God's Man
The devastating hand of nature, too horrid to image.
The screen of disaster, too painful to read.
First it was Burma, next came China.
Many died, even more without a home.
People lost, no where to be found.
Restore the land, bring life once more.
Please have mercy on the many, and
compassion on the lost, Oh God.
Bring them back across the bridge,
into the beautiful love of grace.
I was reminded by the Holy Spirit about Nick, the man without limbs. I started looking up on the web about his life and when i read more about him again, i am so inspired and i know that in God i can trust. I find that in God i can commit and His plans will unwrapped itself in due time. Looking at this man, i understand the spirit of JOY once more and that i could do all things through Christ who strengthen me despite all my weaknesses.
God is good but Life is boring.
If passion & excitment eventually disappears when the wait became far too long, what will replaced them? Maybe the feeling of Lost? Or the Conviction of pressing on? I never experience so much waiting in my life until the last few months. Ever since God said ‘Be patient and wait’, there isn’t much i could do.
The problem to a boring life is that nothing seems to be happening. The passion & excitment which once burning brightly, now dimmed. I wonder what will replace that flame once it burns out? Or will it ever burns out? Everytime i turned to God for direction, the very same words ‘Be patient and wait’ repeated. It really stretches my faith when i wonder about the span of my wait.
Maybe over 40 years.
The strange thing to it is that there isn’t anything much i can do about it. Even when i tried to, it created some stressful moments for myself. So the idea is to trust God and wait. Whatever He has arranged will eventually come to pass. The only thing i can do is to stay sharp and alert to any given opportunity. My God is good, i believe that He have prepared the best for me. So i just wait and wait and wait till the right opportunity comes along.
PS: Please read my other posts about my conviction in staying balanced in my walk with God. As i believe in the totality of the Word of God, i also believe that my blog have to be read whole to fully comprehend the life i lived.
As i went about my daily waking up routine, i was suddenly reminded by the Holy Spirit that i was supposed to be praying and covering for the group. And i came to realise that instead of waking up 1/2 hour earlier than my usual, i ended up 1/2 hour later. There and than, i make a decision to pressed in despite being late in my appointment with the Almighty and the rest.
Sorry guys.
As i pressed in, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the primary focus - ‘God’. Most of the times, we have been focusing on ourselves rather than on Him. And i came to see the spiritual state of condition i have been in, the last couple of weeks - the ‘i’ state. How often have we looked upon the Almighty and worship and praise Him for who He is. It has always been our desire, our requests and our circumstances. The call seems distinctively clear as we are called to worship the Almighty.
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
>–> ~~~ >–> ~~~ >–>
A simple exercise came to me. Do you want to do it with me?
‘Do you know what kind of character God have? And are you able to explain why from His Word? Are you able to write a passage on each character of God?
Example:
One of the character of God is love. As it is said in 1John 4:7-21 - ‘God is love’. In the bible, there are many instances where the love of God for His people are shown. The perfect example, when Jesus died on the cross, it demostrated ………………..
1Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1Thessalonians 5:19-22
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not quench prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil”
1 Corinthians 13:11
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when i became a man, I put away childish things.”
The Characteristic of A Child
Are we still behaving like a Child?
What is intentional?
What is natural?
What are the paths of light?
What is on the mind?
What is in the heart?
What are the reasons of feel?
What is right?
What is wrong?
What are the choices of righteousness?
Easy or Hard?
Simple or Complex?
It is simply hard to comprehend the ease of complexity.
Never doubt how God can and will use you to make a difference in someone’s life. He is the Almighty God.
I hope the following post will encourage you.
http://268blog.blogspot.com/2008/04/day-unending-life-began.html
Verse1
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now i see
Verse2
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour i first believed
Chorus
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
I am in awe of God’s hand at work. Reading the scriptures from Acts7, i saw the master at work on the clay. I see the master slowly shaping and moulding the clay into the most beautiful creation, the world will ever see. The promise He made to Abraham fulfilled when Joshua brings them into the promised land. And eventually the arrival of the messiah to redeem us and reconcile us to our God. He is the mastermind of the greatest salvation plan.
