Contemplating life

Psalm 43(Hope in God)

2008-08-31T11:48:00.002+08:00

Psalm 43

1 Vindicate me, O God,
and plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.

2 You are God my stronghold.
Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?

3 Send forth your light and your truth,
let them guide me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
to the place where you dwell.

4 Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

-Song- What a Friend we have in Jesus

2008-02-03T11:08:00.000+08:00

What a Friend we have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

-Words by Joseph M. Scriven, Music by Charles C. Converse

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."
- Psalms 42:11

There are days, sometimes seemingly days on end that overwhelms us completely, but its ever more important then to trust in God, and wait upon Him. And you'll realise what trust really means, and who God really is.

It is love and prayer, a dependence on God, that allows one to live faithfully.

In His love,
Jon

-Thoughts- When have you last seen your heart?

2008-02-02T05:20:00.000+08:00

"As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man."
- Proverbs 27:19

So we can consider this verse, of when have you last looked at the condition of your heart - the core of your being? Have you been taking care of it, finding enough rest, and giving yourself enough time to find some meaning for your life? Have you begun that journey of seeking God to ask about really who He has made you to be, and who you are at this point in time?

If you extend beyond yourself, perhaps to someone else that you feel that you "know well", then similar questions apply. Do you know what this friend/family is thinking inside his or her heart? Have you known this person really - on a heart-to-heart level? Its my firm belief that such a beautiful thing can only arise from what will begin with the seed of truth. Is your relationship based on truth? Right now i see 2 aspects, that of honesty in the relationship, and the other of abiding by obedience to God's Word in both of your lives, first individually, then mutually.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ."
- Ephesians 4:15

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."
- 1 Peter 1:22

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves."
- Romans 12:9-10

So what does the bible say about love? That it is important, very important in fact, in giving meaning to life. God's word says too about how we are to love, starting first with purifying our hearts through obedience to God, only then can our motives become pure, and can be truly understand and accede to God's desire for us to love in the manner of commitment, in the manner of sacrifice. And in all this truth must remain, both between us and God, and between us the other person. I realise that if we were to view it simply, then its because we want a functioning relationship to be present, and we want to really know the other party, and only then can we truly love the other party. So if we consider the main elements of what i mentioned about love, it is: Obedience to truth --> purification of heart --> loving as God guides our hearts --> keeping the truth in our lives.

"The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters,
but a man of understanding draws them out."
- Proverbs 20:5

"Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding."
- Proverbs 23:23

And if you've been keeping up with my blog, you'll know I do feel its good to begin to ponder about God's will. To ponder about how your life can be fulfilling, and how should it be. The book of Proverbs speaks a lot about understanding, about wisdom. And thats one of the elements we crucially need to make sense of what is happening around us. And yet this wisdom has to be godly wisdom, not human philosophies that may sound so attractive, yet on closer inspection you find it as an empty shell.

"Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. 20 He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."
- Ecclesiastes 5:19-20

Yet i realise that reflection seems the least of concern for many, both in generations that has passed, and our generation. It's confusing to know that someone can be satisfied living his life, not knowing where he came, why he is here, what he is doing, what his life is going to be all about - all these things. Surely, if you're part of Christian community that took up the book by Rick Warren, "The purpose driven life", you may have a straight argument to me, that you have reflected on your life. Surely that was good, but you've to realise too, that reflection has so much value in life, and it is not a phase in life, but it should be present constantly throughout.

"Be happy, young man, while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you to judgment."
- Ecclesiastes 11:9

And for good reasons too, as the book of Ecclesiastes points out, that as youth, it surely is good to follow the desires of your heart. But don't skip your eyes past what else the author says, that about remembering that every act(seen and unseen) will be known and judged by the Judge on the last day.

Thats it for today, in 3 weeks time I'll probably post up again, on 2 things, one of seeking God with all of our hearts and the other about our perceptions of time.

In His love,
Jon

A quiet trust

2008-01-08T00:37:00.000+08:00

A quiet trust

Do you know of a quiet trust, one that some has learnt to have with our God?

When life becomes so much of a struggle that your will is broken beyond redemption and you say, "LORD, save me, for I am nothing." From then, you silently remain in the same struggle and see from the limitations of your mind hte vastness of God Almighty, as He gently guides you out of the darkness bt the hand.

When you have truly known the LORD God enough to know your place in His presence. And how much of a privilege it is to be a child of the Most High God! Thus overflowing from our hearts, through an attitude of reverence and awe in knowing Him, this intense quietness of our lips and deep longing from our hearts to listen to Him comes.

Do you know of a quiet trust, one that some has learnt to have with our God?

A Prayer:

LORD, teach us to learn to submit to You in the many areas of our lives we have always struggled with, and teach us what it truly means to have reverence for You our God and King.

Scriptural References:

"5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."

- Proverbs 4:5-6

"O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water."

- Psalms 63:1

"Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me."

- Psalms 23:4

"You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"?
Can the pot say of the potter,
"He knows nothing"?"

- Isaiah 29:16

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

- 1 John 3:1a

"3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor."

- Psalms 8:3-5

"2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."

- Psalms 1:2-3

-Thoughts- On Living...

2007-12-13T00:49:00.000+08:00

"1 Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers."

