Moments of Life!

The Key to Life

2009-02-14T07:01:00.001+08:00

by Gloria Copeland

I first got excited about the word years ago when I read what my husband's mother had written in the front of a Bible she gave Ken for his birthday: "Ken, precious, seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these other things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33."

I had never heard anything like that. And we needed a lot of "things," so that Scripture got my attention. I started studying the Bible to learn more.
What I found changed my life. I discovered that the Bible is a treasure house. I found that God's Word would meet every need. That was such good news to me that I got excited about it!

The Bible tells us that the Word is life to us. It will quicken us in our spirits. Psalm 119:25 says, "Quicken thou me according to thy word" (KJV). E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible says that passage means "Give me life" or "Keep me alive according to Thy word."

When our spirits are quickened, our flesh is also quickened. As I study the Word, something happens on the inside that I can almost feel physically.
The more I give myself to time in the Word and prayer, the more revelation I receive and the more accurately I live my life.

When we receive revelation from God's Word we become like the man described in Matthew 13 who found the pearl of great price. He recognized that what he had found was worth everything he had.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it" (vv. 45-46, NKJV).

The manifestation of the kingdom of heaven-heaven taking over our aff airs, making our bodies well, saving our children, causing us to prosper and so on-is worth everything we have. It's worth every effort we make to experience it. We must get into the Word if we desire to learn about the kingdom of God and understand how it operates. To obtain victory in any area, we must find out what God has said about the matter in His Word. After that our part is to believe-to trust and know that His Word is true. Then we must set our words and life in agreement with the Scripture.

It's important to decide that the Word of God is the ultimate truth in every situation (see John 17:17). Jesus said, "'And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free'" (John 8:32).

When you find out what the Scripture says about a particular situation, faith can be established in your heart, which will influence your soul (your mind, will and emotions). Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

You can't stand effectively on "blind" faith. You must have a "knowing" faith, and that comes from believing wholeheartedly what the Word promises. You know God has spoken it and declared it to be so, and you know you can depend on that.

Keep the truth of the Word going in your eyes and ears until it comes out in faith-filled words and is manifest in your life. God has provided you with a lifetime of benefits.
Remember: It is God "who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children" (Ps. 103:3-5,17-18).

Considering the blessings the Lord has in store, isn't it time for you to dig into the Scriptures and begin to believe what they say about you?

Get excited about the Word-and your life will be blessed!

Love Looks Not with the Eyes

2008-12-02T18:12:00.002+08:00

Love looks not with the eyes

But with the mind,

And therefore is wing'd cupid

painted blind

-William Shakespeare

HTC Touch, my new toy :) I'm luving it

2007-12-15T15:07:00.000+08:00

An unpleasant year

2007-12-15T13:42:00.000+08:00

The year of 2007 will soon be over in another sixteen days. Twelve months just passed like a blink in the eyes. Looking back, it has not been an easy year for me. It is a year where i experienced a sense of lost. Lost of all the things that are close to my heart, all that meant to me are taken away from me.

Perhaps, I may appeared to be strong to the people around me, living up to their expectations of me, and it come to a point where there isn't anyone i could rely on, except God.

On my part, I was impatient. I took things into my hands and not wait and heed the word of God. I paid a big price for my mistake. For every choice make comes with consequence, I've to bear the fruit of my foolishness.

I'm glad that everything's over.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
God is forgiving, He did not give up on me.

I look forward to my new beginning.

It's not What you say, but How you say

2007-09-26T16:07:00.000+08:00

A king once dreamed that all his teeth had fallen out.

He was naturally concerned about his dream, so the next morning he sent for a soothsayer to interpret his dream for him.

The soothsayer listened to the king's dream, pondered over it for a moment, and then delivered this pronouncement:

"Your Highness, the dream means that all your relatives will die and you will be left alone."

The king was furious at the soothsayer's interpretation, and he demanded the soothsayer be exiled.

Then the king called for a second soothsayer.

This soothsayer listened to the king's dream, pondered for a moment, and then proclaimed:

"Rejoice, O King! The dream means that you will live many more years. In fact, you will outlive all your relatives! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

This interpretation so pleased the king that he gave the interpreter a large purse of gold.

Essentially, the two soothsayers made the same prediction. But there was a big difference in HOW they delivered the message. As a result, there was a big difference in how the message was received.

The moral of the story is very clear: It's not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it that counts!

Time and Season

2007-09-04T17:48:00.000+08:00

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly, so he sent them each on a quest, in turn to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral:

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

Don't judge life by one difficult season.

Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.

Dilbert

2007-07-31T12:07:00.000+08:00

Expectations

2007-07-27T11:42:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ~ Philippians 1:20

Have you ever had expectations that did not get fulfilled? Perhaps a coworker let you down. Perhaps you were trusting God for something in your life that never materialized. Perhaps you became devastated by an unmet expectation that you felt you were entitled to. Expectations can be a difficult trap for each of us if we are not fully committed to God's purposes in our lives.
Paul wrote this verse from prison to the people of Philippi. He had an expectation that his life would bring glory to God, whether through his continued ministry or his death. His joy in living was not based on his expectations getting fulfilled, but on remaining true to the purpose for which God made him.

When we react to circumstances with bitterness and resentment as a result of unmet expectations, we are saying that we know better than God, and that God has made a mistake in not meeting our expectations. The process of resolving unmet expectations may require full disclosure to the individual who was the source of the unmet expectation, and of how the unmet expectation made you feel. This is not to make the person feel obligated to meet the expectation, but simply to share your feelings about it. If God was the source, then it is important to share this with the Lord. However, once we have done this we must let go of the situation and allow God to work in our hearts the grace that is needed to walk in freedom from the pain of the unmet expectation. If we do not do this, we will allow the seed of bitterness and resentment to enter in. This seed of bitterness will create leanness in our soul and eventually will spread to others.

Ask yourself today if you have any unmet expectations. How have you responded to them? Have you processed this with the Lord and others who may be involved? These are the steps to freedom from unmet expectations.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, Thank you for having a purpose for my life and for telling me what Your expectations are through the Bible. I know You must be disappointed with me many times, when I fail to meet Your expectations of me. I can identify with that from a human standpoint. When I expect a family member to be responsible and to do something that they do not do, or when they make wrong choices in life, I am very disappointed. Sometimes I feel frustrated or angry and other times heartbroken. Help me to be kind-hearted and long-suffering with them, like You are with me. Guide me to handle those disappointments with integrity; to remain quiet when I should and to speak up when I should. Please give me the thoughts, words, and actions You want me to have. And God, please forgive me for disappointing You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Finding Meaning in Our Labor

2007-07-26T15:57:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman, July 24, 2007

But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God." - Isaiah 49:4

Have you ever felt like you're spending your life using your talent for nothing? Life is often spent doing mundane activities that seem to have little eternal purpose.