The sad truth is that most people focus on the present. Stressed and tired by the current situation we are in. Angry and fustrated by the things we have to put up with. Sad and troubled by the turned of events. But the truth is, God is at work to shape us and mould us into the most beautiful creation. Therefore, look further and ask the question “what can i learn from this”. Look back on our lives, and give glory to God for He is always good. He always brings us through the deepest valley and our darkest hour. We might not see His goodness at this moment. But when we choose to proclaim His goodness during the present, we will see light at the end of the tunnel.
Climbing a mountain is never easy. Carrying one is impossible. But with God everything is made possible. The mountain will be weightless when He our creater is the giver our strength. As we climb the mountain of our lives, eventually we will see the beautiful sunrise. We will see the world coming alive once again when light comes upon earth.
Since my secondary school days, i always wanted to be an aircraft technician. I do not know why, but it was a desire which i kept close to my heart. During the time when i was pursuing a higher education, i was deciding between a Business Diploma or the Engineering one. I choose the latter. Well, for the next couple of years, my interest in becoming a aircraft technician cools off but interestingly, during my army posting, i was assigned to the air force as an aircraft technician. That begins my journey with the ‘A4SU’. It really is kind of a dream came true. Sadly, the aircraft is no longer operational. I do miss my days servicing the ‘A4SU’. It is an experience which i will never forget.
The ‘A4SU’ Super Skyhawk
2Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, throughly equipped for every good work.”
I strongly believe that the Word of God is consistent throughout the 66 Books. The Word of God have to be read whole rather than individualistically as scriptures will support scriptures.
I strongly believe that the Word of God is real and alive; the principles are eternal and will stand the test of times. It is very much applicable to the audience in the old days and as much to us this very day.
Bible- Based Preaching
Bible Totality Based
Expository Based
Principle Based
Application Based
Matthew 28:18-20
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that i have commanded you; and lo, i am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
I strongly believe in the work of the Holy Spirit. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can bring truth to set people free. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can bring transformation into the lives of people. Only the work of the Holy Spirit can empower and equip people to do the will of God.
I strongly believe that without vision, man will perish. I believe that God will give to each individual a personal vision when they seek His face and choose to walk in His ways. I also believe that God have given the Church their vision as stated in Matthew 28:18-20.
Personal Preaching Style
Visionary & Holy Spirit Empowered
Direct & Challenging
Relevant & Real
Excited & Passionate
“Cast me not away from your pressence, Oh Lord.
Take not, Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me, the joy of Your salvation,
Renew a right spirit within me.”
I open my eyes to the dawn of the earth.
My mind is alert, my spirit burden.
My heart is heavy with the weight of a mountain.
I need the spirit of the Lord washing over mine.
I need direction over every aspect of my life.
I need the strength, the grace and the mercy of Him.
I want to walk in righteousness.
I want to be myself for who He have intend.
Teach me, guide me and allow me.
Forget about the ‘I’, and
let the spirit of the Lord wash over mine.
I am prompted by the spirit to write this very post about my struggles & the decisions i have to make during the past few years of my life especially last year. Every time i think of the wasted years, regrets filled my heart. I wonder how i could have fallen so far away yet at the same time, i am grateful that God brought me through. He have never forgotten about me nor forsaken me. From the bottom of my heart, i thank God for His grace and love, the patience of my pastors, the endurance of my leaders & the support of my peers.
If you read through it all, i hope it will encourage you in your current situation and whatever lesson i have learnt, it will help you as you choose to walk with God.
1. Dealing with the Uncertainty
Before i leave Singapore to come on to Australia for my studies, my intention is to leave this place in 3 years. But upon the completion of my studies, whether to stay on or to go back home became a struggle for myself. On one hand, i wanted to serve and to grow more in Brisbane. On the other hand, i wanted to go back to my comfort - back to my home. Although i made a decision to stay on, it was half-hearted. I am constantly torn apart by wanting to stay and going back. It didn’t help when my family back home was constantly asking me to return. Adding to the pressure was the inability to find a full-term career. I can still remember the constant battle going on in my heart and mind. The many conversations that i have with myself.
After more than 24 months of torturing thoughts, i told myself to put an end to it all. I make a full decision. From this simple action, i discover a very important key to deal with uncertainty - Decision Making. When i make a complete decision to stay on in Australia, i also make a statement to trust God completely. I am not advocating rash decision making. I have carefully thought about it, make countless prayers and seek many counsel regarding the whole matter.
