Regenerate (day 11)

Today we had a nice breakfast... nice drive thru of Joshua Tree national park... and a nice dinner. Too bad we missed one of the planned activity which is to have a date ice cream at Shield's Date Garden. But who knew they close at 5pm!!! Guess this area is just full of old folks so they don't stay up so late? ;)

Oh well. But at least the pleasant surprise is that I got to watch a live F-1 race in the evening in the hotel room!!! That certainly wasn't expected at all!

Anyway, having a nice day aside, day 11 really is about repentance. So...


Lord, today I repent and choose to turn around and walk according to your word. I know that your Holy Spirit empowers me with your grace. And it is your grace which enables me to change. In the areas where I struggle, create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me so that there won't be any dirty thoughts nor will there be any sort of laziness. Help me to get connected to other believers who will support me in my transformation. I desire for every aspect of my life to reflect you! In Christ's name. Amen.

(Psalm 51, ???lbs, $???)

Regenerate (day10)

Today has been a relaxing day. Driving to Palm Springs, spent some time at the outlet with wife and then had a nice dinner. The wine we had over dinner also made us very sleepy! ;) Weather is better than expected. Hopefully it'll get better tomorrow as we head to Joshua Tree national park.

Anyway, enough about the vacation. Today is suppose to be confession day!!!

Well, I think my main sin is just laziness. So a relaxing vacation suits me just fine, but may God help me overcome my laziness whenever some action is necessary! Besides action type sins, I think another thing I find annoying is having 'dirty thoughts'! I don't understand why they sometimes just pops in and distract me... possibly indirectly cause me to become lazy! Anyway, thank God that He has helped become more aware of my sins and help me change for the better. Thank God for giving me a wife who can help me have less dirty thoughts and she also help push me to get me off my lazy butt too! :D

Holy Spirit, search my heart. Expose my excuses, rationalization and rebellion and reveal to me any areas where I have been disobedient to your word. I know that as I confess these sins, you will forgive me. Thank you for continually help sitting me free! In Christ's name. Amen.

(Psalm 32, ???, $???)

Regenerate (Day 9)

Had a big lunch yesterday and looks like I gained a pound right away!!! Gas prices are shooting up quickly again... Sigh... hopefully I'm also growing bigger spiritually? ;)

Anyway, thankfully tomorrow will be the start of a mini-vacation to Palm Springs. Hope we'll have some fun experiencing nature, but with less rain!

Father, you have revealed yourself to me in so many ways. You are my savior, my provider, my healer, my shepherd. You are all powerful; nothing is impossible for you. So please don't let it rain so much when we're at Palm Springs? You are also good and can be trusted. You are filled with mercy and grace. With my entire soul I praise you. You alone are worthy of all praise. Hallelujah! In Christ's name. Amen

(Psalm 148, 171.4 lbs, $4.219)

Regenerate (Day 8)

Today on an video game forum I actually answered somebody's questions regarding 'marriage'. Not sure if the person is afraid of marriage or just wondering if marriage is the next step or what. Anyway, hopefully my advise based on experience can be helpful. ;)

Wife and I haven't had any major fights lately. However, there are certainly still room for improvement of course. Hopefully God can regenerate both of our lives and our marriage!

Lord, today I want to be real with you. You know where I struggle. You know what I do not understand. I know I'll continue to struggle and perhaps never completely understand until the day I die. However, I open my heart to you. I look to you fully assured that you hear my prayer. I put my hope in you for you are faithful, for you are able and you are good! I hope that you'll help me live a life that's pleasing to you... and to have a marriage that can bring glory to your name. In Christ's name. Amen!

(Psalm 61, 170.2lbs,$4.139)

Regenerate (Day 7)

Funny that I found this video of deer(elk) panting for stream(puddle) of water today! Look at that cute animal being so joyous when he found what he longs for! :D



Lord, I ask that you'd continue to put that longing for you just like that deer longs for water. Please also prepare me for what lies ahead. I want to be renewed. Correct me in areas where I am trusting in people or things rather than in You. You are the source of true joy and your way is higher than my way. So I quiet my self before you, that I might hear your Spirit speak to me. I am open for you to do your work in my life. In Christ's name. Amen

(Psalm 37, 170.4 lbs, $4.139)

Regenerate! (Day 6)

Got super busy at work for a while... and then got real sick for the past weeks... thought the lemon water was keeping me form sickness for a while when I see co-workers getting sick left and right..., but finally the flu virus got a hold of me. Anyway, thank God that I'm feeling much better now.

Also Pastor Jim started a new 'regenerate' campaign! It's suppose to be a 40day fast and prayer thing until Easter. I'm already 5 days late..., but better late than never I suppose! Another thing I'm not really sure of is what to sacrifice out of my life for the next 35 days. Perhaps just a bit of sleep to wake up earlier each morning to keep up with my devotions daily... ;)

For the first 6 days, we're suppose to yearn, desire and crave God and allow God to stir up that longing for Him so that regeneration can take place.

I do long for God, but to be frank, not really as the deer pants for streams of water. Also found this video... showing the Kimyal Tribe in Papua, Indonesia receiving their first ever NT Bible! Their emotion and longing to finally receive God's Word in their native language..., wow, that really puts me to shame.



So yeah, starting from today, may God stir my soul to have the same amount of longing for Him! Reading and meditating in His Words in multiple translations! :D

Lord Jesus, today I place all my hope in you. I am confident that you will hold me fast through the storms of life. I can hope in you because you are faithful, able and willing to fulfill every promise you have made. Therefore, I will trust you with all my heart. I also pray that you deliver the Japanese people to be safe from harm too! In Christ's name! Amen.

(Psalm 42, 172.8 lbs, $4.119)

Amazing story...

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What an amazing and heartwarming story of a modern day prodigal son, lost to drug abuse... and then found his way back in a dramatic fashion.

Here's hoping that the guy truly repented and is faithfully following the Lord! Otherwise his instant fame might cause his life to screw up again...

Anyway, another somewhat amazing story is that it seems that my own commitment plan is working. Haven't fought with wife for a while now. It's interesting that Pastor Jim said we ought not make any promises, because it's just so easy for us humans to break our promises... We ought to just make a commitments! If you screw up? Hey, repent and commit again and agian and again! Quite honestly, I haven't committed 'perfectly' to my commitment plan so far, but since wife sees my genuine effort, she's also willing to let go of her perfectionistic attitudes too. I'm also trying to have my parents try this out..., they are still reluctant, but hopefully their relationships will improve too!

Last week, Pastor Dawn also spoke about we should leave behind 3 things in the past year in order to move forward:
1) excuses,
2) resentments, and
3) shame.

It really seemed like 1 is for me, 2 is for my wife and 3 is for Akiang. ;)

Yes, no matter what happens, we're going to commit to do what is right and what pleases You!

1King8
⁵² “May your eyes be open to your servant’s plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you.

And may we also have some amazing stories of our own because of You! :)

(1king7-9, 170.0 lbs, $3.459)