Consider the Flowers of the Field

Naive, Ignorant, or Plain Stupid???

2008-07-16T21:24:00.008+10:00

Decided to spend my lunch hour at Darling Harbour today because of the nice weather.

Was a pretty different sight there, with the pilgrims and visitors being around and all.

Had my lunch while walking around and decided to spend the rest of my lunch time (1/2 hour) sitting on the Harbour side and writing something in my journal.

Not long after I sat down, however, I was approached by two friendly looking young people - a guy and a girl - about uni age people - talking with Nth American accent.

They introduced themselves and started asking me intro questions (like my name and where I'm from etc), and naturally, I asked them back. =)

Of course by that time I was curious already as to who they were and just what they were actually doing.

I was fast retreating into my comfort zone and answering their questions in a friendly, but very cautious way.

I was very tempted to run away. But remembering the fact that I have been praying for the pilgrims in the bus on my way to work (I meet quite a few of them every day) and also the fact that I've been praying for them with my workmates etc, I decided that retreating to my comfort zone and running away was probably not the best way for me to react. I mean, who knows who they were anyway, and even if they were on my side, I did want to be an encouragement to them!

So... I kept talking with them.

They asked me whether I whether I would be going to any of the WYD event. I told them - "No, I'm a Christian." (not in an offensive way, hoping more that it would be a conversation starter).

And then the guy replied - "Oh, so you don't go to Catholic events, eh?!"

And then they told me that they are here (in Sydney) as part of a group that came for a visit/mission, a group from America. He asked me whether I know of Hillsong and that their group and event is related to Hillsong. They told me that they went to the Hillsong Conference over the weekend and asked me questions about the church etc.

I remembered thinking at that point in the conversation - wow, Hillsong is on the same mission with us, too! They are trying to share the gospel of Christ to these pilgrims! And so, I treated them as fellow brother and sister in Christ!

The guy asked me about what God is currently teaching me from His Word (really personal way of talking about God, btw!), and I started to them that I was reading 4 books of the Bible at once and was about to tell them that I followed McCheyne reading guide when I decided, no, that's not a good a move - so, I told them that lately I had been learning about how the OT and NT relates well and how amazed I am by the connection between OT and NT. I was a bit surprised when the guy repeated what I said, but sounded unsure how to respond to that. I thought that was a great thing to be learned from God's word!!! (and I still do, btw!)

I asked them how long they would be here and what else they would be doing within that time. They told me that they would be a part of a big event on Friday night, called "Raise the Power" they said - about asking people to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and know more about Jesus and God and His Word (or something along those lines). I wouldn't say I was comfortable hearing that. But I thought as long as God's Word is preached, so what?! They asked me if I knew about it and I said no. (I didn't know - it was truly an honest answer!).

I wasn't sure they would want to keep talking to me after they found out I am a Christian - I mean, if they wanted to evangelise someone, surely they would be looking for someone who needs to hear it right? And so, I wasn't surprised when they asked me when I needed to go back to work. They then asked me if there was anything for them to pray for me. I thought - very nice! Seriously, very nice people. And even though I personally would not agree with many of the things some charismatic churches are teaching, I do respect their willingness and openness to talk about their faith! =)

So, they asked me if there is anything they could be praying for my health, or finance or work or anything. I told them, not for me personally. Partly because I'm not someone who is comfortable sharing with strangers, partly because I am not a fast thinker. =)

So, I gave them an answer that IS my prayer request - something that is in my heart and something I was more than happy to share with them.

I asked them to please pray for "these people" (the people around us at that time - the 'pilgrims'). I told them that I felt sad for them. Many of them seemed to genuinely desire God and yet they are led astray. I shared with them that I had been praying for those pilgrims - that they would really come to a personal relationship with Jesus and have certainty of heaven. Shared with them also what I was thinking in the bus yesterday morning - that as I looked at the pilgrims and prayed for them, I realised that many others around me, who are not readily identified as pilgrims also need God, as they too, pursue their own gods wholehartedly - even though they are false gods, like money. So yeah, I asked them to pray for those people.

Somehow, they tried to clarified with me and said that there are probably some among "those people" who actually do know Christ personally and used example of someone they knew. And I clarified myself, apologised for hasty labeling and said yes. Told them I was probably wrong in labeling people as it could be unhelpful. That just as there are people who confessed to be Christians but aren't really, personal relationships with Jesus doesn't depend on labels. And yet still, there are many who don't have that personal relationship and don't have the certainty of heaven and certainty of eternal life. And so I want them to pray for that.

So, we prayed - more he prayed and then I prayed. The guy shared a prayer point and the girl - don't remember... Nothing personal, I think...

So, he prayed for me. Thanking God for good health, good finance, for work etc. None I requested. But I thought it's OK. Then I prayed for them. Thanking God for their desire to see people having personal relationships with Christ and certainty of heaven and eternal life, thanking God for them being here and prayed for their event on Friday night that somehow it will go well and that God will be glorified through it (little did I know what I was praying for at that time!).

So we parted ways and I went back to work - thankful to God for the meeting and for giving me the courage to stay and the words to say to them.

Couldn't help feeling strange on my way back to work though... I mean, why would Hillsong organised a big event at the same time with WYD? Isn't that just a bit strange? Why not some other time???!

So rushed back to work to google "Raise the Power"! And I remember feeling so silly after getting the google search result. . .

It IS part of WYD.

Yes, organised by Hillsong - or had something to do with it - but part of WYD!

. . . . . .

I couldn't believe my eyes! I wasn't sure who I was talking to, but I only realised at that time that they were either pilgrims themselves and so Catholics or those who probably think there aren't much difference between Christians and Catholics. . .

I felt SO silly! I mean, how could I not know that it was even THE THEME of this year's WYD?! (I did hear about it before, but I just didn't remember!)

Saw my bosses having their lunch in the kitchen and shared my story with them - and my disbelief at my 'stupidity'! And they laughed!

Yeah, have to agree - it was kind of funny! =) I was kind of stupid. . . =)

Still can't believe how silly I was! =) And yet, even as I feel a bit shameful of my stupidity - I am VERY thankful to God for the way He worked things out at the Harbour this afternoon. For the conversation, for the courage and even for the things I ended up saying to them.

I'm sure it must have been a VERY strange conversation to them! =) And I might have come across as a very ignorant / stupid person! =P But yeah, my only prayer is that they did get the message - that my main concern, more than my health and money, is for these people to have a personal relationship with Jesus and a certainty of heaven/eternal life. I'm thankful I decided to mention and emphasis the certainty bit anyway - even though at the time of the conversation I wasn't sure it was necessary - I felt very thankful afterwards that I did. =)

I still feel a bit silly every time I recall what happened now! =P (I mean, how could I not know who they were - AFTER they mentioned what event they would be attending on Friday night?!)

But anyway, I know it worked out for the best. =) And I agree with my sis in her judgement on this - if I found out at that time - maybe God knew that I would chicken out and would not have said all those things - and so, He decided to make me dumb and not get their message. =) And so, they might think I was either naive, ignorant or plain stupid. But so what? =) I probably am anyway! =P But they heard a little bit of the message and I will continue to pray for them and for many others like them! =)

VERY thankful to God for His loving sovereignty! =)

But need to pray that this 'shameful' incident will not deter me from going out of my comfort zone next time I am given another opportunity! =P

The way to get there

2008-06-26T13:52:00.001+10:00

Do you know what is required to have your name etched in gold on unsw foundation studies honour list?

I'm not so sure about now, but during my time, the only requirement for your name to get there was the highest GPA across all the classes in your stream – in the second semester.

Getting the highest GPA in your first semester didn't work and neither did getting second highest GPA in your second semester.

And it didn't matter if you only missed the highest mark by 0.1. It just didn't work!

Either you got the highest mark – and got your name etched in gold... or you got anything less than that (no matter how much less or how little less) – and you got your name nowhere!

It's as simple as that!

Sometimes, I think, many people think that getting to heaven is similar to passing a university/college entrance test. That is, as long as you are good enough / get “enough marks” – at least when compared to others, then you will be given a pass.

But I think getting to heaven is actually more similar to getting your name on that honour list! It is an either or thing!

Either you meet the only requirement – or you aren't even close to being there.

Either you believe in Jesus and get in to heaven or you don’t believe in Jesus and not get there! It is as simple as that.

Just like you can’t have half of your name on the honour list, you can’t get halfway to heaven, or even 0.9 way to heaven! Such thing just doesn’t exist!

Thankfully, God does say that everyone who believes in Jesus will be saved. That it won’t be a one person achievement thing. So if you know you are not there yet – or that you will never– why not make it certain that you are there? You can. Just put your trust in Christ!

And do make the decision before it’s too late! Because unlike my past experience which was of no eternal value – this one has eternal consequences...

Seek the Lord while He is still willing to be found....

Unexpected little things...

2008-06-16T22:10:00.004+10:00

There are days when you didn't expect anything nice to happen... and yet God in His kindness chose to send you a little reminders of His love and of the great gift we have as part of His family! =)

I knew that today is one of those days when I saw a special envelope among all the mail today! =)

Aren't they beautiful?! =)

A jellyfish(?) / octopus(?) by IV

A girl in a bed by LV

No, this is not really a reflection... =) Just sharing joy! =P And one of the reasons for my previous post =)

a VERY good cd . . .

2008-06-16T19:42:00.008+10:00

How much are you willing to pay for a good cd? What about a very good one? How much would you be willing to pay for a very good cd? =)

I don't know about you =) but as for me, I think I'd be willing to spend $25 (or maybe even up to $30) for a good cd, and depending on how good the cd is, I think I'd be willing to spend up to $150 on a very good one...

Actually, I did spend that much on one of the latest cd I found to be really good! =) - although that was a slightly different/special case... Normally, I would probably spend around $100 only... =)

I'm sure that at the moment, some of you might be thinking... "what a way to spend money!!!"

Yeah... I know... =)

But this didn't happen overnight. It only became a habit over time....

I guess it started with the idea of "If I'm willing to spend this amount of money on myself - on something I want but don't actually need - then I should be willing to spend the same amount of money on others as well" - idea of reminding myself that the money I earn isn't really my money, but more God's money entrusted to me...

So yeah, it started like that... but then I realised, I can't just buy 2 - one for myself and one for one of my "overseas friends" - cos I have two very close "overseas friends", and so I started buying some good things in 3s =) Buying one as a start usually, and then if it's really good, saving more money to buy two extras. Over time, I get used to spending $50 extras on good cds... or buying resources for double/thrice the price.

Sometimes, if it is really good, I bought more than just 3 copies... as there are always people I can share them with. These people who are "third" on my list (fourth if I count myself), usually changed from time to time. I guess, I can't always afford the same level of spending as my list seems to be growing over time... So yeah, the two special friends stay... but the third one has been changing...

And yet, two years ago (?), I picked up another "special overseas friends". Special enough for them to stay on as the third on my list... And so now, it's the fourth one (fifth if I include myself) that's changing/rotating... =)

I don't do this often, btw... Probably only once a year or something... Or maybe twice... And sometimes during special occasions... I don't know... I try not to remember... =) So I won't keep counting and would keep giving freely "the next time" =P

One of my two friends actually did tell me I don't have to do this... They told me they know I don't earn that much myself =) and that they are not that poor themselves. =)

I told them I know. I know that I don't earn that much, and I know that they are not really that poor. =) But I also I told them that they don't have to worry about me reducing the regular amount I'm giving for their support or church. These are the money I save from giving up some of the luxury goods/spending I could have... And I know that they could afford some of those things themselves if they want to...

But I just think that they have given up so much already! And it's just such a joy to be given a chance to cheer them up or to encourage them as they persevere in their service of God! =)

In case you got the wrong idea by now... I'm not actually a faithful giver - as much as I would love to... At least I don't think I've been one... I'm not always able to send gifts in time and there are times when I wish I'm a lot more organised than I am now... and wish that I'm able to share more with them and encourage them more often...

But anyway... that is something for me to keep working on! =)

What I do want to encourage you guys with through this post is to see if there are "friends" you can share things with. =)

I mean, don't reduce your regular givings to support their living allowances and your giving to church. But do try to find extra money to share. Reduce your "luxury/personal entertainment" spending maybe? Deny yourself an ice cream, or a movie, or an desert, or a Bubble Tea? =) Not saying you can't have them. They are, after all, blessings from God for us to enjoy! =) I mean, I am someone who believes that New Zealand fruit flo, nice cheesecakes, Boost smoothies, great coffee and ice coffee are things to be enjoyed! =) But yeah, I don't need to have them every time I feel like them. =)

I can of course. =) But I can also get 1/5 of a cd if I don't buy myself New Zealand fruit flo (that is my biggest temptation! =P) and if I deny myself enough times - well, 5 times - I can get a cd! =P And believe me, it really is a privilege and a joy to be able to share things with them! =)

PS: Not to mention, we also get a chance to grow in our likeness of our Lord as we take up the chances He's given us to reflect the generosity He's shown to us - to our brothers and sisters in Christ! =)

"So what?!"

2008-06-07T11:00:00.005+10:00

What did you say when you first heard about the amount of money won through the lottery draw a few days ago? =) What did you say when someone mentioned it to you? Or when someone said - how lucky those people are who won the money! =)

What did you say? =) Why? =)

Yesterday, while we were saying goodbyes and all, someone mentioned about the lottery and the amount of money that some people had won a few days ago...

And my friend just said - "Oh, it's nothing! There is a lot more in my will than that!"

(or something along that lines... =))

And I knew what he meant! =) And I thought he was spot on! =)

Sometimes, even though we keep telling ourselves that the Bible is right and that worldly riches isn't anything - sometimes, we just act like everyone else... Yes, even us Christians! We envy those people who won the lottery... Or we think - what good fortune!

But I mean... Why? What good fortune??? I mean, shouldn't our first question, when we value people, be - "Where do they stand in their relationships with Jesus?"

I mean, if they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, if they do not acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Saviour - so what?! So they have won $15m each. So what?! So they could buy a lot and could invest etc etc. But yeah, so what?!

They will still die one day. And unless they have their eternity guaranteed by the blood of Christ. So what?!

Why be like the world?! Why see it as a good fortune? Or why make it a big deal out of it like others do??? It's not a big deal. It shouldn't be a big thing for us Christians. The amount they won etc shouldn't be a big deal at all!

Their state of righteousness before God, however, should be of a major concern to us! And not just theirs, but everyone else's as well, including those who think that wealth will be able to "look after them well" - Christians thinking this way, not exempted.

Because isn't that what we do, when we start making a big deal out of the amount of money won? The thought behind our minds that seem to suggest that the money won would make our lives easier? Or better? Or more secure? Or makes the lives of our loved ones or even the poor, or Christian organisations etc better?

But then... God is the only One who is in control of everything. =) Money won't guarantee that! =)

So yeah... next time someone else make a big deal out of the amount of money won in lotteries etc - ask the question - "So what?!" =) and show them that you meant what you said! =)

I mean, just like Bill Gates or someone else who has more riches than the amount won by these people won't be envious of them because he/she has a lot more... We, too, should remember that we have a lot more than these people! =) We have a relationship with the God of the Universe through His Son, Jesus! And what amount of riches can be compared to that?!! =)

Seriously, what amount of riches can be compared to what we have in Christ??! =)

So next time someone makes a big deal out of lottery - remember - "So what?!"

=)

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ~ 2 Corinthians 5: 16

Foretaste of heaven! =)

2008-05-07T22:10:00.005+10:00

Once a month, our office (the national office) and the Branch office (the NSW State office) next door have a combined morning tea - as an inter-office bonding time.

This morning, somehow, during the morning tea time, I was given a glimpse of how heaven would be like... Well, it was a small glimpse... and only a foretaste of how it would be like. But still, it was "significant" enough in my mind that I feel I just have to record it! =) (so important that I actually decided to turn on my computer again after turning it off! =))

I don't usually sit around any table during morning tea, but decided to do that this morning. And when we had 5 people on our table, I suddenly realised something that I blurted out - "I think we should take a picture of this table!"

I know it was impossible... But I really wished we had!!! =(

It would have been a really great thing to be displayed in the dining room notice board, or even sent out to our people or even used in our national diary!! =)

Would you like to know why? =)

These were the people on that table:

- a lady who originally came from South Africa, migrated to New Zealand, became PR there, and then moved to Australia to become citizen here.

- an Anglo Australian with an Irish background who has a Chinese step-mother (and who is very influenced and very proud of his step-mum =))

- a guy who is originally from Columbia (it's a Spanish speaking country for those who don't know), but have also migrated to Australia as an adult and now an Australian citizen.

- a new guy in the State office who is originally from Kenya, of African descent, who came here a few years ago.

- and me(!) - someone who is originally from Indonesia, of Chinese descent, who came here - well, a few years earlier than the guy from Columbia, I think!

So yeah! Wasn't that great?! =) I mean, there we were! On the same table, sharing food, having fellowship! =) We, people who came from different nations and tribes and languages(!) having fellowship together!!! =) (and it wasn't even planned!)

Just thought it would have been great if only it was documented. Something appropriate in the context of our workplace anyway! I'm sure our "people" would be encouraged too! =)

And it was really great because even though we all came from different backgrounds and all, we were at peace and we have real fellowship with each other! I mean, no enmity! No looking down on the other person / other people!

Just thought it was really a foretaste of heaven! =)

And yet you know what?! While I was feeling all excited and trying to help them see what I saw, one of the guys actually was so engrossed in the food that he just didn't get my point! Even after I tried to explain it to him again!! =(

I guess, in a sense... heaven would probably be like that, too, later... No, not the food... but maybe we would be so focused on worshipping God and on us being there with Him that as much as we do love those around us... it wouldn't matter that much??? =)

... anywhere, but my home country...

2008-05-04T15:21:00.008+10:00

Jesus said -

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I knew it was difficult. But I also knew that being a Christian makes a difference to us being able, even wanting to keep the commandment.

Yesterday however, I was reminded afresh how difficult that command really is, and how much more difficult it is when you know that your anger and enmity against "your enemy" is a righteous one...

And yet, even as I was feeling upset and angry, I couldn't help but think -
"Oh, who are you, Lilis, that you think so low of those people, and so highly of yourself?! You are the same with them in the way you treated God! What you did was probably even worse than what they did! And yet, He forgave you... He chose to forgive you (!) . . . Loving your enemy is not a command given lightly by God. It's not a command that He had no idea about. He knows what it means to forgive those who are really in the wrong. He knows... And so you can do that, too... Just ask Him for His help......"

Yeah.... yesterday, I heard another sad news from my mum. (I said another one because I just heard one the Friday before... )

A few days ago, one of my high-school friends, who's personally known to Mum, and my siblings, and who was also my brother's swimming tutor at one time, was involved in a road accident.

He was riding a motorbike with his friend, when an unexpected thing happened (I was so shocked that I forgot the exact details of the story), and he had to stop suddenly and he fell from his bike to the road.

He fell in front of a moving 'angkot' (a car) and so was hit by the car. (Can't even think of the English words now... but basically, he was lying down there on the road and the car was driven over him...)

