Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Listen - M.S.Merwin
with the night falling we are saying thank you
we are stopping on the bridge to bow from the railings
we are running out of the glass rooms
with our mouths full of food to look at the sky
and say thank you
we are standing by the water looking out
in different directions
back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging
after funerals we are saying thank you
after the news of the dead
whether or not we knew them we are saying thank you
in a culture up to its chin in shame
living in the stench it has chosen we are saying thank you
over telephones we are saying thank you
in doorways and in the backs of cars and in elevators
remembering wars and the police at the back door
and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you
in the banks that use us we are saying thank you
with the crooks in office with the rich and fashionable
unchanged we go on saying thank you thank you
with the animals dying around us
our lost feelings we are saying thank you
with the forests falling faster and faster then the minutes
of our lives we are saying thank you
with the words going out like cells of a brain
with the cities growing over us like the earth
we are saying thank you faster and faster
with nobody listening we are saying thank you
we are saying thank you and waving
dark though it is
we are stopping on the bridge to bow from the railings
we are running out of the glass rooms
with our mouths full of food to look at the sky
and say thank you
we are standing by the water looking out
in different directions
back from a series of hospitals back from a mugging
after funerals we are saying thank you
after the news of the dead
whether or not we knew them we are saying thank you
in a culture up to its chin in shame
living in the stench it has chosen we are saying thank you
over telephones we are saying thank you
in doorways and in the backs of cars and in elevators
remembering wars and the police at the back door
and the beatings on stairs we are saying thank you
in the banks that use us we are saying thank you
with the crooks in office with the rich and fashionable
unchanged we go on saying thank you thank you
with the animals dying around us
our lost feelings we are saying thank you
with the forests falling faster and faster then the minutes
of our lives we are saying thank you
with the words going out like cells of a brain
with the cities growing over us like the earth
we are saying thank you faster and faster
with nobody listening we are saying thank you
we are saying thank you and waving
dark though it is
Saturday, December 26, 2009
2009 in short
Being sick on Christmas Day is not my preferred way of celebrating Jesus' birth. I missed not only Christmas service but also an outing with my younger sister and my cousins. I wanted to pen a reflective blog entry on Christmas Day and hopefully I can, even with an upset stomach. I was wondering how best to do this and decided to reflect on some important aspects of my life:
Friends/Family: What would I do without friends and family? I just want to thank God for giving me a family (plus extended ones) who have loved me so abundantly that I could give so generously to others. I also want to thank God for my friends - the many dashes of colour in my sometime-monochrome life.
Career: I work for the glory of God and He calls for excellence from me. Excellence, not perfection. I want to thank God for a job that gives me the time and the finances towards Godly purposes.
Money: I have not been as careful a steward of God's money as I would have liked to. I'm thankful that I am able to channel some money towards needy children regularly. I want to give underprivileged or poor children a good start in life through education so that they and their family can get out of the poverty trap. God has impressed on me the number of children He wants me to help with as well as the giving of an annual offering to my favourite charity - World Vision. Supporting needy children is one of my life's passions.
Romance/Significant other: One of my dear friends left me speechless when she said I could never love or marry a person if he doesn't love God as much as I do. I was stunned because she was so right. The love of my life is Christ.
Spiritual Growth: I thank God that He's been faithful to me even though I've not been very disciplined in my prayer life or my quiet time this year. I got a lot out of YWAM's introduction to discipleship training school course, which I attended for 12 Saturdays this year.
God has shown me time and again that my gifts are in the areas of the three Es - Encouraging, Edifying and Empowering people. He has also laid on my heart that a woman after God's own heart is a woman of prayer.
I feel that God is leading me to focus on prayer in the coming year, and that I am first and foremost to be a God-chaser before I can be a people-chaser for Him. He also impressed very deeply on me that in ministry, I cannot give what I do not have and so I must always draw from my source, which is Christ, and I must always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. This means an added urgency for me to be disciplined in my quiet time so that I can grow closer in my relationship with God.
I'm currently reading Warren W.Wiersbe's On Being a Servant of God and my auntie just gave me a daily devotional journal on Power Prayers for Women as a Christmas gift.
Personal Growth: Someone once remarked that when it comes to developing relationships with people, I've got a very broad moat around me - this is true because there are very few people I would let into my inner circle of trust. Through 2009, this moat has shrunk in size although it's still there. I think I still need to work a lot on being more other-focused than me-focused.
Developing more meaningful relationships with others is one of my key goals because that will be the fruit of my relationship with God in 2010.
Ministry: One of the most painful lessons this year has been the fact that suspicion rather than gratitude often emerges when one tries to help others. That the other's response is sometimes "why is she doing this?" and "what will she get out of this?".
I grappled with this a lot and I asked God why this attitude was so prevalent. His reply was that this was an attitude borne out of being in the world system. Many a times, I was sorely tempted to join the crowd and not even bother to go the extra mile without any benefit to myself, but thank God, the Holy Spirit lives in me and corrects me by saying: "Do you belong to the Kingdom of God or are you still stuck in the world system?"
It still hurts me a lot when people think that I'm helping them because I stand to benefit in some way or I've a hidden agenda. What comforts me is that God is watching and He knows my heart.
I thank God that He knows I need only these few but meaningful words that always let me know that I'm doing what He has called me to do - "thank you for being there" and "thank you for lending a listening ear when I needed one".
Highlights of 2009:
- My cousin and her daughter's visit
- My sister's graduation
- Watching Liverpool live
- A counsellors' retreat
- A trip to Ho Chi Minh with a friend
- A trip to Israel to attend a friend's wedding and to catch up with another
- Brunches, lunches, teas and dinners with friends
- The many concerts I attended during the year
- One of my dear friends giving birth to a daughter
- One of my dear friends getting engaged
- Attending YWAM's IDTS course
Finally, may God find me faithful. Amen.
Friends/Family: What would I do without friends and family? I just want to thank God for giving me a family (plus extended ones) who have loved me so abundantly that I could give so generously to others. I also want to thank God for my friends - the many dashes of colour in my sometime-monochrome life.
Career: I work for the glory of God and He calls for excellence from me. Excellence, not perfection. I want to thank God for a job that gives me the time and the finances towards Godly purposes.
Money: I have not been as careful a steward of God's money as I would have liked to. I'm thankful that I am able to channel some money towards needy children regularly. I want to give underprivileged or poor children a good start in life through education so that they and their family can get out of the poverty trap. God has impressed on me the number of children He wants me to help with as well as the giving of an annual offering to my favourite charity - World Vision. Supporting needy children is one of my life's passions.
Romance/Significant other: One of my dear friends left me speechless when she said I could never love or marry a person if he doesn't love God as much as I do. I was stunned because she was so right. The love of my life is Christ.
Spiritual Growth: I thank God that He's been faithful to me even though I've not been very disciplined in my prayer life or my quiet time this year. I got a lot out of YWAM's introduction to discipleship training school course, which I attended for 12 Saturdays this year.
God has shown me time and again that my gifts are in the areas of the three Es - Encouraging, Edifying and Empowering people. He has also laid on my heart that a woman after God's own heart is a woman of prayer.
I feel that God is leading me to focus on prayer in the coming year, and that I am first and foremost to be a God-chaser before I can be a people-chaser for Him. He also impressed very deeply on me that in ministry, I cannot give what I do not have and so I must always draw from my source, which is Christ, and I must always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. This means an added urgency for me to be disciplined in my quiet time so that I can grow closer in my relationship with God.
I'm currently reading Warren W.Wiersbe's On Being a Servant of God and my auntie just gave me a daily devotional journal on Power Prayers for Women as a Christmas gift.
Personal Growth: Someone once remarked that when it comes to developing relationships with people, I've got a very broad moat around me - this is true because there are very few people I would let into my inner circle of trust. Through 2009, this moat has shrunk in size although it's still there. I think I still need to work a lot on being more other-focused than me-focused.
Developing more meaningful relationships with others is one of my key goals because that will be the fruit of my relationship with God in 2010.
Ministry: One of the most painful lessons this year has been the fact that suspicion rather than gratitude often emerges when one tries to help others. That the other's response is sometimes "why is she doing this?" and "what will she get out of this?".
I grappled with this a lot and I asked God why this attitude was so prevalent. His reply was that this was an attitude borne out of being in the world system. Many a times, I was sorely tempted to join the crowd and not even bother to go the extra mile without any benefit to myself, but thank God, the Holy Spirit lives in me and corrects me by saying: "Do you belong to the Kingdom of God or are you still stuck in the world system?"
It still hurts me a lot when people think that I'm helping them because I stand to benefit in some way or I've a hidden agenda. What comforts me is that God is watching and He knows my heart.
