Homeschooling article on the web

An article on homeschooling versus public school asking opinion of American children....
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/would-you-want-to-be-home-schooled/?apage=1

I like this quote in one of the comments:
“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die.” – John Taylor Gatto

In another "article" on homeschooling versus public school, someone qutoed this:

God is the Light in which we see and understand everything else. Without Him, the universe is a fragmented pile of incomprehensible particulars...When God is acknowledged, all knowledge coheres.... Where God is not acknowledged, the pursuit of knowledge is just one thing after another and the ultimate exercise in futility....

It is impossible to impart knowledge to students without building on religious presuppositions. Education is built on the foundation of the instructor's worldview (and the worldview of those who developed the curriculum). It is a myth that education can be nonreligious — that is, that education can go on in a vacuum that deliberately excludes the basic questions about life. It is not possible to separate religious values from education. This is because all the fundamental questions of education require religious answers. Learning to read and write is simply the process of acquiring tools to enable us to ask and answer such questions.... Every subject, every truth, bears some relationships to God. Every subject will be taught from a standpoint of submission or hostility to Him.

 --Douglas Wilson author of Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning

This is adults commenting on the education system, commenting on the article
http://ricochet.com/main-feed/This-real-world-you-re-talking-about-I-don-t-think-it-means-what-you-think-it-means

These have other opionionated articles to read, think about, and write.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/category/student-opinion/

Some verses to share today

Some verses I liked today that I'll like to share: (22 Nov)

Matt 12:36-37
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by the words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Verse 36 is kind of scary. Imagine every word you muttered, every careless statement you made, you must give account for EVERY one. Verse 37 shows how important words are, they can save your soul or condemn you to eternal death, a destiny. (That's referring to "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation")


Eph 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Our  conversation should be exactly like that "edifying" and "ministering grace to the hearers". 


Deut 8:3
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,  which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he migh make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Just as Israelites daily had to go collect manna, so do we Christians have to daily read the Word of God for food, more important than physical food. Jesus forgo his food and went hungry for so many days to spend time in the truth. How many of us would rather eat our food rather than read  the Bible for 10 minutes if we knew we won't be able to have either any other time in the day? Yet God's Word is worthy of such devotion as to go hungry for a day. What is a day when our Lord Jesus, our example, went so far as to go 40 days without food? May we "as newborn babes, desire the sincere mild of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (Mr. Birx, Bible 10 teacher, pointed this out to us)


Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
I felt this verse was a great encouragement for us as Christians that the Word of God is worth dying for, just like the martyrs of old that went through the stake just to give us the Bible, the Truth, to set us free. 


Neh 13:23-24
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jew's language, but according to the language of each people.
They were not angry about their language but more of their straying from their God, the LORD Almighty. Mr. Birx pointed out that it was not the language but the symbolic meaning of "of the world". How were they supposed to understand God's Word, and to know God if they didn't understand the language the Bible was written in? Are we too so much into the world's language that when we read God's Word we don't understand? Is our minds giving/receiving both filthy and pure words? That cannot happen. The same water cannot be both sweet and bitter. The world's language is filthy, and God's Word is pure. Remember we are to be in the world but not of the world, "this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through..."

Sacrifice liberates: a topic with Uncle Pak Soon

When you think of sacrifice, usually negative thoughts come to your mind: Loss. Usually we focus more on the LOSS than any other aspect of sacrifice. That day when we went out with Uncle Pak Soon, I learnt that sacrifice brings freedom not loss.

You see, when one sacrifices something dear to him, it shows that he is not slave to it. He has the freedom not to have it or do it. In Hong Kong's Noah's Ark children exhibition, there was a exhibit that asked you to clench your fist then open it and look at your palm. At first, it might sound like just a lame activity. But no, it had greater meaning. When you clench your fist to hold on tight on something dear to you, you might miss out on many things and when God pries it out of your hand you feel the hurt. But that hurt gives you freedom, just like salvation liberates you from sin.

Uncle Pak Soon also talked about a mutual friend of ours who was a dentist, Uncle J__. When Uncle J__ just got saved and my father wanted him to go to a church camp for a whole week, Uncle J__ wasn't too keen on losing his business for the whole week. My father than offered to compensate any shortfall of that month. And so, in the start of the month, business was slooow, but gradually things began to pick up and in the end, the whole month had no deficit. I was amazed at God's power and blessing. A few years later, during a major recession, Uncle J__'s wife was sick. Uncle J__ decided to only work a few afternoons a week  so that his wife could rest (she helps him in the dentist office). Well, God honored his decision and that was his best year EVER! Uncle Pak Soon said that Uncle J__ has gone far because he learns more and more to give up things, leading to true freedom. He is no longer tied down by his work, preventing him from fulfilling more important responsibilities.

