Ken's Birthday 11:50 PM

Today is Ken's 28th Birthday. We had a great time celebrating in McNellie's. There's no big birthday cake, no big production but pure fellowship among dear friends. We joke, we laugh. It's fantastic.

It's such a blessings to know Ken and Kristi, such an adorable couple. It's kinda funny actually. We live, we wait, we wait and one day out in the blue, Ken and Kristi showed up at our door step, ready to join our small group and the rest are history.

This is definitely one of the fantastic things that God had planned and brought us together. God really has plan for each one of us and the secret to receive His blessings is to trust Him and follow Him.

Smooth Project, Not 11:42 PM

Tonight, I am trying to pull all my efforts to finish up that long lasting video project (the one I mentioned in my post a few days ago). Guess what? The DVD authoring software kept crashing and crashing as if it holds a grunge against me. After several hours, I did some work around and it finally cranked out a DVD. Then we reviewed it on the DVD player only to discover that there're some glitches on the editing ... Now, I have go back to re-work.

Although an unexpected challenge has presented to me, I quickly turned away from the discouragement and moved on. As what Joyce Meyer mentioned in her "Seven Things That Steal Your Joy", if we let the "bad" things that happened to us linger around, they will eventually steal our joy in life. To battle it, we can start by switching our thinking to something positive and good. For me, I know the video project will eat up more extra time to complete, but it is so close to completion and I am capable of making the tweaks. It will be alright.

"By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3, NLT)

After all, the purpose of doing my work with excellence is simply an answer to the call of action to follow Christ who does all things well.

Cherry Tomato Harvest Time 11:08 PM

It's so fun to be able to collect a small harvest of the cherry tomatoes in our patio today. The tomatoes are so round and smooth. We carefully hand-picked over a pound of them and gave them a good wash. I noticed a few of the tomatoes are overly ripe that they splits in the middle. If you give it a taste, you'll discover that they have lost the sweetness once there.

As you might have heard the verse, "...The harvest is great, but the workers are few..." (Luke 10: 2, NLT) What I discovered today is that if we don't take the harvest time seriously, some of the ripe fruits may go bad. Not only it's a big waste, we don't know the lost can be restored in time either.

This experience makes me re-examined my attitude towards the "mission" and its importance.

A Downside of Being An Immigrant 11:21 PM

My brother told me that he has changed the wedding day to Jan 1 of 2011. So my trip to HK plan has changed yet again to accommodate this event. Lois and I actually are quite excited because we'll be spend Christmas season in Hong Kong (which is the most beautiful time of the year.)

I don't remember when was the last time I was in HK during December; probably since 1992. Time really flies. And what I missed the most is the precious time to spend with my folks in holiday seasons. And this is one of the down-side each immigrant must faced. And with that, God makes sure I don't take it for granted.

Did you take the special time of the year for granted? Got caught up with the materials? Preparing for guests like Martha?

Focus on Work 11:30 PM

I have been working on a video project all day. This project has lasted for a year now and we are down to the home stretch. While my mind is telling me just to hurry and get it done but my heart is telling me to continue to work with excellence and don't let the hurry affect the quality of the piece. Thus, I spent time tweaks after tweaks to make it as good as it possible. Get all the details into place. So there goes my Saturday but I don't mind at all. I actually quite enjoy it. (But I do wish my computer can render and preview faster though.)

I must say, it isn't easy to have this attitude. I once lost interested in continue on this project because it was dragging it's feet for so long. But God has given me grace. Thus I want to share this verse with you: "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8, NLT) Let's meditate it and make it ours.

Overwhelmed By Work 11:45 PM

I have been overwhelmed by work for awhile now. Some may say "it's a good problem to have these days." Oh yes, it's a blessings but it also presents a set of challenge that can stress one out. Imagine a juggler trying to juggle while talking on the phone and walking at the same time. Yep, I feel kinda like that sometimes. But I keep thinking about what I've learned from God that He would never give me more than I can handle. So I should be able to overcome this. However, I know it's so important to not keep focusing on how overwhelm my workload but to focus on each one thing done at at time. If I treat it like taking a bite of ice-cream out of the bucket one at at time, I would be able to finish the whole thing without "stress" and darn enjoy about it as well. And it's easier to say than done. I need to continue to work on this.

