Count Our Days

Counting God's blessing in our daily lives

December 24, 2010
by Thuong
1 Comment

Things I Learned From The New Job

Listen with webReader

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.

December 17, 2010
by Thuong
0 comments

He Who Gave His Son

Listen with webReader

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.


YouTube - Joseph's Lullaby (Mercy Me)

December 15, 2010
by Thuong
0 comments

In His Time

Listen with webReader

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.

November 24, 2010
by Thuong
0 comments

Christian Skits – “Trust” & “The Stool”

Listen with webReader

I was looking for some ideas for Christian drama and happened to find this awesome skit on Youtube done by OneTimeBlind. It’s a simple skit but convey so well the idea of Trusting God. The lady is so spontaneous in her lines and expression which makes the skit so lively. Love it!


YouTube - Christian Drama: Trust

Updated.

OK. I found another great one. The Stool. Is God sitting on the chair of our heart? Are we following the decision he is making for us?


YouTube - The Stool

October 18, 2010
by Thuong
0 comments

Wait!

Listen with webReader

As I’m anxious, worry, seeking answers to what-when-how, and feeling like I need to do something, God’s Word just come in at devotion with one simple word: Wait!

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord - Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

Thoughts on Today’s Verse
If there is anything we don’t like to do, it’s wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it! There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new or easy.
My Prayer
Loving Father, I know you have waited for me so many times — for me to show my faith, repent of my sins, grow in holiness, come to you in prayer, act more mature, give to those who cannot return my care … Help me as I wait for you to show me the way with my decisions, to act to relieve my need, and to reveal your presence in my loneliness. I really do seek you with all my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

I want to wait on the Lord, to place my trust in Him. He will renew my strength so I can mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

I just can’t wait until then.