Echoes of Mercy

When in times of trouble

2011-05-08T08:19:00.000+01:00

1) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

2) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:4)

3) Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12)

4) Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)

5) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

6) do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

7) casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

8) For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Luke 10:24)

9) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Waiting upon Him

2010-12-27T17:23:00.002+01:00

'He that believeth shall not make haste'; the believer who is marked by faith shall not run to and fro as do men at their wits end, nor be driven by any fears as are the wicked, of whom it is said, "Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet", Job 18:11. With a fixed heart the believer can quietly wait upon the Lord, for God's timing is always best. Learning to accept this is one of life's most difficult lessons.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him", Psalm 37:7

[taken from a daily reading from Day by Day - Christ Foreshadowed]

That we would have real life...

2010-12-10T08:07:00.002+01:00

Listening to "Its about the Cross" by Go Fish, one of my favorite lines was this - "so that you and I could have real life someday".

"Real Life", something we all search for, but so often miss the mark. This Christmas we remember once again of the story of how the Lord came to this earth, Mary received her baby, and the world received their Savior. The Savior who ultimately suffered and died on a cross for our sins. He paid the price so that we would not need to. He gave his life, so that we could have life... real life.

The United States of America

2010-11-20T16:40:00.001+01:00

Question: How to keep warm during winter?

Answer:
1. A cup of hot chocolate.

2. Warm fellowship

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together... (Heb 10:25)

Looking forward to meeting the brothers and sisters of Forest hills Bible Chapel during my stay in Grand Rapids.

Mercy amongst the Blue

2010-11-13T19:32:00.001+01:00

I saw a double rainbow the other day on my way to work, and it got me thinking...

⁸ Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: ⁹ “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ¹⁰ and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. ¹¹ I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
¹² And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: ¹³ I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴ Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, ¹⁵ I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. ¹⁶ Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Genesis 9: 8-16

A bow speaks terror, but this has neither string nor arrow; and a bow alone will do little hurt. It is a bow, but it is directed upward, not toward the earth; for the seals of the covenant were intended to comfort, not to terrify. As God looks upon the bow, that he may remember the covenant, so should we, that we may be mindful of the covenant with faith and thankfulness.

(Matthew Henry's commentary)

I saw two that day, the Lord was definitely making a point.

Those who matter don't mind

2010-04-11T14:31:00.003+01:00

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"

Recently I came across this quote and to be honest I don't really agree with it. Mainly because I don't think being yourself and saying what you feel regardless of the feelings of others is the right thing to do.

But when I read the second part of the quote, it got me thinking. It may not be absolutely correct, but I personally find the concept quite true in many circumstances. Many times when we fall and need support the most, those who stand by and point fingers hurt the most, yet we fail to realize that those people are often those who don't really care. Because those who really care, are those who are already by our side supporting us and just offering a shoulder to lean on even when we are at our most undesirable condition, weak and fragile.

And among all those who care, no one offers that support better than the Lord Jesus Christ, we may come before Him broken and in pieces, but he picks up the pieces and puts them together and reassures us that He loves us and will always be there for us. For with the Lord Jesus Christ you can truly be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and the ONE who matters don't mind. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 23:3

2010-03-21T02:07:00.002+01:00

"He restores my soul: He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake. "

Psalm 23 - one of the most referred to Psalm written by David has been a source of comfort and encouragement to many. These six verses give us hope by reminding us of who the Lord Jesus is; how He provides for our needs, how He leads us and comforts us, and how goodness and mercy is a constant blessing from the Lord.

Yet within all the seemingly "me-centric" verses, right at the middle of the verses we find these four words - for his name's sake. As if to tell us that all the goodness that we receive from the Lord demands a rightful response - that His name be exalted and glorified.

So often we receive so much from the Lord that we often forget that we are not the centre of our own universe, the Lord should be the centre of it and everything else. Oh may the Lord forgive us for our self-centered attitude and give us the grace to appreciate the truth - that everything should be and will be for His name's sake.

How could I stand here
And watch the sun rise
Follow the mountains
Where they touch the sky
Ponder the vastness
And the depths of the sea
And think for a moment
The point of it all was to make much of me
Cause I'm just a whisper
And You are the thunder and

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today to give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of You

And how can I kneel here
And think of the cross
The thorns and the whip and the nails and the spear
The infinite cost
To purchase my pardon
And bear all my shame
To think I have anything worth boasting in except for Your name
Cause I am a sinner
And You are the Savior
- Steven Curtis Chapman -

A morning reading...

2010-03-16T01:46:00.001+01:00

“It is very evident that Enoch knew nothing whatever about the
mode of ‘making the best of both worlds’. To him there was but one
world. Thus it should be with us.” —W. Ross Rainey

O Master, let me walk with Thee, in lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear, the strain of toil, the fret of care. —W. G.

Just as I am

2009-11-14T14:23:00.010+01:00

    It's a fear that keeps me wide awake
    In the middle of the night
    When the expectations are too great
    And the bar gets raised too high
    So I do the best with what I've got
    And hope that no one knows
    That I strain to see how high I can
    Try to stand on these toes
    Until I'm measured, but You know better

    (Chorus)
    So, thank-You, Jesus
    Even when You see us just as we are
    Fragile and frail and so far
    From who we want to be
    So, thank-You, Jesus
    Even when the pieces are broken and small
    Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind
    Thank-You, even then

    So I put aside the masquerade
    And admit that I am not okay
    Which may not be the thing to say
    But I'm not ashamed to need You more each day

    (Chorus)

    We raise the standard and try to reach You
    But we'll never make it, and we don't need to

    - Nichole Nordeman -

"So I put aside the masquerade, And admit that I am not okay, Which may not be the thing to say..."

It is indeed not easy to admit our imperfections and failures, especially in a modern society where self-empowerment and portraying the "right image"is the "key" to success, and admitting to your flaws is just a sign of weakness.

I am thankful and glad that this is not the case when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ. For the Lord Jesus may be the only person who will always love us. For He does not love us "because of," but that He love us "in spite of." And because of that, hurtful souls can enter a place of abundant peace and comfort when they turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.

So Thank you Lord Jesus, for loving me just as I am.

I was thinking...

2009-09-04T06:26:00.003+01:00

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Whenever I read this verse, it never occurs to me that for Christ to become poor, the sacrifice was more than my mind could ever comprehend. As a brother once put it: "Even if you try to minus 1 billion from infinity, you will still get infinity." God is infinitely rich, yet He become poor for our sake. Mathematically speaking, it is impossible. But I guess that is precisely it, he made the impossible possible, for you and for me.

What I thought...

In reality...

How wonderful is the love of God the Father shown to us through Christ Jesus, his beloved Son.

Notice the similarities...

2009-06-30T02:36:00.008+01:00

1) My Father's Heart
2) My Song is Love Unknown

I found it very interesting since I only realized the similarity between the two melodies when we were learning a few new hymns after fellowship dinner. When Cheryl started teaching the tune to the hymn "My Song is Love Unknown", I was like: "Wait a minute, this sounds very familiar..." And I was right, I did hear the tune before. It was the same tune from the song "My Father's Heart" sang by Rachel Lampa. The funny thing is I always thought that Rachel Lampa's version was the original, without knowing that the melody was actually borrowed from an old English hymn, which incidentally is one of Kok Keong's favorite hymn. I have always loved "My Father's Heart", but now that I have been introduced to this new beautiful hymn, I think it might just become one of my favorite hymns as well. ;)

who... made Himself of no reputation

2009-04-18T04:07:00.003+01:00

Have you lost your reputation?
Are you trusting in the Lord?

Have you found a full salvation
from what people think and say?

Do you mean to live for Jesus,
let the World say what it may?

(excerpt from I Come quietly to met you -Amy
Carmichael)

The promise of the Lord Jesus in the gospel of John tells us that He came so that those who believe in Him might have life and have it abundantly... yet in the gospel of Luke we find the Lord Jesus presenting a more sobering fact that if anyone will come after Him, should deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Him.

There is a cost to following the one who gives us life in its fullness, and pride and self glory has no part in it. If our Lord had people despising and rejecting him, I wonder how can we as his followers, strive on the praise and approval of the people in this world.

He allows me to hunger

2009-02-09T03:16:00.002+01:00

I was reading some of Amy Carmichael's writings and I came upon this passage with the title "He allows me to hunger". It was a devotional on Psalms 63:1,5. It was one of those passages that carry such fundamental truths about God's dealings with us that we just need to be reminded of time after time.

It was a dialog between a father and a son. The son found himself in a barren place and wondered why he should at times feel so helpless and needy... thirsty. The Father in his great gentleness reveals to the son the reason for these unpleasant circumstances and assures his son that the Father will always be there to comfort, provide and protect.

If I may just quote two things the Father said:
- "I am the one who allowed you to come into this humbling circumstances and who allowed you to hunger. I did this so that I might feed you with manna -- My bread from heaven!"
- "Can someone who has never seen burning sands in the wilderness turn into a refreshing pool -- can he speak in praise of My marvels, or My power?"

Circumstances can change and pull us down; but the never changing Father who loves us remains faithful and builds us up. Times of hunger and thirst were never meant to make us suffer, it was meant to magnify God's greatness and remind us of the height of his goodness towards us. I am thankful... for he allows me to hunger.

Time Machine

2009-02-01T14:35:00.002+01:00

I wish I had a time machine. I wish I could go back in time to those moments that mattered, go back to relive those memorable moments that was certain to make me smile. Or maybe just to be able to have a second change and change the mistakes of the past. But I guess life is like that, we all wish to have something magical that could do things that we can only dream of. Chris Rice would have wanted his magic wand; I would like to have my own time machine. However far fetched the idea may be, it all comes down to the human need for hope, for something better, something that allows us to cover up our flaws and make things better.

Why then did God not make time machines and magic wands a reality in this world? He could if he wanted to, but He didn’t. It sure would have made things better. Or would it? Maybe we are just missing the point. Instead of looking towards “something” to help us change our lives, we fail to see that “someone” is already waiting for us to turn towards him and depend on him. If only we would be willing to listen to His words and allow the spirit to guide us to making the right choices. Maybe then we would no longer have a need for a time machine or a magic wand, because we would finally be able to say that God has made all things well and that no time machine or any magic wand could have made it any better. So goodbye time machine, I have my Lord by my side and that will be just fine, thank you!

