Sometimes in life, we feel pressure to do good things and do our good works. It makes us feel better and productive, perhaps. But whatever we do, we do for the glory of God anyway, right? On our way to working or doing busy activities, we think we are a contributing person to society. We get involved in things that touch our heart, that drives us. Our passion.
Well, lately I've been on the road to pursuing those passions. With our new sermon series at church, Pastor Ray asked for volunteers to start and open up new small group Bible studies. At Bayside, we are going through a series based on Craig Groeschel's book, the Christian Atheist. And the subtitle is: Believing in God but Living as If He Doesn't Exist. It is a great book and challenges us to really live our faith in Him.
Anyway, I signed up to be a small group leader. Actually, at the time there were only options for leading a group or attending a group. There was no escape clause. No opting out.
I've led Bible studies before. It was part of my internship for my B.S. in Christian Leadership from San Jose Christian College (now William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA) in my church at the time, Pathway Community Church. And it was something I put aside because I just needed to be ministered to for a while, when I moved out to Sacramento. Well, now that I jumped back into it, God is stirring something in me. Yes, God called me to be a Christian leader (hence my major). As Christ followers, we are all called to serve in ministry. But with everybody serving, there need to be leadership.
And as this group is getting started (with strangers... people I have never met before), I'm actually getting excited. Yeah, me. Once socially inept me. Introvert by nature, grown up nerd, me! Well, not because most of those that signed up for my group are women (when I was younger, that would probably cripple me like Raj Kuthrapali on the TV show the Big Bang Theory... he can't talk to women), but God is going to work something amazing through me.
Not only is this leadership role emerging, I am getting an itch to do more writing (yes, in this blog and I'm thinking some Christian inspiration book). I will probably springboard from this blog into more of a book format. Who knows? Maybe the writings in this blog can translate well into book-form?
But I don't want to just write for writing's sake. I ultimately want to be an inspirational speaker. What? Once socially inept me? Introvert by nature, nerdy me! Don't you see, God wants people He can use to exemplify God's Glory and Grace!
God used Moses... stuttering Moses, to lead his people out of Egypt to the borders of the Promised Land. God used David, who was an adulterer and murderer, to become King and become God's beloved.
God used Peter, who was impulsive and abrasive, to become the Rock of the church of Christ. And God used Paul, once named Saul, who persecuted Christians, into one of the greatest Apostles and who wrote most of the New Testament as Christian doctrine. God uses anyone He chooses to.
That's God's relentless pursuit of someone's life; to grab ahold of someone wherever they are. And then change them into a beautiful testimony of God's grace, mercy and love. God's relentless pursuit of me began long ago and it's still transforming my life, my mind, and who I'm becoming. In Christ.
God is pursuing you. Relentlessly. Whether you want Him to or not, God is actively pursuing your life, relentlessly. And don't think you can ever hide from God.
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. --Psalm 139:7, 8
God loves you so much. Jesus Christ was that example of God's ultimate love, dying on the cross for all of our sins. But that's not the end of the story. Jesus Christ rose again from the dead and overcame death, so we can overcome all of the obstacles in our life. We just need to relentlessly pursue Christ in our lives. See how that continual pursuit goes?
If you have never pursued the love of Christ, come before Him and ask Him for forgiveness and ask Him into your life to receive the blessings of Jesus Christ reigning in your life!
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins. I know I have turned away from You. Lord God, please forgive me and fill me with Your love, grace and mercy. I need you in my life as much as you pursue my life, I pursue You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my heart, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, welcome to a life of relentless pursuit. We pursue God as He is continually pursuing us to be transformed daily in out walk with the Holy and Living God!
Blessings,
Garret
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Road Rage
Life definitely has its ups and downs, doesn't it? And of course, my life isn't any different from anybody else, just different circumstances, different characters in the stories and different outcomes, based on our reaction(s) through the situation. While I was away from blogging, I found someone, who I am glad to say is my girlfriend (praise God). But at the same time, my finances get tanked big time. She is fully aware of my financial woes, and she still loves me for who I am!
But that isn't the story that brought me to this blog spot. Earlier today, I went to the grocery store to get some things. Originally I walked through one door without grabbing a shopping cart or basket. So as I was walking through the store getting an idea of what I needed to get, I walk to the other door of the store to get a shopping basket. There's a guy with four little kids running around behind him that just paid for his things and was heading out the door. I was headed in the same direction, only from the opposite side. He stops dead cold right in front of me.
I said, "Go." Of course, I also used a hand gesture of "go ahead", only I didn't say the ahead part.
He then responds, "What do you think I am, a dog? Telling me to go!"
I didn't say another word. To him, at least. He goes out the door with the four kids following him out. I grab a shopping basket, turn around back into the shopping aisle. Then I say under my breath, "Boy, you try to be nice letting someone go ahead of you."
Isn't that like road rage? I was going to say "typical", but if you were driving, you don't always have the luxury of speaking aloud to them face to face. His response to me was so off the wall, it took me aback. I didn't know exactly how to respond to that.
I was hoping one of the kids that was with him would say, "Daddy, (or Mister whoever) why did you act like a jerk to that man in the store?" I really would want to know.
I know life doesn't seem fair (even though someone like me would let you go ahead of me), but don't take it out on someone you don't even know! How rude was that? I admit this guy kinda' looked like he had a chip on his shoulder with a lot on his mind. Geez, I have a lot on my mind, but I don't take out my frustrations out on other people. That's just wrong.
And I do have a lot on my mind. At work, we finally have a new administrator. Going through that transitional time was rough, and getting all the paperwork stuff for Medicare wasn't easy. but we made it through it. Now while my coworker left to work in another surgery center, we also hired another tech who didn't have pain management experience, so I trained the new guy in doing radiology positioning for pain management, what the doctors are looking for and all the rest of the things needed to know for the job. Now, I hear the guy who left is coming back, at a doctor's request. That was just wrong, to me as well. In the six plus years I've been at this job, this same guy left twice, and is coming back again. What does that say about his loyalty and commitment? That frustrates me. But I don't take it out on someone else.
Life gives us the opportunity to be a light in this world of darkness. I choose to be the light, rather than the dimness or the darkness that pervades this American culture. Perhaps that rude guy in the store doesn't know the love and hope that Jesus Christ offers. I pray for him that he may see the error in his ways that he needed to be more gracious. Hey, someone told me to "Go", I should choose his offer to go before him and not complain or bark at the guy offering the pass.
If you do not know the love and grace of Jesus Christ and would like to, just pray a simple prayer like this: "Dear God, forgive me of my sins. I need Your love, Your forgiveness and Your mercy. Please come into my life, as I receive You as my Savior, my Lord and my God. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen."
Now "Go" and be the best you can be in Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Garret
But that isn't the story that brought me to this blog spot. Earlier today, I went to the grocery store to get some things. Originally I walked through one door without grabbing a shopping cart or basket. So as I was walking through the store getting an idea of what I needed to get, I walk to the other door of the store to get a shopping basket. There's a guy with four little kids running around behind him that just paid for his things and was heading out the door. I was headed in the same direction, only from the opposite side. He stops dead cold right in front of me.
