How the month has quickly flew by...

Exactly one more day till my sweetie return from her mission trip in China. And only 39 more days till I get to see her in Vancouver. :)

The Gist

Date:	Saturday, June 9, 2007
Time:	8:00pm - 10:30pm
Location:	Richmond Hill Chinese Baptist Church
	9670 Bayview Ave,Richmond Hill, ON

Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?

I dunno why I'm excited about this, but I pass Grade 8 Science...

You Passed 8th Grade Science

Congratulations, you got 8/8 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?

1 Down, 8 To Go

Congrats to Karen and Brian Fu on their wedding. Karen is the first in our high school group to go... man, we are late boomers. Well, I guess the flood gates has opened, just 8 more to go. Connie is next in July. Too bad I will not be in town for Connie and Greg's wedding. I'll be in Vancouver.

Jenny arrived in Xining

I was ecstatic to receive an email from Jenny and from the team leader this morning. They only have a hour of internet per week (a commitment they made during their orientation) so I have taken over of providing updates for Jenny. :p

> Jenny's official trip blog can be found here
http://jenny-chinagp07.blogspot.com/

Te team arrived in Beijing on Friday and before boarding the train on Saturday they went to the temple of heaven.

According to Jenny, the train ride was fun. They got to meet some really cool people and did sing alongs! They sang English songs and then in return the locals sang their Tibetan or their ethnic songs. Lily and Phoebe, cute white girls attracting a lot of attention and everyone wants to take pictures with them. It is good to hear that they drove right into the cross-culture experience with the locals.

Jenny Chu on the Chu Chu Train

Jenny and her China GP team are now on the 25hours train ride from Beijing to Xining in the province of Qinghai. They must be so tried from all the traveling and jetlag, only having arrived into China yesterday.

Do keep them in prayers.

The Summer is shaping up

I love God's plans... everything is beginning to fit together nicely. My Summer is slowly shaping up, and like a puzzle, every piece is falling into place.

Apr 29 - June 7 (Jenny away on missions in China)
May 16 - June 27 (Mondays and Wednesday Night): Summer school - Gospel Church & Culture
May 19 - May 2: Spring Camp
July 15 - Aug 8: Vancouver visit
Aug 9 - Aug 11: Willow Leadership Summit
Aug 13 - Aug 17: Arts and Sports Camp

The nice thing about the Leadership Summit being held on Aug 9 - 11 is that I can fly straight from Vancouver to Chicago and attend the conference live. There are Air Canada flights from YVR to ORD departing at 11:00p and arriving at 5:00a. That gives me 4 hours to travel to Willowcreek to attend the 9:00a conference. Nice. Now I can see my canceled Harmony Flights to be a blessing in disguise.

The Leadership Summit will be so cool!

Times Listed below are Central Time. (Schedule is subject to change.)
Thurs, August 9, 2007 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Fri, August 10, 2007 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	Sat, August 11, 2007 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 1 Vision to Die For Bill Hybels Session 2 Tough Choices One-on-One with Carly Fiorina Session 3 The Heat of Responsibility Floyd Flake Session 4 The Sixth Sense of a Leader Warren Bennis	Session 5 Your Move Harvard Strategy Professor Michael Porter Session 6 Leading at the Highest Level A Personal Conversation with Colin Powell Session 7 A Leader’s Greatest Fear John Ortberg Session 8 Living for the Greater Good One-on-One with International Filmmaker Richard Curtis	Session 9 Building Humanity An Exclusive Interview with President Jimmy Carter Session 10 Whatever You Do, Inspire Me! Bill Hybels

Lunch with the big guys

Another jam packed day, another productive day. This week has been crazy! I never knew there so much to do during the summer "break". Monday was a nice Sabbath. Tuesday, dim sum lunch with grandma. Wednesday, worked all day, meeting after dinner and tutor. Today, graduation rehearsal, work at church, and tutor.

