I shared this true story at my Bible study group last night. The reception and feedback from my ladies prompted me to pray about writing this down and sharing it. So here it is and I hope you are encouraged!
I was on my way to my tennis match on Saturday afternoon when it happened. It was less than five minutes and two traffic lights before my left turn when a pick-up truck cut in front of me as the light was turning red. I was not upset, not even annoyed. However, as we waited for the light to turn green, I became fixated on the truck, to the point when the traffic light changed colors, I was not focused on where I needed to go and was just following the truck. The driver turned left early onto the interstate highway. Instead of going straight to the next left turn lane, I did what the driver did. The next thing I knew, I was on the way to getting on the highway, which was not at all where I needed to be. I had to detour to get to the tennis courts which took an extra ten minutes. Thankfully, I was still able to get to the courts early.
God used this bizarre episode to drive home an important point on sin for me. We had been studying the Book of Romans in our Bible study and we had been talking a lot about law and grace, the old self and the new self, flesh and the spirit, among many other things. Our pastor also talked about sin as he preached on the Holy Spirit last Sunday. So I had been thinking about the topic of sin, and it dawned on me that sin operated very much like the way I drove during those few minutes.
When the pick-up truck cut in front of me, I became distracted rather than staying focused on where I was supposed to go. Instead of staying the course, I mindlessly followed the truck and got to a place I did not need to be. As a result, I was off course, and I lost time to the detour. Only by God's grace was my path corrected and I got to where I was supposed to be.
Oh sin, how cunning are you. You distract me when I am on my guard the least. You take me to places I don't need to be, and you take me farther away than I want to go.
But I am thankful to my awesome God, who provides a way out when I am distracted and lose my way!
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy New Year!
My devotional from Our Daily Bread (also linked to your right) this morning is the perfect final post for the year so I am going to share it here -
As we look forward to the New Year with plans and resolutions, the voices of godly men from the past encourage us to think about something we prefer to ignore—our own death.
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) wrote, “Happy is he that always hath the hour of his death before his eyes and daily prepareth himself to die.” And Francois Fénelon (1651–1715) wrote, “We cannot too greatly deplore the blindness of men who do not want to think of death, and who turn away from an inevitable thing which we could be happy to think of often. Death only troubles carnal people.”
These men were not referring to a depressing preoccupation with dying, but a dynamic approach to living (emphasis mine). We, like the psalmist David, should pray: “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. . . . Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor” (Ps. 39:4-5). David speaks of people who work in vain, heaping up wealth with no idea of who will get it (v.6). He concludes by affirming that his hope is in God, who alone can keep him from a life of spiritual rebellion and disaster (vv.7-8).
As we place our hope in God, the brevity of our life on earth is worth considering—every day.May we seek to understand this dynamic approach to living as we bid farewell to 2012 and welcome 2013. Happy New Year!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Merry Christmas!
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
Luke 2: 2-20
New International Version (NIV)
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2: 2-20
New International Version (NIV)
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Shopping
I am STILL Christmas Shopping. Five days before Christmas.
It had been a very busy fall semester so I had a very late start on Christmas shopping this year. Christmas shopping also meant I went back to the mall. It had been many months since I was at the mall last. After reading David Platt's Radical over Spring Break, one of the challenges I undertook was to not buy clothes (except for necessities) for a year. I liked to buy clothes on sale, so I wanted to stop doing that for a while in order to take the focus off of myself and be more sensitive to the needs around me.
As I walked around the mall looking for Christmas gifts, I saw a lot of great clothes along the way. The Christmas sale also meant very good prices for many clothing items. It would have been so easy for me to buy a dress here and a shirt there, and it was really quite tempting.
But I was not about to undo nine months of work to break the challenge, and I was not about to create an irony in which I would buy what I liked just because there was a great sale while I engaged in the spirit of giving to others as I shopped for loved ones.
In the end, I got some gifts without buying any clothes for myself. For that I am thankful! I still have at least one more Christmas shopping trip and I need to remember this lesson!
