I don't want to be just alive, I want to live...
The captain, the big fat captain said that.
The desire to have a purpose of existance.
Even the robots had that...and it drives them.
The heart of existance. Thank God He has written that in the book called the bible.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
A chance to go begging....
4 years ago, a company asked whether I would like to join their company and be their regional technical specialist. I would have a 20% pay increase and 6 months bonus and a car allowance.
I decline simply I felt unsettled about flying and there wasn't a desire to really leave my existing job. In other words, I was resistant in a way to change. I thought about it long and hard but still came to a conclusion, that I would not. I do not think I pray long and hard about this matter, it was more drawn to my mind concluding that it wasn't the best time to leave. The pay was good. But as I didn't feel any excitment about the new job, I decline eventually.
Life could have been very different.
Decisions in life can change one's life journey dramatically. A choice. A decision.
4 years has gone. By the turning of an eye. In a way I am more glad than ever. Certain experiences one can have can never be learnt till he walked a certain journey. Like the Samaritan that walked through Jericho, would not be able to minister to the injured Jew if he hadn't walk that way.
Our Lord met the woman at the well, of course being God, He knew His purpose. I don't. Neither the Samaritian. But in all of life, every pathway, every choice we made, I believed as a Christian, God meant it for His good and so our good. Our good is only when we believed His good for us. Only when we love the good of God in and through our life, we wouldn't even see the bad as good.
Frustrated at times I am at the workload I have and fleeting thoughts of why shouldn't I leave for that job 4 years ago? This thought had crept into my mind before, but slowly I saw that faith in God is what pleasure in God is all about and I soon concede that His plan is far better and exceedingly more glad than anything else. The more I go through each day, the more transient I realise life is, the more I hinge a greater hope in God. Sin and temptations still abound but I hope a heavenward thinking will lift me off the grab of sin slowly but sure. I know that sin is only a sudden decision away. O if not for the grace of God, where comes my restrain.
The battle of unbelief and the battle of belief. Which is stronger. I feel unbelief is a easier option to fall into. So our Lord says, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." Sin is sinful becuase it is sin. The evil thereof is the sin not the temptation. Hence our Lord says it plainly, to deliver us from evil. Evil is the devil's work. What greter deliverance is needed than to be delivered from the evil one Himself. O God spare us that the devil becomes our Lord. With unbelief we fall into that.
The struggle and battle of sin is ever so real. I must pray. I must. I must be aware of His saving grace. I must be aware that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. As the whole hymn that says, "O how I need Thee every hour." How true.
And so I must pray more and more.
I decline simply I felt unsettled about flying and there wasn't a desire to really leave my existing job. In other words, I was resistant in a way to change. I thought about it long and hard but still came to a conclusion, that I would not. I do not think I pray long and hard about this matter, it was more drawn to my mind concluding that it wasn't the best time to leave. The pay was good. But as I didn't feel any excitment about the new job, I decline eventually.
Life could have been very different.
Decisions in life can change one's life journey dramatically. A choice. A decision.
4 years has gone. By the turning of an eye. In a way I am more glad than ever. Certain experiences one can have can never be learnt till he walked a certain journey. Like the Samaritan that walked through Jericho, would not be able to minister to the injured Jew if he hadn't walk that way.
Our Lord met the woman at the well, of course being God, He knew His purpose. I don't. Neither the Samaritian. But in all of life, every pathway, every choice we made, I believed as a Christian, God meant it for His good and so our good. Our good is only when we believed His good for us. Only when we love the good of God in and through our life, we wouldn't even see the bad as good.
Frustrated at times I am at the workload I have and fleeting thoughts of why shouldn't I leave for that job 4 years ago? This thought had crept into my mind before, but slowly I saw that faith in God is what pleasure in God is all about and I soon concede that His plan is far better and exceedingly more glad than anything else. The more I go through each day, the more transient I realise life is, the more I hinge a greater hope in God. Sin and temptations still abound but I hope a heavenward thinking will lift me off the grab of sin slowly but sure. I know that sin is only a sudden decision away. O if not for the grace of God, where comes my restrain.
