(Thoughts) Love-1
Biblical Reference:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
“4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.”
This is one of the more famous passages on what love should be like. I just have 2 questions for you:
1) How far do you believe this to be true?
2) How much do you practice this truth in your life?
So this is the fact of love, as is any part of life. It should be lived upon more than discussed upon, which brings me to the question of why i even bother to talk about all these things that i see, and these things that i am reminded time and again. But so long that question is not fully answer, it shall be my duty to continue to speak.
In fact, one thing I've realised is that love is life - love is the reason for life. And if you haven't noticed that in several parts of the Bible as well, love is one of the key unifying themes. For that is the nature of God.
And this love that I speak of? It is not as what we have learnt from society that has been perverted in its nature. One of which I have seen clearly is that love is learnt in one's life when you "give without thought of receiving", when you are able to give with "no motives" upon your heart except that of which to bless the receiver.
Another of which is that of long-suffering and enduring love, one that is based on commitment - such a beautiful thing of which is barely represented in wedding vows as compared to the truth of the matter itself. Why so? For the love that was once based on emotions has grown to that of commitment(of which both parties have made the pledge of willingness to walk down life's many journeys together), and this commitment will be tested time and again in time and becoming increasingly refined. So the love becomes that of purposeful, and in that common purpose both parties have constructed a shelter, one that keeps them safer during the storms of life.
And you may ask me then, where is God in the picture? Let me ask you in reverse then, have you not seen? For without God all this would not have been possible.
If you do not understand what I am saying, then just re-read the portion of Scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, that's far more important than any opinion that anyone can give you about life, however wise they may be.
In His love,
Jon
Wednesday 30 May 2007
Thursday 24 May 2007
(Thoughts) My 2 cents worth...
(Thoughts) My 2 cents worth...
How can we through this understand others better? As we have heard before but perhaps never understood too well, i shall repeat that of the point of understanding things from the other person's perspectives, or some people will put it across as “putting yourself in another's shoes”.
So lets just use the previous post as a reference point, that of the perspective of the poor widow. She is all the simplicity of her heart gave all that she had, because that was all, and was the best she knew she could give to the LORD. But what was the 2 copper coins that she gave? Pittance in those days, and this is very likely why Jesus had to call to the disciples attention this act of love, to allow them to understand the motives of the heart is far more important than the outwards showing, and in fact it should preceed it. And what the poor widow had shown clearly as she could, was that heart of gratitude and willingness, and that pleased the LORD.
However, sad as it may sound, many of us I think will fall into the category of overlooking and possibly even despising the seemingly small acts of kindness that someone may bring, and instead look to and admire what may seem showy, what may attract the attention of our eyes. Such is the condition of the heart in today's society. But it is not that which Christians are called to, for the purification of the heart through walking down life's paths led by the LORD is what we're called to do in fact, and with the purification of the heart happening in increasing measure, only then can we give forth love that He gives us in increasing measure as well.
In recent days I find a question upon my heart in fact, which is that how can it be that something that means so much to someone, can be meaningless to another? How can something that someone treasures so much and is so dear to his/her heart mean nothing to another? This question had confounded me increasingly, even though I knew that yeah it could have been due to a differences in opinion, and a differences in memories(from experience), differences in priorities and preferences between people – you get what I mean, the word is differences.
Do you know what I am talking about? Perhaps I can bring to you an simple example from my life that can help you understand. I used to have this pillow that I grew up with, from age 1 till about 11. It was a pillow that started of as my mattress, and then I outgrew it, it followed me almost whereever i went, to the UK and back to Singapore, so it had a factor of comfort and dearness to me. And you can imagine how it was a lil tattered, a lil smelly, faded in colour, out of shape from the repeated cleaning. But still it was dear to me, even though it was filth in the eyes of the world. Yeah so now do you get what I'm talking about?
So when we interact with people, how can we learn to put ourselves in their shoes? To know where they're coming from? I feel firstly it is important to get our heart's attitude right, which is to ask the LORD to teach us how to love this person for who he/she is, to appreciate the person in totality. After asking from God to teach you to know the person, of course you learn more about the person by listening to the person's life and spending time with the person, for the person him/her-self will be able to teach you as 2nd best to what he/she is really like. So in all this it is always good to put aside what presumptions we may have on a person's character, that may have stained our perspective on what the person is really like, causing biasness in the way we act towards him/her.
As we continue to know the person better, we increasingly cast aside more and more assumptions that we had on the person, and we do start learning one important thing. We learn how to love the person as he/she needs, to the best of our abilities, to the best for the person's life. We also learn to appreciate the efforts that the person puts into building up that friendship, such as the small words and acts of love and encouragement given to you along the way.
And I've to say one thing, when you really learn to appreciate people and the things they do for you, you will stop asking about why don't these people care for you in a certain way, beacuse you realise that they already do care for you in the way they think best, even though you know it may not be that which will meet your need. When you reach that point of understanding, the act itself truly becomes of secondary importance, and you appreciate so much the intention of love that was brought up by the person.
These are the very things that will form that fond memories in a person's life, and these memories are the very thing that keeps a man going when he experiences the trials of life, and is increasingly torn apart by them - when hopelessness looms for him, when he does not see any hope at all. So when we say we love someone, do we really?
