On Sunday, I taught the concept of Lent to the children.
Lent is generally practiced among Catholics, but it doesn’t hurt if we Protestants practice some kind of giving up of something in preparation for Easter.
I explained to the children that whatever we sacrifice, it’s nothing compared to what Jesus did for us when he came [...]
It is true what they say, that the more you know, the more you realize how much you don’t know.
I became a Christ follower when I was 16. After 30+ years of being a Christian, you would think I have it down pat basic concepts such as Loving God, Loving People, Knowing the Bible, Prayer. [...]
When you are posed with several options or courses of action, and all of them are good, how do you decide which one God wants you to choose? How do you determine God’s will?
I’ve been reading biographies of famous Christians, the children’s versions in story form. They are easy and fun to read, so engaging [...]
Our pastor said his senior quote was, “I’ve been crucified with Christ, and it’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”
His teacher thought it [...]
Emotions are intensified for youth and young adults. I just realized the truth of that yesterday.
I was having a bad day for no apparent reason. Small irritants that are a part of life made me angry. I had a good cry when I went to bed. But my emotions are not as strong as they [...]
In a previous post I quoted Eric Lidel, the Olympic gold medalist – “God made me fast. When I run, I feel His pleasure.”
I like that quote.
Lidel says when he does what God gave him the ability to do, God is happy with that.
We may be good at something, but it doesn’t mean it would [...]
In the book of Matthew in the Bible, chapter 8 recorded the well-known event of Jesus calming the storm.
The disciples were in the boat with Jesus when a violent storm kicked up. Much to the disciples’ irritation, Jesus was asleep. The disciples called, “Save us, Lord! We’re going to drown!”
The interesting thing to me is [...]
When my children ask me to buy them something, I hope they know me well enough to ask me for something that they know I would approve of. I hope they don’t ask me to buy them a video game rated “mature”, or an outrageously risqué outfit.
I hope my children understand who I [...]
I’ve studied the book of Acts many times. But I am forgetful. I never remember all the history of Paul’s travels, who the Roman and Jewish rulers were at his trials, and how all the other books of Paul are related in the timeline of Paul’s travels. So I am studying it again.
In Acts 1, [...]
Before the days of cherry-flavored additives, medicine used to taste bad. My mom used to give us the medicine in one spoon, and quickly with another spoon stick some sweetened condensed milk in our mouth to get that yucky taste out. I actually looked forward to the medicine to get the sweetened condensed milk! To [...]
Here’s another thought I had about George Muller.
His first desire was to be a missionary. He left Prussia to go to England to receive training to reach the Jews, with the intention of going to Russia after his training. However, while in England, he saw the great needs there and decided he can share the [...]
Most people have heard at least a little bit of the life of George Muller. He is most famous for starting an orphanage that eventually served thousands of street children in Bristol, England.
I finished reading the biography of George Muller, the easy version written for elementary age level in the “Christian Heroes: Then & Now” [...]
If you know me, you know I’m a Hello Kitty fan. I don’t like cats, but I make an exception for Hello Kitty.
On our recent trip to Japan, I saw Hello Kitty everywhere! She was in temple souvenir shops, museum souvenir shops, in the sake factory, in the sushi restaurant, dressed in kimono, dressed as [...]
While teaching the kids on Sunday at church, the lesson was to continue to trust God even when things do not go well for us.
Me: Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want.
Chris: Yeah, like if we pray for a DS, God won’t answer it.
I thought about that for a moment. [...]
I think I’ve read The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe at least 3 times. I’m reading it again…and it’s even more exciting than the first time.
C.S. Lewis is a master story teller, and the spiritual truths he weaves in are powerful.
The White Witch’s lure with Turkish Delight was once again brought home to me in [...]
I realize how little I expect from God by the prayers I pray. I have such low expectations from life.
What do I really want God to do in my life? What do I really want to see happen in the world around me?
Don’t I want God to do more than just easing the pain in [...]
I’ve not read a biography of Hudson Taylor until now. I borrowed this book from Bonnie.
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Howard and Geraldine Taylor is apparently a fairly brief version of Hudson Taylor’s life, less than 200 pages. With the full life he lived, I can imagine how big a book his life story can [...]
This news story of a gunman charging into the First Baptist Church in Illinois reminded me of a similar incident many years ago when I was in college when our pastor was shot and killed.
Greg Owyang of First Chinese Baptist Church of Los Angeles was a up and coming Asian American pastor. This was in [...]
When we say Christianity is a relationship, not a religion, what does that really mean?
How can you have a relationship with an invisible and infinite Being?
I had an insight at church today.
From what I read, all other religions require its followers to adhere to a set of standards, a system of worship, or some kind [...]
After I finished reading The Life You’ve Always Wanted by by John Ortberg last year, I wanted to read If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat, as recommended by Nat. But I don’t spend money to buy books (I read what I can borrow from people or [...]