In the craft of writing, I have learned that we writers should show the readers what the characters do, see, taste, smell, think, feel, hear, and touch. In this post, I want to tell you my senses.

• Do: My act, my behavior, and my conduct should let others know that I am God’s child because I bear His name. If the things that I do fail to reflect His glory, how will others put their trust in the Lord?
• See: Whatever I see will stay in my memory for a period of time, short or long. But is everything I see ‘healthy’ to my soul? Does the image bring ‘lust’ to my mind? Does the image frighten me in a way that I may have nightmare? If the answer is yes, then why should I waste a second to look at it? Why should I yield to temptation which will lead me to sin and to harm my relationship with the Lord?
• Taste/Smell: Mmmmm, it tastes so good; it smells so good. But is the food healthy to my body? If I become sick or weak because I eat too much ‘junk food’, what will others think of me?
• Think: If my mind is full of ‘worldly thoughts’, it will have no room left for the Word of God. If the Word of God does not reside in my mind, how can I grow spiritually and become more Christ-like? I need the Word of God to block any ‘unhealthy thoughts’ that cross my mind.
• Feel: I have emotions. But if my feelings are negative or depressing, why should I let them bother me? I know it is hard to deal with unpleasant events, but I have my Savior who went through emotional pains that I can never endure. So I need to look at Jesus when I am down.
• Hear: I don’t like gossip or rumor because these things will never build me up into a stronger Christian. Rather, I like to hear the voice of God resonating in my heart when I quietly read the Bible in my room. His voice is soft and kind. It was His voice that called me to surrender my life to Him on a quiet night when I was alone reading the Bible in my apartment years ago.
• Touch: Since I was born, everything I touch falls to the ground. I don’t know why. Back to my sense: It is so good that I now let God touch me in all circumstances because His touch always gives me comfort.

See the Bible verse on top of this page? What does it mean to you? What are your senses? Can you share? Do you have more to add to my list? I welcome your thoughts.

Dicky

He is now twelve years old and has his own circle of friends. He is just like me: a mind full of questions. Plus he loves to write. He writes beautiful poems and short stories like a professional novelist. I believe that is one of the talents that the Lord gave him. I ask myself: how can a little boy write like a professional novelist without any training? I can only praise God for this gift.

I remember the minute my son came into the world as a new-born baby. So cute. As his father, I will continue to watch over him until the day I return to the ground.

For his birthday, I pray that the Lord may keep him safe and protected in all circumstances, and that the Lord may keep watching over him as His eye is always on the sparrow.

Dicky

Fay Lamb

“And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban,
What is this thou hast done unto me? Did not I serve with thee for Rachel?
Wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?”
Genesis 29:25 

I’ve never watched the television show Desperate Housewives. Not one minute of it, but I’ve seen the commercials. That’s enough for me.  I can’t imagine living in a neighborhood of catty, conniving women. I wouldn’t want to live there, and if I found myself surrounded by such woman, I’d do everything I could to move.

The concept of desperate housewives isn’t new. We have a glimpse of two desperate women wanting the attention of the same man when we read the life of Jacob and his marriages to Leah and Rachel.

What must it have been like for Leah? She couldn’t remove herself from the situation her father placed her into. Her father had given her in marriage to a man who had eyes only for her sister, a man who when he found he’d been tricked into the marriage, immediately set about to marry the woman he loved?  And in some ways, Leah’s sister was as bad as the woman of Wisteria Lane.

Genesis 29:31 tells us that God saw that Leah was unloved—that Jacob had no feelings for her. His true affection belonged to Rachel. Leah could have resorted to conniving, as Rachel later did when she wanted Leah’s mandrakes. She also could have decided to make Jacob’s life miserable as Rachel had done when she demanded from Jacob things that were not his to give. “Give me children, or else I die,” she said.  Instead, Leah quietly endured.  This desperate housewife turned her attention to God.

And because God saw that Jacob loved Rachel and not Leah, He chose to bless Leah with children while Rachel was unable to bear children for a time. With each birth of her first four sons, Leah’s conversation with God showed the depth of her desperation:

 Leah named her firstborn Reuben, which literally means, See, a son. Then she said, “Surely, the Lord hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.” Can’t you just imagine this woman’s broken heart crying out, “Lord, my husband doesn’t see me”?

When she gave birth to her second child, she said, “Because the Lord hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore give me this son also,” and she named this son Simeon, which means, Heard.  In other words, Leah was saying, “Lord, my husband doesn’t hear me.”

Her third son, Leah named Levi, which means attached, and she said, “Now, this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons.” How sad it is to know that Leah was actually saying to the Lord, “Father, my husband’s heart is not joined with mine.”

