A Letter

My dearest Jesus,

Just wanna let you know how precious You are to me. I don't think I say it often enough. And sometimes I forget. Thank you for Your grace this season, for showing me more of Yourself, and re-affirming me in so many ways.

I look back and realise that many times You were there with me, faithfully guarding my heart, even as I was unawares. Sometimes, I sought You not knowing You were there already. I am so grateful to You Lord. Thank you for that confidence You've given me, to continually desire to rest in Your presence. Thank you for the gifts you have already given, in love and even anticipation!

O Jesus! How much You love me! You love me so much that You gave. You desired me and came for me. Had a wonderful time with You last Sunday service. I never get tired of hearing You say how much You love me.

And in many ways Lord, I still fall. But there is such security because You are not there to condemn me. You just love me. It's so tempting to look to myself and see how unworthy I am, how undeserving of Your death I am. And I know these thoughts are lies. I remind myself (I suppose that's why You tell me to gird my mind, and bring every thought into the obedience of Christ) that it is not what I do. It is who I am. I am born-again. Washed by Your blood. Declared the righteousness OF GOD in Christ Jesus.

Daily, I pray Jesus, to know You more and more. Give me more revelation of Your worth, Your deity, Your insurpassable love for me. I'm learning to just look to You more and more. And to behold Your glory and beauty. I know You are doing a good work in me, transforming me from glory to glory, even as I behold the face of my beloved.

You are faithful my Jesus. And You love me passionately. Do you know how reassured I am that I know these truths? It is through Your grace that You have rooted me in these. Thank you for Pastor Prince Lord. For bringing me to NCC and giving me a Pastor who is courageous to preach the gospel in all its glory! Surely You have restored the years the locusts have eaten, and restored it all the more! You have given me the spirit of faith and revelation! You have taught me, in all things, to look to You and not circumstances.

Even now, You're still teaching me, loving me into the revelation of Your shalom that You have given me. Giving me a daily revelation of my identity and power in You. You have given me boldness and love, authority and power on earth as in heaven. I will be bold to declare Your name, to wield the power of the victory purchased for me at the cross. I'll never want to let Your death for me be in vain by being cowed by what I see. Set Your reality in my heart. Set eternity in my heart. Let everything I experience be filtered through Your cross Lord. Show me more of Yourself in the Word, in my life.

Until I am lost in Your love, till I am found in Your presence, worshipping before Your throne. Found by Your glory, entering into Your flow. How precious this moment, Lord I want You to know.

It's You, You who have won my heart
Taken me into Your arms
Comforted me like a friend...
Your love, surrounded me from the start
I'll never want to be apart
From You ever again.


Your beloved :)

Blessed Hokkien Christmas!

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son

Let's celebrate and cheer and make merry and sing! To remember the birth of our Messiah!

Merry Christmas!

The Passover

"It was Jehovah's feast, an expression of His own peculiar joy in the great event of which it was a shadow, and His redeemed people were gathered around Him to share that joy in His presence. What a wonderful thought is this! Jehovah keeping a feast in anticipation of the death of Christ! This passes our finite thought: we cannot comprehend it. What that death in all its fullness was to Him, no saint or angel can ever know. There were communications between Golgotha and the highest heaven, unknown and unknowable to man. That dying Sufferer was Jehovah's only son. That obedient, submissive Victim was the Lamb of God. That melted, tender heart, was the only heart on earth that ever and always beat true to God. Even in the hour of His darkest, deepest woe, He trusted in His God. 'He became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross,' and that in a world where disobedience to God had reigned supreme. That perfect obedience unto death; that complete surrender; that unswerving devotion, was a 'sweet savour' unto God. The Cross was a feast to Jehovah. It gave Him back more than sin had robbed Him of. Yes, blessed be God, there was that in the death of God's perfect, spotless Lamb which satisfied all His desires, and brought eternal salvation to all His people."


excerpt from "Feast of Jehovah - Foreshadows of Chrst in the calendar of Israel" by John Ritchie



A hymn for thought....

