I know. Shocking right? What in the world is Singapore turning into.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Shocking
I know. Shocking right? What in the world is Singapore turning into.
Post a Comment
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Be greedy for blessings
So I was sitting at church, squirming a fair bit because my back was really acting up. The Pastor had invited another pastor he met during the week to come along to share to our group. He brought his wife, daughter, son and daughter-in-law and it was very obvious they were a very loving tightly-knit family.
He shared about his life story and how he became to believe in Jesus as God. And then he taught about the history of what Jesus had done and how He continues to do so. He got his wife to share certain things as well, emphasizing strongly how integral she is in the shared purpose of their lives in serving Christ. As a family, the way they spoke of their experience with God, the way their relationships with one another was so full of love and support, it left me feeling like I want to have the fullness of joy they have with God and with man.
Then this pastor said nothing beats showing the power of God as a demonstration of it. And that was to show how God can heal.
So he asked who would want to receive prayers, and he wanted to start with those with structural problems (ie bones). Only because it was the easiest to demonstrate immediate healing, so that our faith can be stirred up. Having the nagging backache I was the first to jump up.
Yes, when it comes to blessings, I am shamelessly greedy. No such thing as why don't you go first.
He sat me down and first up wanted to check my legs. He lifted it and pointed out how one leg was longer than the other. I could see a distinct difference in the positioning. He could have held it up wrongly but within seconds of him starting to pray, I could see the length of the feet aligning itself, without feeling his hands move. My eyes went wide, but the impact of the healing wasn't that huge yet.
He laid his hands on my head to pray for healing of my back. Then his hands moved to cover the back of my neck as he prayed for the bones to realign itself to the original position. After a few more seconds, I could feel my neck moving backwards. I certainly felt no pressure from his hands to move my neck and nor had I conscious thoughts of moving it.
His hands held my shoulders and once more prayed for realignment of my shoulder bones to original state and I found my shoulders moving gently to the right. By this time my eyes went wider and I was making a slight face because I was convinced that God was certainly doing something.
His hands covered my back and prayed for my spine to realign and I could literally feel my spine moving!!! I was bowled.
Immediately, when I stood the pain that had been nagging me and shooting up my neck ceased. It was an awesome experience!
I never once ever thought of asking God to heal me of my back problems; simply accepting that such is life and to get on with it. There are things I have asked of God and He has yet to answer. But I am convinced in every answered and unanswered prayers, His response is always in love.
What I am learning is, it is not in the power of the the person who is praying that makes the difference. It is also not God's power that is in question, because His ability to heal is constant. His will for each individual and the timing can differ, but those are the exception rather than the rule. The minority rather than the majority.
What makes the difference for the majority is in their willingness to believe in Him and how ready they are to cooperate and even fight for His blessings. I have seen people who say they want to experience God but their attitudes were lukewarm and unwilling to exert mentally and physically to break through spiritual barriers, where at the very same hour and place their peers were falling under the power of God instantly.
Be the first to stand where there is an altar call for who will respond to God. Be the first to fall onto your knees and ask for forgiveness even while others hold back and stand in dignity. Be the first to ask for prayers. Be the first to say I will meet the need of others. Be the first to give all that you are to Him and to the needs of the people.
The blessings of God that can be showered on your lifetime can be amazingly overwhelming if you are greedy for Him.
But let me tell you this.
Nothing. Will compare to the treasures of heaven that will await in the new Kingdom. I do not know the form and shape those treasures will be. You can be a nominal Christian who lived most of your life taking care of your own life and own needs and barely push through the gates of heaven. You will experience the wonders and joy of the new Kingdom of heaven and earth. But you will be oh so jealous of those who have given all that they had that other people in greater need would know the love of God, for the treasures in heaven they had accumulated in doing so.
I just know instinctively and deep in my spirit that the kind of treasures God offers in heaven will be mind blowingly awesome and will put to shame the blessings that can be received even now in this lifetime.
He shared about his life story and how he became to believe in Jesus as God. And then he taught about the history of what Jesus had done and how He continues to do so. He got his wife to share certain things as well, emphasizing strongly how integral she is in the shared purpose of their lives in serving Christ. As a family, the way they spoke of their experience with God, the way their relationships with one another was so full of love and support, it left me feeling like I want to have the fullness of joy they have with God and with man.
Then this pastor said nothing beats showing the power of God as a demonstration of it. And that was to show how God can heal.
So he asked who would want to receive prayers, and he wanted to start with those with structural problems (ie bones). Only because it was the easiest to demonstrate immediate healing, so that our faith can be stirred up. Having the nagging backache I was the first to jump up.
