Coming Off From China (Being Aspie/Different)

What has China taught me?

Being 'different' or diagnosed, even reverse culture shock, is no reason to excuse myself from being able to reach to others nor failings in relationships. I have issues socially and communication, understanding how others think and do in situations, especially how the world is. The reason for this is man's depravity. And the history and reason of man becoming corrupt in mind and heart (and any creature, be it physically or environmentally), goes all the way back to the Fall of the first man and woman.

We have all become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.

We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Isaiah 64:6

Knowing ourselves and with the help of psychology and psychiatry, it may be good, so we would NOT the ultimate good.
know how to understand ourselves and how compatible or incompatible we are with the world. Also to be able to know how to cope and adjust ourselves to this world that does not understand us. But it is

What then after knowing ourselves? Does this excuse us from who we truly are in God or excuse to follow His commands? No. With God's help and as our Hope, our weaknesses can become strengths.

People who feel 'different' from the rest, even those who call themselves Christians, excuse themselves because of inabilities (or inner desires). Even 'normal' people excuse themselves from doing God's work. Which should not be, because, however, the gospel of Jesus Christ can MAKE US NEW.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:17

It is not a sudden change, but it is gradual.

When I was in China, I almost forgot my inabilities/weaknesses. God was watching over me and helped me overcome my personal struggles. Reentry brought back the memory and living these struggles. The environment and people might be a factor, but knowing God was able to do in me I thought I could not, God can change anyone. No inability or disability can stop us from giving God the glory to praise His name and advance His Kingdom.

Let Bitterness Cast Out

Two months after coming back from another country, I found my hometown still a pain. All problems and struggles I left were still present. Re-adjusting was hard after giving myself away in that country to know the people to minister to them.

Experiencing hardships and discomforts became a joy and comfort as I took part the struggles Jesus faced when He was on earth. However, coming back, everything was still the same, old hardships were still present and the struggle of a comfortable, convenient life with family and old friends became harder. I became too critical and more bitter.

I needed a community to help me re-adjust, a community to be serious with God together, a community to pray against this spiritual warfare, but every one were just too busy. But I understand they wouldn't understand my experiences. However, when I try to reach out for help, they "shrug" (looks like they don't want to be involved in my loss and grief after coming home).

Coming back to my old life was hard.

I came back but God became silent and Satan was winning. Where did I go wrong? Why do I respond with bitterness? Maybe I really am not angry at people, but angry at me. Maybe I am angry at people because I can do nothing much here. People are around for support. People are more concerned with their jobs and enjoying this life with temporary pleasures. While I am convicted of God's Word, broken to obey God's Word.

I became depressed recently. No reminder that God is still here or counsel to "read the Bible everyday," "don't look at the past but forward," "your parents will support you," "no one can help you but you alone" could help me overcome this low state. But when I accidentally came across the song, "Break Every Chain," there is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain, it struck. YES! THERE'S A POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS TO BREAK EVERY CHAIN. I only needed a reminder of God's grace, of who Jesus is. And THERE'S AN ARMY, RISING UP TO BREAK EVERY CHAIN. God's army conquers against the enemy that binds these chains.

Then I must concentrate on Jesus, not people. Love people. To love people, I must talk to them about Jesus.

"We shouldn't love people in order to share our faith with them. Rather, we share our faith and ourselves with them in order to love them." ~Timothy Keller

Let this be my mission as I am back in my hometown, which I may be called to stay:

• If I am looking for a community that's Christ-centered and mission-minded, then I hope to make one.
• I hope to disciple my brother and his girl friend for they both are looking for deep relationship with God. Bringing them to a church, which can meet their spiritual needs.
• As for my home church, I pray you'd find the gospel a 'joyful burden' to accept and live.
• As for my parents, I pray you'd know the true God.
• I hope to find like-minded people to grow together, learn from each other, and make where we are our mission field.
• I also hope to build relationships, bringing them to places just to spend time together. (need money)

Father, bless this vision. Cast out my bitterness. May the power of Jesus' name break every chain. Amen

10 Errors to Avoid When Talking about Sanctification and the Gospel

Error #1: The good we do can in some small way make us right with God.
Error #2: We must be good Christians so that God will keep loving us.
Error #3: If sanctification is a work of divine grace in our lives, then it must not involve our effort.
Error #4: Warning people of judgment is law and has no part to play in preaching the gospel.
Error #5: There is only one reason Christians should pursue sanctification and that's because of our justification.
Error #6: Since we cannot obey God's commandments perfectly, we should not insist on obedience from ourselves or from others.
Error #7: The Ten Commandments should be preached in order to remind us of our sin, but not so that believers may be stirred up to try to obey the commandments.
Error #8: Being fully justified as Christians, we should never fear displeasing God or offending him.
Error #9: The only proper ground for assurance is in the promises of God found in the gospel.
Error #10: Threats and exhortations belong to the terrors of the law and are not to be used as a motivation unto holiness.

Source: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2013/11/05/10-errors-to-avoid-when-talking-about-sanctification-and-the-gospel/