"To Calvary, Lord, in spirit now
Our joyful souls repair,
To dwell upon Thy dying love,
And taste its sweetness there."


and another...


"No longer far from Him, but now
By precious blood made nigh;
Accepted in the Well-Beloved,
Near to God's heart we lie."

A Twist of Fate

Today, I went to watch "A Twist of Fate" by the SRT. Excellent show! It's a murder mystery musical. There were many comic moments, laced with tragic elements. The sets was beautiful. It was a Peranakan house set on a rotating stage. Wished they had did a DVD of the show for posterity purposes. :) Bravo!

And I love Dick Lee's music. Bought the music album during the interval. These are two of the songs that was sung. The first is called "Who am I". But I've extracted certain parts of the lyrics - which changes somewhat the content and context of the song - but there's a point why I extracted it this way. Think you'll understand when you read it. It's a cry of the heart...before.. remember? How blessed and loved we are now! His!



Music by Dick Lee; Lyrics by Anthony Drewe


Who am I

So many years without a word
Only rumours I pretend I haven't heard
I can't go on living in the dark
When I write my name
There's a question mark that's asking..

Who am I?
I'm asking from the heart
What does it really change?
Nothing will fall apart
Yet to live this lie
Means that I can't move on
How can I turn the page
Until all my doubts have gone?



The second song is called "Everytime you look into my eyes" I'm putting it down here simply because it's romantic. Sigh... yar, you can tell.. I'm a romantic.. :) This song is a duet. I have highlighted the phrases I liked.


Everytime you look into my eyes

He:

You'll see the love reflected in my eyes
A mirror of the heart that never lies
They sparkle in the way you do
And show the warmth I feel for you

It's clear
When you are near

You'll see the love reflected in my eyes
The feelings that I have
and can't disguise
The tears of joy are there to show
All you ever need to know
Everytime you look into my eyes

Her:

You'll see the love reflected in my eyes
The way in which my foolish heart replies
The secrets that we hide away
A fleeting glance can still betray
It's true
When I'm with you

You'll see the love reflected in my eyes
Far brighter than the stars in all the skies
I feel I can forget the past
Start to live my life at last
Everytime you look into my eyes

Both:

Doesn't it seem strange
How situations change
Far away from home and farther from my mind
Suddenly standing there in front of me
Is more than I had every dreamed I'd find

You'll see the love reflected in my eyes
So wide awake for now they realise
That even when I'm on my own
I won't feel that I'm alone again
On the darkest day the sun will rise
Everytime you look into my eyes

Suddenly standing there in front of me
Is more than I had ever dreamed I'd find
You'll see the love reflected in my eyes
So wide awake for now they realise
That even when I'm on my own
I won't feel that I'm alone again
On the darkest day the sun will rise
Everytime you look into my eyes

MTV dedication

Hmm.. I like science, but I definitely like the arts too. :) I like to express myself through music - personalisation.

Even personalisation of somewhat secular music can make holy spirit sense. :D I love it when I'm able to read the music in such a way that it ministers to me. And why not? Every good thing is from above. And God loves music!

So anyway, I'm preparing for a performance at my teacher's.. it's a small gathering of about 20. If you're interested to hmm.. hear me sing, let me know :D It's on the evening of the 3rd of December.

I'm singing "Just the way you are". And have been rehearsing it in my mind. I see it like a mini-MTV. You'll know what's running through my mind when I sing this song. :)

(You'll have to have heard the song before to make any sense of what's coming up next. I'm singing a shortened version of the song.)


Opening scene: A girl (it's me when I personalised it) is sitting on a window seat, looking rather forlornly out. It is night outside. The window is one of those old arched windows, framed with curtains of a sheer white, gently moving to a soft breeze. The room is rather bare and dark, though there is a shimmering of moonlight at the back.

From the corner, we see a shadow of a man (JC), looking at her. Music starts.