It had been a very busy fall semester so I had a very late start on Christmas shopping this year. Christmas shopping also meant I went back to the mall. It had been many months since I was at the mall last. After reading David Platt's Radical over Spring Break, one of the challenges I undertook was to not buy clothes (except for necessities) for a year. I liked to buy clothes on sale, so I wanted to stop doing that for a while in order to take the focus off of myself and be more sensitive to the needs around me.
As I walked around the mall looking for Christmas gifts, I saw a lot of great clothes along the way. The Christmas sale also meant very good prices for many clothing items. It would have been so easy for me to buy a dress here and a shirt there, and it was really quite tempting.
But I was not about to undo nine months of work to break the challenge, and I was not about to create an irony in which I would buy what I liked just because there was a great sale while I engaged in the spirit of giving to others as I shopped for loved ones.
In the end, I got some gifts without buying any clothes for myself. For that I am thankful! I still have at least one more Christmas shopping trip and I need to remember this lesson!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Sandy Hook
The unspeakable happened last Friday in quiet Newtown, Connecticut. Violence also erupted in a village school in Henan, China, when a man attacked school children with a knife.
In the midst of unthinkable tragedies, emotions abound, political discussions heat up, and philosophical and theological questions become a norm. As some question why this happened, some wonder what could be done.
While we outsiders want to help and to address the overarching issues, perhaps we can also pray for the families who are suffering a sorrow few of us can ever understand. In the Chinese culture, there is this phrase of "white-headed people sending off black-headed ones." It is a metaphor to express the grief of parents burying their children. Unless we walk in their shoes, we will never understand what it is like for the parents to be planning the funerals of their young children instead of buying them Christmas presents and anticipating the glow in their eyes and the smiles on their faces when they open them. Perhaps we can also pray for the teachers, staff and students who were at the school that day and lived. Their survivor's guilt and emotional scar will linger for a long time to come.
We don't always get the answers as to why evil things happen, but it is comforting to see the outpouring of compassion and love within Newtown as well as throughout the country after the tragedy. Think of the heroic acts of the principal and teachers who laid down their lives for their students, the kind act of the neighbor who took in and comforted several children who managed to escape the shooting, the wonderful deed of JetBlue Airways to overnight and deliver a 6-year-old boy's letter cross-country from Washington state in time for his 6-year-old cousin's funeral, or the touching tribute of a football player to his fan.
In the midst of unspeakable evil, there is hope, there is light. As we celebrate Christmas, may we also see the light and hope in the world of darkness in the form of a baby who was born in a lowly manger to bring hope and goodwill to mankind.
In the midst of unthinkable tragedies, emotions abound, political discussions heat up, and philosophical and theological questions become a norm. As some question why this happened, some wonder what could be done.
While we outsiders want to help and to address the overarching issues, perhaps we can also pray for the families who are suffering a sorrow few of us can ever understand. In the Chinese culture, there is this phrase of "white-headed people sending off black-headed ones." It is a metaphor to express the grief of parents burying their children. Unless we walk in their shoes, we will never understand what it is like for the parents to be planning the funerals of their young children instead of buying them Christmas presents and anticipating the glow in their eyes and the smiles on their faces when they open them. Perhaps we can also pray for the teachers, staff and students who were at the school that day and lived. Their survivor's guilt and emotional scar will linger for a long time to come.
We don't always get the answers as to why evil things happen, but it is comforting to see the outpouring of compassion and love within Newtown as well as throughout the country after the tragedy. Think of the heroic acts of the principal and teachers who laid down their lives for their students, the kind act of the neighbor who took in and comforted several children who managed to escape the shooting, the wonderful deed of JetBlue Airways to overnight and deliver a 6-year-old boy's letter cross-country from Washington state in time for his 6-year-old cousin's funeral, or the touching tribute of a football player to his fan.
In the midst of unspeakable evil, there is hope, there is light. As we celebrate Christmas, may we also see the light and hope in the world of darkness in the form of a baby who was born in a lowly manger to bring hope and goodwill to mankind.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Birthday
I had a wonderful birthday recently.
It was the best birthday in a number of years, not only because Hubby did a wonderful job planning the celebration as usual, but also because my way of thinking about birthdays had changed for the better.