The highlight of the day was surely lunch. Lunch with Kaarina, the dean of student life, Nelly, admin of Hudson Taylor Centre, Doreen, executive assistant to the provost, and provost Dr. Earl Davey. Lunch with the provost was intense. I had to be on my best behaviour. :P But from him, I learn so much about how upper levels of Tyndale runs.

Because of the parties present during lunch, at one point I felt that pulled in many directions. When they asked me what was my plans for the coming year, whether or not I'll be serving at the student council, I replied no and Kaarina gave me a frown. Then I suddenly felt the tension with when Nelly's eyes when with the prospect to recruit me to the Chinese student council. LOL. Oh, the fun of ministry. In the end I made my point clear that I wanted to focus on my congregation. But I'll still lend my helping hand to both council occasionally.

The most encouraging part of lunch was when Doreen asked about my trip to Vancouver in July, she asked me if I have family there. I said no but Kaarina jumped in and said "Not yet". Then Earl started sharing his experience when he was a missionary in Indonesia that the culture always uses the phrase "not yet". So much hope, I like it.

It turns out that Earl also have a passion for photography. Oh, we will have so much to talk about. :)

Leaving on a Jet Plane (Jenny's China edition)

Flight:	CA 992 (Air China)
Depart:	Vancouver International Apt			3 May	13:00
Arrive:	Beijing Capital Apt			4 May	15:00
Aircraft:	767		Stops:	Non-Stop
		Travel Time:		11hrs

Jenny is on the plane on the way to China as we speak. In another 10 hours, her team will arrive in Beijing, China. To be honest, I do not know exactly how I feel right now. Don't get me wrong, I am SO proud of her and SO excited for what God has to teach her. But bottom line, I do miss her. I have sent her off last Sunday and she had a 4 days long orientation with her team, so we only had minimal email contact over the past few days.

I believe this time alone is very good. You may think I sound ridiculous because I only see her twice a year anyways, and more time "apart" is good? LOL. To be honest, yeah! This gives me the time to think, reflect and pray about our relationship. Meanwhile it gives me the time to focus on my task here at home.

It is funny that exactly 11 months ago, the roles were reversed. Jenny and I were in Hong Kong, and I left Hong Kong for Bangkok and not knowing when I'll see her again. Oh, and look at how our relationship grow during our time apart. I was able to do when God planned for my on my mission trip, and Jenny was able to witness to her family in Hong Kong and China. We kept in contact through letters and blogs.

I am so proud of her. I know God is shaping her into the beautiful, young lady He had in His mind. And I cannot wait to meet this masterpiece of God when she returns. And the best part is that I'll get to see her in July. What else can I ask for? I am so blessed. God has already spoken to me in volumes over the past days, I am waiting with high expectations on what God has in store.http://jenny-chinagp07.blogspot.com/

Pray for the safety of their flight, and for rest and jet lag recovery. Also pray for strength in the Lord, and for the spiritual attacks. Susie Colby (the wife of one of the staff leader) has already fallen ill and had to miss the 4 days orientation.

God speed, Jenny, and serve him well.

The Final Soiree

David Crowder the Power Ranger

A dream came true...

Seriously, I have dream of this in my dreams when I was in university. I should have developed it but now someone beat me to it.

Camera in a bag to make it waterproof.

Men, Prepare for battle...

The weather is getting warmer, the snow is melting away. It is that time of the year I remind my boys again, to prepare for battle...

Driving to school this morning, before turning onto Garnier St. that leads to Tyndale, I had to drive by St. Joseph's. This is the time of the year when all the catholic school girls dig out their skirts. It is ridiculous how they hike up their skirts, it sickens me. I ask myself why do they bother to put one on if the skirt does not cover anything at all!?!

My heart aches for all men who wants to be righteous. This is the time of the year where it seems like the world is out to get them. Bounce your eyes, men!

My Back...

My back gave in on me again last night... I woke up in the middle of the night and I could not fall back to sleep for two hour. The pain was excruciating. It was a pain I've never felt before, it is just above the lumber region.

Over the past month, I've been hindered by the back problems.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
~2 Cor. 4:7-9 TNIV

But with the all-surpassing power from god, I can be struck down, but not destroyed.

is it in you?

