Prayer in Music

Today is our Christmas music program at Taipei Adventist American School. Music is a gift from God to be utilized to glorify him and to praise him. To be called to be a musician in God's church is a high calling, even though it is not often seemed to be as such. However, the struggle to praise God with music is often always real.

I am not a musician myself, though I sometimes like to pretend I can sing. I admire those who are musicians and can play instruments, I think it is a beautiful talent.  It is a blessing that the kids here at TAAS can learn to play their music instruments well, and hopefully one day they will play only for the Lord. That is the ultimate purpose of the music program I believe.

But back to the struggle. Today going down the mountain, was a very huge accident. The mountain only has one lane going going down and one going up. So with a huge accident, traffic is completely backed up. Apparently a total of 3 accidents; 7 cars and 2 scooters, the cars being in the worse condition. I wonder why all of this has happened, today at this particular time? It will be a few hours before the buses actually reach Soochow University. The students were supposed to practice for tonight's program.

I like to look at things and this situation from the spiritual aspect. I wonder if many understand the spiritual situation that has happened. Of course, there is more to why this happened other than the music program. Think about how many lives are being affected right now jst from this accident; who has an important meeting to go to? Who is rushing against a life and death situation? Who is questioning their belief in God right now? So many where backed up on the mountain.

The Great Controversy is real. The battle between Heaven and Hell is real, and it all starts in the Garden of Eden. Many of us already know this story. But there is one very important scripture that speaks about The Great Controversy in a nutshell and it is often missed. Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

In that one promise begins the controversy. Ever since then the devil has been devising plans to destroy Jesus, because he knows Jesus is the promised son that will one day crush his head. He also goes out of his way to hurt the children of Jesus, because in doing so he is also hurting our creator. When someone hurts your child how do you feel?

What does this have to do with the music program? The devil wants to win people over to his side. He doesn't want us to believe in Jesus. Music can touch people in a special way. Gospel music is powerful. Gospel music is like prayer. Why would the devil want a bunch of kids to sing music to God? Why would he want them to praise him? Why would he want them to "pray"?

The buses with the kids came maybe an hour late. We had until the afternoon to practice, and then we had to leave. In the end, God works everything out. The kids practiced and then they did very well at the concert. God is good all the time。

Conscientious Objector

In the military, a conscientious objector is someone who has decided to not carry a gun into battle due to their religious beliefs and convictions.  To many, this person who has decided to do this, has decided to loose their lives on the forefront of war.  Many would never understand why someone has chosen to make this conviction, because to many, their own lives is what matters the most.  My dad was in the Army and I was talking to him this morning about the movie Hacksaw Ridge.  In the U.S. Army, the things that Dawes  experienced as conscientious objector are all legitimate experiences of someone who is.

I remember one day in Jamaica being frustrated with my landlady.  The refrigerator that was provided and included in my rent frequently cut off, and I spoke to my landlady about this multiple times.  One morning I opened my fridge to look for breakfast, and found that it was not working.  I was upset because as mentioned, I said something a few times already.  Plus, this particular morning was a Sabbath.  So I left for church and came back home after sunset to find a few things in the fridge spoiled; Jamaica is a hot country, especially during the summer.  So the next morning, I went to my landlady, told her what happened and defenses went up.  Of course she wanted to know why I did not come and tell her yesterday about it, because obviously God would not have a problem with me doing so.  If you know how the devil works, you know where this story was going.

I am not sharing my story to criticize or to make myself to be a proud and haughty Adventist; I have my own faults and sins that I must overcome as well. I am sharing my story because at the time, I don’t think I realized how much of a role the devil plays in trying to make you fall.  The story of Dawson Dawes is an example of this.  When he refused to work on the Sabbath and pick up a gun, the devil attacked him (I saw the movie today, very powerful).  He did everything that he could to try and make Dawes fall and give up on what it was God wanted to use him for.  In the end, God was going to use him for something big, and he did.  Dawes stuck to his conviction, and it changed the hearts of others.  This is all a part of the Great Controversy between good and evil. 

