peace . love . joy

" If you're going in the wrong direction,

gOd allows U-turns"

~ twas a realli cute quote i saw jus now on the board outside the Church of the Holy Cross =D

gOd bLEsS

me

pastor's sermon ytd was interesting..at least it was to me..tho it escapes me as to y he kept going on and on abt sex..?

u know, not all of us youths (man i feel so old!..last yr i'm gonna spend in my teens) think bout sex 24/7..but then again, i may b pt of a minority..hah

anyway..the sermon was on purity..

i took notes =D ..dunno y..jus decided to take notes that day..btw, might i be so bold as to suggest to those who arent used to waking up earli on sundays and whose eyelids seem jus so heavy to take notes during sermons..perhaps it doesnt wrk for sm, but i think it does decrease the chances of u nodding off to a certain extent..

anyways..

Purity

1 Thessalonians 4:3,7
(3) For this is the will of gOd, that you should be consecrated (set apart for pure and holy living) : that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice
(7) For gOd has not called us to impurity but to consecration (to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity).

is it possible for us -- youths, young adults, adults, children -- to live like that??..

we who live in a world where the line between right and wrong is fast fading..by whose (?) standard are we judging right frm wrong..is it possible, no, is there even a glimmer of a hope \ chance for us to live a life that is righteous and pure in gOd's eyes?? (assuming we want to)

pastor gave this analogy which i found amusing yet inspiring :
it is not encouragable for us, humans, to drink sea water and sea water alone..for if we do, chances are we'll fall sick cos now and again, the process of polluting the ocean gets pushed a little ahead of schedule by us (throwing stuff into the seas, oil dumping, cargo ship accidents...)
then we look at salt-water fishes..sea-dwelling creatures..they live in that polluted environment and yet, they thrive..they dont fall sick..
gOd has enabled them to remain pure in that polluted world!!

so the answer to the above question is : YES

gOd CAN keep us pure in this polluted world.

how do we achieve that?

secret lies not in imitation (we mirror wad we see : garbage in, garbage out) , nor does it lie in isolation (we protect ourselves and move to a plce where it is untouched by human hands : be a nun \ monk) .. secret is insulation (we learn to filter : be grounded in the bible and know wad gOd says well , always go back to the bible when ure unsure)

how does it happen?? wad steps can we take to become pure in gOd's eyes??

1. Make a commitment to gOd's standard
Psalms 119:9
(9) How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word.

gOd's standard has always and will always be the same -- it never ever ever changes, not for anyone, not for anythg.
it takes alot of courage & character to take this first step
are u ready??

2. Manage your mind
Proverbs 4:23
(23) Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.
Proverbs 23:19
(19) Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your mind in the way (of the Lord).

your thoughts translate into feelings, which are expressed through actions..wad you do will betray wad you think..therefore, guard your thoughts!
it isnt a sin to be tempted, but it is a sin when you succumb to temptation!!
be careful!!

2 Timothy 2:22
(22) Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of gOd in thought, word, and deed) ; (and aim at and pursue) faith, love, (and) peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all (christians), who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.

how do we break temptation?
simple : we dont resist it!! .. when we resist, we are merely fuelling our desires and are focussing on it cos we keep thinking bout it..
we replace and refocus!! .. think about smthg else..do smthg else..channel all your energies to another activity..take your mind off it..
it isnt that difficult at all..trust me, i've tried =]

3. Monitor your media intake
Proverbs 15:14
(14) a wise person is hungry for the truth, while the fool feeds on trash.

i am not saying that the media is all trash, no.
i do agree that the media can be a tool with which Christians can use to spread the gospel..but let's face it..say there are 2 channels onli -- MTV channel 20 \ HBO \ Star movies \ AXN & a christian channel that broadcasts scripture readings and bible studies..which do you think majority of the modern-day youths & young adults will choose to watch??

fact is that many will choose rather to watch a secular movie than to hear \read the word of gOd..problem with movies these days is that they tend to (more often than not) glamourise sin..

they show sin sensationalised \ glamourised \ glorious \ desirable, whichever adjective u prefer (but they dont show you the consequences of indulging in sin)..they get you to laugh at sin.."hey, my wife just found out that i was cheatin on her with a hot red-head i met at a diner..and she said that she aint gonna be outdone by me : she's gone off to find herself sm hot blonde to spend the night with, hahaha!"

the media has the ability to get us to laugh at things that gOd says is not right..and when u start laughing at it, your resistance, your fight to try to stop sinning against gOd weakens..you begin to concede defeat w/o even realising you're losing the battle!! ..you stop fearing gOd..

