"...you and me are better off when we embrace God... The moon looks beautiful when it receives the sun light and reflects it." (Andy Stanley).
Life really does not make sense when I try to reflect my own glory, cause actually, there is no glory in me. It's making more sense every day as I slowly come to terms that I am merely a mirror, used by God to reflect His glory.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Men's club
I don't know what to call it, but for now, let's call it the men's club, ahahha....
Early last month when I just lost my job I bumped into this old friend of mine whom I haven't seen for ages at a foodcourt in city. He mentioned that he was starting a meeting or gathering of men (young adult) to talk about men's stuff. I was like, "wow, that's a good idea."
Anyway, he kept inviting me to come to the weekly meeting held every wednesday at the coffee club in milton. Last wednesday, I had the chance to go there. I didn't know what to expect, whom I would meet and what sort of 'talk' we're gonna have.
Btw, he's from another church, and he's a growing christian.
When I got there, I saw him sitting with another guy. Then one by one, other guys were arriving as well. Man... it was one good meeting over a cup of english breakfast tea.
Everyone was absolutely young adult. There were 8 of us and only a couple of us who's still single, the rest are either married or divorced, but we're all at similar age range, ahahha..... between 28 to 35.
It was my first time to attend this kind of gathering, but it's really interesting. Everyone is a christian but at different stage of our christian walk. I'm the only asian there, and the smallest too, ahahha... felt a bit inferior at first.
But anyway, yeah... it was good. It's good not because I got to meet new people and made friends, but it's the atmosphere, and the willingness of each of them to open up and share their thoughts and accepting others' opinion. It's different.
At that time we talked about growing from boyhood to manhood briefly, and moving on to our relationship with our fathers, how we need the father figure and a healthy relationship with them to become a man. It was really good.
Though I had to leave early (to go to a friend's bday dinner), I really enjoyed the short meeting. It's so refreshing. ahahha.... I wanna go back there again.
Early last month when I just lost my job I bumped into this old friend of mine whom I haven't seen for ages at a foodcourt in city. He mentioned that he was starting a meeting or gathering of men (young adult) to talk about men's stuff. I was like, "wow, that's a good idea."
Anyway, he kept inviting me to come to the weekly meeting held every wednesday at the coffee club in milton. Last wednesday, I had the chance to go there. I didn't know what to expect, whom I would meet and what sort of 'talk' we're gonna have.
Btw, he's from another church, and he's a growing christian.
When I got there, I saw him sitting with another guy. Then one by one, other guys were arriving as well. Man... it was one good meeting over a cup of english breakfast tea.
Everyone was absolutely young adult. There were 8 of us and only a couple of us who's still single, the rest are either married or divorced, but we're all at similar age range, ahahha..... between 28 to 35.
It was my first time to attend this kind of gathering, but it's really interesting. Everyone is a christian but at different stage of our christian walk. I'm the only asian there, and the smallest too, ahahha... felt a bit inferior at first.
But anyway, yeah... it was good. It's good not because I got to meet new people and made friends, but it's the atmosphere, and the willingness of each of them to open up and share their thoughts and accepting others' opinion. It's different.
At that time we talked about growing from boyhood to manhood briefly, and moving on to our relationship with our fathers, how we need the father figure and a healthy relationship with them to become a man. It was really good.
Though I had to leave early (to go to a friend's bday dinner), I really enjoyed the short meeting. It's so refreshing. ahahha.... I wanna go back there again.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
my prayer
ah... just when I was about to pray, I remembered again my prayer this morning, and last night, and the morning before and the night before. And I see a pattern, a pattern of asking God to give me something that I need and I want.
I was listening to Andy Stanley preaching about God's glory just then, man... his words were like one heavy blow to my heart.
I need to change myself, I need to change my prayer. I am a mirror and HE is the light. HE is the source of everything and I am only a mere reflector of HIS glory, and nothing else. Something that I need to grasp and learn.
I was listening to Andy Stanley preaching about God's glory just then, man... his words were like one heavy blow to my heart.
I need to change myself, I need to change my prayer. I am a mirror and HE is the light. HE is the source of everything and I am only a mere reflector of HIS glory, and nothing else. Something that I need to grasp and learn.