I thank God that He knows I need only these few but meaningful words that always let me know that I'm doing what He has called me to do - "thank you for being there" and "thank you for lending a listening ear when I needed one".
Highlights of 2009:
- My cousin and her daughter's visit
- My sister's graduation
- Watching Liverpool live
- A counsellors' retreat
- A trip to Ho Chi Minh with a friend
- A trip to Israel to attend a friend's wedding and to catch up with another
- Brunches, lunches, teas and dinners with friends
- The many concerts I attended during the year
- One of my dear friends giving birth to a daughter
- One of my dear friends getting engaged
- Attending YWAM's IDTS course
Finally, may God find me faithful. Amen.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
All ears
This excerpt from Anne Michaels' Fugitive Pieces really epitomises ministry:
"You listened, not like a priest who listens for sin, but like a sinner, who listens for his own redemption. What a gift you had for making one feel clear, for making one feel - clean."
"You listened, not like a priest who listens for sin, but like a sinner, who listens for his own redemption. What a gift you had for making one feel clear, for making one feel - clean."
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
On being a servant of God
I just started reading a book by Warren W.Wiersbe called On Being A Servant Of God.
The opening few pages really made a tremendous impact on me. He wrote his definition of ministry: Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.
He went on further to write: If you and I are going to serve Jesus Christ - the way God wants us to minister and the way the apostles ministered - we must
1. know the divine resources personally
2. see the human needs compassionately
3. become channels of God's mighty resources so that
4. God alone is glorified.
I stopped reading at this point because I wanted to reflect on these words and allow the Holy Spirit to bring a deeper revelation of them into my heart, my mind, my soul and my spirit.
The opening few pages really made a tremendous impact on me. He wrote his definition of ministry: Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.
He went on further to write: If you and I are going to serve Jesus Christ - the way God wants us to minister and the way the apostles ministered - we must
1. know the divine resources personally
2. see the human needs compassionately
3. become channels of God's mighty resources so that
4. God alone is glorified.
I stopped reading at this point because I wanted to reflect on these words and allow the Holy Spirit to bring a deeper revelation of them into my heart, my mind, my soul and my spirit.
Let me be worthy
Let me be worth of the price that set me free
Let me be worthy of the blood You shed for me
Let me be worthy of the pain that You suffered for my gain
Let me be worthy of the price You paid for me.
Let me be worthy of the blood You shed for me
Let me be worthy of the pain that You suffered for my gain
Let me be worthy of the price You paid for me.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A tribute to Keith Green: No Compromise
Today, the Lord brought Keith Green to my mind. I spent the past two hours listening to his music through youtube videos. His voice brought back many memories of the time when I was helping my aunt in her chain of Christian bookstores. Many of his songs left a deep impression on me. I admired his spirit and I liked his message even more: No Compromise.
I thought I'd post links to the Keith Green songs which influenced me tremendously in my Christian faith.
Asleep in the night
Create in me a clean heart
Make my life a prayer to you
Oh Lord you're beautiful
To obey is better than sacrifice
I thought I'd post links to the Keith Green songs which influenced me tremendously in my Christian faith.
Asleep in the night
Create in me a clean heart
Make my life a prayer to you
Oh Lord you're beautiful
To obey is better than sacrifice
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Experiencing God through the five senses
I recently went for a Wesley counsellors' retreat, and I really liked what one of the counsellors said about experiencing God with our five senses.
Most of the time, we use only two senses - sight and hearing.
I was in my hotel room alone during one of the days and so gave myself some time to experience God through my five senses.
I prayed before I started and these were what I wrote on my journal:
Sight
- An eagle soaring in the sky
- A shining sword
- Two big caring hands supporting me
- Huge white feathers providing me with full cover
Taste
- Sweeter than honey
- Snowflakes landing on the tongue
- Softness of a feather
- Warm and comforting
Smell
- The morning air in a dense forest
- Fresh and invigorating
- Familiar
- An apple orchard
Touch
- Protective and loving
- Very gentle like a breath on my skin
- Always a hug
- Fully enveloped in his love
Hearing
- Through the Word
- Through the Holy Spirit
- Through other people
- Through incidents and events
- Through creation
- Through a soft still voice
- From my right ear
- In my head
Most of the time, we use only two senses - sight and hearing.
I was in my hotel room alone during one of the days and so gave myself some time to experience God through my five senses.
I prayed before I started and these were what I wrote on my journal:
Sight
- An eagle soaring in the sky
- A shining sword
- Two big caring hands supporting me
- Huge white feathers providing me with full cover
Taste
- Sweeter than honey
- Snowflakes landing on the tongue
- Softness of a feather
- Warm and comforting
Smell
- The morning air in a dense forest
- Fresh and invigorating
- Familiar
- An apple orchard
Touch
- Protective and loving
- Very gentle like a breath on my skin
- Always a hug
- Fully enveloped in his love
Hearing
- Through the Word
- Through the Holy Spirit
- Through other people
- Through incidents and events
- Through creation
- Through a soft still voice
- From my right ear
- In my head
Song onto the Lord
Ended work at 6.30pm recently and rushed to church quite ill-prepared for the cellgroup worship training session. However, God is far bigger and wonderfully gracious.
I took away so much from the session. It was also then that I received an sms that filled me with so much joy. A friend smsed me to let me know that another friend was very much on fire for God.
What I took away from the training session:
1. What is worship all about?
William Temple (Archbishop of Canterbury from 1942-1944) wrote:
Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.
It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness,
nourishment of mind by His truth,
purifying of imagination by His beauty,
opening of the heart to His love, and
submission of will to His purpose.
And all this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of human expressions of which we are capable.
Pastor Benny Ho said:
"Worship is the human response to the touch of God. Forms and rituals - whether traditional or charismatic - do not produce true worship. Worship does not happen until Spirit touches spirit."
2. What constitutes acceptable sacrifices?
Psalm 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
3. What does rejoicing in the Lord mean?
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Amen.
I took away so much from the session. It was also then that I received an sms that filled me with so much joy. A friend smsed me to let me know that another friend was very much on fire for God.
What I took away from the training session:
1. What is worship all about?
William Temple (Archbishop of Canterbury from 1942-1944) wrote:
Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God.
It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness,
nourishment of mind by His truth,
purifying of imagination by His beauty,
opening of the heart to His love, and
submission of will to His purpose.
And all this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of human expressions of which we are capable.
Pastor Benny Ho said:
"Worship is the human response to the touch of God. Forms and rituals - whether traditional or charismatic - do not produce true worship. Worship does not happen until Spirit touches spirit."
2. What constitutes acceptable sacrifices?
Psalm 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
3. What does rejoicing in the Lord mean?
Habakkuk 3:17-19
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Amen.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Ministry onto the Lord
These four words "ministry onto the Lord" caught my attention today during a House of Prayer session because they seemed so simple and yet at a certain level, they were a mystery to me. So I went online and did a google of the words and this was one of the top results.
Ministry to the Lord
By Watchman Nee
Let us note at the outset that there is little apparent difference between ministry to the House of the Lord and ministry to the Lord Himself. Many of you are doing your utmost to help your brethren, and you are labouring to save sinners and administer the affairs of the church. But let me ask you: Have you been seeking to meet the need around you, or have you been seeking to serve the Lord? Is it your fellow men you have in view, or is it Him?
Let us be quite frank. Work for the Lord undoubtedly has its attractions for the flesh. You may be thrilled when crowds gather to hear you preach, and when numbers of souls are saved. If you have to stay at home, occupied from morning to night with mundane matters, then you think: How meaningless life as! How grand at would be if I could go out and serve the Lord! If only I were free to go around ministering! But that is not spirituality. That is merely a matter of natural preference. Oh, if only we could see that much of the work done for God is not really ministry at all! He, Himself, has told us chat there was a class of Levites who busily served in the Temple, and yet they were not serving Him; they were merely serving the House. However, service to the Lord and service to the House appear so much alike that it is often difficult to differentiate between the two.
If an Israelite came along to the Temple and wanted to worship God, those Levites would come to his aid and help him offer his peace offering and his burnt offering. They would help him drag the sacrifice to the altar, and they would slay it. Surely that was a grand work to be engaged in, reclaiming sinners and leading believers closer to the Lord! And God took account of the service of those Levites who helped men bring their peace offerings and their burnt offerings to the altar. Yet He said it was not ministry to Himself.
Brothers and sisters, there is a heavy burden on my heart that you might realise what God is after. He wants ministers who will minister to Him. "They shall come near to me to minister unto me; and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood. They shall minister unto me" (Ezekiel 44:15).