Just this afternoon, I was "itching" to watch Sik Gaek, but I had not accomplished my required two Abeka lessons. This caused me not to watch it during lunch. But as I sat there, I felt good. I felt great that I know I can don't watch when left to me. Because, it was very easy to excuse myself for that break: it's a Saturday, I already did some work, I'm just eating over lunch... and Dad and Mom wasn't around. Yet my love for Dad and my love for God kept me from it. I "sacrificed" the show but that gave me freedom and let me prove to myself my love and devotion to God.

Is there something in your life very dear to you? Are you willing to give it up? Not just in words but in action? I challenge you to give it to God and be willing to sacrifice it. Sacrifice for the right thing brings freedom and satisfaction in life.

"Thankful that you can fail": History 8

Mr. McBride said once (or more) to his History 8 class, "You should be thankful that you can fail." He was contrasting US with the Soviet Union. This at first might seem shocking that the ability to fail is a privilege.

This was what Mr. McBride said while elaborating on his point. Soviet Union was not a free market. Imagine you were a store owner and it is the government who supplies you pens without you ordering. They do not know about the people there, their preference and such. They just give you equal numbers of each type of pen. However, the people only like a certain type of pen, or better still don't really buy pens. The stock just grows and grows. In a free market, you might have to close down your shop and sell other things, or you could have just shipped in pens that you know the people like. But in the Soviet Union's marketing system, you still have to sell the pens, and are not able to shut it down, considering it a failure. That was why he said you should be thankful you can fail.

Failing, and admitting you fail, recognizing your mistake, helps you learn from your mistakes, improving the next attempt. It tells you what you went wrong and helps you to improve yourself, to make you more proficient.

I think failing goes hand in hand with pioneering. Take for example the famous inventor Thomas Edison who only succeeded in his electric light bulb after many tries. Or what about the man who made Indian rubber that was just the right texture for all weathers. He too had to go through many hardships and failures before he made his discovery. There was another inventor of an explosive, who in his trying to make it work, his brother was killed in an experimental explosion. The inventors that had to go through failures are numerous. Their character is admired even today.

Another example, about failing from Dae Jang-geum. I'm sure the viewers very aware of the stark difference between Gun-Ying and Jang-geum, especially in the way they grew up. Jang-geum had an unquenchable curiosity that made her test new things even at the risk of failing (it not working out) or getting scolded. One incident while they were not yet full-fledged palace girls, Jang-guem tried cooking with all the different kinds of charcoal to see the different effects. In the end, the place was full of smoke and Cui Sang-gong was upset with her. Cui gave her beating on her hand. Gun-ying later wanted to try out  new stuff, wanting to make new combinations of food (this was in following Jang-geum's training of drawing out the taste); but Cui Sang-gong wouldn't let her even try, all too proud in their "Family's recipe." If Gun-ying was allowed to fail in her cooking, she would have been able to advance further. She could have been able to develop her family's cooking recipes even more, resulting in a better Cui line, rather than a stagnant line just using the same old recipes. (By the way, this goes to prove that not all old stuff is the best stuff.) It was because of Jang-geum's ability to fail, that let her discover many things and recipes, making her a great cook.

For a teacher, failing is very important. If you as the teacher never failed, how would you understand the struggles of a failing student, how could you help them impove?

The ability to fail is very important to advance and I would really appreciate it. Everyone needs to be able to make mistakes.

Illustration of the Local Church Assembly: a topic with Uncle Pak Soon

I thought his illustration was very interesting and meaningful, so I am recording it down. It  also explains why there's no perfect church.

The church is like an arrow needing to hit a target (I'm not referring to like the number of members, but more of being an effective church for the Lord). The head of the arrow is double-edged. One edge is comprised of local missions (discipleship), and the other edge is comprised of foreign missions. The shaft is worship and fellowship. The tail feather is the leadership.

If the head of the arrow is blunt because of the wrong balance, it can't penetrate the target. Similarly, if the emphasis on discipleship and missions is not balanced, the church will become blunt, and unable to penetrate the target.

