Stuff That Matters in Life

Christmas is 5 days away. I love this season. This and Easter are the two holidays that Christians should get excited about.

Yes, I know the world is trying to take out the “religious” aspects. People call it Winter Holiday and Spring Holiday; it’s all about Santa and Easter bunnies. Sure, they can take away the external form of the holiday, but it cannot take away the inner reality of the events for the Christian.

God became flesh to dwell among us at Christmas. He lived, and died at Easter in order to save us from death. No one can stop us from celebrating.

It is a fact that a strong work ethic is a culturally Asian characteristic, not just of immigrant Chinese who are here to make a better life for their kids, but mainland Chinese are high achievers too. I think the same is true for Jews and Indians. It is a value subtly passed on in the family that we are to achieve success, and to that end, you work hard, and do well in school. We do not want you to go to college, we assume you are going to college – this is a good thing. I don’t think it is a value or stereotype that we Asians should want to dispel. Would you rather be known as being lazy?

However, success means differently for each person. For the academically driven, it means a 5.0 GPA. For the musically inclined, it means playing first chair. Success could mean being the most helpful student in the class, or having a reputation of being the nicest. 5.0 GPA is not the only measure of success.

Unfortunately, us Asians tend to have a narrow mind, defining success only in terms of grades and money.

Whatever God has given you, be the best you can be. No excuses, no victim mentality is acceptable. That is the definition of being a high achiever. I hope I have taught my kids that. But perhaps they still just think I want them to get straight A’s.

It’s almost the end of 2004. Remember all the hype about Y2K, start of a new century? All that is already in the distant past. My life on earth is at least 50% over, most likely more than that. However, compare to life in eternity with God, I’ve barely started. What a hope I have in Jesus. Without Him, I have no hope in the present world.

So bring on 2005! Time keeps moving, and I have lots more to look forward to!

what did zero say to eight?
“nice belt!”

get it??????

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 21:14:45 -0800, Elliot Lee wrote:
In the News:

At a creek near Baton Rouge, LA, beavers used abandoned, stolen
money from a casino to help build a dam. The Lucky Dollar Casino
was robbed of $70,000 last week. Police do not suspect the
beavers.

“Can you spare some change for some food?”
“No, I don’t want to give you money, but, here, I will buy you a hot dog.”
Just next to us was a hot dog stand. The man was hesitant. I think he would rather have the money. But he ate the hot dog.

I didn’t do that kind deed. My friend did. I would’ve walked by the man without so much as a shake of my head to his request for money. I learned from my friend today to not be so timid. I can offer to do something to help someone, even if it’s not what they asked.

I hope the man was satisfied and blessed.

Do you have days when you don’t want to do anything? I want to snuggle back in bed and read a book.

Scenerio: Amy was told to clean up her piles of toys and papers all over the living room.

I said to Amy, in a harsh tone, “You have all these nice things to play with – toys, markers, papers, beads. I buy all these things for you to enjoy. I don’t want to hear you complain about cleaning up your own messes. These are your good stuff you are cleaning up, I am not even asking you to clean the toilet. Stop complaining, clean it up, or I’ll throw them away!”

God said to me, in a soft tone, “I gave you all things to enjoy – your family, your car, your house, your friends, your job. I don’t want to hear you complain about people, your kids, your friends, your house, your work. These are your good stuff you get to deal with, I am not even asking you to solve all the problems in the world. Stop complaining, or would you rather I take them away!”

Thank you, Lord, for everything I have, and for giving me the ability to work.