Thy Kingdom Come...

We are as Christians or if you want to be more specific, Christ's followers, long for Heaven.  If we don't long for Heaven then there is something wrong with us.  It means that we found all this material stuff and comfort here on Earth are much better than Heaven.  Heaven is much better than the best things here.  But that's a topic for another day... 
However, some Christians only think about Heaven.  Salvation is like a golden ticket to Heaven.  If you take the time to read the Bible, Jesus has never said that the main purpose of us being saved is for us to go to Heaven.  We go to Heaven as the result of salvation.
Jesus repeatedly said in the Gospel that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.  He taught the disciples to pray for God's Kingdom to come, God's will be done here on Earth as it is in Heaven.  There are more of coming than going for the Kingdom of God.  God wants us, His people, to bring His Kingdom here on Earth and apparently He has no plan B for this.

Jesus quoted the Book of Isaiah many times in the Gospel. The themes of the Book of Isaiah regarding the coming of Kingdom of Heaven can be seen in these seven signs:
1. Deliverance
2. Righteousness and justice
3. Peace
4. Joy
5. God's presence
6. Healing
7. Return from exile (sense of home)

Maybe all of us can reflect on these seven signs and ask ourselves what we can do today to bring these signs around our circle of influence, to bring God's Kingdom here.  How can we bring deliverance to people that got caught in addictions, in bondage of sin.  How can we correct injustice on this planet, tip the scale the other way further. How can we show compassion to people.  How can we bring peace, joy and healing, physical or spiritual, to people.  How can we bring God's presence to our brothers and sisters and also to people that are far from God.  How can make people feel accepted, not feeling judged and condemned, to make them feel safe and at home.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  - Ephesians 2:9-10

Luke Warm and Loving It...

On the last bible study we were challenged to spend more time with God.  I was planning to read my bible tonight, but when I was listening to the radio this afternoon I heard about Francis Chan, I remember him speaking at my church a long while ago.  So I went to You Tube and looked for some of his video, one I found interesting, the title says "Luke Warm & Loving It". He was preaching from the Book of Revelation and read one of the letters, which some of us read probably many times, the passages say:

¹⁴"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
      These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. ¹⁵I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. ¹⁹Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. ²⁰Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²²He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

I missed those days when I first met Christ, wide eyes over Him, on fire about Him.  A friend warned me about this before, that the fire may go out over time if I don't keep it alive, keep stoking the fire.  I heard him and I made a promise in my heart that I will not let this happens.  However, the passages above warned me.  It says that I thought that I was rich and have comfort, but I am wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I'm not a rich man by any means, but we are rich compare to the rest of the world.  We have comfort.  Most people I know including me don't worry about if we are going to eat tomorrow.  We worry about what we are going to eat tomorrow.  All I'm saying is that I have comfortable living and if I worry, I'm not worry about how I can really make an impact for the Kingdom.  At least not anymore.  
I missed that kid, a kid that was just saved, so young in the faith, the kid that was devouring the bible until he was so tired he couldn't read anymore.  A kid that just got this world turned upside down and didn't care, because he has this new faith in God, a new hope in God, a new life in God.  I really do miss him.  He found the Kingdom of Heaven.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

But I think now I feel like I'm not really on fire anymore, I feel lukewarm.  I forgot what true riches are.  I forgot that not all that glitters in life is gold.  I need to get the true gold refined in the fire.

But God still love us.  Those whom God loves He will rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  God is standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and eat with him, and he with Him.  I never enjoyed God's discipline but I know He wants me to learn about something, He wants me to give up certain things in my life, trivial things in my life.

Sometime I forgot about this grand vision about Heaven:
²At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. ⁴Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
   In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." ⁹Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
 ¹¹"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
      and by your will they were created
      and have their being." 

I really need to break out of my comfort zone, this comfort living, not conforming to this world any longer and not worrying about stuff this world worries.
I prayed to God to show me the lukewarm areas in my life, to give me strength and more importantly to be on fire again about His Kingdom. 

*You can watch Francis Chan sermon here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBhqrtMqrv8&feature=related
  

I need to slow down

I am a busy person, I have to admit. Or maybe I am not so busy but I make myself busy. When I have "spare" time, I feel weird. Literally, I will feel like something is wrong and I get restless. Sadly I am a person who cannot relax.
This may be surprising to you, but even though I do lots of volunteer work, and occupy most of my time preparing or doing those work, deep in me I know that I am serving myself much more than I do other people, especially those who are the closest to me. God reminds me of this all the time, but I close my ears and am unwilling to change. My ego keeps saying that I do not have time for others, instead I have to finish this and that--all that are about my stuffs.