The thing I fear most is that many of you will go out and win sinners to the Lord and build up believers, without ministering to the Lord Himself. Much so-called service for Him is simply following our natural inclinations. We have such active dispositions that we cannot bear to stay at home, so we run around for our own relief. We may appear to be serving sinners, or serving believers, but all the while we are serving our own flesh.
I have a dear friend who is now with the Lord. One day, after we had a time of prayer together, we read this passage in Ezekiel (44:9-26, 28, 31 ). She was very much older than I, and she addressed me like this: "My young brother, it was twenty years ago that I first studied this passage of Scripture."
"How did you react to it?" I asked.
She replied: "As soon as I had finished reading it, I closed my Bible, and kneeling down before the Lord, I prayed: 'Lord, make me to be one who shall minister to You, not to the Temple."' Can we also pray that prayer?
But what do we really mean when we talk of serving God or serving the Temple? Here is what the Word says:
But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me; and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the LORD God (Ezekiel 44:15).
The conditions basic to all ministry that can truly be called ministry to the Lord are drawing near to Him and standing before Him. But how hard we often find it to drag ourselves into His presence! We shrink from the solitude, and even when we do detach ourselves physically, our thoughts still keep wandering outside. Many of us can enjoy working among people, but how many of us can draw near to (God in the Holy of Holies? Yet it is only as we draw near to Him that we can minister to Him.
Ministry to the Lord
By Watchman Nee
Let us note at the outset that there is little apparent difference between ministry to the House of the Lord and ministry to the Lord Himself. Many of you are doing your utmost to help your brethren, and you are labouring to save sinners and administer the affairs of the church. But let me ask you: Have you been seeking to meet the need around you, or have you been seeking to serve the Lord? Is it your fellow men you have in view, or is it Him?
Let us be quite frank. Work for the Lord undoubtedly has its attractions for the flesh. You may be thrilled when crowds gather to hear you preach, and when numbers of souls are saved. If you have to stay at home, occupied from morning to night with mundane matters, then you think: How meaningless life as! How grand at would be if I could go out and serve the Lord! If only I were free to go around ministering! But that is not spirituality. That is merely a matter of natural preference. Oh, if only we could see that much of the work done for God is not really ministry at all! He, Himself, has told us chat there was a class of Levites who busily served in the Temple, and yet they were not serving Him; they were merely serving the House. However, service to the Lord and service to the House appear so much alike that it is often difficult to differentiate between the two.
If an Israelite came along to the Temple and wanted to worship God, those Levites would come to his aid and help him offer his peace offering and his burnt offering. They would help him drag the sacrifice to the altar, and they would slay it. Surely that was a grand work to be engaged in, reclaiming sinners and leading believers closer to the Lord! And God took account of the service of those Levites who helped men bring their peace offerings and their burnt offerings to the altar. Yet He said it was not ministry to Himself.
Brothers and sisters, there is a heavy burden on my heart that you might realise what God is after. He wants ministers who will minister to Him. "They shall come near to me to minister unto me; and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood. They shall minister unto me" (Ezekiel 44:15).
The thing I fear most is that many of you will go out and win sinners to the Lord and build up believers, without ministering to the Lord Himself. Much so-called service for Him is simply following our natural inclinations. We have such active dispositions that we cannot bear to stay at home, so we run around for our own relief. We may appear to be serving sinners, or serving believers, but all the while we are serving our own flesh.
I have a dear friend who is now with the Lord. One day, after we had a time of prayer together, we read this passage in Ezekiel (44:9-26, 28, 31 ). She was very much older than I, and she addressed me like this: "My young brother, it was twenty years ago that I first studied this passage of Scripture."
"How did you react to it?" I asked.
She replied: "As soon as I had finished reading it, I closed my Bible, and kneeling down before the Lord, I prayed: 'Lord, make me to be one who shall minister to You, not to the Temple."' Can we also pray that prayer?
But what do we really mean when we talk of serving God or serving the Temple? Here is what the Word says:
But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto me; and they shall stand before me to offer unto me the fat and the blood, saith the LORD God (Ezekiel 44:15).
The conditions basic to all ministry that can truly be called ministry to the Lord are drawing near to Him and standing before Him. But how hard we often find it to drag ourselves into His presence! We shrink from the solitude, and even when we do detach ourselves physically, our thoughts still keep wandering outside. Many of us can enjoy working among people, but how many of us can draw near to (God in the Holy of Holies? Yet it is only as we draw near to Him that we can minister to Him.
Created for worship
I went for a meeting in church recently to learn about worship leading and took away so many things I just had to list them down here in a note:
* A beautiful Saviour calls forth a beautiful sound.
* God says that if we build the house, He will come. He will inhabit. We want His habitation, not just a visitation.
* Do we worship for His love and approval or from His love and approval?
* When we see what God sees, we will do what God wants to do.
* We cannot bring someone where we have not been ourselves.
* The worship pastor said that in a dream, she was asking God "How do get the people to really worship you?" And the answer was: "When they have a correct perspective of Me."
* How you worship will affect the way you lead others in worship.
* Always ask: "Why do I do what I do, and when?"
* A beautiful Saviour calls forth a beautiful sound.
* God says that if we build the house, He will come. He will inhabit. We want His habitation, not just a visitation.
* Do we worship for His love and approval or from His love and approval?
* When we see what God sees, we will do what God wants to do.
* We cannot bring someone where we have not been ourselves.
* The worship pastor said that in a dream, she was asking God "How do get the people to really worship you?" And the answer was: "When they have a correct perspective of Me."
* How you worship will affect the way you lead others in worship.
* Always ask: "Why do I do what I do, and when?"
Time enough
Leisure (W.H.Davies)
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
吴冠中
An Unbroken Line
The Wu Guanzhong Donation Collection
9 April to 16 August 2009
Wu Guanzhong's donation of 113 works to the Singapore Art Museum in 2008 is the highest valued donation presented to a public museum in Singapore. This exhibition will showcase all 114 works representing five decades of the artist's creative oeuvre. A key significance of Wu Guanzhong’s art is the crossing and synthesising of the two art forms of ink and oil which represent art historical and aesthetic contexts of traditional Chinese and western art. Wu started painting in ink only in 1974, when he was aged 55, but his earlier oil works were predicated on ink aesthetics as with his subsequent inks on oil foundation.
A prolific writer of essays and art theory, his Formal Beauty of Painting foreshadowed a revolution in art in the immediate post-Cultural Revolution period when it was published in 1978. To Wu, the feelings of the individual were supreme. Equally important, however, was the individual's emotional link with the community. Hence his famed line, the "Unbroken Kite String", which expounds the connection between formal abstraction and everyday life, and acknowledges its source in the community.
A strong advocate of developing culture and the arts, and a man who holds deep respect for intercultural values, Wu’s broad brushstroke gesture of presenting his largest donation to the Singapore Art Museum will be celebrated jointly by the art community as well as the Singapore public when the galleries open their doors on 9 April. This exhibition is co-organised by Singapore Art Museum, Shanghai Art Museum and National Art Museum of China.
人物20090709 -- 画界泰斗吴冠中 01
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqlYpVwJilg
人物20090709 -- 画界泰斗吴冠中 02
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5U2uIErMGo
人物20090709 -- 画界泰斗吴冠中 03
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpSVs2q46dM
The Wu Guanzhong Donation Collection
9 April to 16 August 2009
Wu Guanzhong's donation of 113 works to the Singapore Art Museum in 2008 is the highest valued donation presented to a public museum in Singapore. This exhibition will showcase all 114 works representing five decades of the artist's creative oeuvre. A key significance of Wu Guanzhong’s art is the crossing and synthesising of the two art forms of ink and oil which represent art historical and aesthetic contexts of traditional Chinese and western art. Wu started painting in ink only in 1974, when he was aged 55, but his earlier oil works were predicated on ink aesthetics as with his subsequent inks on oil foundation.
A prolific writer of essays and art theory, his Formal Beauty of Painting foreshadowed a revolution in art in the immediate post-Cultural Revolution period when it was published in 1978. To Wu, the feelings of the individual were supreme. Equally important, however, was the individual's emotional link with the community. Hence his famed line, the "Unbroken Kite String", which expounds the connection between formal abstraction and everyday life, and acknowledges its source in the community.
A strong advocate of developing culture and the arts, and a man who holds deep respect for intercultural values, Wu’s broad brushstroke gesture of presenting his largest donation to the Singapore Art Museum will be celebrated jointly by the art community as well as the Singapore public when the galleries open their doors on 9 April. This exhibition is co-organised by Singapore Art Museum, Shanghai Art Museum and National Art Museum of China.