The great prophet Isaiah was struggling with his own purpose. He knew he was chosen to be a voice for God, yet life became purposeless for Isaiah. We all go through periods when our purpose seems to be clouded with the mundane. We see little meaning in life. On the other hand, Isaiah didn't stay in this place. We read in this passage that he knew the truth of his existence. He could look past his present circumstance and know that his real reward and purpose would be revealed in eternity. He knew that God was just and fair, so he placed his faith on this truth.

When life appears to lack meaning and purpose, remember that if you devote your life to the purposes He has for you, the fruits of your labor will be manifested in due time. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thess. 5:24).

Being Choked by Wealth

2007-05-08T15:43:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.... - Ecclessiastes 5:10

Workplace believers are especially susceptible to a trap in their spiritual lives - one to which others may not be so susceptible. That trap is wealth. Scripture tells us that if we are having our basic needs met for food and clothing, we are considered to have riches. Jesus cautioned us against living a lifestyle that required more than our basic necessities. However, it is clear that Jesus was not against wealth, but against a dependence on wealth. Jesus continually taught that a dependence on anything other than God was evil. Whenever Jesus determined that money was an issue for an individual, He addressed it and found that the individual could not let go. This was true for the rich young ruler. When talking about what he must do to inherit the Kingdom, Jesus told him to do the one thing that would be the most difficult - to give away his wealth and follow Him. Jesus was not saying this was what every person must do, only the rich young ruler, because Jesus knew this was his greatest stumbling block. For others of us, it could be something else Jesus would ask us to give up (see Mt. 19:16-30).

In the parable of the sower in which He describes four types of people, Jesus also gave us another example of the problem money creates for any follower of Jesus.

A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop - a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown (Matthew 13:3b-8).

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful (Matthew 13:22).Much like the frog in the boiling pot, if we are not careful we gradually begin to acquire and walk the treadmill of material gain. Those around us begin to expect more and more. Soon we begin expanding our lifestyle. Before we know it, we are worrying about how to take care of what we acquire. Our emphasis becomes what we own versus our relationship with Jesus and His Kingdom. One day I woke up and realized I had a cold heart toward God. Apathy toward the things of God became apparent. I was still going through the motions of service toward God, but with no power. We wake up to realize Christ is no longer Lord of our lives, much less of our money. The greater independence money gives us, the less dependence on God we need. Christ talked much about money in the Kingdom because He knew how much of a problem it was. This is why we have so few who are bearing 100, 60, or 30 times what is sown.

Do you have the same hunger for God that you once had? Has financial blessing had an adverse effect on your passion for Jesus Christ? Ask Him today if your heart has grown cold as a result of financial blessing. Ask Him to keep you hungering for more of His presence in your life.

2007-04-25T14:43:00.000+08:00

Hopefully this time of difficulties will soon be over.

2007-03-26T23:54:00.000+08:00

Way back into Love.....

Faith is Enough to Overcome Any Challenge

2007-03-14T00:02:00.000+08:00

by Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Fern C. Willner's new book, When Faith is Enough: A Safari of Destiny that Reveals Principles to Live By, (Believe Books, 2006).

You’re bound to confront unexpected challenges that strike you with the fear of the unknown. It’s at times like these that you’ll have to choose whether or not to follow where God leads you – even when you don’t understand what’s happening. But no challenge is insurmountable. Faith is truly enough to overcome even the toughest challenge.

Here’s how you can use the faith God gives you to overcome any challenge you’ll ever face:

* Live by the Spirit. Don’t rely on your own limited strength. Instead, plug into God’s unlimited strength by asking the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you. Trust that He will help you obey God’s leading in all situations.

* Believe even when you don’t see answers to your prayers. Remember that God is always at work, but sometimes He’s working behind the scenes until the right time to reveal His answers to your prayers. Believe in who Jesus really is and in what He has done for you. Recall God’s promises from Scripture. Ask God to give you the confidence to continue to listen to God’s guidance and act on it.

* Be courageous. Understand that faith in the known is greater than fear of the unknown. Pray for the courage you need to follow uncharted paths. Expect that there may be a time of testing between the time you act in obedience and the time you receive what God has promised.

* Be patient. Know that your faith must sometimes be tried to produce patience in you and help you mature. Don’t lose your vision simply for a lack of patience. Trust God as you wait. Remember that God is never late.

* Build unity with other believers. Recognize that faith is effective when there is unity. Understand that agreement on Earth releases provision from heaven. Do your best to work with others to find a place together in God’s will, so that God’s will supercedes your individual wills. Then agree to do God’s will together.

* Realize that true faith originates from God – not just good intentions. Don’t take claims based simply in good-intentioned emotion seriously. Know that when sincere or zealous statements of faith have no divine origin, they don’t bear witness to the truth, and they don’t bring real comfort. Understand that it’s much better to face reality – no matter how hard that may be – and speak the truth in love than to speak without God’s leading and just tell someone what he or she wants to hear.

* Don’t worry about provision. Be assured that God will not only meet your needs, but He’ll do so abundantly. Pray specifically about whatever practical needs you have, and trust God to respond.

* Don’t substitute sacrifice for obedience. Realize that your greatest sacrifice to God is not enough to justify disobedience.

* Stay focused. Expect your faith to waver if you allow other concerns to distract you from God’s guidance. Focus on your God-given goals instead of the past, and on God’s promises rather than your circumstances. Invite God to remind you of how much He loves you, and let that motivate you to stay steadfastly focused on what He wants for you.

* Let fear jumpstart your faith. Whenever you experience something that troubles you, realize that God may intend that experience to be a roadblock to help you change direction in your life. Turn to God with all your heart when He’s trying to get your attention, and ask Him to direct your steps.

* Know that faith makes it possible to be secure anywhere. Understand that anyplace is secure with Jesus, but no place is safe without Him. Realize that God’s provision isn’t dependent on your own resources, that His ways aren’t subject to your approval, and that His timing is often different from yours. Recognize that your security lies in trusting God. Know that, no matter what, your faith can stand when it’s based on God’s promises instead of your own understanding.

* Stand firm when you encounter evil. Know that faith born in the light may be tested in darkness as you go through attacks from evil. Be strong, pray, and keep believing when darkness temporarily hides victory from view.

* Remember that faith without love is worth nothing. Realize that any attempt to follow Jesus’ example of ministry will be ineffective unless you also follow His example of love. Don’t let any of your sacrifices or service for God be in vain. First, get your motivation right by getting your heart right with God. Then – out of true love for God and gratitude for His love for you – give to others.

* Let faith give you quiet confidence. Recognize that strength comes not from power, but from the quiet confidence of an indwelling faith. Expect that every time you submit your needs to Jesus, you’ll experience the confidence that only He can give you. Rely on that confidence to do whatever God leads you to do.

* Act in faith when it’s not convenient. Whenever you sense God leading you to do something that doesn’t make sense in your current circumstances, be willing to follow His leading despite that. Remember that it’s rarely convenient to walk by faith, and that God may challenge your faith when He wants to encourage you to grow. Choose to hold God’s call in higher regard than the circumstances surrounding you.

