God gives us, each and everyone plenty of gifts, and they all come in different packages. It’s funny (not in funny haha sense) how we receive our packages, yet still look around seeing everyone else and be jealous and envy of their packages for the sizes, shapes, colors, the wrappers, the timing they come in or the ways they are presented. We haven’t even thank God yet for the gifts we received. In fact we don’t even bother opening the presents, but already start complaining and begging God for something different or that of someone else. It was not about the package; it’s about the gifts that bundled inside which we often don’t see without breaking down the box.

It’s a childish behavior yet a grown man like me still often behave in such way. Insecurity is what puts us in the center of attention, compare ourselves on people scale of standards, and causes us to worry about how other people would perceive of us. It’s a tactic devil often uses to target our weakness as it knows the destructive power of insecurity. We wish we were somebody else, taller, richer, more talented, more success. We wish family, background would be different. Or cancer, illness, trauma, abuse, or certain events wouldn’t happen. Addictive personalities of any form lust, gamble, alcohol wouldn’t be an issue. We wish.

While Satan is lying and convincing us that we are defect creations of God, this is what God is telling us “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9) He knows our concerns and needs, for He created us; that’s why He gives us gifts. It might takes us some time to recognize His gifts, to use them and appreciate them. We may or may not understand His plan for lavishing us with such gifts, bundled in certain ways, but there gifts are always there in every package coming our way. No box is empty. For the Father knows what we need: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Are we still getting caught up in the package, the shell that the gifts come in? Let’s tear down the box, discover the gifts, thanks God for His love, and enjoy the blessings of the Father giving to His sons.

I want to share with you a snipset from one of my favorite sermons. This one is titled “God’s Greatest Desire” by Pastor Robert Morris.

To determine what is God’s greatest desire, let’s go back to the beginning of time when God created human. He created Adam, in His image – that means he talks like God, walks like God, thinks like His, and importantly he desires like God. We are trying to determine what is God’s desire here, and this was before sin came in the world, before Eve was created. So did Adam have a desire? He did! Let’s find out what it is.

God created a garden and put Adam in charge, and he enjoyed running around, have a good time in the garden. One day he probably came to God and said: “Lord!.. , love the garden! Thank you!! The other day Monkey and I climbing tree, we have a blast!.. Well, listen, I have this desire and I don’t really know what it is. I just don’t know how to describe it. With everything here in the garden, I feel like there’s still something missing.” God probably said: “I didn’t name all the animals in the garden yet. How about you help me naming the animals. Let start there, and while you are doing that, you might find something that you like.” We are not stretching the Scripture much because it said there was not found a compatible helper for Adam as he named the animals. That means he was looking, yet there was no companion to be found.

But one day when Adam woke up from his sleep, and he saw a new creation that he has to exclaim: “WOOO man!!” (and that’s how the ‘woman’ got its name .. haha) “This is now bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh” – That’s me!! he said. How did God know? How did God know the only thing that would satisfy the desire that Adam has is a bride? Why didn’t God make him a football, or a remote control? You know, things that men like. How did God know what Adam desired? It is because God has the SAME desire. He created the one just like He is, in image of God, who has a desire for a bride. So do you understand what God’s greatest desire is? It’s you! You! God who has everything, doesn’t need you, but He wanted you.

Let just say that Adam had not eaten the forbidden fruit, and there was a conversation going like this. Let say God came to Adam and said something like this: “Son, I need to tell you something that is going to break your heart. Your bride has sin and therefore your bride has to die. I am really sorry.” Adam replied: “Lord, I love her. I don’t want her to die!” Maybe God comforted him: “I can make you another one!.. I formed her, I can make her another one.” I think Adam probably had said: “I don’t want another one!… I want her!”

I think the conversation like that did happen in heaven. I think God said to His Son one day: “Son, I’m sorry to tell you this. Your bride has sin, and your bride has to die.”

Jesus replied: “I love her! I don’t want her to die.”

God said: “Well, someone has to die…”  to which Jesus answer: “Then let it be me. I’ll die so she can live.”

God’s greatest desire is you!!

He who has everything, doesn’t need anything, yet created you because He wanted you. When we all sin and fall short the glory of God, Jesus died for us so we could live. What is God saying to you? Where are you in the relationship with God? Did you know that you are His greatest desire?

