Tuesday, May 30, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on June 17, 2017

A. High-light of your week -
B. Short Story: Dear Ruth

Dear Ruth

Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again.
There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth:
I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always, Jesus
Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me?
I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."
With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least!"
She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.
A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand total twelve cents to last her until Monday.
Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.
"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?"
Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags
"Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd really appreciate it."
Ruth looked at them both.
They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have i s a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."
"Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway."
The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
"Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest."
She handed the man her grocery bag.
"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
"Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him.
She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

C. Idiom Quiz
Idioms with Body Parts
Choose the equivalent or near-equivalent sentences.
Use the boxes on the left to write your choices.

1. You did it. You have to face the music.
2. Yes. You hit the nail on the head.
3. You two don't see eye to eye.
4. You have to learn it by heart.
5. You are an old hand at teaching.
6. That's great! You keep everything under your thumb.
7. You don't want to stick your neck out, do you?

a. You have to memorize it.
b. You're experienced.
c. You have control of the situation.
d. You don't want to take the risk.
e. You have to accept the consequences of you actions.
f. You don't agree with each other.
g. You're absolutely right.

D. Bible Lesson : Psalm 23

23 The Lord is my shepherd.
    I will always have everything I need.
²He gives me green pastures to lie in.
    He leads me by calm pools of water.
³He restores my strength.
    He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.
⁴Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave,
    I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me.
    Your rod and staff comfort me.
⁵You prepared a meal for me in front of my enemies.
    You welcomed me as an honored guest.
    My cup is full and spilling over.
⁶Your goodness and mercy will be with me all my life,
    and I will live in the Lord’s house a long, long time^.

Monday, May 29, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on June 10, 2017

A. High-light of your week
B. One liner jokes

Keep the dream alive: Hit the snooze button.
I can totally keep secrets. It's the people I tell them to that can't.
Feeling pretty proud of myself. The Sesame Street puzzle I bought said 3-5 years, but I finished it in 18 months.
I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not too sure.

C. Synonym Quiz:

1.

Imperious
- A.
  
  Proud
- B.
  
  Temper
- C.
  
  Tamper
- D.
  
  Distant
2.

Luxuriant
- A.
  
  Beautiful
- B.
  
  Luxurious
- C.
  
  Abundant
- D.
  
  Lovely
3.

Memorable
- A.
  
  Memorial
- B.
  
  Worth remembering
- C.
  
  Mending
- D.
  
  Striking
4.

Officious
- A.
  
  Concerning office
- B.
  
  Legal
- C.
  
  Interfering
- D.
  
  Permissible
5.

Populous
- A.
  
  Popular
- B.
  
  Respectful
- C.
  
  Populated (thickly)
- D.
  
  Hard working
6.

Vocation
- A.
  
  Holiday
- B.
  
  Occupation
- C.
  
  Break-up
- D.
  
  Virtue
7.

Illegible
- A.
  
  Fit
- B.
  
  Illegal
- C.
  
  Not readable
- D.
  
  Elective
8.

Illicit
- A.
  
  Illegal
- B.
  
  Draw
- C.
  
  Differ
- D.
  
  Postpone
9.

Defer
- A.
  
  Differ
- B.
  
  Respect
- C.
  
  Postpone
- D.
  
  Disagree
10.

Proscribe
- A.
  
  Fix
- B.
  
  Order
- C.
  
  Probihit sale and publication
- D.
  
  Continue the use of

D. Idiom Quiz with Numbers

If you are dressed up to the ___ , you are wearing fancy clothes.
If you begin to draw conclusions about something, you put two and ___ together.
Someone who looks out for number ___ is someone who only thinks about his or her interests.
The basics of education are sometimes called "the ___ R's."
If a man hasn't shaved for a day or two, you say he has a ___ o'clock shadow.

E. Bible Lesson - Acts 12:1-19

Memory Verse: James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

Acts 12: 1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Discussion Questions:

What was the problem Peter had?
Who was responsible for Peter being thrown into prison?
Why were Peter's friends afraid that Peter might be killed?
What did Peter's friends do to solve the problem?
How did God answer their prayers?
How did Peter's friends react when they heard that Peter was free?
In James 5:16, what does it mean to be "righteous"?

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Saturday, May 13, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on June 3, 2017

A. High-light of your week - Speaking up and express yourself
B. One line jokes

Today a man knocked on my door and asked for a small donation towards the local swimming pool. I gave him a glass of water.
I find it ironic that the colors red, white, and blue stand for freedom until they are flashing behind you.
Life is all about perspective. The sinking of the Titanic was a miracle to the lobsters in the ship's kitchen.
You know you're ugly when it comes to a group picture and they hand you the camera.

C. Match the synonyms:
Below is a list of adjectives.
Beautiful Kind Positive Old Fair Lazy Bossy True Funny Mean Baffle Important Happy Outgoing Hypocrisy Weak Hardworking Rich Pacify Valid Honest Strong Recalcitrant Lucky Intelligent Sad Turbulent Introverted

Below is a list of synonyms related to the adjectives above. Match the right synonym with one of the adjectives above.
Loaded _________________________
Truthful _________________________
Languid _________________________
Disconsolate _________________________
Beneficent _________________________
Jocular _________________________
Stalwart _________________________
Convivial _________________________
Benevolent _________________________
Clever _________________________
Virulent _________________________
Assiduous _________________________
Cute _________________________
Reserved _________________________
Blissful _____________

D. Idioms - matching quiz

Click on the down arrow to see the options.