Spring Camp 2007, registration begins tomorrow!

Caffeine Intake

I usually avoid taking in a large amount of caffeine - just a medium double double here, a glass of coke there and the occasion vanilla bean latte . But as a students, during this time of the year, sometime it is necessary to get a boost from these black sludge. This website will have you calculate your daily caffeine intake. (This one is for you, Bernard.)



BTW, I just found out that if I drink 85.31 cups of Starbucks Grande Caffe Mocha, it will kill me... but then, that will also cost me $415.38 after taxes. So why would I do that? I could spend it on the 2,474.06 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups that will do the same thing.

My IQ

CBC Canadian IQ Test

I'm still kicking myself for missing one of the easy math question...

False Doctrines

Following up my past Sunday's sermon from Colossians 2 on how the media is feeding our next generation in regards to beauty and image, I found this website the proves what you see is not what is true.

http://detouch.org/de-touch/med.php?set=fluideffect&img=22

Alicia Keys:
Before Touchups ____________ After Touchups

Take care of your...

"The pulpit is a lonely place..."
~Dr. Victor Shepherd

These words of Dr. Shepherd regularly echoes through my mind to serve as a reminder to be on guard. As His servant we are called to fight by the side of our Lord Jesus Christ. But serving as one of His officers, you become a prime target of Satan's attacks.

Ho! Get your hands down. Do not salute me. There are goddamned snipers all around this area who would love to grease an officer. I'm Lieutenant Dan Taylor. Welcome to Fourth Platoon.
~Lt. Dan, Forrest Gump

The devil and his army would love to take aim and take down a church leader. They salivate at the opportunity to create such chaos in the Christian camp. Just look at what happened to Ted Haggard or Paul Melnichuk.

Learning from one of my favorite movie, "All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)", while at times is might seem quiet on the battle front, don't go around chasing butterflies for snipers are hiding in ambush and ready to take aim.

Be alert.

Take care of your eyes...
Take care of your thoughts...
Take care of your actions...

Lust. Greed. Pride. These feelings are normal for we are human, but sin creeps in on how we act on these feelings. Come to the alter and laid these thoughts and feelings at Jesus feet.

In ministry there is this moral code, and if you break it you are done.
~Dr. Fred Penny

The Storehouse of His Bounty

The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
~Deut 28:12

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/187986

After reading this Toronto Star article, I was really upset. The story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11 came into mind. No, I do not wish the individuals in the above article to drop dead for that judgment ultimately belongs to God. But in the mist of the followers sharing the things they have for body of Christ, how shall we handle the leaders who are misusing God's resources for their own benefits. Yes, in Deut. 28:12 it did say that The LORD will open the heavens to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. But I guess these leaders forgot the second part of this passage, that they will lend to many nations and advance God's mission.

But I'll first remove the plank from eye. Lord, let me be responsible for the resources you have graciously provided for my. My I be diligent in how I use these resources and be of good steward.

The Paradoxical Life

Let [the person] who cannot be alone beware of comminuty. Let [the person] who is not in community beware of alone.
~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Of one of the many paradoxes in life, we need both community and solitude. "Human beings were made for relationships: without a rich and nourishing network of connections, we wither and die... At the same time, we were made for solitude. Our lives may be rich in relationships, but the human self remains a mystery of enfolded inwardness that no other person can possibly enter or know. If we fail to embrace our ultimate aloneness and seek meaning only in communion with others, we wither and die." ~Parker J. Palmer

In light of what I've been experiencing recently, I have realized that is the essence of "connecting". With my headache and bad back, I have withdrew into solitude. When Rev. Lau challenged me today why I did not seek support from the church and community, I realized one of my weakness have surface. The temptation to solve problems on my own. But the idea of sharing each other's burdens and pains in the process of connecting with others and with ourselves.

Lord, thank you for helping me see my weaknesses.

Vancouver Visit

I cannot contain my excitement. My flight to Vancouver is booked for this summer. I get to see Jenny in:

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.

