Thank you guys so much for the dinner and birthday cake... it really was out of my expectations! Everyday I feel more blessed. And it's been a long time I've had any Portuguese food, it was great. :)
I am so knackered today from snowboard... hopefully I can get up tomorrow morning... ><
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Be still
God said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1)
This is the answer that God gave me to soothe my troubled heart yesterday night. I think I kinda got it. I began to be critical because I felt disappointed that even among Christians, God isn't always glorified, sometimes even neglected altogether; and I was troubled because somehow I feared that everything God stands for was going to be conquered, and I did not have the strength to swim against the tide.
But God tells me, "be still, and know that I am God". Oh how reassuring this is... I am sorry God that I have so little trust in You. If God is really God, then what is there to be afraid of? What God stands for - love, justice, forgiveness and kindness - can never be defeated; holding on to these, I can walk with heads held high, and I know I've already won. I don't need to be critical of other Christians, because I can trust God will do His work on them, and He is in control. Instead, I will seek God, and seek the love and wisdom I need to relate to people.
Psalm 27 it says,
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
...
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord."
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1)
This is the answer that God gave me to soothe my troubled heart yesterday night. I think I kinda got it. I began to be critical because I felt disappointed that even among Christians, God isn't always glorified, sometimes even neglected altogether; and I was troubled because somehow I feared that everything God stands for was going to be conquered, and I did not have the strength to swim against the tide.
But God tells me, "be still, and know that I am God". Oh how reassuring this is... I am sorry God that I have so little trust in You. If God is really God, then what is there to be afraid of? What God stands for - love, justice, forgiveness and kindness - can never be defeated; holding on to these, I can walk with heads held high, and I know I've already won. I don't need to be critical of other Christians, because I can trust God will do His work on them, and He is in control. Instead, I will seek God, and seek the love and wisdom I need to relate to people.
Psalm 27 it says,
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
...
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord."
Monday, December 25, 2006
Rusty containers
Just a few days ago Chad reminded me not to fall into the trap of being critical of other Christians. Just today, I realized this is a very very hard thing to do...
Francis Collins has said it right, we Christians are just rusty containers. No wonder non-believers turn away. It's not the pure water of Christianity inside the container that's the problem. People are just complicated. People who label themselves 'Christians' yet live like the world are sometimes even more complicated.
Jesus, teach me how to handle people... Teach me how to live like You... How to be pure, yet not naive.
Francis Collins has said it right, we Christians are just rusty containers. No wonder non-believers turn away. It's not the pure water of Christianity inside the container that's the problem. People are just complicated. People who label themselves 'Christians' yet live like the world are sometimes even more complicated.
Jesus, teach me how to handle people... Teach me how to live like You... How to be pure, yet not naive.
Friday, December 22, 2006
A blessed birthday
Thank you guys so much for the cake tonight, it was really delicious! You guys are incredible... I really enjoyed the fellowship time tonight. Here's the leftover tree from the cake, isn't it beautiful? :)
Though not much happened, this birthday has been one of the best so far. Not because of the cards, nor because of the presents, but probably because the state of my heart is just so different this year. Feeling blessed makes a person the richest person on earth.
THANK YOU Sumanth for the email!! Oh how long have we not seen each other... Miss you so much.
Though not much happened, this birthday has been one of the best so far. Not because of the cards, nor because of the presents, but probably because the state of my heart is just so different this year. Feeling blessed makes a person the richest person on earth.
THANK YOU Sumanth for the email!! Oh how long have we not seen each other... Miss you so much.
The True Meaning of Christmas
As Christmas nears, it's again time to reflect on what the true meaning of Christmas is. This Christmas has such a special meaning to me; so many things have happened since last Christmas, and the feeling is just so different. Everybody is celebrating Christmas... why? Is it just a tradition? Is it just a chance for people to have a break from work? Why is Christmas celebrated throughout the earth, what's so special about it? I guess, Christmas has been so commercialized these days that sometimes we celebrate without even knowing what we are celebrating.
I know what Christmas is about. We are celebrating Jesus' birth 2000 years ago, simple, right? We all know the story, baby Jesus in a manger in a barn, Joseph and Mary sitting beside, shepherds with sheep and cows and chickens, and the three wise men with the gifts, having followed the star to find the place where Jesus was born. It's such a simple story that I've taken for granted, but for the first time in my life, from Pastor Judah Smith's talk this year God made me realize the immense poetic beauty of the story, so rich in metaphor and in meaning...
