Developing Self-Control

Was out having lunch when a young friend when we found out that he is in the school's athletic team. Ad was teasing him to do a short run and he really sprinted off! As he ran, Ad made an observation on his running posture and commented for him to control his palm like how top sprinters run to make their body more aerodynamic.

Then it strike me that even something as small as how we hold our palm matters in a run (cos I always thought that running only involves leg power hee hee). Imagine how much energy, time, effort is spent on training to perfect this posture for a few seconds of glory? If we learn from the best, chances of getting better results is higher!

What about life then? Wont there be even MORE things for us to learn such that we can be a better person? Who better to learn from other than Christ?

I thought this reading was very appropriate for those who keeps going round in circles, repeatedly making the same life's mistakes, its all about self-control!

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Developing Self-Control
by Rick Warren


Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

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Self-control brings with it the good feeling of competency. Like a finely-tuned precision automobile, your life stays on course with the slightest touch of steering. The results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security.

Self-control and self-discipline are also key factors in any success you hope to have in this life. Without self-discipline, you are unlikely to achieve anything of lasting value.

The Apostle Paul realized this when he wrote, “Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25 GNT)

Olympic athletes train for years in order to have a chance to win a brief moment of glory. But the race we are running is far more important than any earthly athletic event. So self-control is not optional for Christians.

How do we gain true self-control?

1. Admit your problem. The starting point for developing self-control is to face what God has already said about me: I am responsible for my behavior.

James 1:14 (PH) says, “A man’s temptation is due to the pull of his own inward desires, which can be enormously attractive.”


Do you realize what that says? It says you do things because you like to do them! When I do something I know is bad for me, I still do it because I like to do it. I want to do it; it’s an inner desire.

Do you want more self-control? Admit you have a problem and be specific about it. Begin praying specifically about your problem areas.

2. Put your past behind you. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal ….”

This verse exposes a misconception that will keep you from gaining self-control: Once a failure, always a failure.

Failure in the past does not mean you’ll never be able to change. Focusing on past failures, however, does guarantee their repetition. It’s like driving a car and looking in the rearview mirror the whole time. You’re going to collide with what’s ahead of you.

Ask God to help you put your past behind you.

Resisting Discouragement

I have been receiving this email like 4-5times within 2weeks! I thought that I had read the first copy pretty clearly and kept deleting the rest hee... When I re-read this copy again, I realised that its exactly what I needed to read!

There are some situations which I really cannot figure out, some very interesting situations... which makes me think that there really IS a whole different world out there.... That world... is a seriously wrapped and dangerous world, one which I wouldn't want to be in. In a way, I'm grateful that I'm allowed a "preview" of what can happen if we do not conduct ourselves in the proper way or if we allow our emotions to get ahead of us. It is a very strong lesson on FOCUS.

Why do I say its focus and not priorities? Because, priorities feels like something that we put on our A list but we may not necessary do anything actively about it. Whereas FOCUS feels more like its in your face, you HAVE to just set all your eyes, brain power, physical abilities on it and nothing else. FOCUS does not allow room for alternatives. And when we do not allow ourselves to think of alternatives, then there is NO room for adverse situations! hee hee.... is it too abstract? I give eg.

I'm using Marriage as an example: In a marriage, if the couple is filled with focus on developing a more loving relationship, seeking ways to continuously fulfilling each other needs, putting their lives together as their main aim. This leaves little room for doubt, neglect etc. They will be tight tight together, they have strong emotional connection, leaving little distance between them.

That's my theory! hee.... u can write in the comments to tell me if this works... or just a lousy shitty theory.

In any way, I'm very grateful for this article.... because once again, God has answered one of my many prayers and teaching me how I should be in my short stint on earth should be like. :D

Thank You Lord!

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Resisting Discouragement
by Rick Warren


So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Galatians 6:9 (NLT)


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There are many things that work to keep us from completing our life-missions. Over the years, I’ve debated whether the worst enemy is procrastination or discouragement. If Satan can’t get us to put off our life missions, then he’ll try to get us to quit altogether.

The apostle Paul teaches that we need to resist discouragement: “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up …” (Galatians 6:9 NLT).


Do you ever get tired of doing what’s right? I think we all do. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing than the right thing.

When we’re discouraged, we become ineffective. When we’re discouraged, we work against our own faith.

When I’m discouraged, I’m saying, “It can’t be done.” That’s the exact opposite of saying, “I know God can do it because he said ….”

Ask yourself these questions:

· How do I handle failure?

· When things don’t go my way, do I get grumpy?

· When things don’t go my way, do I get frustrated?

· When things don’t go my way, do I start complaining?

· Do I finish what I start?

· How would I rate on persistence?

If you’re discouraged, don’t give up without a fight. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without endurance and energy.

When an artist starts to create a sculpture, he has to keep chipping away. He doesn’t hit the chisel with the hammer once, and suddenly all the excess stone falls away revealing a beautiful masterpiece. He keeps hitting it and hitting it, chipping away at the stone.

And that’s true of life, too: Nothing really worthwhile ever comes easy in life. You keep hitting it and going after it, and little-by-little your life becomes a masterpiece of God’s grace.

The fact is, great people are really just ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Great people don’t know how to quit.

God’s Purpose In Suffering

God’s Purpose In Suffering
by Rick Warren

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son …. Romans 8:29 (NIV)

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Did Jesus suffer? Was Jesus sometimes lonely? Was he tempted to be discouraged? Was he misunderstood, maligned, and criticized unjustly?

As you read through the Gospels, you’ll quickly see that the answer to all these questions is: YES. So, what makes any of us think we’ll be exempted from suffering or loneliness or discouragement or unjust criticism?

The truth is, God is developing within you the character of Christ, and in order to do this, he must take you through all of the circumstances in life that he took Christ through. This means God is more interested in your character than your comfort, and he’s more concerned about your holiness than your happiness. So, the question is not if you’ll go through dark times in life, rather it’s when you’ll go through them.

Does God cause these tragedies? No. God is good, and he cannot cause evil, nor do evil. But God can use these dark and stressful times for good; he’ll use them to build a Christlike character within us.

So, what should you do when you go through difficult times?

Refuse to be discouraged – David said, “I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4 NIV). This implies a choice, an act of decision. As Jesus faced the cross, he made a choice to follow God’s will; he made a choice to face down fear; he made a choice to ignore despair.