The pure, simple, fundamental message of the Gospel is beautifully presented

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At the begin of summer, I was thinking of what activities for the kids and family to do in the summer. I happened to hear a genius idea of asking the kids what they want instead of try to second guess. Absolutely genius I say!! So I asked Grace to make a list of things she wants to learn, to do, to have, and places she wants to go. She put quite some thought in it and came up with an elaborate list of things. It’s great because some of the things of that list are things I absolutely want to do as well.

So a whole month of summer break had passed, and there were few things that we were able to check off the list. However, there are things that weren’t on that list but have been spontaneously done and checked off. Things from the “bucket list.” Things that are milestone.

I’m proudly to share two things Grace marked her calendar as huge accomplishment:
1. Prayed and invited Jesus in to her heart.
2. Rode her bicycle without training wheels.

The awesome thing is that it is totally Grace’s decision and I did not influence her at all. She came out of the children ministry classroom and shared with me: “Daddy I prayed and invited Jesus into my heart today.” Best words ever heard!

Summer break is going great so far.

I recently listened to the song called “Beautiful Things” by Gungor (http://www.gungormusic.com) on radio and absolutely love it. I happen to find an Youtube video with powerful message features this song, using cardboard testimonies.

Thank you God for “making beautiful things out of us.”

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Beautiful Things

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make me new, You are making me new

If you can’t be a pine on the top of a hill,
Be a scrub in the valley, but be the best little scrub on the side of the hill.
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
If you can’t be a bush, be a bit of the grass
And some highway happier make.
If you can’t be a muskie, then just be a bass,
But the liveliest bass in the lake.
We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew.
There’s something for all of us here.
There’s big work to do and there’s lesser work, too,
And the thing we must do is the near.
If you can’t be a highway, then just be a trail.
If you can’t be the sun, be a star.
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail,
Be the best of whatever you are.

- Douglas Maloch

Beautiful poetry. I love it

I had a day off yesterday in celebrating President’s Day holiday. There wasn’t any plan other than sleep-in, kick back and relax at home with the kids. Supposingly, I should have worked on finishing up filing the income tax but playing Toy Story game on Wii with Gracie was much more appealing. Or watching Veggie Tales with Benji, my little Batman – that’s what he wants me to call him. And I took a good 2hrs nap just because Benji “saved a room” for me on the bed where he made his ‘house’ with pillows and blankets.

At dinner, I asked Gracie how would she rate today home with Daddy, on a scale of 10. She quickly said “A Ten!!” then thought for few seconds and changed it to a Five. “Only Five?! But we played the Wii game?” I tried to defend for some bonus points. She changed it to a Six. “Okay Gracie. Were you happy today?” She nodded. “Well, how about you draw a picture with the subject is Happiness? What makes you happy” She quickly disappeared to her room, grabbed the sketchbook and pencil, and started scribbling. “Don’t look okay mommy and daddy. I’ll show you when I finish.”

I was done with the dishes, and so did Grace with her artwork. It was a family picture of Mommy, Daddy, Benji and herself, all together, each wears their favorite color shirt and pants. She even titled it “My Happyness Thing”

That was my Six-star day, nothing special, wasn’t perfect, but I love it!!!

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We made it to Taoyuan safely, people and luggages. It was drizzle when we landed, and we could feel the heavy humidity in the air. It also felt a bit chilly from the cool breeze blew in. We were concerned how to fit all people with 3-4 pieces of luggage each into the two mini vans that they showed up. But all fit in quite comfortably. It’s a miracle in itself After being treated with homecook Pho, we rested up a little bit and started rehearsing for the Christmas program which would start in just few hours.

I found an acoustic guitar in the closet, and it was way out of tune. As I almost finished tuning it up, the first E-string snapped. The pastor of the local church then drove me to the shop and got the replacement string. Fortunately, the shop was still open and we were their last customer. It was strange they sell by single string rather the whole set.

Rain had stopped and the gray clouds cleared up. “It’s a good sign. God prepares for this” the pastor told me. He continues: “It’s been raining a lot and we haven’t seen the sun for 2 days. It’s hard for people to come because they don’t have time. When weather is bad, it’s even harder. So this is great that the rain has stopped.” He then continue told me the lives of the Vietnamese people here. They typically work 12-16 hours shift as required in their contract. The other 8 hours are their sleeping time or personal time. To attend church, or having personal time would mean they will have to sleep less.