First, some stuff that I didn't know about the story... In fact nobody really knows the exact date Jesus was born, nor why the church has chosen Dec 25th. All we know is that he was born some time between Aug and Dec. Another thing I didn't know was that nobody really knows how many "wise men" there were. The reason why people chose to depict 3 wise men was because of the 3 presents, but chances are there were many more.
The journey of the wise men is itself amazing. It was a long, arduous journey by camel across deserts and changing weather that lasted for more than a year... All they had was a bright star, and the incredible faith that just by following it, they will find a God-appointed king that would eventually rescue them from the oppression of the Roman empire, because that's what they read from the ancient scriptures. This was a journey of faith, and the decision to start the journey itself required an immense initial step of faith. How many of us would have such a courage?
But the story also illustrates that once we have the courage to step out in faith, we will find what we were looking for. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). Christmas is all about the start of a journey and a search, and we are the ones who must take the initiative. From the beginning God intended for us to search Him out, and He promises we will find the answer if we do.
What the wise men find at the end of the journey is even more amazing. God had promised to send a king to free the people. Using just common sense, I believe everybody would have expected to arrive at a majestic palace covered with gold, with red carpet laid out on a large hall, leading to a marble throne, where everybody would bow down before this powerful king. After all, this is what a "king" should be like in human eyes. For a king who is sent by God, this cannot be an exaggeration. But God chose the completely opposite: not a palace, but a dirty and old barn where animals were kept; not surrounded by armies, but by shepherds and animals; not raised by a wealthy family, but by an unheard of teenage peasant and a carpenter; not a powerful ruler, but instead a baby, so vulnerable yet so serene. As Bono from U2 had famously put it, "the idea that the same love and logic (that created the universe) would choose to describe itself as a baby born in sh*t and straw and poverty is genius. And it brings me to my knees, literally." Yes... God does not bring people to their knees by fear, but by the serenity of a baby. I believe many people's glasses have fallen.
Christmas is about faith. Ridiculous faith, as the pastor put it. Watching a baby born in such a miserable condition, and somehow still believing that this baby is going to do great things in the future, seems just ridiculous to me. They were wise men, intelligent men, but they were still willing to humble themselves and kneel before this baby.
I never really paid attention to the gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus, nor that they had any special meaning. They gave him three kinds of gifts: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold was usually offered to a king, comparing Jesus as the king of the universe. A king that would not rule from a throne, but from a wooden cross; Frankincense was an incense that high priests burned in ancient times as an offering to God on the behalf of the people. This was a beautiful metaphor that Jesus would one day be the ultimate high priest, offering himself as the incense to God on behalf of us; finally, Myrrh was used to embalm dead bodies. Why would people give a baby such a present? It was, of course, a prophetic metaphor that this baby would one day die for mankind.
Christmas is about the birthday of Jesus. We might think of Christmas as the time of giving and receiving presents from friends and family, but if it's a birthday we are celebrating, shouldn't we be giving presents to the one whose having the birthday? Jesus, what do you want for your birthday? I wonder what He would answer. A photo album, a watch, a teddy bear? What can I give that you don't have already? I mean, you are God, you control everything, know everything, have eternity in your hands, what more can you want? I think, I sort of figured what He would answer. He wants our heart, He wants us to search Him out. That's all He wants. That's the true meaning of Christmas.
When the wise men meet Jesus, they went home by another route. Ask any Christian, and they will say, when you meet Jesus, you can never be the same, and you can never go back home the same way you came. For me, Christmas will never be the same.
I know what Christmas is about. We are celebrating Jesus' birth 2000 years ago, simple, right? We all know the story, baby Jesus in a manger in a barn, Joseph and Mary sitting beside, shepherds with sheep and cows and chickens, and the three wise men with the gifts, having followed the star to find the place where Jesus was born. It's such a simple story that I've taken for granted, but for the first time in my life, from Pastor Judah Smith's talk this year God made me realize the immense poetic beauty of the story, so rich in metaphor and in meaning...
First, some stuff that I didn't know about the story... In fact nobody really knows the exact date Jesus was born, nor why the church has chosen Dec 25th. All we know is that he was born some time between Aug and Dec. Another thing I didn't know was that nobody really knows how many "wise men" there were. The reason why people chose to depict 3 wise men was because of the 3 presents, but chances are there were many more.
The journey of the wise men is itself amazing. It was a long, arduous journey by camel across deserts and changing weather that lasted for more than a year... All they had was a bright star, and the incredible faith that just by following it, they will find a God-appointed king that would eventually rescue them from the oppression of the Roman empire, because that's what they read from the ancient scriptures. This was a journey of faith, and the decision to start the journey itself required an immense initial step of faith. How many of us would have such a courage?
