Isaiah 43:1-7 (niv)
(Isaiah 42 talks about Israel's blindness & deafness)
But now, this is what the Lord says -
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
你從水中經過，我必與你同在；
你蹚過江河，水必不漫過你；
你從水中行過，必不被燒，火焰也不着在你身上。
For I am the LORD, you God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, "Give them up!"
and to the south, "Do not hold them back."
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”
大約兩年前，第一次張茂松牧師被邀到我們教會講道，他說的一句給我留下很大的影響，“你們要向神大大開口，向他要，不需要向神客氣。”向神求，祂會給你，也許給你的不照著你所求；但你不求就不會得着。就因著這樣的教導，後來當我看著我的老大因老三的出生必須要自己坐到van的後座，中間讓給弟弟妹妹，我心裏就覺得這樣好委曲他，因為他很想跟我們聊天講話，但坐在前座的我和Jerry都沒辦法聽到他講話。加上那部van常常出狀況。我便開始向神求。“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”
後來我們原本那部van終於垮了，也不能開了，花錢修了還是坏，就決定把它賣了。我和小孩就更迫切地向神求，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”爲什麽迫切呢？Van沒有了，3個小孩擠到轎車後座，加上3個carseat，我覺得實在‘慘不仁賭’。因為位子太擠，我們還硬把3個carseat擠進去，變成小孩都得斜著坐，有時靠不到椅背booster seat還會往前滑，而且，安全帶也變得很難係上。。。但是，我們這個禱告神始終仍未應允。Joshua問我，爲什麽神還沒給我們8個座位的van呢？我就很爽快地告訴他，神的時間還沒到啊！也許神覺得我們沒有這個需要。Jerry曾問我，爲什麽一定要求8個座位的van？我們原本的轎車不是很好嗎？小孩坐得不舒服也是他們學習的機會。況且我們沒這筆錢買一部新的van。要神送我們，也太奢侈了吧！我裏面，多多少少有些些的定罪，但我知道了解我的天父，祂看到我的心，不懷惡意，也並不是貪愛虛榮，我求錯了，祂不會生氣我，我相信神會按著他的美意成就美事。所以，我還是和孩子繼續的求，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”
這樣禱告了好長一段時間，日子還是一樣過，孩子還是習慣擠在後座。後來，神帶領我們全家搬遷到Kansas City。我還是禱告，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”我們原本那部轎車問題也挺多，要從加州開到Kansas City實在需要神跡。我當時在想，神會在這時候給我們van嗎？如果沒有，我相信神也可以保守我們的轎車把我們帶到Kansas City。日子越來越接近。有一天，有位會友心懷好意的告訴我們他有心要送我們一部van。我心在想，這是神對我們禱告的回應嗎？日子倒數，５天，４天，３天，２天，１天。。。都沒有。最後４－６天想買部二手van，怎麽找也找沒有。好了，要開車走了，行李堆得滿滿的，我還挺天真的告訴Jerry，“你看，我不是把行李都擠進去了嗎？”有智慧的他花了好幾分鐘時間向我解釋車子裏的東西太重會帶下來的結果。當時，車子裏的氣氛很沉重，比行李更沉重。我心對主說，雖然我好害怕，但我仍然相信你會付我們責任，他我們帶到你呼招我們去的地方。因為我當時沒辦法體會Jerry的掙扎，（請看他的blog，他有訴説他當時的心情和掙扎），我還以爲他生我的氣。
就當我們帶著沉重的心情，坐在沉重的車子裏，準備要出發時，神伸出祂的手，實在是“借給我們一部新的van，是７個座位的”！！我和Jerry實在是太感動了！再一次謝謝蔡國文牧師（牧師爸爸）的愛心和慷慨，我到老，都會重復敍説這個經歷，也會不斷謝謝蔡牧師。
長話短説，我認爲這就是神給我這段日子所禱告的回應。這樣的回應，我心已經深深被感動。也從那時開始，我就不再做那禱告了。
在預定的時間，把車子還給牧師，回台灣看Jerry的父母。計劃Jerry自己把轎車開回來，而我和小孩坐飛機回來，這樣可以給轎車少一點的負擔。我們根本就沒有想到要買車了。沒想到，在台灣回加州那短短的５天内就買到了一部２００６年的van，而且是８個座位的喲！更好笑的是，當小孩坐上去時，就說“這是牧師爺爺的van”。真的，長得和牧師那部很像。雖然我因調時差很累，但我好開心，因為神繼續在垂聼我和小孩這麽久以來的禱告。的確，祂要做的不一定如我們所想象的。但祂絕不誤事，還常常給我們驚喜！
這是我求的，
“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”
這是神的answer，
“暫時借你們一部新的van，是７個座位的。再讓你們買一部二手van，是８個座位的.