You might protest my choice of words, but keep reading, it might make more sense...

Being hit and rode over was not the worst bit that happened to him...

All that happened in a strongly M area - another town close-by... and an area known to be very anti-Chinese. And that's why no one helped him and his friend (who was not as badly hit as he was) after he fell from his bike, and before being hit, and after being hit by the car...

He was brought into a hospital, and yet not attended to... Because he is who he is... Someone of a Chinese descent...

So he was unattended to until his dad found out about the accident and then he was transferred to a big city a few hours drive from there...

A few of his ribs were broken... One of them pierced his liver and because it was hours before he was attended to (4 hours until his dad found out and then more), he had to have 1/4 of his liver taken out.

His jaws were broken, and people who'd seen him said that made him looked slightly disfigured...

I can't imagine how he looks like now. Probably all wrapped up with bandages in the hospital...

But I still remember how he looked like... his face when he cracked a joke... when he addressed my Mum... when he talked to my brother about swimming...

Don't know how old his kids are now... Or how is his wife coping with this... They are not exactly rich people...

Am I upset? Yeah... quite...

Well, I think, I'm very upset, especially considering my mum is also upset, but yeah, just trying to contain and control my emotions a bit.

But yeah... upset. Angry. Sad. Angry.

More angry to those people who did nothing to help rather than to God for letting this happen. SO angry at them! Sad for my friend, and his family... but VERY angry at those people...

And yet... all along... I know that I can't and shouldn't be like those people who showed no compassion to my friend! I can't be like them and hate them, because I'm someone who's been shown mercy! And so I have to be merciful...

Who am I anyway to think that I'm not capable of the same evil as they are?!

I am a forgiven sinner... And they, too, need this forgiveness...

At times like this, I can't help but think - "You see God? That's why I said to you years ago - send me anywhere, but back to my home country..."

And yet I knew the answer to that... "The Gospel of Christ is the answer... It is your answer. Nothing and no one can change people... Only the Gospel of Christ. And that's why, this Gospel of Christ needs to go there!"

Just pray about it...

2008-05-03T10:09:00.004+10:00

Saw a homeless man the day before yesterday...

Watching him through the glass window of the food court area...

Contemplating to offer buying him lunch... But then thought that lunches in that food court are expensive, and that one lunch won't make him a Christian anyway...

But then, I rebuked myself! I mean, he, too, is a person, created in the image of God! Surely he has a God-given worth of being created in His image(!)...

So I looked around for a brother whom I might know, who might be able to offer him lunch - me paying for it - but just trying to be careful...

I couldn't see anyone I know...

Decided it was about time to go back to my office anyway, and so walked by the man - who was standing there, looking down - and offered to buy him lunch...

He looked up at me... his eyes meeting mine... not expecting the offer...

But then he told me no... and that he'd be fine...

I should have asked him whether he was sure. He was hesitant when he said no anyway... But maybe he really didn't want it...

The eye contact wasn't long at all... And I didn't get a chance to see much in there... But it was enough to remind me that there is just something really wrong with this world! . . .

Walked back to my office... feeling a great longing for the day when everything will be set right... praying that many more Christians will reach out and share the hope that we have in Christ with those people... praying for Christians who will share the good news of Christ through words and actions - showing these people, the love of God - the love that has been shown to them.... praying for the ministry of Christian organisations like Anglicare, whose mission is to see "Lives changing and communities growing by care through Jesus Christ"...

Friends, this coming autumn/winter season, if you have some extra money and are contemplating to buy another winter clothes, can I encourage you to be prayerful about it first?

Please pray and talk to God about your desire and your "need" to get those clothes... whether you really do need them, or whether you can go without that extra clothes and maybe use the money to help others in need? Or to help the mission of those who are trying to share the hope in Christ to those who have less than us?

Just as you have been shown love by God in Christ, show it to others... You may think you not have much... but just pray about it... commit however much you have to God... and let Him rule your heart... and your pocket... =)

PS: You don't have to reduce your giving to church to give to these people... just pray... and all that you have to God, for his glory... commit to Him your riches... your heart... your life...
Just pray about it.

Mercy and grace - all the way to the end...

2008-04-08T07:05:00.004+10:00

Been reading through Leviticus as part of my daily Bible readings...

This is not the first time I read through Leviticus. But every time I read through it, every time I am reminded of how great God's love for me in Christ is!

I mean, look at Leviticus 6-7, 9 about the sacrifices and all the particulars etc. So much blood was involved in properly relating to God - because God is holy, while humans are sinful! If you think the smell of raw meat (from cutting it up when cooking) is hard to wash off (well, at least it is for someone with a sensitive sense of smelling like me), then imagine being those priests, who had to deal with blood every day! The smell and reminder of death!

And then in Leviticus 8... They actually had some animal blood put on them!

And yesterday, I read Leviticus 10. It was not the first time I read it, but every time I read, every time I was reminded how holy our God is! How many rules needed to be kept properly in relating to God, so that they wouldn't end up dead! And also how much obeying and serving and loving God actually went beyond family love, even parental love!

Today, after reading Leviticus 11, I was filled with so much thankfulness to God my Heavenly Father. SO much thankfulness because in Christ, I have been freed from those food laws. It was good for me to be reminded how specific and how thorough God's laws were. How all aspects of the Israelites' life were affected by them, including what they can and can not eat! But how all of those laws are no longer binding because Christ has fulfilled them!

I'm not saying it's good that Christ has fulfilled them so I won't have to worry about keeping them. That is true. But it's not really my main point.

My main point is, there were SO much involved in relating to God properly in the OT because of our sins and sinfulness! And I think, sometimes, we take it for granted that Christ had done it all for us! Well, at least I know that sometimes I took it for granted... Taking for granted that even though I didn't have to pay the price, Christ had to... and He paid it with His blood!

And yet, there are times when I don't appreciate the reconciled relationship I have with God through Christ as much as I should... There are times, when I look at sins in the eye, recognising them for what they are, and choosing to do them anyway, knowing that Christ has paid the price... And by so doing, I've taken His death and His sacrifice for granted - again(!)...

It is impossible to start in your relationship with God without His mercy and grace shown in Christ... It is equally impossible to stay in that relationship without His help, mercy and grace...

I'm very thankful I've been brought and kept in my relationship with God through His mercy and grace alone in Christ! =)

Ripped off...

2008-03-16T18:26:00.009+11:00

I bought a quite expensive electronic goods last week. And then on Thursday, I found out that there was something wrong with it. So I took it back to the store to have it repaired.

The person at the store, told me that since the item was still within the warranty period, I should actually bring the whole thing – with its packaging and all – to the store, and they will replace it with a new one.

I thought - so much trouble! And how come they didn't tell me about the 14 days automatic warranty period / replacement agreement?!

Anyway, because I wanted to get this sorted out ASAP, I decided to go there again this afternoon even though I was feeling really tired and having a headache.

This time, I brought the faulty item, and its whole packaging with me to the store!

Once I arrived there, I brought the item to the electronic goods department and told someone about the problem briefly. This time, I was told to go to the register and get their OK to have the goods checked, before they would then replace it.

And so I did, got their OK. And was sent back to the electronic goods dept to have my computer checked and replaced.

[By this point in time I wasn't as patient as when I first arrived.]

The guy who talked to me before I went to the register though, was not there. So, I talked to another guy - explaining my situation to him - yet again!

However, unlike the other two guys I talked to before, upon learning of the “prescribed” fault, he calmly said:

“Ah, it's not broken.”

I was like - "Sorry, what do you mean it's not broken?!” - I mean, surely I knew what I was talking about – and that thing really was broken!

And yet that was what he said, “It's not broken.... You just need to change its setting.”

And he did just that... and the problem was fixed!

And I was beyond bewildered!

I mean, how could the other two guys didnt know that the problem was that simple?! How could they told me to go through all that problem – to bring it back with its complete packaging and all, and even to have the whole thing replaced, when they could have just 'fixed' it for me?!

Fyi, I actually asked that last guy that question – why didn't they tell me, and he did say that they probably didn't know themselves. And seriously, they were going to replace the 'faulty' item just because of their ignorance. Good intention maybe, but definitely ended up wasting my time and money for bus fares!

I knew those people really were ignorant, and so I knew they didn't mean to make life harder for me. As I said, they had good intention – telling me about warranty and all. But as much as their intention was good, they still ended up ripping me off my time and money!

On my way home, while sitting on the bus, I couldn't help but thinking...

On the last day, on the day of reckoning, how many people would actually feel the way I did this at that time?

How many people would feel that they were robbed of their chance to spend eternity with God, simply because they believed in the wrong person or took in suggestions from some well-intentioned-but-ignorant guy?

There are many people who truly believed that they are doing us big favours, friends. They are everywhere. Most people want to be helpful. But please do remember that just because someone means well, it does not mean that s/he knows what she is doing.

Many claims to know God and would love to show you the way to Him or the way to be reconciled to Him – out of good intention. But only one person really knows Him, and only one person can really show Him to us – Someone in whom all the fullness of God dwells... And that person, is Jesus...

Al Masih teh, sanyataning gambaran Allah anu sipat gaib, anu dijungjung ngungkulan sakabeh ciciptaan. Sabab sakabeh nu aya teh, nya ku Anjeunna dijadikeunana: Boh nu di langit atawa nu di bumi; boh nu nyata atawa nu sipat gaib; boh pangaruh-pangaruh atawa pangawasa anu sipat roh jeung raja-raja, atawa parapangawasa di satungkebing alam. Kabeh dijadikeunana teh ku Anjeunna sarta pikeun Anjeunna oge. Anjeunna anu pangpunjulna sarta sakabeh anu aya teh nya ku lantaran Anjeunna. Nya Anjeunna anu jadi kapala jamaah, lir sirahna awak. Anjeunna anu jadi huluwotan jamaah, nu pangheulana gugah ti alam maot. Eta sababna, Anjeunna dina sagala perkara jadi pangpunjulna. Sabab Allah ku Manten anu kersa ngancik di salira-Na; tuluy Salira-Na, ku Allah, didamel jalan pikeun ngadatangkeun karapihan antara Mantenna jeung sakur anu kumelip, boh nu di sawarga, boh nu di bumi. Ku jalan ngucurkeun getih-Na, dugi ka pupus, dina kayu salib.

Adopted children...

2008-03-12T19:24:00.002+11:00

The sentence that struck me the most from the "Prepare-Your-Own Legal Will Pack" was this:

"An adopted child becomes the child of the adoptive parents as if he or she had been born to those parents."

It's not that I didn't know it before. But I guess, reading something like that in a "legal" document gave me a fresh appreciation of what God has given us through His Spirit - the Spirit of sonship... the Spirit of adoption...

And that, would gives us the same right as Jesus(!) - His real Son!* =)

*even though according to the Scriptures, same rights means sharing in His sufferings also, hmm....

--------

Kabeh jalma anu nurut kana panuyun Ruh Allah, jadi putra-putra Allah. Hartina: Bebas tina perbudakan anu pinuh ku kasieun, dumeh geus nampa Ruh anu ngalantarankeun urang jadi putra-putra Allah tur laluasa nyebut 'Abba, Ama,' ka Allah. Ruh teh ngayakinkeun hate urang, yen urang teh memang putra-putra Allah. Ku sabab urang teh putra-putra-Na, tangtu oge jadi ahli waris-Na. Urang boga hak narima sakur anu ku Mantenna dijangjikeun, sakumaha ka Al Masih. Upama urang geus milu sangsara jeung Al Masih, supaya urang oge dimulyakeun jeung Anjeunna.

Exactly for that very reason...

2008-03-10T22:39:00.001+11:00

I have a love-hate relationship with water...

I love being close to it...

I love beaches... harbours... rivers... and lakes! =)

I love walking alongside it, or on its shallow end...

And I love watching the ripples on its surface, especially when I ride on a ferry or a boat - whether I'm on a speedy ferry or a paddled boat...

But I hate being in it! I hate the feeling of being surrounded by water...

Even the thought of being inside deep waters, or having my head under the water is enough to bring me distress!

Seriously, I just hate it!

I can swim... but I hate swimming...

And if there is one thing I still can't imagine myself doing, then that would be underwater diving... Deep-water diving!

I just can't imagine myself doing that! Just the thought of not being able to breathe air freely! It doesn't matter if you pay me money to do it. I won't do it for the money! I wont.

It's just not something I would do voluntarily!

Or so I thought... =)

You see, in the past few weeks, ever since I came back from my second world... I have been thinking... thinking of a really crazy idea. . . . =)

I have been thinking to learn, and then go, for an underwater diving session(!) - sometime in the future! =)

No, not for fun - or for a change, but because it is something that I wouldn't do "in my right mind"...

And it is exactly for that very reason - i.e. that it is not something that I would do "in my right mind" - that I had made a pact with myself - that should I really get a chance to go back to my second world in the future for good, then I am going to do an underwater diving before I get there.

I know, I still can't imagine myself doing it now... =) But I do plan to do it before I go back... =)

Because you see, like doing underwater diving, I know that living in my second world for good would be something that I won't do "in my right mind"... And I'd really have to trust my God in going through both experiences...

In diving, I would have to trust God that He is in control of my life - that I might feel very hopeless in being unable to breathe air as freely as I would love to - but that would just increase my awareness of the fact that He is in control of my very life, including the level of air supply that I would need, and can actually look after me if He wants to!

I know that at that time, during the dive, when I feel a great panic attack, when I get really scared that my oxygen supply would be cut off and I won't be able to breathe and survive... I know that at that time - I would be SO aware of the fact that my life is really in His hands - and that my whole life, and my existence - really depends on Him only...

And I know I would be so dependent on Him then! =) And hopefully, it would drive me to prayers! =)

And that's why I want to go for a dive before going back - because I want to be able to remember whose hands my life is in, when I go through a similar experience "back there" - when I get my panic attacks, when I feel that my oxygen supply might be cut off and I might not survive the ordeal, when deep waters surround me... I want to be able to remember - that my life is in God's hands... and that He will let me survive - if that is His will... =)

-----------------

PS: I know some people might not understand this post, cos you love diving - well, good on you! But I bet you have something you can't imagine yourself doing either! =) And if not - then maybe, you are just not that knowledgeable or adventurous enough to know that there is something you can't do =P

PPS: I might not end up having enough courage to do the dive... but I know God will have other ways to grow my dependence on Him... Besides, this is planned for an uncertain future event anyway.... =)

A brush with death...

2008-03-09T19:21:00.003+11:00

I remembered thinking how much it felt like being on a Kora-kora ("Pirate Ship") ride... Not so much the bit where I was on the going up side, but the bit when I was on the going down side (when my side of the boat swing downwards)...

I remembered feeling "the drop" - having the security of the chair supporting my weight being taken away from underneath me, and I was sort of... dropped from a height!

And I remembered thinking... "Yeah, this is SO like the ride I had just a few weeks ago, except for one main difference... This time - it's not just a game!"

It was my most recent experience of having a close brush with death, I guess... In my mind anyway =)

I was on my flight back to Sydney, and it was in the middle of the night, the lights in the flight were off, and we went through a turbulence! A really bad one =) - I can smile about it now, but yeah... not sure how many people were smiling on the flight at that time. =)

It was interesting to me, because I actually remembered thinking - at that time - that it could really be "it" - that it was the end of my time on this earth.

I remembered thinking - This is real. This is not Kora-kora. If the chair dropped, if the flight went down, I'm going to die....

....... and I wasn't scared ........

It still kind of amazes me that I actually had a full confidence in God at that time... I knew that God was sovereign and that if it really was His will for me to die then... I'd die... =)

I think, it was my parents that I was thinking about at that time... I was thinking - how would my death affect them? Would my death actually push them towards God?? Would it push them further away from Him? Would my sister be able to introduce them to my Lord after my death - taking the opportunity to comfort them, but also to introduce them to Him? Would my parents finally get to meet my friends? Can they introduce them to Jesus?

Interestingly, I didn't remember wanting meeting my Lord so much at that time... I mean, not as much as when I was still back in my second world, or even here, when I looked at people's poverty and all the sufferings in this world. When I see those things, I do want heaven soon. I really long to meet my Lord. But at that time... when death was closer... I didn't have a strong feeling of longing...

But yeah, I certainly didn't mind meeting Him then! =) I knew I was covered by my Lord's blood... and so yeah... I wasn't scared of meeting my Creator! =) Not because I'm perfect... but because I've been made right before Him! =)

(PS: I'm glad He chose to let me live for now, though =) Cos that means I still have some time to do things for Him and His people! =))

Home...

2008-03-07T23:13:00.003+11:00

He asked me - "Where is home for you?"

I answered - "Home?"

He said - "Yes, home. Where is home for you?"

I said - "Heaven?"

"Heaven? But that's still too far for you?!"

I respected him, so I carried on the conversation with him politely...

"Yeah, but it is real home for us, isn't it? =) Anyway, did you mean where I'm originally from? Or where I live here?"

And so, our conversation continued. And when I asked him and his wife the same question afterwards, they answered it this way:

"We are originally from Australia. We now live in (a town)."

I know they don't really consider Australia as their home anyway - well, at least I think they don't. Well, they could be. But I know them, and I know they won't be able to easily answer "Where is home?" - especially not with their so many life and ministry experiences - across continents(!) =)

So yeah, that's why I took his surprise lightly, because I know that they too, consider heaven as their real home. I guess, he just didn't expect me to answer his question with "heaven". =) Not at my age, I guess... =) (They are old couple) But yeah, I am looking forward to "home" - looking forward to meeting my Lord face to face! =)

... tanda, lain pikeun anu palercaya...

2008-03-04T21:14:00.004+11:00

Sabab upama biwir ngaku, yen Isa teh Gusti Jungjunan tur percaya dina hate, yen Anjeunna ku Allah geus digugahkeun ti nu maraot, tanwande urang ginanjar salamet. Kapan percaya teh ku hate, ngalantarankeun urang diangken bener. Ari ngaku teh ku biwir, anu ngalantarankeun urang disalametkeun. Cek Kitab: 'Sakur nu percaya ka Anjeunna, ku Anjeunna moal diangles.' Sakur teh, hartina, sing saha bae kalawan teu dibeda-beda, taya urang Yahudi taya urang Yunani. Sabab Allah anu tunggal teh Allah nu disembah ku kabehan, lautan kurnia keur sakur anu sumambat ka Mantenna. Sabab sing saha anu sumambat ka pajenengan Pangeran, tinangtu disalametkeun. Tapi kumana arek sumambat ka Mantenna, ari maranehna embung percaya ka Anjeunna? Kumaha arek percaya ka Anjeunna, ari henteu ngadenge? Kumaha arek ngadenge hal Anjeunna, ari teu aya anu ngabaran? Saha anu rek ngabaran, ari teu aya nu diutus? Cek Kitab: 'Ku endah langkahna jalma-jalma anu ngemban warta pikabungaheun!'