The empty seats started to fill. We had about 30-35 young people showed up in this small room, or more like a 2-car garage in the US.  We started to introduce to get to know each other. Some read our advertisement in the magazine and came, hoping to connect with other Vietnamese people. Some were invited by friends. Some were first time comers. They were all excited to be here.  Few ice-breaker games helped them getting comfortable, we began to sing many familiar Christmas carols together. Temperature dropped faster after dark and it got a bit more chilly. There wasn’t central heat, nor insulated wall, but gathering around couple electric space heaters, they listened to the songs and the message.

We got 4 souls saved tonight. My heart was rejoycing for them, and I’m sure heaven must had a huge celebration tonight. They stayed with us a little longer, ate dinner, talked more, laughed more, and got to know each other a little bit more. Then some had to leave to go straight to work. Others have to take buses or ride a long way home. Though the weather was cold, the road was long, they didn’t seem to mind. They already have the true joy in their hearts. We said farewell and hope to see them again in few days.

That’s the wrap for day one. It was 5-hours long, but it was very worth it. I’m heading to bed and excited for days to come. Good night!

Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight which is now deplayed for another hour, I have to keep myself distracted from thinking of the goodbye ealier with my wife and kids. Especially, it was hard when Gracie phoned me to say goodbye again, and crying a river. I was all mushy up.

Ok distraction, let’s talk about my new job. It has been going good. I was working with a project that is scheduled to be finished in first week on January. Considering the deadline and they are OK with letting me taking time off, that is a blessing. I was able to finish all the tasks that were assigned to me before I go.

It’s busy, but so far has been a good kind of busy. There will definitely be lots to learn at this company, but here are few things I have learned from first couple weeks working:

• I need to update my wardrobe, and iron more frequent. Can’t don on jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes anymore
• Too many names to remember. I’m not good at this at all. With over 150 people in the department, it will take me some times OK Susan, I mean Lisa, I mean what’s-her-name
• People here whisper. Man, I mean I’m spoiled with having my own room before. Beside, I’m Asian, I’m loud. That will be quite an adjustment.
• Cubicle is not sound proof, or lunch odor proof. If no one is talking or on the phone, it’s awefully quiet there except he clicking sound of typing on keyboard and the humming of the heater, which can rock you to sleep. So, don’t eat too full at lunch.
• There’s no where in the cubicle area to take a nap after lunch. Note to self: need to look into George’s idea from Seinfield to build the napping compartment under the desk
• It’s like Indy 500 race track in the parking garage at the end of day. Nice guys do finish last here.

There are quite few adjustments to adapt to, coming from a small company to a big size company such as this. With all jokes aside, I have great starting weeks at the new job, met some friendly people, handed on and learned the system and able to do development right away. I’m looking for more of that when I come back.

I am up late tonight preparing songs for the upcoming Christmas service. After picking strings and singing along couple times to the song Joseph’s Lullaby by Mercy Me, the song lyrics just hit me hard, I just busted in tears and couldn’t hold back. Knowing that this special Child will grow up and will DIE for the sins of human, Joseph just treasured the precious moment with baby Jesus sleeping in the manger now. There is just no sweeter moment than this, watching those tiny hands and feet, the silky soft skin of the child, eyes closed, in deep peaceful sleep.

Well, that was lovely but it was not why I teared up. It was the thought of “for God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son…” It’s the well-known verse that I have read and come across countless of time now suddenly ‘spoke’ to me. With God-given privilege of being a father, I understand more on the sacrifices God made.  I certainly cannot do what He did. Will not. Absolutely not.  I would not give up my children for anyone, for any reasons, even with getting all the money it the world. Never.

But He, who loved us so much, gave His one and only Son for us. That what brought me to tears. I just don’t know how else to react to that. It’s just too huge for me to think to comprehend what He did, all just because He so loved us. He gave His Son just so He can have the relationship with us. I’m just in shock for I’m not worthy of His love. I’m a sinner, and absolutely nothing in me that even worths His attention. Now He gave all He has for us, freely, how would we respond to His love? I don’t know about you, but I’m just humbly and accepting His love, His gift. I am in tears, but it is the tears of joy that God loved me that much.

I cannot look at the Nativity scene the same anymore. Seeing a baby in the manger, I see the love of a father who would gave his most prized possession to have me.

