How to publish your articles

Finally, I finished this book.

I borrowed it, not because that I’m qualified or I want to or planning to publish my articles.

On the other hand, it seems, there's a small voice that about publishing my article before. Well, this blog will count, right?

This blog that I own since 2013 as a birthday gift to myself, from a never enjoy writing and don't know nothing about writing till now. To be a writer, it's almost impossible, especially as English is not even my first language.

But this book really open my eyes to a brand field, even, I won't be able to publish any my article besides my blog, still find a lot of useful information on how to write an article or even a book. 

Whole lot of works to do to become a writer, full-time or freelancer, planning, dealing with publisher, make contract, negotiating and etc., not mention about the real writing.

And like the glossary in the end of the book, life is a learning.

I believe I can fly

For those who enjoy listening more than reading like me, feel free to visit the following link to hear me. And don't forget to scroll down to the very end of this page to read the bible verses and listen to that one song that I shared.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9W8oTITVEP8

Last year I had testimony in Mandarin and Taiwanese (same content), and I plan to have a Cantonese one by the end of this year. Today I'm going to have a testimony in English, though I do have a short testimony in English based on my Mandarin testimony last year.

(Once upon a time, just kidding.)
That was 20 something years ago, I was not yet a Christian, I had conversations with God. Back at that time when I first came to America, my ex-husband was very into the Christian thing, he got baptized and had a great lot of services involved in church. 

I, myself was an atheist I believe in myself, if I try hard enough, I can conquer everything, I can make through anything, in other words, I believe I can fly.

One day I had a thought, why don't I asked a favor from "the God". I was married for three years with no kid yet, I was worried and anticipated eagerly to have my own child. So I had the first conversation with God, I said, "OK, God, if you are really that good, then make me a mom and then I will believe in you and go to church".

(Watch what you are wishing for.)
Guess what? Very shortly after I found that I was pregnant. By the way, at that time I was still a student so I went to the school's nurse first and ask for a pregnancy test, the result came out positive, I was shocked, I mean, I must, because the nurse asked me, "is this an unexpected pregnancy?” 

Ran home to tell the news, on the way, I had another conversation, the second one, with God, "now that that's a too short notice and I cannot just believing You this soon, how about that, God, give me some more time", yeah, I tried to negotiating with God, "You know, Asian parents always wish and want our first born, a male, a boy, right? So, OK, God, then give me a boy then I will keep my promise this time okeydokey". 

I went to every single checkup for the baby and do all kind of exams and tests including ultrasounds but never ask or thought that's necessary to know the sex of my baby until the moment came, after nine months when it was time, went to hospital, gave birth of my baby. Soon after the baby was out of me, the doctor said to me, "congratulations, it's a boy! “Again, I was shocked, I said to myself, is that really!? I meant, OMG!?

Did I keep my promise and go to church this once? Nope, I didn't, I have to say that I'm a very protective parent. That's just another excess, you can say that again. Therefore, how can I take my new born to the public? Besides, have you ever seen when people sees the babies or young kids? They pinch their cheeks, touch their hands, and kiss them, yech!

And I forgot my conversation with God until my older son was almost two years old. One day, I thought, my son and me need friends, so, let's go to church and meet some good friends.

This time we did go to church, but, remember, I'm a very protective parent. You all know that when we come to church, parents go to their own adult service and the kids go to either nursery or children Sunday school or youth service. I have to say aloud again that I'm a very protective parent, soon as I sent my son to the nursery, I decide to stay to protect him, and I stayed with him until the lunch time that means the service is over. Couple weeks passed, one of the sister must observe and cannot stand anymore, so she gently offered me the help to take my boy to the nursery for me and promised me that she will stay with him at the nursery.

That was the first time that I stayed for church service, and I was touched by the worship songs, the Holy Spirit came pouring down onto me, I was tearing non-stopping and decided to be baptized. 

For the people that you know me that I have two sons. Yes, I hope you do ask me this question, what about your second son, did you get to talk to God this time for your second child? You have a question and I have got the answer for you. This time I didn't dare to challenge Him, I pray to Him instead, the third conversation between me and God. "Oh Lord, please bless me with another child!”