Remember God is with you – David said, “For you are with me” (Psalm 23:4 NIV). God not only promises his power, he promises his presence. We will never go through a dark day alone. Jesus knew he wasn’t alone as he walked out his passion.

Rely on God’s protection and guidance – David said in Psalm 23:4 that God’s rod and staff comforted him. The rod and staff were basic tools a shepherd used to protect and guide the sheep. God will be with you, and he’ll protect and guide you. Jesus could have called down 10,000 angels; he could have called his disciples to arms; instead he relied on God to protect and guide him.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

How to Handle Failure

What a timely article :-)

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How to Handle Failure
by Rick Warren

Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. Proverbs 20:30 (GNT)

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No one’s life is an unbroken chain of victories. We all experience setbacks, defeats, losses, and failures. Nobody bats a thousand. We all make mistakes.

Since failure is common to all of us, one of the most important life-skills you can learn is how to respond to it. Mature people know how to turn every failure into a learning experience, a stepping stone for future success.

The first thing to do is to analyze why you experienced failure. Although there may be a variety of reasons – many out of your control – here are five common causes of failure:

· When we don’t plan ahead – As the old saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” Proverbs 27:12 (LB) says, “A sensible man watches for problems ahead and prepares to meet them.” Remember, Noah had to start building the ark long before it started raining!

· When we think we’ve “arrived” – Remember the lesson of the whale: just when you get to the top, and you start to blow– that’s when you get harpooned! Proverbs 16:18 (GNT) says, “Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance leads to downfall.” In other words, the man who gets too big for his britches will be exposed in the end.

· When we’re afraid to take necessary risks – The fear of failure can cause failure. We worry about what others will think of us if we fail, so we don’t even try. Former U.S. football player Fran Tarkenton says, “Fear sets you up to be a loser.” We fail to take advantage of golden opportunities. “Fear of man is a dangerous trap” (Proverbs 29:25 LB).

· When we give up too soon – Many times, success is just around the corner. Remember, the game is often won in the final seconds. If at first you don’t succeed … you’re normal! Keep on keeping on! The value of a postage stamp is found in its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there. “A lazy fellow has trouble all through life” (Proverbs 15:19 LB).

· When we ignore God’s advice – The Bible is our owner’s manual for life. It is filled with practical instructions and guidelines for work, home, finances, relationships, and health. When we fail to follow these, we’re asking for trouble. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV).

But remember failure is never final unless you let it be!

If you’ve experienced failure, here are some steps for starting over:

· Accept responsibility for your own failure – If you’ve made a mistake, admit it! Welcome to the human race. Don’t blame others. “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance” (Proverbs 28:13 LB).

· Recognize the benefits of failure – For instance, it shows you what doesn’t work. The great inventor Thomas Edison said, “Don’t call it a failure. Call it an education!” Failure forces you to be more creative.

· Failure prevents arrogance and egotism – If everything you did was a stunning success, no one could live with you! It causes you to re-evaluate what’s important in life. Failure is one way God gets us to reflect on the direction of our lives. “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways” (Proverbs 20:30 GNT).

· Ask God for wisdom to understand the cause for the failure – Ask, “Why did I fail? Is there any reason I might have set myself up to fail?”

· Forget the past and focus on the future – Your past is past! It’s water under the bridge. You can’t change it so you may as well stop worrying about it.

Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (GWT)

Be encouraged!

Loving Difficult People

Loving Difficult People has always been a challenge for me, there are just some individuals that stick out of my reach, their practices, way of life, value system, ethical values and yet I cant throw away the years of friendship that has been formed before these differences caused a wedge between us. Its good to have some guidelines to live with when facing these difficult people. Now its a matter of putting that into practise! ;-)

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Loving Difficult People
by Rick Warren

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NIV)

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When asked what he considered the most valuable skill in employees, the financier John D. Rockefeller replied, “The ability to get along with people!”

One of the most important skills we can develop as we walk with Christ is knowing how to love troublemakers. If you learn how to interact with difficult people, then you’ll be able to pour your energy into areas of ministry rather than constantly putting out fires of conflict.

Here are four methods Jesus modeled when he encounter difficult people:

1. Realize you can’t please everybody. Even God can’t do that! Refuse to play games (Matthew 22:18).

2. Learn to say no to unrealistic expectations. Confront them by “telling the truth in love.”

3.NEVER retaliate (Matthew 5:38-39). It only lowers you to their level.

4.Pray for them (Matthew 5:44). It will help both of you. Let God speak to them.

Daily Manna

Daily Manna from the 'Net for Tuesday, April 8

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2 NIV

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I like this passage, because its a reminder to me that God makes all possible! Even the impossible. We must go on believing in Him, all things are possible :)

Jesus Or The Boat?

Jesus Or The Boat?
by Jon Walker


“But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.” Matthew 14:24 (HCSB)


*** *** *** ***

Jesus needed time to refresh and so he sent his disciples on ahead, across the Sea of Galilee in one of their fishing boats. But storms sweep across this inland sea like tornados that emerge from nowhere.

And now the disciples were in a fight with the Goliath-like forces of nature. Some of the disciples were fishermen. They understood the danger, and so they fought the storm long and hard, but made little headway.

It was three o’clock in the morning, that no-man’s-land time of day when you haven’t yet escaped the night, but you still haven’t crossed into morning. It’s the kind of time when you wonder if you’ll even make it through until sunrise.

The Golan Heights, rising from the water like a wall within a quarry, are hard to distinguish against a sky so dark and drench. They’re over a mile from shore, and the water is transforming into an evil presence, so deep and so menacing.

And just then, someone on the boat yells, “Look! What is that? It looks like a man, but it just can’t be.” Before he’s even finished saying them, his words disappear into the wailing wind. But no one has to say anything else. All eyes are on this ghostly figure walking toward them like an incarnation of the storm!

And then Jesus says, “It is I.” (v. 27)


What does this mean?

· Jesus or the boat? – When faced with such a situation, where is the safest place to be? In the boat or in the arms of Jesus?

· Jesus peace – Logic tells us we’re safer in the boat; but the Bible tells us we’re safer in the arms of Jesus, the Lord and Master over the storm. He offers a peace that passes all understanding.

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Have you ever experienced situations when you are in panic? You feel like there's nothing you can do to change a very tight situation? There's a few million thoughts racing through your head, its just going to explode!