And still in the face of Jacob’s lack of devotion, Leah continued to have faith in the Lord. When she conceived her fourth son, she named him Judah, which means Praise, and she declared, “Now will I praise the LORD. “

Leah may never have come to terms with the fact that her husband’s affections belonged to Rachel. In naming her younger sons it was clear she still longed for Jacob to love her, but Leah, a truly desperate housewife, gave her sorrows over to God, and God blessed Leah with children, and through the lineage of this quiet woman of prayer, the world received a blessing. . .Jesus Christ. 

BIO

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is published by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing.

Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010.

In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board.

Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren. 

Fay’s debut novel: Because of Me:

Because of Me

Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.

Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.

Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago? 

Available through all fine book retailers, Amazon.com, and Mountainview Publishing (www.trebleheartbooks.com/MVLamb.html), a division of Treble Heart Books.

Purchase the book at:

http://www.amazon.com/Because-of-Me-ebook/dp/B00722KIME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327670357&sr=8-1

subMission

This post is written by Zeke Lam, author of SUBMISSION. http://submissionministries.org/the-book/

What is the greatest challenge that the Church is facing today? Zeke Lam suggests that one word is the greatest challenge:  submission, or the lack thereof. It is not external forces that nullify the testimony of a Christ-centered believer, but rather the failure to humbly submit to the voice of the Lord. This book will help you to live a surrendered life abiding in Christ.

  Is the approval of God more important to you than the approval of man?

  Is the presence of God evident in your life?

  Do you fiercely protect your intimacy with Christ?

  Do you desire to live a life of truth, free from the lies of the devil?

  Is God’s divine character visible to those around you?

Learn how to submit your life wholeheartedly to the Lord so that you can dwell continually in the secret place—a place of intimacy, surrender and joy.

###     

“The Body of Christ” by Zeke Lam

            The body of Christ, also known as the Church, is the common expression given to those who have been transformed by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. It represents power, authority, love, and a measure of unity that can only exist through Christ. In terms of importance, there is not an institution on the face of this earth that can be considered its equal. Why? It is an expression of the very character of our Savior, and He gave His life for her!  

            Paul spoke frequently about the body of Christ. He emphasized the importance of the Church operating as a true body. In other words, each member understanding that he/she is essential although possessing differing gifts, talents, and roles. I Corinthians 12: 12-26 paints a beautiful picture of the importance of a properly functioning body. Similar to the human body, it is made of many different members, all of which play a critical role in its overall success.  

            The human body is set up in such a way that each part, regardless of how glorious it is, remains essential to the overall unity of the whole. Unity is not a struggle when each member’s focus is not on themselves. Consider verse 25 of I Corinthians 12 in light of this statement. Paul writes: “so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

            Division in the body of Christ is perhaps one of the most devastating plagues infecting the Church today. God creates each individual with a specific purpose and function through which He can be glorified. For some it is pastoring. For some it is missions. For some it is parenting. For some it is business. For some it is volunteering. While some callings and gifts appear from the eye of man as more glorious than others, God only sees one thing. Will we be obedient to the calling and purpose He has for our lives? Whether on a big stage or in a mountain jungle, what makes you and I an effective member of the body of Christ is our willingness to assume the role He ordained for us.

            When we take our eyes off ourselves and place them on Christ, we can remain in a condition as a member of His body to do our part to see Him glorified. If you have received Him as your Savior, you are His beloved bride. He will cherish and love you like none other.

            Consider this question as you and I think about the parts we play in His Kingdom work, and our faithfulness to it.  “If you ceased to exist today, would the body miss you?”

            Never forget how valuable you are to the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rank or title does not apply. The only thing that counts is obedience! If He created you to be an “ear”, and you spend your life as a “head”, then despite being one of the more crucial members, you have failed. An effective, Kingdom minded member is one who steadfastly obeys God’s purpose for his/her life.

Zeke Lam

ZEKE LAM is the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers. http://submissionministries.org

I am so joyful that Susan Michaels from LightWriters shared this 7×7 Award with me.

7 things about me: 1.) I am a Christian. 2.) I am a Cantonese. 3.) I love to eat chocolates. 4.) I love to write. 5.) I love to cook. 6.) I love to think. 7.) I love to play toys. Still a little child!

I am sharing this award with my friends (I hope I am not too late to share it with them)  Jeanne, Joyce, Drusilla, Pam, Cristal, Teresa and Abby

Thank you.

Dicky

About two weeks ago, the music director at my church asked the congregation to stand and sing the hymn ‘Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear)’. As I sang, every word of the song touched every inch of my soul, and tears almost spilled from my eyes, because I remembered who I was.

