unique?

hope you are touched and encouraged by this.. there is only one of you.. haha :P

Believing Your Uniqueness
by Jon Walker

“The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me — to tell people the Good News about God's grace.” (Acts 20:24 NCV)

God gave you a unique role to play in his Kingdom.

You’re the only person in the world who can live your particular life for the glory of God. There is no one else in the world with your unique mix of spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personality, and experiences. God shaped you for a very specific ministry, and no one else can fulfill your mission.

If you don’t do it, nobody else can!

Paul writes, “The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me — to tell people the Good News about God's grace.” (Acts 20:24, NCV) To Paul, the most important thing we can do is to be on a mission to tell others about God’s Good News.

Telling people about Jesus is more than just a matter of life and death; it involves the eternal destiny of those waiting to hear about Jesus from you. God doesn’t want us to waste a precious minute of our lives doing things that don’t matter — if the most important thing we can do is left undone.

It’s never too late to move faithfully into your mission for God. You may think you don’t have any skills God can use, but the truth is that God would never send you on a mission without making sure you had everything you needed – including your unique shape – and the Holy Spirit active within you.

So what?

· Take inventory – Through your spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personality, and experiences, God has uniquely shaped you for your mission. Take an inventory of your life and think it through: What mission do you see God has prepared you for?

· Don’t waste God’s grace – The Apostle Paul writes, “But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven't I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn't amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it.” (1 Corinthians 15:10 MSG)

· What if it’s true? – How would you live differently if you really believed God had created you for a unique mission, one that only you could accomplish?

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.

Reflections

As I reflect upon the things I have done, the mistakes that I have made, I cannot but only regret them. Though I know that everything happens for a reason, and nothing except for God is everlasting, I still regret some of the choices I have made.

It is only when I lose something so dear and precious to me, that I only realise the importance of it all. To think that I myself prided for being thick skin, only to realise that no one is invincible except God.

I remember the times and yet those times seem like only yesterday. I remember when you loved what you did, when you were adventurous even when the age is catching up. I miss you now more dearly than before.

"Oh Lord, help me in these times Lord. As it is in your Word, thy will be done. Lord, the gracious giver, lay down a calming peace over my entire family Lord. Strengthen me, Lord. I give myself to you, Lord. Amen."

Update

Dear all,

it's been some time since i last posted.
I wonder if anyone still reads?
I'm sorry that i haven't been faithful in updating...
Thanks for those who still faithfully drop by to see if anyone updates, and thanks for those who have posted to encourage/ edify/ challenge.

It seems i've lost my passion to share what God teaches me, i guess this year i've been concentrating a lot on 'doing' and end up being very tired at times... but thank God for His grace and strength.
Just an update on how solid rock has been doing this term.

We've been doing a book called 'Network' this term, some of us had some reservations but we also had confirmations from God that it was something He wanted us to do. it's quite different from the usual bible studies we do, cos it's more of a practical course, than 'solid food', which i do miss. But it's been exciting learning more about one another's gifts and personal styles in terms of service. Also, encouraging to see many new people helping out in the worship team. We've got a drumset now!!! Well, just electric drums but better than nth lar. heh.

Also, our longest solid rock member is sadly leaving us soon (tentatively 10th april). Yes, Rob has got a job in the university in Guangzhou, and will be there for at least 6 months, likely to extend to a year. I remember how i used to be intimidated by this big british guy when i first came to sr, but when you get to know him, he's actually a really warm guy with lots of experience, wisdom and interesting stories to share :) We had a steamboat dinner at his place last weekend. You'll be missed Rob!

Easter break is near. This year, we decided to organize our own solid rock retreat, instead of going for spring harvest or mec (midlands easter conference). it's been sometime since sr had it's own retreat, and we thought it'll be warm and cosy :) Thorsten will be speaking on the theme on the spiritual life and disciplines.
Sadly i won't be able to go though, kinda sad... especially since it's my last year here. But i decided to go for a mission trip to malta instead. Wish to focus on fewer things, and not try to put my feet into too many ponds as a friend would say ;) About 6 solidrockers are going for the mission trip, as well so guess it'll be a mini solid rock retreat too. heh. we're going to help out on board the logos2 which will be docked there while we're there. i'm looking forward to washing the decks for some reason or other!

Hope everyone's doing well, wherever you may be, may His grace and peace be with you. Solid rockers, rock on for Jesus! ;)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easilt hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish." Hebrews 12:1-2

Praise God all ye people!

For Him,
Pam

sharing...

A mail I shared with J,A,P,SL and WX the other day...