人物20090709 -- 画界泰斗吴冠中 01
http://www.youtube.com/wat
人物20090709 -- 画界泰斗吴冠中 02
http://www.youtube.com/wat
人物20090709 -- 画界泰斗吴冠中 03
http://www.youtube.com/wat
The time is always right to do what is right
Martin Luther King Jr quotes:
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
""The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."
"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
"The time is always right to do what is right."
"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."
"I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
""The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."
"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"
"The time is always right to do what is right."
"A man who won't die for something is not fit to live."
"I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."
"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love."
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."
"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
Did you learn anything?
"Man's search for meaning is the primary motivation in his life.."
- Victor Frankl
"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral."
- Saint-Exupery
"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom."
- Albert Einstein
"Two men look out through the bars: One sees the mud, and one the stars."
- William Langland
"People only see what they are prepared to see."
- Emerson
"The most important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
- Charles Dubois
"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; For what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
- Anatole France
"Minds differ still more than faces."
- Voltaire
"We live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing."
- R.D Laing
"Nothing is permanent but change."
- Heraclitus
"I do not know what I may appear to the world but to myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself by now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."
- Isaac Newton
"Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him."
-Aldous Huxley
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
- Mark Twain
- Victor Frankl
"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral."
- Saint-Exupery
"Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom."
- Albert Einstein
"Two men look out through the bars: One sees the mud, and one the stars."
- William Langland
"People only see what they are prepared to see."
- Emerson
"The most important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
- Charles Dubois
"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; For what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
- Anatole France
"Minds differ still more than faces."
- Voltaire
"We live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing."
- R.D Laing
"Nothing is permanent but change."
- Heraclitus
"I do not know what I may appear to the world but to myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself by now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."
- Isaac Newton
"Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him."
-Aldous Huxley
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education."
- Mark Twain
Our Shimmering Self
A reading from Ransomed Heart Ministries (http://www.ransomedheart.com/ministry/default.aspx )
For what shall we do when we wake one day to find we have lost touch with our heart and with it the very refuge where God’s presence resides?
Starting very early, life has taught all of us to ignore and distrust the deepest yearnings of our heart. Life, for the most part, teaches us to suppress our longing and live only in the external world where efficiency and performance are everything. We have learned from parents and peers, at school, at work, and even from our spiritual mentors that something else is wanted from us other than our heart, which is to say, that which is most deeply us. Very seldom are we ever invited to live out of our heart. If we are wanted, we are often wanted for what we can offer functionally. If rich, we are honored for our wealth; if beautiful, for our looks; if intelligent, for our brains. So we learn to offer only those parts of us that are approved, living out a carefully crafted performance to gain acceptance from those who represent life to us. We divorce ourselves from our heart and begin to live a double life. Frederick Buechner expresses this phenomenon in his biographical work, Telling Secrets:
[Our] original shimmering self gets buried so deep we hardly live out of it at all . . . rather, we learn to live out of all the other selves which we are constantly putting on and taking off like coats and hats against the world’s weather.
(The Sacred Romance , 5)
For what shall we do when we wake one day to find we have lost touch with our heart and with it the very refuge where God’s presence resides?
Starting very early, life has taught all of us to ignore and distrust the deepest yearnings of our heart. Life, for the most part, teaches us to suppress our longing and live only in the external world where efficiency and performance are everything. We have learned from parents and peers, at school, at work, and even from our spiritual mentors that something else is wanted from us other than our heart, which is to say, that which is most deeply us. Very seldom are we ever invited to live out of our heart. If we are wanted, we are often wanted for what we can offer functionally. If rich, we are honored for our wealth; if beautiful, for our looks; if intelligent, for our brains. So we learn to offer only those parts of us that are approved, living out a carefully crafted performance to gain acceptance from those who represent life to us. We divorce ourselves from our heart and begin to live a double life. Frederick Buechner expresses this phenomenon in his biographical work, Telling Secrets:
[Our] original shimmering self gets buried so deep we hardly live out of it at all . . . rather, we learn to live out of all the other selves which we are constantly putting on and taking off like coats and hats against the world’s weather.
(The Sacred Romance , 5)
Rameau's La Nuit (from Les Choristes)
Just watched Les Choristes and wanted to post the lyrics of Rameau's La Nuit here because they are quite beautiful. Also going to get the soundtrack, too! :-)
O nuit, viens apporter à la terre
Le calme enchantement de ton mystère
L'ombre qui t'escorte est si douce
Si doux est le concert de tes voix chantant l'espérance
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/4WMi ]
Si grand est ton pouvoir transformant tout en rêve heureux
O nuit, ô laisse encore à la terre
Le calme enchantement de ton mystère
L'ombre qui t'escorte est si douce
Est-il une beauté aussi belle que le rêve ?
Est-il de vérité plus douce que l'espérance ?
O Night, bring to the earth
The enchanting calm of your mystery
The shadow which follows you is so sweet
It is such a sweet concert
Your voices chanting hope
Your power is so great
Transforming all into a dream
O Night, O leave still to the earth
The enchanting calm of your mystery
The shadow which follows you is so sweet
Is there anything more beautiful than a dream?
Is there any truth sweeter than hope?
Here are some youtube video clips worth a listen:
1. The actual movie performance of La Nuit in Les Choristes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQg-3wkzJ3s
2. Live performance of Les Choristes' songs plus some
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faG6c1U_aSg&feature=PlayList&p=84C20F72913C5568&index=0&playnext=1
Some background information on the movie and the songs:
The resounding success of French director Christophe Barratier's film Les Choristes (2004), in particular its Oscar-nominated, César-awarded soundtrack, spawned a couple different album releases.
Inspired by the Jean Dréville film classic La Cage aux Rossignols (1945), Les Choristes (billed in English as "The Chorus") is graced with a soundtrack by celebrated French film composer Bruno Coulais.
The songs are performed by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc, a children's choir from Lyon, France.
Critically acclaimed and showered with awards on the film festival circuit, Les Choristes was an international success, particularly in terms of critical acclaim. In France the film was awarded Césars for Best Music Written for a Film and also Best Sound; meanwhile, in the United States it earned Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Song ("Look to Your Path"), plus a Gold Globe Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Upon its European release in 2004, the film's commercial soundtrack topped the French albums chart for a total of 11 weeks and reached number three on the Belgian albums chart. The soundtrack was subsequently released in the United States in early 2005, around the same time the live album Les Choristes en Concert was released on CD/DVD.
~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
O nuit, viens apporter à la terre
Le calme enchantement de ton mystère
L'ombre qui t'escorte est si douce
Si doux est le concert de tes voix chantant l'espérance
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/4WMi ]
Si grand est ton pouvoir transformant tout en rêve heureux
O nuit, ô laisse encore à la terre
Le calme enchantement de ton mystère
L'ombre qui t'escorte est si douce
Est-il une beauté aussi belle que le rêve ?
Est-il de vérité plus douce que l'espérance ?
O Night, bring to the earth
The enchanting calm of your mystery
The shadow which follows you is so sweet
It is such a sweet concert
Your voices chanting hope
Your power is so great
Transforming all into a dream
O Night, O leave still to the earth
The enchanting calm of your mystery
The shadow which follows you is so sweet
Is there anything more beautiful than a dream?
Is there any truth sweeter than hope?
Here are some youtube video clips worth a listen:
1. The actual movie performance of La Nuit in Les Choristes
http://www.youtube.com/wat
2. Live performance of Les Choristes' songs plus some
http://www.youtube.com/wat
Some background information on the movie and the songs:
The resounding success of French director Christophe Barratier's film Les Choristes (2004), in particular its Oscar-nominated, César-awarded soundtrack, spawned a couple different album releases.
Inspired by the Jean Dréville film classic La Cage aux Rossignols (1945), Les Choristes (billed in English as "The Chorus") is graced with a soundtrack by celebrated French film composer Bruno Coulais.
The songs are performed by Les Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc, a children's choir from Lyon, France.
Critically acclaimed and showered with awards on the film festival circuit, Les Choristes was an international success, particularly in terms of critical acclaim. In France the film was awarded Césars for Best Music Written for a Film and also Best Sound; meanwhile, in the United States it earned Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Song ("Look to Your Path"), plus a Gold Globe Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Upon its European release in 2004, the film's commercial soundtrack topped the French albums chart for a total of 11 weeks and reached number three on the Belgian albums chart. The soundtrack was subsequently released in the United States in early 2005, around the same time the live album Les Choristes en Concert was released on CD/DVD.
~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
North Korea's destiny
I attended my church's corporate prayer service recently. Praying for North Korea was on the agenda. It was then that I learnt about the importance of Pyongyang (in North Korea) to the rise of the Pentecostal movement in South Korea.