Exodus 20:20
(20) Moses said to the people,"Do not be afraid. gOd has come to test you, so thtat the fear of gOd sill be with you to keep you from sinning."

Psalms 119:37
(37) Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through Your word.
Psalms 101:3a
(3a) i will set before my eyes no vile thing.

4. Minimise the opportunity for temptation (3 steps)
i) recognise wad tempts you (dont act tough like nthg can hurt you)
1 Corinthians 10:12
(12) if you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin.

ii) choose your friends carefully
1 Corinthians 15:33
(33) dont be fooled by those who say such things, for "bad company corrupts good character."

iii) establish some protectv guidelines
Ephesians 5:3a
(3a) but among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity

5. Magnify the consequences of sin
Proverbs 6:32
(32) but the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul.

when we realise the terrible side of sin, the un-glamourous, un-spectacular, ugly side..we begin to fear sin..we begin to truly understand wad it means to fear the Lord..to fear His judgement..

why make this commitment? why go thru all that trouble??

because we love Jesus..we love gOd =D
John 14:21
(21) "whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. he who loves Me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."(, Jesus)

because we fear the judgement of gOd..Jesus dies on the cross because of gOd's judgement on us..he took all of gOd's judgement on himself for our sake..that is how terrible and scary gOd's judgement is..on a happy note, this cup of the Lord's judgement on us has been passed over us because of Jesus..He too it for us..we no longer have to suffer that way..

let's make the rest of our lives the best of our lives =D

pathway back to purity

a) repent
b) receive forgiveness
c) refocus + replace
d) request help daily

1 Corinthians 10:13
(13) But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. and gOd is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you cant stand up against it. when you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.

gOd bLEsS

me

sigh..

tis a realli super duper ultra insanely supercalifragelisticexpealidocious HOT day!! = o

jus came back frm a visit to the esplanade library..those who are keen on reading up on composers frm the renaissance period up til the present moment \ on classical composers like Bach to modern composers like Bernstein \ listen to different interpretations of a certain song \ watch popular DVDs, the esplanade is the place to go, pple =]

i mean..they dont have everythg and anythg, but they do have a wide-enough-for-u-to-digest-properly-and-not-throw-up palate of info..plus, the librarians are real nice =] ..DVDs..unles ure like me, love to watch old films like Alfred Hitchcock, Breakfast at Tiffany's, South Pacific, Agatha Christie's series on Hercule Poirot, wives & daughters, i'd suggest u pass..they have more older films & classics than modern stuff..they do have wild wild west, though..hehe =D

i was jus thinking..wldnt it be nice to be a composer?..i love music..to be more specific, i love CLASSICAL music..

my favourite of favourites are Dvorak, J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, Shostakovich, Wagner, Sergey Prokofiev, Rimsky-Korsakov, Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Tchaikovsky & the Suite VIII in F minor, Courante for Harpsichord by George Frederic Handel =D

and of course (so durh), my ultimate all time fav is Fryderyk Chopin..he's my idol..ooo..Christians arent supposed to have idols..hmmm..ok, he's THE BEST composer, to me =D

PS: i DONT worship him

but yea, i was jus wonderin, wad'll it be like to be him..?

not v.nice, i noe..beautiful & feminine Chopin was plagued with illness throughout the mature pt of his life, but in terms of greatness..wad'll it be like??

to indisputably possess a great gift AND to use it throughout your life..wldnt that be terrific??

alas, i am no Chopin..i dont even have an ounce of his bld in my veins nor arteries nor capillaries(havent gone for that test your bld and map out your ancestry thg yet)..

i dont have the gift of composing complicated and vigorous etudes \ soothing nocturnes \ lively mazurkas & polonaises \ delicate valses \ intricate sonatas..

i dont even have charisma nor the gift of gab..

sigh..

but hey, gOd says we're each unique and special to Him..

"everybody's special, Dash"
"which is another way of saying nobody is"
~ Helen & Dash Parr, The Incredibles

if u wanna talk physique, obvious answer : we're all unique (even twins, remember -- finger-prints =])

if u wanna talk personality, obvious answer : we're all different (childish \ mature, direct \ schizophrenic..)