Truly at that time I did really want was a girl. But later I become a single mom, so I think God must know, it's easier for me to raise two boys, instead of, one boy and one girl.

I dare to dishonor, challenge, negotiate, and break the promises with God. But still He loves me dearly, and He knows me thoroughly.

Lastly, before close my testimony, here are three bible verses and one song that I want to share with you. Don't stop believing and keep praying.

(The end)

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Deuteronomy 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

A wonderful song to share, Remember, 

http://praisedance123.blogspot.com/2016/06/passion-remember.html

The Coming Day of the LORD (Obadiah 1:15~21)

Today’s living life study, you can listen it from their web or YouTube channel.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tJO0f0LR_Ac

http://m.cgntv.net/player.cgn?v=181642

Every day they have only short sermon according to the day’s devotion. It’s short but powerful and always something to ponder on. Especially today's, it speaks right into my heart, a huge impact and reminders onto me.

Friday night

Last week, some of the old youth friends come to visit our church. Happy to see them after couples of months back to visit their friends. And feeling upset at the same time.

Precious babies

My precious babies, bell pepper on the top right corner, melon on the left and the green onion (Next to the weeds), on the bottom right grow and cared by me.

Inspired by friends and web, bell pepper and melon grow from the seeds that after consume them and the green onion from the stubs of roots.

It’s amazing that you can plant many other plants right from your kitchen leftovers. I’ll try to do more experiments whenever I feel that I want to, well, I am kind of lazy person. I should force myself to do so.  

田七 Panax notoginseng

田七 Panax notoginseng, another 愛心菜 gifts with love from my other senior friend from church.

And do a little bit of search from the internet, I found something really interesting to learn, if you are also curious about it, go to the following website.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panax_notoginseng

Want to know how do I cook them, I sauté them with tomatoes and mushrooms, why? Same answer that I’ll give you, I happen to have some tomatoes and mushrooms in my fridge.

gas station 1 & 2

Today at the gas station, didn’t know what did I do or what happen to my credit card, it refused to take my card, then I went to find the cashier and no one is there.

Sad as I can be, so I decided to drive to another gas station that was nearby to get the gas, you probably know what happened then, my credit card being declined again.  

Feeling even sadder, I went home and email the credit card company, and they replied my email, says, there’s nothing wrong with my card and suggest me if this do happen again, call them onsite.

So, is the problem solved, I don’t know yet, I haven’t use this card by far.

Pray to God to take away all my worries, discomforts, sadness, burdens, anger, complaints and all the other negative attitudes.

1 Timothy 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Hit and run

Recalling back to my drive records.

1, 2). Two at fault, as a new driver. I took my consequences by paying years' high insurance rate.

3). One, almost, hit and run, but I let him go in the end, because, my car is not real harmed plus I was with my young kid. Why do I call it, almost, meaning, if I didn't catch him, he was going to drive away, he hit my car that park on the street.

4). One, yesterday, unexpected hit and run, actually, I'm not planning to accuse him at all but he ran away anyway. He pump into my car while I stop for the stop sign and getting ready to go. I memorized his license plate number, the brand and how he looks like, what race, weight and height. You won't think that I always try to train myself and my kids, memorize things quickly. Be observed!

People complaining about racism, but you leave people reasons to do so, and this guy will pay for the consequence for sure.

5, 6). Two minor incidents and be forgiven.

7). One both sides' fault, not much harm of the cars, let go of each other.

8). One time hit by a previous job coworker in the company's parking lot. And you won't believe this, at the scene, she beg me not to go through insurance which is not wise totally. She turn around to accuse me says, that is my fault the second day. Fortunately, I have witnesses who willing to stand up for me. Therefore she pay some money for my car's damage.

9). Long time ago, when I was a new freeway driver, had a flat tire, no cell phone, not a AAA member, carefully get off the freeway and bravely (I guess that I had no choice that time), knock on some stranger’s door and asked for using their phone to call my uncle for help at long night after work.

