Lesson Learned

One of the lessons learned from teaching children is that children are a direct reflection of their parents.

I'm not only talking about how "tamed" the children are or how they deal with situations, be it crying or throwing a temper. I'm also talking about their general demeanor.

Last week, I was able to meet some of the parents, and I could definitely see the resemblance not only in appearance, but in attitude. Some parents unabashedly yelled at their children and impatiently demanded from their children. Their respective children were the ones who threw tempers at me once in awhile and who had a strong sense of entitlement. Another child who is gentle and shy had a mom who was very apologetic and gentle as well. And another who is always calm had a dad that was exactly that.


Conclusions drawn:

1. Being a teacher is powerful, because although I don't have the influence of a parent, I spend more time with the children than their parents do. Kids catch on to attitudes quickly.

2. I need to be what I want my children to be.

3. Have I been reflecting my parents? Yes. Sadly, I reflect them more than I reflect my heavenly Father.

Thoughts?

m.i.l.l.i.o.n.a.i.r.e

May I Live Like I Owe Nothing And I've Received Everything.

-coined by our own Stevo.

Being unconditional

A lesson I've been learning as of late is "being unconditional."


Thinking of my dad, I never hear him say, "I've been paying your cell-phone bill, now what are you going to do for me?" He doesn't, because it's a gift--not a responsibility--from him. He does it willingly for us. He doesn't do it to play us like pawns or to somehow expect something (i.e., obedience) of us. He just does it and doesn't think twice about it.

Another example that has required a lifetime for my slow brain to understand is being unconditional in the same way. If I think that I've been patient with someone about criticisms, for example, then I would expect the same kind of forbearance and patience as I felt I have been exercising, at my turn of whipping out criticisms. But NO, this is not the case. That is not love. I cannot expect someone to treat me the same way that I feel I have been treating them, because that means I'm holding my perceived "righteousness" against them. What I mean by this is, I shouldn't feel entitled to righteousness, goodness, or what have you, because I've given these.


This is what love is: Not keeping a record of others' "wrongs." And especially for me, not keeping a record of my "rights" that I will use against others.

Ugh. Lesson I'm still learning.


We are forever indebted to Christ. And as long as we make Him our center, forgiving and letting go of our wants/entitlements becomes easier. Because we deserve so much worse.

We essentially gave up our rights when we decided to follow Jesus.

I love Luke 18:10-14, which compares the prayer of the Pharisee with that of the tax collector. As believers, we need to make sure that our focus is vertical and not lateral. Focusing on our position compared to God's rather than our position compared to those around us. Immeasurable disparity rather than finite technicalities.


So if my dad gives from his heart, or if I bear with someone, neither of us should expect anything back. Both should just think about loving that person. End of story. We don't have the right to even think that we deserve anything. Understanding our indebtedness to Jesus should help with that. And Jesus doesn't demand anything from us. He gives us a choice.
It should play the same way with us.

And my favorite verse of all time,

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (Romans 14:8)


Always indebted. I love that. It's freeing.

mM..Qualities in a man I look for

HAHA, the title is pretty ridiculous.

A friend recently asked me what girls look for in a man (whom they want to marry).

Hence, the list.
I might not be able to speak for every woman, but here goes:

-Teachable
-Slow to speak
-Open
-Open-minded
-Respectful and understanding of parents, regardless of how unreasonable they can be
-Willing to try new things
-Completely immersed in God and always seeking God
-Truthful
-Tactful/Appropriate
-Has initiative
-Sense of responsibility


These below fall under my personal likes category:

-Articulate (always find that attractive)
-Enjoys nature
-Tall and ripped. haha i'm totally kidding.


So what about you all? Qualities guys find important in girls and vice versa.
Enlighten me.

Parental love

I used to think my parents were controlling. And they probably were. But as I've grown up and as they've grown as parents, I've begun to understand their love for me.

It can easily be equated to one's relationship with God. You don't do things out of fear of being punished, but because you know that by following their instructions, you're trusting that they know what's best for you. Granted, they are unreasonable at times, but still, it's all about the trust. And trusting that they have your best interest in mind.

Long ago, I felt mistreated, imprisoned (literally could not leave the house), and felt like I was walking on eggshells around them.. And I still have this intrinsic fear that I'm going to get punished. BUT, they have calmed down a lot, so rather than speaking out of anger, they speak in a cool, stern and gentle fashion.

It's awesome that no matter what stage we're in and the new experiences that we need to learn to deal with, we all grow to be better (only if we're in the Lord).

I've come to respect my parents, and I still struggle in accepting what they think is best for me. But I've begun to understand them better. They've let go control and I've let go of resentment. Somewhat. haha

Anyways, I love my parents and they'd do anything for me.

Closing verses:

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."
(Deuteronomy 5:16)

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Colossians 3:20)

Happy early Father's day and a belated Mother's day! Wish them well!

On premarital sex and other pre-marriage issues

I remember having a conversation with a friend about premarital sex within a Christian context.

And sadly, I did not know what the Bible explicitly says about this topic--only what i've been shunned not to do by the church.

It seems there are many grey areas, BUT the Bible always answers:

http://www.faithforum.org/community/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2657

A Call to Persevere

On our trip to and fro Norcal, we (Jo, Lillian, and I) came upon 8 of these lovely "Beacon" signs. And here is one to the left of the text.

OK, I lie. We encountered 4 each way. But only Jo was awake to notice, every time we passed one.

Point is: We need to put together a vision statement. After constant discussion about the necessity to do so, there haven't been steps to progress this idea.

Prayer needed? Yes.

Remembering to piece together a coherent thought? Needed..Despite the busy schedule and humdrum life.

It is hard, but we can.

Here are a few anonymous entries to consider:

1) Preaching the word to bear fruit to the glory God.
Preaching the word(*1) to bear fruit(*2) to the glory God(*3).
*1: 2 Tim 4:2*2: Rom 7:4*2: Eph 2:10*3: 1 Cor 10:31

2) Living to spread a passion for His name and renown to all peoples.

Living to spread a passion for His name and renown(*1) to all peoples(*2).

*1 Isaiah 26:8*2 Matt 28:18

3) Living to spread a passion for God's name and renown to all people.

Living to spread a passion for God's name and renown(*1) to all people(*2).
*1 Isaiah 26:8*2 Matt 28:18

*On another note, I love finding "Beacon" anything. I must be in love with the name.

Here goes. It seems more representative of our church.