Month: January 2025

It was in the fall of 2022 that I got to a church service/event for those grieving, invited by my friend, in the wake of my dad’s passing. Of course, I was also grieving my husband’s unexpected death, my brother and sister-in-law’s tragic death, my family disunity, and the many pressing issues that I was seeking to navigate at that time.

The service was meaningful. I was so stiff with grief, but something opened in me that night and I cried. There was an offer of prayer for individuals at the service, and I went to the person who was praying.

Her prayer for me was sweet and comforting, but the words I remembered her praying over me were “love, beauty, and peace.” Striking words for one who is grieving.

I let those words swirl in my mind and decided to pray them as blessings for my new year, 2023.

So began a journey.

That year I was always piqued to see where those words showed up in my life. It became a real blessing. I looked for beauty. I found it so many places, and I saw it as a blessing and gift from God.

I sought peace and found it, as I faced my trials and tribulations of doing life alone.

I saw love in my life, whether it was from a pet, one of my children, a friend, or God. I remembered the love I had experienced. Love was a hard one. When you are lonely for your mate you feel the absence of it. That becomes the prevailing outlook. Love was a bit of a challenge to see that year.

I chose three words for 2024: Balance, Boundaries, and Health. That’s a whole blog post, perhaps, again, as I look back at the year from January. I need to scroll down to see where these words appeared last year. More later?

But for 2025 I’ve settled on service, purpose, and faith.

It’s the end of January, and I am looking for these words and ideas of them. I find them constantly. I want purpose, I want to be of more service, and I want my faith to grow. I may be old, but there is still time to see these things in my daily life.

Walking with Jesus is a journey, an adventure, an opportunity.

So, today I will see my purpose. I hope to be of service, and I want to spend time with my Lord.

Faith, Service, Purpose.

MARANATHA!

For the past four years my interests have centered on China. I’ve been asked “why?” so many times, so I’m going to list my reasons. This is a rather personal post, so it may only interest those of you who took the time to ask me.

There are many people from China who relocated here in Minnesota years ago. My family connected with several of them.

My best friend was an MK in China.

Since 1999 my husband and I hosted dozens of Chinese students at our home, including one very special young man who refers to me as his American mom.

In my Master’s Degree studies I had a Hmong professor who was excellent. He piqued my interest in East Asia. I took a class about NGO’s in Asia with him.

After my husband died I went through a time when I wanted to be as far away from “here” as possible: China.

I started reading about China. I started learning the history of China.

I was connected to an NGO named “Tai Initiative” through friends and pursued a COO position with that organization. During Covid this fizzled, but it still exists and it was part of my education.

I began Chinese language studies.

I began to attend a Chinese/International Bible Study in my area.

I spent more time at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts which has a premier collection of Asian artifacts.

I realized the strength and power of China, its huge population, its blossoming society, deep culture, and its role politically and spiritually.

I became aware of my own prejudices regarding China, and my views began to change, perhaps along with China itself.

Ed and Cherie started learning Japanese and Korean, respectively, while I began my Chinese studies. We had the Asian language trifecta!

I continue to become closer to several Chinese students living here in Minneapolis.

China is worth understanding deeply. It is a world power with a vast history and a strong people. There is much to admire in their fastidious devotion to respect and tradition.

Despite the Communist Revolution, China is on track to be the most Christian nation in the world. More devout Christians live in China than in any other country, including the USA. This, in turn, blesses this vast country.

Despite the Three Self Movement Chinese Christians who truly know Christ are thriving under persecution.

Chinese society is evolving at a pace that astounds. Scholars and politicians cannot keep up with the changes occurring monthly/weekly/daily in this huge land. Communism is the official form of government but capitalism reigns. Money multiplies with a billion people as the market.

Persecution is a reality.

Ancient Eastern Religions (including ancestor worship) are significant influences on Chinese culture, despite Communist Atheism.

These are things I’ve come to know through studying China. I am fascinated.

I look forward to a visit there soon, and plans are brewing.

The landscape of China is amazing, with scenic spots everywhere. Climate variation, as well, colors the country.

Yes, there is a Serpent. He gets his way in this culture. It’s very obvious.

But God is greater. God really loves the Chinese people. Their language shows evidence of The One True God throughout. They are not far from His heart.

I’m so thankful for all the seeds sown by Gladys Aylward and Hudson Taylor, other pioneer missionaries to China. Their work has taken root and is producing great fruit.

It’s amazing to be interested in this vast thing called China.

I’ve been blessed.

Mild weather continues for Minnesota, but the temps have been chilly. A dusting of snow came yesterday and it made for slick intersections on the way to school today.

Things burn all around, affecting some of us terribly. I have family that evacuated from the fires in California. They are okay, and I’m praying their home is also fine.

This week I’ve been subbing, being quiet, wrapping up holiday stuff. School started the day after the new year, so there was a relatively short break.

Artificial Intelligence has been on my mind lately. I determined to sound off a bit on this subject weeks ago, as I affirm ideas in my own mind even I as jot them down here on Corgi Hollows.

Danger! Warning! Things may not be as they seem!

I have virtually checked out of mainstream media. At the hotel we tune in the weather channel, so I see weather patterns more than anything while I’m there.

I don’t use the television in my home much. Cherie and I watch an old DVD once in a while. I can get PBS on it (I think) but I usually don’t watch television.

I read the headlines on a conservative site, Lucianne, once or twice a week. Apple News also give headlines.

Basically I am “off grid” when it comes to news.

Why?

I know how hyped the lifestyle of a news junkie can be. One can stress one’s self out over the daily feed of headers.

Add to the mix artificially manufactured information and you have the danger of real stress.

Recently someone I know learned a bit of news that was not true. The information was very believable. She completely believed it. It took some time to ferret out the truth, but the danger had been real. She’d been taken in by artificial intelligence.

Christians seem to be more easy to persuade. We trust people pretty easily. We want to believe the best about people. We trust each other because we know we are accountable to God Himself.

If information comes from a “Christian” source we tend to believe it.

What a prime opportunity for an evil one to exploit!

I write this as a warning to myself more than anyone. We, in the end-times prophecy community, are watchers. We observe the course of history and measure it against a Biblical guideline. It is absolutely clear that the conditions for a one-world government under an anti-Christ are present.

It is absolutely clear that Jesus IS coming again, and probably soon.

As many preachers have said; WATCH ISRAEL!

We see the ebb and flow of nations that either condemn or condone Israel.

Is God’s Word true?

God keeps His promises. I choose to believe that Scripture is God’s inerrant Word. Too many people have abandoned this premise. People I really thought would never drift from this truth!

The mocking of those of us who still believe is effective, and many have succumbed. It’s hard to stand against the intelligentsia elite who regularly undermine the authority of Scripture.

But they are only wise in their own eyes.

God’s Word is true, and those of us who “simplistically believe” it are far better off than those who parse away the clear teachings of the Lord.

Give me simplicity! I’ll be simplistic for all my days, trusting Scripture over a theologian and his/her interpretations.

This is an avenue of safety regarding artificial intelligence as well. A solid (and simple) worldview will clear up a whole lot of confusion.

I’m starting this year with three words of blessing: Purpose, Service, and Faith. I pray these words for myself everyday as I pray my “snatch list.” (Jude 23)

I want to cultivate these things in my life in 2025. January has started, and getting a heavy diet of Scripture each day has already begun for me. Out of this comes direction and understanding.

I do not claim any deep or profound truths. I claim Jesus who is the truth. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus said this—-according to Scripture.

I’ll believe it. I’m a simple soul.

Jesus is coming soon.

MARANATHA!