What For Lunch?

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Thuong
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This was the funny conversation we had last Saturday as we decided where to go for lunch after helping Linh-Phuc moving to their new place.

Linh: Let’s go lunch. Where do you guys want to go?

After many choices brought up with the usual discussion of have-you-tried-what-that-place I-haven’t-been-to-but-heard-it-is-good, we still couldn’t decide on a place. Somehow, the common reply such as “anywhere is fine with me” doesn’t seem to work with the decision on where to eat either, because usually one option is mentioned, another option immediately follows. This happens ALL THE TIME. Ha ha ha.

Bao: So, Damon [whom has been quiet], what do you want to eat?

Damon: How hungry are you guys?

Me: I am not super hungry but I could eat.

Damon: Well, I’m thinking somewhere with a big salad …

Bao (joked): Uhmm … I’ll never ask your opinion again. Ha ha ha.

Me: Wait! He’s not finished

Damon: Right … with a side of a 16oz juicy steak, one full rack of ribs, and a slide of ham with mashed potatoes and gravy on top.

Me: Exactly!

After all the laughters, yet we still didn’t know where to go for lunch. Few minutes later, we headed out a Korean restaurant. Don’t know how we came up with that! We’re been to this restaurant before and the foods were still great. Wasting time making the decision, I know but we’re just being … us!

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Saved

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Thuong
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In Daddy's Hand

Yes, I am saved more than 15 years ago, by God’s grace. But He just doesn’t stop there; with His everlasting love, He constantly saves me, spiritually and physically. His grace is still abundantly flowing as He cares for me.

Last Friday, I had a day off from work so I got around to do couple fix-ups around the house. I am not, emphasize not, a handyman type. However when things around the house break down, either I have to pay someone to do it or step up to the plate. I’m not financially blessed, so I choose the later. Well, the door bell has been broken for a quite a while now. I bought a new bell and new ringer to replace the old ones, but that did not fix the problem. Maybe the issue is in the transformer or the wiring. So I traced the wiring that lead to the transformer sit to the side of the furnace.

Before getting started, I switched off the power to the furnace from the main power box, or so I thought. I flipped the light switch and the light was not on, so I then proceeded disassembling the electric switch and the wiring to the transformer. Apparently I was being stupid for not testing the line appropriately with the right tool, but then again I am no electrician and I should not have done what I did. At that time, I am pretty sure my hands were touching the hot wire as I disassembled the connection. Until I was connecting the last wire of the new transformer to the power switch, I felt a tingling jolt on the tip of my finger. “Hmm, that’s weird” I thought. As I placed the wire around the screw to tight it down, suddenly BAM! sparks of electricity flared up causing a small flashing fire lightly burned the plastic switch.  To my reflex, I jumped up from where I was sitting, and a little bit freaked out at that moment. I thought for sure I had turn off the power to the furnace, so I went out to the main controller box to double check. There I saw the switch I turned off, it was below the one that I intended. The right switch now shut off, laid in the middle position due to the wiring mishap earlier.

I made sure it stayed off, and finished the wiring in hurry, but couldn’t help to think how didn’t I got shocked earlier when I dissembled the wiring. For whatever the reason was, if it wasn’t God who saved and protected me, I would be … done in, toasted, BBQ style. Yes, I am saved! Thank you Lord!

Praise God for He is the keeper and systainer of my life. In His hands, that’s where I want to be, to remained. Are you in good hand?

(Image borrowed from http://kathwilliamson.blogspot.com/)

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Love God

Posted on March 27, 2010 by Thuong
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I heard something interesting today. In relationship with God, He never moves away, or walks away; only we do. Sometimes we blame Him for our failures, for not hear our cry for help, for not being there. But in fact, we move away so far from Him that we don’t see Him in the midst of trouble, nor hearing His voice.

Remember the story of Jesus asking Peter on the shore? Jesus asked Peter: “Do you love me more than these?” We answer quickly to the answer do you love me, but do we love more than “these”? It’s a hard question, isn’t it? Start filling in the blank in place of “these” with clothes, foods, works, shoppings, hobbies, entertainments, money, cars, toys, videogames, fame, boyfriend, girlfriend … Do we love God, desire Him, willingly choose Him before those?

Though we want to love God, be near to Him, but if not with all our heart, desire, and commitment, we cannot do it. If distractions are filled our heart we have no room for Him.

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Random Thought: Guess What?!

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Thuong
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Funny how when people excitedly tell us: “Oh, guess what?”, we immediately reply “What?” instead of, you know, guessing.

Next time, when someone asks you to “guess what”, try taking your time guessing (or even pretend you are thinking) and reply: “Wait, don’t tell me. Lemme guess…” About a minute later, reply “I’m thinking …. I’m thinking ...”

It probably annoys the person as heck, but it’ll be funnier than just saying “what” right away.

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Random Thought: Not-I

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Thuong
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Just read something interesting from daily devotion.

No wonder the old saying goes “The middle of sIn is a big I!” When “I” become more important than others and what “I” want and that “I” win is more significant than what someone else truly needs, then “I” have lost my way and do not display the love of Christ.

It comes naturally to me that I  prioritize  ”me” first in everything. However, God tells us to humble ourselves;  lower ourselves to last, then He will lift us up higher. His “rules” of doing thing are so backward and awkward to us, don’t they?! Yet they are the right way – the correct way that makes everything works smoothly with less effort. It’s like we are right-handed, yet struggle and try to do things with our left hand. God is telling us: you don’t need to try so hard, just use your right hand! We can either tell Him: a) “mind your own business. I’m doing my own way” and struggle with own failures, or b) try His approach and do things with ease.

I remember seeing this church bulletin a while back:

J – Jesus
O – Others
Y – You

and with that order, it spells out JOY!

By the way, if you haven’t seen this website I Am Second, http://www.iamsecond.com, you should definitely check it out.

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Our 8th Anniversary

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Thuong
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Today we celebrate our 8th year of marriage. It has been that fast. Looking back, there were up and down, and challenges in our marriage. But then there were also lots of joy and laughters, love and intimacy. Most importantly, there was God – the glue, the keeper and sustainer of our love.

We can always pursue our dreams, chase after jobs and careers, entertain self, hang out with friends… but ultimately real life and meaning of life is where family at.

Past 8 years were great, yet I’m looking for even better of many years to come. There are still lots of things to learn, to experience, and I am looking forward to them. I want to be a better man, better husband to my wife, better father to my children. Realizing it’s a lifetime goal, I still still keep working at it no matter how long it takes.

Our family went to Steaksmith to celebrate our anniversary. We haven’t been back to this place for quite a while. Foods were alright but we did have a great family time together. At dinner Thao was explaining our reason to celebrate to Grace: “It was Mommy’s wedding 8 years ago this day.” Grace pondered: “Who did you marry to?” Then it was just dawn on her. Silly Gracie!

While we were waiting for our desert, Grace asked me if I want to play a game to which I said yes. She then gave me options: “Daddy which level do you want to play: easy, medium or hard?” I chose medium. Then she proceeded and said: “Medium? Ok then we can play ‘I Spy’ game because ‘Guess The Thing I Am Thinking’ game is hard. …. LOL. Gotta love her!

We played the “hard’ game, but I gave up on the drive home because we ran out of things to think about in the car.

Happy anniversary honey. I love you!

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