* Let faith build understanding in your relationships with others. Know that you can share a bond with other people through faith, which will transcend all your differences and unify you like nothing else. As you interact with others, take the time to truly get to know them, and let God’s love flow through you into their lives.

* Fight so that the enemy doesn’t steal your faith. Be alert to ways Satan is trying to discourage you and tempt you to turn away from God. Stay connected to God through frequent prayer, and build relationships with other believers who will regularly encourage you. Remember that good is more powerful than evil.

* Don’t give up under pressure. Be assured that God will give you faith sufficient for whatever you need you’ll face. Never give up in the midst of tough circumstances; just pray for the faith to handle them well.

* Let your faith help you solve problems. Look beyond your problems to the God who will give you solutions. Pray for creative ideas to solve whatever problems you’re dealing with, and apply the wisdom you receive.

* Remember God’s promises. Understand that, while you may be unfaithful to God, God will always be faithful to you. Read God’s promises in the Bible and know that you can count on Him. Persevere in tough circumstances, trusting that God will deliver on His promises to you.

* Recognize that faith works by love. Realize that the power behind faith is love. Let love inspire you to reach beyond your own inadequate abilities and resources and into the realm of God’s help. Be willing to try whatever God wants you to try, trusting that He’ll help you along the way. Remember that nothing is impossible with God. Expect that you may even experience a miracle as God’s love flows through you.

* Know that faith is never in vain. Don’t judge your faith by the apparent failure or success of your work. Remember that faith is not based on what you can see. When you don’t see the results you’d hoped for when you prayed about something, remember that God still has in answer. When your current circumstances don’t indicate anything to assure you that God is working, wait for the right time and know that God will reward your faith.

* Understand that faith is not limited by time or space. Realize that God is always near even when He seems distant. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, be assured that God sees you and cares. Know that someone is always interceding for you in prayer – either Jesus in heaven, or another person who cares about you. Recognize that prayers from another dimension (heaven) or another location (even across the globe) are just as powerful as those uttered by someone in the same room with you.

* Expect God to reward your faith. Know that God will never send you out to accomplish something without generously providing everything you need in order to do it. Understand that God will sometimes surprise you with extra blessings when He sees you respond faithfully to His guidance.

* Recognize that God calls young people to be just as faithful as older ones. If you’re young, don’t let your age be an excuse or a hindrance from living out your faith. Remember that maturity isn’t the same as chronological age. Respond to God’s challenge to live a life of integrity that pleases Him and represents Him well to others. If you’re older, do all you can to encourage youth to live out their faith.

* Remember that faith is worthwhile. Be patient during times when your faith is tested by hardships. Remember that the effort you must make to follow God’s leading is always worth it.

* Let faith motivate you to give. Remember how much God has given to you, and let your gratitude for His generosity motivate you to give to other people. Know that God sees when you give with pure motives, and will reward you in heaven for doing so.

* Don’t trade your faith for comfort. Know that you’ll regret any time you back away from something God wants you to do, just because it makes you feel uncomfortable. Instead of focusing on temporary, earthly rewards, focus on the eternal rewards that God will give you if you’re faithful to follow where He leads.

* Don’t sacrifice obedience on the altar of common sense. Understand that faith’s security lies in obedience. Rather than basing your decisions on circumstances you can see, seek wisdom from God, who has the benefit of a complete perspective on every situation. Rely on God’s guidance instead of your own limited understanding.

* Bolster your faith with daily guidance from God. Don’t neglect regular prayer time during which you seek divine direction. Know that God always has something to say to you; make time to listen to Him.

* Let your faith transform your weakness into strength. Read, study, and meditate on God’s Word, the Bible, often. Realize that the substance of faith is inherent in God’s Word. Expect that when you receive His Word in faith, you’ll also receive the strength you need to live it out.

* Realize that you can’t reach a positive goal by taking negative steps. Understand that faith can either be strengthened or defeated by your actions. Decide to trust God, even when you don’t understand or like what He’s doing in your life. Don’t give in to wrong feelings and act outside of God’s will. Ask God to help you stay positive.

* Know that your faith will affect future generations. Remember that the greatest gift you can give your children, grandchildren, and the others that come after them is a heritage of faith. Hold onto your confidence in God, realizing that doing so will benefit not only you, but others who will be inspired by your example.

* Remember that faith is the substance and evidence of the unseen. Know that faith points to the One who gives it: God. Remembering that your faith is a gift from God, decide to use it to serve God as your gift back to Him. Make good use of the faith God has invested in you, and trust that as you apply this intangible resource, you’ll see tangible blessings as a result.

* Realize that God can multiply a single act of faithful giving. Expect that, when you lovingly give even a small gift to help someone in need, God will use it in ways that go beyond what you can imagine. Be willing to let your possessions go when God asks for them, knowing that the little gifts you give may become great.

* Let the knowledge that God truly sees and cares about you strengthen your faith. Realize that, through your relationship with God, you are truly known and truly loved. Let His deep personal love for you increase your hope for the future and bolster your faith.

* Be active, not passive. Don’t squander your time and energy on activities that don’t relate to God’s purposes for your life. Don’t be idle and then pity yourself when others receive opportunities you would like. Ask God to give you the self-discipline you need to grow in your faith and serve diligently.

* Link your faith together with other believers’ faith. Build meaningful relationships with other believers. Participate in and contribute to a healthy church. Know that when believers are linked together in active faith, they form a chain of deliverance. Be obedient enough to give to others in need, and humble enough to receive from others for your own needs.

* Remember that faith is founded on, and maintained by, an intimate relationship with God. Recognize that faith isn’t measured by anything else but the quality of your relationship with God. Make building a close relationship with God your top priority in life, and know that God will respond by giving you more and more faith.

Adapted from When Faith is Enough: A Safari of Destiny that Reveals Principles to Live By, copyright 2006 by Fern C. Willner. Published by Believe Books, Washington, D.C., www.believebooks.com.

Fern C. Willner graduated from both Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and Zion Bible Institute in East Providence, Rhode Island. At Zion she met her future husband, Rev. Charles Willner, with whom she went on to share a life of adventure and ministry along with their seven children. Fern went to be with the Lord in 2002. This book seeks to keep her vibrant testimony alive.

Knowing Versus Doing

2007-02-27T16:07:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.... - Philippians 3:10

If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.

The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us workplace believers to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus.

Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Mt. 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life. I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seem to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.

Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?

Take my Son

2007-02-20T20:52:00.000+08:00

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel , "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...

That's Love!