感謝主！
後來我們原本那部van終於垮了，也不能開了，花錢修了還是坏，就決定把它賣了。我和小孩就更迫切地向神求，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”爲什麽迫切呢？Van沒有了，3個小孩擠到轎車後座，加上3個carseat，我覺得實在‘慘不仁賭’。因為位子太擠，我們還硬把3個carseat擠進去，變成小孩都得斜著坐，有時靠不到椅背booster seat還會往前滑，而且，安全帶也變得很難係上。。。但是，我們這個禱告神始終仍未應允。Joshua問我，爲什麽神還沒給我們8個座位的van呢？我就很爽快地告訴他，神的時間還沒到啊！也許神覺得我們沒有這個需要。Jerry曾問我，爲什麽一定要求8個座位的van？我們原本的轎車不是很好嗎？小孩坐得不舒服也是他們學習的機會。況且我們沒這筆錢買一部新的van。要神送我們，也太奢侈了吧！我裏面，多多少少有些些的定罪，但我知道了解我的天父，祂看到我的心，不懷惡意，也並不是貪愛虛榮，我求錯了，祂不會生氣我，我相信神會按著他的美意成就美事。所以，我還是和孩子繼續的求，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”
這樣禱告了好長一段時間，日子還是一樣過，孩子還是習慣擠在後座。後來，神帶領我們全家搬遷到Kansas City。我還是禱告，“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”我們原本那部轎車問題也挺多，要從加州開到Kansas City實在需要神跡。我當時在想，神會在這時候給我們van嗎？如果沒有，我相信神也可以保守我們的轎車把我們帶到Kansas City。日子越來越接近。有一天，有位會友心懷好意的告訴我們他有心要送我們一部van。我心在想，這是神對我們禱告的回應嗎？日子倒數，５天，４天，３天，２天，１天。。。都沒有。最後４－６天想買部二手van，怎麽找也找沒有。好了，要開車走了，行李堆得滿滿的，我還挺天真的告訴Jerry，“你看，我不是把行李都擠進去了嗎？”有智慧的他花了好幾分鐘時間向我解釋車子裏的東西太重會帶下來的結果。當時，車子裏的氣氛很沉重，比行李更沉重。我心對主說，雖然我好害怕，但我仍然相信你會付我們責任，他我們帶到你呼招我們去的地方。因為我當時沒辦法體會Jerry的掙扎，（請看他的blog，他有訴説他當時的心情和掙扎），我還以爲他生我的氣。
就當我們帶著沉重的心情，坐在沉重的車子裏，準備要出發時，神伸出祂的手，實在是“借給我們一部新的van，是７個座位的”！！我和Jerry實在是太感動了！再一次謝謝蔡國文牧師（牧師爸爸）的愛心和慷慨，我到老，都會重復敍説這個經歷，也會不斷謝謝蔡牧師。
長話短説，我認爲這就是神給我這段日子所禱告的回應。這樣的回應，我心已經深深被感動。也從那時開始，我就不再做那禱告了。
在預定的時間，把車子還給牧師，回台灣看Jerry的父母。計劃Jerry自己把轎車開回來，而我和小孩坐飛機回來，這樣可以給轎車少一點的負擔。我們根本就沒有想到要買車了。沒想到，在台灣回加州那短短的５天内就買到了一部２００６年的van，而且是８個座位的喲！更好笑的是，當小孩坐上去時，就說“這是牧師爺爺的van”。真的，長得和牧師那部很像。雖然我因調時差很累，但我好開心，因為神繼續在垂聼我和小孩這麽久以來的禱告。的確，祂要做的不一定如我們所想象的。但祂絕不誤事，還常常給我們驚喜！
這是我求的，
“求主耶穌給我們一部新的van，是8個座位的，阿們！”
這是神的answer，
“暫時借你們一部新的van，是７個座位的。再讓你們買一部二手van，是８個座位的.
