I'm sorry that I've been distant, I'm sorry that I've pushed you away...

Just like the title says...I'm sorry I've been distant, I'm sorry that I've pushed you away...This summer I've done just that. When I say "you" above there, I mean my "sauga friends." I mean it's not a secret, several people have approached me about it lately. I've thought about some things in life and there were just so much going on this summer that I didn't plan too much. Not that I spent Saturdays at home, bumming around doing nothin, NO!! I actually spent a lot of time w/ Burlington/Oakville friends this summer. Time well invested. One of my friends that I've known for three years, well what do you say? This is a friend of mine of three years but when I thought about it, how much do I really know? It doesn't matter when you first met and how long you've been "Friends", if you don't invest in the time to get to know someone...I realized that some of my other friends wanted to get together with me but I was always too busy for them or when I was free, they were busy. This was the case for my MAC friends. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I needed to find that equal balance. I needed to spend time with everyone. Trying to spend time with all my friends. With my friends at Church, I see a couple of them on wednesday nites, some on Thursday and some on Sunday with a few saturdays in there too. If I do the calculation right, that's almost half the week. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with you all, yet at the same time, that doesn't leave me much time to see my other friends in Burlington/Hamilton or my family.

On the otherhand, you can have tons of friends, but how many of them do you cherish? I mean, how many are "truly" your FRIENDS? Something I practiced this summer, spending quality time, investing in my friendships. Whether it's a BBQ, hiking, Jazzfest or any other activity, it was a way in getting to deepen the friendships. I can have tons of friends, but how many FRIENDS go beyond the "safe topics" the "surface" topics? How many will go beyond the call of duty, and give you a call when it's been awhile? How many will ask, can I pray for you? How are you doing spiritually? How many friends will remember what you like or dislike or one of your previous conversations? You can have tons of friends, but how many of those will stand beside you when no one else will? How many friends will ask, I'm concerned about you, are you ok? Something's wrong? How many will stand by you, even though you've pushed them away? Some may not know what I was went through, stress among other things, but it's great to know that you've been praying for me. That's what TRUE friendship is about...That's my definition of a close friend. What is yours?

What is the definition of a TRUE FRIEND? Someone who's dependable, lovable, humble and gentle, be yourself... Am I missing anything? TRUE FRIENDS are not afraid to ask, what's wrong? Something is a "bit off" or you seem distant, why is that? TRUE FRIENDS will tell you how they feel, guide you, give advice when appropriate and care about your well being. He/She will say, let's sit down and pray together and how are you doing spiritually?

What is your definition of a TRUE FRIEND?

A Sharing...

This past week, one of my old Sunday School students MSN me. He was one of my students since he was in GR1. "Uncle Ben" and I and "Auntie Irene" used to teach him as a child and the other children in Children's Church. For me, I didn't realize at the time the impact I had on the children. My goal, to teach the kids crafts and songs and survive the hour. That was then...

Years later, I taught this student again but now in GR3, 4 and 5. Yes, I taught this class three years in a row. As they were growing, I grew with them. At that time, I was in Post-Secondary...I enjoyed teaching young children about God. Back then, I did not see the seed that I planted into these children. I was just teaching them the basics about God, about His creation and His love for us. I hoped they would remember something I taught these children...

Again years later, we're now in September 2006. A lot has changed. That same student and his friends that I once taught are now in GR9. Wow, time sure flies. I'm starting to feel old now...(LOL)and I'm only in my 20's. This past week, "BH" shared with me that he missed me and asked when I was coming back to Church(HCAC)? Politely, I answered, I miss you all too, you have all grown into the "teenage" years. Since I left in the year, my brother has told me how BH has grown over the years, and with more Christian influence, the right guidance, direction, I will see his baptism one day.

When I think back, he is not the same little BH that I taught back then but to see the young adult that you now have become, I am proud of you. I pray that you continue to seek the Lord, to learn about Him...Learn to put all your Faith into Him. "Less of us, More of Him"

Coming to the Table

This is the theme for the conference at Toronto Chinese Methodist Church this Friday September 15th at 7:30pm.

"People come to the table to talk, to share a meal, or to just discuss ideas. God's people need to come to the table too, a common table, to be united in the pursuit of God and His purposes. The idea of the coming together of people, churches, and ideas, to a common place and spirit. "


"Within our Asian churches are many different kinds of leaders, different cultures, and different perspectives on the how the church should be run. Our diversity may seem like a challenge, but it is also an opportunity to unify under the common banner of our triune God. This conference will explore how it is that church leaders within Asian churches can better cooperate and realize our purpose in Christ as individuals and churches. This is not unlike the ongoing goal of the Tribe of Issachar which is to empower leaders within Asian churches. "

These are quotes taken from the website...Friday night I believe is the kickoff. If you can make it, you should go. There will also be music provided by SoleDrive, a CBC Christian Band, great music. For Directions and more info, please go to:http://www.tribeofissachar.org/table/default.phtml?type=info

Hope to see you all there.

