Second Wife (Pre-1949)
My father was very popular with the ladies in our village because he was not only wealthy, but also handsome and well-dressed (at least, compared to all the other men).…
Childhood Memories (1944-1961)
The first Indochina War (1946–1954) between the French and the Viet Minh began when I was about two years old and my family was still quite wealthy. Following tradition, my…
An Immigrant’s Tale (Pre-1944)
You can call me Tran Quoc Cuong, although that was not the first name I received when I was born in Vietnam. My given name at birth was Tran Phuoc…
A Biblical-Sufficiency Model of Counseling
Picture a friend wearing a finely-tailored suit streaked with mud. He may have foolishly walked into ditch or perhaps he was splashed by a passing vehicle. He might be completely…
Baptism Sunday
This past Sunday (December 11, 2022), I had the wonderful privilege of baptizing all three of my sons. Each of them shared their testimonies as a witness of God's grace.…
Taste and See: Help When You Hunger for Deliverance (Ps 34)
Read Psalm 34: Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. 1 I will bless the LORD at all times;…
Sing a New Song: Help to Win the Worship War (Ps 33)
Read Psalm 33: 1 Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with…
Into Your Hand: Help to Find Refuge from Shame (Ps 31)
Read Psalm 31: A Psalm of David. 1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2 Incline your…
The Seabrook Times
My dad grew up in Seabrook, New Jersey—not the first place you’d expect to find a Japanese American family in the 1950’s. Yet there weren’t many options at the time…
Mourning Into Dancing: Help to Overcome Our Overconfidence (Ps 30)
Read Psalm 30: A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple. 1 I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not…