Dear all,
Just wanna share a song by Jadon Lavik. It's called 'Today'. Found the lyrics especially meaningful and thought-provoking. May it challenge us to spend the days here on earth wisely.
More things to buy more clothes to wear
The perfect job the perfect wife
A new color for the hair
Take a look around the way we’re livin’
It’s no secret we think that just a little more
Just a little bit further then we’re there
but time asks no questions it moves on in spite of me
it’s not about my style of life my own prosperity
it’s time we open up our eyes to find there’s so much more
and all I’m asking is what you’re living for today
he say the hurts saw the pain and knew our needs
cured the sick healed the lame and made the
blind man see
a life laid down the perfect gift for you and me
loves greatest sacrifice a picture of how
it ought to be , how it ought to be
but time asks no questions it moves on in spite of me
it’s not about my style of life my own prosperity
it’s time we open up our eyes to find there’s so much more
and all I’m asking is what you’re living for today ,(oh today)
so take a look around go find a brother and help him stand
take the risk to love another with an outstretched hand
‘cause time asks no questions it moves on in spite of me
it’s not about my style of life my own prosperity
it’s time we open up our eyes to find there’s so much more
so much more,
and all I’m asking is what you’re living for
and all I’m asking is what you’re living for
and all I’m asking is what you’re living for, today
what you’re living for, what you’re living for
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Story
DON'T LEAVE IT ON THE DESK!
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.
Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman but was studying with the intent of going into the seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well-liked and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the Professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good Steve," Dr. Christianson said, "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know. I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of 10 for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it!" said the Professor.
Steve said, "Well, I think I can. Yeah, I can do it."
Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.
When class started, the Professor pulled out a big box of doughnuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of doughnuts; they were the extra fancy BIG kind with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these doughnuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a doughnut."
"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten.
Then Steve again sat in the desk. Dr. Christianson then put a doughnut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a doughnut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a doughnut."
Steve did ten push-ups; Joe got a doughnut. And so it went, down the first aisle. Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their doughnut.
Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacked for female companionship.
When the Professor asked, "Scott, do you want a doughnut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No. Steve has to do them"
Then Scott replied, "No, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a doughnut he doesn't want."
With perfect obedience, Steve started to do ten push-ups.
Scott said, "Hey! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desk and these are my doughnuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it."
And he put a doughnut on Scott's desk.
Now, by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now, the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a doughnut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "NO!"
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve would you do ten more push-ups so that Jenny can have a doughnut she doesn't want." Steve did ten; Jenny got the doughnut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room.
The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten doughnuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each doughnut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push-up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all those uneaten doughnuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the Professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next.
Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups.
You're in charge now. You can do them any way you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No. Let him come in."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in, you will have to do ten push-ups for him."
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a doughnut."
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a doughnut?"
Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "Give me a doughnut."
"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a doughnut?"
Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a doughnut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time, sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Linda can have a doughnut that she doesn't want."
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.
Then, Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a doughnut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a doughnut whether they want it or not.
When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade.
Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a doughnut."
As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into Thy hands I commend my spirit.' with the understanding that he had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up his life. And, like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the Professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class, the Professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept his gift to us, the price has been paid.
"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"
--Author Unknown
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.
Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman but was studying with the intent of going into the seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well-liked and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the Professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good Steve," Dr. Christianson said, "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know. I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of 10 for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it!" said the Professor.
Steve said, "Well, I think I can. Yeah, I can do it."
Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room.
When class started, the Professor pulled out a big box of doughnuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of doughnuts; they were the extra fancy BIG kind with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these doughnuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a doughnut."
"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten.
Then Steve again sat in the desk. Dr. Christianson then put a doughnut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a doughnut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a doughnut."
Steve did ten push-ups; Joe got a doughnut. And so it went, down the first aisle. Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their doughnut.
Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacked for female companionship.
When the Professor asked, "Scott, do you want a doughnut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No. Steve has to do them"
Then Scott replied, "No, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a doughnut he doesn't want."
With perfect obedience, Steve started to do ten push-ups.
Scott said, "Hey! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desk and these are my doughnuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it."
And he put a doughnut on Scott's desk.
Now, by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now, the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a doughnut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "NO!"
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve would you do ten more push-ups so that Jenny can have a doughnut she doesn't want." Steve did ten; Jenny got the doughnut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room.
The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten doughnuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each doughnut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push-up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all those uneaten doughnuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the Professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next.
Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups.
You're in charge now. You can do them any way you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No. Let him come in."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in, you will have to do ten push-ups for him."
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a doughnut."
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a doughnut?"
Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "Give me a doughnut."
"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a doughnut?"
Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a doughnut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time, sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Linda can have a doughnut that she doesn't want."
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.
Then, Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a doughnut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a doughnut whether they want it or not.
When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade.
Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a doughnut."
As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into Thy hands I commend my spirit.' with the understanding that he had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up his life. And, like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the Professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class, the Professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept his gift to us, the price has been paid.
