Seven Wonders

A little story I got from a brother's blog. :)


A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. Taj Mahal

3. Grand Canyon

4. Panama Canal

5. Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet, so she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to See

2. to Taste

3. to Touch

4. to Hear

She hesitated a little, and then added,

5. to Feel

6. to Laugh

7. and to Love

The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop. Those things we overlook as simple and "ordinary" are truly wondrous. This is a gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought. God gave them to us.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Mandarin song

This song's written by Karen Lim from New Creation Church.

Lifted this from this babe's blog, who in turn got it from another babe's blog. So here, passing on the good news! :)


您永远永远不停的爱我
无微不至的扶持我
您的爱何等伟大奇妙
永不离开我永不离弃我

您说我是您心爱的人
我的一举一动您都关怀
你爱我直到天涯海角
语言不能诉说您的大恩

您带走我的伤痕忧愁
在世界上宝血洗剂我罪
我心灵被更新
重新生命我领受

耶稣我爱您 深深的爱您
因为您先爱我
我罪已得赦免 我心已得安慰
大爱拯救了我

耶稣我爱您 深深的爱您
因为您先爱我
我罪已得赦免 我心已得安慰
大爱拯救了我

How do I live

Song from LeAnn Rimes :) (with some slight amendments)


How do I,
get through the night without You?
If I had to live without You,
What kind of life would that be?
Oh, I
I need You in my arms, need You to hold,
You're my world, my heart, my soul,
If You ever leave,
Darling You would take away everything good in my life,

And tell me now
How do I live without You?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without You?
If You ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

Without You,
There'd be no sun in my sky,
There would be no love in my life,
There'd be no world left for me.
And I,
Darling I don't know what I would do,
I'd be lost if I lost You,
If You ever leave,
Darling You would take away everything real in my life,

And tell me now,
How do I live without You?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without You?
If You ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

Please tell me darling,
How do I go on?

If You ever leave,
Darling You would take away everything,
I need You with me,
Darling don't You know that You're everything,
Real in my life?

And tell me now,
How do I live without You,
I want to know,
How do I breathe without You?
If You ever go,
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I, how do I, oh how do I live?

A glimspe! Inner thoughts

My Dear!

I'm feeling quite literary tonight. Poetic, anticipating, awaiting to release a torrent of indulgent expressive words!

Indulgence! What is indulgence? This sense of feeling full of oneself - too satisfied, arrogant? - yet not pride but a certain, yes, self-satisfaction. All is good with the world and myself and I am contented.

Contentment - what mediocrity! Easily satsified with life?

But what's the alternative? Driven by fear? What a horrible way to live!

Driven by ambition? Isn't that too focused on self?

Or is this the fear of being focused on self that has made me shy away from ambition, deter me from yearning for perfection; persuaded me to be 'satisfied' with the status quo?

Lord, You know my temperament!

To keep Your lovely face
ever before my eyes
this is my prayer
make it my strong desire!

That in my secret heart
No other love competes
No rival throne survives
and I serve only You!

Change of subject.

I tell You a secret! I dislike someone!

Yes, I dislike her because she first disliked me! bah! Childish right?

I'm trying to not care about it - but it's kind of hard having to have Christian acceptance towards her; especially as I feel that she's pinpointing me! I'm pretending I don't know - of course I do! I just wish she was as diplomatic!

Ah well. No condemnation! I can't like everyone. And everyone can't like me! Their 'pah sar' Lord, same as before. I'm going to toss this irritant issue to You and not let it bother me. I know that in time, I will genuinely love her and I know it'll not be me, it'll be You. And it'll be wonderful!

Okay, back to the topic!

I just realised that yes, in every little thing, You show me how you shower Your blessings! And You've been telling me it's pittance to what You have in store for me. Why should I be satisfied with so little when You have died to give me ALL that You have and made me Your heir?

And I shouldn't be going round in circles. It's wonderful to have vision! And I believe You write Your laws in my heart - You have wonderful plans already laid out for me, wrapped up beautifully, awaiting patiently for my discovery and awe at how cool a Dad You are! Oh Abba! I know You are good, good, GOOD, GOOOOOODDDD!!! to me.