As ___ as a bat.
As ___ as a bee.
As ___ as a bell.
As ___ as a daisy.
As ___ as an eel.
As ___ as a feather.
As ___ as a fox.
As ___ as the hills.
As ___ as a mouse.
As ___ as a mule.

E. Short story of inspiration - Reading and Listening

Camping Psalms

Read: Psalm 8:1–9

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!—Psalm 8:1

When my husband and I go for nature walks, we bring our cameras and take close-ups of the plants at our feet, which are like microcosms of the world. What amazing variety and beauty we see, even in the fungi that spring up overnight and dot the woods with splashes of bright orange, red, and yellow!

The snapshots of life that surround us inspire me to lift my eyes to the Maker who created not only mushrooms but also the stars in the heavens. He designed a world of infinite scope and variety. And He made you and me and placed us in the very middle of this beauty to enjoy and to rule over it (Gen. 1:27-28; Ps. 8:6-8).

My thoughts turn to one of our family’s “camping psalms”—psalms we read as we sit around the fire. “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. . . . When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Ps. 8:1-4).

O Lord, our majestic Maker, our hearts turn toward praise when we see snapshots of Your beautiful world. Thank You for creating us! Help us to rule Your world with wisdom.

QUOTES:

A God wise enough to create me and the world I live in is wise enough to watch out for me. Philip Yancey

How amazing that the great God who created the world in all its splendor cares for you and me! —Alyson Kieda

INSIGHT:

The power God displayed in creation (Ps. 8) is not limited to creation alone. God also expressed His power when He raised Jesus from the dead, proving that Christ was (and is) the Son of God (Rom. 1:4). We also have the assurance that His power is available to work in and through us to carry us during the challenges of life. In fact, our weakness is the perfect platform to exhibit His power. Paul wrote, “[The Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Cor. 12:9).Are you struggling with weakness? Reflect on the expansiveness of God’s power and then ask Him to help you discover that power in your situation. Bill Crowder

Monday, May 8, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on May 27, 2017

A. High-lights of the Week
B. Short Story: A 4-Finger Pianist

Hee Ah Lee was born with sever physical deformities. She only had two fingers on each hand. And her legs ended at her knees. Her doctors didn’t expect her to live.

But she did live. At the age of six she started to play piano. At the time, her four fingers were very weak. She couldn’t even hold a pencil. Her mother hoped playing piano would strengthen her grip.

It worked. But more than that, Lee found a calling. She now tours the world, playing for stunned audiences. She plays pieces that would be difficult for able-bodied pianists.

Hee Ah Lee is Authentic. It is the story of a mother and a daughter who have overcome odds from the very beginning.

Lee’s mother became unexpectedly pregnant while married to a disabled man. Doctors told her that because of a medication she had been taking her child would not be normal. She elected to continue with the pregnancy and in 1985 in Seoul, South Korea, little Hee Ah Lee was born with only two fingers on each hand, disfigurement of her legs, and slight brain injury. The hospital told Sun that she could not care for the child at home and relatives wanted her to place the child for adoption in a foreign country. Sun thought her baby was beautiful, however, and was determined that she would live a successful life.

When Lee was a pre-schooler her mother decided that she wanted her daughter to take piano lessons and for two reasons. One was that she felt it would help her strengthen her hands so she could hold a pencil. The other was that she felt that if she could master the piano, she could master anything. For six months piano schools turned them down then the one teacher who did accept the task got discouraged and wanted to quit. It became a three-month contest of wills between mother and daughter that led to a confrontation in which Sun actually threw her daughter on the floor in frustration. She said Lee got back up on the piano bench and for the first time played the children’s song she had been trying to learn. That was the turning point and one year later Lee won the grand prize in a piano concert for Kindergartners. It was at age 7 that Lee won Korea’s 19th National Handicap Conquest Contest and was presented with her award by the President of Korea.

Today Lee is 22, has won numerous awards, and is a widely traveled concert pianist with more than 200 appearances. Her first album titled “Hee-ah, a Pianist with Four Fingers” was to be released in June, 2008.

Lee gives tribute to her mother for challenging her to master the piano and said that although her training was difficult, “as time went by, the piano became my source of inspiration and my best friend.”

C. American Idioms

He was all ears when his boss talked.
He is a chip off the old block.
He is thick in the head.
The bank robbers were armed to the teeth.
His comments threw a wet blanket on the discussion.
They were beat after three days of hard work.
Jack was hard up to pay his rent.
The storm left them all in the same boat.
The house fire meant we had to start from scratch.

D. Bible Lesson:

Psalm 91English Standard Version (ESV)

My Refuge and My Fortress

91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
    the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
    I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble;
    I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”