i wanna talk to u.
other than thru this blog, i dunno how else i can communicate with u le.
yes, u're the one who has been feeling extremely irritable recently.before u stop reading, hear me out.
u may hate me for saying all these things u do not like to hear, but i dont care. i am going to speak my mind cos i'd rather u hate me, than to sit around and watch u get worse.
do u know u're harder to communicate with nowadays?
have u ever wondered why?
and by doing so, u're hurting those whom u love, and loves u.
do u realise this?
do u really hate those close to u so much?
do u really wanna hurt them in such a manner?
u claim people don't understand u.
yes, it is possible that they don't.
only God is able to understand u inside out.
but does by claiming that they don't understand u, give u the right to be harsh to them?how do u feel when u are falsely accused?
how do u feel when you are scolded?
how do u think they feel when u do all these to them?
they feel good?
rem how u used to detest me telling u about Christianity, going to church etc?
u said something like, u're a Christian, don't tell me u never lie? the bible says Christians cannot lie, then why you still lie?
do u know what u are assuming when u said that?
u were assuming that, a true Christian has to live a life that is based on what Christianity teaches. put it simpler, u were assuming
a Christian life was meant to be LIVED. words don't mean anything if the life doesn't show it. E.gs No lying, no murder, no adultery, no coveting etc..
You were absolutely right.
The Lord detest lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. -Prov 12:22The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and withcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness. orgies and the like. I warn you, as i did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.-Gal 5:19-21
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up as a fragant offering and sacrifice to God. -Eph 5:1-2how about u now?
are u walking the talk?
what have u become?
are u living a life that is based on what Christianity teaches?
"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean', but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean'." -Matt 15:11"...honour your father and mother...." -Matt 19:19"But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." -Gal 5:22-23whenever u react harshly to those close to u, have u ever stopped to wonder how much u have hurt them by your words?
you said the words, knowing they were harsh words. did u say the words with the intention to hurt?
is that the real u?
do u REALLY think those close to u would want to harm u?
u REALLY think the whole world owes u something?
time to wake up dear s.
God gives us free choice.
Not to abuse and hurt others.
Not to do evil.
U have a choice, God gives u that liberty of free choice.
Thing is, what have u done with that choice?Are you choosing to do what u ought to do?
You are not helpless. Don't say u can't help it.
The devil always tempts u to do bad things.
However, as a child of God, u are
able to resist the devil.
You have a God who is greater than any evil or the Devil.God can help you overcome. Let Him help u.Are u still going to chase after the luxuries of this world, knowing they would not last, at the expense of denying your family, dwelling in ur hurt n betrayal and being angry at the entire universe?
Do u really want to live a life like that?
Or do you wanna live a life that you know that even if u die tmr, it would be a life well lived? A life lived according to God's purposes for your life. A life that is built on Christ's firm foundation, a life that serves and loves others.which do u choose?sure, it is hard to change. just rem the only life changing transformer (God) is less than a call away if u need his help. u've experienced his transforming powers at your salvation, didn't u?
The choice is yours.
a girl was angry and upset at the decision made by the department for not allowing her to take leave to go for her church's retreat. She felt it was unfair. By right, there was no reason she could not go, because her supervisor had earlier approved it. and, she had signed up and paid for the trip.one day, she woke up late for work, feeling just slightly unwell and decided to give work a miss. "they probably would still be able to function without me", she thought to herself. so she switched off her mobile and went back to sleep. The house phone rang a few times, but she ignored them. After a good rest, she woke up in the evening and thought about what to say at work tomorrow, what excuse to give. she devised a reason. She would say she was not feeling well. that idea did not give her peace. Yet, she knew that was the only way to get her out of trouble, in the most dignified manner. she would say she was sick. she knew it was wrong to lie, yet that reason could keep her reputation intact. she thought long and hard about this.The next day at work,Supervisor: Could you explain your absence yesterday? I made a few calls but you did not answer my calls. What happened?Girl: I did not come to work yesterday because, because i did not feel like coming to work. i was also feeling slightly unwell so i stayed at home. I also did not pick up the calls because i did not want to come to work.this matter, according to the supervisor was a serious and irresponsible one which had to be reported to the higher management. Judging by the facial expression and tone, the girl knew she would not "get off the hook" this time, not so easily. "How did this became so serious? Everyone in the management would come to know this! How am i going to face them at work?" -the girl was shuddered at this thought and more.would you like to guess what happened to the girl next?
in the end, the girl was let off the hook, with a somber warning.
everyone in management, possibly the whole office now knew of her missing act.
she continued to work in the office.
it was not known if anyone secretly doubted her integrity from that day onwards.
but she knew, whatever 'image' she had built up was tarnished.
it would be hard to hold her head high now.
her only consolation was that, she did not withhold the truth.are u now thinking why the girl confessed, despite the great temptation to lie and the fact that by doing so, she could save herself the embarrassment, and easily get off the hook, without anyone knowing?that night, the girl thought long and hard about lying. she knew it was against what she had been taught, and what she believed in. Yet, she did not want to face the consequences. She was afraid. she was sure, if she lied, nobody in the office would know. Nobody. "God knows."at that thought, she was startled.she decided to tell the truth."didn't know the seriousness of it until today. was really scary, sounds like i'm being asked to face a panel of judges for commiting some crime. But i'm quite prepared to face whatever the outcome, to speak the truth from my heart. God detests liars and i sure don't wanna be one. It's hard and sure there's always the easy way of lying but God still knows. Ultimately, i answer to God, not man. So why not admit my mistake now? I should fear God, not man. Whatever it is, it is in the Lord's hands. Good or bad, my Lord decides. I've just decided to be blameless and righteous before Him. He is just."