- Psalms 1:1-3

Its just been on my mind once in a while, in considering many ways of living, and making choices personally to what should be appropriate in my life. I do realise one thing, which may not be a "universal truth", but I do think its worth pondering for awhile sometimes. That is it is really much easier to live out a lie, than to struggle to live out what you know is true. But yet in living out the truth, even though it is much of a struggle, it is the only way one can grow. If lives out more truth, and in doing so face up to more weaknesses and failures, then one will grow more.

What do I mean by this? I guess I have 3 examples that come to my mind quite immediately, which I will explain a little further.

I do know of several friends who do harbor much hatred and bitterness on their hearts, due to hurts that were caused by another(somebody trusted), or by a circumstance of disappointment, and I do see how it can affect them. On the inside they develop a kind of self-defensive personality, one of constant fear of even more hurt, and hide deep in a shell that they have designated for themselves. On the surface? Actually bitterness, hatred, anger can give people much willpower to do tremendous things, like that of human's esteemed achievements. But in each achievement, is there truly a gain? Not so much in that person's eyes or for a Christian, in God's eyes. For in each achievement and all that work towards it, because of the motive of the heart being towards hate, you in fact end up feeling more empty, feeling more hurt that you've caused upon yourself.

The second example goes along this, like that of ignorance of the problem. But as we know, if the problem was a genuine problem, ignoring it only causes it to come back at you in time, a time that you never can truly determine when. And not being able to determine when can be detrimental, because it could come at a time that you are already down, and break you down even further, and at that point you won't be able to ignore it any longer. I think that will be even more difficult to bear than if it were to be handled earlier.

The third example is this, that some just live their lives not too bothered about the lives of others. That definitely cuts off a lot of "troubles", because most problems come in once human relationships come into the picture, because of our fallen nature. So in cutting that down, you will directly lessen the problems that one will encounter quite abit. But this will be towards a more anti-social behaviour at the extreme end, which is not what the bible teaches us to do. For in learning to love God, in learning to love another, all this being the essence of the law, it always requires a second party. And being involved in another person's life, taking the trouble to look out for another person's need and to help meet it as much as you have been given by God, I think this is good, and when one truly live in this manner a few things result. Mutual encouragement, as God's love which in in your heart is seen more clearly through a human connection. You also learn more about yourself, your selfish ambitions and many other motives that somehow lie upon your heart and you will struggle with, and when you learn to struggle with them with the strength that God grants by His Holy Spirit, then one will truly grown up in the process.

I guess its also good to elaborate a little bit on learning to be "bothered" about another person's life. Its not so much as to be a "busy-body" or a "kaypoh" in Singaporean terms, but more so because in learning to dwell upon the word of God and learning to obey, you are compelled to act in love, to want to help another benefit and grow in his or her life. The growth hopefully towards having a deeper and closer relationship with God, one that helps them recognise who God is, which becomes ever more important when the more difficult circumstances come in life.

Yeah I guess thats about it for my entry today. I guess its not exactly comprehensive, or a formula that helps organise one's life, but I'm just here to talk about a way of life that I have chosen, to act in responsibility, in love, in discernment - all this coexisting with each other. Sometimes it does get rather difficult i guess, especially when you yourself are suffering much in your life.

In His love,
Jon

Some Scriptural references:
"14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

- Romans 7:14-25

"38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:38-39

Those simple things...

2007-09-30T15:36:00.000+08:00

I think one thing is true, that when we go through life we learn more about how to treasure the simpler things, to find joy in them. The very reason that it is usually the simpler things that truly is essential and necessary - like water!

Yeah how have you been in your life lately? May God continue to bless your week ahead, as you live life encouraging another and being encouraged as well by a fellow brother or sister in Christ.

I just want to thank those who have know me personally and have prayed for me over the past few weeks. It has been a real trying time for me, although things have not improved much, I am clearer about certain things even as i continue to seek God in this journey of my life. As much as "love" has been a lesson for the previous 6 years of my life, and something I'm still continuing to learn, it seems as though "faith", "trust" and "prayer" is what's in season for me in this period.

Thanks for those who have done the "simplest of acts" in my life the past few weeks, that of an sms, that of an email, that of a phone call, that of a pat on the back, that of a smile. Thanks. =) It's amazing how its God works through the most simplest of acts in our life, that it can really be something that helps so much in another person's life.

Something I learnt as I seeked God yesterday, that it is difficult to let go of certain hurts and disappointments, but until you truly learn to do so and surrender them to God, your hands will always be occupied, and your heart and mind will always be somewhere else - meaning you will live in your past, that of memories of failures, even though your life consists of far more than that. At least that rings true in my life, so true to the point that a statement came to my mind that I found difficult to mutter. That of "I choose to forgive myself."

So yeah in my life I've begun to learn to let go, to realise that truly there are many things in life I do not understand, and circumstances that strike that I have totally no control over. I will not live in blaming myself, or setting myself down for those moments of folly as in the past, but will pick up lessons from those experiences, learn to work within my current limitations, and be faithful to God my LORD, King and Heavenly Father.

So let me go about this in my life once again, "Try and try again.", and "Live life in encouragement and building another person up to truly knowing himself or herself, through a better understanding of who God is.". May the LORD continue to bless and keep each one of you ever in His presence, where you will find peace, hope and joy, Amen.

In His love,
Jon

Scriptural references:

"12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained."

-Philippians 3:12-16

"18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us."

- 1 John 3:18-24

Reflections, Day 20.