When my grandmother passed way at the end of 2004, I developed this acute sense about death. It was neither a knee-jerk reaction to my grandmother's passing, nor was it an unhealthy preoccupation. I mourned, yes, but as I watched my grandmother depart this world at the hospice, leaving a permanent hole in my heart, I also had an incredible peace within me. While I was extremely thankful to be able to go back to Hong Kong in time to be with Grandma during her final days, I was also hopeful that I would see her again in heaven. Hopeful, because I knew a church nearby had visited with her at the hospice and shared Jesus with her. Although Grandma could not talk and I did not have her verbal confirmation that she had accepted Jesus into her heart as her Lord and Savior, the peaceful and beautiful way she passed let me know that she was safely in God's hands. Forever. As I thought more about death, I was also thinking more about heaven, about eternal life with Jesus. I wondered what it was like to be in heaven. Perhaps that is why MercyMe's I Can Only Imagine has remained one of my favorite songs (see video below).
Later, however, as my grief subsided and as I grew a few years older, I became more preoccupied with my journey on earth. At the same time, I was not enjoying getting older, and I became decreasingly open with my age. I was focused on the many goals for which to strive. Little did I know I was losing sight that my journey on earth was just that. A journey on earth. Without a doubt, I knew I was going to heaven after I died. However, I was not longing for heaven the way many first-century Christians were - and many twenty-first century fellow believers under severe persecution still are.
A number of years ago, Hubby wrote me a poem for my birthday and I loved it. There was a line about getting older and getting closer to heaven. I did not fully understand it at the time, but I think I do now. I was too preoccupied with my earthly journey, equating age with things I should be accomplishing. I am still getting older, but instead of secretly fretting over the times past and wondering if I have accomplished everything I should, I have learned that my focus is not on earth, but on heaven. For as long as I am here, I will do what God wants me to do to make a difference and to bring him glory. Yet, I also look forward to getting closer to my real home. My eternal home. I still wonder what I would do when I meet Jesus in heaven, but I have no doubt that I will love it. From now on, I will celebrate my birthday with joy, because it no longer means I am getting older, it means I am getting close to home.
I had a wonderful birthday indeed.
It was the best birthday in a number of years, not only because Hubby did a wonderful job planning the celebration as usual, but also because my way of thinking about birthdays had changed for the better.
When my grandmother passed way at the end of 2004, I developed this acute sense about death. It was neither a knee-jerk reaction to my grandmother's passing, nor was it an unhealthy preoccupation. I mourned, yes, but as I watched my grandmother depart this world at the hospice, leaving a permanent hole in my heart, I also had an incredible peace within me. While I was extremely thankful to be able to go back to Hong Kong in time to be with Grandma during her final days, I was also hopeful that I would see her again in heaven. Hopeful, because I knew a church nearby had visited with her at the hospice and shared Jesus with her. Although Grandma could not talk and I did not have her verbal confirmation that she had accepted Jesus into her heart as her Lord and Savior, the peaceful and beautiful way she passed let me know that she was safely in God's hands. Forever. As I thought more about death, I was also thinking more about heaven, about eternal life with Jesus. I wondered what it was like to be in heaven. Perhaps that is why MercyMe's I Can Only Imagine has remained one of my favorite songs (see video below).
Later, however, as my grief subsided and as I grew a few years older, I became more preoccupied with my journey on earth. At the same time, I was not enjoying getting older, and I became decreasingly open with my age. I was focused on the many goals for which to strive. Little did I know I was losing sight that my journey on earth was just that. A journey on earth. Without a doubt, I knew I was going to heaven after I died. However, I was not longing for heaven the way many first-century Christians were - and many twenty-first century fellow believers under severe persecution still are.
A number of years ago, Hubby wrote me a poem for my birthday and I loved it. There was a line about getting older and getting closer to heaven. I did not fully understand it at the time, but I think I do now. I was too preoccupied with my earthly journey, equating age with things I should be accomplishing. I am still getting older, but instead of secretly fretting over the times past and wondering if I have accomplished everything I should, I have learned that my focus is not on earth, but on heaven. For as long as I am here, I will do what God wants me to do to make a difference and to bring him glory. Yet, I also look forward to getting closer to my real home. My eternal home. I still wonder what I would do when I meet Jesus in heaven, but I have no doubt that I will love it. From now on, I will celebrate my birthday with joy, because it no longer means I am getting older, it means I am getting close to home.