一转眼, 三年的大学生崖就这样结束了.
考完了最后一张试圈.
要毕业了.
两位好友有所感叹.....
甲: 为什么我一点都不觉得高兴?
乙: 你终于熬过来了!!!
甲听了, 心想: 对呀. 不知道能否熬过的日子, 现在都通通熬过来了.
应该感叹
许要感谢.
(translation in English below....)In the blink of an eye, 3 years of university education had come to an end.Finished the last exam paper.Preparing for graduation.2 good friends did some reflection and had this to say:A: How come i don't feel happy at all?B: You've finally survived through!!!upon hearing this, in her heart, A was thinking: she's right. the days of waiting for all this 3 years to come to an end....had finally come to an end now.a time of reflection.a need for gratitude.
i'm so amazedand i give you praisethat you would save us at such a cost...for all you've done, i just wanna thank you Lord!
I'm amazed. still amazed. will always be amazed by this God who i serve.
perhaps only till now, i truly dare to say i'm proud of God.
I'm proud to bear Christ's name.
I'm proud to be God's child.
I'm so amazed. still amazed. will always be amazed by this God who i serve.
(no time to elaborate on how i came to that and why. more details after exams. thanks for tuning in. )
in the last days
2 Pet
prophecy of scriptures
false teachers and their destruction
the day of the Lord
in this book, Peter was addressing Christians. He talked briefly about what the last days will be like. -also refers to the coming of judgement day where each of us has to give an account to God.
last days are coming.... Christians read about it in the bible..there have already been signs that the end is near. so what do we do?
2 Pet Chpt 3v3 "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, " where is this 'coming' he promised? .........................................................................................v8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise (i think of this refers to judgement day), as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief (no one will know when!). The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed like fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming..........................................v14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.therefore dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.(sorry for skipping some verses, not that they are not important, but cos i find it too troublesome to type everything out. pls go read 2 Peter for the complete picture.)
after i finished reading, a sense of urgency and fear gripped me. 2 things
1) will we be ready when the Lord returns? 2) who else should we intecede for?it is not for us to guess or to know when Jesus is coming back. we will not know and we need not know.
our concern should be our walk with God. where is it now? holy, godly?
our concern should be the same as our Lord's concern, salvation.
indeed if the last days are coming, shouldn't we start and continue to intercede and pray for the salvation of those we know and love?
if we love them, we should intecede and pray for their salvation
surely we do not want them to perish, do not want to say when the time comes, "i wished i had told them about Jesus."
let's not wait for that day to start in order for us to start praying and interceding.
for ourselves, let us evaluate our walk with the Lord, constantly. so that we do not lose sight of God and who we are called to be.
1 Pet 4:7-8 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.(If you want to know more, get a bible today.)
Know that the Lord is God.It is he who made us, and we are hisWe are his people, the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgivingand his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.-v 3-5(one of my fave psalms. thanks Beni, saw ur msg. u should be studying rather than reading blogs. heh. k, i will be studying.)
congruent, as we have learnt in social work, actually quite like the congruent triangles we learnt in sec school, it's a fit. perfect, exact fit, between who you are and who you say you are. it requires one to be genuinue and truthful with one self. for example, smiling can mean many things. smiling with your hands folded implies you are somewhat on the defensive. smiling yet shifting positions (swaying) can suggest that you are nervous and anxious. (yup, much like psychology)
so when you smile because you are actually nervous, do you say/admit you are nervous? or do you say you are being friendly?
so as the title suggests, i am going to be congruent. i admit, i haven't been congruent all this while.
ok, congruent me says:
many times, i think people see me as a Christian who is (i shall quote) "religious", "pious", "holy", "full of passion for God", "enthu girl in church", "angel" (?)....etc..and because of that, i'm always seen as a goody two shoes, girl-next-door ya? these are qualities i strive to have, a person i strive to be but today i am going to debunk that (to provide a more realistic and true explanation of all that others perceive me to be)!
hmmm......*smiles*
someone once asked me why i am always so passionate about God. (i can't remember the exact question but it was something like that).
to the outsider who does not know how my walk with God is really like, hmm...my answer would go something like erm... i dunno. it's not easy.
and yes, it is tough. some of u may think that what u see on the surface is what happens on the inside. well, it is. but it is much more than that.
i struggle a lot. mainly emotionally and spiritually.
i go to church almost every week because i want to go praise and worship God together with the church, want to hear the pastor preach God's word. after a week of school or work, i just want to dwell in God's presence which can be felt so evidently in church. i can worship at home too. but worshiping God in church with the congregation, worship team and choir is just different and more awesome. it's like seeing a heavenly choir on earth! it's not because i am holy, religious, or pious!
