In Sunshine or in Rain

I was anything but an easy child. My strong-willed and stubborn character often got me into a lot of trouble. I still remember the tears of frustration I often shed when once again I had to be sent to my room. I thought life was totally unfair, and sometimes even wondered if my parents loved me. How could somebody who claims to love me, punish me so often? As a child it was so easy to forget all the wonderful things my parents did for me especially while being punished. How could I forget all the back rubs, family walks, story time, kitchen fun, and hugs I got so frequently? How could I forget the times my mom or dad would tiptoe into my room while I was on "timeout" and tell me that they love me? How could I forget how my parents sacrificed so much to make my life here on earth sweet and cheerful? Unfortunately we so often feel the same way about God as we may have about our parents. I truly don't enjoy rebuke, and being "refined". It is an uncomfortable, an...

Dear God, This morning I woke up with such an intense yearning to go back overseas. It is a yearning so deep that it actually makes my heart ache. Many people probably can't understand why I would be ever so glad and ready to swap the comforts our modern society for a humble abode overseas.( When I say overseas, I mean the mission field). My happiest memories are from the times when I had the least. Things don't make people happy... I am tired of the rat-race, and the striving after things that don't matter in the light of eternity. How can we get so comfortable, and forget so quickly why we are here in this world? When I see pictures of starving children, or of war-torn countries, I can't just turn my eyes away and pretend it does not exist. I have tried that, but it does not work, and I don't want it to. I KNOW hunger, hopelessness, abuse, filth, and ravaging diseases exist in many parts of the world. I have seen it with my own eyes, and those images ...

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24 How can faith grow if it is never tested? Today I had a little experience with God that means the world to me. I somehow managed to lose my phone this morning. I knew I had it on our way to church, but did not know if I had it once we got to church(we stopped on the way to pick somebody up, and I got out of the car.) Anyway, I searched the car, searched the church, but there was no trace of my phone. Well, by then I started to get a bit worried. I prayed and kept looking, but to no avail. All through the church service I kept thinking about my phone, but every time I wanted to worry I seemed to hear a still small voice telling me that everything was in the Master's hands, and that He would take care of me. After the church service, I kept asking around, and finally after potluck I had the chance to mention to the lady we picked up that I...

The other night I dreamt that somebody asked me what kind of man I want to link my life with someday. After thinking about it for a moment I replied: "A man who will stand for truth though the heavens fall." I then proceeded to tell the one who posed the question, that unfortunately there are not many men of that sort. Usually my dreams are not very logical, but this one was spot on! I know that just as in bible times, there are many who have not "bowed their knee to Baal", but sometime when I look around I wonder where they are. Where are the young men who will gladly give up fame, comfort, money, and worldly applause to go to the darkest corners of the world to work for Jesus? Where are the young men who still have a backbone-who know what they stand for and believe in? My heart is often saddened when I see this generation of men. Please don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, and I am not saying that there are no sincere and God-fearing men out there! I...