2007-09-04T07:59:00.000+08:00

Reflections, Day 20.

Psalm 31

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4 Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
I trust in the LORD.

7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.

8 You have not handed me over to the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.

9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and my body with grief.

10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.

11 Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors;
I am a dread to my friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.

13 For I hear the slander of many;
there is terror on every side;
they conspire against me
and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."

15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love.

17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD,
for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame
and lie silent in the grave.

18 Let their lying lips be silenced,
for with pride and contempt
they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

19 How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them
from the intrigues of men;
in your dwelling you keep them safe
from accusing tongues.

21 Praise be to the LORD,
for he showed his wonderful love to me
when I was in a besieged city.

22 In my alarm I said,
"I am cut off from your sight!"
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.

23 Love the LORD, all his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full.

24 Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.

Why does a man remain silent? Or why become increasingly so? It's possible to see that he realises his speech means for nothing, which means either he knows that those who are there are not listening, else it means the words of his tongue have become far too weak to represent the realities of his life. Do you really understand people of whom you have been spending time with? Try listening a little harder. If you are a Christian, ask the LORD to guide you each time you do, and perhaps you'll realise that it is true, each man is uniquely different, and until you do, you cannot love each man as the LORD desires you to.

And yet if you are in a period of you life of that of difficulties, I pray that this psalm will be one of which you will read and ask the LORD to allow the cries of your heart to be represented through it. May we by the grace of God learn that earnest cry of which our Lord Jesus had on the day of his cruxifiction, the day he took upon the sin of the word, the day he redeemed us, the day he by the strength of whom he possessed as God-in-man, choose a path of weakness to provide for our salvation, a path that shames the ways of this world, shames what we esteem as wise, shames what we esteem as strong, shames what we esteem as beautiful.

May we cry out if we ever are in our brokenness, through the overflow of our sorrow, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the same cry that identifies us as God's children. "Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth." And may this cry truly be that which allows we to learn to trust in the LORD our God increasingly, in our lives.

In His love,
Jon

My Testimony For Crusade FOC Camp...

2007-07-26T16:03:00.000+08:00

Hi guys,

Just posting up this little article that was dued to be shared last night during a Freshman Orientation Camp with NTU Campus Crusade(NTU CCC). It's just basically a small portion of my life, and showing you a little bit on what God has led me to see throughout the past few years of my life. Hope you guys will be encouraged by it. The main point for it is this: learn to love, learn to love self-sacrificially, beyond that point of convenience to that of a genuine desire to build the other person up in his life, as God directs you to. So yeah that for me is the greatest and most important thing thus far, and yeah so I leave everyone with this verse before you start reading this sharing. Think about these things as you read, "tongues of men and of angels", "gift of prophecy", "fathom all mysteries and all knowledge", "give all I possess to the poor", and "surrender my body to the flames". Realise this, that these things are by no means small things, and they are good things as well, however the Apostle Paul mentioned that if the attitude or motivation of the heart does not come from that of sincerity and genuinity in love as guided and taught by God - EVERYTHING, all these things counts for nothing.

"1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

My Testimony For Crusade FOC Camp...

Starting Prayer:
O LORD, I thank you for this opportunity to be able to share some parts of my life testimony with these brothers and sisters here. Oh LORD I pray and ask that You will continue to guide and guard the hearts of each one of these brothers and sisters, that they may grow in Godly wisdom as they listen to the words which you place in my mouth. Guide our hearts today O LORD by the counsel of Your Holy Spirit, and may be ever be obedient to that which we hear and understand from You. In Jesus name i pray, Amen.

*Who am I?
I'm Jonathan Siew, or Jon Siew in short. I'm a EEE year 2 student. I joined Campus Crusade for Christ(CCC) in year 1. I came from a Christian family, and am a 2nd generation Christian. However, I made my personal decision to follow after Christ, and live a life for the glory and honor of God, at the age of 14, when I first cried out to Him during a time of much emotional torment. Back then the prayer went somewhat like this, "LORD help me, help me to cope with all these difficulties. I choose to follow You and to learn to trust in You." What did this prayer really meant I barely knew then, but now 8 years from that day I know and understand better.

*My journey thus far?
-Experienced much uncertainties in life
-Experienced what it means to be a failure in the eyes of the world and fellow man, but yet to be treasured as a precious child in the eyes of God.
-Experienced what it means to suffer and to be viewed as weak in the eyes of the world, yet given the strength during those times to perservere, by the grace of God.

As i do not have much time in this sharing, I will only cover 2 main point of change in my life, and some of its implications. From there I will give you perhaps some advice and reminders of living a life of love - that love which is given to us by God.

I have a condition known as Degenerative Disc Disease(DDD). It is a condition resulting from an impact injury, that caused my lowest spinal disc to rupture.When this happens, the cushioning for the spine is damaged and the nerves affected. This causes pain, weakness and instability in my movements. It has been with me for the past 6 years, been worsening, and is still with me at present. It has been much of a torment in my life, and a difficulty that I had to struggle with all this time. I will give an example of how it is a difficulty.

