Will the good guys always win?

From Genesis 39:

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
(v 2-4)

The Lord was with Joseph and He blessed Joseph even though Joseph was sold as a slave...

How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
(v 9b, 10)

And Joseph loved the Lord and refuse to sin against God.

Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined.
(v 20a)

The reward for Joseph's love for the Lord? He was thrown into prison.

We cannot help but ask, how come these things happens to those who love the Lord? This is one of the biggest misconception of being a Christian. We grew up reading fairy tales and stories with plots telling us that in the end good things will fall upon the good guys? That's only "fair". But no, Joel, that what it said in the Bible too...

However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.
~Deut. 15:4, 5

So didn't the Bible teach us that if we obey, we will be blessed? Yes. But are these blessings found in the world? Or is it in the kingdom to come?

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. "
~Mark 8:34

Jesus said if we are to follow him, we must take up our cross... By taking up our cross, we will suffer pain and die. Where's the "blessings" in that? When we love the Lord, the devil hates it, and therefore the world hates it. Therefore the world will try to nail us to the cross, and many time the world will succeed in doing so. But by following the Lord, we are not part of this world, and thus our blessings and rewards in not found here.

Christians, when you follow Christ, don't not expect it will be smooth sailing. I can guarantee you that it won't be. Instead, expect suffering, and rest your hopes in the kingdom to come.

When the kids rules the house...

With mom and dad away on their 30th anniversary cruise in Mexico, the kids rules the house. :P What better than dinner, the kids' style. Lasagna, spring greens with raspberry vinaigrette, and a bottle of 2005 Tarapaca Merlot from Chile.

Simple, easy to make, no parents. :P

Wines from Tarapaca: Maipo Wine

Merlot

Tasting Notes
Grapes are harvested and vinified in mid March, while maceration takes place after fermentation. The wine is kept in French and American oak barrels. Its color is intense ruby-red with light touches of purple. Fruity aroma with wild fruit character; de

Food Pairings
Semi-raw cheeses;duck,chicken, pasta with light sauces;tongue, and savory bouchées.To be served at 20ºC.

Results of a Leadership Test

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

The Black Mush

Every kid had witnessed this horrid experience. This is my version:

I was in Grade 3, for science class we were learning about fruits and we were to told to bring a fruit to class one day. I do not remember what I brought, but I did remember what my neighbour brought to school. When we were told to take out our fruit, by neighbour produced this black shapeless mass. The class responded in a unison "eeeeekkkkkk".

That was the day I learn bananas turns black.

Which is too bad, for now I also know that bananas is such a nutritious fruit. I usually bring 3 with me to volleyball tourneys or have one after a jog. But they get squished so easily.

But fear no more, thanks to www.bananabunker.com, you can now own your very own bombproof case for your banana!

A $5US case to protect your 20 cents banana!?!

Oh boy, what will people think of next?

The Dare

Dare To Move
by Switchfoot

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself
Lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

At times, life seems like a dare. We can refuse to accept the dare and let life passes us by, or we can take the leap of faith the accept the dare as a challenge. What is the consequences of the dare? If you fail at the dare: Humiliation. Embarrassment. Defeat. Rejection. If you succeed: Triumph. Achievement. Liberating. Growth.

Humiliation. Embarrassment. Defeat. Rejection. These are all extremely traumatic experiences. There is an inert fear in everyone of us to avoid these experiences if possible. Does the exultation of succeeding at a dare out-weights the possibility of these traumatic experience.

Two biblical characters came in mind. Jonah (because we are currently studying the book of Jonah) and Jacob.

Jonah. At the call to witness to the people in Nineveh (Assyrians), the brutally violent most hated enemies of Israel, Jonah refuse to accept the dare and fled. He did not want to face the ridicule of the people of Nineveh, or worst, face to crudity at the hands of these people. Also he did not think these people deserves the mercy of God. What happened to Jonah? In the belly of a fish... good as dead...

Jacob. When given the opportunity of meet face to face with God, what did he do? He took the dare and wrestled God. Is he out of his mind? The consequences of wrestling with God is far more serious than humiliation, embarrassment, defeat or rejection. It could cause him his life. Yet in the end, God blessed him

Jonah seek to save his life, but 'lost' it. Jacob took the dare that could of caused him his life, find life.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
~Matt 10:39

Do you dare?

Silver medals, but hearts of Gold

Facing the adversity of bad refereeing, the girls took home the silver metal over the weekend, wrapping up their very successful season and concludes the OCCAA league. The match was very excited, the games were neck-to-neck, back-and-forth. Losing 21-25, 25-27, 21-25. I am so proud of everyone of them, they worked hard all season to get to this point and they all have hearts of gold.

A special congratulations to League All-Stars: Natalie Lam and Alica Wilson, and team MVP Jenn Crabe.

Tyndale Men's and Women's are in the Finals, against Redeemer

I am so proud of my girls, easily taking Heritage in 4 sets. Bring on Redeemer tomorrow at noon.

In the presence in God's miracles

This term, I have designated Thursday as my Sabbath. A day for rest. A day to build connections. A day to connect with God, with myself, and with others brothers and sisters.

Yesterday, I had the joy of having lunch with Patrick and John Baik at Duff wings. Mmmm... After lunch, Baik and I headed downtown to pick up a photocopier.

A photocopier?

On Wednesday, I saw on Craig's List that a law firm is giving away a 5 years old Xerox 5855C copier. So immediately I jumped on the opportunity and arranged for the pickup today. During dinner on Wednesday night, I asked mom if any church organization needs a photocopier? She said perfect, 多倫多短宣中心 Toronto Chinese Christian Short Term Mission Training Centre needs a photocopier. Apparently I found out yesterday that the copier they have right now only makes about 10 copiers per day before overheating.

So Baik and I arrived at the law firm... only to find out that copier was larger than I though because of the additional modules. I made quick work and removed the paper sorter, but the paper loader was more of and hassle. It was on rails attached to the body of the copier by 4 screws. I had my trusty Swiss Army key chain knife was able remove 2 of the 4 screws. I needed longer screwdriver to remove the rest. Baik and I thought, let's wheel the unit down to the car and we'll see what we can do.

At the car, I soon realized I have to remover the paper loader. So out of options, I looked in to the spare tire wheel well of my car. I opened the bag containing the tire iron and to my surprised, there was a screw driver! I shouted "Praise God" and Baik and I cheered in the middle of the busy street in downtown tomorrow.

We loaded the copier into my car, thank God for the hatchback. I had to remove the front cover of the copier but the copier JUST fits through the hatch... seriously, no more than 5 cm leeway on each side and the top. Praise God.

I paper sorter fit perfectly in front of the copier and the paper loader sit snuggly on Baik's lap. I could not see out the back of my car, and I had to lean forward to see out of the right side of my car. So I kept the blinkers on and drove on the right lane all the way back uptown.

All in all, the was filled with joy as I delivered the copier to TCSTMTC. I know I could have sold the copier and toner and made a good sum of money, but giving to God's ministry in need was so much more rewarding. $8 downtown parking, several scratches on my car and 2 1/2 hours of labour later, I arrived at TCSTMTC. Dad arrived shortly after work to help. However, we could not get the main unit up the stairs to the Training Centre so a piano mover will arrive today to take the copier upstairs.

Director Yu of TCSTMTC commented how much faith I had to go and get the copier, and we are all excited how God provided.

Thank you, Lord, for gracing us with your presence.