In the early 1900s, Pyongyang was once called the "Jerusalem of Asia". That took my breath away because I could never have imagined that, given North Korea's current state.
I went online to look for the links and here they are:
http://www.kcgm.org/north_korea.html
North Korea used to be very much a Christian country before the Communists took over in 1945. Pyung Yang, the Capital of North Korea, was once called the “Jerusalem of Asia.” That’s where the great revival took place in 1907 and 1932.
http://pewforum.org/surveys/pentecostal/countries/?CountryID=194
The Origins of Pentecostalism in South Korea
1880s-1910s: American Presbyterians and Methodists establish the first resident Protestant missions in the mid-1880s. A 1907 revival in Pyongyang involves more than a thousand adults and children, some of whom receive charismatic gifts, fueling nationwide evangelism. By 1910, there are more than 150,000 Protestants in the country (I. Kim 2003: 34, 41; Y. Lee 2001: 75-79).
During the corporate prayer, what was impressed upon the congregation was that God would bring a third revival to North Korea. I'm not very sure whether this will happen in my life-time but I'm praying and believing in it. What a revival that would be! WOW! Amen!
In the early 1900s, Pyongyang was once called the "Jerusalem of Asia". That took my breath away because I could never have imagined that, given North Korea's current state.
I went online to look for the links and here they are:
http://www.kcgm.org/north_
North Korea used to be very much a Christian country before the Communists took over in 1945. Pyung Yang, the Capital of North Korea, was once called the “Jerusalem of Asia.” That’s where the great revival took place in 1907 and 1932.
http://pewforum.org/survey
The Origins of Pentecostalism in South Korea
1880s-1910s: American Presbyterians and Methodists establish the first resident Protestant missions in the mid-1880s. A 1907 revival in Pyongyang involves more than a thousand adults and children, some of whom receive charismatic gifts, fueling nationwide evangelism. By 1910, there are more than 150,000 Protestants in the country (I. Kim 2003: 34, 41; Y. Lee 2001: 75-79).
During the corporate prayer, what was impressed upon the congregation was that God would bring a third revival to North Korea. I'm not very sure whether this will happen in my life-time but I'm praying and believing in it. What a revival that would be! WOW! Amen!
The two wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil.
It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.?
The other is Good.
It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute
And then asked his grandfather: ?'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied,
'The one you feed.'
He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.
One is Evil.
It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.?
The other is Good.
It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute
And then asked his grandfather: ?'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied,
'The one you feed.'
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Depression: It's more than just feeling blue
Following the suicide of the former South Korean president, I decided to dig up some stuff on depression. I found this fact sheet by the Canadian Mental Health Association to be one of the best and simplest in explaining it, so I am posting it here. I wish that more people were better educated about mental health issues because they can help themselves and others identify danger signs and intervene early.
What is depression?
The Canadian Mental Health Association describes “depression” as a clinical term used by psychiatrists to describe a period of time when a person feels very sad – to the point of feeling worthless, hopeless and helpless.
It is a serious illness. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life – at home, at work, at school and in society at large. It’s an illness that can go undetected for a long time, and yet it can be treated successfully in many people.
If left untreated, depression sometimes worsens and can lead to suicide.
Is there a difference between depression and just feeling down?
Yes. Most people feel sad or down from time to time. But in time these feelings pass and they don’t disrupt everyday life. People who are depressed, however, feel an intense and overwhelming sadness which lasts for long periods of time and eventually prevents them from carrying out and enjoying the normal activities of daily life.
Does depression affect women more than men?
Yes. It’s estimated that one in four women and one in 10 men will suffer from depression at some time in their lives.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Some symptoms include:
• a change in appetite or weight
• difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• feeling more agitated or slowed down
• feeling worthless
• losing interest in everyday life
• avoiding people
• thinking about suicide
• difficulty concentrating or making
decisions.
Is depression hereditary?
People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves.However, while depression is sometimes hereditary, it can also be triggered by traumatic events.
What should I do if I think I am suffering from depression?
You should talk to your family doctor or another health professional.
What should I do if I think someone close to me is suffering from depression?
Many people don’t seek help for depression – often because they don’t recognize, or accept, that they are depressed. Get advice from your family doctor or another health professional about how to get help. There are many support groups that can also help.
Can children be depressed?
Yes. Depression often starts in childhood or during teenage years. Depression in children and the elderly is often undetected and can go untreated for some time.
How is depression treated?
Depression is the most treatable mental illness. Most types of depression are treated with drugs and psychotherapy. The support of family and friends is often a critical factor in recovery.
PS: This fact sheet provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a healthcare professional about any health concerns you have, and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment.
What is depression?
The Canadian Mental Health Association describes “depression” as a clinical term used by psychiatrists to describe a period of time when a person feels very sad – to the point of feeling worthless, hopeless and helpless.
It is a serious illness. It can affect all aspects of a person’s life – at home, at work, at school and in society at large. It’s an illness that can go undetected for a long time, and yet it can be treated successfully in many people.
If left untreated, depression sometimes worsens and can lead to suicide.
Is there a difference between depression and just feeling down?
Yes. Most people feel sad or down from time to time. But in time these feelings pass and they don’t disrupt everyday life. People who are depressed, however, feel an intense and overwhelming sadness which lasts for long periods of time and eventually prevents them from carrying out and enjoying the normal activities of daily life.
Does depression affect women more than men?
Yes. It’s estimated that one in four women and one in 10 men will suffer from depression at some time in their lives.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Some symptoms include:
• a change in appetite or weight
• difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• feeling more agitated or slowed down
• feeling worthless
• losing interest in everyday life
• avoiding people
• thinking about suicide
• difficulty concentrating or making
decisions.
Is depression hereditary?
People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves.However, while depression is sometimes hereditary, it can also be triggered by traumatic events.
What should I do if I think I am suffering from depression?
You should talk to your family doctor or another health professional.
What should I do if I think someone close to me is suffering from depression?
Many people don’t seek help for depression – often because they don’t recognize, or accept, that they are depressed. Get advice from your family doctor or another health professional about how to get help. There are many support groups that can also help.
Can children be depressed?
Yes. Depression often starts in childhood or during teenage years. Depression in children and the elderly is often undetected and can go untreated for some time.
How is depression treated?
Depression is the most treatable mental illness. Most types of depression are treated with drugs and psychotherapy. The support of family and friends is often a critical factor in recovery.
PS: This fact sheet provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a healthcare professional about any health concerns you have, and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
A good character
"A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when the forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble."
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
When I say I am a Christian
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer
Carol Wimmer and what she said about the poem she wrote:
My heart was heavy as I wrote the poem, When I say, “I am a Christian. ” The year was 1988. I had begun to sense an increasing societal resentment toward the attitude of self-righteousness that has been adopted by so many Christians. I knew such behavior was and is a perversion of Christianity. Thus, the sentiment of the poem was born out of my personal awareness of this perversion and the heartache it can cause in our pluralistic society.
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer
Carol Wimmer and what she said about the poem she wrote:
My heart was heavy as I wrote the poem, When I say, “I am a Christian. ” The year was 1988. I had begun to sense an increasing societal resentment toward the attitude of self-righteousness that has been adopted by so many Christians. I knew such behavior was and is a perversion of Christianity. Thus, the sentiment of the poem was born out of my personal awareness of this perversion and the heartache it can cause in our pluralistic society.
I jotted down my thoughts with an inner determination to define the Christian spirit as I wished to experience it. The resulting words formed a reflection of me and the reputation I hoped to secure for myself. Four years later, I sent the poem to 5 different publishers. As a result of its first publication in 1992, someone placed the poem on the Internet where it miraculously began taking on a life of its own.
From Manila to South Africa; Australia to Singapore; Finland to Bahrain—I’ve received e-mails from people all over the world who express a common desire to walk humbly with God. Therefore, I owe a sincere “Thank You” to the unknown person who originally posted the poem on the Internet and the countless number of readers who have subsequently passed this simple expression on to others.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Will is character in action
The Aware saga has been illuminating for me on various issues. I got to hear and read the response of various people on the developments at Aware, some of which I agreed with and some of which I disagreed with.
I pondered in my heart, prayed about it and wrote a long response to a friend who urged me to clarify my stand.
This was what I wrote:
===================================================================
The Aware saga brought out many issues:
1. Spiritual warfare (always with us and illuminated in this skirmish)
2. Christianity versus gay lobby (blown up as an issue - why has it become so?)
3. Christianity versus "secularism" (society does have an inherent standard of values, be they drawn from religion or otherwise - how do we prevent erosion of family values?)
4. Workings of democracy (we respect the vote)
5. Discernment in the body of Christ (the key question: have recent actions been positive or negative for the kingdom of God?)