The shaft gives the arrow momentum. Worship and fellowship help keeps the church moving. If it is weak, the church will fall short of its target.

As the tail feathers, the leadership is very important. It is the vital part of the arrow that guides it. If the feather is off, the arrow will not even get to the target. I like to remember this as the rudder of a ship. Leadership is important, if they do not lead correctly, they will be moving in the wrong direction. Leadership should be spirit-filled.

Even as the craftsmanship needed in making the ideal arrow, the church too has to acquire the delicate balance to be effective in reaching its target.

A Conversation of Lasting Consequence

Today Dad, Mom, and I went out with Uncle Pak Soon for lunch. I learned a lot just listening to their conversation. I learned about an illustration of the local church assembly, about sacrifice gives freedom not loss, about learning history, about work attitude, about proper language giving the exact meaning, about ever learning. They also discussed Christian books, the modern ones and about one that Uncle Pak Soon (interesting initials) liked: "The way of..." (the only reason why I think the title is that because it talks about the different ways of Bible characters.) He said the book was challenging with no punctuation, easily forgetting what the top of the page was saying when reaching the end. He also talked about making exercise part of daily life and not just a sectioned off disciplined time.

We had a good conversation (I was mostly listening) and I hope I will not soon forget the things I learned. I might record some things that are related to it, either is or expanded. These posts too are called "from pages of a journal" and I will state it down. 

This too is exactly a conversation that Speech class wants us to have, a conversation encouraged (if not commanded) in the Bible, one that edifies and encourages and builds each other up. 

Verse tennis #1: ambassador...as children of light

"My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his moutth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 2:5-7, covenant of Levi, God's messenger and priests)

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though  God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (2 Cor 5:20, ambassador and His message)

"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16: 30-31, Paul and Silas's message to jailer)

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29, John the Baptist proclamation of Jesus)

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." (Isa 40:3, prophecy about John the Baptist)

"The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isa 40:5, part of same passage)

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; tthat they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified" (Isa 61:1-3, Messiah to comfort)

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heave. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matt 5:3-12, Beatitudes, comfort and satisfaction, peacemaker=child of God)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (Believer=child of God)

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:5-9, Believers=in light=not in darkness, confess sins)

Scripture to share: a warning

I would like to share a passage of Scripture that my Sunday school teacher shared with us today. It is 1 Corinthians 10:5-13. These are my sincere thoughts.

5But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (the word overthrow gives a sense of roudiness, no discipline, and succumbed to sin)

6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (I know I too have "lusted after evil things", desires to do my own things, things i I know displeases God...)

7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. (What are the idols I am worshipping now? Am I rationalizing, justifying, or excusing a sin I should starve? Just as in Isaiah study, Isaac said, "burn incense to idols is somewhat like us worshipping idols. Just as Zachary said, "keep secret vigil is like staying up late because of an idol, and thus not able to give God the time due" (I paraphrased it. But kept the same meaning) Is there something I am more devoted to and devout than reading the Bible or just inwardly spending time with God? Is there something I am doing that takes away my time from doing the right things, ROBBING time from GOD? It is a sobering thought.)

8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (So many!)

9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. (The reason for God to send the serpents was because they tempted God and did not trust Him. Am I doing something like that? Pushing God's grace or acting as though I don't trust God in an area of my life, a worry, a responsibility perhaps? 

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. (Wow, what is murmuring? murmuring can cost your life! Something you think no one else knows, no one else hears. Be careful with your words and thoughts that reflect an ungrateful spirit.) 

11Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (If at that time, they were already like that, how much more, we, at the end of the world, should be more careful. The reason why God recorded their sins down is to give us an example not to follow, to warn us not to do it, because it displeases Him.) 

12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (Think you're too  good, as in very controlled, take heed! Do not ever look down on sin, give it its proper respect. As Mr. Smith says, "Sin will get you further than you will ever want to go and cost you more than you'll ever want to pay.")

13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (Despite these dire warnings, there's a promise from a faithful God. And true, I know as a fact that I've experienced, no temptation has taken you except those COMMON to OTHERS. This was a nice lesson I learnt and enjoyed in BSF this year sharing with one another, esp. the discovery on idolatry. You're not alone in your struggles, take heart, and FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! Aja!) 

14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (A clear command. I challenge you to STARVE YOUR SIN!)