The devil attacked Dawes the way he did because knew that he would lose people he already had on his side.  See, the devil does not bother those who he already has.  His goal is to hurt God.  Think about it.  For a parent, what is the worst thing that could ever happen to them?  Many know that this is to lose their children.  It is the same way with God, our heavenly parent.  Every day, he loses someone to the devil. 

The story of Dawson Dawes is a story of conviction.  He was convicted by his faith to keep ALL of the commandments of God.  When we disobey the commandments of God, it makes the devil happy and God sad.  God’s holy Law is good and unchangeable.  God desires us to keep his law so much that Romans 6:23 states that, “The wage of sin is death.”  When Adam and Eve sinned and broke the laws of God, they did not break just one, but all of them.  So now, they were sentenced to leave the Garden of Eden and would now know death.

However, in the next part of the scripture, God redeems us with the blood of his son Jesus Christ- “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, it was not without a promise to be redeemed.

All of these things have made me reflective of my own life now and it makes me ask myself, what am I conscientiously objective about?  I have recently been thinking about these things even before seeing the movie and the movie really hit it on the head for me.  Where in my life do I see God using me for his glory?  Have I become complacent in my walk with God? Have I become too comfortable?  How am I allowing God to use me?  What have I been convicted about recently? I think on these things because as a Christian, I believe in the soon coming of Jesus Christ.  I believe in Heaven, and have a strong desire to be there one day, and I want God to always be in my heart.   

This world is evil, and when you understand the workings of the devil and how life is now, and you start seeing it all around you, being in this world is not a happy place.  In order to find that perfect peace and comfort we all seek, Jesus must come.  He has not come yet because he is giving all of us a chance to make that decision to serve him.  He is giving all of us a chance to put on our white robes and follow him.  He is making sure all of us have heard who he is.  

Those that do not want to serve him now on Earth will not be happy in heaven.  Lord God, I pray that you can use me to serve you with all of my heart.  I pray that I please you and make you happy.  I pray that you will come soon and bring my family and I with you.  Help change all of us dear Lord.  Amen. 

Showers of Blessings

 I love hymnals.  I think that they soothe the soul.  When singing them, they are like prayers to God.  One hymnal that is particularly in my mind goes like this:

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
   This is the promise of love;
   There shall be seasons refreshing,
   Sent from the Savior above.
   • Refrain:
     Showers of blessing,
     Showers of blessing we need:
     Mercy-drops round us are falling,
     But for the showers we plead.
2. There shall be showers of blessing,
   Precious reviving again;
   Over the hills and the valleys,
   Sound of abundance of rain.
3. Of course, the song is a few more verses longer, but I only wanted to put a few up (did not want to make my whole post about the song! lol).  I love this song, because it speaks of God's love for us; he wants to shower us with his blessings.  He has truly blessed me.  I want to share all of my Showers of Blessings with everyone:
4. 1.  A week before coming to Taiwan, I was treated to lunch and/or dinner almost everyday with all of my friends and family!  Love!!
5. 2.  My church family blessed me with videos, goodbyes and a sending off prayer.  They also enjoyed fellowship with me, as we continued to praise God even more.  Not to mention the gifts they gave me :) :) :). 
6. 3. I made it to Taiwan safely. 
7. 4. I spent time with my family, cousins and aunts before leaving.  Anytime spent with those you love is truly a blessing. 
8. 5. I was able to sale my car for more money than I thought it would be worth.  I still ended up owing money, but I was still very blessed.  
9. 6. Got a free phone when I set up my phone account in Taiwan.  It's a really nice one too, a new one (they don't even have cases for it yet! lol). Also, I paid for the bill up front and do not have to worry about a phone bill for the next 10 months.  Then too, phone bills are way cheaper in Taiwan!!
10. 7. I came to Taiwan to a nice house, a large room, a beautiful bedspread with my favorite colors, and a nice roommate!
11. 8. I have truly been blessed to not have to go through this adventure alone.  So many people have been helping me to get acclimated to the country, teaching me everything they know!! Truly a blessing, most people are just thrown in!! God always knows what you need. 
12. 9.  A category 3 Typhoon hit Taiwan which was pretty bad, but I still found a blessing in it!! We ended up getting a whole extra week to prepare for school.  I surely was not too ready for school to start Monday (though I did at least have a lesson plan ready :). 
13. 10.  I was sad that I could not go to church on Sabbath because of the Typhoon, but I was able to spend Sabbath with my roommate.  I read my bible, we sang hymns, listened to a Sermon by Stephen Bohr and prayed.  The night before, we also had worship with the Pastor and his wife who lives in our compound.  It was truly a blessing, because I always pray for a closer relationship to God. 