That's the best time to surrender your thoughts, your mind to Christ, pray for him to instill the sense of peace and stillness in you. Ask for his guidance in your thoughts, in your words and in your actions. He will provide you with the most unbelievable experience you've ever felt.

*He offers a peace that passes all understanding!*

The “God-Chip” Empowerment

by Jon Walker

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

God empowers you to successfully do everything he asks to do. He gives you abilities to use in service to others, and he transforms you inwardly with a growing desire to serve others.

The Holy Spirit within gives you the ability to tune into God, to hear him, to listen to him – and to talk with him. Please hear this: he didn’t create you for failure; he created you to succeed with the Holy Spirit energizing your abilities and empowering your efforts.

Perhaps you’ve noticed the small stickers on many computers that say, “Powered by [‘this-brand-of’ chip].” In a sense, you have the “God-chip” powering your life as a follower of Christ; you are empowered by the one and only, Holy God, who’s placed his Holy Spirit within you.

God designed you to succeed, but only when you’re dependent upon him. Without him, you simply will not succeed in the things God calls important and calls you to do. With him, you’re guaranteed to succeed in all he’s called you to complete.

What does this mean?

· Trust God and succeed – In order to succeed at your God-mission, you need to trust God; in other words, believe in faith that he will empower you to succeed. Tell God your fears and ask him to replace them with faith.

· Inner strength comes from God – “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 3:16, NLT)

Making Allowance For Each Other’s Faults

by Jon Walker

“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2b NLT)

The more we understand, the more patient we become.

When we see the hurt beneath the anger, or the reason behind the behavior, we’re more likely to “make allowance for each other’s faults.”

The ability to understand is a sign of patience. (Proverbs 14:29) The Bible teaches, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV) God’s wisdom teaches us that love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4), and that impatience is not love.

When facing a challenge to our patience, it helps to remember God is not asking us to give more patience to others than the patience he gives to us. The apostle Paul uses his own life as an example of this, saying God showed him mercy, despite his many sins, so that “Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience.” (1Timothy1:16 NIV)

We need patience with one another because God created each of us with different shapes, assigning each of us a different mission in life. We all have different backgrounds, and we’re each at a different place in our journey with Jesus. Practicing patience keeps our view on the things above, allowing us to see how God works even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is in patience we often learn that diversity is a strength, instead of a weakness.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with – even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 MSG)

What does this mean?

· Work at being consistently patient – Anybody can be patient when it’s convenient, but it’s much harder to remain patient when the day is slipping away or when you’re faced with the same mistake for the third time in one week. Patience often comes at significant cost; it requires you set aside your agenda and yield your rights in order to “welcome each other with open arms.”

· Learn to listen – Listening means more than just hearing someone talk; it means carefully considering what the other person is saying and actively trying to understand his or her point of view. The Bible says, “Listen before you answer. If you don’t, you are being stupid and insulting.” (Proverbs 18:13 TEV) That’s pretty clear! It means we shouldn’t evaluate what someone has done or said until we’ve heard the full story. God gave us two ears and one mouth, perhaps to tell us we should listen twice as much as we talk. Ha!

· Ask yourself these questions:

§ What makes me impatient?

§ What does my impatience say about my priorities?

§ How can I better understand the people who bring out my impatience?

§ Have I taken time to listen to their full stories?

§ In what ways do people have to be patient with me?

§ Do I give the same amount of grace to others as I expect them to give me?

§ “Love is patient.” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV) – that means love puts up with a lot for a long time. The next time your patience reaches its limit, remember how patient and understanding Jesus is with you.

Give Life With Your Words

2008/02/05


Give Life With Your Words
by Jon Walker

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

You have the power to kill or give life.

Yes, you, gentle reader – a follower of Christ – are capable of murder, and so am I. We can speak death with our words, or we can speak life.

Perhaps you’ve been on the other side of the killing kind of messages: “You’re not smart enough. You’re not thin enough. You’re not fast enough. You’re not good enough. A real Christian wouldn’t think such a thing.”

In a world where people are beat up and put down, God gives you superhero power to punch through the negativity. You speak life to others when you say: “You matter to me. I like you just the way you are. You’re human, anyone could think that. Your life counts. You were created for a purpose. God loves you, and you’re incredibly valuable to him.”

Your words may be the only encouraging thing some people hear in a day, or a week, or a month. You – yes, you – can become the voice of God’s grace in the lives of others, supporting, loving, helping, and encouraging with the words that flow from your mouth. (Romans 14:19b)

In the New Testament, the word ‘encouragement’ often means “to come alongside.” We’re to come alongside one another, “building each other up,” just as the Holy Encourager comes alongside us to teach us and remind us of the way of Jesus. (John 14:26)

We become encouragers when we stop looking down and start looking up (Colossians 3:2) – the need and opportunity for encouragement is everywhere. “Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us,” (Romans 15:2a MSG) and this “will build them up.” (Romans 15:2b NLT)

So, how about it? Will you become today a consistent source of encouragement to those around you? It’s a choice on your part. You can lift a person’s spirit, change the atmosphere of your office, or lighten the burden of someone in your small group. The Bible says we should “look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15b MSG)

What does this mean?

· Commit to encouragement – Make a choice to build up the people around you. Fill your conversations with phrases like: “I believe in you,” “I’m grateful for you,” “I see God using you,” “I appreciate you,” and “I’m glad you’re in my life.” The Bible says we should “encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

· Value others – An encourager works hard at bringing the best out in others. Value people by understanding they are valuable to God. He encourages you in spite of the failings in your past; he believes in you in spite of those annoying, little things you excuse in yourself but criticize in others. J (Quite honestly, this thought compels me to give grace to others.)

· Be encouraged – Encourage yourself, for “there is good news of great joy for all people, and his name is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:8-10)

Daily Manna - Path, Rock, Thorns or Soil?

Daily Manna from the 'Net for Thursday, January 24

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.' Mark 4:15-20 NIV

Forgiving In An Unhealthy Situation

by Jon Walker

Today, December 10th, former National Football League (U.S. football) quarterback Michael Vick is scheduled to be sentenced for his conviction related to gambling and illegal dog fighting. Because Vick’s conviction raises important questions about forgiveness, I’m offering a short, downloadable Bible study on the subject at www.gracecreates.com – jw

Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34a NLT)

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In writing about forgiveness, several readers have asked: “What about forgiving within an unhealthy relationship, one that is toxic and dysfunctional? Should you continue in the relationship when the person just keeps doing the same thing over and over again, never changing his behavior?”

