PatFactorX's Xanga

Waiting on and for God

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:05:11 GMT

Message on Mary and Martha from CEC Camping Retreat.

"What should we be asking Jesus to do?"

How to care for returning summer missionaries

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 03:31:50 GMT

It is important to care for our summer missionaries as they return from the field because they go through so much transition as they come back to the US. We need to be sensitive to how they want to use the lessons on the field to change the way we do church here. Here are some things I recommend that church leadership can do.

1. Listen. Realize that you have invested a lot into your summer missionaries and be willing to hear out any ideas they might bring to existing ministires.

2. Care. Don't be satisfied with a 1 sentence recap of their time on the field. Have ongoing discussions with summer missionaries and continue to ask how they have grown or have been challenged by their experience.

3. Pray. Don't stop praying for your missionaries now that they are back in the US. Their missionary journey isn't over and neither should your commitment to pray for them.

Gender is more than Marriage Roles

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 04:59:27 GMT

Video from a message given at CEC about the role of Men and Women in the church

Be a Barnabas in missions

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 18:17:37 GMT

Acts 13

Life and lessons from Hudson Taylor

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:41:41 GMT

3 tips for missional singlehood

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 18:47:03 GMT

You have probably heard that singlehood was a gift but are not sure why. Here are some ways that singlehood is a blessing for those who are seeking to be missional.

1. Freedom to travel. Being single means that you have the ability to make decisions without having to worry about a spouse or kids. Take advantage of this. Many mission trips will work around a working person's short vacation time. Use traveling as a chance to serve the unreached.

2. Opportunity for discipleship. There is always a short supply of disciplers. Find someone at your church who you can disciple, encourage and help grow. Good Christian disciplers are the biggest help for young people to think outside of their own needs and to focus on what God is doing in the world.

3. Take Perspectives or other classes on missions. Use your free time to learn more about missions. There is a good chance that a Perspectives course is being taught in your area and it is a great place to learn and talk about missions.

Easter Sunrise Sermon

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:24:26 GMT

How to fight gossip and have confidence

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:44:35 GMT

Do I regret being an Asian American athlete?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:54:02 GMT

The Jeremy Lin story is very personal for me because of the attention he is getting for being an Asian American in a sport that is dominated by African Americans. I feel that me and him share a very similar experience in sports. The two longest reigning Mr. Olympia's have been black and there has NEVER been an Asian to ever break into the Top 5 of the Mr. Olympia show. Is race is an advantage or a disadvantage. Or is it a non factor?

In short, race is ALWAYS a factor because your race greatly determines the culture you are born into, your socio-economic class and the sports people encourage you to play. But, race is not the major factor when it comes to sports. I might be biased because I have loved my Asian genes and how it has helped me in bodybuilding. While it's true that African Americans have dominated the sport at the highest level; I have won many shows just because my body type was something that was described as "unique". I have never felt I have been disadvantaged by my race because I believe people can see the advantage I have had being an Asian American bodybuilder. Sure, I'm not extremely wide in the shoulders, my body isn't naturally ripped but I am 230lbs with a 31inch waist (that's genetics not just hard work). Everyone's racial background is both an advantage and disadvantage. I think the key is for people to fully appreciate each person's unique skill set.

I don't want to be Arnold, Ronnie Coleman or Lee Haney. I want to be David Pat. Yes, there are disadvantages in being Asian in bodybuilding but there are tons of advantages too. I have been blessed because my friends, judges and my competitors have appreciated my differences. I pray that Jeremy Lin will play in a sports environment who will not compare him to other basketball players but instead appreciate his unique style of Basketball.

BTW, Floyd Mayweather always says stupid things.

Moving Toward a Proper Self Image

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:22:10 GMT