October has just slipped by twenty mins ago.
But what a month! A 'financial crisis' month
globally affecting huge numbers of investors
losing equally huge amount of money, even in
Singapore especially from investments in the
Lehman Brothers'.
A reminder from the Lord in Proverbs 23:4 -5.
"Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.
When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
they fly away as an eagle toward heaven."
Then in Proverbs 30:8 -9, my prayer too -
"Two things have I required of thee;
deny me them not before I die.
Remove far from me vanity and lies:
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with food convenient for me:
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say,
Who is the Lord?
or lest I be poor,and steal, and take
the name of my God in vain.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Obedience
In studying Co1.1:9-10 much has been
mentioned about being filled with the
knowledge of God.
But David E. Garland in "The NIV
Application Commentary" has this to
say:
" Unfortunately, Christians do not
always put the truth they believe
into practice. We learn enough to
talk about it intelligently but
never follow through on action."
How very true. It is so much easier
to 'study' the Bible, but how difficult
it is to obey.
But Oswald Chambers said, " Obedience is
the means whereby we show the earnestness
of our desire to do God's will."
And George Washington declared that " the
whole duty of man is summed up in
obedience to God's will."
Most importantly, remember what our Lord
Jesus said in Luke 6:46?
"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do
not do what I say?"
Jesus went further: " Everyone who comes
to Me and hears My words and acts on
them, I will show you whom he is like."
He is like the man who built his house
on the rock. And when the rains and floods
came, the house was strong and secure.
mentioned about being filled with the
knowledge of God.
But David E. Garland in "The NIV
Application Commentary" has this to
say:
" Unfortunately, Christians do not
always put the truth they believe
into practice. We learn enough to
talk about it intelligently but
never follow through on action."
How very true. It is so much easier
to 'study' the Bible, but how difficult
it is to obey.
But Oswald Chambers said, " Obedience is
the means whereby we show the earnestness
of our desire to do God's will."
And George Washington declared that " the
whole duty of man is summed up in
obedience to God's will."
Most importantly, remember what our Lord
Jesus said in Luke 6:46?
"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do
not do what I say?"
Jesus went further: " Everyone who comes
to Me and hears My words and acts on
them, I will show you whom he is like."
He is like the man who built his house
on the rock. And when the rains and floods
came, the house was strong and secure.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Before Speaking
Before speaking, THINK.
Ask yourself:
T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?
Wow! Such quotes always sound
nice to the ears. But to put them
into practice?
For people who just shoot off what
is on their minds, these THINK
business can be quite daunting if
not just plain torture.
By the time they go through these
questions, they might not want to
talk.
But I suppose, the way to go about
it is to just keep on working at it until
it becomes second nature.
Tough work,though.
Ask yourself:
T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?
Wow! Such quotes always sound
nice to the ears. But to put them
into practice?
For people who just shoot off what
is on their minds, these THINK
business can be quite daunting if
not just plain torture.
By the time they go through these
questions, they might not want to
talk.
But I suppose, the way to go about
it is to just keep on working at it until
it becomes second nature.
Tough work,though.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Who's the Baby of the House?
Who's the baby of the house?
which we unwittingly took over from our
And he stayed and grew..... right into
It's Lola, our cat!
Two years ago, he was just a stray kitten
Two years ago, he was just a stray kitten
which we unwittingly took over from our
neighbour's boy. He found it straying at
the Novena MRT station and brought it
home. Much to his chagrin, he was
forbidden to keep it because they already
had a dog.
Seeing us, he pleaded us to take him in.
We were in two minds. I never wanted
to keep a pet. But Vince and Jayne were
clearly for it.
Then the boy used the formula:
"If no one takes it, then I have to leave
it in the drain."
And we were sure he just might because
he was driven to a corner; he had no choice.
So we took the little thing off his hand.
We tried to get it off ours by bringing him
to church. Surely the kids would fall in
love with this little cute thing.
They did. But their mothers didn't.
They knew better.
"Cute. But not enough for the troubles
that would follow. And kittens would
grow into cat, right? . And keep a pet cat?"
As Adibah Amin (pseudomym Sri Delima)
in her book "As I was Passing II" wrote
about people's perception of cats:
"Cats are often misunderstood because of
their aloof, unfeeling look.
"It is true that they do not have the
uncritical, undying devotion of dogs.
"Once disillusioned they can walk out
on you with their tails in the air, never
letting the world know their heartbreak."
"But if they are sure of your love, how
beautifully they open up!
They perch on your shoulders,
curl up on your lap,
lie on their backs for you to tickle them,
hide behind doors to pounce playfully
on you. "
"They recognize not only your smell,
voice and footsteps but also the sound
of your car, and it is really something
to come home and find twelve loving
cats waiting for you at the gate."
voice and footsteps but also the sound
of your car, and it is really something
to come home and find twelve loving
cats waiting for you at the gate."
The writer then recounts how they took in a stray cat too.
" I remember particularly my cat Serah, now long dead of
ripe old age. Someone had tied a wire tight around her neck
and she came to me, thin and wretched out of the rain, to untie
it. I was so touched by her faith after having been so ill-used
by human beings that I spent all my time nursing her back to
health. We called her Serah because of her sweet trusting ways."
As for us, we took in "Lola" because tried as we might, we couldn't
'get rid' of him.
Nobody wanted a kitten, even though he looked cute and pitiful.
The pet shops rejected him the moment they heard he came from
parents who were alley cats.
So Lola stayed.
Jayne presumptously named him "Lola" thinking it was a 'she'.
But as it turned out, Lola was a boy!
And poor boy, we had him splayed/ neutered.
And he stayed and grew..... right into
our hearts.
Today, two years later, he is no
longer 'the little thing.'
But he is still cute in that 5 kg frame.
And his mew as gentle, childlike and
endearing. Used sparingly, he would
usually end up getting what he wanted.
Today, we can't imagine not having our sweet Lola around.
He is the baby of the house and we love him!
He is the baby of the house and we love him!
Pascal's Prayer
This was taken from Our Daily Bread's devotion
on August 23rd. It was using Blaise Pascal's
prayer as an illustration for the verse:
"Whatever you do, do all
to the glory of God." (1 Cor.10:31).
Apparently Pascal had a prayer along this
vein. He prayed:
"Lord,help me to do great things as
though they were little, since I do
them with Your power;
and little things as though they
were great, since I do them in Your
name."
Was he just playing with words?
"great things as though they were little";
"little things as though they were great".
Sounds very catchy to the ears.
Why " do great things as though they
were little"?
The way I understand it:
Big tasks do overwhelm most of us. Before
we start, we already think of how incapable
we are of succeeding. We want to reject the
jobs. If we can't, we worry over it and get all
stressed out. We lose sleep over them.
But if we turn to God for His power and
depend on Him for wisdom and strength .....
the 'great things' become 'little'. We are not
working alone anymore. God is with us to
help us through.
What we need to get right is to make sure it
is God's work we are doing - whether spiritual
or secular.
Then what about "do little things as though
they were great"?
I understand the 'little things' to be the insignificant
tasks that usually can be done by just anybody.
They don't require special skills, talents or intellect
to carry them out. And precisely because of that,
there is not much reward in doing them. And hardly
anybody clamours or fights to do them.
But they still need to be done.
So the usual attitude is that if we are forced to
do them, we either do them most reluctantly,
grumpily, or badly. Or all three and demand
to be appreciated after that.
Thus Pascal's belief behind his prayer. If we do
them in God's name, then these "little things"
become great.
Seen in that light, we might do them more
cheerfully and well. Because we do them to
please God our Father.
And if we really can't take it anymore, (like
house-keeping), then the duty has become
a 'great' thing. Well, what do we do?
Pray "Lord, help me to do great things as
though they were little, since I do them
with Your power."
on August 23rd. It was using Blaise Pascal's
prayer as an illustration for the verse:
"Whatever you do, do all
to the glory of God." (1 Cor.10:31).
Apparently Pascal had a prayer along this
vein. He prayed:
"Lord,help me to do great things as
though they were little, since I do
them with Your power;
and little things as though they
were great, since I do them in Your
name."
Was he just playing with words?
"great things as though they were little";
"little things as though they were great".
Sounds very catchy to the ears.
Why " do great things as though they
were little"?
The way I understand it:
Big tasks do overwhelm most of us. Before
we start, we already think of how incapable
we are of succeeding. We want to reject the
jobs. If we can't, we worry over it and get all
stressed out. We lose sleep over them.
But if we turn to God for His power and
depend on Him for wisdom and strength .....
the 'great things' become 'little'. We are not
working alone anymore. God is with us to
help us through.
What we need to get right is to make sure it
is God's work we are doing - whether spiritual
or secular.
Then what about "do little things as though
they were great"?
I understand the 'little things' to be the insignificant
tasks that usually can be done by just anybody.
They don't require special skills, talents or intellect
to carry them out. And precisely because of that,
there is not much reward in doing them. And hardly
anybody clamours or fights to do them.
But they still need to be done.
So the usual attitude is that if we are forced to
do them, we either do them most reluctantly,
grumpily, or badly. Or all three and demand
to be appreciated after that.
Thus Pascal's belief behind his prayer. If we do
them in God's name, then these "little things"
become great.
Seen in that light, we might do them more
cheerfully and well. Because we do them to
please God our Father.
And if we really can't take it anymore, (like
house-keeping), then the duty has become
a 'great' thing. Well, what do we do?
Pray "Lord, help me to do great things as
though they were little, since I do them
with Your power."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What Sustains You
What sustained Eric Liddell to serve in rural
China for some 20 years? Perhaps the answer
lies in what David Roper has to say about serving
people in God's ministry.
This is in Our Daily Bread, 14th August . The text
was taken from John 21:15 - 17 where it talks about
Jesus asking Peter 3 times "Do you love Me?". This
was what Roper had to say:
"Was Jesus unaware of Peter's love? Of course
not. ..He (Jesus) asked His questions to under-
score the essential truth that only love for
Christ would sustain Peter in the work that
lay ahead - that arduous, demanding work of
caring for people's souls ....
Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep,
but if he loved Him. "
Most of the time, we jump in because we love
the people first. Then we ask God if we can
serve them. But Roper believes that:
"Affection for God's people in itself will
not sustain us."
Why? Isn't love for the people we serve a
powerful motivating force? Perhaps. But -
"His sheep can be unresponsive,
unappreciative, and harshly critical of
our efforts to love and to serve them."
How realistic and true an appraisal of man.
And how real such experiences are in the
ministry. Just ask those who have served
long enough.
So ultimately, it has to come back to the
source - Christ our Lord. Our love for Him.
Otherwise, "In the end, we will find our-
selves defeated and discouraged."
China for some 20 years? Perhaps the answer
lies in what David Roper has to say about serving
people in God's ministry.
This is in Our Daily Bread, 14th August . The text
was taken from John 21:15 - 17 where it talks about
Jesus asking Peter 3 times "Do you love Me?". This
was what Roper had to say:
"Was Jesus unaware of Peter's love? Of course
not. ..He (Jesus) asked His questions to under-
score the essential truth that only love for
Christ would sustain Peter in the work that
lay ahead - that arduous, demanding work of
caring for people's souls ....
Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep,
but if he loved Him. "
Most of the time, we jump in because we love
the people first. Then we ask God if we can
serve them. But Roper believes that:
"Affection for God's people in itself will
not sustain us."
Why? Isn't love for the people we serve a
powerful motivating force? Perhaps. But -
"His sheep can be unresponsive,
unappreciative, and harshly critical of
our efforts to love and to serve them."
How realistic and true an appraisal of man.
And how real such experiences are in the
ministry. Just ask those who have served
long enough.
So ultimately, it has to come back to the
source - Christ our Lord. Our love for Him.
Otherwise, "In the end, we will find our-
selves defeated and discouraged."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September is here!
Wow! Another month has just slipped by
and September is here!
For August, here are some devotions from
"Our Daily Bread" that have impressed me.
The first one was August 8th's. The life of
Eric Liddell was given as an illustration of a
man who 'crossed the finish line victorious
through love'.
We are familiar about Eric Liddel as the guy
who made his stand not to compete on an event
during the 1924 Olympic Games because it
took place on a Sunday. Then he went to win
a gold medal in the 400 metres which was on
another day.