JC: Don't go changing, to try to please me,
You never let me down before (He starts walking towards her. She's determined to look out of the window, and not look at Him. He continues..)
Don't imagine, you're too familiar (He goes down on one knee and looks at her)
and I don't see you anymore.

as He continues, He takes both her hands in His. She's still not looking at Him

JC: I wouldn't leave you, in times of trouble,
we never could have come this far (She finally looks at Him)
I took the good times, (He looks into her eyes calmly) I'll take the bad times (a tear rolls down her cheek 'cos she knows what the next line is)
I love you just the way you are.

She finally looks at Him and speaks to Him, almost urgently, a little desperately

Girl: I need to know that You will always be
That same old Someone, that I knew

There's a hint of a sad laugh as He answers her, holds her hands a little tighter

JC: What would it take till you believe in Me?
The way that I believe in you.

There's a little silence. She's comforted that despite everything, He believes in her. She wants to reassure Him...

Girl: I said I love You (but at the back of her mind, she wonders whether she can really... He reads her mind and reassures her instead.. that it is not her love, but His love that sustains them. He continues for her with a smile)
JC: and that's forever (she is relieved that He knew what she was trying to say, thankful for His reassurance, that it is with a lighter heart that she continues...
Girl: and this I promised from the heart ('I love You' she quietly reiterates from her heart)

He looks into her eyes

JC: I couldn't love you...

she looks into His and continues for Him

Girl: ... any better

Together: (because it's an intimate two-way relationship) I love you/You just the way you/You are....



My Beloved is mine, and I am His.. (Song of Solomon)

A baby's hug

A sister sent this story to me. Hope it ministers to you as it did me. :)


We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi there." He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray.

His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists.

"Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?" Erik continued to laugh and answer, "Hi, hi there." Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby.

Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo."

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skidrow bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door.

"Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed.

As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's "pick-me-up" position.

Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck.

The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby." Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain.

I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift." I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me." I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes.
I am a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "...unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 18:3)

"You can tell the true character of a man by the way he treats someone who can do absolutely nothing for him"

Footnote: It is so true, we are all guilty of judging others by their appearance at times, I know I would have reacted like the lady in the story. Lord, please forgive us for our shortcoming!

Thank you Lord for Romans 8:1....Amen!

Someone

Today: 12 Nov 2005, Oasis meeting

Topic: Finding a life partner

Hmm... a reminder

Nowadays, I feel that the messages confirm my 'life lessons'. I'm a little bemused. God usually teaches me something and then that particular lesson will be preached.

But I'm determined to chew on it - though it's tempting to say I know all this. Because it's really head knowledge I suppose. And the reason Abba is speaking to me through the Pastor Chin is that He wants me to know it in my heart.

I choose to believe that in EVERY sermon that I go to, because He loves me so much, He will always give Pastor a word for me, regardless of what is preached.

I took down notes (habit :)) But the two important things I took away from the meeting today was:-

1. Being the one for Him first

Last time I listened to this message by Pastor Prince, I was paying more attention to the qualities to look for in a life partner.

This time, I believe that He wants to set in me, to give me a picture of how He already sees me - His sakal and chayil woman

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent (sakal) wife is from the LORD.(Prov 19:14)

sakal {saw-kal'} [07919]

to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

to be prudent, be circumspect

to look at or upon, have insight

to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent

to have insight, have comprehension

insight, comprehension

to cause to consider, give insight, teach

to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely

to prosper, have success

to cause to prosper

An excellent (chayil) wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. (Proverbs 12:4)

chayil {khah'-yil}

strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

a) strength

b) ability, efficiency

c) wealth

d) force, army


2. Quoting what Pastor Chin said at the end of the meeting... "When your sight is on Jesus, you'll find love"

It's not about know more, studying more about Him then He will give you someone.

It's about an intimate relationship with Him alone.


Tonight, I went a concert. Enjoyed the Yellow River Extravaganza! by the Singapore Chinese Orchestral. For moi, I like to enjoy certain things alone but at the same time, it gets too quiet. Yet if one goes with friends, then one is not alone...

So tonight, as I settled into my seat waiting for the music to start, I had mixed feelings. And I remembered, hey, call Jesus along. It'll be like a date!