These couple of days, God had been waking me up quite a lot in the middle of the night. First two nights, I didnt know what it was all about. Tonight, I really felt God speaking to my heart. Making me aware of things. Just to share one with you.

I was thinking about the topic of 'sharing' with others. There were times where I get really excited and just feel like sharing a bible verse with others, or sharing with them a song in my heart or letting them know about how God's been working in my life, but then, something stopped me. The thought of maybe, the other party will just look at my message and do feel anything at all and dont appreciate it at all, just like how I can be. How I sometimes feel that I dont need God at all. Especially when life is adequate, I've got most of the basic things I need and want, and I am happy. Then, even knowing that I still believe in God, but the passion for God isn't there anymore. I dont feel excited seeking Him or needed Him. I was led to thinking about my attitude towards receiving words of encouragement and sharing from SR's email or from other fellow christians, who would send me bible verses or words of advice, and I just look at the mail and didn't even bother to read it, then closed the window, forgetting about it. Wonder if you guys do experience this as well?

Ya, so perhaps God wants me to learn from this lesson. I used to think that the 'caterpillar turning into a butterfuly' process is just a one off event. That I'll just experiencing it once, but I think, I would have to experience it many many many times in my walk withe Lord. Every lesson that God teaches me is like another butterfly in process effect. We are all the caterpillar and the butterfly at the same time. We are all growing. We are in a process of becoming. In some areas of our life, maybe we are the caterpillar, vulnerable and hungry. In some relationships maybe we are in a cocoon, taking time and space, or doing our best to give it to others. And in some ways, we are all fully grown, mature and free, like the butterfly. And thus it is our task to emulate God, to grow and to become and to improve ourselves throughout our whole lives.

Reading a book now by Joshua Harris "Not even a hint"

This song is gonna be a hit!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And all your soul and all your mind
And love all mankind as you would love yourself

Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And all your soul and mind
And love all mankind

We've got Christian lives to live,
We've got Jesus' love to give,
We've got nothing to hide because in Him we abide

p/s : gonna sing it this friday!

What He Does Best

I saw a man, he was sitting,
Alone at the top of a building,
So I climbed up all the stairs,
Just to sit by his side,
I asked him what he was doing,
He said that all hope had left him,
And the promise life once held,
Was slowly slipping away,
And I wished that I could save him,
But I can't even save myself,
So I prayed the Lord would step in
And do what he does best......

I see a lady at the bustop,
She's cold and she's lonely,
And I watch her as
She quickly wipes away,
The tears from her eyes,
She's overworked, kids are hungry,
There are more bills than there's money,
And the weight of life has washed away,
All her joy and her youth,
And I wished that I could save her,
But I can't even save myself,
So I prayed the Lord would step in,
To do what he does best,

There was a time in my life,
When I just knew all hope was lost,
Then I found God and He said,
Come child,
Take up your cross and follow me,
That's when the Lord he saved me,
There's no way,
I could have saved myself,
When I asked the Lord to step in,
He did what He Does Best.........

Don't give up hope,
God will be right there
When times are hard and spirits are low,
Take up your cross and follow, follow, follow....................

c. 2002 T. Worth, F. Offard, R. Walters, Jr.

yeahhh.. there are times when we dont know how to help someone.. or that person might not want to be helped or we feel too discouraged/weak to help.. the best we can do is hand that person/friend over to God. God's mighty arms can do beyond what we can possibly do with our human hands.

This is indeed a shared journey.. for the journey of life is not an easy one. Jesus tells us to take heart (=be brave)! for He has overcome the world. We face challenges each day..can be frustrating n discouraging but God is with us! He will never leave us nor forsake us..I will not be afraid, because the Lord is my helper (Heb 13:5-6)

finally, a blog that i want to recommend : www.therebelution.com check it out!

Awsome God

I've been inspired by two songs today and also Psalm 147. I posted the psalm in my blog, but the two songs in SR's blog coz I dont want to over crowd my blog...Heehee. Hope you are inspired by God everyday as well. Praise Him.

Emm...I dont really know how to sing the verses for this song, but I just know the chorus. I think the verses are 'rapping' but anyhow, hope I get to listen to the full song one day, or maybe soon. God bless.

When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain't just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There's thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn't joking
When He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God (Our God is an awesome God)
He reigns from heaven above (He reigns from heaven above)
With wisdom, power, and love (With wisdom, power, and love)
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
Our God is an awesome God

I could sing of your love forever

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your love came down

I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the healer set me free

I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your love came down

Oh, I fell like dancing
It's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the
Light
They will dance with joy
Like we're dancing now