Mission in Life

God has give this vision and mission. God has called me to the oasis in the desert of life. To give water to those whom are thirsty so that they will be thirsty no more. God has blessed by allowing to grow up in North America and to be able to learn His word so freely. Now He is calling me to be an oasis to my own people for He wants to lead them out of the desert and into the promise land. He his asking me to be his faithful bond servant and serve the people He is going to lead into the promise land.

The way life was meant to be

Dynamic living is living life filled with joy all the the time; free of fear and worry; continuely in the process of accomplishing God given goals and dreams; well adjusted in life's six major areas which includes home, business, social, phyiscal, mental, and spiritual.

Goals and dreams that have lasting value

I went to a leadership seminar and the speaker was saying that all we do will not have lasting value if we do not build it upon God's will. He went even further and said that the goals and dreams that we have that are not are not God given have no lasting value since the fruits of our dreams and goals will be tested by fire 1Cor 3:12-15. Only goals and dreams that are God given will produce fruit that are like gold, silver, and precious stones. This is because according to Prov 29:18 without God's living word in our life we would follow the desires of our heart and our desires which are self-seeking and meaningless (Eccl 2:8-9). This brings up the question how does one know if a goal or dream is God given. The basic test is does the goal or dream violates what God has already said in Scripture. The second test is what the motive behind the goal or dream. If it is self seeking then its not from God since Christ did not come into the world to seek his own glory but became a bond servant (Philip 2:5-11).

Dynamic Living

I went to a leadership conference and the speaker said that we are create to live life dynamically. His definition of dynamic living is:

dynamic living = (GGE + GGPS) * PSI
where GGE = God given equipment (talents, abilities, resources ...)
GGPS = God given principle of success
PSI = Personal self image

Something that Pastor John has told me is to go to the Scripture and check out if what people are from God or not from God so I will spend the next couple of weeks going through the Scriptures and test what the speaker says is biblical.

To achieve the goals and dreams below post I am:

1. reading this list and my identity in Christ list twice a day;
2. studying the Bible with Pastor John every Sunday;
3. mediating on God's word daily;
4. testing what people say against what the Bible says;
5. doing what God says; confessing and repenting when I see an area I haven't turned over to God;
6. spending 30 mins each day listening to and speaking Putonghua;
7. spending 15 mins each day studying Chinese characters for HSK advance level and PSC;
8. meeting my Chinese tutor twice a week;
9. exercising each day by doing baduanjin and tai chi;
10. eating according the Mediterranean diet;
11. using an iBook to create move clips which I use in my classroom;
12. ending my class with a proper close (i.e. feedback, follow up, extended tasks, linking class to theme);
13. giving constructive feedback to my students which they find helpful;
14. charting students progress;
15. understanding why students make the mistakes they do by getting them to write their reason for making the mistake;
16. reflecting and improving the way I teach and interact with my students.
17. keeping time well so I am able to cover what I have planned;
    
18. using formative assessment (getting students to self correct their mistake);
    
19. listening to my students both inside and outside the classroom;
20. making myself available to my students whenever they need my attention;
21. planning my class with my students' needs in mind;
22. giving clear instructions so my students know they need to do.
23. using the constructivist approach to help my student to construct linguistic knowledge of English and they are learning (i.e. what I have taught them they are able to use in their own life);
24. using wiki, blogs, online quiz such as quizlab.com to facilitate learning; and
25. meeting 5 people each day.

What I will be in a year if the Lord is willing

If the Lord is willing the following 10 things will be true of me in a year:

1. I know at least 3 books of the Bible (Titus, James, Jude) as well as Pastor John.
• I want Ps 119 to be true about me.
• How is this passage going to be true about me unless I know God's word inside and out.
2. I am a recipient of HSK Level 11 and PSC 一級甲等.
   • I want to apply 1Cor 9:19-22; Col 3:22-25 to my life.
   • God has called me the share the gospel with my own people.
   • How am I suppose to communicate with my own people unless I know the language and custom. In addition, in everything we do we are suppose to do it as if we are serving Christ Himself.
3. I am communicating both verbally and written with my own people about spiritual matters fluently.
• I want to apply 1Cor 9:19-22 to my life.
• God has called me the share the gospel with my own people.
4. I am able to give my dad $30,000 HKD for his 60th birthday.
   • I want to apply Ex 20:12;1Cor 9:19-22 in my life.
   • According to the Chinese customs the 60th birthday of a man (61st for a woman) is one of the most important birthdays. I want to honor him and tell him God is blessing me and now I am going to bless you by giving $30,000 HKD.
   • My dad can use this money in whatever way he wants to.
5. I am living within walking distance from my fellowship and church.
• I want to be like David and live in the temple of God Ps 27:4.
• Since I am not able live in the House of the LORD, the LORD has laid it on my heart to live within walking distance from the church.
6. I remember people's name and able to called them by their name.
   • I know Ps 139:1-6; Jn10:3 is true.
   • Since He knows everybody inside out. I want to know people inside and out. The most basic is knowing a person's name.
7. I have an excellent health according to EMC.
• 1Cor 3:15-16;Mt 25:14-30
• I am called to be a good steward. Also since my body is God's temple so I need to take proper care of it.
8. I have received my PGDE certificate.
• I want to apply 1Cor 9:19-22 to my life.
• The custom of the people I work with is they look upon degrees and certification with great value.
9. I am making $20,000/month so I have the right to date.
• Jn 14:1-4
• It was the custom of that time for the groom to prepare a place for the bride. Currently I am preparing myself for my bride. The area God is telling me to work on is the area of "financial stability".
10. I am a professional image consultant for myself.
    • I want to apply 1Cor 9:19-22 to my life.
    • I want to be presentable to people since the people I work with look at the outward appearance.

