May 2013
1 post
4 tags
His voice.
“When he has brought out all of his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” -John 10:4
Hearing the voice of God…knowing the voice of God…is it really possible? Does God still speak to us today? When I think about this question, I amuse myself by thinking of all the different tones God’s voice could have. And then I...
April 2013
7 posts
3 tags
Jesus calling.
I am training you in steadiness. Too many things interrupt your awareness of Me. I know that you live in a world of sight and sound, but you must not be a slave to those stimuli. Awareness of Me can continue in all circumstances, no matter what happens. This is the steadiness I desire for you.
Don’t let unexpected events throw you off course. Rather, respond calmly and confidently,...
3 tags
Fallen.
Recently I’ve been reminded of how this world is fallen. We live in a fallen world with fallen people all searching for a hope that can sustain them. Even when we think we have it all together, God steps in and reminds us that no, this world will not bring us joy or rest like the one He has saved for us in Heaven.
We are human. We are sinful in nature. We need Jesus.
My prayer for all of...
3 tags
Mom visited me in my dreams last night.
We were having a party at church. It wasn’t a church I recognized but it felt familiar…it felt like home. And while the service for this party went on, I saw her walking outside. I remember the feeling of joy that rushed inside of me when I recognized her “Darth Vader” hair and the trusty tote bag she carried around for dad every...
1 tag
Father, grant me Your words that I may speak things that encourage yet at the same time is still truth. Grant me boldness and courage to speak when the opportunities present itself to me. And may I speak with respect and gentleness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
3 tags
It's no wonder.
I find myself discouraged today. What is a leader if he does not empower his followers? I understand that we want to play by our strengths but if we do only that, then we will never be stretched in those moments when God wants us to be stretched. Why can’t we be more like Paul and Barnabas? Why can’t we encourage and empower those who look to us like how they did with Timothy, Titus,...
4 tags
The Commitment Crucible.
This is my leadership promise for today:
People often associate commitment with their emotions. If they feel the right way, then they can follow through on their commitments. But true commitment doesn’t work that way. It’s not an emotion; it’s a character quality that enables us to reach our goals. Human emotions go up and down all the time, but commitment has to be rock...
4 tags
Victorious.
With the help of my best accountability partner, I’ve come to realize that I need to stop pitying myself. Rather than focusing on all the bad in me, I need to cling to the goodness of Christ. If I focus on His goodness, my sinful self will eventually fade away until all that’s left is the imprint of Jesus in my life.
Yes, I am a monster when I succumb to my sinful nature. But Jesus...
March 2013
4 posts
4 tags
Failure in disguise.
I’m a messed up person. I have a short temper that to this day, I’m still unable to control. And the saddest part of this is that I bring people down with me. I make them tired of having to deal with this.
It’s me. It’s my personality, my character. I’m the one at fault. And I will always be the one at fault. Why are you so not normal, Baoseng? What’s wrong with you? You’re just a failure in...
2 tags
Building walls.
The enemy’s supplying the bricks, and I’m laying them down one by one. Oh, you weak and vulnerable child.
2 tags
Lies.
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been extremely susceptible to my sinful nature and the lies Satan throws at me. It troubles me how I can so easily fall into this web of lies.
You’re not good enough. You’re not wanted. You can’t even do your job right…what kind of leader are you? Oh, there goes another tally mark to your ‘Imperfections’ column. How can...
3 tags
In the quiet.
It’s been a while since the last time I wrote a blog here. So I’m taking a break from my papers to blog. :)
As I sit here trying to find something to blog about, I keep coming up empty. What has God been teaching me? What has He been revealing to me these past few weeks? For some reason, I can’t pinpoint anything. And that scares me a bit. I keep thinking, “I must not be...
February 2013
6 posts
3 tags
One year older.
Dearest Baoseng,
It’s that time of the year again. That time where you come to grips with the reality that you’re aging. Haha. Not that it’s a bad thing! With age comes wisdom and maturity, right? ;)
21 is over. You made it. Another year, another reason to celebrate. Because you still have life. You’re still here, living and breathing. And that’s always something to...
3 tags
Full moon.
