C. H. Spurgeon; Evening, August 24

"If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution."—Exodus 22:6.

But what restitution can he make who casts abroad the fire-brands of error, or the coals of lasciviousness, and sets men's souls on a blaze with the fire of hell? The guilt is beyond estimate, and the result is irretrievable. If such an offender be forgiven, what grief it will cause him in the retrospect, since he cannot undo the mischief which he has done! An ill example may kindle a flame which years of amended character cannot quench. To burn the food of man is bad enough, but how much worse to destroy the soul! It may be useful to us to reflect how far we may have been guilty in the past, and to enquire whether, even in the present, there may not be evil in us which has a tendency to bring damage to the souls of our relatives, friends, or neighbours.

The fire of strife is a terrible evil when it breaks out in a Christian church. Where converts were multiplied, and God was glorified, jealousy and envy do the devil's work most effectually. Where the golden grain was being housed, to reward the toil of the great Boaz, the fire of enmity comes in and leaves little else but smoke and a heap of blackness. Woe unto those by whom offences come. May they never come through us, for although we cannot make restitution, we shall certainly be the chief sufferers if we are the chief offenders. Those who feed the fire deserve just censure, but he who first kindles it is most to blame. Discord usually takes first hold upon the thorns; it is nurtured among the hypocrites and base professors in the church, and away it goes among the righteous, blown by the winds of hell, and no one knows where it may end. O Thou Lord and giver of peace, make us peacemakers, and never let us aid and abet the men of strife, or even unintentionally cause the least division among Thy people.

From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

9:05pm

{what goes through an ADD person's mind in the space of about 20 minutes...or is it time span? I'm not sure. Which reminds me...}

Today began the second week of being back to work after being gone for a month. From the looks of things, this will be another 40+ hour week. And somehow, I have a blister already, on my left pinky. This is odd for two reasons: 1, I'm right-handed; 2, it's my PINKY! How do you get a blister there?
 

At work last week, I forgot to bring silverware for lunch. I had pasta, which wasn't really an eat-with-your-fingers type lunch. After scrounging around the cabinets, all I found was plastic knives. So, I put my chopstick training to good use. I actually think that chopsticks with a serrated edge would be a fabulous invention. Not only would you be able to eat your food, you'd be able to cut it as well. Just a thought. Anyways, the two knife idea worked fabulously. But I still brought silverware the next day.

 

I love my job. It's wonderful manual labor. The only thing I don't really like is the whole items-being-backordered thing, then the catch up process after we get in the shipping supplies and/or items to ship. Last week we ran out of a certain kind of sign box. This is our biggest box, and is custom made. After several days of allowing the orders to back up, we finally got the boxes today, an hour and a half before quitting time, and in time to run out of 9x4 blue magnets. Not only that, but the phone/computer line was broken, so there was no internet, which means that the packages can't be labeled using FedEx's handy dandy system. Everything will have to be entered in by hand until the phone line is fixed. The first good thing is that that’s not my job. The second good thing was that I got my paycheck from last week, which made me immensely grateful to have a job, despite the glitches in the system. All things considered, I have a lot to be thankful for. :)

I've been thinking a lot about different things since coming home from China, and re-evaluating a lot of goals. I've been thinking a lot about this quote shared in church last Sunday:

"Ambitions for self may be quite modest … Ambitions for God, however, if they are to be worthy, can never be modest. There is something inherently inappropriate about cherishing small ambitions for God. How can we ever be content that he should acquire just a little more honour in the world? No. Once we are clear that God is King, then we long to see him crowned with glory and honor, and accorded his true place, which is the supreme place. We become ambitious for the spread of his kingdom and righteousness everywhere."
 ~John Stott

I'm wondering what ambitions I have that are insignificant and selfish? What ambitions should I have to further Christ's Kingdom?

Which reminds me again of China, and the fact that my 8 gb memory card is now finished downloading.  So, now I'm going to process and delete some of the photos from the trip.

 

                      This photo is in Pinghu, shot from a bridge over one of the many canals. Unedited.

After an 8 and 1/2 hour work day, plus two hours of driving, I tend to be tired and say things like....

"I can win, I'm just laughing too hard!" :)

I can tell I was in China for three weeks. When I subconsciously attempted to pick up my fork and use it as a pair of chopsticks, I realized even more. Especially when the fork flew across the room.

I miss China. I didn't think I would.

The street outside of the hotel. The view from the balcony that, well, had the best view. :) 

Home from China!

I'm finally home. Many memories, many photos, many new friends. One thing I've seen more than ever is God's never-ending faithfulness and grace.

Wade (my co-teacher), me, and our assistant teachers-Sunday, Eunice, Haylie, and Cally.

More after sleep! :)