Chapter two

2007-09-25T10:14:00.001+01:00

It has been almost two months since I returned home from the UK. Having finished my studies, its good to be home. Ever since then I had been caught up with job hunting, family camp, catching up with friends and family, cleaning my "4 years abandoned" room and lots of resting at home.

Looking back, I have been studying in different places at every stage of my education life: from kajang to KL to Mantin to UK. Now that I have finally returned home for good, it feels like a whole new start all over again. As for now, I am going to start working soon, and somehow it makes me realise how time has passed and how faithful the Lord has been to me all these years. I am thankful... really.

Before stepping into this new phase of my life, my only hope is that the Lord will guide my path in each step I take, so that although the future is unknown, at least I will have the assurance that the path taken is one without regrets and that the one who carried me so far will deliver me through the years to come.

The Hammer Holds

2007-07-08T19:43:00.000+01:00

A shapeless piece of steel, that's all I claim to be
This hammer pounds to give me form, this flame, it melts my dreams
I glow with fire and fury, as I'm twisted like a vine
My final shape, my final form I'm sure I'm bound to find

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

And the water, it cools me gray, and the hurt's subdued somehow
I have my shape, this sharpened point, what is my purpose now?
And the question still remains, what am I to be?
Perhaps some perfect piece of art displayed for all to see

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the flames
And hurt a little, hurt for me my future is untold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

The hammer pounds again, but flames I do not feel
This force that drives me, helplessly, through flesh, and wood reveals
A burn that burns much deeper, it's more than I can stand
The reason for my life was to take the life of a guiltless man

So dream a little, dream for me in hopes that I'll remain
And cry a little, cry for me so I can bear the pain
And hurt a little, hurt for me, my future is so bold
But my dreams are not the issue here, for they, the hammer holds

This task before me may seem unclear
But it, my maker holds
-Bebo Norman

Choice Gleanings: Monday - May 21st

2007-05-21T10:16:00.000+01:00

John 12:24 Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

“One grain of wheat!” That is what my life may amount to–completely insignificant in this world of millions of hungry people. But it could be different! Hand that life over to the Lord Jesus Christ. Abandon my own ambitions and make it my life’s work to live only for Him and His plan for me, and He will cause my life to produce “much grain” to spiritually feed those dying without a Saviour. —David Croudace

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide, Where I may labour through life’s short day for Jesus the crucified. So trusting my all unto Thy care, I know Thou lovest me! I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere, I’ll be what You want me to be! —C. H. G.

Bells of testimony

2007-05-13T09:59:00.000+01:00

The golden bells that adorn the robe of the high priest suggests testimony... Christ bore testimony upon the earth to the things of the Father..

My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me
(John 4:34)

"Believers bear testimony of one kind or the other. We cannot bear good testimony to the things of God in our own strength. Testimony to the salvation and truth into which we have been brought is only possible by the power of the indwelling Spirit. His desire is to work upon our lives, individually and corporately, producing harmonious melody to the Lord and blessing to those around us." - Cyril Cann

Is my testimony hidden? Is it veiled in by troubles and sin? Has it been kept from the sight of others out of selfishness? Can people hear the heartbeat of this testimony that should be beating for those in need? Have I surrendered to the one who I know is the Lord of my life? What testimony am I bearing? ... so the believer asks.

I can't even tie His shoes

2007-04-19T01:49:00.000+01:00

I was reading an online issue of CCM magazine talking about how christian music artists deal with the fact that being in the limelight becomes a struggle when they realise what is the point of all of it when being popular shadows the purpose of the glorifying God.

At the end of the article, I read a short passage that Chris Tomlin shared when he had his first photo shoot:

On the flight to his first photo shoot, Chris remembers opening a letter from Passion founder Louie Giglio and, to this day meditating on the words he read. WHile Louie acknowledged the star treatment Chris was about to experience for the first time, he encouraged him to "think about John the Baptist all day,"

"Everyone was coming to John the Baptist in John and saying, 'You're it. You're the deal...You're getting quite popular here.' And he responded, 'I am not... there's One that's coming, I can't even tie His shoes. That's the One you need to go to. And when you see Him, you're going to know that He must increase and I must decrease,'" Louie's letter continued," And as they're taking your pictures today, I just want you to hold that in your heart...' you don't even tie this guy's shoes,' I've never forgotten it," Chris says.

Not all of us have or ever will have star treatment in our lifetime. However, the fact that pride is just at our doorstep knocking is a good enough reason for us to always keep guard and remind ourselves that we are but a creation of someone much greater than ourselves. The Lord Jesus alone deserves glory... for whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose (John 1:27 - KJV).

I am not sure which "guy" Louie was refering to when he reminded Chris of the passage in John. The way I see it, I may not be able to even tie the shoes of John the Baptist, let alone the One whose feet like unto fine brass as if they were burned in a furnace (Rev 1:15 - KJV). Maybe instead of standing tall and keeping our heads so high up all the time, it might do us good if we learn to fall before the the feet of Christ more often, reminding us that maintaining a facade of self-sufficiency is useless when we come before the one whose shoes we are not even worthy to untie.

Only the redeemed

2007-04-08T00:22:00.000+01:00

1 Peter 1:12 : Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

I have been considering the amazing privilege that we believers have on angels. They may have been with the Lord throughout the creation of mankind, but one thing we have is the experience of salvation, which even angels long to know about.

As a song puts it:

"...And I have watched the blinding of grace
Come breaking through with a sweetness
Only tasted by the forgiven and redeemed

And someday I'll sit down with my angel friends up in Heaven
They'll tell me about creation
And I'll tell them a story of grace..."

I can only imagine how that conversation will be like with the angels when we discuss God's marvelous work. It will be one long conversation with lots of stories to tell... stories that will take eternity to tell.

Music to my ears

2007-03-27T11:53:00.000+01:00

I was listening to a cd entitled GLORY REVEALED - The word of God in worship. Beautiful songs combining the words of the scriptures with rootsy American music. As I was listening, I started to think why do I like christian songs so much? I mean I like other songs as well, I listen to other Chinese and English songs, but none of them are christian music. It is like whenever I am feeling sad, happy or any other occassion, the songs of my preference will always be christian songs.

Apart from the obvious - that I am a christian and therefore it seems normal for me to have preference on christian songs. I think what I am getting at is that the reason christian songs will always be my favourite is because there is one major theme within those songs, that is they all focus on the Lord Himself, and that is what makes them so different and special.

Everyone has a songwriter somewhere hidden in themselves. In one way or another, all of us are able to come up with a song of two of our own. However, no matter how beautiful our songs may be, none can be compared with the songs written out of love and reverence to the Lord God Almighty. I believe when God created us, He made us all songwriters. Songwriters that write songs of worship in our hearts. It is when we realise we are made to worship our creator, that is when the world's most beautiful songs are written.

What I really want to say

2007-03-04T03:19:00.000+01:00

It has been ages since I have blogged. I just don't know what to write about. Everytime I think of something that i want to write it is always on the spur of that moment that I have something in my mind (which is usually when I am outside doing something else far away from my notebook). By the time I reach home, I just can't get myself to write anything on the blog anymore. Sometimes I ask myself: Is this what I really want to say? Or am I doing it for all the wrong reasons. Often times I find myself silenced by the realization that I don't really have anything to say(which is in many ways worrying). Maybe when I have something worth sharing, I will blog again. As for now, may there be learning and growing in silence.

For Him

2007-01-21T22:57:00.000+01:00

Matthew 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Matthew 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

If according to the scriptures, I should have found myself without hands or feet, I should have been blind, deaf, dumb... but the grace of God held back His wrath and blessed me with faculties that are to be for His glory and for Him alone...

If I can sing Let my songs be full of His Glory
If I can speak Let my words be full of His Grace
If I should live or die
Let me be found pursuing this prize
The One that alone satisfies
The Treasure of Jesus

-SCC

Come away with me

2007-01-21T15:14:00.000+01:00

Just what I need: an invitation to a place of solace and peace.

Songs of Solomon 2: 10-13

My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Arise...... my love... my fair one...... Come away... with Me.

scribbling in the sand

2007-01-17T02:52:00.000+01:00

Michael Card wrote a song about the scene John 8 where the angry mob prepared to stone an adulterous woman, and how the Lord Jesus responded in silence and bent down to write on the ground with His finger.

In the song he wrote: " the same finger of the strong hand that had written ten commmands, for now its simply scribbling in the sand." I often find myself in the place of the woman where I am eternally thankful that in spite of my sinful self, the Lord Jesus did not condemn me, but choose to forgive me. "The finger that wrote the ten commandments", speaks of the Lord's right position to condemn me of my sins. Yet He chose not to, because of love. Just as the way He chose not to stone the woman of her sins, but rather just scribbling in the sand.

I am so grateful for all the moments that the Lord Jesus bent down to scribble in the sand in my life, because it speaks of His mercy that I would never be worthy of. Even when others want to pick up the stone of condemnation to throw at me, the abundance of His grace overflows to reach out to me. Thank you!

another year...

2007-01-04T13:17:00.000+01:00

January 4th, 2007 is officially the day I start my new year. Why? because its my BIRTHDAY!!! (applause... haha). Now with the very lame joke aside, I find that having reached the 23rd year of my life, many things have come and gone, many things have changed and there are so many lessons and experiences that I have gone through that at this point of my life, somewhere between the dreaming and the coming true... wait a minute that is Bebo norman's new cd, Hehe! Ok lame, but seriously I find myself at a point where there are so many decisions and so many possiblities and so many things happening around me. But when I went to bed last night, thinking that today would be my birthday, I asked myself one question: "With all that is has happened and that which will become of in the future, what is it that matters, now that it is my birthday?" Should I boast about my past and strive towards a better future? Or should I complain about my past and put no hope in the future? Then I was left in silence. I kept quiet to listen to what my heart really desires.

Finally I came to a conclusion: What matters is that for the past 23 years of my life, I have a family who loves and supports me all the way through. Moreover, I have a Father in heaven who watches over me and loves me even at my worst moments in life. What does that mean? It means on my birthday, I am reminded of how blessed I am, and how much I should be thankful for all that I already have. So thank you Pa and Ma for bringing me to this world and taking good care of me. Thank you Lord Jesus for giving this life meaning that I may have it more abundantly... Thank you!

