When I was in Cambodia, I hosted a team for a few days and met this great guy in the team. What's so great about this guy? Here's why. Just the other day, I spoke to him via MSN and he asked me, "How can I pray for you?" wow. I am really humbled by these words. This guy knew me for only a few days and he's not in my church or lifegroup. But he sincerely prayed for me via MSN.
Through this, I gain a deeper insight into what body life really is. It goes beyond our own churches, lifegroups, organizations and even how much you know the other person. The thing is his focus. His focus is on the needs of the other person, and his focus is prayer. If I were to talk to someone, the "how can I pray for you?" would normally not cross my mind but for him, it is so natural and I think this is important. This should and has to be natural for us as Christians, as brothers and sisters in Christ, who cares for each other and wants to pray for each other. It is really a great lesson learnt and I am really humbled. I hope I'll be more mindful the next time I have an opportunity to ask, "How can I pray for you?"
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Disappointed? No, I chose to give thanks
Maybe it is because we have had too much that we often complain. Perhaps you're not one but I must admit I do complain every now and then, even if my complaint is just a passing remark. I remembered I complained about being cheated of a few dollars in Siem Reap, Cambodia when the motor taxis tried to increase their rates every now and then with some excuses. To this complaint, God says, "hey, you have the priviledge to tour Angkor Wat and is able to afford the transportation and accomodation cost for this holiday. Shouldn't you be giving thanks?" Yes, Lord. Sorry for complaining. I will give thanks instead, because I am so blessed and that is the truth.
On my return to Singapore for my PR renewal for another 5 years, the officer said that the immigration dept. can only give me one year. Was I disappointed? Kind of, as I was hoping for 5 years and hence do not have to travel back now and then from my mission field. Strange enough, the officer told me about the criteria and chances of getting 5 years which I was not told in my last year's application. They normally don't say a thing about criteria. And as if to convey a message from God to me, she smiled and said, "See you again next year". Ok Lord, are you telling me something? But this time, no complains. I give thanks for another year of PR status.
This morning I was told that maybe I might not be heading back to Timor after all. 'Strange' enough, I was not very disappointed. A little, yes, as I was hoping to meet some friends and also get my stuffs back. Other than that, I was pretty much emotionless and just take it as it is. I think God has prepared me for this in the one year renewal process, which is to say, "Whatever it is Lord, have Your way. You know best. And in this, I can give thanks."
Nothing too big to complain about and nothing too great to be disappointed about. In each situation, we can always give thanks and trust that our ever loving God will steer us in the right direction. What we expect might not be what He wants for us and when expectations are not met, disappointements can arise. But if our expectation is:"Lord, You do it Your way. I just follow", then disappointments need not arise because you know that your present circumstances is what God has allowed and you'll find peace and joy instead.
I'm not exactly bouncing with joy now :) but I am very sure God has everything in His hands and He will direct my paths. And anyway, nothing is confirmed yet so I might still be heading down to Timor. So I "give thanks in all my circumstances for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonian 5:18. Give thanks and cheer up folks! :)
On my return to Singapore for my PR renewal for another 5 years, the officer said that the immigration dept. can only give me one year. Was I disappointed? Kind of, as I was hoping for 5 years and hence do not have to travel back now and then from my mission field. Strange enough, the officer told me about the criteria and chances of getting 5 years which I was not told in my last year's application. They normally don't say a thing about criteria. And as if to convey a message from God to me, she smiled and said, "See you again next year". Ok Lord, are you telling me something? But this time, no complains. I give thanks for another year of PR status.
This morning I was told that maybe I might not be heading back to Timor after all. 'Strange' enough, I was not very disappointed. A little, yes, as I was hoping to meet some friends and also get my stuffs back. Other than that, I was pretty much emotionless and just take it as it is. I think God has prepared me for this in the one year renewal process, which is to say, "Whatever it is Lord, have Your way. You know best. And in this, I can give thanks."
Nothing too big to complain about and nothing too great to be disappointed about. In each situation, we can always give thanks and trust that our ever loving God will steer us in the right direction. What we expect might not be what He wants for us and when expectations are not met, disappointements can arise. But if our expectation is:"Lord, You do it Your way. I just follow", then disappointments need not arise because you know that your present circumstances is what God has allowed and you'll find peace and joy instead.
I'm not exactly bouncing with joy now :) but I am very sure God has everything in His hands and He will direct my paths. And anyway, nothing is confirmed yet so I might still be heading down to Timor. So I "give thanks in all my circumstances for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus" 1 Thessalonian 5:18. Give thanks and cheer up folks! :)
"I want something better, what's wrong?"
I am now reading a book called "Good News to the Poor - Sharing the gospel through social involvement" by Tim Chester and I have learnt a lot from it and many things have set me thinking. Just the other day, I was reading a portion on consumerism and something struck me.
I was getting a little dissatisfied with my D70 DSLR camera recently because of its metering and white balance processing and I was thinking of getting a newer camera. Even the compact cameras these days metered better than my D70(except the lens I have is better). So I was busy shopping for a possible camera to replace my D70 and I didn't even balk at the price (1.4k onwards). I was basically obsessed with the idea of getting it and thinking of ways to reduce the cost until reality struck. Isn't it too much to spend that amount of money on another camera?(when I already had one!!!) Won't that money be better used for future endeavours in missions or some form of work among the poor? I haven't though of that untill I read the portion of the book on consumerism and I snapped back to my new self; not the old selfish self that was crucified on the cross. That old selfish self craves for personal pleasure and wants to feed the lust of the eye - I see, I want, I covet. I was convicted immediately and repented. All along, I thought I was contented with many things but even then, there are loopholes that need to be guarded and I thank God for showing me my weakness. To get the better camera now would be unthinkable.