According to the calendar, there’s supposed to be a full moon on my birthday. I hope I can find a good spot to see that. Maybe Currahee…if Suzy can make it. If not, the soccer field will have to do, I guess.
Please, God…give us clear skies that night.
2 tags
Having a very "blah" kind of day...
If I had gas, I would go on a drive to a place far, far away. But since my gas tank’s almost empty, I guess Zaxby’s will do.
Remember Baoseng, if life was easy, there would be no need for Jesus. Press on.
6 tags
The Violinist.
When I’m having a horrible day, a song that usually helps is Mountain Spring by the Barrage. It’s such a happy song that it makes me forget that I was sad. Go ahead…listen to it. It’ll make your heart feel light and happy.
If you listened to it, you’ll know that yes, it is classical music. Every time I listen to this song, it makes me miss playing the violin. It...
3 tags
I miss my family.
I love it that when I cry on the phone with my little brother, he gets all “older brother”-ly. He’s a year younger than me but he truly acts and loves me like he’s older than me. He wants to protect me and take care of me. And I love that about him. Sure, he’s made some stupid mistakes but at least he’s taking responsibility of it. He’s got a heart of...
4 tags
Trust.
The other week, a friend of mine asked, “Do you think being fearful means a lack of trust in God?”
I answered confidently, “Yes.”
Father God, help me to trust in you so I no longer have to be fearful.
January 2013
9 posts
2 tags
Friendly reminder.
I’m writing this post simply to help remind me—since I do tend to visit tumblr quite a lot—to remember to pray for my family. That’s something that I’ve been slacking on because my prayers usually gear toward the things happening in my life right at this moment in time. And at this moment in time, I’m off at college, doing my own thing apart from them. But I...
3 tags
Reign in me.
We sang this song in chapel today…Reign in Us. And I couldn’t help but really meditate on the words of this song, especially the chorus.
Oh great and mighty One, With one desire we come That You would reign That You would reign in us
We’re offering up our lives A living sacrifice That You would reign That You would reign in us
Sometimes we get so caught up in the music that we...
4 tags
What makes you happy?
I think my answer to that question continually changes as the years go by. Some things that used to make me happy, I’ve learned to let go. And new things have taken its place. You learn to love new things.
I’m happy when I can sit down with a good friend and talk about all the things Jesus is doing in my life. I’m happy when I can sing along to the music in my car on a long...
1 tag
4 tags
Thorn in my flesh.
“…there was given me a thorn in my flesh…” -2 Corinthians 12:7
I heard this in class today and now, it’s stuck in my mind. I know exactly what thorn it is that pierces through my flesh. It’s kind of funny because just like Paul, I’ve been praying that God would take this thorn out of me.
But then God answers, “My grace is sufficient for you, for...
5 tags
Jesus, Only Jesus.
I know it’s taken me a while to write a blog about Passion 2013. And I already know that this post won’t be able to compare to the actual experience. Like Louie said, you just can’t describe it in words.
I left the Passion conference saying one thing. “Jesus, only Jesus.”
I want my life to reflect Jesus; no one else. I want to be clothed in the character of Christ...
3 tags
Love edifies.
Yesterday, Dr. Juncker started the class with this verse:
”[…] Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” —1 Corinthians 8:1
He warned us that knowledge very often leads to pride and arrogance. And in this class, he knows that he’s handing out a ton of knowledge to us, especially since this is only a two week course so in one day, we’re given a week and a...
3 tags
I haven’t had a dream of mom in quite a while now. But last night, she paid me a visit.
It was my birthday, and the whole family was gathered together for it. As my siblings passed me gifts, in walks mom. She smiles at me and hands me a gift. I take the gift but I don’t pay much attention to it. Mom was most important, and I grabbed her and hugged her so very tightly. I heard her...
2 tags
Today.
I feel like writing about how I’m feeling today. So here goes.
Today, I really didn’t want to leave class. Even though my stomach was growling like crazy, I wanted Dr. Juncker to go on. I didn’t want him to stop. My mind was yelling, “No, don’t stop here! Tell us about typology and the Antiochene Method of interpretation! I want to know!” But the class can only...
