The Great:
Pastor Smith's sermon taught us the meaning of "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." It was so moving and so insightful. I was with the Spirit. Thank the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Good:
Today was my first time at adult Bible Study. We just started Ephesians, and there was so much for me to learn that it feels like a blur now. One thing that struck me was the idea of living in Christ and what that means. I will have to continue to study this concept.
The Struggle:
Twice today, people asked me why I wasn't serving the Mandarin congregation. What bothered me about those two encounters was that these two individuals spoke with a lot of presumptions about me, telling me in essence, that I *should* be serving the Mandarin congregation, and by not doing so I am betraying or doing a dis-service to the congregation. I'm not sure if the fact that others are prejudging me the only thing that bothers me. For sure, this has been ongoing for several weeks now, and I don't know how to talk about this to others without showing frustration and maybe even a bit anger at this point. This is something I will have to pray for.
To my Christian friends: please pray for me as well.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Legion, Man Possessed by Many Demons (click)
During Care Group this week, S. and A. talked about a book they were reading. The book is about how Christians should select foods for their regular diet. Among the foods that Christians should not eat, pork is one of them. The reason is because pigs are considered unclean. Here are two mentions of how pigs are unclean:
I personally have never liked pork that much. The only time I absolutely find it irresistable is when I eat Cantonese style roast pork. I can't resist the crispy skin. Ribs are nice, but they're not always that tasty. Pork chops are just negligible. So, I think I'm going to pursuade my family to eat less pork - less, because I doubt my parents could completely give it up.
I have not been able to go completely vegetarian, but perhaps abstaining from pork is the first step. I have to accept that this is a long process for me. Such a big change in my life cannot happen over night.
7 And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.Leviticus 11: 7-8
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.Mark 5: 11-13
I personally have never liked pork that much. The only time I absolutely find it irresistable is when I eat Cantonese style roast pork. I can't resist the crispy skin. Ribs are nice, but they're not always that tasty. Pork chops are just negligible. So, I think I'm going to pursuade my family to eat less pork - less, because I doubt my parents could completely give it up.
I have not been able to go completely vegetarian, but perhaps abstaining from pork is the first step. I have to accept that this is a long process for me. Such a big change in my life cannot happen over night.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Punctuation for Modern Chinese Writing
下雨天留客天天留我不留
How should these words be punctuated to give it different meanings?
下雨天, 留客天. 天留, 我不留.
or
下雨天, 留客天. 天留我不? 留.
or
下雨, 天留客. 天天留我不? 留.
How should these words be punctuated to give it different meanings?
下雨天, 留客天. 天留, 我不留.
or
下雨天, 留客天. 天留我不? 留.
or
下雨, 天留客. 天天留我不? 留.
EE @ Helen's
Last night, the Care Group went to Helen's house for dinner and EE. Helen invited her friend, Veronica, to join us as the guest of honour. Also in attendance were Alvin, Sze2 and myself. Abesnt were Annie, Thai and Catherine.
Our gracious hostess served meat lasagna with all its oohy-goohy goodness. Yum in my tum! Sze2 and Alvin brought the ingredients for baking fresh garlic bread and making a baby spinach salad. I brought some strawberries for dessert, not knowing that Helen had already prepared a lot of berries as well. She also made these frozen yogourt cookie sandwiches. They were very delicious.
During dinner, we shared our testimonies with Veronica. Then she shared her experiences with us. It was a very enjoyable time as we were able to learn from one another and share our thoughts.
We ended the evening with prayers for one another. It was a very relaxing evening.
Our gracious hostess served meat lasagna with all its oohy-goohy goodness. Yum in my tum! Sze2 and Alvin brought the ingredients for baking fresh garlic bread and making a baby spinach salad. I brought some strawberries for dessert, not knowing that Helen had already prepared a lot of berries as well. She also made these frozen yogourt cookie sandwiches. They were very delicious.
During dinner, we shared our testimonies with Veronica. Then she shared her experiences with us. It was a very enjoyable time as we were able to learn from one another and share our thoughts.