Then what happened to him after this feat?
Well, according to the account given in ODB,
Eric Liddell went to China ! a year after his
triumph ; Not for a holiday. But as a missionary,
teacher and rural pastor.
To escape from difficult challenges back home?
To spend 20 years of his life in rural China does
not sound to me like escapism. And apparently
during the Japanese Occupation, he threw his
lot with the local Chinese. He did not take a boat
home.
Eric was together with 1,500 other prisoners
in an internment camp. There, he continued to
serve,whether it be 'carrying water for the elderly
or refereeing games for the teens.'
When he died of a brain tumor in February 1945,
one internee described him as a man 'who lived
better than he preached.'
What a testimony. And God in His time saw it
fit to have Liddell's story told posthumously; and
after so many decades of obscurity. I am sure
there are many more saints like Liddell whom
we do not know and may not know.
But what an encouragement to know saints like
Eric Liddell existed. The encouragement comes
from knowing that there are men and women
who would continue steadfastly in the Lord
through "difficult circumstances, war, uncertainty
and disease" and leave behind a testimony worthy
of their Lord. So that God's name will be glorified.
Today we get more news of 'fallen' saints who
start well but get tripped by riches, success,
fame, etc . It's a breath of fresh air to read of
Christians like Liddell.
and September is here!
For August, here are some devotions from
"Our Daily Bread" that have impressed me.
The first one was August 8th's. The life of
Eric Liddell was given as an illustration of a
man who 'crossed the finish line victorious
through love'.
We are familiar about Eric Liddel as the guy
who made his stand not to compete on an event
during the 1924 Olympic Games because it
took place on a Sunday. Then he went to win
a gold medal in the 400 metres which was on
another day.
Then what happened to him after this feat?
Well, according to the account given in ODB,
Eric Liddell went to China ! a year after his
triumph ; Not for a holiday. But as a missionary,
teacher and rural pastor.
To escape from difficult challenges back home?
To spend 20 years of his life in rural China does
not sound to me like escapism. And apparently
during the Japanese Occupation, he threw his
lot with the local Chinese. He did not take a boat
home.
Eric was together with 1,500 other prisoners
in an internment camp. There, he continued to
serve,whether it be 'carrying water for the elderly
or refereeing games for the teens.'
When he died of a brain tumor in February 1945,
one internee described him as a man 'who lived
better than he preached.'
What a testimony. And God in His time saw it
fit to have Liddell's story told posthumously; and
after so many decades of obscurity. I am sure
there are many more saints like Liddell whom
we do not know and may not know.
But what an encouragement to know saints like
Eric Liddell existed. The encouragement comes
from knowing that there are men and women
who would continue steadfastly in the Lord
through "difficult circumstances, war, uncertainty
and disease" and leave behind a testimony worthy
of their Lord. So that God's name will be glorified.
Today we get more news of 'fallen' saints who
start well but get tripped by riches, success,
fame, etc . It's a breath of fresh air to read of
Christians like Liddell.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Facing Burdens
Here are a few reminders or checklist when you
feel bogged down by difficulties. Don't really know
these ladies whom I'm quoting- whether they are
truly good role models in their personal lives. But
they make sense as far as their quotes below go:
1. "If a care is too small to be turned into a
prayer, it is too small to be made into a
burden." (Unknown)
What a great reminder! If a care bothers me, then
I should talk to God about it ; bring it before Him.
1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your anxiety on Him, because
He cares for you." If not, then it shouldn't bother me.
2. "It's not the load that breaks you down,
it's the way you carry it." - Lena Horne
There is a 'right' way of going through tough times,
isn't there? The negative way is the way that wears
you down. The complaining, unrealistic expectations,
blaming, self-pity .....
3. "The greatest part of our happiness
depends on our dispositions, not our
circumstances." - Martha Washington -
Some people are truly to be admired and emulated.
They carry their load uncomplainingly, quietly and
steadily. How I wish I could do that.
Can this virtue be cultivated, nurtured? Or is it a
natural disposition? I suppose if it' is because of
their disposition, then these people don't know how
to do it any other way. They can't bring themselves
to voice thier frustrations. They 'dare' not point a
finger in case more fingers point back at them.
But whether it comes from disposition or cultivation,
it is a virtue to be able to carry your load well. And if
it doesn't come naturally, it ought to be cultivated.
For your own good.
4. "Only good things come from God's
hands. He never gives you more than
you can bear. Every burden prepares
you for eternity." - Basilea Schlink -
I like that - "Every burden prepares you
for eternity." Somehow it helps you to take
it better, doesn't it? The pain, the struggles,
etc ...they're not in vain but for a purpose,
a purpose that is not temporary but for
eternity.
feel bogged down by difficulties. Don't really know
these ladies whom I'm quoting- whether they are
truly good role models in their personal lives. But
they make sense as far as their quotes below go:
1. "If a care is too small to be turned into a
prayer, it is too small to be made into a
burden." (Unknown)
What a great reminder! If a care bothers me, then
I should talk to God about it ; bring it before Him.
1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your anxiety on Him, because
He cares for you." If not, then it shouldn't bother me.
2. "It's not the load that breaks you down,
it's the way you carry it." - Lena Horne
There is a 'right' way of going through tough times,
isn't there? The negative way is the way that wears
you down. The complaining, unrealistic expectations,
blaming, self-pity .....
3. "The greatest part of our happiness
depends on our dispositions, not our
circumstances." - Martha Washington -
Some people are truly to be admired and emulated.
They carry their load uncomplainingly, quietly and
steadily. How I wish I could do that.
Can this virtue be cultivated, nurtured? Or is it a
natural disposition? I suppose if it' is because of
their disposition, then these people don't know how
to do it any other way. They can't bring themselves
to voice thier frustrations. They 'dare' not point a
finger in case more fingers point back at them.
But whether it comes from disposition or cultivation,
it is a virtue to be able to carry your load well. And if
it doesn't come naturally, it ought to be cultivated.
For your own good.
4. "Only good things come from God's
hands. He never gives you more than
you can bear. Every burden prepares
you for eternity." - Basilea Schlink -
I like that - "Every burden prepares you
for eternity." Somehow it helps you to take
it better, doesn't it? The pain, the struggles,
etc ...they're not in vain but for a purpose,
a purpose that is not temporary but for
eternity.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Giving Advice
Borrowed this book of quotes,
"Bursting at the Seams" by
Killy John and Alie Stibbe.
There is this quote from
Hannah Whitall Smith about
giving advice which caught
my attention:
"The true secret of giving advice is,
after you have honestly given it,
to be perfectly indifferent whether
it is taken or not, and never persist
in trying to set people right."
A great reminder - "be perfectly
indifferent whether it is taken
or not".
Don't take it personally when the
the person doesn't take your advice.
Just give and leave it as that.
"And never persist in trying
to set people right."
Don't be presumptuous that you are
right and others are wrong. And even
if you are right, why "persist" in
trying to correct them?
I have another to add. A point I have
been made acutely aware of recently
and quite guilty of not practising.
And what is that?
As a German proverb has it:
Never give advice unless asked.
Why?
As Joseph Addison put it:
"There is nothing which we receive
with so much reluctance as advice."
"Everyone likes to give advice, but
no one likes to take it."
And usually the advice that is given
in a talking down, patronising or
didactic tone. Unknowingly.
So remember- Be slow to dish out
unsolicited advice. Be quick to want
to listen with the heart.
"Bursting at the Seams" by
Killy John and Alie Stibbe.
There is this quote from
Hannah Whitall Smith about
giving advice which caught
my attention:
"The true secret of giving advice is,
after you have honestly given it,
to be perfectly indifferent whether
it is taken or not, and never persist
in trying to set people right."
A great reminder - "be perfectly
indifferent whether it is taken
or not".
Don't take it personally when the
the person doesn't take your advice.
Just give and leave it as that.
"And never persist in trying
to set people right."
Don't be presumptuous that you are
right and others are wrong. And even
if you are right, why "persist" in
trying to correct them?
I have another to add. A point I have
been made acutely aware of recently
and quite guilty of not practising.
And what is that?
As a German proverb has it:
Never give advice unless asked.
Why?
As Joseph Addison put it:
"There is nothing which we receive
with so much reluctance as advice."
"Everyone likes to give advice, but
no one likes to take it."
And usually the advice that is given
in a talking down, patronising or
didactic tone. Unknowingly.
So remember- Be slow to dish out
unsolicited advice. Be quick to want
to listen with the heart.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Movie Spree
Month of August also sees me going on a movie
spree. Watched 3 movies within 2 weeks!
Started with "The Dark Knight".
Watched it because of curiosity because I'm no fan of such
superhero shows. But "The Dark Knight" was declared the
best of the Batman series. And Heath Ledger was so praised
for his acting as The Joker.
Then soon after the release, he was found dead of "a possible
drug overdose". Not suicide, his family members said, but
accidental. He was prescribed sleeping pills to help him to sleep
but he overdosed himself.
Tragic. Only 28.
With all this background, thought perhaps I would give it a shot.
It was depressing. The plot was truly not your usual kind of
family entertainment where good is strong, clever and can easily
defeat evil.
Here, the evil portrayed by The Joker is just as smart, always
one up. And subtle and slippery.
And good is shown struggling to triumph. And when it finally
succeeds in defeating the wily, evil, devious tactics of The Joker,
it came at such a great cost. There was the death of idealism
portrayed by Harvey Dent also well acted by Aaron Eckhart.
A bitter sweet ending.
Heath Ledger was truly marvelous and brilliant in his acting as
The Joker. His flippant moves, his twisted smiles, teasing and
provoking in clear diction - really very, very impressive acting.
He deserves a posthumous Oscar award.
The second movie was
"Money No Enough II".
I think it deserves more than one and half stars given
by John Liu of ST. He said it was "mawkish" melodrama
and had a "contrived conclusion".
But I remember I enjoyed the first one, "Money No Enough".
So this sequel is that bad, meh? Went to watch it to judge for
myself.
I enjoyed the local jokes especially those in Hokkein. And I
found Henry Thia very entertaining in his role as the eldest
and least capable son trying to be rich so he wouldn't be looked
down on. And as a filial son, he was also good in it.
I would give it a 3.
The third one was
"Mad About English".
Directed by our own
local talent, Lian Pek.
And John Liu gave it 4 and half stars!
He described it as "huge fun from start to finish"
and declared that "You'll be mad to miss this."
There's "crisp editing, clever photography
and perfectly formed soundbites."
I found it similar to "Feet Unbound".
A documentary/drama.
True, it was very well directed.
True, I found it entertaining.
But "huge fun from start to finish"?
Hmmm .... I kind of disagree.
3 - 4 stars maybe. But 4 and half?
A bit too much.
spree. Watched 3 movies within 2 weeks!
Started with "The Dark Knight".
Watched it because of curiosity because I'm no fan of such
superhero shows. But "The Dark Knight" was declared the
best of the Batman series. And Heath Ledger was so praised
for his acting as The Joker.
Then soon after the release, he was found dead of "a possible
drug overdose". Not suicide, his family members said, but
accidental. He was prescribed sleeping pills to help him to sleep
but he overdosed himself.
Tragic. Only 28.
With all this background, thought perhaps I would give it a shot.
It was depressing. The plot was truly not your usual kind of
family entertainment where good is strong, clever and can easily
defeat evil.
Here, the evil portrayed by The Joker is just as smart, always
one up. And subtle and slippery.
And good is shown struggling to triumph. And when it finally
succeeds in defeating the wily, evil, devious tactics of The Joker,
it came at such a great cost. There was the death of idealism
portrayed by Harvey Dent also well acted by Aaron Eckhart.
A bitter sweet ending.
Heath Ledger was truly marvelous and brilliant in his acting as
The Joker. His flippant moves, his twisted smiles, teasing and
provoking in clear diction - really very, very impressive acting.
He deserves a posthumous Oscar award.
The second movie was
"Money No Enough II".
I think it deserves more than one and half stars given
by John Liu of ST. He said it was "mawkish" melodrama
and had a "contrived conclusion".
But I remember I enjoyed the first one, "Money No Enough".