This time, I think God calls me loud enough that I pay attention. This story is quoted from "the naked soul" by Tim Alan Gardner. It actually came from a university commencement address that Fred Rogers (PBS) addressed in 2002. It is a beautiful story and really knocks on my heart.

* * * * *

For a long time I wondered why I felt like bowing when people showed their appreciation for the work that I've been privileged to do. What I've come to understand is that we who bow are probably--whether we know it or not--acknowledging the presence of the eternal: we're bowing to the eternal in our neighbor. You see, I believe that appreciation is a holy thing, that when we look for what's best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does. So, in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something truly sacred....
      I wonder if you've heard what happened at the Seattle Special Olympics a few years ago. For the 100-yard dash there were nine contestants...and at the sound of the gun they took off. But one little boy stumbled and fell and hurt his knee and began to cry. The other eight children heard the boy crying. They slowed down, turned around, saw the boy and ran back to him--every one of them ran back to him. One little girl with Down syndrome bent down and kissed the boy and said, "This will make it better."
      The little boy got up, and he and the rest of the runners linked their arms together and joyfully walked to the finish line.
      They all finished the race at the same time. And when they did, everyone in the stadium stood up and clapped and whistled and cheered.... Deep down we know that what matters in this life is much more than winning for ourselves. What really matters is helping others win, too, even if it means slowing down and changing our course now and then.

* * * * *

I spent most of my time for myself. Even when I am sleeping in the train, I can not really sleep because of thoughts about happenings at work, home, with friends, and everything else. In many occasions, I personally avoid going out with friends or visiting them because of the need to manage my personal matters. On top of all that, my thoughts are mostly about problems and pains, instead of gratitude to God. At night, I can easily ask God for help relieving my anxious heart, but will stumble to say, "I am thankful for.." I got to think for that!

I remember one day in the office, I did not say hi nor greet the cleaning lady who was washing the many dishes from my team's potluck. I usually chat with her a bit but that time I was hurrying to get to bus and to the train station, so I purposely avoided meeting her. The plan went well, but I was very unhappy with that decision and felt guilty afterward. Here is someone who washes my lunch containers everyday, is nice to everyone at the office, yet work alone all night. She deserves to a hi and chat for a few minutes the least. I was so selfish.

I definitely need to work on managing my time better. I do want to pursue my interests, but that all means nothing if I do not care for the people closest to me: my family and friends. I pray also that God will give me the heart and compassion to see their needs, and be of help in those areas.

And Your Dance Will Dazzle the World..

How do you know if you are watching a good movie? Reading a good book? What makes a good story? A good story typically involves a character that wants something and overcame conflicts to get it. “Luke Skywalker was living a boring live in a dessert planet and he wants to have significance in his life. So he joined a rebellion against an evil empire, rescued the princess, fled from the evil empire, destroyed the Death Star and saved the planet.” That’s a story that inspires people, empowers people.

Have you ever sat through a movie which when the end credit rolled, you were saying: “so…, that’s it?? What’s the point??” and yet most people go through life like that. A story about someone working at a grocery store for few years just to save up to buy a used Volvo is not inspiring, at the end of the story when that man brought his savings to a Volvo dealership and drove his car out of the parking lot, that scene won’t brought tears in our eyes. All of us want to live a better story, we need a better story.

Christians sometime think that when we received Christ, that was the climax of their life. That’s not true. It’s only Act I, the Beginning of the story. Our life here on Earth is Act II of our story. Apostle Paul said it best:

“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:10-14)

Conflicts in life can be blessings. The bigger the conflicts the character overcame, the better the story, the more inspiring the story. We inherently hate conflicts, but God wants to teach us something in our conflict, don’t miss this. The sooner we learned, the sooner God will move us from that conflict. God can take that conflict and make something good out of it.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8: 28)
A story of someone who planted water filtration system in Africa despite the challenges is inspiring, a story of a worker stopping human trafficking brought a sense of relieve in our heart, a story of faithful wife who is taking care of her disabled husband to the end brought tears in our eyes, and a story of forgiveness of a betrayal makes us believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.
So live boldly, love boldly, and leave a good legacy.

