A Busy Weekend

Tonight is the start of a long weekend.  We headed down to Taichung for our dear friends' Rex and Peilun's daughter's graduation ceremony.  It was so special as Peilun and Rex were living with us when Peilun was pregnant with Diean.  We headed down at 4:15 and got back by 12:30.

 In a few hours, we'll be heading out to I-Lan, a town on the East Coast of Taiwan for our House of Praise Retreat.

On Monday, it's the Dragon Boat Festival and we hope to see a friend from the States who will be here for a business trip.  Rex, Peilun and their family will also be up in Taipei.

It's going to be a busy weekend.

And if I'm at the Retreat tomorrow night, I'm not sure if I will be able to blog. I hope so.

To close, I will share the verse from tonight's commencement program -- John 16:33


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Reasons Why I Love Crock Pot Cooking

Sorry that I am not posting another simple crock pot recipe. My frig is too "stuffed" with food. So, unless we eat faster than what I was making, I won't be posting another simple recipe until next week.  But I thought I'd use this post to explain why I love crock pot cooking.

1.  In my experience, whatever I throw into a crock pot seems to come out tasting absolutely fantastic.
2.  I love how I can leave it on low for four hours and a meal is finished at the end of the time.
3.  I can use cheaper meat or huge chunk of meat and it comes out tender.
4.  There is a wide variety of what I can make. I have even made a cake in my crock pot.  And yes, it came out tasting absolutely fantastic!  Truly, you can make breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, side dishes all in a crock pot.
5.  It fits into my busy schedule and my love for providing delicious and healthy food for my family.
6.  I get to be creative.  When I see a crock pot recipe in a magazine, I know I don't have to follow it exactly.
7.  A crock pot can last a long time.

Those are 7 reasons why I love cooking with my crock pot. I try to give every mom I know a crock pot. I think it's one small appliance that every household needs to have.  I don't like the newer ones. I like the old ones. They seem to cook better!  I get all my crock pots second hand.  And yes, I have more than one crock pot.






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Simple Lunch Recipe -- Korean Hot Sauce Chicken with Rice and Veggies

My frig is so stuffed with food that I am not sure if I can cook anything else for tomorrow. But here is another simple crock pot recipe and it is fabulous.

boneless chicken with skin
tomatoes
chopped garlic
assorted frozen veggies and corn (I used Costco Normandy Blend.)
ketchup
Korean hot sauce (see picture)

Slice tomatoes and place in the crock pot. Lay chicken on top. In a bowl, mix ketchup, hot sauce and garlic together. Pour over chicken mixture.  Turn crock pot on low and cook for 4 hours. Put in frozen veggies and stir.  Cook on low for another hour.

Take out the chicken and veggies. Use the liquid to cook rice.

Serve rice and chicken together and sprinkle a little salt and/or pepper, if necessary.

VERY DELICIOUS.

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Simple Dessert Recipe -- Rice Pudding

Today, I made dessert in the crock pot.  These are the ingredients --

cooked white rice (bread and even pancakes or waffles can also be used)
raisins
milk
sugar
vanilla
custard powder
eggs

Rub the bottom and side of crock pot with olive oil. Put in rice, raisins, milk, vanilla and sugar. Mix together and let it cook in the crock pot on low for 4 hours.  Beat eggs with custard powder and some milk. Lift lid and stir in egg mixture and let it cook for another hour.

Serve with ice cream, cookie or sweet and condensed milk.

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Simple Dinner Recipe -- Mexican Concoction

For this week, I thought I'd let you know some of my simplest recipes -- all done in a crock pot.

10 boneless pork chops
1 can of tomato soup plus half a can of water (just to wash out the can)
2 cups of salsa
2 cups of shredded cheese
20 corn tortillas
3 handful of plain corn tortilla chips (if necessary)

Place frozen boneless pork chops in a crock pot with the soup, water and salsa.  Turn the crock pot on low. Let it cook for 4 hours.  Open the lid and use a spoon to break up the pork chop.  Tear up corn tortillas and stir into the meat mixture. If the liquid is not completely soaked up, "throw" in some plain corn tortilla chips. Spread shredded cheese on top. Place the lid back on and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Turn off the crock pot and serve with sour cream and more salsa.  Your family will love it!!!!  It even tastes better as leftover!