One Short Day In The Emerald City

One Short Day In The Emerald City
"Come with me to the emerald city."

one short day in the emerald city.

"hope. i've always wanted to see the emerald city!"

one short day in the emerald city.....

one short day in the emerald city,
one short day, for there's so much to do!
every way, that you look in the city,
there's something excusite.
none to visit, before the day's through.

there are buildings tall as quats with trees.
dress salons, and libraries!
palaces, museums, 100 scrons.
there are wonders like I've never seen,
it's all grand!
and it's all green!
i think we've found the place were we belong!
i want to be, in this hoyologe!
so I'll be back for good some day
to make my life and make my way,
before today we'll wonder and enjoy!

one short day in the emerald city.
one short day, to have a life time of fun!
one short day,
and we're warning the city,
now that we're in here, you'll know we've been here,
before we are done!

"Elphee, come one! we'll be late for wizamania!"

whose the sage, whose savior?
aterararius! making all us marrier!
whose the sage? who saved me?
tell them to save, artararius!

whose a doose provide,
air baloony.
as all of us funny moonie!
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
isn't he wonderful?
our wonderful wizard!

part 1&2

part 1:
one short day! in the emerald city!
one short day to have a life time of fun!

part 2:
whose the sage, whose savior?
aterararius! making all of us marrier!
whose the sage? who saved me?
tell them to save, artararius!

one away to be seeing the city!

where so many rome to,
we'll call it home too!
then just like now, we can stay.

we're just 2 friends,
2 good friends.
2 best friends.
sharring a wonderful one short...

"The wizard will see you now!"

Dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

When Elphaba and Galinda arrived at the Emerald City to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, they were filled with expectation and awe. Hence the above upbeat number "One Short Day In The Emerald City". However, with out spoiling the story, they were met with disappointment. The highly anticipated wonderful wizard was not who they though would be.

Both Elphaba and Galinda thought one day they will return to the Emerald City for good: "so I'll be back for good some day // to make my life and make my way". But just as most self-proclaimed, exceedingly high expectations will eventually come crashing down, this was truth for these two best friends.

I have had the songs for Wicked in my mind all week this week, and this serves as a reminder for me not to place exceedingly high expectation on things of the world. More precisely, similar to Elphaba and Galinda, not to place high expectations on a certain trip in July. Yes, it is exciting and I look forward to this trip with high anticipation for various reasons. I must focus on the task and calling I have at hand and "Be strong and do the work." (1 Chronicles 28: 10 ff)

Intentionally Relational

Now as my life mainly revolves around seminary, the church and ministry, I always feared about losing touch with the secular world. I often asked myself, who are my non-Christian friends?

Who am I going to witness to when I have no contact with my non-Christian friends? The key to "friendship evangelism" is "friends". But am I so focused on friends that I'm treating friendship evangelism as the "silver bullet" of evangelism?

And is purposely making friends for the sole purpose of evangelism doing justice to that particle individual? When happens when that individual accepts Christ? Do I move on to another friend? NO! That's not how love your neighbours mean.

What should I do? I have given much though about the past few months and what Darren deGraf of BCOQ said during lecture today rings closely to the thoughts in my mind. Be intentionally Relational. Start a routine, and meet acquaintances and witness to them...

This echoes what Rev. Lau has been saying all along: "Be informal yet intentional."

Am I Real?

"You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
~Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Life is a process of becoming. You either become who you were meant to be, or you become who you were not. One way or another, you become somebody. And this process of becoming is a long process.

Today, I questioned myself how do I become a footnote in the lives of those I minister to?

I have to be vulnerable, be transparent, smooth out my sharp edges, and open up myself to be loved. This process is usually painful -- most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But his is the only way to become real to those who I minister to. In order to touch the lives of my congregation with my live, I stand vulnerable, exposed, naked. It might not be a pretty sight, "but these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

What is in Tomorrow?

13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
~James 4:13-17

In my preaching class today we were practicing our exegetical skills by extracting the subject and the compliment from a passage of Scripture. I love this class for the new insights I am getting from the Scriptures. As we were flying through verse after verse, James 4:13-17 stopped my right in my tracks.