To quote my sister, “Forgiveness isn’t the same as stupid!” It doesn’t mean we’re to act like doormats, allowing evil to run rampant in an abusive relationship. Loving our enemy does not mean excusing his behavior.

To echo the civil rights activist Martin Luther King, we need to understand the difference between non-resistance to evil and non-violent resistance. In any toxic relationship, we strive to resist the abuse with a peace-filled, godly response. This includes establishing healthy boundaries where you’re less vulnerable to abuse and, if God directs, it may mean ending the relationship (much easier said than done when the abuser is a parent, a spouse, or a child).

Regardless, the act of forgiveness does not require you to keep taking the abuse, and it doesn’t mean you must remain in the abusive situation.

Jesus shows us that forgiveness can be immediate when he forgives those who were crucifying him – during the very act of crucifixion: “Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a NLT)

As we mature in Christ, God will teach us to forgive constantly, even instantly. But it’s a learning process, so don’t take off on a guilt trip if you’re unable to do that now. Fall upon God’s grace and let him move you closer toward forgiveness. It may – probably will – take time to fully receive his grace to forgive, and God can work with that. The first step may simply be to let God soften your heart. Our hearts have a tendency to become hardened in difficult relationships.

Again, let me stress, the softening of your heart toward the abuser is not the same as saying it’s OK to keep taking the abuse, and it’s not the same as saying you have to stay in a situation where you are being or may be abused.

Forgiveness is not the same as agreeing with the behavior of the abuser.

What now?

· Remember the enemy is the enemy – The Bible teaches that when we’re in conflict, the real enemy is not the person we face. The real battle we’re in is against Satan’s unseen spiritual forces of wickedness. (Ephesians 6:12) The enemy wants us to think the battle is ours alone, and that causes us fight as if we’re separated from God. Our goal should be to trust that God is in the battle. (1 Samuel 17:47)

· Through prayer, bless those who abuse you – With your prayers, you can bless people who continually hurt you. They’re in bondage to their own sins, and although that doesn’t excuse their behavior, it does give you insight into how you can pray for them. God intended these relationships for good, yet they’re stripped away by alcohol or anger issues or other counterfeits Satan uses to destroy true fellowship and family. Pray for them to become the person God always intended.

· Take a firm stand – You need group to support you in an intervention, and you may need a mediator present, but the Bible teaches God’s light can penetrate the deepest darkness with hope for restoration and reconciliation. This can provide a quicker path to healing. Regardless, you need to take a firm stand against the abuse, and you may need others to help you do that.

· Should I stay or go? – I’ve seen abusive relationships over the years and know it would be naive to suggest that an intervention, sprinkled with some prayer dust, will suddenly change everything. Some people respond to confrontation; some are crushed by the love of God invading their heart. But many, many people remain toxic and abusive, even when confronted in love, even when forgiven, even when drenched in God’s grace. You may very well need to end the relationship, as difficult as that may be. It’s not your job to change the person, so don’t consider it a failure on your part if he or she doesn’t change when confronted with God’s love and truth.

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving

A time to give our thanks.

What are you thankful for this year?

I have ALOT to be thankful for this year, let's start from the top!

I was thankful for a short getaway to a city which took me 15yrs to re-visit. My first visit to BKK was quite a nightmare, on the night of arrival with my parents, my mum had a stroke. She had to be rushed to a private hospital at the mercy of the cab driver. Back then, tourism wasnt a huge factor and hence the cab drivers were not so fluent to deal with tourist. By God's grace, we managed to communicate sufficiently with him and he brought us to the best private hospital there was in the city. Although we were alittle hesistant with its exterior structure (being a short 4storey building in between two huge buildings, decked in grey), I was very impressed by how much medical equipment they had and their medical skills were impressive. We were assured that mum was in good hands and although unsettling, we spent a week sleeping in the hospital ward with the kind understanding of the medical staff. I thought I would never really return to that city without having to re-live those days of nightmare but thankfully, in this Jan trip, it was filled lots of fun, excitement and not a luggage bag was empty! I discovered the joy of shopping, the relaxation of having massages and the fun of discovery! Even tried my first hand at shooting a pistol! So cool!

I think I am very thankful for a chance to go back to place that was filled with so much negative emotions and be able to drive them away with good, positive emotions. It was a great experience!

Next came CNY and when it was barely over, I had to start work on my research, yes by digging soil... thankfully I had some serious MANpower! Yes, my ever supportive, ever ready Ad! He's the BEST! Never a single word of complain nor grumble, just asked me where? when? what time? And off we went! This persisted for a seriously long period of time to the point which I was really thankful when I can hide in the safety of our lab to process the soil samples, away from the sun, the heat, the everything! Not only was I thankful for Ad's support, I was also very thankful that the collection went on smoothly as planned. :)

As time passed, the grieve of dad's passing also slowly eased away. I am thankful for the time, the space and the grace to grieve. Slowly but surely acceptance came and peace that followed. Now, at times, I can even joke about dad with my mum. I pray for that same peace to envelope her whenever she feels grieved.

Very quickly, Lent came, after hearing so much about The Purpose Driven book by Rick Warren, we decided to gather a small group of friends to share the 40days journey together. Thankfully, we found some expertise, someone who actually run a similar group before! It was definitely a time when we were reflective, learning and experience more of God's mystery and our own purpose. I am still reflecting on some of the topics that was covered! I am thankful for the constant guidance and having these inspiration to keep pushing us forward.

This year was indeed filled with tonnes of beautiful memories, so much that I am at loss what to say sometimes. There were so many friendships formed and built, made to last longer and stronger than I have ever imagined. One thing I am very sure, all these would not have been possible if not for God's grace upon us. Thank You Lord! (And I think this Prayer of Jabez has got to do with it!)