We ended the evening with prayers for one another. It was a very relaxing evening.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Alice Munro wins Man Booker prize
YAY! Hearing this news just makes me want to take out one of her collections and read something from it. That's exactly what I'll do! ...wait...where's my Alice Munro book??? Did bro take it? I'll have to ask him.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Visit to Lisa, Mark and Little Meagan
Yesterday, Veronica, Rick and I went to Lisa and Mark's house for a visit.
Their new house is beautiful and spacious. My favourite, however, is their garden. Mind you, a garden does take a lot of work to maintain.
I was planning on bringing a prosciutto ham salad, but I ended up not having any time to make it. So, I bought a Greek salad from Metro instead.
Little Meagan was adorable. She is now walking all on her own, and she's also very fluent at speaking Meaganish. We had a great time.
Their new house is beautiful and spacious. My favourite, however, is their garden. Mind you, a garden does take a lot of work to maintain.
I was planning on bringing a prosciutto ham salad, but I ended up not having any time to make it. So, I bought a Greek salad from Metro instead.
Little Meagan was adorable. She is now walking all on her own, and she's also very fluent at speaking Meaganish. We had a great time.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Hairbands
I went shopping with C. and my bangs, which are getting long, kept poking my eyes. I got frustrated and started looking for hairbands to purchase. C. and I were in H&M and I was trying on a hairband when I accidentally poked myself in the left eye with the price tag. Normally, I am very careful about this gesture of putting a hairband around my forehead and avoiding my eyes from the price tag. I don't know what happened; maybe I was too anxious or excited to try on something new, I completely forgot to be careful.
It hurt a lot. For the whole day, on and off. On Sunday, I couldn't not see very well through the left eye as it kept tearing up and my vision was blurred.
Today, it is much better.
Lesson: take extra care when trying on hairbands that have price tags attached to them.
It hurt a lot. For the whole day, on and off. On Sunday, I couldn't not see very well through the left eye as it kept tearing up and my vision was blurred.
Today, it is much better.
Lesson: take extra care when trying on hairbands that have price tags attached to them.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Christian Bookstores
Broughtons Religious Books & Gifts - 416-690-4777
2105 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 1K1
St Jacques Religious Bookstore - 416-466-3315
1242 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4J 1M6
Anglican Book Centre - 416-924-1332
80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2
Cornerstone Bookshop – Ph. # 416-224-8999
89 Finch Ave. W (2 lights west of Yonge St.) North York, Ontario M2N 2H6
North York Christian Books & Gifts. 416) 223-2339.
5929 Yonge St M2M3V7
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=lifeguide&action=Search&kw=lifeguide_bible_study&event=PPCSRC&p=1018818&cm_mmc=Google-_-Bible%20Study-_-bible%20study%202-_-lifeguide%20bible%20study&gclid=CNL-1trKv5oCFR9hnAod8HQlrg
2105 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 1K1
St Jacques Religious Bookstore - 416-466-3315
1242 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON M4J 1M6
Anglican Book Centre - 416-924-1332
80 Hayden Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2
Cornerstone Bookshop – Ph. # 416-224-8999
89 Finch Ave. W (2 lights west of Yonge St.) North York, Ontario M2N 2H6
North York Christian Books & Gifts. 416) 223-2339.
5929 Yonge St M2M3V7
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=keywords&Ntt=lifeguide&action=Search&kw=lifeguide_bible_study&event=PPCSRC&p=1018818&cm_mmc=Google-_-Bible%20Study-_-bible%20study%202-_-lifeguide%20bible%20study&gclid=CNL-1trKv5oCFR9hnAod8HQlrg
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lately
In the past 5 days...
1. got very sick and still went to work on Thurs.
2. discovered a leak in the laundry faucet
both got fixed yesterday. I'm still sick, but getting better. =)
1. got very sick and still went to work on Thurs.
2. discovered a leak in the laundry faucet
both got fixed yesterday. I'm still sick, but getting better. =)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
I think it's been a year since I first registered on Facebook. To date, I still don't quite know what to do with some of the applications. Friends sometimes send me various gifts, and I haven't quite figured out how to view the actual gift. Sometimes, I press on "view my gift" and it takes me to a new page that says I don't have any gifts yet.