Quite recently in my army days, 2 to 3 years ago, I had did my best in training days and was awarded this award for excellence. So from the BMT to went to OCS on a high grading, desiring to continue to try my best, and continue to learn of what leadership the army had to teach, and just enjoy the whole experience. But the injury just worsened and I was forced to pull out. Despite trying hard and diligently going for treatments like physiotherapy and checkups, in hope for an improvement so that i could attend a "recourse", it never came. So I was rather disappointed in how things went, and discouraged in the whole process, along with the other factors surrounding me which did not help to ease the burdens.

The other thing is the very simple fact that I am quite a natural athlete, and I did very well in sports in my younger days, commiting much of my time and efforts into honing this talent and skill given to me, in a hope for for hitting new milestones and targets. So you could perhaps imagine how I felt when previously being quick on my feet, and strong in my limbs as a sportman, then being reduced to a state that I could not get out of bed, and when I finally did, I could barely lift up my legs, and had to walk with a limp(due to the pain) for several years. And at present 6 years from that day I still suffer increasingly from the pain, that has not ceased since that day of its beginning.

So you may ask me, was it difficult? I would reply yes it was, and it was really difficult indeed, especially at that point in time. This is because when the pain escalates, my mind is pretty much wiped clean of its thoughts, and I find that i have to focus so hard to get sometimes the simplest of things done, or just to come up with sensible sentences.

And you may ask me, was that journey lonely, and again I would reply yes it was. This for the very fact that there were almost none to guide me during those times despite my constant search for someone with Godly wisdom and is willing to be as a guiding light. This despite my hope for someone to remind me of the love of God and that comfort and strength that I can find in Him. So yes definitely it was very difficult, but was still cope-able beacuse of the love and grace of God as He comforted me through His word and by His Holy Spirit. And also very importantly my family who gave me the occasional word of encouragement.

*The lessons that I have learnt...
-and these I learnt by viewing my life through the eyes of scripture, as God gave me understanding and wisdom in the reading and living out of His word of truth.

So as I have told some friends who asked me before, how during those junctures of my life amidst almost each uncertainty I had seen 2 distinct paths. One of rejecting whatever I have heard from the days of my youth(those of the promises of God). The second being that of asking God to lead me, choosing to trust and depend on Him during those uncertain times. And so in most of them I chose to trust in God and to learn from Him as He taught me through His word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And so as those uncertainties rose in magnitude, so my hope and trust in God had to rise as well, as I daily renewed my strength in Him. And hence I am still here to share with you today.

-->Lesson 1: I learnt to trust and depend on God more and more with each new day.
" My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
- Psalms 73:26

And I am also reminded through my own pain, the pain and suffering of the needy and the poor in society, some of whom are within my sphere of influence. I am reminded of how during my most needy times there was almost none there to stand by me to encourage me, to love me, to remind me of the love of God. But thanks be to God that my family did that on some occasions. So I made a choice on my part, that with whatever limited capacity I have, I would spend it to love the people God has placed in my life, to strengthen and build up each one of them up, to as much as God wills. I desire to give others that glimpse of the love and hope of God that people in need hunger so much for.(That hunger which was never really met in my own life.)

-->Lesson 2: God has taught me through this and various other experiences to treasure the people and the relationships He has placed in my life, to learn to love each and everyone of them as He directs.

" This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If 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? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
- 1 John 3:16-18

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
- 1 John 4:12

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
- James 1:27

*Take away points(for you guys)...
1) The importance to ask God for the teachability of heart(humility), from which He may instruct you most effectively. And from where you may be able to hear and understand clearly, hence able to obey.

--> The Parable of the sower(Matt 13:1-23), the heart being the good soil, and the word of God being the seed. The seed which can take a good position for growth should the soil be prepared for it.

2) May we learn to love others in a manner that we die to our selfish desires, and learn to meet the needs of others above that of ours. This is only possible as we learn to be led by the Spirit in His strength, anda s we are renewed in our minds by the truth in God's word.

Summing up:
Te: -achability of heart
L: -earning to be led by the Spirit
L: -earning to love others as God desires us to

*Closing Prayer:

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk though the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
- Psalms 23

-LORD, may we learn to acknowledge You as the one who directs our paths, and may we ever be obedient to You as You show us the manner of which we should live, that manner which is in Your love.

LORD I pray that we will truly learn to find rest in You, as we learn to trust in You and place our hopes and confidence in You in all of our lives.

LORD God I pray that as the Holy Spirit continues to work in each of our lives through the teachability of our hearts, the fruits of the Spirit will grow in increasing measures, that our lives may be as a holy and pleasing sacrifice unto thy name. And that through righteous lives we may be able to remind others of the goodness and love of our Almighty God. The fruits of the Spirit being that of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.(Gal 5:22-23)

Heavenly Father, I commit each and every one of these Your precious children into your hands. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen.

In His love,
Jon

(Thoughts) In God we trust.

2007-06-24T01:58:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) In God we trust.

In God we trust
In the things we think we know,
And in the things we know we don't know.
In God we trust.

LORD guide us in your paths of righteousness till the last breath that comes from our mouths, for this very last breath and all that was before, is given to us by You. Create in me a clean heart, and that of gratitude for all that we have and are in our essence comes from Your hand. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Biblical References:
"5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
- Proverbs 3:5-6

"14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
- Psalms 19:14

"13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil."
- Eccelsiastes 12:13-14

(Thoughts) Of love, in relationships...

2007-06-20T12:06:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) Of love, in relationships...

