Lately,  I’ve been thinking very hard about an issue that I struggle with, can you take a guess? You’ve guessed it- writing blogs.

It’s not that I do not enjoying the blogs themselves, but somehow the transition from my brain, to my fingers, to my keyboard pad, to this site…yeah, it just doesn’t happen. So I pray the Lord gives me strength to be faithful in the least…the least of all the tasks which I’ve been assigned to- keeping up with this blog.

The unfortunate thing is that I know that if I cannot be faithful in such a small thing as keeping up with my blogs, then how dare I ask God for something bigger (O woe is me indeed!).

Praise be to God that he’s patient with us and that he’s also willing to help us overcome our weaknesses.

May the Lord help me to be faithful in all the small things I’ve been assigned to (Amen).

Luke 16:10 – “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he is is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” [NASB]

Today is November 5, 2008 and Barack Obama has been announced the next president of the United States. I am living in historic times and it thrills me so much. But the thrill doesn’t come from the newly elect colored president, but rather that Jesus is coming in my generation (at least I like to think this way).

At the conclusion of his acceptance speech, Obama said something very profound that he left all his audience to think upon: what changes will be done for our children’s generation? He later told the story of a 106yr old woman from Alabama who voted (one can only imagine the hardships and horrors the woman has seen and experience during her lifetime). Besides the obvious fact that this woman was incredibly old, what caught my attention as a Christian is this: I don’t want to live to be that old; I want Jesus to come in my generation. Obama’s campaign slogan has been “the change we need”. What changes do I need to make in my life for Jesus to come?

I want my generation to be part of the movers and shakers before the second coming. It’s so sad to mention that nothing much has been happening in Christendom since the Reformation, or even after the disappointment of 1844. I want change, and I’m willing to be part of it too!

So what sort of changes am I willing to make in my generation if I want Jesus to come soon? That’s what the reflection is all about; perhaps you will have to read about it in another reflection.

Maranatha- Jesus is coming soon (and even so, come Lord, come)!

I cannot believe that we are already in Week eleven of the program. It seems like just yesterday when we begun in August. If you were to ask me, what’s been the greatest lesson learned thus far, I would tell you that it’s this: to have finally understood that the Lord cares about the minute details of our lives. The Lord has been truly patient with me, allowing me to develop at a pace that he sees fit. I’m amazed by you Lord; that’s all I can say. I am reminded of the words of this song “I’m amazed”, by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

I’m amazed

o one knew how alone I was feeling,
And the emptiness I tried so hard to hide.
Though I laugh and said my life was fine without you.
I was covering up the secret tears I cried.
Then one day someone told me of your mercies,
And the love you showed on a Hill called Calvary.
There you died and purchased my redemption,
When you broke in spite and set my spirit free.

Chorus
I’m amazed that you love me I’m amazed how you care
Through Your precious blood I’ve found pardon
And my sins are washed they’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

Yes there’ve been days when I’ve failed you.
Lord you know the many times I’ve gone astray.
Lord I’ve learned your love is stronger than my weakness,
And your ear is open every time I pray.
No one else has ever cared for me like you Lord.
Other friends could never be as close to me.
I’m not afraid to face the problems of tomorrow,
Knowing you are everything I’ll ever need.

Chorus
I’m amazed that you love me I’m amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I’ve found pardon
And my sins are washed they’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

I’m amazed that you love me I’m amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I’ve found pardon
And my sins are washed they’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

I’m amazed that you love me I’m amazed how you care
Through your precious blood I’ve found pardon
And my sins are washed they’re all washed away
All my sins are washed away

I Samuel 7:12- “Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

I know the Lord has brought me thus far, and will take me even further- glory be unto his Holy name!

For all those who’ve been nagging me to update my blog, this is for you.

I will post an update later.

Hope you are satisfied!

DSB

August 25, 2008

Today was our first official day of class. The class was extremely long! I am not used to sitting down on hard seats for three hours or more! I would like to invest in getting new chairs for CAMPUS classes; however, I am afraid that had the chairs been comfortable, we would all probably fall asleep. It is interesting what we are all learning, it is even more interesting to discover that we are not all on the same spiritual level. I really appreciate P.C for his teaching methods; he does not say anything without making sure it is from the Bible. The Bible truly is the inspired word of God.

On campus, I was amazed to discover how huge the campus of U.M is. I was told that the student body population is well over 50,000! Just imagine if each of them was a missionary for God, then we could truly say, “Come, Lord Jesus”! Being on campus is so different from knocking on doors as a colporteur. These are students who pretend to be busy just so you can walk past them. I know how it is to be a student and to see a group of people wanting to ask you a question, or simply to fill out a form (I use to always walk extremely fast whenever I saw such people approaching me). Needless to say, I enjoyed working with J.M to distribute the massage fliers.