The difference
I've been thinking about it.
What's the difference between being stubborn and having such a big faith?
ah... you must be confused right now, but I don't know how to put it in simpler words.
What's the difference between being stubborn and having such a big faith?
ah... you must be confused right now, but I don't know how to put it in simpler words.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Losing the WORD
Let me share this with you all. The easiest way to lose the Word of God is to listen to it and not acting upon or living it out in our daily life.
Hard? Not at all, in fact it's very easy, and shamefully, I've done it so many times. When people cut me when driving, I got mad at them in my heart. When the restaurant mad me wait 2hr for my food while everyone else got their food after 1/2hr, I got mad at them. When I couldn't achieve my goals, I got mad at myself. man... and I say that I'm Jesus' disciple.
So yeah, don't try hard to lose the WORD, just keep doing whatever you're doing right now with one exception, don't do what you've read/learned. Keep going to church, life group (bible study group), read the bible, listen to all sermons/preachings, but DON'T DO what God or the bible ask you to do.
O God, help me Lord to do your will.
Hard? Not at all, in fact it's very easy, and shamefully, I've done it so many times. When people cut me when driving, I got mad at them in my heart. When the restaurant mad me wait 2hr for my food while everyone else got their food after 1/2hr, I got mad at them. When I couldn't achieve my goals, I got mad at myself. man... and I say that I'm Jesus' disciple.
So yeah, don't try hard to lose the WORD, just keep doing whatever you're doing right now with one exception, don't do what you've read/learned. Keep going to church, life group (bible study group), read the bible, listen to all sermons/preachings, but DON'T DO what God or the bible ask you to do.
O God, help me Lord to do your will.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
learning to think properly
Yes, it's actually not that easy, ahahha.... especially for people like me.
Was just listening to Ps Bill Hybels' sermon on moses (from the book of Exodus), and was really convicted when he shared how we need to learn to control our mind, as well as our emotion. It's not easy at all, but it is possible. Especially when our mind lead us to think about unnecessary or unproductive stuff, let alone ungodly stuff. As Paul shared in 2 Cor 10:5, we need to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
In the beginning, it might be very hard and difficult, but as we continue to persevere and learn from all mistakes we've done in the past, we'll get better at it over time.
Was just listening to Ps Bill Hybels' sermon on moses (from the book of Exodus), and was really convicted when he shared how we need to learn to control our mind, as well as our emotion. It's not easy at all, but it is possible. Especially when our mind lead us to think about unnecessary or unproductive stuff, let alone ungodly stuff. As Paul shared in 2 Cor 10:5, we need to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
In the beginning, it might be very hard and difficult, but as we continue to persevere and learn from all mistakes we've done in the past, we'll get better at it over time.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The secret to be a successful christian
Looking at my current life situation, I was thinking how I can be a successful christian in every way. Then I asked myself, "What is the secret to be a successful christian?"
I tried hard to come up with an answer. I thought of what I've done in the past, my failures and successes.But nothing satisfied me.
So here is my answer, I don't know the secret to be a successful christian, but I do know the secret to be a failure christian, i.e. not to trust in God and to rely on my own understanding and strength.
With that answer, my mind took me to the famous passage in the bible, the Proverbs 3:5-6. And instead of reading only those passages, I read the whole chapter. Here it is (taken from www.biblegateway.com - NIV version):
Proverbs 3
Further Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father [b] the son he delights in.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
"Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—
when you now have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason—
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways,
32 for the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools he holds up to shame.
I tried hard to come up with an answer. I thought of what I've done in the past, my failures and successes.But nothing satisfied me.
So here is my answer, I don't know the secret to be a successful christian, but I do know the secret to be a failure christian, i.e. not to trust in God and to rely on my own understanding and strength.
With that answer, my mind took me to the famous passage in the bible, the Proverbs 3:5-6. And instead of reading only those passages, I read the whole chapter. Here it is (taken from www.biblegateway.com - NIV version):
Proverbs 3
Further Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. [a]
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father [b] the son he delights in.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
"Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—
when you now have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason—
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways,
32 for the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools he holds up to shame.