 

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Note:  You can substitute any other kind of meat such as beef chunks or fish such as salmon patties or even veggies instead of pork chops.  

Words of Encouragement -- Faith

For we walk by faith, and not by sight.  

This is a familiar verse for many Christians.  I hope this talk on faith will help you walk better.

Three questions about FAITH.  

What is faith?  

Who needs faith?  

How can we "increase" our faith?

Question 1 -- what is faith?

The Webster’s dictionary definition:  unquestioning belief; complete trust or confidence.

The Bible definition:  HEB.  11:1  “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

My definition:  Faith is taking God at His word.

So, faith applied to Rom. 8:28  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Faith does not believe that all things are good or that all things work well.  But it does believe that all things, good or bad, work together, for good to those who love God.

Question 2 -- who needs faith?

We need faith for Heb. 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Why do we need faith?

a.  to please God

b.  to go through difficult circumstances

c.  to come to know Him

     Eph. 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast.”

Question 3 -- how can we "increase" our faith?

Rom. 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

a.  get into God's word

b.  take up our shield of faith (Eph. 6:16) which means to use our faith, to apply our faith

c.  worship and praise God for who He is

     Heb. 11:6 “he who comes to God must believe that He is” 

We need to believe that He is God, the one who is able to keep you from stumbling (Jude 24), to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19),  to provide the way of escape when you are tempted so that you may be able to endure it (I Cor. 10:13).

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”  Ps. 62:8

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Words of Encouragement -- Contentment

We all need more contentment these days.  Enjoy reading this talk, again in outline form!

I want all of us to see that contentment is a state of our heart and attitude that is directly in contrast with the world, that would help us to be different, set apart, from the world.

·         To feel dissatisfied with where we are:  our circumstances

·         To feel dissatisfied with what we have:  our material possessions

·         To feel dissatisfied with who we are:  our appearance

What is contentment?

Why is it so important?

What happens when we're not content?

Heb. 13:5 – Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."

What does contentment reflect?

        An attitude of JOY

        An attitude of TRUST

        An attitude of THANKSGIVING

Why is contentment so important?

        Keep us focused on the important things in life

        Keep us set apart from the world

        Keep us protected from the fiery darts of Satan

I believe that the FIRST sin was due to a lack of contentment.  I believe the serpent questioned God's goodness and led Eve to also doubt God's perfect plan and goodness.  Eve began to think, "Does God really know what's best for me?  Has God really provided all that I need?"  If you read Gen. 3:6 you can see how a lack of contentment led her to sin against God.

When we are content, we can focus on the priorities of seeking God and His righteousness and finding rest in the Lord. We need to daily come before God and consider all that He has blessed us with. We need to ask God to give us an attitude of contentment that reflects joy, trust and thanksgiving.

 John 10:10 says "I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."  

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Words of Encouragement -- Heart of God

This is a Scripture and Song Meditation.  I pray that God would speak to you.

Rom. 5:20  Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.