When we talk all day about God's love and His sacrifices, the personal intimacy that He desires to have with us individually, how do we live that out? For the life of a Christian is more than just the talk we so often speak of, in fact it may be best that we never spoke at all, except that which is of utmost importance. How can we speak of love so so much, and yet love so so little? I am ashamed for us Christians who claim all that, but yet fail to see the needs, hear the cries of the needy that abounds. Have we seen and heard all this? Some have seen and heard, and turn away from them, saying that they will be others there for them. Some have not seend and heard, and continue to choose not to. What is your choice?
Do you understand what love really is? Do you? If you say yes, then I'll urge you to ask yourself again, because I believe this is one thing that we can only begin to learn, no matter the stage of life we're in, and this is one gift that is meant to be shared, and can only exist if we increasingly die to the love of our self.
In my own life, the LORD awakened me because of the pain i went through and still continue to possess in my body. I made my choices earlier in my life than most, and the LORD has lead me through them ever since. The choice was to allow me to see reality, to see truth, to embrace and learn to understand His love, that I may know how to love others as He has commanded us, the choice was to speak truth in love. Have you made your choices yet? Do not delay, for time is fleeting, and our lives will pass us by before we know it, never let it slip through your hands, the meaningful life that is led forth by the wisdom and love of God.
So what has been my choices today? It is to speak forth truth into the lives of others, and show the love of God to them as well as far as it is possible for me. It is to continue to labour and continue to hear the cries, and see the needs of the lonely and destitute, to not turn that blind eye and ear to them. Increasingly I find myself helpless in the face of it all, but it is them that I learnt to depend more on the LORD, and it is then i learn what faith is.
There is someone who asked me why “The wounded healer” by Henri J. Nouwen was a special book to me, one who asked me why am I so conscious in the way I view relationships. If you're reading this today, perhaps now you understand a little bit of why I am so. Certain choices we make, we make the best of what is given to us then, and making them, we do not look back, but keep looking forward as the LORD leads us, and we learn faith along the way, when we see the wounded abounding on that path we stop to help and love, and hence we learn love. So far that is life as I have been led to see.
I seem to have deviated away from the main point of the post, how can we understand people better? Let me sum it up, by being more unassuming – learning to accept people for who they are, by simple acts of listening to their life stories, by spending more time with them, and allowing one another to enjoy each others presence and establish memories and common understanding together. Most importantly, we ask the LORD to teach us to learn to love them, to learn to appreciate them.
Take care guys and God bless the rest of your week~
In His love,
Jon
Biblical References:
Ephesians 5:13-16
“13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
1 John 3:17-18
“17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
1John 4:12
“12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
How can we through this understand others better? As we have heard before but perhaps never understood too well, i shall repeat that of the point of understanding things from the other person's perspectives, or some people will put it across as “putting yourself in another's shoes”.
So lets just use the previous post as a reference point, that of the perspective of the poor widow. She is all the simplicity of her heart gave all that she had, because that was all, and was the best she knew she could give to the LORD. But what was the 2 copper coins that she gave? Pittance in those days, and this is very likely why Jesus had to call to the disciples attention this act of love, to allow them to understand the motives of the heart is far more important than the outwards showing, and in fact it should preceed it. And what the poor widow had shown clearly as she could, was that heart of gratitude and willingness, and that pleased the LORD.
However, sad as it may sound, many of us I think will fall into the category of overlooking and possibly even despising the seemingly small acts of kindness that someone may bring, and instead look to and admire what may seem showy, what may attract the attention of our eyes. Such is the condition of the heart in today's society. But it is not that which Christians are called to, for the purification of the heart through walking down life's paths led by the LORD is what we're called to do in fact, and with the purification of the heart happening in increasing measure, only then can we give forth love that He gives us in increasing measure as well.
In recent days I find a question upon my heart in fact, which is that how can it be that something that means so much to someone, can be meaningless to another? How can something that someone treasures so much and is so dear to his/her heart mean nothing to another? This question had confounded me increasingly, even though I knew that yeah it could have been due to a differences in opinion, and a differences in memories(from experience), differences in priorities and preferences between people – you get what I mean, the word is differences.
Do you know what I am talking about? Perhaps I can bring to you an simple example from my life that can help you understand. I used to have this pillow that I grew up with, from age 1 till about 11. It was a pillow that started of as my mattress, and then I outgrew it, it followed me almost whereever i went, to the UK and back to Singapore, so it had a factor of comfort and dearness to me. And you can imagine how it was a lil tattered, a lil smelly, faded in colour, out of shape from the repeated cleaning. But still it was dear to me, even though it was filth in the eyes of the world. Yeah so now do you get what I'm talking about?
So when we interact with people, how can we learn to put ourselves in their shoes? To know where they're coming from? I feel firstly it is important to get our heart's attitude right, which is to ask the LORD to teach us how to love this person for who he/she is, to appreciate the person in totality. After asking from God to teach you to know the person, of course you learn more about the person by listening to the person's life and spending time with the person, for the person him/her-self will be able to teach you as 2nd best to what he/she is really like. So in all this it is always good to put aside what presumptions we may have on a person's character, that may have stained our perspective on what the person is really like, causing biasness in the way we act towards him/her.
