Keep God First

In regards to ministry and doctrine scripture alone is our guideline. We go not to tradition or culture to decide how we run our churches or bible studies. As soon as we do that we start to replace the higher ways of God for human methodology. this leads us down a slippery slope towards relativism and a gospel that isn't a gospel.

Claudette

On my way to work this morning, I was on the train figuring out what songs to sing for this Sunday. I had a list of Christian songs right in front of me. Right after I put it away, the lady right next to me asked if those were Christian songs I was looking at and I said yes, I'm preparing for this Sundays worship. We had a nice little conversation regarding our work, our faith, our church. It was nice to see people randomly sparking conversation with another sister in Christ. She said she'd visit EMC sometime or the school. If every Christian just took the time to spark conversations with people and make people's day, how would life look like?

Second Semester OVER!

Second semester is over! Whoah, this semester has definitely been different from the first. The first semester was overwhelming, but this semester was even more overwhelming. The two classes that really hit me the most was my Marriage and Family Counseling course and Group Dynamics class. I've learned so much about myself in that class, did a whole bunch of self-reflection and I was just doing too much overanalyzing. I learned a lot about the patterns that went on in my family and how that had affected me from childhood until now. I learned about people.

"Hurt people hurt people" & "nobody does nothing for no reason" were some quotes that stuck out to me throughout the semester. Classes like these help me to really understand people. Most of all, I enjoyed the classes so much because the professors were professional and they loved what they taught, it was so evident through their lifestyles. These are professors I would love to continue to learn from and keep in touch with in the future. I must say, I'm really enjoying what I'm learning. God is good. And despite all the distractions that prevented me from studying in excellence this semester, God has much grace on me and blessed me with all As. I don't deserve it for sure, but God is good. I want to learn so much, I want to read so much, I want to absorb so much but I haven't even digested half the things I learned the past two semesters. I wish everyone was learning what I was learning!

ABCs of Love

"I accept you as you are."

"I believe you are valuable."

"I care when you hurt."

"I desire only what is best for you."

"I erase all offenses."


We could call that the ABCs of love. And I don't know of anybody who would turn his back on such magnetic, encouraging statements.

There is nothing shallow about authentic love. Nor is it a magic wand we whip out and wave over a problem with a whoosh, hoping all the pain will go away.

Real love has staying power. Authentic love is tough love. It refuses to look for ways to run away. It always opts for working through. It doesn't cop out because the sea gets stormy and rough. It's fibrous and resilient. . . .

While the world around us gives the opposite counsel, love stands firm.

Excerpted from Charles R. Swindoll, Wisdom for the Way (Nashville: J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2001). Copyright © 2001 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Thoughts about Grandma.

My mother went back to Taiwan to visit my grandmother whose been hospitalized recently. Yesterday, Johnson and I Skyped with my grandmother and mom. The moment I saw her face, I couldn't help but to break out in tears. I wish I could just go back, stay with her, give her a hug, tell her I love and appreciate so much. Just from one month of getting to know her, I fell in love with her because of selfless heart. I'm so glad to have personally met such an amazing such as her. It breaks my heart so much to see her in so much pain, it broke my heart so much to leave Taiwan knowing that I might never see her again.

Grandma never had a job before. She spent her whole life taking care of her husband and her four children. She's never left anywhere to have fun or relax, she's only left the house to take care of errands and go grocery shopping for the home. She's been to America once so that she could take care of her grandchildren for a couple of months. Her husband passed away a couple of years ago and since then, she's been pretty much by herself. Until this day, she still handwashes all her clothing, buys grocery, cooks food, washes the dishes, wipes the floor by hand, everything, everything, everything. She has four children but many of them are busy working and not spending enough time visiting her. She's so faithful, she really trusts in the Lord and when we were in Taiwan, she bent over backwards to make us happy. Gah, I miss her.

 

Johnson's praise/prayer report:
1. Good news: Grace. I've been selected as the 2011-2012 Valedictorian of the Grove School of Engineering. As Valedictorian, I will have the honor of representing my graduating class at the 2012 Grove School of Engineering Graduation Ceremony on Friday, June 1, 2012.

2. Prayer request: Mercy. Paternal grandmother was diagnosed with gastric cancer in October 2010 and returned home after having 3/5 of her stomach surgically removed. She is currently in the hospital once again. Pray for her recovery from pain and suffering through God's healing mercy. Quote (translated): "By myself I do not want to eat, but I'll eat for the Lord; by myself I do not want to live, but I'll live for the Lord." My mother left for Taiwan since Saturday to care for and pray alongside my grandmother. She recently posted a Youtube video petitioning for prayer support and of my grandmother praying and praising God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7JM_yxBUTQ&feature=channel&list=UL

Thanks,

Johnson Ho



Grandparent's coming-to-faith testimony:
Grandparents had no faith background.
My father (eldest son of four) was born.
Father as baby was sick, to the point of death.
Grandparents sought for sources of recovery.
Physician treatments of no avail.
Buddhist prayers of no avail.
Christian pastor prayed.
Father healed.
Grandparents believed on the Lord Jesus.