In the recent weeks, I was so preoccupied by the future, I fear that I was boasting and bragging about it. I need to be more sensitive to the will of God.

Joel the Footnote

Some must have wondered why did I change my MSN name from Joel the Barnacle to Joel the Footnote.

From www.dictionary.com:
foot·note /ˈfʊtˌnoʊt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciati[foot-noht] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -not·ed, -not·ing. –noun

1.	an explanatory or documenting note or comment at the bottom of a page, referring to a specific part of the text on the page.

2.	a minor or tangential comment or event added or subordinated to a main statement or more important event.

–verb (used with object)

3.	to add a footnote or footnotes to (a text, statement, etc.); annotate: to footnote a dissertation.

Learning from the experience in Urbana, coming back home to be a mobilizer to my congregation. I want the Lord to do great works through the members of my congregation.

He must become greater; I must become less.
~John 3:30

As I am call to disciple God's servants, I don't want them to me like me. Through my ministry, I want my congregation to become like God. I just want to be a minor or tangential comment or event added or subordinated to a main statement or more important event. That more import event is God's story unfolding in their lives. So that I will be forgotten as a mere footnote while the Gospel is glorified.

Not About Me

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
~Rom 12:1

I must admit in my ministry there are times that I just want to step back and lay-low. For example, at Urbana, I wanted to room with people outside from my church. For one week, I did not want to be a leader. For one week, I just want to be like the common denominator. For one week, I just want to be like everyone else... But I soon realized, Urbana is not the only time I felt this way. Many times on Friday night I have a similar feeling...

Reflecting on Dave Overholt's lecture yesterday, ministry is not about me. It is about God who wants to use me. I think my old high tech full-time mentality has gotta the best of me. Yes, I am called into full-time ministry. This does not mean that I put in my 40, 50, or even 80 hours a week and that's full-time ministry. Full-time ministry in the Lord is a 24/7 calling. Whether I like it or not, it's not about me. Yes, there are time to step away and rest, but it is my attitude the needs to change.

"Offer your bodies as living sacrifices." Merely putting in 40 hours a week is not a sacrifice. It is just doing what's "convenient" for me. If my attitude were to change, I need to treat everything I do as ministry.

It is not about me.

The Journey... springboarding from Urbana

Learning from my experience in Thailand and Vietnam, I purposely let several weeks past by before composing a reflection on my experience on Urbana 06. Sorry for those who were looking for my thought on Urbana over the past weeks, but I realize that if I wrote something right away it will be mostly hype and emotions. Therefore I took the past few weeks to let the whole Urbana experience sink deep into my core.

As mentioned in Jenny's reflection on Urbana, the two of us had the unexpected yet delightful opportunity to spend the Urbana week together. We were prepared to not see each other through the whole week, but for some reason we ran into each other in the mist of 22,000 people and we had the opportunity to have our daily walk and chat - on what the experience at Urbana means to our relationship. Throughout the week, I also had the opportunity to witness how Jenny works and interact with her fellow student workers. This was refreshing and comforting because through her stay in Toronto she was the one meeting all my friends and family and it was good to see her with her friends and the chance to meet her friends.

Also, being part of the pastoral track and choosing to focusing on mobilization in my seminar selection, I was blessed with wonderful messages and challenges. Okay, by this point you are wondering and questioning: "Joel, what was God's calling for you at Urbana." This is my cope out answer - I realize that God is calling me to mobilize my congregation while waiting for God to lead me to my next step.

That is all I am going to say about "my calling", because I realized that is not the most important thing I got out of Urbana. While I would continue to encourage those in my congregation that was challenged and was called at Urbana, I would also remind them that a calling is a process - a journey. In seeking God's purpose for you, it is not like "BOOM!" and you suddenly know what God has planned for you. And even if you realized God has call you into a ministry, it is rarely you move from "minding your our life" directly into "fully immersed in ministry". Usually it is a gradual process - a process of patience and wrestling.

