IFI Fellowship Dinner

On April 18^th 2015, IFI hosted its 9^th Annual Banquet at The Ohio State Union Ballroom Hall. It is the most marvelous activities of IFI throughout the whole year. There were up to 600 people attended this dinner.  I am one of the co table hosts for the dinner. Another ISEEDer Angelique and I invited up to 11 guests. During this time, it is my great honor that my career mentor Bonita and her husband Merle could joined our dinner, which gave them a deeper insight of IFI ministry to them. Every attendant got to know what God has done with IFI International Student Ministry (ISM) through this dinner.

An IFI outstanding international student leader, future ISEEDer, TT Zhang shared her testimony, she shared about how IFI influenced on her on the way to the Kingdom and why she choose to enroll in ISEED program after she graduate this May. It was very encouraging. An Italian couple also shared their testimony after then. They were born in a traditional Roman Catholic family in Italy and later came to know the Lord. And IFI gave them an opportunity to grow deeper in Christ. 

On the first working day after dinner, I am one of the financial team in charge of processing people’s donation. I was touched and burst into tears by their generosity, no matter what amount they gave. Their kindly donation benefits a great amount of international students, like me. Just like the mission of IFI – “We serve internationals and partner with them to make Christ known among the Nations.”  If you are interest in various giving opportunity and are willing to help IFI ministry, please visit https://www.ifipartners.org/ for additional information. 

Live Victoriously: Masterlife reflection

In light of our last masterlife class, I thought it would be quite fitting to reflect on one (among many) thing I am taking away from this amazing, life-changing class. We were going through the second book “The Disciple’s personality” which explains how to become more Christlike in character, behavior and attitudes. It is a six week study which focuses mainly on how we should invite Christ to transform our “character into Christlikeness through the work of the holy spirit.”  During the last week, the author focuses more on how to LIVE VICTORIOUSLY.  Allow me to share with you the scripture-memory verse that was ascribed to this same week:  “DO NOT LET SIN REIGN INTO YOUR MORTAL BODY SO THAT YOU OBEY ITS EVIL DESIRES. DO NOT OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO SIN, AS INSTRUMENTS OF WICKEDNESS BUT RATHER OFFER YOURSELVES TO GOD, AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FROM DEATH TO LIFE, AND OFFER THE PARTS OF YOUR BODY TO HIM AS INSTRUMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” Rom.6:12-13 .  These verses pretty much sum up how one can live victoriously (especially in this fallen world).

So why did this strike me more than anything else, you might be wondering… Because I feel as though I am yet to start living victoriously. My life has been revolving around some type of fear to fully submit to God’s authority, hence, failure to live a victorious life. I used to feel this excruciating fear anytime I started thinking about God’s authority over my life. I would start weighing things I would have to let go vs. what I could gain; basically comparing the incomparable things: There is no such thing as submitting yourself under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It brings with it so much joy, satisfaction and strength to endure challenges. So, failing to yield to God’s authority lead to confusion and lack of the willpower to let Christ transform my character. One truth is that God will let us have our ways because He has given us the freedom of choice but He will NEVER change his ways. I needed a renewed mind from the futility of my thinking because I [like you] was bought with a price and was brought from death to life.

Going through the Disciple’s Personality book has left me with nothing but cravings for a more renewed mind; but Jesus and I make a very unbeatable team so we are working really hard on this. I want to develop a more Chistlike character which will ultimately allow me to live victoriously. A lot of us find ourselves trapped in entitlement bondage, where we think we deserve this and that and when we do not get whatever it is that we want, we start “rebelling” against God… at least I know I am like this a good number of times; that’s why I need a renewed mind.

Let me end on this note, sometimes we lose focus of our identity and goals and start looking for comfortable things and we tend to revert to the old self when things get tough.  One’s true identity is found in Christ alone. We all should be striving to be more like Christ and learn more about ourselves daily.  The younger generation seem to have time to keep up with the Kardashians rather than keeping up with themselves.  In order to live victoriously, we need to stay in tune with who we are in the Lord, Jesus Christ.

R factor - a can't miss workshop

Since March 8^th, all ISEEDers are invited to attend an applicable and powerful six-series of workshop held in Heritage Christian Church – R factor, leaded by Tom Knight. Mr. Knight is a founder of a consulting firm called Focus 3. There are many well-known organizations, such as The Ohio State University Athletics, American Electric Power, Ohio Health, Nationwide, Ernst and Young Banks of America etc.  

The most influential take out from this workshop for me is its core equation: E+R=O, which stands for Event + Response = Outcome. This equation renounce for tons of time in my mind after I attended this workshop. For all the outcomes we encounter, are not determined by the event itself, but are determined by how we respond to this event.