The battle of unbelief and the battle of belief. Which is stronger. I feel unbelief is a easier option to fall into. So our Lord says, "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil." Sin is sinful becuase it is sin. The evil thereof is the sin not the temptation. Hence our Lord says it plainly, to deliver us from evil. Evil is the devil's work. What greter deliverance is needed than to be delivered from the evil one Himself. O God spare us that the devil becomes our Lord. With unbelief we fall into that.
The struggle and battle of sin is ever so real. I must pray. I must. I must be aware of His saving grace. I must be aware that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. As the whole hymn that says, "O how I need Thee every hour." How true.
And so I must pray more and more.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
God is the Gospel
Just had lunch. And its friday.
Some thoughts cross my mind just. It was in the morning. Myriad of them.
Infact as I pondered on certain things, I realise quite a few things. I believe it is the reaction of What John Piper said in His DVD series, "God is the Gospel." means.
John Piper ask this question. Why did God created things? And being things they are of 2nd order to the creator. Nothing created can be higher. But all these things exist for the potential of idolatary. He went on to explain and illustrate it by bread and water. Jesus said He is the bread of life and also whoever comes to Him will not thirst. The creation of bread and water can allow us to transpose whatever natural need, to have the emotion to understand what it means to be hungry and thirsty for spiritual senses. The creation of things with the potential of idolatary or even joy could elevate us the understanding that we can have a delight above all delights, a love of God above all loves so there is constrast...there is a difference. The more I think about it, that is so true. Light and darkness. Treasure and junk. Why Paul can say I count all things as loss that I may gain Christ.
Tonight I am sharing about Christ being our treasure. Somehow watching the DVD has illuminate and gave me a living perspective about Christ. If Jesus isn't in heaven, would I still want to be there?
I have faced a number of disappointments in life. Mainly relationships. Yet those disappointments has reinforced the unfailing love of God. I don't think I am building an Ah Q mentality. We transposed hunger we realised in physical hunger what is spiritual hunger because we can draw understanding from a physical point of view, what hunger meant. If we have desire for something, we earnestly want it more. The word hunger, put together with God meant something if we experienced fasting, if we experienced hunger physically before. A Godward hunger. Spiritually we will understand our greater need for God. Hence, upon hindsight, these disappointments are necessary I believe in the journey I have with God to let me know His unfailing love for me. I have met failures before so I can in a sense understand what success and perfection means.
There is a need for me to learn this. A bent of my own heart to let toys rule. To let worldly desire rule. No matter how I try to deny it, unless I go through the school of life and with God opening my eyes, I would never understand all these lessons.
I must learn these that I will see a greater treasure of God. God indeed is the gospel. I must habour in my own heart this, I want to be in heaven because Jesus is there.
Some thoughts cross my mind just. It was in the morning. Myriad of them.
Infact as I pondered on certain things, I realise quite a few things. I believe it is the reaction of What John Piper said in His DVD series, "God is the Gospel." means.
John Piper ask this question. Why did God created things? And being things they are of 2nd order to the creator. Nothing created can be higher. But all these things exist for the potential of idolatary. He went on to explain and illustrate it by bread and water. Jesus said He is the bread of life and also whoever comes to Him will not thirst. The creation of bread and water can allow us to transpose whatever natural need, to have the emotion to understand what it means to be hungry and thirsty for spiritual senses. The creation of things with the potential of idolatary or even joy could elevate us the understanding that we can have a delight above all delights, a love of God above all loves so there is constrast...there is a difference. The more I think about it, that is so true. Light and darkness. Treasure and junk. Why Paul can say I count all things as loss that I may gain Christ.
Tonight I am sharing about Christ being our treasure. Somehow watching the DVD has illuminate and gave me a living perspective about Christ. If Jesus isn't in heaven, would I still want to be there?
I have faced a number of disappointments in life. Mainly relationships. Yet those disappointments has reinforced the unfailing love of God. I don't think I am building an Ah Q mentality. We transposed hunger we realised in physical hunger what is spiritual hunger because we can draw understanding from a physical point of view, what hunger meant. If we have desire for something, we earnestly want it more. The word hunger, put together with God meant something if we experienced fasting, if we experienced hunger physically before. A Godward hunger. Spiritually we will understand our greater need for God. Hence, upon hindsight, these disappointments are necessary I believe in the journey I have with God to let me know His unfailing love for me. I have met failures before so I can in a sense understand what success and perfection means.