So this sequel is that bad, meh? Went to watch it to judge for
myself.
I enjoyed the local jokes especially those in Hokkein. And I
found Henry Thia very entertaining in his role as the eldest
and least capable son trying to be rich so he wouldn't be looked
down on. And as a filial son, he was also good in it.
I would give it a 3.
The third one was
"Mad About English".
Directed by our own
local talent, Lian Pek.
And John Liu gave it 4 and half stars!
He described it as "huge fun from start to finish"
and declared that "You'll be mad to miss this."
There's "crisp editing, clever photography
and perfectly formed soundbites."
I found it similar to "Feet Unbound".
A documentary/drama.
True, it was very well directed.
True, I found it entertaining.
But "huge fun from start to finish"?
Hmmm .... I kind of disagree.
3 - 4 stars maybe. But 4 and half?
A bit too much.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
As I Was Passing
Besides fixing jigsaw puzzle, was also reading this
book "As I was Passing". It's actually a compilation
of all the articles she wrote for the Straits Times
back in the 70's under the pseudonym, Sri Delima.
Remembered enjoying them and now they're all in
two books. This one is the first.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Finished - At Last!
At 11pm on 19th August, some 20 or 30 daysof unrelenting work - the Irises was completed!
All 1000 pieces of them, fitted perfectly!
What is left to do? Frame it for the birthday girl.
And no more jigsaw puzzles for some time.
At least not 1000 pieces and of such difficulty like the Irises.
But maybe, just maybe, I might just do the Charlie Brown puzzle that is sitting
quite neglected in the storeroom.
But it's just a maybe.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Beauty
To want to be beautiful and young is innate in the females.
Why? The quote below perhaps explains half of the story:
"The average girl would rather have beauty
than brains because she knows the average
man can see better than he can think."
But in the early days, while we don't deny this instinctive
desire, there was also the encouragement to develop inner
beauty. Quotes like this one by Elisabeth Kubler -Ross
reflects the sentiment:
"People are like stained-glass windows. They
sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when
the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light within."
or this one:
"Some people, no matter how old they
get, never lose their beauty - they merely
move it from their face into their hearts."
or this by Marie Stopes:
"You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen.
But if you are beautiful at sixty,
it will be your own soul's doing."
Sadly this message of inner beauty is no longer
promoted. Just look at the content in the media.
Why? The quote below perhaps explains half of the story:
"The average girl would rather have beauty
than brains because she knows the average
man can see better than he can think."
But in the early days, while we don't deny this instinctive
desire, there was also the encouragement to develop inner
beauty. Quotes like this one by Elisabeth Kubler -Ross
reflects the sentiment:
"People are like stained-glass windows. They
sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when
the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light within."
or this one:
"Some people, no matter how old they
get, never lose their beauty - they merely
move it from their face into their hearts."
or this by Marie Stopes:
"You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen.
But if you are beautiful at sixty,
it will be your own soul's doing."
Sadly this message of inner beauty is no longer
promoted. Just look at the content in the media.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
August 1st 2008
Wow, another month has just gone and now
it's August.
And what have I been occupying
myself with?
Besides the usual routine, there is a new 'job' -
to finish this 1000 -piece jigsaw -
-Van Gogh's "Irisis".
Hopefully by 26th.
Bit it ain't easy!
All the blues in different shades;
All the green in different strokes;
And strewn right across from left to right,
right to left.
And what about the orche?
Is this piece top or bottom?
Not only eye straining but also back-breaking.
Ah, but what satisfaction when you put a piece
and it - fits!
Especially after a trying time.
That's how you can get 'addicted'!
it's August.
And what have I been occupying
myself with?
Besides the usual routine, there is a new 'job' -
to finish this 1000 -piece jigsaw -
-Van Gogh's "Irisis".
Hopefully by 26th.
Bit it ain't easy!
All the blues in different shades;
All the green in different strokes;
And strewn right across from left to right,
right to left.
And what about the orche?
Is this piece top or bottom?
Not only eye straining but also back-breaking.
Ah, but what satisfaction when you put a piece
and it - fits!
Especially after a trying time.
That's how you can get 'addicted'!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Do Not Pray For
Came across this quote from Phillips Brooks,
an American preacher and Episcopal bishop
(1835 - 1893). Sounds very 'nice' -
"Do not pray for easy lives.
Pray to be stronger men and women.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers.
Pray for powers equal to your tasks."
But to live it out? Quite a different story, right?
It's always a temptation to pray for an easy life -
or pray for problems to go away when they come
instead of seeing them as opportunities to grow
in spiritual maturity and character.
It's equally tempting to pray for tasks that do not
stretch us. Why look for trouble and problems?
But that is also missing opportunities to cry to
God for help to see us through and see how God
answers and reveals Himself to us.
And growing in spiritual maturity and a closer
relationship with God is important in life, isn't it?
Important enough to resist praying for 'easy lives'
and 'easy tasks'?
However, it does not mean though, that one will
be purposely praying for a tough life and tough
jobs, does it? I doubt it.
Problems will naturally come to us. The lesson is
not to pray for the easy way out but to pray to be
strong to take the test and pass. And if tough jobs
land on our laps, the lesson is not to elak or pass
the parcel but to pray for power to get the job
done and be stretched.
I think that's what the preacher had in mind and
that's sound advice. But as most advice goes, it's
easier than done. Yet, is there a choice if you
want to grow? And shouldn't you want to grow?
an American preacher and Episcopal bishop
(1835 - 1893). Sounds very 'nice' -
"Do not pray for easy lives.
Pray to be stronger men and women.
Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers.
Pray for powers equal to your tasks."
But to live it out? Quite a different story, right?
It's always a temptation to pray for an easy life -
or pray for problems to go away when they come
instead of seeing them as opportunities to grow
in spiritual maturity and character.
It's equally tempting to pray for tasks that do not
stretch us. Why look for trouble and problems?
But that is also missing opportunities to cry to
God for help to see us through and see how God
answers and reveals Himself to us.
And growing in spiritual maturity and a closer
relationship with God is important in life, isn't it?
Important enough to resist praying for 'easy lives'
and 'easy tasks'?
However, it does not mean though, that one will
be purposely praying for a tough life and tough
jobs, does it? I doubt it.
Problems will naturally come to us. The lesson is
not to pray for the easy way out but to pray to be
strong to take the test and pass. And if tough jobs
land on our laps, the lesson is not to elak or pass
the parcel but to pray for power to get the job
done and be stretched.
I think that's what the preacher had in mind and
that's sound advice. But as most advice goes, it's
easier than done. Yet, is there a choice if you
want to grow? And shouldn't you want to grow?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Abraham's Choice
"Most men choose heaven above hell, but
Abraham chose heaven above earth. This
choice gave perspective to the trials of life
and made his life surprisingly and singularly
free of distraction as he steadfastly focused
his gaze on God.
He had much of what the world seeks,yet
none of this diverted him from total commit-
ment to God.
The realization that his home on earth was
temporary didn't demand austerity, but it did
assign value.
He fixed his eyes on eternal realities instead
of searching for the best deal here.
For these faithful ones, nothing here was
good enough to capture their affections or to
divert them from a better country. There was
nothing in this world good enough for them.
That's not true today.
Thoreau lamented,'We no longer camp as
for a night, but have settled down on earth
and forgotten heaven'."
Can't remember from which book this extract came,
maybe Jean Flemings' "The Key to Order in an
Overwhelming World."
Abraham chose heaven above earth. This
choice gave perspective to the trials of life
and made his life surprisingly and singularly
free of distraction as he steadfastly focused
his gaze on God.
He had much of what the world seeks,yet
none of this diverted him from total commit-
ment to God.
The realization that his home on earth was
temporary didn't demand austerity, but it did
assign value.
He fixed his eyes on eternal realities instead
of searching for the best deal here.
For these faithful ones, nothing here was
good enough to capture their affections or to
divert them from a better country. There was
nothing in this world good enough for them.
That's not true today.
Thoreau lamented,'We no longer camp as
for a night, but have settled down on earth
and forgotten heaven'."
Can't remember from which book this extract came,
maybe Jean Flemings' "The Key to Order in an
Overwhelming World."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Ascertaining the Will of God
This is what Mueller shared about ascertaining the
will of God. The enumerating is mine.
1. "I seek at the beginning to get my
heart in such a state that it has
no will of its own in regard to a
given matter. "
"Nine tenths of the trouble with people generally
is just here. Nine tenths of the difficulties are
overcome when our hearts are ready
to do the Lord's will,
whatever it may be."
2. "Having done this, I do not leave result to feeling
or simple impression. I seek the will of the Spirit
of God through, or in connection with, the Word
of God. The Spirit and the Word must be
combined."
3. "Next, I take into account
providential circumstances."
4. "I ask God in prayer to reveal
His will to me aright. "
5. Then comes reflection.
"The whole process took time."
Sounds like good advice.
will of God. The enumerating is mine.
1. "I seek at the beginning to get myheart in such a state that it has
no will of its own in regard to a
given matter. "
"Nine tenths of the trouble with people generally
is just here. Nine tenths of the difficulties are
overcome when our hearts are ready
to do the Lord's will,whatever it may be."
2. "Having done this, I do not leave result to feeling
or simple impression. I seek the will of the Spirit
of God through, or in connection with, the Word
of God. The Spirit and the Word must be
combined."
3. "Next, I take into account providential circumstances."
4. "I ask God in prayer to reveal
His will to me aright. "
5. Then comes reflection.
"Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word,
and reflection, I come to deliberate judgment according
to the best of my ability and knowledge;
and if my mind is thus at peace,
and if my mind is thus at peace,
and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly."
"The whole process took time."
Sounds like good advice.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Weaver's Hand
Went through the 'Blue Book' the other day and
saw this poem. Have a fondness for it.
"My life is like a weaving between my God
and me.
I do not choose the colours He works steadily.
Sometimes He weaves sorrow
and I in foolish pride forget He sees the
upper and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles
cease to fly will God unroll the canvas and
explain the reason why the dark threads are
as needful in the skilful weaver's hand as
the threads of gold and silver in the pattern
He has planned."
Don't know who penned this poem but certain parts
really speak to me like "the dark thread are as
needful as the threads of gold and silver" and the
fact that while we go through the "dark threads"
of sorrow and pain, we don't realise that the it is
part of the beautiful pattern God had in mind.
However, sometimes God does tell us why the
"dark threads " are there. We don't always have
to wait till the work is finished to know the reason.
Found this one and kind of like it although
saw this poem. Have a fondness for it.
"My life is like a weaving between my God
and me.
I do not choose the colours He works steadily.
Sometimes He weaves sorrow
and I in foolish pride forget He sees the
upper and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles
cease to fly will God unroll the canvas and
explain the reason why the dark threads are
as needful in the skilful weaver's hand as
the threads of gold and silver in the pattern
He has planned."
Don't know who penned this poem but certain parts
really speak to me like "the dark thread are as
needful as the threads of gold and silver" and the
fact that while we go through the "dark threads"
of sorrow and pain, we don't realise that the it is
part of the beautiful pattern God had in mind.
However, sometimes God does tell us why the
"dark threads " are there. We don't always have
to wait till the work is finished to know the reason.
Another favourite poem is the Serenity Prayer.
There are so many presentations in the web.Found this one and kind of like it although
most of the words are too small.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Why must we have Moody?
The story is frequently told about a British committee
that was considering inviting evangelist D.L. Moody
to their city for a campaign. When a pastor spoke
glowingly of Moody's ministry, a member of the
committee asked rather flippantly,
"Why must we have Moody? Does he have a monopoly
on the Holy Spirit?"
"No," replied the pastor, "but the Holy Spirit has a
monopoly on him."
that was considering inviting evangelist D.L. Moody
to their city for a campaign. When a pastor spoke
glowingly of Moody's ministry, a member of the
committee asked rather flippantly,
"Why must we have Moody? Does he have a monopoly
on the Holy Spirit?"
"No," replied the pastor, "but the Holy Spirit has a
monopoly on him."
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Swim, Sam, Swim
Wow, it's now July. We're past the half-year mark.
Here's a tongue twister to start this new month.
When Thomas Wareing's car collided with a trunk
in Preston, England, police arrested him for drink
driving.