For me, I just feel You want to lead me one step at a time. To be faithful in one little step at a time. :) And yet, You've given me an imagination for more! Like drawing pictures within my spirit and soul - like You did! You had a dream! A dream for friends, a family, a bride! Eons and eons ago, You dared dream and paid the ultimate price!

Oh Abba! My Lord! My King! Give me the daring! The gumption! The hope! That God-fidence in You! To fulfil the potential in me! To REALISE all that You've already given! Not to shrink back at Your goodness but to run towards it and embrace it!

Working out my salvation with fear and trembling.

Wow, "fear and trembling" - are Your dreams for me really that glorious?! Is Your goodness ever comprehensible? Would I fall at Your feet and weep on that day when I truely realise how good You are to me?

Even now!

I'm just thinking Lord - that phrase keeps running through my mind! "To live is Christ! To die is gain!"

TO LIVE IS CHRIST.

What is life really?

What does it mean to live?

Would I really understand? To live is Christ.

That the purpose and meaning of life is Christ. And Christ alone!

Sometimes I wonder Lord, how I stumbled through life without You. And what You did on the cross to save me! And Lord, you know, I get angry for Your sake! I'm not as good and patient as You. I hate it when people scorn You. When they despised Your Word; when they snap and complain as You offer the gift of salvation to them.

Do they know that the gift is paid for with Your life? With Your blood? That You hung on that cross for 6 hours? That a Holy God who knew no sin carried the sins of the world?

Do they really know what sin is?

Do they know about my brothers and sisters who were thrown to the lions, persecuted, burnt at the stake, martyred, to bring the bible to them, the gospel to them?

Why do You keep offering Yourself to the world who has scorned You and slapped You away repeatedly?

Just like me.

The memory of how You never gave me up moves me Lord. And I know that it's pride that holds me back. My love for You Lord, is a selfish love. I hurt to see You scorned. You came to save them from death at such an awesome price - so that salvation can be a gift, freely offered.

Some part of me wishes to hold on to that grudge - how dare you spurn my Jesus! But even as I type this, it seems so petty and small to hold such a thought - even as I speak to You about it, my spirit cringes away from so small a mindset and expanding elsewhere into Your marvelous light!

Lord, I love it that You accept me the way I am! I don't know how You can remain so faithful and patient. I love You more and more as I realise how much You love me. And because I love You Lord, I shall love the non-believers as well. And I shall be patient with them; as You were with me. And I know that the ability to love, to accept, to be patient and to be gracious with them lies not at all in me. It is Your love for me - that embrace of love that empowers me. Oh Lord - yucks, enough of those warm fuzzy feelings I'm getting right now towards them already! I get the message already! You never fail to put a silly grin on my face!

My love, I love the way You tease (is that the right word?) me into seeing things Your way! Gosh, You love me into wholeness and humour again!

Is it any wonder Lord? I love You! Not as much as You love me... show me more of Yourself, Jesus! I want to be able to love You more! To know more of Your love for me! There's such security in that! :)

Plunge in!

It's kinda of strange how non-believers approach Christianity.

For example, it doesn't make sense to 'debate' science. I don't talk about whether the study of science would benefit me; where the science textbooks were published, or research the credentials of people who wrote them. I don't compare how 'science' is better than other studies like history or philosophy. If I wanted to 'know' science, I just dive right in and read and that's how I learn.

But with Christianity is different. One would think, if you wanted to know about Christianity - so easy! We only have one book; dive right in and check it out! But noooo... they have to ask who wrote the book, when it was written, whether it was accurate, whether it's worthwhile to study.

I wish I can be more patient with other people since I was in their position before. Alas! I'm not God. My 'mercy' does not endureth. There are some things I want to say but which I do not feel 'released' to say. But I have to say it! So here it is!

I'm so glad that now I see! :)

Charisma

I've found that spiritual people - down to earth spiritual people who know how to joke, who dress the same as anyone but yet have that 'glow' - are attractive.

I believe that the word 'charismatic' - used to describe a denomination of christianity not only refers to the charismatas (the gifts of the spirit) but to me, also suggests that the person is charismatic.

And why not? Such has the favour of God upon him; the Lord's face shining upon him; the consciousness of the Holy Spirit residing in him - how would beauty not attract?

