{"id":11015,"date":"2025-03-19T22:38:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T03:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/?page_id=11015"},"modified":"2025-03-19T22:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T03:48:08","slug":"2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u4e0e\u6211\u4eec\u4e00\u8d77\u5e73\u8861\u751f\u6d3b\uff0814\uff09"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"trp_language_switcher_shortcode\">\n<div class=\"trp-language-switcher trp-language-switcher-container\" data-no-translation >\n    <div class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-current-language\">\n        <a href=\"#\" class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-disabled-language trp-ls-disabled-language\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_CN.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_CN\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\t\t<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-language\">\n                <a href=\"#\" class=\"trp-ls-shortcode-disabled-language trp-ls-disabled-language\"  title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_CN.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_CN\" title=\"\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587\t\t<\/a>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11015#TRPLINKPROCESSED\" title=\"English\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/en_US.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"en_US\" title=\"English\"> English        <\/a>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11015#TRPLINKPROCESSED\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"trp-flag-image\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/translatepress-multilingual\/assets\/images\/flags\/zh_TW.png\" width=\"18\" height=\"12\" alt=\"zh_TW\" title=\"\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587\"> \u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587        <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <script type=\"application\/javascript\">\n        \/\/ need to have the same with set from JS on both divs. Otherwise it can push stuff around in HTML\n        var trp_ls_shortcodes = document.querySelectorAll('.trp_language_switcher_shortcode .trp-language-switcher');\n        if ( trp_ls_shortcodes.length > 0) {\n            \/\/ get the last language switcher added\n            var trp_el = trp_ls_shortcodes[trp_ls_shortcodes.length - 1];\n\n            var trp_shortcode_language_item = trp_el.querySelector( '.trp-ls-shortcode-language' )\n            \/\/ set width\n            var trp_ls_shortcode_width                                               = trp_shortcode_language_item.offsetWidth + 16;\n            trp_shortcode_language_item.style.width                                  = trp_ls_shortcode_width + 'px';\n            trp_el.querySelector( '.trp-ls-shortcode-current-language' ).style.width = trp_ls_shortcode_width + 'px';\n\n            \/\/ We're putting this on display: none after we have its width.\n            trp_shortcode_language_item.style.display = 'none';\n        }\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-EN.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Returning to God<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Have you ever felt distant from God? Maybe life got busy, challenges piled up, or your spiritual passion slowly cooled off. I&#8217;ve been there myself, and here&#8217;s the good news: God always invites us back with open arms.<\/p>\n<p>The Bible makes this clear in Zechariah 1:3, where God lovingly reminds us: <em><i>\u201cReturn to Me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you.\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0This simple yet powerful promise reveals God&#8217;s heart: He&#8217;s not waiting angrily but eagerly anticipating our return.<\/p>\n<p>You see, returning to God isn&#8217;t just about fixing mistakes or feeling guilty about drifting away. It&#8217;s about renewing a relationship that&#8217;s vital for our joy and peace. Think about the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Even after wasting everything, when he finally decides to come home, his father runs to embrace him. That&#8217;s exactly how God responds to us. He doesn&#8217;t hold grudges or rehearse our failures; instead, He welcomes us home with celebration.<\/p>\n<p>Returning to God also involves letting go of anything that pulled us away in the first place. It&#8217;s not always easy, but it&#8217;s necessary. In Joel 2:13, we&#8217;re reminded, <em><i>\u201cSo rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0Notice how personal this invitation is, it&#8217;s about genuinely turning our hearts back to Him, not just performing outward rituals.<\/p>\n<p>God doesn&#8217;t just ask us to return and leave us on our own. He actively draws us to Himself. James 4:8 encourages us with these words: <em><i>\u201cDraw near to God and He will draw near to you.\u201d<\/i><\/em>\u00a0When we take even the smallest step towards God, He takes a giant leap towards us. It&#8217;s comforting to know we&#8217;re never alone on our journey back to Him.<\/p>\n<p>Practically, returning to God might mean restarting daily prayer, diving back into His Word, or reconnecting with a community that supports your faith. Whatever the step, remember that God is patient, understanding, and eager to welcome your back.<\/p>\n<p>In my own experience, every time I&#8217;ve drifted and then chosen to return, I&#8217;ve found God&#8217;s grace deeper and sweeter than before. I remember a season when my work consumed my time and energy, leaving little room for prayer or time with God. Slowly, my heart felt distant, and my faith became routine rather than a relationship. But when I intentionally carved out time again \u2014 starting with just a few minutes of prayer and Scripture reading each morning \u2014 I felt His presence renew my heart in a way I hadn\u2019t experienced before. \u00a0To me returning isn&#8217;t a sign of weakness; it&#8217;s a courageous step towards experiencing His faithfulness again.<\/p>\n<p>Today, wherever you are spiritually, remember that it&#8217;s never too late to come home. God&#8217;s waiting for you with open arms, ready to restore, renew, and rebuild your life. Take Him up on His promise: return to Him, and He will return to you. We warmly welcome you to our upcoming <strong><b>Spring Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC)<\/b><\/strong>. You can also join us for the <a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/service\/live-sabbath-service\/\"><u>Spring 2025 ESSC via online streaming<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:50PM to 8:10PM<br \/>Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2025 9:00AM to 8:10PM<br \/>Sunday, April 20, 2025 9:00AM to 1:00PM<\/p>\n<p>Please find our church location below:<\/p>\n<p><strong>4N550 Church Road<br \/>Bensenville,\u00a0IL\u00a060106<br \/><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/True+Jesus+Church+Chicago\/@41.945266,-87.9536702,18.39z\/data=!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x880fb39f5fbd433d:0x72d82c41e185bf3e!2s4+S+Church+Rd,+Bensenville,+IL+60106!3b1!8m2!3d41.9448745!4d-87.9534209!3m5!1s0x880fb3a1e4e2dd49:0xd44299b704de1192!8m2!3d41.9453743!4d-87.9533863!16s%2Fg%2F1tdn02z1?hl=en\"><strong>\u00a0Google Maps<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/service\/live-sabbath-service\/\">services online<\/a>\u00a0or in-person.