"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"
--Author Unknown
Monday, October 09, 2006
Happenings in Solid Rock Notts :)
Dear all,
Just thought i'd update on some happenings in Solid Rock (especially for those of you who are not in Notts anymore, but still have a special place in SR :)) Hope you all are doing well wherever you are.
For those who are new to Solid Rock or Nottingham, i'd like to extend a warm welcome to you :) It's nice of you to drop by and hope you'll return to visit!
Well, it's the 2nd week into term, things are getting busy with lectures and all. University is bubbling with life. And so is the library (i think. heh.) We had the Welcome dinner for international students at Andrew's , Weileong's and my house (26 Highfield Rd). I think we had about 70-80 ple. God provided us warm weather (so we could use the backyard), food and people to eat the food :) Had many gd conversations and have kept in touch with some of them till now. There wasn't as many people in the first SR meeting as last year, but God doesn't look at the numbers but the hearts. Every person matters to him. There were ple from Malaysia, China, Denmark, Indonesia, Hong Kong... as far as i remember. No one from Singapore, sadly. Yet. Huifen and Tracy gave their testimony, which was very very encouraging! They've both grown a lot in Him, and have been a great blessing to many of us in SR.
We had our first meeting in our respective cell groups last Friday, was encouraging to have the freshers come, as well as new people, and of course was great to see the old-timers again :) We all had a gd time of bonding, fun and sharing within our groups. Praise God!
We'll be starting bible studies this Friday. Doing a purpose driven life series on 'growing to be like Christ'.
Yup. Just a quick update. Sorry no juicy gossips whatsoever :P
If you've graduated but still like to receive the SR emails, do let us know so we can include you :) i think some of you are still on it ;)
In Him,
Pam
Just thought i'd update on some happenings in Solid Rock (especially for those of you who are not in Notts anymore, but still have a special place in SR :)) Hope you all are doing well wherever you are.
For those who are new to Solid Rock or Nottingham, i'd like to extend a warm welcome to you :) It's nice of you to drop by and hope you'll return to visit!
Well, it's the 2nd week into term, things are getting busy with lectures and all. University is bubbling with life. And so is the library (i think. heh.) We had the Welcome dinner for international students at Andrew's , Weileong's and my house (26 Highfield Rd). I think we had about 70-80 ple. God provided us warm weather (so we could use the backyard), food and people to eat the food :) Had many gd conversations and have kept in touch with some of them till now. There wasn't as many people in the first SR meeting as last year, but God doesn't look at the numbers but the hearts. Every person matters to him. There were ple from Malaysia, China, Denmark, Indonesia, Hong Kong... as far as i remember. No one from Singapore, sadly. Yet. Huifen and Tracy gave their testimony, which was very very encouraging! They've both grown a lot in Him, and have been a great blessing to many of us in SR.
We had our first meeting in our respective cell groups last Friday, was encouraging to have the freshers come, as well as new people, and of course was great to see the old-timers again :) We all had a gd time of bonding, fun and sharing within our groups. Praise God!
We'll be starting bible studies this Friday. Doing a purpose driven life series on 'growing to be like Christ'.
Yup. Just a quick update. Sorry no juicy gossips whatsoever :P
If you've graduated but still like to receive the SR emails, do let us know so we can include you :) i think some of you are still on it ;)
In Him,
Pam
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Power of a prayer
**my ex-collegemate posted this on the Friendster buletin board, let me share it with you..
A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan.While serving at a small field hospital in Africa,every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point. On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital.
Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord. I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident.Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, 'Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs.But just as we were about to move into your camp,we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards. At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said, 'No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards, my friends also saw them, and we all counted them.It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.'
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened.The missionary told the congregation the date and the man who interrupted told him this story:"On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. Iwas about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong; I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you. Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?"The men who had met together to pray that day stood up. The missionary wasn't concerned with who they were, he was too busy counting how many men he saw.There were 26.
This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in mysterious ways. If you ever hear such prodding, go along with it. Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell. If we all take it to heart, we can turn this world towards God once again. As the above true story clearly illustrates, "With God all things are possible". More importantly, how God hears and answers the prayers of the faithful. After you read this, please pass it on and give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith, for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles He works in your own daily life. Who says God does not work in mysterious ways.His love is always with you, His promises are true and when we give Him our cares you know He will see us through.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Be the CHANGE you want to see
Hello ppl.. here i am to bore you to death with my thoughts AGAIN..haha
"Be the change you want to see" .. what a cliche ! Some of us are so cynical that we are blinded to see the simple truth expressed by many cliches that we use daily. I first came across this phrase when I started receiving occasional e-mails from Valerie (the girl who co-ordinates Encounter Weekends). My first reaction was to 'pooh-pooh' it.. how typical of me to make decisions like that without thinking about it. I had many doubts whether that would actually work in the REAL world, coz we're not living in a perfect world, we live in a world where even if you extend kindness and goodness to others , you can still expect some negative responses. You can never be sure if other ppl will ever "co-operate with you" to spread goodness in this world.