Finally Become a Contributor 11:53 PM

Couple years ago, I was trying to submit to become a contributor of a large online stock photo company but the work was not successful for some reasons. I knew my pictures were good enough so I was very disappointed and put the re-try in my back burner but I couldn't get rid of that needle.

Finally, I re-try it again 2 years later and with the right subject and submission this time I was able to get approval without problems. I am happy.

The lesson is this: Don't give up. Perseverance really pays off. Most importantly, have faith in God and His plan for you.

Harry Potter Movie Series 11:59 PM

Lois and I went to watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince tonight. We love Potter's series because it's so witty, so creative, just down right fascinating. However, the whole theatre was completely silence right after the show as if you are entering to a funeral service. (if you know the story, you'll know why.) It's amazing of how everyone attached to the story. I like this movie but not as much as the previous ones because it raises so many questions and have even more unclosures. We definitely going to watch the long awaits final chapter of the series in the future. But I am afraid we will have to wait for awhile again.

Life is just like that. Wait is part of the game. Sure enough, technology offers us some instant gratification such as news, email, watch a video, shopping... but the great things are usually the ones we've to patiently wait for, or even work for. A reservation in an A-grade restaurant, an oversea vacation, a professional degree, a great wedding, a deeper faith in God.

This is a very cool verse, "Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city." (Proverbs 16:32, NLT)

Allergy and Stress 11:31 PM

I have been bothered by allergy and stress lately. The situation was so severe that my headache and breathing took away my focus and strength to get work done. Fortunately, I can pray and I have a "brother" pray for me as well. I don't know why I have to experience the difficulty but God taught me that by going through tough time, I can grow closer to Him and learn to depend on Him.
Finally, I can get some strength back to catch up with some work.

I am learning not to think too much ahead and live one day at a time. I like to work efficiently and be a perfectionist but I know it's important to pace myself and not to be too hard to myself. Afterall, there aren't any shortage of people who is hard on me.

I hope you can pace yourself and pray for strength as well.

Family Matter 4:10 PM

My dad called me today and tell me that he and mom accept our invitation to United States to visit us this fall. I am excited (and concern about juggling between taking time-off and work).

When I was young, I couldn't grasp the "treasure" of family relationship nor I took the time to understand it. As time goes by, my experience and wisdom have taught me how precious it is. Like "time", once it passes you by, you will never get it back. Maybe those revelations molded me to respect the elders and gracious to the youngsters.

There's a saying in Hong Kong that each family has a difficult "family matter" bible to read. I am sure we all can relate to that. Although I am not a father yet, I do feel the pressure and responsibility of being the head of the household. Regardless of what each situation is, what really "matter" is family.

My Second Lend to Kiva 11:38 PM

Tonight, the Holy Spirit leads me back to the Kiva site to help someone. Her name is Juana Huilahuaña Robles. She is 50 years old, married, and the mother of 7 children (3 of whom are deceased). She completed her elementary school education and lives in the Quicañamaya area (Peru). Kiva is helping her to raise 3000 soles to buy cattle for fattening. With my last piece of contribution, Juana finished up her loan raising request. I am so happy that she can start her business with the cattle soon. It's really a blessing to offer hope to another person, it's even happier to know that God uses me to bless someone else.

Matthew 5:13 said, "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless." (NLT) This verse is good. Let's challenge each other do take this verse to heart and turn it into practice.

Keep Feeding 11:25 PM

Lois and I both like to plant herbs in our yard. Our latest addition is a basil plant (almost 1.5 ft tall). It's just so beautiful and smell so good. But summer time is so hot in Tulsa. The ground dries up very fast. The plant looks so tired with just one day without watering. This scene reminds me of how my spiritual life is. In some seasons, I can do well and maintain my spirit high for awhile but sometimes it just doesn't last for a day. I need to continue to be fed by God and ask for His wisdom or I will wither.

Today's sermon is actually a rerun from last year's "At the Movie" event. It talks about how short our days are. Everyone's days are numbered. Do we have anything that we want to do before we die? Do we have any regrets? What we do or not do are completely up to us. Each day is a new opportunity to live a purposeful life given by God. We can't get back what has passed but we can look forward and make each day count. Hopefully to live in Him and in His purpose.

