What is better?

Recently, after returning home from travels, God has given us time to play catch up. I hate to say it's "catch up" because then I don't feel as relaxed when I look at my long to-do list. It's interesting how we have been using our time. The list doesn't seem to be getting shorter. And there seems to be more and more things on my mind. (Even blogging probably belongs closer to the bottom of the list but here I am)

It's been relaxed but also heavy these days. We feel tired but yet refreshed somehow...

When we returned from some travels this past month, we visited James' grandpa in the hospital a few times. We have to travel about an hour and a half one way to get there. He was in the ICU for over a month. Longer than I expected, I have to admit. But we are so thankful God answered James' prayers to give him more time so we could share more with him about Jesus. We prayed every chance we got that we could boldly clearly share about salvation through faith by grace in Jesus Christ. James' shared with his grandpa and his family before many years ago but they didn't seem to respond much at all. We are thankful for the many opportunities God gave us. But we hurt inside as we watched his grandpa suffering in pain and discomfort. We spent the week with his mom, having dinner at her house, going shopping for chinese new years to build relationship and love her through quality time, we chatted with her a lot. We saw her many tears. Every time she was in the ICU, she would cry out loudly and helplessly try to make her dad feel more comfortable. When I was beside his grandpa I heard her tell me to tell him "We will save you." "The doctors will save you." Again, I heard others visiting their sick relatives whispering, yelling, trying to believe their own words... "I will save you... We will save you."

When James and I would pray, when we would talk to his family and be with them, I could not help but think about Jesus. I know and believe that only Jesus can truly save us. It doesn't mean we won't have pain and suffering or hard things. But when we trust in Jesus, we know in those last moments/days/months of our lives, where we will be going next. We know what we are saved from. James and I together just talked about how nothing else in life really matters, especially in those moments, other than knowing and loving Jesus.

This past weekend James' grandpa passed away. We pray he had the softened heart to surrender his life to Jesus and place his faith in Him for his salvation. To trust Jesus' life, words, miracles, death, resurrection - to trust all of Jesus so that he could be saved from eternal death and suffering. We pray he is not in pain anymore and that God brings comfort to the family.

In this hard time, God has and is strengthening our faith and turning our eyes to Him.
We have been more united with each other.
And most of all, with Jesus.
There is nothing better than knowing and trusting in Jesus.

Thank you for praying for James and his family and for us to love them being instruments of God's love. Thank you for praying for his grandpa's faith. Tomorrow is the funeral. Would you continue to pray that God would use this time to draw us and many others that don't know Him to see Him and know that He is the way, the Truth and the life? Thank you for your prayers.

Our hearts have just been aching for those of our family and friends who don't yet know Jesus and his saving grace. Do you know what that feels like?

We see them looking at their circumstances and thinking that's all there is. Just living day by day missing out on the same Jesus that we, before, also did not know. Join us to pray for a continued compassion, passion and heart for sharing Jesus with those who don't know him, and not only fervently in the last moments of one's life. But, now. It is so real to me how short life is. I remember my grandpa passing away my senior year of college and how it shook me up. I questioned God, I cried rivers. I couldn't understand how to trust Him through that time. I felt like I was hanging on. But I'm so thankful for each time that God draws me closer to Him and grows my faith.

Let us allow God to grow our faith and draw us to Him.



Lately, I have been especially encouraged and challenged by the boldness and love of other Christian brothers and sisters in the spotlight. Is it just me or are there more and more Christians standing up and standing firm in their faith and genuinely wanting to love others and share Christ with the world? To be light in the darkness. Showing the world that Jesus is better and He is our hope. I hope these encourage you today as they've encouraged me.

Natalie Grant at the Grammys - definitely a light in darkness

"We left the Grammy’s early. I’ve many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head. But I’ll say this: I’ve never been more honored to sing about Jesus and for Jesus. And I’ve never been more sure of the path I’ve chosen."

D.J. from Full House - balancing her life and going back to the Word of God

“My whole thing was that I always thought I was such a good person … [I would think] I’m such a good person compared to other child stars,” Bure said. “I was a people pleaser. … I never really understood my need for Jesus, because I never really saw myself as a sinner.”

But Ray Comfort’s book, The Way of the Master, changed all that for her. 

“I recognized for the first time, ‘Oh, I guess I’m not as good as I thought I was. I am good by worldly status … but God has a different standard,’” Bure said.

Seattle Seahawks, Russell Wilson & Others - What is better than the Super bowl?

"Jesus is better."

Gospel Coalition Blog Post: What is better than material wealth? Relationships? Sexual Freedom? Comfort? Ease? Jesus is Better

"As we share our faith, may we do so with the winsome confidence that life in Jesus is so much richer, fuller, and better than any life apart from him. The gospel is good news! Lives that reflect a joy deeper than circumstances lovingly bear witness to this soul-satisfying truth: Jesus is better."

Jesus is better.
and so now, we rest in Him.