inspired? encourage, build up, strengthened....

1st day in sch in the year 2007

2007-01-03T18:21:00.000+08:00

i'm working part-time @ Del-care now located at Fuji Xerox in the CBD,

today is the children first day of the year,

everything seems like a mess,

I'm constantly moving from 1 classroom to another,

from N1(P) to N1(L) then finally back to K1...

every1 is adjusting to the schedule,

I was taking care of a new boy name Nicholes,

he was alright initially but after realizing his parents are not around,

he started to cry for about 45min on and off,

my ears are really hurting (cos I'm carrying him; he's not light, k?)

i've tried everything to draw his attention to the environment

but after like 2-3 minutes, he will cry loudly again...

so i put him down and told him not to cry then i'll come and carry him again,

at times, he was standing by himself (still crying) and

open his arms and signaling "I want to be carried!"

at that point of time, i really want to laugh...(dunno y also)

however, i was patient enough to comfort him

and finally took his pacifier and placed into his mouth,

he then stopped his crying and sat quietly on my lap;

watching the rest of the children playing the gym room...[the next 5mins]

then his mother came into the room

all of a sudden, i was reminded of myself being the crying boy

being in the new environment & yet with assurancing

On CHRISTmas Day!!

2006-12-25T23:05:00.000+08:00

haha : ) i'm now resting home the whole day

after sleeping for 11hrs since last night,

sitting down in front of my com, thinking what to type...

Blessed CHRISTmas to all of you & your family!!

hmm...wanting a short retreat by myself &

asking God for permission to go... (think He will say Yes!!)

excited to hear what God has in-store for nxt yr

& also reflecting myself of this whole yr,

been thru many small trials this yr,

one of them realli hits me badly, but thank God for

His Grace sustains me thru it all...

Praise God for His graciousness to help us in times of need!!

yeah!! am going for a retreat (it's only in spore)...

not wanting 2 spend also,

Thank God for friends around us,

I'm going 2 a new neighbourhood to stay for about 2 days,

it will be a fruitful time with my Beloved alone...Yeah!! Thank You Jesus!

Children's cmap is realli coming!! wheew!!

2006-09-12T21:03:00.000+08:00

finally, the camp is coming...my team & i have alot to prepare for the games...

but i also believe the children will enjoy the games they played &

may they remembered God's Love is everlasting &

waiting for them to return if they fall away...

in times of storm & great turmoils, God has never stop loving His children..

though it may seem like a break for me, but with children around

you will not realli have enough rest physically

but i know all i need to do is to rest in God...&

i would regain my new life & strength from His ever-flowing rivers from His throne...

am excited to see God's hands to move not only in the adults or teachers & parents

but also the children will experience Jesus themselves in their own lives

in a very special way, i pray the children will open their hearts to God & move mightily

every time we meet in that place...

for those of you who have finished exams....or having holidays or "zhuo bo" for the time being...

do come and join us...

it's quite near church, nearest Mrt is Kovan,

walk 10minutes then will reach,

address: 795 Upper Serangoon Road

see you!!

time flies...children's camp is coming!!

2006-08-28T00:53:00.000+08:00

hehe : ) children's camp is coming in 3 months time...this yr theme is the Love of God

we had our 1st meeting already...as usual i'm in-charge of games again

hmm...quite excited though cos we r also inviting other children to join us also

they will b from cornerstone pri. sch teachers of course, feels like another 1Big day

is coming again haha we need 2 sow in prayers & fastings yeah! 1Big day is not juz happening

in the youths but also in the lives of children, God is mighty 2 save all

bcos He is a big Big BIG God!

I believe God will do great things among the children

& every1 who comes 4 the camp! faith is rising...expecting God will move

many hearts 2 receive salvation & deposit seeds of turth into them,

they will not depart without knowing who God is

as they will experienced God themselves, Holy Spirit is our teacher

& we do not need anymore earthly teachers...

direction in life - which path 2 take?

2006-08-14T23:57:00.000+08:00

recently, tis tot keeps coming back 2 me again...

which path shld i take when i finish my course end of tis yr? hmm...

i've been asking God several occasions...but haven got an answer from Him yet...

as i was thinkin about it, am reflecting the past 6mths some opportunities i encountered

entering into special needs schools (autism & ADHD) but i do nt have enuff experience

(though have some knowledge on them) at the back of my mind, i always wanted 2 enter into

PCF kindergartens or church kindergarten; the bk of proverbs said:

there is a way seems right 2 man but its end leads to destruction...

realli need 2 hear from God & discernment which way i shld go...

am mediating Proverbs 16:1, 3, 9

was talking wif 2of my sec schmates who r already in special education for several yrs...

tryin 2 find out more...my plan is go into kindergarten but i've not gotten any inclination

2wards either of these 2 directions - normal kindergarten or mixed kindergarten wif special

needs chn, pray dat God will direct me where His will is...

yeah!! catch the last 5mins of fireworks 2dae

2006-08-12T23:37:00.000+08:00

whooh!! manage 2 catch the last 5 mins glimpse of 2nite's fireworks....hehe :)

it was indeed veri beautiful, its like the coming nearer 2 u

everytime they appeared b4 u in the sky...

got excited & letting out some shouts on and off...think i'm the noisiest among my friends

haiz...i think as usual la...i'm juz being who i am, sometimes i realli feel the younger ones

in the cell behave more mature than me...though it doesnt pressurize nor bother me till 2dae

as i'm reflecting back 2nite incident...i'm not tryin 2 compare myself wif them cos the bible

taught us not to ; found in

2 Cor. 10:11-13
v12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.)

the most impt thing is i muz noe my identity in Christ...who am i in the eyes of the Lord?

miss fireworks

2006-08-10T00:22:00.000+08:00

haha : )= quite duh...miss fireworks tis yr's NDP

though was out of the hse...i shldnt have gone out, mayb can catch a glimpse of it...

didnt realize it was early tis yr...or mayb every yr is around tis time but

i didnt noe it hehe : >

if i watch the parade every yr, would wanna cry in front of the TV....

dunno y but i feel like crying... as u c thousands and thousands of sporeans faces

& the govt pple, as if i can feel the heart of God 4 tis nation...

being born here & grew up in tis culture...realli a priviledge, i realli thank God 4 ordaining me

2 live in tis nation...

pain pain....but was fun but tiring experience

2006-08-06T22:51:00.000+08:00

roller blading....at tis age then try...abit "slow" lei...haha :)

but tis is my 2nd time trying...but not in the enclosed area where i can hold on 2

the railing where i tried the 1st time hehe :>

tis time is at the "main road" where many bicycles & roller balders come & go...wheew!

not as scarely as wad i tot cos most of cell members r dere wif me & they r veri encouraging...

say easy 2 pick up...hmm, not so....if i say difficult, not realli also...cos is juz my 2nd time &

i can make it 2 the open road...

i dun like humps & higher layers of roads...i always fall down either at the start or

b4 i finish crossing the hump...countless times of falling on my buttock....

cant even keep track, my butt is painful, feel like boiling an egg & rubbed on dat area... ops!

old pple fables/ myths...lots of abrasions on my inner palms; finger tips & elbows,

my lower back is super-tiring during dat 1hr of training...whooh! feel like am the "liang popo"

in the channel 8 variety show quite some time ago...think will sleep later than usual time 4 tml

veri veri tired...can feel my body starts 2 ache already...old already...if i did tis in sec days or

poly days still can tahan...but now seems like cannot liao, by midnite had 2 run into dreamland...

haiz...cannot take it anymore!! arhhhhhhh....muz rest liao, nite!

whooh! "1 big day" @ ECP

2006-08-05T23:05:00.000+08:00

wow!! wad a blessed day 4 our cell 2dae....though it was not as "big" event 4 us

but it was wonderful having 2 know God is doing something in our hearts

about His kingdom & putting pple in our hearts 2 pray 4 them...

though it seems like eveything in the natural like nothing seem had happened...

but i believe with all my heart dat God has deposited a seed in the 2 precious lives...

one of them is my gd friend (noe her since sec sch); the other 1 is jap. guy who is kelly's ex

colleague...learnt so many jap words from him 2dae hehe :)=

my 'sensei' juz 4 2dae onli!

God is mighty to save them all in due time, i believe with all my heart!

BUT i muz keep praying 4 them...dat tis seeds being sown will not be steal away by the enemy...

i always think dat my parents will get saved when i get marrried...

mayb on my wedding day haha :> sounds funny hor..of all days...bonk!

anyway, haven think so far yet....concentrating on my studies & praying dat

i will find my direction in the will of God after i've finished tis course....

cant wait 2 start working wif children...has any1 feel tis way b4? excited over something

which u haven done always but yet familiar...

i was surprised dat i could handle a child wif ADHD 4 2days....though it was veri tired & yet

fulfilling...

probably i prayed dat morning on the armour of God which enable by God's strength & grace;

am relieving a staff from my friend's sch during the wk & the coming wk also...

will ask God more regarding tis matter & wait c wad's His response is...

Fishing experience

2006-08-04T18:04:00.000+08:00

hehe : )= fishing is my 2nd time doing it wif friends....

had a great time fishing at bedok jetty wif few church friends...

even as i'm reflecting back tis memorable & interesting experience,

watching the demostration of lynette how 2 do fishing (w/o any real baits),
when seeing the fish comes up and allowing the fish to come off the hook...
am so excited & shouting here & dere "wad r we going to do?"; how? where can we put it?

i still can remember vividly the thrill of catching the 1st fish by myself...whooh!!

can't describe clearly but learning 2 differiate the weight of the rod & the fish tugging when

they bit the hook, muz be quick to draw up the fishing line &

moves the fishing rod to the land b4 the fish swims away cos

their mouth is soft, they might drop back into the sea again...

too bad we can't cast the nets but come 2 think of it, in the spiritual sense

the evangelists, pastors or christians who have greater influence will be the ones to cast nets

but as a child of God we can all do "fishing" within our sphere of influence...

it's so true the bible says 1st in the natural then spiritual, juz like on earth we worship & praise

in the heaven we will also do the same but it will be 4ever & ever...there will b no

break nor do we need 2 drink any H2O haha

Chinese CD recording experience

2006-07-30T23:33:00.000+08:00

was my 2nd time doing tis...
i like the chinese christian songs, they r realli meaningful & descriptive wif words like a poetic written by King David in the bible...hehe : )=
think cornerstone got lotzs of pple hu can write new songs, not juz eng speaking but also chn speaking, Praise God! we can worship God in all the languages we noe on earth but i wonder wad language will we worshipping God, the Father and the Son with? mayb in greek> haha we've got the elders & well-known PPLE from the bible who wrote all the books of the bible, hmm...
mayb in the new testament they used arabic language...even though diff languages but i think it will be the most beautiful worship dat all will gif unto our Lord...

probably no worship leader, no instruments cos God made angels who play intsruments within, we wont feel tired at all, our eyes will not close cos we r beholding His Glory 4 eternity! come 2 think of dat we dun need 2 c the time on our watches, we dun need technology like media & sound system; microphones...no more handphone ring tones; infants' cries, no doors & chairs,
no staircases, probably standing on clouds haha but roads like clouds hehe :>

oh no! i can go on & on thinkin about heaven, but comparing 2 all these most of all we have Jesus Christ, His tangible presence & consume in His glory every moment of our lives & it's 4ever & ever...there will be no end to it!! whooh! isnt tis wad we desire while we r on earth?