Seafood Buffet Night 3:40 AM

Tonight Lois and I visited the Vision Buffet in one of the casino in town. Seafood buffet limite special they called. The food was okay for me but the sitting area and the service were great. We had a nice time out. But what makes it worthy to go to the blog is that we had to walk half a mile from our parking to the restaurant because the official parking area are still under construction. Lois and I got to hold hands and walk under a summer night outside! That's special. When you have odd and long working hours, you missed out a lot of what the nature has to offer. Although we understand we've a lot of things to do at work, we intentionally try to take time out to do something, just little things to brighten up the day. Otherwise, we will be the slave of work again. Life is more than that.

God teaches us to "enjoy life" in a good way. Check out this passage, "18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past." (Ecclesiastes 5:118-20, NLT)

So workaholic folks, give yourself a break in a work day and replenish yourself.

Religion or Relationship? 11:59 PM

Today, we watched a sermon on "Religion or Relationship?" by Joyce Meyer. Joyce talked about how we are so easily being sucked into conforming with the legalism of religion but not focusing on building a relationship with Christ.

You see, God examines our hearts, our every intentions, our deepest, most guided thoughts. (as seen in the Bible) So why are we still fooling ourselves by thinking we can get by with our conscience intact. God teaches me that if we want to follow Jesus, we would need to be crazy about Him - like mad love. Remember when we were in fall with someone, we will do whatever it takes to make your beloved happy even if we look silly or being embarrassed. Only if we're radically in love with Jesus, we can be willing to discard our stature, our tendency of self-seeking. And the chain of legalism, and social pressure will finally break free.

Are you ready to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ?

Annoying Flies 11:55 PM

The temperature was so nice last night that I've decided to turn off the AC and turn on my attic fan. Little did I know, I've invited a dozen of flies into my home. While I was feeding my cat in the cat room today, I have noticed 4 or 5 flies are wondering around and showing off their flying skills. So I bought my trusty fly-smasher and started a war with them. Yep, the war zones include cat room, kitchen, office and the living room. I know there're still couple of flies around but I am gonna call it off for now and deal with it tomorrow.

Life is kinda like that. Sometimes we thought it's a good idea to do something (such as turn on the attic fan), but there could be unforeseen consequences follow. This reminds me of Proverbs 3: 6-8 "Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones." (NLT)

Our wisdom is quite limited, not need to be impressed by it. Ha Ha.

God Wants My Attention 11:43 PM

Through out the whole day, I have been knocking on walls. Nothing seems to be going my ways. I finally got so worn out and fed up so I went to take a bath and start reading the "Seven Things That Steal Your Joy by Joyce Meyer". And God started to talk to me.

The problem is that I have been trying to use my own ability to tackle the day and tried to do what I planned. I marched right into the war zone after the long weekend without inviting God with me. Thus I had it roughed. Go figured.

I am glad that God reminds me of how great He is and He forgives. (He has a much bigger heart than I do.) So I spend time with Him and make peace with Him.

After the bath, I was refreshed and inspired. I went to work on my second shift and got quite a bit of stuffs done. This time, more joy and less stress.

God can make a difference in your lives. Have you asked Him to be a part of daily lives yet?

Rest But My Mind Isn't 11:34 PM

Public Holiday usually doesn't mean much to my household since we drive our own business and usually it takes over our daily lives. But we have decided to take it easy this weekend because we know we'll have to deal with many major tasks and mountains of projects in the coming weeks. It's not that easy though, even I am physically resting, tidbits of thoughts about work and challenges force their ways into my mind through out the day. In times like this, I wish to shut off my brain and just to watch a movie or something.

God said in the Bible, "You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed." (Exodus 23:12, NLT) I guess my ox and donkey could be my macbook pro, my server and my wacom tablet.

Independence or Dependence 11:48 PM

While many are celebrating the Independence Day, I am pondering about the benefit of independence. Although it sounds cool to be independent, it's also the reason why we are in this messy environment right now.

The idea about joyful living has been haunting me this whole week. I received it through worship, sermons, reading and devotion ... God is telling me to depend on Him, not on a few selected things but on everything. This message is all over the Bible. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NIV) See the word "all" in there? I think the reason why it's so hard to totally depend on Him is because our little inner voices are telling us that we need to hold onto some controls or we'll lose our security. We like to have some control because we can see the result faster, we don't have to wait and hope that God would act on our needs. Since when we made better decision than God? Since when we can really provide ourselves security?Honestly, it's all about having the faith to trust in God completely.