Psalm of God's Perfect Time: a poem in reflection on Japan's earthquake

I wrote this on 4 May this year. I thought I'll post it for keep's sake.

Inspiration from Isaiah 24:14-16 and my mom's bible study question. I was thinking of Japan earthquake in "Though thousands have died in a day, And though for many, doom looms near," the radiation still pose a threat to many, if not in the present, surely in the future. 

Psalm of God’s Perfect Time

O Lord, Sovereign One,
Ruler of earth and heaven,
All earth is under Thy footstool.
Thy love is to everlasting;
Thy mercy endureth forever, —
Blessed by Thy name!

All around me is desolation;
The destruction was swift and sure.
I hear voices crying out in despair—
When wilt Thou hear, O Lord, righteous One?
When wilt Thou hear their pleas and heal?

Though the world is very bleak,

Though all I can see ahead is darkness,
Though thousands have died in a day,
And though for many, doom looms near,
Yet though the Lord may seem unjust,
Though the Lord may seen unseen,
Yet through faith’s eyeglass, I see:
At God’s perfect time,
All purpose shall be accomplished,—
At God’s perfect time.

-APTG- 

JaCEN 

Wednesday, 4 May, 2011

Loving God: a lesson from a show

Just the other day, while we were watching the last part of DJG again, My father commented something like: "The rest of the people don't love the king as a person, but only respect him and obey him as their king."
This was in reference to Yon-seng begging the king to kill her because she was mistaken about Jang-geum and Ming Zheng-Hao's relationship. The king responded with. "Soo-weon, do you love me? Love. What is love? Ways to love...." And he ended of with a hysterical laugh from an aching heart. It truly is sad.
But this comment actually sparked of a train of thoughts about my loving my heavenly Father, Almighty God.

How do I love God?

Do I love Him as a subordinate his superior, full of respect and loyalty. Loving Him and thus willingly and cheerfully obeying His will just to please Him? This is kind of like my helping my brother because I love him. Do I have the kind of respect a servant has to his master and lord? "Yours is to command and mine is only to obey, no questions asked?"

Do I love God as a husband and wife does? That companionship that is above all others, lasting forever, through thick or thin. Communion on everything, communication treasured and continues.

Do I love God just because of what He did or because of who He is? I hope the latter, though I'm not too sure. All I know is that I love to worship God, it leaves my spiritually satisfied. The attributes of God that I learned in BSF gushes into my mind: Truth, Love, Almighty, Gift-Giver,... All these just makes me stand in awe at Him and makes me see how sinful I am. Truly, as Zachary highlighted, "Seeing the holiness of God transforms one's life"

Do I love God as a friend? Knowing that no matter what happens, He is always there and is able to help me? Knowing that no matter when, I and He will be happy to "see" each other? Yesterday, I embarked on my QT with this thought, excited to meet Him. Knowing I'll never be a bother and a burden to Him.

Do I love God as I love a stuff toy? like in the sense of, God knows my cares and UNDERSTANDS and always offer comfort.

Do I love God the way the lady horse in The Horse and His Boy (not Bree) loved Aslan the moment she saw Him? It was unquestioning obedience and submission, love radiating out, trusting. She didn't care if he ate her, instead it  was an honor to her that she was noticed by Him even in that way...

There are yet many ways of loving. But in what way should I love God? Do I love Him the way I should? I really want to know. I will read God's love letter to me and ask Him to give me the love to love Him.

Purpose of verse tennis

The purpose of verse tennis is to string together related verses. This helps me review my memory verses as well as encourage me (and maybe others)...

Verse tennis may not seem related if a verse is removed, just like a word tennis game. 

Some posts of it may actually have a purpose to teach something, so you should always not skim through but try to follow the trend of thoughts. This also helps train, following the argument. Sometimes the relationship may be quite obscure, I might try to help by putting something in parenthesis. 

