I took this humble photograph in October 2003 with my 3-month-old Canon 10D. Since I was still learning how to use my new camera, I must have moved, used the wrong aperture or shutter speed, or something, because if you click and enlarge the photo you can see how bad of a photo it actually is: purple fringing and most prominently–it’s blurry. Plus, it’s only 6 mega-pixels which pales in comparison to even no-name-brand modern point-and-shoot cameras.

- – -

In 2004, I remember giving my testimony at NYTS. Not many had signed-up yet, so during the counselor meeting I was volunteered. I shared how God had led me in my life so far. Up until then, I always knew I was not a good public speaker. I’m more of a writer–I grope for words in discrete bursts, not continuous streams. So, my concurrent thoughts often cripple my speech. During the testimony, I was hyper-conscious of how bad it was going–my speaking was again in spurts and sputters. Many “uhhhs…” and pauses, even mid-sentence, tainted my phrasing. The order of events was chaotic since I didn’t have time for a draft. It must have flowed horribly. An excruciating half an hour later, I finished with an abrupt conclusion since time was up.

Feeling relieved but dispondent, I remember thinking, God sorry that I did not do better. A stomach-ache crept in from all the nervousness and self-criticism.

But then came the miraculous take home lesson–the one I remember the most from NYTS 2004 while forgetting all the books and theology we covered those weeks. God taught me He can work in humble things, humble deliveries. Even if you think it sucked, and actually it may have really sucked, God can use something so broken for His good. During the remainder of the day, no less than 15 people came up to me and solemnly told me that they were really edified or could relate immensely with my testimony. With each person, God was telling me that He can work in humble things. I gave God thanks. Eloquence does not move people, but His Spirit does. What an amazing lesson.

- – -

Today I was asked again for permission to use this photo in a church publication. Of course I said yes. But I’m amazed time and time again how useful it is when in reality it is not a quality image at all.

You can see this photo at www.tjc.org, the “truth” roll-over. You can also see it in Manna 43. You can also see it in the 2009 TJC pocket calendars. You can also see it in a future publication…

Amazing. God and humble things. A little bit of 1 Cor 1:27 and 1 Cor 2:1-5.

[Read more →]

As a warm-up question for J2 class last Sabbath, I asked where was the weirdest place you’ve ever prayed? I suppose the students had not lived for many years or faced too many trials yet–the “weirdest” place was a mundane “at a summer camp dorm.”

The point of the question was to illustrate a fundamental characteristic of God that sometimes we overlook or under-appreciate: that God is spirit. Even as “believers,” sometimes we do not think of it as a reality–there’s a cognitive disassociation with the reality of things spiritual. Sometimes it really is hard to wrap our head around spiritual ideas and truly believe. But I sought to “prove” it from real life experiences students have already had. Little proofs like–what happened when you prayed at another True Jesus Church out of state, or out of the country? How many of you have had your prayers answered more than once? Our responses all prove that God is not limited by space, nor by time.

I’m reminded of when Esther (from Singapore) shared that she cried joyfully when she prayed with the members for the first time when visiting Queens church. (Indeed we have the same Spirit!) I’m reminded of Becky, David, and Daniel (Liu)’s testimony of even when they were struck by a car and unconscious, Becky clearly heard David and Daniel praying in tongues. I’m reminded of  Dn. Solgot’s eventful flight, that even God’s Spirit dwells with us tens of thousands of feet above the ground, in of all places, a plane.

(By the way, I remember praying in the bathroom of a plane once, when I flew to Taiwan in the summer of 2000).

God is Spirit; praise God! And that’s why He is our eternal refuge.

[Read more →]

On Saturday, when I was in the San Jose area, I went to the mall with Joyce and her mom. Apparently, every time she goes to the mall in California she gets a hot dog on a stick and a lemonade. (I think the chain is only found in California.) When I inquired further, she said it’s a fond childhood memory and tradition. She’s always done it since she was a little girl. Her face definitely lit up when she ate it.

When her mom reiterated this story a bit later, I started thinking about what foods I would definitely get if I were to go back to NJ. Though nothing from my childhood came to mind, the first thing that occurred to me was the grease trucks at Rutgers, haha. I think I can always eat a fat night. And since today I had a McDonald’s Fish-O-Filet, I’m reminded that if I were to go back to UIUC, I would totally get the Friday fish sandwich at Derald’s catering truck. So yummy. I guess I have an affinity to food trucks. Looks like they raised the price though. It was $3.50 when I was a student there.

Ah…to be a student again.

[Read more →]