Sabab dunya teh, pohara nya diasihna ku Allah; nepi ka Putra Tunggal-Na oge dipasrahkeun, supaya sing saha anu percaya ka Anjeunna ulah nepi ka binasa; tapi sabalikna, bisa tinemu jeung hirup abadi. Pangna Allah ngutus Putra-Na ka alam dunya teh, lain rek ngahukum, enyana mah rek nyalametkeun alam dunya ku parantaraan Putra-Na. Saha bae anu percaya ka Anjeunna, moal dihukum; anu baris dihukum teh, anu embung percaya sabab henteu ngandel ka nu ngaran Putra Tunggal Allah tea.... Rama nu mikaasih ka Putra geus masrahkeun sakabeh perkara ka Anjeunna. Anu percaya ka eta Putra, tangtu tinemu jeung hirup langgeng. Tapi anu henteu anut ka Putra mah, moal papanggih jeung hirup; sabalikna, pinasti nandangan hukuman Allah."

Da ari pikeun Jamaah mah, mending ukur lima kecap, tapi matak kaharti; ti batan rebuan kecap dina basa anu teu pikahartieun. Dulur-dulur, pikiran teh, ulah kawas budak; kudu kawas budak soteh, kana sual kajahatan; ari pikiran mah, kudu sawawa. Dina Kitab Suci Toret kaungel: 'Kami rek ngandika ka ieu bangsa, lain ku jalma-jalma anu asing basana wungkul, tapi make biwir urang asing oge. Sanajan kitu, ieu bangsa teh moal nurut!' Kitu pangandika Pangeran. Tina hal ieu tetela, yen basa ajaib teh tanda lain pikeun anu palercaya, tapi pikeun anu teu palercaya. Sabalikna, anugrah nepikeun nubuwatan mah tanda pikeun anu palercaya, lain pikeun anu teu percaya. Pek wang-wang, upama Jamaah keur kumpulan, masing-masing ngaromong ku basa anu teu puguh unina tea; heug, datang jalma-jalma awam atawa nu can palercaya, atuh aranjeun teh disebut ngacambling? Sabalikna, lamun aranjeun, masing-masing, nepikeun nubuwatan mah, jalma awam atawa nu can percaya teh bisa katarik sarta picatur aranjeun baris dilenyepan. Bisa jadi, ahirna maranehna ngabudalkeun eusi hate sarta sembah sujud ka Allah bari bijil ucapna: 'Leres aranjeun teh disarengan ku Allah!'

Someone to live for...

2008-02-26T19:03:00.011+11:00

A totally different kind of story on the bus today. =)

An old gentleman sitting on the first row of front-facing-seat, near the window, asked a gentleman sitting on the isle-facing-seat in front of him whether buses in this city announce each stop like buses in Europe. The second gentleman was friendly and told him no. And then they started a conversation about bus stops etc. Overheard that the first gentleman wanted to get off at Barker St. The second gentleman was more than helpful to the first one, but because he was getting off soon, he told the first man to ask the bus driver in about 20 mins time - as to where to stop.

Because it was such a full bus, and he seemed to be OK, I told him that I can let him know where to stop, as my stop was close-by (I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him that it was my stop - just in case... just wanted to be careful =))

Well, the second gentleman (the Aussie guy) got off the bus and I sat on the seat. And the first gentleman carried on the conversation with me - firstly by asking what Uni for Asian students is it that's close to where he stays. And then I told him a bit and answered some of his questions about UNSW.

Anyway... =) after talking for a while, I found out a bit about him. A man working in a ship, who is currently stopping here. He is here only for the day. He is leaving again tomorrow. He said his job is - dancing with the old ladies - on the cruise ship. Originally from Russia, but has been living in the US for a while... A very friendly guy, and not just me - but also to the male bus passengers around him - which was why I felt no threat from him. He was polite. =)

Reaching Kensington, I was thinking - I know, I need to be careful, I'm a woman, I can't just be that friendly to all the guys I have just met. But then... I can't just let him go just like that... I mean, where does he actually stand before God?

I remembered that I actually had something I could give him. A small leaflet, titled - "I'd feel bad if you didn't know". A gospel tract. I missed a chance once - last year - to pass it on to someone. I thought, I need to do it this time. I couldn't just let him go without "saying anything to him"!

But boy! Was it scary!!!

I was really really scared! And it was only passing on a tract to someone!

I was sitting there as the bus passed Kenso post office, and I was asking God to please give me courage to give that tract to him!

I was really scared...

And yet, I also remembered that it was only this morning that I read articles about Connect 09, and I know I could have done better in relating to people around me and that I could also be bolder in sharing the good news of my Lord with those around me! It is a good news after all!

So, I prayed, and gathered my courage, and decided to get off at the same bus stop with him so I could pass him the tract.

And I was so thankful to God He gave me the courage to do that! =) I did pass it on! SO SO thankful! =)

And I prayed that he would read it, and that God will have mercy on him.... Hopefully, and prayerfully, with the rain, he will read it, and he will have time to think about it... And prayerfully, God will have mercy on him... Not because he deserves it, as no one deserves God's favour, =) but simply out of God's mercy alone. =)

So thankful to God for the courage though! I still half in disbelief that He actually gave me the courage to do that! =)

I guess, it was good to answer that Weekly Inquiry this morning, too! =) And good that I had been thinking a bit more about Phil 1:21 - after a discussion with a sis on Sunday about considering death as better, and also thinking about a comment a brother made on Friday night about how now I've changed my mind about wanting to meet my Lord asap =) Good because those things helped gave me courage! =)

I have Someone I really want to die for... And that Person, has also become my reason to live for! =) I mean, I do prefer to be with Him personally, but yeah... it's good for me to be here for now... =) He still has things that I can do for Him and His people here... =) But because He is the Person I'd die for... He is also the Person I'd live for! =)

(Pray that my Father will always give me courage - especially in this year of Connect 09, but also in the future, while the year still says "The Year of the Lord". =) Will pray also that He will give my brothers and sisters courage and servant-hearts as they seek to serve Him during O-Week... especially courage in approaching strangers and going out of their comfort zones =) And of course, will pray for God's mercy on people's lives also - as no one will be saved without His mercy... =))

Personal space...

2008-02-25T18:13:00.009+11:00

This afternoon, in the bus, on my way home from work, a guy who stood in front of me on the bus isle actually decided to face backward instead of forward / sideway (as most people who stand/not sitting down - usually do!). What's more, he actually stood closer and closer to me. I was thinking - "Hey, get real - you are invading my personal space!"

But then he was a big guy. And as much as my eyes had been throwing daggers at him, he just didn't get it(!) - to my astonishment!

At the end though, when he moved again, just a bit closer to me - I decided that was enough! And I actually asked him - "Would you like to swap place with me?!" And so we did - to my relief!

I mean, he was invading my personal space! I know his personal space might not be as large as my personal space, but as far as I was concerned, he invaded mine(!) - full-stop.

Yeah, I'm someone with quite a large personal space. I do let people in to my personal space (especially those I consider 'friends'), but I don't let "just anyone" invade my personal space. I just don't. They need to stay out, until I let them in, or they can be sure that I won't be happy with them...

But the thing is, there is nothing much for people to be afraid of, from me... I mean, when they invade my personal space, and I get upset with them, so what?!

Like this afternoon, I got so crossed in that bus, but then - so what?! He wasn't scared of the 'imaginary' daggers I was throwing his ways! And even though at one point I was thinking - "I so wished I can zap him!" I couldn't... =(

But, there is someone who can zap you, if you try to invade his personal space!

And that person, is God.

He can zap you in a flash! Yes, He is that powerful!

That's why, if you do want to get into His personal space, you'd better make sure that you try to get in there on His terms. You'd better be really sure that when you said - "me and God - we'd be mates" - God is thinking the same thing as well about you being in His personal space! Because if not... then, you'd better think twice about getting that close to Him! =)

Heart, not liver...

2008-02-13T22:46:00.001+11:00

A post in English because I'm too tired to think in Indo... but feel I just need to write something...

Received an email from some very dear friends... And I'm not so sure what to think about... I so feel for them! . . .

They, too, are living in three very different worlds... and they too are finding it hard to be there... Although of course, their struggles are probably greater than mine...

I always find people and dear friends like them very encouraging... Very VERY encouraging!

They have to give up much to be where they are... And they have to continue giving up much while they are there - and sometimes, even after they come back here...

When you see their lives, you know that Jesus' claim of His Universal Lordship must certainly be true...

When I see their lives, I am reminded and constantly challenged if I too have taken my Lord's claim that seriously!

I mean, if He is Lord, then surely, He deserves my everything! And by that I really mean everything!

And if He is not... then He doesn't deserve anything! - not even my half hearted attempt to serve Him!

That's why I think, the more I learn about my dear friends' lives, the more I understand why the question was worded:

Jesus - Lord, liar, or lunatic?

If He is Lord, then He deserves everything. If He isn't, then He deserves nothing!

And if you think He is Lord but you are not giving Him everything, then let me ask you - why bother?! Just give up the whole thing!

I mean, He is either Lord or not, right?!

You can't give Him half of your time, half of your possession, half of your effort or half of your affection! Just as you can't give Him half of your life or half of your heart (as opposed to giving Him half of your liver!)... You either give Him your whole self - or give Him nothing!

He either deserves everything, or He deserves nothing!

And if you are only willing to give Him your liver (or even half of your liver) instead of your whole heart... then, don't bother!

Menjadi seperti anak anjing?

2008-02-13T07:35:00.001+11:00

Kemarin, dalam perjalanan pulang ke kantor sehabis membeli makan siang, di dekat kantor, saya melihat seorang wanita yang sedang berusaha untuk mengajak anak anjing kecilnya meneruskan acara jalan-jalan mereka.

Saya bilang wanita itu "berusaha", karena anak anjingnya itu tampaknya tidak begitu mau diajak meneruskan perjalanan mereka. Ia hanya diam, berdiri disana...

Saya pikir kejadian itu cukup menarik, apalagi anak anjingnya juga lucu. Jadi, saya putuskan untuk berjalan sedikit ke arah yang lebih tersembunyi - agar wanita itu tidak dapat melihat bahwa saya sedang memperhatikan dia, tapi agar saya masih dapat melihat kejadian selanjutnya - sebab saya ingin tahu, apa yang akan wanita itu lakukan terhadap anak anjingnya! =)

Pada awalnya, mereka hanya saling pandang... Biarpun mungkin, lebih tepatnya, wanita itu memelototi anak anjingnya dengan tampang agak kesal, sedangkan anak anjingnya menunduk, melihat ke bawah atau ke depan, tidak berani melihat ke arah majikannya. Lalu wanita itu mencoba menarik tali/rantai yang dipegangnya dengan agak kuat, memberi signal kepada anak anjing itu untuk "jalan!". Dan anak anjing itu pun berjalan! ... Dua langkah... lalu berhenti lagi! Tidak duduk, tetap berdiri, tapi berdiri di tempat... Menunduk, tidak berani memandang majikannya, menunjukkan tampang bersalah, dan juga tampang menyerah... seperti kelelahan dan tidak bisa berjalan lagi...

Saya tersenyum. =) Merasa kasihan pada anak anjing itu, tapi juga pada wanita itu...

Tahu apa yang terjadi kemudian? =)

Wanita itu menyerah! =) Mungkin dia punya janji dengan seseorang dan ia telah menghabiskan terlalu banyak waktunya menunggu anak anjingnya berubah pikiran... Jadi dia yang memutuskan untuk berubah pikiran! =)

Ia menghembuskan nafas panjang, lalu berjongkok dan membuka salah satu tas yang dia bawa - dan anak anjing itu pun melompat masuk ke dalamnya! =)

Dan mereka pun meneruskan perjalanan mereka! =) (dan saya meneruskan perjalanan saya pulang ke kantor! =))

Pagi ini, ketika memikirkan kembali kejadian itu, saya pikir, kejadian itu sebenernya membantu saya untuk menghargai (iya, menghargai, bukan memahami/mengerti) sebuah perumpamaan di Alkitab dengan lebih baik.

Mau menebak perumpamaan mana yang saya maksud? =)

Perumpamaan tentang hakim yang tak benar (dan seorang janda) di Lukas 18: 1-8:

18:1 Yesus mengatakan suatu perumpamaan kepada mereka untuk menegaskan, bahwa mereka harus selalu berdoa dengan tidak jemu-jemu.
18:2 Kata-Nya: "Dalam sebuah kota ada seorang hakim yang tidak takut akan Allah dan tidak menghormati seorangpun.
18:3 Dan di kota itu ada seorang janda yang selalu datang kepada hakim itu dan berkata: Belalah hakku terhadap lawanku.
18:4 Beberapa waktu lamanya hakim itu menolak. Tetapi kemudian ia berkata dalam hatinya: Walaupun aku tidak takut akan Allah dan tidak menghormati seorangpun,
18:5 namun karena janda ini menyusahkan aku, baiklah aku membenarkan dia, supaya jangan terus saja ia datang dan akhirnya menyerang aku."
18:6 Kata Tuhan: "Camkanlah apa yang dikatakan hakim yang lalim itu!
18:7 Tidakkah Allah akan membenarkan orang-orang pilihan-Nya yang siang malam berseru kepada-Nya? Dan adakah Ia mengulur-ulur waktu sebelum menolong mereka?
18:8 Aku berkata kepadamu: Ia akan segera membenarkan mereka. Akan tetapi, jika Anak Manusia itu datang, adakah Ia mendapati iman di bumi?"

Terus terang, saya masih agak tidak yakin soal ayat 8. Sepertinya, Yesus ingin menekankan bahwa seringkali (atau bahkan tiap kali?) Allah itu lebih bersedia memberi, daripada kita bersedia meminta kepadaNya...

Hmmm.... suatu tantangan untuk lebih menjadi seperti anak anjing itu (!) - anak anjing yang tahu bahwa dia sudah kelelahan berjalan dan butuh bantuan majikannya, dan memohon dengan gigihnya (bertampang memelas dan berdiri di tempat walaupun rantainya ditarik! =)) Biarpun, tentu saja cara kita memiliki cara yang lebih "tepat" untuk memohon sesuatu dari Allah... (Tapi saya tidak akan membicarakan soal itu kali ini =))

(This is not well thought of as it was written in several sittings. In formal Indonesian as a favour to a brother who can't understand "bahasa Indo gaul". =) Let's see if he can understand this! =))

Idup disini vs disana...

2008-02-11T07:55:00.000+11:00

Orang bilang idup disini lebih enak... lebih comfortable, secure and all...

Bener sih...

Tapi dah beberapa hari ini gua mikir... Gimana yah, bilangnya... Agak susah sih... Tapi gini deh perbandingannya:

Kalo disana, yang bikin gua sedih, frustrated atau marah/kesel tuh - hal-hal kaya kemiskinan, orang yang ngga percaya, pemerintah dan orang2 yang korup, kesenjangan sosial, orang yang mati kelaparan, orang yang ngga bisa sekola, penyelewangan keadilan, dll... Hal-hal yang bikin Tuhan Allah gua marah juga, atau bikin Dia sedih juga, gitu loh!

Tapi disini, gampang banget buat gua, buat distracted ama hal2, yang aslinya tuh, ngga penting! Hal-hal yang bikin gua kesel, padahal hal2 itu bukan hal2 yang bikin Allah kesel atau sedih.

Coba deh - bus dateng telat... orang nyetir seenaknya... orang ngerjain kerjaan ngge sesuai kepengen gua (padahal, cara ngerjain gua aja belom tentu 100% bener)... terus, harga makanan yang mahal, ato harga2 barang yang mahal (padahal gua masih bisa afford!)...

Belom lagi, sehari-harinya, pikiran gua tuh lebih dipenuhin ama - wah, malem ini bisa tidur berapa jam yah? Ntar malem mesti masak apa yah, makan apa? Ada acara hang out apa ngga ama siapa yah? Kerjaan sesibuk apa yah? Dll dll...

Sedih ngga sih?!

Kenapa gitu, disini, concern gua waktu kesel nunggu bus tuh ngga lebih ke orang2 laen yang nunggu bus juga, mikirin, apa ada yang masih belom Kristen, ada yang bisa gua doain? Ada lagi yang bisa gua kerjain? Ato waktu orang nyetir gila2an, ngga mikir, siapa tau dia juga belom tau Yesus. Mungkin butuh didoain... Kenapa disini tuh kesannya gua lebih ngga toleran ama orang laen, gitu loh. Kenapa disini gua lebih gampang lupa kalo orang2 sini pun butuh Yesus?!

Somehow, di otak gua, pas waktu gua mikir soal perbedannya, gua kepikiran kaya gua tuh salah satu orang yang di Matius 6 deh kadang... yang concern-nya tuh, lebih ke hal2 duniawi yang bisa gua liat di depan mata n dalem kehidupan gua. Lumayan selfish deh...

Makanya, kadang gua mikir... sedih deh idup disini... mungkin idup lebih gampang... tapi justru jadi lebih banyak temptation, lebih banyak cobaan buat ngelupain reality of life as God sees it... ngelupain cara ngeliat kehidupan ini, seperti cara Tuhan Allah kita ngeliat kehidupan ini...

Makanya, mungkin, idup disana lebih susah... Tapi idup disini... hmmm... lebih banyak temptation...

Disana, gua sadar sepenuhnya siapa yang in control of life! Disini, kadang lupa...

Over here...

2008-01-26T19:49:00.000+11:00

Over there, it is very easy for us to talk about our beliefs and what our Book teaches about life etc - as if everything in this life is black and white. It is very easy for us to sit on our high and comfy chairs, passing judgements on all sorts of things...

Over here... things are different...

What do you say to an 80 year old man whose Mum just passed away, telling you in tears that he believes that all religions are the same - that we all are going to the same place? Different paths but same destination? That God is all loving and will surely accept every 'good' person irregardless of race, nationality, or religion?

What do you say when a family lost their Dad, and the Mum, Dad and Son usually go to a particular church that usually teaches that the more you give, the more you will be blessed by God - but when the rubber hits the road, this poor family, were told that the church would help them with expenses (buying coffin, burial ground and other things for their dead Dad), but would like them to give the church all the money they get from the 'white envelopes' people give them?

What do you say to people around you who know about this and just can't understand why they have to do things this way? Sound generous, but why do they have to ask for the money? If they are unwilling to give that much, why not just give a bit and yet not ask for the money (no matter how much they would get from the envelopes, as we do know they prob won't get that much)?

How are you supposed to think and have respect for the government that you are told to submit to when you read newspapers everyday - you read the promises that the people in the government are making and yet also read that there are more and more poor people who can't afford to buy rice? When the price of normal rice are so high that people start to buy and eat rice that usually are given as food for ducks and chicken?

And what are you supposed to think, how are you supposed to react when you learn of people who can't afford more than one meal a day - and for the sake of their child only ate rice once a day, so that their child can eat three times a day? And how if it is no longer just about people in the newspaper but people you know personally and yet there isn't much you can do about it?

What are you supposed to think? How are you supposed to react?