Thank You, Jesus! u r so wonderful! cant wait till the day we enter into the kingdom of heaven...

God's Grace

2006-07-26T00:52:00.000+08:00

i was wondering....haiz...i've always been thinking about my spiritual state dat i'm in rite now...
where is my 1st love? y my heart has grown cold? bcos of the things of the world or issues pertaining to life which have taken up in the my heart dat God has nowhere 2 be found in my heart anymore...i was careless dat i'm distracted & allow these things 2 enter into...

how am i returning back 2 God again? i confess all my sins weakness & acknowledge Him in my life once again...where is my faith after all dat i'm required 2 do?

was surprised 2 receive a letter from Tan tock Seng...
asking me to go for check-up cos they were notified dat the previous sch i was working with
had a child who was diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) ...
i had little knowledge of wad tis disease is all about but watch in TV drama serial dat pple will cough badly sometimes cough up blood...

so far i feel quite okay, dun think need 2 go 4 tis check-up...
cos noeing God will protect His pple by His grace & mercy...
i pray dat tis child will be healed by the power of God...

awaiting for the power of God to heal

2006-07-24T00:37:00.000+08:00

I had a condition since my days in secondary school which not many pple noe, not even my gd friend (since sec. sch we knew each other until now) which is tension at my shoulders and neck...probably i think too much or cause by stress & anxiety but i realli wonder when will i receive my healing, whenever i read the bible of stories on mircales & healings or even testimony of others, when will it be my turn 4 the power of healing to enter into my life? get discourage at times bcos nothing had happened everytime we asked or being prayed by others, sometimes i realli wonder am i goin thru tis like Job in the bible or God is trying 2 work out something in me which is the fruit of patience & humility...i need 2 hear from Him again but it seems like i can't hear nor sense anything frm heaven...God is delaying the answers of my prayers? i juz need 2 b patient & continuing 2 ask in faith like a child...

God and the Geese

2006-07-14T22:26:00.000+08:00

There was once a man who didn't believe in God and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays.

His wife, however, did believe and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments.
One snowy Eve, his wife was taking their children to service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about Jesus' birth. She asked him to come along but he refused. "That story is nonsense!"
he said, "Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That's ridiculous!"
So she and the children left and he stayed home. A while later, the wind grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. He looked out but couldn't see more than a few feet.

When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house, he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window.

The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's safe and warm. Surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm.

So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn't seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. The man tried to get their attention but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away.

He went into the house, came with some bread, broke it up and made a bread crumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on.

Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be safe and warm.

"Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed, "Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?"

He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them." he said out loud.

Then he had an idea. He went into the barn, got one of his own geese and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn ........... and one-by-one, the other geese followed it to safety.

He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind:

If only I were a goose, then I could save them.

Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier: Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!

Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese -- blind, lost and perishing. God had His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us.

As the wind and blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished with the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow and prayed his first prayer:

Thank You, God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm.

God is faithful thru and thru!

2006-07-09T22:29:00.000+08:00

remember the rainbow in the sky during Noah's time?
Gensis 9:16 "The rainbow is in the cloud, and I will look on it and remember the everlasting convenant between God and every living
creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

juz wanna proclaim dat God is faithful in all His words spoken in the
Bible or rhema word He spoken to us in our lives...He will not forget
and turn all things beautiful in HIs timing...realli appreciate God who knew exactly what & how much 2 reveal to us at dat particular point of our lives, we are able 2 receive from Him...& trusting Him wif all the faith dat He puts in us,

i've realized i'm veri impatient person though most pple said being a teacher got 2 b patient cos u r handling young children..i personally feel yes...to a certain extend this statement is true but more than dat is how a grown-up looking at these children thru their perspectives , of course we tend 2 judge on the outside ; the way they do and talk imitating like adults...but i thank you dat we have a God dat does looks on the inside of us & still so love us still even though how much we had failed Him...

lately, was asking God 4 direction in my "dream" job, cos keep meeting into jobs to do wif autistic children ...so i'm seeking God's will for tis specific calling into special needs which had tot b4 during the course...after dat i'm no longer thinking about this anymore...my "dream job" is 2 go into PAP kindergarten & make a difference in the lives of neighbourhood children (where i used 2 be like them too) am still seeking, praying & asking...if possible i convet your prayers too!
thank you! God bless u...

I thought you were supposed to be a Christian

2006-06-15T12:30:00.000+08:00

When I say "I am a Christian"... I'm not shouting "I'm clean living!"
I'm whispering, "I was lost; now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say "I am a Christian"... I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble, and need CHRIST to be my guide.

When I say "I am a Christian"... I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak, and need HIS strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian"... I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed, and need God to clean my mess.

When I say "I am a Christian"... I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are far too visible; but God believes I am worth it.
When I say "I am a Christian"... I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches, and so I call upon His name.
When I say "I am a Christian"... I'm not holier than thou.
I'm just a simple sinner, who received God's good Grace, somehow.

Share this with those who do not have a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian, so that the myth that Christians think they are "perfect" or "better than others" can be dispelled.

A song lyrics from Third Day

2006-06-13T10:45:00.000+08:00

this song speaks this moment of my life...

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

And I didn’t even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

‘Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn’t ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey’s long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who’s gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I’ve been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have lead me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I’ve come from
And the things I’ve left behind
But of all I’ve had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what’s in front of me
With what’s in front of me

this is interesting!!

2006-04-24T00:08:00.000+08:00

· BUTTERFLIES TASTE WITH THEIR FEET

· A DUCK’S QUACK DOESN’T ECHO, AND NO ONE KNOWS WHY

· IN 10 MINIUTES, A HURRICANE RELEASESE MORE ENERGY THAN ALL OF THE WORLD’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS COMBINED.

· ON AVERAGE, 100 PEOPLE CHOKE TO DEATH ON BALL=POINT PENS EVERY YEAR.

· ON AVERAGE PEOPLE FEAR SPIDERS MORE THAN THEY DO DEATH

· NINETY PERCENT OF NEW YORK CITY CABBIES ARE RECENTLY ARRIVED IMMIGRANTS.

· THRIRTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE WHO USE PERSONAL ADS FOR DATING ARE ALREADY MARRIED

· ELEPHANTS ARE THE ONLY ANIMALS THAT CAN’T JUMP.

· ONLY ONE PERSON IN THE TWO BILLION WILL LIVE TO BE 116 OR OLDER.

· IT’S POSSIBLE TO LEAD A COW UPSTAIRS…BUT NOT DOWNSTAIRS

· WOMEN BLINK NEARLY TWICE AS MUCH AS MEN

· IT’S PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU LICK YOUR ELBOW.

· THE MAIN LIBRARY AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY SINKS OVER AN INCH EVERY YEAR BECAUSE WHEN IT WAS BUILT, ENGINEERS FAILED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WEIGHT OF THE BOOKS THAT WOULD OCCUPY THE BUILDING.

· A SNAIL CAN SLEEP FOR THREE YEARS.

· NO WORD I NTHE ENGLISH LANGUAGE RHYMES WITH “MONTH”.

· AVERGAE LIFE SPAN OF A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: 7 PITCHES

· OUR EYES ARE ALWAYS THE SAME SIZE FROM BIRTH, BUT OUR NOSE AND EARS NEVER STOP GROWING. SCARY!!!

· THE ELECTRIC CHAIR WAS INVENTED BY A DENTIST.

· ALL POLAR BEARS ARE LEFT-HANDED.

· IN ANCIENT EGYPT, PRIESTS PLUCKED EVERY HAIR FROM THE BODIES, INCLUDING THEIR EYEBROWS AND EYELASHES.

· AN OSTRICH’S EYE IS BIGGER THAN ITS BRAIN.

· TYPEWRITER IS THE LONGEST WORD IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE THAT CAN BE MADE USING THE LETTERS ONLY ON ONE ROW OF THE KEYBORAD.

· “GO” IS THE SHORTEST COMPLETE SENTENCE IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

· IF BARBIE WERE LIFE-SIZE, HER MEASUREMENTS WOULD BE 39-23-33. SHE WOULD STAND SEVEN FEET, TWO INCHES TALL.

· A CROCODILE CANNOT STICK ITS TONGUE OUT.

· THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INVENTED BEFORE THE MATCH.

· AMERICANS ON AVERAGE EAT 18 ACRES OF PIZZE EVERYDAY.

ALMOST EVERYONE WHO READS THIS EMAIL WILL TRY 2 LICK THEIR ELBOW.

DON’T FORGET TO PASS THESE WEIRD FACTS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THEY WILL GET THE KICK OUT OF IT!!!

YOU TRIED TO LICK YOUR ELBOW, DIDN’T YOU?

HEHE : )= hope u had some fun!