Identity in Christ

I came across Prov 27:6-7 and it says that we should not take bread from a selfish man since what he says doesn't match what is in his heart. This made me think that what I truly believe in my heart will affect the way I do things even though I might say something on the contrary. In addition, it caused me to see the importance of knowing my identity in Christ is. If my identity becomes something that I believe in the depths of my heart then my actions would reflect that identity.

Identity in Christ
MY RELATIONSHIP 1Jn 3:1,2 I'm a child of God - He is my Father Jn 15:15 I am Christ's friend 1Jn 4:7 I am born of God Rom 8:15 I have been adopted by God MY INHERITANCE Rom 8:17 I am an heir of God Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7 I am a joint heir with Christ Eph 1:3 I am blessed with every spiritual blessing Rom 9:8; Gal 3:14 I am a child of promise 2Pet 1:4 I've been given great promises MY TRANSFORMATION Eph 1:6-8 I'm redeemed and forgiven Rom 5:1 I've been justified made righteous Jn 5:24 I have eternal life Rom 6:1-6 I died with Christ to the power of sin Rom 8:1 I am free from condemnation 1Cor 2:12 I have received the Spirit of God 1Cor 2:16 I have been given the mind of Christ Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ 2Cor 5:17 I am a new creation Eph 2:5 I have been made alive with Christ Eph 2:10 I am God's workmanship Col 2:10 I have received fullness in Christ	MY POSITION Jn 15:1,5; Heb 3:1 I am connected to the true vine Rom 6:18,22 I'm a willing slave of righeousness 1Cor 3:16; 6:19 I am a temple of God 1Cor 6:17 I am one spirit with the Lord 1Cor 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body 2Cor 5:18 I am reconciled to God Eph 1:1; 1Cor 1:2; Phil 1:1 I am a saint Eph 2:19 I am a fellow citizen in God's kingdom Eph 2:13 I have been brought near to Christ Eph 4:24 I'm to be righteous and holy like God Eph 2:18 I have direct access to God Phil 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven Col 1:13 I've been rescued from Satan's domain Col 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God Col 3:12 I am chosen of God holy, beloved 1Thess 5:5 I am a child of light, not darkness Heb 3:14 I am a partaker of Christ 1Pet 2:5 I'm one of God's living stones 1Pet 2:9 I'm a member of a royal priesthood 1Pet 2:11 I'm to be a stranger to this world 1Pet 5:8 I'm an enemy of the devil MY CALLING Mt 5:13 I am to be salt on the earth Mt 5:14 I am to be light in the world Jn 15:16 I'm chosen and appointed to bear fruit Jn 14:12 I am called to do the works of Christ Mt 28:20 I am to do what Christ commanded His disciples Lk 10:19 I have been given spiritual authority Mk 16:17-20 Signs should accompany my work 2Cor 3:6 I am a minister of a new covenant 2Cor 5:18,19 I am a minister of reconciliation Col 3:4 I am to be an example of life in Christ Heb 3:1 I am a partaker of a heavenly calling
The above table is a modified version of The Believer's Identity in Christ by Don Rogers.

3 Test for Authentic Ministry

I heard a sermon on 3 test for authentic ministry and I would like to share it with you. You can get the mp3 version here.

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. (2 Cor 4:2, NKJV)

Test 1 - renounced the hidden things of shame
Do you live a double life?
When we do we implicitly denial:
a) God's omniscience;
b) the Righteousness of God; and
c) the Justice of God.

Test 2 - not walking in craftiness
What deceptive means produce?
1) Serving of oneself and not God; and
2) Exploiting of people

Test 3 - nor handling the word of God deceitfully
3 truths:
1) No moral laws in the world can change the heart of men;
2) No circumstances can coerce the heart of men; and
3) No mystical experiences can satisfy the longings of men.

Only Christ can change the 3 truths. However, Christ has choosen to use us as vechile to touch people's lives. If we are truly going to reflect Christ, we need to live a life of holiness.