But the story also illustrates that once we have the courage to step out in faith, we will find what we were looking for. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). Christmas is all about the start of a journey and a search, and we are the ones who must take the initiative. From the beginning God intended for us to search Him out, and He promises we will find the answer if we do.
What the wise men find at the end of the journey is even more amazing. God had promised to send a king to free the people. Using just common sense, I believe everybody would have expected to arrive at a majestic palace covered with gold, with red carpet laid out on a large hall, leading to a marble throne, where everybody would bow down before this powerful king. After all, this is what a "king" should be like in human eyes. For a king who is sent by God, this cannot be an exaggeration. But God chose the completely opposite: not a palace, but a dirty and old barn where animals were kept; not surrounded by armies, but by shepherds and animals; not raised by a wealthy family, but by an unheard of teenage peasant and a carpenter; not a powerful ruler, but instead a baby, so vulnerable yet so serene. As Bono from U2 had famously put it, "the idea that the same love and logic (that created the universe) would choose to describe itself as a baby born in sh*t and straw and poverty is genius. And it brings me to my knees, literally." Yes... God does not bring people to their knees by fear, but by the serenity of a baby. I believe many people's glasses have fallen.
Christmas is about faith. Ridiculous faith, as the pastor put it. Watching a baby born in such a miserable condition, and somehow still believing that this baby is going to do great things in the future, seems just ridiculous to me. They were wise men, intelligent men, but they were still willing to humble themselves and kneel before this baby.
I never really paid attention to the gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus, nor that they had any special meaning. They gave him three kinds of gifts: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold was usually offered to a king, comparing Jesus as the king of the universe. A king that would not rule from a throne, but from a wooden cross; Frankincense was an incense that high priests burned in ancient times as an offering to God on the behalf of the people. This was a beautiful metaphor that Jesus would one day be the ultimate high priest, offering himself as the incense to God on behalf of us; finally, Myrrh was used to embalm dead bodies. Why would people give a baby such a present? It was, of course, a prophetic metaphor that this baby would one day die for mankind.
Christmas is about the birthday of Jesus. We might think of Christmas as the time of giving and receiving presents from friends and family, but if it's a birthday we are celebrating, shouldn't we be giving presents to the one whose having the birthday? Jesus, what do you want for your birthday? I wonder what He would answer. A photo album, a watch, a teddy bear? What can I give that you don't have already? I mean, you are God, you control everything, know everything, have eternity in your hands, what more can you want? I think, I sort of figured what He would answer. He wants our heart, He wants us to search Him out. That's all He wants. That's the true meaning of Christmas.
When the wise men meet Jesus, they went home by another route. Ask any Christian, and they will say, when you meet Jesus, you can never be the same, and you can never go back home the same way you came. For me, Christmas will never be the same.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Day of surprises
Thanks guys for the cake and card... I really wasn't expecting it, that was honestly a real surprise! Now that I think about it, oh my God how could I be so dumb and still could not realize what was happening when Fiona said "Wait, first we need to take care of some business across the room"... Haha, how awkward it must have been when you saw I didn't have a clue.
In the past, I always waited in expectation the dinner, the wishes, the cards and the presents that people would give me for my birthday. But, somehow, this year is the first year that I am giving less importance to celebrate my birthday, almost to the point of being unaware that it's my birthday. I think it's a good sign, because that means I am learning to take the focus off myself.
---------------------------------
Thank you Chad for that phone call, I really enjoyed chatting with you. It's been years since I've heard your voice or seen you in person, and it's wonderful to hear that familiar voice again.
Thank you for your tactful reminder to beware of falling into the trap of starting to become critical of other Christians as we follow Christ, and think, "I am a better Christian than they are". I'll keep this advice to heart.
And thank you to remind me to trust God in my relationships. It just encourages me so much that even little Jacob can have so much faith to say "I believe God will give me the right girl at the right time". :)
Thank you God for such a wonderful friend and brother.
Young Life International... I'll keep that in mind, Chad.
In the past, I always waited in expectation the dinner, the wishes, the cards and the presents that people would give me for my birthday. But, somehow, this year is the first year that I am giving less importance to celebrate my birthday, almost to the point of being unaware that it's my birthday. I think it's a good sign, because that means I am learning to take the focus off myself.
---------------------------------
Thank you Chad for that phone call, I really enjoyed chatting with you. It's been years since I've heard your voice or seen you in person, and it's wonderful to hear that familiar voice again.
Thank you for your tactful reminder to beware of falling into the trap of starting to become critical of other Christians as we follow Christ, and think, "I am a better Christian than they are". I'll keep this advice to heart.