A Song Lyrics

2006-03-26T20:29:00.000+08:00

It's a song lyrics by the Katinas, Song title is thank you....so happened that i listen to this song on this date which i was borned 25 years ago, it spoke something to me even as i'm reflecting on the words of the song...it is so amazing God ordains right in the beginning of our lives and HE sees us through to the veri end of our days on earth...i'm in awe that the power of His love changes our lives over many years, months, weeks, days, every moment of our lives He is constantly, sometimes we arent aware of His Presence but He is always wif us cos He is Jehovah Shammah (means the Lord is there),

its interesting that after my b'day, i fell sick immediately on mon keep vomitting after all the food that i ate, so in desperation i cried out 2 God 2 heal me, then the next morning it ceased. i can eat properly from that day onwards! Praise God...! He is our Jehovah Rapha Our healer! but i also have another problem which seems like a veri long battle 4 me since my O Levels days but am praying & waiting 4 my healing, sometimes i realli wonder is it wrong 2 c the doctor and after wards cum back & ask God 4 healing, i feel veri ashamed 2 return & ask God...

i dun the answers 4 the time being, but mayb i've been thru all
then i might have the answers...

Thank You by The Katinas

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord, just for loving me, alright
Many times I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord, I know You're showing me
You are there when I am down and out
You're holding me, Your love is so amazing
Oh it changed me

CHORUS
Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank you, oh thank you
For everything, for who You are
You cover me, You touch my heart
I wanna say thank you

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
Amazing grace, it's more than just a song
Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed me mercy

CHORUS

I wanna say thank you for the sun
Lord we thank you for the rain
Thank you for the love You gave

focus! be focus....

2006-03-22T23:49:00.000+08:00

whhooh! Zion convention 2006 "A Glorious Church" is over....but indeed it was a veri interesting experience cos i cum to know God alittle more of Him...He is calling His church, His veri own creation to cum up higher and not dwell where they feel comfortable. i thank God for pastor norman to share about the topic of spiritual discernment and his life experiences to encourage us that we can discern what is good and evil in the last days. i dun wanna to find myself being deceive by the enemy using men or doctrines to keep us knowing the truth. at the same time, we need the fear of the Lord to keep us humble. so wad after knowing the turth? does truth changes us or God changes us? we are dependable on God not God depends on us...He is God and He is able to accomplish anything He wants on His own but He chooses to partner with us and labour 2gather for the great harvest that is to come...which christians always say this big word often "Revival"!! but doesnt realli noe the real meaning of it. i wanna 2 pray for revival, may God put His burden on me to pray.

As i reflect my 3months of year 2006, i knew God placed in my mind 3 things that i need 2 focus on for the rest of the year:
1. allowing God alone fill up my whole heart, mind and soul...
2. my studies on early childhood finishing wihin this year
3. to find a job in a kindergarten

i really thank God that i'm brought into this church and make many friendships with many people. He helped me to change my perspectives of many things that are false thru these friendships. thru the time being in this church, God change some areas of my life. Praise God! and i wanna to Give Him all the glory and honor that He deserves...whose name is none other than Jesus Christ!

when Jesus enter, my life forever can never be the same again. now i pray that may He birth Zion in my life tat i can move on into fullness of Christ. i can't move on unless i noe where is the destination. may i b willing to allow circumcision cut thoroughly away from the things of the world and my character may be change within. i wanna enter into my inheritance and possess it fully...even in this life i may not possess it but i pray that my seeds will possess them all...fulfilling the purpose that God has intended for our lives...may we continue to press in N perserve of our caling till the day we return our Home and seeing Jesus face to face... :)

God speaks...2 us 2dae

2005-12-08T00:41:00.000+08:00

its interesting that this morning as i was praying, God somehow put things in my mouth 2 pray n i'm not using my mind to think then i realized it came from God but somehow my heart seems veri far as i was praying...after i prayed finish, whooh! my mind starts 2 battle wif the enemy, was learning 2 exercise discernment, it's so wonderful when sister nita johnson prayed some of the things that i prayed like self sufficiency , worldiness, awakening, cryin out 4 grace & mercy of the Lord, God speaks 2 us...2dae but r we realli listening 2 Him? i am experiencing "not by might nor by power but by His spirit" when we cum into the presence of God, there is no striving but drawn into the presence of God...art katz mentioned we r prone 2 our senses this generation... i cant continue anymore...mayb some day, when after my experience then i can share more...

Center of the Bible

2005-11-04T12:27:00.000+08:00

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117 What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119 Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118 Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118 Add these numbers up and you get 1188 What is the center verse in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118:8

More than living life

2005-10-23T21:35:00.000+08:00

Onces there was a young christian following Christ.

During school days, the Lord came one night into the room and he asked, " My child, are you going to spend some time alone with me today?" The heart of child answered," i got too much homework to do,next time lord." The Lord smiled and left. On the second night, the Lord came and asked," My child, do you have any time for me today?" The heart of child answered," i got my projects and other CCAs to handle, i got no time, next time lord. The Lord smiled and left. On the third night, the Lord came and asked," My child, shall we spend some time together today for a while?" The heart of child answered," i am too tired, i need to rest and get some entertainment, next time lord." The Lord smiled again but left with disappointment.

After studying, the christian got a new job. One night, the Lord came into the room and asked," you have grown up my follower, are you going to spend some time with me today?" The heart of adult answered," i got lots of work to do, i have no time, next time lord." The lord smiled and left. On the second night, the lord came and asked," my follower, do you have any time for me today?" The heart of adult answered," i have to work hard to climb up to my top positions so that i can get my credit cards, my car, my condo and my status, or else people will look down at me, next time lord." The lord gave a worried glance at the christian and left. On the third night, the Lord came and asked," my follower, shall we spend some time together today for a while?" The heart of adult answered," i need built up my social life, i need to go out with many friends so that i can find a good life partner soon. next time lord." The lord quietly left.

The christian got married and have some children. One night, the Lord came into the room and asked, " you have now become a parent, you have your credit cards, house, car, status, career and family, are you going to spend some time for me today?" The heart of parent answered," now i have to work in my company and raise up my kids, give my kids a bright future, i am busy, next time lord. The lord shook his head and left. On the second night, the Lord came and asked, " young parent, do you have anytime for me today?" The heart of parent answer," i need to prepare my child for courses and enrichment programs and planning for a vacation when hoilday started, next time lord. The Lord silently left. On the third night, the lord asked," Can we spent sometime together for a while, so that i could give you some advices of been a parent?" The heart of parent answered," I am too tired today after work and tomorrow i have to bring my kids to school early, next time lord." The lord left without another word.

Soon, the christian retired from work and the children had their grand children.

At this moment, one night, the Lord came into the room and asked," you are now a grand parent and have everything you desired, are you going to spent some time for me today?" The heart of the old answered," i still have to take care of my grand children and cook for my children, next time lord. The lord walk away. On the second night, the Lord came and asked, " grand parent, do you have any time for me alone today, or anything to say today?" The heart of the old answered," i need to write and set my wills before i died, so that my children will not fight over my properties and killing each other because of money, fame and status..."
The old Christian weeped.

On the third night, the Lord came, at the last moment, the 80 years old Christian already got prepared to meet the Lord in a personal room. The Lord asked," grand parent, shall we spend so time together alone for a while?"

The old christian kneel, with tears streaming down from the eyes in desperation and despair.

Then, the old christian answered," Lord, i have failed and disappointed you many times in life, why dont you let go me..........."

The Lord answered," For your age, i can raise up two Mosses in this era, but ever since the day you chosen to believe in me, i will still not let you go until your last breath, because i know the day would come for you to knee down in front of me after i gave sufficient time to let you realised the mistakes that you have made in life and turned to me at this hour of time. You may miss out the good things i have try to give you in life but you will be still be with me in heaven if you repent. Let me filled you up by my spirit and back to life which it suppose to be.......my child.

Sometimes in life, when we are young, we are rushing for getting good grades and certificates which stresses us.

Sometimes in life, when we are adult, we are rushing for getting our desires for money, fame and life partner who does not suits us.

Sometimes in life, when we are parents, we are rushing for getting the best for our children and worldly future which worried us and does not satisfy us.

Sometimes in life, when we are old, we are rushing to get back all the communions when we had realised how much we have lost with the Lord and others who we really love.

My people, the Lord is knocking at the hearts of our door everyday. Blindfold your eyes off the world which does not belongs to us, stay focus on him , seek him everyday and night little by little, time by time and he will reviewed your destiny of who you suppose to be.

No matter mountains collapse or calamities falls, under the shadow of almighty will never befall.

Soul travail article

2005-10-15T19:18:00.000+08:00

hi all,
just wanna share wif all out dere about this website: there is 1 particular article that it speaks much 2 me.....i believe God will speak 2 u too....! it is about intercession travail in the Spirit...

http://www.freshfire.ca/teaching_details.php?Id=92

A BEAUTIFUL ANALOGY!

2005-10-14T15:33:00.000+08:00

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." "Ah, but barbers DO exist! " answered the barber. " What happens, is, people do not come to me. " "Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Don't you care? For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved...

2005-10-14T15:01:00.000+08:00

It's a Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs in from the parking lot and says, "Turn on a radio, turn on a radio."

And while the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphonestuck up to it, the announcement is made: "Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from the
mystery flu."
Within hours it seems, this flu just sweeps across the country.

People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote.
Nothing is working. USA, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australasia.

It's as though it's just sweeping in from all over the world. And then,all of a sudden the news comes out. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made.
It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected, and so, sure enough, all through the world, through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, everyone is asked to do one simple thing: Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken.

That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make
your way quickly, quietly, and safely to the hospitals.
Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line, and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it.

Your wife and your kids are out there, and they take your blood
type and they say, "Wait here in the parking lot and if we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home."
You stand around, scared, with your neighbors, wondering what in he world is going on and if this is the end of the world.

Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming.
He's yelling a name and waving a clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says, "Daddy, that's me." Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. Wait a
minute. Hold on!
And they say, "It's okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure.
We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease.

Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses, crying and hugging one another-some are even laughing, and an old doctor walks up to you and says, "Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It's clean, it
is pure,and we can make the vaccine."

As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot full of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying. But then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and you wife aside and says, "May we see you for moment?
We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need ... we need you to sign a consent form."
The number of pints of blood to be taken is empty. "H-how many pints?"
And that is when the o ld doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had
no idea it would be little child. We weren't prepared. We need it all."
"But-but...You don't understand."
"We are talking about the world here. Please sign. We need it
all!" "But can't you give him a transfusion?"
"If we had clean blood we would. Can you sign? Would you sign?"
In numb silence, you do.

Then they say, "Would you like to have a moment with him before we
begin?" Can you walk back? Can you walk back to that room where he sits on
a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? What's going on?" Can you take his hands and say, Son,
your mommy and I love you, and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?"