Everyone Needs Someone

2007-02-17T22:28:00.000+08:00

People need people and friends need friends

And we all need love for a full life depends

Not on vast riches or great acclaim

Not on success or on worldly fame

But just in knowing that someone cares

And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers

For only the knowledge that we're understood

Makes everyday living feel Wonderfully Good

And we rob ourselves of life's greatest need

When we 'lock up our hearts' and fail to heed

The outstretched hand reaching to find

A kindred spirit whose heart and mind

Are lonely and longing to somehow share

Our joys and sorrows and to make us aware

That life's completeness and richness depends

On the things we share with our loved ones and friends

-Helen Steiner Rice

Irina

2007-02-09T20:38:00.000+08:00

my Irina bracelet strap's broken, so sad
when you hold on tightly to something dear to you, you'll feel the pain when it's gone

Understanding Your Gift

2007-02-05T22:37:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. - 1 Corinthians 12:1

In First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12, the apostle Paul is teaching us about the role of spiritual gifts in the Church. He correlates these gifts to a human body, telling us that each person's gift helps the whole Body of the Church. This is such an important principle for us to learn. I must say I learned this principle regarding my own spiritual gift the hard way.

"God will never speak as strongly to you as to someone else," said my mentor to me one day. The statement shocked me. "What in the world do you mean by that?" I argued with him.

"Your spiritual gift of administration/leading is one of the most dangerous gifts in the whole Body of Christ. The reason is that you can see the big picture better than anyone else, and you're so task-oriented that you will run people into the ground getting your project completed because you think you see it so clearly. That is why the best friend you could ever have is someone with a prophetic gift to discern whether the big picture you see is actually the picture God is directing. It is the one gift that can almost stand alone better than any other - at least that is the opinion of the one with that gift."

Oh, how I have learned this lesson the hard way! He was so right. There have been many a church staff destroyed by a person with the gift of administration. During my years as an ad agency owner, I saw how I stressed out my staff because of the tremendous load I put on them with multiple projects. It was so easy for me because the more balls I had juggling, the better I felt. I was oblivious to how my multi-task personality impacted those around me.

Today, I have some special relationships with intercessors and prophetic people whom I depend on for confirmation of direction. I have learned their spiritual gifts of discernment are of great value in determining strategic direction. I have learned that God has placed within each person a spiritual gift that is designed to make the Body of Christ function better for His purposes. When we discover the spiritual gifts God has placed in those around us, we are better able to see the Body function as a real body-totally dependent on one another. Some of us are more sensitive to God's voice because God has gifted us in that way. Others of us are less sensitive because God wants us to depend on others in the Body for their gifts. Find out whom God has placed around you today and discover a new dimension of spiritual productivity.

Irina - my new blink

2007-02-05T22:34:00.000+08:00

isn't it beautiful???

It's finally mine :)

Dorothy

2007-01-22T20:40:00.000+08:00

During the second month of nursing school, a professor gave his students a pop quiz. One conscientious student breezed through the questions, until he read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. He had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would he know her name? He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank.
Before class ended, another student asked if the last question would count toward everyone's quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello".
He never forgotten that lesson. He also learned her name was Dorothy.

Source: Unknown

Year 2007's Resolution

2007-01-09T00:15:00.000+08:00

I will...

... like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press forward

... like David, lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help

... like Abraham, trust implicitly in my God

... like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father

... like Jehoshaphat, prepare my heart to seek God

... like Moses, choose rather to suffer than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season

... like Daniel, commune with my God at all times

... like Job, be patient under all circumstances

... like Caleb and Joshua, refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers

... like Joseph, turn my back to all seductive advances

... like Gideon, advance even though my friends be few

... like Aaron and Hur, uphold the hands of my spiritual leaders

... like Isaiah, consecrate myself to do God's work

... like Andrew, strive to lead my brother into a closer walk with Christ

... like John, lean upon the bosom of the Master and imbibe of His spirit

... like Stephen, manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek my hurt

... like Timothy, study the Word of God

... like the heavenly host, proclaim the message of peace on earth and good will toward all men

... like my Lord Himself, overcome all earthly allurements by refusing to succumb to their enticements.

Realising that i cannot hope to achieve these objectives by my own strength, I will rely upon Christ, for "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".

You're cordially invited to witness my baptism

2006-11-25T17:45:00.000+08:00

24th December 2006, Sunday

10.45am to 12.30pm
please be seated by 10.40am

Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church
300 Bedok North Ave 3, Singapore 469717

Shld you lost your way, do give me a call.

Wilting friendship

2006-11-25T16:59:00.000+08:00

As you know, I'm going to be baptised this December 24th, I've extended invitations to many friends and family to witness this event; and I know, in this process, there's bound to be persecution on my faith in Christ. Many of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ faced persecution from their own family members. I thank God that none of my family members gave me such trial to face, and in fact, they're supportive to it, even though they're not a believer yet :)

When i started to invite some of my close friends to attend this event, to be my witnesses, to share this joy and good news with me, I'm surprised at the response I've received from one of my secondary school's close friends. He replied, "Sorry, this is not what i want to see and do not wish to know my friend becoming a Christian". I felt so sad and hurt.

It's not because of the fact that he doesn't want to attend. We have known each other for years, more than a decade. We have been through many ups and downs together, through we've not seen each other after we left school, I still wish him well and treasure the friendship we have. I respect his decision and beliefs, I thought things still remains as before. Little did i know our faith and beliefs actually separated us.

In Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?", this is one reason why a believer should not be with a non-believer. Apparently, he is exercising it for his belief.

I wish him well.

Sold Out

2006-11-25T15:00:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. - Philippians 3:7

George Mueller was a man known for building orphanages by faith in the mid-1800s. He raised literally millions of dollars for his orphanages, yet died with little in his own bank account. When asked about his conversion experience he commented,

"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you have taken up irrespective of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being!" [Basil Miller, Man of Faith and Miracles (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bethany House Publishers, n.d.)]

Many will never get to the place where George Mueller was in his spiritual life, because we are unwilling to release control of these areas of which he speaks. If we do release control, it usually is due to a process that God brings us through. Paul got knocked to the ground and was spoken to personally before he was willing to listen and follow completely. Peter had to live with Jesus three years and he still denied Him. It was only later, after he denied Jesus and realized how weak he was in his own faith, that he became fully committed to the Savior.

What will it take for you to fully surrender? You will know that you have given full surrender when power, money, and position no longer have meaning in your life. Paul said he came to a place where his life was the life of Christ only. It is a sacrificial life, but it is also a life of freedom, purpose, and meaning. Let God take full control and see His life lived fully through you.

Prosperity in Afflictions

2006-11-13T23:38:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." - Genesis 41:52

When Joseph was elevated to rule over the Egyptian kingdom, he revealed some profound truths gained from the experiences of his years of adversity. He named his first son, Manasseh for, he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household" (Gen. 41:51b). His second son was named Ephraim because, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Whenever God takes us through the land of affliction, He will do two things through that affliction: 1) He will bring such healing that we will be able to forget the pain, and 2) He will make us fruitful from the painful experiences.

God does not waste our afflictions if we allow Him the freedom to complete the work in us. His desire is to create virtue that remains during the times of testing so that He can bring us into the place of fruitfulness in the very area of our testing. He has never promised to keep us from entering the valleys of testing, but He has promised to make us fruitful in them. He is the God who turns the Valley of Achor (trouble) into a door of hope (see Hos. 2:15).

