Long ago, or maybe not so long ago, there was a tribe in a dark, cold cavern. The cave dwellers would huddle together and cry against the chill. Loud and long they wailed. It was all they did.
It was all they knew to do. The sounds in the cave were mournful, but the people didn’t know it, for had never known life.
But then, one day, they heard a different voice. “I have heard your cries,” it announced. “I have felt your chill and seen your darkness. I have come to help.”
The cave people grew quiet. They had never heard this voice. Hope sounded strange to their ears. “How can we know you have come to help?”
“Trust me,” he answered. “I have what you need.”
The cave people peered through the darkness at the figure of the stranger. He was stacking something, then stooping and stacking more.
“What are you doing?” one cried, nervous.
The stranger didn’t answer.
“What are you making?” one shouted even louder.
Still no response.
“Tell us!” demanded a third.
The visitor stood and spoke in the direction of the voices. “I have what you need.” With that he turned to the pile at his feet and lit it. Wood ignited, flames erupted, and light filled the cavern.
The cave people turned away in fear. “Put it out!” they cried. “It hurts to see it.” “Light always hurts before it helps,” he answered. “Step closer. The pain will soon pass.”
“Not I,” declared a voice.
“Nor I,” agreed a second.
“Only a fool would risk exposing his eyes to such light.”
The stranger stood next to the fire. “Would you prefer the darkness? Would you prefer the cold?
Don’t consult your fears. Take a step of faith.”
For a long time no one spoke. The people hovered in groups covering their eyes. The fire builder stood next to the fire. “It’s warm here,” he invited.
“He’s right,” one from behind him announced. “It’s warmer.” The stranger turned and saw a figure slowly stepping toward the fire. “I can open my eyes now,” she proclaimed. “I can see.”
“Come closer,” invited the fire builder.
She did. She stepped into the ring of light. “It’s so warm!” She extended her hands and sighed as her chill began to pass.
“Come, everyone! Feel the warmth,” she invited.
“Silence, woman!” cried one of the cave dwellers. “Dare you lead us into your folly? Leave us and take your light with you.”
She turned to the stranger. “Why won’t they come?”
“They choose the chill, for though it’s cold, it’s what they know. They’d rather be cold than change.”
“And live in the dark?”
“And live in the dark.”
The now-warm woman stood silent. Looking first at the dark, then at the man.
“Will you leave the fire?” he asked.
She paused, then answered, “I cannot. I cannot bear the cold.” Then she spoke again. “But nor can I bear the thought of my people in darkness.”
“You don’t have to,” he responded, reaching into the fire and removing a stick. “Carry this to your people. Tell them the light is here, and the light is warm. Tell them the light is for all who desire it.”
And so she took the small flame and stepped into the shadows.
[max lucado]
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
chief end of god
john piper [let the nations be glad]
what is the chief end of man?
to glorify god and enjoy him forever
what is the chief end of god?
to glorify god and enjoy himself forever
what is the chief end of man?
to glorify god and enjoy him forever
what is the chief end of god?
to glorify god and enjoy himself forever
Saturday, January 20, 2007
making the most out of our time together
how fast time goes by.
we are already going past the third week of january.
this year started with quite a number of new schedules and ways of living. abigail's time this past week had been occupied with quite a number of after school activities. mine was also filled with several meetings up to the evenings. our time together was quite short.
it seems to be better in the coming week. i can plan to do some cooking and we can eat at home together more often.
this will be the kind of lifestyle for both of us this year. so for whatever time we have together, we will have to make the most of it. i will put in effort to spend as much time as possible with her as she grows up so that i will not "miss" it once she is grown up.....
we are already going past the third week of january.
this year started with quite a number of new schedules and ways of living. abigail's time this past week had been occupied with quite a number of after school activities. mine was also filled with several meetings up to the evenings. our time together was quite short.
it seems to be better in the coming week. i can plan to do some cooking and we can eat at home together more often.
this will be the kind of lifestyle for both of us this year. so for whatever time we have together, we will have to make the most of it. i will put in effort to spend as much time as possible with her as she grows up so that i will not "miss" it once she is grown up.....
Friday, January 12, 2007
Where I Belong
This story is fictional, based on my experiences with my mp3 player.
-
Ever since i can remember,my world has been like that.
I have music in my ears in my isolated cubicle, doing my own thing in darkness. Occupying myself by staring at the darkness, as if eternity were written there. Loud music ringing in my ears, repeatedly. Music is my life. Without the music, i cease to exist. Or so I've always known. I'm not sure about that, though.
