TotAlLy RAmDoM aGAin

After going to MBCLA for I think over three years now, I finally decided to go to our fellowship about two months ago. I don't know what took me so long to make up my mind, but I'm glad I did. I start to understand why God wants us to have fellowship. Being around other 弟兄姊妹 not only gives me a chance to learn from them and to practice what I've learn from the Bible but I think also by talking to them and listening to their testimony, it helps strengthen my faith. A good thing indeed...

My five weeks business trip has begun earlier this week. Oakland, West Virginia, then Honolulu. I just got back from from Oakland this morning. Now I can enjoy my two days in LA until heading to West Virginia this Sunday. And quit frankly I am feeling exhausted already. I don't know why, I've been doing this for like three years now but I still find these kind of engagement difficult and very stressful. But I guess it makes sense in a way, we basically have to in and out an organization in like a 2 to 3 weeks. And within that time frame, we have to not only to understand their business structure, but to access their internal control and compliance. In other word, we have to basically point out what they've done wrong based on the knowledge we've gained in those 2 to 3 weeks. It's not hard to imagine how some people could get very defensive sometimes and things can get pretty ugly. Sigh~~so let's just pray everything will go along in these upcoming four weeks...

Time flies, April has already come to the end. One third of a year is gone now, and I think it's time to evaluate my 2010 resolution progress:

1) Finish reading the new testament: Although I am not reading the new testament on a daily basis, but I think I'm doing okay. I'm using another QT material which my church encourages us to use and I think I am doing a much better job in terms of spending more quiet time with God comparing to last year. I think I am on the right track on this one.

2) Find a girlfriend: um...I think I made a mistake by putting this as a 'resolution' in the first place. Unless my goal is to just find any girlfriend, which I am not, or else this is not something I could really control. God has his plan for me, including my significant other. So all I have to do is to learn to depend and believe in HIM completely and do what HE wants me to. And I shall not have to worry about the rest.

3) Finish a marathon within 5 hours: Checked! 4 hours 45 minutes ^^

4) Better money management: guilty! guilty! guilty! I've done nothing! Shame on me! well...maybe I should start tomorrow since it is the beginning of May, okay! let's do this.

5) Learn Chinese input: 遲D先算啦，哈哈。。。

6) Learn 10 new pieces: um...I think I am on track. I start playing piano again whenever I have time, and I think I'm getting some of my touch back now :)

7) Small meal diet: Damn! this is much much much harder than I thought. I've tried this small diet thing at least like three times already this year and all failed. I need to think of a new way to attack it! I WILL SUCCESS!

8) Able to do 100 push up, 200 sit up and 30 pull up non-stop: Last week I tried, I was able to do like 80 push up, 120 sit up and 22 pull up non-stop. I think I should be fine by the end of the year.

9) Get a new job: Nothing yet...BUT...since I will be spending a lot of alone time in the hotel room in the upcoming 4 weeks, this is what I will be doing.

10) Buy a  house: ...no comment....

Well...although my progress is not as good as I hope it would be, but at least most of them are still pretty much achievable. ADD OIL!

虛假的希望

A friend of mine share this passage on his Facebook today, I find it a good reminder to myself and would like to share it on my blog.

「你們得救是本乎恩，也因著信。這並不是出於自己，乃是上帝所賜的；也不是出於行為，免得有人自誇。」（以弗所書2章8-9節)

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     德國景色優美的巴伐力亞城鎮，正巧也是惡名昭彰的「達豪」納粹集中營的所在地，建在這裏的博物館每年吸引著許多對二次世界大戰歷史著迷的人前來。

     在你四處觀望之時，很難會錯過鎔鑄在鐵門上的標語：工作使你得自由。這不過是殘酷的謊言，給予那些踏入這處死亡之地的人一個虛假的希望。

     今天很多人也有這種虛假的希望，以為他們藉由做好人或行善，就能在天堂擁有一席之位。然而，上帝完美的標準是要求完全無罪的生命。我們沒有任何人能夠「好」到那樣的標準，唯有透過無罪救主的犧牲才能使我們稱義。上帝使耶穌「那無罪的，替我們成為罪，好叫我們在他裏面成為上帝的義」（哥林多後書5章21節）。我們得著永恆的生命不是因為好行為，而是因為上帝所賜的恩典（以弗所書2章8-9節）。

     不要讓撒但以虛假的希望來欺騙你，使你錯以為倚靠好行為就能得救。唯有透過耶穌在十架上的工作，才能使你得著真正的自由。

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我們不是藉由好行為得救，而是藉由耶穌的救贖。

The Best Knowledge Ever

I went to a choir sister's mom 安息禮拜 this morning. That was probably the first funeral I've attended since I became adult. Having no previous interaction with her mom, frankly I did not feel sad or anything. However, the eulogy speech given by one of her granddaughter really got me thinking. She mentioned something like she has no regret because she knew how much her grandma loved her and her grandma also knew how much she loved her. Furthermore, she knew her grandma is in a much better place now and soon they will all see each other again in heaven.

I start asking myself, if something happen to me tomorrow or to any of my loved one. Do they know how much I loved them? And more importantly, are we going to see each other ever again? I remember when I was still very young, probably like 5 years old or so. Out of the blue one day I just questioned what would it be like if I'm dead. Would I just...like...black out, feel nothing, remember nothing, as if I had never existed? I felt very sorrow at that time I remember I cried out and went to my mom for answer. I asked her what would happen next after I'm die, or if she is die, are we still going to see each other ever again?...etc. It is actually pretty funny thinking back, I guess my mom must had been very confused at that time, she must thought what the heck is wrong with this kid, suddenly start asking all those weird questions... Anyway, I remember what my mom told me. She told me not to worry because even after we are dead, we would still one day reunite in heaven. I was really happy and felt relieved after hearing that. I didn't realized I'd just learned the most valuable knowledge ever at that time. But throughout the years...so called life experiences...I've forgotten that valuable 'knowledge'. But thanks to God, eventually he guided me back and remind me once again of this wonderful 'knowledge'; that there IS eternal life and through Jesus, we could all enjoy it. 

I am thankful that a lot of people whom I love and care for are already believers including my parents. I know for sure that we'll see each other again no matter what happen tomorrow. But on the other hand, there are still a lot of friends and family whom I really love and care for, including my brother, who still have not understand this 'knowledge' yet. And I am guilty for never really try to share with them. A main reason why I never did that was, you know...I like to act 'cool'. I know how others think of people who "講耶穌", I mean...I used to hate it when someone start "講耶穌" to me. Also, I always give myself excuses like 'oh..when the time come, they will believe, God will do His work.' or 'who am I to "講耶穌" or try to convince them? What creditability do I have? I am not a priest or anything, as a matter of fact, I am only a rookie believer whom haven't even read the entire Bible for once; I am not qualify...etc'. But I kind of think differently now. You don't have to be a doctor to tell someone to quit smoking or eat healthier right? and although my interpretation or explanation could be wrong, I know my intention is right. I love them therefore I want to tell them what is the most important, that there is eternal life and such. Life is too fragile, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow. There is really no point to wait; if I really care for someone, then I should put it into action. So if there is one day (hopefully never) that I have to give an eulogy speech to someone I love; I could say I have no regret, that he/she knew how much I love them, and soon we will see each other again in a much better place...forever...

REAR-ENDED

Today, whilst at a complete stop waiting for the light, a stupid sleep-driver rear-ended me. FML

SO 心痛 >.<