The final act usually occurs a few minutes before the story ended. Luke blew up the Death Star, Rudy made the Notre Dame Football team, and Harry finally kissed Sally.
Act III, the Final Act of our story has been written. Our story will end with a wedding feast, with Jesus as the groom and the Church as the bride.
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."” (Revelation 21: 2-4)

So I will close with this quote from Robert Mckee, he is not a theologian by any means, he’s actually an agnostic, but he said it beautifully.

"Write every day, line by line, page by page, hour by hour. Do this despite fear. For above all else, beyond imagination and skill, what the world asks of you is courage, courage to risk rejection, ridicule and failure. As you follow the quest for stories told with meaning and beauty, study thoughtfully, but write boldly. Then, like the hero of the fable, your dance will dazzle the world."

Inspired by Donald Miller at WCCC
Recommended readings:
“Blue Like Jazz”
“A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”

I read this story of faith in the book "Live Like a Jesus Freak" by dc Talk. I am sharing this story with you, as it relates to what we are currently studying from the book of Romans.

The Cigarette Sermons
Linh Dao, Vietnam, 1991

Four police officers suddenly burst into ten-year-old Linh Dao's home. They forced her father, as underground pastor in North Vietnam, to remain seated while the authorities ransacked the home, searching for Bibles.

"I remember when the police came," Linh Dao recalls. "They searched around the house all of that morning and asked many different questions. It was scary to talk to the policemen, but I knew what they were looking for, so I concentrated and tried my best not to be scared or nervous." As the police questioned her parents, Linh courageously hid some of the Bibles in her school knapsack.

When the police asked her about the contents of the knapsack, Linh simply replied, "It is books for children."

Linh Dao's father was arrested that day and sentenced to seven years of re-education through hard labor.

"When the policemen decided to take my dad away, all of my family knelt down and prayed. I prayed first, then my sister, then my mom, and last of all, my dad. I prayed that my dad would have peace and remain healthy and that my family would survive these hard times. We were all crying, but I told myself I have to face what's happening now."

Word quickly spread about the arrest, and neighbor children began to ask Linh about the crimes her father had been arrested for. She told her friends, "My father is not a criminal. He is a Christian, and I am proud of him for not wavering in his faith!"

As each day passed, Linh Dao made a mark on her wooden bookcase as she prayed for her father. She remembers, "I cried almost every single night, because I worried how my father was doing in prison and how the policemen were treating him."

"Before my dad was in prison, I was just a child. I didn't need to worry about anything. It was a lot different after my dad left. My mind got older very quickly. I told my sister that we had to help Mom do the work around the house, so she could continue to do my dad's work in the church."

"I prayed every day and every night. My faith grew very fast. I knew one thing that I had to concentrate on, and that was spending time learning from the Bible so when I gre up, I could be like my dad, sharing and preaching. When I think about this, I feel my heart burning inside me, pushing me, telling me this is the right thing to do."

Finally, after more than a year, Linh, her mother, and her sister were able to visit their father in prison. When they reached the compound, they were separated by a chain-link fence. Linh quickly discovered that she could squeeze into the prison yard through a chained gate. She ran to her father and hugged him tightly. The guards watched the little girl but, surprisingly, left her alone. What harm can a little girl do? they must have thought.

Little did they know! Armed with innocence and a childlike faith, children are a secret weapon against the kingdom of Satan. During that first visit to her father's prison, Linh was able to smuggle him a pen, which he used to write scriptures and sermons on cigarette paper. These "cigarette sermons" traveled from cell to cell and were instrumental in bringing many prisoners to Christ.

Linh Dao's prayers were answered. Her father was released early, before he had served all seven years of his sentence. "It was a big surprise when I came home from school one day and saw my dad had been released from prison. I ran and then gave him a big hug. We were so happy. I was proud of my family, and I wanted to yell and let the whole world know that I wasn't scared of anything, because God always protects each step I go in my life."

Linh Dao is now a teenager. She wants to follow in the footsteps of her father and be a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She knows firsthand the dangers of sharing her faith in Communist Vietnam and remains determined to obey Christ rather than men. In spite of a "grim future," she spends her time in intense Bible study.

Don't underestimate what you--as one person--can do. God will work through anyone--of any age--who is submitted to Him, to accomplish His will on earth. One man or woman willing to obey God can change the destiny of millions.