If you are in the valley of affliction, now is the time to press into Him. When the time comes to bring you out of this valley, He will heal your memories and bring fruit from this very time.

Created for His Good Pleasure

2006-11-13T23:33:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

Eric Liddell was an Olympic runner from Britain who won a gold medal in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He was a man who had a deep commitment to the Lord and had future plans of being a missionary. In the meantime, he knew God had given him a special gift to run, and he often said, "I feel God's pleasure when I run."

He spent years training for the Olympics. He passed each hurdle and qualified for the Olympics. Finally, the day came for him to run in the games that were held in France. There was only one problem. One of his running events was held on Sunday. Liddell refused to run on Sunday, believing it dishonored the Lord's Sabbath. He held to his convictions and brought great persecution on himself. He made a decision that even if it meant losing his opportunity to compete, he would not run. God's laws were greater than man's applause. Just when the circumstances seemed hopeless, another situation arose that allowed Liddell to run on a different day.

So often this is the case in the spiritual realm. God tests our hearts to see if we will remain faithful to Him at the cost of something important to us. Once He knows where our loyalty lies, He opens a new door that meets the desires of our hearts.

God takes pleasure in seeing His creation used for His glory. Liddell understood why he was made to run; he used his gift of running to bring pleasure to his Creator. Later, Eric Liddell went on to serve God on the mission field.

Does your life work bring pleasure to the Lord? Do you understand that God instilled certain gifts and talents in you so that He might find pleasure in His creation of you? Take pleasure in the gifts God has given to you this day. And let His glory shine through you.

J'aime ma vie

2006-11-11T14:59:00.000+08:00

Divine Setups

2006-11-07T17:48:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

Simon, Simon, satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. - Luke 22:31-32

Have you ever perceived yourself to be at one place spiritually only to discover that you were actually far from this place? Peter perceived himself to be so spiritually strong that he was prepared to suffer greatly for his Master. Yet Jesus knew where Peter really was in his own pilgrimage. He knew that Peter's enthusiasm did not match his reality. He was suffering from an attitude of self-righteousness. So, how did Jesus help Peter match his perception to his reality? Peter was the object of a divine setup.

First, notice that satan asked permission to sift Peter as wheat. Jesus determined that satan would be used to bring Peter to the maturity level both Jesus and Peter really desired. And Jesus was praying that Peter would pass the test. Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times that very day. Peter could not believe what Jesus was saying.

Sometimes the lessons we must learn are very painful. This experience was necessary in Peter's life. It was necessary to purge Peter from his sin of self-righteousness. This very lesson would allow Peter to come face to face with his own misperception of where he was in his relationship and devotion to Jesus. When he was forced to confront this, it nearly broke him apart. He wept bitterly once he realized he had done just as Jesus had predicted.

This confrontation with reality is necessary at times in our lives. Do not be surprised if Jesus allows you to experience some painful circumstance. You may be the subject of a divine setup designed to bring you to a greater maturity level in your walk with Jesus. It may not be a fun experience when you go through it, but you will, like Peter, become a leader whom God will use to lead others.

Halloween

2006-10-31T15:35:00.000+08:00

2006-10-28T17:12:00.000+08:00

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:2-6

It's been long over due, the Lord have provide time for me to be baptise this Dec 24th. Pray for me, that I will be able to experience the Lord at a new level, that I'm able to be part of the body of Christ. May the grace of God be with God's people. Amen.

Seeing What Others Cannot See

2006-10-28T16:05:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. - 2 Kings 6:17

Several years ago, a movie was made called Field of Dreams. The story is about a man who had a vision to build a baseball field in the middle of a cornfield on his rural farm. He did not know why; he just knew he was to do it. To the chagrin of his neighbors, he built the baseball diamond in the farm community. One night some players showed up. The man realized these were no ordinary players, but were actually the great players from the past. When the skeptical neighbors came to view this phenomenon, they were unable to see what the farm owner could see. This made it even worse for him. Now he was really a lunatic in their eyes.

This fictitious story has a spiritual application for us. First, if God tells us to "build a ball field," we should do it. It is not for us to determine the reason we are instructed to do it. Once we are obedient, God will allow us to see what others cannot see. It is the rite of passage for those who are willing to risk all for God's purposes. God increases the spiritual senses to levels we never knew before. Those around us will observe this.

Do you want to see what others cannot see? If so, it will require a level of obedience that will go beyond human reason. It may require risk and ridicule from others. But you will see what others cannot see.

The Little Prince

2006-10-08T23:59:00.000+08:00

by
Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Watering

2006-10-08T23:58:00.001+08:00

Hills

2006-10-08T23:57:00.000+08:00

2006-10-08T23:56:00.000+08:00

"It is just as it is with the flower.

If you love a flower that lives on a star,

it is sweet to look at the sky at night.

All the stars are a-bloom with flowers ..."

2006-10-08T23:55:00.000+08:00

"You are beautiful, but you are empty," he went on. "One could not die for you. To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you - the rose that belongs to me.

But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses:

because it is she that I have watered;

because it is she that I have put under the glass globe;

because it is she that I have sheltered behind the screen;

because it is for her that I have killed the caterpillars (except the two or three that we saved to become butterflies);

because it is she that I have listened to, when she grumbled, or boasted, or ever sometimes when she said nothing.

Because she is my Rose. "

What makes the desert beautiful, is that somewhere it hides a well.

2006-10-08T23:54:00.000+08:00

2006-10-08T23:53:00.000+08:00

Too busy even to greet his visitor, the businessman owns all the stars. Yet he cannot remember what they are called and contributes nothing to them.

Did I Marry The Right Person?

2006-10-06T21:19:00.000+08:00

During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said, "How do I know if I married the right person?" I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your husband?" In all seriousness, she answered, "How do you know?"

Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind. EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse. You anticipated his call, wanted his touch and liked his idiosyncrasies. Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love. People in love sometimes say, "I was swept off my feet." Think about the imagery of that expression. It implies that you were just standing there, doing nothing. Then something came along and happened to you. Falling is love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience.

But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens) and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive you nuts. The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages break down. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extra-marital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, church, a hobby, friendship, excessive TV or abusive substances. But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could. And TEMPORARILY, you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later.

Because (listen carefully to this): The Key To Succeeding In Marriage Is Not Finding The Right Person; It's Learning To Love The Person You Found.

SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it day in and day out. That's why we have the expression "the labour of love". because it takes time, effort and energy. And most importantly, it takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work. Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage.

Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. Just as the right diet and exercise program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable... you can "make" love.

Love in marriage is indeed a "decision"... Not just a feeling.

2006-09-28T13:26:00.000+08:00

This is supposed to be an omelette with crab meat and mushroom, somehow turned out to be a wet dish.