Why downcast o my soul
Today my heart was quite down as I still don't have permanent job (according to my qualification and experience), although I'm currently working as admin assistant.
As I was looking for some songs and sermons to listen to while having my dinner (also to encourage me a bit), I bumped into this story of a man who converted from muslim to christianity. Man... looking at my situation, ahahha.... how stupid I am to be discouraged because I still don't have a job that I want. Here I am trying to find a job and discouraged, and there this man trying to stay alive for being a christian and so joyful.
ah... how silly I am.
Well, after watching the clip, I felt God reminded me again of my mission in this world, that no matter where I am or what I do, I need to be His ambassador and continue to share His love and the Gospel to others (while giving my best to my employer at work). Besides that I also felt that it's a reminder from God for me to dwell in His Word, in other word, to continue to study the bible.
I hope this clip can be an encouragement to you:
As I was looking for some songs and sermons to listen to while having my dinner (also to encourage me a bit), I bumped into this story of a man who converted from muslim to christianity. Man... looking at my situation, ahahha.... how stupid I am to be discouraged because I still don't have a job that I want. Here I am trying to find a job and discouraged, and there this man trying to stay alive for being a christian and so joyful.
ah... how silly I am.
Well, after watching the clip, I felt God reminded me again of my mission in this world, that no matter where I am or what I do, I need to be His ambassador and continue to share His love and the Gospel to others (while giving my best to my employer at work). Besides that I also felt that it's a reminder from God for me to dwell in His Word, in other word, to continue to study the bible.
I hope this clip can be an encouragement to you:
Sunday, February 15, 2009
WAG Lesson no. 1 Discipline
I tell you, it's one of the biggest challenges I have since the day I was born. It's so hard for me to discipline myself.
I just had the WAG (Working Adult Getaway) held in Mt. Cootha where Ps Jeff from singi came and preached to us and teached us lotsa stuff. Ps Wilson and Ps Wen An also came to share some insights.
Lesson no. 1 that I learned from the WAG, be discipline. This is actually not in any of the workshop or during the preaching/teaching sessions. I just felt God wants me to be discipline. Straight away I know which area I need to change and improve starting from tomorrow.
So yeah, lessong no. 1 is to be discipline, especially in the area of QT and studying the WOG.
I just had the WAG (Working Adult Getaway) held in Mt. Cootha where Ps Jeff from singi came and preached to us and teached us lotsa stuff. Ps Wilson and Ps Wen An also came to share some insights.
Lesson no. 1 that I learned from the WAG, be discipline. This is actually not in any of the workshop or during the preaching/teaching sessions. I just felt God wants me to be discipline. Straight away I know which area I need to change and improve starting from tomorrow.
So yeah, lessong no. 1 is to be discipline, especially in the area of QT and studying the WOG.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A new job
For those of you who's been praying for me to get a job, well... thank you for interceding for me. I got a job. Last Monday I started working as an admin assistant.
It's not the job of my dream, nor it is the job that matched my qualification and skills, but it brings in income and gets my brain occupied and working.
It's actually a very humbling experience as I've never work as admin assistant before. From a commercial manager to jobless to admin assistant is quite a drastic change within 4 weeks. But I take this as a learning curve, to learn about life from a different angle.
I don't know what God has in store for me, but I do believe that my future is way much better than my past, simply because God said so in Jer 29:11 and Psa 9:10.
It's not the job of my dream, nor it is the job that matched my qualification and skills, but it brings in income and gets my brain occupied and working.
It's actually a very humbling experience as I've never work as admin assistant before. From a commercial manager to jobless to admin assistant is quite a drastic change within 4 weeks. But I take this as a learning curve, to learn about life from a different angle.
I don't know what God has in store for me, but I do believe that my future is way much better than my past, simply because God said so in Jer 29:11 and Psa 9:10.
Reality check
The truth is, in plain english, it's actually harder to live as a christian (let alone as a leader). No one is exempt from test and temptation that can take you away from God.
Sometimes I think that my life is pretty hard, that what I'm going through is quite something, compare to normal christian. But ah.... God is good, He has His way to remind me over and over again.