You must be wondering who told me. Well I'm not that sure either. Perhaps the music pounds into me that. Maybe the blackness of my cubicles say so. But i think i have known that since i can remember. A primitive instinct, most probably.
Sometimes i wonder what is outside my cubicle. But most of all i am terrified of what goes beyond these four walls. On certain days-if you could have day in a world with no light- i think of how i got the knowledge of the word "light" or even "day"in the first place.
One day i hear something. I am puzzled at it. After all, my ears have only heard the music throughout my life. I turn to where the sound is coming from. I see it-a tiny crack in the four walls around me. Light seeps in through the tiny crevice. I listen carefully, trying to drown out the music in my ears for the first time.
Curiosity is aroused within me. I start to let my mind wander as i to question all this that i am doing. I am, of course, surprised. All my life i just listen to the music and I am contented. Now i cannot rest till i find a reason to why i am doing this. Reason. Hmmm.. A new word.
I lean forward and take a peep. For the first time in my life i look out of my small world. I see a great light engulfing the universe of cubicles. I see some people, like me, already out of their cubicles and exploring their new environment. The music is no longer in their ears. But how...?
I look at them with great envy. They have this expression on their faces-i don't know what it is- happiness? Now how do i know that word? I ask myself. I tell myself i must find the answer. And the answer, i reason, lies in the light-that beautiful, white light.
I started to pound on the wall with my bare fists. But the wall wouldn't let me get out to the great light. Tears start to stream down my cheeks. Hot tears. Not that i could see them, i could feel them. Touch? When did i start to feel? My mind was in a turmoil. I didn't even know the word "touch" as well. It seemed forgotten over time, lying in the shadows of my mind.
I wished i could get out. I really did. The sound i first heard was still there-a voice. It was trying to tell me something, but i didn't understand. The music in my ears was just too loud. The voice seemed like it was repeating something. My ears strained to hear the words.
The voice was melodious, marvelous.
It dawned upon me that the unplugging of my music was necessary to break out of my enclosed world. But that was equivalent to pointing a gun at my head and pulling the trigger. I looked at the other people out there, without the music, happy. Their faces told me they were rejoicing, basking in the great warm light, with a purpose.
And then i think about listening to the repetitive music. Pointless. All these while, while trying to occupy the darkness and loneliness of my small cubicle, i must have resorted to doing this for so long it became my life. Covering up for that emptiness inside of me. How foolish of me.
Then i see a small child walking towards my cubicle. I can see her lips moving to mouth a single word.
Come.
And that is enough for me. All my fear gone, i take off the music in my ears. And at that very moment my cubicle crumbles to dust. My entire being is electrified. I immerge refreshed.
At first i think i am hallucinating, as immediately i see not just the light, but things in the light. This is a safe haven, where i know i will be taken care of forever.
And i know in my heart that this is where i belong.
-
Ever since i can remember,my world has been like that.
I have music in my ears in my isolated cubicle, doing my own thing in darkness. Occupying myself by staring at the darkness, as if eternity were written there. Loud music ringing in my ears, repeatedly. Music is my life. Without the music, i cease to exist. Or so I've always known. I'm not sure about that, though.
You must be wondering who told me. Well I'm not that sure either. Perhaps the music pounds into me that. Maybe the blackness of my cubicles say so. But i think i have known that since i can remember. A primitive instinct, most probably.
Sometimes i wonder what is outside my cubicle. But most of all i am terrified of what goes beyond these four walls. On certain days-if you could have day in a world with no light- i think of how i got the knowledge of the word "light" or even "day"in the first place.
One day i hear something. I am puzzled at it. After all, my ears have only heard the music throughout my life. I turn to where the sound is coming from. I see it-a tiny crack in the four walls around me. Light seeps in through the tiny crevice. I listen carefully, trying to drown out the music in my ears for the first time.
Curiosity is aroused within me. I start to let my mind wander as i to question all this that i am doing. I am, of course, surprised. All my life i just listen to the music and I am contented. Now i cannot rest till i find a reason to why i am doing this. Reason. Hmmm.. A new word.
I lean forward and take a peep. For the first time in my life i look out of my small world. I see a great light engulfing the universe of cubicles. I see some people, like me, already out of their cubicles and exploring their new environment. The music is no longer in their ears. But how...?
I look at them with great envy. They have this expression on their faces-i don't know what it is- happiness? Now how do i know that word? I ask myself. I tell myself i must find the answer. And the answer, i reason, lies in the light-that beautiful, white light.