Hi all,

Yeah this is probably the 2nd last post I'll be putting up. This one's a little special I guess, because I did promise a friend to give some reflections and thoughts on love in this manner of relationships(bgr – boy-girl-relationships), and I will fulfil that promise before this blog comes to a pause. Today's source is mainly that from my diary on the 27th of February 2007. And yeah it was a period I was pondering and asking the LORD about the aspect of relationships, and how should it be like. And enough said here, let it begin.

On the 27/02/07...
*LORD I am reminded to learn not to bring in expectations or set perspectives, as far as possible, when getting to know someone and understanding this relationship with that person. For it is a human tendency to take comfort on that which is known, for many times we fear that which is not known. This is one of the reasons for the development of prejudices, biasness and oversimplifications(to some extent). What can result is a certain expectation placed towards someone which can ultimately lead to a strain in the relationship or in worse cases a broken one in result. So Father I ask that You give me the right attitude to have towards others, to accept them for who You've made them to be, in all their differences, in all the areas that I lack understanding, I ask for Your grace. Teach me how to love them as they are, the way You desire me to. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

*What should a relationship be like?
A relationship should be a “safe place for recuperation” for one another. A place where one learns to love one another, and together love the people God has placed in your lives. And most importantly, a place where one together leans to love God, and all this(3 aspects of love) modelled after the love of God He has shown to us.

*A relationship criteria?(If there should be any)
- Mutual understanding between each other
- Able to build one another up to the person God has planned her to be. (To grow in her relationship with the LORD)
- Able to benefit the other person “the most”. (To help her grow to her fullest potential, which is a possible “reason” why God has placed you 2 together?)
- Able to comfort and encourage each other enough to build up a shelter for one another to seek God together as we weather the storms of life

Yeah so those were my thoughts on that very day. And actually this understanding of relationship I do have further opinion on it.

Firstly, that it actually applies universally to all our relationships in our lives, just how far the application actually goes. For example to a friend who is in your cell group, it may apply 50 percent, yet to a buddy whom you've grown up with and knows you “inside out” perhaps it applies 80 percent.

Secondly, I believe that all this loving a person in accordance to who he/she actually is, have to come into play sometime in a relationship between a couple in courtship. This is either as they know each other as friends(most ideal i feel), in the courtship itself, or sometime in a marriage. And if it doesn't, the relationship's tendency is it it will tend to drift, as a commitment to one another resulting from the love you have for one another, will not be in place.

Oh yeah all this being said, I guess it reveals a principle i hold in my life, that in the most of the things that I embark in, I look to build on something that is meaningful, something that will last. For if it is not so, unless there is a particular reason, if not my tendency is that I will not begin to build this at all.

And so for me actually all this cumulates into just 2 things – a question and an image.

The question - think of it as the person whom you love or say you love, asking it to you.
“Are you willing to live a life of simplicity with me?”
Ah yes its a seemingly simple question, but it goes far beyond that which I think most of us can understand. Like for husbands to model the love towards their wife, unto that of willingness to sacrifice one's life that how Christ did for the church, like that for a wife to model the love towards that of total submission as to the Lord. It is difficult to comprehend, and we can only begin to understand when we ask the LORD and He shows us how to. And if anytime we think otherwise, then we better think again. And actually I think this simple question also summarises the long wedding vows people make on that special wedding day to celebrate the love that begets commitment and responsibility towards one another. It can also to read in this manner, “If all that you used to love me for fades or is taken away, if the circumstances in our lives become much harder than it is now, will you be willing to continue this walk with me, to love me as I am?” So that is the understanding of the love that begets commitment, modelled after the love that God has shown through Jesus Christ.

The image – that of the moon and the stars in the night sky. The moon representing the man, and the stars together representing the lady. The light that shines from them is given to them by the LORD almighty, and they will shine, and continue to shine as He determines. The night sky that is so distinctly dark in contrast can represent the world and all the trials of life, that causes difficulties in the life of these 2, but yet in it all, in the greater darkness, so the light contrasts even far more brighter. So that is the understanding of the imagery I have i guess.

So yep that's all I have to say about relationships. All can be done by someone, but it all culminates to a question “Are you willing to live a life of simplicity with me?”. And this reveals one thing about relationships, it requires a willingness of heart on 2 people to walk life together, to establish common memories that will be of hope in times of difficulty in the future. And this willingness is the finality of all that is prepared, planned and done throughout the process.

Oh yes, and not to forget, actually I realised from my own life, that sincerity of heart is important. But so is the guidance that comes from the LORD and the obedience to follow as He leads. After which then is the willingness of heart that we just spoke of in the previous paragraph. So 3 things we should look for I guess in relationship, if one is looking towards it :(1) Sincerity of heart, (2) Guidance from the LORD, (3) Willingness of heart. But this is as I have learnt from my own life, the LORD may show you otherwise in your own life as well. =)

Take care and God Bless~

In His love,
Jon

Biblical References:
“1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
- Ephesians 5:1-2

“22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
- Ephesians 5:22-28

“4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."”
- Matthew 19:4-6

“14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”
- Philippians 2:14-17

(Thoughts) On the grace and love of God...

2007-06-20T11:42:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) On the grace and love of God...