Here, you'd better believe what you say you believe in! Here, you'd better be sure that what God says in His Book is the real deal - that there is such thing as a way to heaven through His Son, that there is eternal life for those who believe in Him, that there is such a place as hell... and that we are all sinful, and that this world is in a mess because of our sins... that everything might not make sense, but He is still in perfect control of everything! And that somehow, He is still bringing about His purposes in this messed up world!

Here you'd be given lots and lots of opportunity to test your trust in Him! To see if you really believe that He is dependable, that He is in total control of the world, or if He is only a fairytale and if this whole thing is just a bad joke... Here, you won't be able to say something unless you mean it...

Otherwise, you can say goodbye to your trust... And you can say goodbye to your relationship with your Lord... and everything... will be just history...

History of a faraway place... of a utopia that you learnt of when you were overseas... when life is comfortable and nice...

[PS: Sorry that I won't allow any comments for this post. As I do believe that as much as you think you might get what I'm saying here... You don't... Unless of course you have been in my shoes... Know everyone has different struggles, and I do appreciate it if you can relate to what I say. But yeah, if you've never been here, I'm afraid, it would come across wrongly no matter how well you meant it... Sorry...]

Better be a good one!

2008-01-26T03:14:00.000+11:00

It was a sad occassion that brought all of us together there tonight. Our whole shop workers (minus one sick one and one whose house we visited) went there.

One of my parents' workers' Dad passed away this morning. He had been sick (seriously ill) for a week - but was only brought to hospital last night. Money was an issue - and probably because they didn't expect the case to be this bad this time...

Had a chance to witness that I didn't really make the most of tonight... But wasn't sure how much I should have said anyway. I did take it up as wisely as I thought I was being at that time. Maybe I could have done it better. But what has happened has happened. God could use it if He wants to. He is in control.

It was good to be able to spend some time talking to some of the girls who works in the shop (for my parents). To get to know particularly two girls better - one whose Dad passed away, and another one who is from another part of the island.

Was good to be able to talk to them as 'friends'. Of course they still 'respect' me. But from their questions... and topic of conversations - I'm thankful to God that there weren't that much barriers between us. I'm glad they let me sit with them! =)

I love these people.

I know I get sick much easier when I live here. And a brother told me recently that maybe that's a sign that I should not come back. I know he meant well, and I appreciated that. But I would not let my health be an unworthy reason not to come back.

I mean, it could be troublesome, and might slow me down a bit. But I just can't imagine what answer I should give to my Lord if He asks me - "Have you really lived out your life for Me and My people?"

Of course He might not want me to be back here for good. It is for me to work out between me and my God - which of course, is a much scarier thing to do - cos I can fool others, but I can't fool Him. And if it is true that I can't come back here, I should still think of ways to live my life out for Him fully.

But yeah, I want to have a better reason than just health, or comfort, or anything else for not coming back.

There are just too many of His works to be done here. My reason had better be a really good one!!!

Not talking about anyone else. No one needs to feel offended or uncomfortable reading this. As I said, each person needs to work it out for themselves - between God and themselves - how they can best serve God. No one is to pass judgement on others, because no one knows someone else's full story. But we should encourage each other to be as honest as possible with themselves and God... and make godly decisions.

But yeah, I love these people I live amongst... And I know He loves them more than I do! I cannot not go back just because I get sick more often here... I just can't! That's not an option!

My Lord has set me an example. He didn't find coming into this world - convenient, or comfortable, or not costly, or fun! And yet, if He choose not to come - who would have hope of eternal life?

My Apostle set me an example. He didn't find being rejected by his own people easy, or being flogged, or thrown into jail - but he did it anyway. Because He was following my Lord.

Many other brothers and sisters in my Father's family have also set me examples to follow!

I have no option... Even if I really can't come back - I can't 'ignore' the part He might want me to play in the lives of these people....... I just can't........

I have to be more creative! I have to be more prayerful.....

Ratapan...

2008-01-24T14:40:00.001+11:00

[post yang sama ama yang di blog satunya lagi - dan mungkin post Indo pertama disini]

Gua suka mikir, kalo pas lagi di Sydney yah, pas sebelom pulang, pasti mikirnya tuh... Ah, jangan belanja disini. Belanja di Indo aja. Sebentar lagi juga pulang. Harga barang disana kan murah2. Jadi aja ngga pada jadi dibeli barang2nya.

Tapi, kalo pas disini, biarpun harga barang2 relatif murah dibandingin ama harga2 di Aussie, tapi sebenernya, buat ukuran orang sini, apalagi orang kelas bawah, itu tuh mahal banget!!!

Kadang, suka sedih mikirin - I spend that much money on clothes, and they don't have enough for food!!! - Padahal, gua bukan royal segimana. Tapi, tetep aja!

Kaya pedagang2 asongan yang di pinggir jalan. Ato pengumpul2 sampah. Apalagi anak2 kecil yang mesti idup kaya gitu!

Suka bingung...

Gua tau, emang dunia ini tuh under curse. Emang ini tuh sinful world aja. Dunia yang berada di bawah kutuk, karena manusia2nya memberontak terhadap Allah!

Tapi, kemiskinan tuh, menurut gua, tetep merupakan sesuatu, yang kita sebagai orang Kristen, ngga boleh ngerasa indifferent, ngerasa ngga peduli, atau bahkan bersikap pasrah atau cuek.

Soalnya, penderitaan orang2 yang dikarenakan oleh kemiskinan tuh, ngga akan ada di sorga nanti. Anak2 dan orang2 yang menderita, orang2 kelaparan, orang2 yang mati karena penyakit2 yang bisa semestinya bisa disembuhkan, orang2 yang menderita karena ditindas sama orang yang lebih kaya atau berkuasa - mereka tuh ngga akan menderita lagi di sorga!

Di sorga ngga akan ada ratap tangis... Di sorga ngga akan ada dukacita... Di sorga ngga akan ada maut dan perkabungan... ngga ada air mata...

Dan karena itulah, kita sebagai orang2 yang mengaku sebagai anak Allah, udah sepantasnya hidup seperti Allah yang kita sembah, Allah yang telah menyelamatkan kita, dan Allah yang karakter-Nya mau kita ikuti dengan bantuan-Nya.

Kita sebagai manusia biasa, mungkin bisa ngga ambil peduli. Tapi kita sebagai orang2 yang udah diselamatkan dan ditebus, dan udah dikaruniai Roh Kudus Allah - masih bisakah kita bersikap "ngga peduli"? Atau lebih 'sopannya' - bersikap - "bisa apa" and memalingkan wajah kita???

Kalo Allah peduli sama mereka, bukankah kita, yang memiliki Roh-Nya seharusnya peduli juga???

Tapi, memang bener, gitu banyak masalah di negara kita ini! Kita cuma perlu baca koran, langsung kita tau separah apa keadaan negara kita ini... Dan satu2nya yang bisa memberikan harapan hanyalah harapan kita akan sorga - sorga tanpa dosa...

Makanya, sepeduli apapun kita ama orang2, ga akan ada guna kalo akhirnya mereka ngga akan nyampe tempat yang tanpa dosa itu... Sebagian dari kita perlu diingetin soal ini. Soalnya kita kadang terlalu terpaku ama kebutuhan2 idup mereka di dunia ini, ampe lupa kalo kita idup disini tuh cuma 50-60 ato 70, 80, ato lebih kalo ada umur panjang. Tapi, gimana nanti seudahnya? Bakalan nyampe kemana mereka udahnya?

Tapi juga, ada sebagian dari kita yang perlu juga diingetin... Kalo pesen yang bisa mendamaikan mereka sama Penguasa tempat tanpa dosa itu, adalah pesen tentang kasih Penguasa itu. Dan mana bisa kita menyebarkan pesan kasih itu kalau cuma disebarkan lewat omongan doang, tapi sikap dan tindakan kita ngga ngegambarin kasih yang begitu dalam itu? Kasih yang udah ditunjukin ama Dia ke kita - kasih yang memberi kita lebih daripada apa yang layak kita terima!

blitbledertanterwaldish

2008-01-17T22:16:00.000+11:00

Something I read today from the book I just started to read:

"Can you tell me one more time -- do you really have to go against the authorities? I know you've tried to tell me, but why is a translation [of the Bible] in English so important?" she asked.

"In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram," he answered, looking down and finishing the food on his plate.

"What?" she said, looking at him, puzzled.

"In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram."

"William," she said impatiently, "that's Latin, isn't it? Now come off it! I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you."

"I am having a serious conversation. Oh?" he said, feigning a look of innocence, "so you would like me to speak to you in your own language. Hmmmm. Very interesting. I can't imagine why you would want that."

"William -- I know what you're getting at."

"I am, Lady Anne, you are right. Try to remember that what you heard is exactly what the peasants hear every Sunday morning. Blah-blah-blah-blah. The priest might as well be saying 'blitbledertanterwaldish' for all they understand."

Taken from William Tyndale - The Smuggler's Flame, by Lori Rich, p.26

A dim perception...

2008-01-01T10:32:00.000+11:00

Been thinking quite a bit about the environment, global warming, endangered species and the world's reaction/response to it...

Thought I should at least make a mention about it in my blog, especially since this year's Sydney New Year's Eve Celebration is "The Time of Our Lives" and World Wildlife Fund (WWF-Australia), is the official Charity of 2007 Sydney New Year’s Eve.

I was just thinking about how to put all my thoughts together when I realised that this quote from Calvin & Hobbes might actually portray this whole thing nicely:

"I imagine girls and bugs have a dim perception that nature played a cruel trick on them but they lack the intelligence to really comprehend the magnitude of it."
~ Calvin

Now I know it's not a bugs or girls friendly quote. =) But I think it's a good quote to describe this world's state of understanding of our problem with nature (global warming, endangered species, etc).

They know that it is us humans, who are the key players in either destroying, or saving this planet/nature.

But the thing is, as much as they think they know what the real problem is - their understanding is actually nothing but a dim perception only - "they lack the intelligence to really comprehend the magnitude of it."

Why do I say that?

Well, because yes, this world is in a mess - it is in a big mess - because of us, humans! But not just because of our direct actions or inactions to it (nature) or each other... This world is in a mess because we rejected God! Nature is doomed to destruction because we are doomed to destruction!

That is the main problem! If you don't see that - then you what you really have is but a dim perception of the magnitude of the problem...

If you still don't get it, let me see if I can explain it to you using an illustration.

Remember the Disney story of Beauty and the Beast? Remember how the servants in the Beast's castle were under a curse and would stay under that curse as long as their Master (the Beast) was under his curse? And how they would only be (and were) freed from their curse when the curse on the Master was finally broken?

Well, I think that's a better way to understand nature's problem! Nature is under a curse because we are under a curse. Its curse is tied in with (and a result of) our curse!

That's why as much as I support WWF (yes, I do personally support WWF), and as much I respect and appreciate them for all their conservation efforts (and more!), I personally don't think that they will be able to achieve their mission - "to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature"... not on this earth anyway...

Because there is only one place where humans will live in harmony (again) with nature -- there is only one place where the curse will finally be broken -- and that is heaven! =)

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
~ Romans 9: 19-22 ~

By grace alone...

2007-12-24T13:07:00.000+11:00

Someone made a comment to me today that reminded me how easy it is for us humans to judge others based on what we can see from the outside. And I was glad that God sees more than that, and that He knows better than people do...

And yet even when I was feeling happy about that, I was reminded from what Pete Lim said yesterday - of how we as humans tend to be too positive about human nature and even think too highly of ourselves or our own motivations!

And it's true! The fact that God knows better than people do can sometimes be a comfort to us, because we know that He sees the whole picture, even when others do not. And yet, the fact that He sees the whole picture also means that He knows our motivations, sometimes even better than we ourselves do(!)...

For example, in the above case, if I really do think that as long as God knows, it doesn't matter what others think, then why was I upset when they seemed to give me a false / careless judgement? Shouldn't I be indifferent towards it? Or at least not as affected by it? But I was still pretty upset...

So maybe, even though I do know that God knows more than others, there was still a part of me that did the thing that I did, not fully for God only - not fully to please Him alone... That's why God's opinion alone does not seem to be the only thing that matters... That's why what others think of what I did, or of me, seemed to matter more to me than they should have been!

So, as much as I was comforted in this case by the fact that God knows better, I was more reminded that He knows all, even better than I do...

VERY thankful that not only I'm saved by grace alone, I'm also sustained in my relationship with Him daily - by grace alone...

Another lesson to learn...

2007-12-19T07:36:00.000+11:00

Trying to have those verses displayed on my facebook profile. But somehow, the application only wanted to display verse 6 and leave out verse 7!!! =(

Verse 6 is a very interesting verse to note by itself anyway, so I guess I will make a separate post for verse 7 later. =)

But yeah, in verse 6 - Jehoram was said to have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife (!!!)

Another lesson for those who often underestimate the influence of the people around us, especially those who are very close / dear to our hearts!

2 Chronicles 21:6-7 (English Standard Version)

6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. 7Yet the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and since he had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.

My time--this Christmas

2007-12-16T20:48:00.000+11:00

I read an article from the latest issue of the Briefing on "Giving Ourselves" a few days ago and this was the main point of the article:

"What would happen if I decided to give people that most precious possession--my time--this Christmas?"

I found the article to be very challenging - esp to a selfish person like me - someone who values the time that I can get for myself and esp now that work is busy and can get quite stressful at times!

And so, it was very discomforting to read this paragraph:

"But what would it look like, in all seriousness, if we gave people our time this Christmas? We might sit down and pray for individual friends and family--really pray for them: ponder their needs and situations, think on some Scripture passages, and then plead with God on their behalf. Would we be prepared to give them as much time as that?"

and then this one -

"And instead of writing a few dashed-off lines on a card, or writing a mass-produced newsletter [something that I actually planned to do], what if we gave people time enough to write them individually--to share what God has been doing in our lives and to enquire about their lives?"

It was just a very discomforting article to read through...

And yet, every time I am thinking about "time" - I can't help but remember a point made in chapter 21 by CS Lewis in his book - The Screwtape Letters - a point made by Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood:

"Men are not angered by mere misfortune but by misfortune conceived as injury.  And the sense of injury depends on the feeling that a legitimate claim has been denied. .............. Now he is not yet so uncharitable or slothful that these small demands on his courtesy are in themselves too much for it.  They anger him because he regards his time as his own and feels that it is being stolen.  You must therefore zealously guard in his mind the curious assumption 'My time is my own'.  Let him have the feeling that he starts each day as the lawful possessor of twenty-four hours. ................

You have here a delicate task.  The assumption which you want him to go making is so absurd that, if once it is questioned, even we cannot find a shred of argument in its defence.  The man can neither make, not retain, one moment of time; it all comes to him by pure gift; he might as well regard the sun and moon as his chattels.  He is also, in theory, committed to a total service of the Enemy [God]; and if the Enemy appeared to him in bodily form and demanded that total service for even one day, he would not refuse.  He would be greatly relieved if that one day involved nothing harder than listening to the conversation of a foolish woman; and he would be relieved almost to the pitch of disappointment if for one half-hour in that day the Enemy said 'Now you may go and amuse yourself'.  Now if he thinks about his assumption for a moment, even he is bound to realise that he is actually in this situation every day. ..............."

(It is hard to quote CS Lewis in short and making sense of the point trying to be made! =( but hopefully it does make some sense....)

Anyway, so, after reading that Briefing article and remembering CS Lewis' point on "my time", I was renewed in my enthusiasm to write an individualised Christmas cards for people... and have even told some friends that I would set aside time to pray for them this Christmas and asked for some very specific prayer points! =)

At the moment though, I'm mentally tired! VERY tired. I feel that there are just SO many Christmas cards to write! =( Been writing a few since this afternoon and I still have SO many to go! =( Mentally exhausted! =(

So I will see how much I can do... if I do end up missing any, hopefully those people would still appreciate the thought that I have (to write something for them) =P

Discover the .... in you

2007-12-06T07:23:00.001+11:00

Saw an ad for a church on a free magazine, with this 'slogan' as its main selling point:

DISCOVER the CHAMPION in you

I thought... Wow, that is interesting! Especially since it was only yesterday or two days ago that I read this passage from my Bible:

[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "

Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:9-14

In light of the above passage (and many others like that in the Bible), I thought it would be more appropriate to change the slogan to:

DISCOVER the SINNER in you

But maybe it would make them less attractive in the world's eyes...

Although, followers of Christ are meant to be not attractive to the world... just as our Lord was not considered 'attractive' by the world's standards...

Then it's definitely a duck!

2007-11-27T23:51:00.001+11:00

A friend on facebook has this as his favourite quote: (which I think is a cool one, btw! =))

"If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, and looks like a duck, then it's definitely a duck."

Well, I've been reading through the book of Luke as one of the passages I read during my time alone with God in the morning, and so somehow, these passages came to mind when I read the quote:

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46-49)

and this one, too:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21-27)

I know the quote probably has a slightly different meaning =)

But then again, for me, it was a powerful reminder that the way we live our lives really speaks great volume to those around us, and a testimony to others as to who we are, what we treasure in our hearts, and at the end, who is the Lord of our lives...

"Ministry"

2007-11-26T22:24:00.000+11:00

The best thing (well, one of the best things =)) about doing ministry and yet not in full time paid capacity is that you have less temptation to see "ministry" (serving God and His people) as (mere) work - rather than as something that we do as part of who we are - children of God, saved by grace alone in Christ, for good works! =)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ~ Ephesians 2:8-10

A post for the brothers...

2007-11-21T19:38:00.000+11:00

Do you know what day 25th November 2007 A.D. is? =)

It is a day when you guys will be able to wear a white ribbon and be proud of it! =)

The white ribbon is not a badge of purity or perfection. It does not mean that you have perfect relationships. Rather, it's a sign of personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

Yes, it's a White Ribbon Day - an International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Do you know that according to a national survey, anywhere from 40 - 57% of women will experience physical or sexual violence by a man at some point in their lives? And that in the last year, between five and ten per cent of Australian women experienced at least one incident of physical and/or sexual violence by a man? That's quite a high number for statistics.

But numbers should not be the only reason for us to act. We need to act because we can! Act because we know that violence against women is not right. Act because we are Christians! And because we know that as much as men are created to lead, they are created to lead in love, following Christ's example.

And so, this is a chance for you to speak up, brothers! =)

Yes, this post is more for the brothers:

The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world of men working to end men's violence against women... [It] specifically focuses on the role of men and boys.
......
Men and boys have a crucial role in helping reduce violence in the lives of women. Harmful attitudes and beliefs in the community are also a very important part of the problem, and tackling these will assist in building a community that is safer for women and girls.

So I know this is another unusual post for this blog. But brothers, if you do get a chance to get a white ribbon before this Sunday (or better still, Friday) - buy a ribbon for yourself! Buy more than one ribbon for other guys you know. =P Make a noise about the issue! Take your chance to lead in ending violence against women!

And sisters (I know there would be some sisters reading this post =)), I do want you to be aware of the issue as well. Help inform the guys around us about the campaign! Encourage them to lead other men on this issue...