recently, the bible has been very precious to me. my daily companion.
yes, by saying that means it has not been precious to me in the past.
the fact that it has, means something- it does not happen by chance.
nowadays, though during the exams period where i should be fervently studying, i try to read a portion of the bible each day before i start studying. it is not because i am holy or religious or whatever people may call it. It is because i realise i need to. i desperately need to read the bible to know what God says about me, my circumstances. yes, u seen it right. i want to know what God says about me, my circumstances.
several times, i would get emotional and cry, upset over something my mum or my sis had said. many a times, it was not really them, but the words they said that really upset me a lot. and i would cry and get upset over what they said..5 mins ago, crying..... 30mins ago....still crying.......sometimes, it becomes uncontrollable....
and i dunno why that flood of emotions. i could understand why i cry in the first place. but i could not understand why and how come it became uncontrollable. am i just sensitive or what?
and i've come to realise ignoring the problem doesn't help. it makes it worse.
so i read the bible, wanting to look for solace, but i continued reading Jeremiah which was about the destruction of the nations that disobeyed God. destruction. and then i read proverbs...hmm...and i don't understand. i think they are just stating the obvious and common sense. that was at first glance and first reading.
now i know why studying the word of God (the bible) is so important. Like Sis Jo used to always say, you cannot just read the bible,like a storybook, u have to study the bible. keyword is study.
ok, coming back to what i wanted to blog about.
in fact all the time, what people see in me on the outside, how they describe me, such as holy and religious does not mean that my walk with God is easy and rosy. how do i know people think this way? because they commented that, they wished they could be like me. (in my walk with God)
dear friends, reaching a close walk with the Lord is work.
it requires effort to read God's word. it requires an active choice to put God first in everything and anything that you do.
growing in the Lord does not happen overnight. of cos, God can reveal to us something we have never known before, but how do we and how can we know, unless we read his word?
and today, i am so glad i took time (out of mugging) to attend the YA service. i totally agree with the points raised by Ps Ron.he preached about the church in Thyatira, in Rev 2...about how their tolerance of false teachings led them astray.
indeed, in the world we live in today, there are so many false teachings that seem so true. in fact, there is an element of some truth in them. but they are not the truth.
and what is the truth?
only the bible will tell you. (the world can tell u the truth, but often is not willing to do so.)
reading God's word (the bible) will be uncomfortable for some, in fact, many. for me, it was and is uncomfortable because it speaks about my own sins, my own flaws and imperfection. but that does not stop me from reading the bible, not for long.
yes, it is demoralising to read about destruction, our own sinful nature, our flesh desires, our deep hidden secrets that we wished others would never know, and the white lies we had said --> all of them gets rebuked and seen in the light and made clearer, bigger (magnified!), and reminded us that we are sinners, we have fallen short of the glory of God, we are hypocrites, we are not there yet, hardly.
yes we are.
reading and studying the bible, knowing God's word also means interpreting it correctly! (as what Ps Ron said)
and.....why is the bible structured in such a way, that tells of evil deeds, destruction, fall of adam and eve, punishment, judgement and man's sinful nature?
have u ever wondered why?
being a Christian does not end with salvation. to grow as a Christian, to be mature and not lacking anything, often is the result of perserverance, suffering, persecution, effort and an active choice to choose God over all other things in your life. God has to be the first priority in your life.
Ps Ron mentioned that today, tolerance has a different meaning. today it means, considering every value, lifestyle, idea as all equally valid. meaning; i cannot tell you what you believe is not true.
for Christians that increases our burden to tolerate others.
has that tolerance for others, others beliefs, their own choices resulted in Christians' tolerance of false teachings?
have we? have the church?
and how do we know what we believe is true, and not false?
Christians believe Christianity is the truth. We believe what the bible says is true. we believe our faith is true.
how do we know? how can we be sure? how can we be the salt and light of this world if we do not know the truth that we believe in?
Ps Ron gave a case example. A person wanted to know how to differentiate between a real and a fake jade, and so went to work at a jade shop. yet, after one whole month, all he was told to do, was to clean all the jades in the shop. he did that for a month. one day, a customer came in and wanted to sell his jade for 10, 000 dollars, saying that it was dug up from his grandmother's grave. the boss was not around at that time,nobody was around at the shop, other than that trainee. So that trainee attended to the man, said okay, and took the jade. He then replied, "this jade is fake!"
how did he know?
because he had been in frequent, close and daily contact with real jade! (thus, he knew what real jade feels like and know what is fake.)
in the same way, how do we know false teachings?
we study God's word!
how do we know what is good and what is evil?
we study God's word!
do not see me as having a walk with God that you wished you had.
do not envy me. i'm also a sinner. i have my own flaws, imperfections (ask my family!). i have doubts in my Christian walk. i have times where i strayed away from God. times of spiritual dryness. times of diobedience. times when i sinned.
by writing all these, i do not seek to judge you, pls do not think of it that way.
like what one of the guest Pastors said, Christians are like beggers. we are just telling one another/others where to get food.
take me as a begger.
if i have inspired or encouraged you in some way or another, i would be more than glad.
however, the only thing that i can be truly proud of, is when i have pointed you to God himself.