Till now, I didn’t know who they are, Asian though, where did I get off the freeway, many thanks and blessings to that family.

tree trimming

Both next door neighbors has tree trimming services, one week after the other, one hired licensed professional services, of course, they have the right and needed equipment and finished the job professionally.

On the other hand, the other neighbor, hired, some, non-licensed, obviously, with very limited tools, and almost damage my precious plants, which my son kindly remind the neighbor before they started the job, directed by me because I'm at work and they didn't even pay attention about my plants. Luckily, I went home earlier and caught them, so I was forced to very gently remind this neighbor again, mission accomplished, now that was closed.

Don't want to be criticized then you better leave people no causes to question you.

Stand up and speak for yourself and fight for your rights.

Sadly to say this is kind of the culture here, if you remain silent or you are a female, you are doomed.

This remind one more thing, years ago me and the kids went to an event at Toys "R" Us, somehow the event was cancelled on the site without any explanation. So disappointed and unhappy about it, one of the parent went complain to the store manager with a lengthy complaining paper ready to summit to related department, then the store gave her a big amount of store gift card to calm her down. How do I know it? She showed it to me and encourage me to do so, I was too weak to do that.

爆笑餐廳服務員

This is a joke that I saw from YouTube, I want to ask you guys must use your imagination when listening, and pretend you are one of them.

容我口述一次這一爆笑演示，我要請各位不只用耳聽，請把你自己設身處地在這場景中。
你可以是其中任何一位要角或只是路人甲或路人乙，親身去感受一下。

場景：某知名中餐館
人物：七位食客、新進女服務員、女經理

場景一：
七位食客坐定一餐廳貴賓房大圓桌準備點餐。
食客：服務員，茶！
新進女服務員 (點數人頭)：一、二、三、四、五、六、七。
食客（不耐煩的）：倒茶！
新進女服務員 (點數人頭)：七、六、五、四、三、二、一。
食客（不耐煩的）問：服務員，你數（屬）啥啊？
新進女服務員（靦腆的回答）：我屬（數）豬！？
食客（生氣拍桌子）：你什麼意思啊！？
新進女服務員（靦腆的回答）：我是1983年 10 月 1 號生的，確實屬豬！？
食客（尷尬）：哈！哈！

場景二：
食客（拿著菜單）問：服務員，報（抱）一下。欸！我說，報（抱）一下，沒聽見啊！？
女經理：秀，就埃個報（抱）一下吧。
新進女服務員（靦腆的回答）：那我只抱的女的，不抱男的， 行嗎！？

場景三：
新進女服務員名：端菜上桌，沒發現把客人的茶水絆倒灑到食客的褲子上。
食客：服務員，怎麼辦（扮）啊？
新進女服務員：怎麼扮（辦）都行，你想怎麼扮（辦）就怎麼扮（辦）。
食客：你們這一般都怎麼扮（辦）的。
新進女服務員名：要不，我幫您扮？
食客：那行，來吧。
新進女服務員名：伴剛端菜上桌的麻辣涼粉。
食客 (默默無語！)

場景四：
新進女服務員：先生，這你要蘸（站）著吃。
食客（食客站起身吃）。
新進女服務員： 先生，你有什麼需要嗎？
食客：沒有啊！？
新進女服務員：那你就請坐下。
新進女服務員：先生，這你要蘸（站）著吃。
食客：你到底要我站著吃還是坐這吃？
新進女服務員：示範給食客看。
食客 (無語)

場景五：
餐廳送上最後一道免費菜。
食客：誒！服務員，這是什麼東西？
新進女服務員：王八（烏龜）蛋。
食客：服務員，給分一下吧。
新進女服務員 (面帶難色)。
食客：叫你分一下啊。
新進女服務員（無奈狀）：這怎麼分，你們七個人，有六個王八（烏龜）蛋！？
全體倒下（被打敗了）

The reason why I ask you guy using a different way to enjoy this joke, try to put yourselves into the scene instead of only listening to it, is, later when we do the bible study, do the same, using your imagination to walking through the bible era together to get a better feel, version and understanding about it.

