掙扎

望一望自己的PDA organizer, 吸一口氣, 原來我上兩個星期真的很忙, 過了兩個星期就好像過了三個月, 有regular worship practice and fellowship, praise & worship and coffee house meeting, Japanese class, 也有與朋友飯聚, 令到我每樣事情也做得不太稱職, 情緒上也較波動. 所以, 我在上個星期日做了一個重大的決定. 我本來計劃好在上星期日2pm to 4pm上洪順强牧師在Vancouver一間教會辨的短宣班, 好好準備自己為神傳福音. 那個課程的地點適中, 又有一位姊妹讀過讚好, 所以我十分期待. 但是, 我在午餐後心裏開始有掙扎, 我是否有精力在未來的二個多月的星期日下午上堂二小時? Praise & Worship and Coffee house will be held in Feb 29,08 and Mar 21,08 respectively! 這是否撒但令我不想上這班? Hum...有個姊妹提醒我, 你這麼忙還可以有靈修時間和看聖經嗎? 我突然想起, 其實, 用不同的工作和其他事去塞滿我的時間而忽略與神的關係, 也是撒但的詭計. 想通之後我的心情輕鬆了, 我在星期日下午留在家看書, 晚上與弟兄姊妹吃了餐我喜愛的Italian Pasta meal. 感謝神.

Devotional Sharing

Romans 12: 1-2

"1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."

I am the kind of person who will be easily affected by other people's mood and emotion. I will have tears in my eyes when watching sad movie and will laugh like a crazy woman when watching comedy. I also like to express my feelings and thoughts quickly when I feel like it. There's nothing wrong in that part of my personality because this is me. However, conforming to the pattern of this world doesn't just means being materialistic about dreaming of fashionable clothings, LCD TV, video game system, CD, or other brand name products, it also applies to "the renewing of your mind."

Sigh...it's not the first time people around me asking me to "pause for awhile, think about it before you act." Often, when I see a problem or issue, I will try my best to think of a solution and take action quickly without consulting God. Perhaps, I may only see the problem/issue in short run, but I may not see God's plan, the big picture, in the long run.

Hum...then I remember this famous scriptures in James 1: 19-20

"...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

I pray that God will "touch my heart so I can see Him, lift my soul so I can sing again.."(lyrics from a Stream of Praise song). I hope I can apply this scripture in James in my workplace, family, and other aspect of my life.

Top 50 most powerful people in BC

I noticed this link from my company's intranet today as our new CEO Tamara Vrooman was ranked as 18th most powerful people in BC. Haha...I certainly don't have time to read all the stories in this article. However, it's very good to read a couple of them and learn how did they succeed in our community. These stories include first job, 2007 highlight, lowlight, and best advice written or given by these successful people. Interestingly, Hells Angel's president was ranked as 7th most powerful guy on the list! Enjoy!

http://www.vanmag.com/articles/07dec/Power50.shtml