God the Father.
Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Holy Spirit, our teacher, can teach us so many things about God that we have never known before.
thing is, are we willing to know God better?
are we willing to take time to study his word?
and now, i am reminded of what Ps Lim said, 90% of all we need to know about God's will is clearly revealed in God's word....he added;
Study God's word diligently. There is no substitute for this.
lastly, being the congruent me means telling and sharing with u all these. good things are meant to be shared. =)
as i read what i have written, i realise that it is very similar to what Rach had written before, in her blog. dear Rach, i didn't copy. but your blog has always been an inspiration for me. and of cos, u too! Thanks a lot!
=)
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety0nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. -Matt 18:12-14
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
-Luke 15:7
In the same way, i tell you, there is more rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. -Luke 15:10
My son, the father said, you are always with me, and everything i have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
-Luke 15:31-32
(i am always so excited and happy when someone receives Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Aren't u excited too? There is one more added to the kingdom of God, one more we'll see in heaven. Praise God! and do you know all the heavens rejoice when just or even if only 1 comes to accept God? just one. just one wayward son who comes back. The heavens rejoice!!! and i rejoice with the heavens too! =) how abt u? do u need to come back to God? or do u need God in your life? Do u know, God is always reaching out to man?)"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity..."
-Jer 29:13
Before the world began, you were on his mind
And every tear you've cried is precious in his eyes
Because of His great love, He gave His only Son
And everything was done so you would come
Nothing you can do can make Him love you more
And nothing that you've done can make Him close the door
Because of His great love, He gave His only Son
And everything was done so you would come
Come to the Father, though your gift is small
Broken hearts, broken lives
He will take them all
The power of the Word, the power of His Love
And everything was done so you would come...
i wanna pray for u. will cont to pray for u. guess it is not easy for u, i've just began to understand a bit of how strayed sheeps feel... (i've strayed before, i've seen people stray)...do u know u needed to come back, wants to come back, yet too ashamed to? u feel unworthy,u say u are not qualified,u say: no point wasting God's time, no point wasting other's prayers and no point making people disappointed again and again, there's no hope for me, u say. no point asking me to come back. i'm too far away. i can't.
well, u can. bcos God can. it warms my heart each time i see people, men and women return to God, come to know God. repentence is not for the perfect, good and pleasing. repentence is for the wayward child. repentence is for those who have strayed away. repentence is for sinners (who admit they are). please listen to what God has to say. can u hear him calling you to his side. can u see him waiting at the far end. can u see his searching face, for a child he has lost. can you see his hand extended to u. will u hold it?
your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
the past week..
reflection of self
i began to se a darker side of me which i had not dared to reveal to others and myself.
i am selfish
does not like to feel uncomfortable
does not like to stress myself, and thus always avoid stress and stressful situations at all costs
does not like confrontation
is super sensitive to remarks made about me
gets insecure and hurt easily
is unable and unwilling to forgive some people in my life
has a bad temper, tends to show anger at family members
does not like criticisms
dislikes people who does not appreciate me the way i want
can be very pessimistic most of the times
very lazy, can sit in front of the TV all day and do nothing
does not like to do housework
likes to be nice
cannot stand being unpopular
lies to save face
rationalise to avoid confrontation
no self-discipline to study, to wake up on time to study, to do QT
will not do what i dislike, even if it is said to be good for me (stubborn? principled?)
selfish
perhaps my mum is right all along, about all these flaws of mine.
and God? certainly deserves a higher standard from me.
and me?
i always think i can't be that bad.
well, the truth of the matter is, i am.
putting God first is not a big problem for me.
becoming more Christ like, is.
and putting God first is also becoming more Christ like?
whose standards am i following?
whose standards are u following?Let's keep in check.
looked thru my friendster...read thru all my testimonials...hmm...i have changed.not very much...my friends have changed a lot...appearance wise, character wise...i think if ask me to talk to them now, i prob wont know where to start. i'm missing the school times w my sec school friends, jc, nus friends..now that i'm graduating from NUS, have graduated from so many schools b4...i'm thinking of the graduation song, the memories i used to have with all my friends. i'm in reminiscing mode.
am i getting old?
And so we talked all night about the rest of our livesWhere we're gonna be when we turn 25I keep thinking times will never changeKeep on thinking things will always be the sameBut when we leave this year we won't be coming backNo more hanging out cause we're on a different trackAnd if you got something that you need to sayYou better say it right now cause you don't have another dayCause we're moving on and we can't slow downThese memories are playing like a film without soundAnd I keep thinking of the night in JuneI Didn't know much of love, but it came too soonAnd There was me and you, and then it got real blueStay at home talkin' on the telephone and We would get so excited, we'd get so scaredLaughing at our selves thinking life's not fairAnd this is how it feelsAs we go on, we remember All the times we had togetherAnd as our lives change, from whateverWe will still be, friends foreverSo if we get the big jobs and we make the big moneyWhen we look back now, will that joke still be funny?Will we still remember everything we learned in school?Still be trying to break every single ruleWill little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?Ikeep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbyeKeep on thinking it's a time to flyAnd this is how it feelsLa, la, la, la; yeah, yeah, yeahLa, la, la, la, we will still be friends foreverWill we think about tomorrow like we think about now?Can we survive it out there? Can we make it somehow?I guess I thought that this would never endAnd suddenly it's like we're women and menWill the past be a shadow that will follow us round?Will these memories fade when I leave this townI keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbyeKeep on thinking it's a time to fly -Vitamin C -
i'll miss school...miss friends...miss school times.