And try this so when you are reading alone.

Passion - Remember

Passion - Remember (Lyrics and Chords)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLOwSo8kHs4XSN2s8VwHGf64nW960MJ-u0&params=OAFIAVgX&v=0F9-GiLcacE&mode=LOOP

[Verse 1]
My heart hangs on every word that You speak
I need You, Lord come find me, Holy Spirit breathe
I've been walking through deserts
I need more of Your Presence
I'm weak Savior be my strength

[Chorus]
Down in the valley, when waters rise
I'm still believing
Hope is alive
All through the struggle and darkest day
I'll remember the empty grave

[Verse 2]
Your touch bringing me closer
Your hand healing what’s broken
My prayer, Father meet me here
My life for all of Your glory
Your grace let it surround me
Let faith change the atmosphere

[Chorus]
Down in the valley, when waters rise
I'm still believing
Hope is alive
All through the struggle and darkest day
I'll remember the empty grave, the empty grave

[Bridge]
Hallelujah, death is done
All of hell is overcome
(Oh my) Jesus, You are alive
(2x)

[Chorus]
Down in the valley, when waters rise
I'm still believing
Hope is alive
All through the struggle and darkest day
I'll remember the empty grave

The empty grave, I'll remember, yes, I'll remember, the empty grave

cucumber

This morning, I saw one of my Facebook friend's post, sharing about, happily eating his homegrown cucumber.

Inside my mind, I said to myself, if only he can share some with me, that'll be great.

And hours later, one my coworker walked in the office with her homegrown cucumber and she share some with me.

Rejoice!

environment, water

Lately, I have being trying very hard to save the water, I even save the water from washing fruits and vegetables or whatever is not so greasy, then watering the plants and lawns.

Horribly to find that how much we use or a lot of time waste water in our daily lives.

I also start to try to plant some vegetables and fruits from the seeds inspired by my senior friend, hoping one day, I’ll be able to share my crops with dear friends and family.

Another new thing is I try to reduce the trash by digging holes and burying food scraps as a nature fertilizer, this also inspired by this loving senior friend.

You can find important tips about Burying Food Scraps from the following link.

http://www.compostsantacruzcounty.org/PDF/Bury_Food_Scraps.pdf

Wait, there’s one more new thing that I do, I save the egg shells and smash them and then spread them around my precious new plants to protect them from leeches, snails or whatever warms that may crawl to the plants and harm them, again this I learn from my senior friend.

Birthday 4

The Canoe house - free entrée.

Jersey Mike's - regular sub & 22 oz. drink.

Jumbo juice – One free juice or shake.

Regal Crown Club - Small Popcorn.

AMC - Large Fountain Drink.

Pizza Studio - A Pizza.

Shakey's - a complimentary Bunch of Lunch buffet with purchase of a beverage.

Arby's - free milk with any purchase.

31 - One scoop of free ice cream.

IHOP - FREE full stack of our famous Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity® Pancakes.

Denny's - free smoothie or juice.

Red robin - FREE Birthday Burger.

Hometown buffet - buy one adult dinner buffet get one dinner free.

Baskin-Robbins - scoop (2.5 oz.) or one 3 oz. soft serve swirl.

And much more, be sure to sign up before your birthday and enjoy it with friends or family.

Two broke girls

I always love to watch something to make me laugh out loud.

It’s a sitcom, but watch out for there are adult contents, and prepare to laugh your heart out.

好辣！好吃！好友！好樂！

水煮魚，韭菜干絲，川北凉粉

Sliced Fish Sichuan Style Lavishly Topped with Chili Sichuan Pepper, 

Bean curds with Leek, Clear Noodles in Chili Sauce

Is that nice to enjoy gourmet food with friends?

Another amazing thing about this restaurant is, when we walk in, it’s real quiet, and it’s not empty though, unlike the other dinning places, you have to yell when talking.

Crawling Green!

When you spot a tiny little Crawling Green, what will be your response?

Scream and run away; pay no attention about it; order someone to smash it; carefully take it away to outside?