Isn't that what it is all about?

2006-12-29T00:53:00.000+01:00

What am I talking about? Christmas of course. I went to a friend's place for dinner on Christmas eve and apart from bringing some food, I was asked to prepare the music for the night. So I was thinking: Christmas + dinner + music = Christmas music/carols. Sounds like a fairly appropriate choice, doesn't it? Despite my efforts to provide a Christmas-like feel to our dinner, the music that i chose wasn't really everyones favourite. So the host had to change the music selection to a more "modern" genre.

I didn't mind the music to be changed, because it is just music and I fully understand everyone have their preferences. However, there is one comment that troubled me was that one of the guest mentioned that she heard the word 'Jesus' a few times through the Christmas music and found it slighty unpleasant. I don't blame her because she is not a believer. However, the question that I would really like to ask is: Isn't Christmas all about the Lord Jesus Christ?

If the Lord Jesus was not born to this earth, there will be no Christmas, no joy of giving gifts to each other, no peace of a family gathering, no hope for a new year... no hope for all of us in this world. I am glad it is not so, I am thankful that when we remember Christmas, the Lord Jesus is the centre of it all, because Christmas is all about hope, the hope of a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!

lonely christmas

2006-12-19T23:54:00.000+01:00

Another year, another term, and another Christmas is just around the corner. As usual, everyone is out shopping and busy preparing for the Christmas family time spent together. However, things are not so 'busy' in my flat. Instead, it is rather quiet since my flat mates won't be around for Christmas. At first it didn't bother me much, because I am not much of a party person myself. However, seeing so many people getting into the Christmas spirit and going back home to spend Christmas with their families does make me feel lonely at times.

It is easy to get use to spending Christmas by yourself after a few years, but I guess there is still something inside that wants Christmas to be special, something to look forward to and remember. It makes sense since Christmas is anything but ordinary, because we remember the birthday of the one person that brought hope and salvation to mankind. Just as I was starting to complain about being all lonely and bored, a friend reminded me that despite not being able to spend Christmas with my family like most people do, I still have a Father in heaven who will be with me on Christmas day, and that makes all the difference.

It is interesting that on Christmas, we take it as a time when we can come together as a family and just spend time with each other. Yet the day when Christ was born, He was born into a world which did not welcome Him. He left His father's side to save a world that was lost. In a way, He came to this world lonely, so that we who believe in Him need not be lonely anymore. The Son of God gave... so that we may receive. May this blessed time of the year be a reminder to us - we are all blessed, only because He gave.

Am i who i should be

2006-12-09T01:50:00.000+01:00

I remember one of the earlier posts of this blog I mentioned a song which writes "Do they see Jesus in me, do they recognize His face..." This particular statement seem to remind me once again that have I been reponsible enough to reflect the beauty of Chirst as I should have? Or have I just let my testimony be turned into an awful stench to the holy name of the Lord Jesus.

I realise that many times I find myself in a position that even those who are not saved show a better testimony than I should have. Which begs the question: How did I find myself in this place where I see glimpses of Chirst-likeness in others rather than in his own child? It is as though if I was within a group of people chosen for others to point out which one in the group is a chirstian, I know I would not be chosen. Most of us are bothered that foreigners do not recognize which country we are from. We complain that just from our looks, the way we talk and act it is obvious where we come from. Similarly, what if someone came up and said: "I am sorry, I didn't recognize that you were a christian, you sure don't look like one."

It is bad enough for people not to recognize saved ones as believers, it is even worse if unsaved ones were seen as a better testimony than saved ones should be. Do they see Jesus in me? By God's grace and mercy, I sure do hope so...

God is good

2006-11-26T19:46:00.000+01:00

Ever since I was young, the word "Good" has always been a common word used in songs that we sing in sunday school. Especially the well known "God is so good" song. After singing it for so many years now, I never actually understood how a simple word "Good" could describe the almighty God whom we worship.

I guess, it is because the word "good" is so commonly used these days that it doesnt really mean as much as it is suppose to anymore. With this in mind, I was led to the scene in the bible where the rich young man approaches the Lord Jesus and says:" Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" One would think that the Lord would answer this young man as he so eagerly wanted to know the answer. However, the first thing that the Lord Jesus said was:" Why do you call me good? No one is good - except God alone. (NIV Mark 10:17-18)

If the Lord Jesus had to make it clear that no one is good, except God alone. I would think that there is more weight to the meaning of the word "Good" then we would expect. The question that then comes to mind is: How would you define good? I am sure there are lots of good dictionaries out there to give loads of definitions and explanations to the word. However, what came to my mind was verse 8 of Philippians 4. In my opinion, that verse gives a clear enough picture of what "Good" really is.

Incidentally, for those who are as ignorant as I am, if you find the meaning for "good book" it actually refers to the bible! (Interesting...) So next time whenever we come across the word "Good" in our praises, maybe it adds a little bit more to our appreciation of the Lord... maybe it just means something better... or maybe it just means that He is the best!

let His praise go on

2006-10-29T01:29:00.000+01:00

Recently I fell in love with the lyrics of Chris Rice's song called "And Your Praise Goes On". A beautiful song reminding us that the praise that the Father in heaven so rightly deserves never ends.

Even if everyone on earth stops praising God, every other creation on earth will shout in praise of its own. The fact being that God is so great that it is impossible to silence the praise rendered to Him from every corner of the world.

My personal favourite is the last part of the song where it says:

And when my final breath You lend
I’ll thank You for the life You gave
But that won’t mean the praises end
‘Cause I won’t be silenced by the grave!

And Your praise goes on
I’ll be runnin’ to Your throne
With every nation, tribe and tongue
To Your arms I’ll fly
I’ll gaze into Your eyes
Then I’ll know as I am known
And Your praise goes on
And Your praise goes on
And Your praise goes on

Each time I listen to this part of the song being sung, my eyes just fill up with tears helplessly. I am reminded that even death will not stop me from praising my Lord and God, and that when I reach heaven, I would be just like a little child that I once was, running eagerly to the Father's arms, telling Him how much I love Him... I can almost picture it in my head.

Dear Father, may Your praise go on...

Where is God in the picture?

2006-10-25T23:45:00.000+01:00

It has been quite a while since I started university all over again for the fourth time, and for the final time hopefully... Some how this year seem to be different from the previous years. On one hand it is my last year, so I guess it’s like the finishing the last lap of a race, giving it all you have. Also there is much more at stake, the hopes of having to achieve decent results this year and also the possibility to have to look for a job when I graduate. So I guess you could say i am in some sort of a trying period where I am hoping to keep my head above waters before I get swept away by waves of responsibilities and uncertainty.

Just recently, I attended a careers talk organized by Shell. It wasn't my first time being in these kind of career gatherings, but this time it got me thinking. Being in the final year of my university education, it is no surprise that I found the talk very informative and helpful. Just as I was considering my future as to where I might be working after I graduate, I looked around and realize that everyone gathered in the room that day had a common goal, and that was to hopefully be a potential employee of Shell. Most of them dressed in a rather formal manner just to make a good impression.

No doubt to apply for such a reputable company like Shell, it requires a lot of effort in preparing yourself to meet their requirements and making yourself shine among the other applicants. However, as I was sitting down listening to the rest of the talk, I kept thinking to myself, that if so much needs to be accomplished in order to get a good employment, it must be really worth one's while, seeing that so many people are putting so much effort into it. Or is it really?

I see why getting a good job is important, because it does give us some sense of security to our future. However, when I see how much emphasis the world has put on getting a good career, I begin wonder where is God in the picture? Have the need to secure our own future blinded us towards the one who determines our future? If so many of us can spend innumerable hours working towards filling in a piece of paper stating our achievements just to sell ourselves in an interview. I wonder why there are only so few who are able to turn to God who loves us just the way we are. If so many of us can spend so much time in making sure we pick the right choice of companies. I wonder why only few find the time to make the simple choice of believing in God.

The world may seem to be very successful in promoting the way to a successful future. However, I believe there is only so much I can do in securing my future, beyond that I can only leave to the one who holds my future. The hymn writer was right when he wrote: "Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth living just because He lives."

And to sum it all up: "Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." ... Amen!

THERE IS A GOD !

2006-08-14T13:37:00.000+01:00

Ninety three million miles from the blistering surface of the sun, hangs the planet Earth, a rotating sphere, perfectly suspended in the centre of the universe - the ultimate creation from an infinite mind - and unbelievably intricate, complex design, a supernatural testimony, an irrefutable sign that there is a God!

The size, position and angle of the earth is a scientific phenomenon to see. A few degrees closer to the sun and we would disintegrate; a few degrees farther and we would freeze. The axis of the earth is tilted at a perfect twenty-three degree angle, and it is no mistake that it is. This allows equal global distribution to the rays of the sun, making it possible for the food chain to exist. Take for example the combination of nitrogen and oxegen in the atmosphere that we breath every day - it just happens to be the exact mix that life needs to prosper. It doesn't happen on any other planet that way. You see, the bible says, "The invisible things of God are clearly seen through His creation." To believe this is not difficult. If there is a design there is a designer. If there is a plan there must be a planner. If there is a miracle, there is a God.

The scripture says "The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His Hands." If we allow our minds to drink in all the truth that just surrounds us, creation itself will help us understand. Did you know that the moon controls the tide? It is the maid that cleans the oceans. Even the waves do not crash against the shores in vain. The tides drag impurities into the depth of the sea. It is nature's constant recycling chain. It simply boggles the mind to think that the stars will rotate with such exact precision that it is true that the atomic clock, with an error factor of less than three seconds per millennium is set by the way they move. Though they silently orbit, the sun, the moon and the stars are like celestial evangelists above which circle the earth every twenty-four hours, shouting in every language, "There is a God."

Athesism is the wedge into the foundation of our faith, trying to topple our relationship with Christ. When the fool says in his heart there is no God, he rejects the truth that God painted on the canvas of the night. Atheism has never created an artistic masterpiece, never healed a fatal disease nor calmed a fear. Atheism has never given answers to our existence, peace to a troubled mind, nor even dried a tear. It is God who created heaven and earth, flung the stars into space and breathed into a handful of dirt and it became a man, a living soul. It is God who sits on the circle of the earth and measures the mountains in a scale and holds the seven seas in the palm of His hand. It is God who sent His only begotten Son to the cross of Calvary to save our souls from hell and the grave and to fit poor sinners for Heaven.