2006-09-28T13:23:00.000+08:00

and cold soba tastes good on its own

2006-09-28T13:20:00.000+08:00

Recently, I got this soba addiction, don't know why

2006-09-23T13:17:00.000+08:00

C'est moi :)

2006-09-23T13:14:00.000+08:00

Pan-fried sirloin beef with greens

2006-09-23T13:13:00.000+08:00

Baked cod fish with tomato cream sauce

2006-09-23T13:12:00.001+08:00

Smoked oysters with caviar, it's delicious

2006-09-23T13:12:00.000+08:00

Smoked oysters with caviar

2006-09-22T13:28:00.000+08:00

Accidentally broke my mum's favourite crystal vase

2006-09-22T13:27:00.000+08:00

and cut myself without knowing, till i saw the blood stain on the floor

It is well with my soul

2006-09-17T23:06:00.000+08:00

Recently, I was being intro to this hymm, "It is well with my soul"; I kind of grew to like it. Listening to it, somehow gives me strength to pull through all the worries and troubles. I went to do a little research on the history of it.

The author of this hymn was a layman, a lawyer and professor of medical jurisprudence from Chicago who maintained a close friendship with D.L. Moody and other Christian leaders. During the 1871 Chicago Fire, Spafford lost all of his real estate holdings. The year before his son had died.

In order to assist Moody in a Great Britain campaign, Spafford planned to travel there with his wife and four daughters. Due to business commitments, he was unable to travel with his family, but planned to join them within a few days.

On November 22, 1873 two ships collided; Mrs. Spafford was rescued, but their four daughters were lost. While Horatio Spafford sailed to join his grieving wife, it is believed that he penned the words to this hymn, including the words, "When sorrows like sea billows roll...." In the face of overwhelming tragedies, he was able to declare, "It is well with my soul."

Bertha Spafford Vester, Horatio Spafford's daughter, born in 1878, wrote the following in her book "Our Jerusalem"

In Chicago, Father searched his life for explanation. Until now, it had flowed gently as a river. Spiritual peace and worldly security had sustained his early years, his family life and his home....... All around him people were asking the unvoiced question; "What guilt had brought this sweeping tragedy to Anna and Hoaratio Spafford?" ..... Father became convinced that God was kind and that he would see his children again in heaven. This thought calmed his heart, but it was to bring Father into open conflict with what was then the Christian world........ On the way across the Atlantic, the captain called Mr. Goodwin and Father into his private cabin.

"A careful reckoning has been made," he told them, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the Ville du Havre was wrecked."

Father wrote to Aunt Rachel: On thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the water three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs, and there, before very long, shall we be too. In the meantime, thanks to God, we have an opportunity to serve and praise Him for His love and mercy to us and ours. "I will praise Him while I have my being." May we each one arise, leave all, and follow Him.

To Father, this was a passing through the "valley of the shadow of death," but his faith came through triumphant and strong. On the high seas, near the place where his children perished, he wrote the hymn that was to give comfort to so many:

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea-billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to know;

"It is well, it is well with my soul."

Tho' Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed his own blood for my soul.

My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin - not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross and I bear it no more;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend-

A song in the night, oh my soul !

(Changed later to:"Even so - it is well with my soul.")

the following verse was added to the familiar version some time later

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live,

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou shalt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

(continuing with Bertha Spafford's story);

That he could write such words at such a time was made possible by the fierceness of his struggle and the completeness of the victory.

P. P. Bliss, the predecessor of Sankey with Mr. Moody wrote the music for this hymn. "It is Well with My Soul" became famous and appeared in many hymn books; it is still sung in many Protestant churches.

Some random pictures

2006-09-17T21:09:00.000+08:00

NLB

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NLB

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NLB

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NLB

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NLB

2006-09-17T21:07:00.002+08:00

NLB

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NLB

2006-09-17T21:07:00.000+08:00

Icon

2006-09-17T21:04:00.000+08:00

MAS/IMF S2006

Chances

2006-09-16T22:53:00.000+08:00

After the last meet-up, I thought there wouldn’t be any chance to see each other again; I prayed to the Lord, “may He lead the right person to me; and may He lead me to the right person”.

God answered my prayers when I least expected it, we crossed each other’s path one evening. I’m amazed to see him, utterly surprised. When I thought of giving up, God encouraged me; when I thought of letting it past, God brought him back into my path.
Somehow I’ve got caught-off guard by the Lord.

It is strange. Every time when I am alone, there are so many things I wanted to tell him, to ask him, but somehow, when I see him, I am lost for words.

Time seems to stand still; yet accelerate when I am with him.

Why God Blesses

2006-09-16T22:25:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of His people Israel. - 1 Chronicles 14:2

King David learned an important lesson every leader must learn if he is to ensure God's continual blessing. He knew why God blessed him. It wasn't because he deserved it, though he was a man who sought God with his whole heart. It wasn't because of his great skill, though he was a great military strategist. It wasn't because he was perfect, for he committed some horrible sins during his reign as king. No, it was for none of these reasons. God blessed David for the "sake of His people Israel."

God never blesses an individual just for that person's exclusive benefit. God calls each of us to be a blessing to others. So often we forget this last part. R.G. LeTourneau, a businessman who built heavy construction equipment, came to realize this only after God took him through many trials. Once the Lord had all of LeTourneau, he came to realize that the question wasn't whether he gave 10 percent of what the Lord gave him. Rather, the question was, "What amount does He want me to keep?" LeTourneau was known for giving 90 percent of his income toward the end of his career and was a great supporter of world missions. But the Lord doesn't bless workplace believers just for the ability to give financially. God has given workplace believers many more gifts beyond the financial.

What is happening with the spiritual fruit of God's blessing on your life? Is it clogged, or is it freely flowing to others? Ask the Lord to free you to be a blessing to those in your circle of influence.

Spare a minute to pray for me

2006-09-10T00:18:00.000+08:00

Whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all "need somebody to lean on". God created Adam, took one look at him, and said, "It is not good that man should be alone" (Gen. 2:18). So He created Eve to be his companion.

Since then, men and women have had to learn how to live their lives in the context of human relationships. Apart from the occassional hermit, our relationships play a vital role in our very existence.

Every person is created with a God-shaped hole and a relationship hole. Jesus fills the first one, and our friendships fill the second. Where the two intersect, we "work out our salvation," as the apostle Paul would put it (Phil. 2:12).

God didn't create individuals, He created people. Individuals live their lives without concern for others; people live their lives in response to their relationship with others.

It's no wonder then that, devoid of relationships, a person feels lonely. Or that so many men and women yearn to share their lives with another person of the opposite sex. Or that we grieve when we lose a loved one. God wired us for relationships!

For that reason, Paul wrote that believers in Jesus are members of one body (1Cor. 12). The body doesn't consist of an arm or a leg or a kidney. If functions properly as every part works together. The community that emerges in a local body of believers - our loving relationship with Jesus Christ - should be the missing piece that the world longs for.

As inherently complex and perilous as they may be, our relationships serve as an effective gauge of our walk with God. A pattern of strained relationships may point to an area in our lives that needs further work, First John 4:20 tells us, "If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar, for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"

Struggles in our friendships usually point to deeper issues that God may be working in our lives, So as you pray the prayers in this section, remember that the mountains you are facing in your relationships may also be mountains - deeper issues and behaviours that God is trying to remove in your life.

