I've been really convicted lately... of whether I truly trust in our Creator. I suppose it's easy to say you do, and even possible to believe/want to... but to act like you do... I don't know.
For me, uncertainty has always been a large part of my life... where I would be schooling, whether I'd ever be able to keep the friends that I made (no = P hehe)... I would often have very little knowledge of what the future held... and thus never had much stability. I suppose at one level, I've thus always longed for that foreknowledge, and yes despite how much I complain that my parents were Asian and all, I always did have that security and comfort in having them follow me (or me follow them) around the world.
Obviously this relates to coming to HK... without my family, but also I think my journey to this place shows how I'm growing as well... to no longer need to be in control of my life, constantly nagging God for answers, for His plan. I suppose this goes on from my last post... it comes down to trusting in God. Do I truly believe that he can supply all my needs according to his glorious riches in heaven? Do I truly believe that he will work all things for the good of those who love Him, those called according to his plans and purposes? Or that God is able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work?
There are a lot of things that I need to trust God for... and I won't get into all of them here =D, I wonder if my faith will be enough... but I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
All better now
Thanks to everyone who left comments and prayed, or who even bothered to check up on me when they heard the news, I'm doing heaps better, and I'm very thankful that God is continuing to do more and more things in my life. I suppose I'm a living testimony that it can be incredibly painful, but most rewarding, when one prayerfully asks God to break him down so that He can conform one to HIS Son.
Anyway, just a quick update on additional things. Life, apart from the bug bite, has been most amazing. For some reason I'm not running out of money (yet all my calculations show that I should be). My youth have really shown me that their walk with God is becoming more and more personal, which is definitely something that brings massive joy to my heart. After that's my greatest desire for them during my time here, whether or not I have anything to do with it. Ultimately I've learned that I have really very little to offer, except my life to a Heavenly Father, and through His will and power, by His grace, my small contribution can change lives.
My relationships over here have... well I can't really describe it. They haven't changed, so much as grown along with my personal growth... which is really where I'd have to admit that I've seen the greatest shift in my life. I mean if I was just to list a few of the changes off the top of my head... greater understanding of my need for God's grace, subsequent humility, confidence that He can do all that he's promised, a renewed desire to study and feed on God's Word, an all round better understanding of the Bible, a greater awareness of how I can come across is a negative way, a MUCH greater trust in God's perfect will and plan... and the list just keeps growing. (Much like me lol)
I honestly have no idea of what to expect from the next 6 months, nor from the next year... which is a far cry from the young man who left Melbourne with a very clear plan of what he wanted to accomplish and why he was taking this step. When I left, I was a boy who loved to strategize, to remain in control while brazenly asking God for directions and nothing more. Now I'm on my way to becoming a man who simply let's God drive, while I sit in the back, ready to pump gas, clean the windows or merely wait for Him to speak, whatever He wants me to do. I can honestly say that I've never felt so much peace about the things that are happening in my life... whether in my current locale or in my position at the moment.
In all things I know that God can work all things for the good of those who love Him, those called according to His good, pleasing and perfect will. That though I was dust, an enemy of our all powerful God, He still chose to redeem me... and now I praise Him, for the grace that he has given, and because He is worthy to be praised!
Anyway, just a quick update on additional things. Life, apart from the bug bite, has been most amazing. For some reason I'm not running out of money (yet all my calculations show that I should be). My youth have really shown me that their walk with God is becoming more and more personal, which is definitely something that brings massive joy to my heart. After that's my greatest desire for them during my time here, whether or not I have anything to do with it. Ultimately I've learned that I have really very little to offer, except my life to a Heavenly Father, and through His will and power, by His grace, my small contribution can change lives.
My relationships over here have... well I can't really describe it. They haven't changed, so much as grown along with my personal growth... which is really where I'd have to admit that I've seen the greatest shift in my life. I mean if I was just to list a few of the changes off the top of my head... greater understanding of my need for God's grace, subsequent humility, confidence that He can do all that he's promised, a renewed desire to study and feed on God's Word, an all round better understanding of the Bible, a greater awareness of how I can come across is a negative way, a MUCH greater trust in God's perfect will and plan... and the list just keeps growing. (Much like me lol)
I honestly have no idea of what to expect from the next 6 months, nor from the next year... which is a far cry from the young man who left Melbourne with a very clear plan of what he wanted to accomplish and why he was taking this step. When I left, I was a boy who loved to strategize, to remain in control while brazenly asking God for directions and nothing more. Now I'm on my way to becoming a man who simply let's God drive, while I sit in the back, ready to pump gas, clean the windows or merely wait for Him to speak, whatever He wants me to do. I can honestly say that I've never felt so much peace about the things that are happening in my life... whether in my current locale or in my position at the moment.