In June, my family and I took a trip back to our hometown in Donggun, Guangzhou, China. It was my virgin trip to our hometown. I was very very impressed by the amount of effort that my grandparents put to "repay" the kindness of the villagers who has helped my grandfather leave their hometown and come to work in Singapore. If not for their fore-father's help, we would not be here today, enjoying the fruits of their labour. In return, my grandfather built a school (because he feels strongly about education, believing that anyone can learn anything if they desire to, he watches the Tamil news at home at 70 to pick up the language!). He was also often called to raise funds for re-building projects in the home town, there were so many stories of my grandfather and our fore-fathers that we kept thinking of how fortunate we are. And indeed we are very honored decendents of many great people in our family. I am very thankful for this trip to help me learn so much more about my family history, at least I have some juicy stories to pass on to my kids and grandkids! hee hee

One of the themes that really stood out for me is: Marriage - a lovingly marriage is a lasting marriage.
We witnessed how over 400 couples stood before God to profess their love for each other some 50years after their wedding and some as "youthful" as us barely 3+yrs of marriage. The common denominator is the commitment to build a lasting marriage TOGETHER.
And how to be able to achieve a lovingly marriage? The trick is to surround yourself with people who share the same values as you about marriage. People who are commited to each other, who value the importance of commitment which entails faith, hope & love. If you can love, you can forgive and forget. Every marriage will meet their test somehow, some time, how each couple deals with that tough situation lies very much in the crux of their friends and family. If their surrounding values the importance of sorting things out peacefully, lovingly, chances are that these two persons will stay together. And vice versa. So go figure if you want to stick around those whom you are sticking around with now.....

I am thankful for being able to indulge in my crazy "hobbies", hee hee; more hee hee; hee hee hee hee ;lagi more hee hee
Yes, I am very thankful for finding that childhood that I miss, the senseless giggles which I enjoyed. Its GREAT to just giggle! hee hee

AND ok ok this one, I am like so ultra thankful for it that tears can roll out any time....

I am thankful for FB, I have found my sec school best friend, SC! Yes that one that i blogged about like Jan 2006!. All this time I kept wondering about some individuals that has left some part of them behind in me and slowly, they are all coming back to life again! I am just ecstatic! Some of these old friends are counting back 20yrs of MIA! ha ha ha..... If there was a chance of relocating my kindergarden pals, now, that would be a real treat!

Thank You Lord. You have made my life so colorful, so wonderful, so full of adventure that I can only be thankful for! *muaks*

Do Your Best to Rest

by Jon Walker


“…There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest ….” (Hebrews 4:8b-11 NIV)


Most of us think of the Sabbath as a day of rest, originating from the day of rest God took after he created the universe, as recorded in Genesis. And that view is correct; that is the basis for us taking a Sabbath, a day of rest, within our own week.

Yet there is a larger sense of God’s Sabbath: an invitation to rest in God’s healing grace, trusting in his power and his purpose for your life. We rest in our Father’s arms, knowing he goes before and he goes behind, knowing that his plans for us are good and not evil (Jeremiah 29:11).

We enter this “let go and let God” rest through faith, where we cease to work and live independent of God (“… anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work …”). Instead, we’re to focus our efforts toward entering this Sabbath-trust in God, a restful certainty that God’s got a handle on it all, and that he’s got our best interests in mind.

If I recall correctly, Ian Thomas illustrates this point by telling the story of a man walking down a dusty rural road on a hot, humid day. The man is loaded down with a heavy backpack and carries a duffle bag in each hand. A pick-up truck comes along, and the driver offers the walking man a ride, telling him to hop in the back.

The driver heads down the road, but when he looks in the rear-view mirror he sees that his new passenger is standing in the bed of the truck – still holding both duffle bags, still wearing the over-packed backpack on his back.

The thing is: We stand in the truck of faith, still carrying our burdens, thinking they are independent of the ride we’re taking. Perhaps we think God can carry us, but not our burdens, that we have to keep bearing them ourselves.

What now?


· Rest in God – Rest in God’s power and grace, and work toward confidence (faith) that he is looking out for your best interests. “I believe; Lord, help my unbelief.”

· Rest requires dependence – If you’re working independently of God, then you’re not at rest in God. Possible signs that you’re working independently: worry, a need to control, a crammed-full schedule.

· Our Father’s heart encourages rest – Next time you feel overwhelmed by life, settle in a chair and “be still and know that he is God.” Give him your burdens – your backpack and your duffels.

· Faith leads to rest – Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29 NIV)

Today's Reading

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5 NIV

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do you always wonder why do the NS men have to "suffer" during their BMT?

I got a taste of that suffering during my early days as a recruit in an uniform group, yep, you might have guessed it right, we wore ugly green uniform that needs to be starched!! (I was like huh? What is starch ah? - thankfully for me, I have a mother who enjoys starching my uniform whenever I need them to be starched as she enjoy reminiscing the days when she has to do it for my uncles hahahaha)

In the first 3 months of being a recruit, I was shouted at, screamed at for at times no reasons. Punished for nothing. Made to run around the school like as if we were training for a marathon, told to put things together in double quick time (for what I dunno, maybe to give the seniors more time to torture us??). Ate, drank, peed, bathed in record time.... and I can tell you the 5mins break that the Subaru Challenge has is a luxury!

Why in the world did they have to do all that for??

Because, "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

And I truly believe that character requires shaping through some hardships.

Till today, those of us who have suffered together, stayed together, close friends for the past 18yrs.

So the next time you feel like you are under the mill, think of it as an investment towards your character, it can only add value to you as a person.

God Meant It For Good

by Jon Walker


“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result.” (Genesis 50:20 NIV)


Joseph’s life was anything but peaceful. It was complicated by youthful folly, broken dreams, and the mean-spirited actions of others. Sold into slavery by jealous brothers. Thrown into prison on false charges. Yet he remained a man remarkable for his lack of bitterness or regret, always seeing God as the “Great Engineer” behind even the worst of circumstances.


In a final confrontation with his brothers, he graciously noted, “You meant it for bad; God meant it for good.”


The theology packed in that statement is astounding. “God meant it for good” means:


You can accept the past – No sin, no action, no choice on your part is too big for God to handle – or too big to be worked for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Just ask Joseph! Better yet, ask his fearful and famished brothers, who were forced to rely on him for survival.


You can embrace the present – There’s no need to play the “what if” game. The past is gone, and no energy you expend will ever change it. The future is in God's omnipotent hands, so you’re free to focus on the present. Your job is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, trusting him to forgive the past and transform the future. Martyred missionary Jim Eliot once wrote, “Wherever you are, be all there” – not living in the past and not fantasizing about the future. God wants you in the present because that’s where his grace will flow.


