Power of Vision, the 1st Youth Worship Message I Gave

After several dryruns and modifcations, I did it and I enjoyed the process to spoke to the 4S Church youth on "Power of Vision", based on 1 Samuel 40:31 "They who trust the Lord will soar with Eagle's Wings", drawing examples from Eric Liddell's life, his touching legacy in 1924 Paris Olympics and his 20 years in China Mission.

This is my very first Youth worship sermon.

It is based on this speech practice I gave to the Wed Sorrento Valley Fellowship.

Aug 2 2012 Speech, Your Child Needs An Uplifting Vision
via Livescribe

I originally developed the sermon on "Gardener In Training" based on Genesis 2 and 3, after reading "Gift of Work". Brothers Woody Floto and George Chu gave me great help and dry-run opportunities. 


I changed to "Power of Vision" because 1) I wanted to connect to the 2012 Olympics 2) GIT is about the purpose of work and school. I could not find a simple yet central message out of it.


Feedback from Tracy my daughter is: 
It connected with me, but a bit long, and slightly repetitious.


Yes, I spent about 45 to 50 minutes. 
Next challenge: condense to 10 minutes, for the 2nd run at the SV fellowship.

The Setbacks Quickly Turned into Blessings

Tuesday Aug 31 conversation about the purpose of work revealed what is hidden inside: my big ego. I craved the principle title as evidenced in the fleudian slip with George Chu.
This defect and disease in me caused me to cry for and seek devine help, and my faithful Lord answered my prayer. I had a very productive session presenting at the wed prayer group.
Ling callled me with an amazing event where her coworker quit, her boss assigned her to take over the job she craved for at least 6 month.
She called me immediately with a heart of gratefulness.

2012 Resolutions Taylor

1. Do 3 verses at every Awana
2. Finish the rest of the Edge Chronicles
3. Clean legos so destiny's bounties can fit
4. Get Jr. Black Belt
5. Try to get from 231 Map score to 251, or 95%
6. learn the front stroke
7. Get 10 more shares of McDonalds in savings.
8. Work with Dad to organize the drawers under bed by Feb 14, 2012

reflecting on my failed attempts

During last week's support group meeting, George Chu asked us to reflect on failures in 2011.

Yesterday I had three that demotivated me, threatening to put me down into minor depressions:

1. I promised to finish SMMUv2 Arch Overview by end of this week. I let my mind distracted by other things such as talks about PCIe and BCAST data flow. I got scared that my mind works so out of focus, just like I am an ADD. God, what can I do?
2. I was late for Dr. Gan appointment by 20 minutes. What did I do? I kept trying to write a few more slides in my Arch Overview, procrastinating the scheduled departure.
3. Most importantly, my expectation of getting my ION article published by LWN.net is not going anywhere. I'm scared. What a failure I am!

Finally a Vision for 2nd Half

22 months ago, I wrote down the vision for 2nd half of my services, life as a steward, in Hyderabad, India.

This weekend (Oct 14 and 15), during a Royal Ranger retreat/camp, I re-affirmed this calling, here-in recorded, in 25 words or less:

"Decepted and depressed men touched by the mystery of God's love commit to Biblical values, adopt disciplined ways to relate to God and men, breaking free from self deceptions and addictions."

1 year Expected Results Tracy and Taylor (by Sep 2012)

Tracy:

1. Complete another Summit Leadership Camp.
2. Compete and win in Bible Quiz
3. Stay 95% or higher at MAP and Star tests.

Taylor:

1. Otain Black belt status.
2. Stay 90% or higher at MAP and Star tests.
3. Annie and Joseph come for Christmas.
4. (Added Dec 22, 2011) Read 10000 pages

2008年4月21日是一个转折

2008 年4月, 因评职称我很不高兴.老板给了我很出乎意料的评分 (3/5), 涨薪平平, 而且没有升Senior Staff. 我很难过, 好几天睡不好. 找同事们参谋后我开始上诉. 不料过程漫长. 在痛苦中我的晨更帮了我.很多人都渴望经历神迹, 我很幸运在那时连续四十天清晨得听他慈爱之 言. 2008年4月21日是一个转折. 头天太太和我在RB Sushi 在深谈我如何走出目前的困境. 她暗示我反复强调经历逆境和患难, 而未开口反省我对老板和与我为难的同事不礼貌,骄傲和论断. 这种心态有没有 冒犯老板? 我听了没正面答她. 心里想, 我痛苦万分, 你偏偏还责备我.

可万万没想到21号一大早就读到这段话: 

       詩 篇 32:3-5 3 我 闭 口 不 认 罪 的 时 候 ， 因 终 日 唉 哼 而 骨 头 枯 乾 。 4 黑 夜 白 日 ， 你 的 手 在 我 身 上 沉 重 ； 我 的 精 液 耗 尽 ， 如 同 夏 天 的 乾 旱 。 （ 细 拉 ） 5 我 向 你 陈 明 我 的 罪 ， 不 隐 瞒 我 的 恶 。 我 说 ： 我 要 向 耶 和 华 承 认 我 的 过 犯 ， 你 就 赦 免 我 的 罪 恶 。 

 跟老板关系闹僵, 我走出来的两点体会: 

1. 若我没有反省,纠正自己的态度,还会类似的关系冲突. 
2. 听太太的feedback时, 不要马上回答.