Jesus’ Prayer for Me

Jesus’ prayer is not for the disciples alone. Jesus prays also for those who will believe in him through the disciples’ message, that we may be one, just as the Father is in Jesus and Jesus in the Father. May we also be in the Father and EJsus so that the world may belive the Father has sent Jesus. Jesus has given us the glory that the Father gave him, that we may be one as the father and Jesus are one. Jesus in us and the Father in Jesus. May we be brought to complete unity to let the world know that the Father sent Jesus and have loved us even as the Father has loved Jesus.

Jesus wants those the Father has givne him to be with him where he is, and to see his glory, the glory the Father has given him because the father loved him before the creation of the world.

Though the world does not know the Father Jesus knows the Father, and we know that the Father has sent Jesus. Jesus has made known to us, and will continue to make the Father known in order that the love the Father has for Jesus may be in us and that Jesus himself may be in us.

-John 17 (in third person)

Recipe for a Blessed Day

Wake Up – Decide to have a good day.

“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalms 118:24

Dress Up – The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Shut Up – Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

“He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3

Stand Up -For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as w e have opportunity, let us do good…” Galatians 6:9-10

Look Up – To the Lord.

“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Reach Up – For something higher.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.”Proverbs 3:5-6

Lift Up – Your Prayers.

“Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6

家人的定義

我一直覺得我的家人,因為神的愛,充滿了接納和包容. 從痛苦裡找出一絲絲的甜蜜和溫馨,讓彼此為了更愛神,更愛這世上的人而改進和奔跑向神國的路. 今天我更是領受到活著的動力,因為復活節就代表了我們同心合力恩愛的原因. 一想到能跟家人有著地球上的緣分和期待永恆的信仰我就對神感激不盡.

神不只賜給我用心良苦的父母,也把我帶到一個愛神的教會. 平常跟主裡的兄弟姊妹們互相激勵,共度了有著歡樂與悲傷的三年. 特別的是今天經歷了以後會在神國相聚的小小幸福. 從另一個愛主的家庭裡,我感受到跟我家裡同樣的愛. 不只認識了家庭裡的成員,也更進一步的了解他們對家人的關心與愛護. 從他們對我和對彼此表達愛的方式裡就能看出這個家庭也一樣擁有帶著瑕疵的真愛.

身為罪人的我們雖有做不好的地方,但只要我們相信神的話語,尋求祂的旨意,行出祂的道,默默的守候祂的到來,終究神一定會遵守祂的承諾,跟我們一起享受完美無瑕的愛直到永永遠遠.

11 Minute Superbowl

Before the game started, I was surprised to find out from a Wall Street Journal article that “the average amount of time the ball is in play on the field during an NFL game is [only] about 11 minutes.” So what are we watching during the other 174 minutes?

Studies from the four recent broadcasts show that “60% of the total air time, excluding commercials, is spent on shots of players huddling, standing at the line of scrimmage or just generally milling about between snaps.” And the rest of the time we’re watching a whole lot of replays, shots of the head coaches and referee, couple seconds of injured players, celebrating players, and a lot less of the cheerleaders than we think, because apparently cheerleaders are “bigger in college.”

The Steelers and Packers don’t have cheerleaders, so we didn’t see any of them this year. But we sure got the replays, the coaches and the injured players (couldn’t get more of Maurkice Pouncey). I definitely believe that there was only about 11 minutes of action.

Two Years Later

I have finally acquired an answer. Though it is not one that I had been anticipating, it is still an answer.

For what seemed like the first time, I heard a genuine response to the question that used to make me toss-and-turn at night. A simple, yet satisfactory, “Happiness” was all it took to untangle the mess I had inconveniently created for myself.

When I had asked the most insensitive question, as if pressing a sword against the vein of life and death, I wanted to expose the dirtiest truth. Certainly, there were only two absolute possibilities: coward or douche. As always, God had His way of gently reminding me of my weaknesses and assuring me of His awesomeness. To say the h-word was completely out of my imagination would be an understatement.

But how was I supposed to tell my familiar stranger that while they cherished my existence, I was criticizing their every attempt to achieve reconciliation? How do I tell them that I had been pointing fingers to justify my irrational behavior and convinced others to question the validity of their integrity?

Fortunately for me, the Lord’s faithfulness truly stretches endlessly to the sky. Father, comfort their heart just as You have comforted mine. Your perfection transcends my understanding and I have eternally benefited from Your glory.

Creator of the universe, thank you.

Things

I want to have motivation…
For something, anything.
Where does my motivation come from?
And where is it going to take me?
Could it be.