6. Grace, love and wisdom versus anger, rudeness and ignorance (which side was presented?)
7. How do we present our faith to society?
8. Social harmony (key role, and so how do we bring about reconciliation, forgiveness and inclusion instead of divisiveness?)
9. Values versus rights (we stand by the Bible. It has a very clear stand that homosexuality is sin but we are to love sinners - how do we do that with discernment?)
10. Role of education in future generations: I think the Aware saga is a wake-up call to parents that they need to be more involved in the education of their children.
11. As a result of the Aware saga, a lot of things have been shaken, both in the physical realm and in the spiritual realm. I don't think we know or comprehend even what God is doing behind the scenes. :-)
12. Singapore is the Antioch of Asia. :-)
13. The Bible has not changed and neither should the views of Christians. It remains the Word of God, for us to follow and abide by.
14. God is in full control. Amen to that!
Had a difficult time explaining such things to people over the past few weeks. :-P But it has been a wonderful few weeks because I had the opportunity to tell people about what Christ stands for, and that is a good thing. :-)
===================================================================================
I thank God that I attended a two-day conference on "Transformation in the marketplace", helmed by Pastor Ed Silvoso. His teachings added to my understanding of God and His purpose and plan.
I just read today's papers, and was gratified to read one part which shows the grace of God. Josie Lau's conduct through the entire EGM - she was cool and collected even when things went out of control and the conduct of people was unbelievable. God bless her and her family.
I pondered in my heart, prayed about it and wrote a long response to a friend who urged me to clarify my stand.
This was what I wrote:
===================================================================
The Aware saga brought out many issues:
1. Spiritual warfare (always with us and illuminated in this skirmish)
2. Christianity versus gay lobby (blown up as an issue - why has it become so?)
3. Christianity versus "secularism" (society does have an inherent standard of values, be they drawn from religion or otherwise - how do we prevent erosion of family values?)
4. Workings of democracy (we respect the vote)
5. Discernment in the body of Christ (the key question: have recent actions been positive or negative for the kingdom of God?)
6. Grace, love and wisdom versus anger, rudeness and ignorance (which side was presented?)
7. How do we present our faith to society?
8. Social harmony (key role, and so how do we bring about reconciliation, forgiveness and inclusion instead of divisiveness?)
9. Values versus rights (we stand by the Bible. It has a very clear stand that homosexuality is sin but we are to love sinners - how do we do that with discernment?)
10. Role of education in future generations: I think the Aware saga is a wake-up call to parents that they need to be more involved in the education of their children.
11. As a result of the Aware saga, a lot of things have been shaken, both in the physical realm and in the spiritual realm. I don't think we know or comprehend even what God is doing behind the scenes. :-)
12. Singapore is the Antioch of Asia. :-)
13. The Bible has not changed and neither should the views of Christians. It remains the Word of God, for us to follow and abide by.
14. God is in full control. Amen to that!
Had a difficult time explaining such things to people over the past few weeks. :-P But it has been a wonderful few weeks because I had the opportunity to tell people about what Christ stands for, and that is a good thing. :-)
===================================================================================
I thank God that I attended a two-day conference on "Transformation in the marketplace", helmed by Pastor Ed Silvoso. His teachings added to my understanding of God and His purpose and plan.
I just read today's papers, and was gratified to read one part which shows the grace of God. Josie Lau's conduct through the entire EGM - she was cool and collected even when things went out of control and the conduct of people was unbelievable. God bless her and her family.
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Tanzanian story
I had the tremendous honour and privilege of playing host to a 23-year-old Canadian Chinese girl, J, two weekends past. I don't even know how to begin sharing about this encounter. She is a fervent believer of Christ and last year she went to a Tanzanian village of 3,000 for nine months just to teach the kids and the villagers about nutrition.
I think I would just summarise our encounter in a few points:
1. Her attitude, beliefs and actions give me hope for a better future.
2. We need to help the poor in the world.
3. God can do wonders with a willing heart.
4. We need to pray for countries like Tanzania, where girls as young as 10 become sexually active because in their culture, they find it hard to say no to guys.
5. I was extremely encouraged and edified by what she said about her life.
6. It was wonderful just to see the photos and videos that she took of her stint in Tanzania and to see the absolute joy on her face when she was sharing with me about what she did there, the children there, the pastors there, the mothers there, the village there etc.
7. After that day, I shared my encounter with her with my colleagues as well as some of my counselling group members.
8. I pray that she will do mighty things for the Lord, and I believe that she is more than able to do them, because of the Holy Spirit in her.
9. I felt my heart sing for joy when I heard her sharing.
10. May God bless and keep her. Amen.
I think I would just summarise our encounter in a few points:
1. Her attitude, beliefs and actions give me hope for a better future.
2. We need to help the poor in the world.
3. God can do wonders with a willing heart.
4. We need to pray for countries like Tanzania, where girls as young as 10 become sexually active because in their culture, they find it hard to say no to guys.
5. I was extremely encouraged and edified by what she said about her life.
6. It was wonderful just to see the photos and videos that she took of her stint in Tanzania and to see the absolute joy on her face when she was sharing with me about what she did there, the children there, the pastors there, the mothers there, the village there etc.
7. After that day, I shared my encounter with her with my colleagues as well as some of my counselling group members.
8. I pray that she will do mighty things for the Lord, and I believe that she is more than able to do them, because of the Holy Spirit in her.
9. I felt my heart sing for joy when I heard her sharing.
10. May God bless and keep her. Amen.
Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time
I had lunch with a friend, who told me that she had stopped smoking. I was delighted at her decision because she had been a smoker for many years. I was really glad to catch up with her because it had been a few months since we last met. We were able to share some thoughts we had about certain issues. I told her that I will pray for her. :-)
As I was walking back to my office, the Serenity Prayer came to mind.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
As I was walking back to my office, the Serenity Prayer came to mind.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Coming to a place of surrender
My church had a very different and refreshing Good Friday programme. Our auditorium was transformed into different stations grouped under "Into the Inner Court - Encounters with the Father". We could go into any station and in any order.
The stations were:
- Washing of feet
- Holy Communion
- At the Cross with Jesus
- Soaking in God's presence
- Praying for the nations
- Anointing and Prophecy
I was supposed to meet a church auntie and her husband at 11pm. Instead, I turned up at 11.30pm. Thankfully they were still there. There was a booklet that was given to each person to guide them through the various encounters.
I wished I could say that I dutifully and prayerfully spent precious time at each station but I think I was rushing myself through a bit because I had arranged to have lunch with them. In the end, I missed out on the "praying for nations" station and spent only a few minutes soaking in God's presence. Still, God was amazingly gracious in His revelation to me.
At the station "At the Cross with Jesus", we were to take a scripture scroll from the basket placed at the Cross and spend time in prayer and reflection. I took one and it was a short but meaningful verse to me because it shows that God knows my innermost struggles. It was Isaiah 1:19 - "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land."
I also liked very much the "My prayer to Jesus" that was printed on the booklet given to us. The words are extremely powerful and I will use them in future to reach out to others and to minister to them in their time of need. I was saying those words aloud when I was seated at the foot of the Cross.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you that you are my Saviour and Master, the Son of God who loves me. I thank you for laying down your life for all mankind and for me at the cross of Calvary, 2000 years ago. Jesus, at the cross, a divinely ordained exchange took place for me. All the evil due, by justice, to come to me came on you, so that all the good due to you, earned by your sinless obedience to your Father, might be made available to me.
Jesus, You were punished that I might be forgiven,
You were wounded that I might be healed,
You were made sin with my sinfulness that I might be made righteous with your righteousness,
You died my death that I might share your life,
You were made a curse that I might receive your blessing,
You endured poverty that I might share in your abundance,
You bore my shame that I might share your glory and
You endured my rejection that I might enjoy your acceptance.
My old man - the rebel, the corrupt one, died in you, that my new man, the new nature in Christ, might live in me.
Jesus, I will never be able to find a reason to deserve this divinely ordained exchange. It is the outworking of Father God's sovereign and amazing grace for me. It is the expression of God's measureless love for me.
Jesus, I praise and thank you, that I have been delivered from this present evil age (Galations 1:3-4); from the law (Galations 2:19-20); from self (Galations 2:20); from the flesh (Galations 5:24); and from the world (Galatians 6:14).
I was also ministered to tremendously at the station - "Anointing & Prophecy". I went up to one of the designated people who were to pray for others. The lady who prayed for me was called Tiffany. She first anointed me with oil and then she started praying in tongues over me. She then told me what the Holy Spirit had impressed on her.
