Deepening my relationship with God this Lent

Last Wednesday, February, 18th, was “Ash Wednesday” which marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is “a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to die for us and our salvation. Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.” Therefore, in light of this period, I did some self-examination and felt like God was telling me to devote this time to invest in my relationship with him.  I want to be able to experience God’s love during this period more and more deeply than ever.  

During this Lent period, I am working on setting aside adequate time to reflect more upon the sacrifice Christ made for me, His death, as well as the gift He gives me which is eternal life in Him.  There is no way to repay God or to prove myself worthy of such a gift. Although many times I stumble and fall, the Lord can never let go of me.  I am hoping that this will be the time for me to give up excuses and give in to time. Over the last couple weeks, I have felt like I need to live my life more fully as God intended it for it is a gift from Him.  A recent discussion with a close friend of mine about making excuses made me realize that I actually CAN make time for some of the things I want to do whether it is exploring a new hobby, reading a book , volunteering or keeping up with my blog. Most of the times, I am too tired to do anything, I don’t have enough time in a day, or don’t have the energy to engage in or get involved in a certain activity. These are some of the few areas I am seeking the Lord to help me grow in. My prayer is that these 40 days will prepare me not only for Easter but also for the joy of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection.

 ^{Here is a song I have been meditating on :  Draw me close to  by Michael W Smith} 

^{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d_oYr-P16M}

Lunar New Year Hotpot Party

This is my fourth Lunar New Year’s Eve in the States. Without any fireworks and lucky money, inevitable homesick always occur during this period.  When I saw my friends post their picture about having reunion dinner with their family, watching Spring Festival Gala together or visiting Flower Street, I wept aloud. But Holy Spirit fills with my emptiness. With the love of Lord, I can clearly feel He is touching me, comforting me, and hugging me.

New Year Party also eliminates my homesickness.  Last Saturday, one of my Bible Study group leaders Hang hosted a hot pot party. There were up to 30 participants attended. There were both spicy and non-spicy bases for Hot Pot. It reminds me of my family. I also had hot pot together with my family during the Lunar New Year. We had many selections of food for hot pot, such as vegetable, beef slice, shrimp, Chinese mushroom, meat ball, Udon and Lotus Root. Before we had our meal, we gathered together in a circle and thanked God for the food we had tonight. Subsequently, we enjoyed our feast.  

After dinner, one of our leaders Mark shared a short message about Salvation. Then we had a fun time chatting to each other.

Thanks Lord for bringing those amazing leader to my life, which makes me feel at home. Yes! That’s the reason why the name of our Bible Study is called “You home away from home”.

Happy Lunar New Year!

News from Amity - Returnee (Former ISEED Participant)! :)

Hi all, here's a post from Amity. I asked her to send some updates for us :).

I am home!

“Jesus, please give me strength to face the future. No matter what it will be, help me focus on you. I don’t know how to express my feelings, help me to turn all of the sadness into motivation.” I was praying this on the plane.

I asked my family to arrive later. So I was waiting, trying to make sure I landed and I would be back for…forever? Finally I saw my mom, my two brothers, and one of my dad’s assistant. I gave them each of them hug. It was a bit embarrassing since it had been over one year from last time we saw one another. But it was good. The weather welcomed me with breeze and warmth. “I am home!”

The transition

Sadness quickly overwhelmed me. I started missing everything in the States, especially after my mom challenged me not to talk about my belief. I felt alone since my friends were all working. I wanted to go back to the States and get a Master Degree! Why do people act so differently? Can people show some respect? How can I celebrate the good in my own culture?

Thank God I was connected to a believer who is the leader of the returnee fellowship in town before I came home. I couldn’t wait to go to that group. It was a sharing session. We shared our concerns, our thanksgiving, and all kinds of stuff. I felt that I belonged.

I visited three fellowships so far. I was used to the Western style of worship and preaching. I knew that it would be hard for me to accept any kind of fellowship. By God’s grace, I readjusted my expectation and I started to see the good. I am still in the process of searching a fellowship.

Different lifestyle

Life is different. When I was in the States, I liked to cook dinner and invite friends over to eat. My weekend was full. I have IFI’s bible study on Friday night, prayer meeting and home church on Saturday, and Sunday service. I enjoyed leading the small group and serving people in various ways. I enjoyed driving around to do things. Now, I am back. Cooking dinner for friends is replaced by eating out with friends. Driving around is replaced by taking subway and spending an hour trying to get somewhere. God, what do you want me to change? When can I fall in love with the current lifestyle?

Where to go? Now I know!

I was confused about where to go before coming back home. But God is able! Because of family problem, the idea of immigrating to Sydney was withdrawn. I might have a good job opportunity in Shanghai. So it was either Shanghai or Shenzhen. I felt the need to stay in my city because of my family’s unbelief, my friends’ broken life and many others who haven’t heard the good news. Yes, we can share Jesus wherever we go. Going to other city will add the difficulty of adjusting to life and restarting life, which leads to ineffectiveness. I decided to reach out to a Christian organization that I knew of and see if I could get a job there. Wow, God really opened the door. They have a staff who is leaving and they do need people. We are good match for each other. That’s how I decided to stay in Shenzhen!

Hi January !