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On the way to work this morning, I heard this Bible verse on the radio and it got me thinking.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, … that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NIV)

Even with our fancy Rolex couldn’t tell when God is about to do something. He operates on a completely different time set that ours. He allows things to happen at the right time when He sees it is good. Even in the event of God became man born in manger, has to wait until “the time had fully come“.  Why then was a good time? Why not when Israel was exiled to Egypt? Why not when they need a king? Or why not now?!

Though we might have a slightest idea of why, but one thing for sure, we don’t think like God does. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8) But we know that the end result, when the time come and God allows things to happen,  is always perfect and satisfying. It always works out at the end.

Some people might not like the idea of being kept in the dark for surprises. But aren’t surprise visit or Christmas gifts be more thrill and extra special when you are least expected? Especially, when it is someone very close to you and you haven’t seen for years, or e a present that you really want it. I think God just wants to make sure our joy be completed, exceed expectations, from joy to .. overjoy.

Aren’t we all the little children whom constantly bugging our Father with “Are we there yet?” question?! Follow God is a journey. There are things we are anxiously waiting, expecting, praying for so long, yet have come. There are things that just happened ‘for no reason.’ We might not have the answer or understand why at the time. But, take His word: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13:7) We will understand. We will praise God for what He did.

I love this good oldie song, taken from Ecclesiastes 3:11, that I still often sing:

In His time, in His time
He makes all things beautiful, in His time.
Lord, please show me everyday
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say
In Your time.

Couple months ago, a friend told me about an evangelism mission trip to Taiwan and North Vietnam and invited me to go. Though it sounded exciting, but in my head I already said no for many reasons. Money for the trip was out of the question. Work had been very slow and I wasn’t sure how long the company would last. And spiritually, I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this. My friend encouraged me to pray about it

So, I spent time in prayer with God that week, finding what God wanted to speak to me about. It was strange because the whole time I was thinking it must be about the people over there and what I could do. But it seemed God was saying to me that it is about my relationship with Him that He wanted me to develop through the experience. If you ask me how I know, I don’t, but that was what I felt praying with Him. Why not here local? Why a mission trip? I don’t know. God asked me if I accept it, and I answered Him that I strongly desire for Him and I want the relationship with Him to grow. If the mission trip is the place, then let it be, but He would have to provide the way because right now I don’t see how it is possible for me to go.

That was it. All God needed was an ‘yes’ from me, and He took charge and set wheels in motions. At the time, we were going to use our saving to refinance the house and were looking into different options. But God lead us to the right people to contact, the right program that would reduced our rate almost 2 points, half the loan term, half the closing cost, and little change to the monthly mortgage payment. So He took care the airfare. I then got a ‘go’ after talking to my boss about taking off for few weeks. After discussed and prayed, my wife also OK’ed. Deciding on using our little emergency money for the trip was risky and scary; it would be considered a stupid move really. It’s totally not like me at all, but somehow there’s peace in it. We were holding tight on God’s promise. Or so I thought..

Then came the test. My company was about to shutting down. I was about to finalize the ticket purchase, but then debating whether I should proceed or drop the whole thing. How can I make mortgage payment? How to pay for insurance? How to feed the children? Certainly I have thought of backing out of the promise, but God provided ways to let us know He is in control. Thanks God during this trial, my wife was my strong support. We prayed together each night, and she told me that even with the uncertain of future, she felt great peace. Women could sense problem long before it exist, they say, so what my wife said to me brought me peace as well. It really was God’s way of telling me He’s there, amidst the storm. In fact, He was. There were also many people who prayed for me, and I am so grateful for all. You all are powerful warriors who helped me through, holding my faith, and trust in God. It seemed God constantly reminded me to cast my fear and worries upon Him. He would take care of them as He promise, and I just need to do my part that I had said ‘yes’ to Him. Indeed He did. So last week, I started my new job. The amazing thing is this job I selected by narrowing down company that had no problem with I’m being gone for the mission trip. God is truly amazing.

I am looking forward to this mission trip, deepening the relationship with God. I don’t know what challenge, what’s await ahead but I am excited. I can’t share much detail about the upcoming trip and what to expect, but I will share the experience with you as soon as I can. I am thankful and appreciate for your prayers and thoughts.

My heart is now singing with Chris Tomlin, “I Will Follow”

Where you go, I’ll go
Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I’ll love
How you serve I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

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