I said, "Go." Of course, I also used a hand gesture of "go ahead", only I didn't say the ahead part.
He then responds, "What do you think I am, a dog? Telling me to go!"
I didn't say another word. To him, at least. He goes out the door with the four kids following him out. I grab a shopping basket, turn around back into the shopping aisle. Then I say under my breath, "Boy, you try to be nice letting someone go ahead of you."
Isn't that like road rage? I was going to say "typical", but if you were driving, you don't always have the luxury of speaking aloud to them face to face. His response to me was so off the wall, it took me aback. I didn't know exactly how to respond to that.
I was hoping one of the kids that was with him would say, "Daddy, (or Mister whoever) why did you act like a jerk to that man in the store?" I really would want to know.
I know life doesn't seem fair (even though someone like me would let you go ahead of me), but don't take it out on someone you don't even know! How rude was that? I admit this guy kinda' looked like he had a chip on his shoulder with a lot on his mind. Geez, I have a lot on my mind, but I don't take out my frustrations out on other people. That's just wrong.
And I do have a lot on my mind. At work, we finally have a new administrator. Going through that transitional time was rough, and getting all the paperwork stuff for Medicare wasn't easy. but we made it through it. Now while my coworker left to work in another surgery center, we also hired another tech who didn't have pain management experience, so I trained the new guy in doing radiology positioning for pain management, what the doctors are looking for and all the rest of the things needed to know for the job. Now, I hear the guy who left is coming back, at a doctor's request. That was just wrong, to me as well. In the six plus years I've been at this job, this same guy left twice, and is coming back again. What does that say about his loyalty and commitment? That frustrates me. But I don't take it out on someone else.
Life gives us the opportunity to be a light in this world of darkness. I choose to be the light, rather than the dimness or the darkness that pervades this American culture. Perhaps that rude guy in the store doesn't know the love and hope that Jesus Christ offers. I pray for him that he may see the error in his ways that he needed to be more gracious. Hey, someone told me to "Go", I should choose his offer to go before him and not complain or bark at the guy offering the pass.
If you do not know the love and grace of Jesus Christ and would like to, just pray a simple prayer like this: "Dear God, forgive me of my sins. I need Your love, Your forgiveness and Your mercy. Please come into my life, as I receive You as my Savior, my Lord and my God. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen."
Now "Go" and be the best you can be in Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Garret
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Right Turn, Wrong Turn?
July 4th celebrates the inception of a country based on the liberty and freedom God has given us. But legalism has crept into almost all parts of our society, even in a land that is supposedly "free".
I just had an instance that I thought demonstrates freedoms slowly eroding. Here's the scenario: an intersection with construction going on over a bridge. The signal is flashing red, though there are construction guys directing traffic through the intersection. I wanted to make a right turn before crossing over the bridge undergoing construction. The traffic ahead of me gets to go through. I get stopped, even though I am turned toward the right, where I wanted to go. Okay, cross traffic goes (the traffic opposite me and their left turners that cross my path). Then they let cross traffic from my left and right go. Once traffic on my lefty has passed, I start to make my right turn. The guy with the stop/slow sign yells at me, "You're supposed to stop!"
I yell back at him, "I just wanted to turn!"
Now, in a normal traffic scenario, if you are turning right, you wait for cross traffic to pass, right? I mean "correct", correct? That's what I did. But just because some guy is dressed in day-glow orange and holding a stop/slow sign is there, you can't turn? Was my right turn a WRONG turn?
I was up-in-arms about the whole thing, I had to write it down (and into this long-forgotten blog). But I took full responsibility for my action. Traffic for my right turn was clear! Can't I turn? I took the turn, and get yelled at for it.
That's how it is today. I mean, in healthcare where I work, we work under guidelines. But some rules don't apply in all circumstances. We used to allow patient's family members in the procedure rooms (but not the OR), but because of new infection control rules, they cannot come in anymore. Unless they dress in a one-piece, zip-up "bunny suit" cover, a surgery cap, and shoe covers.
Yeah, I see that. But whatever happened to personal responsibility and common sense? Can't we think for ourselves any longer? Do we need to be mind-numb robots and do everything someone else tells us to do?
That is what legalism is. That is what legalism does. It's in the fabric of our society.
Here are some stupid laws I found on the web through Bing. In California, a law created in 1925 makes it illegal to wiggle while dancing. Here's another one: all dog waste must be removed from any yard within seven days. I'm glad I'm not the poop police there.
Some more: animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship. Corral your pets! Bathhouses are against the law. Foretelling the future for donations is illegal. Getting drunk on a playground is against the law. I think you get the idea.
Some laws make sense, but many are just legislature-busy-work. It keeps the elected officials working on some kind of legislature, crazy or not.
Society as a whole is worse, not better. And this legal mumbo-jumbo doesn't help, but it hurts instead. It restricts rather than liberates. It confines instead of frees.
My point is legalism has been in the church for decades. And where's God's grace when we tack do's and don'ts onto our Christian faith? Where is the forgiveness of sin if all we do is restrict and restrain others?
Like the garbage truck crossing through the parking lot in a straight trajectory towards me stopped before we hit, I forgave the driver, er, sanitation worker. That's what grace is all about.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but grace. -- Romans 6:14
Grace is God's gift of freedom over the law. But that doesn't mean we are to be lawless, either. Laws are there for our protection, but we are not to be slaves to them.
Recently, I saw the movie "Preacher's Kid", which was basically the story of a Prodigal Daughter. She goes off to pursue her dreams to sing on the road and eventually get a record deal, only to find heartache in the process. But she was raised strict and held to a tight leash, so she hadn't experienced much life on her own. But through life on the road, she learns her lessons she needed to grow as an individual. And a stronger person in knowing WHAT she believed. It's also a story of grace. (And I hope I didn't give too much of the movie away if you hadn't seen it. It's still worth watching.)
That also reminds me of an old song by Leslie Phillips, "Your Kindness". It's your kindness (grace) that leads me to repentance, oh Lord.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. -- Titus 2:11
If you haven't received God's grace yet, pray to him this simple prayer: "Dear Lord, forgive me for I am a sinner. Please forgive my past and cleanse me through Jesus' payment of sin on the cross. Help me, Lord God to learn to love You because You first loved me, by Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
That is the ultimate Right turn you could ever make.
Blessings,
Garret
I just had an instance that I thought demonstrates freedoms slowly eroding. Here's the scenario: an intersection with construction going on over a bridge. The signal is flashing red, though there are construction guys directing traffic through the intersection. I wanted to make a right turn before crossing over the bridge undergoing construction. The traffic ahead of me gets to go through. I get stopped, even though I am turned toward the right, where I wanted to go. Okay, cross traffic goes (the traffic opposite me and their left turners that cross my path). Then they let cross traffic from my left and right go. Once traffic on my lefty has passed, I start to make my right turn. The guy with the stop/slow sign yells at me, "You're supposed to stop!"
