a violent storm kicked up. Much to the disciples’Â irritation, Jesus was asleep. The disciples called, “Save us, Lord! We’re going to drown!” The interesting thing to […]
When my children ask me to buy them something, I hope they know me well enough to ask me for something that they know I would approve of. I hope they don’t ask me to buy them a video game rated “mature”, or an outrageously risqué outfit. I hope my children understand who I am […]
I’ve studied the book of Acts many times. But I am forgetful. I never remember all the history of Paul’s travels, who the Roman and Jewish rulers were at his trials, and how all the other books of Paul are related in the timeline of Paul’s travels. So I am studying it again. In Acts […]
Before the days of cherry-flavored additives, medicine used to taste bad. My mom used to give us the medicine in one spoon, and quickly with another spoon stick some sweetened condensed milk in our mouth to get that yucky taste out. I actually looked forward to the medicine to get the sweetened condensed milk! To […]
Here’s another thought I had about George Muller. His first desire was to be a missionary. He left Prussia to go to England to receive training to reach the Jews, with the intention of going to Russia after his training. However, while in England, he saw the great needs there and decided he can share […]
Most people have heard at least a little bit of the life of George Muller. He is most famous for starting an orphanage that eventually served thousands of street children in Bristol, England. I finished reading the biography of George Muller, the easy version written for elementary age level in the “Christian Heroes: Then & […]
If you know me, you know I’m a Hello Kitty fan. I don’t like cats, but I make an exception for Hello Kitty. On our recent trip to Japan, I saw Hello Kitty everywhere! She was in temple souvenir shops, museum souvenir shops, in the sake factory, in the sushi restaurant, dressed in kimono, dressed […]
While teaching the kids on Sunday at church, the lesson was to continue to trust God even when things do not go well for us. Me: Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want. Chris: Yeah, like if we pray for a DS, God won’t answer it. I thought about that for a […]
I think I’ve read The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe at least 3 times. I’m reading it again…and it’s even more exciting than the first time. C.S. Lewis is a master story teller, and the spiritual truths he weaves in are powerful. The White Witch’s lure with Turkish Delight was once again brought home to […]
I realize how little I expect from God by the prayers I pray. I have such low expectations from life. What do I really want God to do in my life? What do I really want to see happen in the world around me? Don’t I want God to do more than just easing the […]
I’ve not read a biography of Hudson Taylor until now. I borrowed this book from Bonnie. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Howard and Geraldine Taylor is apparently a fairly brief version of Hudson Taylor’s life, less than 200 pages. With the full life he lived, I can imagine how big a book his life story […]
This news story of a gunman charging into the First Baptist Church in Illinois reminded me of a similar incident many years ago when I was in college when our pastor was shot and killed. Greg Owyang of First Chinese Baptist Church of Los Angeles was a up and coming Asian American pastor. This was […]
When we say Christianity is a relationship, not a religion, what does that really mean? How can you have a relationship with an invisible and infinite Being? I had an insight at church today. From what I read, all other religions require its followers to adhere to a set of standards, a system of worship, […]
After I finished reading The Life You’ve Always Wanted by by John Ortberg last year, I wanted to read If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, as recommended by Nat. But I don’t spend money to buy books (I read what I can borrow from people or […]
I learned that if I try to manipulate a situation, God will allow my plans to change so that His will be accomplished. In the recent one-day Mexico mission trip, I asked people to volunteer at various locations. But I also used my “executive power” to put certain people in specific locations with the intent […]
We take a lot of things for granted here in the US. Our speaker at last year’s church retreat says that what Jesus did on the cross should not become too familiar with us, such that we take him for granted. As Easter approaches, I think it is an appropriate time for us to reflect […]
It is not a coincidence that when I begin to criticize someone’s behavior that I become aware of that same bad behavior in myself. The Bible is right (well, it’s always right) – How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is […]
We can live life pretty well without prayer. Even as a Christian, I can do just about everything without asking for God’s help. I have no urgency to pray. When there is a crisis – health problems, major decisions, a special need such as a job – then the need for prayer is apparent. But […]