感謝主！
Pray for our traveling back to KC
I'm bringing my 3 kids to fly back to KC on the 15th of December. Please pray for us that we'll fly safely home at KC. Pray that the kids will fully and joyfully cooperate with me. Pray that it will be a good time of fellowship and for openness between me and my children.
Also, please pray for Jerry as he will be driving back to KC by himself. Here are a few things you may pray for him...
1. the used van that we just bought will function well.
2. Jerry will not be sleepy while on the road.
3. Jerry will be able to stay wide awake while driving.
4. Safety
5. No snow!!!! I don't think Jerry has ever driven in the snow...
6. No ice on the road too.
7. Good time fellowshipping with the Lord while Jerry is alone in the van.
Thank you for partnering with us as we embark in this new journey in serving the Lord! God bless you and your family!
Also, please pray for Jerry as he will be driving back to KC by himself. Here are a few things you may pray for him...
1. the used van that we just bought will function well.
2. Jerry will not be sleepy while on the road.
3. Jerry will be able to stay wide awake while driving.
4. Safety
5. No snow!!!! I don't think Jerry has ever driven in the snow...
6. No ice on the road too.
7. Good time fellowshipping with the Lord while Jerry is alone in the van.
Thank you for partnering with us as we embark in this new journey in serving the Lord! God bless you and your family!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Touching moments during LA trip
1. One lady came up to me for a casual "hi" and greeting and unexpectedly, she was in tears during our conversation when she mentioned something dear to her heart. Seeing that melts my heart too. So then we prayed for each other and she was literally in lots of tears... I saw something about her and I really think it was so precious. I saw one day she'll be standing with her daughter telling testimonies about the restoration God is doing between her and her daughter (who is already loving and serving the Lord passionately). If one day I get to stand in front of the pulpit with my children and we together share our testimony about God's work in our lives, that is one of the great great reward a mom can have!
2. During a fellowship time, and in the midst of laughters and eating, a newly baptized Christian was in tears sharing her recent experience. She said she asked God "Will You really take care and be responsible for my future path?" She is a very joyful person, so even when she was in tears, she still laughed. So people laughed with joy along with her too. But I do really want to find out what did she mean by that question. After asking her for details, I was in tears too. She said God loves her so much and so she wanted to give her life to Jesus and want to serve Him with the rest of her life. Her husband isn't a believer yet and she wasn't sure how her husband would react to her decision. She was wondering, not in doubts, but in desperation, will God take care of her life and the path she is going to take each day when she gives her life to serve Jesus. I immediately felt the love of God pouring on us, and I'm amazed at the work of God in her life in such a short time.
3. A dear sister of mine has been spending her precious time with me this weekend during her busy schedule. That touches my heart too. She's been asking me out this weekend but due to the jet lag with my kids I wanted to just stay home so my kids can rest and not having too much stimulation. So she came to be with us at where we stayed, even though she herself was tired too. Trully (is that how you spell it?) friendship is a blessing from God to bless our heart. After I gave the kids a bath tonight, she was there to help them get clothed. The next thing I knew, she took a book and started reading it to the kids. Awww... that was so so so sweet. She used to come to my house once a week, when I was living in LA, to help out with the kids so I can have a break from the unending housework and 'kids'work. My kids love her and love listening to her reading them books. Thank you, sister!
4. Friends of us have given us a lot, their time, their love, their care, their food, and their love offerings. I'm blessed to know you all!
