“Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed [...]
When my children first started to be independent and have plans of their own, I felt a sense of sadness whenever two and especially when all three would be out, leaving no kids at home. It’s not that I have nothing to do, I have lots to do, but there was a sense of loss, [...]
God has called me to leave a church that I didn’t want to leave, to take on a job that I never imagined I would do, and begin a new phase of my life that I wasn’t expecting. Two years ago, I started praying about what I would do when my youngest child goes off [...]
I read somewhere, I wish I remember where, that asked a poignant question: When we go to heaven and have all the blessings of what we usually think heaven is – all the food we want, reunion with friends and family, streets of gold, no war, no pain, no tears…and Jesus wasn’t there, would we [...]
Changing the carpet today ushers in a new stage of life for us. Gone are the stains, left by three dogs who were our companions and security system. No more chewed up carpet corners, reminiscence of our first pet bunny Smokey. Spills and grime of children’s play are no more. A fresh start, a new [...]
Some people look at their past with fond memories and like to relish in those remembrances. But I am not one of those. While I am generally not a glass-half-empty type of person nor am I a perfectionist, but for some reason, I tend to think of my past with regret. I wish I had [...]
I unexpectedly saw a long time friend at Soupplantation today. We were both waiting for our lunch partners so it was a perfect opportunity to catch up. To be honest, she is merely an acquaintance, and we barely recognized each other, but our conversation was so encouraging to me. I told her I wasn’t sure [...]
Every time I’m asked to speak, I get very excited about it. I often think I have knowledge about the topic, plus I do more reading and research about it, and I feel confident. Then as soon as I think I’ve got a handle on the topic, I begin to feel like I know nothing. [...]
I like the term “First World problem”. Every time I think I have a problem, I say to myself, “Heh, First World problem.” It helps me to put my problems in perspective. I have [more than] enough to eat, I never hear gunshots outside my house, I don’t fear for my life when I walk [...]
Here are some quotes I want to remember from the book Revolution in World Missions. Very convicting stuff. * As I studied the Gospels, it became clear to me that Jesus understood well the principle of reaching the poor. He avoided the major cities, the rich, the famous and the powerful, concentrating His ministry on [...]
In the sermon at church today, I was reminded about the rich young ruler to whom Jesus spoke. Jesus looked at the young man and loved him. He could relate to the challenge that was put forth – to give up his riches and power to follow God. Jesus himself gave up heaven’s riches and [...]
Kayaking was not on my bucket list, but since I went for the first time on Saturday, I decided it deserved to be put on the list so I can check it off. Wonderful fun friends and our family drove 2 hours to San Diego to kayak around some caves. I was hesitant to go [...]
My daughter has a very heavy load of classes this year, her junior year of high school. It’s only the second week of school and she’s stressing out – “I have SO MUCH homework!” She’s studying every single minute, and not having a balanced life. I gave her a lecture about why she should not [...]
All the pictures and vids you see of the traffic in Saigon are all true. I am experiencing it for myself this week, and I love it. Cars, vans, motorbikes, scooters, bicycles, pedestrians, vendors balancing 2 heavy baskets on a bamboo stick, hand-pedaled carts driven by old ladies (I don’t know how else to describe [...]
I’m not an adventurous traveler. I grew up with a mother who told us to never eat street food when we were growing up in Hong Kong. She hated crowds, taught me that you can contract horrible diseases from public bathrooms, held her breath when she walked passed beggars on the street, and always wore [...]
Read this on Family Life today. We pray for revival, and it starts with us, each cleaning up our own house. A Christian leader told me about boarding a small commuter plane for a short flight out of Nashville. Moments after he settled in, a flight attendant’s voice came on the loudspeaker and said, “When [...]
Traveling across the world used to be a big thing. Well, it still is, if you think about the amazing airplane that not only defy gravity, but holds 200+ people and tons of luggage with it. But most people nowadays take for granted our ability to travel thousands of miles in a relatively short time. [...]
Due to shoulder pains when I sit at the computer, I’ve not posted. With age comes aches and pains, and I don’t like it. A friend said that when she keeps busy, she forgets about the pain. I think it is a true principle that when we do things to serve others, a lot of [...]
As much as I like to change things up once in a while, like repainting a wall color or moving the furniture, there is comfort in the familiar. Take for example our church’s annual Memorial Day picnic. We knew what would be served, because it’s the same every year. In the car on the way [...]
“The prevailing view in our culture is that as you close out your fortieth year or so, you enter a period of aging and decline. To pair age with growth seems to be contradiction in terms. This is a myth I refuse to believe, and I want to help you shatter it as well.” (p28) [...]