I grew up in a wealthy family in Hong Kong. I had nice clothes, nice watches, and nice this and that. But deep down, I was very unhappy; I felt empty because I felt unloved by my parents. They yelled at each other for no reason. My father always beat up my mom. Didn’t they know that they hurt me emotionally? Didn’t they know that my heart held anguish toward them? Did they try to understand me? I didn’t want any material things because they meant nothing to me. All I ever wanted was their love, but I did not feel a bit.

When I grew up, I became a very ambitious man. My goal in life was to pursue fame, power and wealth as a way to dull my silent longing for love.

I did very well at college and was recognized by my fellow students. One day, I met a lovely Christian girl (now my wife) in a class. She invited me to church and talked to me about Jesus. As our friendship deepened, my interest in knowing God also grew. One night, as I was alone reading the Bible in my apartment, I felt God’s presence as I heard Him speak to me, “Dicky, accept me to be your personal Savior.” I prayed. The next morning, which was Sunday morning, I went to the church and received Jesus Christ into my life. What a moment of joy for me!

But my worldly desires still resided in my heart. I obsessively continued to study very hard at college and was highly honored among all students. I gained fame; I was happy.

When I stepped into the corporate world, I was determined to climb up the corporate ladder for power and wealth. After twists and turns and ups and downs, I failed to gain any high positions. I felt empty again. What was the purpose in my life? I cried and cried and cried.

One night, I parked my car in a parking lot nearby my home. It was very quiet. I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me, and I surrendered my life to Him once more. God let me see my sin—pursuit of worldly success, which would only lead to emptiness. God let me experience His transforming power—He pointed me to the right direction that I should fix my eyes on Him, not on the world as the world will pass away, but His Love will last eternally.

In Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV), King Solomon says, “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”

I am so joyful that I have let go of ‘All I Once Held Dear’. I am free, free in Christ because He is the Truth that has set me free.

Here I am asking you: Are you willing to let go of your own worldly desires and surrender your life to Christ?

Close your eyes and listen this hymn here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rl45JnnRSw

Someone asked me about my motivation for writing my Christian romance novel. My answer is simple and straight: to touch the hearts of those readers who have similar desires as I had and to let them experience the Love of God. I pray that the Lord may use my novel to transfer millions of souls for His glory and honor.

Only Jesus can set you free.

Copyright 2012 Dicky To

Dragon

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese New Year is the biggest celebration among all other festivals in Hong Kong. Based on the Chinese Calendar, this special festival sometimes falls in January or February and lasts 15 days.

There are many practices.

• Reunion dinner: On New Year’s Eve, family members gather together to enjoy a supper that consists of many dishes such as chicken, fish, roast pork, vegetables, and soup.
• Open-air markets: They are set up to sell merchandise such as toys, clothes, candies and gifts.
• Red envelopes: It is a monetary gift sealed in an envelope that is red in color with various kinds of designs like dragon or flowers. Usually, married couples or elderly give red envelopes to unmarried juniors.
• Chinese New Year cake: This dessert literally means ‘year high’, and it symbolizes prosperity.
• Dragon dance and Lion dance are performed.

My family dinner for the celebration. Happy Chinese New Year!

Hotpot-see the boiling water

Hotpot-see the fish and shrimps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pot Stickers-my wife did all the work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Envelopes-my wife and I gave these to our 2 boys

 

I haven’t written a real article since December 2011 because I have been very busy working on my first Christian romance novel and learning the craft of writing. I am sorry that I haven’t had the time to visit your blogs. Please accept my apology.

Some of you have already known that my very dear friend Kody went home to be with the Lord last October after battling his cancer for a year. He was only 32 on earth. I said this because he still lives in my heart and is enjoying his eternal life in the Kingdom of God, where our Lord Jesus Christ is.

Last week, I met a church friend at a barber shop. He told me that Kody testified his faith in front of a congregation at his local church in Hong Kong. Kody’s spirit and his trust in the Lord did give a great encouragement to his church even during his last days on earth.

There was a miracle. According to my church friend, there were four sores on Kody’s face. The doctor and the nurse said that they were incurable. One day, Kody insisted that he wanted to go home. He was sent back home. Some time later, the four sores on his face disappeared. The doctor and the nurse could not even find a single mark, and they said that it was impossible. God wanted to let us know that He did listen to our prayers, but it was His will to take Kody with Him. Also, nothing is impossible for God as He can do anything according to His own will. No one can stand in His way. Just as He made Kody’s sores disappear; that proved that He heard our prayers and wanted to show us His healing power. I believe that He took Kody home because He knew Kody’s witness would encourage all people around him, and it did.

I still miss Kody very much, and my tears are about to spill from my eyes. But I also look up to the Almighty, who is my strength.

Dicky

Here is the link to her post so that you can read about this special award.
http://womenswindow.com/2012/01/11/candle-lighter-award-nominations/

Let us all light a candle and let it shine for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Dicky