My siblings and I refer to it as the “Choy gene.” When we lack confidence, when we get complacent, when we feel nervous about upcoming events for no good reason, we say it’s the Choy gene, on my mom’s side. This gene of pessimism and fear is something I have to consciously overcome. It’s a […]
I wish I can remember more clearly some of those precious times – going to Disneyland for the first time when I was about 8 or 9, my wedding day, my children’s first steps, closing my first real estate transaction. But I’m glad that God did not give us a perfect memory. I don’t remember […]
Perhaps it’s mid-life crisis, perhaps it’s changing hormones, perhaps it’s watching and caring for my father journeying what is likely his final round in life. I’ve been thinking that if I were to die, there isn’t anything that I am doing where I cannot be replaced. Yes, friends may miss me and my unique personality, […]
My pastor says that both his mother and mother-in-law, in their late 80’s have said that having a long life is not such a blessing. Living alone and missing their deceased husbands, they are ready to meet the Lord. Yet, with the availability of modern medicine, something so basic such as hydration with an IV […]
Read this on Family Life that I think is insightful: As Easter approaches, don’t you often wonder why Christmas gets all the good press, while Easter is treated more like a very distant second cousin? After all, it’s a commemoration of the greatest news ever proclaimed in history: Christ is alive and we are forgiven! […]
Lately I’ve been hearing of hospitalizations and health problems of elderly parents. Just today a friend’s mother passed away. Another friend’s mother is in a coma. When I hear such news, I get tired. Tired of the burdens of life, tired of the difficulties. And I have not even experienced even half of what some […]
I read an interesting article in the California Southern Baptists periodical – Can Sunday School be saved? With declining attendance in Sunday School based on a LifeWay survey, the article discusses what can be done. Ken Meyers, minister of Christian formation and education at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston – Salem, NC, said the question […]
“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 […]