Does status, fame, fortune, money really important to you?

I have seen two groups of moms. One group is still employed today, earning decent money and having a decent career. But struggling not having enough time with their children. Their take home pay is transfered to baby sitters and after school programs. or they save pretty much by using their parents as maids.

The other group, bravely staying at home, do everything on their own but once in a while is not certain about it, not completely happy or satisfied with the "stay home wife" title and is wondering is this all the rest of the life is about?

Is there a happy medium or a solution to this dilemma?

I went to seek Biblical counseling before I got pregnant. How woman and career should be handled according to the Bible? The bible does not forbid mom to take a career or stay at home. But bible does recited an example of a wisdom woman in the last chapter of Proverbs, who took care of the need of the family and also have her own investment business. So this is an example that some one can actually solve the paradox, an inspiration, who I want to be and will be by the mighty power of God.

I have seen a friend on one hand just could not give up her pay check, on the other hand, feeling tremendous guilt to her sons. Does the status of being employed, and a few take home $ that important to you, more important to you than the time you spent with your sons?

Chichen and Egg

Which one comes first? What is the reason and what is the result?

In the business world, we call that "the catch 22", which basically means the same thing.

In the early days when I just become a Christian, I found out the people who loves the Lord the most are the people having the most difficulties in their lives. In another words, because of the difficulties, they are forced to stick with the Lord.

But today, I found it is completely the opposite. I realized, it is because the people who are most sincere to the Lord in their hearts, God measure trials and tribulations into their lives, so that they are more thankful, joyful and have a changed life.

Because they are sincere follower of Christ, God intervened and a new life is born, despite of the difficulties and suffers.

Have you ever been here?

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ jesus my lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

I have.

Are we playing God?

God does not want us to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Why?

One explanation I heard is that God is divine and he is reference point. Everything from HIM is good, not from HIM is evil. If I thought I know good from evil is more to use myself as a reference point, than everything from me is good, not me is evil.

Last Friday, a sister shared her experience about her seemingly eternal sickness. She talked about what you do when God does not heal you and concluded: being sick can glorify God.

Last Wednesday, out teacher told us her second daughter almost died in a third world country when they were missionaries there. They were on schedule to get on to a train which has no water and medical supplies. God cancelled that train and her daughter survived. Had her daughter got onto that train, she would have been died. In responding her testimonies, some one in the audience, responded: If she died, God is still a good God.

Last Sunday, a brother shared his testimony about exporting business in China. He needs to export goodies from mainland to US but the official requested a bribe. He, being a Christian, do not want to conform but will suffer significant financial loss if the export did not arrive on time. He prayed and forgot about it until five days later. God reminded him to ship from somewhere else and eventually the goodies arrived on the exact date.

I had thought about God heal people, which is good. God save people from dying, which is good. God change the heart of the people asking for bribe, which is good...But God used the opposite to show His power, love and mercy, led each of them through...

To heal not to heal, to save not to save, to change not to change, God measures different cups to each one of us. Do not take God's matter into our own hands, based on our own experience and understanding about God. We are not HIM and HE is always above and beyond...

One woman + her prayers

Bible has many stories about women. Sarah, Hannah, Noemi,...

Each of them lived a life I would not sign up for. But they certainly make the course of the history. In picturing them and their lives, I learned that even in their difficult situations with unbearable pains, it only takes one woman and their agonizing prayers to bring forth life into death or give birth to a child...

Only one woman and her prayers are enough.

God is your God, not mine

I recently encountered a sister, who is a single mom and recently lost her son. "God loves you but not me."

This comment frozen me. When I was a non-believer, I felt the same way. The God is other people's God. He answers other people's prayers but not mine. I still remember to a point, I dont believe any of my prayers will be heard. But our group leader at the time, volunteered to pray for me. "Whatever it wont change!"

A week later, the prayer was answered. When I was giving praise to God, I was challenged who says God does not love me? I was loved at that moment. God's love is passed to me through other people.

There is a bible story about a paralyzed person who could not walk to the feet of the Jesus, but his friends climbed up to the roof and dropped him directly in front of Jesus. Are we using our prayers to help deliver the people not coming to Jesus by themselves to the feet of cross and get healed?