I had a wonderful birthday indeed.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
"Olympic Experience" (Part IV)
I was ready at the baseline to receive the serve. It went to the middle of the service box. I moved towards the ball and
decided to return the serve with my backhand rather than running around it for a forehand. The return was just high enough to clear the net but was low
enough to get past the racket of the net player. Her teammate (the server)
did not get to it. The ball bounced twice.
We won the match!
What an exciting feeling! My partner and I had a big sweaty hug. Meanwhile, our other teammates from the sideline ran towards us on the court and we hugged each other. At the award ceremony, each of us received a medal. We even did the funny photo by biting our medals, like some athletes did at the Olympics. :)
What a joy! The team effort was most wonderful. Whenever my partner(s) and I had a bad few points or games, we picked each other up. Whoever was not playing came along to cheer on the rest of us. When my partner and I had the tough loss, the rest of the team was nothing but encouraging. When my back hurt, my captain gave me a back massage to help relieve my pain. When we won the championship together, we shared the joy.
Loss and triumph sometimes go hand in hand. Looking back, I was thankful for the tough loss in my second match. It was the most disappointing for the first ten minutes after the match, but learning to deal with the defeat (quickly) made me a better tennis player mentally. The wins that came after also became much sweeter because I had tasted defeat.
As I mentioned in my first Olympics post, Chariots of Fire is one of my favorite movies. In the movie, when Eric Liddell's sister wanted him to return to mission work in China instead of going to the Olympics, he said:
Off the court, I also had a wonderful stay with my hostess. Before booking, I was exchanging messages with the lady renting the room. At first, we discussed the room and logistics; but she soon opened up about her family. At her house, we had several great conversations, including one about her salvation. Before I left, she gave me a hug, and even a beautiful doily she made as a souvenir.
What a wonderful weekend.
Don't forget the Paralympic Games began today!
We won the match!
What an exciting feeling! My partner and I had a big sweaty hug. Meanwhile, our other teammates from the sideline ran towards us on the court and we hugged each other. At the award ceremony, each of us received a medal. We even did the funny photo by biting our medals, like some athletes did at the Olympics. :)
What a joy! The team effort was most wonderful. Whenever my partner(s) and I had a bad few points or games, we picked each other up. Whoever was not playing came along to cheer on the rest of us. When my partner and I had the tough loss, the rest of the team was nothing but encouraging. When my back hurt, my captain gave me a back massage to help relieve my pain. When we won the championship together, we shared the joy.
Loss and triumph sometimes go hand in hand. Looking back, I was thankful for the tough loss in my second match. It was the most disappointing for the first ten minutes after the match, but learning to deal with the defeat (quickly) made me a better tennis player mentally. The wins that came after also became much sweeter because I had tasted defeat.
As I mentioned in my first Olympics post, Chariots of Fire is one of my favorite movies. In the movie, when Eric Liddell's sister wanted him to return to mission work in China instead of going to the Olympics, he said:
I believe God made me for a purpose, and He also made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure.My favorite line from the movie. I am no Olympian, but I think we can seek to glorify God through sports (tennis in my case). I was calm during our second match point in the last match, but the calm did not come from me. It came from God. And the backhand return? Totally God.
Off the court, I also had a wonderful stay with my hostess. Before booking, I was exchanging messages with the lady renting the room. At first, we discussed the room and logistics; but she soon opened up about her family. At her house, we had several great conversations, including one about her salvation. Before I left, she gave me a hug, and even a beautiful doily she made as a souvenir.
What a wonderful weekend.
Don't forget the Paralympic Games began today!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
London Olympics! (Part IV)
Ready for some final thoughts?