Hi there,

You know what, for the first time in a long time I actually feel refreshed. Because of a reminder, a reminder of the love and grace of God, as shown and given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ. The reminder came to me while I read this book "Ragamuffin's gospel" by Brennan Manning. He brought up a a parable repeatedly in his book, that of the parable of " The Lost Son", and he also emphasized on the importance of remembering that we are all sinners(Christians and non-Christians alike) and fall short of the glory of God, but yet the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in redemption of our sin is more than sufficient to cover us completely in the process of sanctification - the process of restoration and reconciliation into fellowship with God our Heavenly Father.

What is the parable of " The Lost Son"? For the benefit of those who do not know, the story goes that there was a rich man who had 2 sons. The youngest son decided that he wanted to live his life as he wished, and so he went to his father to ask for the share of his inheritance(all this while his father was still alive!). What happens next is that he takes all this money and goes to a faraway land, spends it all up in wayward living - on the vices of the society. After using up the money he had, his life became hard, and while working at a farm one day feeding the pigs he thought to himself, "If only I were a servant in my father's household. For I remember that even those who worked for my father were very blessed indeed." So he thought and decided in his heart that he will return home to his father, and ask not to be as a son, but as a servant instead. As he made his way home, his father who had been awaiting his return for a long time saw him from afar, and ran towards him to embrace him. He gave him the signet ring, as well as placed a cloak around him - restoring him to a position of a son in his household. His father also threw a feast in celebration of his return. There are other parts to this parable, but I shall end the re-phrasing here, I will attach the actual references at the bottom of the page.

And yeah, so I was reminded from the parable of how truly richly our Father God abundantly flourishes us with His love, a love that we can begin and go through our whole lives trying to understand, and perhaps gain a better understanding - BUT never fully. Such is the beauty of that love that can never be fully described to man, or understood by him. In listening to this parable told we can imagine the images of the son coming back from afar, and the father in his old age rushing and stumbling up to him nevertheless. We can imagine how with his slightly shriveled and shaking hands he places that ring onto the son's finger and the cloak upon his body. We can imagine how he restores the son with his embrace and loving words, not asking or rebuking the son, but just restoration - knowing that the son was back safely was good enough. Such is the love that was shown - a glimpse of what is meant by the unconditional love of God, that which is given despite any circumstances, that which is so constant, so reassuring - that so many times we assume it to be ours to begin with. And when we take this love for granted, I pray that the LORD will in some way make this known to us as well, that we may repent of this heart of ingratitude.

So that was what truly impressed me yesterday, that of the unconditional love of God. May this reference from the letter to the Ephesians be our prayer as well.

"16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge; that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
- Ephesians 3:16-19

And I remembered as well the teaching of Jesus of that of love.

"43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
- Matthew 5:43-45

And that of the sinful nature of man, and the redemptive act of love by our Lord Jesus Christ, to redeem once for all, for us all from eternal death to eternal life. That is the message of salvation, a salvation not by our works, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we must accept in order to attain.

"22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
- Romans 3:22-24

"10The death he(Jesus) died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God."
- Romans 6:10

"12He(Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption."
- Hebrews 9:12

" 1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. "
- Hebrews 10:1

"8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9not by works, so that no one can boast."
- Ephesians 2:8-9

And we have to remember as well, that the virtues of a "good man", is one that must outflow from the heart, in the thoughts of the mind and the intentions of the heart - this towards the acts of his hand and the words of his mouth. This cannot be achieved by pure human will, because of the tendency of the human heart to rebel to turn to its sinful ways. Remember that the path of righteousness is one that is narrow, but yet the LORD provides us with His Spirit to guide us in each step, to sustain our weary hearts that we may not fall. And actually my main point of mentioning all this is this: That the fruits of the Spirit are that which will outflow from our hearts, when we embrace the desire that he has given us to walk closely with him.

"13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
- Matthew 7:13-14

"16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
- Galatians 5:16

" 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
- Galatians 5:22-23

"17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
- 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

To me the teaching above, from Matthew 5:43-45, I remembered as that of "loving the unlovables". And I frequently asked myself, who are my unlovables? And in most recent times, I realised that for me, in fact the unlovables was not so much the lower rung in society, as much as the Christians whom by their manner of living selfishly, had deemed their own hearts unteachable. And the unteachable heart was really really detestable to me. But why? I questioned myself, and found that perhaps it is because of 2 main reasons, that these very people are those who proclaim so much the good news, and yet they do not live out the love of God in their lives, in a manner that bring glory unto the Father(And this not being that He 'needs' it at all). I realised that perhaps this was detestable, for it was such a reminder unto myself, of what I had been before the LORD had opened my eyes to the needy, for I became the most needy indeed. And the reminder of my detestable self was of utter disgust to me.

The other was that I realised in the teaching and reminding others of the importance of humility in one's life, in the cultivating of the teachable heart and spirit that allows the LORD to mould us according His purpose and will. In saying all that to others, in trying as hard as I may, in drilling it deep into my mind in understanding, in obedience in the outward parts, I had in fact created myself to become increasingly "self-righteous". I had judged myself, and others, and deemed us as unworthy, and detestable. This is not that it is not true, but that greater truth had I not reconciled, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us - this is love.

"6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die."
- Romans 5:6-7

" 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
- 1 John 3:16

And so I do apologise, if to any of you reading this who are my friends, brother and sisters, that if in my life I had discouraged you in any point, forgive me. For I was too caught up in zeal in fulfilment of the law, that I had not noticed that the law had already been fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord. And may we by the love of Christ given us, learn to encourage each other in our daily walk with the LORD, and learn to embrace each other in the various different circumstances that we walk in - because we are one, united in Christ, in his love.