After a while, as I became more frustrated with life, I decided to give it a shot. If I wished other people would be less calculative with me, I began to be less calculative with them. It doesn't matter if others dirty the kitchen, I can still clean it up ...though it's not my responsibility and i had to sacrifice some of my personal time, i feel it's really worth it..to do something that will bring a change to my surrounding.
Most of the time, we know that this principle works but we're still unwilling to do it because it requires us to take the initiative, to give in first, to sacrifice time , or money or effort; though we don't need to. Many of us like to lament about the pathetic condition of the world, so many uncaring people walking around, each minding their own business, inconsiderate people , injustice etc. Come on, stop asking and waiting for the world to change....Start with the man/woman in the mirror. Yeah, it's YOU that I'm talking about!
Recently, i realised something.. the person who coined this phrase might have been a Christian. Because Jesus became the change He wanted to see. God was saddened and angry to see His beloved creation going astray.. forsaking the love of God and commiting so many sins. Being a just God, He had every right to punish us, to give us what we deserved but Jesus wanted to see love restored in this world. So, He chose to humble Himself, came in the name of love, and died on the cross for us. Did He deserve death? He had done nothing wrong, in fact, He is God! I'm always amazed at the way God came down to our level, and suffered to bring us back to Him. He came , not for the justice He deserved, but for the ones that He loved. Jesus brought the solution by loving us first, no matter what our response to Him would be.
What do you want in all problematic situations? A solution or justice for yourself? If the solution requires you to humble yourself and identify with the one who did wrong, would you still choose to resolve the problem? Many of us, out of pride and the desire to see justice done, have forsaken the path to reconciliation.
In fact, many of us live with unforgiveness and unresolved conflict because we hold on so tightly to the right to be right (pardon the pun!). You have every right to refuse to forgive someone when they do you wrong, but if by letting go of your right to be angry, you can reconcile with that person, would you humble yourself? Do you desire reconciliation more than anything else? Don't lie to yourself and say that you desire peace in life if you cannot forgive someone else. Above all things, strive to reconcile and be at peace and unity with each other.
Alright, it's difficult to achieve that by our own strength but remember, we have one perfect example to follow. Jesus Christ came as a man to show us what it means to live in the perfect will of God. He's da MAN(~borrowing Pam's quote) to follow!
"Be the change you want to see" .. what a cliche ! Some of us are so cynical that we are blinded to see the simple truth expressed by many cliches that we use daily. I first came across this phrase when I started receiving occasional e-mails from Valerie (the girl who co-ordinates Encounter Weekends). My first reaction was to 'pooh-pooh' it.. how typical of me to make decisions like that without thinking about it. I had many doubts whether that would actually work in the REAL world, coz we're not living in a perfect world, we live in a world where even if you extend kindness and goodness to others , you can still expect some negative responses. You can never be sure if other ppl will ever "co-operate with you" to spread goodness in this world.
After a while, as I became more frustrated with life, I decided to give it a shot. If I wished other people would be less calculative with me, I began to be less calculative with them. It doesn't matter if others dirty the kitchen, I can still clean it up ...though it's not my responsibility and i had to sacrifice some of my personal time, i feel it's really worth it..to do something that will bring a change to my surrounding.
Most of the time, we know that this principle works but we're still unwilling to do it because it requires us to take the initiative, to give in first, to sacrifice time , or money or effort; though we don't need to. Many of us like to lament about the pathetic condition of the world, so many uncaring people walking around, each minding their own business, inconsiderate people , injustice etc. Come on, stop asking and waiting for the world to change....Start with the man/woman in the mirror. Yeah, it's YOU that I'm talking about!
Recently, i realised something.. the person who coined this phrase might have been a Christian. Because Jesus became the change He wanted to see. God was saddened and angry to see His beloved creation going astray.. forsaking the love of God and commiting so many sins. Being a just God, He had every right to punish us, to give us what we deserved but Jesus wanted to see love restored in this world. So, He chose to humble Himself, came in the name of love, and died on the cross for us. Did He deserve death? He had done nothing wrong, in fact, He is God! I'm always amazed at the way God came down to our level, and suffered to bring us back to Him. He came , not for the justice He deserved, but for the ones that He loved. Jesus brought the solution by loving us first, no matter what our response to Him would be.
What do you want in all problematic situations? A solution or justice for yourself? If the solution requires you to humble yourself and identify with the one who did wrong, would you still choose to resolve the problem? Many of us, out of pride and the desire to see justice done, have forsaken the path to reconciliation.
In fact, many of us live with unforgiveness and unresolved conflict because we hold on so tightly to the right to be right (pardon the pun!). You have every right to refuse to forgive someone when they do you wrong, but if by letting go of your right to be angry, you can reconcile with that person, would you humble yourself? Do you desire reconciliation more than anything else? Don't lie to yourself and say that you desire peace in life if you cannot forgive someone else. Above all things, strive to reconcile and be at peace and unity with each other.
Alright, it's difficult to achieve that by our own strength but remember, we have one perfect example to follow. Jesus Christ came as a man to show us what it means to live in the perfect will of God. He's da MAN(~borrowing Pam's quote) to follow!
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