Fly

In times when I have a chance to quiet my mind from a busy week or weekend, I often think back on what has happened over that period of time.

I attended an awesome conference called, "IF: Gatherings", a ministry that inspires and equip women of today's generation.  It was actually a stream from Austin, TX, where my local church Mosaic Church Charlotte hosted a group of about 70 women to watch the stream.

Throughout the conference, the story of Joshua and Caleb was told, intermingled with stories from women who have had their struggles and victories that relates to the Joshua/Caleb story.  In the Book of Joshua in the Bible, the Hebrews finally made it to the borders of the promised land.  A leader of each tribe of Israel went out to scope the land.  When they came back, they described the land flowing with "milk and honey" but 10 of the 12 then said there were giants, that the Hebrews should stay.  This brought moaning and groaning amongst the people, but Joshua and Caleb said, "Nope, let's go charging in."

Once they came in, the first obstacle was getting through the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6).  God said to Joshua to tell his people to march around the walls once a day, for 6 days, while the priest are blowing trumpets.  On the 7 day, march around it 7 times, and then after the march on this day, Joshua commanded them to shout.  The walls of Jericho came tumbling down, as the song goes,

After taking over the Promised Land and defeating many of the "giants", Joshua chapter 24 talks of the renewing of the covenant with Israel.  Many times in the Bible, an altar is built simple of laying of big rocks or stones.  So, towards the end of the conference, each woman were given a stone and we were told to write whatever God has laid on our hearts.  "What is your next step of faith?"

So, the word that God gave me was "fly".  God is telling me to fly with faith.  There is a story behind it.  Over Christmas and New Year, my dad, brother, and I flew to Hong Kong to visit family.  We arrived on December 26th and then two days later, an airplane crashed between Indonesia and Singapore into the sea.  Flying back to the United States over a week later, I was scared.  We were flying over China, Russia, and close to the North Pole (icy waters) before flying over Canada and then to the United States.  17 hours in an airplane is a long time.  I've never been afraid of flying until that day we were flying back.  After landing in Newark, NJ, I felt a bit relieved but also very very sleepy.  I thank God that we got to the United States safe.

When I was sitting at IF: Gathering, God told me to write "fly" on my little rock.  It became clear what He was telling me.  God said, "If I have kept you safe on a long flight from Hong Kong to the U.S., I will keep you safe if only you fly with faith."  Sometimes faith has to be childlike.  I used to love going on trips and getting on the airplane.  I used to love flying.  I had no fear of the plane possibly crashing into land or sea below.  (Matthew 18:2-4)

I ask God, "Where am I flying to?"  No answer yet.  Just fly... Praying that God will show me where to fly next.

Mixed Religion: Perspective of Growing up Agnostic (Part 1)

Wandering through my 30's as a single adult, I tend to take have time to think and reflect back on certain aspects of my life that shaped me into the way I am today. As most of you know, I am still single. Not married. Nowhere near it, I think. So, I find myself sometimes with a lot of time to just think...

In my latest thinking, I always wonder, "If my mom is from a Christian background and my dad is from a Buddhist background, how did I end up to be where I am?" There are many points in my life that could have steered me in other directions. I could have been completely atheist. Or just agnostic like my parents. As you see, both my parents were never religious people. My mom came from a Christian background and my dad came from a Buddhist background. I think at some point in their 20's, they stopped practicing their respective faith. Well, I remember my dad will do something on Chinese holidays but nothing like I would say "religious".

I remember as a 7 or 8 year old, "Where did I come from? How did I get here?" I had many metaphysical moments growing up, questioning about existence, if what I'm seeing is real, if any of the religious stuff was what they say. I used to be very melancholy about my life, always wondering what my purpose is, always thinking I was meant for so much more than just studying in school, making the grade, getting into a good college and getting a good job. I've always been fascinated by religion though, and I always knew then that there is a God...

When I was in college, I became a Christian. One of the lessons I've learned early on in a conservative church was from this verse from the Bible: "Don't be yoked by unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14). In the case of a young student in college, specifically, don't date or marry someone who doesn't believe in God and Christ. In a very post-modern explanation of Corinth, which the letter was directed to, Corinth was messed up. The Ancient City of Corinth was a metropolis and a meeting point of trade routes between the East and West. Paul had his ministry in Corinth for about two years and saw many converts. But because it's a big melting pot of different backgrounds, it was full of misuse, misinterpretation, and church divisions. Paul, the author of both 1st and 2nd Corinthians, laid it on them in many ways, including the verse in the above paragraph. (There are many other letters from Paul that were much more softer in tone but it depends on what that city was going through... Paul purposely wrote to each of these regions and cities based on what the city was going through; each letter from Paul was not the same in content and tone.) Judging from the letter to the Corinthians, these folks were probably involved with the wrong crowd that were pulling the young Christians away from their initial zealous faith. This verse really speaks to the Christians as in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

I think I get the point. Don't hang around bad company. Don't be influenced by the world's

standards. Yet, you have to acknowledge that there are many couples, married, dating, or in a union, who have come from vast backgrounds and just made it work, just like my parents. There are a number of so-called Christian couples who have had their marriages fell apart and they eventually divorce. 

(To be continued...)

The Art and Heart of Traveling

Most of the time, I love traveling.

I think I inherited this love from my parents.  My mom went to Australia when she was in her early 20's and then later immigrated to the U.S.  My father lived in South America for a time before coming to the U.S.  I have been up and down the East Coast, and a few spots in the West Coast.  I have been to and through places like China, S. Korea, Israel, and Canada (yes, of all places).  I was born in another country, Hong Kong!

It is sometimes a challenge to travel.  Jet-lag, early mornings, delayed flights, figuring out transportation, and getting sick can really stress a person.