It was a day like today when my Jesus diedAlone in a cross He was crucifiedbut three days later, He rose from the deadWent up to the heavens a place for us to setAin`t no joke what He did on earthLaws of nature broke when he told that girlget up on your feet and walk cos she`s just asleep not dead like they talkI see you hanging thereDon`t know whats on your mindI see you hanging thereHey J are you alrightHow does it feel to take a nail through your handHow does it feel to carry the sin of manHow does it feel to be the most broken manHow does it feel to take a nail through your handHow does it feel to see that which You`ve made turn against You because of so much hateYou looked down on us tears rolled down your eyesAll you saw was death because of all the liesIf I could see what you saw I know I could cry too that`s why I wanna serve You at least I`ll try to cos even when I was alone You were there for me Never left me alone cos You care for me Nail Through Hand
(Lord, may you always remind us, when we forget, your love for us. your love on the cross.)
went for Good Friday service in church just now with Joyce.
wow...was so awed by the guest pastor's description of Jesus's love.
good friday...can be the worst and the best to preach on, the Ps said.
How to rejoice knowing that today-good friday means the day Jesus was crucified on the cross?
how do we rejoice knowing that today Jesus died on the cross for us?
do we have cause to rejoice?
DEFINITELY!!!
bcos today is the day Jesus died. He triumphed over Death. He is the victorious King. He is our King. By dying on the cross, He paid the penalty of our sins. and He has risen from the dead. He is alive today. How do u know? Ps: "I know because I just spoke to Him. I won't speak to a dead person."
how do you know Jesus is alive today?
what does it mean for u?
to me it means, in random thoughts:
i worship a living God. there is hope for me, cos my God lives, today and forever! i can look forward to life after this, in heaven. i have eternal life. That this life i live, is to prepare me for life in heaven. heaven, where i'll be with God forever. no more tears, no more sorrow. the heavens rejoice. no more pain. forgiven. God forgives me and FORGETS. he keeps no score of my sins. bcos Jesus paid the price of my sins. PAID IN FULL!!! now i can face God, i can be with God forever. Jesus, my Lord, calls me his child. I am a child of God!!! what a privilege, an honour. that the wrongs i've done only Jesus can right. the hurts and the pain inside me, Jesus heals. He is willing to love....me. an imperfect me. A perfect God. Jesus brings me to God. An reunion, communion with God. so great. so powerful. so profound. the hurts i feel inside, the heartache, the pain inflicted by others, the sorrow i feel, the injustice i feel, the chores i have to complete, the criticisms i get, crippling fear, the low grades that i get in school, that disppointment, lies, betrayal? ...all fade and pales in comparison to the love of my Lord Jesus Christ. all pales. all faint in comparison. when i see my Lord, Jesus. He says he has forgiven me. He thinks i am worthy to be forgiven. He says i'm worthy for him to die on the cross for. He says i'm worthy. Even if he has to die for one person, one lost sheep, he would. he will. Who did he die for? He died for all who might come to believe him, he died for sinners who have disobeyed and strayed far away from God, from the ways of God. He died for those who cruxified him. he died for those who spat at him. He died for those who cursed him. He died for those who scorned him. He died for those who accused him without reason.
He died for those who accused him without reason.
Picture this scene in heaven (as related by Ps Rev. Richard Dortch ....):
Satan is the main prosecutor and he tells God:
Satan: God, see this man before you. Here's a list of all the sins he has commited. And Lord, you said that you will punish man for the sins they have commited. Punish this man now God.
and now....the man had a defence lawyer. what a great lawyer and advocate. and his lawyer came forward and said;
Jesus: God, yes, what the sins this man has commited are true. But...look at the hole here (points to his side). Look at my nailed pierced hands. I died on the cross for this man's sins, and he is forgiven. He is forgiven.
and what does God says?
God: Lucifer, to the pit you go! Man, you are forgiven because Jesus, my son, paid the FULL penalty for your sins when he died on the cross. You are forgiven.