It is God who creates, God who delivers, God who heals and God who is worthy of a thunderous ovation of praise. There is a God! He lives and because He is alive, there is a Hope.

(Selected - Words in Season, July 06)

chaotic beings

2006-06-29T10:35:00.000+01:00

I heard a preacher made this comment about human beings once. He said if you want to create chaos, simply put humans into any situation, and you have chaos. Although I wouldn't deny the statement, I still did not fully appreciate it until another preacher pointed out a part in the Bible which clearly illustrates the point.

We humans often boast on how we can build things and create things to improve life, as though we are the reason everything in this world is in order. What makes it more pathetic is that when trouble comes, we blame God for it. It is interesting that the Bible paints a very different picture. In Genesis, we see God is the one who created the world and put everything in order. However, when we come to the first mention of the first two humans doing things together, what did they do? They disobeyed God. If the very first mention of man was to disobey God and cause disorder, funny how we can grow to think that we can turn the tides and start restoring order without God.

Maybe it is time we learn to recognize our tendency to fail, and look to the one whom we know holds everything into place, the one Lord and Savior - Christ Jesus.

not even close

2006-05-30T01:28:00.000+01:00

one thing i know is true... even all of my trials and sufferings in a lifetime will not come close to what the Lord Jesus has suffered through for my redemption ... thank you Lord Jesus, I am blessed indeed!

Christ suffered

2006-05-28T13:48:00.000+01:00

I remember having a short discussion with some of my friends two years ago when they compared the Lord Jesus with a soldier fighting for his country. They said it is more honourable for the soldier to die than it was for Christ to die, because the soldier did not know where he would be going when he dies, so the risk he was taking was much greater compared to the Lord Jesus who knew He would die to go to heaven. Although I disagree and don't remember having a concluding point to the discussion, it somehow pointed me to the thought of the humanity of Christ.

It is amazing mystery to consider the Lord Jesus being fully human and fully God at the same time, something which until now I struggle to comprehend, and yet by faith I believe it is true. And through many occasions of listening to this beautiful truth being preached, I am constantly confronted with the fact that although the Lord Jesus was fully man, He did not have the capacity to sin. The Lord Jesus just could not sin, it was against His nature to sin. Hence, I was troubled as to how would sin have an effect on the Lord Jesus if He could not sin. My limited brain cells tried to comprehend it but I just could not. Human beings struggle with sin all the time, and I wanted to know what the high preist mentioned in Hebrews 4:15 felt.

Just today, a brother came to visit our assembly at Bedminster road. At the end of the breaking of bread, this brother shared a few thoughts of the suffering of Christ in Hebrews. There were a few verses he pointed out in Hebrews, all of which one of them stood out like a clear answer from God. Hebrews 2:18 "For in that he Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted." The Lord Jesus was indeed affected when He was tempted with sin, not that He struggled like we would struggle with sin, because that would imply a possiblity to sin. Our Lord Jesus Christ could not sin but rather He knew pain in a much deeper level, He suffered for sin... Christ suffered... our High priest who knows our infirmities... suffered.

If I may quote or rephrase what the brother shared: "...a natural man succumbs to sin, a spiritual man struggles with sin, but Christ suffered for sin..."

snapshots

2006-05-06T00:26:00.000+01:00

I noticed something interesting while watching American Idol recently. At the end of the results show they would show a short clip of the journey of the out going contestant.

Clips like these tend to show the best of what the contestants have gone through, leaving you with a sense of reluctance to see one leaving the competition after all the effort put in. As usual, things like these just come into my mind during my walk to lectures. Somehow I started to think about things like what if someone were to take similar snapshots of my life? What would the highlights be? What would they show? Would I leave my mark on this earth just like the contestants left their mark in the competition? Would someone look at the snapshots of my life and say to themselves, it would be a pity to see him go?

All these thoughts ran through my head not because I want to be famous among men, but rather reminding myself of how i should be living my life. Have I lived my life so that the one who gave me life looks at it and gives a nod of approval? Or would He shake His head with disappointment? Funny how the way we live our lives can be taken for granted when we forget that life is given to us, not something we own with our own right.

When I am reminded that I am accountable to God for the way I live my life, I am also reminded of the one who lived His life in full accountability to His father in Heaven. When Christ Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life, it was indeed something to be grasped. His holy life which we remember week after week, serves to remind us that His life is the quintessence of holy living. Now if someone were to take snapshots of my life, I would hope that somewhere in between the laughing and crying, there is something that reflects the way my Lord Jesus lived His life. If that is so, I can say with confidence... I have made my mark.

two wonders

2006-04-30T14:32:00.000+01:00

Another hymn that I came across during prayer meeting that caught my attention yet again. A familiar hymn by Elizabeth C. Clephane:

Beneath the Cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wildreness,
A rest upon the way
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.

O safe and happy shelter!
O refuge tried and sweet!
O trysting-place, where Heaven's love
And Heaven's justice meet!
As to the pilgrim patriarch
That wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Saviour's Cross to me
A ladder up to heaven.

Upon the Cross of Jesus,
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me;
And from my smitten heart with tears
Two wonders I confess,
The wonder of His glorious love,
And my own worthlessness.

I take the Cross of Jesus
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
T know no gain nor loss:
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the Cross.

Believers Hymn Book, Hymn 23

"Two wonders I confess,The wonder of His glorious love, and my own worthlessness". The thing that intrigued me was that out of the two wonders mentioned one I undertsood, the other ... just made me think! I understood why God's love is considered a wonder, because it just is, who can comprehend the love that God has for us? Its vastness is beyond the spheres of our human cranium. If we could, we would have a very different definition of love in our dictionaries.

However, the wonder of my own worthlesssness? hmmmm... let me see, it isn't exactly a wonder is it? How hard is it to grasp the idea that we are mere human beings full of flaws and weaknesses? Then again, maybe it is. If we really think about it, we humans do have the tendency to want to think that we are better than we actually are, as though we have something to prove. I know some people may think that the whole issue of having a low self esteem is bad and what not, so it is for our own good to think positive. I agree to a certain degree that we can't always be pessimistic; however there is a need for us to realise the fact that before the God who created us, we have nothing to prove, the only thing we can prove is how sinful we are and how much we are in need of a saviour. I guess that is why most people would rather shut out the fact that God even exist, because if they accept that, it also means accepting the fact that we humans are not as good as we think.

I suppose that is why in Matthew 9:13 the Lord Jesus says :" ...For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." and in his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...". I take comfort that Christ came to save sinners and not 'good people', because I know that by admitting my worthlessness, it isn't so bad after all; on the contrary, it is a beginning of a new life with the one who created me and to discover the wonders of His glorious love.

seasons:part 2

2006-04-20T09:25:00.000+01:00

Funny how time flies as I can still remember the last time I posted about winter being just around the corner and how the tree beside my room is withering. It was as though few weeks ago I was thinking of the winter holidays and just now I am looking at the tree beside my room and I see signs of life. Little buds appearing as though waiting to blossom after a cold winter season.

Signs like these tells me spring is already here; a new beginning for all life created on earth, and by all life I mean literally "all life", even us human beings who do not need to lose their hair through winter (thank God for that) to show signs of withering to start all over again in spring. A fresh start in life doesn't always need to be at the beginning of the year does it? It would be nice if we could have the opportunity to start anew as many times as possible. Besides, the truth is, we need it.

That is why I find it such a beautiful coincidence (or shall I say divinely designed) that after Easter comes a season where what was seemingly dead in the winter start to show signs of new life. It was as though the story of Easter was to prepare us for the new season, the season of new beginnings. The fact that Christ rose again three days after His death, changed the course of life forever. Suddenly, all of us are given a chance to have a new life, Christ through His death and ressurection gave us that life. He made what was dead spritually in us bud and grow.

Psalm 19:7 says: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. When was the last time you heard God's testimony? Maybe you heard it when you were reading the bible or a devotional book. What about his art? Have you seen His testimony through His artwork? If not, maybe its time to look out your window, have a stroll through a nearby park, and see what God has to offer through His masterpiece. If I may quote Max Lucado:"...there is a certain understanding of God on the cross that comes only with witnessing His daily testimony...To really understand and believe in the miracle on the cross, we'd do well to witness God's miracles everyday."

key factor: Christ Jesus

2006-04-20T01:25:00.000+01:00

A thought was shared from a hymn last sunday, and there was something about the simplicity of it that hit the point spot on. No fancy descriptions or any witty twists, just simple facts that bring out the beauty of who Jesus is as it is.

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go,
Anywhere He leads me in this world below,
Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade,
Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.

Anywhere! anywhere!
Fear I cannot know.
Anywhere with Jesus
I can safely go.

Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone,
Other friends may fail me, He is still my own;
Though His hands may lead me over drearest ways,
Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep,
When the darkling shadows round about me creep;
Knowing I shall waken never more to roam,
Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.

Hymn 423 of Redemption songs

something to be grasped

2006-04-12T22:31:00.000+01:00

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped (NIV) - Phil 2:5-6

Everytime I read Philippians 2:5-6, I always wonder why that phrase had to be there. The word "grasp" seems to be calling out to me. Does it mean that we should understand it? Probably. However, it seems trivial to mention it when it is obvious to understand what you are reading. So like always the dictionary comes in handy. Although the appropriate explanation in this context should be 'taking hold of something intellectually' or 'to comprehend', I find that the other definitions tend to give a clearer picture.

Grasp - To take hold of or seize firmly with or as if with the hand.

With emphasis on key words like 'take hold', 'firmly' and disregarding the use of the hand. I realize how sad it is that nowadays people no longer grasp things. We may know alot of things, but how much of the things that we know, do we really grasp? With the burst of information in these modern times, everyone is literally stuffing their heads with knowledge. Outwardly it seems as if people are getting smarter with all the knowledge that they have, but inwardly it is hollow, because there is no taking hold of the things we know and grasping the meaning of it all.