PS: I know the Body Shop sells them. Not sure where else you can find them. But I think there would be many on the streets in the city this Friday.

Fleeing!

2007-11-20T22:58:00.000+11:00

Went to Lincraft after work today.

When I got there, I stopped to look at some really cool creative art sets near the escalator.

While looking at a really cool engraving tool set, a young clean-looking Anglo guy came from the other direction and stood close to me, after making a brief eye contact. It did cross my mind that it was strange that he was looking at those things, but I thought he was just looking for a present for his nephew or something.

Now I do take my time in looking at craft things, esp since that engraving kit was just so cool(!), so I was a bit surprised to see him staying there for a while. I mean, a guy, in a craft shop, looking at some things intently??? That was just a bit strange... Even my brother - an arty sort of guy - wouldn't have stopped there for that long!

When it looked like that he started to do some strange / funny thing, I decided it was a bit too creepy for me to stay there. So, I took the engraving set and went to find the things I was looking for.

Now, that was a craft shop. With many isles! In a craft shop - you just don't follow people around. Unless you two are of the same mind or something! But yeah, not normal - not in a shop as big as Lincraft and not when the other person is a guy...

Anyway, after a while, after realising that he could have been following me (I know, he probably wasn't. I wasn't sure. That's why I said he could have...), I decided that what he was doing was way too creepy and I was too scared to wait around or acted as if nothing was happening.

I know it was broad daylight and even though there weren't many people in the store, there were at least people there. And so I know it was strange... and I couldn't imagine what he wanted... But I was scared... really scared...

I actually went out of my way to lose him between the isles and paid for my stuff not in the main cashier and then ran out of the store (yes, I saw him making his way towards the door and looking at me as I tried to make my my way out of the store - the cashier was too slow!)

I knew I would be safe once I got to the street level - since it was only around 5.30pm. But I knew that the area from the shop escalator to the traffic light on the main street was a quiet area and so I wanted to make sure he didn't get to me before I reached the traffic light. And so I ran all my way there, without looking back even once!

Even after I got on the bus (the first bus I could get that I knew would go towards 'home' anyway), I was still feeling really scared...

I was thinking... I can't believe how scared I was of him... Honestly, that was the first time, I think, I felt so scared in the middle of the city... over my 10 years living in Sydney.

I know he didn't actually do anything. Yes, he acted very suspiciously. And it was just too much of a coincidence for him not to have been following me around...

But as I sat there on the bus... I couldn't help but think... What a sinful world that we now live in... In an ideal world, in heaven, there won't be concern like this...

(Of course it did cross my mind that I probably watched too many crime movies / tv series, too! =P)

But yeah, it wasn't those thoughts that sadden me most... It was the thought that I ran SO fast from him just then! I didn't even looked back... Just wanted to make sure that I got away from him as soon as possible, making sure that he would not get hold of me. Just because I think he could be planning something harmful...

But then, have I been treating sin and the devil in the same way? Have I been doing what the Bible's been telling me to do - to flee from the devil and from sin?

Shame on me for fearing the harm that that man might do more than the harm that I know sin and the devil will definitely do to me if I don't flee from them!

Shame on me, for not fleeing as vigorously from sin and the devil, as I did from that guy...

A loom project...

2007-11-18T21:06:00.000+11:00

I'm currently in the middle of weaving a loom bracelet - only three quarters left to go! =P

Yes, I'm quite positive about it because after reaching 1/4 of its length, I finally can see the beauty of the pattern! I actually almost gave up and chose to abandon the project - even at 20% finished rate. It just didn't look nice!

But thought I kept working... and now, I'm able to see the pattern a bit better, and so it looks nicer, too. =) And I'm actually looking forward to keep going and even finishing it... =)

Anyway, doing the project reminded me of a poem I read a long time ago. Not sure if you have ever read it. There are different variations to this poem, but they are all quite similar to this one below. The author is noted as unknown in most places, but if you know something different, please do tell me. =)

Anyway, here is the poem:

My life is but a weaving between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver's hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

~ author unknown ~

Of course I know Romans 8:28-30 by heart. =) At least its truth, even if I might not be able to recite the verse word by word (though it might be a good idea for me to memorise it =))

But yeah, it's been good to be reminded - through my loom project - how there are many times in life, when we forget that we only see one bead at a time, or at best, one row at a time... while God has the full pattern mapped out perfectly already - and He knows what He is doing, and He is in control of it - because everything, including eternity - is within His hands! =)

His!

2007-11-15T22:12:00.000+11:00

I was just told that my standards are too high....

I thought they were never mine to begin with.

I thought it is God's standards that are high...

I just aim to make mine as close to His as possible.

And to encourage others to be doing the same, as His Word tells me...

Am I doing the wrong thing?

Should I have relaxed my standards a bit and compromised more maybe?

But then, wouldn't that be equal to putting my will before God's, and so putting myself before God, and so equal to sin???

And so, at the end, isn't it all about who is the Lord? Who is my Lord?

If Jesus is the Lord, doesn't He deserve everything?

If He isn't the Lord, then why bother giving Him anything at all?

Because if Jesus isn't Lord, then He does NOT deserve anything at all!

But if Jesus IS Lord, then... surely, His standards are THE standards - whether we find it just fine, a bit high or too high...

Just like in a high jump competition. The bar is set at a certain height. It doesn't matter how you find it - too high or not. If you want to play by the rules, then you try to meet the height standard set. If you want to change it - then, play by your own rules... Of course keeping in mind that once you do that, you will be disqualified from the game...

Well, this world is God's world's. So we need to live by His standards. We won't be able to meet them as sinful people, of course. But if we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, we have been enabled to live for God. There might be no such thing as perfection in this world - but that is NOT an excuse to compromise God's standards!

Hebrews 12:14 - Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

If...

2007-11-12T20:32:00.000+11:00

If God isn't real, then heaven isn't real...

If heaven isn't real, then hope won't be realised...

If hope won't be realised, then...

why bother with life???

"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." ~ Acts 17:30-31

It is time...

2007-11-08T08:05:00.000+11:00

It is time for us all
To decide who we are
Do we fight for the right
To a night at the opera now?
Have you asked of yourselves
What's the price you might pay?
Is it simply a game
For rich young boys to play?
The color of the world
Is changing day by day...

From Les Misérable - Red and Black

He is worth it...

2007-11-06T19:49:00.000+11:00

He told me that being a visionary will involve some risks - although it's good to make sure that the vision is concrete and real as well and so the risks is 'measured/minimised'.

He also told me that we can't predict the future. It might success. It might not. But there won't be a next one without a first one, although of course, we can also learn from the mistakes of the first one to improve the next one. =)

He told me that we are so blessed here in Australia. That here, I can take two weeks of leave to go to something like that, and still come back to my job. In Indonesia, if I do that, I would probably be burning my bridges! Aren't I blessed?!

He told me that yes, financially, it can be a lot - a really big thing, and sometimes, it prevents us from doing something. And it's true that the high costs might mean that I won't be able to do it every year - that's just a reality of life. And yet, sometimes, it can also be about priority - what my priorities are and so how I would be spending my money. When it's a priority, you use whatever much or not much that you have.

I counted my costs, and he reminded me of my blessings.

I shared my fear and concerns, and he told me he had them, too. And yet he also reminded me that God is worth all those costs, that He will provide, and that God is no one's Debtor!

And they are powerful reminders when I know that he knew what he was talking about - he's been there and done that. He lived out what he encouraged me to do.

I'm not sure whether others have counted their costs or not. It's for them to work that out...

But today, I have started to count my costs, and I came to a fresh appreciation of how difficult this journey is going to be - in the near future or far away future......

. . . . . . . . . . . .

And yet, when you have found that treasure hidden in a field, or when you have found that one pearl of great value - what wouldn't you sell and give up to buy it???!!!

There's always enough for me! =)

2007-11-05T23:39:00.002+11:00

Found another great hymn tonight! =) Thought I share it with you here in case it can encourage one or some of you one day, too! =)

But even if you don't think you 'need' it now, the words are nice and it's always a good thing anyway, to keep reminding each other that when we have Christ - we have everything! And so we have enough! Even more than enough! =)

Always Enough

Words: William I. Dale, circa 1914; Music: S. L. Merritt (MIDI, score) - as found on the Cyber Hymnal.

Always enough of grace is giv’n to me from day to day,
Always enough of grace to help me on the upward way.

Refrain
Always enough for me (for me),
Always enough for me (for me),
This is my song, the whole day long,
There’s always enough for me.

Always enough of comfort to console me when I’m sad,
Always enough of peace in time of storm to make me glad.
Refrain

Always enough of Jesus’ love to fill me with delight,
Always enough of hope to keep faith’s altar burning bright.
Refrain

Always enough of joy to make my heart rejoice and sing,
Always enough of pleasure in the service of my King.
Refrain

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

......

2007-11-05T23:24:00.000+11:00

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my life, my soul, my all...

~ Isaac Watts, 1707 ~

Tell me... and I will soon tell you...

2007-10-30T22:04:00.000+11:00

"Tell me what a man's prayers are, and I will soon tell you the state of his soul."

Powerful words, are they not?

Never failed to stop me and force me to rethink my prayer life every time I read that.

It is a quote taken from a sermon by JC Ryle - as found in this article at Bible Bulletin Board.

Below is the paragraph from which that sentence was taken out - to help us appreciate it better:

Prayer is that point of all others in religion at which you must be on your guard. It is here that true religion begins: here it flourishes, and here it decays. Tell me what a man's prayers are, and I will soon tell you the state of his soul. Prayer is the spiritual pulse: by this the spiritual health may always be tested. Prayer is the spiritual weather-glass: by this we may always know whether it is fair or foul with our hearts. Oh, let us keep an eye continually upon our private devotions! Here is the essence, and substance, and backbone of our practical Christianity. Sermons, and books, and tracts, and committee meetings, and the company of good men, are all good in their way; but they will never make up for the neglect of private prayer. Mark well the places, and society, and companions, that keep your hearts from communion with God, and tend to make your prayers difficult. "There be on your guard." Observe what friends and what occupations leave your soul in the most spiritual frame, and most ready to speak with God. "To these cling and adhere to tightly." If you will only take care of your prayers, I will promise that nothing will go wrong with your soul.

Echoing Ryle,

I offer these points for private consideration. I do it in all humility. I know no one who needs to be reminded of them more than I do myself. But I believe them to be God's own truth, and I should love to know and understand them more.

and praying as Ryle prayed...

I want the times we live in to be praying times. I want the Christians of our day to be praying Christians. I want the Church of our age to be a praying Church. My heart's desire and prayer in sending out this paper is to promote a spirit of prayerfulness. I want those who never prayed yet, to rise and call upon God; and I want those who do pray, to improve their prayers every year, and to see that they are not slacking off and praying in the wrong way.

A love letter...

2007-10-28T22:22:00.000+11:00

Another good illustration used by Packer and Nystrom (again, in Praying, p.87-88) is that of the Bible as a letter from its divine Author to every reader. Now I know that that alone (plus the title) doesn't sound so "grand", but read this bit also:

We should read the Bible as if the letters RSVP were written at the head of every page..... It is as if God says to you and me, "Your Bible is my love letter to you--read carefully what I say there, and get back to me about it." All love letters call for answers, and the Bible is no exception.

So, how have you responded to God lately? =)

Either both or neither...

2007-10-28T21:48:00.000+11:00

Another quote from Praying by Packer and Nymstrom, IVP, 2006, p.80 (and yes, it's one of the books I'm currently reading!):

"This love of the Word of God [Psalm 119:97] is evidently the overflow of love for the God of the Word; the two loves are one, and for us, as for all who went before us, it is either both or neither."

I just thought it is worth noting and quoting here. =) Especially since I think some of us would benefit from the reminder that God's Word really is inseparable from Himself, and so we can't really say we love God if we don't really love His Word.

Sometimes, as Christians, in our eagerness or zeal, we are quick to say that "Christ is the Only One I can't live without" or "Jesus is enough for me"...

But I think it would do us good to stop and ponder if the way we treat our "personal quality/communication time" with God (i.e. personal time listening and talking to God) really reflects that statement we so proudly proclaim in our sinfulness...

And if it doesn't, then shouldn't we be wondering... do we really love God?

P.S. to all readers - all posts in this blog are first and foremost 'soliloquy' - notes and challenges 'preached to myself' as well... so please do take them as posts from a fellow pilgrim. =)

As the needle of a compass...

2007-10-28T21:30:00.001+11:00

An interesting but powerful illustration that Packer and Nystrom use in their book (Praying, IVP, 2006, p.79) - to describe Christians who read the Scriptures meditatively, and so have proven its worth as the Word of God Himself:

"Similarly, the Word of God evidences itself as the Word of God. And so the spiritually hungry heart goes back to it again and again as the needle of a compass goes back to the magnetic north."

Soliloquy

2007-10-28T20:09:00.001+11:00

An excerpt from J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nimstrom, Praying - Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight, 2006, p.72-73.

The meditative process consists of consideration (discursive thought) followed by soliloquy (talking to oneself in God's presence). Stage one is to bring the truth about our promised heavenly rest before our minds as clearly and fully as possible and then to awaken the affections--love, desire, hope, courage and joy--in appropriate responses, so that the hope of heaven becomes an object of delight and desire. Stage two is then 'pleading the case with our own souls.... Soliloquy is a preaching to oneself.' Its aim is to move is to resolute Christian practice. What [Richard] Baxter has in mind appears from the following:
..................... Imitate the most powerful preacher that ever thou wast acquainted with.... It is a great part of a Christian's skill and duty, to be a good preacher to himself.... Two or three sermons a week from others, is a fair proportion; but two or three sermons a day from thyself, is ordinarily too little.

What You Get

2007-10-23T22:37:00.000+10:00

It is interesting to see Tharunka's latest edition on Religion & Education (II). I haven't had a chance to read through the whole thing, but I'm quite looking forward to do that. =)

Anyway, on page 3, there is a summary of the different religions - which I think is quite interesting and not too far off the mark, I'd say. And I made a comment to one of the brothers (during Focus Team), about "What You Get" under Anglican. It is "Eternal Life, access to God through Bible".

I mentioned to him that at first, it sounds right, but then, not exactly, because access to God is through Christ (a person), although of course it's through the Bible (how we know this Christ). But at least it's better than what they put for Uniting - "Eternal life, according to own interpretation".

Anyway, setting political correctness and agendas aside, I have been thinking about "What You Get" as Anglicans again, and thinking if I would give the same answer to that as a Christian (and in this context, an Anglican).

I think it's true that we get Eternal Life - but if I have to summarise in one word/phrase or tell people the one thing I get as a Christian (again, read Anglican), I think, I would say it is a relationship with God through Christ.

Because I don't think Christianity is really a religion. And it's not something that we get. And even if it is something, it is a restored relationship with God - not just a thing... It is a dynamic living relationship, involving two parties, two personal beings - us and God.

As an end note though, I do think their summary for Anglican is a pretty good one! =) It's just really good to see the Bible mentioned there. =) Who knows, someone might decide to pick it up and read it, and get to know Christ through His Word. =)

And the bar is raised...

2007-10-23T13:38:00.001+10:00

It's good to see the church moving to this direction - read: Clergy cheating on wives to go on shame file with child abusers. Might sound a bit too much for some. But then again, isn't that the standard that the Bible set anyway? That someone who aspires to the office of overseer must be above reproach and fulfilling all the many other criteria (1 Tim 3 and Titus 1)?

So brothers, can I encourage you to please keep working on your personal relationship with God and so grow in your godliness, and to make sure that you keep a close watch on your life and doctrine, so that you will stay above reproach - to the praise of God's glory.

Meet Minkar! =)

2007-10-21T21:59:00.001+10:00

Have you ever met Minkar? Let me introduce you to her! =)

This is a picture of her (with one of her keepers, I think):

She is one of my favourite birds from the QBE Free Flight Bird Show at Taronga Zoo. Not because she flies better than the other birds. Or because of the colour of her feather, or the shape of her head and face. =) But because her story is a great testimony to God's kindness over His creations!

Do you know why Minkar, a white bellied sea eagle, is kept in captivity and not released back to the wild even though there are many of them around the Sydney harbour areas?

Because she won't be able to survive on her own in the wild, even though she was originally a wild bird before she came to Taronga!

You see, Minkar arrived at the zoo after a steel jawed rabbit trap took two toes off her right foot! She lost two toes that she really needs to hunt for her food in the wild! She could not be released back into the wild, as her chances of survival are very low. And that's why Taronga Zoo decided to keep her - "so she can be a beautiful ambassador at Taronga for all the other wildlife out there..." - at least that's what they always said about her at the end of her show.

To me, she is but a great and unfailing testimony to God's kindness over His creation! =)

I mean, God looks after even an injured white bellied sea eagle like her! Surely, He cares for us, His children, even more! =)

And what passage comes to mind at this time but this one:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. - Matthew 10: 29-30"

It was interesting to note however, that the context of those verses is this:

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 10:28-33

Pray that I will remember Minkar, and the passage that she brought to mind, in its right context, when I am tempted to be ashamed of and to deny my Lord, in the future... =)

Father, that debt is paid!

2007-10-13T19:37:00.002+10:00

Went to the Post Office on Friday to send out some documents for visa applications.

I needed to send the paperwork using Express Courier International. So, I looked for the envelope, and then queued up to pay for it. I was thankful to God that the queue wasn't that long.

After I paid for it, the Customer Service man told me - "fill in the details and then bring back the envelope here - don't worry about the queue". And so I did. I filled in the necessary details on the envelope and then saw that the man was serving someone.

So, I waited near his service desk, trying to ignore the stares that some on the queue were giving me because they thought I was trying to cut the queue. (Mind you, within the few minutes time that I spent filling in the details, the queue had grown thrice in length!)

It is a normal practice in Post Office and I knew it, but I knew some people didn't. So I did feel a bit uncomfortable standing there alone... I was considering to go to the end of the queue, but then, I thought - "No, I don't really want to do that. The queue was long and I'm sure I can trust that the Customer Service guy would keep his word." (Well, I sure was hoping he would keep it! =))

Then, the man finished serving and so I brought the envelope straight to him, as (thankfully!) he motioned for me to approach him.

And then suddenly(!), someone from the queue yelled at me and said "Excuse me! You need to join the queue!"

And I panicked! I mumbled something trying to explain to her (from where I stood) that I was just returning the envelope.

But before I got a chance to say anything, the Customer Service man, and the Customer Service lady next to him, both came to my aid and told her "No, she didn't have to join the queue! She did join the queue once. She didn't need to join the queue again!"

And I was SO thankful to them!

I could feel for the lady on the queue, but there was just something about being justified......