But one thing God has taught me on my endeavors is to find a center.  What is my purpose here, besides working or having a vacation?

I realize over the past several years that no matter where I go, I always find kind-hearted people.  God made us relational people.  We seek ways to connect with people, even when we're in a strange land with strange people.  But you realize, these people are not so strange or weird as they seem.

For instance, my travels this time took me to Portland, OR.  This is probably been said as the capital of "weird".  There is even a dedicated saying or group "Keep Portland Weird."

I wandered downtown of Portland with my colleague/friend over the past weekend.  I saw some interesting culture here.  But the first thing I felt when I first stepped out of a train into Pioneer Square is, "Wow, this place really have some kind-hearted people" without having met anyone yet.  Sometimes I can feel the energy of the people.  There are some places I have been where I can discern, "This is a pretty depressing place."

My discernment has proved me correct over the past few days of being here.  People here are truly nice and friendly.  In some ways, it puts the South into shame.

God made us in the image of Him (Genesis 1:27).  When you put that in perspective, and take to heart that God loves us and He wants us to love people, you begin to see the heart of people the way God sees them.  I often tell my friends, "God loves you no matter what/if you..." then I insert whatever they are going through.  It's the truth I learned and to show that Christianity is not about rules, it's about connecting and having relationships and finding true beauty in the friendships that you build.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." ~Colossians 3:12~

Why I don't want a wedding and other untraditional things...

The Non-Wedding

Just like most girls, I once had this dream of my wedding.

What dress I will wear.

What colors I will have.

What flowers will I used to decorate.

What kind of cake I want to eat.

But attending many weddings in the past many years, I suddenly realize something: No matter how big or small, how much money was poured in, how much drinking and dancing were to be had, I only had fond memories of only probably three weddings.  And I have attended a lot of weddings.  Sure, most of them were fun.  Some of them were terrifyingly boring or too emotional for me.  One was just downright awkward.

I have thought it through over the past year or so.  I realize, why spend $10K to $30K on a wedding

I'm eloping...

But I am throwing a small wedding party after the elopement.  ;-)

Bottom line: It's about the marriage.  I realize I shouldn't care about the dress.  It will disappear one day.  Nor the cake.  That will get eaten.  The flowers will wilt.  The table clothes will get soiled and used for another event.

But one thing I do want to last is the marriage.  It's a strange relationship between man and woman, husband and wife.  It's an interesting relationship.  As Paul wrote, "This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." ~Ephesians 5:32-33~ Paul knew the struggles between husband and wife.  Women easily love.  Men easily respect.  Why would Paul write that a husband should love his wife and that a wife should respect?  It's hard.  Men don't easily love.  Women don't easily respect (except for Aretha Franklin - R.E.S.P.E.C.T.!).

Engagement Ring

I never liked diamonds.  Yes, they are nice and shiny,but clear and white (and kind of boring to me).  But once a upon a time, they were not valued as they are now.  I also have this fear that I will receive a blood diamond.

You know what kind of rock I want?

An amethyst!  It's purple.  I always like it.  If it's lined with Swarovski crystals, I'll be happy.  :)

Hint to men: It doesn't cost as much as a diamond ring, I swear!

The After Party

Forget the schmancy stuff.  Since there is no wedding, there is no real reception.  But there will be a party, none-the-less.  With wings and beer and bar food.  Beers all around.  And wine.  And maybe a cake, I don't know.  :)

Okay, maybe one traditional thing: The Honeymoon

Yes, I want to go to Hawaii.  And this is not a SNL skit.

Let's spend that $10K on the honeymoon.  Get a nice expensive hotel.  Drink all the wine we want.  You know, honeymoon stuff.

Okay, now that I got this out of my chest... :)

My Thoughts on Diseases

Before the Fall of Man, Adam and Eve literally lived in paradise.  God gave them everything: food, shelter, the whole world.  But one tree they could not and should not have eaten from, they ate the fruit from that tree.  Planet earth started to spiral from that point to what we have today.

Ebola and Other Diseases

Ebola has devastated West Africa for much of 2014.  So far, about 3000 people have died since the beginning of this year.  And many more will die from this.  But this is not the only disease that has threatened and killed people.  There has been polio, small pox, the bubonic plague, and even the flu virus.  Why are there so many diseases?

Let's start from the beginning.  Adam and Eve were just two people.  I bet the plants were not grown in crops and animals were running freely in fields.  No diseases exist yet.  Then they ate from the tree and all things fell apart.  They are to eventually die and return to the earth.  

Women are to give birth in pain, men are to toil the soil to grow their crops.

Then civilization happened.  People started to live in close quarters, in towns and cities, forming counties, states, countries, kingdoms.

People ate the crops they grew, and the animals they raised in farms.

Then diseases began to pop up.  You see this throughout the Old Testament.

It is a far cry from the paradise that God had initially given us.  People were spread out.  I am sure they were vegetarians too.  Here is an excerpt from Genesis 1:

God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so. God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (Genesis 1:28-31 NASB)

Notice God didn't say, "I have given you animals as food."  Just plants.  And the animals are to eat the plants too.

I have this thought for sometime that while diseases originated from the fall of man, it is people living closely together that has accelerated the spread of disease.  People have to farm the land and raise animals as food, depending on each other.  As it is evident in West Africa, diseases can spread very quickly if people live close together.  Raising livestock can also pose an issue as animals can carry diseases that can leap to people.

If people live in the forest again and just live off the natural land, I wonder if this will slow down diseases?  You can see also in history that Native American had little diseases as they often live more spread apart before the Europeans came.  Europe was termed more advanced in civilization but also carry a lot of diseases.  

Conclusion: I am going to find an island far far away...