Give Thanks

hectic for the past few weeks...new project, new staffs, new subject to learn...all "new" and was feeling almost breathless...But I am thankful because HE refresh me each time in club. HE shows me not by my own might but on HIS, all things are possible. Usually, it's when I am most unprepared for club that HE blesses me and shows me nothing is impossible with HIM. Though circumstance may persist, I give thanks. I also give thanks to my teens for encouragement.

Luke 18: 27
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

1 Thessalonians 5: 16
Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Luke18: 16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

How HE lives as a boy?

A youthful bubby teen shared with me this - "Discipline is to Do something what you Dislike". At times, we dislike to do things that against our wish or inconvenience to us. But most importantly, we must know and be clear of what is good or bad for us. Jesus at the age of 12 knows what He needs to do for the world. Perhaps we can learn from the story in Bible. Read below.

From Bible, there's little mention about Jesus when He was a boy. But Bible tells us He was “filled with wisdom" and He was “in favor with God and man.” Luke 2-52

Luke2:41-52 - The Boy Jesus at the Temple
41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

49"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

At age of 12, the bible shows that HE was a good boy, played with friends. HE not only loved by every one who knew Him but HE also studied history and God’s Law, from the Old Testament books for wisdom. HE is in fabor with God and men. Can we do that?

Jesus did not mean Joseph (His earthly father) when He said “my Father's House,” above. He meant God. He was a young boy, but He was very thoughtful, and He knew that there was work for Him to do in the world. He knew that His work was to teach people how His Father wants them to live. He was ready to begin His work, but it was not yet time for Him to do so. So, He went back to Nazareth with His parents. He was the same loving, obedient boy that He had always been. At twelve years old he was expected to study and work as the young men did. Every one must learn some trade. Every one must learn some kind of work by which he could earn his living. Joseph was a carpenter. He taught Jesus to do carpentry work. He taught Him how to make houses, tables, yokes for oxen, or anything made of wood.

purpose of life

today we had an interesting topic over dinner. it's so exciting to see our teens grow and start to ponder on their purpose of life. hey teens, it may not be easy to discover exactly what's ur purpose of life. but do continue to search and reflect. having a clear purpose of life will surely make u an effective person; providing u a much meaningful journey, joy, direction and focus in life.

perhaps, the best way to find out our purpose of life is to ask the Creator who create us. Who is your Creator in your life? How much you know about Him so that you know why He created you (that's ur purpose of life). Isn't that interesting to search for this answer? It's my prayer that u discover your purpose of life.

Gen 1:27 - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. "
Rom 9:17 "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
Prov 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. "
Psalm 127:1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

after dinner, we went to bookshop to search for our name in chinese...i really like "以斯帖". Couldn't find "谢丽尔". Saw "安迪" sound like aunty.

may it be a pleasing day upon HIM.

流泪谷 --> 欢乐谷 - From strength to strength

How end our race wif God strongly? How to stay and draw strength from God? Simply develop a pilgrim mindset Psalm 84:5-7. Earth is just a temporary house and set your goal for God. Dont believe that you have done enough. Dont remains in 流泪谷 but overcome it by God's strength and grace to 欢乐谷. Trials and hardship is essential for us to experience and fully understand God's grace. Take it positively and believe that God will deliver you from your 'tears'. Draw strength from HIM and believe that HE will not keep any best from you. Are you disappointed by yourself? Are you disappointed by others? Are you even disappointed by God? Be determine and transform to 欢乐谷.

Grace - 恩典
Have similar meaning to favor and mercy. Like give someone a favor or show someone with mercy. This is done without any condition from that person. God's grace is similar but His grace is definitely much bigger. God gives us His grace unconditionally (that is without what we have done or according to our effort). So we always say "神的恩典是够我用". That is God's grace is sufficient for us to overcome all trials.

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My (GOD) grace is sufficient for you, for my (GOD) power is made perfect in weakness."

Faith - 信念
Have similar meaning to believe. Have faith in God in all things (happy or sad) is most important. With this faith, all things are possible through God. Instead, without faith, nothing is pleasing to God.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

roller coaster - that's fun

life with HIM is just like a roller coaster...up and down...the hands are there to hold u but like kid u wanted to jump up and down, wanting to explore yourself, wanting to go in different direction, wanting to be free and independent...but His hands are always there to hold u whichever direction u r heading, up or down, left or right...how thankful and how grateful...how lovely and how majestic...this is when u learn to build a closer and deeper relationship with him if you turn to hold His hands. Remember His hands are always there...