Especially when it comes to the things of God, where head knowledge is useless without the practical application of it. It is as though God knew that one day people would be tirelessly slaving through loads and loads of information and knowledge that He had to put that little phrase in that verse to remind us that there is something to be grasped. Something that requires more than a mere understanding, but to really take it in and let it to have an effect on us. Christ Jesus, the risen and glorified one who by His very nature being God did not consider equality with God. What a contrast it is when we consider us humans, being in very nature a creation of God, always wanting to be the god of our own little universe that we created for ourselves. How different life would be if only we could recognized the sovereignty of God our creator and the supremacy of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. If only we understood... if only we grasped...

A friend once said: There is a thin line between knowledge and wisdom... but it is that thin line that makes all the difference!

france ski trip

2006-03-22T13:08:00.000+01:00

I know it has been ages since I have been to france (three months to be exact), but my project has kept me well occupied for the whole term that I had to wait until now to share the photos. Oh well, better late than never... (full album)

our price, He paid

2006-03-05T10:49:00.000+01:00

A thought from Choice gleanings that I thought should be a constant reminder to us the magnitude of the Lord's love for us and the incalculable price He paid. For those that are as forgetful as I am, this is one reminder that tops the list at all times:

Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isa. 53:4 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. John 19:1

The Roman scourge, wielded by a soldier’s muscular arm, devastated human flesh. Such a beating was brutal. But to be smitten by the arm of God—an arm so powerful that it took only His fingers to fashion gigantic stars—is beyond our comprehension. It was love for you and me that motivated Christ to endure such torment. He took our punishment, “and with His stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). —D. Logan

Jehovah lifted up His rod—O Christ it fell on Thee! Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God, There’s not one stroke for me. —Ann Ross Cousin

leading to easter

2006-03-02T22:35:00.000+01:00

It was on Ash Wednesday that I was having a conversation with my housemate on what he was giving up for lent. He refused to tell me, so being the annoying I-want-to-know-everything, I said that if he told me, I could check up on him once in a while, to make sure he was following lent accordingly. He went on to tell me that lent is not about just giving up things, or making sacrifices, it means more than just disciplining oneself in 40 days. He said that in giving up something that we enjoy, it should compel us to turn to our Lord and focus our thoughts on Him. After having heard what he had to say, I think it is clear why I couldn't bother to probe further on what he was to give up for lent.

I am reminded of a previous post that I made on listening to God's heart, which basically shares of the same truth. The point is that many times we forget that it isn't what we try not to do that pleases God, but rather it is when we realize we need to turn to Him that we find ourselves blessed with God's approval. The difference between the the two isn't always clear to us, because both seem to achieve the same goal of pleasing God until we realise that one is what we think God wants, and the other is what God really want from His children.

Incidentally, I came across another hymn that got me thinking that there are so many times we talk about what we can do for God and what we have done for God without realizing we may be looking at our lives from a wrong perspective. Maybe it is not so much as to what we can do or have done for God, but rather what have we done to pay back all that we owe to God; Maybe we are not the the one giving ourselves to God, but rather repaying the One who gave himself for us...

When this passing world is done;
When has sunk yon glaring sun;
When I stand with Christ on high
Looking o'er life's history:
Then, Lord shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne
Dressed in beauty not my own;
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart:
Then, Lord shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

When the praise of heaven I hear
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters' noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice:
Then, Lord shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me;
Wakened up from wrath to flee;
Hidden in the Saviour's side;
By the Spirit sanctifies:
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show
By my love, how much I owe.

(Hymn 356 in the Believer's hymn book)

captivated by devastation

2006-02-23T23:52:00.000+01:00

While listening to a song by watermark called "Captivated us". There was a phrase in the chorus that caught my attention. "..devastate us with your presence..." was the phrase that triggered off a string of thoughts that led to a small discovery of my own.

The song was so beautiful that I was just enjoying the song as it is until I realized the use of words that made the song such a pleasing song to listen to. At first thought, the word 'devastate' doesn't seem like the word you would associate with anything pleasant, let alone the presence of God. However, the word seem to be so aptly used in the song, illustrating the irony of Godly devastation being a blessing to us, that His presence would ruin us until only He can satisfy us.

Then I realized that the reason I love the hymn "When I survey the wondrous cross" has to do with the similar use of words."...Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown". Again the use of words like love and sorrow, thorns and crowns, such beautiful marriage of words. So I tried to think of other examples and another song by Ben Glover came to mind, the chorus reads: "Burglar of my soul, defeat me, O robber of my poison heart, Break into this callused core, Make me a victim of a thief, who's stolen by mercy." Now that is interesting song writing, using words like robbing and stealing and yet have no negative connotation to it.

There are also many instances where people write about the scars and wounds of the Lord Jesus and use them to describe beauty. Even in Matthew 11:30 it is written "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." What we would usually consider as a burden is something heavy and hard to bear, but when it comes to the burden of the Lord it is light. All these words that are usually known to have negative implications seem to have a positive effect to it when it is used to describe the things of God.

I guess that is how it is with God isn't it? If at anytime we are found in a unpleasant situation, put God into the picture and everything makes sense and even the most painful of times can be healed by the promises and presence of God. It is also interesting to note that given the option to choose words to associated with God, why would many people choose words that would not connote what they literally mean? Is it merely for the sake of the art of poetry? Maybe. Still I would like to think that even if we try finding the best word to describe God in all His glory, nothing would come close; and sometimes in our futile attempts to do so, we may find that what seems to be the furthest from anything related to God may be the only words which are close enough to achieve the expression we hoped for.

with baskets full

2006-02-19T22:10:00.000+01:00

I remember a preacher once preached about the preparation for public worship where he gave a simple analogy between the feast of the first fruits and our preparation for worship. In many ways, our preparation for the Lord's supper is similar to the gathering of the harvest of first fruits. Over the course of the week, our preparation can be seen as a each individual having their own baskets, and they were to be used for the gathering of fruits, gathering of thoughts and expereinces that we want to present to the Lord as acceptable in His eyes. When the week passes and we come to present our baskets to the Lord, our baskets should be overflowing with offerings to Him.

Even though our baskets may not neccessarily be full or overflowing, I would like to think that at least many of us are still able to offer up something in our baskets . However, I sometimes wonder that our baskets may not be as full as we may think it is. I dare not generalise my thoughts on this, but I think more often than not, we come to the Lord's presence with nothing in our baskets, let alone the thought of not having the basket full or to consider it being filled with the wrong things.

The reason that I have such thoughts is mainly due to personal experiences and (what could be inaccurate) observations; and it is not because we did not fill it up throughout the week, but because we are not capable of doing so. Instead of using the baskets to gather offerings to the Lord, we come with empty baskets expecting the Lord's supper to be a time for our baskets to be refilled, a spiritual recharge if you may. And throughout the course of the week, instead of filling our baskets, we are draining our baskets to cope with our weekly routine, just to find that our baskets are empty by the end of the week.

I know it is sad to have such conclusions, and like I said what I have concluded may not be entirely true. However speaking for myself, I find that there are times where I am ashamed to say instead of offering to the Lord, I require of the Lord to provide that weekly boost of spiritual need. I am not saying that we don't get a 'spritual boost' when we gather to remember the Lord, of course we do. It is normal to be all fired up spiritually on a sunday morning. However, it is absolutely imperative that we realise our priestly exercise is not to receive, but to offer up that which is worthy and pleasing to the Lord.

So the ever important question remains: how are we filling our baskets today? Are we just starting to put things in it? or are we filling it right to its top? or are we expecting something to be filled in it instead? The answer is clear, but the motivation to that answer should be even clearer...that it pleases the Lord that we are faithful and come with baskets full!

my heart, Your home?

2006-02-02T23:49:00.000+01:00

Come and make my heart Your home.
Come and be everything I am and all I know.
Search me through and through 'till my heart becomes a home for You.

A home for You, Lord.
A home for You, Lord.
Let everything I do open up,
A door for You to come through,
And that my heart would be a place where
You want to be.
Come and make my heart Your home.
Come and be everything I am and all I know.
Search me through and through 'till my heart becomes a home for You.

You are my portion, filling up everything.
You are the fortune that's causing my heart to sing.
That it's amazing, that You could make Yourself at home with me.
Come and make my heart,
Come and make it Your home.
Come and be everything I am and all I know.
Search me through and through 'till my heart becomes a home for You.

-Watermark-

Yes, the title for this post is actually the title for this song. The question mark however is my way of drawing attention to the absurdity of my heart being a home for the Lord. Even Solomon's temple in all its glory was not anywhere close to being sufficient to house the presence of God; for me to consider that my heart could ever be a place for the Lord to live in is just insane...well maybe not insane, but definitely beyond human comprehension. Why would God in His holiness and greatness come to make my sinful heart His home? Am I worthy of such? Definitely not! I guess that is why angels wonder at the mystery of the grace and love that God has shown to us. Amazing grace, abundant love, divine intervention, only Christ Jesus could bridge the gap to form something as beautiful as this.

Hymn for Him

2006-01-22T23:09:00.000+01:00

During prayer meeting, we sang this hymn at the end of the meeting. It was a really beautiful hymn, somehow the words just shouted out to me…

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down;
Making us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown;
Jesus, Thou art all compassion;
Pure, unbounded love Thou art,
Visit us with Thine affection,
Enter every longing heart.

Come almighty, to deliver!
Let us all Thy grace receive,
Follow in Thy steps, and never,
Nevermore the pathway leave;
Then our hearts will yield their blessing,
Sweet incense to God above,
Offer praises without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

First fruits of Thy new creation,
Faithful, holy, may we be,
Joyful in Thy great salvation,
Daily more conformed to Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Then to worship and adore Thee,
Lost in wonder, love and praise.

(Hymn 413 in the Believer's hymn book)

The last sentence in particular is my favorite - ‘lost in wonder, love and grace’. Sometimes we try too hard to make sense of everything and we fail to realize when it comes to the things of God, things often get too big and just beyond human comprehension, that we just get lost in the wonder of it!

listen to God's heart

2006-01-10T23:37:00.000+01:00

I was listening to a compilation cd called "listen to our hearts", the cd had various artists sharing their testimony through songs that they have sung . I came across Steve Green's thoughts and I found it so true to my own heart that I just had to share them.

