The Business of Reconciliation

Around two thousand years ago in a small, unknown town called Bethlehem, in a country now known as Israel, Jesus was born to reconcile the world back to God. The bible says, "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19

Webster Dictionary gives a definition of to reconcile as "to restore to friendship or harmony." Humans have committed sins and turned away from God. We all have become the enemies of God, doing things that are hostile toward God. However, God doesn't hold grudges against us. He yearns to reconcile with us and forgive us. God reaches out to humankind in a special way. He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the penalties of our sins on the cross. God has forgiven us completely in Jesus Christ.

What a good news this is! ---that God doesn't count my sins against me. How kind and how sacrificing God is. I am sure a list of my sins is as long as a roll of paper in a cash register and much more. But God torn it apart and erased it. God forgives and forgets even though I don't deserve such a treatment. I have never seen a person so thoughtful, so forgiving as God!

I believe that God wants all human beings to get back to him, to have a close relationship with Him again. Through Jesus Christ, we can get back to the loving arms of God. Friendship with God is sweeter than anything I've known. Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Today Jesus is inviting all of us to go back to God.

Jesus is in the business of reconciliation. We witness his ministry of reconciliation at the cross. I am in awe of God's loving heart and his commitment toward mankind through Christ's sacrifices.

Merry Christmas to you all.

My Father's Gift

It was not even my birthday. We were in a department store right in the middle of Bangkok. My dad told me to pick out a new expensive brand name handbag---the one that I especially liked, the one that was in trend and the kind that all the girls in the university carried around. I was very touched by my dad's kindness. I will never forget my dad's love toward me.

When I was growing up, my dad supported me to learn foreign languages (English and French). He would pay for my extra lessons and tutoring schools. I remember one time I needed to take a special exam and we didn't have much money. I told my dad about my need (for that money) in the evening. In the early morning, when I got up, I saw the money my dad had left for me on the stairs. Later in my life, my dad paid for my entire graduate school tuition fees and expenses. I didn't have to pay a cent or take out a loan like my friends did.

My dad instilled in me the love to learn new things and to work hard. This is his philosophy. He often taught me to give my best shot at work---to go beyond my employers' expectations. He said if there is a situation and they had to let some employees go, I should be the last person whom they thought about laying off because of all my hard work and contributions that I did for the organization. I don't know if I ever worked that hard but my dad lived what he preached every day in his life.

I am blessed to have a wonderful earthly father and a Heavenly Father who love me and give wonderful gifts to me. Just like my earthly father, God listens attentively to my prayers and needs. He sacrifices everything He has for me. The best gift that he gave is His salvation in a form of a baby wrapped in clothes lying in the manger. This gift, I reached out my hands and claimed it for myself. Jesus Christ is God's best gift to the whole world. How kind and thoughtful God is.

Happy Father's Day (Thailand)!!!