I yell back at him, "I just wanted to turn!"
Now, in a normal traffic scenario, if you are turning right, you wait for cross traffic to pass, right? I mean "correct", correct? That's what I did. But just because some guy is dressed in day-glow orange and holding a stop/slow sign is there, you can't turn? Was my right turn a WRONG turn?
I was up-in-arms about the whole thing, I had to write it down (and into this long-forgotten blog). But I took full responsibility for my action. Traffic for my right turn was clear! Can't I turn? I took the turn, and get yelled at for it.
That's how it is today. I mean, in healthcare where I work, we work under guidelines. But some rules don't apply in all circumstances. We used to allow patient's family members in the procedure rooms (but not the OR), but because of new infection control rules, they cannot come in anymore. Unless they dress in a one-piece, zip-up "bunny suit" cover, a surgery cap, and shoe covers.
Yeah, I see that. But whatever happened to personal responsibility and common sense? Can't we think for ourselves any longer? Do we need to be mind-numb robots and do everything someone else tells us to do?
That is what legalism is. That is what legalism does. It's in the fabric of our society.
Here are some stupid laws I found on the web through Bing. In California, a law created in 1925 makes it illegal to wiggle while dancing. Here's another one: all dog waste must be removed from any yard within seven days. I'm glad I'm not the poop police there.
Some more: animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship. Corral your pets! Bathhouses are against the law. Foretelling the future for donations is illegal. Getting drunk on a playground is against the law. I think you get the idea.
Some laws make sense, but many are just legislature-busy-work. It keeps the elected officials working on some kind of legislature, crazy or not.
Society as a whole is worse, not better. And this legal mumbo-jumbo doesn't help, but it hurts instead. It restricts rather than liberates. It confines instead of frees.
My point is legalism has been in the church for decades. And where's God's grace when we tack do's and don'ts onto our Christian faith? Where is the forgiveness of sin if all we do is restrict and restrain others?
Like the garbage truck crossing through the parking lot in a straight trajectory towards me stopped before we hit, I forgave the driver, er, sanitation worker. That's what grace is all about.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but grace. -- Romans 6:14
Grace is God's gift of freedom over the law. But that doesn't mean we are to be lawless, either. Laws are there for our protection, but we are not to be slaves to them.
Recently, I saw the movie "Preacher's Kid", which was basically the story of a Prodigal Daughter. She goes off to pursue her dreams to sing on the road and eventually get a record deal, only to find heartache in the process. But she was raised strict and held to a tight leash, so she hadn't experienced much life on her own. But through life on the road, she learns her lessons she needed to grow as an individual. And a stronger person in knowing WHAT she believed. It's also a story of grace. (And I hope I didn't give too much of the movie away if you hadn't seen it. It's still worth watching.)
That also reminds me of an old song by Leslie Phillips, "Your Kindness". It's your kindness (grace) that leads me to repentance, oh Lord.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. -- Titus 2:11
If you haven't received God's grace yet, pray to him this simple prayer: "Dear Lord, forgive me for I am a sinner. Please forgive my past and cleanse me through Jesus' payment of sin on the cross. Help me, Lord God to learn to love You because You first loved me, by Your grace. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
That is the ultimate Right turn you could ever make.
Blessings,
Garret
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Intersections
We all make many choices and decisions in life. Some are good, some are bad (or poor decisions). But all of our choices have consequences.
Should I have that dark chocolate peanut butter cup or the assorted fruit platter? Sometimes, it's simply a matter of will.
Of course there are tougher choices we need to make. Should I accept this job at the Burger Barn or should I hold out for my dream job? Should I go out with this beautiful girl I hardly know (assuming she would even say "yes" -- her decision) or go out with this girl I'm just friends with?
One of my favorite TV shows is "The Amazing Race". I enjoy seeing the world and trying to live vicariously through the journeyers along their Amazing Race. Traveling through the different lands, different cultures, different foods, and just enjoying God's wonderful creation of this incredible planet are exciting to me. But just not so much the competition of the race I enjoy, I love seeing how these people react in their different circumstances.
I have always studied people sociologically and psychologically, which is helpful in writing believable scripts. Their scenarios and how they would react to something as their character needs to be believeable. The same occurs in directing actors by giving them "direction" as to their character they are portraying needs to have integrity throughout their character to be believable. That's just some insight I've learned in the movie-making process, but I digress.
That (in a round-about way) is how we choose what we do; how we react to something. If you are introverted, you would tend to internalize your reaction, introspectively. If you are extroverted, you would usually react (almost instantaneously) and perhaps regret what you just said later. That's just how most of us are wired.
Back to my example of the Amazing Race. Along their journey, they need to pick up clues called "Route Info" at specific stations along their route. On their way to their "Pit Stops", they have to go through "Road Blocks", where only one team member has to perform a task. "Yields" are when a team can hold back another team for a period of time. "U-Turns" are points where a team has an additional task to complete. "Intersections" (in their game) is where one team member joins with another team member of another team to complete the challenge. And "Detours" are where they have to CHOOSE which challenge to do. Choose poorly, and they get behind doing the challenge. Choose wisely, and they can complete the task without much difficulty.
I just used "Intersections" as a title, because it seems more descriptive of making that correct decision. Like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz says to Dorothy, "This way? Or that way?" pointing to both directions, and getting wound up with his stringy arms in both directions. Let me reiterate the point: choose poorly and you get left behind. Choose wisely, and you can succeed with less pain and heartache.
That is how it is in life. If we can make wise choices, we can accomplish much in a short amount of time. If we make poor and unwise decisions, it impedes our process, and usually takes a longer time to get things done.
So looking at the big picture, have you made the ultimate decision? The ultimate decision? This is the decision to acknowledge we alone, outside of the Grace of God, cannot continue on this quest of life without a loving God and Savior, Jesus Christ, in our lives. If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, then you are on your way to the ultimate destination: Heaven. If you haven't yet made that decision, I urge you to consider the love and mercy of an all-knowing, all-seeing, yet personal God by praying to Him.
Heavenly Father, I know I need to choose the right path for my life, which is to accept Your Gift of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ into my life. Forgive me of my past, my sins, and cleanse me through the Holy and precious blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus conquered death on the Cross and now resides with You in Heaven. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can live a life pleasing to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
With that, your life can be restored and renewed. That is the best possible decision you can make. And then you are on the road to eternal life with our Father and Creator God.
Blessings,
Garret
Should I have that dark chocolate peanut butter cup or the assorted fruit platter? Sometimes, it's simply a matter of will.
Of course there are tougher choices we need to make. Should I accept this job at the Burger Barn or should I hold out for my dream job? Should I go out with this beautiful girl I hardly know (assuming she would even say "yes" -- her decision) or go out with this girl I'm just friends with?