11. My classroom is small, but praise the Lord I have my own classroom.  In Jamaica I had rooms to use but they were not truly mine.

12. I was paid for a month without even working for a month yet!! whoo hoo lol. 

13.  It is a blessing to be able to come together and have worship in the morning with the people you work with.  So many places would be better off if they could pray in the morning together.  So far, I truly enjoy working in a Christian environment. 

14.  A lot of teachers and the staff at the school have helped me in different ways.  

15.  Taiwan is safe enough to feel comfortable walking at night.  

16. Quite a few of the teachers did a Costco trip before the Typhoon, and when we got there, they had almost no bread!! I told one of the teachers about it just in casual conversation, and the next day she brought me a loaf of bread that she made at home.  Truly a blessing.  

17. Also, I was looking for an organizer for my room, and the next thing you know, one miraculously appears at my door!! I was shocked, because I initially had no idea who brought it over.  I found out who and was very gracious.  

18.  My parents have been helping me take care of whatever things needed to be taken care of back home.  Truly a blessing. 

19.  So many people have been praying for me!!! The best blessing of them all!!

20. I have been getting free lunch the past week and a half lol.  Can't go wrong there :D.

21.  I have been meeting wonderful people!!   

Believe me, I can go on about how God has truly been showering me with his blessings. God will assuredly bless those who love him, and even those he does not, for he loves all of us.  Remember to always count your blessings, and you will always have something to be grateful for.  

God is an awesome God!!!

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 NIV

Answering God's Calling

Ever since I was little, I recall a desire to go overseas and explore new countries.  My biggest dream was to be a fashion designer. I wanted to go to Paris, Japan, Italy...all of the countries that little girls who want to be designers daydream about.  I would sit in my room and draw, design, and come up with unique outfits.  But, reality hit me and I never chased after that dream.  God had different plans.

I became Seventh-Day Adventist while a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica.  I randomly met a boy at the beach who was a preacher and also became my really good friend.  He invited me to church to listen to him preach, and I went, I was not doing anything that Saturday, why not go?  He started sharing with me Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs, and I did not take him for his word initially.  My family is Baptist and while I did not grow up in church, I knew we went to church on Sundays and not Saturdays.  I started asking others questions.

At the time, I was attending a Full Gospel church that a student of mine would invite me to.  When my friend started sharing his beliefs about keeping God's Commandments, I asked the Pastor of the church what he believed in regards to them.  He said that we could not keep God's Commandments, they were done away with at the cross.  He had been teaching me as well, and wanted me to baptize in his church.  I started to do my own research, ask different faith groups, look at different scriptures and read the whole New Testament looking for a scripture saying we do not need to keep God's Commandments or keep the Sabbath.  I did not find any.

I discovered that most people believe that you are to keep the Commandments of God.  But if this is the case, why do we only keep 9 of them?  Jesus himself kept the Sabbath, and so did everyone before him and after him.  At that point, I prayed about it and knew what God wanted me to do.  Many times it is mentioned in his word that we are not to follow man or the teachings of man.

I believe that God sends us places and everything that happens in our lives happen for a reason.  I believe that my time spent in Jamaica s a Peace Corps Volunteer was to serve others, but I learned from others, and learned a lot about myself.  I believe also that God wanted me to learn about his true church, and wanted me to be saved.  I am glad for his revelation and calling on my life, for my life now is much better than it was before.  I have a new purpose, a new meaning, and I know I can always count on God to love me when I am lonely and provide for me when I am in need. 

So, being a fashion designer was not God's calling, but something else was.   He called me to be a missionary, to spend my life serving him.  I may not travel to the above mentioned places, but I know God has far better places for me to go, places where people are yet to hear of his truth and love.  I do not know how long God has called me to the country that he has called me to.  But I am a willing servant no matter how long or how short he has called me.