Blessings.

Spiritual Lives over a cup of coffee

What a day!! Rain rain go away...come back some other day. Here in Burlington, the weather is just nonstop rain. Good for the grass, just bad when you have plans. Tonight, my friend and I went for a cup of coffee in the evening just to hang out and chill.

Honestly, it was great! Time well spent. Not very often do I get to discuss my spiritual life with friends. Not many actually ask about it either. There are a few friends where we do discuss about our walk with Christ, but it seems a lot of the conversations seem to be more on the surface...safe topics or not related at all. Like, what are your plans for the weekend? or did you hear about so and so?...or just general topics.

Tonight though, I had the opportunity to share w/ my good friend about what God is doing in my life.
1. How God is using YiFan and I in Children ministries at our Church. We both felt compelled to serve in this ministry.
2. How I'm in my comfort zone and how I am starting to move out of the "comfort zone"...It's true. How do I go do the "Great Commission" if I'm in my "comfort zone." It was great for him to encourage me=)
3. How time is precious and life is short...making time to spend it w/ everyone not just a certain group.
4. My focus and priority should be God as#1. Nothing less, as he deserves the best and all my attention. At "Havest Bible", I believe the theme they had was "Less of us, more of Him"...I guess I'm at a stage in my life where all my friends are starting to get married, engaged or coupling off and there is pressure on me too. Why am I sharing this? I'd be denying the truth if there was no pressure. BUT the important thing here is where is my focus? My focus should be on God...everything happens for a reason. Earlier this year I'll admit that I've been distracted...My priorities weren't in order. The things that matter most to me, I've either pushed them away or ignore them. My daily devotions and wednesday night prayer meetings have brought me closer to God and to the brothers/sisters in the Church. It was this summer that I realized where my priorites should be.
5. My job may not be as demanding as yours and my life may not be as busy as yours...but I'm also busy w/ other work/Church/gym/etc...Some people see my life as well you can't be that busy, or my life is boring. BUT I tell you, my priorities have shifted...I want to spend more time w/ the people here where I live...also meet new people as well. Does this mean I won't hang out w/ the same people every weekend? Probably so...I'll still hang out w/ them from time to time but right now...or should I say, I enjoyed my weekends in August. I think I've only hung out once or twice on the weekends...not as much as I used to. It used to be 3-4x a week that we all hang out. Maybe some don't even notice the drift. You said it right..."Out of sight, Out of mind." Just like you said...if you're friends are in Toronto, and you're outside of the GTA, they tend to forget to include you at times. The same goes for me. I don't live in Sauga, so obviously, people make their own plans or tend to be closer to those that live closer to them. Like we discussed tonight, would our lives change if I moved to Sauga and you to TO? Our jobs may change, lives may change, but I don't think that I'd be much closer to my friends. If I move out there, it wouldn't be just for my friends...there'd better be a better incentive.

Overall, I must say we had a great chat. I pray that no matter where God leads us in our lives that we never forget each other...that we use our "gifts" to glorify God...people come and go in our lives, there imprints are left in our hearts but those we cherish will never say goodbye, rather until we meet again.

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Thanks and God Bless!

When you are dissappointed in others...

A couple of my friends are going through this...I myself have gone through this recently too. Yes, it does hurt, but it hurts because you care about the other person(s). If you didn't care about your friends, than why should it matter if he/she hurt your feelings right? You and I also hurt because we're human, it may be harder to tell them how you feel, or how dissappointed you feel...I myself have seeked this advice from JP, yet I still have yet told my friend that I'm dissappointed in him/her. One day, we will have the conversation, but now that it's a month later, is it worth mentioning? Is it better to just forget it and move on w/ my life?

One of my gf's mentioned to me, is FOCUS on God...What would Jesus do? WWJD... Don't lose focus on the one person that loves you no matter what you did/do/or will do and that is God. Often times, we put our hope and expectation on others and when the person doesn't fulfill or meet that expectation you feel really dissappointed, gloomy. Instead, you know that "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"(Romans 3:23) redirect your focus and attention to God. Find God's purpose for you and live it to the fullest. You know that because no one's perfect, friends will hurt you. If it didn't hurt, than maybe the friend wasn't who you thought he/she was.

Options:
1.Pray for God's guidance, His wisdom to lead me...
2.Maybe it's confront this "friend(s)" and move forward...it's easier when the other party knows.
3.Say nothing, forgive the person and move on w/o telling him/her.

I personally am leaning towards option3...This of course, is my natural reaction/answer. I know that it should be option1 first, yet at the same time, I am leaning towards #3, becuase I don't want the Friend to feel ackward after this discussion. In the past, I've done all three options to different people.

Let me pray about this before I say anymore...


Some passages:
-Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
-A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. (Proverbs 20:19)
-A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret (Proverbs 11:13)