Psalm 139:13-16
for You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. i praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, i know that full well. my frame was not hidden from You when i was made in the secret place. when i was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.

gOd knew YOU even before u existed..even before you were an egg + sperm!!..

how marvellous!!..

we're each given gifts..some born with a greater number of gifts than others..some born with a greater development of a certain gift than others..

1Corinthians 7:7b
each man has his own gift from gOd; one has this gift, another has that.

whichever the case, one thg's for sure, we EACH have AT LEAST one gift..

Romans 12:6-8
we have different gifts, according to the grace given us. if a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

so we can rest assure that we're all gifted..in one way or another..no problem =]

no problem for that..problem comes with the nxt question :

wad are u going to do with the gift(s) u have been entrusted with??

bible has also then answer to that qn..we are to use it(them) to help \serve other pple in Christ & to Christ..we are to use it(them) to serve gOd..

1Peter 4:10
gOd has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others gOd's many kinds of blessing.

all of us together are one body of Christ..each of us are equally important to the other parts of the body..none is greater than the others..each one needs the other..

1Corinthians 12:13 , 21-22 , 24b
each of us is a part of the one body of Christ ... the eye can never say to the hand,"i dont need you." the head cannot say to the feet,"i dont need you." and some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary! ... so gOd put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important.

we are all important to gOd..super important..we're His pple and He loves us dearly..

but a wrd of caution..make full use of the talents & gifts gOd has entrusted each of us with..yi ding yao zhen xi ta..fou zhe gOd will take them away frm us and give them to smone else who knows their value \ worth and use \ exercise them extensively & wisely..

u wil never taste the wonderful and fantastic feelings that come when u use that gift u had once it is taken frm u..

Matthew 25:14-30
(14)"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.
(15)To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.
(16)The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.
(17)So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.
(18)But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
(19)"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
(20)The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
(21)"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
(22)"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
(23)"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
(24)"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
(25)So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
(26)"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?
(27)Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
(28)"Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.
(29)For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
(30)And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

we're all gifted..no doubt bout it..

now qn is : how're u gonna use those gifts??

gOd bLEsS

me

okok..update for my eye problem..
(thank u to those who took time to prayed for me =] ..appreciate it, realli)

the root problem which caused my eye to hurt & become inflamed is food (according to my doctor) ..it's nt that i disagree or nythg..but it's..arrghhh!!..irritating!! ..i mean..i cant eat sausages \ fresh milk \ vitagen \ cheese (monterey jack!) \ ham =x !!

ok..mebe i'm over-reacting..alright, i AM over-reacting..he said eat less =D ..

he prescribed to me the same old eyedrops i've been using ever since i went to see him..but hey! they work..now my eye is not onli WHITE (i mean..the area around the iris), it's NOT hurting!!..thank gOd, man!!.. =D *woo!!*

o..good news!! =]

my aunt is cmg back frm her mission field soon..i cant tel u her name or where she's wrking as gOd's blessed missionary because where she wrks is real dangerous..as in..the govn does NOT like missionaries..at all..

so to protect the precious one of gOd, i'l jus divulge that she's cmg back soon..we'll call her A (as in aunt) for future references..

i'm real proud of A, man..ever since i found out that she was a missionary & wad she does out there, i wanted to be one too..she's like my role model here on earth..i mean..she came frm a non-christian family, and when she announced that she was a christian, her father literally turned his back on her..he didnt approve..(sad)..but she persevered on for gOd..and i'm pretty sure gOd's real glad with her..He looks after her very well too!..her needs are ALWAYS met..and i think she's content..

i'm happy that she's found the purpose gOd has for her and is able to fulfil it =]

gOd be with her always (AMEN!!)

gOd bLEsS

me

good 12 06 afternoon, all!! =D

hope u pple are doin fine and dandy..hope u enjoyed the tv premiere of LOTR 2 : the two towers..

me..i didnt quite enjoy it..they cut quite abit frm wad they screened in the cinema..

watch the uncut version!!..it's wayyyy longer than wad u see at the movies =] ..the third instalment for that trilogy is like at least 4 hrs long..uncut version, that is..

anyways..i'm going to see the eye specialist soon..mebe arnd 14 00..

i've gots a request..and hopefully, if u dont mind..u can pray for me =]

my eye's bcmg funny again..