It's practising the consciousness of His presence.

There were many thoughts running through my mind - too long to go into detail.

Was recalling what Pastor Chin shared about not being too 'idealistic', searching for the 'perfect' one. Personally, I'm not the kind who says my life partner must be this, must be that and all. At the end of the day, the only 2 things that's a must is the hesad love and faithfulness with money. But I also don't believe in giving people 'a chance' where there is no chemistry in the first place - so is that being too 'idealistic'?

Anyway, I don't think Pastor meant what I thought. One thing stuck to me though - what Pastor Prince shared, never settle.

So at that point of time in the hall, and I was so enjoying the music - I just felt so comfortable and satisfied and suddenly so aware and clear that He is indeed my all. And suddenly, feeling that looking for a life partner is such a non-issue, like it was so strange to even consider the issue 'cos do I need that someone since He is already my all in all?

I guess this moment was an example of "when your sight is on Jesus" :D When the prospect of having a boyfriend or life partner seem like such a unnecessary messy hassle! haha.. Had such moments before.. they come and go. They go 'cos we are earthern vessels, and sometimes we go back to the flesh and our worries and insecurities. But at other times, when I'm just rejoicing in His love, these "things of the world, grow stranger dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

At Your feet

Down, at Your feet O Lord
is the most high place
At Your feet O Lord
I see Your face
I see Your face

There is no higher calling
No greater honour
than to come, and bow before Your throne
I'm amazed at Your glory
embraced by Your mercy
O Lord, I live to worship You!

Reality shows

I've a new hobby in watching reality shows...

Anyway, the two that I'm really keen on at the moment is Project Runway and The Apprentice 3.

Well, The Apprentice has already finished its run in the States, its on its last two episodes here in Singapore. Haven't been following it that closely except in the last 3 weeks. But I remembered when I casually watched it - I think it was when there were about 8-10 contestants in the amusement park episode, I was already impressed with Kendra. From the get-go, it was clear to me she was a marketing whiz.

Anyway, have been really inspired by her. Here's her website and this is an interesting article for "The Apprentice 3" fans.

Project Runway just aired last Monday over channel 5. I love fashion and Project Runway is not only about designing them - but I think it's fascinating to have an insight on the process of design. Well, after episode 1, there's a intriguing designer called Austin Scarlett. Was really impressed with his creativity since for the first challenge ("Innovation"), the designers could only use materials bought from a supermarket to design their clothes. And to use the fresh lush corn husks was a great idea! He just set up his website, so you can check it out here (Don't agree with his lifestyle but I'm not here to judge..)

Conceiving a miracle (Sunday service)

Hebrews 11:11

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a childwhen she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

strength=dunamis

Sarah received a miracle child

Genesis 18:1-15

Then the LORD appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.”


a little water - the water of the word

to wash your feet - using the Word to wash off the dustiness in our walk with life

rest under the tree - rest under the tree of calvary - rest under the sure promises bought by Jesus' work on the cross

morsel of bread - man does not live by bread alone, but every Word of Christ - Jesus is the true bread of life - eating of the finished work

refresh your hearts - rest, shalom peace in my heart

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.” And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.”

And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”


1 Peter 3:3-6

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

Even God is taken by the inner charm of a woman - how wonderful it is to have the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, precious in His sight. Good reminder that what is pleasing and beautiful to Him is not only outward, but the hidden person of the heart.

I have seen beautiful ladies, and their beauty is from an inner glow, contentment and joy in the Lord. It supercedes the physical.

What is 'doing good'? (if we want to be daughters of Sarah, able to conceive a miracle, let's 'do good'? How? Read in context..

"as Sarah obeyed Abraham" - refer to Genesis.. an inner attitude (called Him Lord within herself) but more importantly,

looking at genesis, she said "shall I have pleasure" rather than "shall I have a baby"?