I would appreciate if you would spare a minute to pray for my relationship with my brother.

Father God, repeatedly in Scripture You instruct us to love our brother. But the hurt that has transpired between us makes obeying Your word difficult: My heart tells me to make things right, but my mind is hesitant.

I come before You, Lord Jesus, asking You to heal our relationship. Lift us out of the muck and mire of past offenses so we can communicate on the solid ground of grace and truth.

Give me the grace to forgive just as You have forgiven me (Eph.4:32). Regardless of whether it was intentional, unintentional, severe, slight or inexcusable, I release every offense into Your hands because Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light (Mat. 11:30). Breathe anew on my festering wounds with the breath of Your Holy Spirit; heal me so I can leave the past behind.

Open my eyes to see with truth what has caused the strain in our relationship. If there is any pride, selfishness, or misunderstanding on my part, please reveal it to me so I can make it right.

In the same way, work in the heart of my brother. Overwhelm him with Your love and compel him to forgive, just as You offer forgiveness to him (Mat. 6:12). Remove any binders from his eyes that would prevent him from seeing clearly into the causes of our conflict.

By Your Holy Spirit, may You restore us in humility and peace. But even if he choose not to be restored, I still choose to forgive. In loving my brother, I realize, I am also loving You.

So grant me the courage to take necessary steps in restoring this relationship. May I have the boldness to approach him in all sincerity, meekness and wisdom.

I know that everything works together for good, for those who called according to Your purpose (Rom. 8:28). So even in this situation, I have faith that You will glorify Yourself through it. I rest in peaceful confidence that You will do a good work. You are the Prince of Peace, and I give up all worry and anxiety about my relationship with my brother to You. Only You can ease the strain, so help me not to do it on my strength.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

RCB: Failing To Do Right

2006-09-09T23:34:00.000+08:00

To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. -James 4:17

In his book Eight Men Out, Eliot Asinof records the events surrounding the notorious “Black Sox” scandal of 1919. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox baseball club were accused of taking bribes from gamblers in exchange for intentionally losing the World Series. Although they were never convicted in a court of law, all eight were banned from baseball for life.

But one of those players, Buck Weaver, claimed that he had played to win despite knowing about the conspiracy. Though Weaver’s performance on the field supported his contention, baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis ruled that any player who had knowledge of the scandal, yet chose not to stop it, would still be banned. Weaver was not punished for doing wrong, but for failing to do right.

In his letter to the first-century church, James wrote, “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (4:17). In a world filled with evil and darkness, followers of Christ have the opportunity to shine their light. That often means we must resist the urge to do nothing.

When faced with the choice between doing good and failing to do anything at all, we must always choose to do what’s right. -Bill Crowder

Heavenly Father, help me to honor You throughoutmy life by being a light in this dark world. May it neverbe said of me that I failed to do what I knew to begood, just, and right. Amen.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke

The Necessity of the Desert

2006-09-09T00:42:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

..."I have become an alien in a foreign land." - Exodus 2:22

God's preparation of a leader involves training, extended times of waiting, pain, rejection, and isolation. Are you ready to sign up?

Moses was brought up in Pharaoh's court. He had the very best of everything-education, clothing, food, and personal care. But there came a time when the man God would use to free an entire people from slavery was going to have to learn to be the leader God wanted. At age 40, when most of us want to be thinking about winding down instead of beginning a new career, Moses was forced to flee to the desert.

Like Joseph and Abraham, Moses had to endure some difficult years of preparation that first involved removal from his current situation. He went from notoriety to obscurity, from limitless resources to no resources, from activity and action to inactivity and solitude. And, most importantly, waiting. And waiting. And waiting. He probably thought he would die in the land of Midian.

Then one day, a full 40 years from the day he arrived, God appeared to Moses in a burning bush. Everything changed. God said, "It is time." The years had seasoned the vessel to prepare him to accomplish the work.

God is preparing many workplace believers today. The circumstances may be different. The time frames may not be quite as long. But the characteristics of the training are still the same. Do not try to shortcut the desert time of God. It only leads to cul-de-sacs, which force you to revisit the lessons you are meant to learn. Embrace them, so that He can use your life for something extraordinary.

2006-09-04T22:33:00.000+08:00

Never knew I could feel like this,
never knew waiting could be energy draining.

Going Against the Flow

2006-08-29T23:40:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. - Numbers 14:10a

Have you ever had to stand up against the majority for a cause that wasn't popular? God brought the Israelites out of Egypt and promised He would lead them into a land of milk and honey. The process of moving out of Egypt was difficult. They could no longer do things the old way, for the old ways didn't work in the desert. God provided for them during this journey. But there came a point in which the people forgot what God had said. Their discomfort changed their belief about God.

Whenever God is slow to answer our prayers, what we believe about God is revealed. Do we change our plans and move in a different direction when pressure mounts? Or do we continue on the path God has directed for us? Four men believed what God said and were willing to stand; however, the crowd wanted to stone them.

Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites (Numbers 14:5-10).

Notice Joshua and Caleb's response to the situation. They had spied the land. They believed God. They challenged the crowd. They seemed to know that if the Lord was not pleased with them they would not enter into the Promised Land. Those who grumbled did not enter the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb and a new generation saw the fulfillment of God's promise.

Has God called you to stand for a cause bigger than yourself? You will have opposition to His call; sometimes it even comes from those in your own camp. But if God has called you, then you can be sure He will make a way. He has already opened the way before you. But you must walk in faith, joined with Him to take the land.

...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

2006-08-28T20:14:00.000+08:00

Seems like everyone is leaving, many of my friends are relocating to other countries.

Globalization!

Lately, friends have been asking me to move out of Singapore, to venture elsewhere. There seems to be nothing left for me here. Very much that I wanted to stay on, but somehow, I couldn't find a good reason for it. Probably, it's really time to move out of my comfort zone. May the Lord be with me.

2006-08-27T21:18:00.000+08:00

Close-up of my hair

2006-08-27T20:51:00.000+08:00

My buddy :) just came back from Taiwan

Dinner with Shang

2006-08-20T16:27:00.000+08:00

Thai Bistro's Olive rice

2006-08-20T16:10:00.000+08:00

My 1.78m tall little brother, no longer little :)

2006-08-20T16:09:00.000+08:00

My beautiful girlfriend

2006-08-20T16:08:00.000+08:00

My girl-friend :)

2006-08-20T16:05:00.000+08:00

My best friends :)

Overcoming All Odds

2006-08-20T15:23:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

..."Because you have prayed to Me...." - Isaiah 37:21

Have you ever had your back against the wall so badly that if something didn't happen to change your situation, you were sunk? King Hezekiah was one of Israel's greatest godly kings. One of the greatest challenges to his reign came when the king of Assyria threatened to attack Israel and wipe them out. The Assyrians were the local bullies of the region and had wiped out all other enemies in their region.