There is a need for me to learn this. A bent of my own heart to let toys rule. To let worldly desire rule. No matter how I try to deny it, unless I go through the school of life and with God opening my eyes, I would never understand all these lessons.
I must learn these that I will see a greater treasure of God. God indeed is the gospel. I must habour in my own heart this, I want to be in heaven because Jesus is there.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Olympics
Maybe I am old and getting dull..but still intrigued by especially the gymnast athletic sommersaults. Breathaking..But realise, while I can watch, I won't be able to do the stuff they do. Age and size is not on my side.
But nevertheless beautiful display of artistry. At its finest.
Well, surprisingly Brazil lost to Argentina. I shouldn't say surprisingly. Argentina was good. More inventive with their passes than hapless Brazil. Well, fortune favours the brave. But best of all 2 Liverpool players played in the semi-finals. (Know who I am talking about - look at the picture below)
When you are old, you tend to get more sentimental yet more passive.
Got 2 free tickets of 12 lotus, still undecided how to go about using it. At this rate I am thinking, it would be most likely the show would be over and it will end up on the waste paper basket somehow. Just like the Olympics..soon it would be over and another 4 years before the grasp begin. I would grasp when I see the tickets in a few weeks time and say, Opps, show is over...
But nevertheless beautiful display of artistry. At its finest.
Well, surprisingly Brazil lost to Argentina. I shouldn't say surprisingly. Argentina was good. More inventive with their passes than hapless Brazil. Well, fortune favours the brave. But best of all 2 Liverpool players played in the semi-finals. (Know who I am talking about - look at the picture below)
When you are old, you tend to get more sentimental yet more passive.
Got 2 free tickets of 12 lotus, still undecided how to go about using it. At this rate I am thinking, it would be most likely the show would be over and it will end up on the waste paper basket somehow. Just like the Olympics..soon it would be over and another 4 years before the grasp begin. I would grasp when I see the tickets in a few weeks time and say, Opps, show is over...
Saturday, August 9, 2008
St John's Island
Beautiful day at St John's Island - Nice relaxing day..fishing and enjoying the fireworks at night. Happy National Day!
Nice..nice and really nice.
Spent a really good day with Justin, Rachel, Ruth and Michaela...Thank God for that...
Enjoy the Pics..it tells a thousand words :)
Nice..nice and really nice.
Spent a really good day with Justin, Rachel, Ruth and Michaela...Thank God for that...
Enjoy the Pics..it tells a thousand words :)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Looking back
It is a strange thing indeed.
But I realise the experience of emotions can only come richer with age. Comes richer because of richer experience in life.
A tear, a laughter, a smile, can be frivalous yet bearing depth.
A grief of deep sorrow or a smile of deep elation, who knows except the spirit of a man.
The scribe of emotions would only lift his pen when his heart so speaks.
Somehow, the days that has gone by have placed in my soul, a note, a musical note that would best describe those days and years that have gone by.
Richer each day and I hope all the more wiser.
A day pleasant, indeed gives the heart a reason to rejoice. A settled mind for the day, gives the soul a thanksgiving song.
Life simplicity, Life excitment, I am more mellowed but yet all contentment of life leaves my heart gladder than before.
Thank God for diminishing the allurements that once would have greatly unsettled this soul.
But I realise the experience of emotions can only come richer with age. Comes richer because of richer experience in life.
A tear, a laughter, a smile, can be frivalous yet bearing depth.
A grief of deep sorrow or a smile of deep elation, who knows except the spirit of a man.
The scribe of emotions would only lift his pen when his heart so speaks.
Somehow, the days that has gone by have placed in my soul, a note, a musical note that would best describe those days and years that have gone by.
Richer each day and I hope all the more wiser.
A day pleasant, indeed gives the heart a reason to rejoice. A settled mind for the day, gives the soul a thanksgiving song.
Life simplicity, Life excitment, I am more mellowed but yet all contentment of life leaves my heart gladder than before.
Thank God for diminishing the allurements that once would have greatly unsettled this soul.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Isaiah 61
The Good News of Salvation
1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins,They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,And the sons of the foreigner
Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 “ For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.”
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
The Good News of Salvation
1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins,They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,And the sons of the foreigner
Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6 But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double;
Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 “ For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.”
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)