Transformation Vision

Hey guys,

Sorry I'm a little late in updating this.

Just wanted to post some reflections on the T-Vision.

1. I think I was reminded just how great the vision is. It's not just about a building, or getting A/C, or even HMCC, but really about transforming lives for the glory of God. Whatever that entails, and whatever it takes, it's all about transformation.

2. I was also reminded of what a great privilege it is to participate in this vision. I know that it was only by God's grace that He called me to Michigan, to be a part of this church, and to even participate in this vision in this way.

3. I learned that sacrifice takes faith. I was reminded of the story of Abraham and Isaac and how it really took a lot of faith for him to sacrifice his son that God would still provide according to His character. Even as I am pledging to give up some of my money, I need to trust that that God will provide for all my needs.

empty jars

2 kings 4:1-7

the desperate situation: widow is about to lose her two boys
all she has: a little oil
what to do: collect a lot, not just a few, empty jars
the miracle: filled ALL the empty jars with oil

what strikes me about this passage is that God used the little that she already had and provided MORE. he will take the little that i have to offer and multiply it. it's easy for me to recognize my inadequacies, but it's not easy to stop there... offer God my empty jar... and let Him fill it. often i recognize my inadequacy and search frantically and work relentlessly to try to fill it on my own. i have to give Him the room, the space in my life, to prove His power. i have to collect those empty jars and expect God to fill them. though hard work is not a bad thing, especially in the world's eyes, being obsessed with working hard at something is a sin. bc hard work on my own strength does not give God ANY GLORY. there are no empty jars for Him to fill! there's no miracle to be done. gotta make room for miraculous provisions in my life.

Just to get you guys to think...

What do these countries have in common?

Afghanistan

Algeria

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Cambodia

China

Comoros

Djibouti

Egypt

Gambia

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Hong Kong

India

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Japan
Jordan

North Korea

Laos

Libya

Maldives

Mali

Mauritania

Mongolia

Morocco

Myanmar

Nepal

Niger

Oman

Pakistan

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Somalia

Sri Lanka

Syria

Tajikistan

Thailand

Tunisia

Turkey

Turkmenistan

United Arab Emirates

Uzbekistan

Vietnam

Western Sahara

Yemen

A lot of countries right? It's 51 countries...

All of these countries is at most 10% "Christian"... and many of them are under 1%

33.2% of the world is deemed as "Christian"

I know Lent has already started, but for the remaining days of lent, I am going to pray for at least 2 of these countries per day. Hope everyone looks at this list and feels a burden to pray for one of these countries!

Hehe

I like this song a lot... don't be stumbled by the pictures of the guy

Walk On Water-Tim

Complaints

This past week, I've realized that I spend a lot of my time complaining. I grumble on about things from schoolwork to clothes to food to a bug in the room. When moaning on about this, I'm sure I sound like brat who takes everything for granted and thinks the world is out to get me. I'm pretty sure many people are guilty of this, unfortunately. Very little of my time is spent on reflecting on the things that I do have: love from my family, my friends, you, and, of course, God. Why is that?

I am so blessed with all the love I have from people and the opportunities and gifts that are afforded to me, but I fail to recognize that these are all from Him. There needs to be self-reflection for understanding of this to occur-- something to work on.

God is just and merciful and giving, and we should praise the Lord like he deserves for giving us so much. (Another thing to work on.) I don't spend nearly as much time spent on thinking about Him and His plans for me as He does about me, and I'm determined to change this. Please help in reminding me! I'd like to be reminded of the masterpiece God has created, and I want to "Praise the Lord, all the works in his dominion." (Psalm 103:22)

Christina

Is it worth it?

I like sleep. I like doing well in school. I like being alone. I like bumming around. 
These things give me tremendous sense of comfort. I don't want to lose it. 
But ever since this winter semester started, God has been challenging me with a heart of servanthood and sacrifice. I knew exactly what I had to do in order to grow in those two areas--sacrifice all of those above. But I kept putting God on wait by telling him, "Wait a minute, dad. Hold on for a bit. Give me more time. Let me indulge in this for a little more."


God waited for me patiently. But it was this past week that God had told me, "Alright, it's time," through the Bible verse:


"Nobody should seek his own good but the good of others." -1 Corinthians 10:24


That's when I realized that I had been so selfish. If losing hours of sleep could be used to pray for a sister who is in need of prayer, that's what God would want. If losing hours of study to listen to a sister's prayer request, that's what God would want. If I can sacrifice my solitude and bumming, and use that time to play sports (which I do not like very much) for the sole purpose serving others and building up the community, I would do that because that's what Jesus would have done.


Because I love solitude so much that I keep asking myself if it's worth it to meet up with people and spend hours and hours outside of my house. But because God calls me to do it and I just obey despite the fact I will ask the question to myself again.


"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." -1 Corinthians 15:58


I am undergoing transformation by God--I know sacrificing my comfort to serve others is nerve wrecking but I know it's all worth it in the end. For it is said, that your labor in the Lord is NOT in vain.

Talk about life......

My life: As I spaced out, I realized that I have such an amazing life. My life reminds me of the love that is greater than me. My life is like a dream or a daydream but yet so amazing.  Considering all the struggles, setbacks, failures, problems, obstacles; it is amazing that I am still here today. I am certain that ALL God’s children (Yes, every single one of you) have an amazing life filled with blessings and miracles.

Here are my random thoughts:

Why stress about life? life could be much worse

Thank God that I am still breathing and I am still here to watch the next sunrise (if I wake up early enough)

If I die today, it does not bother me because I already accomplished the most important thing in life, which is to dedicate my life to follow Christ.

My prayer life: God is faithful; He always ANSWERED ALL my prayers. Sometimes is “no” (actually many times is a “no”), sometimes is “yes”(definitely lots of this), and sometimes is “wait” (this happens :) ). I really don’t know what the future holds or what tomorrow may bring, but I believe God has great things in store for all of us. Matthew 6:34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

In life, sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, but in Christ you always win. 

-Cleve