Year 2.9 was far better than the uneasy previous week. On Monday a friend 關 and I took Paul Lai and wife to 黃石碼頭 and Geopark, a place few locals knew about. On the day when it was raining like no tomorrow I was grateful to see sunshine twice, at Sai Kung for breakfast and after the 黃石碼頭 boat trip. We scraped afternoon plans because of the downpour and went to Kwan's place for high tea. Without him the day was wasted. Early dinner was with a buddy ruminating over work tensions.
Day 2 morning was with Paul and wife again but this time with pastor. The rest of the day was study, meeting and chat. The tensions were lowered but shimmering below the surface.
Wednesday was a packed day. I went through with a coworker his sermon coming Sunday, followed by preaching class after lunch. As soon as class was over, I visited the funeral parlor to pay respects to a group leader's mother. At night meeting I asked "Did all parties know," but was checked by a neutral "We work very closely" answer. On the way home a disgruntled person texted I was unfair to him, so we set up a meeting tomorrow.
Day 4 was a busy day. The morning study on John 20 made little headway. I was invited by interns for lunch and waited for my crunch talk at 3pm. It turned out to be a friendly and brotherly talk. I can only offer to pray for him daily as we settled matters. Next I talked to a grad who decided his calling is at TST. At night I treated a neighbor friend and his boy to homemade spaghetti.
Friday meetings began with pth staff. We are a very cohesive bunch, so the meeting was an hour short. After lunch I had a haircut from a coworker to remember Doris' loss one year two months the next day and then began in earnest for night devotion on Acts 4:32. Praise God it touched hearts and the day was over with prayer walk.
Day 6 was hand treatment followed by couples staff lunch. We are really gelling together for service. The afternoon was blurry and the night ended with splitting time between two pth couples groups.
Sunday was a shocker. There was a crowd waiting for the supermarket to open. A typhoon warning was in effect when I was swimming. I returned home to more than one hundred messages on coworkers chat group. All worship meetings were cancelled. On the pth side a young adult moaned, “Why in this hi-tech world can't we broadcast worship?” I asked a coworker if it was possible to do Facebook live. When he said yes I hurried to church before the weather was in effect. At church I bought breakfast for two, opened a departed coworker guitar case to practice and look for suitable songs to lead. In the meantime my coworker and speaker that day got Facebook live ready. At 11am I led worship songs, my coworker spoke and the worship ended with Lord's Prayer. All applauded our effort. At night I had dinner with neighbor and son because I got home earlier than usual over cancelled activities.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
July 25, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Year 2.8
Year 2.8 ended with a big relief. On Monday I met last minute with a leader to talk more about his recent retirement, vacation and leadership experience near where I got flowers for Doris that day. It was so hard to find time to get together except on my day off but I have appointments the next two Mondays.
Day 2 I finally finished my second last sermon to my Lent series entitled WHO'S IN CHARGE? ( MATT 26:57-68)
1. Defend Yourself Without Apology or Arguing (57-61)
2. Disclose Yourself Without Ambiguity or Arrogance (62-64)
3. Dignify Yourself Without Animosity or Anger (65-68)
My couples team had lunch with an intern and her friend. Noon meeting did not reap much. At night we had men's fellowship, where we have 12 men studying on Jacob. For the first time the younger ones outnumbered the adults.
On Wednesday I woke to a dream of buying something from a convenience store and losing my small cart along the way, tricked by vendors who persuaded me to accept a laundry basket in exchange. The worst part was that when I realized Doris was alone at home, I remembered Doris had passed away. I also had slight coughing. My preaching class was a breakthrough. At least the students could speak in bits and pieces. At night I found a popular cable drama series with bahasa subtitles.
Day 4 collective meeting was frank, direct and tensed. Many were given opportunities to say or write their opinion. I had to reschedule a seminarian appointment because of the four hour long meeting. At night I bought dinner for an USA friend who brought me a DTS T-shirt.
Friday was a busy day with pth meeting before lunc with seminarians. Later in the afternoon we had a two hour 預prestudy due the busy day tomorrow. I was so tired after the meeting that I slept, waking 15 minutes late for dinner with sister in-law before fellowship.
Day 6 The town hall turnout won over a lot of folks. The explanations were generally acceptable. The gaps were narrowed. The response from pth was good. After a drink I joined fellowship.
Sunday was a good day. Paul Lai blessed us with a wondrous message and later I attended a small group to support a leader who gave much of his service to the church. By the time I got home I was so tired that I napped half hour before dinner.
