This morning the last verse of devotion scripture talks about being holy:
And each man that hath this hope in him, maketh
himself holy, as [and] he is holy.
~ 1 John 3:3 (Wycliffe NT)
The only way God hurries holiness is by
turning up the heat. (ODB 20110215)
(Note: I wrote this in Chinese first then translate. So please excuse me if the writing is not fluent.)
I have been neighbour with music since I was little, especially church music. I was in the church children choir in kindergarten and elementary, and attend adult church choir from junior high. My mother sent me to children music class and two years of piano lessons. I wasn't enjoyed playing at that time and never thought I will start my piano service in church from grade 6. I remembered Sunday school didn't have a teacher who could play piano at service. So they asked me, who was only grade 6 and had no clue what service is about, to play. Even though I am not always singing or playing since then, music is still one of my favourite past time activities. That is because I have understood one thing since my elementary that singing is a happy thing to do which can get rid of bad mood.
Hymns and other church songs were my help when I was away from home for my undergrad study. I often did my math homework in my dorm while having CD or radio playing. Sometimes, I would worship with CD. Those music and worship not only helped me study in clearer mind, but also comfort the lonely and lost feeling. I learnt quite a number of songs at that period of time, and understood that those music and worship help me get closer to God, put away my own opinion easier, and happier. The new idea about playing piano was established there as well.
One day, I was looking around in the local Christian bookstore. There was a CD caught my eyes. The title is "Praise Him on the Piano". That moment I knew that is what I am going to do -- Praise Him on the Piano for the rest of my life! I guess you could say it is a call from God. From that point on, I love to play piano more, not for the services but really want to praise through playing. I started to enjoy and treasure those playing times. Sometimes, I would open a hymn book and play. Maybe some worship after playing a hymn. Sometimes, I would let my fingers go freely on the keys, playing melody that came out. I don't have piano or keyboard after moving back to Taiwan for work. Therefore, I often want to occupy the piano for a while when I have a chance. And usually, I don't have any music sheet with me too. Now memorization is a good thing, thanks to a brother who encouraged us that we should be able to play all the songs without music sheet, which we can sing. Thus, I memorize some hymns on purpose. (But I didn't memorize fully my favourite two songs. I guess because I rarely play them.)
I love to hear Sister Gerta play. Her playing is always good. Several of us asked her once how come she could play so well. We were thinking the skills. But Sister Gerta only told us to seek God earnestly. Well, we didn't know how to ask more when we got this standard answer. I knew she is right though. Music has tremendous impact on people. All the thoughts and emotion of player will be expressed out through music playing. Thus, playing any instrument is enjoyed not only by the player but also whoever heard. And therefore, I might have helped others when I worship or service through praising God on the piano. It's been over ten years since I started practice inner life. My skill might not get any better but I know my praise on piano will go deeper whenever I close to God more. I often pray to God that let my playing become others' blessing. Oh how I wish I have a piano or keyboard right now!
No matter what happened in the future, I will always praise Him on the piano! My favourite way of praise ^^
Note: Published in the newsletter of ShiLin Zion Church, 2010 Aug edition
It's my pleasure of getting involved after late stage of 4th device which showed in the video.
Below clip is amazing!
I am not funny type of person. I am not particular like being under spot light either.
In fact, I don't want to be a person who is able to do or handle everything.
I just have a little more open and willingness to do when no one wishes to do.
Many my abilities are products of pressures.
So do not envy me. Just try to do the things you don't normally do and you will have those abilities as well.
The end of last weekend
shock
can not help it
anger
defeated
disappointed
want to flee
want to cry but not tears
struggle
want to give up
First grace: I have been craving for the days of picking fresh blueberries with family at summer time, ever since I start wroking in Taiwan. I totally forgot about this when I started this trip, especially the harvest time is already past. Therefore, I was surprised not only to have fresh blueberries but also to pick and eat fresh figs. This was all at begining of the trip. I had to fly to New York the next evening after arriving Vancouver. I went to Pastor Wei's house, to meet up with Wei Family since we were going together, which is the place I ate blueberries and figs. It made me feel blessed right at beginning.
Second grace: We didn't know until we arrived at camp that there were no meetings in the afternoon of pre-labour day conference. So we had five days to do anything we would like to do and have fun. Not only we had great weather, Pastor Eddie and his wife specially arranged many acitivities. From swimming to mountain climbing, team game to boat riding, canoeing to hiking, we had all the fun we could have. We also had wood fire in the meeting room for couple cold mornings and a real camp fire one night. They said they usually only arranged activities for children. This year, they had arranged so many acitivities for us. Rebecca and I felt that God is so good to us. We had every fun just for this one trip.
Third grace: Weather overthere was colder, especially in the mountain. Except a little sympton of cold, I didn't get sick.
Forth grace: I didn't have much of jet jeg in this trip.
Today in United State is Thanksgiving
We just ate the turkey at office
I think I should give thanks to my dear family
To Mom and Dad
Thank you for giving me the best - Jesus
Thank you for putting up with my badness, unthoughtfulness, impatient, disorder
Thank you for always forgiving me the garbage I created
Thank you
To My
Thank you for taking me to good food and treating me from time to time
Thank you for sharing your life experience, learned a lot from there
Thank you for being my garbage can of irregular emotion
To Dave
Thank you for letting me learning how to take care others
Thank you for the joy you brought when you were making fun
Thank you for bearing with my laziness, staying with me is a little painful thing
Thank you all.
We don't think much of the choices we made or the things we do. Sooner or later, we will pay for them. It applies to so many different areas of life.