Track and Field
I have mentioned him before, but Oscar Pistorius ran the anchor leg of the men's 4x400M relay. By the time he got the baton, South Africa was in last place. However, he ran a great leg to finish the race. What a wonderful race. How nice to see he was also the flag bearer for his country at the Closing Ceremony. He will remain in London for the Paralympics so cheer for him!
I am not a fan of inking one's body, but check out Oscar's tattoo on his shoulder/back! It's 1 Corinthians 9: 26-27:
Triathlon
I only read about this, but what sportsmanship by Leonardo Chacon! He got clipped during the cycling race and fell behind. But instead of getting angry about the unfortunate situation and blaming the defending silver medalist, the athlete who crashed and unintentionally made contact with Chacon's bike, Costa Rican Chacon sent a heartfelt Facebook message to Simon Whitfield of Canada. In return, Whitfield just posted this message on Facebook:
Platform diving is one of my favorite Olympic sports. At the men's 10M platform diving event, China was favored to win gold (as usual), but David Boudia had a fantastic last dive to pull ahead of Tom Daley (home favorite) and China's Qiu Bo to win gold! At the end of the competition, while the incredibly poised Boudia was looking at the score board and soaking in the news, his team was so excited for him that they were hugging him and congratulating him. What team spirit! And read this and this about David's faith.
Marathon
Ryan Hall had to drop out of the race with a hamstring injury. While deeply disappointed, he posted the following tweet:
Closing Ceremony
I didn't get to watch it much, but the stage design was nice. The center was the Union Jack and athletes gathered "under the flag." A nice symbol to show how the Olympic Games in London brought athletes together from around the world. And what fun to watch the Olympians relax and celebrate their hard work and achievements!
I hope you enjoyed the Games as much as I did!
Track and Field
I have mentioned him before, but Oscar Pistorius ran the anchor leg of the men's 4x400M relay. By the time he got the baton, South Africa was in last place. However, he ran a great leg to finish the race. What a wonderful race. How nice to see he was also the flag bearer for his country at the Closing Ceremony. He will remain in London for the Paralympics so cheer for him!
I am not a fan of inking one's body, but check out Oscar's tattoo on his shoulder/back! It's 1 Corinthians 9: 26-27:
I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Triathlon
I only read about this, but what sportsmanship by Leonardo Chacon! He got clipped during the cycling race and fell behind. But instead of getting angry about the unfortunate situation and blaming the defending silver medalist, the athlete who crashed and unintentionally made contact with Chacon's bike, Costa Rican Chacon sent a heartfelt Facebook message to Simon Whitfield of Canada. In return, Whitfield just posted this message on Facebook:
Dear People of Costa Rica & Canada,Diving
Because of Leonardo's kindness and because him & Simon have become fast-friends, Team Whitfield is working on flying in Leonardo to Canada so we can meet him in person. Stay tuned for details!
Platform diving is one of my favorite Olympic sports. At the men's 10M platform diving event, China was favored to win gold (as usual), but David Boudia had a fantastic last dive to pull ahead of Tom Daley (home favorite) and China's Qiu Bo to win gold! At the end of the competition, while the incredibly poised Boudia was looking at the score board and soaking in the news, his team was so excited for him that they were hugging him and congratulating him. What team spirit! And read this and this about David's faith.
Marathon
Ryan Hall had to drop out of the race with a hamstring injury. While deeply disappointed, he posted the following tweet:
A huge bummer of a day today. Hamstring wouldn't let me go. But a huge congrats toWhat a way to hold on to faith during this difficult time!@runmeb! You continue to inspire me.#GodIsStillGood
Closing Ceremony
I didn't get to watch it much, but the stage design was nice. The center was the Union Jack and athletes gathered "under the flag." A nice symbol to show how the Olympic Games in London brought athletes together from around the world. And what fun to watch the Olympians relax and celebrate their hard work and achievements!
I hope you enjoyed the Games as much as I did!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Narnia
I was out of town for a week. Since I was flying, I had some time to read and brought with me The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, from the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. I did not normally read fiction, but having read Mere Christianity a number of years ago, I would read any of Lewis's works.
Though written for children, the novel was very engaging, and I think I am going to watch the movie too.
How about you? Have you read the book or the entire series? Have you watched the movie(s)?
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