Being Servants of God

We are suppose to be servants of God. It is a life dedication. The only way to quit is if we pay the payment that it cost God to redeem us. Therefore, if we have truly been bought by God there is not out. We are to be His servant for life. Whatever the master tells us to do we are require to do. According to Eph 2:8-10 we have become redeem not because of something we have done are going to do but it is a free gift from God. Now that we have been redeem we need to the work the master has prepared. This work is to love mercy, act justly, and to walk humble before God. Micah 6:8

Living in the Love of God Part 2 (1Jn 1:1-4)

Now that we are living in the love of God we need to help other people to live in the love of God. 2Cor:14-21 tell us that if we are really are walking in the love of God then we would be compel by His love to share His great and wonderful love. This passage also tells us that we are an ambassador of Christ.

Living in the love of God (Jude 1)

Once save always save is something that is true and we can rest in assurance of it. However, this brings up a question, how do we know if we are saved. We know we are saved if we weep over our sin and this weeping leads us to true rependence. Two, we do what God has command us to do.

Doing what we are called to do (Num 16)

And a fire came out from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. Numbers 16:35 (NKJV)

So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned up had presented, and they were hammered out as a covering on the altar, to be a memorial to the children of Israel that no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the LORD, that he might not become like Korah and his companions, just as the LORD had said to him through Moses. Numbers 16:39-40 (NKJV)

The lesson I learned to day is I need to do my calling well. If my calling is to be a doctor then I should be the best doctor. If it is to be a teacher then I should be best teachers. Otherwise I would be no different then the 250 Levites who were punished by God.

The Life of Balaam (Num 22)

Looking at the life of Balaam I saw several things:

1. I need to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If I do not do that then I leave a foothold for the devil.
   
   
2. There are 2 plans: Plan A - what God's intends and Plan B - what I want. Eventually Plan A will be executed but I choose it in the first place then a lot of uneccessary suffering could be avoid. Balaam chose Plan B and in the end Balak didn't give him honour or rich and he was killed by the Israelites (Num 31:8).
   

Another Favorite Hymn

Here is another rough translation. I have a greater appreciation for people who translate English songs to Chinese and vise versa. May God continuely give them wisdom and make their path straight.




Grace is too beautiful (Singable)

This day let's go to His House,
Come recount God's grace;
Life was given to make mine full,
Both eyes can now see the light!

This day let's go to His House,
Come recount God's grace;
He has given me the hope to live,
And the strength to face today!
Grace is too lovely, nothing can replace,
Only for You to have my heart to show how great is Your love;
Wholly loving God, wholly loving others, then my life won't be a waste!

This day let's sit at God's feet,
Listen to His voice;
Our labouring isn't in vain, God will give a glourious crown!

Your loving grace moves me to give praise,
To share the Good new with others, shows the greatness of Your love!
Lord of the harvest, please look after the fields, may it be plentiful!
Giving my life to Your calling is my greatest honour.

One of my favorite hymns

I found this video on YouTube and I thought I would share with my friends. For those who can't read Chinese here is a rough translation.

I Pray
(Ps 86:6; Jer 29:12; Philp 4:6; Rom 8:26;
1Tim 2:1; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; 2Tim 2:2; James 5:13
Mk 11:24; 2Tim 4:7; Rom 1:10; Ps 6:9)

Prayer because I am nothing
Prayer because I know I need to
Understand Your will which is important to me
Prayer since the mask I have using has led me no where
Prayer because your love is what I need

Your care, all that I have gone through You understand
There are some situation that I only tell You
Because You love me more than anyone loves me
Tears of pain comes from eyes
I know You wipe away those tears

In the morning I need to come and talk to You
Jesus I will live for You
You provide everything that is needed everyday
Your grace is enough for me

Finally done

Praise God! I am finally done my PGDE course. Although I didn't do well in my practicum, I am looking forward to spending the next year in Hong Kong. I wonder what God has in store for me. I am sure it is better than what I can image although I might not always think so.

How Lost are the Chinese People?

I got to go to Zhongyuan for a week and it was an eye opener. Although I wasn't able to see much of the ancient buildings, I was able to see how lost my people are. Chinese history and culture has been greatly influenced by Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Each time I went to the different temples I felt the spiritual oppression. At first I admired the architecture of the temples but then I reminded the how lost my people are and I wanted to burn the buildings.

I saw people praying to images that can't even help them. I saw people buying good luck charms, that have been blessed by Satan, to bring them good fortune. I did not know what to do other then to pray. I know have a great High Priest who weaps for them and I am called to be His ambassor in this world. When He was on Earth he would pray and then go and challenge the system of that time.

Rants

It has been almost a year. Why hasn't anyone given me any comments. Is there anybody out there? Do I have any friends?

I have finished my teaching practicum. Thank God it is over. I had 5 observation and for each observation I had to create a lesson plan and reflection log. The next person who tells me to create a lesson plan or reflection log I will personally shoot them.

From my teaching practicum was an eye openning experience. It made me question how a full time teacher do their jobs properly. My mentors need to teach 200 students everyday.