It was a response that God loved.. it's not about having the baby (the product) but God loves us so much, and what He is pleased with regarding Sarah, is her pleasure (the process)

Don't forget the fun and the pleasure in your Lord. Rejoicing in the Lord keeps me. The result/product is a by-product.

"When you enjoy your husband, there is seed conceived"

1 Timothy 6:17

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Psalm 127:1-3

Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.

bread of sorrows = painful labour

"For so He gives His beloved sleep" - I agree with Pastor that it can be read both ways.

Firstly, He gives His beloved sleep.

Secondly, He gives His beloved in his sleep - reading in context, I'm more inclined to read it as the latter.

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the LORD makes one rich,
And He adds no sorrow with it.

Jesus was too beautiful to resist, too lovely to work away

I'm always blessed by this sister's sharing. :) Feed on it here It is about "The woman at the well"

For You alone

You are the peace that guards my heart
My help in time of need
You are the hope that leads me on
and brings me to my knees

For there I'll find You waiting
and there I find release
so with all my heart I worship
and unto You I sing

For You alone deserve all glory
For You alone deserve all praise
Father, I worship and adore You
Father, I love to sing Your praise

For You alone deserve all glory
For You alone deserve all praise
Father, I love You
and I worship You this day

Thank You for the cross

Thank you for the cross
the mighty cross
that God Himself should die for such as us

and everyday we're changed into Your image more and more
yes by the cross we've truely been transformed

And we're so amazed
And we give You praise
that You would save us at such a cost

And we're so amazed
And we give You praise
for the power of the cross

In Your presence

In Your presence, I am content
In Your presence, I am content

In Your presence, there is light
Expressions of Your life
Revelations of Your power and might

In Your presence I can bring
my love song offering
I'm in the presence of my king

Misconceptions

I got this article from the paper "Today" (21 Oct 2005).


'During the question-answer round of the recent Miss International pageant, Miss Philippines Lara Quigaman was asked what she felt about people typecasting Filipinos as nanies.

She replid, "I take no offence in being typecast as a nanny. But I do take offence that the educated people of the world have somehow degraded the true sense and meaning of what a nanny is. Let me tell you what it is.

She is someone who gives more than she takes. She is someone you trust to look after the people most precious to you - your child, the elderly and yourself. She is the one who has made a living out of caring for and loving other people." '


It's true.. as I reflect on this article. I realised how different the same words are to us people today. At times, we (a general societal 'we', not necessary my view) take unconscious glee in putting down words, whilst expanding the meaning of certain words to justify the rather grey values of civilization today.

For example, words that modern yuppies tend to put down are "virginity" "submission" "honour" "God" "patriotism" "politician" and

words that are twisted and meanings expanded in order to justify the "me, myself and I" values are words like "freedom" "choice" "sex" "liberty"


Actually, when one thinks historically about it. The golden age of the Roman civilization and it's decline - it's decline being precepted by debauchery etc.. I just wonder whether we are now experiencing it. So much has changed, in the way we think and act and perceive, since just a century ago. What has once been taboo, is now being glorified as hip. And values that once has been treasured, is now deemed as dull and unattractive and 'won't you get on with the times?'

I've since learnt and even delight in an aversion of being common with "the rest" of the world. There is nothing to boast about if one is as common as mud. (The Word says our righteousness is as filthy rags) I've taken pride in not being and being lumped together with the masses - a one in the crowd. It's boring! Get a life, the world does not revolve around one's pleasure only.

Some people like to be cynical - it makes them feel wise. I suppose I'll rather keep my ideals and be a wide-eyed child to the beauties of the world, and the positive in every situation. I pray that I'll be like that by His grace. Jesus did tell us to be "as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves"

Some shows like to portray Christians as goody-two-shoes.. like it's something bad. It doesn't mean that just because we don't sting means we can't. It's not about being nice, having a good image.. it's because knowing how much God is for us, we don't have to step on people, play office politics, in order to succeed. But don't mistake inaction for ignorance. Don't mistake a desire to see the good as being naive.

The love that we are called to love others with is NOT the feely-good type of love. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit." It is not simply compassion. It is love with wisdom. (so we don't get swindled by con-artist touting sob stories) We are led forth by the peace and love in our hearts.