She said that she saw the picture of a beautiful lily flower, whose fragrance was spreading throughout other people's lives. "Li Li, you have a pure heart", she told me. She also said that I was called to comfort, encourage and bring people to God, and that my words delivered through my mouth would glorify God because they were given by the Holy Spirit. She said that she sensed purity in my life and that I have been a blessing to many.
She told me that God wanted me to know that He loves me tremendously and I am valued in His sight. And that I would be like the fragrance of a lily, bringing his love and compassion into areas of darkness, areas where there is no God, areas where people need to hear of him, in the marketplace, in my office, in my home and so on - permeating everywhere I went. She said that the people around me would be blessed because of me.
But she also added that she could see many bottles of fragrance that I am holding on to. She said that God is telling me not to be afraid, and to be courageous and strong in him; to break all these bottles of fragrance so that I will touch many more lives.
God knows I have so much more to offer to Him, and I have to be brave and step out for Him. To trust Him and to be obedient and surrender to Him. There is so much more potential in me which I have to be willing to bring forth for his Kingdom and for his glory.
At this stage, I was in tears because I have always known that the calling of God was very strong in my life. But it was a matter of whether I was willing and obedient to surrender totally and follow his lead. Up till now, I've not been able to.
So it was most humbling and comforting for me to realise that God knows what I'm struggling with and He has given His assurance that He holds my future securely in His hands and I just need to let go and let God.
I don't know where God wants me to go from here, but I think He's preparing me for another stage in my Christian life with Him. I have to repent and ask God for His forgiveness because He has truly blessed me with many gifts and I feel that I've shown very little returns so far for His Kingdom.
As well, discipline has been lacking in terms of my spiritual growth in Him. I think the year ahead will be an important one for me as I draw near to Him in prayer and commitment. Doing the small things well first, and obeying the Holy Spirit in every way.
I thank God for His unending love for me, which fills me with so much joy and happiness. This aspect is very clear and apparent in my life. I also thank Him that I know that He will bring me into His inner courts more and more through the rest of my life, as I surrender more and more of me to Him. I've always prayed for only these few things:
- The passion for Christ and His Word
- The love and compassion for people, especially the lost
- The humility of Christ
- The wisdom of God
- The increasing revelation in me of Him and His Word
- The supernatural in me, demonstrated supernaturally through my influence in others - in every way possible - through speech, through actions, through healings, through miracles, through words of knowledge, through prophecy, through teachings and so on
- The joy, peace and love of Him in me that I may offer them abundantly to others
Amen.
The stations were:
- Washing of feet
- Holy Communion
- At the Cross with Jesus
- Soaking in God's presence
- Praying for the nations
- Anointing and Prophecy
I was supposed to meet a church auntie and her husband at 11pm. Instead, I turned up at 11.30pm. Thankfully they were still there. There was a booklet that was given to each person to guide them through the various encounters.
I wished I could say that I dutifully and prayerfully spent precious time at each station but I think I was rushing myself through a bit because I had arranged to have lunch with them. In the end, I missed out on the "praying for nations" station and spent only a few minutes soaking in God's presence. Still, God was amazingly gracious in His revelation to me.
At the station "At the Cross with Jesus", we were to take a scripture scroll from the basket placed at the Cross and spend time in prayer and reflection. I took one and it was a short but meaningful verse to me because it shows that God knows my innermost struggles. It was Isaiah 1:19 - "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land."
I also liked very much the "My prayer to Jesus" that was printed on the booklet given to us. The words are extremely powerful and I will use them in future to reach out to others and to minister to them in their time of need. I was saying those words aloud when I was seated at the foot of the Cross.
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you that you are my Saviour and Master, the Son of God who loves me. I thank you for laying down your life for all mankind and for me at the cross of Calvary, 2000 years ago. Jesus, at the cross, a divinely ordained exchange took place for me. All the evil due, by justice, to come to me came on you, so that all the good due to you, earned by your sinless obedience to your Father, might be made available to me.
Jesus, You were punished that I might be forgiven,
You were wounded that I might be healed,
You were made sin with my sinfulness that I might be made righteous with your righteousness,
You died my death that I might share your life,
You were made a curse that I might receive your blessing,
You endured poverty that I might share in your abundance,
You bore my shame that I might share your glory and
You endured my rejection that I might enjoy your acceptance.
My old man - the rebel, the corrupt one, died in you, that my new man, the new nature in Christ, might live in me.
Jesus, I will never be able to find a reason to deserve this divinely ordained exchange. It is the outworking of Father God's sovereign and amazing grace for me. It is the expression of God's measureless love for me.
Jesus, I praise and thank you, that I have been delivered from this present evil age (Galations 1:3-4); from the law (Galations 2:19-20); from self (Galations 2:20); from the flesh (Galations 5:24); and from the world (Galatians 6:14).
I was also ministered to tremendously at the station - "Anointing & Prophecy". I went up to one of the designated people who were to pray for others. The lady who prayed for me was called Tiffany. She first anointed me with oil and then she started praying in tongues over me. She then told me what the Holy Spirit had impressed on her.
She said that she saw the picture of a beautiful lily flower, whose fragrance was spreading throughout other people's lives. "Li Li, you have a pure heart", she told me. She also said that I was called to comfort, encourage and bring people to God, and that my words delivered through my mouth would glorify God because they were given by the Holy Spirit. She said that she sensed purity in my life and that I have been a blessing to many.
She told me that God wanted me to know that He loves me tremendously and I am valued in His sight. And that I would be like the fragrance of a lily, bringing his love and compassion into areas of darkness, areas where there is no God, areas where people need to hear of him, in the marketplace, in my office, in my home and so on - permeating everywhere I went. She said that the people around me would be blessed because of me.
But she also added that she could see many bottles of fragrance that I am holding on to. She said that God is telling me not to be afraid, and to be courageous and strong in him; to break all these bottles of fragrance so that I will touch many more lives.
God knows I have so much more to offer to Him, and I have to be brave and step out for Him. To trust Him and to be obedient and surrender to Him. There is so much more potential in me which I have to be willing to bring forth for his Kingdom and for his glory.
At this stage, I was in tears because I have always known that the calling of God was very strong in my life. But it was a matter of whether I was willing and obedient to surrender totally and follow his lead. Up till now, I've not been able to.
So it was most humbling and comforting for me to realise that God knows what I'm struggling with and He has given His assurance that He holds my future securely in His hands and I just need to let go and let God.
I don't know where God wants me to go from here, but I think He's preparing me for another stage in my Christian life with Him. I have to repent and ask God for His forgiveness because He has truly blessed me with many gifts and I feel that I've shown very little returns so far for His Kingdom.
As well, discipline has been lacking in terms of my spiritual growth in Him. I think the year ahead will be an important one for me as I draw near to Him in prayer and commitment. Doing the small things well first, and obeying the Holy Spirit in every way.
I thank God for His unending love for me, which fills me with so much joy and happiness. This aspect is very clear and apparent in my life. I also thank Him that I know that He will bring me into His inner courts more and more through the rest of my life, as I surrender more and more of me to Him. I've always prayed for only these few things:
- The passion for Christ and His Word
- The love and compassion for people, especially the lost
- The humility of Christ
- The wisdom of God
- The increasing revelation in me of Him and His Word
- The supernatural in me, demonstrated supernaturally through my influence in others - in every way possible - through speech, through actions, through healings, through miracles, through words of knowledge, through prophecy, through teachings and so on
- The joy, peace and love of Him in me that I may offer them abundantly to others
Amen.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Fighting the good fight
It was with much relief and hope that I read of JBJ's son, Kenneth, entering politics.
His father was a patriot true and true, and absolutely devoted to serving the country, not the party.
I'm glad that his elder son decided to enter politics, and excited at what he has to offer, given that one of his quotes was, "Like the Prime Minister, I also have a double first from Cambridge."
I came across this old article on JBJ on Malaysian Insider, which is worth a read.
http://www2.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/jeremiahmahadevan/10179-jbjs-was-the-good-fight
His father was a patriot true and true, and absolutely devoted to serving the country, not the party.
I'm glad that his elder son decided to enter politics, and excited at what he has to offer, given that one of his quotes was, "Like the Prime Minister, I also have a double first from Cambridge."
I came across this old article on JBJ on Malaysian Insider, which is worth a read.
http://www2.themalaysianin
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Reaching out and healing within
I had the tremendous privilege of attending a counselling seminar conducted by Everett L. Worthington, Jr is a professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has published twenty books on marriage and family topics.
Today, he spoke on strength-focused counselling. I was edified, encouraged and uplifted by his teaching and his humility and his obedience to God.
Among many treasures, Worthington spoke about REACH as a model of forgiveness.