And thank you to remind me to trust God in my relationships. It just encourages me so much that even little Jacob can have so much faith to say "I believe God will give me the right girl at the right time". :)
Thank you God for such a wonderful friend and brother.
Young Life International... I'll keep that in mind, Chad.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Happy Birthday Mom
Thank you for your love, for what you have given me, and everything that you have taught me over the years. You are the best mom in the world!
Love you mom.
Love you mom.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Finally finished with my student committee meeting today... First time I've ever had a meeting that lasted for 2 hours... I feel so tired and sleepy. I really need a Christmas break and go snowboarding.
Thanks Felix for inviting me tonight to the Singing Christmas Tree at Broadway Church, it was a really great performance. The orchestra and choir were superb, the songs were wonderful... and it's all done by members of a single church. Incredibly talented.
Updated some San Diego photos, but more coming later.
My eyes feel so heavy...
Thanks Felix for inviting me tonight to the Singing Christmas Tree at Broadway Church, it was a really great performance. The orchestra and choir were superb, the songs were wonderful... and it's all done by members of a single church. Incredibly talented.
Updated some San Diego photos, but more coming later.
My eyes feel so heavy...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
I'm so secure
剛剛在CD裡聽到這首歌... 實在太奇妙了,歌詞正正就述說了我兩天前的見證:
--------------------------------
In Your Hands
Hillsong
I'm so secure
You're here with me
You stay the same
Your love remains
Here in my heart
So close I believe, You're holding me now
In Your Hands I belong, You'll never let me go
So close I believe You're holding me now
In Your Hands I belong, You'll never let me go
You gave your life
In Your endless love
You set me free
And showed the way
Now I am found
All along, You were beside me
Even when I could'nt tell
Through the years
You showed me more of You
more of You!
--------------------------------
In Your Hands
Hillsong
I'm so secure
You're here with me
You stay the same
Your love remains
Here in my heart
So close I believe, You're holding me now
In Your Hands I belong, You'll never let me go
So close I believe You're holding me now
In Your Hands I belong, You'll never let me go
You gave your life
In Your endless love
You set me free
And showed the way
Now I am found
All along, You were beside me
Even when I could'nt tell
Through the years
You showed me more of You
more of You!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Words cannot express enough...
Oh, words cannot describe just how grateful I am for today. It was such an amazing and wonderful day, full of blessings and happiness.
I was so nervous the night before, even my friends noticed. I even joked to my friend in HK that I was so nervous that I almost wanted to quit at the last minute. Fortunately, he didn't support me.
The worship was so special today for some reason, it just touched my heart so much that the whole congregation around me is praising and worshiping God with the top of their lungs. I felt God was there in our presence, and He was given glory today.
Thank you all, my friends, brothers and sisters, for all of your care, cards, gifts, and words of encouragement. Most of all, thank you for just being there to share my happiness.
Thank you that you cared enough to handcraft such a beautiful and meaningful card. I will keep it in my heart forever. You are just the best fellowship ever :)
And thank you Fran for displaying such incredible friendship, even though we've not known each other for long. It really touched my heart and meant a lot to me. I am so grateful to have such a great friend and sister.
So much to plan and do now.
I was so nervous the night before, even my friends noticed. I even joked to my friend in HK that I was so nervous that I almost wanted to quit at the last minute. Fortunately, he didn't support me.
The worship was so special today for some reason, it just touched my heart so much that the whole congregation around me is praising and worshiping God with the top of their lungs. I felt God was there in our presence, and He was given glory today.
Thank you all, my friends, brothers and sisters, for all of your care, cards, gifts, and words of encouragement. Most of all, thank you for just being there to share my happiness.
Thank you that you cared enough to handcraft such a beautiful and meaningful card. I will keep it in my heart forever. You are just the best fellowship ever :)
And thank you Fran for displaying such incredible friendship, even though we've not known each other for long. It really touched my heart and meant a lot to me. I am so grateful to have such a great friend and sister.
So much to plan and do now.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
San Diego day 4
Today has just been like a rollercoaster...
An hour ago we just double checked our return flight information, and there was bad news... it seems that American Airlines not only canceled our first flight, they actually canceled the whole trip. So that means the return flight is no more, and we are now technically stuck in San Diego...
While Chris was trying to negotiate with Orbitz/American Airlines about getting our return flight back, I was already in the process of planning for our backup plan: renting a car and drive all the way back to Seattle... imagine that. Fortunately, after a series of finger pointing between Orbitz and AA, they were finally able to give us a return flight for free. Thank God. And thanks Chris.