And this will probably be one of the last few posts I'll be placing up for this period of time, till the next holidays. Will be embarking on some new things, of which I will be called "Coach" in the next few months. Continue to wait upon the LORD, and let's see together what He has in store for everyone of us. =)

In His love,
Jon

Additional Bible References:
The Lost Son
"11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " "
- Luke 15:11-32

(Thoughts) About seeing things in proper perspective...

2007-06-17T23:58:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) About seeing things in proper perspective...

Hi all,

Today's sharing just more or less an opinion I have on the manner of which we view things, and how all this can possibly change if we desire, and yes by choice...

You know how we always talk about how different people view things? Oh yeah some view things negatively, and all that negativity has a play on their mind and the way they approach things, becoming overly cautious to the point of paralysis, that the very act that is required of the person is not fulfilled.

Yet some talk about the view toward a matter positively, talking about the power of the mind, how positive thinking is the way to view things, to always have hope, always remember that a time we fail(or fall) is another opportunity for learning, never give up – things like that. They profess of how the manner of thinking helps them achieve success in today's society, through the very virtues of perseverance, learning from previous mistakes(of your own and of others), as well as learning how to pick and up utilise given opportunities.

So you may be thinking now, “Oh yeah Jon that's what we've been taught so frequently, both in a non-Christian context and even in a Christian context, most of the time. So shouldn't it be right?”

And no I'm not here to slam certain perspective of things as being perfectly “right” or “wrong”, because even I myself truly do not know, and I only know as much as I have learnt, in comparing what I have grasped in one hand - the knowledge as from the world, to the other hand – the knowledge and truth as we believe from the bible.

Actually what I'm just bringing to view here is just something actually quite obvious, but I just wonder why little people talk about it or practise it actually. That of learning to view things as they are, in truth – not so much whether it be positive or negative. And actually the fact is the popular and conventional views of positive and negative views about things are only differentiated(to matter to people) to the point of only whether firstly the task is accomplished at all, and whether it is accomplished well.

So that is the manner I've learnt to view things, in impartiality. And actually if you've been practising living your life as a whole, you'll also realise that this very manner of perspectives can also be taken unto the manner in which you view people as well, seeing them as they truly are, and form there learning to accept each individual as they truly are – being unassuming. And it is my sincere belief that only when we learn to see another as who they really are, then we can know how best to love them and meet their very needs - that only God knows best and they know second best. But lets return to viewing things as they really are, what I have experienced is that from doing so we recognise the reality of things, and can best train ourselves to respond to the different changes to matters, most specifically and more accurately. And to the aspect of what drives you, where you may place your hope and confidence, if the “living life as a whole principle” is kept, we will expect this to be realistic as well.

And yeah it is my belief also that as Christians when we say we believe in the Word of God as written in the bible, it also means that we belief that it is truth that is written. And believing that it is truth that is written also means this, that if we have really learnt to appreciate the truth as given to us, we will also be able to discern that which is right, and that which is wrong – the basic purpose of truth(or the law). So yeah I do think that it is the role of Christians in today's society, to differentiate what is right and wrong – that which result in consequences that is good or bad upon another. And as we know the truth better, we also differentiate better.

Yeah I'm quite tired for the night I guess, so perhaps I'll elaborate on things on another time. But in summary, what I've proposed is perhaps another view, to learn to see things more objectively, in truth – in learning to appreciate a matter for its very being. And in seeing things realistically we also learn to react realistically, and know our boundaries and limitations(individually) – not over expecting or under expecting in various situations. I also have talked about learning to check where your hopes and confidences actually lie – and are these placed on firm foundations?(are they actually realistic as well?) Perhaps then we learn to be more clear on the issues that really bug us, and that which is just set up in our minds by inappropriate perspectives.

Thank you for taking your time to read, and yeah as I mentioned from day 1, always welcoming feedback on how I can make things clearer, or the issues I should talk about. Thanks and may God bless your week ahead.

In His love,
Jon

Some Biblical References:
“17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
- James 3:17

“2Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:2

“6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
- John 14:6

“30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.”
- Psalms 119:30

“23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Psalms 139:23-24

(Thoughts) On the appreciation of life(1)...

2007-06-15T10:46:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) On the appreciation of life(1)...

Hi there,

Had a talk a few days ago with a friend and her mom, and one of the things that was brought up was about a girl who had committed suicide last year. From what was heard before her death was that she seemed so cheerful and outgoing, seemingly enjoying her life – despite the known facts of the difficulties she faced from broken family relationships, and other problems. So it seemed that she was okay, so it seemed. Then why did she decide to take her life?

It must had seemed to her like the end of the road, and there is nothing that can be done to salvage whatever situation she is in. Hopelessness must have been a word that seemed so true in her life. But why should it be so? If there were testimonies at her wake of how she was like this or like that, then why should it have ever been so?

What am I driving at this time? I'm saying that if we assume that the testimonies were factual and that she had indeed spend much time with those buddies, and she was indeed appearing to be normal to them, and they had not notice that she had been experiencing problems or suffering that was driving her to the breaking point, then I will ask one more question – How well did they know her? And how well did they try to know her? Because I do believe that it is impossible if you truly care about someone, to not know that they are experiencing problems, and that they do require encouragement and reassurance of love during those difficult times.