Steve Green shared that since he was brought up in a christian home, he was perceived to be a generally good kid, which had made him complacent to being 'good enough' externally. By the time he was in his mid-twenties, people still consider him to be a very decent young man. However, Steve Green wouldn't think so himself. He confessed that even though he has managed to put up an outward image of what others perceive him to be, it was all because he didn't want to fail his family and friends and hinder the work of God. The problem with that is it doesn't work, it is hard to keep it up, and deep down inside he knew he was far from good. By God grace, God finally reached out to bring him back to repentence. Through the ongoing process of repentence, he was able to see the big picture of how holy God is, and how wretched he was with all his sin. As he continues to learn more about God and see more of God's holiness, he realises that God gets bigger and bigger, and he gets worse and worse. So in order to bridge that ever increasing gap of his condition and God's holiness, he needs a bigger Lord to fill that gap, which causes him to keep running to the Lord. And with his own words he says:" ...instead of focusing my attention on stop doing that, don't sin, don't do this, what I really need is a renewed love for Christ. The effect of that renewed love is the driving away of false affections and wrong desires but it has to be the object of my attention, which is the renewed love for Christ."

Two points that just stood out to me as I was hearing it. The first being that the more we grow closer to the Lord, the more we will realise how sinful we are and how much we really need the Lord. The second is a personal reminder to myself, that its useless to seek change by trying not to do this or that, but rather focusing our love for our Lord, to seek Him first, to have a heart after God's own heart, and all other things will fall into place as it should be. Thanks Steve, I couldn't agree more!

centre of it all

2006-01-04T23:27:00.000+01:00

Its a new year, and like all new beginnings, it gets people thinking, reevaluating the past and making new year resolutions (most people do... i guess). For me it is no exception, I have been thinking about alot of things. One of which has led me to think about what exactly do I expect from a whole new year ahead of me. I could have set so many different goals to achieve, all of which I am sure will benefit me if I accomplish them. However,I find myself asking one question to all that i wish to do - Who is at the centre of my own little universe?

I am definitely not the first person to ask that question.. (like duh!) . Well that is an understatement, I know. My point is that we human beings have always had similar questions like these. For example when we see the sun rising from the east and setting in the west, the first of our thoughts were to think that the sun revolves around the earth, only to find out that it is the earth that revolves around the sun. Although it has now been proven true that the earth does revolve around the sun, I would like to point out that they made one small spelling mistake...it should be that the earth (or everything for that matter) revolves around the S-O-N (not S-U-N) .

John wrote in John1:3 - ' Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.' Indeed everything that has been created bears one common fingerprint that points to the Lord Jesus Christ, which brings me back to my question - Who is at the centre of my universe? The obvious answer should be the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I wish it is true of me to make that claim, and even at times I confess that I really do believe that I have the Lord at the centre of my motives, the truth is if I am brutally honest with myself, there is still the "ME" factor that still remains in my pathetic little world. Just like when the scientists concluded that the sun revolves around the earth on the first observation, the human nature is inclined to think that everything has to be because of US, ME, SELF. If not for the correction made to the first observation, I can't imagine what science would turn out to be now based on a wrong observation, science just wouldn't make sense. So it is with oursleves, if the SELF is still the centre of all we think and do, nothing makes sense, everything will just be messed up, because we have ruled out the one thing that everything is based upon. Only when we recognize the rightful place that the Lord Jesus has in our lives, we will not find the answers we need in life.

As much as I wish I could achieve more in this new year, I want to make sure I am doing it all for the right reasons, and for that the Lord has to be the centre of it all!

grace and mercy found me

2005-12-06T11:47:00.000+01:00

There are so many reasons why Christmas is such a wonderful season to me. It is the whole package that comes with it - family friends, presents, food, holidays =)... all the good stuff in one significant period of the year. It is the beautiful memories that have accumulated thoughout the years that makes Christmas better every year. While all these things can be good, I have learned to appreciate Christmas in a much more simpler manner.

I find the "Christmas feeling"starts at the beginning of December where everyone starts to decorate their homes and work places with Christmas tree and lights, people going around shopping for the perfect present, mothers thinking about what to cook for family and friends. It is all busy and overwhelming. I sometimes wonder how much of all that commercialized concept of Christmas has managed to keep the true story of Christmas hidden inside a dusty bible at the corner of the bookshelf somewhere in somebody's home. I find it somewhat disturbing when we can put so much emphasis on something, and yet miss the whole point of doing it. Why is Christmas so important, when at the end of the day it is just another day of the year passed with much negligence?

I am thankful that Christmas isn't just another day for celebration. I am thankful that it is an event that means so much more that after more than 2000 years, it still gives hope to everyone who chooses to believe its story. For me the best Christmas goes way back in time when the only decoration was a manger full of haystack, the only presents given were gifts of gold, incense and myrrh, the only music played was the voices of angels singing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!", the only company was wise men and shepherds, and the only reason for celebration was the birth of a baby that blessed night.

I am reminded of two things every Christmas - Grace and Mercy. Mercy, that I am no longer condemned to hell, but redeemed and forgiven. Grace, that I so unworthily recieved the gift of salvation and eternal life with the one who created me. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote in his song 'Heaven in the Real World' - "...It happened one night with a tiny baby's birth. God heard creation crying and He sent heaven to earth". Heaven does not start at the end of life's journey, it began when Christ was born, the day grace and mercy found me.

seasons

2005-11-12T18:37:00.000+01:00

Every Season
Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death,
You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

-Nichole Nordeman

I have always wondered how seasons change and how it will be like to be part of it, and as I see the tree beside my room window begin to show signs of leaves withering, I realise it is a very special experience. It is as though God's creation is telling me that winter is just around the corner, another season has come and gone. Somehow the transition tells me that things are changing, but through the changing process, one thing remains constant, which is the creator Himself. I believe that no matter how life's season may change, God will never change. The God who gave the promises in the bible, still promises to those who will receive; the God who delivered His people then, still delivers those who humbly come to him.

Dr. Kent Hovind mentioned this in one of his seminars:" We should turn off the television once in a while and go out to enjoy God's creation, because creation itself is a testimony to the creator. So parents, don't stop your child when they spend most of their time gazing upon God's creation, it a good thing (of course unless they have homework to do =p). So the next time you come across a plant or a flower, try stopping for a while, and maybe if you are quiet enough , you might just hear God's creation trying to teach you truths about our creator.

home for christmas

2005-11-08T23:29:00.000+01:00

Winter time isn't particularly my favourite season. Although I do like snow and a bit of cool breeze (that is actually an understatement, because winter is freezing cold!), it is the whole moody feeling that you get when the day gets dark early, and even in the afternoon you rarely get a good dose of sunshine. It gets even worse when you think of the Christmas season, which is an irony really, because I love Christmas. However, it is thinking about Christmas in a cold winter's night that make you feel lonely for just that moment.

These thoughts suddenly occured to me while I was walking back from work and I was listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's song - 'Going Home For Christmas'. The chorus first caught my attention and I was overwhelmed by the thought that I would really like to spend Christmas back home with my family once again. I knew I had to share this song in my blog, becuase it is such a beautiful thought that we can look forward to each Christmas day to remember our beloved savior's birth and share the moments with our loved ones. But as I continue to listen to the story of the song, I realized that there is another home which all of us can look forward to, a home that is far better than anything we can ever imagine. And if being home for Christmas in this world can be such a wonderful experience, I can only imagine of what Christmas will be like when we are home in heaven seeing the face of the one whose birth we remember year after year. How wonderful will that be? I don't know, but I know I will never miss that Christmas for anything at all.

Going Home For Christmas
Her house was where the family gather every Christmas eve
A feast was on the table and gifts were placed beneath the tree
Everything was picture perfect, Grandpa would laugh and say
That woman spends the whole year getting ready for this day

One year the leaves began to fall and her health began to fade
We moved her to a place were they could watch her night and day
but she kept making place for Christmas from her little room
She told everyone, I'll miss you, but I'll be leaving soon

I'm going home for Christmas, and I'm going home to stay
I'm going home for Christmas and nothing's gonna keep me away
I'll be with the ones I love to celebrate the Savior's birth
This gift will be worth more to me than anything on earth
I'm going home, home for Christmas

All the leaves outside have fallen to be covered by the snow
The family comes with food and gifts, and Grandpa comes alone
There's a sadness in our silence as the Christmas story's read
And with tears, Grandpa reminds us of the words that Grandma said

I'm going home for Christmas, and I'm going home to stay
I'm going home for Christmas and nothing's gonna keep me away
I'll be with the ones I love to celebrate the Savior's birth
This gift will be worth more to me than anything on earth
I'm going home, home for Christmas

As we sing ‘Joy to the World’ I can't help thinking
Of the joy that's shining in her eyes right now
And though our hearts still ache, we know that as we celebrate
She's singing with the herald angels and heaven's glowing on her face

And now she's home for Christmas, and now she's home to stay
She's home for Christmas and nothing could've kept her away
She'll be face to face with Jesus, as we celebrate
His birthAnd this gift will be worth more to her than anything on earth
She's home, she's home for Christmas
She is home
She's home for Christmas

not home yet

2005-10-23T02:23:00.000+01:00

It is interesting how the theme of "what is to come in the future" seem to be evident these days. I guess with all the frequent reports of natural disasters destroying homes in the news, it acts as a wake up call for many people to seriously think about what the future holds for them or more appropriately WHO holds their future. As for myself, there were two seemingly paradoxical and yet perfectly complementary aspects that came to mind.

Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret?There are better things ahead then any we leave behind. - C.S. Lewis. Indeed that as believers, we should be very careful as to not be too comfortable in this world that we no longer look forward to the place that Christ has prepared for us. And for those who feel tired and need hope to carry on, be comforted by the assurance that we have a home in heaven to look forward to. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote in his song "Not Home Yet": I know there'll be a moment, I know there'll be a place. Where we will see our Savior, and fall in His embrace. So let us not grow weary, or too content to stay. 'Cause we are not home yet...So let us journey on.

Having said that, it is also important to know that while we look forward to the prospect that we have, we also have a responsibility at the present to reach out to those who are in need. Amy Carmichael puts it this way: We have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only a few short years to win them. It is clear we have to seize every opportunity we have in life for God. Even the group Mercyme recognized that life is too short to not live for something bigger when they wrote in their song "In The Blink Of An Eye": ...How can I further Your kingdom, when I am so wrapped up in mine...Time will fly, but until then, I'll embrace every moment i'm given, there's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye.

