Date:  Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Day 49 of 180

Day 50.  Wow, almost two months.  Learning to live out my faith in such an utterly dependent way has been most beneficial to my maturity as a Christian.  More than this, I have found that your loving support both financially and prayerfully have been most helpful.  I could not have survived this long without your prayers and your financial support.  Surprisingly I find very little in the way of updates.  Though a question has been raised about my current ministerial role, which has led a number of pastors and me to begin a season of prayer to seek out what is really the best fit for me here in TLC.  The question involves my language capabilities or lack of them.  It has been no secret to the staff that I have been quite frustrated and a little discouraged by my lack of ability when it comes to trying to communicate in Mandarin certain points of view of faith in Mandarin.  This profound difficulty has led them to believe that perhaps my placement in the Youth Zone at TLC may not be a good permanent fit for me, and that maybe I might be better suited to a placement at the Foreigner Zone.  There are advantages to both but none seem to be the clear choice.  Please join me and the staff at TLC as we prayerfully consider, again, what God’s plans are for my time here.

Here are some texts to guide your prayers:

1.)    Psalm 16:7-11, “⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.   ⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  ⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;  my body also will rest secure, ¹⁰ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful^[a] one see decay.  ¹¹ You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

2.)    Psalm 17:6-7, “⁶I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.  ⁷Wondrously show you steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at you right hand.”

3.)    Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

4.)    1 Peter 1:6-7, “⁶In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Thank you again for your prayers, couldn’t do this without you all.

                                                                                                                                         Much Love,

                                                                                                                                                  David

Date:  Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Day 42 of 180

How fitting that the sermon series during my stay in Taiwan would be on the Israelites conquest of Canaan.  What does this have anything to do with my time here in a foreign nation?  Well, imagine if you would that my years in high school and college up to and including my months in Taipei as my wilderness.  What is significant about this analogy is that like Israel, I’m being prepared and purified for the work that God has for me.  “Count it all joy, brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” James 1:2-4 (ESV).

For Israel the wilderness wasn’t just a time of punishment and pain, but it was a time where God could 1.) Raise up a generation fit and ready to inherit the land which He promised them; and 2.) Teach them skills and lessons that would be vital during their conquest:  steadfast faith and a worshipful attitude in the midst of pain and discomfort.  It was a time of testing and purification before He found that fit and ready to inherit the blessing He had prepared for them.  Now more than ever, I feel like I’m in the wilderness.  Add up the time in college and high school, and it feels like God has been preparing me for something glorious.  It all seems to be culminating now, but I’m not out yet.  God still has so much more to teach me now and through the next few years.  I know that after this time of preparation that my promise land will be more than I could even imagine or ask for.

Here are 5 key points that I gathered from Joshua 3-5:

1.)    It took 40 years of “wandering” in order to get them ready for this moment.  Sometimes God takes us through the wilderness of life—job insecurity, health complications, etc., yet all is for a purpose.  God is preparing us for an inheritance greater than all that we could ask or imagine.  We’re not on our own.  God is with us, molding us, shaping us, and preparing us for that moment of blessing.  We just need to learn a few lessons before we’re ready to receive it.  So trust and hope in the God who will give good gifts to His children because of the great love with which He has for us.
Step 1:  Bask in the love that God has for you.

2.)    Notice God’s intimate involvement in Israel’s preparation.  It is God who told them how and where to cross the Jordan, God told them how to setup the altar, God told them how to circumcise, etc.  Throughout the entire narrative account God is personally involved in the preparation process.  He is not distant.  He is not apathetic.  He lovingly cares for them.  He is careful to make sure they’re doing it right.  Only when they are really ready does He finally command them to enter.  But all along the way He is helping them get ready.
Step 2:  Marvel at God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.

3.)    Preparation is not limited to just physical, mental, spiritual, or social aspects of the individual but involves a change of disposition affecting every part of the self.  The amazing thing is that we are not left to accomplish this change on our own.  God is responsible for the change.  God is with us, overseeing and guiding, as we change.
Step 3:  Watch in amazement as God is the one acting to prepare us for our inheritance He has prepared for us.