"Rubbish," Wareing told the arresting officer.
"Listen to this:
Swim, Sam, swim, Sam, swim. Show them
you are some swimmer. Swim likethe snow
white swan swam. A well swum swim is a
swim well-swum. So swim, Sam, swim."
The policeman was not impressed. He issued
a summons. When Wareing was tried, he recited
the tongue twister for the jury. The verdict?
Innocent.
Here's a tongue twister to start this new month.
When Thomas Wareing's car collided with a trunk
in Preston, England, police arrested him for drink
driving.
"Rubbish," Wareing told the arresting officer.
"Listen to this:
Swim, Sam, swim, Sam, swim. Show them
you are some swimmer. Swim likethe snow
white swan swam. A well swum swim is a
swim well-swum. So swim, Sam, swim."
The policeman was not impressed. He issued
a summons. When Wareing was tried, he recited
the tongue twister for the jury. The verdict?
Innocent.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
God is Gracious
Thank God Jayne returned home safely from her
three -week diving holiday at Cebu, Philippines.
Just two days before her arrival, Sat , 11pm, there
was a brief mention, over the radio, of news that
Typhoon Fengshen would attack central Philippines
and the surrounding islands.
When it was time for her and Eleanor to leave Puerto
Princessa, they heard about the typhoon. Thank God
they were not affected because it was no small matter.
It had killed enough lives for our President and PM to
send condolence letters to President Arroyo.
The tragedy was that the typhoon had "flipped" a MV
Princess of the Stars on Sunday, sinking the ferry
and leaving "700 of her passengers feared dead".
By Tuesday, news was that "only 38 out of 800"
reached safety. Today (Wed), the search for bodies
is still going on and that many bodies have been
found inside the ferry, raising fears of a "mass
underwater grave".
Notwithstanding the inaccuracy of the figures, it's a
fact that 'floating coffin' tragedies are not uncommon
in the Philippines given the country's horrendous
track record of ferry tragedies. The fares are cheap
but the condition of the ferries is something else!
And when you hear how Jayne herself described
her banca boat rides - truly, God has been most
gracious to her (and me ) in sparing her from any
accidents, at least this time round because it can
also be reasoned that if God allowed her to go
through any of these harrowing experiences, we
can thank Him all the more for bringing her home
safely ! Or what if ........
I just thank God that He "deemed it best" to bring
her and Eleanor safely from their diving holiday .
It's truly by God's grace that they came back
safe and sound, free from any mishaps or
tragic accidents, enjoying themselves thoroughly,
when those hundreds who had gone for a 'safer one'
in the MV Princess of the Stars didn't even make it.
three -week diving holiday at Cebu, Philippines.
Just two days before her arrival, Sat , 11pm, there
was a brief mention, over the radio, of news that
Typhoon Fengshen would attack central Philippines
and the surrounding islands.
When it was time for her and Eleanor to leave Puerto
Princessa, they heard about the typhoon. Thank God
they were not affected because it was no small matter.
It had killed enough lives for our President and PM to
send condolence letters to President Arroyo.
The tragedy was that the typhoon had "flipped" a MV
Princess of the Stars on Sunday, sinking the ferry
and leaving "700 of her passengers feared dead".
By Tuesday, news was that "only 38 out of 800"
reached safety. Today (Wed), the search for bodies
is still going on and that many bodies have been
found inside the ferry, raising fears of a "mass
underwater grave".
Notwithstanding the inaccuracy of the figures, it's a
fact that 'floating coffin' tragedies are not uncommon
in the Philippines given the country's horrendous
track record of ferry tragedies. The fares are cheap
but the condition of the ferries is something else!
And when you hear how Jayne herself described
her banca boat rides - truly, God has been most
gracious to her (and me ) in sparing her from any
accidents, at least this time round because it can
also be reasoned that if God allowed her to go
through any of these harrowing experiences, we
can thank Him all the more for bringing her home
safely ! Or what if ........
I just thank God that He "deemed it best" to bring
her and Eleanor safely from their diving holiday .
It's truly by God's grace that they came back
safe and sound, free from any mishaps or
tragic accidents, enjoying themselves thoroughly,
when those hundreds who had gone for a 'safer one'
in the MV Princess of the Stars didn't even make it.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wounded For Me
Don't know who exactly wrote the lyrics-W.G. Ovens (1870 - 1945)
or Gladys Westcott Roberts, 1888- ? Both names are mentioned.
But tune is definitely by W.G. Ovens.
1. Wounded for me , wounded for me.
There on the cross, He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions and now I am free
All because Jesus was wounded for me.
2. Dying for me, dying for me.
There on the cross, He was dying for me.
Now in His death my redemption I see
All because Jesus was dying for me.
3. Risen for me, risen for me.
Up from the grave, He has risen for me.
Now ever more from death's sting I am free.
All because Jesus has risen for me.
4. Coming for me, coming for me.
One day to earth, He is coming for me.
Then with what joy, His dear face I shall see.
O how I praise Him, He's coming for me!
or Gladys Westcott Roberts, 1888- ? Both names are mentioned.
But tune is definitely by W.G. Ovens.
1. Wounded for me , wounded for me.
There on the cross, He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions and now I am free
All because Jesus was wounded for me.
2. Dying for me, dying for me.
There on the cross, He was dying for me.
Now in His death my redemption I see
All because Jesus was dying for me.
3. Risen for me, risen for me.
Up from the grave, He has risen for me.
Now ever more from death's sting I am free.
All because Jesus has risen for me.
4. Coming for me, coming for me.
One day to earth, He is coming for me.
Then with what joy, His dear face I shall see.
O how I praise Him, He's coming for me!
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Most Difficult Thing To Do - Christian Love
John B. Phillips' paraphrase of 1 Cor. 13 on Love.
The italics in brackets is NASB version.
"This love of which I speak-
is slow to lose patience -
it looks for a way of being constructive.
It is not possessive:
it is neither anxious to impress
nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its
own importance.
Love has good manners
and does not pursue selfish advantage.
It is not touchy. (is not provoked)
It does not keep account of evil
or gloat over the wickedness of other people.
(does not rejoice in unrighteousness)
On the contrary, it shares the joy of those
who live by the truth.
(rejoices with the truth)
Love knows no limit to its endurance,
(bears all things)
no end to its trust, (believes all things)
no fading of its hope; (hopes all things)
it can outlast anything. (endures all things)
Love never fails.
The italics in brackets is NASB version.
"This love of which I speak-
is slow to lose patience -
it looks for a way of being constructive.
It is not possessive:
it is neither anxious to impress
nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its
own importance.
Love has good manners
and does not pursue selfish advantage.
It is not touchy. (is not provoked)
It does not keep account of evil
or gloat over the wickedness of other people.
(does not rejoice in unrighteousness)
On the contrary, it shares the joy of those
who live by the truth.
(rejoices with the truth)
Love knows no limit to its endurance,
(bears all things)
no end to its trust, (believes all things)
no fading of its hope; (hopes all things)
it can outlast anything. (endures all things)
Love never fails.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
About Tomorrow
"Never doubt in the darkness
what God has told you in the light."
"Never be afraid to trust an
unknown future to a known God."
"Fear not tomorrow for God
is already there."
"God has no problems - just plans!"
I think all the quotes are from Corrie ten Boom
what God has told you in the light."
"Never be afraid to trust an
unknown future to a known God."
"Fear not tomorrow for God
is already there."
"God has no problems - just plans!"
I think all the quotes are from Corrie ten Boom
Friday, June 13, 2008
"The Love of God "
1. "The love of God is greater fa-r
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest st-ar,
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with ca-re,
God gave His S-on to win;
His erring child He reconci-led,
And pardoned fr-om his sin.
Chorus:
O love of God, how rich and pu-re!
How measurel-ess and strong!
It shall fore-ver more endu-re
The saints' and an-gels' song.
2. When years of time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God's love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race
The saints' and an-gels' song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fi-ll;
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a qu-ill;
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God a-bove
Would drain the o-cean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the wh-ole
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall for evermore endure
The saints' and angels' song."
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest st-ar,
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with ca-re,
God gave His S-on to win;
His erring child He reconci-led,
And pardoned fr-om his sin.
Chorus:
O love of God, how rich and pu-re!
How measurel-ess and strong!
It shall fore-ver more endu-re
The saints' and an-gels' song.
2. When years of time shall pass away
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God's love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam's race
The saints' and an-gels' song.
3. Could we with ink the ocean fi-ll;
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a qu-ill;
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God a-bove
Would drain the o-cean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the wh-ole
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall for evermore endure
The saints' and angels' song."
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Day by Day
Swedish hymnist Lina Sandell Berg served with
her father in an evangelistic ministry. As they were
travelling by ship, he accidentally fell overboard
and drowned. In need of the comfort that only
God can supply, she wrote the hymn below:
1. "Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best.
Lovingly, it's part of pain and pleasure
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2. Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,
This the pledge to me He made.
3. Help me then in ev'ry tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting
Er'er to take, as from a Father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the Promised Land. "
Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord
her father in an evangelistic ministry. As they were
travelling by ship, he accidentally fell overboard
and drowned. In need of the comfort that only
God can supply, she wrote the hymn below:
1. "Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best.
Lovingly, it's part of pain and pleasure
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2. Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,
This the pledge to me He made.
3. Help me then in ev'ry tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting
Er'er to take, as from a Father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the Promised Land. "
Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord
Monday, June 9, 2008
In Truth and in Love
Loving in truth. John Stott has a knack of putting
it across:
"Our love grows soft
if it is not strengthened by truth
and our truth grows hard
if it is not softened by love.
We need to live according to Scripture
which commands us both to love in the truth
and to hold the truth in love."
it across:
"Our love grows soft
if it is not strengthened by truth
and our truth grows hard
if it is not softened by love.
We need to live according to Scripture
which commands us both to love in the truth
and to hold the truth in love."
Thursday, June 5, 2008
An Open Heart not a Cynical Mind
Here's another one of those quotes found in my
'Blue Book'. Whether they're spoken by characters
from his books or by himself, I don't know. But I
like the way Henry Ward Beecher explained why
some of us do not enjoy God's goodness and mercy:
"There is dew in one flower and not in another,
because one opens its cup and takes it in,
while the other closes itself, and the dewdrops
run off. God rains His goodness and mercy as
widespread as the dew, and if we lack them, it
is because we will not open our hearts to receive
them."
Besides the closed heart, there is also the cynical mind:
"The cynic is one who never sees a good quality
in a man and never fails to see a bad one.
He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness and
blind to light, mousing for vermin, and never
seeing the noble game.
The cynic puts all human actions into two
classes - openly bad and secretly bad."
Actually sounds witty and funny, especially the last
line.
'Blue Book'. Whether they're spoken by characters
from his books or by himself, I don't know. But I
like the way Henry Ward Beecher explained why
some of us do not enjoy God's goodness and mercy:
"There is dew in one flower and not in another,
because one opens its cup and takes it in,
while the other closes itself, and the dewdrops
run off. God rains His goodness and mercy as
widespread as the dew, and if we lack them, it
is because we will not open our hearts to receive
them."
Besides the closed heart, there is also the cynical mind:
"The cynic is one who never sees a good quality
in a man and never fails to see a bad one.
He is the human owl, vigilant in darkness and
blind to light, mousing for vermin, and never
seeing the noble game.
The cynic puts all human actions into two
classes - openly bad and secretly bad."
Actually sounds witty and funny, especially the last
line.
Monday, June 2, 2008
God is Awake
This is a poem or short quote that I have always
liked. It's by Victor Hugo. Don't know whether
there's a proper title to it. Great wisdom and
encouragement in it.
"Have courage for the great sorrows of life
and patience for the small ones;
And when you have laboriously accomplished
your daily task,
Go to sleep in peace.
God is awake."
An exhortation that is worth being reminded of.
That's why I think I should have it in my list.
liked. It's by Victor Hugo. Don't know whether
there's a proper title to it. Great wisdom and
encouragement in it.
"Have courage for the great sorrows of life
and patience for the small ones;
And when you have laboriously accomplished
your daily task,
Go to sleep in peace.
God is awake."
An exhortation that is worth being reminded of.