You can look expectantly toward the future – Even if you make mistakes today, God still controls your future. Walking in the Spirit, you can live life to the fullest, unafraid of making mistakes and unconcerned that you may stumble into some terrible circumstance that takes you out of God's control. Even when things appear to be terrible, you can trust that God is working out some divine plan through you.


What does this mean?


· No matter how bad things get – God is still able to bring good out of it. Today, thank God that nothing – no disaster, no delay – is bigger that his ability to turn it into something good and godly.


· Thank God and let go – Thank God that he is sovereign over your past, your present, and your future.


§ Give God the circumstances, disasters, hindrances, hurts, and sins from your past.

§ Give God your current situation, your disasters, hindrances, hurts, and sins of today.

§ Praise God that he can work anything in your future for godly good, that you can walk in confidence that there is nothing anyone can do to you, or anything you can do that will be beyond the reach of God’s grace and redemption.


· Look for God’s hand – Walking by faith means you see God’s hand even in the most difficult of circumstances. You trust his ability and his willingness to transform the bad into godly good. God is not limited by people’s motives. In other words, it doesn’t matter why someone hurt you, God still can transform a deliberate, mean-spirited situation into something for his good.


· What will you allow God to change? – There it is: some situation, or event, or person in your life that, as far as you can tell, was “meant for bad.” How do you think God meant it for good? Ask God what he wants you to do with this situation (event or person). When he answers, do it.



© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.

Radiant Certainty

Embrace your pain with certainty that God has plans for us!

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by Jon Walker


“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:20-22 NIV)


There are some days when, frankly, I don’t feel much like worshiping God. There are probably more days like that than I’d care to admit.

But usually those are days are when I’m staring at my circumstances and making faithless judgments about what I see around me. And I struggle with the God-truth that he is in the circumstances that surround my life – all the circumstances.

Have you ever considered that heartbreak is part of God’s plans for you, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”? (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) We put so much energy into avoiding the hurt when God would have us embrace it. He wants us to know that he can heal our hurts, even use our hurts for his benefit, and for us to faithfully believe that sometimes the circumstances we think are harming us are actually positive situations God is engineering.

God, who is omnipotent, sees the breadth and depth of our circumstances, and he knows his plans for our lives. Thinking, then, like Christ, we can slowly, ever so slowly, begin to understand that avoiding the pain in our lives is actually an act of faithlessness. God calls us to faith in him during difficult circumstances; we’d rather place our faith in avoiding the circumstances.

As always, Jesus shows us the way – because he is the Way. Jesus embraced the pain of God’s plan for his life, and he did it with full faith that God was still working the plan to bring a “hope and a future” to your life and mine. Christ was so sure that his grief would turn to joy that he showed a radiant certainty in God’s faithfulness (“Radiant certainty” is a phrase William Barclay uses to describe the attitude of Jesus at the Last Supper).

Our Brother Jesus, who is also our King, was heading into a crisis that would cost him his life, yet he was so certain – radiantly certain – of God’s faithfulness that not one of his disciples even discerned the gravity of the crisis! Jesus was so certain of God’s faithfulness that it radiates throughout his whole being.

And we, too, can have this radiant certainty about God’s hand in our lives. We can say, when it comes to God’s faithfulness, “I know because I know that I know.” That’s radiant certainty! The cross was Christ’s glory, not his penalty – and the same is true of difficult circumstances in our lives.

So what does this mean to me?

· God’s faithful character – You will develop this radiant certainty in God when you learn to trust in his faithful character. Your daily worship of God is irrevocably tied to your faith in God.

· Praise God anyhow – You must choose to praise and worship God every day, no matter what the circumstances of your life. Developing a radiant certainty in God begins with simple steps of faith and obedience.

· Respond to God, not your circumstances – When faced with a painful or difficult circumstance, ask God, “How do you want me to respond to this?” Keep your eyes wise for the “Why me?” traps that lay about your circumstances.

· You can be radiantly certain of this: Difficult circumstances are opportunities for you to intentionally focus your faith in God and to see what he will do to give you hope and healing.

Helping Each Other Through Change

by Rick Warren


“I hope you will be patient with me ….” (2 Corinthians 11:1a, NLT)

(Today, Rick Warren supplies our devotional – jw)

In order to manage change, you must remember five things –

Love each other

The first mistake most people make during change is to focus on what they’ve lost, instead of what has been gained – and that creates fear. The antidote to fear is love: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear ….” (1 John 4:18 NKJ)

It’s impossible for love and fear to exist in the same environment – If we’ll focus on loving each other, then we’ll break out of the self-centeredness that often emerges during change. The love that conquers fear involves thinking about others instead of focusing on your own needs – and the more you love, the less you fear.

Listen to each other

During transition, we must be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry ….” (James 1:19 NIV) If we get the first two right (quick listening, slow speaking), then the third (slow anger) will become automatic. It reflects the concept of “seeking to understand” before trying “to be understood.”

“Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.” (James 1:19 MSG)

Level with each other

We must speak the truth in love to each other if we’re going to walk together through change. It is human nature to avoid confronting someone directly, but then we fall into problems – even gossip – by talking to other people about the person we need to confront.

We can’t get close to each other until we deal honestly with our fundamental differences. “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)

Liberate each other

Finally, we need to show each other grace – “cut each other some slack” – during transition. Liberating each other means letting go and treating someone else the same way Jesus treats you.

In other words, we shouldn’t lean into legalism or lording mistakes over others. People will make mistakes, and our response should be to recognize that these things will happen. The goal is not to make those who make mistakes feel bad, but rather to let them get over it and move on.

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I particularly find 4th point abit tough to achieve and also tough to find another person willing to speak up. What about you?

Sharing Your Life Message

by Rick Warren


“Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them.” (1 John 5:10a GW)

“Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word .... The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore – you’re the message!” (1 Thessalonians 1:8 MSG)

When you became a believer, you also became God’s messenger. God wants to speak to the world through you. Paul said, “We speak the truth before God, as messengers of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:17b NCV)

Your Life Message includes your life lessons. These are insights you’ve learned about God, relationships, problems, temptations, and other aspects of life. David prayed, “God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.” (Psalm 119:33 MSG)

Sadly, we never learn from a lot that happens to us. Of the Israelites, the Bible says, “Over and over God rescued them, but they never learned – until finally their sins destroyed them.” (P 106:43 MSG) You’ve probably met people like that.