i haf super sensitv eyes..even the smallest speck of dust can turn my eyeball blood-red..thus, for those who keep asking me, i cant wear contacts..reason y i dont like to wear specs is cos i can see jus fine w/o them..unless ofcourse u block mylong-sighted eye..then i cant see far..

yep..my left eye's a little long-sighted..and my right eye's short-sighted..

my right eye's been giving me sm problems lately..it jus turns red for no apparent reason..and then smtimes it hurts..hurts so bad that i can hear the pain..(it's not a typo..i can HEAR the pain)..

that's y i'm giving in to my mum(she's pestering me to go see the doctor)..even tho it's quite expensive..cos he's a specialist..

anyways..pls pray that my right eye'll start behaving itself..and that we'll be able to find out the source of the redness and the pain..(i'm not too sure it's cos of the dust)..

thx loads

wil keep u posted!!

gOd bLEsS

me

yesterday (140606)my family and i plus my toddler cousin, aren, went for an outing together..

we..went to the moon in 1969, not 1968 but the year after!!..mwahahhaha =D..(if u watched even stevens aired on the disney channel last time, u'd realise that this was actually the song sung by kristy carlson romano aka wren when she forgot to do her project..she got an F..i think..)..anyways..we went to the ZOO!!!!

ahhh..i can enter the university now in peace..and (hopefully) study as hard as i can to graduate well =] ..then i can make my dad and mum proud of the academic me..hahas..

wel..i've always wanted to go to the zoo since last yr..and ytd, my daddy finally helped me make my wish come true!!..THANKS AGAIN DADDY!!!!

we had a great time!!..the camera died at the beginning of the trip..but at least gOd blessed us with minds that remember..twas real fun..

i love the naked mole rats , Growie (the fairest of the young giraffes, born in June) , the lemurs , the spider monkeys , the arapaima (got a big shock when the thg came exploding outta the water so fast that all i saw was white exploded water and a big gaping mouth!! =O ) , the reticulated python , the king cobra , the cheetah , the leopard , the butterflies , the orchids , the horses , the elephants..MAN..i think i love evrythg there..except the evil-eyed cassowary and the pelican..i tel u..the evil-eyed cassowary was following me!! *shivers*

2 thgs were highlighted to me ytd while touring the zoo wih my family..

1. i tried to prevent myself frm walking straight into a spider's web by (hehe) walking crouched down behind my father / siblings when i felt "threatened" ..then when i was walking with my sister pass the 3 young giraffes, we walked into a spider web (ewwwww!!) ..my sister walked on, and proceeded to try to wipe the web off her face while i turned to my mum for help (cos i hate touching the sticky thg and risk touching the spider..u haf no idea how big the spiders at the zoo haave become)..the thg was strung right across the middle of my face!!..passing right below my nose..=p ..

it hit me that when we walk thru life, no matter how much we try (if and when we do) to dodge temptations and snares..basically trying to keep yourself afloat and focussed on walking thru life holding Jesus' hand..we're bound to get stuck in sm kind of web that hinders us..or causes us to become preoccupied..

so wad matters then, is how we react to it : do we
attempt to solve / resolve it ourselves
or
turn to someone / gOd for help?

this, i guess, depends on the magnitude of the problem and our own assessment of our strengths..it also depends on whether or not we can see that we have a problem on our hands in the first place!

the safest bet (that i can think of) is to keep your relationship with gOd as fresh and current as possible.

this means u keep gOd updated on your life (even tho he already knows evrythg including wad ure gonna say & wad's gonna happen)..the choices u make..stuff like that..also..this means that u listen attentively to wad gOd has to say..relationships dont thrive on one way streets..they flourish on 2 way highways!!..

when u do that, u tune your ears and heart and mind to your heavenly Father..He will tell u when u have a problem (thru scripture, thru daily bread, thru pple..)..

then the ball will be in your court : how u react is entirely up to u =]

remember : no problem is too great or too small for gOd

2. my father brought us to the zoo purely because we (i) wanted to go..wo jian chi yao qu..but he could have easily said No..it was too expensive..wad with the 6 of us plus 1 more kid??..not cheap, man..and i'm only talking about the tickets..wad about the snacks along the way??..the ice-cream..the lunch..