That's why I think I should have it in my list.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Why I Like to Quote
Why are most of my postings, if not all,
just quoted stuffs? Well, another quote
to answer the question:
"In reading authors, when you find bright
passages that strike your mind and which,
perhaps, you may have reason to think on,
at other season,
be not contented with the sight but take
them down in black and white;
such a respect is wisely shown as makes
another's sense one's own." - Byron-
That's the reason why. I had this on the
first page of my 'blue book'. Now having
this idea of going through the book and
posting in this blog or saving them in my
thumbdrive those I still like after all these
years.
just quoted stuffs? Well, another quote
to answer the question:
"In reading authors, when you find bright
passages that strike your mind and which,
perhaps, you may have reason to think on,
at other season,
be not contented with the sight but take
them down in black and white;
such a respect is wisely shown as makes
another's sense one's own." - Byron-
That's the reason why. I had this on the
first page of my 'blue book'. Now having
this idea of going through the book and
posting in this blog or saving them in my
thumbdrive those I still like after all these
years.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
No Right To Ask
Went through my 'blue' book where I wrote down
articles and jokes which I liked through the years.
Here's one quote the source of which I do not know.
"We have no right to ask
when sorrow comes,
'Why did this happen to me?'
unless we ask the same question
for every joy that comes our way."
articles and jokes which I liked through the years.
Here's one quote the source of which I do not know.
"We have no right to ask
when sorrow comes,
'Why did this happen to me?'
unless we ask the same question
for every joy that comes our way."
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"She's Been Safe Ever Since"
Well, the children are growing up day by day and
the things they want to do and the places they want
to go can make you ' die a thousand deaths'. Just
last weekend, for example, girl went for her diving
test at Dayang. This coming weekend, midnight,
she'll be flying off to join Eleanor and Charmaine at
Cebu for a 3 week holiday. Just a 3-girl 'back-pack'
holiday which includes scuba diving, etc.
Well, it's time to hear from Tozer again:
"In our home, we had six sons in twelve years.
Then time went one, and we figured we'd settle
for those six boys. We wanted a girl, but it was
not much use.
Then when our youngest son, Stanley, was nine
years old, along came a girl! Our only girl.
Oh, brother, was she sweet and dear to me. I
was forty-two years old, and I needed a girl
terribly bad, for those 'roughhouse gorilla' ran
the place ragged. Old, smelly gym shoes were
everywhere.
I needed something, and God sent her along.
About that same time, I had to go through a
spiritual experience. That spiritual experience
led me to surrender in a manner I hadn't known
before, and all involved our Becky.
Rebecca Mae, we called her, and we shortened
her name to Becky. She had brown, curly hair;
it was so curly that you couldn't find a straight
one! She was as pretty as a picture, and in spite
of that, they said she looked like me!
She was gentle and feminine. I would go and see
her little feminine things hanging up, you know.
I could have jumped over a building with delight
just to see her little clothes hanging up - tiny,
baby girl clothes.
I loved her more than I knew, and I had to go
to God to die to that, and I did. I gave her up.
I gave Becky up, and I gave her up so completely
that if the Lord had taken her home, I wouldn't
have complained.
I testified to that one time, and of all people, a
missionary came to me and said, 'Mr. Tozer, I'd
be afraid to testify like that. Aren't you afraid?'
I said, 'No, sister, I'm not afraid for this reason.
I have put Becky in the hands that have the nail
prints in them. I put her in the hands that loved
her enough to die, and love never does wrong to
its object. She's safe now, and she was never safe
before. As long as I held her so close, that she was
my darling and my sweetheart, and a part of me,
she wasn't safe, but when I died to her, and turned
her over to those nail-pierced hands, she's been
safe ever since."
Wasn't that such a heart-warming sharing?
the things they want to do and the places they want
to go can make you ' die a thousand deaths'. Just
last weekend, for example, girl went for her diving
test at Dayang. This coming weekend, midnight,
she'll be flying off to join Eleanor and Charmaine at
Cebu for a 3 week holiday. Just a 3-girl 'back-pack'
holiday which includes scuba diving, etc.
Well, it's time to hear from Tozer again:
"In our home, we had six sons in twelve years.
Then time went one, and we figured we'd settle
for those six boys. We wanted a girl, but it was
not much use.
Then when our youngest son, Stanley, was nine
years old, along came a girl! Our only girl.
Oh, brother, was she sweet and dear to me. I
was forty-two years old, and I needed a girl
terribly bad, for those 'roughhouse gorilla' ran
the place ragged. Old, smelly gym shoes were
everywhere.
I needed something, and God sent her along.
About that same time, I had to go through a
spiritual experience. That spiritual experience
led me to surrender in a manner I hadn't known
before, and all involved our Becky.
Rebecca Mae, we called her, and we shortened
her name to Becky. She had brown, curly hair;
it was so curly that you couldn't find a straight
one! She was as pretty as a picture, and in spite
of that, they said she looked like me!
She was gentle and feminine. I would go and see
her little feminine things hanging up, you know.
I could have jumped over a building with delight
just to see her little clothes hanging up - tiny,
baby girl clothes.
I loved her more than I knew, and I had to go
to God to die to that, and I did. I gave her up.
I gave Becky up, and I gave her up so completely
that if the Lord had taken her home, I wouldn't
have complained.
I testified to that one time, and of all people, a
missionary came to me and said, 'Mr. Tozer, I'd
be afraid to testify like that. Aren't you afraid?'
I said, 'No, sister, I'm not afraid for this reason.
I have put Becky in the hands that have the nail
prints in them. I put her in the hands that loved
her enough to die, and love never does wrong to
its object. She's safe now, and she was never safe
before. As long as I held her so close, that she was
my darling and my sweetheart, and a part of me,
she wasn't safe, but when I died to her, and turned
her over to those nail-pierced hands, she's been
safe ever since."
Wasn't that such a heart-warming sharing?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Always Picking Up Whatever They Can
"If I were to ask tonight, 'How many of you
want to come down here and receive some-
thing,' I'm sure there would be a great number
who would come, because God's children are
always picking up whatever they can.
They go to one camp meeting and another,
getting blessed here and getting blessed
there, and picking up something here.
Always getting something, but never getting
rid of anything. Our difficulty is right there.
We want to receive before we have emptied
ourselves. You can't fill a full vessel. You
have to empty it first.
Friends, you'll never know the Lord very
well until you have died to your property
and yourself and your future, and all the
little things you hold dear."
And Tozer went on to share his own experience;
of how he had to go to God to die to his adoration
of his only daughter. A very heart-warming
sharing that showed his soft side. Maybe my
next posting will be on that.
want to come down here and receive some-
thing,' I'm sure there would be a great number
who would come, because God's children are
always picking up whatever they can.
They go to one camp meeting and another,
getting blessed here and getting blessed
there, and picking up something here.
Always getting something, but never getting
rid of anything. Our difficulty is right there.
We want to receive before we have emptied
ourselves. You can't fill a full vessel. You
have to empty it first.
Friends, you'll never know the Lord very
well until you have died to your property
and yourself and your future, and all the
little things you hold dear."
And Tozer went on to share his own experience;
of how he had to go to God to die to his adoration
of his only daughter. A very heart-warming
sharing that showed his soft side. Maybe my
next posting will be on that.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Battles Are Lost Before They Are Fought
This quote is not unfamiliar but I like the way Tozer
expounded it so graphically through this illustration.
There were other biblical examples but I like this one:
"They say that a fighting man leaves his
victory in the nightclub.
While I've never seen a fight and I don't
attend them, they do illustrate this truth.
They illustrate the fact that for a man to
be in fighting form, he must take care
of himself.
And when a man gains world acclaim and
becomes popular, he finds himself going
to the nightclubs and drinking and staying
up all night and loafing through the day.
Then comes the time to fight again and,
although he tries desperately to get ready
through what they call training, the
nightclubs have taken too much out of him.
So he goes into the ring and collapses in the
fifth round and people say, "How can it be
that this mighty fighter should go down
to disgrace before a man who wasn't
supposed to be good?"
The answer is that he lost the fight before
he went into the ring, not when they counted
him out there on the floor, face down and
unconscious, but as he drank wine and stayed
up and danced half the night away.
He left his victory in the nightclub."
In the same way that battles are lost before they are
fought, battles are also won before they are fought.
And how to do that? Tozer's recommendation:
prepare by prayer.
"...never let a day creep up on you. Never let
Thursday upset you because you didn't pray
Wednesday. And never let Tuesday get you
down because you were careless on Monday.
Never let 3.00 in the afternoon floor you
because you didn't pray at 7.00 in the morning.
See that you are prayed up all the time."
expounded it so graphically through this illustration.
There were other biblical examples but I like this one:
"They say that a fighting man leaves his
victory in the nightclub.
While I've never seen a fight and I don't
attend them, they do illustrate this truth.
They illustrate the fact that for a man to
be in fighting form, he must take care
of himself.
And when a man gains world acclaim and
becomes popular, he finds himself going
to the nightclubs and drinking and staying
up all night and loafing through the day.
Then comes the time to fight again and,
although he tries desperately to get ready
through what they call training, the
nightclubs have taken too much out of him.
So he goes into the ring and collapses in the
fifth round and people say, "How can it be
that this mighty fighter should go down
to disgrace before a man who wasn't
supposed to be good?"
The answer is that he lost the fight before
he went into the ring, not when they counted
him out there on the floor, face down and
unconscious, but as he drank wine and stayed
up and danced half the night away.
He left his victory in the nightclub."
In the same way that battles are lost before they are
fought, battles are also won before they are fought.
And how to do that? Tozer's recommendation:
prepare by prayer.
"...never let a day creep up on you. Never let
Thursday upset you because you didn't pray
Wednesday. And never let Tuesday get you
down because you were careless on Monday.
Never let 3.00 in the afternoon floor you
because you didn't pray at 7.00 in the morning.
See that you are prayed up all the time."
Friday, May 23, 2008
Watch and Pray
Most of us are most happy when we are
most troubled-free; when things are
all right - no sickness in the house;
no debts uncleared; no quarrels or
misunderstandings with spouse,kids
relatives,friends or neighbors; no
problems in our work-place....
Then we let go and forget to watch
and pray..... we forget the basics
which is:
" As long as sin and the devil and
disease and death are abroad in the
land like a virus, or a contagious
disease things are never all right."
Those are words from Tozer. Another
reason he gave that it is an illusion
to think that things are alright is
because we're "not living in a healthy
or wholesome world - a helpful world,
a world that is geared to keep you
spiritually healthy."
In fact, it is quite the contrary.
Didn't our Lord Jesus Himself warn
the disciples that in this world
there would be tribulation? That
since the world hated Him, it would
also hate His disciples for the
"slave is not greater than his
master" (John 15:18-20)?
So when Satan leaves us for a while,
and things appear all right - don't
drop your guard and neglect to pray.
Never believe and act as if things
are all right. Tozer said:
"Never trust the devil and say,
'Things are all right; the devil's
business is overdone and I won't
pray today.
"Never become overconfident for
the very reason our Lord stated:
our flesh is weak."
"Never underestimate the power
of prayer. And remember that
without it, you cannot win.
With it, you cannot lose."
But Tozer is quick to add the
conditions - that it's true
prayer, that your life is in
harmony with your prayer.
Tozer reminded us of our Lord's
example of anticipatory prayer.
Here is an extract from his
sermon:
"Watch and pray," said Jesus,
and He wasn't talking poetry.
Watch and pray, said Jesus, and
He practiced it and won because
He did. He caught the spinning
world that sin had thrown out
of gear, caught it in the web
of His own love and redeemed it
with the shedding of His own
blood.
"He did this because He readied
himself for that awful and
glorious event by prayer the
night before, by prayer in the
mountains at other times, and
by prayer all through the years
of His boyhood."
So, never act as if things are
all right, just because they
appear to be so....and then
drop our guard and forget to
pray.
most troubled-free; when things are
all right - no sickness in the house;
no debts uncleared; no quarrels or
misunderstandings with spouse,kids
relatives,friends or neighbors; no
problems in our work-place....
Then we let go and forget to watch
and pray..... we forget the basics
which is:
" As long as sin and the devil and
disease and death are abroad in the
land like a virus, or a contagious
disease things are never all right."