As we continue to know the person better, we increasingly cast aside more and more assumptions that we had on the person, and we do start learning one important thing. We learn how to love the person as he/she needs, to the best of our abilities, to the best for the person's life. We also learn to appreciate the efforts that the person puts into building up that friendship, such as the small words and acts of love and encouragement given to you along the way.
And I've to say one thing, when you really learn to appreciate people and the things they do for you, you will stop asking about why don't these people care for you in a certain way, beacuse you realise that they already do care for you in the way they think best, even though you know it may not be that which will meet your need. When you reach that point of understanding, the act itself truly becomes of secondary importance, and you appreciate so much the intention of love that was brought up by the person.
These are the very things that will form that fond memories in a person's life, and these memories are the very thing that keeps a man going when he experiences the trials of life, and is increasingly torn apart by them - when hopelessness looms for him, when he does not see any hope at all. So when we say we love someone, do we really?
When we talk all day about God's love and His sacrifices, the personal intimacy that He desires to have with us individually, how do we live that out? For the life of a Christian is more than just the talk we so often speak of, in fact it may be best that we never spoke at all, except that which is of utmost importance. How can we speak of love so so much, and yet love so so little? I am ashamed for us Christians who claim all that, but yet fail to see the needs, hear the cries of the needy that abounds. Have we seen and heard all this? Some have seen and heard, and turn away from them, saying that they will be others there for them. Some have not seend and heard, and continue to choose not to. What is your choice?
Do you understand what love really is? Do you? If you say yes, then I'll urge you to ask yourself again, because I believe this is one thing that we can only begin to learn, no matter the stage of life we're in, and this is one gift that is meant to be shared, and can only exist if we increasingly die to the love of our self.
In my own life, the LORD awakened me because of the pain i went through and still continue to possess in my body. I made my choices earlier in my life than most, and the LORD has lead me through them ever since. The choice was to allow me to see reality, to see truth, to embrace and learn to understand His love, that I may know how to love others as He has commanded us, the choice was to speak truth in love. Have you made your choices yet? Do not delay, for time is fleeting, and our lives will pass us by before we know it, never let it slip through your hands, the meaningful life that is led forth by the wisdom and love of God.
So what has been my choices today? It is to speak forth truth into the lives of others, and show the love of God to them as well as far as it is possible for me. It is to continue to labour and continue to hear the cries, and see the needs of the lonely and destitute, to not turn that blind eye and ear to them. Increasingly I find myself helpless in the face of it all, but it is them that I learnt to depend more on the LORD, and it is then i learn what faith is.
There is someone who asked me why “The wounded healer” by Henri J. Nouwen was a special book to me, one who asked me why am I so conscious in the way I view relationships. If you're reading this today, perhaps now you understand a little bit of why I am so. Certain choices we make, we make the best of what is given to us then, and making them, we do not look back, but keep looking forward as the LORD leads us, and we learn faith along the way, when we see the wounded abounding on that path we stop to help and love, and hence we learn love. So far that is life as I have been led to see.
I seem to have deviated away from the main point of the post, how can we understand people better? Let me sum it up, by being more unassuming – learning to accept people for who they are, by simple acts of listening to their life stories, by spending more time with them, and allowing one another to enjoy each others presence and establish memories and common understanding together. Most importantly, we ask the LORD to teach us to learn to love them, to learn to appreciate them.
Take care guys and God bless the rest of your week~
In His love,
Jon
Biblical References:
Ephesians 5:13-16
“13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
1 John 3:17-18
“17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
1John 4:12
“12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
(Thoughts) The Widow's 2 coins...
(Thoughts) The Widow's 2 coins...
Today's reflections will be based on a lesson taken from the bible, about a widow going up to the temple courts to present an offering of seemingly small amount, and yet Jesus calling to the attention of the disciples that in fact the poor widow had given more than the rich people.
Biblical References used:
Mark 12:41-44
“41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.”
1 Samuel 16:7b
“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
2 Corinthians 8:12
“12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
Thoughts:
There is so much to be treasured in this short passage, Mark 12:41-44. As we can see from the passage, giving an offering at the temple is an action expected of the Jews of that time. It is a stipulated law, serving as an acknowledgement to them that truly whatever they possessed were in fact given by God. And to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, they give back a portion of what they possess with a heart of gratitude(that they can muster).
The most important point that I inferred out of this passage is this, that the LORD our God is the Most High, and indeed His thoughts are above our thoughts and His ways above our ways. God does not see things in the manner that we man see it, as He sees things as they truly are – God looks at the heart, and a sincere and willing heart is what pleases Him. (1 Samuel 16:7b, 2 Corinthians 8:12)
Why do I conclude that the LORD sees beyond that of the appearance, but rather at the heart of a man? Let us compare the 2 main characters of this passage that Jesus spoke of to his disciples, the rich man(people) and the poor widow. The rich man gave an offering far more than the most, and definitely if he were to be seen by others in this act of generosity, he will be applauded for it, given a reputation of being philanthropic, and honoured among men for how much he seemingly loves God.