So now the roller coaster is back up again, and we are watching Harry Potter on TV :)
Today we spent the whole day at the San Diego zoo, which was such an amazing time... even saw the elephant "release" like a water hose, and using the nose to touch the other one's "important position", it was hilarious. The 2nd highlight was the Orangutans and Gorillas, they are so funny... One big black gorilla was playing with a small orangutan, it was so amazing how they are so different yet got along so well with each other (though it led to occasional kicking and wresting). It's just mind boggling how much they resemble humans. All the spectators were commenting and laughing and having a good time.
Drove on the wrong side of the road today.... this may be an excuse, but I really think the road is badly designed. I was on a one-way street, on the left hand lane ready to turn left. Naturally, when you turn left from left hand lane, you will keep left when you turn! But apparently that road was a two-way street, and I was in the wrong side! Luckily there was only a car coming really slowly. But the funniest thing was that I thought he was on the wrong side, so I pressed the horn at him, before I finally realized and turned back to our lane! Even the driver laughed and made a funny gesture ~
Had Mexican Moles tonight. Very expensive ar...
An hour ago we just double checked our return flight information, and there was bad news... it seems that American Airlines not only canceled our first flight, they actually canceled the whole trip. So that means the return flight is no more, and we are now technically stuck in San Diego...
While Chris was trying to negotiate with Orbitz/American Airlines about getting our return flight back, I was already in the process of planning for our backup plan: renting a car and drive all the way back to Seattle... imagine that. Fortunately, after a series of finger pointing between Orbitz and AA, they were finally able to give us a return flight for free. Thank God. And thanks Chris.
So now the roller coaster is back up again, and we are watching Harry Potter on TV :)
Today we spent the whole day at the San Diego zoo, which was such an amazing time... even saw the elephant "release" like a water hose, and using the nose to touch the other one's "important position", it was hilarious. The 2nd highlight was the Orangutans and Gorillas, they are so funny... One big black gorilla was playing with a small orangutan, it was so amazing how they are so different yet got along so well with each other (though it led to occasional kicking and wresting). It's just mind boggling how much they resemble humans. All the spectators were commenting and laughing and having a good time.
Drove on the wrong side of the road today.... this may be an excuse, but I really think the road is badly designed. I was on a one-way street, on the left hand lane ready to turn left. Naturally, when you turn left from left hand lane, you will keep left when you turn! But apparently that road was a two-way street, and I was in the wrong side! Luckily there was only a car coming really slowly. But the funniest thing was that I thought he was on the wrong side, so I pressed the horn at him, before I finally realized and turned back to our lane! Even the driver laughed and made a funny gesture ~
Had Mexican Moles tonight. Very expensive ar...
Saturday, December 2, 2006
San Diego day 3
Today's talks were much better than yesterday. My best impression was Yale's Mark Gerstein's talk, it had been the best talk of the event so far. But I guess that will be it, because tomorrow we are skipping the uninteresting talks, and going to the zoo instead! Woohoo ~ :)
Late afternoon we drove to Pacific Beach, and caught just in time the sun setting over the Pacific ocean! It was such a beautiful scene, is just indescribable... It's a shame I can't post it at the moment, since I didn't bring the camera cable with me.
After that we went to the Seaport Village by the seaside, with lots of very special shops, selling very special things. There was a kite shop with hundreds of varieties of kites, which was so tempting... My friend eventually couldn't resist and bought one, haha...
We then drove to Little Italy, and ate some Italian food. It was ok la... I think after the steak from yesterday, nothing can ever top that... :)
Late afternoon we drove to Pacific Beach, and caught just in time the sun setting over the Pacific ocean! It was such a beautiful scene, is just indescribable... It's a shame I can't post it at the moment, since I didn't bring the camera cable with me.
After that we went to the Seaport Village by the seaside, with lots of very special shops, selling very special things. There was a kite shop with hundreds of varieties of kites, which was so tempting... My friend eventually couldn't resist and bought one, haha...
We then drove to Little Italy, and ate some Italian food. It was ok la... I think after the steak from yesterday, nothing can ever top that... :)
Friday, December 1, 2006
San Diego day 2
Quite a boring day today, all day listening to Systems Biology talks... But realized just how smart people from Harvard and Stanford really are. Even the bioinformatics grad students at UCSD, they are shockingly good... making us feel we should really do something about it, sigh...
For dinner we went to the La Jolla village, where I had the most delicious steak I've ever eaten in my life, oh my God... La Jolla is just like posh people's heaven.
Good luck with the exam tomorrow, I am sure you will nail it.
For dinner we went to the La Jolla village, where I had the most delicious steak I've ever eaten in my life, oh my God... La Jolla is just like posh people's heaven.
Good luck with the exam tomorrow, I am sure you will nail it.
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