LifeChurch

Whenever I visit 99 Ranch or other Asian market, I notice buckets of full of crabs.  I heard that there is no need to put a lid on when there are more than one crab in the bucket because the crab that crawls to the top will be grabbed by other crabs.  Thus, no crab will escape!  This is known as the “crab mentality.”

We live in a world where we glorify only the winner.  The second place isn’t honored.  There is only one winner, one president of a country, and one champion.  Therefore, often people would use any means and methods to be that glorious ONE… applying “crab mentality.”  “If I can’t make it, neither can you” mentality.

One of the reasons why I like Jonathan in the Bible is that he was fully content being the supporting actor.  He was the son of the first king of Israel, Saul, but he was more than happy to support and help David as the next king.  I think our world would be better if we had more people like him.

Have a wonderful week!

A story is told of Shakespeare visiting a restaurant during lunch time.  He was served by a young man with great smile on his face during the entire time.

So Shakespeare asked him, “Why are you smiling so much?”  The young waiter replied, “Sir, it is because I am so thankful that I get to serve food in this restaurant.”

“How is serving food be so thankful?” Shakespeare asked with puzzled face.  Then, the young man answered, “By serving food, I get to serve important people like you.  I have been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this.”

There are 3 kinds of people in the world: 1) those who are ungrateful even if there are plenty of things to be thankful for; 2) those who are thankful only when there are good things take place; and 3) those who are thankful always even in midst of challenges and difficulties in life.

If we pause and think about it, it’s not that we have no reasons to be grateful but we forget to be grateful for the blessings we have received.  Hope you would listen to Matt Redman’s song, 10,000 Reasons and be reminded of the fact that we have 10,000+ reasons to bless and thank the Lord (in fact, I am listening this song as I am blogging) as you begin this week.  Have a wonderful week!

The price of name brand bags is continuously rising as well as the quality of counterfeit products.  I have seen both and couldn’t tell the difference until the differences were pointed out by an expert.  I guess it got to the point where unless you know what the original supposed be like, it is difficult to distinguish the originals from fakes.

This pastor’s corner has nothing to do with providing tips on how to tell the differences between the originals and fakes for I am not qualified to give those tips.  However, let me make some general observations between the original and fake products whether they are bags, clothes, jewelries, or electronics.

The original items sell by themselves because of the name.  Rather than practicality or functionality, the power is in the brand name.  They don’t offer coupons or give discount for seasonal sales.  Their detailing goes beyond visible area to every crevice and they are not reluctant to use the top quality materials.  The original name brand often backs their products with warranty.

On the other hand, fake (also cheap) products are screaming for attention.  They push flashy look, functionality and practicality more than the quality and brand name.  They imitate the areas that are visible but not so much in hidden areas.  Their purpose is to sell, thus, they don’t easily take responsibility after sale.  Not to mention, the price is lower, there are coupons, special sales, and offer various discounts.

One thing I have noticed these days is that there are increasing number of people who are begging for attentions through their possession, position, achievement, and looks.  They drive luxury cars, wear designer brand clothes, carry name brand bags, beautify themselves with jewelries and even have aesthetic surgeries to make them more attractive.  They definitely look great OUTSIDE but I wonder if they are well INSIDE.

David said in Psalm 62:5, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.”  He is the one who also said, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”  I believe David knew what real living is… finding happiness and contentment IN God only.  Let’s live the “real” life that God has intended from the Genesis.  Then, I am sure others can tell that we are “originals.”

Have a wonderful week!

One day a mother brought a bag of apples for her two sons.  She gave five apples to each of her son with some good apples and some bad ones.  The mother was curious to see which apple her sons would eat first.

The first son ate the best one of those five apples he received and the bad one the last.

On the other hand, the younger son did it very opposite.  He ate the bad one first and then the best one the last.

After careful observation, the mother called both of her sons and praised the older son.  She explained that the older son ate all his apples as best ones.  He ate the best one, then the next best one, then the next best and so on.  Thus, he ate the best apples!

