The Road of Life

Today is the kind of day that I feel I just can't "pedal" anymore....and I am reminded about this poem:

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die.  He was out there sort of like a president.  I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

Power of 50+

According to United Nation Population Division; US Census; National Geographic, Jan., 2011, World Bank Alzheimer's Disease International:

1. Earth is now home to some 7 billion people. By 2050, 60+ population will rise from close to 11%  to 22% of people on the planet....which translates to about 2 billion people.  Welcome to the PARTIES!

2. Average life expectancy for a human being born today is 67.5 years old.  In 2050, it will be 75.5.  I'm probably not going to be around to see this......:):)!

Submission to A Wife Abuser?

October is the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I avoided the topic for 15 days. I knew that talking about it would stir up too many emotions inside. But tonight, after watching John Piper's YouTube video, I can no longer stay silent. 

“If the numbers we see in domestic violence were applied to terrorism or gang violence, the entire country would be up inarms, and it would be the lead story on the news every night.” --- Rep. Mark Green

Now do see the number here: Domestic Violence Resource Center
or a simple fact sheet here: National Coaliltion Against Domestic Violence

Then watch this video from John Piper:
John Piper: Does A Woman Submit to Abuse?

Creation Calls--Are You Listening?

A friend sent this link to me.  It is a beautiful short film with the song "Creation Calls---Are You Listening?"

 www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

Music by Brian Doerksen www.briandoerksen.com

Utilizing footage from the BBC Planet Earth Series, this film (done by the Branch church) takes a look at the wonder and majesty of God’s creation . This stunning glimpse of God’s masterpiece is meant to glorify Him and draw the mind to new places of intimacy with Him.

Women's Suffrage: A Victory for San Diego, A Century Later

           Exactly a century ago today, on Oct. 10, 1911, California men went to the polls to vote for or against women’s suffrage.  This was not the first time (the first vote in 1896 ended in defeat).  But this time 3,331 San Diegan men favored women’s suffrage and 2,464 voted against.  The final statewide count showed 125,037 for and 121,450 against.  After much hard work of dedicated women and men, California women were finally granted the right to vote! [1]

"Smell the Color 9" by Chris Rice

I would take 'no' for an answer
Just to know I heard You speak
And I’m wonderin’ why I’ve never
Seen the signs they claim they see
Are the special revelations
Meant for everybody but me?
Maybe I don’t truly know You
Or maybe I just simply believe

Gender Incongruent Field

            On my flight from Beijing to Kunming this summer, I picked up a copy of “China Daily” (Aug. 20, 2011) and was surprised to find all kinds of news about women. 

• ·         In entertainment news, the large picture of a famous singer and the story about her imminent come back tour was prominently displayed. 

• ·         In national news, a young woman (24 years old) was criticized for her lack of qualification to run the 1.5 billion yuan international project (Project Hope). 

• ·         In the Sport section, the young female golfer Yani (22 years old, ranking number 1 in the world) made news visiting the Youth Golf Invitational.  Another large picture and story about the Chinese National Woman Soccer team winning the semifinal over Brazil donned the next page. 

• ·         In the World News section, China Daily reported the teenager female daredevil Maya (19 years old) wowed the crowds in Japan.  She is the first female ever joined and won the auto race (in 44 years).  

Who Am I? Who are you?

Came cross this quote from Thomas Merton this morning, stopped me cold in my track:

If you want to identify me, 

ask me 

not where I live, 

or what I like to eat, 

or how I comb my hair, 

but ask me what I think I am living for, in detail, 

and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for. 

Between these two answers you can determine the identity of any person.   

How would you answer these two questions? 

Read more about Thomas Merton here

Sex Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery

 "Not to know is bad.  Not to want to know is worse.  Not to hope is unthinkable.  Not to care is unforgivable."  Nigerian saying.

Call to Prayer for Victims of Sex Trade Trafficking
Sunday 25 September 2011

This event might be over, but the battle goes on.....for we understand that in this battle we wrestle "against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

To know more about sex trade in our own backyard, please read the New York Times article here.  US was ranked on Human Trafficking Report for first time on June 15, 2010 here.

"Bloopers" from Church Bulletins

An important part of a wholistic and healthy spiritual formation process, I believe, is having the ability to laugh at ourselves.  So allow me to share with you some of the "bloopers" from actual church bulletins (or announcements in church services).  Enjoy and have a good laugh!

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.' The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
--------------------------
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

Asian American Women on Leadership

 Another wonderful blog that worth checking into:  http://aawolblog.blogspot.com/

       I am a Christian.  I am a woman.  I am an Asian living in America.  My spiritual root, gender, and cultural heritage are all parts of who I am.  To talk about wholistic spiritual formation, I believe that we need to talk about all aspects of our humanity.  A lot of time, we were taught a one-size-fits-all spirituality and then we lived and served accordingly.....and realized slowly that just like one-size-fits-all clothing doesn't usually fit anyone properly, neither will the one-size-fits-all spirituality. 

        I pray and hope that this blog will help you starting thinking about the Asian American Women experiences in North America Churches (Asian or non-Asian churches alike)....especially in regard to leadership.