Yet what about the poor widow who gave the seemingly meagre offering of 2 very small copper coins? Would she have been congratulated and praised by the people in the courts who has seen this act? Would she have been given the same honor that probably was given to the rich man? I would like to suggest that to all these questions that I proposed, the answer is likely to be a “no”. Why so? Firstly, for the very fact that she was poor and a widow, she was likely to have been regarded as a “lower classed” citizen. Secondly, her offering of the 2 copper coins was pittance as compared to the offering that was given by others.
However, what was Jesus' response to the poor widow's offering? Jesus mentioned that the widow gave MORE than all the others, and for the very reason that she gave all that she had to live on – she gave from her poverty, yet the others gave from their riches.
From this very point raised by Jesus, I feel that that God has revealed to us some understanding on what pleases him - which is truly a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving unto Him. This heart of thanksgiving I would suggest that the widow displayed when she gave all that she had, for that was the best she knew she could bring before God.
The second thing I will suggest is that the LORD also desires that we learn to come before Him with a willing heart, in the offering that we bring - which was once again displayed by the widow in this total willingness of heart in her giving of her offering. She gave all that she had, and the Lord Jesus knew, and hence praised her act in the presence of the disciples, saying that she gave more than all the others.
What can we learn out of this? In fact, this lesson on offering can apply to far more than just monetary offering that we bring to church, but unto other areas of our lives. The LORD has graciously given many of us much resources in our lives, such as time, money, possessions, property, love, encouraging words, loving acts, innovative ideas, and much more than i can mention. In all these things we are but stewards and we should learn to be faithful in how we use these resources, in a manner that should bless others and bring honor and glory to the name of God.
And in fact, in giving unto the LORD and unto others through that which we undertake in a manner of love, we need not worry if what we are giving seems so meagre, so worthless. Usually this mindset of “unworthiness” of our offerings come when we make comparisons to others. But what we are told, and we should remember, is that the LORD is pleased when you bring unto Him even that small gift that you have. For what is a large offering and what is a small one? Is the God of the universe and the heavens in need of it at all? Of course not, and hence in this aspect we need not be disheartened, but be encouraged that the LORD is pleased when you come to Him in gratitude, and you seek His presence, when you share His love with others.
I would to end with a disclaimer as well, that although i mention that the LORD looks at the heart, and the amount which one brings to Him is seemingly unimportant, if one is able to come with a heart that is thankful for all that He has done and given to us. Some may take this as a convenient excuse to skip offering altogether, going by the familiar phrase “it's the thought that counts”. Hence I must forewarn by repeating that once again although the attitude of the heart(thanksgiving) is of foremost importance, the actions that result from this(an offering of a certain amount) is important as well – for the very reason that it reflects to yourself the condition of the heart and hence is a step in cultivating a grateful heart.
I hope you guys will benefit from this post, take care and God bless~
In His love,
Jon
Today's reflections will be based on a lesson taken from the bible, about a widow going up to the temple courts to present an offering of seemingly small amount, and yet Jesus calling to the attention of the disciples that in fact the poor widow had given more than the rich people.
Biblical References used:
Mark 12:41-44
“41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.”
1 Samuel 16:7b
“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
2 Corinthians 8:12
“12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
Thoughts:
There is so much to be treasured in this short passage, Mark 12:41-44. As we can see from the passage, giving an offering at the temple is an action expected of the Jews of that time. It is a stipulated law, serving as an acknowledgement to them that truly whatever they possessed were in fact given by God. And to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, they give back a portion of what they possess with a heart of gratitude(that they can muster).
The most important point that I inferred out of this passage is this, that the LORD our God is the Most High, and indeed His thoughts are above our thoughts and His ways above our ways. God does not see things in the manner that we man see it, as He sees things as they truly are – God looks at the heart, and a sincere and willing heart is what pleases Him. (1 Samuel 16:7b, 2 Corinthians 8:12)
Why do I conclude that the LORD sees beyond that of the appearance, but rather at the heart of a man? Let us compare the 2 main characters of this passage that Jesus spoke of to his disciples, the rich man(people) and the poor widow. The rich man gave an offering far more than the most, and definitely if he were to be seen by others in this act of generosity, he will be applauded for it, given a reputation of being philanthropic, and honoured among men for how much he seemingly loves God.
Yet what about the poor widow who gave the seemingly meagre offering of 2 very small copper coins? Would she have been congratulated and praised by the people in the courts who has seen this act? Would she have been given the same honor that probably was given to the rich man? I would like to suggest that to all these questions that I proposed, the answer is likely to be a “no”. Why so? Firstly, for the very fact that she was poor and a widow, she was likely to have been regarded as a “lower classed” citizen. Secondly, her offering of the 2 copper coins was pittance as compared to the offering that was given by others.
However, what was Jesus' response to the poor widow's offering? Jesus mentioned that the widow gave MORE than all the others, and for the very reason that she gave all that she had to live on – she gave from her poverty, yet the others gave from their riches.
From this very point raised by Jesus, I feel that that God has revealed to us some understanding on what pleases him - which is truly a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving unto Him. This heart of thanksgiving I would suggest that the widow displayed when she gave all that she had, for that was the best she knew she could bring before God.