“You like to create
Things,” she said.
Where are these things?
Please come out from hiding,
Please belong to me.

“Work harder, think
Faster, read, read
And read,” said he.
Can I then embrace these
Things, answer the door, please.

Ferocious Cycle

This temporary satisfaction only lasts until you realize that you await to relive those fading memories once more. Yet when you again behold that familiar smile, you see in the near distance that this temporary satisfaction only lasts you until…

Definition of Grace

When asked, “How did you come to know Jesus Christ and how do you live that out today?”

I began with a story,…

“A month ago as I was typing an e-mail to my discipler, I wrote each word in utter shame, disgust, and frustration.

‘Dear L, I have refrained from telling anyone about this sin that I am struggling with for couple weeks now. This sin festers like cancer cells that won’t stop reproducing. The symptoms are unseen, but the depth of its destructiveness is horrendous. Ultimately, my sin is a combination of my lack of lovingness and my excessive amount of pride. I constantly pray to God to help rid me of sin and magnify everything good, yet I continue to fail in my attempts. Couple days ago, I read in James 5, ‘Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’ So I felt convicted to share this sin with you.’

On an occasion much like the one described in my letter, I came to the realization that my sinfulness had forever separated me from my Creator a few months before my sweet sixteen. Though I had been exposed to the gospel since sixth grade, it was not until four years later that I laid myself bare before God knowing that there was nothing I could do to save myself from sin. Through one of my pastor’s sermons, God gave me faith to believe that the birth of Jesus Christ along with His death on the cross is God’s ultimate gift of grace that paid the ransom for my dying soul. I was no longer my own. My Savior gave me life; so whether I live or die, I am the Lord’s.

Knowing that I am now dead to sin and alive in Christ, I consider my struggles and trials all joy. There is no greater joy than living in the comfort of Jesus’ triumph over death and in hope of Jesus’ return.

Not too long after I confessed my sins to my discipler, the Lord was faithful in revealing to me His purposes.

‘Dear L, Praise God! Last night, when I confessed to C that I struggled to love her, He reached down to earth and opened my eyes to two alarming truths: 1 My disobedience to God in my sin is far more despicable than any sin anyone could commit against me. 2 Though God is perfect and holy, He chose to love us regardless of how wretched we are. How much easier should it be for me, a sinner, to embrace a dear sister in Christ!’

This glimpse at my story prompts me to ask, “How did you come to know Jesus Christ and how do you live that out today?”

Paradox of Christmas

Two thousand years ago, in the small town of Bethlehem, one silent night loudly proclaimed God’s love for the entire world. For our powerful God came to earth in the form of a helpless child. And though many people had waited for His coming, few actually noticed this baby’s arrival, so much so that there was no room for Him that night in the world which He had made. But still, He came; He who was divine became human. He traded in His heavenly seat for an earthly manger. He exchanged robes of splendor for swaddling clothes. He left the songs of a multitude of angels for the praises of a few humble shepherds. That night, though Jesus left his throne, He became our King. A king who came not to be served but to serve. A king whose death would bring us life. A king who’s single sacrifice would serve as the ransom for us all. So, it’s the paradox of Christmas that calls you to respond. Though there are presents still waiting for you to receive, this season is truly about the Gift that you have already been given.

Apologies

Praises to You for a glorious and beautiful morning. To say that I am thankful for Your grace and love is an understatement. You deserve much more than my gratitude and exultation. But as a sinner, I come to You in guilt and shame, knowing that You have been watching me, one of which You saved from the grave, indulge in all sorts of selfishness. Lord, I am guilty of placing myself before my love for You. Help me cherish Your love for me and realize the Your power to save my wretched soul. Father, like a child I come to You with stained hands, I reveal to You the secrets of my heart. The trail leads to evidence of my disbelief in Your victory over death and Your sovereign will to save the elect. Aid me, O Lord, in abandoning my lust for the things of this world. Whether it be to succeed in my academic work or to long for the material things this earth has to offer, let nothing come between us. Without You, my eyes lose focus and I cannot find my way. Restore my sight with Your purity, so I can lead Your small group in righteousness. Strip me of my selfish ambition so Your will may be done through me.

Embrace my closest sisters in Christ and help them understand my sinfulness. Heal them, so our friendship does not dwell on my lack of care and love for their souls. Instead, let them be filled with Your joy. Let nothing in our lives take a toll on us, relieve us of the unnecessary obligations we cling so close to our hearts. Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts; so when we open our eyes in search of Your face, we will bathe in the riches of Your glorious promises. Let this be the only thing we hold dear: to dwell in Your house forever.