the resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. He didn't rise from the grave to baffle his opponents, to make a victory statement, or to prove to those who crucified him that he was right after all. Jesus rose as a sign to those who love him and follow him that God's divine love is stronger than death.
The world didn't take notice. Only those whom he called by name, with whom he broke bread, and to whom he spoke words of peace were aware of what happened. Still, it was this hidden event that freed humanity from the shackles of death.
--- Henri Nouwen
Dear God, thanks for you plan to humanity, to me...today we celebrate your birth. But without understanding your resurrection from the horrifying death, and the sign of your divine love, the Christmas means nothing. Christmas is not just a celebration of your son Jesus, a baby who born 2000+ years ago. But a celebration of your incarnation and the sign of your divine love—the salvation. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Its Jesus who made things up between the non-Jewish outsider and Jewish insider. He tore down the wall between us...He create a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everyone...
dear God, thanks for showing us your plan of re-creation, thanks for giving me chance to have a fresh start...just like the year 2008 is coming to an end, and a new fresh year is starting... Lord, remind me to leave my old self-addicted soul behind, because you have given me a new body/soul...thank you Jesus, Amen.
It's funny that we always let the world to tell us how to live.
The world, which doesn't know the first thing about living.
It reminds me a few lines from a song called "Work" by Jars of Clay:
"Now all the demons look like prophets and I'm living out
Every word they speak, every word they speak"
In Chinese Bible the wording is even stronger:
那時、你們在其中行事為人隨從今世的風俗、順服空中掌權者的首領、
就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈．
"you fill your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it..."
What am I breathing? Am I breathing from the Holy Spirit?
Thank you God, you didnt lose your temper and kick me out from your love :) Holy Spirit, give me air to breath, the most basic element to live. The air that fill with your abundance, your grace, your kindness, your humbleness. Holy Spirit, please fill my lung, keep me alife. So that I can always be reminded that YOU are the first thing about living. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
He is in charge of it all!! At the CENTER of all this Christ rules the church...and church is not a peripheral to the world, but the world is a peripheral to the church.
dear Lord, you are the one who rule the church, you fill everything with your presence. you are in charge. Lord, save me from self addiction when serving at church. Thank you for giving me such vision that "the world is a peripheral to the church". dear God, please let us see your work in RGAC and tell us your clear direction. Amen.
Its Christ, in Him, we find out who we are.
...he had design on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he's working out in everything and everyone.
dear lord, thank you for showing your purpose on me. thank you for giving me the way to glorious living. lord, please keep me away from the evil, and help me to live by your grace. thank you, amen.
Ephesians 1:7-10
Its Christ who poured his blood on the cross to pay for the penalties of our misdeeds.
So that our life is free of penalties, not just barely free, but Abundantly free...
dear God, thank you for your love that brings abundantly freedom to my life. thank you for showing me your long-range plan in my life. however I'm getting so used to under penalties, dear Lord, please keep reminding me that I'm a freemen. not just barely free, like sneaky free, but abundantly free! thank you Jesus, amen.
This man and his party won't care about your self-destructive act...
Ephesians 1:1-6 (the Message)
Paul said that he is an apostle under God's plan, a special agent of CJ.
A special agent that bring God's blessing/love to earth? I guess not, we don't do that, but God does.
Then he talked about blessing and God had settled us as the focus of his love, to be made WHOLE and HOLY by his love.
Because HE knows, we were orphan. We were adopted into His family.
Dear Lord, thank you for adopting me into your family. Please remind me that I'm under your plan, and you settled me in your love. I didn't find you, but you find me first. Amen.
終於從香港運來了，整個過程像做自己的婚禮一樣。很懷念。
如果那時有這樣的香港Ｐｒｉｎｔｅｒ就好了！
Invitation
Thank you card