The second thing I will suggest is that the LORD also desires that we learn to come before Him with a willing heart, in the offering that we bring - which was once again displayed by the widow in this total willingness of heart in her giving of her offering. She gave all that she had, and the Lord Jesus knew, and hence praised her act in the presence of the disciples, saying that she gave more than all the others.
What can we learn out of this? In fact, this lesson on offering can apply to far more than just monetary offering that we bring to church, but unto other areas of our lives. The LORD has graciously given many of us much resources in our lives, such as time, money, possessions, property, love, encouraging words, loving acts, innovative ideas, and much more than i can mention. In all these things we are but stewards and we should learn to be faithful in how we use these resources, in a manner that should bless others and bring honor and glory to the name of God.
And in fact, in giving unto the LORD and unto others through that which we undertake in a manner of love, we need not worry if what we are giving seems so meagre, so worthless. Usually this mindset of “unworthiness” of our offerings come when we make comparisons to others. But what we are told, and we should remember, is that the LORD is pleased when you bring unto Him even that small gift that you have. For what is a large offering and what is a small one? Is the God of the universe and the heavens in need of it at all? Of course not, and hence in this aspect we need not be disheartened, but be encouraged that the LORD is pleased when you come to Him in gratitude, and you seek His presence, when you share His love with others.
I would to end with a disclaimer as well, that although i mention that the LORD looks at the heart, and the amount which one brings to Him is seemingly unimportant, if one is able to come with a heart that is thankful for all that He has done and given to us. Some may take this as a convenient excuse to skip offering altogether, going by the familiar phrase “it's the thought that counts”. Hence I must forewarn by repeating that once again although the attitude of the heart(thanksgiving) is of foremost importance, the actions that result from this(an offering of a certain amount) is important as well – for the very reason that it reflects to yourself the condition of the heart and hence is a step in cultivating a grateful heart.
I hope you guys will benefit from this post, take care and God bless~
In His love,
Jon
Monday 21 May 2007
(Thoughts) Something about bird watching
(Thoughts) Something about bird watching
Yeah today's thoughts are more of something random, something more light hearted to some i guess. Have you ever gone bird watching? Today i'll just talk alittle bit about bird watching, just for kicks.
When you actually go bird watching, you tend to look out for the beautiful birds that roam around freely around the trees as they usually do. Some people go bird watching and admires any bird that comes around that catches his eye, yet some go bird watching with a single goal in mind, to search for that one bird that he has seen and heard of so much from books and friends.
For those who're a little better equipped and prepared, you will know to bring along a binoculars and can use it to spot that beautiful bird that will catch your attention. And what happens when you find that particular bird that catches your attention? Yours eyes will be locked on it to observe what it does, and just by that simple act, the beauty of that particular bird will increasingly fascinating as time passes by. What does it do? Something seemingly simple too - flying from tree to tree in search for the bright and juicy fruits among the leaves, flying amongst its kind only to search for a high branch to perch, and from that point singing its beautiful song with its lovely voice, that song which the LORD had placed upon its heart.
Once you observe for some time, the desire will come where you will want to draw closer to where that bird is, to be able to see more clearly the details of its amazingly interesting life(to you). But you never knew, you never knew that by doing so, the bird will actually take flight, as it does not like the intrusion of an unknown presence into its habitat, a distrust because you could be a potential predator to cause harm unto its life.
So what can you learn from bird watching? Perhaps it is true, that it is already comforting enough to watch from afar, where you can know that the bird itself is well met in its needs- from seeing it find enough fruits from the branches of its frequently visited trees, and where you can know it is enough when you hear it singing that tune with its sweet sweet voice. Maybe.
In His love,
Jon
Yeah today's thoughts are more of something random, something more light hearted to some i guess. Have you ever gone bird watching? Today i'll just talk alittle bit about bird watching, just for kicks.
When you actually go bird watching, you tend to look out for the beautiful birds that roam around freely around the trees as they usually do. Some people go bird watching and admires any bird that comes around that catches his eye, yet some go bird watching with a single goal in mind, to search for that one bird that he has seen and heard of so much from books and friends.
For those who're a little better equipped and prepared, you will know to bring along a binoculars and can use it to spot that beautiful bird that will catch your attention. And what happens when you find that particular bird that catches your attention? Yours eyes will be locked on it to observe what it does, and just by that simple act, the beauty of that particular bird will increasingly fascinating as time passes by. What does it do? Something seemingly simple too - flying from tree to tree in search for the bright and juicy fruits among the leaves, flying amongst its kind only to search for a high branch to perch, and from that point singing its beautiful song with its lovely voice, that song which the LORD had placed upon its heart.
Once you observe for some time, the desire will come where you will want to draw closer to where that bird is, to be able to see more clearly the details of its amazingly interesting life(to you). But you never knew, you never knew that by doing so, the bird will actually take flight, as it does not like the intrusion of an unknown presence into its habitat, a distrust because you could be a potential predator to cause harm unto its life.
So what can you learn from bird watching? Perhaps it is true, that it is already comforting enough to watch from afar, where you can know that the bird itself is well met in its needs- from seeing it find enough fruits from the branches of its frequently visited trees, and where you can know it is enough when you hear it singing that tune with its sweet sweet voice. Maybe.
In His love,
Jon
Thursday 10 May 2007
(Thought) Happiness and Joy
“Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus.”