December 2012
14 posts
1 tag
4 tags
The Good Shepherd.
“Once they respond to my beckoning I have them forever.”
I really love this book. The author is simply telling about her experiences and encounters but it really feels as if I’m experiencing it with her. I love it so much that I finished the first part already. Margaret Feinberg visits a shepherdess and watches her tend to her sheep. And from this experience, she draws parallels...
3 tags
God is good.
All of my life, I watched my parents love the church, sometimes more than they loved me. With bitterness in my heart, I asked “Why? How? Am I, your flesh and blood, less important than the church?” Then by God’s grace and mercy, He opened my eyes to a different perspective.
If my parents believe in and trust this God so much that they’d sacrifice their time, effort, and...
1 tag
Two pairs of jammies this year. Yay. :)
3 tags
Home.
I’ve been thinking about home lately. And it makes me wonder…what is “home” for me?
We’ve all heard the saying “home is where the heart is.” I must have many homes then since a piece of my heart lies in and with different people and places. It’s kinda funny how whenever people ask me where home is, I hesitate for a few good seconds. My eye doctor...
4 tags
Scouting the Divine.
This past weekend, my sister-in-law told me about the 7-hour long meeting she had with her ministry team for next year. She asked me if I missed it—the long meetings and seemingly endless planning. Quite honestly, I do.
Oddly enough, I had a meeting today at church with the girl I’ll be partnering with in my ministry to the Auburn Hmong Baptist Youth girls next year. And geez…I...
4 tags
Pajamas.
I really want to carry on mom’s tradition. And I’m pretty sure the other siblings want to do so too, especially those of us who were receivers of the tradition. My little brother has already talked to me about doing that this year.
It’s been a couple years since mom has bought us pajamas for Christmas. I think she stopped when us younger ones hit our late teens. But I will...
1 tag
3 tags
My heart beats for Jesus.
I know…that’s such a bold statement that one shouldn’t take lightly. But that’s the only truth that I know…the only longing that I have. I’m not perfect…no, of course not. Not even close. I just really love Jesus. And I trust and believe wholeheartedly that Jesus clothes me in righteousness so that I have no shame or guilt when I stand before the King. I...
1 tag
To love.
Reading through 1 John 4:7-12 this morning afternoon. It’s break…so I give myself permission to sleep to my heart’s content. ;)
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Pause. I remember writing about this so many years...
I just need a long, comforting hug.
And a heat pack. Or two. Or three. Or ten.
2 tags
Scars.
Injuries and cuts hurt but in time, they heal. The pain dissipates and the scab dwindles down to just a scar. But the mark it leaves behind…that stays for a while. Sometimes longer than we expect…sometimes longer than we would like. Sometimes forever.
When I’m left to think upon the things of my past, I remember those scars. The scars of my heart. Though the pain is gone and...
November 2012
10 posts
2 tags
Stay with me, Paris...
and I will love you for a thousand years…and a thousand more.
4 tags
Sun & Moon.
I choose Jesus. End of story. Beginning of Eternity.
“If you are the sun Then I wanna be the moon I wanna reflect the light that shines from you.”
3 tags
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Lord, thank you for the blessing of friends who, by sharing their lives with me, double my joy and halve my sorrows. Help me to cherish the friends you’ve given me and to become the kind of friend others will cherish: a woman who listens, encourages, and keeps confidences; a woman who knows how to laugh and how to cry, who is loyal, forgiving, and loving.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
4 tags
Secrets of the Vine.
Reading through old xanga posts and came across one that I liked so I thought I’d share. This was a lesson I learned in a Sunday School when I still lived in Denver. The Bible passage was John 15…about the vine and the branches.
1st secret of the vine: If your life bears no fruit, God will intervene and discipline you so that you will bear fruit.
2nd secret of the vine: If your life...
2 tags
Story time.
Let me share with you a story that a friend shared with me. [It’s not entirely word for word…just what I remember.]
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Imagine you have a pair of sunglasses. And you go to people with this pair of sunglasses in hand and ask them how much they’d pay for these sunglasses. Some people will look at...
2 tags