However, the younger son ate the worst apple eating experience because he ate the worst one, then the next worst one, then the next worst one and so on.  He ate the worst apples when the older son ate the best apples even if they both ate same kind of apples.

I wonder how others would think of me… the first son or the second son?

We go through life and face similar problems and situations.  Even though we argue that “my” problem is bigger than others, we all go through similar stages of life with love, joy, pain, and sorrow.  Nevertheless, some would fine positive side in all circumstance as the older son picks the best in his given situation, others would complain and be critical as young son, sort to speak.

I pray that all of you would pick the BEST apple each day and make the most of your week and weekend!  God bless!

How would one measure the IQ of fish?  Some would say that fish has an IQ of 30-40 and some as low as 0.3.  One thing for sure, fish are not considered smart animal… maybe finicky but not smart.

For the longest time, I have been wondering, I am sure you did too, of why wouldn’t they ever learn from their peers.  Even if fish see others getting caught by bait and yet, they keep biting.  As their peers are fighting not to be “dragged” out of water, don’t they learn anything?  Is it really because their IQ is under 40?

If so, I am surprised by the fact that many smart people who have 100+ IQ would act the same as fish.  Very well educated politicians and businessmen witness their peers get caught for cheating, embezzling, and immoral acts and yet many would follow the same footstep.  I wonder if they have the IQ of fish.

On the other hand, Christians are no different.  We read about how Israelites were told to remember God’s provision and protection as they were led for 40 years and yet Israelites forgot and complained against God.  Because of their faithless and ungratefulness, they suffered in the wilderness.  We, too, are quick to forget the blessings and grace we receive from God and act ungratefully.  We read and hear sermons about examples after examples found in the Bible and yet, tomorrow we commit the same sin.  Why don’t we learn from the mistakes of others?  I wonder if we have the IQ of fish.

I pray and hope we would learn from one another’s mistakes and successes.  Life Church people… let’s ACT like people who have higher IQ than fish.

Have a wonderful week!

One day the Satan came to a young man and offered him a way to make a large sum of money.  He showed 10 bottles and said that of those 10 bottles, 9 bottles are filled with sweet water and 1 of them is filled with poison.  If he drinks the one with sweet water, then, the Satan will give him a large sum of money.

The young man told the Satan that there is no amount of money in the world he would risk of exchanging his life with and he declined the offer.  However, the Satan kept tempting him that he has 90% chance of making great sum of money.

The more the young man thought about it, it became appealing and so he justified himself that he would do it only once since he has 90% chance.  As he was trembling, the young man picked a bottle and drank it.

Fortunately, he picked the one that had sweet water and thus, he survived and received that large sum of money.  He told the Satan not to come again but the Satan immediately made an offer that if he would pick the “safe” one again then he would receive the twice the amount.

Thinking he could do it again since he had about 88% chance (since he was picking 1 out of 9 bottles), he did it again and made it safe.  Considering that it was easy money, the young man squandered all that came in spending on drugs, alcohol, and in debauchery.

The young man wasn’t even afraid of fear of death so he summoned Satan for more deals.

One bottle after another, there were only two bottles left.  Now it came to be a choice of “life” or “death”, 50%/50% chance situation for him… that was if he was to choose to play the game.  By this time, he has aged and was no longer a young man.  However, he decided to “bet” rest of his life one last time and picked up a bottle and drank it.

After drinking the bottle, he shouted with great excitement, “I’ve done it!  I have made all the right choices.  I am alive!  Give me the money, Satan!”

Looking at this man who was so immersed in himself, the Satan picked up the last bottle and drank it and said, “There was no bottle with poisoned drink from the beginning.  However, you have been poisoned with GREED and MONEY the moment you have played this game.  You are now dying of this poison.  You have lived your youth and opportunity for this temporal prize and lost the eternal blessing.  Now, you will be with me and suffer eternally.”

Jesus said in Matt. 16:26, “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?  Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”  I wonder if we, too, play this kind of game… maybe not with “life or death” bottles but more with “promise or prosperity” bottles.  I pray that we would choose the “living water” (John 4:10) over any bottled water/drink.

Have a wonderful week!