(that's also the reason why i whispered to my mum to go smwhere cheap for dinner..we ended up at sembawang eating thai food..yummy!!)

we'd most probably (and most definitely did) get home late..and gather to watch da chang jing til 23 00 ..then make a little fuss b4 we get on the dreamland express at different times..my daddy also had to rush off to sentosa the nxt day (today) for a camp..he's volunteering at FaithAcs (so proud of him =D)..and they'd have to make sure we get up early for piano tuition at boon lay..

point is (b4 u all get tired reading) my father went all out to let us have a nice day at the zoo even tho it may not be the best for him..he may be tired when he got up today..sore all over frm carrying stuff for us..driving us to and from piano class, rush down to sentosa for a 3d-2n camp..

he did all that for a simple yet beautiful reason : he loves us.

Matthew 7:9-12
(9) Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? (10) Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? (11) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! (12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do for you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus basically summed up wad i was thinking of when we exited the zoo carpark..if my daddy can give me such a lovely gift, how much more can my heavenly Father give -- so so so SO SO MUCH MORE!!

i cant wait to get to heaven!!..

tho the road is long and tough..and there will definitely be trials and difficulties..but Jesus is there for me!! no problem is too great or too small for Him!! (AMEN)..

i dont realli like to talk abt the reward at the end of the race to those who finish victorious by gOd's grace and mercy, but it DOES exist..

the reward for ALL TRUE & FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS is heaven..wad more could we ask for than to be able to praise and worship and rely on gOd for all eternity??..that (to me) is heaven!!

when the going gets tough..when it gets real hard to keep the faith, we shld rely more on gOd our saviour, our rock, our shield, our high tower!! when u feel tired, drained out..and the temptation to throw in the towel is jus far too great for you, think of the reward -- to be able to spend an eternity at gOd's feet worshipping and praising Him!!

that reward far outweighs the suffering we have to go thru here on earth.

of that, i am certain!

yea..that's pretty much the stuff that was emphasized ytd when we were having fun in the zoo =D ..

luvvit.

anyways, i jus remembered..when i was walking past a big spider on its web at the entrance to the jaguar exhibit, i hummed a song that i sang so long ago..and i jus thought, wad a reminder!!

any guesses wad the song is??

hahas =D ..cant remember who wrote it..and i cant remember the exact lyrics tho..hehe..

here goes!!

walking with Jesus
walking everyday
walking all the way

walking with Jesus
walking with Jesus all day

walking in the sunshine
walking in the shadow
walking everday
walking all the way

walking with Jesus
walking with Jesus all day

gOd bLEsS

me

mr Edmund Chan has kindly da ying le wo de qing qiu =] (thank u loads for replying my email, sir!!)

he's the guy that spoke the msg that i found real interesting and thus wanted to share with u pple (ref. Global Day of Prayer post) ..

basically, we were asked to re-examine a puzzling saying by Jesus on the Mount..

upon doing so, 3 main points were brought up :

the SINGLE TREASURE
Matthew 6:19-21
(19) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

the SINGLE EYE
Matthew 6:22-23
(22) The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. (23) But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

the SINGLE MASTER
Matthew 6:24
(24) No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

in these verses,

1. gOd exposes one of the greatest problems of discipleship : Double-mindedness

notice the singular "eye" in the beginning of verse 22..this singleness is highlighted in the 21st century King James version ( the light of the body is the eye. If therefore thine eye is single, thy whole body shall be full of light.)

so wad exactly is this "eye" ? isit the heart? the mind? the perception?
this "eye" refers to and denotes a single-minded aim \ focus in life..

the problem, then, defined here is not worldly-minded Christians, but double-minded Chrisitans!..mr Chan used the illustration of the partial obedience of Saul ( 1 Samuel 15) to emphasize the problem of not being whole-hearted..

James 1:6-8
(6) But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anythg from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

2 Chronicles 16:9
(9) For the eyes of the Lord ranged throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.

gOd wants hearts that are fully committed to Him..hearts that are completely His!!

2. gOd also warns us that double-mindedness leads to the Darkness of deception

Matthew 6:23 precedes Matthew 6:33 (But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well)

Jesus didnt say "Dont START" to store up treasures for yourselves on earth He said "STOP" doing that!!

the temptation to store up treasures here on earth no doubt is great, but we need to learn to see thgs long-term..

gOd doesnt want us to be good stewards of wad WE own..He wants us to be good stewards of wad HE owns!!