One of my favorite TV shows is "The Amazing Race". I enjoy seeing the world and trying to live vicariously through the journeyers along their Amazing Race. Traveling through the different lands, different cultures, different foods, and just enjoying God's wonderful creation of this incredible planet are exciting to me. But just not so much the competition of the race I enjoy, I love seeing how these people react in their different circumstances.
I have always studied people sociologically and psychologically, which is helpful in writing believable scripts. Their scenarios and how they would react to something as their character needs to be believeable. The same occurs in directing actors by giving them "direction" as to their character they are portraying needs to have integrity throughout their character to be believable. That's just some insight I've learned in the movie-making process, but I digress.
That (in a round-about way) is how we choose what we do; how we react to something. If you are introverted, you would tend to internalize your reaction, introspectively. If you are extroverted, you would usually react (almost instantaneously) and perhaps regret what you just said later. That's just how most of us are wired.
Back to my example of the Amazing Race. Along their journey, they need to pick up clues called "Route Info" at specific stations along their route. On their way to their "Pit Stops", they have to go through "Road Blocks", where only one team member has to perform a task. "Yields" are when a team can hold back another team for a period of time. "U-Turns" are points where a team has an additional task to complete. "Intersections" (in their game) is where one team member joins with another team member of another team to complete the challenge. And "Detours" are where they have to CHOOSE which challenge to do. Choose poorly, and they get behind doing the challenge. Choose wisely, and they can complete the task without much difficulty.
I just used "Intersections" as a title, because it seems more descriptive of making that correct decision. Like the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz says to Dorothy, "This way? Or that way?" pointing to both directions, and getting wound up with his stringy arms in both directions. Let me reiterate the point: choose poorly and you get left behind. Choose wisely, and you can succeed with less pain and heartache.
That is how it is in life. If we can make wise choices, we can accomplish much in a short amount of time. If we make poor and unwise decisions, it impedes our process, and usually takes a longer time to get things done.
So looking at the big picture, have you made the ultimate decision? The ultimate decision? This is the decision to acknowledge we alone, outside of the Grace of God, cannot continue on this quest of life without a loving God and Savior, Jesus Christ, in our lives. If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, then you are on your way to the ultimate destination: Heaven. If you haven't yet made that decision, I urge you to consider the love and mercy of an all-knowing, all-seeing, yet personal God by praying to Him.
Heavenly Father, I know I need to choose the right path for my life, which is to accept Your Gift of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ into my life. Forgive me of my past, my sins, and cleanse me through the Holy and precious blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus conquered death on the Cross and now resides with You in Heaven. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can live a life pleasing to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
With that, your life can be restored and renewed. That is the best possible decision you can make. And then you are on the road to eternal life with our Father and Creator God.
Blessings,
Garret
Saturday, March 13, 2010
One Step at a Time
It has been a while since my last blog entry, but I didn't want to write just anything. I know I have been using the metaphor of life is a journey and the journey should be enjoyed, so I will continue with that theme.
The past couple of weeks, I took time to enjoy life. For the Chinese New Year / Valentines Day / Presidents' Day weekend, I went home to the San Francisco Bay Area to see my mom and sister. Then the next weekend, I celebrated with a friend her six year anniversary being clean and sober going out to dinner. Then the next day, a bunch of our friends went to Lodi for a concert.
Despite a bittersweet work week, where "corporate" actually dismissed my boss and another in a high position for early retirement (I think), the remainder of us had to work through all the changes as the job required. Actually, our facility went through a state inspection, which revealed our facility was deficient in several areas, leading to the early retirements of those involved.
Like the metaphor of life is like a roller coaster, that week really was a downer week.
Then I had to attend to personal business. In my family history, there is occurrence of colon cancer. And I had some blood come out with bowel movements, so I needed to get that checked out. I had a consult and exam with the gastroenterologist's office and will soon schedule the colonoscopy.
The state returned to our facility with a surveyor in my area of safety and environment of care. Then we just received the report and make their recommended changes. Some policies and procedures at work had to be changed to comply with the state's findings.
Recently life has been tough, but it's part of life. C'est la vie. We just need to take life one step at a time.
Sure, there are deadlines as life demands. But in the greater scheme of things (especially for better mental and emotional health), we need to slow it down. Take your time. Mistakes are made when we rush through them. Haste makes waste. Be methodical.
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor be hasty and miss the way. --Proverbs 19:2
Perhaps you've heard this one: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
How can we survive this long journey of life with all of its ups and downs? One step at a time.
A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can understand his own way? --Proverbs 20:24
We need to be still and know God's direction for our lives. We cannot hear Him if we're not attentively listening to His direction. And that requires us to take our time, one step at a time.
Often life can be overwhelming. But don't give up. Perseverance is a mark of maturity. Giving up is a mark of immaturity.
So many times I've thought of giving up, throwing in the towel, accepting defeat. But you can not ever succeed if you just quit. Perseverance and diligence are good character qualities.
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. -- 1 Timothy 4:16
So take a step of faith. If you have never taken the BIGGEST step of faith, accepting Jesus into your life as your personal Lord and Savior, all you need to do is to pray a simple prayer.
Lord Jesus, give me Your strength, Your wisdom and Your love. Please forgive me for my sins against You. Please help me walk with You in my life. Thank You for you are Holy and Almighty. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
Have you taken that step of faith? Thank God for your life journey each and every day. It takes just one step at a time, but we can make it through life's journey with God's help.
Blessings,
Garret
The past couple of weeks, I took time to enjoy life. For the Chinese New Year / Valentines Day / Presidents' Day weekend, I went home to the San Francisco Bay Area to see my mom and sister. Then the next weekend, I celebrated with a friend her six year anniversary being clean and sober going out to dinner. Then the next day, a bunch of our friends went to Lodi for a concert.
Despite a bittersweet work week, where "corporate" actually dismissed my boss and another in a high position for early retirement (I think), the remainder of us had to work through all the changes as the job required. Actually, our facility went through a state inspection, which revealed our facility was deficient in several areas, leading to the early retirements of those involved.
Like the metaphor of life is like a roller coaster, that week really was a downer week.
Then I had to attend to personal business. In my family history, there is occurrence of colon cancer. And I had some blood come out with bowel movements, so I needed to get that checked out. I had a consult and exam with the gastroenterologist's office and will soon schedule the colonoscopy.
The state returned to our facility with a surveyor in my area of safety and environment of care. Then we just received the report and make their recommended changes. Some policies and procedures at work had to be changed to comply with the state's findings.
Recently life has been tough, but it's part of life. C'est la vie. We just need to take life one step at a time.
Sure, there are deadlines as life demands. But in the greater scheme of things (especially for better mental and emotional health), we need to slow it down. Take your time. Mistakes are made when we rush through them. Haste makes waste. Be methodical.
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor be hasty and miss the way. --Proverbs 19:2
Perhaps you've heard this one: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
How can we survive this long journey of life with all of its ups and downs? One step at a time.
A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can understand his own way? --Proverbs 20:24
We need to be still and know God's direction for our lives. We cannot hear Him if we're not attentively listening to His direction. And that requires us to take our time, one step at a time.