The Prodigal Son – Luke 15: 11-32

Carry Me  

When I am burdened

The weight that I feel

When all my troubles

Seem so real

When I am weary

There is no lie

No time to rest my heart

O, Lord, hear my cry

Carry me

Carry me

When I am weary

Lord, carry me

Carry me

Carry me

When I am weary

Lord, carry me

When I am lonely

Love’s so far away

When no one will hear me

Hear me, I pray

Something is missing

When life falls apart

Your grace will anoint me

Fill my cup

The Anointing – Luke 7:36-58

What Grace  

Father, to you, with songs of love we come

Into Your presence

All that You have done

Brought here with joy before Your throne of grace

And in the Son Your love given in our place

What grace to be found in Him

Heaven’s glorious King

Father, what grace

Raising us to life

Choosing us in Christ

Father, what grace

Deep is the joy

That fills your court abounds

While angels wonder, of Your redeeming love

And as You gaze with joy upon Your son

Your eyes are on the ones

His love has won

Know how You’ve called to be with us in Him

So that our passions burns for heavenly things

Seated with Christ for Him alone to live

Our hearts forever where our treasure is

The Vine & the Branches – John 15: 1-17

Restore Me 

Restore Me, I would have no way but yours, my Lord

Restore Me, Like the Eagle spreads its wings and soars

I will lift my faithless heart to the God whose love is pure

Resting in your arms I am secured

Restore Me.

I lift my prayers to a God who wants to hear

Each groan that I call out His name

Standing here in silence

I wait for you to speak

For your whisper heals me with one word

You bring me love, You bring me peace.

You lift me up on Eagle’s wings.

Pierced 

Pierced for our transgressions

Punished for our sins

He poured his life out for us

That we might follow him

He carried all our sorrows

Burdened he did bear

He died a death of sinners

For He so loved this world

Jesus we adore thee

Light of life for all mankind

Your loving knows no measure

And Your mercy knows no bound

Jesus Suffering Servant

Jesus Prince of Peace

Lamb of God, Messiah

How worthy is Your name

(Worthy is Your name)

You made Your life a ransom

And paid for all our sins

Hung crucified on Calvary

Despised and spurned by men

You died that we might know you

You died that we might live

Rose again triumphant

The Son of righteousness

One day we’ll see our Savior

In clouds of glory come

To gather us His children

Christ, God’s conquering Son

That at the name of Jesus

Every knee shall bow

And every tongue confess Him

The King of glory now

Reflection Questions:

Are you letting God renew you daily?  

Are you abiding in Him?

Are you asking Him to carry you?

Do you feel His embrace?

Do you come to sit at Jesus' feet?

Do you give Him all your burdens?

Are you letting His love, peace and grace lift you up as you live for Him?

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Words of Encouragement -- Discipleship

What exactly is discipleship?  There are three mottoes which I think will help.

     I.  Roots before fruits
Roots = daily disciplines of meditating upon God's word and spending time in prayer
Roots = grounded in love
Roots = built up in Jesus

“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”                  Eph. 3:17-21

II.  Being before doing

Being = greater intimacy with Christ

Being = abiding in the truth

Being = having a clear understanding of who you are in Christ

  “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”                                              John 15:4-5     

 III.  You are an overflow of the One who is in you!

Overflowing with gratitude

Overflowing with the fruit of the Spirit

Overflowing with His power and presence

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.’”                                                     John 4:13-14

        “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’” 

                               John 7:37-38

        “…But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”              Acts 1:8

Conclusion:

These three mottoes are embedded in my mind.  Discipleship isn't necessary learning anything “new” in knowledge, but it is a time to experience something deep, renewing and rewarding.  In the time that I spent together with my discipleship groups in San Diego, we memorized and studied God's word, we shared and prayed together.  We learned together something that we are now able to pass on to others.  That is DISCIPLESHIP.

Discussion Questions:

1. How is your root system right now? 
2. Are you abiding or more doing? 
3. Are you overflowing or running dry?
4. How clearly do you know your identity in Christ?
5. What does your life overflow with these days?

 

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Words of Encouragement -- Knowing God's Will

This talk is never an easy one. People often come up and want to know specific answers about their lives. I hope that what you read in this outline will help you to draw closer to God and to follow His will.