Jesus paid the penalty of our sins. (the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)By dying on the cross, Jesus obeyed God and willingly paid the price for our sins, to redeem us, to cleanse us from our sins. Without him dying on the cross, we will be eternally separated from God. We cannot face God bcos God is holy, he cannot tolerate sin. But today, we know Jesus had died for us. He had paid the price for us.
we only have to come and accept this gift of love, accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Believe that Jesus died for our sins, acknowledge that we've sinned against God, and ask Jesus to come into our hearts. Right now..Jesus offers us this way to God. He said in his word, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
can it be that behind every differences we seelies a common humanity?the need for acceptance, unconditional love, trust and belief.acceptance - no matter who we really are inside, what wrong we've doneunconditional love - that says i love u, just the way u are, who u aretrust - just trust me, just mebelieve - in you for who u are, and what u can achievelooking beyond every differences we see, between u and mecan we?can it bethat everyone of us have an emptiness insidewe try various ways to fill upfor better or for worsewe don't really know, do we?can it bethat the emptiness can never be filled?who then can fill it?can it be others,other than the one who created u and me?can it besometimes we just need a little love from others who sayI'm so glad to have a friend like u!believe in yourself u can succeed!don't be afraid, u'll eventually be ok.yes, it must have been hard on u.yes, i believe u are trying hard to change, keep trying!keep up the good work!no matter what u are facing, know i'll always be here.aren't these words what we truly want to hear?words that speak of loveof the need to be loved, trusted, believed and cared for.aren't we all the samethe underlying assumption of social work is a universal belief for humanity, every human matters and is capable of changea noble aspiration that probably would just remain an idealhumanity binds us allyet not one human is the same as the otherhow to love others when we've trouble loving ourselvesdoes love comes naturally from us?if we do not have love, can we still love?would we know how to love?what's the imperfect without assuming there is a perfect?what's love without assuming there is a source?can it be.
hmmm...i think all this describes me to a very large extent. for those who do not know me well, maybe u can know me better thru the descriptions below...thou i think there are quite a few not-so-desirable traits leh...haha...well, readers decide. afterall, what u think of a person, depends on what u choose to believe about him or her. i think that's shallow...by only choosing what u want to believe abt that person. what u so called ah lian can have depth lor. just that u din even stand ard longer enough to hear her deepest cry.
ahem...okok personal grudges aside lah. description of july babies which i think is true of me, large extent; (to still be taken with some pinch of salt...plus some sugar? no la...u wanna know me well? i still think it's better to talk to me. ha. K..here's what it says:
Fun to be with. Secretive.Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable.Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets.dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.
(any july babies who disagree with the above, pls have tea with me. and we'll be good friends. haha..)
Spirit, Touch Your Church
Lord, we need Your grace and mercy
we need to pray like never before
we need the power of Your Holy Spirit
to open Heaven’s door
Chorus:
Spirit, touch Your church,
stir the hearts of men,
Revive us Lord, with Your passion once again.
I want to care for others, like Jesus cares for me
Let Your reign fall on me,
Oh Lord,
Let Your reign fall on me.
Lord, we humbly come before You
We don’t deserve of You what we ask
But we yearn to see Your glory
Restore this dying land
Let Your reign fall upon me.
Words and Music: Kim Bollinger
Dear friends, I would like to share with you something I’ve personally witnessed and experienced about the love of God. During one of the young adult service worship, the song "You are my world" was sung. It wasn’t the first time this song was sung in the service but somehow, in that particular service, the atmosphere seemed to be different. I could hear a few people sobbing. Sobbing, not crying or tearing. And I was kinda shocked, why would they sob? The lyrics of this song weren’t especially sad, so to speak. If you know the lyrics of this song, it is about exalting the God you love and tell Him how much you love Him. As the song was sung and the lyrics repeated, it became evident to me why some sobbed.
We cannot say we love God until we know how much He loves us! We love because He first loved us. Of course, every one of us knows that. But how many of us know exactly how much God loves us? We don’t know! And that’s why people sob while singing this song. It is because they cannot comprehend how much God loves them. And when God begin to pour out his love upon them, they are overwhelmed by his great love.
How many times have we heard that we are useless, worthless, not lovely or not competent in our studies and work? How many times have people pointed out our flaws and weaknesses in a bid to tell us to work harder because we have not done well enough? How many times have people rejected us because of our lack of talent, popularity or looks? And we come to this conclusion that we are not worthy of being loved, not worthy of God’s love. We may even begin to despise ourselves.
Dear brothers and sisters, God loves us more than the things we do or can do. God loves us despite the things we have done. God loves us even when we’ve failed, sinned or fallen. Instead, God says," Come". To the prodigal son. To Paul who denied him 3 times. To the Samaritan women who had 5 husbands. To the poor woman who could only give whatever little money she had. But God says, "Come".
God loves us, just as we are. And He doesn’t stop loving us!
In fact, we cannot even begin to comprehend this! Even for those of us who love God, we cant even say that we understand fully God’s love for us. We doubt his love for us, so many times. "Where are you Lord?" we asked. Thus, when we experience God’s love through worship, we are overwhelmed! We say, "I’ve never felt so loved before! No one has ever loved me like Jesus does!"
And when you begin to experience God’s love for you that is beyond all understanding or logic, you’ll start to see how great is his love for you and you’ll know;
"Nothing you can do, can make Him love you more
And nothing that you've done, can make Him close the door
Because of His great love,
He gave His only Son
And everything was done, so you would come "
14 Jan 2005
hi friends, esp those who will be contacting me these few days, my hp is down at the moment...i think will be down cos i dont think i have time to go fix it. so pls kindly call my hse if u need to contact me. for other not urgent matters, can email me.
thanks.
btw Wallis, i know the title of the song is "Spirit, Touch Your Church", but i cant seem to find the lyrics online too. dear fellow readers, if u know where to get the lyrics of this song or have, pls direct. thanks.