Those are words from Tozer. Another
reason he gave that it is an illusion
to think that things are alright is
because we're "not living in a healthy
or wholesome world - a helpful world,
a world that is geared to keep you
spiritually healthy."
In fact, it is quite the contrary.
Didn't our Lord Jesus Himself warn
the disciples that in this world
there would be tribulation? That
since the world hated Him, it would
also hate His disciples for the
"slave is not greater than his
master" (John 15:18-20)?
So when Satan leaves us for a while,
and things appear all right - don't
drop your guard and neglect to pray.
Never believe and act as if things
are all right. Tozer said:
"Never trust the devil and say,
'Things are all right; the devil's
business is overdone and I won't
pray today.
"Never become overconfident for
the very reason our Lord stated:
our flesh is weak."
"Never underestimate the power
of prayer. And remember that
without it, you cannot win.
With it, you cannot lose."
But Tozer is quick to add the
conditions - that it's true
prayer, that your life is in
harmony with your prayer.
Tozer reminded us of our Lord's
example of anticipatory prayer.
Here is an extract from his
sermon:
"Watch and pray," said Jesus,
and He wasn't talking poetry.
Watch and pray, said Jesus, and
He practiced it and won because
He did. He caught the spinning
world that sin had thrown out
of gear, caught it in the web
of His own love and redeemed it
with the shedding of His own
blood.
"He did this because He readied
himself for that awful and
glorious event by prayer the
night before, by prayer in the
mountains at other times, and
by prayer all through the years
of His boyhood."
So, never act as if things are
all right, just because they
appear to be so....and then
drop our guard and forget to
pray.
It Doesn't Mean a Thing In All the World
Today's reading is a continuation from Sermon 5 ,
"He Must Increase".
"Do you know that men and women can sacrifice
and still promote themselves?
Many a young fellow who is determined to be a
great engineer, or a great physicist, or a great
politician is living on crumbs, saving his money,
wearing the old suit, and sacrificing like a saint
in order to fulfill his heart's ambition to be a great
physicist, or a great engineer, or a great politician.
The fact that you're sacrificing doesn't
mean a thing in all the world.
Some of you young preachers say, 'Well, brother
Tozer, you can't say that I'm not little. Nobody
ever heard of me, and I'm in a little place where
I'm living on practically nothing.'
But if you could get a bigger place, you would
take it. You are hoping that by serving that
apprenticeship to poverty, you will finally
bounceinto the limelight, and everybody will
say, 'Behold he cometh' and you will be big.
Now, let's watch that, because it's perfectly
possible to put forth a whole lot of sacrifice,
to wear ourselves out and injure our health,
with nothing higherbefore our vision than
the promotion of our own interests.
But John said, 'I get smaller and smaller.' He had
no interest in promoting himself."
"Are you promoting self or promoting Christ" in
your service?
"He Must Increase".
"Do you know that men and women can sacrifice
and still promote themselves?
Many a young fellow who is determined to be a
great engineer, or a great physicist, or a great
politician is living on crumbs, saving his money,
wearing the old suit, and sacrificing like a saint
in order to fulfill his heart's ambition to be a great
physicist, or a great engineer, or a great politician.
The fact that you're sacrificing doesn't
mean a thing in all the world.
Some of you young preachers say, 'Well, brother
Tozer, you can't say that I'm not little. Nobody
ever heard of me, and I'm in a little place where
I'm living on practically nothing.'
But if you could get a bigger place, you would
take it. You are hoping that by serving that
apprenticeship to poverty, you will finally
bounceinto the limelight, and everybody will
say, 'Behold he cometh' and you will be big.
Now, let's watch that, because it's perfectly
possible to put forth a whole lot of sacrifice,
to wear ourselves out and injure our health,
with nothing higherbefore our vision than
the promotion of our own interests.
But John said, 'I get smaller and smaller.' He had
no interest in promoting himself."
"Are you promoting self or promoting Christ" in
your service?
Jealousy - Disguised
Have moved on to Sermon 5, "He Must Increase".
"Now I might turn aside here long enough to
say that one of the most wicked things in the
world is religious jealousy, because it is sin
going into the holy place.
Sin that sins outside is bad enough, but sin
that enters the holy sanctuary, and is jealous
of what the Holy Ghost is doing is exceedingly
wicked. It is like fighting over the crown that
belongs to our Lord.
The unanswerable questions, questions that
cannot and have never been satisfactorily
answered, are these. If God is doing a work,
why should I be jealous? And if God is not
doing a work, why should I be jealous?
No, there isn't any excuse for religious jealousy
among God's people, but it was certainly evident
among the disciples.
They disputed over baptism. It appeared to be
a sincere question, but it was inspired by other
motives, hidden motives - rivalry and bad feeling.
They were disguised as a doctrinal problem.
But John, wise, old John, lifted their question
to its proper level.
He said, 'Your problem is not baptism. Your
problem is not practice. It is not modes of
baptism, how much water to use, or under what
circumstances it should be used. You're jealous.
Your problem is your personal relationship to
God. That's your problem. ....."
"Now I might turn aside here long enough to
say that one of the most wicked things in the
world is religious jealousy, because it is sin
going into the holy place.
Sin that sins outside is bad enough, but sin
that enters the holy sanctuary, and is jealous
of what the Holy Ghost is doing is exceedingly
wicked. It is like fighting over the crown that
belongs to our Lord.
The unanswerable questions, questions that
cannot and have never been satisfactorily
answered, are these. If God is doing a work,
why should I be jealous? And if God is not
doing a work, why should I be jealous?
No, there isn't any excuse for religious jealousy
among God's people, but it was certainly evident
among the disciples.
They disputed over baptism. It appeared to be
a sincere question, but it was inspired by other
motives, hidden motives - rivalry and bad feeling.
They were disguised as a doctrinal problem.
But John, wise, old John, lifted their question
to its proper level.
He said, 'Your problem is not baptism. Your
problem is not practice. It is not modes of
baptism, how much water to use, or under what
circumstances it should be used. You're jealous.
Your problem is your personal relationship to
God. That's your problem. ....."
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Too Shrewd to be Uniform
As Tozer in his sermon on "Prepare by Prayer" put it,
"Satan's attacks are rarely anticipated, because Satan
is too shrewd to be uniform. If Satan established a
pattern of attack, we'd soon catch on to his pattern.
The devil doesn't come in always the same way.
Everyone of us could figure him out if he did.
But he'll come at you today like a wild bull of Beijing.
And tomorrow he'll be as soft as Ferdinand.
And the next day he won't bother you at all.
Then he'll fight you three days in a row, and then
let you alone for three weeks.
Remember, it was said of Jesus, after the three
temptations, that Satan left him for a season.
Why? To get the Lord drop His guard, of course.
The devil fights like a boxer. He pitches in like
a skilled pitcher. He uses strategy.
Do you think the devil isn't as smart as Dizzy Dean
or Billy Pierce? Do you think the devil doesn't know
that the way to win over a Christian is to fool by
irregularity? Never attack him twice in the same
way on the same day. He keeps coming in from one
side one time and another side another time like a
pitcher does.
Never trust the devil. Never imagine that he's smiling.
Never look at a picture of him by Dore or somebody,
and say, 'Ah, he's not a bad-looking devil.'
Never trust the devil. Always anticipate any possible
attack by watching and praying, because the spirit,
though it is willing, must deal with the flesh, which is
terribly weak.
And so, by prayer and watching and waiting on God,
you can be ready for his arrival when he does come.
And you can win.
Not on the day he arrives, but the day before he arrives."
A good reminder for the day.
"Satan's attacks are rarely anticipated, because Satan
is too shrewd to be uniform. If Satan established a
pattern of attack, we'd soon catch on to his pattern.
The devil doesn't come in always the same way.
Everyone of us could figure him out if he did.
But he'll come at you today like a wild bull of Beijing.
And tomorrow he'll be as soft as Ferdinand.
And the next day he won't bother you at all.
Then he'll fight you three days in a row, and then
let you alone for three weeks.
Remember, it was said of Jesus, after the three
temptations, that Satan left him for a season.
Why? To get the Lord drop His guard, of course.
The devil fights like a boxer. He pitches in like
a skilled pitcher. He uses strategy.
Do you think the devil isn't as smart as Dizzy Dean
or Billy Pierce? Do you think the devil doesn't know
that the way to win over a Christian is to fool by
irregularity? Never attack him twice in the same
way on the same day. He keeps coming in from one
side one time and another side another time like a
pitcher does.
Never trust the devil. Never imagine that he's smiling.
Never look at a picture of him by Dore or somebody,
and say, 'Ah, he's not a bad-looking devil.'
Never trust the devil. Always anticipate any possible
attack by watching and praying, because the spirit,
though it is willing, must deal with the flesh, which is
terribly weak.
And so, by prayer and watching and waiting on God,
you can be ready for his arrival when he does come.
And you can win.
Not on the day he arrives, but the day before he arrives."
A good reminder for the day.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Pushing God Into a Corner
Often times we "push God into a
corner" when we pray.
How do we do that? Well, according
to Tozer, we push God into a corner
when we use God.
Tozer gave a few examples.
We use God:
"as an escape from hell"
"to help us when the baby's sick"
"as a lifeboat"
"as a ladder out of a burning building"
But how can praying for salvation be a
case of using God, you may protest.
And aren't we supposed to ask God for
help in dire situations? If we can't,
then what is the use of praying? Further
more, didn't God ask us to go to Him
for help, "casting our anxieties before
Him because He cares for us"?
The thing about pushing God into a
corner is that once we get what we want
from God, "we go our way." We have no
more use for God.
We ignore Him. We don't make a point
to continue our fellowship with Him.
We would rather talk to friends but
not to Him in prayers. Why pray when
there is nothing pressing to ask God
for? No problem that we need His help?
In other words, we are using God.
Well, hear it straight from Tozer:
"You have to get away from the idea
that God exists to help you run your
business or fly your airplane.
"God isn't simply a water boy bringing
you water while you have fun. God isn't
simply a redcap carrying your suitcase
and serving you.
"God is God. He made Heaven and Earth
and holds the world in His hand and
measures the dust of the earth in the
balance and the sky; He spreads out
like a mantle.
The great God Almighty is not your
servant; you're His servant."
"He's your Father and you're His
child. "He sitteth in heaven and
you're on Earth."
"The angels veil their faces before
the God who cannot lie."
How easy it is to slip into all
these snares:
Wanting a cut of God's glory when
we serve.
Serving without prayer.
Praying without faith in God.
Pushing God into a corner when we
pray.
Thank God He hasn't given up on
us! At least I hope not.
Ps.103:8 says:
"The Lord is compassionate and
gracious,slow to anger, abounding
in love.
He does not treat us as our sins
deserve or repay us according to
our iniquities (v9)
As a father has compassion on his
children, so the Lord has compassion
on those who fear him (v10)
For he knows how we are formed.
He remembers that we are dust.(v14)
May we fear God and remember that
we are but dust.
In remembering that, we will not
arrogate ourselves a place where
we think we can use the almighty
God and get away with it.
May God be gracious and merciful
to help us.
corner" when we pray.
How do we do that? Well, according
to Tozer, we push God into a corner
when we use God.
Tozer gave a few examples.
We use God:
"as an escape from hell"
"to help us when the baby's sick"
"as a lifeboat"
"as a ladder out of a burning building"
But how can praying for salvation be a
case of using God, you may protest.
And aren't we supposed to ask God for
help in dire situations? If we can't,
then what is the use of praying? Further
more, didn't God ask us to go to Him
for help, "casting our anxieties before
Him because He cares for us"?
The thing about pushing God into a
corner is that once we get what we want
from God, "we go our way." We have no
more use for God.
We ignore Him. We don't make a point
to continue our fellowship with Him.
We would rather talk to friends but
not to Him in prayers. Why pray when
there is nothing pressing to ask God
for? No problem that we need His help?
In other words, we are using God.
Well, hear it straight from Tozer:
"You have to get away from the idea
that God exists to help you run your
business or fly your airplane.
"God isn't simply a water boy bringing
you water while you have fun. God isn't
simply a redcap carrying your suitcase
and serving you.