On my way back to work, I couldn't help but think of this song, especially the last bit of its second verse:

Jesus, My Only Hope

I come into Your presence
With nothing in my hands
I only bring thanksgiving
For Jesus, God and Man
I cast myself on mercy
I cast myself on love
I trust Your gracious promise
To wash me with Your blood

I will not fear Your judgment
For me, no wrath I dread
For it was spent on Jesus
Poured out upon His head
When Satan’s accusations
Make my poor heart afraid
I hear my King declaring
“Father, that debt is paid”

Jesus my only hope, my only plea
My righteousness, my Great High Priest
Who intercedes for me before the throne
Jesus, I trust in You alone

Words and music by Mark Altrogge, as found in the Sovereign Grace Store website

I can just so imagine Christ standing there before God's judgment throne, coming to my aid and justified me - not because I deserved to be justified. Not because Satan's accusations of me are not right (they most likely are). But simply because Jesus had paid my debt... and so, I won't have to...

Treasure of great value...

2007-10-04T22:49:00.000+10:00

I'm quite a pessimistic person by nature... and realistic... and careful... =) And so I'm always cautious of people who seem to be "just a bit too enthusiastic" like these people in this passage below:

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 13: 44-46

Of course I know the great value of the kingdom of heaven. But as I said, I tended to be 'suspicious' of people who show "too much enthusiasm" - wondering if maybe, they just haven't actually counted the costs (Luke 14:25-33).

Or maybe I'm just not someone who's eager to find hidden treasure or eager to get rich...

And so, I've "kind of" always got the idea in the passage, but never really got to appreciate strength of emotions expressed in the passage above I guess... until now(!) =)

Now, I think I can fully appreciate the man's joy and the merchant's eagerness in finding that treasure of great value! =)

And when you have found it, what wouldn't you give up for it?! =)

A Thanksgiving

2007-10-01T21:50:00.000+10:00

For all Thy blessings given there are many to thank Thee, Lord,
But for the gifts withholden I fain would add my word.

For good things I desired that barred me from the best,
The peace at the price of honour, the sloth of a shameful rest;

The poisonous sweets I longed for to my hungering heart denied,
The staff that broke and failed me when I walked in the way of pride;

The tinsel joys withheld that so content might still be mine,
The help refused that might have made me loose my hand from Thine;

The light withdrawn that I might not see the dangers of my way;
For what Thou hast not given, I thank Thee, Lord today.

a poem by Annie Johnson Flint

- brought to mind with a heart overflowed with inexpressible thankfulness to my loving and sovereign Heavenly Father. =)

A Quest

2007-09-25T13:59:00.000+10:00

I know this is an unusual entry/post for this blog, but I thought I might increase my chance of success in this Quest if I enlist help from more people. And thus, this post... =)

So, if you are interested to join the Quest or are just willing to help me in my Quest =) this is what I'm looking for:

A follower of Christ (any age, any background, dead or alive), who is also an artist, who has/had the same or very similar style of artworks with this artist.

These are some other links that might provide you with more information about him:

Special Feature Article in Fiction Focus
"Where life balances arts" - an article from the Age
An interview excerpt with a science fiction online newspaper
Another interview to support visual art students

If you think you might have (found) some good lead, please do leave a comment (or two)! =)

Amber

2007-09-16T18:58:00.000+10:00

The plan was to go for a nice long-ish walk to Coogee Beach... but I ended up spending 40 minutes in front of POW Hospital in Randwick!

Thankfully, it wasn't for a bad or worrying reason! =) It was a rather nice time, actually! =) Although I probably would have preferred not having to share my new drink water bottle with anyone, and especially not with Amber - a beautiful chocolate Labrador(!) =P (gave the bottle a really good wash after I got home! =))

Yeah, found a lost dog in front of POWH and so the 40 mins was time spent waiting for her to be picked up! =)

I have 4 dogs back home, and so I do have a soft spot for dogs! =) And my sis and I have done some crazy things in the past, too, trying to get lost dogs (esp ones with tags) back to their owners! Including hiring a cab to bring a dog to a vet in Rwick - to the concerns of the taxi driver when we arrived there and he found out that the dog wasn't ours (!) =) Well, the dog got really close to the taxi driver's head during the ride, and I guess it was only then that he realised that the dog might actually have bitten him and not listened to us! =P He was a friendly dog though! =)

And I guess there is just something about hearing the owners' happy voices and looking at their happy faces when they found out that their dogs were found and safe! =) It was just great to share their joy!!! =)

Anyway......

Every single time... after I returned each dog... I can't help but think - I care SO much about those lost dogs... But how about "lost people"? How much do I care about them??? How many extra miles am I willing to go for their sake? Just to get them a chance to be reconciled with their Owner - who does care for them, love them so very much, and has gone to a really great extent to get them back to Him.

The Ubiquitous Danger

2007-09-12T13:17:00.000+10:00

A mouthful title! =)

But the word 'ubiquitous' basically just means 'ever present', and the title was used by David Cook to refer to the ever present danger that we Christians face, both as new believers or as old believers (David Cook, 'Starting Strong, Staying Strong', SMBC, 2003).

That danger, I think, is summarised in his paragraph below (italics mine):

You were never good enough for God. You never could be good enough for God. You are not good enough for God now. And you never will be good enough. That is why Jesus came. And you put your trust in him. What a remarkable gift of God that is. You entered the Christian life. Do you now continue by going back to works? If it is faith to enter and works to continue, then you might just as well abandon Christ and embrace Judaism, Buddhism or Islam.

Which I think is a powerful paraphrase of what the Apostle Paul mentioned in Galatians 3, especially verse 3:

"Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

As this verse in one of the hymns I'd like to have sung on my funeral/memorial service reminds us:

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

(Words by Augustus M Toplady)
full lyrics can be found in the Cyber Hymnal

This has become my conviction:

"I've got nothing going for me--nothing--nothing apart from the grace of God."

What about you, my friends? Do you place your confidence in something else other than Christ? Do you find your value before God outside of Christ?

Maybe they are not bad things in themselves... They could even be good and godly things in themselves... But do you find your value in them instead of Christ? Or do you find your value in Christ and them?

Keep challenging yourselves and your way of thinking, my friends... Where does your value before God comes from? What is the basis of your acceptance before God? Is it only Christ? Or have you added something else to Him....

Blind Bartimeus

2007-09-11T23:14:00.000+10:00

A hymn that never fails to 'encourage' me - giving me courage to keep walking in my Christian life... =)

Blind Bartimeus
words by Fanny Crosby

Son of David! hear my cry;
Savior, do not pass me by;
Touch these eyelids veiled in night,
Turn their darkness into light.
Son of David, hear my cry!
Savior, do not pass me by.

Though the proud my voice would still,
They may chide me if they will,
Yet the more I’ll pray for grace,
Only here shall be my place.
Son of David, hear my cry!
Savior, do not pass me by.

Though despised by all but Thee,
Thou a blessing hast for me;
Faith and prayer can never fail,
Lord, with Thee I must prevail,
Son of David, hear my cry!
Savior, do not pass me by.

Glorious vision! heav’nly ray!
All my gloom has passed away;
Now my joyful eye doth see,
And my soul still clings to Thee,
Thine the glory evermore,
Mine to worship and adore.

As found in the Cyber Hymnal.

Mark 10: 46-52 (ESV)

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Walking companion...

2007-09-04T23:01:00.000+10:00

I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser,
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me!

by Robert Browning Hamilton from Along the Road

Message for a brother....

2007-09-02T19:15:00.000+10:00

Found this quote when reading more about the Cambridge Seven - a farewell address from CT Studd before they left for China:

"Are you living for the day or are you living for life eternal? Are you going to care for the opinion of men here, or for the opinion of God? The opinion of men won't avail us much when we get before the judgment throne. But the opinion of God will. Had we not, then, better take His word and implicitly obey it?"

Posting it here as a message for a brother - with hope and prayer that it would encourage you to follow in their steps, the steps of those who followed Christ's...

Although of course, I'm hoping that it would encourage and challenge more than just that one particular brother - but all of us who read it! =) Otherwise, why would I post it here?! =)

APEC

2007-09-02T18:58:00.000+10:00

I've been wanting to post something about this church sign that I saw at where else but one of my fave church's board:

WHO GIVES:

ASIA
PACIFIC
ETERNAL
CONFIDENCE?

Now, isn't that just smart?! =)

I think it's smart because it has double meanings! =) A clever word-play! =)

Obedience, not sacrifice

2007-08-23T08:08:00.000+10:00

The more I read the Bible, the more I realise how much (the ideas in) the New Testament can be traced back to (the ones in) the Old Testament... This is just but one of the many examples...

Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
1 Samuel 15: 22-23

A new link...

2007-08-22T22:10:00.000+10:00

Let's see how long this is going to last or if it will be maintained in the long term, or deleted. =)

Won't link it with focuser.net though, as it is the reverse, not obverse. =)

One thing...

2007-08-20T08:12:00.000+10:00

One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 27: 4

Nothing else... nothing less...

TRJOCC - summary #1

2007-08-18T18:24:00.000+10:00

From: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, by Jeremiah Burrough, The Banner of Truth Trust, 1964.

Chapter I: CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT DESCRIBED

"for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content" (Philippians 4:11)

'I have learned' - contentment in every condition is a great art, a spiritual mystery - but mystery more in the sense of art/skill - something that you can be trained in and something that you can master with lots of practice.

Contentment is about self-sufficiency - not of ourselves, but a sufficiency of satisfaction in our hearts, through the grace of Christ that is in us. That is, like Paul, we are able to say (and mean it) that though we don't have outward comforts and worldly conveniences to supply our necessities, yet we have a sufficient portion between Christ and our soul abundantly to satisfy us in every condition - i.e. we have Christ and so we are satisfied.

Burrough's doctrinal conclusion briefly is:

That to be well skilled in the mystery of Christian contentment is the duty, glory and excellence of a Christian. [p.19]

He then tried to explain and prove the above conclusion through his four points:

The nature of Christian contentment: what it is (I'm only up to reading the second minor point of this point)
The art and mystery of it
What lessons must be learned to bring the heart to contentment
Wherein the glorious excellence of this grace chiefly consists

Burrough defined Christian contentment like this:

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition. [p.19]

(maybe kind of a child-like trust in God)

He then tried to "break open" the description under many many points - all of which are great!

His reasoning: "I shall break open this description, for it is a box of precious ointment, and very comforting and useful for troubled hearts, in troubled times and conditions." [20]

I. Contentment is a sweet, inward heart-thing.

It is more than just holding peace outwardly (refraining from discontented expression yet inwardly bursting with discontent), but it is an inward submission of the heart (Psalm 62).

II. It is the quiet of the heart.

This quiet, gracious frame of spirit is not in conflict with:

1. a due sense of affliction.
Christ does not say, 'Do not count as a cross what is a cross'; he says, 'Take up your cross daily'. - That is, quiet spirit does not mean that you can't acknowledge your afflictions for what they really are - afflictions!

2. making in an orderly manner our moan and complaint to God, and to our friends.
"Though not with a tumultuous clamour and shrieking out in a confused passion, yet in a quiet, still, submissive way he may unbosom his heart to God. Likewise ... to his Christian friends, showing them how God has dealt with him, and how heavy the affliction is upon him, that they may speak a word in season to his weary soul." [p.21-22]

3. seeking and praying for help in different circumstances or deliverance from present afflictions 'because we do not know but that it may be his will to alter my condition'. But we seek help with such submission and holy resignation of spirit, to be delivered when God wills, and as God wills, and how God wills, so that our wills are melted into the will of God...

BUT, this quietness of spirit is opposed to:

1. murmuring and repining at the hand of God, as the discontented Israelites often did.

2. vexing and fretting, which is a degree beyond murmuring.

3. tumultuousness of spirit (confused, violently agitated spirit)

4. an unsettled and unstable spirit, whereby the heart is distracted from the present duty that God requires in our several relationships, towards God, ourselves and others. We should prize duty more highly than to be distracted by every trivial occasion. Christians should not be diverted by small matters from doing things for God, but should answer every distraction and resist every temptation.

5. distracting, heart-consuming cares.
"A gracious heart so esteems its union with Christ and the work that God sets it about that it will not willingly suffer anything to come in to choke it or deaden it. ..... A Christian ... would not allow the fear and noise of evil tidings to take such a hold in his soul as to make a division and struggling there...... So a well-tempered spirit may...suffer some ordinary cares and fears..., so as to touch lightly upon the thoughts. Yet it will not on any account allow an intrusion into the private room, which should be wholly reserved for Jesus Christ as his inward temple." [p.23]

6. sinking discouragements.
"God would have us to depend on him though we do not see how the thing may be brought about; otherwise we do not show a quiet spirit. ... So far as your heart sinks and you are discouraged under affliction, so much you need to learn this lesson of contentment." [p.24]

7. sinful shiftings and shirkings to get relief and help.
Our sinful hearts would have a tendency to think, 'I do not care how I am delivered, if only I may be freed from it'. But we are to learn to be content to await God's time and use God's mean, to trust God and follow him fully in all things and always.

8. desperate risings of the heart against God by way of rebellion.
Need to watch out especially when an affliction remains for a long time and is very severe and heavy, and strikes at it were, in the 'master vein'.

Summary:

Now Christian quietness is opposed to all these things. When affliction comes, whatever it is, you do not murmur; though you feel it, though you make your cry to God, though you desire to be delivered, and seek it by all good means, yet you do not murmur or repine, you do not fret or vex yourself, there is not a tumultuousness of spirit in you, not an instability, there are not distracting fears in your hearts, no sinking discouragements, no unworthy shifts, no risings in rebellion against God in any way: This is quietness of spirit under an affliction, and that is the second thing, when the soul is so far able to bear an affliction as to keep quiet under it. [p.25]

PS: I wasn't sure if I should post a very thorough summary online, but it seems that the book is actually available to be read online. And is noted in one of the sites as belonging to public domain. I'm not sure how copyright works with this summary etc, but if you think I'm breaching it, please let me know and I will take this summary down. =)

Voice...

2007-08-12T19:49:00.000+10:00

I'm not a citizen of this country, so I don't have a 'voice' here - sadly...

But have you seen the ads on TV about Work Choices? There are two kinds I think - one for (by Coalition) and one against (by Labour).

Did you notice the last "page" of the ads - the black screen with a sentence telling us who the ads is brought by?

The one against Work Choices - has just one sentence. The one for Work Choices - has a sentence AND lots of small logos (of companies or organisations, I presume... only watched it once) - very interesting!

Now, I don't know much about the Policy, and yet I think what I do know about it is enough to make me know how I might use my voice should I have one. Just look at this example - an article from smh online today.

Thankfully, I do have a voice before God - since I am a citizen of heaven! So, I guess I should repent, and use my voice wisely and pray for those people in charge of looking after the nation and its people, including those who are less able to defend themselves. After all, God is the One who controls everything, even the hearts of those who are in charge! =)

Full response... (rewritten)

2007-08-12T17:33:00.000+10:00

I read this a few days ago:

As I think back, it’s pretty rare that I have an “emotional” response just to reading the Scripture on my own. If I respond emotionally to the Word, it is usually through a sermon - and almost always through a preacher being clearly moved as he preaches.

That is, an unemotional sermon (even on a really important topic) will not stir my emotions. And I want to be affected by preaching, I want it to move me. I don’t want something resembling the infodump of my lectures at university.

It was something that a Christian posted in an online forum, and I had been trying to work out why I found what he wrote - especially his first paragraph - disturbing. I kind of knew why I found it disturbing, but I wasn't sure how to communicate it well in a blog like this...

But I just thought of an illustration that might help express my thoughts better! =) Let's see if it helps...

It's like in when you are in a relationship, right? Any kind of relationship (friendship, parent-children, boy-girl, professional/work - any)... When you need a mediator or a third person to help you listen or respond (better) to what the other person is saying, then doesn't that signal that there is something wrong in the relationship itself? Isn't that the case in whatever relationship you are in? But maybe, it's a much sadder thing, when the relationship is supposed to be a close one, and yet you need someone's help to "communicate better" - i.e. to respond well to the other person...

I guess, that's probably why I was quite taken aback and even a bit disturbed when I read what the brother posted.

I just thought - "that's SO sad!!!" How could he not respond "emotionally" when he was listening to God on his own time (in private)? When he listens to God speaking to him - directly - telling him of His great plans, characters, promises, faithfulness and steadfast love! How could he be more 'moved' by a "second-hand" accounts or even just a retelling of a story rather than from first hand account - directly from God's own word?!!

We have been given hearts of flesh... We have God's Spirit within us... Surely, He (the Spirit) cries when we are reminded of how sinful we are as we read God's Word... Surely, He causes us to rejoice when we read about God's great love!

Surely we can listen and respond to God fully (i.e. intellectually AND emotionally) even when we read God's Word 'privately' - simply because as Christians we have God's Spirit within us... The Spirit who will help us respond fully - with all of our heart and all of our mind and all of our soul and all of our strength - for God and His glory!

PS: I'm not talking about preacher's faithfulness to God's word - that's not my issue here (although it is an important thing). Or about how emotions are more easily manipulated and so we need to be careful etc (though it is another valid point). Nor am I talking about the need for preachers to be engaging and speaking to people - rather than just communicating information (again, important, but not my concern here).

Real Wilberforce...

2007-08-12T14:56:00.000+10:00

Have you ever formed an idea about someone (you don't know/don't really know) through someone else's 'account'/'story' of the person? And then you get a chance to know the person yourself after that? If yes, then I'm sure you know that there are times when the accounts presented to you are faithful account of the person, but there are also times when you find out either that's not the whole story or it wasn't a faithful account of the person!

Now, I know I was the one who 'promoted' the Amazing Graze movie... And I'm glad that the movie had regenerated interests among Christians or even non-Christians about the life of William Wilberforce. =) But now that I've found out more about the real Wilberforce, I'm not so sure that the movie presented us with a faithful account of the real Wilberforce or the slave trade fight in England...

If you are interested to find out more about the real Wilberforce, what kind of man he was (QUITE different to the way he was presented in the movie!!!), the values that drove his perseverance, and even what we can do about "present day slavery" (yes, it still does exist!), then you can listen to this talk: Wilberforce and the abolition of slavery by Sandy Grant (60 mins incl question time - worth listening, esp since he is an Aussie, and so challenge to action was given in Aussie context!).

Or else, you can read (or listen) to an account of Wilberforce's life and driving force - by John Piper, here. (much longer - almost 2 hours! But can just read transcript for readers.)

If you could go back in time...

2007-08-09T20:35:00.000+10:00

Do you know how sometimes you watch a movie and something stays in your mind - like a quote kind of thing?

Well, this is one of those from the movie I just watched. Something Gretchen said:

"What if you could go back in time, and take all those hours of pain and darkness and replace them with something better?"

In fact, that was a quote repeated at the end of the movie, just before Donnie chose to do what he decided to do...

What would your answer be if the question is posed to you?

It was a 'dark' movie and the things they wanted to take away - were really horrible things. So I know that if a 'real' Gretchen asked me the question, I won't answer her question easily - without much prayer and sympathy and Christ-like love...

But I guess, sometimes, even as Christians, we are tempted to think that we know better than God... while God's good might be different to what we have in mind...