Often life can be overwhelming. But don't give up. Perseverance is a mark of maturity. Giving up is a mark of immaturity.
So many times I've thought of giving up, throwing in the towel, accepting defeat. But you can not ever succeed if you just quit. Perseverance and diligence are good character qualities.
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. -- 1 Timothy 4:16
So take a step of faith. If you have never taken the BIGGEST step of faith, accepting Jesus into your life as your personal Lord and Savior, all you need to do is to pray a simple prayer.
Lord Jesus, give me Your strength, Your wisdom and Your love. Please forgive me for my sins against You. Please help me walk with You in my life. Thank You for you are Holy and Almighty. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!
Have you taken that step of faith? Thank God for your life journey each and every day. It takes just one step at a time, but we can make it through life's journey with God's help.
Blessings,
Garret
Friday, February 5, 2010
Roller Coaster of Life
I have been recently reminded that life has its highs and lows, like much of my week, this week. At work, we had "corporate" come out and talk with us. I feared this meeting would just reiterate how bad the economy is and how it's affected one of our doctor's decision to send his patients elsewhere. But they admitted they were late on this action and was more reactive than being proactive when this had happened. And actually things look much better (just may take some time to recover) than many had expected. That's just a slice of this week. And that's what life is.
I like roller coasters. Some are smooth and sleek. Some are rough and tortuous. But they are all generated by kinetic energy. The roller coaster reaches its maximum kinetic energy at its lowest point of its path. When a roller coaster climbs and ascends, the kinetic energy converts to gravitational potential energy. The sum of kinetic and potential energy in this system remains constant, if friction doesn't change.
Life is like a roller coaster. there are ups and downs, twists and turns. Sometimes life can be smooth sailing. Sometimes it can be a rough ride. But through it all, you can survive through those wild twists and turns in life.
My life as an example
I started off slow, mostly because I was an introvert, a nerd in high school (perhaps), and that personality transcended into my adulthood. In fact, I once referred myself as socially inept, because I didn't do well in social situations. It took me a while to climb or ascend that social scale. It might look like I have a lot of friends that I have found and reconnected on Facebook, but my quality friends are still just a handful.
I may be not as inept as I once thought I was, but life throws you curve balls-- or in the roller coaster analogy, life gives you twists and turns.
I met women online on dating sites that I thought were potential mates, only to find them not responding to me any longer. Or in the case of one, she was a missionary to Romania, who came home to Minnesota to get financial support, but she couldn't come out to California to visit me. After that, I lost contact with her, only to think we had something together there. Two steps forward, three steps back. Or in the roller coaster analogy again, the kind of coaster that goes backwards and into a side track, eventually leads into a totally different direction and becomes the new trajectory of the journey. Sometimes life can be upside-down and going backward. But as the pendulum swings back, the potential energy is released in the opposite direction, there is momentum to head into the right direction.
I think everyone understands the ups and downs of life-- physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially. Life is not easy. Not the way we intend it to be.
There's a Third Day song that talks about this journey of life. Sometimes we lose our way. Sometimes we are deep in the valley, but we eventually make it up the mountain to the right path and direction.
I like roller coasters. Some are smooth and sleek. Some are rough and tortuous. But they are all generated by kinetic energy. The roller coaster reaches its maximum kinetic energy at its lowest point of its path. When a roller coaster climbs and ascends, the kinetic energy converts to gravitational potential energy. The sum of kinetic and potential energy in this system remains constant, if friction doesn't change.
Life is like a roller coaster. there are ups and downs, twists and turns. Sometimes life can be smooth sailing. Sometimes it can be a rough ride. But through it all, you can survive through those wild twists and turns in life.
My life as an example
I started off slow, mostly because I was an introvert, a nerd in high school (perhaps), and that personality transcended into my adulthood. In fact, I once referred myself as socially inept, because I didn't do well in social situations. It took me a while to climb or ascend that social scale. It might look like I have a lot of friends that I have found and reconnected on Facebook, but my quality friends are still just a handful.
I may be not as inept as I once thought I was, but life throws you curve balls-- or in the roller coaster analogy, life gives you twists and turns.
I met women online on dating sites that I thought were potential mates, only to find them not responding to me any longer. Or in the case of one, she was a missionary to Romania, who came home to Minnesota to get financial support, but she couldn't come out to California to visit me. After that, I lost contact with her, only to think we had something together there. Two steps forward, three steps back. Or in the roller coaster analogy again, the kind of coaster that goes backwards and into a side track, eventually leads into a totally different direction and becomes the new trajectory of the journey. Sometimes life can be upside-down and going backward. But as the pendulum swings back, the potential energy is released in the opposite direction, there is momentum to head into the right direction.
I think everyone understands the ups and downs of life-- physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially. Life is not easy. Not the way we intend it to be.
There's a Third Day song that talks about this journey of life. Sometimes we lose our way. Sometimes we are deep in the valley, but we eventually make it up the mountain to the right path and direction.
I confess from time to time I lose my way,
But you are always there to bring me back again.
Even though the journey's long,
And I know the road is hard,
Well, the One who's gone before me
He will keep me carry on,
After all that I've been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God.
Sometimes the road on this journey can be bumpy and rocky, and sometimes it's slick and smooth. That's the concept of the friction on a roller coaster. Some roller coasters go through water, which may make the rails slick. But when the coaster is on a decline and SPLASH! You get wet. There's added resistance pushing against the coaster, coming to an abrubt stop or tremendously slowing down the process of the journey. The journey is not over yet. But if you need forgiveness and a fresh new start, you can reboard the ride for another exciting ride.
If you need to confess your past, present and future sins, confess them now.
Heavenly Father, I ask that You forgive me of my sins. Help me to get on the right track by accepting Jesus Christ into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. I need your love and forgiveness. Come into my life, Lord Jesus and lead me on the right path You want for my life. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, congratulations. You are now a Child of God. Find a good Bible believing church who will help you grow in the way God wants to lead you.
Blessings,
Garret
Garret
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A Version of a Guest's Aversion
Originally I wrote this "article" about three years ago, but recently was brought back to this thought. I saw this on a church banner: "No Perfect People Allowed". I knew what they were trying to convey, but I just nodded my head in disbelief.
"C'mon! What would non-believers really think about that?" I wondered.
Sometimes Christians forget to think like non-believers if they are trying to attract them to their church. And in North Natomas alone (where I saw this church banner), there are many little niche churches. Is that what they're really trying to attract?
I had a season when arriving to Sacramento, visiting churches in this Sacramento metropolitan area. This was something I always wanted to do, because I had been serving in the church since my early twenties. But being in the role of a guest, and in the eyes of a potential seeker guest, I had an eye-opening revelation. Most churches don’t offer a favorable impression to return back to church.
Why is that? I think since I’ve been reading books on church growth, thriving churches, and church visioneering (taken from Andy Stanley), I’ve grown a different perspective. I’m seeing things an unchurched seeker would see. And unfortunately, many churches fail in their attempts to attract people seeking God’s love, genuinely.