4.)    The importance of circumcision.  In the Biblical narrative circumcision has been used as an act of devotion of oneself to God in a Covenantal consecration.  It shows our devotion to faith, obedience, and reverence to God.  While today the meaning can be lost, by the obvious physical connotations, circumcision is still utterly important today:  a separation of oneself from fleshly desires and devotion to all that is beautiful and good with respect to the Cross of Christ.  Note that this heart-centered circumcision is not an act that we can do ourselves, but one that only Christ can do on the Cross.
Step 4:  Devote yourselves to faith and obedience to God’s Word, separating yourself from the world

5.)    Now for the most amazing part.  After all that has been done for us there is one more thing left to do before we can enjoy the inheritance:  earn it.  We still have a battle to win, a life to conquer.  But before you object, wait; even know God is watching over us.  We have a warrior sent to fight for us, bringing with Him the legions of Heaven—our Savior, Jesus Christ.  In the end, before we are about to set out to accept our inheritance, the Devil has one more objection:  humanity’s sinful reality.  It’s at this most desperate moment, when we have nothing to say for ourselves that Christ steps in and claims us as His own.  “That sinful, dirty, and smelly child is MINE.  I claimed and bought him when I went to the Cross.  The sin and guilt are MINE to bear, MINE to own.  He is sinless, guiltless.”  Clothed in righteousness and in his blood, we are finally allowed to enjoy the inheritance which God has prepared for us.
Step 5:  Worship the Holy Warrior, your Savior, who fought, who died, and who lives so that you might enjoy the riches of His glorious grace.

As you can imagine, this message was amazing.  It was one of those, “are you speaking directly to me,” moments when you think the pastor is directing his sermon to you alone.  Thank you God for the many blessings you have given me during my time here in Taipei.  Please keep me forever mindful of all that You have done, are doing, and will do.  You are amazing, help me never forget you love, you steadfast faithfulness, and grace which you continually pour out on me.  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

                                                                                Living towards a glorious and joyful inheritance,

                                                                                                                                        David Leong

Date:  Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Day:  35 of 180

So one of the themes of the morning prayer meetings that I attend almost every morning is God's love for us.  How should His love affect us?  How should we live in light of it?  What happens when we forget?  What happens when we fail? Well here's a journal entry that I wrote that has really been on my mind lately.  I hope it blesses you too as it did me when I wrote it.

Reference text:   Genesis 5:1b ESV

Just when all hope seems lost, and the two present heirs seem to be either lost to death or corrupted by the same evil that persuaded Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, God steps in, as He often does, and works a miracle:  Cain fathers a child named Enoch.  In the greater Biblical narrative, Enoch is known as the only human to not die, prior to the prophets.

Just 

Even as it seems that an heir that might fulfill the redemptive prophecy may not be found, God does the unimaginable:  he redeems Cain's heritage by giving him a remarkable son to continue his family's name. Just when all hope seems lost, don't count God out. Odds are He has a plan, one great and more glorious than what we could ever ask or imagine.

This theme of judgment marked by unbelievable mercy is a character of God that echoes throughout the Biblical narrative.  It happens to the nation of Israel during the reigns of the kings, through to the Exile.  From the time of the early church to the writing of the book of Revelation, and even today.

Though war, disease, famine, moral decadence, and human injustice exist all over the world, God's mercy and grace is never far away.  Sometimes it can be found in the most unlikely of places.  God's love is present and still alive and well; though many times we are not privy to it.  Here is the key:  though pain and suffering may come your way, though sorrow may momentarily plague your life, and death may greet you, rejoice and give thanks for it is through momentary afflictions that your faith is proven and purified.  Wait on the LORD.  Cling to the Cross.  Hold fast to the arms of your Savior. Wait, Hope, and Trust.  God is at work.

end

The most amazing constant is God's willingness to pursue us no matter the cost.  There is such hope and confidence knowing that no matter where life will find us, no matter how dirty we've become, God still loves us, still wants us, and still died for us.  This is the source, the foundation:  the Cross.  It is the Cross that should motivate our very existence-life, work, friendships, hobbies, and passions.  It should give us the confidence to take risks for the cause of Christ.  The steps of faith that we take should get increasingly bigger and bolder as we find the surpassing worth every act.  Whoever said bring a Christian was boring clearly didn't have this Cross-Centered life in perspective.  I pray everyday that God would give me the boldness to act on what I know is true.  I know it's hard, but oh the joys and satisfaction available to him who perseveres to the end.