This is a thought from my dear sister who's studying in Sweden now, hope it serves as an encouragement to you guys, to keep your eyes focused upon him, increasingly, with each passing day. Meanwhile jia you Jie! Your Europe trip is beckoning~
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety upon Him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
I sincerely hope that each of us with be able to learn to acknowledge the LORD's presence and work in our lives with each passing day, to acknowledge that everything that we “have” is truly given from His providing hand. Hence, let us embark on the only appropriate response - to learn to give thanks.
And may we too learn to depend upon God at all times, to learn to cry out to Him whenever the times of testing comes and we feel as though we are unable to bear it. May we also learn to remember Him and thank Him for His provision during times of earthly blessing, and seek Him guidance to live our lives pleasing to Him in those times.
Reality Check: Do you in your heart desire to become independant?
When we learn to trust and to depend upon Him - as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - perhaps that is when we truly learn what is true independance, the independance from the expectations from man and that of circumstances.
In His love,
Jon
This is a thought from my dear sister who's studying in Sweden now, hope it serves as an encouragement to you guys, to keep your eyes focused upon him, increasingly, with each passing day. Meanwhile jia you Jie! Your Europe trip is beckoning~
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety upon Him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7
I sincerely hope that each of us with be able to learn to acknowledge the LORD's presence and work in our lives with each passing day, to acknowledge that everything that we “have” is truly given from His providing hand. Hence, let us embark on the only appropriate response - to learn to give thanks.
And may we too learn to depend upon God at all times, to learn to cry out to Him whenever the times of testing comes and we feel as though we are unable to bear it. May we also learn to remember Him and thank Him for His provision during times of earthly blessing, and seek Him guidance to live our lives pleasing to Him in those times.
Reality Check: Do you in your heart desire to become independant?
When we learn to trust and to depend upon Him - as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace - perhaps that is when we truly learn what is true independance, the independance from the expectations from man and that of circumstances.
In His love,
Jon
Tuesday 8 May 2007
(Question) What is love to you?
What is love to you?
I'll be beginning to talk about this topic in the posts to come, and yeah i do hope you guys can just think about what impact this word, "love", plays in your life. Take care and God bless~
In His love,
Jon
I'll be beginning to talk about this topic in the posts to come, and yeah i do hope you guys can just think about what impact this word, "love", plays in your life. Take care and God bless~
In His love,
Jon
Monday 7 May 2007
(Hymn) Lead me to Calvary
Yeah, the phrase "Lest i forget" had been ringing in my mind for the past few months, and this is a hymn from my childhood days, perhaps you guys will find it familar as well. And yeah sometimes i do appreciate the things of old, for the people then knew better what they spoke of, and spoke better of what they knew. God bless~
In His Love,
Jon
Lead me to Calvary
King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
Text: Jennie Evelyn Hussey(1921)
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick
Taken from: http://junior.apk.net/~bmames/ht0339_.htm
In His Love,
Jon
Lead me to Calvary
King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.
Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.
Text: Jennie Evelyn Hussey(1921)
Music: William J. Kirkpatrick
Taken from: http://junior.apk.net/~bmames/ht0339_.htm
Friday 4 May 2007
On Contentment.
On Contentment.
For me in recent years the issue of contentment has came to my attention on several occasions, and each time as i ponder upon it, i do understand a bit more about what it all means. In today's post I'll be introducing partially what the Bible says about how we should live our lives in contentment. I'll be using more general Biblical principles from Scriptural References, and yeah hopefully as you read His Word, things will start to be clearer for you as well, and life will be placed in better perspective. =)
Scriptural References:
Proverbs 30:7-9
“Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
What is contentment really? Does it mean one has to live life of complacency, totally dependant on how circumstances drive you, how it tosses you about live the waves of the sea? There is much said about contentment in the Bible, and i've picked up a few verses that teach us to begin to see how we can learn to be content in and with our lives.
Firstly, in my own life in more recent years i have been through and still am going through times of difficulties, which has led me to be unable to achieve the many things i had set my heart to do, with definitely repeated disappointments because of all of this.
So these has led me so always question, “Why?”. Why do I do all these things in the first place? Does it even matter? For am I to do all these things that seems purposeful while i'm living on this earth, but yet is worth nothing once i pass on in life? Am I to seek to establish legacies on earth? And even so if I do manage to, and do gain the recognition, fame, power, money that society so treasures, for what purpose will all this give me? Will it help me to learn the meaning of my life? Will i have lived my life in a purposeful manner? Will I be able to speak on the last breath on my life to say, “Yes, I have lived my life in a purposeful and meaningful manner. And i will do it all over again if the choices are given to me once again.(A Non-regretful, and peaceful attitude?)”
What I feel that the LORD has taught me in my trials, is to really learn to be thankful. To be thankful that God our provider has given me so much in my life: (1)people in my life to love and to be loved by, (2)opportunities in my life to experience the pleasures of life(in a balanced manner) with these people, and (3)opportunities in my life to learn about the many different things that God our Creator has made on earth, which through keen observation we start to appreciate that yes the LORD our God is one who is so vast in knowledge and power.