Human compassion and human love is limited - and one has to struggle to sustain it. Divine love is unlimited and unconditional. It is the kind of love that enables us to experience joy and peace in the midst of tribulations. It is beyond comprehension.

We are made to be loved, called to love - but do not make the mistake of thinking love is weak. It is the most powerful force in the universe (not the world). For God is love. And it is God who created earth and man. Post-fall, it was man who shaped the world today as we know it.

To be sanctified and set apart, called by Him, into a royal priesthood, adopted as His own.. to be sanctified, meaning, uncommon and set apart; to be unique and His. That is something to boast about.

The Gift of Work

I'm still 'in the midst' of repenting (if that's possible). But came across a really good article on work from Elizabeth Elliot's Devotional. Click here to take a look. It ministered to me. Hope it refreshes you! :)


The Gift of Work

The principal cause of boredom is the hatred of work. People are trained from childhood to hate it. Parents often feel guilty about making children do anything but the merest gestures toward work. Perhaps the children are required to make their beds and, in a feeble and half-hearted fashion, tidy up their rooms once a month or so. But take full responsibility to clear the table, load the dishwasher, scrub the pots, wipe the counters? How many have the courage to ask this of a ten-year-old? It would be too much to ask of many ten-year-olds because parents have seriously asked nothing of them when they were two or three. Children quickly pick up the parents' negative attitudes toward work and think of it as something most sedulously to be avoided.

Our Lord and Savior worked. There is little doubt that He served in the carpenter shop under the instruction of His earthly father Joseph, putting in long hours, learning skill, care, responsibility, and above all, the glory of work as a gift to glorify His heavenly Father. He did always those things that please the Father. Later He chose almost all His disciples from those who labored with their hands. Even the apostle Paul, a man of brilliant intellect, made tents. . . .

Booker T. Washington, an African-American who grew up in the South when members of his race were expected to do the hardest and dirtiest jobs, learned his greatest lesson from the example of a Christian woman. A New Englander, the founder of the Hampton Institute, she herself washed the windows the day before school started, so it would be nice for those children who had been born slaves.

Is work a necessary evil, even a curse? A Christian who spent many years in Soviet work camps, learning to know work at its most brutal, its most degrading and dehumanizing, testified that he took pride in it, did the best he could, worked to the limit of his strength each day. Why? Because he saw it as a gift from God, coming to him from the hand of God, the very will of God for him. He remembered that Jesus did not make benches and roofbeams and plow handles by means of miracles, but by means of saw, axe, and adze.

Wouldn't it make an astounding difference, not only in the quality of the work we do (in office, schoolroom, factory, kitchen, or backyard), but also in our satisfaction, even our joy, if we recognized God's gracious gift in every single task, from making a bed or bathing a baby to drawing a blueprint or selling a computer? If our children saw us doing "heartily as unto the Lord" all the work we do, they would learn true happiness. Instead of feeling that they must be allowed to do what they like, they would learn to like what they do.

St. Ignatius Loyola prayed, "Teach us, Good Lord, to labor and to ask for no reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will." As I learn to pray that prayer, I find that there are many more rewards that come along as fringe benefits. As we make an offering of our work, we find the truth of a principle Jesus taught: Fulfillment is not a goal to achieve, but always the by-product of sacrifice.

Just for laughs!

A sister sent me this e-mail. It's a little cheeky.. that's why 'tis fun! haha :D (Italics, my thoughts)


Humourous Christian pick-up lines


Nice Bible. You know Jesus?! Me, too!

God told me to come talk to you.

I know a church where we could go and talk.

How about a hug, sister? (no thanks)

Do you need help carrying your Bible? It looks heavy. (why not?)

What are your plans for tonight? Feel like a Bible study? (testing)

The Word says, "Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry." So how about dinner? (nice style)

You don't have an accountability partner? Me neither!

You want to come over and watch "The 10 Commandments" tonight? (and sit under the ministry of death? 2 Corin 3:7, no thanks!)