Yes, when it comes to blessings, I am shamelessly greedy. No such thing as why don't you go first.
He sat me down and first up wanted to check my legs. He lifted it and pointed out how one leg was longer than the other. I could see a distinct difference in the positioning. He could have held it up wrongly but within seconds of him starting to pray, I could see the length of the feet aligning itself, without feeling his hands move. My eyes went wide, but the impact of the healing wasn't that huge yet.
He laid his hands on my head to pray for healing of my back. Then his hands moved to cover the back of my neck as he prayed for the bones to realign itself to the original position. After a few more seconds, I could feel my neck moving backwards. I certainly felt no pressure from his hands to move my neck and nor had I conscious thoughts of moving it.
His hands held my shoulders and once more prayed for realignment of my shoulder bones to original state and I found my shoulders moving gently to the right. By this time my eyes went wider and I was making a slight face because I was convinced that God was certainly doing something.
His hands covered my back and prayed for my spine to realign and I could literally feel my spine moving!!! I was bowled.
Immediately, when I stood the pain that had been nagging me and shooting up my neck ceased. It was an awesome experience!
I never once ever thought of asking God to heal me of my back problems; simply accepting that such is life and to get on with it. There are things I have asked of God and He has yet to answer. But I am convinced in every answered and unanswered prayers, His response is always in love.
What I am learning is, it is not in the power of the the person who is praying that makes the difference. It is also not God's power that is in question, because His ability to heal is constant. His will for each individual and the timing can differ, but those are the exception rather than the rule. The minority rather than the majority.
What makes the difference for the majority is in their willingness to believe in Him and how ready they are to cooperate and even fight for His blessings. I have seen people who say they want to experience God but their attitudes were lukewarm and unwilling to exert mentally and physically to break through spiritual barriers, where at the very same hour and place their peers were falling under the power of God instantly.
Be the first to stand where there is an altar call for who will respond to God. Be the first to fall onto your knees and ask for forgiveness even while others hold back and stand in dignity. Be the first to ask for prayers. Be the first to say I will meet the need of others. Be the first to give all that you are to Him and to the needs of the people.
The blessings of God that can be showered on your lifetime can be amazingly overwhelming if you are greedy for Him.
But let me tell you this.
Nothing. Will compare to the treasures of heaven that will await in the new Kingdom. I do not know the form and shape those treasures will be. You can be a nominal Christian who lived most of your life taking care of your own life and own needs and barely push through the gates of heaven. You will experience the wonders and joy of the new Kingdom of heaven and earth. But you will be oh so jealous of those who have given all that they had that other people in greater need would know the love of God, for the treasures in heaven they had accumulated in doing so.
I just know instinctively and deep in my spirit that the kind of treasures God offers in heaven will be mind blowingly awesome and will put to shame the blessings that can be received even now in this lifetime.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Diamond in the rough
Some months back, there were a number of people (not just one, but a number!) who prophesied over me what God was doing with my life. And it was that He was refining me, cutting off the rough edges around me to reveal a beautiful diamond.
They also prophesied saying I won't like it, that it will be at times painful, but the end result would make it worth it.
So far, everything has been spot on, and so now I'm just waiting for my beauty to shiiiiiiiinneeee...
Some people think my shock absorbing system must be very high. The amount of criticism I am getting I have to absorb with no hint of snapping, or else they criticise yet the more. But I wonder how many of them can actually take criticism without reacting.
I am not defending myself because I have no ground to defend myself on. But because the Lord has indicated He wants me to trust that He will defend me.
I don't particularly like His way, but you know, I think I'm beginning to enjoy the ride. I feel like my absorbing system is being stretched all the more, and it is actually fun seeing different perspectives. Once I pass the uncomfortable stage of trying to deny or justify my act, there's an odd sense of peace and determination to improve myself.
They also prophesied saying I won't like it, that it will be at times painful, but the end result would make it worth it.
So far, everything has been spot on, and so now I'm just waiting for my beauty to shiiiiiiiinneeee...
Some people think my shock absorbing system must be very high. The amount of criticism I am getting I have to absorb with no hint of snapping, or else they criticise yet the more. But I wonder how many of them can actually take criticism without reacting.
I am not defending myself because I have no ground to defend myself on. But because the Lord has indicated He wants me to trust that He will defend me.
I don't particularly like His way, but you know, I think I'm beginning to enjoy the ride. I feel like my absorbing system is being stretched all the more, and it is actually fun seeing different perspectives. Once I pass the uncomfortable stage of trying to deny or justify my act, there's an odd sense of peace and determination to improve myself.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
Michael Owen
The last week I found myself being surprised at my thoughts and reactions. It revealed to me the little changes that has taken place in me since moving to Singapore, and it amuses me that such changes are possible after all.