I'll be honest. I know I have the favour of God upon me. And being a female, I subconsciously played the 'feminine card'. It occured to me sometime ago that I have more male clients. It was explained to me way before that usually that's the case - something about the opposite sex.

So when I became disappointed with a particular incident, I took the 'rejection' (what I perceived as rejection) personally. I realised then that I was depending on my own charisma and not the favour of God. Somehow I have crossed that line and believed that it was me and not the favour upon me.

Of course, it is tempting to use the favour for my own ends. I think that was what happened with David and Bathsheba. That is why it is important to be grounded in His love and keep my eyes focused on him. It is tempting for the ego to think that it is I who am attractive. Then there is the dilemna, because it is Christ through me, it is I in Christ and Christ in me, so technically, it's 'I'.

Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is to know that all that one IS and one has comes from Jesus. In matters of charima and chemistry and whatever, it would do well to daily remind ourselves that it is the reliance on God's favour that we depend on. We should daily 'see' and acknowledge the glory and honour that He has crowned us with, with a thankful heart. :)

Stomata

Last Sunday, Pastor preached on being led by the spirit.

He gave this analogy as part of this sermon and it was an image that I was thinking about today...

Something about hearing the sounds of the forest help the trees in their growth. Their stomatas widen to absorb the sound and nutrients etc..

Similarly, when we pray in tongues, something about the heavenly language - our spirit man responds like the tree and grows, and fluorishes.

Amazing Grace!

Amazing grace
how sweet the sound!
The saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost
but now am found
was blind but now I see!


and from another 'hymn'..


Amazing love! how can it be
that You, my King would die for me
Amazing love, I know it's true
It's my joy to honour You
In all I do, I honour You!

I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken.
I'm accepted, You were condemned
I'm alive and well, Your spirit lives within me
because You died and rose again!

As time goes by

Recently celebrated a number of birthdays! :D And mine is coming up too so with it approaching, of course, there's a time of reflection.

There was a time when I was the youngest in any gathering. And when you're 18-21 years young, it's pretty common for people to remark how young you are!

Well, I'm going on 27 now. And I was talking with Cindy, you know, 27 is 3 years short of the big 3-0. But I don't feel like I'm 27, ought to get married, start a family and all. In fact, 27 seems like such an 'old' number for what I'm feeling.

And it struck me that birthdays track one's BIOLOGICAL age. Simply that, marking the passage of time. But one's ACTUAL age is how one really feels inside.

Yet at the same time, my thought processes and values have changed since I was 22 years young. :) Indeed, looking back, I could see how naive, impressionable and somewhat childish I was. Isn't it great then to feel young and yet be wiser?

If anyone asks for my age, I feel obligated to state my biological age. But something inside me kinda of cringe 'cos I know it's a lie. I certainly don't feel that way although reason, circumstances and the world and 'reality' seem to pressure otherwise. Is it the shalom peace that is guarding my heart?

It's not like Alan Tam's forever 25 you know. I don't know whether he really believes it or he's in denial or vain or whatever. :D For myself, I don't think I feel this way... I just feel rather young - definitely younger than 27 years! :D

I feel young and carefree! Really! :D Inside, I'm still a frisky, cheeky but thank God! wiser, 22! :D

Love sent..

I'm just reminded of a song in my Easter Sunday CD :) It's my fave song in that particular disc.


Love sent a sacrifice
One spotless lamb to die
Love saw a need
and paid an awesome price

What man cannot supply
the love of God provide
One spotless lamb
Love sent a sacrifice



The lamb is His Son.
Born to die
as a sacrifice
for my sins.

His love is not measured by the circumstances about me. Circumstances are temporal and subject to change. But whenever I need an assurance of His love, I look towards the cross. To the ultimate sacrifice.

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

HOPE!

I'm so very glad I went for caregroup today. I actually thought of not going 'cos I was tired out at work. Thoughts and feelings can be really deceptive - and I realise how real spiritual warfare is. And actually, how easy it is to overcome. It is just making that choice and decision to go. After I've set my heart on going, the lethargy just left.

Oh, I really thank God for my caregroup. Always so blessed by the sharing. And such lovely people in my caregroup too! Today, I felt so honoured that some were sharing their personal history, willing to be vulnerable to us. And I felt, listening to the testimonies, and the accompanying attitudes, that really, God is good!