Why do I say that learning to be thankful is important? I feel it is important for me as in times of trouble, and repeated disappointment, I tend to: (1) start brooding about things(thinking more negatively), (2) become more inward looking focusing excessively upon these circumstances(and not look out for the needs of others around me), and (3) despair after seeing my resources depleting continually with the “bottom of the glass in sight”. In fact the desperation almost seems like a inward, downward spiral that will ultimately lead me to totally lose meaning in life, in some sense. Hence it is key to address the need to be thankful as part of contentment, as it truly puts us in the right perspectives. As a Christian, to appreciate that we are man and God is the God of the universe, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, He is omnipotent, and His sovereignty and provision in our lives hence becomes unquesitonable in the light of this. And this definitely brings me comfort. The other fact is when we are thankful we also start to realise that yes, God has given us so much more that we have yet to take notice, He has met our needs and we really need not worry about tomorrow. And this being said I have realised in the light of being thankful, to learn to treasure the people in my life, and the opportunities given to me as well.
The other part of contentment that I have learnt in my life is really learning how to be faithful, as a servant of God. To be faithful for all the opportunities that He has given me, to be a good steward of every resource that He has entrusted to me. When I say all this, the strongest impression upon my mind is truly learning to love others. And for those who know me, you have frequently heard me say this, and I will yet say it again for I find it really so important. We learn what love truly is from the love that God has shown towards us, and from here we hence learn to love Him and love others as well, as He guides us to. And by far i find most lacking in today's society that I live in, in busy busy city Singapore, is that fact that everyone is caught up with the busyness of their lives, and there are so many people in pain and hurt that are being ignored. And Christian brothers and sisters, i do ask that you seek the LORD to teach you how to learn to love these people with thoughts, words and deeds. For if love is “shown” without deeds, then what “showing” of love is that? As for the motivations of your heart, if you are concern that you may be loving with a selfish motive, I ask that you desire to walk closer with the LORD in your daily life, and do ask Him to lead your heart as well, that you will learn to purify your heart, and be able to learn to love in a manner that will please Him and bring glory to our Father God as well.
In Summary, contentment is something that is really important, especially in our society in Singapore that creates alot of striving for treasure of this world that will not matter in time. So I hope that you do start thinking along the lines of “what truly matters in life?”. In this short lesson i took the issue of contentment in terms of: (1) being thankful for what we are given, and (2) being faithful with what we are given as well.
I hope that this short lesson has been helpful to you, and I apologise if it has seemed rather sketchy and disorganised. I will try my best to improve on things in time to come. Take care and God bless~ =)
In His love,
Jon
For me in recent years the issue of contentment has came to my attention on several occasions, and each time as i ponder upon it, i do understand a bit more about what it all means. In today's post I'll be introducing partially what the Bible says about how we should live our lives in contentment. I'll be using more general Biblical principles from Scriptural References, and yeah hopefully as you read His Word, things will start to be clearer for you as well, and life will be placed in better perspective. =)
Scriptural References:
Proverbs 30:7-9
“Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
1 Timothy 6:6-7
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
What is contentment really? Does it mean one has to live life of complacency, totally dependant on how circumstances drive you, how it tosses you about live the waves of the sea? There is much said about contentment in the Bible, and i've picked up a few verses that teach us to begin to see how we can learn to be content in and with our lives.
Firstly, in my own life in more recent years i have been through and still am going through times of difficulties, which has led me to be unable to achieve the many things i had set my heart to do, with definitely repeated disappointments because of all of this.
So these has led me so always question, “Why?”. Why do I do all these things in the first place? Does it even matter? For am I to do all these things that seems purposeful while i'm living on this earth, but yet is worth nothing once i pass on in life? Am I to seek to establish legacies on earth? And even so if I do manage to, and do gain the recognition, fame, power, money that society so treasures, for what purpose will all this give me? Will it help me to learn the meaning of my life? Will i have lived my life in a purposeful manner? Will I be able to speak on the last breath on my life to say, “Yes, I have lived my life in a purposeful and meaningful manner. And i will do it all over again if the choices are given to me once again.(A Non-regretful, and peaceful attitude?)”
What I feel that the LORD has taught me in my trials, is to really learn to be thankful. To be thankful that God our provider has given me so much in my life: (1)people in my life to love and to be loved by, (2)opportunities in my life to experience the pleasures of life(in a balanced manner) with these people, and (3)opportunities in my life to learn about the many different things that God our Creator has made on earth, which through keen observation we start to appreciate that yes the LORD our God is one who is so vast in knowledge and power.
Why do I say that learning to be thankful is important? I feel it is important for me as in times of trouble, and repeated disappointment, I tend to: (1) start brooding about things(thinking more negatively), (2) become more inward looking focusing excessively upon these circumstances(and not look out for the needs of others around me), and (3) despair after seeing my resources depleting continually with the “bottom of the glass in sight”. In fact the desperation almost seems like a inward, downward spiral that will ultimately lead me to totally lose meaning in life, in some sense. Hence it is key to address the need to be thankful as part of contentment, as it truly puts us in the right perspectives. As a Christian, to appreciate that we are man and God is the God of the universe, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega, He is omnipotent, and His sovereignty and provision in our lives hence becomes unquesitonable in the light of this. And this definitely brings me comfort. The other fact is when we are thankful we also start to realise that yes, God has given us so much more that we have yet to take notice, He has met our needs and we really need not worry about tomorrow. And this being said I have realised in the light of being thankful, to learn to treasure the people in my life, and the opportunities given to me as well.