“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil 2:13)

“My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19)  

The passing few months turn out very tough for me. Everything did not go smoothly as I though. Whenever I get the hope up, and I watch them fall every time. Most of the time, I am over-confident about concurring them. So I trust my own wisdom and my own “diligence” rather than God’s wisdom, and I am too faithful to some practical stuff rather than God. After several days and nights, I was over too burdensome and burst out. Why can’t I overcome those?

During the Master life study and my own daily devotion, those two verses give me a hint and solution of my past action. Yes, I over trust my own wisdom and did not depend on God. My life was stuffed with many other things and eventually there is no plenty of room for God’s words. What I should do is depending on God and asking him what is the plan he prepares for me. He has a marvelous plan for me according to his good purpose. He will meet all my needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. In the future, I will continuously ask God and please him.

Cannot wait for the rest of the ISEED time. 

Patience

This time, I chose to share with you what God has been teaching me throughout this month: PATIENCE.  

I am sure many of us are familiar with ISAIAH 40 :31 which says " but they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  God has really lead me to meditate on this particular verse for the last few weeks. 

At the beginning of the year, I asked God to build in me one important character which I seem to be lacking (immensely). I have been going through some major ups and downs in my life and sometimes I find myself doubting God's powerful hand MAINLY because I want HIM to act now rather than me patiently wait for HIS perfect timing. So I have been praying for the Lord to help me to always look up to heaven for encouragement when times get tough. I want to be able to ALWAYS bless HIS name in the midst my waiting/ when the skies look dim and grey.  As I was "ranting" about how God sometimes seems to be taking forever to come through for me , one of my best friends sent me a beautiful poem by Calvin Hart which I want to share with you. It was, in some ways, an eye opener; I had to pause for a couple of seconds and digest all the TRUTHS Calvin sheds light on in this poem. My best friend also reminded me that " Flowers bloom when rain falls". 

So, my encouragement to you (and myself) is that we should always remember that God NEVER falls short of His word, we just gotta be PATIENT as hard as it is.

I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did. Be blessed!

Here goes the poem : 

Sometimes we lack patience,
When things don't go our way, 
Then we do things that we should not do, 
And say things that we should not say.


Sometimes when we lack patience, 
We throw a temper fit, 
We lose our cool and self-control, 
And resort to scream and hit.


Sometimes our patience is tested, 
By things that our children will do. 
But remember, they are just children, 
They do not understand like you.

Sometimes when we are weary, 
Our patience won't last very long. 
Then we tend to snap at others, 
Though we know that we are wrong.

Patience is certainly a virtue, 
It's a matter of self-control. 
Patience is something you practice, 
And apply with the warmth of your soul.


Where would we be if Jesus, 
Lost patience with us, His children. 
And left us alone to fend for ourselves, 
What a mess we would all be in.


Patience is a big part of a Christian's life, 
We must be diligent in witness and prayer, 
If our hearts are filled with Christian love, 
Then patience will also be there.


So be patient with those you are leading, 
To the loving arms of the Lord. 
Good things come to those who wait, 
Your patience will have it's reward.
~ Calvin Hart ~

Living Christmas tree play

On 12/04/14, Grace Polaris Church hosted a Living Christmas Tree (LCT) play. Several of us attended and it was such a great and well put together play. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to get to connect with a student 1-1 in order to hopefully be able to disciple the student. The student I invited is not a believer yet but that was her second time to the play which she thoroughly enjoyed. Even though, it was her second time to attend, she was still fascinated by the “intricacy of the play” and was moved by the story of the prodigal son. On our way back, we spent quite a great bit talking about the play, what we liked and it was an opportunity for me to ask her if there was anything she did not understand. What intrigued me the most is that the student said she was “greatly reminded of how much God loves her” and so many times she sees herself as“ a prodigal daughter but God still loves her unconditionally”. I was touched by her honest comment and I asked her if she had heard and/or read the story of the prodigal son and her reply was “I am actually studying the book of Luke and I just read Luke 15 not too long ago”. Turns out the student “tries to read her bible on a daily basis because she find comfort in the word of God” she added. I shared with her my personal story which she found encouraging and I am hoping to have more opportunities to meet & connect with this student.

Last but not least, I was also personally reminded of God’s unconditional love to all HIS children. I do not have to perform to earn God’s love, He loves me as I am. I thought the cast did an incredible job. The last scene where everyone was dressed in white painted a picture of heaven when we will be with Jesus singing, dancing and praising His name. 

BYE 2015

Today is the 4^th day of 2015. The past year of 2014 just vanished without any trace. Needless to say, it is hard to summarize in a single sentence for the year of 2014 that filled with not only happiness but also bitterness. Thanks to the lord who give me love and hope when enduring hardship and remind me to make progress when I am complacent.

2014 is the unforgettable and milestone year. I can’t forget the moment when I received the acceptance letter from IFI of being an intern. I can’t forget the moment when I was holding my diploma from University of Cincinnati in graduate apparel. I also can’t forget the moment that I was touched by the enthusiasm and hospitality from all IFI staff and my host family. 

For the 2015, I anticipate that I could grow more in faith and speak the truth in love. I anticipate that I could get the offer letter from graduate school finish ISEED program. I endured a hard time at the end of 2014.During that period; I was very depressed and hopeless. I did not ask God for his help very often. It comes out with an even worse situation. Even now I still assume that I did not totally free from those hardships. However, I entrust God has a great plan for me and he will lead me to the brightness. Please pray for me!

Wish you a happy and fruitful 2015! God bless you all!