Chapter 35: Unspeakable Joy

Who can actually explain what joy is all about? We can only say, “We have joy in Christ.” However, people always asked, “Why do Christians still feel sad and sorrowful even though they have Jesus Christ?” Sometimes we really misunderstand the meaning of “joy”.

I was very nervous about my “History of Christianity” assignment. I earnestly prayed for a good result. You may not understand why I felt it that way. Here is my bad past. I admit that I used to be a bad student who never studied at all. I wasted my parents’ hard-earned money. Even till a stage, where I even failed my Degree in New Zealand. I always despised myself and I thought that Study is never the thing for me.

I hate study,; I hate books. After failing the degree, I actually had a phobia in studying. Whenever I heard about test or exam which needs to use my intellectual thoughts, I will feel totally scared. I will always escape from intellectual test and exam. I hate reading books.

Running away from books for 7 years
In STS, I felt nervous about my study. I spent more hours than others on my research. I spent more hours to gain my understanding in studies. I am not smart and intelligent. I am usually slower than others. However, I cherish this opportunity to study in STS. I wanted to overcome my fear. I am passionate for the Word of God. I prayed so hard for every assignment. I have to study very hard but I have so many ministries on my hands. To cope with my study and ministry at the same time, how can it be? God, have mercy on me.

On 11 March 2009, I saw the “History of Christianity” assignment in my box when I walked into the student lodge. Fearfully I grabbed the paper; I did not dare to look at it. I prayed hard, “God, please… I do not want to be the Jack in New Zealand. I really hope to pass.”



95 marks!! Serious?!

I was staring at the paper for a few seconds of silence. I put the paper into my chest. Body seemed to bend down and place my head on the wall. Tears almost fell out of my eyes. At that time, I really understand the meaning of “joy”. I closed my eyes, saying in mind, “Thank You, God! Thank You, God!”

Though that moment was just a short glimpse, yet that was what I called “unspeakable joy”. That’s amazing, God.

Deuteronomy 16:15
“For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.”

Ephesians 5:20
“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Chapter 30: Human Beings (Part II)

Human Beings are funny. It seems like everything they do, they are right. It happened to the family, school, friends, and even COUPLES! It applies from kids to elderly.

I do not understand why we, Human Beings, disgrace the image of God in this way. We supposed to have the image of God. However, human beings know they are wrong, yet they still choose to do it this way. Check it out!


When they laugh, they said it is a joke.
When others laugh, they said it is pathetic.

When they keep quiet, they said they are mature.
When others keep quiet, they said those are nerds.

When they make noise, they said it is called "Enjoy life!".
When others make noise, they said it is idiotic.

When they receive no love, they said others don’t love them.
When others receive no love, they said others don’t find them.

When they sin, they said “It is alright. God will forgive.”
When others sin, they said “It is nasty. Let God condemn them!”

When they gossip others, they said “This is the truth! I am not lying.”
When others gossip them, they said “Why can’t the people talk to me face to face? Scare?”

When they criticize others, they said "This is my comment. This is what I think."
When others criticize them, they said "Why can't they understand my feeling?"

When they are praised, they pretended to be humble, in heart, they said, "Well, Look at me! Who am I? Of course I'm good."

When they are jealous about others who are better than them, they said, "I have a friend who is better than you. If you compare with him, you surely lose."

When they found someone who is talented, they said, "So what? I can do better than them."

When people are weary, they said "Ah ya! Your life is nothing, man! My life is ten times more pitiful than you."

When people are tired of life, they said, "Well, I am also like that. Do you think you are the only one?"

Readers, I have thousands of examples to share. You know what I mean... No wonder Jesus needs to take away our sin by dying on the cross for us.

Human beings are WEIRD.