Who? Me? I recorded a short clip for it and post on my YouTube channel, maybe, it’ll become a million-view video, and then I’ll be famous, ha-ha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KznbLs6w67M

Oh! It can even crawl on the edge of the paper that posted on the wall and quite fast too, amazing!

Talking about the caterpillar, in the story of "Alice in the wonderland", Alice did talk to a caterpillar, interesting!

Father's Day special

Happy Father's Day to all and special single moms.

Homemade ice cream = frozen bananas, strawberries, grapes and leftover half & half, using the Yonanas, yum!
You have to make it real quick, otherwise, it'll melt real quick.

Special gift (愛心菜) from a senior friend, she plants and packs carefully to all her loving friends. Luckily, I'm one of them. sponge gourd (絲瓜) + sweet potato leaves (地瓜葉 ) + 3 eggs (from my fridge) = happily yummy!

I cook the sponge gourd first until it's half way done, then add the eggs, and then add the sweet potato leaves the last on the top, it finish within minutes.

I only add a little of salt to this dish, I taste the freshness, sweetness and love in it.

蔥花蕃茄蛋大蝦 + 蝦殻牛肉湯煮麵 + 青江菜

Chopped green onion + tomato egg + shrimp + noodle cook in beef and shrimp shells soup + bok choy.

That’s all the ingredients that you need for a simple meal.

I use the shrimp shells as the soup base for noodle cooking, it adds aroma of seafood to the plain noodles, and the reason why do I use the beef soup in it, is because I happen to have a little bit of beef soup left over, no particular reason, but my son is not quite agree with it, to add a non-seafood stuff into this recipe.

Oh! Well, just a little bit won't harm the taste, right?

Upside Down & Inside Out

The reasons why I listen to following particular songs are, number one, the other day, my older son asked me, “Do you listen to non-Christian songs too?” number two, when I was preparing this Friday’s fellowship bible study leading, I mention about the relationships between, me and God (Up), me and the fellowships (Side), me and non-believers or someone’s less Spiritual maturity (Down). Here, I have to say, no offense, I use the word, down to describe the third relationship, I just don’t know what other word that I can use, I sort of translate it from Chinese directly (往下).

This is the first song that come into my mind. Therefore, I want to find it out and listen to this old song once more, but don’t get me wrong, when this song was released, I was still inside my mom’s womb, just kidding, ha-ha!

Diana Ross - Upside Down

Released on June 25, 1980

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WcpsQhwtvwU

And this is the one that when I research for the song of upside down, which gets my attention first.

OK Go - Upside Down & Inside Out

Released on February 11, 2016

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGJA9i18Co

Then, I say to myself, why don’t I find two more old songs, one for each of my handsome boys?

I Will Survive

Released on October 23, 1978

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ijyJgcbP7rc

That’s when I play them out loud and my son said to me, “oh! You do listen to non-Christian songs.” Well, excuse me, what do you think?

Michael Jackson- Bad

Released on September 7, 1987

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GL8QY0SNEq0

Before we can grow and have healthy relationship with others, we do need to exam ourselves inside out first.

尼希米記 Nehemiah 7 - 13，俄巴底亞書 Obadiah

尼希米記

以色列人第二次歸國 (Exile) 後十四年，尼希米帶領一班人起來重新修造耶路撒冷城牆，並且恢復失去的事奉和敬拜。一本傳記（尼希米的自傳), 也是一卷歷史書。

尼希米這名字的原意是耶和華是安慰。在本書中看見，當這位神的僕人遭遇患難和攻擊的時候，他只尋求耶和華作他的安慰。

物質與精神、屬世與屬靈、預表與實際，彼此相輔相成，可做為今日教會建造的借鏡。

一、重建聖城 (1 - 7)

         重建工程的完成(6:15；7:1-73)

               (1)完工後安門並分派居民按班次看守(6:15；7:1-4)

               (2)核算回歸重建者的家譜(7:5-69)

               (3)記錄捐獻財物的數量和在聖殿服侍者(7:70-73)