To let go of ourselves is not an easy thing to do but it's the right thing to do. Otherwise, where can God fit into our lives? This is the constant struggle for many of us, me included. As apostle Paul said that we don't do the thing we know we should but the we continue to do wrong instead. It's evident of how weak we are.

I think the solution is to take the leap and trust in Jesus and live in Him, not in ourselves, everyday. Only that we can get enough strength to live according to His word. Depending on Jesus is the ultimate independence.

Refuel Propane Tank 11:27 PM

Tonight, we finally got our propane tank exchanged and refueled. You got to like the fresh-off-the grill food. Whether it's onion or steak, it's all good. The irony is that I've been wanting to have the tank refuel for many months now but due to my expertise on procrastination, I successfully put it off for about 9 months! Why I did what I did? Let's see what the Bible said about procrastination, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV) It is so true. What if the task was not about refueling a propane tank but is a particular task that God personally assigned me to do?

I remembered when I ask someone to do something for me but he keeps postponing it, I would find someone else. I rather pay the person who's genuinely interested and capable of doing the job the assignment instead.

I believe fighting procrastination is a part of the training to become a faithful follower of Christ. "Lord, help me to act more diligently and get rid of the bad habit of procrastination so I can be a better servant of yours. In Jesus name, Amen."

Learn to Think 11:26 PM

We all have to make many decisions every single day, "What's the first thing I have to do when I get to my desk, what to do now and what to do later, what to eat, when to eat, should I take a break to go outside for a few minutes since the weather is so beautiful, oh I should probably stick with what I am working on now since there're so much to do."

If you are like me, you will discover that there are so many things to take care of everyday that you don't really have enough time to think. You would rather get some stuffs done than to think. The problem is that sometimes if we don't think things through, and we could suffer the consequences of the seed we sowed. For example, sometimes I choose to research for a solution of a project that is not due now instead of working on the one that has the closest deadline. Why? I think about the potential difficulty of that future project and can't get my mind off it so I try to find a solution first. And the irony is that my research is usually half-baked and I have left myself little time to complete what's truly urgent and get stress out big time. In the other words, I think about a potential problem but I didn't think about choosing the right time to act on it.

It's important for us to have the wisdom to think. Because our thoughts always transform into action. And what we do is important to us and also in God's eyes. Are we obeying our Lord? Are being being a good steward – of the time He has given us each day? Roman 12: 2 said, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT)

You see, by changing the way we think, God can transform us to be good, pleasing and perfect. And that includes of how we live and act on our daily lives.

Respecting God 12:32 PM

A few days ago, we've all heard about the sudden death of Michael Jackson, and today, I have received an email from a friend about untimely death. I think God is trying to tell me something.

It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7):
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap."

Here are some facts about men and women who mocked God:

John Lennon (Singer):
Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:
'Christianity will end, it will disappear.
I do not have to argue about that. I am certain.
Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him' (1966).
Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.

Tancredo Neves (President of Brazil ):
During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency.
Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.

Cazuza (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet):
During A show in Canecio ( Rio de Janeiro ),
while smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said:'God, that's for you.'
He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner.

The man who built the Titanic
After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be.
With an ironic tone he said:
'Not even God can sink it'
The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic

Marilyn Monroe (Actress)
She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show..
He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her.
After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:
'I don't need your Jesus'.
A week later, she was found dead in her apartment

Bon Scott (Singer)
The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:
'Don't stop me; I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell'.
On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.

Campinas (IN 2005)
In Campinas , Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend.....
The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter holding her hand, who was already seated in the car:
'My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You.'
She responded: 'Only If He (God) Travels In The Trunk, Cause Inside Here.....It's Already Full '
Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died,
the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact.
The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken

Christine Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer)
said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written..
In June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle..

Are they just coincidence? Or the bible is really the Living Word of God? Our dates are numbered and is completely in God's hand. Are we living the lives that God desires us to be? Are we honoring God and loving Him the way that we know we should everyday?

Respecting God. Starts now.