Introduction -- write your answer to the questions below:

1.      Do you think God still speaks to His people today in the 21^st century?

2.      How do you think God speaks to His people?  Or what ways does He use to speak to people?

3.      Have you experienced God speaking to you recently or in the past three           months?

           What does the Scripture reveal about God's will for us:

A.    For our Good so that we can experience His love

                          Gen. 12:2-3;Jer. 29:11, Rom. 8:28

B.      For our Growth so that we can be more like Him

                           Phil. 1:16;Col. 1:9-12, 28; 2:10

C.    For our Gladness so that we can bring Him glory

                           Matt. 5: 16, 11:28-30; Phil. 4:4-7                                                             

What can be God's answers:

A.    Yes – 

           Immediate – Nehemiah – Neh. 2:1-8

But notice:  Neh. 1:4-11 – prayer & fasting for days

        v. 5 – adoration    

        v. 6 – confession and intercession

        v. 7-10 – claiming of God's promises

        v. 11 – intercession & submission

Short wait – Daniel – Daniel 10:10-14

But notice:  Daniel 9:20-23

        v. 20 – what was Daniel doing?

        What is the whole chapter 9 about?

        What is Daniel known to do daily? 6:10

B.      No – 
             Paul – II Cor. 12:7-10 (look also at 3:5 & Phil 3:3-7)

What was the situation?

What was Paul's prayer request?

What was the answer and why?

C.    Wait – 
            Abraham – Gen. 15:1-6

             God promised in chapter 12, but in Gen. 18:11 it says that Sarah was past childbearing.  Then in 21:1-2, at the appointed time... God brought His promise to be fulfilled.

 What can we do when the answer is "NO" or "WAIT":

A.    Trust that He knows best

B.      Seek counsel

C.    Add more prayer flames

Have you fasted and prayed for 21 days?  For 7 days?  For 1 day?

 Conclusion

What do you know about God's will?  How would you describe God's will for your life?  Do you have the assurance that God's will for you is for good, for your growth, for your gladness?  Can you "hang in there" when the answer is NO or WAIT?  Can you, will you, trust Him enough to let Him have all of your life? For as God spoke in the Bible, He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.  You can count on that!

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Words of Encouragement -- Lordship

As I look back over the many talks I have given, I noticed that one of my favorite topics is Lordship.  So, in an outline form, I hope God will speak to you.

Finish these sentences.

1. Lordship is...
2. One daily way I reflect the truth that the Lord sits on the throne of my life is... 
3. One verse I claim to remind me of this truth is...

My answers to the above questions:

Lordship is a personal choice of constant obedience and submission to the sovereign almighty God through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is saying, "not my will, but Thy will be done."  It is the bowing of my own stiff neck pride before the throne of grace and letting God reign in my heart and shine through my life.

One daily way I reflect the truth that the Lord sits on the throne of my life is by spending the first waking moments with God, committing to Him all the other waking moments of the day and surrendering my life to the working of the Holy Spirit so that He will reign in and shine through my life.

One verse I claim to remind me of this truth is John 15:5

Other verses that I love --

Matthew 6:33

Mark 1:35

Without Lordship, we will be like Martha in Luke 10:38-42, displaying the three C "spirits" --

• Complaining Spirit
• Comparing Spirit
• Compromising Spirit

So, I'd close with this quote from Hudson Taylor --

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Words of Encouragement -- Procrastination

In the past 27 years that we've been here in Taiwan, I've been invited to speak at different places.  So, for this week, I thought I'd give you a sample (all in outline form) of some of the talks I've given.

In what areas do we tend to procrastinate?

• Making tough decisions
• Confronting others
• Finishing assignments
• Paying off bills
• Cleaning house or doing housework
• Losing weight
• Exercising
• Spending time with God

What is procrastination?  How would you define procrastination?

• Wasting time
• Letting the urgent take over the important
• General dilly dallying
• Not doing what we need to do
• Not saying no when we need to be so that we can say yes to the tasks that need our attention
• An inability to practice self control
• A weakness in time management

My definition of procrastination is "NOT SUBMITTING OR ALLOWING GOD TO SET THE PACE AND THE PRIORITIES OF OUR LIVES". 

Why do we procrastinate?

• Laziness
• Fear of failure
• Wrongful thinking that the task is too difficult
• Lack of direction
• Lack of motivation – it’s not really important
• Lack of trust in God
• Lack of self confidence
• Lack of God-confidence
• Wrong priorities
• Feelings of indifference

My answer is that we procrastinate because the LORDSHIP of our lives is in our hands not God’s.