I started to pound on the wall with my bare fists. But the wall wouldn't let me get out to the great light. Tears start to stream down my cheeks. Hot tears. Not that i could see them, i could feel them. Touch? When did i start to feel? My mind was in a turmoil. I didn't even know the word "touch" as well. It seemed forgotten over time, lying in the shadows of my mind.
I wished i could get out. I really did. The sound i first heard was still there-a voice. It was trying to tell me something, but i didn't understand. The music in my ears was just too loud. The voice seemed like it was repeating something. My ears strained to hear the words.
The voice was melodious, marvelous.
It dawned upon me that the unplugging of my music was necessary to break out of my enclosed world. But that was equivalent to pointing a gun at my head and pulling the trigger. I looked at the other people out there, without the music, happy. Their faces told me they were rejoicing, basking in the great warm light, with a purpose.
And then i think about listening to the repetitive music. Pointless. All these while, while trying to occupy the darkness and loneliness of my small cubicle, i must have resorted to doing this for so long it became my life. Covering up for that emptiness inside of me. How foolish of me.
Then i see a small child walking towards my cubicle. I can see her lips moving to mouth a single word.
Come.
And that is enough for me. All my fear gone, i take off the music in my ears. And at that very moment my cubicle crumbles to dust. My entire being is electrified. I immerge refreshed.
At first i think i am hallucinating, as immediately i see not just the light, but things in the light. This is a safe haven, where i know i will be taken care of forever.
And i know in my heart that this is where i belong.
Friday, January 05, 2007
forgiveness
i am reminded today about forgiveness.
do you have someone whom you find so difficult to forgive?
there is this person who was somehow related to me and whom i really find so difficult to even hear the name mentioned to me. to me she is the most superficial person i have ever come across, together with the nasal english accent (which was put on, not natural) and the flirtatious tones/gestures especially to the male species. i guess we never had "chemistry" - i cannot explain why. and the feelings we have for each other are mutual - she never liked me too.
she was one factor that contributed to the saddest thing that ever happened to me some four years ago. so how can i say that i don't have any negative feelings towards her?
it has been years - i don't get to meet her anymore (thank god) and i am not related to her anymore (praise god). i know - not so kind of me to say all this in this tone - i have prayed that god will indeed forgive me for this kind of feelings towards this person.
life goes on. i do not wish to remember this person - she is erased from my memory data bank. to me, if i ever see her, she will just be another face in the crowd.
i am not angry with her anymore - i don't wish to - pointless.
no matter what happened to me, i have come out of it and now i have found happiness in god's love and by his grace.
but i cannot forgive her for what she did to me and to my "happy family" years ago......
do you have someone whom you find so difficult to forgive?
there is this person who was somehow related to me and whom i really find so difficult to even hear the name mentioned to me. to me she is the most superficial person i have ever come across, together with the nasal english accent (which was put on, not natural) and the flirtatious tones/gestures especially to the male species. i guess we never had "chemistry" - i cannot explain why. and the feelings we have for each other are mutual - she never liked me too.
she was one factor that contributed to the saddest thing that ever happened to me some four years ago. so how can i say that i don't have any negative feelings towards her?
it has been years - i don't get to meet her anymore (thank god) and i am not related to her anymore (praise god). i know - not so kind of me to say all this in this tone - i have prayed that god will indeed forgive me for this kind of feelings towards this person.
life goes on. i do not wish to remember this person - she is erased from my memory data bank. to me, if i ever see her, she will just be another face in the crowd.
i am not angry with her anymore - i don't wish to - pointless.
no matter what happened to me, i have come out of it and now i have found happiness in god's love and by his grace.
but i cannot forgive her for what she did to me and to my "happy family" years ago......
Monday, January 01, 2007
Monday, December 25, 2006
an interview with god
[from an email received]
i dreamed i had an interview with god.
"come in," god said. "so, you would like to interview me?"
"if you have the time," i said.
god smiled and said: "my time is eternity and is enough to do everything. what questions do you have in mind to ask me?"
“what surprises you most about mankind?"
god answered:
"that they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
that they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.
that by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.
that they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived."
god's hands took mine and we were silent for awhile and then i asked...
"as a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"
god replied with a smile:
"to learn that they cannot make anyone love them. what they can do is to let themselves be loved.
to learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives.
to learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. all will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!
to learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
to learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.
to learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
to learn that there are persons who love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.
to learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
to learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different.
to learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them...and likes them anyway.
to learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."
i sat there for awhile enjoying the moment.
i thanked him for his time and for all that he has done for me and my family,
and he replied, "anytime. I am here 24 hours a day. all you have to do is ask for me, and I will answer."
i dreamed i had an interview with god.
