Inviting the Other Half

It's time of the year when weddings starts to take place. Sometimes invitations is a huge concern for those couples. Who to invite and whether to invite your friend's significant half. I do find it very disrespecting to not invite your friend's significant half. Whether the excuse is not having enough seat, or that you don't know that person. Please keep in mind that some people can be offended!

Once my friend invited me to her house for dinner, but would not invite my boyfriend because she said she doesn't know him. I find this very disrespectful to my boyfriend and find it very offending. I end up turning down her invitation. I respect my partner and if my friends disrespects him for any reason, they offend me too.

父子

Today, I watched the movie 父子. At the end of the movie it left you guessing as to what had really happen to the father. His old neighbor said he started working again, remarried and is pretty well off. On the other hand, there's scene that showed him walking into a lake. By the looks of it, it appears that he’s trying to suicide.
This triggered a question. Did the father really gave up his gambling addiction and started a new life? To me, whatever really happened to that father is not important. What I really wanted to ask is whether my own father would change. Will he ever? I don't think so!

Devotion - Making Way

What preparation needs to be done to allow Jesus unhindered access to your own heart? Are there rough places of bitterness that need the bulldozer of forgiveness? Are there valleys of complaining that need to be filled with contentment? We can’t afford to neglect this spiritual engineering. Let’s prepare the way for the King! — Joe Stowell

Sadly, I have answered "Yes" to both of the questions asked above. Bitterness and complaints fills my life. Recently, I have been complaining about someone who accused me of doing something that I have never done, and being bitter to those who are accusing me.

One day, at work, I was listening to the Bible as usual, and I came to the book of Matthews. Once again, I was told the story of Jesus, but this time God spoke to me through this story with a different perspective. God told me to follow Jesus as a role model. In the book, Jesus never hold a grudge on those people who crucified him. In the movie, "Passion of the Christ" Jesus' eyes were very gentle when he received his death sentence. There were no hatred and bitterness. He even healed the person whom Peter cut off his ear when he walked up to attempt to take Jesus away. Honestly, I can't do it... But God is telling me that I must. I must care for those who prosecute me like Jesus did. May God continue to mold me to become more like Jesus. Hardship have filled my life, and I'm honored to receive such challenges because behind every pain and suffering, it is always for something good.

Devotion - Faithfulness In Everything

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

Daily Bread Article:
God also sees our faithfulness in the things we do. Though we may think our deeds—big and small—sometimes go un-noticed, they are being observed by the One who matters most. Whatever our task today, let’s “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17)

Lately, I have received a lot of reminders on how even the smallest, unseen work are accounted by God. Once through Bible Study last week and through this devotional article tonight. I use to always think that my "behind the scene" tasks (I call them the tiny deeds) doesn't count as much compared to those who does the "front line work". Part of me wants the approval of others, showing God that I can do the "Big Stuff" too! That's why I use to seek opportunity to perform upfront, or on stage. But if everybody is doing all the "Big Stuff", who is going to do the "Small Stuff"? Small deeds matter too! It might not be seen by others, or be appreciated, but according to today's Daily Bread article, if the painter never painted the inside of that bridge, it might have rusted and collapsed. God acknowledges those work, big or small. God rewards them if they are done in the name of the Lord, big or small, front line or back stage. God's acknowledgment is the only approval that counts, and the only thing that matters.

Devotion - In All Kinds Of Weather

Our Daily Bread Article:

Jesus didn’t simply say, “always,” but “all the days.” That takes into account all our various activities, the good and bad circumstances surrounding us, the varied responsibilities we have through the course of our days, the storm clouds and the sunshine.

Our Lord is present with us no matter what each day brings. It may be a day of joy or of sadness, of sickness or of health, of success or of failure. No matter what happens to us today, our Lord is walking beside us, strengthening us, loving us, filling us with faith, hope, and love. As He envelops us with quiet serenity and security, our foes, fears, afflictions, and doubts begin to recede. We can bear up in any setting and circumstance because we know the Lord is at hand, just as He told Paul in Acts 18:10, “I am with you.”

I am always very cautious of what I say at work, especially when most of the people I work with are Caucasians. I am afraid that they'll laugh at my me, my religion and my English. That's why I don't talk a lot at work. Needless to say, spreading the gospel. However, lately, God forced me to interact with my co-workers more. He gave me chances like someone will host a department potluck, or a few people from my department would go out for lunch together. I don't want to let God down, so I slowly proceed on talking to them. First by asking questions like, "What did you do this weekend?" or "Any plans tonight?". I'll then progress into telling a little bit about myself going to church, and/or volunteering for some Christian organizations, etc... Amazingly, as I talk more, I get more comfortable in speaking about my religion. Sometimes, my co-workers will laugh at me or at God. Of course that caused discouragement all over again, but I forced myself to speak again. To me this is very tough, being let down again and again, but this passage gave me confidence to speak of God even to hypocrites, even if I'll be made fun of. This tells me that God is there, beside me, when I do speak. Strengthening me, loving me, filing me with faith, hope, He envelops me with quiet serenity and security, foes, fears, afflictions, and doubts. Thank you God for being there for me "always".

Devotion: Take One Step

Today I had dinner with a youth society leader. Listening to her story, I though to myself, about how God plants miracles in people's lives. However, I don't get that kind of blessings. Nothing happens to me much, no big miracles, nothing to awe about! What can I do to get this kind of blessing, and why some people get them? Do I need a special talent?
The devotion article today gave me a huge reminder. God is telling me to take it one step at a time. God works miracles on all believers, He just does it differently with every person.

Daily Bread Quote:
"So often we hope our lives will change through a giant leap of faith, a profound decision, or a significant act of service. In reality, the only way we change is one step at a time, and every step counts."

Thanks for reading.