“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NIV)
Somehow divinely, I have been meeting old friends over the week. It is good to catch up over old times and remember the times- good and bad– together that had impacted my life.
One of them was Joshua (picture below). He was my first appointed shepherd or spiritual mentor in Hope Church. And this was the first time we got to sit down to talk after 3-4 years.
My first shepherd
If my memory serves me right, I really gave him hell back then. I came in as a newbie-in-Christ carrying all of my past attitudes, beliefs and habits. And somehow, he managed to take my crap =P
With him, I recall many conflicts we have had as my carnal nature was challenged by the word of God he taught me and tried to impart on many occasions. But basically, I understood that had long and thick “horns” that had to be sawed off.
Being a shepherd
Going thru everything that I did with Joshua and gaining revelation through the word of God, I have learnt to embrace the call of God in being a shepherd to others (c.f. John 21: 15-17).
Without the unconditional love and godly guidance, sheep like me would get have gotten lost.
Therefore I thank God he (Joshua) loved me just enough to persist and faithfully followed up on me all the time. Or else I’m pretty sure I would not have remained in Hope or with God growing strong and biblical.
It is seeing and catching up with friends like him that reminds me of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life.
Thank you God =)
For years it has always been an almost impossible task for my group of old friends to gather for some fun time.
Some of the reasons they gave:
But finally, last Saturday we managed to get together over a BBQ time. At least the most of us.
These were my trench buddies from my secondary school days. And they were very much part of who I was then and my life, even till now.
We almost everything together- quitted school, runaway from our homes, stay over night, fight, smoke, gamble. You name it, we did it lar…
We were so close that anyone would have mistaken us for being a gang. Hey wait… we were a GANG! Ha ha ha…
Now fast-forwarding, I think it is safe to say we have pretty much grown up as responsible and sensible adults =P
In the past, we were all busy finding trouble or taking care trouble when it found us. But now, most of us are busy pursuing our own dreams and making our lives work out.
Guess who is who….
The gang (some of us only) now and then. Not bad…. After 10 years we still look good! =P
Through this BBQ, I’m glad I’d learnt that one of them recently accepted Jesus into his life and rocky marriage.
It was definitely elating to know how God had intervened and prevented a divorce from erupting. Now he, his wife and child are attending a church. Praise Him!
My prayer:
Dear God, please reveal your Son Jesus to my friends. I pray that they too will get to taste and see how good You are and receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Your congregation may be just a click away, but some say the devil is in the details
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald
USA TODAY
Across the country, fall is high season for “church shopping,” as people in search of a new faith community to call home set about the task of finding one. But that doesn’t mean they’re showing up, singing hymns, shaking hands and sampling doughnuts at a different church each week.
Instead, observers say, they’re visiting church websites and evaluating congregations — often without having actually met anyone at the church. And that has some church people worried that the practice of faith is getting ever more impersonal — and consequently less powerful — in an age driven by efficiency and impatience.
Church shoppers “used to have to go to the service, sit in the back row and watch,” says Tom Bandy, president of EasumBandy & Associates, a church consultancy. “The website has just replaced that. The color schemes, the formatting, the language, the music — those things powerfully reveal who they (in the church) want to come there and who’s going to be accepted there.”
As tools for reaching potential worshipers, church websites are growing in number and getting more sophisticated…. (continued)
Read the full article here>>>
“Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the whole earth as your possession.”
Psalms 2:8 (New Living Translation)
You heard of motivational posters, but have you heard of de-motivational ones??
I came across this site- www.despair.com and found some cold but hilarious de-motivators for those who prefer a different/rhetoric approach.
Here are some of my picks….
Talk about being encouraging. This one really inspires HOPE when you’re down and need to see the bigger picture =P
Good card to give to your partner on an anniversary or when you want to break up. Ha ha….
Best given to yourself to serve as a reminder to live with prudence.
And my personal favourite….
HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Introducing the latest addition to the Ong family: Baby Ezekiel!!!
First-born to my youngest brother (in picture), first grandson for my father and my first nephew!
Isn’t he adorable???
Like the biblical character, Ezekiel, I pray that this nephew of mine will be a “prophet” by being a gift that points those around him, especially his parents to God.
