LifeChurch

Many professional athletes are naturally role models to many children who want to be like them.  Thus, they should feel “extra” burdened to behave in a way that young people will look up to both on and off the field.

Unfortunately, some professionals don’t seem to be aware of how much influence they have.  A recent case was Astro first baseman, Yuli Gurriel, who racially insensitive gesture during World Series game.  Whether it was a World Series game or not he should have been more careful in how he behaves.  As the picture shows, a young person imitated the same thing whether he understands what that gesture means or not.   Kids tend to look up to adults and imitate.

I am reminded of what the Lord told Moses to inform Israelites in Deut. 6:7, “Impress them on your children.”  That word, “impress” has been challenging me.  I have to reflect and see how my children are “impressed” by how I live and conduct myself.  The previous verse tells us what we ought to “impress” our children with and that is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind.

What are you “impressing” on your children these days?  I pray and hope that we would “impress” our children how we should behave with common courtesy, use common sense, and show respect to others especially those who are different than ourselves.

Have a blessed week!

I have seen some “dumb” warning signs in my life.  In the past, I have posted some of those “funny” and “dumb” signs on my facebook page.  For example, this is the one (clothes hanger) you probably have seen, too.

So I wondered, why people have to put up this kind of warning sign as if someone would actually try to swallow this coat hanger.  Nevertheless, there are so many “warning” labels and signs all around us because some people don’t seem to practice their “common sense”.

I see that in the Bible, too.  God had warned Israelites many times with signs but they were too foolish to learn the lessons.  God spoke and said in Num 14:22-23, “Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times — not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. (NIV)

The Israelites have seen many signs and yet, they ignored and acted foolishly which prevented them from entering the Promised Land.  I wonder if we are chuckling at these “dumb” signs around us but forgetting that we, too, are acting foolishly when it comes to God’s warning about how we ought to live.

I don’t know how much more God has to warn us before we pay attention to His Words.  I hope and pray that I would not become an example of someone who ignored God’s warning and faced terrible consequences.

Just a thought… have a blessed week!

The other day, I saw an old man spilling two hot drinks from his drink tray to the floor in Starbucks. The man seemed to feel sorry for the mess he made. Then, a young lady (a Starbucks employee) came and helped clean up the mess.  The man apologized for the mess and I heard her reply, “Oh no problem!  I am glad that you spilled those hot drinks on the floor than on yourself.”  Then, she got those drinks back to him (no charge of course).

She didn’t have to say that but that was very nice of her to say those kind and caring words.   I am certain she made that gentleman feel much better.
So as she was passing by me, I complimented her for her positive and kind attitude.  I hope I made her feel better!

It would be so nice if we treat one another with such positive and kinder words every day even in midst of challenges.

This story has been circulating on internet due to such a great story of love and hope.  I thought I would share it to encourage and invest in our relationship with our love ones.

Jimmy and Billie Breland got married in 1954.  The happy couple from Mississippi enjoyed 60 blissful years of love and marriage.  Their family grew and expanded from children to grandchildren.

Billie, a former public school teacher, was an avid note writer. She was known to leave messages and reminders to herself around her home in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Billie passed away on January 13, 2015 at the age of 83. Jimmy’s heart was broken in two.

Two days after Billie’s passing, Jimmy happened to notice a note tucked away in her checkbook. But this final handwritten note Billie left wasn’t for her… it was for him.

The second Jimmy plucked the note out of Billie’s checkbook, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

What a beautiful note full of hope and love found in those who believe in Jesus Christ!  I am not sure when I will die but this gives me an idea that I should think about writing a note/letter to my each family members reminding them of hope and reunion in Christ.

Have a blessed week!

By now, I am sure you have heard of the new mobile game called, Pokemon Go, that is taking country by storm.  Adults who grew up playing with pokemon when they were young are excited by their fantasy becoming virtual reality.  So young and old, many are playing.

For some reason creator of this game used many of pokemon “gyms” and “hotspots” locations are marked within local churches (our church is one of them).  Therefore, there are increased in visitors looking for pokemon to capture or battle with other players.  A number of articles are written to inform and deal with this new phenomena of people coming to church on their own because of Pokemon Go.  As one staff of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Joshua Clayton, said, “Somebody should write a thank you letter to the creators of this game!”  Thanks to Pokemon Go, thousands and thousands of people will know churches exist in their community.

I am not encouraging or discouraging people from playing this game, but I am glad that people are coming to church.  I just hope that they would get an opportunity to hear the Gospel while they are trying to capture pokemon.  In fact, I pray that their heart will be “captured” by Jesus Christ.

Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit will “capture” the heart of those players who come to church to “capture” pokemon!

One of the greatest soccer players of all time, Lionel Messi was sentenced 21 months in jail (though he might not actually serve) for tax fraud.  He is looked up to and admired by so many fans and this truly tarnished his reputation and character.

To avoid paying taxes on about 4+ millions euros, he ended up paying about 5 million euros (unpaid taxes plus interest).  From financially he may have not lost anything since it was due anyway, but he lost what is more important; his dignity, his reputation and his public persona which should be considered far more valuable.

Though Lionel’s father, Leo Messi, was the one who managed his finance, the court doesn’t believe Lionel Messi was unaware of his father’s fraud.  Whether it is true or not, his image has been tarnished… at least by me.

I am still impressed by his talent and skill, but I am sadden by what happened.

Just a good reminder for me as there are people who “look up to me” and respect me.  I pray that I would impress them with how much I love God and serve Him faithfully than my talent, money (which I don’t have enough to impress, LOL), degree or title.