On realizing this, it made me take a step back. This was exactly what Jenny realized when we were sharing on the drive home from Urbana. Man, that is why I'm falling in love with her! God uses her to challenge me and my ministry. She was able to discern this immediately at the end of Urbana while it took me 3 week. :P

How many times I have heard these words:

• "I wish I can be in China right NOW serving the Lord."
• "I wish I can drop everything I'm doing and serve the Lord."
• "Why cannot our worship at church be better NOW."
• "Why can't I know NOW exactly what God wants me to do."
  

Yes, it is great to get direction from the Lord on where He wants you to be. But IMHO, I do not think that is God's biggest concern. He knows you will get there eventually. What He IS interested in is your journey, how you will wrestle and struggle on this journey, and how you will grow. This is why God rarely waves His magic wand and changes an individual immediately.

To struggle and to wrestle...

"You have a calling..." But in order to "live worthy of your calling" involves wrestling with the Lord and asking Him to bend you and break you so that you will fit into the calling God has for you.

God is interested in growth. But as a church leader we have a tendency to focus too much on facilitating on this growth. Let God worry about the growth. He is the master gardener. :) Learning from Rick Warren at Urbana, we don't have to worry too much about the grow. Just keep you congregation alive. And all living things grow!

On a final note. We are back in Toronto. The youths are back into their normal lives at school. And Jenny is back in Vancouver. I am glad that Jenny is back in Vancouver. This gives us a chance to wrestle with what God has given us.

A New School Term... A New Beginning

It is the second day of school and I'm already feeling I'm falling behind.

More reflection from the past month to follow...

On the Way to Urbana

Michigan City, IN, 4 hours away from St. Louis for Urbana.

It has been an awesome journey, traveling with Mike Jr., Angie, Jenny, Winnie, Crystal, Belinda, Becky and I. From stuffing our face with oranges at the border crossing to having lunch next to a crime scene, we had a blast! However, what's on the top of my mind is not the trip, is not Urbana, but rather the young Jehovah Witnesses who came to our door yesterday. I had the opportunity to speak to them and help them interpret the Bible correctly. They are so young, knows the Bible so well, but yet they are blinded in their interpretation.

As I talked to them, I prayed the Holy Spirit will open their eye... but yet, they did not see the errors in their interpretation and do not believe. I didn't want the stand there and argue the doctrine of Trinity with them... but they are so close yet their hearts are so far away.

My prayers goes out to those two young individuals... I pray that my challenge for them to read the gospel of Mark will open their eyes and their hearts.

Will arrive in Urbana tomorrow. Praise God for His protection on the roads so far.

Conversations

Just came home from Ottawa/Montreal/Quebec City. Near 20 hours of driving over the past 3 days. From the Parliament Hill, to St Joseph Oratory, to Petite Champlain, the highlight of the trip were the conversations we had.

From our past, our present or our future, we covered it all -- including certain topic I was afraid of bringing up since our relationship began. God is gracious. He has filled her with love and mercy. Thank you, Lord, for filling her with the prayer of Col 3:13:

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

I am left speechless -- in awe of God's love. I asked her why, and she said in response "I'm learning to be like Jesus." Jenny still amazes me with her faith just as the day we first met. There is so much I can learn from the Lord and from her. I only pray that I can be the example for her as she has been for me.

blessed.

blessed. I feel extremely blessed. I cannot put into words the richness and the overwhelming joy. The support from Angie, my family, and friends.

On Thursday night during the Seminary Christmas Coffeehouse, I was blessed with the countless words of encouragement from my fellow classmates and facility. I was busying running around take photos and taking care of council matters, at time I'd left Jenny alone socializing with others. And boy, she was an angel.

To me, the highlight of the night came when we were about to leave. After a night of praises and encouragements, as I was stepping out of the cafe Andrea suddenly calls me, "Joel!" I peeked my head back through the doors and Andrea gives me two thumbs up and said "I like her."