I have always been blunt about my opinions which can offend people. I'm not sure if anyone has noticed this change, but while I am still quick to flare up and lash out, my lashes are not as sharp as it can be.
It is a good thing, that I am under the authority of God, and am accountable to Him with every word spoken, every silence held and every thought of the heart counted for.
Because of His love, I am no longer as self-destructive or vicious in cutting at people who come too close to me. I do not have "maybes", but the assurance that I will grow and mature because the Lord is in the business of sanctifying us. And because I carry His name, and belong to Him, He will for His glory's sake protect me and uphold me.
I am amongst the most blessed of man. I have had so much love showered upon me in my life. From what could have been considered a loveless legacy my life could have inherited, Jesus intervened and exchanged it for a life overwhelmed with love.
The sea of faces that swim before me who have loved, the people I am already eager to reunite in heaven with. However, the only negative thing is that they have made me intolerant of shallow, hypocritical and meaningless forms of friendship and relationships. I have tasted what is good, and it makes me want to spit out the bad and the bland.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen was in his mid-40s when he was forced to be introduced to me. He had speech disabilities that made it hard for people to understand him so he was extremely shy and always tried to hide into the walls of the church. I don't know what it was, but he had decided that he liked me so would always try to say hello to me after Sunday service in the church I was with in London. All he could really say that I understood was whether I was fine and if I had my tea.
The first few months of knowing him I felt bad, guilty and uncomfortable because I could not think of any way to establish a deeper friendship and I started to want to avoid him since I didn't know how to have a conversation with him. But eventually I got used to the odd friendship there was. One weekend I baked cookies and decided to give him a tin of it the next day in church. When I passed the tin wrapped in black plastic, Michael's eyes shone and without even knowing what it was in the plastic, grabbed my shoulder and kissed my cheek to thank me.
A short while after that Michael was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer and passed away shortly after I moved to Singapore. Michael remains as one of my most inspiring teachers of love. He never cared that I couldn't talk to him about his love for old films and cricket. He loved me because of my smiles, for spending a few minutes after church with him, for sending him a card for his birthday, for thinking of him and giving him a gift for no reason.
He loved me because I saw him. He never told me all this while he was alive, but it is as if he is telling me this from heaven.
I had forgotten. I will have to remember the lessons of love Michael taught me.
I have always been blunt about my opinions which can offend people. I'm not sure if anyone has noticed this change, but while I am still quick to flare up and lash out, my lashes are not as sharp as it can be.
It is a good thing, that I am under the authority of God, and am accountable to Him with every word spoken, every silence held and every thought of the heart counted for.
Because of His love, I am no longer as self-destructive or vicious in cutting at people who come too close to me. I do not have "maybes", but the assurance that I will grow and mature because the Lord is in the business of sanctifying us. And because I carry His name, and belong to Him, He will for His glory's sake protect me and uphold me.
I am amongst the most blessed of man. I have had so much love showered upon me in my life. From what could have been considered a loveless legacy my life could have inherited, Jesus intervened and exchanged it for a life overwhelmed with love.
The sea of faces that swim before me who have loved, the people I am already eager to reunite in heaven with. However, the only negative thing is that they have made me intolerant of shallow, hypocritical and meaningless forms of friendship and relationships. I have tasted what is good, and it makes me want to spit out the bad and the bland.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen was in his mid-40s when he was forced to be introduced to me. He had speech disabilities that made it hard for people to understand him so he was extremely shy and always tried to hide into the walls of the church. I don't know what it was, but he had decided that he liked me so would always try to say hello to me after Sunday service in the church I was with in London. All he could really say that I understood was whether I was fine and if I had my tea.
The first few months of knowing him I felt bad, guilty and uncomfortable because I could not think of any way to establish a deeper friendship and I started to want to avoid him since I didn't know how to have a conversation with him. But eventually I got used to the odd friendship there was. One weekend I baked cookies and decided to give him a tin of it the next day in church. When I passed the tin wrapped in black plastic, Michael's eyes shone and without even knowing what it was in the plastic, grabbed my shoulder and kissed my cheek to thank me.
A short while after that Michael was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer and passed away shortly after I moved to Singapore. Michael remains as one of my most inspiring teachers of love. He never cared that I couldn't talk to him about his love for old films and cricket. He loved me because of my smiles, for spending a few minutes after church with him, for sending him a card for his birthday, for thinking of him and giving him a gift for no reason.
He loved me because I saw him. He never told me all this while he was alive, but it is as if he is telling me this from heaven.
I had forgotten. I will have to remember the lessons of love Michael taught me.