Forgiveness and Restoration

Forgiveness and restoration are completely different things.

One allows the possibility of another.

Both have to mutually work at each stage to make anything possible.

Restoration can't occur until forgiveness is mutually sought.

Be real.

Mission Madness

So many cross-cultural missions happening this coming month! Please pray for:

1. The SDBC Team going to Tokyo, Japan

They still need 3 homestays and time is ticking before they leave. Please pray for this! Please also pray that God will make divine appointments with the Japanese people through the team. Pray for sensitivity to the Japanese culture, and for relationships to grow during their stay.

2. Pray for the CCCB Team going to Cambodia

Praise God for the young team of CCCB guys and girls going to Cambodia! The country is so in need of God's unconditional love. Pray for the kids programs, the english learning classes, and all the conversations that the team has with the Cambodian people, that everything will be done for the glory of God.

3. Pray for the Taiwan Missions team

Praise God for the ministry that has been consolidated over the past years, and the relationships that have been made with the taiwanese people. Praise God for the new members on the team going to Taiwan and on missions for the first time. Pray that God will continue to move within the taiwanese people and that people will come to faith.

4. Pray for the TBC team going to India

Praise God for this unique experience for Zee Zhang and the others going! Praise God for the work that missionaries have been doing in India for the past century. Pray for continued support for the christian movement in such a hindu stronghold, that God will break the chains of Satan that are holding the Indian people down.

Its such an encouragement to see God's name go out to the ends of the earth!

Maybe a miracle is actually required..

Found this gem on my Iphone from my visit to Malaysia and staying in my cousin's old room... but reading it from a totally opposite perspective than before...

The Miracle of Friendship

There's a "Miracle called Friendship"

that dwells within the heart,

And if you don't know

how it happens

or when it gets its start...

But the happiness it brings you

always gives a special lift,

And you realise that "friendship"

is

God's most precious gift!

Christian Hypocrites

"Christians are a bunch of hypocrites"

I have heard this strong phrase many times while speaking to non-Christian workmates and friends, and wished they would look deeper into Christianity. I wish they would look at the real Christians, the ones who are actually following God and living a life for Christ. I mean, there are so many of them out there!

This is probably the way I have thought about Christians and hypocrites until the past few years. Now when I hear this statement, my feelings are sadness and disappointment. After experiencing more of life, looking at people, Christians, and 'Christians', I am just at a loss looking at 'Christians' who live the life of the world. I am saddened looking at Christians who put themselves out as good, nice, and Christ-like, but deep down they can be the total opposite, without any guilt or regret. Where has the honesty, humility and sincerity gone? Then I revisit this common secular phrase again, the stumbling block for many people looking into Christianity, and think again - "Yes, it could be their lack of interest or their uniquely bad experience, but maybe its a wake up call for us too".

Maybe its time for all of us to look honestly, humbly and objectively at ourselves, and really ask ourselves the hard questions: Am I being Christ-like in all my life? Or am I just 50% there, or whatever it is. Am I holding this part of my life ransom and not giving it up to Christ, and why am I doing this? Sure life is busy, but life shouldn't be busy enough that you can't even think about where you're at with life. We need to examine ourselves, monthly, weekly, daily, and continue to move towards Christ-likeness, so that our lives can be a witness to the one God who is sovereign and has saved us from our inequities.

The Modern Demographic

Today's modern world celebrates sin, immorality, foolishness and the like.

Christ calls us to live a life of no compromise, wisdom and self control. A life that celebrates Faith, Hope and Love. Faith in the only one who can save. Hope of a future of eternal joy. Love, like the one who loved us so much that He would sacrifice His son for us.

People around us celebrate their sinfulness, boast about their immorality, pride in their shortcomings, laugh in their foolishness.

The only thing we can celebrate is Christ crucified for us.