"come in," god said. "so, you would like to interview me?"
"if you have the time," i said.
god smiled and said: "my time is eternity and is enough to do everything. what questions do you have in mind to ask me?"
“what surprises you most about mankind?"
god answered:
"that they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
that they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.
that by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.
that they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived."
god's hands took mine and we were silent for awhile and then i asked...
"as a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"
god replied with a smile:
"to learn that they cannot make anyone love them. what they can do is to let themselves be loved.
to learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives.
to learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. all will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!
to learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
to learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.
to learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
to learn that there are persons who love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.
to learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
to learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different.
to learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them...and likes them anyway.
to learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."
i sat there for awhile enjoying the moment.
i thanked him for his time and for all that he has done for me and my family,
and he replied, "anytime. I am here 24 hours a day. all you have to do is ask for me, and I will answer."
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
christmas words
i wish to share the following "christmas tree" decorated with words
JOY
GRACE
HOPE - LOVE
FAITH - PEACE
HONOUR-PURITY
JUSTICE - CHARITY
COURAGE - LOYALTY
GOODNESS - PRUDENCE
SYMPATHY - HUMILITY
FORTITUDE - TEMPERANCE
BROTHERHOOD - COOPERATION
AND
GOD
IS
LOVE
have a blessed and meaningful christmas !!
Sunday, December 03, 2006
home - at last - from tokyo japan
we are back !
we had a great time together in tokyo. the weather was cold - got a bit unbearable at times. abigail's nose was blocked most of the time and had to take some medication to clear. i had flu like symptoms and popped in some flu tablets to get rid of it. thank god for helping us to stay healthy.
some pictures taken from the trip.
first photo taken with a class at keio boys' senior high school and the other two photos taken at the tokyo's national museum of emerging sc and innovation showing abigail and a robot seal
we had a great time together in tokyo. the weather was cold - got a bit unbearable at times. abigail's nose was blocked most of the time and had to take some medication to clear. i had flu like symptoms and popped in some flu tablets to get rid of it. thank god for helping us to stay healthy.
some pictures taken from the trip.
first photo taken with a class at keio boys' senior high school and the other two photos taken at the tokyo's national museum of emerging sc and innovation showing abigail and a robot seal
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
baggages in life
today abigail and i started packing our luggage for our trip to japan. the weather there now is cold - very cold for us - so our bags are full of heavy clothing for warmth.
i was just thinking - we will only be away for 6 days and there are already quite a number of things to bring along. if i were really planning for another trip somewhere else and for a longer time, how much baggage do i need to bring?
hmm. baggages....
if one decides to leave and go to a totally different country and not come back for a while, then one must learn not to bring along so many "baggages". you can't bring along things that will remind you too much of home, of your loved ones, of things that are sentimental. why? you might get home sick really fast and really bad! i have been through such a state - long ago - so trust me on this.....
so, back to my packing - phew.
i was just thinking - we will only be away for 6 days and there are already quite a number of things to bring along. if i were really planning for another trip somewhere else and for a longer time, how much baggage do i need to bring?
hmm. baggages....
if one decides to leave and go to a totally different country and not come back for a while, then one must learn not to bring along so many "baggages". you can't bring along things that will remind you too much of home, of your loved ones, of things that are sentimental. why? you might get home sick really fast and really bad! i have been through such a state - long ago - so trust me on this.....
so, back to my packing - phew.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
letting go
i was also lead to think about the same thing this morning and last night when i was going to bed. you know, i want to do something different with my life - and to be able to do this, i have to start considering what i must let go. there are quite a number of things that can hold me back from taking that "big step" into the next great adventure in my life.
slowly i need to begin to pull myself out of some "routines" that i wish to abandon - just to get less involved gradually might be the solution to finally be "detached" from it.
will not be easy - eventually it will mean letting go of those who are close to me too. i pray that perhaps god can be gracious enough to allow my loved one(s) to also be in the second part of the journey of my life should i actually embark on it.
sigh.
slowly i need to begin to pull myself out of some "routines" that i wish to abandon - just to get less involved gradually might be the solution to finally be "detached" from it.
will not be easy - eventually it will mean letting go of those who are close to me too. i pray that perhaps god can be gracious enough to allow my loved one(s) to also be in the second part of the journey of my life should i actually embark on it.
sigh.