Finally, two verses and thoughts from Uplook magazine which should serve as a reminder to us always:
~We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out - 1 Tim 6:7
~I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus - Phil 3:14
Let us then pray for discernment, that we would know what we should leave behind and what we should take with us as we carry on with our journey that leads us back to our heavenly home.

accountability

2005-09-26T04:05:00.000+01:00

Not to long ago I have been thinking much about the aspect of accountability in a christian's life. Although it is not something new, but its fundamental truths has such a big influence in a christian's walk with God that I have struggled to find an appropriate manner to share these thoughts.

Being accountable is not something foreign to many of us. However I have been moved to think about how much exactly am I accountable in my walk as a christian? Will I pass the test if others would examine my life thoroughly? I think I would fail miserably, let alone being held accountable in the eyes of God. I find that the lack of accountability can seriously cripple the growth of a child of God. It is so easy to fall into the trap of complacency just because we are not accountable for what we do. On the other hand, being accountable to others gives us the initiative to get on our feet and constantly remind ourselves that we have a responsibility in glorifying God in all that we do, which in return also paves the way to being closer to the Lord.

As I dwell upon these thoughts I cannot help but think of the perfect example of accountability that the Lord Jesus has potrayed in his life and ministry. When we consider He who has no sin, we have one who is accountable not only to men, but one who is accountable to God the Father as well. No one has ever pleased the Father as did the Son when He presented Himself as the perfect sacrifice on the cross. He was an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.(Eph 5:2) He is the altogether lovely one. With His full accountability until the point where He gave up his final breath on the cross, He is now ever so close to the Father, seated at the right hand of God where He rightfully deserves. Isn't that a wonderful thought? Shouldn't it spur us even more to follow the blessed footsteps of our Savior and Lord? Yes indeed, it should!

1Thessalonians 2:12

2005-09-03T16:11:00.000+01:00

After an hour of very interesting outline on "Christ in the 4 gospels" by Jim Flanigan on audio cd. I have been blessed to learn more of how the 4 gospels intricately paint the perfect being the Lord Jesus Christ. However the the highlight of whole lesson did not come from the message. I personally enjoyed a reminder that a brother shared just after the message. He told the group of how most prominent figures of today's saints come from backgrounds that are very different from whom they are today. He goes on to pointing out that in some ways we are more fortunate than them because most of us come from a fairly good background with a good education. They had to change from one end of the spectrum to the other end, which required much more discipline to devote themselves to studying the word of God. The emphasis of his story comes clear as he points out that we being even more blessed should be thankful of what we have and give more of our time and effort into the things of God.

I find it so true that the thought of it makes me ashamed to be called a christian. Somehow I have this weird way of thinking that maybe because my life has not experienced such extreme changes that i fail to appreciate the immensity of God's salvation. However, the spirit seems to tell me that no matter where you start from the spectrum of life, there is only one end point that all of us should strive to achieve - that is complete obedience to the life that God has called us into. We may not deserve anything God offers, but no matter what, He will always deserve everything that we can possibly offer. Just as how William Macdonald so aptly puts it: "The immensity if our redemption leads to only one reasonable response, namely - total commitment; let us remember that anything short of that is only polished sin. "

mine to share

2005-08-05T15:31:00.000+01:00

It has been quite some time since i posted anything on my blog, and the time taken off to think of what to write has also led me into thinking again of the purpose of this blog. I remember my friend telling me that he read my blog, and he "complained" that my blog seemed like I was trying to tell others what to do instead of writing about myself.

On the apparent level, my blog indeed does seem far from what a personal blog should or would have been. However for those who has willingly taken the time to read my blog, I think I owe you all a brief explanation. At the start of my blog, what i hoped for was to have a space where I can share some part of my life and how I see its relevance to God's purpose for believers. Although some of my posts may seem instructive instead of introvertive, and that I seem to be telling what should be done instead of what I have done, the posts actually serves as a mirror to remind me of how God would want me to live. So while in essence the posts serves as a reminder to me and how i see the Lord working through life, it is also a public mirror opened to anyone who sees themselves in the picture.

God willing, and that if this blog continues to exist, my prayer is that in some small ways it will provide something that others can relate to as it has to me.

live the life

2005-06-30T23:48:00.000+01:00

I was having a conversation with my friend one day over dinner. He pointed out how he found some Christians that he had met very offensive. The whole message about death and hell didn't seem like a very pleasant subject. Being a christian myself, I felt the need to explain to my friend that even if some Christians may come on too strong, it was essential that we preach the gospel. However, I refrained from doing so because I knew no matter how much I may try to explain, it still requires the Holy Spirit to help him understand the true message of the gospel. He went on to say that he would prefer Christians who focused on how they lived their life rather than preaching all the time.

A few days later I was going through some of Michael w. Smith’s songs and I came across the song “live the life”, which was basically a song about being true to walking the christian life just as the Lord Jesus Christ did. I recalled the conversation that I had with my friend and I came to realize that even though I don’t agree that just because the gospel is offensive to some, we shouldn’t preach the truth, but many times, I find words are often easier spoken than lived. In some ways my friend seem to be teaching me that if you want to preach, first show me through your life. Clichéd as this subject has been, but it keeps us (or me for that matter) reminded that how often the mouth should stop talking and let silence bring us to a state of self evaluation and let life speak its story.

only getting started

2005-06-09T21:52:00.000+01:00

I just attended one of the ministry meetings that my church have after conferences, and it was a really good meeting. One of the brothers sharing was sharing on the priesthood of every believer in the church. He had some very strong and strict points on how a believer should take his/her priesthood seriously. The points that he brought up made me re-evaluate my own priesthood in church. Somehow being mostly surrounded by people who are not of the same belief have diluted my own standard of how a believer should carry out their priestly responsibilities.

One of the points that the brother shared was that if we still hold on to worldy things, it will directly blunt our sensitivity towards God's things. I thought to myself that after more than ten years of being saved, how much have I really applied that truth in my life. The more i review my life the more i see myself as one who is unable to let go of many things that still holds me down from growing in the Lord. What may seem to others as a religious or staunch christian is not what it seems, becuase we all measure with our own standard which is way below what God has intended believers to be.

When i think of what God would think when he sees me being complacent with the state I am in, I am almost sure he would shake His head and say to me:" My child, do not think of yourself more highly then you are, I am only getting started in the process of changing you to the man I want you to be, so get on your feet and follow me." I guess no matter how long or how far you are in this pilgrimage on earth, you can never be satisfied, for there is so much more to the life God has for us, then what it seems.

peace of a bond servant

2005-05-29T10:23:00.000+01:00

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Doulos - (Bond servant) From deo, "to bind," "a slave," originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude, came also to mean "one who gives himself up to the will of another"

Slaves mentioned in the bible were not slaves for eternity, but by every 7th year, they would be set free. However the slave would have a choice to either leave as a free man, or he could choose to stay and continue to be a slave to his master. And if he would choose the latter, he would be a "doulos (bond servant)" of that master, and he would have to serve his master for life.

Being a bond servant is to give oneself to slavery by choice, it was ones own decision. And when that servant chooses his slavery, it is not with pain or sorrow, but with joy and peace. It was a clear testimoney to his master. So it is when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are set free from the chains of sin, but are we bond servants of Christ, willingly choosing the pathway that he has thread for us. Can we like Moses, the meekest man known, and rightly mentioned last in Revelations as a bond servant, live a life of serventhood to the Lord? The path of slavery may not be attractive in any sense, but when you know that the Master is able to give you peace that "passeth all understanding", would you not choose to be a "doulos" for Christ. For only God and God alone can render to us that peace that is within every believer.

Hallelujah

2005-05-16T19:05:00.000+01:00

I just realise that the word "Hallelujah" which simply means 'Praise ye Jehovah or Praise ye the LORD' is such a versatile word. At any moment of any situation, just put the word into that situation and everything seems to be better. If you are singing a song or hymn, try singing the word hallelujah after each verse and it sounds great! Talking to someone about a certain topic? Mention the word hallelujah, and you have a fruitful conversation. Going through a tough time? Shout to the Lord, Hallelujah, and everything seems fine.

Of course I don't mean to dilute the meaning of the word by simply putting it into different situations even when it may be inappropriate. But it seems that the picture painted here is one that portrays a life that is full of thanksgiving and praises. Imagine whenever you feel like singing, you sing with joy to praise the Lord. Whenever you talk to someone, you praise God because things that happen in both your lives reflect something that is praise worthy. Most importantly, whenever we go through hard times, and when doubts and questions seem to come up easily, we still have the courage and faith to say "Hallelujah", for we know that God in His abundant grace and mercy, have nothing but the best installed for us.

God deserves much more that what we can ever offer to him, so praise Him.....Hallelujah!

He built the bridge

2005-05-13T20:01:00.000+01:00

photo taken from www.familychristian.com

I suppose all of us believers would have had the experience of being overwhelmed by the story of the cross at any one point of our christian walk.

As I was scrolling through the family christian website, I came across this t-shirt and I cannot help but be reminded once again of the immensity of our redemption. If you can see the picture clearly, it reads: " Son, I need you to build a bridge, here are all the tools you will need, See you soon-Love, Dad". I never fail to to be moved to tears each time I am reminded of what Christ has done on the cross just to save me. Both the thought of Christ suffering on the cross and the joy of knowing that what he has done brings salvation to all of us still humbles me time and time again.

Quoting from the hymn "When i survey the wondrous cross":

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

embrace the cross

2005-05-09T09:59:00.000+01:00

Recently I have been coming across alot of things regarding the cross of Christ. I was listening to Steve Green's song "Embrace the cross" one morning and the words seem to be exceptionally meaningful to me that it got stuck in my head for quite some time. If I remember correctly, it will be the second song about the cross of Christ to reach my "chart list for favourite songs" after "When I survey the wondrous cross".

I hope to share this song to those who have gone through tough times as a christian, and find that the cost of discipleship seem too heavy a burden to carry. Let us find comfort at the feet of the cross, and never give up, because we know everything that we lose in the process cannot be compared to what we will gain for eternity. So let us keep the faith, and ... embrace the cross!