For example, I knew if I drink that coffee, I will have a hard to sleep that night. But I end of drinking it, and the price I paid is a sleepless night and a super tired Monday. I know I better leave office early to pack but I didn't. So I end of having stuff forgot to bring or to do. If I pack earlier, I probably have enough time to get another bag. If I don't procasnating, I get things done faster and earlier.
This is not the first time to travel, nor the first time to take a flight. Therefore, it is very easy to be careless on the preparation.
I thought that I knew all this, I been there. Everything should be okay. I was wrong. I was in a bad shape on the day I about to leave. I usually start my trip in the middle of the week and still work on that day. Therefore, it will end of like this time if I did not pack ahead. I did not pay attention to the time so I arrived home late. Packing was not done and I was hoping to do the laundry and shower before leaving. It turned out everything was rushed. Even though I had everything but it was not a good feeling.
As usual, I was asked to take some stuff. Some were received two days before the trip. To be convenient I only wish to take one luggage and one backpack. The result of not packing ahead was I didn't take some requested stuff. I was afraid the luggage overweight, so I end of have an extra bag with me. On my return, I wish to only have one backpack, so the luggage was overweighted. Praise the Lord that I only got warning not fee.
Another thing related to this is preparation for sharing. Since I will be in Vancouver and attending church meetings, I know I have to share testimonies as usual. The night that I done my sharing was the last of my vacation. I had a huge list of items that I can share. But I was busy at packing and working (office), my heart wasn't not quite down. I thought I did it badly that night. A little sad, at the same time, I realize it takes quality quiet time to do the preparation.
So, never think everything will go without a problem just because I have done it before and never be over confident because without a hitch in the past.
View 2009 Trip Footprints in a larger map
Many asked me about the trip I made at the end of August. Some even suggests I write down as a testimony. So I will share them as a mini series. Plan to write by topics and not sure how many it will come out.
This is how the trip started: I went to this camp six years ago, right after I completed my master thesis. I don't have much of memory of that camp except a beautiful place and I wished to stay longer. Last year sometime, I felt that I should attend the camp this year. I forgot what had trigger that thought. I just kept in my heart on this. Later that year, I shared the thought with a friend. She had never been to the camp and hoped she could join me as well.
My schedule:
Wed. to Vancouver
Thurs. to NY with Mrs. Wei, Phoebe and James
Fri. morning arriving NY, meet up Rebecca (from ShenKen Zion Church)
Fri. and Sat. NY sight seeing
Sun. worshipping at Ridgewood Pentecostal Church and Woodhaven Zion Church
Sun. or Mon. to the north, Pilgrim Camp.
Next Mon. leaving Pilgrim Camp. and to Vancouver
Next Fr. to Taipei, arriving on Sat.
Talking and laughing
But can't be part of it
Because I don't have the same experience
So I am silence
I moved last month and loads of house chores to do. At the same time, the thought of getting myself an apartment comes back to me. It seems like it was from God that I wanted to get an apartment a few months back. I tell you the truth that right now I don't have any energy to do this, totally lock of motivation. If that idea was from God, I have to praise the Lord my God for this. He truly knows that I don't want to and have no time to looking for an apartment. He is so nice to me. Now I am anticipating what will become next.
I have joined quite a bit of membership in Taiwan over last few years. My birthday happens in this month, so I receive quite a numbers of coupons or specials. All they want to do is digging out more $$$ from my wallet. I have to say those are so attractive. My conclusion is that my wallet is losing the most of blood in the month of my birthday.
May God grant me the stronger self-control on this area.
[Notes of Sermon] Completed Santification (5) Santification of will
Related scripture：Gen. 1:27, 2:16-17, Ps. 119:37, 71, James 4:8, Rev. 12:11
HOW:
1. Resist any person, any thing, any situation that God does not like every single time
2. Willing to suffer
3. Obedient at any given time
4. Fear the Lord more than fear people
5. Learn to proclaim the victory of the blood of Jesus
. Will must choose God first.
. Learn to be alone with God so it becomes the most desirable things to do in the life.
. The key of success is passion. Passion is the fuel of will. It will change a person, also will make impossible to possible. Therefore, close to the God of fire!
. The power of the blood of Christ is unthinkable by humans!
[Notes of office fellowship, 20090611]
Scripture: Acts 17:15-18, 22-23
"And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. ... Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."
Paul saw the people need the Lord in Athena. What do we see in our company?
Do we see from God's eyes?
If Paul weren't ready to preach, he would not see the altar of the unknown God and stayed for two years. No matter how we came to this company, it was under God's control. We shall be ready to plant ourselves in this company, seeing what is opportunity for the Lord and what can we do here.
At beginning of this year, I gave out a frame to a colleague. My colleague asked me where to get the frame. When she knew it was made by me, she ordered a few from me. Based on my habit, I don't create exact the same one unless being request. So it took sometime to finish. I am a little proud of myself.
I saw an apartment I love in every way a month and half ago. I have some concerns and didn't go for it. First is about money. Second, it is the first apartment I visit in that area. The apartment was sold last week. Since I pray that wait for me if it is mine, so I didn't feel bad. On the other hand, I didn't have conclusion on the money side. So I think I am not that ready to purchase one. Seven more months till the end of year, loads of time to get one place for myself.
And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (1 King 10:2, KJV)
More talk to the Lord and less to man because it is a stupit, maybe dangerous, thing to tell others what is your heart. Talking too much to the people will have nothing to say to the Lord. Often the reason we are restless is that we avoid talking to the Lord. We take the risk and in worry, even into the deep hurt or hate.
What are the things we can tell the Lord?
1. Sadness, worry, distress, loniness, hovering between (maybe sing them)
2. Joy in my heart (through praise and thanksgiving)
3. Give my service to God
4. My plan and wishes
(ShiLin Zion Church, Class 18 of Old Testmony History, early 2009)