=) all the best for the NTU and NUS exams takers.
i grew up in a Taoist family. was the eldest daughter and have a younger sister and brother. both my parents were devout Taoists. My father's family were all Taoists too, and were very involved in temple worship, organising the Hungry Ghost's Festival and believed in mediums. I remember as a child, i followed my parents to these rituals, took part in these rituals, as they were part of my life and thus natural for me.
as a child in primary school, i was often quiet but was a stubborn and rebellious child. not surprisingly, i was always punished by my mum. my growing up insecurities, fascination with the dark and spiritual realm of ghosts and vampires and times of indignation after being punished by my mum made me a very insecure, timid girl with very low-self esteem. i was also often taunted in school because i was the shortest in class.
i had a comfortable life (monetary), but i often felt lonely and sad.
i first heard about Jesus and the gospel at a Christmas Party when i was in JC1. My cousin invited me there. It was then that i first got to know friends from his church. It was there that i heard a lot about the meaning of Christmas and Jesus from Anna, a girl who shared the gospel with me and my sister. when she asked if my sister and i wanted to receive Jesus, we declined, citing family's objection and our Taoist affliation.
After my A'levels, for the 1st time in my life, i was told by my mum to find a part-time job to support myself because my father's business has failed. They needed me to support myself.
The realisation that struck me was so hard to swallow. My pride(ego). My dad. Money. Job. Work. From there, everything spiraled down. we downgraded to a 3 room flat. Pocket money was cut back for us. money became an issue of conflict in the family. i felt so pressed by all the adjustments and as the eldest in the family, the pressure was great. i did not know where to start, how to face my friends and how to lead my life from there. I had never done any housework before, much less...any work.
By then during JC2, my friend asked me along to church services and i went along because i liked the songs sung there. I did not feel the need to convert and did not dare tell my father because he was strongly against the idea of going church.
i eventually found a job at a local departmental store....and thought, finally things would settle down, for a while.
In july 2003, the year i was about to enter university, i was told that my perents did not have the means to support my university education. They did not tell me i may not be able to study in the U. Instead, i saw the possibility of that happening very likely, very real. I really thought i would have to give up my uni study, after getting good grades in my A'levels. after so much i worked for to get a place there?
I was very upset. Why did this have to happen to me? i felt so sad, pressured and lost. What should i do?
on a particular sunday after that, i went with my friend to attend the church service. During the songs, the pastor was talking about surrendering to God, all circumstances. As the congregation sang the song; "when the oceans rise and thunders roar, i will soar with you above the storm. Father you are king over the flood, i will be still, know you are God...." over and over again, i found myself crying. and crying. i was so sad! and yet, u mean i can soar with this God? that he is king over the flood? flood? my circumstances?
a gentle prompting and voice seemed to be calling me to surrender, surrender it all. feeling the huge burden on my shoulder, i was already on my knees, crying. i cannot bear the burden anymore....too heavy on my shoulder...too heavy...
"surrender, you are King over the flood..."
i couldn't bear the weight anymore and ...whispered to the air, "this God i surrender everything to you. everything to you."
Little did i know that, that was the day i opened up my heart to Jesus. The week after this, i said the sinners' prayer in the church service. I received Christ into my heart, my life.
After knowing Jesus, i found an inner peace and a joy i cannot conceive. I also learnt to be still and know that He is God. Life still have its fair share of problems and troubles, but i know, in my moment of extreme hurt and pain, this God took my burden, healed my hurts and gave me hope.
This God, is Jesus.
Now whenever i face any problems or difficulties, I know Jesus will bring me through. Jesus is alive! He has brought me through till today. He is the hope i look forward to living everyday. I know He will never leave me nor forsake me.
"For God did not send his Son (Jesus) to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." -John 3:17
not to condemn, but to save.
and this simple truth, i only begin to understand it now. and its implications.
i know God sent Jesus to die on the cross becos he loved us, and wants us to return back to him.
The message of the gospel is love.
not condemnation.
God is always reaching out to man. Yet, he has also given us free choice, to choose him or not choose him.
that is a profound truth to me. which led me to conclude; which religion is so confident of its truth that it gives us free choice?
and how does the bible explains this freedom of choice to choose God?
"Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only son (Jesus)."
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." -John 3:18-21
Christianity, as we believers know, is not a religion. It is a personal relationship with the one and only, true and living God. the very definition of religion is construed by men. they classify all beliefs pertaining to God and the supernatural as religion. social construction? if u put it this way and say that Christianity is a religion, how about if i say that Christianity is more than a religion?
to me, it's more than rituals, singing worship songs, going to church, studying the bible, identifying myself as a Christian and identifying myself with my church or other Christians.
it's more than that.
it cannot be more basic.
It is a relationship with God. Free access to him 24/7. and to be?
a child of God.
"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." -John 1:12-13
i know perhaps, all these may sound radical and unbelievable to u. I did not believe it too when i first heard this.
but as i begin to search for hope in my life and what i am here on earth for... to be born, live and die?
i found a more convincing answer in Christianity, an answer most probably the closest i know of than to other religions, to the truth. and what does Christianity tells me about my purpose in life?
You are created for a purpose.