Being as open and honest as I am, in this article, I will name churches that are doing a good job and others that didn’t give me the time of day, as constructive criticism to their leadership.
Now, the actual best reception I received was at Fellowship Church in Grapevine/Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. Them-folk are genuinely nice and friendly, but I was there for a church conference. They’re supposed to be nice to the fellow brethren, right? Well, I even attended their evening service (before heading back to DFW), and those Dallas-folk are really nice and friendly!
The next best reception I received as a first-time guest was at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville/Rocklin. They had friendly, helpful people up the steps to the Worship Center and in their Welcome Center. Their sister church in North Natomas did well, too. When I went to Adventure Christian Church of North Natomas, it was rainy, so I didn’t quite see the signs to the church. But when I passed the chain link fence to the school they meet at, I saw signs to point me in the right direction. Yes, good signage is another trait of being guest-friendly.
Speaking of signage, it is good for churches to post their service times. For the wandering churchgoer I was, that’s what I’m looking for. On one of my scouting runs (and before I attended Bayside), I saw that Bayside Church in Granite Bay has three Sunday services and a Saturday service. Good! There’s a choice for good seats at optimal seating times (that’s a reference to Bill Hybel’s axiom for Prevailing Churches).
But another church just had their church website on it. Unless I have a laptop with a wireless connection in my car, that seems ineffective for me and others like me. The clearer and concise the signage is, the easier it is for guests. Otherwise, you’d only attract the techies (unless that’s their intention!). [See, I wrote that before iPhones or iPads existed.]
Now, what really got me going on this topic was visiting a church that had decent signage at almost every street corner, a consistent look to their signs at every corner, but when I entered their house of worship in a business park office building, there was nobody near the door to greet me, a new guest. I didn’t know where to go, because there were groups of people conversing and having a good time (which is good), but nobody noticed me until I just walked up to a group of guys by the refreshment table. I had to make the initial contact, which most first time guests would not do, especially if they are new to church.
Other churches, especially if they have more than one entrance, like Arcade Church, you can easily sneak in and out without having anyone really notice you, which was my intention when I went. Large churches with more than one entrance, it’s easy to be a stealth guest, if that’s what you want to do.
My worst experience was my first venture into churches in the area. I was new to Sacramento, so the best way to look for a church is through the Yellow Pages. Now, after spending a day and a half reading the phone book, I thought the safest way was to go to a non-denominational church, or so I thought. But beware of the labeling and marketing. I ended up going to a predominantly black church in somewhat the inner city, Calvary Christian Center. The name sounds safe, right? But after parking and entering their doors, they knew I was new. They gave me a cheap green ribbon with a label “visitor” glued to the ribbon, which was pinned onto my chest. Then in the service, people would intentionally greet to meet me (plus it was obvious I wasn’t black) and was asked to stand up if you were new. How embarrassing! And not to mention, intimidating! By the way, they really are an Assembly of God denomination church.
The point to this (and the “beef” I have with other churches) is to look at how you do ministry from the eyes of your guests, especially non-believing guests. It may really surprise you! Think of the obstacles that make someone new to your church feel comfortable and welcome. What are some things you could do that don’t require much planning and preparation?
Simple things like actually being friendly help! I’m ashamed the first time I went to our sister church, Bayside of Woodland, nobody greeted me. They acted like they were too busy to even say “hi” to me. I had to help myself, find someone with a bulletin, and find a seat. Even afterward there was a guest package, but I just grabbed it without anybody greeting me. I realize they were new at this (I think it was their second Sunday service), but the core group was meeting as another church prior to becoming a Bayside church!
In summary, and the point to it all: I pray that churches take a hard, long look at how they are perceived by non-believers and potential guests to their church. It may be the stumbling block for them to come to Jesus. How a church treats its guests really shows if they exemplify God's love and mercy or not.
Blessings,
Garret
"C'mon! What would non-believers really think about that?" I wondered.
Sometimes Christians forget to think like non-believers if they are trying to attract them to their church. And in North Natomas alone (where I saw this church banner), there are many little niche churches. Is that what they're really trying to attract?
I had a season when arriving to Sacramento, visiting churches in this Sacramento metropolitan area. This was something I always wanted to do, because I had been serving in the church since my early twenties. But being in the role of a guest, and in the eyes of a potential seeker guest, I had an eye-opening revelation. Most churches don’t offer a favorable impression to return back to church.
Why is that? I think since I’ve been reading books on church growth, thriving churches, and church visioneering (taken from Andy Stanley), I’ve grown a different perspective. I’m seeing things an unchurched seeker would see. And unfortunately, many churches fail in their attempts to attract people seeking God’s love, genuinely.
Being as open and honest as I am, in this article, I will name churches that are doing a good job and others that didn’t give me the time of day, as constructive criticism to their leadership.
Now, the actual best reception I received was at Fellowship Church in Grapevine/Dallas/ Fort Worth, Texas. Them-folk are genuinely nice and friendly, but I was there for a church conference. They’re supposed to be nice to the fellow brethren, right? Well, I even attended their evening service (before heading back to DFW), and those Dallas-folk are really nice and friendly!
The next best reception I received as a first-time guest was at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville/Rocklin. They had friendly, helpful people up the steps to the Worship Center and in their Welcome Center. Their sister church in North Natomas did well, too. When I went to Adventure Christian Church of North Natomas, it was rainy, so I didn’t quite see the signs to the church. But when I passed the chain link fence to the school they meet at, I saw signs to point me in the right direction. Yes, good signage is another trait of being guest-friendly.
Speaking of signage, it is good for churches to post their service times. For the wandering churchgoer I was, that’s what I’m looking for. On one of my scouting runs (and before I attended Bayside), I saw that Bayside Church in Granite Bay has three Sunday services and a Saturday service. Good! There’s a choice for good seats at optimal seating times (that’s a reference to Bill Hybel’s axiom for Prevailing Churches).
But another church just had their church website on it. Unless I have a laptop with a wireless connection in my car, that seems ineffective for me and others like me. The clearer and concise the signage is, the easier it is for guests. Otherwise, you’d only attract the techies (unless that’s their intention!). [See, I wrote that before iPhones or iPads existed.]
Now, what really got me going on this topic was visiting a church that had decent signage at almost every street corner, a consistent look to their signs at every corner, but when I entered their house of worship in a business park office building, there was nobody near the door to greet me, a new guest. I didn’t know where to go, because there were groups of people conversing and having a good time (which is good), but nobody noticed me until I just walked up to a group of guys by the refreshment table. I had to make the initial contact, which most first time guests would not do, especially if they are new to church.
Other churches, especially if they have more than one entrance, like Arcade Church, you can easily sneak in and out without having anyone really notice you, which was my intention when I went. Large churches with more than one entrance, it’s easy to be a stealth guest, if that’s what you want to do.