Lessons

Over the past few years, I have learnt these important lessons in life:

1. No one and nothing is worth my trust, my time, my effort, except for Jesus.

2. All of my plans are epic fail compared to God's plans.

3. Satan is real. He is swift and subtle, but dangerous and destructive.

4. Satan loves to see me fail. He hates to see me stand up and fight back.

5. Jesus has overcome. My future is secure in His hands, and no other.

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Soli Deo Gloria

Boys 2 Men

Over the past few months, I've had a number of conversations with people about the state of of young men within the church. Most of us have come to a conclusion that there are many 'old' boys but not many young 'real men' in the church today. What sets apart boys from men? Is it the tonka toys they play with compared to big boys toys? Or is it the state of their singleness or relationship? Is it if they are living at home or moved out? Is it the fact that they are in leadership positions or not? Some of these may be relevant in minor ways, but the quality that separates boys and men is maturity.

Here is a pretty good article I saw which talks about the qualities of manhood - written by a solid teacher that I would trust: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001093.cfm?utm_id=emailafriend&utm_campaign=1

We need more leaders like this

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

We need more leaders who have these qualities displayed within and throughout their lives....

What a Cop Out

He had the opportunity to make a stand on Jesus...

I can't believe his response...

And over 50000 people get fed from this guy every week...

Biblical Conflict Resolution

¹⁵"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. ¹⁶But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' ¹⁷If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. ²⁰Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

The Thing

The thing that allows us to be saved....

The thing that we are commanded to show in love...

The thing most if not all of us fail to demonstrate to others...

The thing that can begin or end restoration of relationships, start or end wars, free or take captive one's mind...

The thing that humbles oneself towards another...

f o r g i v e n e s s.

What if...

Everyone says that there will be light at the end of the tunnel...

But what if there's no end? What if the tunnel keeps going and going...

Such is life...

Take my Life

When there's so much to think about, so much to worry about, so much to do...

When life is just getting too big for one person to carry...

The only response is surrender it all to God...

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.

Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Only You

- I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

- I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.

- that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

- I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

- Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

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And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Response to a certain news in Florida...

Been following a tab over the past few months about a 'church' in the USA who is planning to burn Korans on September 11.

I have read a bit about this church.... I think something has gone wrong in the outworking of Christian principles. Their beliefs statement seems to show that they must have skipped or totally misinterpreted a lot of Scripture. They believe Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6) but then that has outworked in a way of opposition against people who do not believe Jesus is the only way to God (i.e. Muslims).

Lets just get things straight:

1. Jesus came to save the lost, not to condemn the lost. Jesus reaches out to the lost and brings them the gospel of salvation. Jesus in his great commission tells us to do likewise and make disciples in all nations.

2. God loves all people, saved or unsaved. All people are marred by the same sin. God loves all of us. God wants all of us to turn back to Him through Jesus. Now lets think about it. Does a church setting fire to korans allow them to turn back to God, or does it oppress them and victimise them more? Would God burn them in a consuming fire right now? No - He sent Jesus to save them.

3. Jesus tells us to be the light of the world. He tells us to imitate Him. He tells us to love one another, just as God loves us. We are to be role models of the Word so that all peoples, including Muslims, can see the love of Jesus in our lives and turn to Him as their saviour.

Jesus gives us this command:

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

I think this church has interpreted the gospel totally incorrect. Lets not oppress the lost. Lets save them by displaying the glory and the love of God to them.

Morning Show Disappointment

Every morning I watch the news while eating breakfast. I put up with talkshow-style segments between each news update, even though half of the stuff they talk about is nonsense. But sometimes, I am just flabbergasted by how brainless these show hosts are.

Among many other examples, I don't understand how one can formally 'apologise' about accidentally calling someone a retard, but then openly and purposely make fun of Christianity and religious people (I think P Jensen was on the show).

The nonsense coming from show hosts from Sunrise, The Today Show, Today Tonight, A Current Affair, and the like is just so sad and disappointing...

Privelaged Teaching...

I think its only in the past few weeks and especially today, that I have realised how privileged we are to have solid, meaty and challenging sermons almost week in week out for the past 7 or so years. Rarely in this time, have we left Sunday morning without being truly opened deeply into the Word of God and challenged to live for Jesus. We are truly blessed...

Thanks Big D.

Classic Facebook Convo

Saw this convo flying around via Sydney connections...

[Person A]: Everyone is sick! What's with that.

[Person B]: I blame Adam for listening to his wife...

5 hours ago

[Person A]: Adam...So dumb. That's the last time we should ever listen to women, look where it got us!

The Stand

I’ll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the one who gave it all

I’ll stand

My soul longs to you surrender it all

I am is yours