Very puzzling.
And how come my friends have to much time to be playing with all these different applications? I find I don't have enough time during the day.
If God were to grant me a superpower, I would like to be able to stop time. Chances are, though, that God would only allow me to slow down time for other people, but not myself. For example, I could slow down time for an old lady who is dying on her hospital bed, and allow her favourite grand-daughter to arrive in time to say their last "I love yous." But, if I needed more time to prep a lesson before I had to teach, my superpower wouldn't work. God would want me to use the time He has given me in a fruitful way so as not to be idle and waste it.
I thank God for all the gifts He has already given me.
Very puzzling.
And how come my friends have to much time to be playing with all these different applications? I find I don't have enough time during the day.
If God were to grant me a superpower, I would like to be able to stop time. Chances are, though, that God would only allow me to slow down time for other people, but not myself. For example, I could slow down time for an old lady who is dying on her hospital bed, and allow her favourite grand-daughter to arrive in time to say their last "I love yous." But, if I needed more time to prep a lesson before I had to teach, my superpower wouldn't work. God would want me to use the time He has given me in a fruitful way so as not to be idle and waste it.
I thank God for all the gifts He has already given me.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Links and Topics to Study
https://www.cbmw.org/Journal/Vol-9-No-2/Gender-Roles-and-the-Glory-of-God
I've always wondered about the two books, Corinthians I and II.
http://www.sharperiron.org/2007/08/10/who-is-counseling-our-women/
I became interested in this after hearing what my Pastor said on Saturday at the end of our potluck dinner.
Online Bible at Bible Gateway
I've always wondered about the two books, Corinthians I and II.
http://www.sharperiron.org/2007/08/10/who-is-counseling-our-women/
I became interested in this after hearing what my Pastor said on Saturday at the end of our potluck dinner.
Online Bible at Bible Gateway
Faith Journal
I have thought to myself countless times in the past how I would like to make this blog my faith journal. I never did end up following through it, partly because my faith wasn't growing, at least not very much. My two good friends, Vr. and S2. have been telling telling me about how one's faith needs to grow, and not to let ourselves become complacent in our comfort zones after we've been baptized. I agree with them, and I've been trying to find different ways to enable my faith to grow. Of course, I have been praying about it as well.
I am part of a Care Group that meets every Friday for Bible study, evangelism and general group support. Once a month, my group will go out into the public and they will evangelize. I know that S2 and her husband, Av., are hoping that I will take on evangelism training and join them sometime in the evangelistic work that they do. However, to be honest, I don't think that my faith is mature enough that I could, or even should, take on something as important as evangelism. I have only been baptized for a year...not even; it will be a year on April 27th. I haven't read enough of the Bible. I'm only starting to become more involved at church, and I have only been attending APC for a little over a year; less than a year at Ling Fu. So, I really don't feel ready for that yet.
God, with His love and grace, has presented me with other options. Yesterday, I went to the Ling Fu Fellowship potluck. There, I had a talk with Vr. and she told me that she is going to start a course on discipleship for members of the Ling Fu congregation. Vr. will only be able to conduct this in English, and so many will be excluded for now. Later on, when Kai Hong comes to Toronto for her internship, she will conduct it in Mandarin. I will pray to God that the language will not be a barrier for me. Through discipleship training, I will learn how to improve on praying and serving God. I'm really excited about this.
I give thanks to the Lord for bringing Vr., Rk. and the members of my Care Group to me at this point in my life to help my faith grow.
I am part of a Care Group that meets every Friday for Bible study, evangelism and general group support. Once a month, my group will go out into the public and they will evangelize. I know that S2 and her husband, Av., are hoping that I will take on evangelism training and join them sometime in the evangelistic work that they do. However, to be honest, I don't think that my faith is mature enough that I could, or even should, take on something as important as evangelism. I have only been baptized for a year...not even; it will be a year on April 27th. I haven't read enough of the Bible. I'm only starting to become more involved at church, and I have only been attending APC for a little over a year; less than a year at Ling Fu. So, I really don't feel ready for that yet.
