Just yesterday, death itself became so real to me. I thought it'll be just a simple visit to the polyclinic for a specialist referral for my skin condition. I'd never imagine in my wildest thoughts that it could possibly be dengue fever.
A preliminary blood test confirmed that my blood count is a little too low and just to be sure that it's not dengue, i'll have to return to see the doctor tomorrow for another blood test.
As I returned home yesterday, I started googling up on dengue and reading all there is about it. Muscle aches. Rash outbreaks. High fever. All those symptoms that I had in the last couple of days.
Occurred to me once again how fragile life can be and like a chaff in the wind, so easily blown away into non-existence. Perhaps the Lord is saying something here. Perhaps.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Do not worry
I have hardly grew up worrying about it since I was born. I suppose the life before know Christ was pretty much similar. The Word of God advocates that it should not be case, probably just me not being able to identify.
Yet as I look back from time to time, the one lesson I'm learning to grasp is the very one that seems to be the struggle of most people. It transcends beyond the boundaries of time and factors of age and status.
i must put up milestones in my life; to build the spiritual altars of gratitude in worship. It scares me very often in my moments of reflection that the Word of God is slowly but surely revealing its credibility with all that is happening in the world today.
For a start, the Love of most that will grow cold but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. A good part of me is telling me that this verse implies a response to receiving my undeserved gift of salvation. On the other hand, it scares me that the very ones next to me Sundays after Sundays, could be the one falling away. Maybe, that One is me?
Against all that reasoning to "survive" in this economy, I pray that the Lord comes through and is the only Providence for me. There is really much to be done.
The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.
Yet a time is coming, the hour and place is unknown but surely, Christ my Lord is coming back again.
Why the need to worry?
Yet as I look back from time to time, the one lesson I'm learning to grasp is the very one that seems to be the struggle of most people. It transcends beyond the boundaries of time and factors of age and status.
i must put up milestones in my life; to build the spiritual altars of gratitude in worship. It scares me very often in my moments of reflection that the Word of God is slowly but surely revealing its credibility with all that is happening in the world today.
For a start, the Love of most that will grow cold but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. A good part of me is telling me that this verse implies a response to receiving my undeserved gift of salvation. On the other hand, it scares me that the very ones next to me Sundays after Sundays, could be the one falling away. Maybe, that One is me?
Against all that reasoning to "survive" in this economy, I pray that the Lord comes through and is the only Providence for me. There is really much to be done.
The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.
Yet a time is coming, the hour and place is unknown but surely, Christ my Lord is coming back again.
Why the need to worry?
Monday, August 13, 2012
Belonging-ness
As I open the final chapter of my education life, somehow the bugging thought is not on what I'm or will be doing. It really doesn't matter as much as who I am and will be in time to come.
Because if I do not give it much thought, I may well be conformed into an identity by what I'm doing regardless of whether I chose to or forced to.
Christ, the foundation of the Christian Faith, the Cornerstone of one's Confidence. Who is Christ to me, to my life? I think the question begets way more consideration than what I would like my coming future to be. It is no longer a matter of my desired charter but a submissive obedience to a Greater plan.
God is supposed to be evident in ALL aspects of one's life, of my life. The tabernacle of the Old Testament cannot over-emphasize this. In the same way, the Divine Architect who has His great plans in its most intricate detailed designs should and only take the highest place of my life.
JESUS. I belong wholly to You.
Because if I do not give it much thought, I may well be conformed into an identity by what I'm doing regardless of whether I chose to or forced to.
Christ, the foundation of the Christian Faith, the Cornerstone of one's Confidence. Who is Christ to me, to my life? I think the question begets way more consideration than what I would like my coming future to be. It is no longer a matter of my desired charter but a submissive obedience to a Greater plan.
God is supposed to be evident in ALL aspects of one's life, of my life. The tabernacle of the Old Testament cannot over-emphasize this. In the same way, the Divine Architect who has His great plans in its most intricate detailed designs should and only take the highest place of my life.
JESUS. I belong wholly to You.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Grow Up
Tonight I noticed something about myself.
Was at Mark's place for his birthday party, also present were a number of his close friends from church and a number of family friends as well.
At the start of the evening, I was naturally sitting with the young ones having dinner. But somehow as the night passed, I found myself moving to the group of uncles sitting at the other end of the house!
OH DEAR!
Haha. But no doubt I think I enjoyed the time chatting and conversing with the wiser men. People from various walks of life, some whom I knew fairly well while others, well I barely knew! So yes, something I noticed about myself and I am going to go with the assuring thought that it is a good thing =S
Then again, something to ponder over from today. Growing up. What caused the Apostle Paul to advocate this thought to grow up spiritually? Why would he write to the Ephesian Church about this? Was there something he was trying to hint at?
As I dwelt on the passage a little longer, I find us doing injustice to the Word of God. Often we spend a limited time looking/studying the scripture/passage and we hope to uncover perhaps a couple of points to share. Then again, the Scripture is filled with so much gems and treasures that if we really looked hard enough (and wait upon the Holy Spirit for guidance), we would discover so much more that we could ever imagine.
So Much More.
Was at Mark's place for his birthday party, also present were a number of his close friends from church and a number of family friends as well.
At the start of the evening, I was naturally sitting with the young ones having dinner. But somehow as the night passed, I found myself moving to the group of uncles sitting at the other end of the house!
OH DEAR!
Haha. But no doubt I think I enjoyed the time chatting and conversing with the wiser men. People from various walks of life, some whom I knew fairly well while others, well I barely knew! So yes, something I noticed about myself and I am going to go with the assuring thought that it is a good thing =S
Then again, something to ponder over from today. Growing up. What caused the Apostle Paul to advocate this thought to grow up spiritually? Why would he write to the Ephesian Church about this? Was there something he was trying to hint at?