And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry,
we've-got to get started. People all over the world are dying.

Can you leave? Can you walk out while he is saying, "Dad? Mom?
Dad? "Why, why have you forsaken me?"

And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son, and some folks sleep through it, and some folks don't even come because they go to the lake, and some folks come with a pretentious smile and just pretend to care.

Would you want to jump up and say, "MY SON DIED FOR YOU! DON'T YOU CARE?"

Is that what GOD wants to say?

"MY SON DIED FOR YOU. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?"

Father, seeing it from your eyes breaks our hearts. Maybe now we can begin to comprehend the great Love you have for us."

wad is the purpose of life?

2005-09-26T19:31:00.000+08:00

i'm glad God spoke 2 me earlier about philippians 2:13-14....i realized now why He is telling me all these. bcos of things happening in my family recently. 2dae i shared with the children about hell & heaven, i told them it is real & every minute real people are going down to the terrible place. sometimes, i ask myself if i have the priviledge being shown these things mayb i might live my life differently. i will not be where i am now. but God did not choose 2 tell me cos He knows me too well what & hu i'm really am.

during the week, i was reminded of "manessah"=holy forgetfulness. i want 2 stop looking back & move on in life. now that i'm finishing my course in 3-5 months time, wad is ahead of me? i'm looking 4ward for my job. i have found the dream sch called the little skool house that i really wan 2 work in but i wan 2 noe what is God's will. i'm still looking around but have 3 sch in mind. i put my trust in God tat He will lead me 2 the right sch.

after 2 months, i continue where i left my last thoughts on.....veri excited 4 the transition tat God wants 2 do in this nation. the bible sch....sch of leadership prophetic.....i want 2 b the one of them 2 b sent out....of course, in as much i also have 2 allow God 2 change me inside out thru trials.....if not, i will nvr noe what is realli made up of me inside.....even thru little things, i learn 2 b faithful, i'm anticpating tat day i can b sent out & labour 4 the Lord of the harvest....may my vision b renewed and expecting God 2 do something new in my life......2 forget the old things, nor consider the past........cos i hope in God of the future which is in His hands.....Praise Jesus 4 He is everlasting & He will nvr change cos He is the same today, yesterday and forever.....His heart is 4 the lost, the needy, 4 the backsliden people....tat none of them should perish....

2dae on my way 2 church, i remembered a song lyrics from philip craig - not because of who i am but b'cos of what You've done, not b'cos of what I've done, but b'cos of who You are...i am a flower quickly fading...time flies, and now that i am a young adult. our life on earth is realli short....u may think its 70 years is long or even 80 but i ask myself wad i have done 4 the past 24 years of my life.....?? i haven fulfill my calling/purpose in this life yet.....i wanna c the people around me got saved and come 2 noe Jesus...they all having a relationship wif Jesus....whooh! tat is revival.....our nation wil turn 2 God one day....i dun wan 2 b like solomon in the bible 2 live his life to the end and realize he had lived all his life on earth in vain....he miss out bcos of his compromises, i do not want these little things 2 cost a life time mistake or a wrong/rash decisions.....that we waste time on U-turning back to where we have left off the last time....God is wif us! His name is Emmanuel....and i noe He lives forever in our hearts.....i wan2 b used by God throughout my life...even when i am old, HE will stil use me, i believe.....wif all my heart....

Desert Friends

2005-07-11T20:15:00.000+08:00

A story tells that two friends were walking
through the desert. During some
point of the journey they had an argument, and
one friend slapped the other one in the face.
The one who got slapped was hurt,
but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis,
where they decided to take a bath. The one who
had been slapped got stuck in the mire and
started drowning, but the friend saved him.
After he recovered from the near
drowning, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.

The friend who had slapped and
saved his best friend asked him,
"After I hurt you, you wrote in the
sand and now, you write on a stone,
why?" The other friend replied "When someone
hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds
of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone
does something good for us, we must engrave
it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND
AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them,
but then an entire life to forget them.

LET THE FAINTHEARTED GO

2005-05-28T23:29:00.000+08:00

October 19th, 2001

Pastor Francis Frangipane

A Word To Leaders:

I am concerned about the leaders who have not dealt with their

personal fears. I have a word for you: stop terrorizing the people under

your influence. A number of ministries have submitted to the oppression

caused by the terrorist attacks. As a result, they are speaking to their

constituencies from a position of fear and trepidation. Leaders, please

hear me: The people who are listening to you are already praying, fasting

and repenting. Don't burden them with fear; empower them with vision and

faith.

Fear is not the only motive that will stir people to repentance.

Yes, it moves the soul, but it is only temporary; fear cannot sustain

righteousness nor create true purity of heart. Grace may teach our hearts

to fear, but grace our fears relieve. The fact is, people are already

afraid. It is time for faith to arise, where we put our trust in God's

goodness and power.

Jesus said all things were possible for him who believes. He

specifically warned, "When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be

terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not

follow immediately" (Lk 21:9). He said specifically, "Do not be

terrified." Do not submit to the spirit of terror -- have no part in it!

God has not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind.

In Luke 18 Jesus asks a question. He says, "When the Son of Man

comes, will He find faith on the earth?" There is a difference between

prayer and faith. If we pray with faith, He said "all things are

possible." My faith tells me God desires to break the stronghold of Islam

so multitudes of individuals will come to Christ. Just as He used America

to halt Japanese Imperialism, German Nazism and Soviet atheism, so God

will aid us in our war against Islamic terrorism.

You say, "It's not possible. God cannot use America." God says,

"All things are possible." You say, "America has sinned against the Lord."

So had Israel under King Saul. Yet, when the Philistines sent forth

Goliath to terrorize Israel, the Lord did not say, "Too bad, but I have

sent this giant to defeat you because you are sinners." No. He raised up a

deliverer, a young man named David, who loved and knew the Lord. David

challenged his adversary, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he

should taunt the armies of the living God?" (1 Sam 17:26)

The rest of Israel was sinful; one soldier was righteous. God used

the righteous to deliver the unrighteous. The Lord allows enemies to smite

a nation when everyone in the nation is mired in sin. If there are

righteous people, He makes them deliverers, warriors. He increases their

strength and influence. He assures us that, where sin abounds, grace

abounds the moreso. Today God is giving a grace to those who have loved

Him. It's time not to fear, but to stand before the Lord prepared,

spiritually clean and ready for spiritual war.

You Shall Not Fear Their Gods

It has been reported to me that some are teaching that the

terrorist attacks of 9/11 occurred because some in the church had been

doing strategic level spiritual warfare against Islam. If you hear this

strange view, disregard it and pray for those who spread it. Just before

the Lord raised up Gideon he sent a prophet who rebuked Israel:

"Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'It was I who brought you

up from Egypt, and brought you out from the house of slavery. And I

delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hands of all

your oppressors, and dispossessed them before you and gave you their land,

and I said to you, "I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of

the Amorites in whose land you live. But you have not obeyed Me" (Judg

6:8-10).

God's command was specific: you shall not fear the gods of the

Amorites. When the Bible speaks of the gods of the pagan nations, it is

referring to the principalities and powers that ruled those lands. The

specific command from the Lord was, "You shall not fear the gods" of the

heathens. In the story of Gideon, after the prophet's word, the angel of

the Lord immediately went to Gideon and empowered him not only to confront

his fears, but to confront the stronghold of the enemy.

The story of Gideon is well known. He delivered Israel. God

protected him when he confronted the stronghold of Baal and the Lord will

protect you in your war as well. In the New Testament, Jesus assures His

followers, "I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and

scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure

you" (Lk 10:19).

We must be wise, not foolish; prepared, not presumptuous. Yet, let

us not be fearful nor heed the voice of those who tremble before God's

enemies.

Let The Fainthearted Go

The terrorists know they could never win a face to face war with

America. The primary purpose of their attacks is to terrorize. Under the

duress of terror, as we listen to the relentless voice of fear, their aim

is that courage would evaporate from our hearts. In such a weakened,

demoralized state, we then retreat from our convictions and purpose. You

probably have read a great many messages as people try to make sense of

all that has happened. Yet, some have, indeed, inspired fear with their

false discernment and prophecies of doom. Let me urge you to stop

absorbing into your spirit the words of those who forecast doom. The

terrorists themselves have told us what they want. They desire the United

States leave the Muslim nations and they want us to abandon our support of

Israel. That is their expressed and published goal. They know that if they

keep up the terrorist attacks, we will weary until we succumb to their

demands. Thus, in the words of Roosevelt: the only thing we have to fear

is fear itself.

Instead of becoming fearful, let us study the times when God lead

Israel into war. The Lord said, "When you go out to battle against your

enemies and see horses and chariots {and} people more numerous than you,

do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from

the land of Egypt, is with you." (Deut 20:1). The basis of all victory is

that we know the Lord is with us.

The Lord continued and said, "Now it shall come about that when

you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to

the people. And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, you are approaching

the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be

afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the LORD your God is the one

who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'"

Why would the Lord fight for us? He desires to break the

stronghold of Islam. For all the talk that this is not a war against

Islam, spiritually speaking, it is. If we expect Muslims to come to

Christ, the power of Allah (who is not the same God as our Father in

heaven), must be broken. Muslim extremists are, indeed, praying to Allah

right now to defeat the United Front that has come into Afghanistan

seeking justice.

The text in Deuteronomy continues, after the priests speak God's

word to the people, then the officers are to release certain people from

engaging in war. This would include those who "built a new house and [had]

not dedicated it"; "the man that [had] planted a vineyard and [had] not

begun to use its fruit"; and "the man that is engaged to a woman and [had]

not married her." The Lord knows double-mindedness will defeat us in

battle, so He excused those whose hearts would be divided. They could

return home. Then the Lord gave one last instruction. He said,

"Then the officers shall speak further to the people, and they

shall say, 'Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart

and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers' hearts

melt like his heart'" (see Deut 20:1-8).

Fear is contagious. So, the Lord said, in effect, let the

fainthearted go. Beloved, I say, let your fears go, lest they make you

fainthearted. Stop inspiring fear in those around you and now take your

stand in faith. God has been good and He will continue to manifest His

goodness. America's greatest asset is not her weapons, generals or

commandos; her greatest weapon is the prayer army God has raised up in

this land. Let us approach these days expecting to see the goodness of the

Lord manifest. Let us be strong and of good courage, for the Lord will

fight for us if we stand in faith.