二、重整聖民 (Restore) (8-13)

         1.聖民聚集聖城過住棚節，文士等人宣讀並解釋律法書(8)

         2.利未人率眾禁食、禱告、認罪並簽名立約(9:1-10:27)

         3.誓遵摩西律法並定捐輸之例(10:28-39)

         4.百姓掣簽派定耶城居民，和住城內外的利未人並眾民(11)

         5.記錄祭司和利未人(12:1-26)

         6.舉行城牆告成禮(12:27-43)

         7.派專人管理庫房，後又因管理不當重新清理並改派(12:44-47；13:4-14)

         8.禁閒雜人入會，戒犯安息日，又禁與異族通婚(13:1-3，15-31)

俄巴底亞書

俄巴底亞意思是「耶和華的僕人」。是舊約最短的一卷書，只有21節。著名的聖經學者耶柔米說：「俄巴底亞書是最難讀的一卷書」。然而另一位學者桑維克德修則說到：「俄巴底亞書的語言是簡單的，意念卻是多元的；話語不多但其意義是豐富的。」照著字面看，是神釋放他的預言以攻擊以東，但是在寓意上，則是反對這個世界；而就道德層面來說，重在反對肉體。俄巴底亞書中暗示主耶穌的降臨。在祂降臨的時候這世界將被毀滅，肉體要被制服，自由就得以恢復。

有關以東的預言 (1)

以東的刑罰 (2-9)

懲罰以東的原因 (10 - 16)

雅各家將來的復興 (17 - 21)

問題討論 (Thoughts to ponder on)：
- 五旬節（七七節），連同逾越節及住棚節，是猶太人三個最主要的宗教節期。
省長尼希米和作祭司的文士以斯拉，並教訓百姓的利未人，對眾民說：今日是耶和華─你們   神的聖日，不要悲哀哭泣。這是因為眾民聽見律法書上的話都哭了；
歷史上的意義。紀念古代以色列人在離開埃及之後在曠野中漂流四十年期間所住的棚屋，並追念耶和華在這期間供養了所有猶太人的飲食。
農業上的意義。收穫感恩的節期。

環繞祭壇七次，以紀念當年環繞耶利哥城七次，使城牆倒塌而佔領該城。持續7天。

- 蘇聯有教會沒有椅子，若是我們教會也如此，你還來參加嗎？
- 歷史書 vs. 先知書？同：傳講神的話語；異：史實 vs. 預言
- 尼希米記 & 俄巴底亞書，有無特別感動？

- 你現今與主的關係和期望？

- 週五和週日為什麼到教會？ Fellowship, God's words, food?
- Do you feel joy when you come to church?
- Benefits from leading worship, bible study. Pointing finger to others, what I mean here is, to assign people sharing or answering questions.
Often times hear people say that oh I cannot do it, I have no gift on that, but if you don't try   or if you don't ask for it or if don't use it, the gifts from God for you will be gone forever for     sure, now that's sad.

- NEHEMIAH’S 12 GATES OF GOD’S PROCESSING 

https://www.godfire.net/rayknight/78_nehemiahsgates.pdf

Sheep Gate, Jesus is our shepherd; to shepherd sheep; Fish Gate, to feed people in need; Old Gate (Jeshanah)(古門), need revival; Valley Gate, humble ourselves to our Lord, grow the fruits of Spirit; Dung Gate(糞廠門), cleanse wrong deeds, thoughts about God and ourselves; Fountain Gate(泉門), the baptism of the Holy Spirit; Water Gate, the origins of life, God's words, for drinking and watching; Horse Gate, strong for others and obey to the Lord; East Gate, a new beginning, His star in the east; Miphkad (Inspection) Gate(米弗甲門), God has a unique purpose for each one of us, assignment, appointment or numbering; Ephraim Gate (Double Fruitfulness)(以法蓮門), Ephraim, a name of a person or tribe, provision (供應) has been given to us via the cross; Guard Gate (護衛門), ‘Not my will be done, but Thine’.

- 認罪和悔改？
- Is God asking too from us?