August 26, 2008

Today we started our lecture series on the five pillars of Adventism (Sabbath, Sanctuary, State of the Dead, The commandments, the three angels’ messages). The Sabbath lecture was very interesting, and I was surprised to see that I did not know most of the bible texts for reference by memory (at least I’m here to learn and to improve). Anyhow, one thing which really stuck to me was that the “Sabbath is a day for the uplifting of humanity”. What does it mean to uplift humanity? I am still figuring it out.

Pr. Kim came over and we played an interesting game- it was remarkable to note that our boys did not trust us at all (I also got injured playing this “trust game”). I was slightly shocked to find out that people will want me “off the island” simply because I consume more calories than they do. I better learn to slow down my appetiteJ. Dr. P also stopped by right after J.K left. He brought us presents from Bangkok (how nice of him). Of course, I am smart enough to know that the presents are “future investments” made for CAMPUS.

August 27, 2008

Today, P.C told all of us that it is illegal to use someone’s wireless network without their permission. What I do not understand is that if people are aware that it is illegal, why do they not secure its access? Anyhow, JM and I went ‘hunting’ in the neighborhood to discover who owns a particular wireless network. Since most of the group had been convicted that it is a sin, I too felt uncomfortable using this internet service. Unfortunately, the person whom we suspected owned the network was not home- perhaps at another day.

I am having trouble focusing my thoughts on my devotions throughout the day. It is nice when I spend time with God in the morning, but it would be even nicer to think of him for the remainder of the day. I am really beginning to appreciate the book of Hebrews (I’ve been stuck on it for the past 2 months!). Praise the Lord that He is so patient with us- he waits for us to slowly grasps bits of bits of what he’s about. I did not realize the quantity of workload (memorization) that we had to maintain at this program- it is good for me.

August 28, 2008

I felt impressed at the beginning of the program that we all ought to fast- what a brilliant idea that the Holy Spirit suggested to me! Unknown to me, some of our members had never fasted before and they were a bit uneasy about this whole fasting program. I am working on the draft and I hope all goes well. One person suggested we fast for 24 hours, but since we will be leaving for the retreat tomorrow, it will be difficult to maintain the 24hr fast with our schedule. Anyhow, we will see how it goes.

Passing out surveys on the Uof M campus was tremendous fun! It was so exciting to meet freshmen and others, just to share a conversation with. I was a bit discouraged that we were only meeting engineering students nonetheless, my partner and I got two bible studies and everyone was interested in at least one thing! Praise the Lord, I am eager to see what great plans the Lord has in store for us. I was especially touched by one girl we met, she looked nothing like someone who might be interested in spiritual things, but upon talking to her, she signed up for Bible Studies, looking for a church, and interested in vegetarian dishes! You should never judge a book by its cover and I have certainly learned that lesson today. Immediately after our surveys on campus, we came home and begun our fast; already some folks were complaining that they were hungry- Oh Lord, have mercy!

August 29, 2008

When two events such as preparing for Sabbath/going to a retreat, along with fasting occur simultaneously, it can be a bit troubling. So far, the fast has been going well (except for the complainers). I am really enjoying listening to the mini sermons prepared by the group members(it is giving me new ideas on how to improve the fasting program). The Lord is teaching me new things everyday.

August 30, 2008

Wow, what a day! Today was my first official Sabbath day out in the woods. It was very pleasant to spend time with all the leaders and getting to know most of them.

P.C told us during Sabbath school, that although we aspire to do great things in our various ministries throughout the year, we cannot do it without the help of the Holy Spirit, and we cannot accomplish anything if it is not God’s plan for us. So I ask myself: what are the plans God has in store for this year’s missionary group and how do I discover them (of course, prayer is the way to know)? I went to sleep pondering on what God has in store for all of us this year; I suppose I am yet to find out.

August 31, 2008 – Good Bye Old Man?

After yesterday’s ordeal (the lake baptism by the terrible duo), I realized that my old raging storm temper was still there. How does one truly surrender an evil temper to the Lord? It reminds of P.C’s lecture on the Holy Spirit being a sort of an anesthetic. He told us that our “old man” is really never gone, but the Holy Spirit becomes an anesthetic mask which we put on to kill the “old man”. However, whenever we take off the mask, our old selves’ rushes back to life. This made me realize how important it is to die to self daily- my sinful nature is constantly looking for an opportunity to come and wreak havoc. Praise the Lord for the anesthesia of the Holy Spirit.