3. gOd wants to change our double-mindedness in All areas of our lives

when we look into ourselves, peel back all layers that envelopes us..what do we find??

do we find darkness??..emptiness??..

or do we find a blinding light??..do we find our Lord Jesus??..

on The Apprentice (and i've also heard frm sm pple) , the line "people do not change" is heard..that is actually the leading leadership mantra of North America..

the truth is people dont change by themselves..either they cant or they dont want to..but gOd CAN change them!!

(my fav verse : Luke 1:37 : For nothing is impossible with God.)

so in conclusion, we asked the Lord to change us..

but wad do we change FOR??..wad do we change TO??

the answer is found in Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

-- our single-minded focus : to seek FIRST the kingdom of gOd

gOd bLEsS

me

today is a rainy lazy day-y..

you know wad it feels like??..feels like gOd is washing his home up there..great!!..means that when we die and go to heaven, we'll have a wonderful spectacular magical gleeming sqeakingly clean eternal home =D (alright!!) ..hahas..

yesterday, i got lazy..i looked thru old photographs..i washed up breakfast dishes..i played the piano..then i went out to accompany elly from thompson plaza to balmoral plaza..then i went to salvation army Haven for tuition..after which my mum fetched me from there to church to practise on the baby grand with gloria..then i came hm..

didja notice smthgs are missing??

today i'm at hm alone (nice.)

and i did smthg that i haf never ever done before :

i partook my daily bread
i read the bible verses
and then..
i sang songs to gOd (by myself)!!
and i talked to him on my knees

and while i was doin that..i thought wldnt it be great if i had a few friends over and we did a little mini-worship to gOd??..i mean..it'd be a lil embarrassing for my friends to see me crying while praying and singing (cos when i cry out to gOd, the tears realli stream from my eyes..literally..) ..but hey..focus on gOd!! when i sing songs..the lyrics realli mean alot..and i am jus overwhelmed by the sovereignty of gOd and his unconditional love..i cant help it..i jus..choke up..

anyways..ytd's daily bread (in case ure wondering, that and the prayers bit was missing frm wad i recounted)..

wel..ytd's daily passage consisted of a few readings frm various parts of the bible..

and when i read them out loud to gOd, i cried..they meant so much to me..and i wanna share them with you..gOd is THE best author..THE best poet..THE most accurate one..praise gOd!!

taken frm Our Journey Jun . Jul . Aug 2006 , June 8 Thursday :

FEED YOUR SOUL

Psalms 119:89-112
(89) Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens]

(90) Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.

(91) All [the whole universe] are Your servants; therefore they continue this day according to Your ordinances.

(92) Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

(93) I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life).

(94) I am Yours, therefore save me [Your own]; for I have sought (inquired of and for) Your precepts and required them [as my urgent need]

(95) The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies.

(96) I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity].

(97) Oh, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

(98) You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me.

(99) I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation.

(100) I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].

(101) I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

(102) I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.

(103) How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

(104) Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

(105) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

(106) I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].

(107) I am sorely afflicted; renew and quicken me [give me life], O Lord, according to Your word!

(108) Accept, I beseech You, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances.

(109) My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law.

(110) The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I do not stray from Your precepts.

(111) Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

(112) I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.

Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
(16) All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for the training in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be competent and equipped for every good work.

when i didnt do my daily bread ytd, and for the countless times i neglected the practice, i felt exactly how James MacDonald felt :
... my heart goes hungry. But when i feast on the Bread of Life, my heart overflows with joy.

i am glad to be back in His loving, strong and protecting arms =]

i love gOd with all my heart and in His presence, that's where i always want to be..i jus want to be with you, Lord..

dont do your daily bread..sing worship songs..go to church..read the bible out of habit..dont make it a meaningless ritual..

do it because you want to..out of love for gOd..to want to know His words..because u are eager and excited and want to be filled with His nourishing words!!..do it because u need it..else your soul dies from hunger and thirst..

mr. MacDonald says to consider how often you substitute the words of men for the Word of God. How many newspapers or magazines or website articles do u read before you read His word?

it doesnt mean that u cant read newspapers or magazines or website articles..it simply means that if u have onli 5 minutes, would you rather read world and worldly news or God's news??..which would you choose??

