Walk Hand in Hand

Walk Hand in Hand
Long time ago, I read the following message from a bookmark.
Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Please walk beside me; we may walk hand in hand.
I am not sure who wrote the above meaningful words. But this is a very good reminder for me as a husband or a best friend of Iris. Although I still need to learn to slow down, I hope walk with Iris hand in hand till the end of my life on earth.
Dear Lord, please keep me and guide me. Amen!

Questions?

‘I must write something’ -- that is what I am thinking this morning. Thanks, Iris, for reminding me to dialogue with God. I’ll start today.
Dear God,
I have so many questions to ask you. What do you want to tell me these days? I attended 3 funerals within 2 weeks. They are my friends’ grandma, husband and dad. I feel the pain of separation even though we do know that they are with you in heaven. I still don’t understand why we are so foolish that we do not really listen to you and follow your command: Be still and know that I am God.
Life is so unpredictable and things happen unexpectedly. What should I do? Do I spend time with my family both in quality and quantity? Please show me your way and guide me in your path.
May your grace and peace be with us, especially with those who are suffering separation from their loved ones.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Happy and Unhappy

Happy and Unhappy
Life is not easy. I think most adults agree. We also know that a joyful heart makes us healthy but it’s difficult to be always happy.
I am happy…
Yesterday morning when I was asking my friends in my church to sponsor my walkathon fund raising for LTS, I realized that I had friends who trusted and supported me. Everyone I asked filled in their names and gave their offerings. I forgot to tell them that the fund would be used to support the training and equipping of Mekong River Region Churches Leaders here at LTS. It’s so nice to have friends around you. Actually we are all surrounded by angels and we are angels too.
I am unhappy…
Yesterday I received a call from a pastor who was an advisor of my denomination’s mission. He told me that the committee rejected my application for the seminary student fund. I was not surprise but I felt a bit upset about the way they handled my application. I handed the application in July and they didn’t process my application till last week. The committee informed the advisor to call me for an interview before they had the committee meeting. Sometime people like to make simple things complicated. I would have been happier to hear their reply before all the processing involved. It turned out that there were just only one or two people involved in making the decision.
I am happy…
I have a caring and understanding wife. She reminded me that it was good for me because in this way, I didn’t need to fulfill the responsibility of my denomination’s mission. I wouldn’t have been happy if I were obligated to follow human decision but not God’s and what He has called me to do. Thanks Iris. You are always by my side helping me.
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” (Bible-Proverbs 17:22)

Parents are Companion?

Dear Parents,I would like to share my opinion about raising up our children.
I think we are all familiar with the old saying: “You need to study hard in order to promote a Band one school, and then you could get a better job in the future.”
Do you really agree with that? I doubt.
What are the purposes of education? What kind of kids do we want to build up?
I wonder.
In my opinion, our kids need more praise and encouragement. We need to be more positive to them. No matter how worst the exam result is. We still love them, right? Jesus also still loves them- this is a very good reminder from a Chinese Pastor.As a parent we need to change our mind-set in order to be our children's companion.Hope we can try our best to do it.
Best regards,
A Hong Kong Chinese dad.

POWERFUL WORDS

POWERFUL WORDS
I felt so blessed yesterday through my friends. It’s always good to have friends and they really care and concern you. There are some phrases that are very powerful:
What can I do for you? (Heather offered help for Iris)
Let’s pray for you. (Annie & Melissa, do it with you but not just saying)
Invite you and your family to do something together. (voice mail from Annie invited Iris to join our seminary family outing today)
All these power words warm our hearts (Iris and I), give us strength to go on and we know that we are not lonely.
I experienced these power words recently. How about you?
I thank GOD to send His angels surround me and my family.
I really want to say thanks to Heather, Annie and Melissa. You guys are my angels.
I do hope you will find your angels!
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Bible- James 5:16

Remembrance

Remembrance
Dear sister Lee,
I attended your mum’s funeral on Monday evening. I joined the funeral because I missed you and I want to show my sympathy to your two daughters. Time flies. You left us one and half years ago. It seems like few months ago. How can I face the situation that I lost my mum and then my grandma who raised me up? I can’t hold my tears when I am thinking of Ruth and Yan Ying.
I still remembered that you shared with us after you had cancer for a while. Even thought you were weak physically, you were strong spiritually. You shared your favorite Bible scripture to us which was Psalm 23.
“THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will not fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.”
This is also your mum’s favorite scripture. I am glad that you and your mum are in heaven. I do have hope to see you again.
To Ruth and Yan Ying.
Be strong! I don’t know how to express my care and concern to you but I hope you do remember that my family always welcomes you.

pray with a child's heart