"God is God. He made Heaven and Earth
and holds the world in His hand and
measures the dust of the earth in the
balance and the sky; He spreads out
like a mantle.
The great God Almighty is not your
servant; you're His servant."
"He's your Father and you're His
child. "He sitteth in heaven and
you're on Earth."
"The angels veil their faces before
the God who cannot lie."
How easy it is to slip into all
these snares:
Wanting a cut of God's glory when
we serve.
Serving without prayer.
Praying without faith in God.
Pushing God into a corner when we
pray.
Thank God He hasn't given up on
us! At least I hope not.
Ps.103:8 says:
"The Lord is compassionate and
gracious,slow to anger, abounding
in love.
He does not treat us as our sins
deserve or repay us according to
our iniquities (v9)
As a father has compassion on his
children, so the Lord has compassion
on those who fear him (v10)
For he knows how we are formed.
He remembers that we are dust.(v14)
May we fear God and remember that
we are but dust.
In remembering that, we will not
arrogate ourselves a place where
we think we can use the almighty
God and get away with it.
May God be gracious and merciful
to help us.
Unanswered Prayers
We have been touching on importance of "in
everything by prayer" in our service for God.
But how should we pray?
As Tozer put it in his dry wit, there can be
"a great deal of praying being done that doesn't
amount to anything."
This sort of praying, in his words, can have
"a very injurious effect" upon the church.
It is "detrimental to solid spiritual growth."
Members get discouraged and filled with un-
belief, they stop praying and start to believe
that the whole thing is unreal.
"Having no prayers answered - having prayers
sent up to Heaven that come back empty - is
like sending an army out without weapons. It
is like setting a pianist without fingers down
to a piano..."
The missing piece, according to Tozer, is
faith defined as "confidence in God"; not faith
in faith which is the spiritual fad of the day.
There is a lot of preaching on that subject.
Going back to the Bible which says, "This is the
confidence we have in Him", Tozer reminds us that
"There is the origin and source and foundation
and resting place for all our faith."
"Faith does not rest upon promises. Faith rests
upon character. Faith rests upon the One who
made the promise."
Take the example of Abraham. Abraham "staggered
not at the promises of God through unbelief, but
waxed strong in faith, giving glory to God."
"So," Tozer pointed out, "the glory went to God,
not the promise."
"Faith always rests upon the character of God."
If that being the case, then we should start by
knowing God better.That is why Tozer was lamenting,
"Why aren't we telling our evangelical people once
more, 'You must get to know God?"
Most times,we start with the exercise of praying,
then we add in faith if they are not answered,
but hardly do we return to first base - knowing
God better so we know what He wants us to pray
for.
"And if we ask anything according to His will,
He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the
petitions that we desired of him." (1John 5:14 )
everything by prayer" in our service for God.
But how should we pray?
As Tozer put it in his dry wit, there can be
"a great deal of praying being done that doesn't
amount to anything."
This sort of praying, in his words, can have
"a very injurious effect" upon the church.
It is "detrimental to solid spiritual growth."
Members get discouraged and filled with un-
belief, they stop praying and start to believe
that the whole thing is unreal.
"Having no prayers answered - having prayers
sent up to Heaven that come back empty - is
like sending an army out without weapons. It
is like setting a pianist without fingers down
to a piano..."
The missing piece, according to Tozer, is
faith defined as "confidence in God"; not faith
in faith which is the spiritual fad of the day.
There is a lot of preaching on that subject.
Going back to the Bible which says, "This is the
confidence we have in Him", Tozer reminds us that
"There is the origin and source and foundation
and resting place for all our faith."
"Faith does not rest upon promises. Faith rests
upon character. Faith rests upon the One who
made the promise."
Take the example of Abraham. Abraham "staggered
not at the promises of God through unbelief, but
waxed strong in faith, giving glory to God."
"So," Tozer pointed out, "the glory went to God,
not the promise."
"Faith always rests upon the character of God."
If that being the case, then we should start by
knowing God better.That is why Tozer was lamenting,
"Why aren't we telling our evangelical people once
more, 'You must get to know God?"
Most times,we start with the exercise of praying,
then we add in faith if they are not answered,
but hardly do we return to first base - knowing
God better so we know what He wants us to pray
for.
"And if we ask anything according to His will,
He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us,
whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the
petitions that we desired of him." (1John 5:14 )
Monday, May 19, 2008
HEY, I DID IT!
What did I do this evening? I have managed to insert Lola's photo in my blog, all by myself! I have also changed the template again and and added an image to the header. Also changed my title blog to "Look Unto the Hills" instead of Rainbow in the Sky".
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A Seat to Remember
"Wah, didn't know such shows are so popular.
Only left front row seats?
Guess no choice.
The next showtime won't be convenient."
So we took two seats, right in front of the
screen in the Picturehouse Theatre.
The show was "Feet Unbound,"
a sort of English documentary by a female,
young, modernised Beijing reporter.
No, the show's not about women in the past
talking about their bound feet.
It's about the communists' Long March
but this time, giving attention to the
female soldiers who took part.
Normally, I would give such shows a miss.
After all,'if you've seen one, you've seen all'.
And you don't want to be reminded of the
cruelty, sadness and tragedy of wars.
But this time, different.
Thought it would help me understand better
the Exodus account.
And it did.
When I imagine it was the Israelites and
not the Red Army soldiers who were
trudging the wilderness, the grasslands,
the mountains - feeling the hunger, the
tiredness, the helplessness, the pain
and the fear .....
It comes through very strongly,how good
and gracious God was to His children in
the exodus.
There was no account of their walking
until their feet were swollen. When hungry,
they had manna to eat until they reached the
Promised Land. They didn't have to resort to
gross ways of finding food,like going through
the shit of the yaks for their undigested seeds!
And when faced with Pharaoh's army and the
Amalekites, they had God to fight for them.
Their men were not killed by bandits. Their women
were not raped. Their children were not taken away.
Their leaders were not beheaded and their heads put
on display! Which was happened to the Red Army.
Truly God was gracious to His children.
And God was good to me, too. The front seat was really
too close for my comfort.The back seats were all taken
by a class of students. But the male teacher noticed me
standing and offered me his seat instead. How kind!
Truly, it was a seat to remember. To remember that God
was gracious to me even on so small a matter.
Only left front row seats?
Guess no choice.
The next showtime won't be convenient."
So we took two seats, right in front of the
screen in the Picturehouse Theatre.
The show was "Feet Unbound,"
a sort of English documentary by a female,
young, modernised Beijing reporter.
No, the show's not about women in the past
talking about their bound feet.
It's about the communists' Long March
but this time, giving attention to the
female soldiers who took part.
Normally, I would give such shows a miss.
After all,'if you've seen one, you've seen all'.
And you don't want to be reminded of the
cruelty, sadness and tragedy of wars.
But this time, different.
Thought it would help me understand better
the Exodus account.
And it did.
When I imagine it was the Israelites and
not the Red Army soldiers who were
trudging the wilderness, the grasslands,
the mountains - feeling the hunger, the
tiredness, the helplessness, the pain
and the fear .....
It comes through very strongly,how good
and gracious God was to His children in
the exodus.
There was no account of their walking
until their feet were swollen. When hungry,
they had manna to eat until they reached the
Promised Land. They didn't have to resort to
gross ways of finding food,like going through
the shit of the yaks for their undigested seeds!
And when faced with Pharaoh's army and the
Amalekites, they had God to fight for them.
Their men were not killed by bandits. Their women
were not raped. Their children were not taken away.
Their leaders were not beheaded and their heads put
on display! Which was happened to the Red Army.
Truly God was gracious to His children.
And God was good to me, too. The front seat was really
too close for my comfort.The back seats were all taken
by a class of students. But the male teacher noticed me
standing and offered me his seat instead. How kind!
Truly, it was a seat to remember. To remember that God
was gracious to me even on so small a matter.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
The Seven Sins
The 7 Sins God Hates - Proverbs 6:16 -19 (NASB)
"There are 6 things which the Lord hates,
Yes, 7 which are an abomination to Him" :
1. Haughty eyes
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that devises wicked plans
5. Feet that run rapidly to evil
6. A false witness who utters lies
7. One who spreads strife among brothers
"There are 6 things which the Lord hates,
Yes, 7 which are an abomination to Him" :
1. Haughty eyes
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that devises wicked plans
5. Feet that run rapidly to evil
6. A false witness who utters lies
7. One who spreads strife among brothers
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
"You Can't Delegate Prayer"
How difficult is it to set time to pray?
Or to have a prayerful attitude, "never
ceasing to pray" through the day?
We are tempted to jump into the doing
part, the activity of service itself.
And leave the praying to others.They
pray and we do. Isn't that ideal?
It isn't, by Tozer's standard.
Not to pray is "a deadly snare".
Why? I quote Tozer again:
"It is prayer that gives power to all these
things. Singing, giving, entertaining,teaching,
working and serving: those are all good things
if we set them aflame by prayer."
Doing them without prayers and they end up
"wood, hay and stubble in the day of Jesus Christ."
Tozer reminds, "The true success of any church
is going to be prayer."
He didn't end here. Stronger words to come:
"Whoever doesnt' practice prayer at least
in some degree of regularity should never be
accepted in any church as a deacon or elder.
"Deacons and elders should be picked because
they are spiritual people, and if they are
not praying they are not spiritual people.
"No man should ever sit and discuss the
affairs of the church, a holy body, unless
he is a prayingman.
"If he hasn't prayed, he has no right to
make decisions.
"Oh, friends, if we want this church to be
a rich, fruitful, G0d-filled church, we're
going to have to accept the Holy Ghost's
philosophy: in everything by prayer'.
"We're going to have to accept the Holy
Ghost's technique: 'In everything by prayer.'
(so) that the power of God and the grace of
God and the Holy Spirit of God may be on what
we're trying to do."
Yes. Though it requires great discipline,
and we may have relapses, we cannot deny that
Tozer was right: we can't delegate prayer. We
have to do the praying ourselves for the work
we are to do. Or do them in the flesh, and we
work in vain.
Or to have a prayerful attitude, "never
ceasing to pray" through the day?
We are tempted to jump into the doing
part, the activity of service itself.
And leave the praying to others.They
pray and we do. Isn't that ideal?
It isn't, by Tozer's standard.
Not to pray is "a deadly snare".
Why? I quote Tozer again:
"It is prayer that gives power to all these
things. Singing, giving, entertaining,teaching,
working and serving: those are all good things
if we set them aflame by prayer."
Doing them without prayers and they end up
"wood, hay and stubble in the day of Jesus Christ."
Tozer reminds, "The true success of any church
is going to be prayer."
He didn't end here. Stronger words to come:
"Whoever doesnt' practice prayer at least
in some degree of regularity should never be
accepted in any church as a deacon or elder.
"Deacons and elders should be picked because
they are spiritual people, and if they are
not praying they are not spiritual people.
"No man should ever sit and discuss the
affairs of the church, a holy body, unless
he is a prayingman.
"If he hasn't prayed, he has no right to
make decisions.
"Oh, friends, if we want this church to be
a rich, fruitful, G0d-filled church, we're
going to have to accept the Holy Ghost's
philosophy: in everything by prayer'.
"We're going to have to accept the Holy
Ghost's technique: 'In everything by prayer.'
(so) that the power of God and the grace of
God and the Holy Spirit of God may be on what
we're trying to do."
Yes. Though it requires great discipline,
and we may have relapses, we cannot deny that
Tozer was right: we can't delegate prayer. We
have to do the praying ourselves for the work
we are to do. Or do them in the flesh, and we
work in vain.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
MONEY WITHOUT PRAYER
How important is money today?
Well, as Tozer puts it, the world will
say extremely important.
"The world says, "In everything by money."
If you just have money enough,you can do
anything, everything. Money talks and
money opens doors."
True, isn't it? But here is Tozer's
reminder to Christians:
"Christ hadn't a dime,but we say,'Money,
if we just have more money."
Is Tozer then suggesting that Christians
live on fresh air and love?
"We know that in the Kingdom of God, God
uses money, but He uses it only because
everything is done by prayer."
"But if you have money without prayer,
you have a great curse on you."