Don Moen -- i want to be where You are

i just want to be where You are
dwelling daily in Your presence
i dont want to worship from afar
draw me near to where You are

i just want to be where You are
in Your dwelling place forever
take me to the place where You are
i just want to be with You

i want to be where You are
dwelling daily in Your presence
feasting at Your table
surrounded by Your glory
in Your presence
that's where i always want to be

i just want to be
i just want to be with You

O my gOd
You are my strength and my song
and when i'm in Your presence
thought i'm weak You're always strong

i just want to be where You are
in Your dwelling place forever
take me to the place where You are

i just want to be
i just want to be with You

if u missed the GDOP last sunday 040606 : 19 00 - 22 00 @ the National Stadium, u shld not miss the nxt one!!

here's a lil backgrnd for it :

It all started out in SOuth Africa as a DAY of Repentance and Prayer initiated by African leaders for African natons. Very quickly, the movement gained momentum, exceeding everybody's wildest dreams. Following the leading of the Holy Spirit, Africa invited the rest of the world to koin hands with her in a global day of prayer. This will be on Pentecost Sunday every year from 2005 until 2010. For the inaugural launch in Year 2005, reportedly more than 200 million Christians representing 156 nations participated. In stadiums large or small, in open fields, at market squares, in churches and other public venues, God's people united in prayer. It was broadcast by hundreds of radio and television stations around the world.

2 Chronicles 7:14
if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge and the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

(above material was pinched frm the "Pentecost Sunday June 4, 2006 The Global Day Of Prayer National Stadium . Singapore" booklet distributed on the stated date)

to tell u the truth, i was a little apprehensive abt going for this one..the last event this big that i attended was the Festival of Praise..and i was kinda turned off by how thgs went there..people prayed over the microphone so everyone can hear them in tongues..there's nthg wrong with praying or speaking or singing in tongues cos the bible said such thgs can and will happen when sm pple who haf the gift are filled with the holy spirit..but for me, i've nv been exposed to such thgs at all, and so became afraid..actually, i cried *smiles sheepishly* ..y do u wanna pray in tongues so everyone can hear you when not everyone can understand wad ure saying and ure supposed to be praying together??..i dont understand..i mean..if u pray in english \ chinese \ malay \ tamil..okay...pple understand when u wanna pray together as one..but not everyone can speak in tongues and can understand..so how do u achieve this praying as one mind and one soul if u speak in a tongue that not many understand??..

also..i thought i'd sleep..cos 3 hrs of prayer??..so i thought no point going..

but man, am i glad my father forced me to go!!..(THANK YOU, DADDY!!)

we started of with worship..twas GREAT!!..i love worshipping gOd with so so so SO SO MANY brothers and sisters in Christ!!..it's like..man, gOd realli CANNOT ignore the noise we made!!..i felt real content and real happy jus standing there raising my hands to the gOd and jus singing my lungs out!!..(great venue..wasnt too hot..and u can see the sky!!)

the charismatic churches and the conservative churches came together..the english and the malay..the chinese and the hokkien and the indian..i even saw a family of africans =D (cool!!)

then there were abt 2 msg sharings by pastors and rev.s and rev. doctors of various churches here in Singapore..i found one msg real interesting..i've emailed the organisers to see if i can get a copy of the main points shared so i can post it here for u guys to read in greater detail and accuracy =] ..if i cant geddit, i'l post wad i remember to the best of my abilities!!

and we prayed for
1. our relationship with gOd (confession -- repentance)
2. our relationship with one another (consecration -- forgiveness)
3. our responsibility to the nations (commission)

we each had different flags for the 30 different nations we were praying for..i spied Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Kazakistan, Tajikistan, Nepal, Japen, South Korea, Cambodia, M'sia, Indo, India, China, Israel..man..i gotta go learn all the flags of the world..i think i saw senegal..cant be too sure bout that tho..we were to pray for the nation whose flag we each had..

my flag was that of Laos =]

it was awesome!!

to sing songs to gOd..to talk to gOd..to hear from gOd..

to be amongst His many children raising our hands and our voices to the Lord..

to onli have to look up and see the beautiful blue sky..

to know that He's smiling down at you..to know that He's listening..to know that He's happy with you..

it's all i need. it's all i want.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
(word of caution : not EVRYTHG u ask for will be given..it depends ultimately on the Lord's will and plan..but rest assured, He hears you =] )

ps : when i get the msg, i'l post it w/o delay..promise!!

gOd bLEsS

me