"Gung-Gung and I on the See-Saw"

My dad returned to the U.S. with us from our Hong Kong trip and is visiting for 3 weeks. After having been in Hong Kong for 2 weeks with both air and noise pollution, we have learned to appreciate the clean air and sunny skies in California. My dad, Caleb, and I enjoyed a nice morning out at a nearby park breathing fresh crisp air. Here is grandpa and grandson playing on the see-saw...

How Deep His Love--by Andy

I got to finish the few last chapters of 1 Kings this morning, and I was touched by the great lengths that God went through to bring His people back to Him. In my last blog on the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel, God showed Himself as LORD to win the hearts of His people through the dramatic confrontation between Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal. The people who witnessed it fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!" Then they had the 450 prophets seized and slaughtered. King Ahab was also present, but there was no mention of his repenting heart. The last few chapters of the book records mainly how God then continued to deal with King Ahab.

Chapter 20 recounted how God used two invasions by King Ben-Hadad of Aram to show Ahab again that He was the LORD God (v13, v28). God delivered the Arameans and King Ben-Hadad into Ahab's hands in battles where there were just 7000 Israelites against the vast army of over a hundred thousand of Arameans. Verse 27 says, "The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside." King Ahab remained disobedient to God inspite of this. Then God sent a prophet to tell Ahab how He will punish him for his disobedience. Chapter 21 told a story where Ahab wickedly killed a man to take his vineyard and the kind of death Ahab was prophesied to have because of his wicked act. Finally in chapter 22, God brought about a battle between Ahab and the Arameans in which, even though the Aramean army had already been severely weakened in the last two encounters with the Israelites, He not only caused the Israelites to lose but also King Ahab to die exactly the way it was prophesied. Throughout these three chapters, it was so amazing for me to see the sovereign and gracious hand of God involved in the smallest little details in how He dealt with King Ahab. God even put lying spirits in the mouths of all of Ahab's prophets to entice him into going to war with the Arameans (v23). He also caused the king of Aram to hunt only for Ahab in the battle (v31), and, even though Ahab disguised himself, he was fatally shot by a "random" arrow "between the sections of his armor." (v34). In these chapters, the author of the book clearly wanted to send me the message that God is LORD in how He sovereignly orchestrated the life and death of Ahab.

I also, however, saw in these chapters the depth of God's love toward His people. He went through great lengths to warn the prophets of Baal and king Ahab, the two governing offices that He used to guide His people. He planned the death of Ahab in such a miraculous way that the people would know that He is LORD, so that they would fear Him and return to Him. All of this reminded me again of God's ultimate plan, his salvation plan, where He orchestrated the death of His own Son Jesus such that He may turn my heart to Him. I pray that I might feel grateful and humbled by such deep love upon such a wicked sinner like me. Who is like the LORD our God?

From the Peak

Yesterday, we took the Star Ferry across the Hong Kong Harbor and then the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak. Here is a view from atop the peak. The ever increasing population in Hong Kong still amazes me. High rises continue to be built amidst the already overcrowded streets and reclaimed land. To recover from the damage on the economy done by the SARS epidemic, the government has signed new laws issuing individual tourist visas for visitors from Mainland China to travel here. I was told up to 30,000 Mainland visitors are admitted each day. With the breathtaking view before us, we ask for God's grace on this land and people.

Reading Companion

A couple months ago, upon the recommendation of a sister on a devotional guide plus daily bible reading schedule, Andy ordered the 2-volume devotional companion by D. A. Carson as a birthday present for me. I've started using it for a couple of months now and have been enjoying it. I would recommend it as well to anyone who is serious about reading the bible on a daily basis with a companion that is bible-based rather than cliche-like, fluffy, or overly applicational. I had been following another bible reading schedule without a guide prior to this one, and my other flowery devotional guides are just collecting dust on the shelf. I am thankful that I was introduced to this classic reading companion to help me read the bible systematically.

As this sister pointed out, the author says:

If you must skip something, skip this book; read the Bible instead.

That is what I have been doing during this two-week trip in Hong Kong since I did not bring along the thick devotional guide. Though we have been here for over a week already, I'm still suffering from jet lag, waking up sometimes at 4 in the morning. So I would find myself reading during the wee hours. I thank the Lord for the sweetness in His Word and pray for a continued yearning for the jewels that lie within.

A Day at HK Disneyland

Yesterday, we visited the new Disneyland in Hong Kong with my mom and dad. My dad had been looking forward to the opportunity of taking his grandson to this newly opened theme park. It's a mini version of the one in Orange County. Caleb enjoyed it all except for the muggy weather.

"Watching Por-Por Do Tai-Chi"

We are at the halfway point of our two-week trip in Hong Kong. Caleb and I strolled about a mile down the hill this morning to watch my mom do Tai-Chi at a neighborhood park. She goes three times a week as a form of exercise. Here is a picture of her in action.