…but God’s work in me still in progress

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.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.

4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

My folks they were always the first family to arrive
With seven people jammed into a car that seated five
There was one bathroom to bathe and shave in
Six of us stood in line
And hot water for only three
But we all did just fine

Talk about your miracles
Talk about your faith
My dad he could make things grow
Out of Indiana clay
Mom could make a gourmet meal
Out of just cornbread and beans
And they worked to give faith hands and feet
And somehow gave it wings

I can still hear my dad cussin’
He’s working late out in the barn
The spring planting is coming
And the tractors just won’t run
Mom she’s done the laundry
I can see it waving on the line
Now they’ve stayed together
Through the pain and the strain of those times

Talk about your miracles
Talk about your faith
My dad he could make things grow
Out of Indiana clay
Mom could make a gourmet meal
Out of just cornbread and beans
And they worked to give faith hands and feet
And somehow gave it wings

And now they’ve raised five children
One winter they lost a son
But the pain didn’t leave them crippled
And the scars have made them strong
Never picture perfect
Just a plain man and his wife
Who somehow knew the value
Of hard work, good love, and real life

Talk about your miracles
Talk about your faith
My dad he could make things grow
Out of Indiana clay
Mom could make a gourmet meal
Out of just cornbread and beans
And they worked to give faith hands and feet
And somehow gave it wings

- Lyrics to Rich Mullin’s First Family

I remember my own family. I remember my dad, my mum… who they are and what they have done for us…

Steven sent me this one… oh believe me I did cry

Part one of our Hope Church retreat planning focuses on evaluation of the 2007 and our 5 year masterplan which ends next year. So proud we are still in the position to hit the major corporate goals at the end of the masterplan. We have a great church!

As for me, its a very tough few weeks. I’m either in the verge of “Tipping” or verge of breakdown. It’s hard to tell… the feeling seems to be similar. It’s not a comfortable position but God’s grace is sufficient for me. I remember that His power is made perfect in what I physically can’t do.

Here’s three photos taken at the retreat with Pastor Ben’s camera.
The first one is with James, our pastor from Mandarin congregation, the second one is the fellowship of the ring and the third, I may have just flipped.

Techniques, skills are great thing to gain. But its not good enough if we aren’t convince the worth of the person.

Just heard this quote this morning “Can’t influence someone until you love and respect the person”.

Can’t influence someone? Well just put in a bit of love and respect. Otherwise, no chance at all.

The Lantern or Tung Lung Festival is just around the corner. At my auntie’s house with my family for dinner and to celebrate her early birthday. Great dinner.

Immediately after dinner, the kids came to ask to go outside to play with lanterns. Shortly all 4 of us, adults were busy hanging lanterns on the tree at the yard. We were so engaged in trying to light lanterns, ensure they don’t go off and finding places to hang them securely up the tree. The kids couldn’t do it because they can’t handle candles yet. What fascinated me is how (the adults) were engaged, caught up and involved in a job that without the kids we will not be caught dead doing.

If the kids were not there, we’ll most likely sit indoor, read newspaper and eat. We would have lost what can be thoroughly enjoyed as a child.

Kids bring us something special. They come to us more highly involved than ourselves. They remind us of something we use to be or have. Besides playing with lanterns the other things we have missed in adulthood are… innocence, fun, laughter, curiousity and a sense of wonder.

That’s another reason to be excited about growing.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16