Treasure Hunt

A couple of weeks ago, my family gathered around the dinner table to celebrate my cousin Magen's birthday. My aunts and uncles were there along with my cousins. It was a fun and eventful night. One particular incidence has continued to bring me laughter even now. As we were eating, my grandfather said "I believe I swallowed my crown." My initial reaction was "thats not good." But then, he smiled...it was one of his front teeth. The table erupted in laughter. Or at least I did. It was SO funny. I hurried to find a camera to capture the moment. My grandfather, however, wouldn't allow it (as you can see by the first picture). My father (mind you, we are still at the dinner table) said "thats okay, when you find it, bring it in and I will put it back on." (that was a gross comment!) I asked how much does a "new" one cost and my dad said around 800 dollars. So it makes sense, sorta. He said many of his patients search for their crown (which they have swallowed) so they don't have to buy a new one. Makes sense when its $800! My grandfather quickly suggested that I find his crown for him and he'd give me $400 (still at the dinner table!). Finally, my grandfather let my grandmother and aunt take his picture. It's a bit fuzzy but you get a glimpse of our enjoyment that night. About 15 minutes later, another aunt of mine found his crown on his plate. So he didn't swallow it after all! Thank goodness because I wasn't sure how I was gonna turn that $400 down!

Chloe the Jack-o-lantern

We visited my brother and his wife last weekend. They had just bought Chloe (who is 2) her first halloween costume. I've never liked the idea of dogs wearing clothes. But I have to admit Chloe was quite cute in her costume.

Waiting for Chloe to come out with her costume.


Strutting her stuff...


Dad trying on Chloe's pumpkin hat


Chloe hates her picture taken. In fact, she runs from the camera.


Resting after wrestling with dad...

Truth

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Feed what you want to survive

I had the opportunity to hear Beth Moore speak to a group of college girls in Atlanta a couple years ago. She said that an immeasurable amount of our personal misery in life comes from our insecurity. She later shared an illustration with us about the Altas Moth. This moth is found in Indonesia and its beauty is quite breathtaking. It's wingspan almost reaches 1 foot and is sometimes mistaken for a bird. When a female atlas moth emerges from her cocoon, she can have complete confidence that her splendor exceeds that of all the other moths. However, she spent all her time inside the cocoon developing long, attractive wings that she matured without a mouth or stomach. Sadly, since she can't nourish herself, the outwardly beautiful, inwardly undeveloped moth will die within a few days. She will live long enough to attract a mate and lay eggs, but her extravagant wings will never get more than a day's use. What a shame!

Sometimes our vanity can prevent us from developing spiritual mouths to feed ourselves on God's Word and have a relationship with Him through prayer. We may look great on the outside, but our spirits are starving! I have struggled with this my whole life, as I am sure most women have. Living in todays world, emphasis is put more on the outward appearance than inward beauty. There is a certain way to look and dress according to the media. It is easy to get wrapped up into what someone else says we should look like or should be. But our main concern should be the condition of our heart and pleasing God. Galatians 1:10 says "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." We can't do both, although many try. We must choose which part of us we are going to feed...our spirit or our flesh. Each morning we have the choice. In those minutes during my morning quiet times (when and if I make time for it) are a battleground between the mind of Christ and the mind of me—which is going to dominate today? Feed the one you want to survive. My own critical thoughts exhaust me, whereas the words of God bring vitality. How I want the mind of Christ to rule over this area of my life!

Marshmallows

Please watch this video! It is hilarious!! If you were five years old, what would you do? Wait for something better or eat it right then? PS This church also has a video called "Cardboard Testimonies"...if you haven't seen it, it seriously is a must see. It is powerful. Check it out...its at the bottom of my blog. God Bless. 

Marshmallow Temptation

Will work for food...

Last night I got in a discussion with some friends. Someone asked the question,  "would you help someone and risk being taken advantaged of?" As everyone began to share, everyones thoughts and comments geared toward the homeless. Many said they would never give a homeless person any money. Some spoke of how they should go get a job and that they don't deserve to be given money/handouts. Another said, they don't like to be taken advantaged of so they seldom have the heart to stop. This startled me. As I began to think about where this question was going...I started thinking of my own life. How often do I take advantage of God? I want Him to provide for me and help me in my time of need, but how much am I giving Him back in return. I believe we as Christians take advantage of God often and we are never deserving of what He does give us. But thats the point...God loves us even when we don't deserve His love and His grace. For me, the same goes for the homeless. They may not deserve what we give them, but how are we to judge their motives? Not all homeless fit the stereotype people give them. Some don't choose to be homeless. I'm not saying you should pass out money but you can always buy them food or ask them if they need anything. Throughout Jesus life, He helped those in need...regardless of what others thought or the fact that some wouldn't be thankful. I believe what matters is the way our heart responds to people in need. Loving others, knowing we will never receive anything in return, is true love. We are not called to pass judgement on how people got where they are. We are called to serve and to love. 

I really hope that I didn't offend anyone last night when I voiced my opinion. When people start talking about the homeless, something starts stirring in me. Till next time...

Galatians 6:9-10  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." 

Chopsticks

My dad gave me this devotion to read about missions. My family has been involved with missions for years. My father has been on over 20 mission trips doing dental work in South and Central America. Right after I graduated from high school, I went on my first foreign mission trip and have been on 8 since then. Nothing has changed my life more (besides Jesus) and my perspective than those experiences. I would encourage anyone to go. However, when you read below...you will see a neat analogy of those that do the going and those that stay behind. 

Chopsticks and Mission

Read Philippians 4:10-20

Jesus said to the apostles, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, 

in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Like most Chinese, I eat with chopsticks without noticing how I use them. However, chopsticks became an important reminder of Christian service for me after a lunchtime talk a couple of years ago. Brother Fong, one of our missionaries to East Asia who was back in Singapore on furlough, gave the talk. As we prepared to tuck our boxes of fried rice with our chopsticks, Brother Fong challenged us to eat with only one chopstick instead of a pair. Observing our frustrated attempts, Brother Fong laughed and told us to use our chopsticks the usual way. As we ate he asked us to notice how we use our traditional pair of chopsticks: Once stick remains stationary while the others stick moves. He said, “Some of us are called to go out into the mission field. We are like the movable stick. Others remain here at home in Singapore to fast and pray for those who travel, to contribute by raising funds and awareness, to extend hospitality to visiting missionaries. These are like the stationary stick.” All of us have a part to play according to our God-given gifts. 

Thought of the day: Whether we stay in one place or travel 

the world, each of us plays a role in proclaiming God’s love. 

                                   -James Kwok (Republic of Singapore)

 

PS I cannot use chopsticks!!