In the past, when I confronted some difficult situation, I always complain about the event. If I have a bad score on my test, I complain the questions are difficult. When I have harsh team member, I cannot stand why I don’t have a change to work with a nice, easy-going team member. Those are inappropriate response. I cannot change what is asked in a test, I cannot control other’s character. Why do I focus on the event I experience, rather than how to response to those event?

Now I learn to control over how I respond, but not control the event.

Thanks God for taking me to this powerful workshop. Cannot wait for the rest three classes!!! Yeah!! 

Here is the useful link if you want to know more about R-factor

Since March 8th, all ISEEDers are invited to attend an applicable and powerful six-series of workshop held in Heritage Christian Church – R factor, leaded by Tom Knight. Mr. Knight is a founder of a consulting firm called Focus 3. There are many well-known organizations, such as The Ohio State University Athletics, American Electric Power, Ohio Health, Nationwide, Ernst and Young Banks of America etc. The most influential take out from this workshop for me is its core equation: E+R=O, which stands for Event + Response = Outcome. This equation renounce for tons of time in my mind after I attended this workshop. For all the outcomes we encounter, are not determined by the event itself, but are determined by how we respond to this event. In the past, when I confronted some difficult situation, I always complain about the event. If I have a bad score on my test, I complain the questions are difficult. When I have harsh team member, I cannot stand why I don’t have a change to work with a nice, easy-going team member. Those are inappropriate response. I cannot change what is asked in a test, I cannot control other’s character. Why do I focus on the event I experience, rather than how to response to those event? Now I learn to control over how I respond, but not control the event. Thanks God for taking me to this powerful workshop. Cannot wait for the rest three classes!!! Yeah!!

If you want to know more about R factor, please visit http://www.focus3organizationalculture.com/

Inner Peace

Last Saturday, I arrived home from a school interview, the warmth of the afternoon pressed shyly on my skin, and it was very sunny outside.  In the backyard, birds were idly chirping, and all around the house there was dead silence. So, I got settled in the house and tried to work on my other school applications only to realize I had lost all motivation to do anything; and fatigue, both from mental and physical exhaustion, was draining in my veins slowly, slithering like a venomous snake. However, I had a remedy ( It was time to PRESS PAUSE) – the basketball court in the park just right across from the house had an alluring invitation, and I could not resist the temptation. I dropped everything I was doing, with excitement I was on my way.

Once there, I monopolized the court with a deep sense of admiration and possession. I rolled the basketball in my eager hands, bounced it against the ground, and focused my mind on the pleasant sounds of bouncing basketball, squeaking of my sneakers and swishing net.  Measuring with my eyes the distance to the basket, looking back at the ball that kept bouncing under my hand, looking back at the basket – I stopped for a second, pushed the ball up causing it to twist three times in the air and finally the ball came back in my hands.  This time my gaze toward the basketball was like that of a predator at its prey, and I threw the ball in attempt to score. My breathing stopped for a moment as I waited to see if it reached the target, and hooray I scored! Pride settled deep inside, and I picked up the ball with more vigor. I dribbled, dribbled but yet, after a few successful and failed attempts to score again, my anxiety managed to kick back in. The ecstatic experience I felt at arriving on the basketball court just minutes ago slowly sunk under the rush of the feelings that kept tormenting me. But I refused to give in into this temptation to stress out but instead decided to get my mind right following the steps we learnt in the “ R” Factor series class the Sunday before. I pressed pause, re-framed my thought process, and refocused to stay above the line. As Tim Kight said I was telling myself “Don’t believe everything you think”.

In my distress, I dropped the ball, lifted my eyes up to the serene sky and cried out to my God saying “Father, I cannot take it anymore!” At that moment, a gentle breeze brushed against my cheeks. I closed my eyes and I heard His voice as a soft and comforting whisper: “Hang in there, my dear child. <Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand>”.  He was there with me, and at that moment all the chaos surrounding me disappeared; it was just me and my Lord. And the light breeze kept coming at me and taking away, with it, the heat of the day, my anxiety as well as my burden. In my head I was thinking: “I want to keep this sacred moment and cherish it forever. He is my strength. He is the one who raises me up and holds my hand. He is the one who will never let go of me.”

I picked up the lonely ball and restarted my game. After I was done, I returned home feeling renewed more than ever.  I had inner peace, I was motivated to get things done and meet the deadlines; new ideas were flowing through my mind like never before. It was a great way to wrap up my day for sure.

Let me end on this note: One thing I took away from that evening is that in life we think that we may never have/enjoy inner peace in the midst of challenges and hardships; this is NOT TRUE at all. Most of the times, when I hear the word peace it seems to be something that has to do with having ideal conditions in every aspect of our relationships as well as other areas of life. Truth is that , in this life, it may never be the case. If you want temporary peace you might have it in transient circumstances. But if you want lasting peace you might really want to learn how to find it, and keep it in the midst of ups and downs. TRUE life story!!!

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!