They mocked the idea of having a God who could save them.

Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you! Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says, "The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria" (Isaiah 36:14b-15).

The workplace is full of "Assyrian kings" who mock the idea of a living God who delivers. Without God's help, Israel would not overcome. Their backs were against the wall. They would be destroyed.

King Hezekiah saved Israel because of one act. He prayed; and because he prayed, God moved on his behalf. In fact, God moved so powerfully that Hezekiah did not even have to fight the battle.

Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! (Isaiah 37:36)

The king of Assyria was even murdered by his own sons. Imagine seeing your enemy totally destroyed without one hand raised in battle!

God wants to act on behalf of His children if they will call on Him. One of the motives Hezekiah had in seeking God's help was "so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God" (Is. 37:20). This is what happened. God was glorified.

God wants to let your workplace know that God is a living God. He can deliver. Seek Him today for the crisis in your life. Keep your motive pure and God will surely answer.

about Lynn

2006-08-19T01:17:00.000+08:00

Friends used to make fun of my name during my childhood, they find that it's very amusing, but I don't find it funny at all.

I find that it's an insult, bringing happiness to themselves through my expense. I've forgiven them, they're just kids :) don't know what they're doing.

Hmmm, something happened somewhere and it changed my perception, for the first time in my life, I kinda grew to luv my chinese name :) 蓝子莉

蓝 means Blue

子 means Filial

莉 means Jasmine

In hanyu pinying, it'll be Lan ZiLi.

I must admit it's a beautiful combination. I'm exceptionally proud of my family name, probably I like the colour '蓝', and also, it's kinda rare to have '蓝' as a family name.

My beloved Sister, Patricia :)

2006-08-14T00:00:00.000+08:00

My crazy girl-friend :)

2006-07-31T00:27:00.000+08:00

2006-07-18T23:54:00.000+08:00

All 4 one :)

2006-07-18T23:51:00.000+08:00

My buddy :)

2006-07-18T23:50:00.000+08:00

Beautiful Mummy :)

2006-07-18T23:45:00.000+08:00

My crazy girlfriend :)

2006-07-04T21:10:00.000+08:00

hmmm, going for physiotherapy tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, everything will turn out well.

Another sleepless night...

2006-06-30T02:56:00.000+08:00

Probably, I'm too excited. It's friday : ) I luv friday, not only because weekends are approaching, but also it's Salsa!

2006-06-20T21:41:00.000+08:00

Injured my left knee; Every steps I take, it hurts : (

2006-06-19T21:09:00.000+08:00

Someone broke my favourite glass jar!
So sad : (

2006-06-18T07:06:00.000+08:00

Couldn't believe it, I just got home : O anyway, this is Yvonne

Humility in Relationships

2006-06-13T17:13:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." - 1 Peter 5:5b

I'll never forget the first time I discovered what a feeling was. It was in my early forties. Surely not you may be thinking. Yes, it is true. Since then, I have discovered many men still live in this condition. It took an older mentor to help me understand the difference between information and a feeling. Wives are frustrated because their husbands share information, but not their feelings. They want to know what is going on inside their man. The fact is, most men have not been taught to identify feelings, much less how to share them. It is something that men must learn to do because it is not a natural trait. If they do share their feelings, society often portrays them as weak.

No man willingly wants to be portrayed as weak. In order to become an effective friend and leader, one must learn to be vulnerable with others and develop an ability to share feelings. It is a vital step to becoming a real person with whom others can connect emotionally. This is not easy to do if your parents did not teach you to share your emotional life with others. Emotional vulnerability is especially hard for men.

Author Dr. Larry Crabb states, Men who as boys felt neglected by their dads often remain distant from their own children. The sins of fathers are passed on to children, often through the dynamic of self-protection. It hurts to be neglected, and it creates questions about our value to others. So to avoid feeling the sting of further rejection, we refuse to give that part of ourselves we fear might once again be received with indifference.

When our approach to life revolves around discipline, commitment, and knowledge [which the Greek influence teaches us] but runs from feeling the hurt of unmet longings that come from a lack of deeper relationships, then our efforts to love will be marked more by required action than by liberating passion. We will be known as reliable, but not involved. Honest friends will report that they enjoy being with us, but have trouble feeling close. Even our best friends (including spouses) will feel guarded around us, a little tense and vaguely distant. It's not uncommon for Christian leaders to have no real friends. [Larry Crabb, Inside Out (Colorado Springs, Colorado: Navpress, n.d.), 98-99.]

If this describes you, why not begin on a new journey of opening up your life to others in a way that others can see who you really are? It might be scary at first, but as you grow in this area, you will find new freedom in your life. Then, others will more readily connect with you.

Bon Anniversaire, mon cherie : )

2006-06-11T22:47:00.000+08:00

mon gateau d'anniversaire

2006-06-11T22:30:00.000+08:00

Falling in luv...

2006-06-11T22:20:00.000+08:00

mon cadeau d'anniversaire, N80

2006-06-10T01:15:00.000+08:00

Vera Wang - Beautiful, isn't it?

Proverbs 20:6

2006-06-10T00:03:00.000+08:00

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

2006-06-09T17:29:00.000+08:00

I like this Chanel sac, Should I? Should i not?

Power of the Tongue

2006-06-09T17:00:00.000+08:00

by Os Hillman

'The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.'
- Proverbs 18:21

Words have the power to motivate or destroy, energize or deflate, inspire or create despair. Many successful executives can remember the time their father failed to give affirmation to them as a child. The result was either overachievement to prove their worth, or underachievement to prove he was right.

Many a wife has lost her ability to love because of a critical husband. Many a husband has left a marriage because of words of disrespect and ungratefulness. Stories abound regarding the power of words. There are just as many stories of those who have been encouraged, challenged, and comforted with words that made a difference in their lives.

Jesus knew the power of words. He used parables to convey His principles of the Kingdom of God. He used words of forgiveness and mercy. He used words to challenge. He used words to inspire His disciples to miraculous faith.

Do your words give life? Do they inspire and challenge others to greatness? Who does God want you to encourage through your words today? Affirm someone close to you today.

2006-06-09T00:58:00.000+08:00

The neighbouring family starts quarrelling again. I don't feel good everytime I hear their exchange of shouting. Feel so painful, so intolerance.

2006-06-08T23:24:00.000+08:00

When will I have a place
where I belong
where I call 'home'

The Interview with God

2006-06-05T00:36:00.000+08:00

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.

“If you have the time” I said.

God smiled. “My time is eternity.”

“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”

God answered...

“That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money... and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.”

"That they live as if they will never die, and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked...“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love, and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people who love them dearly, but simply have not yet learned how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.

"Is there anything else you would like your children to know?"

God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”

-author unknown

Random thoughts

2006-06-05T00:27:00.000+08:00

A minute to like,
A day to love,
An eternity to forget

Anticipation makes the heart grow fonder;
Absence makes it sadder

2006-06-05T00:25:00.000+08:00

Poster