Dependent child
Looking at him all cuddled up in his mum’s arms, I realised how he fully dependent a child is.
For example if he gets sick, neither would he know what to do nor would you expect him to walk to a doctor.
He is vulnerably dependent on his dad/mum to stay alive and grow up.
Being a child in God
But of cos, we know what happens when he does grow up. He gets more educated and learns to get around in life and walk independently.
And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3-4
Likewise between us and God, too often we reverse the roles and take on the role of a parent with God by assuming our self-sufficiency, instead of being His child; relying and submitting our lives under His Lordship.
My prayer
I pray that I will not only be like a little child but be His child, placing my life fully into His strong Hands and trusting His guidance and leadership.
Without you Lord, I will die. I need you.
Amen.
My Doodling:
Yet another wedding is coming! This time is my colleague, Darren.
Personally I think he has really set the standard among all the wedding preparation and stuff I have seen so far. He actually set up a website for his wedding and for his guest to RSVP thru it. Talk about being relevant! =P
And you won’t believe this… this couple actually flew to Korea just to take their wedding photos!!? This guy really spoil market sia… and even built a shoe rack for his wife in their new home!?? I am sure the ladies will be inspired. Ha ha ha…
Let’s begin with the football match first…
Over the last weekend, a highly-anticipated epic match between Man Utd and ARSEnal ended up with the two team sharing the spoils with a 2-2 draw. (@#%*&@)
Arrghh….. I was gutted! And I am sure I wasn’t alone feeling the same way.
Man Utd literally threw away a win which would have toppled those Gooners Gunners from the top of the table and topping the league.
Sianz…
Okay! I am done with venting my frustrations. I dun want my friend cum Man Utd antagonist, Lindy (who’s probably going to read this) to enjoy her moment for too long =P
Now about the 3 weddings…
This is the first time that I have had to attend weddings back to back to back(!?) I guess my peers are growing up liao… Ha ha…
Wedding number 1 belonged to my ex-colleague, Steven when we were working in a nightclub- PASEO (now defuncted) some 10 years ago. He was my 24/7 drinking buddy back then before I quitted the bottle.
I recalled how we used to joke that we could never get married because of our ways. And now he has walked down the aisle before me.
Wedding number 2 was James and Shireen from my present Unit group in church.
When their courtship was in the initial stages, I witnessed their numerous spits and spats. And frankly, I almost thought they wouldn’t make it far because of their differences.
But God has proved Himself true and faithful to His word, and they are now embarking on a shared life journey together!
Indeed, both of them had worked hard in loving each other *clap clap clap*
Lastly, Wedding number 3 belonged to Boon Liong and Hazel!
Personally, I am amazed and thankful at the same time how God had brought them together after one big cycle after their “seperation” from the tertiary group. And now, they are together as husband and wife =)
Phew… now it is time for me to rest from more weddings. But it will only last till next week when I will be attending another wedding- Theo and Kim’s *sweat*
In the meantime, I guess I will be contented watching my next football match between Manchester United and Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League =P
It was really ‘cool’ to read that Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently launched his own music album- Rinduku Pada Mu (My Longing for You).
Furthermore, the album which contains 10 songs are mainly ballads based on peace, love and friendship.
He was quoted saying that “all the songs in this album were written in between breaks in my hectic schedule as I pondered about life and about the problems that this country is facing.”
Though I have not listened to his album, I am very encouraged how he has used his marketplace’s position and influence as a politician to impart something of God to minister to his nation.
My Longing for You
An interesting fact was the title track, Rinduku Pada Mu, which he wrote in April last year, was written just two years after he became president. At that time, he had to deal with a string of natural disasters in the country.
Another song which he wrote in Sydney after attending the Apec meeting last month is Mengarungi Keberkahan Tuhan (Seeking God’s Blessings), which was his prayer to the Almighty for divine guidance.
What matters most…
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Phillipians 1:15-18 (NIV)
Though I read that critics have scoffed his album as PR tactics towards his presidential election campaign for 2009, but I still think it doesn’t matter what’s his real agenda is. Cos what’s more importantly is that God’s Name is communicated.
Andrew: Inside & Insights 