Seasoned with salt

As Chinese New Year is approaching, I am reminded of the many things that you should or should not do during this occasion. One of the things we should do is to greet people with good and encouraging words but refrain from filthy and offensive words.

The Bible says in Colossians 4:6, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.This should be the way we treat outsiders at all time and not just during a certain time. However, speaking good words is not a common practice in most Oriental culture and my family is no exception. However, in the Western culture, people are generally very generous with good words.

Let this practice in Colossians 4:6 becomes a habit in our conversation with believers and more so with unbelievers so that we can be Christ's good ambassadors having right attitude and giving right response for everyone!

Discernment

The Greek word for "discern" was used to describe the process of testing metals, such as gold ore and coins, to find out what they were worth. There is gold, and then there is "fool's gold." It looks like gold to the naked eye, but it isn't, and it's not worth anything. Too many Christians settle for "fool's gold" in the choices they make.

Paul prays that the Philippians would have god-given discernment that they would continually make wise choices in life.

so that you may be able to discern what is best... Philippians 1:10a

Give us the discernment O Lord!

rural experience

There were so many new experiences during the trip in Illinois. I was expecting to stay in a country house and working under a hot sun but God gave me so many surprises! My mates and I got to stay in a mansion like a hotel, got to try different food and drove a speed boat on the Illinois river, went shooting, rode a jet-ski, etc. These exciting experiences are definitely worth blogging as remembrance!!!

In the Cultural Immersion class to Illinois, I get to try some of the 'real' American food in the rural area, such as Noodles on the mashed potatoes and fried Wali fish (not sure the spelling).

The 'American-size' fried Wali fish and Noodles on Mashed potatoes

This dessert was served in the class.

Rhubarb Crisp

Rhubarb plant

Rhubarb crisp is a delicious dessert, made with a rolled oats and butter and cinnamon topping.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 cups sliced rhubarb
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:

In mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oats, butter and cinnamon; mix together until crumbly. Press half of the brown sugar and oats mixture into a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. Top with the sliced rhubarb.

In a saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch, and the 1 cup of water and vanilla. Cook together until clear, then pour over rhubarb.
Top rhubarb with remaining crumb mixture and bake at 350° for 45 to 55 minutes.

Silverthorne Outlets

Last Sunday, I went to Silverthorne outlets mall with my friends after the church service. On the way to the mall, the scenery was picturesque surrounded with stunning snow-capped mountain views. It was a gorgeous day to be out.


The Outlet mall consists of three villages, namely Red, Blue and Green. They claimed to have over 100 brands but when we were there, many shops were out of business. However, there are still plenty to shop at. We started with Red village and then blue and Green. We spent too much time on the Red and blue village and only had 40 minutes before it closed at 6pm for the green village.


On the way back, we stopped at Idaho Springs and had pizza at Beaujo. They serve great pizza. I learned something new here. Americans ate pizza crust with HONEY!!! Very interesting... I'm grateful for the new experience.

Dance

In relationship, a dance is constantly happening whether we are aware or not. The communication back and forth is like a cha cha dance. The seeking to be understood by another person is like a waltz. Our spirituality with God is another kind of dance to foster a better relationship with God. It takes practice and time to synchronize the dance movements with one another and we must persevere until we learn the movement together.

Fishing experience

It was a day when I felt too stress and decided to have a bike ride to destress myself. So I went on the usual route behind the seminary and enjoyed the warm weather as I biked. On my way back, I wanted to stop at the 'sea of Sharon' (I named this lake as I miss the sea so much!) to watch the sunset. I realized a guy on his bike behind me also wanted to stop there and so I signaled him to go ahead of me.

He then pull out his fishing rod and bait and started to fish. I was wishing in my heart it would be so good for me to see with my eyes a fresh fish if he could catch one. I was sitting about ten feet away from him and taking pictures at the bird on the tree, the clouds in the sky, etc. About half an hour later, he shouted to me 'girl, come over and take this picture." Even I haven't quite figured out what was happening and I saw him pulling back the rod with all his might, I thought to myself he must be up to something. As I turned to him, I saw the waves on the water and dawned on me a fish was on the hook! Hooray!!

He then skillfully threw the fish to the shore.

While removing the hook from its mouth, I could hear the fish making noise for the first time.


He said this was a rainbow trout. It has a pink stretch from the cheek to the tail across its body and it was very beautiful. It was still very active for a while and then John put it into a bag and let it die slowly. He then picked up the fishing rod and hoping to fish more. I waited to see if he could catch another one but he did not and so I left him because it was getting dark. I still have quite a long way to get home.