You are created for God.
" The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth: and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each of us. For in him, we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, we are his offspring." -Acts 17:24-28
How can i know this for sure u ask. have u ever wondered why u are here on earth? and how u came about? who created u? who created ur parents, grandparents? where did man come from?
apes?
dinosaurs?
u really think so?
so, what makes u different from the animals?
what makes human so unique?
who made you?
do u believe u really live on earth today, just to be born...and die? and then? a life like that, gone in several decades? where do u go after death?
i always fear death bcos i know i will be forever separated from my family, i wont be able to come back to live on earth anymore. i have to leave everything on earth, behind, behind. and i live, only to die?
isnt there any greater purpose in my existence than just live and die?
how does Christianity views this?
Jesus said : " I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." -John 5:24
it is for our eternal life that God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross, 2000 years ago.
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
whoever is whoever?
u and i.
anyone.
How can u accept this beautiful gift of God into ur life?
by admitting we have sinned against God, resolve to turn away from our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.
The choice is yours. God gave us free choice. but if you choose God, you are for God. If you do not choose him, you are against him. God interprets anything other than a yes, a NO. YES or NO. there can be no sitting on the fence.
"Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only son (Jesus)." -John 3:18
why does God wants us to choose u may ask.
"Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." -John 3:5
with my limited understanding of the meaning of this verse, i take this verse to mean the water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that a believer of Jesus Christ must go through, in order to enter the kingdom of God (heaven). Unless you are 'born' again, you cannot enter the kingdom of God. 'Born' again to me means to, make a personal decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. and when you've made that decision, God's spirit dwells in you. The water baptism is a public declaration that one has decided to follow Jesus Christ all the days of his/her life.
(ps: i do recognise my very limited bible knowledge, so if there is any misinterpretation, dear fellow believers, please correct me. dear readers, i apologise if there will be any wrong biblical interpretation, i'm still learning to learn....)
because of sin that entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned, death came to all men- All men will die. This is because the price of sin was death.
Jesus paid the full price for the sins of everyone who might come to believe, when he obeyed God the Father and died on the cross.
He resurrected 3 days later. and showed himself to the disciples that He is indeed the Son of God.
Jesus is now sitting at the right hand power of God in heaven, watching over this world he died for 2000 years ago. He is with the Father.
and now, all u have to do is to come and receive this gift of eternal life. To receive Jesus Christ into your life. The message that was proclaimed 2000 years ago is still true today. That's because Jesus died and rose again! Today, He lives! For those who may come to believe him, he paid the penalty of their sins for them. now all that they have to do, is to acknowledge and receive him.
Jesus answered, " I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me." -John 14:6
My amazing project group n my social work lecturer from AustThis is the group of dearies i worked with for the presentation.
we had fun. we had times when we fumble, scramble and tumble... haha.
but we had the serious in a fun way.
we got the lecturer involved.
=)cool.
用神给我的眼睛, 去看这个世界
To use the eyes that God gives me, to see this world
用神给我的知觉, 去体会人生
To use the sense of touch that God gives me, to experience this life
用神给我的脚, 去嘹望这个世界
To use the legs that God gives me, to walk this earth
用神给我的知识, 天分和所常, 来点燃希望
To use the knowledge, talents and gifts that God gives me, to bring hope
用神给予我所有的, 来奉献回主
To use all that God gives me, back as an offering to Him
我的生命有了希望
My life is now filled with hope
是因为主给人的曙光.
That's because God has given his light onto the world.
the above is something i composed today..i've never tried using Chinese to express my faith, needless to say to be able to come up with this. But nothing is impossible with God! Without God i can't, with God i can. To God be all the glory! Amen. =)
as i sat here typing, my heart feels so heavy. i think i know why. but i do not know its source. Is it my heart or God's?
recent experiences with close friends, church friends, project mates, email correspondents, others' blogs, the News, my family, R-age berry Jam and the bible have made my heart sink. Suddenly the things that are happening around me, in other people's lives become so poignant to me. there seems to be a ache within me i cannot really explain. I can't believe i will cry when i see a person's heart hardened to God, but i did. and i was crying as if it was my business. to put it more clearly, it really wasn't my business. why do my heart care for someone's else problem with God? i can't do anything to help that person. so why do i feel that it is my business?
If it is God's ache, i can tell you all confidently, that it pains. i feel it in my heart, knowledge tells me there is no reason to cry, my heart tells me to let it all out.
what i feel is so real. I can't deny it. am i the emotional sort? how many times have u seen me cry? Do i like to cry?
but recently, i seem to be crying a lot. I am not sure if i am relieving my stress, or is it more than that.
is the Holy Spirit grieving? I really dunno. I really can't say i know the Holy Spirit well. but i know He's inside of me.
and that crying/sobbing has led me to pray and intercede more. The world is so upside down and so crazy today. What's right becomes looked upon as wrong, and what's wrong becomes legitimate.
What will we do, those of us who claim we have the Truth?
what can we do?
do we let it dim? do we compromise?
or...... do we let it shine?
For our friends
For the ones we love
For our family who brought us up
For the people who need God
For the world which is so upside down.
My amazing project group n my social work lecturer from Aust