September 27, 2009
“Chuckisms”
We are in the business of bringing people together.
All things bright and beautiful
You are becoming the person God made you
Happiness runs in a circular motion
Make us a loving and compassionate people
The bonds of love
Welcome to planet Earth!
Becoming 80 is momentous! Some people turn 80 and they are sedentary. Some people turn 80 and they are on the golf course. Others turn 80 and they are only a shadow of who they used to be. But you are 80 and you are still the Rev. Dr. James Chuck, Pastor Emeritus of First Chinese Baptist Church. Forever a younger pastor, I can’t keep up with the 80 year-old Dr. Chuck!
God has blessed you across the years because you have been faithful to Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 11:1, it says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” You have lived your life knowing and setting an example for others on how God has been faithful to you and in turn you have been faithful to God. Happiness does run in a circular motion!
Dr. Chuck, you have been an integral part of people’s lives “as many as the stars of heaven and as innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.” (Heb. 11:12b) When people say to you that you officiated at their wedding, you have said, “If you say so, can you tell me when?” Your memory may give up on you but you have and continue to leave an indelible mark on the people you meet. You have made their lives “bright and beautiful.”
Recently, I have heard you say that you are in the business of bringing people together. Even on your 80th birthday, you have brought all of us together in the bonds of love to become a loving and compassionate people.
James, I can testify that you have become the bookends of my own ministry. You were my Senior Pastor 34 years ago when I responded to my first call to full-time ministry and now you are my Pastor Emeritus. I have learned much from you and will continue to do so. We all thank God for the person you are becoming to be as you faithfully serve the Lord in the years to come.
Happy Birthday, Dr. James Chuck! Welcome to planet Earth!
Don Ng, 9/27/2009