Embrace The Cross

Embrace the cross where Jesus suffered
though it will cost all you claim as yours
your sacrifice will seem small beside the treasure
eternity can measure what Jesus holds in store

Embrace the love the cross requires
cling to the one whose heart knew every pain.
receive from Jesus fountains of compassion,
only he can fashion your heart to move as His

O wondrous cross our desires rest in you
O Lord Jesus make us bolder
to face with courage the shame and disgrace
You bore upon Your shoulder

Embrace the life that comes from dying
come trace the steps the savior walked for you
an empty tomb concludes Golgotha's sorrow
endure then till tomorrow your cross of suffering

Embrace the cross
Embrace the cross
the cross of Jesus

ever so thankful

2005-04-30T16:48:00.000+01:00

" The cross we carry is never so heavy as the chains from which we were once freed "

These were the exact words that i saw written on a poster when i was having dinner at one of my church member's house. Those words just speak so clearly of how we should see things the way God see things. I find that I often fail to see things from God's perspective, and always have myself thinking : ' if only i had seen it the way God saw it' .

The christian life may seem like a tough journey as we walk through it, sometimes we ask ourselves if it is even worthwhile; but if only we could see that the cross we carry as a christian is far better than the chains that bound us, we would know that given a second chance to choose, we would still choose Christ.

That reminds me of two songs by Steven Curtis Chapman:
No better place - I was eight years old when I decided to follow Jesus. I started down that road, somebody told me that this path that leads to heaven will not be the easy way. Well I found that to be true, but I also found, I found out there's no better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven. No other place I'd rather be!

Remember your chains - Remember your chains. Remember the prison that once held you before the love of God broke through. Remember the place you were without grace and when you see where you are now. Remember your chains and remember your chains are gone

So even if our cross feels heavy at any point in time, just remember that the heaviest weight of our cross can only bring us to our knees. And when we are on our knees before God, He will bless us and comfort us; but when the Lord Jesus carried His cross, the weight of it led Him to His death, even so He chose the cross, and we were the reason He did it. Hallelujah, what a savior!

my stronghold

2005-04-17T10:23:00.000+01:00

Just before going to church this morning, thought just came into my mind about how I may consider many things in this world a "stronghold", something that i depend on to carry me through life. Whatever it may be, all these things seem to have its own flaws and are bound to fail at some point in time. It is a very depressing feeling to know that what you believed in, or what you hold on to all these years can actually fail you at some point in time, and by then you will have nothing else to reply on, so helpless.

However, the Lord's mercy never fails and has constantly reminded me of the fact that even if everything else fails, He will never fail and He will always be there to catch us when we fall. This will therefore mean that we should no longer hold on to the things that are fleeting, but hold on to the one thing that is trustworthy. It is a step of faith, but one that we all have to take to survive this dying world.

I can still remember the story of this faithful believer who left his village to share his testimony in the city. Despite all the wonderful hospitality and luxury he recieved, he chose to go back to his village. He said " I am very grateful for all that you have done to make this stay of mine a very pleasant one. However my day to day grip on the Lord is slipping away." He knew what mattered most, he knew who his stronghold should be, by God's grace many more will do the same.

George Muller's Museum

2005-04-13T01:23:00.000+01:00

A picture of George Muller in the Museum

From a sinner to a faithful servant of God,
From an aspiring missionary to a
father of thousands of orphans,
George Muller - a man of prayer,
proved
to the people in Bristol that God is sovereign and those who put their trust in
Him will be blessed!

For those of you who want to see more pictures, please click on the link:
Museum photos

I haven't got the chance to go visit Ashley Downs yet, but when I do I will post up more pictures!

mistaken identity

2005-04-12T21:49:00.000+01:00

"Will you stop calling me the wrong name!!" ... that will probably be my reaction the next time i hear someone miscall my name. I was walking back from buying my dinner when i met a friend, the first thing he said was to call the wrong name. It has been many occasions that i have been called the wrong name and I don't know how they could possibly get my name wrong. I know most of them don't mean it, but please, i don't look like the other guy, neither do i sound like him or act like him, the only similarity I can think of is that we are both of the same height. Don't get me wrong, I am not being sensitive over such matters, it is just that it would be nice to be recognized as who i am, instead of being called the wrong name all the time.

Another point of bringing up the matter is that I keep asking myself how much do i really see of myself before Christ? Do I also have the same need to be recognized as myself or do I see myself as insignificant before Christ. I am ashamed to say that many times I fail to see that the picture God is painting in my life is not me, but Christ. The challenge always is , do others see Christ in us? Just like the song from Joy Williams "...do they see Jesus in me, do they recognize His face...". Can others come up to us and "accidently" mistake us for someone who resembles Christ in character? or do we bear Christ's name in vain?

- I am crucified with Chirst: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me - Gal 2:20a (KJV)
- Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; - Eph 5:1 (KJV)

good news

2005-04-09T23:52:00.000+01:00

It has indeed been a good saturday. One of the good news is that I witnessedthe baptism of a brother in Christ who has been through quite alot to come to this point where he has decided to obey the Lord and go through the waters of baptism. It is a wonderful thing to see the face of someone who find joy in obedience to the Lord. It makes you want to praise God all the more for who He is, because you are certain that obedience to the Lord can only bring blessing and nothing less.

Another very good news is that I just found out that my buddy who has been through secondary school with me who is currently in New Zealand actually came to know the Lord. It was certainly a pleasant surprise that has proved once again that God answers prayers. I am really happy for him, and I thank God for His love and mercy that never fails. Praise God for we have this assurance that the God who longs to save His people in the days of Abraham is the same God who loves us and still seeks to redeem us from sin and hell. Hallelujah, what a savior!

If you are reading this bro, you know it is you that I am talking about! Yes you! and I am glad you are in the family.

living as my savior did

2005-04-05T23:55:00.000+01:00

I was reading an email regarding how real disciples should act, and how we are supposed to serve others, including people whom we may dislike or even those who may seemingly harm us. I thought of how true it is since that was what the Lord Jesus Christ encouraged us to do through his example of washing His disciples feet.

To be a real disciple is to follow the footsteps of the master. I sometimes wonder how far I am from following the master. I find myself wandering away from the footsteps that the Lord Jesus Christ has laid just a bit too often. Imagine going back nearly 2000 years in the past and being able to witness first hand how the Lord Jesus Christ lived his life., how he talked, laughed, cried, walked, worked, I am sure it would be awesome.

How can one man(although He was fully God) carry the weight of saving the world and yet is able to be gentle enough to show love to those who need love, strong enough to help those who need help, and compassionate enough to cry for those who are going through pain? I am glad my master could do it.

testing how to post pictures

2005-04-05T01:32:00.000+01:00

me in my room in halls

I know it is kind of random putting up a photo of myself, but I wanted to know how to post pictures on the blog. So since it is my blog, I thought why not have my face in it! haha!

Well, half of my face at least...

living in the grey

2005-04-04T17:18:00.000+01:00

I usually don't read forwarded mails, but I recieved a forwarded email from my friend with the heading " new rape case tactic", and i thought it should be good to be aware of such things. After reading through, the email mentioned that the newest tactic is to use a child who appears to be lost to trick the victim to find the house for the child, where she will then be made unconcious and raped.

Whether it is true or not, it is still appalling to read about such terrible tactics. What has become of the world that we are in danger even when we try to do good. Nowadays, we don't recieve people who seem to be homeless to our homes, we don't easily give others a ride home even when they seem lost, and now we may even be afraid to help a child, simply because people are less trust worthy these days. The fact is that evil has so seriously corrupted the human soul, even when we try to believe that we live in a more "civilised" world. The irony is that we are not better beings, we are just better "actors" hiding the true hideous nature that we are deteriorating into.

I don't want to know what our world will be like if our sense of doing what is right continues to be deterred by the insecurities of this world. I guess that is why it is harder for people to come to know the Lord these days. Everything seems to be in the grey, you can't really draw a clear line between right and wrong anymore, there is always the excuse that what is bad may be good and what is good may be bad. It is ridiculous and sad, but it is also a clear warning signal to believers that we need to be stronger to stand for what the holy spirit convicts us of right, and let God do the rest!

just like a new baby

2005-04-03T19:42:00.000+01:00

I was just thinking about how babies are the most adorable beings in the world. Imagine finding a baby being left alone cold and hungry, you just can't help but to feel sorry for the little child. We sometimes read about people who adopt these poor babies and take care of them. Slowly but surely there is a bond that is being formed between the two. The longer the baby is under the care of that person, the harder it is for both of them to be separated.

So it is with us who are saved, we were once lost in darkness, until one blessed day, our Lord Jesus Christ came to adopt us into His family. The more we spend time with Him, the more we see His perfect being, and all the more we love Him.

I guess one of the most touching moments of having a child is when the child actually calls out to the parent. Just to hear a baby say "papa" or "mama" will make the strongest person's heart melt right before the child. I can't help but to think of what it means to God when we call Him Abba father. Does His heart beat a little faster? Does it make Him cry when we call out to Him in love? It is clear that He loves us very much, therefore I can only imagine how much it means to Him if we would give all we can to love Him back.

more to this life

2005-04-03T13:44:00.000+01:00

Quoting from a song from Steven Curtis Chapman - [ ...More to this life, More than these eyes alone can see, And there's more than this Life alone can be...]. I sometimes think how did this world come to this point where it is and still fail to see that "our" way of life is failing, and the only way to live is "HIS" way.

The hectic lifestyle selfish pursuits ultimately brings us to only one result - nothing. Just like what J.B Nicholson Jr. said in one of his sermons, " When we had a choice between God or nothing, we chose nothing!" It is just sad that many of us are ignorant of this fact. The lifestyle that the world promotes may seem glamourous, but if we seriously think about it, it boils down to nothing, it is just temporary masquerade that leads us away from our creator.

I believe there is certainly more to this life that God has given to us. If only we can see beyond the apparent, and let God lead, I am sure we will be amazed at what our creator has meant this life to be. I don't know the what it will be like, but i am quite sure it is much more than what we have anticipated it to be, or anything that we can ever prepare for.

me myself and a whole lot more to life

2005-04-02T14:59:00.000+01:00

The reason this blog exists is simply to share some parts of my life and how i see God working in them. I hope by God's grace and will, it may be an encouragement to some. I don't know much on how blogging works, but i will try to keep this blog in good shape, and hopefully improve as time passes.

God bless!