<\/p>\n<p>Friday Evening Service:\u00a0 7:50PM \u2013 9:00PM<\/p>\n<p>Saturday Morning Service:\u00a0 10:50AM \u2013 12:00Noon<\/p>\n<p>Saturday Afternoon Service:\u00a0 1:30PM \u2013 2:40PM<\/p>\n<p>Email us at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org\">ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-lifebalance-3\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Find Overall Life Balance with Us (12) <\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-lifebalance-3\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"960\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN-300x300.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN-150x150.jpg 150w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN-768x768.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN-12x12.jpg 12w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/lifeBalance12-EN.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-1\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Find Overall Life Balance with Us (13) <\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-1\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance13-EN-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance13-EN-1024x576.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance13-EN-300x169.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance13-EN-768x432.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance13-EN-18x10.jpg 18w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance13-EN.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"button\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b> More to come<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/overarching-message-on-your-needs-in-life\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Your Needs in Life<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/physical-wellness\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Physical Wellness<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/peace-and-love\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Peace &#038; Love<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/college-and-career\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>College &amp; Career<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/truth-about-god\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Truth about God<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/spiritual-growth\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Spiritual Growth<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/family-balance\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<b>Family Balance<\/b><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a tabindex=\"0\">Previous Articles (click me to show list)<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-1\/\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (13)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-lifebalance-3\/\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (12)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-lifebalance-2\/\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (11)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-fall-essc-lifebalance-1\/\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (10)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-spring-essc-lifebalance-3\/\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (9)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2024-spring-essc-lifebalance-2\/\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (8)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-7\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (7)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-6\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (6)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-5\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (5)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-4\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (4)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-3\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (3)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-2\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (2)<\/a><\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/life-balance-1\">Find Overall Life Balance with Us (1)<\/a><\/h4>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-2-ia-1\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"638\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia1-EN-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia1-EN-1024x680.jpg 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia1-EN-300x199.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia1-EN-768x510.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia1-EN-18x12.jpg 18w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia1-EN.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Through the anxious search for a runaway dog, the author vividly illustrates God&#8217;s relentless love and eager desire for our return. Just as a lost pet is joyfully reunited with its caretaker, so does God warmly welcome anyone who returns to Him.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-2-ia-2\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"642\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia2-EN.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia2-EN.jpg 960w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia2-EN-300x201.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia2-EN-768x514.jpg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia2-EN-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>From childhood idol worship to reluctant prayer, the author discovered Jesus&#8217; power through answered prayers during his father\u2019s illness. Despite family opposition, returning to the Lord transformed his life with peace, joy, and lasting purpose.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/2025-spring-essc-lifebalance-2-ia-3\/\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia3-EN.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia3-EN.jpg 550w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia3-EN-300x200.jpg 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/lifeBalance14-ia3-EN-18x12.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Caught up in worldly pursuits, the author drifted away from God until He lovingly drew him back through unexpected challenges. Returning to Him, he discovered that trusting God first brings peace and blessings beyond imagination.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Returning to God Have you ever felt distant from God? Maybe life got busy, challenges piled up, or your spiritual passion slowly cooled off. I&#8217;ve been there myself, and here&#8217;s the good news: God always invites us back with open arms. The Bible makes this clear in Zechariah 1:3, where God lovingly reminds us: \u201cReturn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11015","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-22 08:50:22","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11015","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11015"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11015\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11019,"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11015\/revisions\/11019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tjc-chicago.org\/zh_cn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11015"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}