July 18, 2017
Day 2 I finally finished my second last sermon to my Lent series entitled WHO'S IN CHARGE? ( MATT 26:57-68)
1. Defend Yourself Without Apology or Arguing (57-61)
2. Disclose Yourself Without Ambiguity or Arrogance (62-64)
3. Dignify Yourself Without Animosity or Anger (65-68)
My couples team had lunch with an intern and her friend. Noon meeting did not reap much. At night we had men's fellowship, where we have 12 men studying on Jacob. For the first time the younger ones outnumbered the adults.
On Wednesday I woke to a dream of buying something from a convenience store and losing my small cart along the way, tricked by vendors who persuaded me to accept a laundry basket in exchange. The worst part was that when I realized Doris was alone at home, I remembered Doris had passed away. I also had slight coughing. My preaching class was a breakthrough. At least the students could speak in bits and pieces. At night I found a popular cable drama series with bahasa subtitles.
Day 4 collective meeting was frank, direct and tensed. Many were given opportunities to say or write their opinion. I had to reschedule a seminarian appointment because of the four hour long meeting. At night I bought dinner for an USA friend who brought me a DTS T-shirt.
Friday was a busy day with pth meeting before lunc with seminarians. Later in the afternoon we had a two hour 預prestudy due the busy day tomorrow. I was so tired after the meeting that I slept, waking 15 minutes late for dinner with sister in-law before fellowship.
Day 6 The town hall turnout won over a lot of folks. The explanations were generally acceptable. The gaps were narrowed. The response from pth was good. After a drink I joined fellowship.
Sunday was a good day. Paul Lai blessed us with a wondrous message and later I attended a small group to support a leader who gave much of his service to the church. By the time I got home I was so tired that I napped half hour before dinner.
July 18, 2017
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Year 2.7
Year 2.7 was not an ideal one professionally. On Monday it was raining as I got flowers for Doris. Later I found out that the flowers were sprayed rather than natural, such a shame. No matter how I try, my Lent series is slowing to a snail's pace, not for the lack of effort. It is very hard to understand the full dynamics of Jesus' trial under Caiaphas (Matt 26:57-68 ).
Day 2 At work we examined the merits of using the Revised Chinese CUV Bible for the whole church. The compromise is coworkers and putonghua worship can choose their own text. At lunch I joined the summer interns welcome lunch.
On Wednesday I went through with a coworker his Sunday sermon, and his passionate illustration touched me. At lunch I greeted a friend and the sixty three years old told me he was let go from his job. Still, he was passionate about his continuing education. After lunch the interns joined us for preaching class for the first time.
Day 4 I took a young AV guy for lunch a day short of his birthday. It was the least I can do for his help at church and doing Doris' videos. Today I officially finished revising Grammar Bible, hoping to put out an app in the future. On the bus home I bumped into Douglas and Chou and joined them midway through their dinner in my prayer walk.
On Friday I had to forsake my quiet morning for a meeting and attend night fellowship as well. In between was hard for a buddy, so we went out for a drink. There is nothing one can do when elephants rumble. At night I had dinner with Doris' sister and her husband before fellowship.
Day 6 It was a rainy day when I went to Causeway bay to pray for a friend's new store. Lunch was with a former deacon before a pth meeting and the rest of the afternoon a group of us were trying to cheer a coworker and one another. There was no stomach for food until after fellowship.
Before Sunday sermon a song 奔跑不放棄 already touched me. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3tNKXsR-H_E
The message by a new hand speaking putonghua worked out well with his high energy making up for lacking language skills. Later I attended prayer meeting that Doris favored. At night I ate with thankfulness the food sister in-law had prepared and the soup a leader gave.
July 11, 2017
Day 2 At work we examined the merits of using the Revised Chinese CUV Bible for the whole church. The compromise is coworkers and putonghua worship can choose their own text. At lunch I joined the summer interns welcome lunch.
On Wednesday I went through with a coworker his Sunday sermon, and his passionate illustration touched me. At lunch I greeted a friend and the sixty three years old told me he was let go from his job. Still, he was passionate about his continuing education. After lunch the interns joined us for preaching class for the first time.
Day 4 I took a young AV guy for lunch a day short of his birthday. It was the least I can do for his help at church and doing Doris' videos. Today I officially finished revising Grammar Bible, hoping to put out an app in the future. On the bus home I bumped into Douglas and Chou and joined them midway through their dinner in my prayer walk.