God, with His love and grace, has presented me with other options. Yesterday, I went to the Ling Fu Fellowship potluck. There, I had a talk with Vr. and she told me that she is going to start a course on discipleship for members of the Ling Fu congregation. Vr. will only be able to conduct this in English, and so many will be excluded for now. Later on, when Kai Hong comes to Toronto for her internship, she will conduct it in Mandarin. I will pray to God that the language will not be a barrier for me. Through discipleship training, I will learn how to improve on praying and serving God. I'm really excited about this.
I give thanks to the Lord for bringing Vr., Rk. and the members of my Care Group to me at this point in my life to help my faith grow.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Re-post
This entry first appeared in the May 16, 2005 entry.
Prof. Eric Reeves on "The Sunday Edition," CBC Radio One
On the drive to church on Sunday morning, Bro and I were listening to The Sunday Edition broadcast. It featured an interview with English Lit. Prof. Eric Reeves about the genocide that is going on in Darfur, Sudan. At one point, Michael Enright, the host, asked Prof. Reeves if Darfur is the next Rwanda in the making. Prof. Reeves responded in a way that really made my heart ache. He said, and I paraphrase:
Our second chance is passing us by, and do we even notice it?
http://www.sudanreeves.org/
Prof. Eric Reeves on "The Sunday Edition," CBC Radio One
On the drive to church on Sunday morning, Bro and I were listening to The Sunday Edition broadcast. It featured an interview with English Lit. Prof. Eric Reeves about the genocide that is going on in Darfur, Sudan. At one point, Michael Enright, the host, asked Prof. Reeves if Darfur is the next Rwanda in the making. Prof. Reeves responded in a way that really made my heart ache. He said, and I paraphrase:
Darfur is Rwanda in slow motion. It's as if the Gods of History decided to give us another chance, a chance to redeem ourselves for our neglect of what happened in Rwanda. It's as if they said, "we'll give you as much time as you need, and this time there should be no excuse not taking action."
Our second chance is passing us by, and do we even notice it?
http://www.sudanreeves.org/
Monday, March 23, 2009
First Day After MB
So, today was not bad at all. I wasn't as tired as I was afraid I might be.
The morning was easy because my two ESLC classes had a work period. In the afternoon, my Applied History class was very engaged and productive. They weren't as hyper as usual, which may well be a symptom of post-MB lethargiosis. They were my most enjoyable class today.
In the office, we celebrated D.'s birthday today with a strawberry shortcake that N. bought from M&M's. D.'s birthday is actually on Saturday, but we decided to celebrate earlier.
While I was cooking dinner (pork roast), I read a little bit more of Remember Me, a novel by Christopher Pike. In it, a group of teenagers were trying to communicate with the spirit world through one of their friends. One of the boys at the party, Jeff, thought that the spirit they were communicating with was his late brother. Shortly after the "sceance" ended, the girl who was the conduit, Shari, died mysteriously. I'll have to read more to see what will happen.
Growing up, I've always been fascinated with the supernatural, ghosts and haunted places in particular. Many a time have my friends and I considered playing with a ouija board, and I've only done it once with two friends I had in grade five or six, I can't recall exactly. I honestly believe that one of them was moving the pointer, and not a spirit.
Thankfully, I have learned over the years that this is an activity that should not be treated as a game. You never knows what "spirit" is in communication with you. It could be a benign ghost, or it could be the Devil. Once you invite a spirit in, you cannot ask it to leave or even kick it out as you wish. It is actually a dangerous game to play. So, I will never get to try it out again and see if it really works. That makes me feel a bit sad, sad that I won't be able to know for myself. On the other hand, I've learned that some things are better left unknown.
The morning was easy because my two ESLC classes had a work period. In the afternoon, my Applied History class was very engaged and productive. They weren't as hyper as usual, which may well be a symptom of post-MB lethargiosis. They were my most enjoyable class today.
In the office, we celebrated D.'s birthday today with a strawberry shortcake that N. bought from M&M's. D.'s birthday is actually on Saturday, but we decided to celebrate earlier.