Last week, I wrote an email to a really good friend, and below is an excerpt of it - do keep in mind that I wasn't referring to things as horrible as those referred to in the movie - they might even be considered nothing compared to them... But pray that with the right principle, I would still be able to believe and say the same thing - that whatever challenges or difficulties God may present me with in the future, He will help me to keep trusting in Him with a firm and deep-seated trust in His goodness and kindness...

I have been telling people, even if I can/have the option to choose or to re-live the past... I don't think I would ask for anything different. =) I don't think I would ask for an easier or happier past. I mean, not that it was easy to go through. Many things in life have been challenging to go through. Not a few ups and downs. But really, I've been changed to be more like Christ through them... so why would I ask for something else? God surely knows what's best for me. =) Even better than myself! =) Even if given an option... I would still choose what He has planned for me - and so, if He thinks I have to go through the same things again for me to be more like Christ - then so be it! =)

It is important to him...

2007-08-09T20:01:00.000+10:00

I just finished watching Donnie Darko. It's not really my kind of movie. In fact, one of the brothers who had heard of the movie before was surprised when I said I planned to watch it. He said that's a weird movie.

And he was right! =) It is a weird movie... But I'm glad it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be - I was kind of scared it would be... I don't like scary movies =)

Anyway, motivation to watch:

'My favourite book is The Third Eye,' Jonathan explained one day, handing his grandfather a lurid covered book with a greenish face on the dust jacket, complete with a third eye on the forehead. 'Tibetans understand the Universe as it really is,' he continued, as our Dacu waited patiently and potted another ball into the corner pocket.

Rather than throwing the book into the bin with some remark like, 'How dare you read such filth!', Dacu accepted it graciously and took it home with him. Soon afterwards, he was speaking to thousands of Christians, at a big meeting in the north of England. He went by train, and on the way back took out the book given him by Jonathan. He hoped that no one who had heard him preach that night would see him reading a book with such a strange cover!

But the subject matter was important to his grandson, and so it was important to him, too. Not only did he read it, but he took careful notes, so that he could chat about it knowledgeably and in proper detail with Jonathan. He also did some detective work.....

..... Once again, Martyn Lloyd-Jones did not dismiss out of hand the symptoms. 'Huh! Teenagers! Long hair! Men with earrings!' Rather he looked within.....

(From Wales to Westminster, Catherwood, p.104-105)

Praying for diligence to do the hard work and hard thinking, opportunities for and creativity in conversations, and perseverance in prayer... =)

As was His custom...

2007-08-06T23:53:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago during my personal Bible reading time, I came across this verse:

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.
Mark 10: 1 (ESV)

That's what was noted down as Jesus' custom when crowds gathered around Him! Not healing them, not performing miracles, but teaching them!!!

A very sobering reminder, especially when many around us (those who also claim to be His followers), give conflicting voices about what the priority of Christ-like ministry should be...

Joy unshakable...

2007-08-06T13:42:00.000+10:00

The best thing that could and will ever happen to anyone is guaranteed to me.

The worst thing that could and will ever happen to anyone is guaranteed not to happen to me.

That is a source of joy unspeakable... That is a source of joy unshakable... =)

Favourite ever...

2007-08-06T13:03:00.000+10:00

My favourite ever birthday e-card is this.

Don't you think it's just great?!! =)

Joy running over...

2007-08-03T14:07:00.001+10:00

To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that all things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.
—Thomas Watson

A man most stupid...

2007-08-03T07:46:00.000+10:00

When is a man most stupid?

Well, when he is in love of course!!! (Now I know some of you might be tempted to say - "aren't they always?!" - but let's not be mean, shall we? =))

Just look at Samson (Judges 16)! He was so in love with Delilah that he was blinded to the fact that the woman meant him harm! Times and again, she tried to make him bound! Times and again, she deceived him! And yet he still told her all his heart (v.17) - out of annoyance maybe, but he still told her! Stupid!!!

And what's the result? Well, not only he lost his eyes and was made a slave, the LORD left him, too (v.20)! And what could be worse than that really?

Of course, I only have to mention the likes of David and Solomon (or even Ahab) for you to recall that they too were ensnared to sin by women...

Brothers, be careful! If you are looking for a wife, look for someone who would help you grow in your godliness, and help you to be more Christ-like. Not someone who is pleasing or right in your own eyes (Judges 14: 3, 7 - Samson's first wife).

And sisters, do keep in mind that a non-Christian man in love with you can be very charming. They would do stupid things and even be stupid for you to win you!

But do remember, sisters, that the best thing that has happened to us is that we are betrothed to Christ (2 Cor 11: 2) - to be married to Him one day! Don't throw Him away for some unworthy earthling... Hold fast to Christ!

Just some quotes...

2007-07-31T23:05:00.000+10:00

Some quotes from "From Wales to Westminster" by Catherwood that I found interesting - nothing to do with why I am highly commending the book to anyone though. =) Just some interesting quotes:

Of course, it may be easier to say, 'Never go to the cinema,' than to say, 'Work out what film is good and what one isn't.' But as the Bible says, the key thing is why we do something. As Martyn realized about himself, 'Doing good things can lead to sin because you can do them out of a sense of pride in your good achievements.' Or, as the joke goes, 'Aren't I wonderful, I'm so humble...!' (p.94)

'Didn't Calvin say X?' someone would say
'Yes,' the Doctor would reply, 'but on what biblical grounds did Calvin say it?'
As he said of himself, he was a 'Bible Calvinist', not a 'system Calvinist'. (p.84)

As many of us know, just because we become Christians doesn't mean that things will work out for us in this life. As the saying goes:
'The rain it falls upon the just
and also on the unjust fella
But mainly on the just because
The unjust's got the just's umbrella!'
(p.69-70)

But people still asked him 'Why give up a good profession in medicine? If you had been a bookie for instance and wanted to give that up to preach the gospel, we should understand and agree with you and say that you were doing a grand thing. But medicine - a good profession, healing the sick and relieving pain!' One man even said to him, 'If you were a solicitor and gave it up, I'd give you a pat on the back, but to give up medicine!'
'Ah well,' Martyn felt like saying, 'if you knew more about the work of a doctor you would understand. We spend most of our time getting people fit to go back to their sin!' (p.59)

There are many other things worth quoting, but I don't want to spoil your 'treasure hunting' just in case one of you does decide to read the book for yourself. =) Maybe I will post some more in the future. =)

Highly recommended!

2007-07-31T22:31:00.000+10:00

I was going to post this as a "PPS" on my previous entry titled "Happy", but then I thought - no, this deserves another entry! So, here is another entry =)

Can I highly recommend to all of you (and all of your friends) the second book that I mentioned in that entry - i.e. Trailblazers series titled "Martyn Llyod-Jones - From Wales to Westminster" by Christopher Catherwood?

Of course it is a personal recommendation - after all, this my personal blogspot. =P But I think it is a book worth reading.

As mentioned previously, it is aimed at teenagers so it is an easy reading. It is small and only about 150 pages (with 'extras') - so much less than Harry Potter series! =P

It is a really good book! And if someone can help me buy/get another copy (I will pay you for it), then I would be willing to lend that copy out to people here who might want to borrow. =) (I just want another copy to make sure if I can't get another one, I can send this one to someone, so can't lend out this one. Sorry.) But yes, it is that good!

And I do read many other books I would consider good! - Just because I am reader... But yeah, I would highly recommend this one, because I think you will learn SO much from the book! And I think what you read there, will challenge you and better equip you as you live out your Christian life! (Yes, better equip you! You will learn valuable things and skills even as you learn about the man!)

I don't want to give out too much, just because I really want you to read it for yourself. =) Although of course, now that I have given such full colours review, you would need to be humble to still learn something from it when you can get hold of a copy later. =P

Trust and Obey

2007-07-31T22:28:00.000+10:00

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain

Words by John H. Sammis, 1887
As found on the Cyber Hymnal

Happy!!! =)

2007-07-30T18:59:00.000+10:00

I'm SO happy!!! Happy beyond words! =)

I haven't read all the books I bought on Saturday, but the one I had finished reading (and gave out to someone) and the (other) one I almost finish reading (and one I plan to buy a few more copies so I can send them to my 'little friends' overseas) have been really good readings! =) And very challenging! =)

Oh, I'm just really happy, and I know this might be one of those "pointless" blog entry - especially considering the purpose of this blog =) But I'm just SO thankful to God for great and faithful writers, and great and faithful teachers of God's Word, and Christians who've left behind a legacy of godly lives to follow!!! =)

For those who are curious =) the two books mentioned above are: "Learning to be Happy" by Jeremiah Burroughs, and "Martyn Lloyd-Jones - From Wales to Westminster" by Christopher Catherwood.

PS: I would highly recommend both books to any reader of this blog. The first one is probably harder to get a copy of, but if you can get a copy that's quite a good book. Not to be read in a fast pace though. I read it quickly because I wanted to pass it on to someone and because I'm looking forward to read the longer version of the book (the Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs). The second book is also great. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was involved in student ministry (among others) and it was a book aimed at teenagers, so quite an easy read, but VERY challenging! And it was written by his grandson, who knew his grandfather quite well, so it was quite a faithful presentation of his life.

Known enough?

2007-07-29T21:13:00.000+10:00

I love books and I love readings! =) Told someone yesterday that books are my lifelines now. Of course it's not fully true, as I am still learning (heaps!) from the Christians around me and from the many meetings and trainings at church, too. And of course, who can ever learn enough from the Bible?! =)

But I think I love books, esp those written by people in the past, because I love to be reminded that I still have a long way to go! I mean, I still have a long long way to go to become like Christ - not even fully like Christ - just be more like Him!

And reading 'classical' books or biographies of Christian "giants" help me to remember that, too. Because sometimes we think - Christ is fully man and fully God. He is the Christ. But when you read the lives of many godly Christians in the past (who were sinful human beings like us), you see faith put into actions and you are challenged to do the same. And for me, I am also reminded that I really still have a long way to go - even to just be like them - as they were being Christ-like!

I think, sometimes, having been Christians for a while, and going to church with good teaching, we can be tempted to think that "we've known it all"... or "I've heard this before"... or at least "oh yes, I was reminded of that, but I didn't really learn anything new - nothing I didn't know before"... which to me, is kind of sad...

I mean, sure, the gospel of Christ is the same and our Christ is the same! =) But, I think as Christians, we can never know God well enough while we are in this world... After all, didn't Paul say that we only know God dimly while we are here - and we will only see Him clearly (face to face) - know Him as we are known by Him now - when we get to meet Him in person - in heaven!

I learnt heaps from MYC this year! It was my 10th MYC (not that numbers should make a difference! =)) But I learnt heaps! No, not just reminded of things I knew of already. I did learn something. Let me explain that. =)

I knew all creation is looking forward to that final wedding day with Christ. One of my past blog entries from Indo reflected that. =) And I knew that it was important. But I didn't know it was that important! Purpose of whole creation kind of thing. Just that I never thought in that relational terms with Christ that strongly. And because I never realised how important it is, even though I knew it was important, it was different from knowing how important it is!

And then of course there was that idea about how guidance is needed only because humans sinned. Or how when people seek guidance or inquiring of God in the OT, they were actually acting in rebellion and being disobedient to God's revealed will already... Or how obedient is what we should pursue, not guidance.

Those are some of the things I learnt at MYC this year!

Sure, it might have heard of it before. But maybe I never really thought much of it and so never really grasped its truth or importance! And so I still learnt something new... something I didn't really know or fully understand before...

Talking from experience, I think, sometimes, it can be hard for us, 'older' Christians to say - "yes, I never thought of that before" or "I never really understood that" or "yes, that's something (new) I learnt".

We prefer to say - "I was reminded of", or "It was a good reminder" or "Nothing new, but good to be reminded"....

Again, I am not saying we always need to learn new things each time! Christ in the Bible is the final revelation of God. And since He doesn't change, you won't get "new things". In one sense, the Bible tells us to be faithful to the gospel of Christ that the Apostles preached and the OT Scriptures testify to. So when I am talking about learning something new, I'm not talking about something extra to what the God is telling us in the Bible.

I'm more wanting to challenge the more mature among us to think again - whether we really have known God enough that we are only reminded of things we have learnt each time... Never learning anything new about God....

Maybe the fact that you have been around in our church long enough can makes us feel like that at times, but what about from your own Bible reading time then?

Are you still learning from God directly? Are you still sitting humbly under His Word and teaching?

Have you read your Bible cover to cover? How many times? Fully understood it? Know God fully? Or know God enough? Know Christ enough?

Put everything you 'know' in practice already then? Being Christ-like enough?

After all, isn't real knowledge is only real when you know it by heart (heart knowledge) not just in your head (head knowledge), i.e. when you have applied and tested it in your life and so 'know' it... =)

So yeah, next time you are tempted to think you have known enough... maybe... think again! =)

Warning for reading my posts... =)

2007-07-29T20:09:00.001+10:00

I have been wanting to post some more things I learnt from the books I read. But sometimes, I have some concerns about posting the things I read. Just because I read widely... and I quote only the things I read that I agree with.

But not all the things I read agree 100% with the Bible - maybe the other parts of the book I quoted, for example. So when I do post something, or about someone, or a book, please do make sure you check your Bible. I don't mind you questioning me or what I post here (in a loving way of course! =)). In fact, I would encourage critical thinking! So please, when you do read something here, check it against the Bible. And if you choose to read the books I recommend etc, please make sure you are reading them critically, too!

I have said this before, but the Bible is the only thing we should fully believe in. Nothing and no one else should be believed as much as the Bible. Not even our leaders or pastors! And not even an angel(!) - should he preached a different gospel than the one we have in the Bible! (Galatians, somewhere... I think... =))

Of course, if you are 'younger' Christians, be humble and acknowledge the fact that most likely, just because your leaders or elders are older than you are and have learnt more, they probably do know more than you do! =) Even if not in knowledge, they might know more in terms of practical godliness. =)

But, if you are 'older' Christians, it might be good to remember that the 'younger' Christians do have access to the same Bible (as the one we have =)) and they have the Holy Spirit in them, too. And so, when they sit under the authority of the Scripture, we can sit together with them under it! =) i.e. we can learn together from the Bible and from each other! =)

Now that I have posted another "warning", I might post more things... =) Please do check them with the Bible. Especially since I don't always give exact Bible references... (as I don't always have my Bible with me when I post/type my entries) I try to, but sometimes, I missed to do that... But yeah, keeping checking what I write against the Bible... =)

A disturbing suggestion...

2007-07-23T21:46:00.000+10:00

There was a passing conversation on Saturday that disturbed me a bit when I overheard it...

Someone told someone else that when she is looking for a boyfriend/husband, she needs to look for someone who will do full time (by that, I think the person meant FTPM - full time paid ministry).

I didn't say anything then and there... But I'm not sure how Biblical the suggestion actually is...

I mean, of course, there is a good point to be noted there. =) So let's start from the good point first. =)

It is good and noble for someone to desire serving God in a full time paid capacity. And usually, those people do have to make much sacrifices for the Gospel of Christ in choosing to do that. And so, of course it's a good thing to look for someone who does or will do FTPM.

However, having mentioned that, as I said earlier, I'm not sure how Biblical that suggestion really is...

I mean, if you marry someone because he is doing FTPM, then wouldn't you marry him for his 'title' and/or his 'job'??? How would that then be different from the way the world chooses / views "ideal partner"?

And what if you marry him because he is or will do FTPM but then later on in life, after you two are married - somehow, God in His sovereign control works things out in such a way, that he will no longer be able to do FTPM. What would you do then? Would you value him less then?

Before you answer quickly with a "no" - think again! Would you?

If you marry someone because you think he is serving God by doing FTPM, doesn't that mean that your value of him is found in what he does? Rather than who he is, regardless of what he does?

Is that how God values people? Based on what they do??? Rather than on what Christ has done for them?

And what are you implying about Christians who are not doing FTPM? That they are of lesser value than those who do FTPM - so should be chosen and seek only after or when those doing FTPM are not available? =) Really? =)

Does God value gifts more than obedience? Isn't it He Himself who gifted people differently anyway?

How do you know that someone is not doing or desiring to do FTPM for the wrong reason anyway? =)

Don't get me wrong. =) I am not against FTPM or those doing it. I'm all for it. I don't think I'm one gifted to be paid to do it but I'm all for those gifted to do it, to do it! =) But I'm just not sure how Biblical the idea that someone doing FTPM is more godly than someone not doing it.

And if FTPM is not a measure of godliness, then why use it as the main criteria in looking for a spouse? =) Why not use godliness and Christ-likeness as the main criteria? =)

After all, isn't THE marriage we are all looking forward to is our marriage to Christ? And so if you are seeking an earthly marriage and praying for it, then look for someone who would best help you to prepare yourself for THAT marriage? And who would better prepare you to be more Christ-like than someone who is growing in Christ-likeness himself?

I guess, my questions are - for those who think that those doing FTPM would make "ideal partners" =)

Why? Why title and giftedness more than godliness?

Why not seek someone who is godly instead? Someone who grows and continues to grow in godliness and Christ-likeness? Someone whose heart is sold to God - whether he is gifted to do FTPM or gifted to support those who are being paid, whether he serves upfront or behind the scenes? Someone who would not exchange his relationship with Christ with anything - not even your love or admiration?

Why not be God-ly and seek people whose hearts are after God's own - no matter what the world, even other Christians, might think of him?

Why not pray for yourself, too? =) Pray that you will be someone who will be satisfied with Christ alone. That no matter what He has planned for you - earthly marriage included or not - you would focus on THE real marriage that you will be part of for sure. That all the decisions you make in this life would be made in light of that one. =)

And why not keep growing in Christ-likeness yourself? =) That way, you would not be too caught up with "earthly marriage" idea and realise that singles can still make great bride of Christ, too! =) And even if God does have earthly marriage planned for you, wouldn't someone who is growing in Christ-likeness and lives with that final marriage to Christ in mind - would be looking for someone "of the same mind"? =)

Life precious in His sight...

2007-07-23T20:39:00.000+10:00

My 'favourite' / most enjoyable time of the day is the start of the day when I get to spend some time listening to God's Word! =) And of course, to respond to Him or just to commit my day or recommit my life to Him! =)

I know people have different views of "Bible reading and prayer time", but for me, it is my quality time with God - time spent consciously and purposefully as an expression of the relationship that I have with Him in and through Christ.

But yeah, I quite enjoy my morning alone time with God! =) It's always refreshing to be able to start the day being reminded of His promises or His characters and of course, His steadfast love! =) And it's great to be able to hear those things directly from Him - as you know that it's real - not something you just feel or imagine or something someone tells you.

This morning, one of my Bible reading passages is Mark 5. It wasn't the first time I read the passage. But as I read it this morning, I was struck once again by the great love that Jesus had for the demon-possessed man!

I mean, that man was someone who was considered nobody in his time. He lived among the tombs, and was violent and not in his right mind most of the times!