I feel that Abba really so loves me. I mean, He's always refreshing me with His Word; teaching me, preparing a banquet before me. I'm just so thankful that He has given me a heart that hungers and He enlightens my understanding. I just feel so blessed, so blessed! Sometimes Lord, Your love overwhelms me. You've given me so much! Just pouring, and pouring Lord, abundantly! Friends, family, career! Your goodness, Your goodness! Lord, You just take my breath away!

Okay, so I'll just list the notes I've taken today. Be blessed!

Today's sharing is on HOPE

Kenneth (our CGL) summarised Pastor's message on 19 March 2006 into 7 points:-

1. Confident expecation of good things

2. Analogy of a boat.
Hope is the mast.
Faith is the wind.

Faith cannot work without hope.

3. The moment you believe, you receive.

4. When you see negative circumstances, know that the Lord is doing something good. (Hope cannot disappoint)

5. Elpis=hope. The hebrew word for hope, 'tek-vah' (spelling may be wrong) - has it's root word rope. (the same rope found in Rahab's story which was scarlet - Joshua 2:15-18)

It is the blood of Jesus that gives us hope.

6. To guard your mind, put on the helmet of salvation.

7. Trouble has redeeming qualities, producing strength and character.


My other notes:- (I took down notes that I felt particularly spoke to me)

Learn to see things in the supernatural,, not the natural.

Strength of faith, strengthened by revelation of covenant (what it means to be a covenant-child)

In work, it is the favour of God. Don't put your trust, even in your own charisma etc..

"It's not over, until I win."

Hope does not disappoint.

I really feel very blessed!

There may be factors that try to throw you off course for whatever God wanted for you in your life.

The good happened at the right place, right time.

When God works, it's effortless.

The journey that we have grows us to trust in the Lord for greater blessings.

Romans 8:24

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

Therefore, hope is 'seen' in the spiritual

"Hope brings faith"

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

John said this ("hope brings faith") to me during fellowship after CG. I was like, whoa! Let me just think on that for a while.

So true right?

I thought, faith would bring hope (that things would happen). But that's not biblically correct.

Rather, hope brings faith.

Hope is the positive, confident expectation of good things. Therefore, the more we hope (biblically), by 'seeing' things in the supernatural, by painting our hope with the promises of God found in the Word, the more faith comes!

Hence, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!

Why? Hearing and hearing the Word brings hope! Hope! Biblical hope does not disappoint!

Hope brings faith!

Cool huh? Let me just chew on it some more :D

You are my desire

May Your presence fall on me
Let Your spirit fall I pray
Let me be refreshed
Let me be restored
Only You can heal me Lord

May Your presence fall on me
Let Your spirit fall I pray
Let me be refreshed
Let me be restored
Only You can really heal
my heart O Lord

You are my desire
Everytime I'm weak, I run to You
You're my hiding place
and my fortress
You're my shelter and my strength

Lord I need Your mercy
Lord I need Your strength to see me through
....
....

Oops! I can't remember the rest of the lyrics. :P

We were singing this song during worship for caregroup today. And generally, when I sing this song, I seek to invite His presence during worship. But today, as the group started to sing this song, I didn't want to start just yet and continued to pray softly in tongues. And as the lyrics progressed and they sang "Only You can heal me Lord." I felt Him gently say, "See? My love, I have already healed You."

Tears at His tenderness.

Healed me of shame.
Healed me of lethargy.
Healed me of selfishness.
Built me up.
Building me still.
Transforming me.
His spirit has fell on me.
Assuring me, O tenderly.
Just embracing me.
Loving me.

Touched.

Gosh, I so love Him! so love Him...

Fall afresh on me

I come before your throne
to worship at Your feet
to look upon Your nail-pierced hands O Lord
How awesome is Your love!

For You,
Your grace restores my soul
You've set Your heart on me
You've set me in Your righteousness!

Fall afresh on me!
Move within my heart,
Let Your tenderness consume me
Pour Your love on me
like rain upon my face
Till everything I am
is lost in Your embrace
Fall afresh on me!

This passionate song is written by Sean Goh, from New Creation Church.

I don't know him personally, but he seems to be a down-to-earth, humourous guy. Check out this blog here

I was just singing this song on the way home from caregroup, and just meditating on the lyrics. It's really beautiful isn't it?

to look upon Your nail-pierced hands..
how awesome is Your love!