Faith: The Sixth Sense?

2005-05-28T23:23:00.000+08:00

There are some extraordinary ideas about faith floating around in the world—so bizarre in fact that we need to clarify what we are discussing. Some believe that just having faith entitles one to blessings and prosperity. Others believe that faith in oneself is all that’s needed in life. And still others feel that faith, in and of itself, is a cosmic force that breeds superhuman, super-spiritual, invincible people.

It is none of that. Having faith does not mean believing what you know isn’t true or believing something for which there is no evidence. The Bible is a big book all about faith and all about the evidence that makes faith so vital, so important, and so astounding.

According to the book of Hebrews, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence [or realization/confidence] of things not seen” (11:1), and yet the Bible explains faith in detail, unlike anything we have ever read.

“By faith,” the Bible says, “we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Heb. 11:3). Far more than a mere statement, though, this faith Scripture is corroborated by a list of examples in the same book:

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks” (v. 4).

And, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’, for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (v. 5).

And verse 6 tells why Enoch pleased God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Throughout Hebrews chapter 11, the evidence is overwhelming, stating over and over that, through faith, people accomplished the miraculous.

Faith’s Roll of Honor

Noah, who moved with godly fear in preparing the ark; Abraham, who was called by God to go to a place he had no knowledge of, and further offered his own son, Isaac, as a sacrifice to God, knowing that God would protect Isaac; Sarah, who conceived after she was unable to do so; Joseph, who made mention of the children of Israel departing from Egypt and gave instructions concerning his bones; and Moses, who refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ as greater riches than the treasure of Egypt.

You see, by faith, Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. And “by faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned” (vv. 27—29).

Hebrews 11 is considered a roll of honor, listing heroes and heroines of faith, these people are remembered not for valor or kindness, but for their complete reliance upon God.

Faith is a perfectly ordinary thing that makes us outstanding in the eyes of God. By faith it is possible to please God, and faith is possible to everybody.

The elementary fact is that faith is power through God, His Word, and His faithfulness. Faith is “built-in.” By that I mean we are born believers. If you think you have no faith, try not believing in, anything or anybody—your wife, husband, doctor, bank, boss, baker, or chef. We put our lives into the hands of surgeons and trust train engineers, cabbies, and pilots without thinking of faith, but that’s exactly what it is.

Faith—A Part of Life

Stop using this faculty of faith and you would never get out of bed in the morning or step outside. You would fancy the sky might fall down. In this world a million cobra troubles are coiled to strike, but we carry on, usually quite regardless and confident. The Bible says, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3b KJV). Christ said, “Only believe” (Mark 5:36), because we can.

Faith is a kind of immune system filtering out fears that otherwise would paralyze all activity. When it fails we develop all kinds of phobias and compulsions. Jesus said not to have phobia but faith.

Putting Faith to Work

During the years of our tent crusades in Africa, my music minister, Adam Mtsweni, and I were looking for a new platform organ and went from shop to shop in the city of Johannesburg. It was noon, and there was one more shop to visit. On arrival I saw a salesman hanging around during the lunch break, and I thought he had hardly noticed us. My colleague and I went from instrument to instrument, but suddenly that lone salesman stood in front of me. His eyes were wide open and his face was as white as a sheet. “Sir,” he stammered, “I can see Jesus in your eyes.” I was dumbfounded. How can this be? I thought, A total stranger says he can see Jesus in my eyes? We had something like a revival in the music shop, and when I left, walking to the car, I said, “Lord, I will never understand how something like this is possible.” Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me: “No problem! Through faith, Jesus lives in your heart, and sometimes He likes to look out of the windows!” What a wonderful truth. In John 14:23, Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

Furthermore, we read in Luke that while Jesus was speaking to a crowd, “someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, ‘Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”’

But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they rediculed Him, knowing that she was dead.

But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. (8:49-55)

On the surface you might conclude that it takes a lot of faith to believe that Jesus could, or would, cure your daughter of an illness, let alone raise her from the dead. But it takes no more or no less faith in God to do that than to give us our daily supply of food or shelter. We serve a big God, and He is able to do whatever we ask of Him—not because we have faith enough, but because we have faith, period.

Being the Good Father

Jesus told of God’s goodness and willingness to help all of us. In Luke, chapter 11, He told a parable about the “good father”:

If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (vv. 11—13)

Nevertheless, people confuse faith with virtue. Faith is there. Faith is just faith. Virtue is developed. Faith doesn’t come as does learning the piano grade by grade. People talk about “big believers,” as if believing came in sizes like suit jackets. We can have faith even when we know we are not very good. Nonbelievers can have faith, otherwise they could never be brought to the realization that Jesus Christ is Lord.

All Can Believe

That very same Lord of lords taught us that all can believe in Him. He said so in John 14:1. But Scripture also says something extraordinary about faith. “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:20—21). Through Christ alone, nonbelievers can believe!

But believe in what? Some believe in UFOs, that “mother earth” is alive, or that the dead really communicate with us. Surveys show that practically everybody believes in some sort of God, somewhere.

Believing tests us. The kind of God we believe in is a window into our soul. We are what we believe and in what we have faith. By way of illustration, Jesus talks about His equality with God in John 5:23—24 and the difference between a person who believes in Him and one who doesn’t. “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him,” Jesus explained. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

In other words, he who believes in Christ begins a new spiritual life—a quality relationship with God. We obtain a fullness of spiritual vitality that we lacked before believing in and having faith in God. Belief in Jesus Christ as God gives us life without end in the full presence of God Himself. This in and of itself constitutes a tremendous incentive to vigorously spread the gospel to those who still do not know its power and compassion.

The Needed Response

Belief, though, is much more than just knowledge of Christ. There must be a response to that belief system. Do we do what we believe? If we believe in a seed, we plant it and patiently wait for it to grow. A man who owns a plane but won’t risk flying it is contrary to the pilot’s character. And believing in God without expectation that He will do something is contrary to the entire Bible’s message.

James, the half brother of Jesus, made some hard-hitting remarks about believing and faith in his epistle to Jewish believers who were struggling in their own faith. He saw them as succumbing to impatience, bitterness, materialism, disunity, and spiritual apathy. As a resident of Jerusalem and an early church leader, James had frequent contact with Jewish Christians and felt a responsibility to exhort and encourage them in their struggles of faith. To strengthen the early believers, James taught them that faith proves itself by works:

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

James gave us the blueprint of what faith is and what it does. Its characteristics are unmistakable. Faith obeys the word of God, removes discrimination from our hearts, proves itself by works, controls the tongue, generates wisdom, exalts humility, and overwhelmingly produces a deep dependence on God.

In conjunction, faith triumphs when we pray for the afflicted and even when we confront the errors of our brother. “Brethren,” James wrote, “if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (5:19-20).

How to View God

There is yet another aspect of faith that is vital to our destiny as children of the Most High God. Faith, you see, is the portal by which we view and perceive God. He is a Spirit. Mortal eyes are too weak to discern “the invisible God,” “the King eternal, immortal” (Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17). We have to seek Him where He is found. “He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Some fail short of the fullness of belief in God because they trust their own senses more than Scripture. Wanting a God they can see has led many people to serious spiritual errors in judgment and has called their very faith into account. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, was just such a person.

After the resurrection of Jesus, the countryside was ablaze with an uneasy excitement. One night, when the disciples, except Thomas, were gathered together in one place, Jesus appeared to them, blessed them, breathed the Holy Spirit on them, and said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23).

But when Thomas returned, the other disciples told him what had happened. He didn’t believe them. “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,” he said, “and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). A scant eight days later, the disciples were again gathered, but this time Thomas was with them. Jesus again appeared. He looked at Thomas and said, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Thomas must have felt terrible as he cried out to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” But Jesus, looking at Thomas, said, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:26—29).

Not seeing is no reason for not believing. Nobody sees radiation. We wait for its effects. Nobody sees God, but millions find the effects of Him in their lives. Things happen that can only be from Him. Even one prayer answered, one healing, one miracle, one deliverance from addiction is evidence of Him.

But it isn’t just one. Millions are healed, millions are delivered, millions of prayers are answered, and millions have had experiences that can only be attributed to Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.

When I step on a platform in Africa or India or anywhere else, past biblical miracles collide with God’s present-day mercy and grace. Without any touch of mine the blind begin to see, the deaf heat

the dumb speak, the crippled walk, and those driven to madness by clinging spirits of evil are released. The greatest effect is deliverance from sin and guilt and the transformation of people’s attitudes and personalities.

The Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 30 and 31, says: “Truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these [signs] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

In other words, believing is not beyond us. Some think of faith in the same way they view money—a good thing if you have some. But faith is not what you have; it is what you do. Just as we can see, hear, feel, taste, or smell, we can believe and act on that belief. And that act of faith is our true spiritual strength. It is our sixth sense or faculty—spiritual eyesight, an ear to hear, a hand to take God’s blessing, and the courage to hold on to God’s healing touch. But faith is not something we acquire in abundance, immediately upon recognizing and committing our lives to God.

When we encounter Jesus Christ for the first time, we are like children who find out for themselves who He was and is. We go from little or no faith in Him as the Son of God to fully understanding who He was and is and why He came to us as a simple child born in a manger.

The incident of Christ healing the blind man in John 9 shows how our faith can go from little to great—sometimes in a remarkably short period of time: Jesus came upon a blind man, and told His disciples, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (v. 5). He then spat on the ground and made clay with His saliva, and then anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (v. 7). The blind man went and washed there and came back seeing. Later he learned that it was Jesus who had performed this miracle. When the man’s neighbors asked how it could be that he could see he said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight” (v. 11). That is where it stood—Jesus, a man.

However, faith began to arise. First, some of the Pharisees asked, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was a division among them, so they asked the man who was healed who Jesus was, and he said, “He is a prophet” (v. 17).

The Pharisees didn’t believe that this man was blind from birth, so they sent for his parents. His parents said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself” (vv. 20—21). The leading Jews had agreed to excommunicate from the synagogue anybody who said that Jesus was the Christ; so faced with such a fact as a man born blind made to see again, they questioned the man further. “Give God the glory!” they said. “We know that this Man is a sinner” (v. 24).