2. During a fellowship time, and in the midst of laughters and eating, a newly baptized Christian was in tears sharing her recent experience. She said she asked God "Will You really take care and be responsible for my future path?" She is a very joyful person, so even when she was in tears, she still laughed. So people laughed with joy along with her too. But I do really want to find out what did she mean by that question. After asking her for details, I was in tears too. She said God loves her so much and so she wanted to give her life to Jesus and want to serve Him with the rest of her life. Her husband isn't a believer yet and she wasn't sure how her husband would react to her decision. She was wondering, not in doubts, but in desperation, will God take care of her life and the path she is going to take each day when she gives her life to serve Jesus. I immediately felt the love of God pouring on us, and I'm amazed at the work of God in her life in such a short time.
3. A dear sister of mine has been spending her precious time with me this weekend during her busy schedule. That touches my heart too. She's been asking me out this weekend but due to the jet lag with my kids I wanted to just stay home so my kids can rest and not having too much stimulation. So she came to be with us at where we stayed, even though she herself was tired too. Trully (is that how you spell it?) friendship is a blessing from God to bless our heart. After I gave the kids a bath tonight, she was there to help them get clothed. The next thing I knew, she took a book and started reading it to the kids. Awww... that was so so so sweet. She used to come to my house once a week, when I was living in LA, to help out with the kids so I can have a break from the unending housework and 'kids'work. My kids love her and love listening to her reading them books. Thank you, sister!
4. Friends of us have given us a lot, their time, their love, their care, their food, and their love offerings. I'm blessed to know you all!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Prayer Letter #1
弟兄姐妹們，平安：
我們於2009年6月領受 神的呼召，全家搬去Kansas City，加入International House of Prayer，在幾個月的禱告、學習、尋求之後，我們決定成為禱告宣教士，為要幫助華人教會更深刻的認識 神的愛，點燃眾聖徒禱告的熱情火焰，預備主耶穌基督的再來。
禱告宣教士 intercessory missionary是I.H.O.P.同工的服事稱謂，一邊禱告，一邊宣教，服事的範圍包括城市佈道、醫病、幫助homeless、校園禱告會等等。11月和12月最近更是經歷了在IHOPU大學中的學生復興，許多人病得醫治，靈魂得著釋放，這兩個月I.H.O.P.每一天都有上千人的聚集。
目前秀君在 “琴與爐” 和末世的信息方面，有深刻的學習，而我在認識 神的情感和與 神親密的關係上有重大的突破，我們明白 神不只要我們自己得著這些信息的好處，更是要我們屬靈的體質徹底改變，來祝福華人教會和機構。
我，秀君和三個孩子Joshua, Samuel 和Cheryl 需要您的支持。
我們誠摯的邀請您
1. 在禱告上支持我們，請常用弗1：17-19，弗3：16-19等經文為我們祝福。
2. 常關心我們在禱告上和生活上的學習，可上網閱讀
http://jerrychowatihop.blogspot.com/
http://siewchiun.blogspot.com/
或上http://www.ihop.org/ 關心I.H.O.P.的動向
3. 將您的代禱事項email給我，jerrychow_1999@yahoo.com，我委身每個禮拜三早上，為眾華人教會，機構，弟兄姐妹代禱
4. 在財務上支持我們，可
方法1：支票開給 IHOP-KC，附上您正確的地址，在隔年2月前將拿到退稅的收據 (根據IRS的規定，請絕對不要在支票任何部分寫上我們的名字)。請將支票寄到我們個人的郵政信箱，我們將轉交給I.H.O.P.。請寄給Jerry Chow, P.O. Box 9811, Kansas City, MO 64134
方法2：若是希望匿名，可仍按方法1，支票開給 IHOP-KC，支票上有您正確的地址，仍絕對不要在支票任何部分寫上我們的名字，但是，附上一個sticky note，或是一個便條，指明給Jerry Chow,將支票寄到Finance Office, International House of Prayer, 3535 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64137. 有問題可詢問I.H.O.P. (816)763-0200，轉Finance Office.
方法3：支票開給 Jerry Chow，可能免去一些我們在稅務的負擔，請將支票寄到我們個人的郵政信箱Jerry Chow, P.O. Box 9811, Kansas City, MO 64134。
神祝福您！
您的禱告夥伴
Jerry Chow 12-11-09
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