Katy’s Weblog
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, . . . Romans 4:18
God told Abraham clearly that he will be the father of many nations. God said, “I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come to you.” (Genesis 17:6) God changed his name from Abram, which means “exalted father”, which is pretty good already, to Abraham, meaning “father of many”, which is even better.
Amy was Citizen of the Week in her class this week. Today, Friday, the last day of her week, I get to go to her class and share about our culture.
I shared about the uniqueness of being ethnic Chinese growing up in America. We as Chinese-Americans can choose the best of both worlds of being Chinese and being American.
Up until yesterday, I can brag that I weigh the same now as I did the day I got married, 21 years ago.
Yesterday when I stepped on the scale at the doctor’s office, I saw I gained 4 pounds.
OK, you look at me and you think I could use another 4 pounds. But it is not the weight, but the distribution of where those pounds go that I don’t like. They don’t go where I want them to go!
Wouldn’t it be nice if I could peel off some pounds from my waist and put them on my….
Family Life radio program is doing a week of programs on “After the Kids Grow Up.” The first day’s topic is “Releasing your child to adulthood.”
Dennis Rainey, the host, says, “Know what adulthood is. You’re raising your children to become independently dependent upon Jesus Christ. If we’re not passing on a faith to our children where they learn to dependent upon Him for the issues of life that they’re going to face, then they’re going to miss life. If you miss life spiritually, you may end up gaining material success, but you know what? If you miss Jesus Christ, then you’ve missed life, and you have to train your children, I think, to know how to relate to him on their own when you’re not watching.”
This expresses my thoughts exactly. I don’t know if I’ve done that with my children. I do not doubt they will be successful in the world, but do they have a REAL LIFE?
I pray that God will continue to be the perfect Parent to me and to my children, and raise us up to be mature in Christ.
Band season for Audrey is over!
Audrey plays french horn in the school marching band. She is so busy during band season with practices, playing at football games, and band competitions. The last two competitions were held on school days, one last Tuesday and one after that on the following Monday. She didn’t get home until midnight, then she stays up to study till I don’t know what time. Mind you I am not the one telling her to study. I am telling her to go to sleep, but she WANTS to study. So I go to sleep.
Audrey started playing the flute in 5th grade. In 7th grade, Mr. Jones, the band teacher, asked for volunteers to switch instruments since there were a zillion flute players and not enough other instruments. I am very proud of Audrey for her willingness to try something new by taking up the french horn.
This year as a junior in high school, she is probably the best horn player in her section. When she first took it up, she barely got a sound out of it.
Every year, I ask her, “Do you HAVE to be in the band? You get so tired, and it takes up so much time.”
“But I enjoy it, mom.”
Ok, I guess it won’t kill you.
It’s all about the high school experience. You will never walk this way again.
Elliot called this morning: “I lost my glasses.”
His prescription is 4.75 on each eye. He said he can still see the computer screen – with his face 2 inches from the monitor.
Did you search your room? Yes, for 1 1/2 hours.
Did you have people help you since you can’t see? Yes, my…
A sacrifice is not a sacrifice unless it is a sacrifice.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16
I do good and I share with others, but not much of it is a sacrifice. Most of the time, I do good and share when it is convenient. Sacrifice takes an element of faith. Faith says I will do good and share when it is inconvenient and costly because I believe it is what God wants me to do, and He will provide for I’ve lost.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
I want to remember that God is pleased with sacrifices that are sacrifices.
Mike and I went to see the musical Aida at the Fullerton Civic Auditorium. The music and lyrics are written by Elton John and Tim Rice. The music was good, the singing and acting were professional, the sets, while not elaborate, were creative for a small stage. It was very enjoyable.
The story line leaves me to wonder, how many variations of the ol’ Romeo-and Juliet-lovers-on-opposing-sides have been written? I can think of West Side Story, and now Aida. Can you remember more? It seems like classic love stories always have to be tragic. I am glad my real love life is not.
Got a condom aging in your wallet? In a pinch, it can carry a gallon of water. (Unlubricated tastes best.)
This is one of 5 MacGyver tricks from Popular Mechanics, August 2005.
The recorded history in Genesis 4 is a familiar one – Cain killed his brother Abel.
Abel was the righteous one. How could God allow such a evil deed done against such a good man? It seemed like he got a worst “punishment” than Cain.
My BSF notes says,
Do you worry if your choice to please God seems to lead to suffering and even present temporary loss? All emotions, thoughts decisions, and actions that deliberately have their source in Christ and faith in His Word are rooted in eternity and will bring forth eternal fruit.
Doesn’t it make sense to live for what will last in eternity rather than temporary gain or loss? We are assured of eternal gain when we choose to follow Christ, no matter what the present result may be.