Developing Faith

The man then said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (v. 25). Then the man, who was arguing with the Pharisees about his healing, said, “If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing” (v. 33). This man’s faith was developing, and he believed Christ was not a sinner but from God. For this he suffered persecution and was blamed as being a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus then found the man. The authorities had thrown him out of the temple—typical of a world that rejects those who testify to the goodness of God. He had one important question to ask the man. It wasn’t whether he felt grateful or if he had started to work. He asked, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” The man did not know what Jesus meant and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” (vv. 35-36).

He had enough faith in Jesus to feel his way to the pool of Siloam when he was blind because Jesus told him to go. That brought him physical sight. But another kind of faith could bring him far greater illumination. His faith had not reached that point. Then Jesus said, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” The man looked at Christ, and his faith exploded. He had no problem accepting Christ’s declaration. He said, “Lord, I believe!” Then, “He worshiped him” (vv. 37-38). Faith was complete.

The account of the woman of Samaria in the Gospel of John, chapter 4, is another powerful lesson from the history of faith. It is an illustration of the fact that a sinner can take a profound leap of faith into the heights of the supernatural.

A nameless woman came to draw water from a well at the same time Jesus was resting there from a hot, long walk. He asked her for a drink of water, which astonished her. She thought He was an odd sort of Jew to be so free, breaking all Jewish tradition by speaking to a Samaritan.

“How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (vv. 9-14)

At that point she decided to humor Him, so she just said, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” She certainly expected nothing of the kind. Jesus simply said, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” She put on an air of innocence and said she had no husband. Jesus then shattered her with a recitation of her sullied life and her Hollywood-like record of husbands. The woman stared at Him, shocked, and said, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.” She had advanced in her perception and in her faith.

The woman then said something that represented four hundred years of argument about where to worship: “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” Jesus then shook her ideas about worship. Worship had nothing to do with place or time. Worship was anywhere, everywhere, and always.

Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (vv. 21-24).

The people God wanted were those whose worship was not confined to a local spot or fixed schedule. She felt lost now in such theological depth, so she tried to edge around it. She said such matters would be settled when the Messiah came.

The woman was getting closer, and then Jesus said, “I who speak to you am He.” Her faith again soared. She looked at this man who saw her past like a filmed record and swept her out of her depth with His profound teaching. Excited, she rushed into the town telling everybody about Jesus. “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did.” She then asked of the town’s people, “Could this be the Christ?” Many men then went back to the well to see who this man was that had so affected her. They, too, fell under His divine spell and invited Him to stay in the town. For two days He was among them, and many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

The Development of Faith

In each of these incidents, the development of faith is swift and always ends with commitment to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Becoming a believer in God may not be an easy transition, but it is a gap that can be leaped as fast as light. One minute we are far from God, and the next we are bound to Him eternally through faith. In an instant we become as His disciples had become—”They are Yours. . . . and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. . . . and none of them is lost” (John 17:9-12).

A Different Kind of Faith

Faith in Christ is different from any other kind of faith. In the New Testament, the word used means to believe “into” Christ (Greek, eis). That word suggests movement. The ordinary word for “in” (Greek, en) describes a set position, but the Greek word used for faith in Christ means moving close to Him in trustful love. It is an embrace. I

This kind of loving touch between man and his Maker comes only through Christ. No one in the Old Testament days could think of such a thing. God was Spirit, another kind of Being, holy and too awesome to be approached except with fear and trembling. Yet one inspired book in the Old Testament Scriptures touches the heart of a new experience— the Song of Solomon, a lyric of love that gathers up all its words of supreme love in one phrase, “I am my beloved’s, I And my beloved is mine” (6:3).

The Great Beloved One

When Jesus came, the Song of Solomon was fulfilled. He is the great beloved One. The dry, loveless religious world of the Jews had no spiritual experience that corresponded to the Song of Solomon. Any passionate embrace between heaven and earth was unknown until Jesus came. He is the divine Lover, and we are those He came to love.

A woman emptied a flask of priceless ointment upon the feet of Christ in holy adoration (John 12:1—8); a street-girl washed His feet with the water of her eyes, toweled them with her hair, and anointed them with oil and in love (Luke 7:37—47); a hard-hearted tax collector went wild with joy and wanted to give his money away (Luke 19:1—10); and Jerusalem had never seen anything like that—this monumental kind of adoring wonder that had all but changed the hearts of an entire nation.

And why not? Jesus began it Himself, as we read in John 13:1-12. At the Last Supper, when Jesus knew that the hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. Jesus rose from the supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel, and girded Himself.

The Coming Dawn

That was the Lord God whom everyone could fling his or her arms around. His mother, Mary, did and so did Mary Magdalene, the former prostitute who was saved by the loving touch of the Master (Matt. 27:56-61).

In the Old Testament, revelation came to people about God, but it seemed to be only to rare individuals, such as Abraham, Jacob, and the prophets. The masses moved very slowly—and often moved backward. God used various circumstances and methods to help them to have faith. But the coming of Jesus swept the world. Somehow, Calvary does what the awesome manifestations of Sinai couldn’t do. Jesus is the great Creator of faith. Looking back over the long, cheerless world history of uncertainty and doubt, we can see when it changed. It came with the gospel. It awakened sleeping trust The dawn had come.

By Reinhard Bonnke

SATAN'S MEETING: (Read even if you're busy)

2005-05-28T23:18:00.000+08:00

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and
knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate
relationship with their Saviour."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our
power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have
their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so
they don't have time to develop a relationship with
Jesus Christ."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour
and maintaining that vital connection throughout
their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and
invent innumerable schemes to occupy their
minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow,
borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours
and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-
12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty
lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will
offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot
hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player
whenever they drive." "To keep the TV, VCR, CDs
and their PCs going constantly in their home and
see to it that every store and restaurant in the
world plays non-biblical music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with
Christ."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and
newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order
catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of
newsletter and promotional offering free products,
services and false hopes."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines
and TV so their husbands will believe that outward
beauty is what's important, and they'll become
dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at
night."

Give them headaches too!

"If they don't give their husbands the love they
need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them Santa Clause to distract them from
teaching their children the real meaning of
Christmas."

"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk
about his resurrection and power over sin and
death."

"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."

"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and
reflect on God's creation. Send them to
amusement parks, sporting events, plays,
concerts, and movies instead. "Keep them busy,
busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship,
involve them in gossip and small talk so that they
leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they
have no time to seek power from Jesus."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength,
sacrificing their health and family for the good of
the cause."

"It will work!" "It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments
causing Christians everywhere to get busier and
more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of
Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been
successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean:

B-eing

U-nder

S-atan's

Y-oke?

stop being deceive by satan!

Read this if you think you are smart!

2005-05-28T23:15:00.000+08:00

Cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty
uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The
phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid.
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the
ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt
tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer bein the rghit> pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and
you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not
raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as
a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas
thought slpeling was ipmorantt! tahts so
cool!!!

And If I Did Not Make Mistakes

2005-04-27T19:21:00.000+08:00

And If I Did Not Make Mistakes

And if I did not make mistakes
And give too brief a thought to heavy questions
And too much time to little matter;
Or if I always knew which road to travel
Where every step would lead me into daylight
And if each face that turned to watch me pass
Was broken by a smile;
Or if whenever I should choose to lay my heart
Bare upon the sun-warmed grass,
It always was returned with tender touches
And carried by a song;
And if my heaviest burden were only to be
A breeze upon my back, and blossom in my hair,
And my brow was never crossed with lines of pain;
If all this endless summer were my lot
And winter's fury never beat me back,
Then I never would have seen the stormy nights
Through which I've struggled, fought and won;
I never would have known the joy of needed comfort given,
Or the essence of a friend.

Written by Katie Paton

A penny for some thinking - POWER OF PRAYER

2005-04-27T19:02:00.000+08:00

POWER OF PRAYER

A touching story, worth reading.......we need to remind ourselves, that

we need to show compassion and humanity. And never forget a prayer.

A poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.

She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked

if he would let her charge a few groceries.

She softly explained that her husband was unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will

bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give

her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the

conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery

list?"

Louise replied, "Yes sir."

"O.K." he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you *that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it.

She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it. "The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.

The scale did not balance. So he continued to put more and more

groceries and them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list. It was a prayer which said:

"Dear Lord, you know my *needs and I am leaving this in your hands".

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said :

"It was worth every penny of it." Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.

it's been long....since i update my blog

2005-04-17T22:43:00.000+08:00

ELLO!

it's almost half a yr tat i forgotten tat i have a blog where i can share wif others interesting articles tat will make us think & ponder about What God can do in our lives....well, many changes took place over this past 6 mths...my studies, my relationship wif God, my transition to adult cell..., my family's health..., ministry in sunday sch, realize that my age is catching up.....already a young adult....which means more responsibilties...but wad about my spiritual growth? did i grow from an infant to a toddler who is learning to "walk" wif God, a disciple to deny himself & take up the cross...& pay the price to go through trials & sufferings & pain....how much am i willing to endure& 4 how long will i contniue 2 move on? i did grow alittle & but it seem veri slow....i noe it going 2 take time4 maturity2 cum forth yet on the other hand the time we r living in is critical & crucial...we need 2 walk circumspectly & to always in prayer consistently to watch 4 ourselves & also 4 others in the body of Christ....if not we will be like one of the many which the bible talks about whose hearts grow cold...have u ever taste blood b4? recently, my gums bleed suddenly but i dun feel pain at all but i taste it in my mouth....it speaks 2 me alot cos we we need 2 guard our hearts, mind, eyes, ears and mouth so we cn b kept clean & not hurting God& Holy Spirit without realizing it & fall again & again, tat's wad we call our struggles internally....hvaing the fear of the Lord in our lives & the grace of God 2 keep us from falling again. cos we need 2 grow up if not we will be swept away by the evil easily. we cannot b shallow anymore cos if the time we are living in...Jesus is coming back no matter what happens, nothing can stop Him, but are we ready by then? cos i have so much of "me" 4 Him to change, shape, mould & purify...but He will finish the work that He has begun 4 His purpose 2 b fulfill...God can do without us but He willingly choose us 2 work along side with Him for His kingdom. how priviledge r we! i guess only angels can understand the depth of His Love for His creation, i dunno if i'm correct but i heard of stories about angels ask God y He still choose the humans for His kingdom yet He has made many angels in the heaven whom HE can use them...the only reason i cna think of is His GREAT Love..........when i look at the Cross, it can never be the same again...we are a bunch of desperate, hopeless, proud, stiff-neck, full of weakness, carnal nature, ugly creatures on earth when God looks down from HIs throne...we r juz so small like an atom to Him...how on earth HE ever thought of using us, humans beings? yet 2000 yrs ago, He did everything on the Cross...4 all of the entire human race...HE is indeed a great & awesome God, the Cross will forever b the reflection of the Father's heart & it's the only way 4 human 2 come into that narrow path & find life more abundantly on earth as it is in heaven...it is a choice 4 us if we are willing 2 take it up & live it out but it will realli cost us alot alot but if we compare it to the Cross, it is just a speck of dust 4 all the pain, sufferings, trials...persecution, perplexity, crushed, broken, rejection, humiliation, hurt, offenses, despised, misunderstood, all these issues tat pertain to life....wad is our response 2 God today? HIs grace is sufficient 4 us all , for my strength is made perfect in weakness...tat's y apostle Paul can say he wwants 2 embrace such pain & sufferings knowing the GRACE of God...which is also include the time we living on earth...i have so much 2 type here, GOd is Good....always! HE never change...cos this is His nature....HE made all things beautiful in His time...Amen! praise God...! thank you, Jesus! i can never stop thanking Him...4 hu He is & what He has done in our lives...