I believe the greatest curse that could
happen to any church would be for someone
to will it $100,000 and for the Lord not
to raise up praying people commensurate
with it."
"You get money without prayer and you get
a curse. Get prayer without money it's
amazing what God can do and where He will
find money."
Why do you think Tozer asserted that getting
money without prayer will bring a curse?
Such a strong pronouncement. This preacher
really didn't mince his words. Or was it his
way of driving home his point?
Or could it be based on his observations of
Christians and churches who have gotten rich
or gotten money to 'run the church'without
prayers and then see them fall into sin as a
consequence?
The Lord says in His Word, Phil.4:6
"Be careful for nothing;
but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto
God."
God knows we need money to survive.But we
need to have them according to His way. And
to know His way, we need to ask Him in prayer.
That, I believe, was Tozer's point.
Well, as Tozer puts it, the world will
say extremely important.
"The world says, "In everything by money."
If you just have money enough,you can do
anything, everything. Money talks and
money opens doors."
True, isn't it? But here is Tozer's
reminder to Christians:
"Christ hadn't a dime,but we say,'Money,
if we just have more money."
Is Tozer then suggesting that Christians
live on fresh air and love?
"We know that in the Kingdom of God, God
uses money, but He uses it only because
everything is done by prayer."
"But if you have money without prayer,
you have a great curse on you."
I believe the greatest curse that could
happen to any church would be for someone
to will it $100,000 and for the Lord not
to raise up praying people commensurate
with it."
"You get money without prayer and you get
a curse. Get prayer without money it's
amazing what God can do and where He will
find money."
Why do you think Tozer asserted that getting
money without prayer will bring a curse?
Such a strong pronouncement. This preacher
really didn't mince his words. Or was it his
way of driving home his point?
Or could it be based on his observations of
Christians and churches who have gotten rich
or gotten money to 'run the church'without
prayers and then see them fall into sin as a
consequence?
The Lord says in His Word, Phil.4:6
"Be careful for nothing;
but in everything by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto
God."
God knows we need money to survive.But we
need to have them according to His way. And
to know His way, we need to ask Him in prayer.
That, I believe, was Tozer's point.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
A CUT OF THE GLORY
After being convinced that we do indeed need
to restore a vision of the Most High God back
to churches if we want revival, there is a
danger of which we need to be warned.
It is the danger of wanting to be the one God
uses to reveal His glory.
"What?" You may exclaim. "Is that a danger?"
"Isn't it great that you desire to do that?"
"What is so wrong with that?"
Well, according to Tozer in his sermon,the
danger lies in "asking for a cut of the glory
of God; a percentage of the glory of God."
Behind the zeal may lurks the desire for
self-glory, praise and applause.
Tozer put it so graphically:
"We want the army of the Lord to win, but
we like to be a commissioned officer so
that when it wins, we can ride at the head
of the parade."
"We want our church to triumph over her foes,
but we like to be around there working,so
when it triumphs,everyone will say we had a
part in it."
"We want our Sunday school to grow for the
glory of God, but we also would like to be
known that great Sunday school man:Under
his superintendency, it went from 25 - 39."
Self. Self. Self. Rearing his ugly head.
Never wanting to lose out. Even to God.
Tozer said this is how we should pray:
"O God, honor Thyself, but do it through me
or do it without me. If you want to use me,
all right.But if not, I'll back the man you
do use.I'll love him; I won't be jealous.
I'll pray for him and I'll work hard behind
the scene and do my dead-level best, unseen
to do what I can do."
"We have to pray like that.Otherwise we're
praying selfishly.If it's the glory of God
we want to see restored,then we don't care
if we have any part in it or not."
According to Tozer, that's the approach and
attitude we should have and we have to pray
like that.
But for most of us, it's tough to be a John
the Baptist. Work so hard and let someone
take the credit?
Perhaps that's why true revival won't take
place.
The fervor and zeal cease when no credit is
given.The 'movement' dissipates even before
it can stir up a revival.
Or when praise and applause are given,very
soon these leaders have their 'little
kingdoms'within the the church and there is
more divisions than spiritual revivalamongst
the members.
It is still the glory of the self that is
being promoted, not the glory of the Most High
God. So how can true revival take place?
Revival or not, the reminder is relevant as
we serve God - be careful that as we do so,
we are not asking for a cut of God's glory.
to restore a vision of the Most High God back
to churches if we want revival, there is a
danger of which we need to be warned.
It is the danger of wanting to be the one God
uses to reveal His glory.
"What?" You may exclaim. "Is that a danger?"
"Isn't it great that you desire to do that?"
"What is so wrong with that?"
Well, according to Tozer in his sermon,the
danger lies in "asking for a cut of the glory
of God; a percentage of the glory of God."
Behind the zeal may lurks the desire for
self-glory, praise and applause.
Tozer put it so graphically:
"We want the army of the Lord to win, but
we like to be a commissioned officer so
that when it wins, we can ride at the head
of the parade."
"We want our church to triumph over her foes,
but we like to be around there working,so
when it triumphs,everyone will say we had a
part in it."
"We want our Sunday school to grow for the
glory of God, but we also would like to be
known that great Sunday school man:Under
his superintendency, it went from 25 - 39."
Self. Self. Self. Rearing his ugly head.
Never wanting to lose out. Even to God.
Tozer said this is how we should pray:
"O God, honor Thyself, but do it through me
or do it without me. If you want to use me,
all right.But if not, I'll back the man you
do use.I'll love him; I won't be jealous.
I'll pray for him and I'll work hard behind
the scene and do my dead-level best, unseen
to do what I can do."
"We have to pray like that.Otherwise we're
praying selfishly.If it's the glory of God
we want to see restored,then we don't care
if we have any part in it or not."
According to Tozer, that's the approach and
attitude we should have and we have to pray
like that.
But for most of us, it's tough to be a John
the Baptist. Work so hard and let someone
take the credit?
Perhaps that's why true revival won't take
place.
The fervor and zeal cease when no credit is
given.The 'movement' dissipates even before
it can stir up a revival.
Or when praise and applause are given,very
soon these leaders have their 'little
kingdoms'within the the church and there is
more divisions than spiritual revivalamongst
the members.
It is still the glory of the self that is
being promoted, not the glory of the Most High
God. So how can true revival take place?
Revival or not, the reminder is relevant as
we serve God - be careful that as we do so,
we are not asking for a cut of God's glory.
A Restoration of a Vision
For revival to take place, Tozer in his
sermon called for churches to a restoration
of a vision of the Most High God highest in
our prayer list. I quote:
"We need the glory of God again.And the
returning of the glory of God to the Church."
According to Tozer, this restoration of the
glory of God must come first even before the
work of evangelism, the salvation of man.
Why?
Because, Tozer continued, "Christianity never
begins with man.It begins with God,and then it
looks around for man."
That is true because Genesis' account begins
with God and how God created the world, etc.
And man was last to be created!
Humanism, on the other hand begins with man,
and as Tozer asserted, " after a while it
looks around for God."
And Tozer claimed that "evangelicals have
backslidden until they are into humanism
with a biblical veneer."
Churches have gotten to the stage of being
too preoccupied, hung up with "what man thinks,
what man says, what we want to do for man."
What is so wrong with that,one might ask?
Well, according to Tozer, If the glory of God
doesn't always come first,but man and his needs
come first,even the saving of their souls, it is
"to cheat God out of His glory and not get souls
saved anyhow." It is just making "proselytes who
aren't Christians but are something else."
Wow! Very strong conclusion, right?
But his main point is valid:a church functions
to honor God and worship Him as He ought to be
worshipped. 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!"
And souls are saved in order to bring them back
to God, to honor God as God. If they are not
saved for that purpose, then what are they 'saved'
for? To use God as 'Santa Claus'?
So Tozer's point is valid. Amen!
sermon called for churches to a restoration
of a vision of the Most High God highest in
our prayer list. I quote:
"We need the glory of God again.And the
returning of the glory of God to the Church."
According to Tozer, this restoration of the
glory of God must come first even before the
work of evangelism, the salvation of man.
Why?
Because, Tozer continued, "Christianity never
begins with man.It begins with God,and then it
looks around for man."
That is true because Genesis' account begins
with God and how God created the world, etc.
And man was last to be created!
Humanism, on the other hand begins with man,
and as Tozer asserted, " after a while it
looks around for God."
And Tozer claimed that "evangelicals have
backslidden until they are into humanism
with a biblical veneer."
Churches have gotten to the stage of being
too preoccupied, hung up with "what man thinks,
what man says, what we want to do for man."
What is so wrong with that,one might ask?
Well, according to Tozer, If the glory of God
doesn't always come first,but man and his needs
come first,even the saving of their souls, it is
"to cheat God out of His glory and not get souls
saved anyhow." It is just making "proselytes who
aren't Christians but are something else."
Wow! Very strong conclusion, right?
But his main point is valid:a church functions
to honor God and worship Him as He ought to be
worshipped. 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!"
And souls are saved in order to bring them back
to God, to honor God as God. If they are not
saved for that purpose, then what are they 'saved'
for? To use God as 'Santa Claus'?
So Tozer's point is valid. Amen!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
HAVE A CHUCKLE
Last week, at Tecman, bought "Fellowship
of the Burning Heart" by A.W.Tozer.
The book is edited by Rev.James L.Snyder;
Publisher is Bridge-Logos,
Orlander, FL 32822 USA
Year 2006.
Here are some remarks to have a laugh or two
but also to chew on :
1. "Now there's a lot of praying going on these
days. God is on everybody's mailing list these
days... A lot of things He is not going to do,
and we might just as well save our time and
go for a walk. "
2. The simple fact is that God never responds
to any such prayers....
He allows people to blow off steam all night
long, rub their sleepy eyes, and then go home
thinking they had done God's work.
3. There was a day when men believed in the
sovereignty of God. The Calvinists believed in
the sovereignty of God and the Arminians
believed in the sovereignty of God, stronger yet
than the Calvinists, although they didn't know it.
4.The great God of the Bible is the God into
whose presence you went with fear. You do
not come dashing in wearing your tennis outfit
and go into a huddle with God, and then rush
out again.
5. Send a missionary over there with a cheap
concept of God and his head filled with jingly
choruses, and that's the kind of Christianity
he will produce over there.
6. I know some of you will never get over that
"If God wants to pick up the Mennonites and
restore the glory of God, you have to pray just
as hard and just as seriously as if He was going
to use the Christians and Missionary Alliance.
I know some of you will never get over that. There
will be heart attacks all over the campgrounds.
It'll be all right. You'll get over it.
7. But God will send His prophets. He always
has. Some red- headed fellow, running around
here covered with freckles, with big ears
standing out like taxi cab doors standing open.
You don't know - that may be the boy.
of the Burning Heart" by A.W.Tozer.
The book is edited by Rev.James L.Snyder;
Publisher is Bridge-Logos,
Orlander, FL 32822 USA
Year 2006.
Here are some remarks to have a laugh or two
but also to chew on :
1. "Now there's a lot of praying going on these
days. God is on everybody's mailing list these
days... A lot of things He is not going to do,
and we might just as well save our time and
go for a walk. "
2. The simple fact is that God never responds
to any such prayers....
He allows people to blow off steam all night
long, rub their sleepy eyes, and then go home
thinking they had done God's work.
3. There was a day when men believed in the
sovereignty of God. The Calvinists believed in
the sovereignty of God and the Arminians
believed in the sovereignty of God, stronger yet
than the Calvinists, although they didn't know it.
4.The great God of the Bible is the God into
whose presence you went with fear. You do
not come dashing in wearing your tennis outfit
and go into a huddle with God, and then rush
out again.
5. Send a missionary over there with a cheap
concept of God and his head filled with jingly
choruses, and that's the kind of Christianity
he will produce over there.
6. I know some of you will never get over that
"If God wants to pick up the Mennonites and
restore the glory of God, you have to pray just
as hard and just as seriously as if He was going
to use the Christians and Missionary Alliance.
I know some of you will never get over that. There
will be heart attacks all over the campgrounds.
It'll be all right. You'll get over it.
7. But God will send His prophets. He always
has. Some red- headed fellow, running around
here covered with freckles, with big ears
standing out like taxi cab doors standing open.
You don't know - that may be the boy.
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