God sustain us as we pursue this type of Cross-Centered living that You have called us too.  Uphold us and when all hope seems lost when we fail, meet us in our sorrow and weakness.  Astound us by Your grace.  Motivate us through Your love.  And shock us by the revealing of Yourself.  LORD I pray all these things in the powerful and majestic name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.  Amen

Date:  Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Day 28 of 180

Today in the Chinese calendar is a very special day.  It is 8/8 or ba ba, which coincidentally corresponds to the sound that the word for “Father,” in Mandarin makes in the Chinese language.  As a result, it is Father’s Day here in Taiwan.  As a challenge, Pastor Yang at TLC invited us to celebrate our fathers this week by writing a blessing to them.  So, having been moved by the testimonies of the other members of TLC during last Sunday’s service, here is my tribute to the greatest father in my life, Lawrence Y.  Leong.

Dad, I don’t know how to begin except my thanking you for all that you do for me.  Thank you for your loving support in all that I do.  Thank you for your interest in my life.  Thank you for holding me to a higher standard and, therefore, motivating me to strive to live life to the best of my ability.  Thank you, Dad, for providing me with an exceptional education at Wheaton College.  Thank you for always providing me with the means to succeed.  Thank you for blessing me with a home, a family, a bed, and an environment that allows my relationship with God to grow.  Dad, I thank you for your love for Mom.  In a world where divorce and broken homes are the norm, I thank you for no giving up and giving in.  I thank you, Dad, for your example of uncompromising faith, unquenchable grace, and steadfast love.  Furthermore, your perseverance in prayer and faith is outstanding.  And I thank you for setting the standard so high; I pray that God would work in my heart to make me half the man you are.

Thank you, Dad, for being an example of who a true man of God might look like and how he should act.  Thank you for modeling for me how one should behave and respond to Christ’s death on the Cross for us.  Thank you for being an earthly image of God in my life.  Thank you for being my father.  Thank you for all the memories:  I miss the times when we used to wrestle in the living room.  You used to trap me underneath you, and then you would tickle me until it hurt.  The one overarching memory I have from my childhood is laughter.  Thank you for your sense of humor.  Thank you for your ability to be carefree.  I remember practicing Tai Chi.  I remember playing catch in the backyard.  I remember all the times spent playing board games.  I remember all this and so, so much more.  If I were to share all of them, the memories could fill thousands of books.  I know sometimes I act complacent and do not actively show you how thankful I am that you are my father—but I am.  You are the greatest man in my life.  I love you, with all my heart.

                                                                                                      Happy Father’s Day from you son,

                                                                                                                                                梁德謹

Date:  Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Day 21 of 180

Another day, another milestone.  I’ve now been in Taipei for almost a full month.  And to be honest, I love it here.  Everything is just so easy here.  Getting places is easy because of the amazing public transportation system.  Eating good is easy because of the variety of food available in Taipei.  Life is just great, between great tropical weather, amazing people, and good food life couldn’t get any better.  Not only that but because of the transportation system you’re no more than a train ride from either the mountains in central Taiwan or the beaches in northern Taiwan.  Like I said, life is good.

Since we’ve last talked, I been given a more specified role.  Days I’ll work with Love Network, which is an after school program for at risk teens.  Nights I’ll be working with the bilingual ministry and ALPHA group ministry at TLC.  And during the weekends, I’ll working primarily with both Love Net and with the bilingual ministry.  So I suppose this is when my 6 months actually begins.  Though I suppose it’s actually 5 months now.

As far as how I am adapting, I would say that I’m getting there.  Still getting used to using my Mandarin so often, but I’m finding it becoming increasingly easier, which is nice.  And to the issue of culture shock, well I don’t really feel it.  I’ve been to Taiwan before, though the difference now is that I’m here all by myself.  I don’t seem too anxious or nervous.  I just don’t see the point in being worried about something that is outside of my control.  Relationships will come when they come.  I believe that God will place in my life those people who I need the most at this point in my walk with Him.  I just need to have the faith to trust that He will provide for every need I have whether social, emotional, or physical.  It is to this end that I have found myself being increasingly less anxious.

It is just so much easier when you give up control.  When you choose to go outside your comfort zone and live in real faith, you will not be disappointed.  When you live everyday dependent on God to provide every need, you find God’s ability to meet every need.  Some say it’s hard to live outside your comfort zone, I say it’s the only way to live.  Because it’s when you’re at your limit that God becomes so much more real.  Your Faith become so much more than just an abstract ideal, but it becomes the very blood and marrow that make life possible.  When God takes you to your wits end when life seems all the more unlivable, this is when god becomes GOD.

I dare you all to dream big and live dangerously for the Kingdom of God, because it here, at your limits, that you find limitless Grace, Mercy, and Peace in the arms of God.

                                                                                                                          Living for HIS Glory,

                                                                                                                                                  David