valium online

Prayer Letter May 2019

Dear SAGOS Family,

Recently I have written an article about meditation for the August issue of SAGOS Newsletter, entitled “Meditation – The Art of Regurgitating the Sacred Word”, where I quoted from Psalms 1: 2-3 “but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night”. The word ‘meditate” (haga) contains elements of “silent reading”, and in other words, repeat softly to memorize God’s law. Therefore, Eugene Peterson renders it as “chew on Scripture day and night” in “The Message”.

Reading the Bible requires slow chewing and swallowing, just like a cow that regurgitates on the grassland after eating grass, moving the food from its stomach back to its mouth to chew on, in order to absorb the essence of nutrition. This “regurgitation” is a good description of the process of meditation on the word of God for it to internalize. Rev. Rick Warren once says: “When you think about a problem over and over in your mind – that’s called worry. But when you think about God’s Word over and over in your mind – that’s meditation.”.

The lectures on “The Heart and Mind on the Book of Revelation” held on late April and early May in Mandarin and Cantonese, were attended by 60 and 100 people, respectively. They filled up the large and small lecture halls of our institute, with very active responses. Praise the Lord! In fact, the “heart and mind” approach to Bible study can also be applied to other books of Scriptures. 

Rev. Dr. Samuel Ho and Sister Helen are currently in serious preparation for the Music and Arts Tour to be held 6/4 – 6/16. Participants, including lecturers and leader, totaling 53 persons. Pray that things are in smooth order and may the attendees be edified! In addition to being the tour leader and off-site preaching, Rev. Dr. Ho will focus more on administration, invitation of teachers, and course preparation over the summer.

In mid-May, Mrs. Esther Lai will lead “10-step Bible Study Method Teacher Certification” (Mandarin and Cantonese classes). By the end of May she will go to Calgary West Chinese Alliance Church to lead a sisters’ retreat, preaching, as well as leading 10-step study lectures of the Books of Ruth and Jude.

The first Board meeting of this year was completed on 5/7, where we had wonderful fellowship and discussions. Praise the Lord for the incoming of our new board members: Rev. Richard Yu, Senior pastor of Contra-Costa Gospel Church, and Elder Po Cheng, elder of Third Home of Christ in Fremont.

The following are the classes, subjects and lecturers of our Institute in next period:

  • “10-step Bible Study #3: Practice” (Mandarin) (5/9 – 5/12), to be led by Rev. Dr. Lai and Elder Shu;
  • “10-step Bible Study #3: Practice” (Cantonese) (5/17 – 5/19), to be led by Dr. Lai;
  • “Overview of Church History and Theology” (5/17 – 5/19, 5/24 – 5/26), to be Lectured by Rev. Dr. Fung.

The annual Matching Fund campaign for this year ($80,000 goal) is on-going, please support by praying and making contribution.

Please continue to give thanks and pray for the following:

  1. Praise God for leading of the 4/47 (Mandarin) and 5/4 (Cantonese) lectures on the Book of Revelation.
  2. Pray for the teachers’ preparation and students’ registration for the 3 May classes.
  3. Pray for the Matching Fund ($80,000 goal) campaign.
  4. Prayer for Rev. Tsang, Director of SAGOS Canada to undergo a small surgical procedure on 5/9, pray for fast recovery.

May the Lord’s blessing be abundant!

Your Co-worker,

Johann Lai

May, 2019