Your grace.. restores my soul

Move within my heart
Let Your tenderness
consume me

Pour Your love..
like rain..
Till everything
I am is
lost in Your embrace

Fall afresh on me!

God does NOT help those who help themselves

Today's service went back to doctrine - my fave 'subject' of the bible. I'm going to let the Word speak for itself in this post.


Galatians 5:4 (KJV)

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.


Christ is our holiness, sanctification, wisdom and health.

When Christians ask, "how come I'm sick, poor, don't see the blessings of God?" Galatains 5:4 explains why.

How is Christ of no effect?

Is it because of sin?

No!

Christ becomes of no effect when Christians seek to be justified by the law.


Galatians 5:1-5 (KJV) in context

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.


God does not ask us to not listen to the counsel of the wicked; He tells us not to listen to the counsel of the ungodly.

Ungodly people can be naturally good. But being naturally 'good' avails nothing because it boasts in man's strength.

Whose way do you want to do it? God's way or man's way?


Isaiah 31:1-3

1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

2Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is helpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.


Again, in Isaiah 30:1-3


1Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

2That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

3Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.


Unfortunately, I think I see something like this in my company.

But I believe with all my heart, that my presence is a blessing to them. And that's why God does not want me to leave. Not saying this boastfully. I believe that I really matter to Him. And that He wants to use me as a channel of blessing. :D


As long as our eye is on the LORD, and not on the wisdom of man - knowing that our reliance is on Him and not on our strength - then it is God who will prosper us!


2 Chronicles 26:3-5 (NKJV)

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visionsof God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper

note the qualifier in bold. Uzziah did not seek the Lord all the time. Read about it in 2 Chronicles 26.


This does not mean do nothing! But to do everything from a position of 'rest'. Not striving to achieve. Rest means Holy Spirit directed activity. Working from a position of confidence in Christ.


In Genesis 15, God had already promised Abraham a son.

Why are God's blessings 'slow' to come?

Genesis 16:1-3

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.

So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.

Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.


Why are God's blessings slow to come?

Sometimes it's of our own doing. We don't want to 'wait' like Sarai. Sometimes, God's blessings may be delayed. Why?

1. Like Sarai, we want to obtain by our own strength.

It's telling the little detail that Abram took Hagar to be his wife after he "had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan" The number ten being the picture of the law. This also corresponds to Paul's analogy in Galatians 4 about Sarah and Hagar being a picture of the two covenants.

2. Sarai had the wrong picture of God.

She said that it was God who had restrained her from bearing children. But did God not promise Abram that he would have a son? She did not believe the Word.


Who is a cursed man and who is a blessed man?

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus says the LORD:


“ Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the LORD.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

“ Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fearwhen heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

Impatience

Today, I went to a website. And they had all this philosophies and ideologies. They had also people who had totally, the wrong idea of my God. Which really irked me.

Then there were also, my fellow beloved brethren, I think though very intellectual, perhaps a baby Christian? I wish I could tell him, hey, read Romans and Galatians! (but I can't 'cos he's always got his PM function off)

Ahhh! If only they knew! They're so blinded!

Yes, but for the grace of God, go I - like them!

I mean, this agitation (totally of my own making) kinda of marred my morning a little. I wanted to release a torrent of preaching on them. But it would be done so I would feel selfishly good and does little to edify them. Worse, it is SO not done in love but in stern 'correction'!

All sort of discussions, going about in circles - don't they see? Maybe they just like to debate, discuss and go round and round.

I realise Abba's ways are different! I mean He says something, we really see the light! and where it is the truth, it is really, the LIVING word, because we just feed and feed off it. Whereas in worldly discussions, it just gives me a headache - and there's no conclusion. It's just people talking and talking. Oh dear, how intolerant! grace grace..

And I know that some intellectuals think me too 'religious'. :) Oh well.

I'm passionate for Christ but I know it's not my battle to fight. And anyway, actually, there's no battle. It's just me. I'm the one who's impatient with them, jumping up and down at the sidelines, wanting to point to the cross, but don't know the politically correct way to do so.

And finally saying, "Lord, it's not for me to save." :)

Okay, whatever Abba. I'll just chill.