The other part of contentment that I have learnt in my life is really learning how to be faithful, as a servant of God. To be faithful for all the opportunities that He has given me, to be a good steward of every resource that He has entrusted to me. When I say all this, the strongest impression upon my mind is truly learning to love others. And for those who know me, you have frequently heard me say this, and I will yet say it again for I find it really so important. We learn what love truly is from the love that God has shown towards us, and from here we hence learn to love Him and love others as well, as He guides us to. And by far i find most lacking in today's society that I live in, in busy busy city Singapore, is that fact that everyone is caught up with the busyness of their lives, and there are so many people in pain and hurt that are being ignored. And Christian brothers and sisters, i do ask that you seek the LORD to teach you how to learn to love these people with thoughts, words and deeds. For if love is “shown” without deeds, then what “showing” of love is that? As for the motivations of your heart, if you are concern that you may be loving with a selfish motive, I ask that you desire to walk closer with the LORD in your daily life, and do ask Him to lead your heart as well, that you will learn to purify your heart, and be able to learn to love in a manner that will please Him and bring glory to our Father God as well.
In Summary, contentment is something that is really important, especially in our society in Singapore that creates alot of striving for treasure of this world that will not matter in time. So I hope that you do start thinking along the lines of “what truly matters in life?”. In this short lesson i took the issue of contentment in terms of: (1) being thankful for what we are given, and (2) being faithful with what we are given as well.
I hope that this short lesson has been helpful to you, and I apologise if it has seemed rather sketchy and disorganised. I will try my best to improve on things in time to come. Take care and God bless~ =)
In His love,
Jon
Thursday 3 May 2007
An Introduction to the purpose of this blog
Hi there,
This is Jon Siew here, and I've just started this blog, with a purpose to inspire the people in my life, and other readers as well, to learn to live their lives in a manner that is meaningful and fulfilling.
I'm a Christian, who believes that my existence is because of a God, our Creator, who truly loves me, and each and everyone of us. I also believe that the Bible is the handiwork of divine inspiration from His Spirit leading man to pen down these words of widom, that has remained totally applicable for many generations, inclusive of today.
In the existence of this blog, I will be sharing about lessons and reflections that I've learnt from my life as God teaches me, even as I bring together my life and His Word hand-in-hand to realise what is true and what is not. And to see how life truly “makes sense” in the light of His revelation.
I sincerely pray and hope that the LORD will give me the wisdom and discernment to know and to analyse the issues of society today, and to bring forth short lessons of relevance to whoever may chance upon this blog. With this I ask that the LORD continues to give me humility, to realise that my analysis and thoughts on issues are only limited to the perspectives of myself within them, regardless of how i stretch my mind. And that He gives me a teachable heart as well, to be receptive to guidance by the Holy Spirit to address preconceptions and assumptions of my mind that might not be true after all.
Finally I pray that the LORD will guide me such that these posts of short lessons and observations of life will become of increasing relevance to your lives, and be able to stir a longing to live a life of more meaning and fulfilment through contemplation, by the right means.
*It is my hope that my posts will become relevant to both Christians and non-Christians as well, but at current standings my thoughts are naturally more steered towards Christian brothers and sisters. However, I do hope that non-Christians will continue to read on as well, and realise that the “issues of life” are in fact relevant to all of us man.
In His Love,
Jon
This is Jon Siew here, and I've just started this blog, with a purpose to inspire the people in my life, and other readers as well, to learn to live their lives in a manner that is meaningful and fulfilling.
I'm a Christian, who believes that my existence is because of a God, our Creator, who truly loves me, and each and everyone of us. I also believe that the Bible is the handiwork of divine inspiration from His Spirit leading man to pen down these words of widom, that has remained totally applicable for many generations, inclusive of today.
In the existence of this blog, I will be sharing about lessons and reflections that I've learnt from my life as God teaches me, even as I bring together my life and His Word hand-in-hand to realise what is true and what is not. And to see how life truly “makes sense” in the light of His revelation.
I sincerely pray and hope that the LORD will give me the wisdom and discernment to know and to analyse the issues of society today, and to bring forth short lessons of relevance to whoever may chance upon this blog. With this I ask that the LORD continues to give me humility, to realise that my analysis and thoughts on issues are only limited to the perspectives of myself within them, regardless of how i stretch my mind. And that He gives me a teachable heart as well, to be receptive to guidance by the Holy Spirit to address preconceptions and assumptions of my mind that might not be true after all.
Finally I pray that the LORD will guide me such that these posts of short lessons and observations of life will become of increasing relevance to your lives, and be able to stir a longing to live a life of more meaning and fulfilment through contemplation, by the right means.
*It is my hope that my posts will become relevant to both Christians and non-Christians as well, but at current standings my thoughts are naturally more steered towards Christian brothers and sisters. However, I do hope that non-Christians will continue to read on as well, and realise that the “issues of life” are in fact relevant to all of us man.
In His Love,
Jon
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