In my LG (life-group), I like to open the discussion with asking everyone to share their best and worst experience during the week. The main reason is because I want people to be more open, and learn from one another (life experiences). Besides that, I like to listen to people's life stories.
Anyway, one of my group member last friday shared his worst and best of the week. I can't share it here (as it's very personal), but man.... his worst life experience last week made me look so small, like an ant, while he is like an elephant.
I felt so unworthy to be his leader, I felt so... I don't know how to put it any better. There he is, going through some tough time and praising God for whatever he has and pressing on to go through it expecting help from God will come soon (though he has no clue when help comes).
When he shared, I could only ask myself, "What's wrong with me? Why do I always question God?"
I know that we're not supposed to compare our struggles/challenges/blessings with others, but ah... it's like God is asking me to do some reality check on my situation and on my faith. hmmpf, I thought my life is tough, ahaha... man, I'm laughing sarcastically.
If you're going through some tough time, if the mountain before your eyes looks so big, don't worry. I mean it, don't worry. That mountain is not bigger that God, the Jehovah jireh, the Johovah Nisi, the King of kings, the Creator of the universe. He will surely help you to go through it all. Good nite.
Sometimes I think that my life is pretty hard, that what I'm going through is quite something, compare to normal christian. But ah.... God is good, He has His way to remind me over and over again.
In my LG (life-group), I like to open the discussion with asking everyone to share their best and worst experience during the week. The main reason is because I want people to be more open, and learn from one another (life experiences). Besides that, I like to listen to people's life stories.
Anyway, one of my group member last friday shared his worst and best of the week. I can't share it here (as it's very personal), but man.... his worst life experience last week made me look so small, like an ant, while he is like an elephant.
I felt so unworthy to be his leader, I felt so... I don't know how to put it any better. There he is, going through some tough time and praising God for whatever he has and pressing on to go through it expecting help from God will come soon (though he has no clue when help comes).
When he shared, I could only ask myself, "What's wrong with me? Why do I always question God?"
I know that we're not supposed to compare our struggles/challenges/blessings with others, but ah... it's like God is asking me to do some reality check on my situation and on my faith. hmmpf, I thought my life is tough, ahaha... man, I'm laughing sarcastically.
If you're going through some tough time, if the mountain before your eyes looks so big, don't worry. I mean it, don't worry. That mountain is not bigger that God, the Jehovah jireh, the Johovah Nisi, the King of kings, the Creator of the universe. He will surely help you to go through it all. Good nite.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Bryce St Household
2009 is truly a new season in my life. The way I see it, it's gonna be one very interesting year.
I spent the first 3 days of 2009 in Melb with few close friends, and I joined a new working group as well. On the other hand, I lost my job on the second day of the year, and then at the last wk of Jan, I have to let go my leader for a bigger work that God has for him in Melb.
That was January 2009. Now is February 2009.
On 1st Feb, I left my residence in Macgregor and moved to a new place in St. Lucia, and joined the Bryce St. Household. The household comprises of many great servants of God. They said they're really happy to hear that I'm moving in. To me, it's the other way around, I think I'll learn so much from them.
Oh ya, what makes Feb one interesting month? I started a casual work at Toll as an admin person on 2nd Feb. ahahhaa.... man, I can so see 2009 will be one very interesting year. I'm still applying for jobs. So I guess, March will be another interesting month in 2009.
O God, what do you have in-store for me this year?
:)
Good nite
I spent the first 3 days of 2009 in Melb with few close friends, and I joined a new working group as well. On the other hand, I lost my job on the second day of the year, and then at the last wk of Jan, I have to let go my leader for a bigger work that God has for him in Melb.
That was January 2009. Now is February 2009.
On 1st Feb, I left my residence in Macgregor and moved to a new place in St. Lucia, and joined the Bryce St. Household. The household comprises of many great servants of God. They said they're really happy to hear that I'm moving in. To me, it's the other way around, I think I'll learn so much from them.
Oh ya, what makes Feb one interesting month? I started a casual work at Toll as an admin person on 2nd Feb. ahahhaa.... man, I can so see 2009 will be one very interesting year. I'm still applying for jobs. So I guess, March will be another interesting month in 2009.
O God, what do you have in-store for me this year?
:)
Good nite
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