Recall the hurt objectively
Empathize with those who have hurt us.
Altruistically give the gift of forgiveness.
Commit to the forgiveness we have experienced.
Hold on to forgiveness whenever we doubt that we have forgiven.
Among many treasures, he drew attention to this beautiful prayer that was found in the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, 1945.
“O Lord
Remember not only the men and women
Of good will, But all of those of ill will.
But do not remember all the suffering
They have inflicted upon us;
Remember the fruits we have brought
Thanks to this suffering-
Our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility,
Our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart
Which has grown out of all this;
And when they come to judgment,
Let all the fruits we have borne
Be their forgiveness.”
Today, he spoke on strength-focused counselling. I was edified, encouraged and uplifted by his teaching and his humility and his obedience to God.
Among many treasures, Worthington spoke about REACH as a model of forgiveness.
Recall the hurt objectively
Empathize with those who have hurt us.
Altruistically give the gift of forgiveness.
Commit to the forgiveness we have experienced.
Hold on to forgiveness whenever we doubt that we have forgiven.
Among many treasures, he drew attention to this beautiful prayer that was found in the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, 1945.
“O Lord
Remember not only the men and women
Of good will, But all of those of ill will.
But do not remember all the suffering
They have inflicted upon us;
Remember the fruits we have brought
Thanks to this suffering-
Our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility,
Our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart
Which has grown out of all this;
And when they come to judgment,
Let all the fruits we have borne
Be their forgiveness.”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Catching the visions
Last Friday, I attended the third of my church's eight-week programme on Supernatural Living.
During that session, each of us was asked to form a team of four with three other strangers. We were to write down our team members' names and then to pray and worship for a few minutes. We were to write down any vision, word or impression on to a piece of paper. During that time, I saw four visions - dry bones in the desert being revived by rain; a green bush; a ship on the seas deciding whether to turn left or right; and a white feather.
When the time came for my team members and I to exchange the impressions we had, I shared with them mine and one of them said the dry bones may be for her because she had been taking care of her elderly mum and recently had been feeling exhausted and tired. The other two felt that the ship was for them because one of them was thinking of a job change while the other was also considering a major decision.
I was deeply humbled because two of them had visions specifically for me. One of them said that she saw Christ handing over a very red heart to me, which could signify a new heart for me. Another said that she had the word "joy" for me and that she felt that God was saying that I would bring a lot of joy to the people around me.
For the red heart, I had always prayed to God that He would pour on to me His compassion for the lost and His passion and love for people. Also, in recent times, I had felt that I had lost that initial first love I had for Christ when I first became a Christian, and I sensed in this vision that God was telling me, "Here, I'm giving you a new heart of passion and love to you for you to serve my people". I really thank God that He knows me inside out and that even before I had done anything for me, He has done everything for me and I have His approval because of Christ's sacrifice at the Cross. God is well pleased with me because of Christ. Amen.
As for the word "joy", I've always felt that God has given me a deep level of faith, which has given me the boldness and confidence to always be optimistic in life. This faith and confidence has also given me a sensitivity towards people, and the wonderful ability to encourage, comfort and edify people.
I am deeply convicted that one of my main services for God is in encouraging and empowering people. Letting anyone believe that they can go much further than they ever know and that they are much better than the world deems them to be, and that they possess strengths, gifts and abilities given by God which they can use well.
I know this is one of my main missions on this earth. One of my closest friends said that she thinks the "joy" refers to the fact that people can see a deep sense of purpose and calling in me, that I am certain of my goal and purpose and direction in life and this comes through in my words and actions.
For me, all it boils down to is this: There but for the grace of God go I.
During that session, each of us was asked to form a team of four with three other strangers. We were to write down our team members' names and then to pray and worship for a few minutes. We were to write down any vision, word or impression on to a piece of paper. During that time, I saw four visions - dry bones in the desert being revived by rain; a green bush; a ship on the seas deciding whether to turn left or right; and a white feather.
When the time came for my team members and I to exchange the impressions we had, I shared with them mine and one of them said the dry bones may be for her because she had been taking care of her elderly mum and recently had been feeling exhausted and tired. The other two felt that the ship was for them because one of them was thinking of a job change while the other was also considering a major decision.
I was deeply humbled because two of them had visions specifically for me. One of them said that she saw Christ handing over a very red heart to me, which could signify a new heart for me. Another said that she had the word "joy" for me and that she felt that God was saying that I would bring a lot of joy to the people around me.
For the red heart, I had always prayed to God that He would pour on to me His compassion for the lost and His passion and love for people. Also, in recent times, I had felt that I had lost that initial first love I had for Christ when I first became a Christian, and I sensed in this vision that God was telling me, "Here, I'm giving you a new heart of passion and love to you for you to serve my people". I really thank God that He knows me inside out and that even before I had done anything for me, He has done everything for me and I have His approval because of Christ's sacrifice at the Cross. God is well pleased with me because of Christ. Amen.
As for the word "joy", I've always felt that God has given me a deep level of faith, which has given me the boldness and confidence to always be optimistic in life. This faith and confidence has also given me a sensitivity towards people, and the wonderful ability to encourage, comfort and edify people.
I am deeply convicted that one of my main services for God is in encouraging and empowering people. Letting anyone believe that they can go much further than they ever know and that they are much better than the world deems them to be, and that they possess strengths, gifts and abilities given by God which they can use well.
I know this is one of my main missions on this earth. One of my closest friends said that she thinks the "joy" refers to the fact that people can see a deep sense of purpose and calling in me, that I am certain of my goal and purpose and direction in life and this comes through in my words and actions.
For me, all it boils down to is this: There but for the grace of God go I.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Leading the way
My auntie gave me a "365 Days of Purpose for Women" calendar for Christmas this year. I've been reading the quotations for each day. I find them meaningful and inspiring. This short quote by Becca Stevens really encapsulates what empowerment and leadership is about:
"A candle is never diminished by lighting another candle."
"A candle is never diminished by lighting another candle."
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Persona non grata
Today was one of my saddest days as a Christian.
At the end of the usual Sunday service, my senior pastor stood at the podium to share with us why he's bringing the church into an eight-week course on the supernatural. He said that to him, he would have failed his duty as a pastor if he didn't bring each member of his congregation into his or her full potential in Christ.
During his speech, he related how a young lady told him that God had laid on her a burden to reach out to the prostitutes in Geylang. She had obeyed Him and six prostitutes had given their lives to Jesus. But when the young lady approached some churches in Geylang to ask if they would accept the prostitutes into their congregation, all said no.
At this point when my senior pastor was talking about these churches' refusal, he was very worked up and close to tears. I was there in front along with quite a few other church members (we had gone up to pray for the church leadership in support of them).
When I listened to this account, I also couldn't control my tears. Churches, yes, churches actually turned people who had resolved to die to their own selves and to follow Christ.
I couldn't help thinking that much more than us, Jesus must have been so much more griefed by the actions of those churches.
How can Jesus' followers refuse to accept a sinful person who wants to follow Christ?
Jesus' encounter with a sinful lady:
Luke 7:36-50
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
At the end of the usual Sunday service, my senior pastor stood at the podium to share with us why he's bringing the church into an eight-week course on the supernatural. He said that to him, he would have failed his duty as a pastor if he didn't bring each member of his congregation into his or her full potential in Christ.
During his speech, he related how a young lady told him that God had laid on her a burden to reach out to the prostitutes in Geylang. She had obeyed Him and six prostitutes had given their lives to Jesus. But when the young lady approached some churches in Geylang to ask if they would accept the prostitutes into their congregation, all said no.
At this point when my senior pastor was talking about these churches' refusal, he was very worked up and close to tears. I was there in front along with quite a few other church members (we had gone up to pray for the church leadership in support of them).
When I listened to this account, I also couldn't control my tears. Churches, yes, churches actually turned people who had resolved to die to their own selves and to follow Christ.
I couldn't help thinking that much more than us, Jesus must have been so much more griefed by the actions of those churches.
How can Jesus' followers refuse to accept a sinful person who wants to follow Christ?
Jesus' encounter with a sinful lady:
Luke 7:36-50
36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Power of One
This quote from Dwight L. Moody was timely for me:
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do."
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do."
Monday, January 19, 2009
The One Thing
My senior pastor asked this question during a recent sermon: "What is the one thing you would ask of God?"
For me, the answer has always been "Godly wisdom and revelation" because I will then be able to live my life in a way that is pleasing to Him as well as use my words and actions to draw people to Christ and to edify and encourage them.
For me, the answer has always been "Godly wisdom and revelation" because I will then be able to live my life in a way that is pleasing to Him as well as use my words and actions to draw people to Christ and to edify and encourage them.
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