Listen and Learn

2004-08-23T00:54:00.000+08:00

A ninety-one year old woman died after living a long dignified life. When she met God she asked him something that had long bothered her. If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?
God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to teach us. And it is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people, relationships and God This confused the woman, so God began to explain.

When someone lies to you it teaches you that things are not always as they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know their heart. And remove your own masks to let people know yours.

When someone steals from you it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have, for you never know when you might lose it. And never, ever take your friends and family for granted because today is the only guarantee you have.

When someone inflicts an injury upon you it teaches you that the human state is a fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you can, it's the only thing you are sure to have here on earth. When someone mocks you it teaches you that no two people are alike.

When you encounter people who are different from you, don't judge them by how they look or act; instead base your opinion on the contents of their heart.

When someone breaks your heart it teaches you that loving someone does not always mean that person will love you back. But don't turn your back on love because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings will make up for all the past hurts put together. Times ten.

When someone holds a grudge against you it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes.

When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is the most difficult and courageous thing Man can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptation.
By doing so you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control.

Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there were no lessons to be learned from Man's good deeds God replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift he has.

At the root of all kindness is love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson. The woman's curiosity deepening, God once again began to explain.

When someone loves us it teaches us that love, kindness, charity, honesty, humility, forgiveness and acceptance can counteract all the evil in the world.

For every good deed, there is one less evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be.

Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die will your life have resulted in more loving or hurting? More comfort or pain? More joy or sadness?

Each one of us has power over the balance of love in the world. Use it wisely.

Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction.
For each person who receives this, there will be a little less evil in the world and a little more love.

Half Full or..., by Phil Ware

2004-08-23T00:50:00.001+08:00

Are you a person who sees the glass as half full or as half empty?
Most folks are usually either a type of Piglet or a type of Eyesore.
Eyesore says, "I worry what's dreadful thing is going to go wrong today!"
Piglet says, "I wonder what wonderful thing is going to happen today!"

Which one best reflects your attitude? To be honest, my answer depends on when you catch me. When things are going well, I'm a very optimistic person. The glass is always half-full.
I'm positive, excited, and dreaming of what wonderful thing is next. When things are going poorly, I worry about the other shoe dropping.
I'm concerned about the third disaster happening because bad news travels in 3's. The glass is half-empty and on the wane!
Thankfully as Christians, we have whole other way of viewing our lives. or us, the answer isn't half-empty or half-full, it is simply this: Our glass is never empty! Because of God's presence in us through the Holy Spirit, we are never alone, never forgotten, and never empty. No matter how we feel or how things seem, our glass is never empty! When we become Christians, we're given the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39), the seal of God's presence and salvation in our life (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13). Jesus' pours out the Spirit on us when we are reborn to be God's children (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7) and cleanses us and makes holy (1 Cor 6:11). The Spirit leads us (Rom 8:14; Gal 5:18), empowers us to overcome sin (Rom 8:13; Gal 5:24-25), develops Christ-like character (Gal 5:22-23), helps us understand the Scriptures which he inspired (1 Cor 2; 2 Tim 3:16-17), and helps us fulfill righteous demands of the Law which the Law itself could not do (Romans 8:1-4). The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray (Rom 8:26-27), comforts us (John 14:16-21), convicts us of sin (John 16:7-19), gives us gifts to use for God's glory while blessing his Church (1 Cor 12, Rom 12), and transforms us to be more like Christ (2 Cor 3:18). Most importantly, this seal of God's ownership on our life is also our assurance that we can speak to God intimately as his children, crying, "Abba, Father!" knowing that we are heard as God's beloved children (Rom 8:15-17; Gal 4:6-7). Finally, when Jesus returns, the Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11)! In other words, if we are God's children, the glass is never empty. No matter how we feel, no matter the lies of Satan that try to make us feel worthless or abandoned, we are not alone. God is not only near, but he is in us and calls us his Temple because of his Spirit within us (1 Cor 6:19-20). We are full of promise. We are never empty! We are full of hope. We can know that we will never have to live life empty, no matter how empty we may feel at any one given time -- God is there empowering, transforming, sustaining, and comforting us. We are neither Piglet nor Eeyore. We are children of grace, who like the widow in Elijah's day (1 Kings 17), never find their store of sustenance and grace empty. There is always enough, and more. Our cup is not half full or half empty.

Our cup is never empty!

The Place of Miracles by Rick Joyner

2004-08-23T00:50:00.000+08:00

For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power (I Corinthians 4:20) When the Lord fed the thousands with just a few fish and loaves, what made this miracle so great was that so much was done with so little. He receives more glory when we have less in our hands to do His works with. One of the greatest hindrances to our seeing the miracles of God is that we have too much. When the Lord calls us to do a task we must resist looking to our resources for the ability to carry it out, but rather look to God's resources. Having much may actually hinder us from doing great things for God. When the Lord set about to change the world, He did not start accumulating a large treasury for the task. He just looked for twelve men that He could anoint. Even the men that He chose were lacking in the natural gifts and abilities to carry out such a purpose. However, the Lord did not need their abilities. He only needed a few who would be willing vessels for the Holy Spirit. Years ago the Lord said to me that money was my least valuable resource. It is a resource, and has some value, but it is the least of what we need to carry out His purposes. We need the Holy Spirit. There are a couple of crucial factors about the Holy Spirit that we need to understand if we are going to be used by Him. These are highlighted in the very first mention of the Spirit in Genesis 1:2: "And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." Here we see in the first mention of the Holy Spirit that He is moving. In almost every mention of Him in Scripture He is moving. In John 3:8 we are told, "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Those who are born of the Spirit will also be moving. The Christian life is not static?it is always moving, flowing, going somewhere. This is the nature of those who are born of the Spirit. The second major factor we notice about the Spirit in Genesis is that He brought forth this glorious creation out of that which was formless and void. He still loves to do this. We do not have to be perfect for Him to use us. We can actually be over-organized and over prepared for Him to be able to use us. The Lord is not against organization, but in our pitiful little human perspectives our organization is often the result of majoring on minors. We want to get things ready, but He wants to get us ready. Our readiness is not dependent on the material realm, but on a heart that loves Him, trusts Him, and obeys Him. It was for this reason that the Lord of the Universe was born in a stable, the most humble, unlikely place He could have chosen. The only way that He could be found was by revelation. The same is still true of those things that are truly born of God. The Lord is not waiting until our building is big enough, or us to have enough money in the bank, or even for us to get a certain degree. He is waiting for us to have faith, not in ourselves, and not in our stuff, but in Him.

THE SPECIAL YOU

2004-07-30T01:07:00.000+08:00

Enjoy it!

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another.

That group of students moved on. Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her.

"Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes."

Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmate's went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.

"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it."

All of Mark's former class mates started to gather around.

Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at
home."

Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary."

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times, " Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. This story realli inspire me alot.......cos i realized we have the power to impact people's lives in little ways...4 eternity which many times we neglect...watmore, WE have Holy Spirit living inside us "the ever-living teacher" 2 guide & discipline us...we can live our lives to the fullest each day...if we learn 2 abide in Him, life is not "xian" as we all would think even if we still doing the same things.........cos we have a end-purpose in mind.......it al begins now in our lives 2 make a differnce in this world........we al r called the salt & the light, i wanna 2 impact people around me...with the power of HIs Love... Life will never b the same again.......i always hav tis tot @ the backof my mind, our life on earth can b an extraordinary adventure cos we hav Christ living in us... hehe :)

Woodcutter

2004-07-30T01:03:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time, there was a very strong woodcutter.He asked for a job from a timber merchant, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions.For that reason the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought down 18 trees. The Boss was very much impressed and said, "Congratulations keep it up!" Very motivated by the words of the boss, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring down 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he only could bring down 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing down less and less trees. "I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought to himself. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. "When was the last time you sharpened your Axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my Axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees.

The moral of the story: Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don't take time to sharpen the axe. In today's world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp? There is nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to care for others, taking time to read, etc. We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don't take time to sharpen the axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. So start from today, think about the ways by which you could do your job more effectively and add a lot of value to it. Hope this story has given you some insight to life. May you be happy always. "To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart."

WHAT'S IN YOUR SPONGE?

2004-07-30T00:47:00.000+08:00

There are 5 sponges laying on your kitchen counter top. Each member of your family has been cleaning up different areas of your home, but all the sponges look the same. You are curious as to what was cleaned in your home, but you can't tell by looking...they all look the same....so what do you do?

You squeeze each sponge to see what comes out. As you squeeze the first sponge, you see that cola comes out, and so you decide that someone cleaned the kitchen with that one. Upon squeezing the second sponge, you find tub and tile cleaner - that one was used to clean the bathroom.

Next, in the third sponge, you find motor oil -- hubby was cleaning the garage!

In the fourth sponge, baby powder puffs out when it is squeezed -- yep, the baby's nursery was done with that one!

And finally, in the last one, is floor wax -- that was the one you used on the hall floor!

As you lay the last one down, you look again at their similarity - and they all look the same until they're squeezed.