Excerpt from the book:John Calvin condems 'obstentious banquets, bodily apparel and domestic architecture'-what we would call fancy dinner parties, designer gear and an obsession with home improvements. "All these things are defended under the pretext of Christian freedom", he continues. 'They say that these are things indifferent. I admit it, provided they are used indifferently. But when they are coveted too greedily, when they are proudly boasted of, when they are lavishly squandered, things that were of themselves otherwise lawful are certainly defiled by these vices'
Some stats: 1.3 billion people live on less than one US dollar a day - about 1.50 Singapore dollar, 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation and 1.2 billion do not have adequate housing. Over 20,000 children die evey day of diseases we could prevent. So the next time you say, "I want something better than this. What's wrong?(in buying it)", look at the statistics above and you know something is very wrong.
I was getting a little dissatisfied with my D70 DSLR camera recently because of its metering and white balance processing and I was thinking of getting a newer camera. Even the compact cameras these days metered better than my D70(except the lens I have is better). So I was busy shopping for a possible camera to replace my D70 and I didn't even balk at the price (1.4k onwards). I was basically obsessed with the idea of getting it and thinking of ways to reduce the cost until reality struck. Isn't it too much to spend that amount of money on another camera?(when I already had one!!!) Won't that money be better used for future endeavours in missions or some form of work among the poor? I haven't though of that untill I read the portion of the book on consumerism and I snapped back to my new self; not the old selfish self that was crucified on the cross. That old selfish self craves for personal pleasure and wants to feed the lust of the eye - I see, I want, I covet. I was convicted immediately and repented. All along, I thought I was contented with many things but even then, there are loopholes that need to be guarded and I thank God for showing me my weakness. To get the better camera now would be unthinkable.
Excerpt from the book:John Calvin condems 'obstentious banquets, bodily apparel and domestic architecture'-what we would call fancy dinner parties, designer gear and an obsession with home improvements. "All these things are defended under the pretext of Christian freedom", he continues. 'They say that these are things indifferent. I admit it, provided they are used indifferently. But when they are coveted too greedily, when they are proudly boasted of, when they are lavishly squandered, things that were of themselves otherwise lawful are certainly defiled by these vices'
Some stats: 1.3 billion people live on less than one US dollar a day - about 1.50 Singapore dollar, 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation and 1.2 billion do not have adequate housing. Over 20,000 children die evey day of diseases we could prevent. So the next time you say, "I want something better than this. What's wrong?(in buying it)", look at the statistics above and you know something is very wrong.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
It all started with Giving
You went to a place for holidays and someone you hardly know paid for your hotel. On top of that, your transport to the place and back was paid for and to top it off, you even received some cash after your holidays! Sounds crazy? Yes it does and it happened to me. I am really 'blown away' by God's generosity.
The Lord of Host challenge us in Malachi 3:10, "Test me in this(i.e. giving) and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". Having you been tithing? Challenge yourself to up the 10%. A pastor once told me about what happened to him when he increase his tithing after becoming convinced that he should give more than the starting 10%. And he lived in more exciting days ever since.
I have also heard many stories from many different people about God's amazing providence too. And I am sure these people are not stingy with God. Why? Cos His word is always true - "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." ~ 2 Cor 9:6. Events in life gets tastier as each one unfolds the truth of God and when I look back, I understood certain truths more. "At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need" ~ 2 Cor 8:14. Generosity can only be practiced, and that's how you experience the floods of blessing that God is talking about and the joy that comes with it. That is why it is written in Acts 20:35- "It is more blessed to give than to receive". It is not to say receiving is bad. But that in first, giving, we are more blessed because the receiving that comes after that means so much more than just receiving and not giving. For example, you give some money to a needy family. You may not receive your money back but when you see the joy in their hearts, don't you receive that joy too? :) But without the giving, there is no real blessed receiving.
I'll end with John Wesley's famous relevant-till-today quote:
"Earn all you can
Save all you can
Give all you can"
Happy Easter!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" ~ John 3:16
The Lord of Host challenge us in Malachi 3:10, "Test me in this(i.e. giving) and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". Having you been tithing? Challenge yourself to up the 10%. A pastor once told me about what happened to him when he increase his tithing after becoming convinced that he should give more than the starting 10%. And he lived in more exciting days ever since.
I have also heard many stories from many different people about God's amazing providence too. And I am sure these people are not stingy with God. Why? Cos His word is always true - "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." ~ 2 Cor 9:6. Events in life gets tastier as each one unfolds the truth of God and when I look back, I understood certain truths more. "At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need" ~ 2 Cor 8:14. Generosity can only be practiced, and that's how you experience the floods of blessing that God is talking about and the joy that comes with it. That is why it is written in Acts 20:35- "It is more blessed to give than to receive". It is not to say receiving is bad. But that in first, giving, we are more blessed because the receiving that comes after that means so much more than just receiving and not giving. For example, you give some money to a needy family. You may not receive your money back but when you see the joy in their hearts, don't you receive that joy too? :) But without the giving, there is no real blessed receiving.
I'll end with John Wesley's famous relevant-till-today quote:
"Earn all you can
Save all you can
Give all you can"
Happy Easter!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" ~ John 3:16
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