The butterfly.
Today in the morning i came across a butterfly on the door of the car. It was the biggest one i had ever seen so close up. As the car began to move slowly, it was shaken just a bit, but held on.
My mom drove on, accelerating and soon the vehicle was out of the basement carpark. Undeterred, the butterfly held fast to the edge of the car door.
As the car did a u-turn, the butterfly was swung sideways. But as soon as it could, it moved the right way up.The frame of metal on wheels started to go faster and faster and faster on a straight road with little traffic.
By now the insect was seriously struggling. I wondered if one of its legs were stuck in between the car door and the frame of the silver car. Alas, when the butterfly could not bear with it any more, it let go and permitted the wind to carry it away.
I thought of how the butterfly might have felt the instant it let go. If it were me i would most certainly feel free from all struggling to keep onto the car. I would feel at ease, provided i wouldn't land smack on the windshield of another vehicle. As i was deep in thought, i could not help thinking of how this butterfly would have been similar to us humans as well.
Sometimes God wants us to let go of certain things we hold dear in our lives. It might be a big job, a loved one or even a certain habit that might be destructive to us. Very few people know what God intends for them and learn how to let God be in control and let go of the car. But most people struggle to hold on, regardless of the situation. As the winds blow against them, they clench tightly to the frame of the car. As the car takes an unexpected turn, they move back into position to keep on the car. But when they finally let go, they know God's plan for them and will finally find peace, knowing that God has a plan for them.
'"For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."' (Jeremiah 29:11)
The only difference is that we as Christians should not be afraid of being wiped off the screen by another vehicle's windscreen wiper. God loves us and will protect us from harm.
So, if you have been holding on to a "car", think of whether God is behind the car, waiting for you to take that leap of faith.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
"sailing" through life's storms
when we are much younger it may be easier to accept "misfortunes" that come into our lives. after living a life as a christian for so long, sometimes i take a long while before i can come to terms with a life crisis. telling myself : "god is sovereign, it is god's will" is very much easier than living with the crisis after that. doubts do surface again and again.so i find myself always asking god the question : "why?"
i think god does not mind us asking him to let us know his reasons for "allowing" some things to occur. but he may not wish to tell us the "answer" yet. i think he wants us to continue to believe in him even though we don't know why. it's all a matter of exercising our faith in him that is what he really really wishes to see and he is really really pleased with.
yeah - always difficult to sustain ourselves when the crisis is so real, so close to our hearts. but know what? we can rely on his holy spirit to help us, his people (christians) to support us. i learnt from a crisis 4 years ago that i should not be "shy" to ask for help from brothers or sisters in christ. it is very important to keep close not just to god but also to fellow believers.
yes, abigail, i agree with you - god will sail through our storms with us - i sincerely believe this.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Job 1:21
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked i will depart.
The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away,
May the name of the Lord be praised."
These were the words from Job's mouth upon hearing that his livestock and children_almost everything he had- were taken away from him.
As christians we must learn to accept blessings from God as much as we must learn to let God take them away. God is in control of everything and we know that all things work for the good of those who love Him(Romans 8:28). We should praise and give thanks to Him all the time, whether during times of storm or smooth sailing.
I have come to a conclusion.
Sometimes god calls out to calm our storms.
Sometimes He chooses to sail through them with us.
and naked i will depart.
The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away,
May the name of the Lord be praised."
These were the words from Job's mouth upon hearing that his livestock and children_almost everything he had- were taken away from him.
As christians we must learn to accept blessings from God as much as we must learn to let God take them away. God is in control of everything and we know that all things work for the good of those who love Him(Romans 8:28). We should praise and give thanks to Him all the time, whether during times of storm or smooth sailing.
I have come to a conclusion.
Sometimes god calls out to calm our storms.
Sometimes He chooses to sail through them with us.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Here I Go Again (Casting Crowns)
Father, hear my prayer
I need the perfect words
Words that he will hear
And know they're straight from You
I don't know what to say
I only know it hurts
To see my only friend
Slowly fade away
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that all familliar fear
Is tearing at my words
What am i so afraid of?
Cause here i go again
Talking 'bout the rain
And mulling over things
That don't live past today
As i ditch around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him
Cause here i go again
Lord, Your loving soul
You gave Your only Son
If people just believed
He would never die
How then will he know
What he has never heard?
Lord, he has never seen
Mirrored in my life
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that all familliar fear
Is tearing at my words
What am i so afraid of?