While it is wise to learn from experience, it is wiser to learn from the experiences of others. There isn’t enough time to learn everything in life by trial and error. We must learn from the life lessons of one another. The Bible says, “A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than … jewelry made of the finest gold.” (Proverbs 25:12 TEV)

Write down the major life lessons you’ve learned so you can share them with others. We should be grateful Solomon did this, because it gave us the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, which are filled with practical lessons on living. Imagine how much needless frustration could be avoided if we learned from each other’s life lessons.

Mature people develop the habit of extracting lessons from everyday experiences. I urge you to make a list of your life lessons. You haven’t really thought about them thoroughly unless you’ve written them down. Below are a few questions to jog your memory and get your started:

So what?

What has God taught me from failure?
What has God taught me from a lack of money?
What has God taught me from pain or sorrow or depression?
What has God taught me through waiting?
What has God taught me through illness?
What has God taught me from disappointment?
What have I learned from my family, my church, my relationships, my small group, and my critics?

Sing Now: ‘We Are Fam-i-ly’

by Jon Walker


“Love your brothers and sisters in God's family.” (1 Peter 2:17b NCV)

We long to belong.

The Bible tells us that all believers “belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” (Ephesians 2:19 TLB) This means church is not something we go to, rather it’s something we belong to – a family of God’s people. It’s more than an organization, more than an institution, even more than a group of like-minded people.

We are a family forged by the fires of God’s love, and we are to “be devoted to each other like a loving family.” (Romans 12:10a GW) We are to love one another like brothers and sisters. This sense of family togetherness allows us to create authentic Christian community, where we are accepted, supported, and challenged to fully live out the purposes of our lives. We belong, and we help others belong.

Family is synonymous with a deep, unwavering commitment to support one another, no matter how rough it may get. You do things for family you wouldn’t do for any one else, and you make allowances for family members you might not make for anyone else.

For many of us, this image of family fails because we’ve never really been in a loving, wholesome family. We’ve only seen broken models, shattered relationships, and hurting hearts. The Good News is that God wants to provide you with the very things you’ve longed for in a family, and he can do that in Christian community.

As we learn to love one another, we can create the sense of family necessary to trust one another, accept one another, and serve one another. We learn the power of unconditional love. Our small groups – family circles – are meant to be Holy Spirit-led laboratories for learning to love one another deeply and earnestly (1 Th. 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22).

So what?

Belonging helps you develop healthy relationships – We may have learned unhealthy methods of relating in our physical families, but in a community of believers we can see models of good relationships. We’ll learn that it takes honesty, vulnerability, effort, and a lot of forgiveness to make relationships work.

Belonging develops godly character – Character tends to be more caught than taught, and in Christian community we’re able to see, up close and personal, the character traits of others. We’ll see maturity modeled, and we’ll see immaturity displayed, and we may get to model or display some of that ourselves as we all learn and grow together.

Belonging teaches biblical values – We’ve all picked up values intentionally and unintentionally. Some of these values may be right; some of them may be wrong. By bringing them into the family setting of a Christian small group, we’re able to measure our values against the standards of the Bible and in the context of mature Christian beliefs.

Belonging gives you a fresh start – You may be fortunate enough to have already seen healthy family relationships modeled in your home, or in your congregation. But there are many of us who emerged from shaky home environments. This is your chance to belong to a loving family and to start fresh in developing healthy relationships, godly character, and biblical values.

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.

My Master on the other side

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said,

"Doctor, I am afraid to die.

Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know?

You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,

"Did you notice my dog?

He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...

I know my Master is there and that is enough."


May there be peace within you today.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

*happy*

yes indeed I'm overjoyed!

heard good news today that something that I've been fighting for is coming my way finally.... not the full amount, but at least its a start!

Thank You dear God!

Opening up to others

Ad has often commented on my laughter and often I'm puzzled by his comments, cos its difficult to hear myself laugh, maybe he's stolen some of it hahaha...

happy read on....
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Opening up to others
by Jon Walker


“Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 MSG)


Fellowship — Giggling as he played on the floor with his Aunt Merilee, my young son’s eyes danced with pleasure. Christopher’s laughter was so captivating that Merilee leaned into his face and said with a grin, “I’m going to steal your giggles!”


Without warning, Christopher grabbed Merilee in a baby bear hug and planted a playful kiss on her cheek. Merilee fell back and – guess what – she giggled.


And then she giggled some more.


Finally she said, “Oh, Christopher! I was going to steal your giggles, and you gave them to me instead.”


A lesson in life from a 2-year-old! So often we walk through life thinking we have to steal or earn or grab or protect the objects of the joyful life we see in others.


We listen to worldly voices that urge, “Go for the gusto. You only live once. Grab what you can get.”


Yet from a simple child we can learn that true joy is not taken. It’s given.


Today, instead of stealing giggles, give them away and see how many more come back to you.


So what?


· You bring pleasure – You were made to be a source of pleasure and joy – to God and to others.


· Become a joy dispenser – Laugh loudly and as often as you can. Smile at a stranger. Bless people with your joy. If you don’t have joy, then ask God to guide your heart toward the joy found in Christ.


· Thank God that he is a Father who delights in our enjoyment and loves our laughter. Ask him to increase your joy that you may share it will others.


· “… Be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 MSG)

God is GREAT!

just as i was seeking, I heard this....

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 NIV

isnt He great?? its like immediate prayer answered hahaha

Somewhere else

by Jon Walker


“For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11 NIV)


Community — Have you ever been somewhere you didn’t want to be? Maybe it was a job, a town, or a marriage. Maybe it was a stage in life, like singlehood, or a state in life, like a disability. It’s very possible that as you read this, you’re wishing you were somewhere else – anywhere else – living a different life, but you know it’s not likely that anything is going to change any time soon.


God has a word for you. It’s the same word he gave a group of people when they were stuck in another country, exiled from their homeland. They’d folded their arms and said, “We’re going to wait this thing out, and when we get home, we’ll start living our lives.”


Through the prophet Jeremiah, God told them, “You’re not going home any time soon, so start making your lives here. Plant gardens, buy homes, let your children get married, and pray for the peace and prosperity of the place where you’re currently living because, by doing that, you too will be blessed with peace and prosperity.”


To use a modern cliché, God was saying, “Bloom where you’re planted.”


