Oh Christmas Time

"Christ's death was the purpose of His birth; Calvary was the reason for Bethlehem." - C.J. Mahaney (Cross-Centered Life).

So often, it is easy for us to accept one but not the other. His birth is ok because it conjures images of a sleeping baby in a manger, surrounded by animals. But His death is a whole other story. The world doesn't see a Savior hanging on a Cross but perhaps a man and a myth. That baby turned out to be someone wholly unexpected and therefore, not easily accepted. But we cannot separate them. We have to take them together because that is who Jesus is in His entirety. "God sent His Son to live a uniquely perfect life and die a unique death as the substitute for our sins."

What a way to remember this year. In light of all the ups and downs, joys and frustrations, that throughout it all, we end the year with Christ's birth. A reminder of what we have already received and the grace that rules our lives.

:) Merry CHRISTmas (season) everyone.

Hear Ye, Here Ye

I've been delving into the realm of classics lately and picked up Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I know, shameful. Curious to see why this classic is among several that made Ms. Austen so famous, I've been steadily reading my way through it. Today, I came across this gem of a line in chapter 19.

Mr. Collins: "You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear cousin, that your refusal of my addresses is merely words of course (he had just proposed to Elizabeth). My reasons for believing it are briefly these: it does not appear to me that my hand is unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I can offer would be other than highly desirable. My situation in life, my connections with the family of De Bourgh, and my relationship to your own...are circumstances highly in my favour; and you should take it into farther consideration that in spite of your manifold attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As I must therefore conclude that you are not serious in your rejections of me, I shall choose to attribute it to your wish of increasing my love of suspense, according to the usual practice of elegant females."

Mr. Collins in modern terms:
"Girl, I'm going to assume you did NOT just reject me. And this is why:

1. I'm a pretty decent guy.

2. I got money.

3. I got hookups

4. You might be pretty but don't think that you'll ever get another proposal.

5. Your looks do not make up for your lack of money.

So, you cannot be serious. You're just playing games with me right?"

What a charming man.

You go, Elizabeth Bennett.

Like a Child

It was another week at Mustard Seeds (SFBC's toddler ministry) for me today. After almost a year of serving in it, I was thinking about it tonight and realized how much I love the kids. Whenever these 2-3 year olds come in the classroom, they fill the room with their energy and joy. And with five boys (more or less), there is certainly a lot of the above. I love playing with them and fully enjoying all the silly things they do, like running toy trains down our backs or giggling when we try to catch them.

Working with them makes me forget about all my "adult" issues, my "adult" hurts and my "adult" sins for that hour and a half.

And it warms my heart to see them grow weekly. From learning to put their hands together and bowing their heads when we pray to seeing them name all the animals during story time to having them complete the last words to the song we're singing. It's amazing to see God's love and creativeness poured out into each and every one of these little ones.

And I wonder if I will ever get to have one of my own.


Lord, I pray for a sanctified and child-like faith. One that rests fully on who You've created me to be and is not dependent on who I want to be. Your Will, Lord.

Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is SO rich in the importance of God's Word and our immense need to rely on it for direction for our lives. I've been trying to copy it into my journal and reading through it while on breaks at work. It is overwhelming to realize just how far I have yet to go in meditating on the Lord's truth daily.

(Re-posting this part from an earlier G+ update)

There are days when the world's lies overwhelm you. You want to believe them and so your spirit wars with the flesh. And you realize again that you must be ready for such a battle.

"Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant....Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119: 73-76 & 105

Bucket List

1. Travel to at least 30 countries. (Currently at 10)
2. Watch an Olympics live. Preferably getting tickets to swimming and gymnastics.
3. Pick up one of the skills I've always wanted to have: play an instrument, learn to dance hip hop, or swim 100 meters successfully.
4. Become fluent in the three other languages that I currently have some sort of working knowledge about.

To be continued...(feel free to add suggestions)

A Rebel

My favorite lyrics are the third and fourth lines in the first verse.

Every time I hear the song, it reminds me that my desires, my heart and my very nature seeks to rebel against God; against His Will for my life and all His commands to seek a righteous life. In order to give the gift of Salvation, God Himself sought me out even as I rejected Him. It is heartbreaking that the Lord of heaven and earth would humble Himself as to seek me, a sinner.

How shameful. And yet, we are all given a "Happily Ever After." Truly Grace undeserved.



I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life had lead me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse you still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost.
You looked upon my helpless state and lead me to the Cross.
And I beheld God's love displayed, You suffered in my place.
You bore the wrath reserved for me and know all I know is Grace.

Hallelujah, All I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life
Hallelujah, All I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life.

Now Lord, I would be Yours alone and live so all might see.
The strength to follow Your commands could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way you choose.
And let my song forever be, my only boast is You

Self-reflection.

On some days, it's hard to not see the ugliness inside. The pride, the greed, the desire to be recognized. What you want more than anything is for people to celebrate you for your smarts, beauty and talent. You ask, "why don't I deserve the same recognition that others do?" "Why does everyone love him/her and not me?"

It's especially hard when those characteristics are painfully obvious to you even when you try to ignore them.

To wallow would be to render Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross useless. But to not repent of them would do that even more so.

It's one of those days.

Hello World

2011 is ALMOST halfway over. Spring has come and gone. World disasters and royal fairytales have all taken their turn as the latest headline. And all that to say that it's been a LONG time since I've written here.

I've come to say "Hello" blogosphere.

I don't even know where to begin with the updates in my own life. Started working (kind of), met so many more friends, and once again face a difficult situation in the Wong household. And these things only begin to scratch the surface. There have been moments of such joy (as I was once again given a glimpse of what it would be like to worship our Lord forever in heaven) and also moments of such personal brokenness that I could do nothing to stop the tears from falling down my face.

Life often feels like an emotional roller coaster.

And throughout all the changes and challenges, God and His Word have been the rock and refuge in my life. I'm definitely no theologian and have so far to go in my understanding of Scripture but the Book of James has been especially encouraging during this period of my life. Not only did it remind me of God's calling for us to live out our lives of faith but also of the need to be constantly aware of and to resist the temptations of the world.

Definitely easier said than done.

This really hasn't been much of an update has it? I guess all I can say is that, while life may not seem to have changed all that much in circumstance or in monumental decisions, the Lord has definitely moved me in so many ways these last few months. I am humbled.