Cause here i go again
Talking 'bout the rain
And mulling over things
That don't live past today
As i ditch around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him
Cause here i go again
I need the perfect words
Words that he will hear
And know they're straight from You
I don't know what to say
I only know it hurts
To see my only friend
Slowly fade away
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that all familliar fear
Is tearing at my words
What am i so afraid of?
Cause here i go again
Talking 'bout the rain
And mulling over things
That don't live past today
As i ditch around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him
Cause here i go again
Lord, Your loving soul
You gave Your only Son
If people just believed
He would never die
How then will he know
What he has never heard?
Lord, he has never seen
Mirrored in my life
So maybe this time
I'll speak the words of life
With Your fire in my eyes
But that all familliar fear
Is tearing at my words
What am i so afraid of?
Cause here i go again
Talking 'bout the rain
And mulling over things
That don't live past today
As i ditch around the truth
Time is not his friend
This might be my last chance to tell him that You love him
Cause here i go again
----------
Well i guess that most christians today face a common fear whilst witnessing and telling pagans the gospel-the fear of being dejected or made fun of. Strangely i have never experienced this fear in my life- although i am not that sucessful in bringing people to know Christ-and i don't know why either.
Maybe because i need a miracle, i don't have the before and after optic nerves or stuff like that. I have been very fortunate all my life and was born and bred in a Christian family my whole life. It may be a good and bad thing.
The good thing is that i think i have a more intensive knowledge of the bible than some my age as a result of my upbringing. Dicussions about spirituality and religion have become quite the norm. Children with non-christian parents might sometimes feel akward when touching on such subjects.
The bad thing is the witness part. I don't really have a before and after the introduction of Christ, so it is hard to tell people of my personal journey with Christ.
Well, i have to go now so,
Until next time!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
pray for our friends that they may come to know jesus
abigail says her friend (school classmate) may be visiting bcc this sunday after asking her for a long time.
good news! but let's pray for this friend everyday from today - her name is Sujin.
let us remember when we are inviting our friends to come for any church service or activity, we are going into a "warfare". we are going to face obstacles put in by the one who does not wish people to come near god.
so we have to start praying. pray for the holy spirit to go before us - to "straighten the path" - convicting the heart of the person we are praying for, removing things that may hinder - these are what we cannot do on our own because we cannot see nor have control over them.
be specific in our prayers. pray exactly what we wish god to help us in.....
and TRUST - have faith - in your prayers. if you have any doubts, commit them to god the minute it comes into your mind. doubts can be very destructive - pretty hard to get rid of them most of the time - they are so real. so give them to god to help you deal with them and learn to let god keep them away from you.
any other friends to pray for?
good news! but let's pray for this friend everyday from today - her name is Sujin.
let us remember when we are inviting our friends to come for any church service or activity, we are going into a "warfare". we are going to face obstacles put in by the one who does not wish people to come near god.
so we have to start praying. pray for the holy spirit to go before us - to "straighten the path" - convicting the heart of the person we are praying for, removing things that may hinder - these are what we cannot do on our own because we cannot see nor have control over them.
be specific in our prayers. pray exactly what we wish god to help us in.....
and TRUST - have faith - in your prayers. if you have any doubts, commit them to god the minute it comes into your mind. doubts can be very destructive - pretty hard to get rid of them most of the time - they are so real. so give them to god to help you deal with them and learn to let god keep them away from you.
any other friends to pray for?
Friday, October 13, 2006
The Way I Was Made
Caught in the half light, I'm caught alone
Waking up to the sunrise and the radio
Feel's like I'm tied up, what's holding me?
Just praying today will be the day i go free
I want to live like there's no tomorrow
I want to dance like no one's around
I want to sing like nobody's listening
Before I lay my body down
I want to give like i have plenty
I want to love like i'm not afraid
I want to be the man I was meant to be
I want to be the way I was made
Made in Your likeness, made with Your hands
Made to discover who You are and who I am
All I've forgotten help me find
All that You've promised let it be in my life
-Chris Tomlin
Thursday, October 12, 2006
What if His People Prayed
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more
What if the church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And storm those rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would only seek His face
And turn from their own ways
What would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids at school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would only seek His face
And turn from their own ways
He said that he would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray
If My people call by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people call by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
-Casting Crowns
What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more
What if the church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And storm those rusty gates
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would only seek His face
And turn from their own ways
What would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids at school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would only seek His face
And turn from their own ways
He said that he would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray
If My people call by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people call by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
-Casting Crowns
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)