- 拼圖、關係。Up, side, down, (Sounds like the old song, 1980, Upside Down, but 3 words not 2 words.), and inside out.

- Love, is, not just an expression, but actions.
- Not just listen or knowing, but experiencing.
- 12 apostles, 12 gates, 12 支派, 12-year-old separate from parents, Jesus at the temple questions teachers.
You’ll find the number 12 used in 187 places in the Bible and there are some significance to this number as we will read.  The number twelve seems to be very important to God and it represents, in most cases, the number of perfection and authority.  
The number 12 is also significant, as it implies structural beginning or foundation of organization, as well as governmental perfection.
(Revelation 21:12

It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.)

12

As preparing Friday’s fellowship bible study, found something interesting about the numbers, 12 is the one of them, I also include 2 of the web about it.

Revelation 21:12

It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The number 12 is also significant, as it implies structural beginning or foundation of organization, as well as governmental perfection.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/09/28/what-does-the-number-twelve-12-mean-or-represent-in-the-bible/

http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Twelve/100/2

Bunches Questions

Why don't the bag (5 or 10 pounds) of potatoes sprouts or rot that I bought them after a very long time? 

Why the green kiwi won't ripe (soft) and won't rot, long after I bought?

Why do some of the vegetables and fruits grow so large and prefect nowadays?

Outsider

After a long time, I finally go back to teach Sunday school for 1 - 3 years old class.

From last December, take one quarter (3 months) of teaching period.

Feeling fun and joy but really uncomfortable at the same time at that time, I feel like a new, of course, but an outsider, people serve there for long time, I don't feel like being part of them.

And I see somethings need to be changed at that time, thought that I’m new there, thought that they should knew already, and after my quarter of teaching, I kind of forget about it.

Until days ago, I attended the meeting for the Sunday school teachers. There’re some particular things to reminding both the teachers and helpers. Things like, don't treat children differently (favoritism); don't critic the child in front of them; don't use cell phone or chat or do some personally things while service time (I used to see one worker, knitting); parents don't chat while Sunday school teaching is going on.

And I’m glad that they come out with an even better idea, Mommy and me, during Sunday school teaching time, but I don't know how will the result come out, how the parents' feel about it.

2 tasks

2 tasks in one day, this is not the first time that it happens.

A little of pressure is always good, propulsion for moving forward.

永青 6-17-2016 sharing -1

Have you ever doubt about, in the movie, those Hollywood heroes or wrongdoers; never be shot, when they dive in the water to escape from chasers.

Water is heavier than air because it is denser. This means that more water molecules are packed into a given volume. The water molecule itself, H₂O, is actually less massive than a Nitrogen molecule, N₂, which makes up 80% of our air. Water is 790 times more viscous, and provides twelve times the resistance. The density of water is approximately 1,000 times greater than air.

A physicist, Andreas Wahl puts himself in front of a weapon submerged in water and fires it - on himself and by himself. He know the theory, but in order to avoid disputing, for what if or in case, he could be shot.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tzm_yyl13yo

If you were him, will you be brave or willing to do the same, even you know the result will be? Die for someone you love or know, maybe. For someone you don't even know or terrible to you, maybe not.

There is someone, our savior, Jesus Christ, who willing to die for you and me, for our sins.

More than 2 thousand years ago, Mary, Jesus's mother was conception of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, die for our sins and rose from the dead.

The life of Jesus Christ is recorded in 4 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. 4 accounts, same story by 4 different disciples to 4 different group of people.

By the way, there is a joke about it. A Christian, before he was baptized and become a Christian, when he read about the 4 gospels, he thought Jesus die for four times.