It was a beautiful day. Thank you Lord for this wonderful experience.

they will know that I am the LORD

I have been reading the book of Ezekiel and I found a repeated theme throughout this book. The theme which says "They will know the I am the LORD". How fascinating to me that God constantly giving chance for the people of God to turn to Him and deepen our knowledge in Him. He is the God who cares for us and will not abandon us. Sometimes we may miss that in lives but God is patience with us and always waiting for us to repent.

I recently again experienced His providence and learned about right timing and trusting in Him. I had to move out and again it was a rush decision and so I moved last Saturday. I moved all my belongings without any furniture except book cases. I was in need of a bed, a desk and a desk chair. However, on the day I moved, I found a free bed online nearby my place and quickly called my friend for help. He helped me to get the bed that evening and I could sleep in a comfy bed that night. It was better than the bed I had which belongs to my ex-roommate.

The next day after church, I was meeting with my mentor and I shared my needs with her over lunch. To my surprise, she said she had an extra desk and a desk chair that she can give to me. After lunch, I went to the store to get some other stuff and got back home to put up curtains and around 3:30pm, my mentor showed up with the furniture and some extra items. My room is all furnished with what I need now. I am so happy to present my room to you... den den den den!!!! (unveiling the curtian....)

Sometimes we don't know what we are getting into but the change may turn out to be a blessing. I'm glad I took the step to move out of my comfort zone. "They will know that I am the lord". Yes God. I know you are the LORD over my needs, help my unbelief!

Assurance

Waking up in the morning and seeing another snowy day can make one feel depressed or grateful. Feeling depressed because the density of the clouds would cover the sky and sunlight and hence the day appears to be gloomy. However, as I was sitting by the window watching the tiny snow flakes dropping from the sky and fill the earth, I chose to be grateful for this snowy day because I was reminded of two things: white as snow and uniqueness.


As the snowflakes fall from the sky and covers up the earth, all I can see is snow and the dirt is slowly out of sight. Everything becomes white as snow. The Bible also talks about how God forgave our sins in Isaiah 1:18 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool and Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. I was imagining the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus over our sins until God the Father only sees the blood of His only son rather than our sins. What a gracious assurance!

As every snowflakes is different and unique in itself, God made each of us also unique and different from one another. Seeing the view of snow falling is just fascinating. God even cares to create each tiny flake with special design, he also took time to create each human being and we are made to bear His image. We don't need to work hard to earn His love and care but He freely gives His equal attention to all mankind. What a restful assurance!

coyote

One of the assignments for the training and mentoring class is to work on an area in one's life and I have chosen to work on resting in the Lord for this semester. Yesterday I decided to take a walk even though it was quite cold outside. While I was walking by the Platte River, I saw this coyote across the river and I was so excited. I'm grateful to live so close to the nature where I always find myself in awe of what God has created. I want to enjoy every moment in Him. Bring it on please!

toebah

It's a year of Rabbit this year. There are 12 animals represented for each year and come back to the first animal after the twelfth. Therefore, the years are in a cycle of twelves. I personally don't care about what year it is for Chinese New Year because I believe it has to do with superstitions. I remember before I come to know God, I would read articles pertaining to the different animals especially related to the year and to the year which I was born and represented and do what they say accordingly. Yes. It's kinda like zodiac. They tell you if you are lucky this year, if you are going to have good health, if you should get married, etc. After knowing Christ, I believe my life is in God's hand and only He determines how my life should work. I have all that I have in Christ and I don't need anything other than Christ. Therefore like Ezekiel 8, the remnants, elders and men of God did detestable things in the temple and provoked God's anger. God is a jealous God and He will not tolerate idolatry. People may be innocent about what they are doing but for some they know what they are doing. In this case, the elders said in verse 12 that 'the Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.' So, they all did what they think it is right to them because the Lord does not see them. What more the elders were committing idolatry in God's temple!! In verse 16, they bowed to the sun in the east and their backs toward the temple of the Lord. Sometimes we think what we do in the church (temple of God) is honoring God but God sees our hearts. What a danger!

Toebah is a Hebrew word translated as abominations or detestable things. This word appears in OT over 100 times and of all these times, 41 in the book of Ezekiel. The Israelite people has been influenced by other pagans who worship idols and they even integrated and practiced the pagan worship in God's holy temple. This is called syncretism. For us today, some churches have gone far to incorporate different practices so that the church can accommodate and look less weird to the unbelievers. We tolerate or compromise the practice of homosexuality, and even for different beliefs, we think it is alright to yield to some of the practices. Know the truth and the truth will set you free. Arise church, for biblical teaching and expose the false teaching!!!

My prayer for this year is that I will refrain from all the detestable things and honor Him alone. May God help me to love Him with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my strength.