My worst experience was my first venture into churches in the area. I was new to Sacramento, so the best way to look for a church is through the Yellow Pages. Now, after spending a day and a half reading the phone book, I thought the safest way was to go to a non-denominational church, or so I thought. But beware of the labeling and marketing. I ended up going to a predominantly black church in somewhat the inner city, Calvary Christian Center. The name sounds safe, right? But after parking and entering their doors, they knew I was new. They gave me a cheap green ribbon with a label “visitor” glued to the ribbon, which was pinned onto my chest. Then in the service, people would intentionally greet to meet me (plus it was obvious I wasn’t black) and was asked to stand up if you were new. How embarrassing! And not to mention, intimidating! By the way, they really are an Assembly of God denomination church.
The point to this (and the “beef” I have with other churches) is to look at how you do ministry from the eyes of your guests, especially non-believing guests. It may really surprise you! Think of the obstacles that make someone new to your church feel comfortable and welcome. What are some things you could do that don’t require much planning and preparation?
Simple things like actually being friendly help! I’m ashamed the first time I went to our sister church, Bayside of Woodland, nobody greeted me. They acted like they were too busy to even say “hi” to me. I had to help myself, find someone with a bulletin, and find a seat. Even afterward there was a guest package, but I just grabbed it without anybody greeting me. I realize they were new at this (I think it was their second Sunday service), but the core group was meeting as another church prior to becoming a Bayside church!
In summary, and the point to it all: I pray that churches take a hard, long look at how they are perceived by non-believers and potential guests to their church. It may be the stumbling block for them to come to Jesus. How a church treats its guests really shows if they exemplify God's love and mercy or not.
Blessings,
Garret
Saturday, January 23, 2010
My Long and Winding Road
When I moved to Sacramento from the Bay Area, I believed God had some incredible opportunity for me. Well, I still believe that. But my "passion" when getting here to the City of Sacraments was to plant a church. Really? Plant another church in a city where there are a bunch of big churches-- and many small churches? That was the same argument Ed Young, Junior had before he planted his church, Fellowship Church in the metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth area, which has become one of the fastest growing and largest churches in the USA.
But first, let me take you on a tour of the road of life I went through.
I grew up in a typical agnostic Asian-American family. Even though I am a fifth generation born-in-the-USA Chinese (my mom's family came as laborers when they were building the Transcontinental Railroad, and my dad's family came during the California Gold Rush also as laborers), the thought was always: go to school, go to college, get a good-paying job.
For the most-part, I did. Well, I had hoped to become a doctor, a pediatrician (that's what I knew back then). I had become a believer in Christ as a senior in High School. But in college, I didn't fare so well in calculus and chemistry. I didn't quite get C's in those "C" classes, if you know what I mean.
So although I was strong in Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, I became a Radiologic Technologist (x-ray tech). And after being in healthcare (even during my internship), I knew I didn't want to remain in the healthcare business. God was planning something else for me.
Church Plant #1: Christ Community Chinese Alliance Church
My friend at school invites me to her home for a Bible study, where her father is a pastor-- and a church planter. I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord through that group. We were going to church in Berkeley, where I was baptized, but shortly afterward, Pastor Philip Loh plants a church in San Leandro, where we lived. The bilingual (Cantonese and English) church moves to Hayward when they find property to purchase. I was there for ten years, going through college and my early years in my career as a Rad Tech.
There, I helped develop the Junior High ministry, teaching Sunday school and sponsoring the Jr. High Club. I also served as usher and presider (that was the beginning of me being in front of the congregation, English speaking, but still an up-front position). Then the youth pastor I worked under, Pastor Kenton, leaves to start a church in Pleasanton.
Church Plant #2: Valley Gate Chapel
Renting a room in a Southern Baptist Church in Pleasanton, I help in worship, first playing drums (which was "forbidden" in the previous church). I eventually lead worship playing guitar.
During that time, I thought I was to serve in Worship and music, so I went to Recording School in Massieville, Ohio for a summer. I received certificates in Audio Recording and Music Production. I also went to Masters Institute in San Jose to get my second Associates degree, this one in Multimedia Production.
Church Plant #3: Pathway Community Church
Pastor Brian, who was my previous English-speaking pastor in Hayward left the Chinese church to go back to school for his PsyD degree. At that time, he was also on-staff at a church that went to Saddleback's Purpose Driven Church Conference. There, he received the call to plant another church.
He took a core group of people (me included) to Saddleback. It was there I received God's call to serve Him in ministry. At that time, I was leading worship, so I thought THAT was my call, to lead worship, become a Worship Pastor. I hadn't received a Bachelor's degree. Just two Associate degrees and certificates. But I found a program at San Jose Christian College which took some of those previous units and applied them to my eventual BS degree in Christian Leadership.
Church Plant #4: Calvary Chapel Tracy
A friend of mine was playing bass and percussion in a church in Livermore. That church was also launching another church in Tracy. He asked me if I could help play drums. Eventually, I led worship there. But once they went from Sunday evening services to Sunday morning services, I had to leave that opportunity-- my first out of the Asian church.
Well, the other church plants didn't officially call themselves "Chinese" or "Asian", but the church usually takes on the personality of what you already are, which we were: Asian. Nothing wrong with that, but in the greater scope of ministry, I wanted more. Like in the prayer of Jabez, which I was reading Bruce Wilkinson's book at the time, I prayed that prayer to increase my territory (of influence).
So that takes me to moving to Sacramento after a job opportunity in a surgery center/pain management clinic. And after visiting many churches in the area, I find Bayside Church in Granite Bay. Boy, nothing quite like it.
Good music. No, great music. I audition for the worship team as a drummer, and I don't even make that cut. That's how awesome the worship music is, led by Lincoln Brewster.
Still with the call to serve, I join the video team. Instantly, I find a home to use my gifts and abilities. ( I also did stints in photography with Glamour Shots in the mall, and Lifetouch, the yearbook company). At Bayside, all the doors opened up for me to explore my multimedia experience. There was the 7C's Film School, which I completed and helped make several short Christian indie films. And when Bayside purchased new equipment, they trained me in video switching.
The point to all of this? God never wastes opportunities. All the side trips God led me through is becoming clearer, as I'm beginning to see God working in my life.
Don't doubt the trials and tribulations you have to go through. God will lead you through them. Enjoy your journey. Be quenched in this quintessential quest for your life.
Blessings,
Garret
But first, let me take you on a tour of the road of life I went through.
I grew up in a typical agnostic Asian-American family. Even though I am a fifth generation born-in-the-USA Chinese (my mom's family came as laborers when they were building the Transcontinental Railroad, and my dad's family came during the California Gold Rush also as laborers), the thought was always: go to school, go to college, get a good-paying job.
For the most-part, I did. Well, I had hoped to become a doctor, a pediatrician (that's what I knew back then). I had become a believer in Christ as a senior in High School. But in college, I didn't fare so well in calculus and chemistry. I didn't quite get C's in those "C" classes, if you know what I mean.
So although I was strong in Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, I became a Radiologic Technologist (x-ray tech). And after being in healthcare (even during my internship), I knew I didn't want to remain in the healthcare business. God was planning something else for me.