Christians are the same way. As life squeezes us, different things come out - anger from one, a need for revenge from another, tears from one, remorse from yet another - also greed, untruth, lust - and finally, from one saint, pours forth the love of Christ.

Just like the sponge, we can only squeeze out what is put in - stay in the Word daily, and be in continuous prayer, so that when life puts the squeeze on you (and it WILL), Jesus, and Jesus ALONE will shine forth from you!

Have a blessed, squeaky clean day!

THE ONE FLAW IN WOMEN

2004-07-30T00:39:00.000+08:00

By the time the Lord made woman, he was into his
sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared
and said, "Why are you spending so much time on
this one?"

And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec
sheet on her? She has to be completely washable,
but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all
replaceable and able to run on diet coke and
leftovers, have a lap that can hold four
children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything
from a scraped knee to a broken heart-and she
will do everything with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
"Only two hands!? No way! And that's just on the
standard model? That's too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish."

But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close
to finishing this creation that is so close to
my own heart. She already heals herself when she is
sick AND can work 18 hour days."

The angel moved closer and touched the
woman. "But you have made he r so soft, Lord."
"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also
made her tough. You have no idea what she can
endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something, and reaching
out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you
that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of
expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain,her disappointment, her love, her loneliness,her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything!

Woman is truly amazing."

And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but
they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet
they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how muc h they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

God Lives Under The Bed

2004-07-16T12:50:00.000+08:00

I envy Kevin.
My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped outside his closed door to listen. "Are you there, God?" he said."Where are you?Oh, I see. Under the bed."I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that nightsomething else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. He was born 30 years ago, mentallydisabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is anadult. He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old,and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our treeevery Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carrythem. I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different, dissatisfied with his monotonous life? Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop forthe disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. The only variation in the entire scheme are laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child. He does not seem dissatisfied. He lopes out to the bus every morning at7:05, eager for a day of simple work. He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores. And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. "That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!" Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. He doesn'tknow what it means to be discontent. His life is simple. He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always beenmet, and he never worries that one day they may not be.His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart iscompletely in it. He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and hedoes not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue. Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt,angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God. Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Himin a way that is difficult for an "educated" person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion. In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. It is then that I am most willingto admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions. It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with thehandicap - I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - theyall become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care. Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God. And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed. Kevin won't be surprised at all!

Prayer is powerful. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but alot of rewards. What u sow is wat u reap @ the end of the day! Want to encourage those who r still working, live a life of simplicity in Christ...Be wise as a serpent & gentle as a dove...operating in HIs manifold wisdom & understanding, God will keeps us from falling. As for those who r stil studying, keep your focus on Christ (gird up the loins of ur mind!), begin 2 cultivate a lifestyle of prayer life , never stop praying! God hears U...Wherever u r @ tis point of ur life....u've got discipline urself despite the fact we r busy wif our own stuff, i can say it's not easy in the beginning but as u get started 2 pay the price, u will adapt 2 the"new" lifestyle....personally, i failed many times yet His grace is sufficient 4 us 2 overcome.....keep trying & trying, dun give up! the day will come u realize i've hav overcome in tis area of my life.........THE DAY OF BREAKTHROUGH COMES ALREADY.... : ) REMEMBER U'RE NOT ALONE BUT HIS SPIRIT IS LIVING WITHIN U... REJOICE! :>

REST IN HIM

2004-07-16T12:34:00.000+08:00

TRUST IN GOD
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:

YOU SAY ,GOD SAYS

BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"

God says: I will give you rest

(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"

God says: I love you

(John 3:16 & John 3:34

You say: "I can't go on"

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"

God says: You can do all things

(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"

God says: I am able

(II Corinthians 9:8)


You say: "It's not worth it"

God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:28)


You say: "I can't forgive myself"

God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"

God says: I will supply all your needs

(Philippians 4:19)


You say: "I'm afraid"

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)


You  say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"

God says: Cast all your cares on ME

(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"

God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith

(Romans 12:3)


You say: "I'm not smart enough"

God says: I give you wisdom

(I Corinthians :30)



You say: "I feel all alone"

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)

Teach me To Forgive

2004-05-24T00:45:00.000+08:00

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the
woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not
right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He
remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had
that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and
frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing
all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the
one he knew would always be there, and with tears in his eyes, he prayed
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me
to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed.

Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I
don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were
done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is
Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive.

My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you
teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive.

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt
something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of
one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it
was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in
the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a
large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his
eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash
in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head.

Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes
met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

Have you ever told a lie, he asked?
The man answered - yes Lord.
Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?
The man answered yes Lord. And the man sobbed more and more.
Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours, Jesus asked?
And the man answered yes Lord.
Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?
The man, crying now, answered yes Lord.
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"?
The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer yes Lord.
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man
felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the
blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and
there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. Jesus said,
I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you.

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when
you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. Read the
first line slowly and let it sink in. This is simple, and important

Read on....This first line is deep.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, Today. For without You I
can do nothing.

Noodle From a Stranger

2004-05-22T00:07:00.000+08:00

That night, Sue had a quarrel with her mum and without bringing anything with her, she ran out of the house.
While she was walking on the street, she discovered that she did not have any money on her, not even a cent
to make a phone call. As she was walking along the street, she spotted a noodle stall, it smells so nice, how she
longs for a bowl. But, she has no money. After awhile, the boss seeing Sue standing in front of his stall for
quite a long time, asked: 'Hey Miss, do you want a bowl of noodle?' 'But...but...I didn't bring any money with
me...' she answered shyly. 'It's alright, I'll give you a treat.' The boss said, 'Come have a seat, I'll cook you a bowl
of noodle.' Not long after, the owner served Sue with a bowl of noodle and a plate of vegetables. Sue ate a few
mouthfuls and she started to tear. 'What happened, Miss?' the owner asked. 'Nothing, I'm just touched!' Sue said
while drying her tears. 'Even a stranger I met on the street would offer to cook a bowl of noodle and treat me!
But... my own mother, after a quarrel chased me out of the house and asked me not to go back again. You as
a complete stranger could show me care and concern while my own mother...she's so cruel.' She said to the
owner. The boss after hearing what Sue had said, replied with a sigh: 'Miss, how can you think that way? Ponder
over this, I just cooked a bowl of noodle for you and you are so touched. Your mother had been cooking noodles
and rice for you since you are young till now, why aren't you grateful to her? And you even quarrel with her?' Sue
was stunned upon hearing that. 'Why didn't I think of that? A bowl of noodle from a stranger and I'm so grateful
butyet my own mother had been cooking for me for so many years and I'm not even showing the least concern
about her. And because of a trivial matter, I quarreled with her. She finishes her noodle swiftly and braces
herself up and march towards the direction of home. As she was walking home, she thought to herself what
she wants to tell her mum right now... 'Mum, I'm sorry, I know I'm at fault, please forgive me.'Once she reached
the doorstep, she saw her tired and anxious mother, searching everywhere for her. When she spotted Sue, the
first sentence which came out of her mouth is: 'Sue, come into the house quickly, I've the dinner ready and it'll
be cold if you are not eating it now.' Right at that moment, Sue was unable to hold her tears anymore and she
started weeping in front of her mum.
At times, we may be very grateful to other people around us for a little gesture they showed us, but to our

close ones, especially our parents, it's a lifetime of gratefulness we have to remember. We should never forget

what our parents had done for us but often we treat that as a natural process for them to sacrifice for us.

However, parent's love and care are the most valuable gift given to us since we were born. They don't expect

any repayment from us for raising us but think about it... Did we treasure the unconditional sacrifice from our

parents?

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.

2004-05-21T23:57:00.000+08:00

He called his parents from San Francisco.

"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home,
but I've got a favor to ask.
I have a friend I'd like to bring
with me."

"Sure," they replied,
"We'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should
know," the son continued.
"He was hurt pretty badly
in the fighting. He stepped
on a land mine and lost an
arm and a leg. He has nowhere
else to go, and I want him to
come live with us."

"I'm sorry to hear that, son.
Maybe we can help him
find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom and Dad, I want
him to live with us."

"Son," said the Father,
"You don't know what you are
asking. Someone with such
a handicap would be a terrible
burden on us. We have our
own lives to live, and we
can't let something like this
interfere with our lives.
I think you should just come
home and forget about this
guy. He'll find a way to live on
his own."
At that point, the son
hung up the phone.

The parents heard nothing more
from him. A few days later
however, they received a call
from the San Francisco police.
Their son had died after falling
from a building, they were told.
The police believed it was suicide.
The grief-stricken parents flew to
San Francisco and were taken
to the city morgue to identify
the body of their son.

They recognized him, but to their
horror they also discovered
something they didn't know,
their son had only one arm and
one leg.

The parents in this story are
like many of us. We find it
easy to love those who are
good-looking or fun to have
around, but we don't like people
who inconvenience us or make us
feel uncomfortable.

We would rather stay away from
people who aren't as healthy,
beautiful, or smart as we are.

Thankfully, there's someone who
won't treat us that way.
Someone who loves us with an
unconditional love that welcomes
us into the forever family,
regardless of how messed up we are.

Is your part of God's house lit?

2004-05-21T23:56:00.000+08:00

A Light For God's House

In a mountain village in Europe a long time ago, a nobleman wondered what gift he could present to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church. No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marvelled at it's beauty. Then someone asked,"But where are the lamps? How will it be lighted?" The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave them each family a lamp, asking them to bring these with them each time they came to worship.
"Each time you are in church, the area where you are seated will be lighted," the nobleman said. "Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. this is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark."

wow! so fun didnt noe that........

2004-05-21T00:42:00.000+08:00

halo, every1

didnt noe there's such a thing existed...after 23 yrs on earth, haha : ) being introduce by susan
......was gd after readin hers, quite inspiring n encouraging sharing wif 1 another stories/testimonies, tis is life experience men....n from there we'll grow up n learn from each other lessons.....tat's great!
technology is realli so fast n efficient.....nowsdays.....but i believe God is hastening the process of raising up His pple to maturity esp young pple, His future Generations.......yeah! so excied n anticipating God wil move on behalf of His pple...

BTW, pls keep in prayer pastor daniel n the team in philippines, + dajie in hospital (juz finish his lungs operation)

Let's pray 2gether n lookin out 4 1 nother backs.....in the army of God....
2 b continue....

nite : >

may : )=