I'm sure a modern equivalent of him, like a homeless and half-crazy people in our time, would have equally low value in most people's minds! I'm sure not many people would looked twice at him and most probably wouldn't even consider him half a human being...

But Jesus was different! He considered the man and his life precious! He saved the man! And at the cost of two thousand pigs!!! That's not a small amount of money!

Two thousand pigs' worth of money(!) - for a life of one demon-possessed man(!) . . .

I know, some of you might think - but of course you would have chosen the man, too!

But really? Would you have chosen the man??? I mean, honestly? Between you and God, you would have chosen the man? I know that for me, I wish and pray that should I be presented with a similar choice one day, I would choose the man, too... But I am fully aware that without God's Spirit working in me, I in my sinfulness, would have chosen the pigs! Or whatever modern day equivalent of those pigs...

But yeah, to be reminded of how much one life is worth to Jesus! To be reminded of His love for His people! Imagine if you were the man, to have been shown such love and mercy...

And He has, too! He's shown His love and mercy to us! On the cross... where He considered our lives, my life, precious enough in His sight that He is willing to purchase it at the cost of His own...

Such amazing love!!! Why wouldn't anyone want to be reminded daily of it?! =)

. . . . . .

2007-07-21T15:27:00.000+10:00

There are times in life when words just fail to express what we are feeling... and when you know God will listen but you don't know what to ask of Him...

In these times, no other thoughts are as comforting as the thoughts of my Saviour... A Saviour who's trodden the path I'm walking on... A Saviour who knows perfectly what I'm feeling and what's troubling me... and a Saviour who is the Rock that is higher than I...

As Oft, with Worn and Weary Feet
O Let Him Whose Sorrows
The Rock That Is Higher Than I

In light of the future...

2007-07-11T21:50:00.001+10:00

I've come to a realisation that I actually do things slightly differently this time I'm back at home...

When I was back home a few months ago, I actually paid much closer attention to how things were done. I memorised stuff and I took notes. I learnt things and store them in my memory because there was a real possibility that I had to mind the store on my own while my parents were away. I was basically trained to survive on my own for at least a few days and the way I did things at that time reflected that fact.

This time, I realised I paid less attention to things. I still remember some of the things I learnt =) and do more to help Dad now. But I am not taking notes and I don't make much effort to remember stuff anymore. Simply because I don't see a need for it in the near future, I guess...

But, I do realise that I actually watch my health a bit more closely during this time. (God willing) I'm going to MYC straight after I come back to Sydney and so I have been making sure that I get enough rest, that I eat properly, that I'm taking my flu medications, and that I watch the food that I eat (feeling sad not being able to eat those food that I've been wanting to eat)...

All of those have made me realised how what I'm expecting to take place in the future shape the way I live my life now - how I do things, what I do, and on what and how I spend my time and effort, too.

And then I realised that in my life, one thing that will take place for sure in my future is the fact that (out of God's grace and mercy) I will be spending eternity with my God!!!

And so, I've been thinking - does the way I live my life now reflect that future reality?

Do I work on my godliness and holiness and my Christ-likeness, knowing that I will be spending eternity with a God who is holy? Do I find the 'exercise' (in godliness and holiness) joyful? If not, maybe I should pray for a joyful heart because it shouldn't be a burden... Do I also spend time and effort to grow in my knowledge and love of this God? If not, maybe I should... sure I will know Him perfectly in heaven. But if that's my aim, why not work on that from now? And if I don't think spending time knowing Him better through His Word and talking to Him in response to His revelation enjoyable, then maybe I should pray for a heart after His own... And pray that when I say I live by His Word, I will really mean it - so much so that I will not be able to live without His Word (which of course is inseparable from Himself).

Comforting realistic love

2007-07-07T12:08:00.000+10:00

Another one of my Bible reading passages for today was Jeremiah 3, and I was amazed by the love that God showed to Israel and Judah! Their sins were just so... vile! And yet, God said that if only Israel acknowledge their guilt and their rebellion, He would actually have mercy on them and forgive them. He would give them shepherds and make them counted among His sons! What's more, He promised to heal them of their faithlessness!

I just thought that His love was really amazing. And how merciful He is. I mean, He knew their sins! And yet He still chose to save them! Even when He knew what kind of people they were!

I guess, that's why J.I.Packer said in his book, Knowing God that God's love for us is a source of great comfort (quote below). Because He saved us not in His ignorance, but in His full knowledge of what kind of people we were. He chose to love us and saved us, knowing full well our rebellion against Him. And that's why we can be sure of His love and be secure in it (Romans 8: 31-39)

"This is momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort - the sort of comfort that energises, be it said, not enervates - in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love, and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.

There is, certainly, great cause for humility in the thought that he sees all the twisted things about me that my fellow humans do not see (and I am glad!), and that he sees more corruption in me than that which I see in myself (which, in all conscience, is enough). There is, however, equally great incentive to worship and love God in the thought that, for some unfathomable reason, he wants me as his friend, and desires to be my friend, and has given his Son to die for me in order to realise this purpose........

(from Knowing God, J.I.Packer, 2004, p.45-46)."

His story

2007-07-07T12:06:00.000+10:00

One of my Bible reading passages for today is Joshua 9, about how the Gibeonites, out of their fear for their lives acted cunningly and tricked Joshua and the Israelites leaders to make a covenant with them (without consulting God, of course!), to spare their lives.

After reading the passage, I was trying to work out if they had done the right thing, when they found out about the deception, to not kill the Gibeonites. As in, it was said that the Gibeonites were spared because the leaders had sworn by the LORD. But then, it was God's command that they killed all the inhabitants of the land, and the Gibeonites did deceive them anyway. So, why not right the wrong made rather than following mistake with another mistake (i.e. mistake of covenant with Gibeonites and then mistake of sparing their lives).

Thought I should check the cross references and so read 2 Sam 21. And then I realised that the Israelites did the right thing (second time) by sparing the Gibeonites' lives.

That whole exercise has reminded me that one part of the Bible sometimes shed light on how another part of the Bible is to be understood and interpreted. And what is important in the passage and why it was included there in the first place.

A secondary reminder however was the wonder I have of people who think that some very clever people make up stories in the Bible or that the Bible is less than God's story (His-story). I mean, who would have thought of mentioning the Gibeonites in Josh 9, in passing, just as a chapter out of the so many chapters in Joshua and then mentioned it again in 2 Sam 21, as another side story. Maybe they are not really small side stories, but I think there are many (or at least a few) cases like that in the Bible... Some of the details and the links are just very intricate that you can't help but be amazed by God and yeah, can't think of how someone might come up with a story like that, especially one written by different authors and across such time-span!

And it's just amazing to see God unfolding His great plan over the whole Bible and to see His faithfulness and power in bringing about His plans and purposes... through the big and small things in lives!

What great God I have! What amazing love! - that the Master of the Universe should keep His Words and make Himself bound by His own Words to save creatures like me...

The Love of God

2007-07-03T20:14:00.000+10:00

Another one of my favourite hymns, with my favourite verse being verse 3, although of course I like both verse 1 and 2 as well =) But I guess, I just love the way verse 3 describe the extent of God's love for us...... to be loved that much! By God... And it's not as if we are worth loving, too! What a love He's shown us... What a love He's shown me...

The Love of God

words by: Frederick M. Lehman

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Refrain

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Refrain

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? - Romans 8:35

As usual, it is taken from the Cyber Hymnal. The midi for the song can be found here.

He Giveth More Grace

2007-07-03T19:04:00.000+10:00

A poem by Annie Johnson Flint

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

It can also be found on the Cyber Hymnal.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 (ESV)

Pleas for mercy...

2007-07-02T11:45:00.000+10:00

One of my personal Bible reading passages in the past two days has been Isaiah 63-64.

And this morning, as I read Isaiah 64, I couldn't help but marvel at the tone of expression in verses 8-12...

Hard to express things with words... but I was so overwhelmed by the way Isaiah expressed his plea to God in those verses...

He knew the Israelites were in trouble because of their sins (in this context), and yet he still came pleading to God because he knew God was his only hope... because he trusted in the character of this God that he knew as their loving and merciful Father...

Hard to express things in words, but such an overwhelming pleas for mercy... such a quiet trust in loving characters of God...

What a longing!

2007-07-02T08:39:00.000+10:00

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning." (Ps 130: 5-6)

To wait on God more than watchmen for the morning! What a longing!

May the above verse be true of me. May I wait for the Lord and may I hope in His Word more than watchmen wait for the breaking of dawn... May He in His mercy looked on me with favour through Christ, and may He grant me my request...

Psalm 131

A Song of Ascents. Of David.
LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore.

What's in a name?

2007-06-27T23:09:00.000+10:00

Found this post saved under draft. The original post time and date was 2 October 2006 at 14.08.

Thought it is interesting to post this after my first post tonight on knowing by name...

What's in a name?

One of my new favourite books is Life is a Zoo. Bought it at Taronga Zoo on Saturday. It's a really nice book and I've only read until page 35 or so, but I love every single page that I've read! =)

It's just something to read the stories of those animals, known to their keepers by their names......

I think, there is just something that makes it special, personal - to call or know something/someone by its/his/her name...

That's why I couldn't believe it when one of our short termers sent us a prayer letter with this title "the day we ate Bruce"! I mean, that was just wrong! You don't eat something you named! Or if you are going to eat it, then don't name it!

Anyway... just wondering if that is the reason behind all the word games happening in the area of stem cell research debates... Calling embryos by some other names so they won't have to call it "murder"???

Both???

2007-06-27T20:53:00.000+10:00

A very disturbing article!!!

I'm someone who can have strong opinions and emotions on something =) especially when it is related to something that/someone who is precious to me, like my Lord's Name and glory. =)

And so I really have to control myself to not say anything that gives away too much about my feelings and thoughts when reading the article mentioned. Just because I do want you to read it for yourself first... and to think through things - and try to see what you think the Bible would have to say about her and her actions...

Knowing by name...

2007-06-27T18:55:00.000+10:00

It's funny how knowing people by their names, i.e. who they are - rather than just by what they do - can actually make a difference to the way you relate to them...

Before my last home-trip, I only knew a few of them by names - the more senior/older 'workers/helpers'. But during my last holiday at home, I made an effort to know each one of them by names, including the new ones. I thought I should - as I'm sure it would help me in praying for them... Not that God didn't know each one of them by name =) but me knowing their names would mean that I do care for them as people, too, created in the image of God, not just "my parents' workers/helpers".

And so, I made an effort to memorise their names and faces, and asked a bit of information about each from Mum and Dad. And I actually started to care for them - thankful for their hard work, and yeah, appreciated each one as a person...

I actually missed them quite a bit when I came back here. They were just always around - I mean, I saw them almost every day - minus alternate Sundays. But then, me, being someone who easily forgets people when they are not in front of me, actually got used to not having them around after a while... (sadly...)

I'm actually kind of looking forward to going home and see them again this time... Won't get to spend too long there, but quite a few things have happened since I've been back here! Three 'resignations', maybe one or two new people, two weddings (involving 3 of our workers) already, and going to miss another wedding this coming Sunday!

Anyway, this is just reminiscing =) not really an observation of life...

Although, I guess, even as I think through all these - I have been reminded how thankful I should be to God for His love for me. I mean, God 'knows me by name'! He cares enough for me to know me by my name! What's more, He loves me so much to let me know Him by His Name - His personal Name! - me(!) - His creature!

Me caring for these workers - who are equally made in God's image like me - is nothing special at all. God caring for me - A LOT more than my care for these people - that is special!

And I'm so thankful that He is faithful in His love and care for me - unlike me in my care and concern for those people... =(

Are they compatible?

2007-06-22T14:08:00.000+10:00

A very interesting article - worth reading.

Proverbs...

2007-06-19T19:20:00.000+10:00

Proverbs 12: 25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.

Proverbs 16: 24
Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 18: 24
A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 25: 11
A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 27: 9
Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Why? . . .

2007-06-19T13:59:00.000+10:00

Many times when read their letters, I can't help but ask (more in amazement and disbelief than contempt):

"Why would they want to do that? Why would they want to be there - doing what they are doing, living such hard lives, and facing things and situations they otherwise wouldn't have to face?! Why??? ......"

And then I realise, I do have the answer to those questions - it is right there, in front of me!

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. - 2 Cor 5: 14-15

How near to danger?

2007-06-18T21:58:00.001+10:00

A wise person once said that we need to always be careful and still be critical in reading books written by "people with big names" - like Spurgeon or Carson or Edwards or anyone else. We need to always remember that even though they have much good things to say, it is still a good idea to check if what they say is in line with the Bible or not.

So, whenever I post a quote here, please do keep in mind that they are not from the Bible and so they are not foolproof. =)

Having said that, here is another story I found interesting from Spurgeon. He has a strong stand on "worldly entertainment" - and the context of his particular sermon from which this quote is taken is "theatres and their performances". But I think the story itself is interesting, as it still can be challenging in the way we sometimes view worldly pleasures or even sin... not necessarily just in the case of modern equivalent of theatres, i.e. movies or play, but I believe, in many other things, too.

Anyway, here it goes...

'How far may we go in conformity to the world?' is a question that is frequently asked. Have you never heard the story of a lady who wanted a coachman? Two or three called to see her about the post, and, in answer to her enquiries, the first application said, 'Yes madam, you could not have a better coachman than myself.' She replied, 'How near do you think you could drive to danger without an accident?' 'Madam, I could go within a yard of it, and yet you would be perfectly safe.' 'Very well,' she said, 'you will not suit me.'

The second applicant had heard the question upon which the other had been rejected, and therefore he was ready with his answer, 'Danger! madam, why I could drive within a hair's breadth, and yet be perfectly safe.' 'Then you will not suit me at all.' When number three came in, he was asked, 'Are you a good driver?' 'Well,' he replied, 'I am careful and have never met with an accident.' 'But how near do you think you could drive to danger?' 'Madam,' he said, 'that is a thing I never tried; I always drive as far away from danger as ever I can.' The lady at once replied, 'You are the kind of coachman I want, and I will engage you at once.'

Get such a coachman as that yourself to guide your own heart and lead your own character. Do not see how near you can go to sin, but see how far you can keep away from it....

2 Cor 6: 17 - "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,"

From "Classic Counsels, Places of Entertainment - Discernment in the matter of amusements" by Spurgeon.

My song is love unknown...

2007-06-17T15:45:00.000+10:00

It is funny how you feel that people fail you the most when you actually need them the most... But then, on reflection, it makes you realise, that you probably fail people the most when they need you the most, too...

A few weeks ago, my Bible Study leader said something interesting. Can't remember exact words he said, but I think it was along these lines:

He said it is interesting how we find it easy(ier) to minister to and encourage those who behave well or pleasantly or who respond well to our greetings and encouragement etc, while actually it might be those who don't respond as pleasantly to us, or who are not being as friendly or who are snappy etc - who need our encouragement the most.

He said, because it could be that they are probably having a bad day or having something troubling their minds or have some other difficulties etc and that's why they don't respond as well or are not as loving or as friendly to us. And that's why they need our encouragement the most - at least more than usual, and most likely more than those who respond well to us.

It is harder to minister and be loving and encouraging to people when they just seem to be unlovable, to be so guarded and unfriendly or just plain annoying!

But what my BS leader said was right, wasn't it? It might be a generalisation, but sometimes, we are more unwilling to minister to those who are unpleasant than to those who are pleasant to minister to.

But yeah, I'm SO glad that Jesus is different to them. I'm SO glad that He chose to die for us, for me, even when I was still His enemy!

I'm SO thankful to God that He chose to save me anyway, even after all the things I did against Him and even when He knew that I would fail Him (again and again!) after I became a Christian, too!

I'm so thankful my salvation is by grace and not by merit. I'm so thankful God will look to Christ and pardon me and sees me as perfect in Christ. I know full well I fail Him - again and again. And it just amazes me how He chooses to keep forgiving me in Christ when I come to Him in repentance.

Such grace and mercy! Such faithfulness and steadfast love!

What a God I believe in! What a God who calls me His own...

My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?

Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

words by Samuel Crossman, 1664

No matter what...

2007-06-14T18:48:00.000+10:00

It is on days like today, when the day went very slow until a big and urgent task was given at 4 pm and needed to be finished by this afternoon, which I knew would past 5 pm - that I needed to remind myself that it is good to be trained to be flexible in facing the unexpected... and be thankful to God no matter what surprises He has for you... and still react in a godly way.

Last Sat, while celebrating one of our brothers' birthday, I asked him a question (which might have been considered too serious by some) if he would still be thankful to God should God throw something his way that would ruin his future plan - even if it seems that his plan is a good and godly one, like serving God in all ways that he can...

I actually wanted to ask also if he then thinks that God would be less pleased with him, should he be unable to serve Him in any way that he wishes for. I mean, say God alloted him disabilities that would prevent him from doing much for God, would he still be thankful to God? Does he think that God would then be less pleased with him because he wouldn't be able to do as much?

I know those questions might sound horrible. But isn't it true though that none of us actually knows what tomorrow might hold for us? Who knows that God will only have good things for us in reserve?

I mean, He never promised us good things all our lives. His promise was that in all things He would work for our good - to transform us to be more like Christ. That is what was promised - nothing less. And if He thinks that hardships or disabilities are what we needed to "purify" us - then shouldn't we be thankful for those things?

And that's also why the more I think about the chorus from this post:

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.

the more I am thankful to God for being who He is and for the relationship I have with Him.

Because He is sovereign, He is in control of tomorrow. Because He is loving, He holds my hand. Because He is faithful, I know that no matter what my future holds, no matter what He might throw my way, I have His promise that everything will work for my good - to change me to be more like Jesus. And so, I can be forever thankful. =)

A side note:
I'm not saying the brother above didn't share his plans with an acknowledgement that all is subject to God. Nor am I saying that it isn't a good and encouraging thing for me to hear that the brother has a desire to serve God. I think that's a noble thing to desire. =) And I know he knows all his plans are subject to God's kindness and generosity. But I guess this is just the way my mind works... and he asked me what I was thinking... =)

Taming the tongue

2007-06-14T14:01:00.000+10:00

I posted a link to Jenny's blog on Equip notes last month. But this is the link to the notes from the speaker herself in case you are interested.

Hollywood Gospel

2007-06-14T13:57:00.000+10:00

A very interesting article to read:

Preaching the Hollywood Gospel

I've never thought much of people reading "celebrity news" or "lifestyle magazines" before, but found this article challenging, esp the bit towards the end...

Quiet confidence in real life...

2007-06-13T18:12:00.000+10:00

It is amazing what you can learn about someone within the 45 minutes that you spend with them! Or maybe I just know how to ask the right questions and maybe she just happens to be a talker. =)

But yeah, it was amazing to learn of her attitude in facing the things that happened or things that are in her life. Her life has not always been all rosy and colourful, and things have not always been predictable for her and her family...

And yet, from her comments and responses to what God has “apportioned” to her, I could just see her quiet confidence in God... She was just such a beautiful reflection of a person with deep-seated trust in God, as described in verse 3 (esp its second part) of the hymn in my previous post!