Church Plant #1: Christ Community Chinese Alliance Church
My friend at school invites me to her home for a Bible study, where her father is a pastor-- and a church planter. I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord through that group. We were going to church in Berkeley, where I was baptized, but shortly afterward, Pastor Philip Loh plants a church in San Leandro, where we lived. The bilingual (Cantonese and English) church moves to Hayward when they find property to purchase. I was there for ten years, going through college and my early years in my career as a Rad Tech.
There, I helped develop the Junior High ministry, teaching Sunday school and sponsoring the Jr. High Club. I also served as usher and presider (that was the beginning of me being in front of the congregation, English speaking, but still an up-front position). Then the youth pastor I worked under, Pastor Kenton, leaves to start a church in Pleasanton.
Church Plant #2: Valley Gate Chapel
Renting a room in a Southern Baptist Church in Pleasanton, I help in worship, first playing drums (which was "forbidden" in the previous church). I eventually lead worship playing guitar.
During that time, I thought I was to serve in Worship and music, so I went to Recording School in Massieville, Ohio for a summer. I received certificates in Audio Recording and Music Production. I also went to Masters Institute in San Jose to get my second Associates degree, this one in Multimedia Production.
Church Plant #3: Pathway Community Church
Pastor Brian, who was my previous English-speaking pastor in Hayward left the Chinese church to go back to school for his PsyD degree. At that time, he was also on-staff at a church that went to Saddleback's Purpose Driven Church Conference. There, he received the call to plant another church.
He took a core group of people (me included) to Saddleback. It was there I received God's call to serve Him in ministry. At that time, I was leading worship, so I thought THAT was my call, to lead worship, become a Worship Pastor. I hadn't received a Bachelor's degree. Just two Associate degrees and certificates. But I found a program at San Jose Christian College which took some of those previous units and applied them to my eventual BS degree in Christian Leadership.
Church Plant #4: Calvary Chapel Tracy
A friend of mine was playing bass and percussion in a church in Livermore. That church was also launching another church in Tracy. He asked me if I could help play drums. Eventually, I led worship there. But once they went from Sunday evening services to Sunday morning services, I had to leave that opportunity-- my first out of the Asian church.
Well, the other church plants didn't officially call themselves "Chinese" or "Asian", but the church usually takes on the personality of what you already are, which we were: Asian. Nothing wrong with that, but in the greater scope of ministry, I wanted more. Like in the prayer of Jabez, which I was reading Bruce Wilkinson's book at the time, I prayed that prayer to increase my territory (of influence).
So that takes me to moving to Sacramento after a job opportunity in a surgery center/pain management clinic. And after visiting many churches in the area, I find Bayside Church in Granite Bay. Boy, nothing quite like it.
Good music. No, great music. I audition for the worship team as a drummer, and I don't even make that cut. That's how awesome the worship music is, led by Lincoln Brewster.
Still with the call to serve, I join the video team. Instantly, I find a home to use my gifts and abilities. ( I also did stints in photography with Glamour Shots in the mall, and Lifetouch, the yearbook company). At Bayside, all the doors opened up for me to explore my multimedia experience. There was the 7C's Film School, which I completed and helped make several short Christian indie films. And when Bayside purchased new equipment, they trained me in video switching.
The point to all of this? God never wastes opportunities. All the side trips God led me through is becoming clearer, as I'm beginning to see God working in my life.
Don't doubt the trials and tribulations you have to go through. God will lead you through them. Enjoy your journey. Be quenched in this quintessential quest for your life.
Blessings,
Garret
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Joy in the Journey
It seems like there are necessary life lessons we must go through as we travel on the road called life. And every day brings new opportunities to learn something new. That is how God created what we call "life". This is why someone said there is "joy in the journey". Sometimes we are so focused on where we want to go, our final destination. But there are places to stop and enjoy the sights along the way.
I heard the story of a couple on their honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii. Perhaps you've heard of the famed road to Hana. Well, the newlywed wife wanted to go on the trek on the road to Hana. The newlywed husband, ready to please his beautiful wife said he would drive to Hana.
"I'll get you to Hana", the husband replied.
They were staying on the Kaanapali side of the island, so they had to travel to the other side. But the roads on Maui are two lanes, and winding along the rugged coastline. Soon the asphalt gave way to gravel. Then the gravel led to groveling.
"I'll get you there to Hana", said the determined husband.
By this time, it was getting dark. It was taking much longer than they had anticipated. When they arrived at Hana, they discovered it was a small town with no place to stay. The businesses were closing because it was getting dark. By this time, the husband was mad because there was nothing to do in Hana. He found a local.
"Did you enjoy the drive?", asked the local.
"No!" exclaimed the husband, "It was a rough drive!"
"You didn't see the beaches and the waterfalls?" was the response of the local.
Apparently, they had missed the whole reason for this journey. There were beautiful sights to behold along this trek on the road to Hana. They totally missed it. That is just like our life's journey. There are beautiful sights to behold if we stop and observe them. Life is to be lived, not just bound by determination to get to the end. Then what is the purpose of this life?
That's why I call my blog The Quintessential Quest (other than "Joy in the Journey" was already taken). As I begin blogging my profound thoughts, my purpose is to inspire you to live a life worthy of living. Granted, I know life's tough. But as we are on this quest of life, we will have questions. We will stumble and fall. And we will have triumphs in life, too.
Blessings,
Garret
I heard the story of a couple on their honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii. Perhaps you've heard of the famed road to Hana. Well, the newlywed wife wanted to go on the trek on the road to Hana. The newlywed husband, ready to please his beautiful wife said he would drive to Hana.
"I'll get you to Hana", the husband replied.
They were staying on the Kaanapali side of the island, so they had to travel to the other side. But the roads on Maui are two lanes, and winding along the rugged coastline. Soon the asphalt gave way to gravel. Then the gravel led to groveling.
"I'll get you there to Hana", said the determined husband.
By this time, it was getting dark. It was taking much longer than they had anticipated. When they arrived at Hana, they discovered it was a small town with no place to stay. The businesses were closing because it was getting dark. By this time, the husband was mad because there was nothing to do in Hana. He found a local.
"Did you enjoy the drive?", asked the local.
"No!" exclaimed the husband, "It was a rough drive!"
"You didn't see the beaches and the waterfalls?" was the response of the local.
Apparently, they had missed the whole reason for this journey. There were beautiful sights to behold along this trek on the road to Hana. They totally missed it. That is just like our life's journey. There are beautiful sights to behold if we stop and observe them. Life is to be lived, not just bound by determination to get to the end. Then what is the purpose of this life?
That's why I call my blog The Quintessential Quest (other than "Joy in the Journey" was already taken). As I begin blogging my profound thoughts, my purpose is to inspire you to live a life worthy of living. Granted, I know life's tough. But as we are on this quest of life, we will have questions. We will stumble and fall. And we will have triumphs in life, too.
Blessings,
Garret
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