Thank you, Lord. I am overflowing with your joy. All night, one verse echoed in my mind:

[Joel] is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
~Prov 31:23

However, the more I feel blessed, the more fear I have for the future. But I was blessed with a wonderful conversation with Jenny what calmed many fears. Thank you, Lord, for reassuring us as we discovered we are on the same page in terms of intimacy and vision. Thank you for those are praying for us. Candy, come back from England and we've got some much to thank you for.

She's here

Jenny arrived this morning. I cannot contain my excitement. Praise God. It has been more than 5 months since I've seen her. We talked about the very thing Candy is keeping me accountable of. Praise God for getting us off on a good start.

One funny story. While I was making breakfast for Jenny, I was so nervous that I made a mess. :P

However, though I might be nervous, yet I am at peace because of the things Jenny and I can talk about. To help each other face challenges together.

Remodeling

Talking to Angie while cleaning my room last night (procrastinating from my studies), I'm thinking about remodeling my room. I always wanted to paint my room, but there's no point. Since there is a last of "space" in my room, and my desk that I don't use takes up 1/4 of my room, I'm think I'll give the desk to Angie. She said she could use a larger desk. That frees up some space so that I can move the dresser off the vest so my room won't be freezing anymore (though I grow to like it) and maybe I can toss a couch into my room. So I don't have to sit in bed all the time doing homework while killing my back.

So, if anyone has a couch they want to get rid of, let me know. :P

Now that F06 is done...

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
~Phil 4:8

Now that this past term is done... time to celebrate. Time to relax. Time to relax. But best of all, Jenny will be in town tomorrow and we'll get to Christmas together. When we said our goodbyes back in Hong Kong International Airport this past July, December seem so far away. And in a blink of an eye, that day it tomorrow.

But in the mist of all the excitement, I must remember the challenges and growth opportunities ahead. There will be times where emotions will run wild, but don't mine me saying again:

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
~Proverbs 4:23

Think about what's true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praise worthy.

I would like to revisit the notion, what is love? Not the worldly notion of love, but God glorifying love. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. The challenge is to keep these things in mind for the next two weeks.

Last but not least, Candy, thank you for all your prayer. And with your daily prayers, I will keep my word and we will celebrate when you return from England.

One more thing, I thought this while I was driving. Even though I'm going to take these few weeks as a challenge and an opportunity to grow from God, and I must not let my guard down, this should not stop me from having fun in the Lord. Not to hang my head low because of a challenge and trials, but to "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil 4:4).

Something exciting

Flight Number:AC162

Departure		Arrival
Airport:	Vancouver (YVR)	Airport:	Toronto (YYZ)
Date:	Tue 12-Dec 2006	Date:	Wed 13-Dec 2006
Scheduled Time:	23:30	Scheduled Time:	06:55
Terminal:	M	Terminal:	1
Status:On time

Now this is exciting!!!

Church Sign Generator

Taking a break from studying...

http://www.churchsigngenerator.com/



Oh what fun can this be?

Craziness with Angie

This is what happened when you set Angie and I loose in a mall.Oh what fun times we have...

Treatment completed

3 more physiotherapy visits and I'm done... I'll miss the massage therapies, but I'll regain 5 hours every week.

Be Strong and Do The Work

NIV 1 Chronicles 28:9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work."

People watching

People watching
by Jack Johnson
Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George [SOUNDTRACK]

Well I'm just people watching
The other people watching me
And we're all people watching
The other people watching we
We're as lonely as we wanted to be
We're all as lonely as we wanted to be
Just as lonely as we wanted to be
I'm just you, you're just me
But it's only true if we believe
Well there really ain't no use in stopping
What nobody never told me not to do
So I'll keep people watching, watching me now
Finding my way back to you
We're as lonely as we wanted to be
We're all as lonely as we wanted to be
I'm just as lonely as I wanted to be
I'm just you, you're just me
But it's only true if we believe
I see so many feet going so many ways
People passing by, they got nothing to say
All on our own, just watching and confused
Nobody told me what to do
I can't stop breaking all the rules
And I'm just people watching
The other people watching me
We're all people watching
The other people watching we
We're as lonely as we wanted to be
We're not so lonely as we wanted to be
I'm just as lonely as I wanted to be
Not so lonely
Lonely, lonely, lonely

The Seminary Student Council was volunteering at Fairview Mall today for the Salvation Army manning the Christmas Kettles. I was the first one to arrive at 3:00p while the rest of them will come after classes at 4:30p. My job was to stand next to the kettle with the Salvation Army red vest on, and smile... simple enough.

