Resurrection

Wow, it's been too long since I last posted. Let's just say, I've gone through a trying time this past semester. But God pulled me through, like He always has, and always shall. Amen.

These past days, in preparation for my trip to Beijing, I've been reading passages of Romans in Chinese. It's been really hard, but at the same time, VERY rewarding. Going through these passages in a different language somehow makes the Word seem... I don't know, fresh. It's been an empowering experience to soak in the Gospel again, like it's the first time I've seen it. Just those fundamental truths we take for granted too often jump back out and hit me anew, washing me in waves of terror of my own sin, awe at God's mercy, and joy in His amazing love for me. What fundamental truths am I talking about? The very basic ones.

1. We are sinners (3:23).
2. Sinners deserve God's wrath (1:32).
3. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to atone for our sins (5:8).
4. If we just believe in these truths, we will be saved and inherit eternal life (6:23).

Do these truths ever become stale to you? They sure do to me, when I'm lost in the daily grind, doing mundane tasks, meeting people, even when I pray or do my quiet times. And yet shouldn't these truths revolutionize our lives, our thinking, our very selves? Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, let us come back to the Word, to these fundamental, unshakable truths from our Heavenly Father. Do so, and experience a renewed joy, a renewed sense of wonder, and renewed hope as we wait on the Lord.

"Beautiful One" is playing on Pandora right now. Oh, I could dance like a fool for my God right now.

Continue to pray for the salvation of my grandparents ("Lao ye" and "Lao lao") and my aunt and uncle ("yi ma" and "yi zhang"), and others, in Beijing. The grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.