Characters to develop in the students

Characters to develop in students: 
Honesty
For the truth
Sincerity
Put whole heart into everything
Diligence 
Thoroughness in all tasks
Perseverance
Inner, unwavering strength
Discernment
Interacting with all people and examining for truth
Love
Grace, Mercy, Kindness, Tenderness, Patience
Respectfulness
Give respect to others and is a respectable person in a quiet, humble way
Thoughtful
Reason out things and is sensitive towards others

The Overall Idea

In my dream school, I want to help my students prepare for life and not just to take exams. I want them to develop critical thinking. I think that learning should NOT be confined to the classroom, books or lectures. I want them to learn everywhere they go. I want them to ENJOY learning. I want them to learn life skills too. This I will achieve by getting them to learn hands-on, not just through laboratory work, but also through touch and smell. I want each student to be able to express their own thoughts, not just on paper, but also verbally, and through other art mediums. I also do not want to confine them to just studying textbook science, math, and English. I want them to be able to appreciate nature, appreciate maths in their daily lives, to appreciate the importance of language (not just English), to appreciate the importance of learning history for lesson. I want them to be able to read or see something through critical lenses, taking the Bible as the final and unquestionable authority. And most of all, I want them to root themselves in the only firm, stable foundation, the Word of God. So much so, that they are ready to give an answer to anyone who asks them about God, anytime, anywhere. I want them to be SATURATED with thoughts of God, and God permeating their lives in every aspect.I want them to excel in character, values, and attitude; and if God gives them the ability, in academic ways.

"Trim your lamps and be ready"

"Trim your lamps and be ready"

I had trouble with this idea until the Lord showed me through an experience. I'm sure this is a very familiar scenario since it happened to me at least twice in my life but I didn't get it at first...

In one camp I went to with my family, I was told by my brother to wait for my friend and then go down to the hotel's breakfast together. He said her mother will call my room number.

So I waited... and waited... I was eagerly waiting for the welcome ring of the phone. I was ever ready to go once she called.

It was starting to get late, so I started panicking (not a smart thing to do). I called their phone and let it ring twice; I was afraid of waking them. No answer. So I decided to go down with my other friend. But while waiting for the lift, I went to the door and rang their doorbell twice. "Ding, dong" the lift arrived. No answer. My heart was sinking.

There was another time.

This was the first and only time my mother brought my brother and me to Wild Wild Wet. We wanted to meet our missionary friend from K__ and play with her there. Everything was arranged. We were to meet her at Wild Wild Wet.

So we went first without them. They were supposed to call us when they reached. But when we went there, we found out that we had to keep our things in the locker and every time we opened the locker, we had to pay money to lock it back up. In order to play in the water, we had to keep my mom's phone in the locker.

When we were playing, we constantly thought of the time when our friend will come. So we kept on checking the locker, wasting money.

"This won't do." My mom said after a few futile checks. "The next time is the last time I'll do this."

So we went back to play. After a while, my brother asked again. "Do you think she would have smsed already?" I tried to dissuade them so that I could play a little while longer, and I doubted that she had already done that.

But we went anyway. Our hopes were high as we opened the locker. Expectancy shone through our faces. "Maybe, just maybe" I thought.

But the welcome look of an sms was not to be found. None to tell us when she'll come. None to tell us what's happening now. And worst of all, TIME TO GO HOME! I have to admit, I was a "little" angry with my brother and that Aunty. But I knew I had to forgive them (I did). I was a little child at that time, and of course I was disappointed. So disappointed, I think my eyes were blurry and my mouth was salty. Though I had to make sure no drops trickled down my already wet cheeks. (By the way, that was the last time I ever went to Wild Wild Wet)

It was not until later that we found out why our friend couldn't come or contact us. Her husband was sick that day and it turned out the be dysentery (or was it cholera?).

I'm sure everyone of us had that circumstance happen to us. Someone we wait and prepared, ever ready to appear didn't come. And that bitter, soury disappointment that followed. But now I finally understand the greater store in it for me: to teach me what it means to "trim my lamp and be ready".

This was a very familiar phrase to me as a child. I enjoyed singing this hymn as a family and especially enjoyed crooning the chorus. I also learnt that parable from our family devotions and from Sunday school and from weekly gospel meetings.

But what the phrase actually meant, what the hymn actually meant, what the parable actually meant, I never quite could understand. But now I do. The hope and expectancy, the excitement, the longing, the constant nagging in your mind, these all I now know is part of it. (Perhaps the Prodigal Son's father also looked for his son in this manner?) But unlike what happened to me, I know that my waiting for my Lord's coming is not in vain. Isn't it great that we won't be disappointed. With assurance we can wait.

Trim your lamp and be ready. For the Lord shall come as a thief in the night, you shall not know the hour when he shall come. (Just a string of thoughts alluding to verses in the Bible)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"