Don’t invest your energy in hopes of leaving; instead invest your energy in the people around you. The Christian martyr Jim Eliot expressed it this way: “Wherever you are, be all there.” Don’t be physically present but mentally somewhere else, thinking of the future or the past, thinking of someplace else. Our journey with Christ requires that we be fully present in the present.


Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it “this worldliness,” and said, “It is only by living completely in this world that one learns to live by faith.” This focus allows you to see that your life is centered in God and not the place you live or work, not the person you’re married to – or not married to – not how you feel or how you look.


Investing in the people around you is exactly how you find life. Jeremiah even told the exiles that God had arranged for them to be in exile. So it was God’s plan all along to push them to the edge of their existence, so they would end up centered solely on God.


You may feel like you’re in exile too, but God is still working in your life; and his message to you is: Dig in and fully embrace the life around you.


So What?


· Center your life in God, not in your circumstances. God is constant; your circumstances are temporary. Ask God, “What do you want me to learn or to do in these present circumstances.”


· Change me, God – Instead of asking God to change your circumstances, ask him to change you in the circumstances.


· Practice being in the present – Today, whenever you find your mind drifting to another place, bring it back to the present, and ask God to help you stay in the present.


· Determine to be a good steward of what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have. Make the most of what God has given you.

The Prayer of Jabez

This is one amazing prayer which came to me as a gift not once but twice over, hence it speaks volumes of its effectiveness and positive testimonies.

Wanted to share this with you guys out there so that you too, can experience the power of prayer in your life.

" Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil."
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NKIV)

these four lines are powerful reminded of God's promise for us (that He will Bless us);
our "job" as Christians (to increase our sphere of influence for spreading His Word);
God's on the watch for us (that He will be the guiding force in our lives);
a reminder that there are always temptations in our lives which we would rather stay away from (getting God's help to keep us AWAY from evil is like the most powerful way to be away)

This prayer has worked wonders for me, I've seen transitions and transformations in my life as a result of this prayer, if you do not believe me, give it a try!!

Start of Lent

The Purpose Driven Book

2 years ago, a friend literately stuffed this book into my hands, he told me to READ it! Its good!

This friend is one who usually pampers me with great gifts for my mind and soul, he is also seldom wrong about the "power" of the book. I took it up, read it and after 7 chapters, could not remember what it was talking about. I guess I was not ready to read this book yet then.

This year, we started doing a small scale sharing group and coincidentally Ad chose the same series to be used. I guess its a signal that I should pick up the book and read it again.

The interesting part about this book is it is divided into 40chapters, as with there are 40days in Lent to Easter, when Jesus died and rose again, returning in glory. So if we just read one chapter a day, we'll finish it in 40days in time for Easter if we start on Ash Wednesday.

Yep, that's what I'm going to attempt to do, read and try to debate with some pals about it. If u are interested, join me!

A Valentine's Day Prayer

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - I CORINTHIANS 13:4-7 NIV



Lord,

Because love is patient.

Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen.
Hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with me.



Because love is kind.

Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful. Remind me to smile and to say "Please" and "Thank You" because those little things still mean so much.



Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud.

Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others. May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am, as well as doing the same for those around me.



Because love is not rude or self-seeking.

Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When I'm tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world, remind me there's a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.



Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.

Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me.
When I want to hold onto a grudge, gently help me release it so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.



Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Help me stand up for what is right and good. May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show me how I can make a difference.



Because love always protects and always trusts.

Help me to be a refuge for those around me. When the world outside is harsh and cold, may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.



Finally, because love always perseveres.

Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others. Thank you for this day when we celebrate love, and for showing us what that word really means.

Amen.

Blood by John Fisher

Jesus says in John 17:21, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one …”

What does it mean to be “family”?

First of all, it means blood. Blood relatives trump all other relationships. You don’t get to choose your family; you don’t select your mother or your father, your siblings or your kids. What you have is what you got, and like it or not, it’s your blood. You will not be a healthy person unless you embrace this. Deny your family and you deny yourself in some way.

So what if your family is dysfunctional? Actually, I have yet to meet one that isn’t. I suppose, like all things, this is relative. Some are worse off than others. Some appear perfect by comparison, but time would reveal sores, wounds, and neglect. There are “black sheep” in every family. There are unforgiven sins. There are breeches, walls, and weak links in the family chain, but there is blood nonetheless, and the life is in the blood.

In the movie Parenthood, staring Steve Martin, there is a scene where the wayward son is asking his father to loan him some money. He’s in trouble and he owes someone who will harm him if he doesn’t pay back. He’s also got a new scheme that will make him “millions,” but will take him out of the country, which means he must leave his illegitimate son with his dad, too. And the dad gives him the money and takes the grandson, even though he knows he will probably not see the money or his son again. Why does he do it? Blood. It’s what a father does. God himself was represented in a similar story that Jesus told of the prodigal son, as one who gave his son his inheritance when he asked for it, knowing full well he was going to squander it unwisely. No questions asked. No lecture.

If this is the way it is with our earthly families, how much more with our heavenly one, into which we have been adopted by blood – the precious blood of Jesus? That blood not only paid the price for our sins, it put us in a family with a heavenly father who gives good gifts – who loves, disciplines, and is extremely patient because he has already forgiven. We’ve got a new kind of family with blood relatives for eternity. And even though these “blood of Jesus” relatives will disappoint us on earth, we are still family. We are one with God and each other. We will soon experience this oneness in heaven in its perfection, even as we have glimpses of it now, so we treat each other as family, regardless. We look past our dysfunctions. We embrace our brokenness, because Jesus has done the same for us. We are blood.

We will always be.

This article strike me because it says that everyone's family is dysfunctional in some way or the other. In recent years, this phenomena seems to be more apparent. Interesting food for thought...

Where is the Seed Sown?

I like this reading, interesting, thought provoking. enjoy

Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.' Mark 4:15-20 NIV

Sowing Generously

There were times when I feel really really poor, not just in $$ but in the mind. It was the mind that creates that illusion that we have to keep everything that we have for ourselves, we do not have enough to share around. But it was Ad and God that made me realised that no matter how little we have, we always have more then enough to share, to give generously. It was them who gave me the assurances to let some things go, be open-minded about our future and put our faith in God that He will provide.

Indeed He has, He has blessed us with more than I can ever imagine. Sow generously.

Sowing Generously Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.' 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NIV (Listen)