Standing there in the middle of the mall by myself, time ticked by slowly. What made time go by slower was the fact that I was posted opposite from a jewelry story which had a grandfather clock in plain sight.

{tick} {tick} {tick}

I kept reciting Phil 2:14 in my head:

"Do everything without complaining or arguing"

To pass time, I began to hum "People Watching" by Jack Johnson while I watched people. I learned so much in the hour and a half of observations.

The Widow's Offering

41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

~Mark 12:41-44

Jesus was too people watching at the temple - Watching people put large sums of money into the temple treasury. I also watched people put large sums of money into the kettle. There were these two ladies I would describe the "Pharisee ladies". One took out a loonie and just before she deposited the coin she loudly exclaimed: "I do this every year, and next year I'm planning to make a large donation!"

{sigh}

Then there are those who sneak up to the kettle and quickly make a donation... I would turn my head and suddenly there will be someone right in front of me. And they would be gone before I can say thank you and Merry Christmas. This was the case with one lady, suddenly appeared, deposited $100 and gone.

God bless them, bless their meek and gentle spirit.

What touched my heart the most today was this little boy, around 10 - 12 years old. Came by the kettle and push some coins out of his pockets and toss them into the kettle. Touched by his act of kindness at such a young age, I bowed and said "thank you, sir, and have a Merry Christmas" as he smiled and hurried off. 5 minutes later, the same boy came out of Shopper's Drug Mart now with a big chocolate bar in his hands grab the remaining change he had and tossed it into the kettle, saying "that all I have."

May God bless this little boy. And thank You, Lord, for challenging me through the actions of this little boy.

Heman Tang

"So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel" ~1 Ch 15:17

Heman, oh, this tops the list of names for my son... just when I thought nothing can top Aaron.

Other possible options:
Aaron Ga Tang

Duo Tang

Orange Tang
Wu Tang

Oh, fatherhood will be so much fun... as long as my future wife does not kill me first.

Finish Strong

Deep breath...

8 more days, and the term would be over. 1 exam and my reading assignments left to complete ...

What a term it is? Lessons in ministry. The car accident. Debts being paid off. It was a term filled with challenges and blessings.

The only thing left for me to do is to do the one thing I always preach to my volleyball team. To finish strong. This is one area I need to improve on. Last term, in the last week of school, due to tiredness and stress, I gave up on two papers... There a part of me that wants to do that again. To toss in the towel now. But would that be beneficial? No.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
~1 Corinthians 9:24

How can I claim the prize if I give up? Yes, I'll still finish the race, yet, it's not run in such a way as to get the prize.

So I have a race to get back to...

I don't want a slip-disc

During physiotherapy yesterday, the assigned me a new massage therapist. I cannot remember his name, but we did have a good conversation during my therapy. Through our conversation, I told him I was a M.Div student. To that in reply he said he has been to church in the early 90's. But sensing the awkwardness of his tone of voice, I decided to ask some non-intrusive questions (ie "what brought you to church?" and "what did you think?") He told me that he is into recording and he was looking for a few gospel singers for a project. At that, we clicked. Chatting about recording and studio work, in attempt to put him at ease.

I pray that next week I'll have the chance to continue our conversation.

He also explained to me to complications of my tight hamstring and calf muscles. He tool me that the tightness of my muscles will put stress on my pelvis, tilting back and in turn pulling on my lumbar. The result of this will be the straightening of my lumbar arch, thus applying pressure to my intervertebral discs and increasing the risk of slip-discs. I don't want slip-discs... so time to do my stretches.