A Goal that Lasts

"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it" -2 Corinthians 5:9

Jesus, thank you for preparing a place of heavenly dwelling for us, where we can be with you for eternity.  Thank you for the hope that comes with the promise of being with you forever.  Thank you also for giving us the Holy Spirit as our Wonderful Counsellor to be with us.

Therefore, let the primary goal of my life be seeking you and looking up to you alone.  "let [my] eyes be fixed on you (Jesus), the author and perfector of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).  Let my life be an offering of "worhip in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).  Let you be the centre of my life and the source of motivation to serve you and live for you.  Help me not to become preoccupied with works that I do, but to live a life that is "hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

Lord, lead me to "run with perseverance the race marked out for [me]" (Hebrews 12:1).  Let your desires be the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4).  Guide me to "seek first [your] kingdom and [your] righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

A Reminder to be Thankful

Recently, I was struggling a little bit with unthankfulness as a felt slightly homesick and missed the presence of Chinese culture that I would get back home.  I found myself doubting about the purpose to serving here in school.  I asked the Lord to change my attitude, and he showed me the reason of teaching through children singing a song that I taught in music class during recess, which brought a smile to my face.  Another event that God used to teach me about thankful and gratitude was a play called Our Town, which was put on by some of the high school students in the Ukarumpa community.  It was about the daily life of a small town called Glover's Corner.  See http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/americancollection/ourtown/synopsis.html for synopsis.  It challenges me to take delight in big and small moments in life and to treasure it. 

Here is a couple of quote from the play Our Town:
Emily Webb (at the grave):"It goes so fast. We don't have time to look at one another....Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? -- every, every minute."
Stage Manager: "No. The saints and poets, maybe – they do some."

The play reminded me of this Bible verse:
"Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tok Pisin Holide Baibel Skul (Tok Pisin VBS)

In early January, I had an opportunity to share songs and Bible stories through puppetry at Tok Pisin VBS.  I had a fun time with other members of the puppet ministry team, and it was a joy to hear laughter from about 500 children who attended.
The theme for this VBS was the armor of God, and it was a great reminder to put on this armor daily in order to stay strong in the Lord.

See these links for more about this VBS: http://issuu.com/thepngexperience/docs/13_01_17_fun_with_a_purpose
www.youtube.com/thepngexperience

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:10-18

Dwelling

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell int he house of the Lord forever." -Psalm 23:6

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to goze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  For int he day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock"-Psalm 27:4-5

"How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find fefuge in the shadow of your wings.  The feast on the abundance of your house; you gave them drink from your river of delights"-Psaml 36:7-8

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."-Psalm 91:1


When I think about dwelling, peace, safety, shelter, and rest come to my thought.  A home can be a physical dwelling place that serves as a shelter from hostile weather.  A dwelling in the Father's house provides not only for physical needs, it is also an everlasting dwelling that can meet our emotional and spiritual needs.

Thank you Father for the unfailing love, your goodness, and unending peace that can be found in your house.  Thank you for giving us these wonderful promises.  Thank you for this everlasting refuge in you that is safe and peaceful.  Thank you for "your river of delights" where we can find hope, joy and peace (Psalm 36:8).

Father, lead me to seek you and follow you.  Thank you for being the only source of everlasting hope, joy, peace, and love.  Thank you for the citizenship in heaven, where we can look forward to be with you with hopeful anticipation (Ephesians 3:20).

Puppet team at a local church conference

There were over 1000 people attended this conference.  I am thankful for this opportunity for the puppet team to share songs and Bible stories with children and adults who were in attendance.
The next time the puppet team will be sharing at VBS for children from the villages surrounding Ukarumpa.  Please pray that we focus on the Lord,and it will draw children close to the Lord.

The Vine and the Branches

“I am the true vine” -John 15:1a”

One of the stress avoidance factors of vine is its ability to absorb water by making the roots grow deeper, toward the groundwater when the weather is hot and dry.  The roots can also store moisture during wet season.  If we are the branches, we can trust in Jesus to quench our thirst, especially in time of trials.  The Lord is the only one who can ultimately satisfy our thirst.

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in Him, he will bear much fruit...”-John 15:5

The branches, leaves, and fruits depend on the vine for water and nutrients, which reminds me of the importance of abiding in the Lord, and trust Him for the provision for our daily life and the spiritual journey.  Furthermore, the roots of the vine are able to care and provide for all the branches, leaves and fruits, regardless if the branches are closed to the stem, or the higher order axis that are smaller and farther away from the stem.  The Lord uses the vine and the branches to show how much he cares for us and desires to be with us.  He is the one who is in control, and able to guide us always.

A little thank-you note from the Grade 6 class of the last school year :)