As I dwelt on the passage a little longer, I find us doing injustice to the Word of God. Often we spend a limited time looking/studying the scripture/passage and we hope to uncover perhaps a couple of points to share. Then again, the Scripture is filled with so much gems and treasures that if we really looked hard enough (and wait upon the Holy Spirit for guidance), we would discover so much more that we could ever imagine.
So Much More.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Born Identity
Being reminded again this evening ~ Children of God.
The phrase came back to me, "A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession..."
Often the thought would pop up "If only I was born..."
A truth here: With God, I believe there is no "accident". He had a choice, and He made it. He chose each and every single one who has been saved. The terms used revealed so much of God's perspective towards His people, even to the extent of being His "special possession". I mean God could have just declared us as His possession right? After all, He is God. Yet He calls us "special possession".
To even talk about having or needing to worship God is a shame. A soul that has truly accepted the undeserving gift of salvation, will desire to worship Him in acknowledgement of His Love. I believe that is the mark of true repentance, the transformation that needs no persuasion except the fact that one has freely received the forgiveness of Christ.
May it be a note to myself that it has never and should never be about my doing or abilities that I worship the Lord God. The desire to worship Him is automatic; it comes forth out of receiving Jesus. I was chosen to declare the praises of Him! And being a recipient of His mercy, I can now stand amongst the people of God.
Love so divine. If God chose to die for me, surely I can choose to live for Him.
Once again, a reminder to myself. Above all the things in life.
The phrase came back to me, "A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession..."
Often the thought would pop up "If only I was born..."
A truth here: With God, I believe there is no "accident". He had a choice, and He made it. He chose each and every single one who has been saved. The terms used revealed so much of God's perspective towards His people, even to the extent of being His "special possession". I mean God could have just declared us as His possession right? After all, He is God. Yet He calls us "special possession".
To even talk about having or needing to worship God is a shame. A soul that has truly accepted the undeserving gift of salvation, will desire to worship Him in acknowledgement of His Love. I believe that is the mark of true repentance, the transformation that needs no persuasion except the fact that one has freely received the forgiveness of Christ.
May it be a note to myself that it has never and should never be about my doing or abilities that I worship the Lord God. The desire to worship Him is automatic; it comes forth out of receiving Jesus. I was chosen to declare the praises of Him! And being a recipient of His mercy, I can now stand amongst the people of God.
Love so divine. If God chose to die for me, surely I can choose to live for Him.
Once again, a reminder to myself. Above all the things in life.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
The days to come
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. - Eph 4:7
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
How can I be built up and become matured in Christ?
Just shortly after coming back, I've come to learn so much that has happened and I think I am still processing all of them. Each and every one of them, are a brother or a sister in Christ. Perhaps a call to go on my knees and intercede once more.
God is Love. If we seek to know God, then we seek to know Love.
What is it for me to learn as well in the meantime?
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
How can I be built up and become matured in Christ?
Just shortly after coming back, I've come to learn so much that has happened and I think I am still processing all of them. Each and every one of them, are a brother or a sister in Christ. Perhaps a call to go on my knees and intercede once more.
God is Love. If we seek to know God, then we seek to know Love.
What is it for me to learn as well in the meantime?
Friday, August 3, 2012
Current Read
Don't really know why I picked this up in Sydney to read but yes I will finish it and really, I think finding out more of the significance of the Tabernacle enables one to appreciate one's salvation and faith.
Here we go!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
For the Better
Having been back "home" for just over 24 hours, I've spent this evening back in church after a day of running errands.
So life back to "normal"? I would think so.
But it begets the question, how do I then live differently now on?
Surely one of the highlights on this trip was His providence, His hand upon me. How from 2011 He provided us with early bird price for the Conference; right up to the day before my departure that He provided my finances more than what I needed; till the day I left ESM, He provided Jacqui to send me to the train station because she was going there too!
In the bigger and the little things, I have lived and witnessed how He blessed me. Seriously, I had to rethink God over the last weeks. I think I had barely knew Him though having been in the faith over 7 years now. Plus all the unexpected surprises and encounters over the weeks, I would say God wants me to really know Him for who He is.
Maybe the long trip and its "fragrance" has yet to wear off but I am sure that God is doing something anew. Tonight being in the midst of the leaders and committees again, I just have this unexplainable sense of assurance and peace within.
And if God is for us, who can be against us.
-------------------------
On an interesting side note, someone remarked that talking to me requires a pail. A pail to draw deep. Hmmm...
So life back to "normal"? I would think so.
But it begets the question, how do I then live differently now on?
Surely one of the highlights on this trip was His providence, His hand upon me. How from 2011 He provided us with early bird price for the Conference; right up to the day before my departure that He provided my finances more than what I needed; till the day I left ESM, He provided Jacqui to send me to the train station because she was going there too!
In the bigger and the little things, I have lived and witnessed how He blessed me. Seriously, I had to rethink God over the last weeks. I think I had barely knew Him though having been in the faith over 7 years now. Plus all the unexpected surprises and encounters over the weeks, I would say God wants me to really know Him for who He is.
Maybe the long trip and its "fragrance" has yet to wear off but I am sure that God is doing something anew. Tonight being in the midst of the leaders and committees again, I just have this unexplainable sense of assurance and peace within.
And if God is for us, who can be against us.
-------------------------
On an interesting side note, someone remarked that talking to me requires a pail. A pail to draw deep. Hmmm...
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