07.01.08
Canada Day
Interesting to look back and to see what held my attention 3 years ago today. I should start reading that book over again.
02.27.08
not a place of nothing
Church is not just a place where Christians with individual faith gather from time to time for worship and for instruction. If it is not a living community family which edifies and brings to reality the life of Christ, then it has failed on a critical point.
01.26.08
Closing the Gap
Randomly dug up one of my old blog articles. Perhaps those who went to Winter Retreat will find it helpful.
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Commit the will to God, and immediately you will find Him near. Not because He has moved any closer, for He has always been at hand, but because you have finally allowed yourself to be near.
11.17.07
Seeing Clearly
Following upon my previous post I find now as appropriate a time as ever to update. The new banner quote follows from one of the thoughts in my previous post:”Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
The verse is from the end of 1 Corinthians 13 — a famous chapter on Love. And it precedes another verse very special and deeply engrained in me by spiritual revelation and personal experience. I cannot help but to also share it with you: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
But back to the main… I’ve updated not because the former is of less meaning to me now, but the new one has recently touched my heart. And hey, what better words are there to use as a quote than those from the Word of God.
08.07.07
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. - Romans 13:8
06.27.07
Breathe
Spiritual breathing.
We need it as much as physical breathing, if not more.
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Inhale. Exhale.
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Take in the goodness of God. Exhibit the signs of life.
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The signs of true life:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. - Galatians 5:22
05.27.07
Refreshed
It’s been a while… yet again…
Back at school now and by the end of first week already hurled into the thick of things. The theory we learn this term is easier than last term’s (or maybe that’s just because I’m going to classes more now…), but the workload has ramped up so much more quickly. It has been a real mess and I have hardly spent time on schoolwork during my weekends. First weekend - CCF Committee retreat, 2nd weekend - Toronto visit Amy =], 3rd weekend - Campus Challenge conference, 4th (this) weekend - CCF Committee visioning meeting.
Since the term started I’ve had rare opportunities to spend time dedicated to… fun =p. And it is without any sarcasm that I say now I find CCF fun and other spiritual things highly enjoyable. But of time to spend just flat out chilling, playing this or that… it’s been rare. The Saturday spent with Amy was a delightful time out to the park =]. That aside there were probably 2 or 3 hour-or-less occassions I played Smash bros and 15min spent at Archery Club.
Though I have not maintained a Sabbath of rest that I originally had in mind, the weekends have indeed been quite God-filled. Which is good. But that said, I do very much look forward to rest and solitude. Quiet of heart, soul and mind. Time to spend reading, reflecting, praying, writing, strolling, exercising. Time to eat and think only of the food, savouring every spoonful–not eating in a rush nor as I work. That kind of rest I still very much yearn for and feel is needed for balance and rejuvenation.
But ya… it’s been darn busy. I find that more than ever before I am busy with things to do. Still working on my focus and efficiency (especially in respect to school), but little time can be spared for idling. I had previously thought it disturbing to be so busy ‘at work’ (with whatever responsibilities) all day, day in day out, but it hasn’t been so bad. It feels good to know that I am making meaningful use of my time. Still have a truckload of schoolwork to catch up on… co-op job apps craziness has died down for the time being… increasingly my time goes to responsibilities and joys of service as Vice-Chair for CCF summer and Chair for CCF next year.
I have realized that on MSN I hardly talk to anyone anymore. No time to chat… which is a bit sad… but it is also what I had wanted to do for a long time anyway–cut MSN back that is. Neither have I really met up with people as much as I’d like. Hopefully as I catch up on my schoolwork and continue to grow in time management and restedness from Sabbaths I will find the energy and time to spend with more people randomly.
Anyway… got into all that background stuff as it just came to my head right now… What I wanted to originally and briefly say is:
It has been quite exasperating and exhausting these past weeks. Weekend after weekend my time was taken from schoolwork, resulting in more stress on that. But weekend after weekend I have been refreshed in a different way. And these last two weekends especially (Campus Challenge then Committee Visioning Meeting) has left me remarkably refreshed despite the intensity of activities. Despite the physical stretching, the recent growth in faith in (lots of in’s) the power of God acting through prayer has refreshed me in such amazing ways.
Much of yesterday’s committee meeting was invested in prayer, taking time away from progress in logistical/implementation planning. But we have taken more time in prayer because we believe fervently that that is where the most progress is made. Not by our wisdom nor action, but by our obedience and reliance on God. We cannot do great things for God, we can only open ourselves to be used by God. I feel fantastically rejuvenated right now =D
God has such amazing things in store for the Waterloo campus in the coming couple years! So much in store for UWCCF! And for all the other CCF’s, ACF’s and fellowships and campuses and everything! Campus Challenge was an invigorating time of inter-fellowship encouragement and prayer. Unity and revival are ahead of us. And God has privileged us with such a grand calling and mission and value in life!
The question is: what is your role?
03.05.07
Turning the other cheek
In CCF Bible Study this past Friday we looked into Luke 6:27-38 to gain a better understanding of the model of love Christ teached and practiced. The passage offers much wisdom with philosophies which conflict very much with worldly perspectives. Many groups found themselves debating over the meaning of “turning the other cheek”: framed perhaps in the balance of love and strength… wondering whether or not we are to be spineless.
02.13.07
Bible Translations
Ever wonder about why there are different translations of the Bible and the resulting reliability? Or why even in the one language of English there are so many different versions?
02.03.07
Urbana and more!
hello!
This past month after Urbana has passed by so quickly! I’m sorry I’ve taken so long getting to write this update.
Thank you all for both your support. Urbana was a wonderful blessing! Here are some of the thoughts and lessons I’ve had… I am struggling to keep everything cohesive but bare with me hehe:
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