In all things I know that God can work all things for the good of those who love Him, those called according to His good, pleasing and perfect will. That though I was dust, an enemy of our all powerful God, He still chose to redeem me... and now I praise Him, for the grace that he has given, and because He is worthy to be praised!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Improving
Hey guys,
Thanks for your prayers and many messages/comments of concern... it's really appreciated!
Well, thankfully I don't think I'm gonna die =) and I'm on the slow road (I think) to recovery. The bumps aren't as itchy (more dry and scabby now) and are slightly less red, although some bumps have "pop" and are like mini mosquito bites when you scratch too much.. cept I didn't scratch... Regardless, I'm getting better, and I once again say thanks for all your prayers. I'm fairly certain that the average student at HK Uni (where I was bitten) doesn't get bitten by poisonous caterpillars... and so I'd have to question the randomness of this episode and perhaps put it down to some spiritual warfare. Germs and illnesses are one thing... but I really think that the enemy wants to intimidate me out of HK. So please continue to pray for me, for protection and for strength in all things! =)
Anyway, on a slightly different note... one of my friends, one of my very good friends in fact (who's like a doctor lol) randomly decided to drop by and is staying with me for a week... so there's a lot less stress.. cause if I WAS about to die, she'd be able to tell me. Heh.
I'll keep you posted... but I think the rashes will stay around for a while... maybe a whole nother week. I just hope it doesn't scar, that would be annoying.
Thanks for your prayers and many messages/comments of concern... it's really appreciated!
Well, thankfully I don't think I'm gonna die =) and I'm on the slow road (I think) to recovery. The bumps aren't as itchy (more dry and scabby now) and are slightly less red, although some bumps have "pop" and are like mini mosquito bites when you scratch too much.. cept I didn't scratch... Regardless, I'm getting better, and I once again say thanks for all your prayers. I'm fairly certain that the average student at HK Uni (where I was bitten) doesn't get bitten by poisonous caterpillars... and so I'd have to question the randomness of this episode and perhaps put it down to some spiritual warfare. Germs and illnesses are one thing... but I really think that the enemy wants to intimidate me out of HK. So please continue to pray for me, for protection and for strength in all things! =)
Anyway, on a slightly different note... one of my friends, one of my very good friends in fact (who's like a doctor lol) randomly decided to drop by and is staying with me for a week... so there's a lot less stress.. cause if I WAS about to die, she'd be able to tell me. Heh.
I'll keep you posted... but I think the rashes will stay around for a while... maybe a whole nother week. I just hope it doesn't scar, that would be annoying.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Bug bites?
So I went for lunch with a friend at HKU yesterday, and while lining up, I felt something crawl along my neck... I felt, and grabbed something squishy... and immediately brushed it off (and freaked out a bit). It was a really thick worm like thing (my friend reckoned it was a caterpillar) and it writhed around a bit... but I didn't really care...
So after lunch, started getting itchy and red around my neck... but I thought it was sunburn, since I'd gone to the beach yesterday...
Anyway, by 10-11 PM it had gotten worse... my whole neck area was swollen and looked like it had a rash... and so I tried to find some anti-histamines from a shop... but they were all closed... got some tablets for cold and flu...
Went to bed, woke up at 5 AM with my neck on fire... went to the mirror and saw this.
So I went to the hospital at 6 am... and they gave me some tablets that don't feel like they are doing anything. The itching is getting worse and the hives are spreading down my stomach (they are already on my arms). My neck feels really weird when I wash it... and yeah...
As such, would appreciate much prayer...
I hate bugs!
So after lunch, started getting itchy and red around my neck... but I thought it was sunburn, since I'd gone to the beach yesterday...
Anyway, by 10-11 PM it had gotten worse... my whole neck area was swollen and looked like it had a rash... and so I tried to find some anti-histamines from a shop... but they were all closed... got some tablets for cold and flu...
Went to bed, woke up at 5 AM with my neck on fire... went to the mirror and saw this.
So I went to the hospital at 6 am... and they gave me some tablets that don't feel like they are doing anything. The itching is getting worse and the hives are spreading down my stomach (they are already on my arms). My neck feels really weird when I wash it... and yeah...
As such, would appreciate much prayer...
I hate bugs!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Focus
It's amazing how issues seem to evaporate when you give them to God. I suppose that I shouldn't sound so surprised... but as a human it's still comforting to see the faithfulness of God at work! If you ask him for focus, for strength... if you give him areas in your life that you can't control... if you cry out for deliverance... he is there... and he will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in heaven.
James 1: 1-2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
So smile, this is good news ;)
James 1: 1-2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
So smile, this is good news ;)
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