I know you guys probably know the story of Jesus very well, heard it thousands of times.
Today, let’s try a different way to read through the story again, each one of us, image ourselves in Jesus's era, you can image yourself as one of the role in His life.
(Along with photos 
http://praisedance123.blogspot.com/2016/06/6-17-2016-sharing-2.html)

Angel Gabriel foretells the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah 撒迦利亞.
Angel Gabriel (加百列) foretells the birth of Jesus to Mary; Jesus' father, Joseph.
Jesus born in a manger in Bethlehem. (當希律作猶太王的時候，約瑟和馬利亞從拿撒勒到伯利恆報名上冊，耶穌在伯利恆出生。)Angel announces good news to shepherds; 
Shepherds visit infant; His star in the east leads 3 wise men with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Separate from parents, Passover 逾越節 in Jerusalem 耶路撒冷, twelve-year-old Jesus at the temple questions teachers. 當耶穌十二歲的時候，上耶路撒冷守逾越節耶穌到聖殿裡，在教師中間一面聽一面問，眾人都希奇他的聰明和應對。

以行動教導
Jesus baptized by John the Baptist.
Jesus went into the Judean desert to fast and meditate for 40 days and nights, the Devil (撒但) appeared and tempted Jesus three times, turn stone to bread, cast Himself off a mountain where angels would save Him, and offer him all the kingdoms of the world.
Begin ministry (傳道) at age of 30.
Chooses 12 apostles. 2這十二使徒的名：頭一個叫西門，又稱彼得，還有他兄弟安得烈，西庇太的兒子雅各和雅各的兄弟約翰， 3 腓力和巴多羅買，多馬和稅吏馬太，亞勒腓的兒子雅各，和達太， 4 奮銳黨的西門，還有賣耶穌的加略人猶大。2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Mary Magdalene 抹大拉的馬利亞, have been involved in Jesus's ministry from the beginning to his death and after He rose from death.
First miracle at wedding, turns water into wine. Other, five loaves and the two fish 五餅二魚; Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons 醫病趕鬼，瞎眼得以看見，瘸腿能行走，死人復活.

Teach how to pray 主禱文.

Parables 比喻 lost sheep; lost coin; lost son.
Jesus Predicts His Death.

Transfiguration Jesus led Peter, James and John the brother of James up a high mountain. There he was transfigured before them. 耶穌帶著彼得、約翰、雅各上山去禱告。
正禱告的時候，他的面貌就改變了，衣服潔白放光。

Enters Jerusalem as King of Israel, riding on a donkey.
Eats Passover supper with apostles, Holy Communion 聖餐禮由來。
Peter, before a rooster crowed the next morning, he would have denied knowing Jesus three times. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver; 

人的型體，人的思慮，人的感受。
Jesus asked God, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." He was hit and spat upon for not responding, mocked, beaten, taunting by the soldiers and the crowd,  and condemned for claiming to be the Son of God, Roman soldiers whip and beat Jesus, place a crown of thorns on his head and then led him off to Mount Calvary. 當下耶穌說：父啊！赦免他們；因為他們所做的，他們不曉得。兵丁就拈鬮分他的衣服。
Jesus's agony and outbursts, and his final words, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"). While Jesus was on the cross, the sky darkened, and immediately upon his death, an earthquake erupted, tearing the temple's curtain from top to bottom. A soldier confirmed his death by sticking a spear into his side, which produced only water. He was taken down from the cross and buried in a nearby tomb.
Jesus was crucified with two thieves, one at his left and the other at his right. One of the thief said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
23:42 就說：耶穌啊，你得國降臨的時候，求你記念我！43 耶穌對他說：我實在告訴你，今日你要同我在樂園裡了。44 那時約有午正，遍地都黑暗了，直到申初，45 日頭變黑了；殿裡的幔子從當中裂為兩半。46 耶穌大聲喊著說：父啊！我將我的靈魂交在你手裡。說了這話，氣就斷了。

He had risen from the dead and appeared first to Mary Magdalene and then to his mother Mary. 那告訴使徒的就是抹大拉的馬利亞和約亞拿，並雅各的母親馬利亞，還有與他們在一處的婦女。

To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. 耶穌受難之後，用很多確據向這些人顯明自己是活著的。他在四十天的時間裡向他們顯現，並且講說有關神國的事。But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”  不過聖靈臨到你們的時候，你們將得著能力，並且要在耶路撒冷，在猶太和撒馬利亞全地，直到地極，做我的見證人。」