I'm gonna buy Pastor's message, "The importance of fellowship" It's really different, talking to the brethren from the same church, from different church, and finally, people in the world. Different levels of intimacy.

Okay Lord. Yes, chill. Be cool! ;)

My all in all

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

Seeking you as a precious jewel
Lord to give up I'll be a fool
You are my all in all

Jesus, Lamb of God!
Worthy is Your name
Jesus, Lamb of God!
Worthy is Your name

To be called a child of God

We ended bible study tonight with this song. It's actually called "Just let me say". But this blog entry is titled "To be called a child of God" 'cos it's from my favourite stanza in this beautiful song. *sigh* It's a sigh of rest. Like, what did I ever do to deserve Jesus? Nothing, nothing... that's the beauty of it.. :)


Just let me say how much I love You
Let me speak of Your mercy and grace
Just let me live in a shadow of Your beauty
Let me see You face to face

And the earth will shake as Your Word goes forth
And the heavens will tremble and fall
But let me say how much I love You
Oh my Savior, my Lord and Friend

Just let me hear Your finest whispers
As You gently call my name
And let me see Your power and Your glory
Let me feel Your spirit's flame

Let me find You in the desert
Till this sand is holy ground
And I am found completely surrendered
To You my Lord and Friend

So let me say how much I love You
With all my heart I long for You
For I am caught in this passion of knowing
This endless love I've found in You

And the depth of grace, the forgiveness found
To be called a child of God
Just makes me say how much I love You
Oh my Savior, my Lord and Friend

Just makes me say how much I love You
Oh my Savior, my Lord and Friend

From this moment

I just heard this Shania Twain song from my friend's blog. Love this song! :) Here're the lyrics:_


(I do swear that I'll always be there. I'd give anything
and everything and I will always care. Through weakness
and strength, happiness and sorrow, for better, for worse,
I will love you with every beat of my heart.)

From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on

Singing

I love You Lord
and I lift my voice
to worship You
O my soul, rejoice!

Take joy my King
in what You hear
let it be a sweet sweet sound
in Your ears

Renaissance

Have you ever wondered how in the past, someone can be a painter, writer, scientist, musician, politician, philosopher,playwright etc etc and still be a someone and not one(s)?

I mean, the capacity of the human brain. Why, in the past, Mr Jack was a Jack of all trades, Master of all.

Why don't we have such people now? With our compulsory education, modern technology and gadgetry, higher standard of living...

The answer? DISTRACTION.

Yes. We have been numbed with routine, that sense of wonder we had as children, extinguished by playstations, drowned by television - our concentration wasted staring at the computer (perhaps even now as I'm typing!), even as our thumbs do a silly little dance sending sms-es over the phone.. I mean, what are we doing?

You know what, I have a DESIRE to be a renaissance lady.

Yes, a lady of letters, of beauty and refinement, of charity, of wit, of fashion - to write plays and political essays, read history and law, go on mission trips, soak in the wonders of nature, a photographer, a writer, a pastor, a healer, an evangelist - a daughter, awife, a mother of 8, play classical piano, play jazz, listen to the SSO, the SCO... I'm getting ahead of myself.

But I wonder, what would life be like, if I devoted it to (on top of having babes, being a babe and mother - 'cos family is of course, the 2nd top priority aside from God), a life of learning.

Yes, learning. Of what? Just everything. EVERYTHING my brain can hold.

Abba, what if you would give me a ferocious appetite for learning and knowledge - and along with it wisdom for application. Above all, Lord, use this knowledge to let me be Your women. Not just sprouting out information or participating in debates Lord, but also to ENJOY it and APPRECIATE it for its own sake.

See how I am capitalising it Lord? It's a reminder to Me.

Baby steps? what say you Abba? Do away with the telly first? Revive my library membership at the law library? Set up a system in learning classical chinese?

Lord, center my heart on You. Keep me focused. Life is too precious to waste on moments of frivolity. Yes, I know, neither should it be too serious. Lord, give me a godly sense of humour - man, what kind of request is that? hahahaha.. I shouldn't be asking You that! You! of all people! :D I know You can be corny. Sometimes I can't take You. Mushiness too! Brrr.. but deliciously nice! ;)

Okay, just let me enjoy Abba! Remind me to enjoy!