What is one Biblical example of procrastination and its results?

The Israelite – told to go into the Promised Land – Was right there. Twelve spies sent out. Twelve spies came back – Twelve spies and only TWO SAID YES… The others – chickened out!  Result – 40 years in the wilderness!!!! And never getting into the Promised Land except for the TWO who said YES.

How to stop the problem?

• Time with God and let Him order and "run" your life

• Read Biblical examples of good and bad examples

• Ask someone to keep you accountable

Conclusion:

Spirit filled life – or self-governed life

Fulfilled and fulfilling life – or wasted life

Life without regrets – or life with jobs left undone

We have choices every day.  Do we live our lives for the Lord and His glory?  Or do we live our lives in fear, always seeing the giants and the fortified walls and the tasks of each day like the enemy as many as the sand of the sea?  Let's stop seeing the impossible and chickening out. Let's start moving in the power and Spirit of God for in Him all things are possible!

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Interesting Happenings -- Isaiah's Big Tests, Part II

This picture was taken at 8:24 this morning with the "cheerleaders" from Isaiah's junior high school.  There were groups like this walking all around the hallways on every floor.  My hands were loaded down with bags of brochures and items that were passed out as we walked from the scooter to the school!

At 8:30, the bell rang and the kids walked in. They had their ID and their test notification with their seat assignment. They were asked to carry only a clear plastic pencil pouch.  All parents were asked to leave the area. We were ushered into the gym where seats were set up on the basketball court. Again, there were red signs everywhere. Here are just a few pictures --

Each school had tables set up. The principal, the Academic Dean, and at least 10 teachers were present. They were there to assist the parents in any way. They had bottled water ready. And they would order lunch boxes for the students and the parents.  Ten minutes before the end of the first session, the parents got up and filed out. I followed. Where were they going?  

They proceeded to these doors which were closed and guarded. They were waiting for the test to end and the students could come out for a one hour break. The parents were ready with refreshment and study books. (Hence you see the bags the parents had!)

At lunch time, many of the parents who were super serious about their children's welfare, took their kids home for lunch and a power nap and study time. Alan and Abby came and we had a "picnic" in the gym.

At 1:30, the kids were ready to be back in the classroom for the afternoon exams -- Chinese and Essay Writing.  This first day of exams would be finished by 5:10.  Sunday would be half day -- from 8:30 to 12:10 with two more subjects.  Social Studies would be the first exam followed by 50 minutes of "rest" and then Mathematics, which would last 80 minutes.  Now, rest did not mean "rest". The kids would come out for a restroom break and then take out their review books.  Or else they would talk about the previous exam and what others wrote as the correct answer.  The atmosphere was all very intense. Just before the Math Exam, I got some of Isaiah's old classmates together and got this picture (notice the study booklets in their hand) --

While Isaiah was in this last session, I walked around and took pictures of the different signs. I know some of you might not be able to read Chinese, but this is just to show you that there were signs like these posted on every floor and in every available space. 

Every sign had words of encouragement.  You felt loved and cared for.  When the tests finally ended, the kids walked out and there again were the "cheerleaders" from Isaiah's school as well as every other junior high schools which had students there taking the tests.  They were smiling and waving at the students, and shouting encouraging slogans and words.  I asked Isaiah to stop so that I could take a few more pictures.

The four adults in this picture were the principal, the Academic Dean, the General Affairs Group Leader and a teacher.  They had stayed the whole time!  The sign says, XiHu students achieve top schools.

Many of his classmates went out to see a movie. Others just wanted to have fun and hang out.  Isaiah came home and took a nap.  We went to church and now, this is what he is doing --

Yes, he finally has time to get on the computer and FB people or play computer games.  For some of the top students, if they don't get into one of the top schools, they will have to join another weekend of exams. Thus, they cannot relax.  The test scores will be out on June 5th! 

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