The problem i have is, letting it drag for far too long. If i had try making a decisive decision 23months earlier, it will not have affected my relationship with God. I tried avoiding the issue, giving myself plenty of excuses to make a decision later on in my life. Also, the many conversation with myself causes me to doubt God and even my leaders. If i had learn to trust wise counsel and letting them speak into my life, i will have come to a conclusion earlier. But instead, my spirit became hard & my attitude luke-warm.
Uncertainty will disrupt our walk with God. But when we learn to deal with it, we will be able to trust in God’s timing and providence completely. Make a decisive decision based on prayer, counsel and careful thinking. Do not let it drag for too long, try to resolve it as fast as you can (but remember, make sure it is not a rash decision).
More to come
2. Dealing with Emotion
3. Dealing with Unsatisfaction
4. Dealing with Leaders & Peers
5. Dealing with my Health
6. Dealing with Theology
7. Dealing with Relationship
Not on desire, nor on feel.
But on His direction for my life.
To give up, or to try.
Let His words be my light.
Point me in the right direction,
Point me to the very light.
All i want is the call of my life.
And the winner is ….
Top 5 Clicks
evelynsam.spaces.live.com ( 106 )
jeffchong.blogspot.com ( 98 )
beyondthesunset.blogspot.com ( 91 )
energizerbunny.wordpress.com ( 73 )
reflectionsofasang-marcus.blogspot.com ( 62 )
And the winner is ….
Top 5 Posts
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God’s Vision ( 39 )
Joshua 1:6-9 ( 36 )
~~ Everything is by the Grace of God ~~ ( 34 )
God and Satan ( 26 )
Sitting in the pavilion,
bowing my head,
straining my heart,
hoping to hear,
the very words of God.
And in the quiet,
with the silence,
praying and listening,
for the direction and His advise,
by His grace and by His love.
Peace take it’s place,
the soul settled,
the spirit stirred,
to the revelation revealed.
Looking from light into darkness,
saw the sufferings of mankind,
compassion arises,
to bring the light into lives.
Looking from darkness into light,
saw the beauty of a figure,
calling for His people,
to walk towards the light.
Spread the light into the world,
share the light with people,
enjoy the joy of salvation,
by His grace and by His love.
As all rises to the call,
walking into the light,
for the lost will be found,
in the eternity to come.
I stand amazed,
looking towards the heaven,
the beauty of His creation,
by His grace and by His love.
Following a wave of comments by Christian viewers criticising Wednesday night’s “American Idol” performance that replaced “Jesus” with “shepherd” in their finale song, Idol contestants stepped back on stage Thursday, this time singing “Jesus”.
On Thursday night’s results show, Michael Johns was eliminated from the wildly popular singing competition, shocking millions of viewers as the contest was narrowed down to the top seven finalists. But more shocking to many viewers than the boot were performances of the contemporary worship song “Shout to the Lord”, written by Darlene Zschech.
Christians were outraged Wednesday night during the television show’s second “Idol Gives Back” charity event when white-clad Idol contestants sang “My Shepherd, My Saviour” instead of “My Jesus, My Saviour” in their final performance of the night.
On Thursday night, the eight finalists were back on the stage to make sure that this time they sang all the original lyrics, including the word “Jesus”.
When the contestants sang the song again near the beginning of Thursday’s results show, many Christians were pleasantly surprised to hear “Jesus”. The religious song, however, continued to irk others who did not find it appealing to a wide audience.
“That’s their first big mistake. If you’re going to sing a gospel tune, sing it. Why change that word?” said Michael Giltz, a blogger on The Huffington Post.
Some speculate the modified version of the worship song was an attempt to lessen any controversy among the diversely religious American people. But after the charity event, the “American Idol” message board had a hoard of posts that questioned the appropriateness of the finalists singing a Christian song.
“Even if each and every one of them is born again and dying to sing the praises of the Lord, you don’t alienate the viewers like me – and most Americans are not evangelicals – who don’t identity with that particular strand of Christianity,” wrote Giltz, a Catholic. “Dropping the ‘Jesus’ from ‘Shout to the Lord’ was a big mistake. Making all the Idol contestants sing it together in the first place was an even bigger one.”
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