On Friday I had to forsake my quiet morning for a meeting and attend night fellowship as well. In between was hard for a buddy, so we went out for a drink. There is nothing one can do when elephants rumble. At night I had dinner with Doris' sister and her husband before fellowship.
Day 6 It was a rainy day when I went to Causeway bay to pray for a friend's new store. Lunch was with a former deacon before a pth meeting and the rest of the afternoon a group of us were trying to cheer a coworker and one another. There was no stomach for food until after fellowship.
Before Sunday sermon a song 奔跑不放棄 already touched me. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3tNKXsR-H_E
The message by a new hand speaking putonghua worked out well with his high energy making up for lacking language skills. Later I attended prayer meeting that Doris favored. At night I ate with thankfulness the food sister in-law had prepared and the soup a leader gave.
July 11, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Year 2.6
Year 2.6 was a stable week with not much fanfare. Monday was a packed day. With a seminary graduation at night in mind I ate lunch locally, took a walk, went to swim and nap a while before I headed out. It was a fun and enjoyable night, ending before 9pm for pictures.
Day 2 After attending a seminary graduation I dreamed of returning to teach. I woke up thinking of recruiting two coworkers before realizing it was a dream. At office I worked feverishly on my coming Sunday sermon after speaking just two days ago. For the first time coworkers were encouraged to share freely their thoughts on the ruling and how it was handled. It lasted till 515pm, two and a half hours. At least most spoke their mind. At night I finally finished Luke 7:11-17 TRIP TO NAIN
1. Seek His Solace (vv11-17)
2. See His Sacrifice (v 14)
3. Speak His Splendor (vv 15-17)
On Wednesday I woke to a dream that Doris and I were renting in an upscale neighborhood and I was asking around where to buy her quality food to eat. Doris was looking forward to good food for her body. She said 早點吃 早點好返. Wine was also served. The preaching class had fun working on Phil 2:4-11.
Thursday was panic time. I prepared the wrong message, and so I had to work harder on translation. It was not so bad because I had preached two thirds of the passage seven years ago! It was a dull and hot day at the office, so I try to sit cozily at the lobby for better air conditioning.
I was surprised Doris' pastor called me on WhatsApp Friday morning for a talk. He asked me a few questions because he was looking forward to retiring. A coworker bought lunch for me because a lot of good things were working out for him, which I had offered help. There was no night fellowship due to a fifth week, so I could do a rare Friday prayer walk.
Day 6 morning I had breakfast with Doris' two sisters, telling them how fellowship was working put for me. After breakfast I attended a church talk but the enthusiasm was not there. After the talk a coworker looked for me to talk. He was far better airing his feelings and thoughts out.
Worship Sunday came but I forgot my notes, so I had to spend more time in the office preparing in the morning. All worked out well, closing out on the last chapter of Ecclesiastes.
July 4, 2017
Day 2 After attending a seminary graduation I dreamed of returning to teach. I woke up thinking of recruiting two coworkers before realizing it was a dream. At office I worked feverishly on my coming Sunday sermon after speaking just two days ago. For the first time coworkers were encouraged to share freely their thoughts on the ruling and how it was handled. It lasted till 515pm, two and a half hours. At least most spoke their mind. At night I finally finished Luke 7:11-17 TRIP TO NAIN
1. Seek His Solace (vv11-17)
2. See His Sacrifice (v 14)
3. Speak His Splendor (vv 15-17)
On Wednesday I woke to a dream that Doris and I were renting in an upscale neighborhood and I was asking around where to buy her quality food to eat. Doris was looking forward to good food for her body. She said 早點吃 早點好返. Wine was also served. The preaching class had fun working on Phil 2:4-11.
Thursday was panic time. I prepared the wrong message, and so I had to work harder on translation. It was not so bad because I had preached two thirds of the passage seven years ago! It was a dull and hot day at the office, so I try to sit cozily at the lobby for better air conditioning.
I was surprised Doris' pastor called me on WhatsApp Friday morning for a talk. He asked me a few questions because he was looking forward to retiring. A coworker bought lunch for me because a lot of good things were working out for him, which I had offered help. There was no night fellowship due to a fifth week, so I could do a rare Friday prayer walk.
Day 6 morning I had breakfast with Doris' two sisters, telling them how fellowship was working put for me. After breakfast I attended a church talk but the enthusiasm was not there. After the talk a coworker looked for me to talk. He was far better airing his feelings and thoughts out.
Worship Sunday came but I forgot my notes, so I had to spend more time in the office preparing in the morning. All worked out well, closing out on the last chapter of Ecclesiastes.
July 4, 2017
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