While I was cooking dinner (pork roast), I read a little bit more of Remember Me, a novel by Christopher Pike. In it, a group of teenagers were trying to communicate with the spirit world through one of their friends. One of the boys at the party, Jeff, thought that the spirit they were communicating with was his late brother. Shortly after the "sceance" ended, the girl who was the conduit, Shari, died mysteriously. I'll have to read more to see what will happen.
Growing up, I've always been fascinated with the supernatural, ghosts and haunted places in particular. Many a time have my friends and I considered playing with a ouija board, and I've only done it once with two friends I had in grade five or six, I can't recall exactly. I honestly believe that one of them was moving the pointer, and not a spirit.
Thankfully, I have learned over the years that this is an activity that should not be treated as a game. You never knows what "spirit" is in communication with you. It could be a benign ghost, or it could be the Devil. Once you invite a spirit in, you cannot ask it to leave or even kick it out as you wish. It is actually a dangerous game to play. So, I will never get to try it out again and see if it really works. That makes me feel a bit sad, sad that I won't be able to know for myself. On the other hand, I've learned that some things are better left unknown.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Favourite YA Fiction Writers
My bro-in-Christ at Ling Fu asked me for a reading list. So, I started thinking about who are my favourite YA fiction writers and which are my favourite novels?
Authors:
Robert Cormier
Katherine Paterson
Susan Cooper
Lloyd Alexander
John Wyndham
Novels:
The Chocolate War
Jacob Have I loved
The Grey King
The Midwich Cuckoos
Authors:
Robert Cormier
Katherine Paterson
Susan Cooper
Lloyd Alexander
John Wyndham
Novels:
The Chocolate War
Jacob Have I loved
The Grey King
The Midwich Cuckoos
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pope Benedict, What Planet Are You From?
"Condoms are not the answer to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa," Pope Benedict said Tuesday ..."You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," the Pope told reporters. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."
While health workers — including some priests and nuns working with people with AIDS — advocate the use of condoms to curb the spread of disease during sex, the Catholic church promotes fidelity within marriage, chastity and abstinence.
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/17/pope-africa-condoms.html
Maybe Pope Benedict should join the priests and nuns who are living and working in Africa. Learn what real life is like. Learn what problems Africans face daily, especially the women. Examine the causes and the possible solutions. Then, he should speak out.
A seven-day visit only benefits the media and people who don't live in Africa.
Afterthought:
How can people, well, Catholics all around the world, revere someone as ignorant as Pope Benedict?
While health workers — including some priests and nuns working with people with AIDS — advocate the use of condoms to curb the spread of disease during sex, the Catholic church promotes fidelity within marriage, chastity and abstinence.
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/17/pope-africa-condoms.html
Maybe Pope Benedict should join the priests and nuns who are living and working in Africa. Learn what real life is like. Learn what problems Africans face daily, especially the women. Examine the causes and the possible solutions. Then, he should speak out.
A seven-day visit only benefits the media and people who don't live in Africa.
Afterthought:
How can people, well, Catholics all around the world, revere someone as ignorant as Pope Benedict?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
花與琴的流星 Lyrics
6.花與琴的流星
作詞：古倩敏 作曲：Dick Lee 編曲：Iskanda Ismail
狼) 在那星光中去許願
願種出的花被愛
為信鮮花朵朵有生命存在
願那花香不會凋謝 令每顆心相愛
願種出的鮮花天天都會開
信絕美的花朵 可以化做愛
可以幻化千瓣愛情 飄進人腦海
** 將每顆的心願
遠載於天邊
讓那星燃亮著心願
祈求望兌現
在那天河或有神仙 聽到我心事
並為我將奇妙夢想實踐
雪) 在那星光中去許願
共訴心中所愛 讓我一生都為那音樂存在
用我心去演奏音樂 願奏出的歌被愛
願那歡呼聲與掌聲不變改
信 絕美的歌曲 可以化做愛
可以奏出經典愛情 給世人喝采
^^ 將每顆的心願 (給那星飄送)
遠載於天邊 (閃爍的詩篇)
讓那星燃亮著心願 (心意若真摰)
祈求望兌現 (終可以兌現)
在那天河或有神仙 聽到我心事
並為我將奇妙夢想實踐
Repeat ^^
為我將奇妙夢想實踐
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