Is it a sin that you stole my heart? (haha.. guy must have charm to say this or it'll fall flat)

Would you happen to know a Christian woman that I could love with all my heart and wait on hand and foot? (Hmm... I want a man though, not a snag)

"You know, I'm really into relationship evangelism."

Do you believe in divine appointment? (I do, are you sure you have one?)

Have you ever tried praying at a drive-in movie before? (toeing the line)

Excuse me, I believe one of your ribs belongs to me. (please..)

Christians don't shake hands, Christians gotta hug! (desperate)

Oh, you're cold? Maybe we should read Ecclesiastes 4:11 (roll of eyes)

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

"I hear there's going to be a love offering tonight." (don't understand)

My friend told me to come and meet you, he said that you are a really nice person. I think you know him. Jesus, yeah that's his name. (cute)

Songs that soothe

There's nothing like music, a tender reminder to soothe the soul. I was looking through the song list we had for our last CG.

Looking through the lyrics of "Blessed Jesus", I was reminded of what Pastor said. When we are thirsty for Him, it's not about reading the bible, listening to sermons, but what does the Word say?

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (John 7:37)

It's about coming to Jesus. Him alone. Not the bible. Not doing the christian things. When we open the bible, we ought to pray, "Abba, open the eyes of my heart to see Jesus" so that the bible becomes a medium of connection to Him - not just read for the sake of reading. How I needed to be reminded of that!


Blessed Jesus

Blessed Jesus come to me
Soothe my soul with songs of peace
As I look to You alone
Fill me with Your love

Mountains high and valleys low
You will never let me go
By Your fountain let me drink
Fill my thirsty soul

Glorious marvellous grace that rescued me
Holy worthy is the Lamb who died for me!


When circumstances around me distract, when my emotions become confused - when I'm searching for an anchor to hang on to, I struggle to keep my heart and my mind on Him.

Sometimes it's a flow, there's a yearning and a want, and it's easy as I turn, relieved to find Him.

Sometimes it seems difficult because it's easy to let go and get tossed about in the currents - becoming angsty seems so normal in the world, a common indulgence. And I have to struggle to be still and be reminded that it's better, safer, in His arms. Here's a stanza.. :)

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
in quietness and trust

Sometimes, I search God with a desperation. I know He'll never leave nor forsake me. But I'm desperate for a sense of His presence. I wish I have that sense about me all the time. But I know by faith, that He is with me every moment of every day. His is the only unconditional love - a tidal wave of love. A mighty love that I can hang my confidence on. Why then am I desperate for the sense, the emotional quality of it?

I want to sing until I am lost in Your love
Til I'm found in Your presence
Worshipping before Your throne
Filled by Your Spirit
entering into Your flow
Oh, how precious this moment
Lord, I want You to know

It's You, You who have won my heart
Taken me into Your arms
Comforted me like a friend
Your love surrounded me from the start
I never want to be apart
from You ever again


Perhaps, in terms of His love, I'll always want to be Abba's beautiful beloved child. And yet in other ways, I want to grow up faster! Be an adult - to be more mature spiritually! Hmm.. what is spiritual maturity? I think it's not about bible knowledge or going to bible school.. but to have that revelation of the width, length, depth and height of His love for me - that beautiful revelation of Jesus! Oh Abba, show me more!

Whoosh!

I went rollerblading yesterday morning. When I started off, I was petrified with the fear of falling. No amount of tongues could help.

In the end, I fell down on my rear-end three times! Praise God the fall was cushioned! :D

The first was a big one! One moment I was standing, the next, I was falling backwards and landed hard on my bum. I had the breath knocked out of me. The last time I had a hard fall was when I fell off a horse! :)

When I fell the next 2 times, I had gotten 'used' to it. The fear became lesser and lesser.. so I guess something good did come out of me falling! :)

When I fell, there was a song track repeating itself in my mind - Toby Mac's "Whoopsi Daisy" hahaha.. you can check it out here here

To keep Your lovely face

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