But why does it seemed that despite a possible lengthy period of time she and others had spend together, they hadn't known her enough to notice any problems that had been troubling her? You could give a reason, “Oh she could have been really guarded a person, not wanting to share about her life.” And I shall go along the lines now of complete agreement of what you brought up, but then I will bring other things that I feel that you had not considered. Had you begin on your part to extend your sincerity in knowing her and caring for her? Had you done the simple gestures of giving her a smile when you see her, or just saying hi? Or had you been one of those who turned away whenever you saw her on the street, just because you are afraid that she might not reciprocate your welcoming gestures? Or were you one of those who walked past her countless of times in church without stopping to talk because she fitted the “ain't the kind of person I would like to talk to” category?

Oh yes I might be raising some degree of guilt here, but it is not my purpose, what I am driving her is the point that there are people out there whom we have ignored(by choice), or we have neglected(for the very fact that we are so caught up with “things”). So here I bring up 2 points which I see is common in most people which can give reason for their lack of concern and love for others.

Firstly, I believe that being in Singapore, like most city dwellers we have grown so accustomed to a desire to achieve and do something. Stillness is not something we commonly hear mostly, let alone practice, but restlessness is the word. In my life, when I hear people who are working talk, I frequently hear about office politics, and how some do step on toes to get a step higher in achievements and recognition. But no, that is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the people you have crushed on your way in the pursuance of success – the suffering and the afflicted in whom you have ignored walking “your” path to the “winner's life”. So do you really think of it as the winners life? Ah yes, something you can pride yourself in today's world, but what about in the presence of the LORD in the days to come? And why do you act as if the LORD is no longer present?

Secondly, another major reason why we fail to see the needs of others, if for the very reason that we are so inward looking, by nature. So many times before we do anything, we ask in our hearts, “what is in it for me?”. And when we do good, we do it only because it is of “mutual benefit”. So what if I propose the case of singular benefit, and the beneficiary being the other party, will you still be willing to take up the case to do good? Oh yes that means status quo to you, what if i propose another case in which to do good for another it means for sacrifice of something dear to you, without ANY recognition from anyone, are you still willing? Are you really willing?

So the 2 main reasons why I believe we have failed to see the neediness of others is this:
(1)Our preoccupation with the achievements to gain for ourselves in this world
(2)The selfishness of the human heart, and the devoid-ness of love (that should and is capable to dwell within)

And if you are wondering if I had just thought of these things out of my own theories and philosophies, then you are wrong. It is the very teachings that some of us who are Christians from young have been taught from the very beginning. Here I shall state the scriptures from which I had understood this societal conditions that plagues us:

(1)Luke 10:30-37(The parable of the good Samaritan...)
“30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."”

In the context here, an expert int he law had asked Jesus what it is he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus' answer was “love”. In the learning to love God with all of your being – heart, soul, mind and strength – and learning to love your neighbour as yourself. The story that was told here shows a few things, firstly that there are needy people about us as seen from the man who was left half dead, secondly that there is a call for us as Christians to be as “neighbours” to them, meaning to love them, as seen from Jesus' conclusion of the story to “do likewise.”.

There is also some other things that have been brought to our attention, that is sad to be mentioned, that despite being in the prized positions of priesthood and levites, the people who supposedly should know God better and hence is able to better share forth that love that comes form Him, those are the very people who did not stop to help this needy man. And it was a Samaritan, one despised by society during those times that went to help this man, in whatever was needed by him. When we put this in more generality, we can possibly see it as the people who are more capable and have more capacity to help another did not.

(2) The beginning statements of the famous definition of love...
“1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

In this scriptural reference Paul was using these arguments mainly to reinforce the purpose of the gifts and possessions the people of Corinth had should have been used in the purpose of Godly love. The underlying motivation and attitude of the heart should be love( a perfect love that comes form the LORD, which we continue to learn more about daily in our walks), if not all will have been in vain. And for an example we can see from verse 3, that even if we had done “great deeds of sacrifices”, but the underlying motivation of our hearts was not for good, it counts for nothing. However I do believe that this does not mean the acts meant for nothing, but it there were no underlying meaning behind those acts, then it would be so. The very things entrusted into our hands by the LORD have to be learnt to be acknowledged, for the very fact of their very nature, they are entrusted, and entrusted by the LORD. So we learn and by the Spirit gain courage to act against the selfishness of the human nature to feed oneself, but learn to feed others as well.

So let's get back to the story when i heard about that suicide case, i was reminded of a few stories of breakdowns experienced in the past by some friends, and told to me in recent days. I was reminded also of my own conditions, and some thoughts about life and death I had a few months back. No it wasn't towards that of suicide, but more cries of desperation on my part, towards God. If you had been faithfully reading my posts, or perhaps know me personally, you should in part of the story of my life, of the pain I have constantly experienced in my lower back for the past 6 years. There are days I question myself, is this a curse or a plague that is upon me, because it really has been “haunting” me for the longest of times, and the tiredness I get from the drain the pain has upon my body is becoming increasingly prevalent.

I was truly quite tired out from the constant ache and the increasing demands that was placed upon my shoulders. The pain was definitely quite bad, and it left me with lesser and lesser waking hours which are productive. It somehow reached a point in my life, that even breathing felt difficult, and there I questioned myself, if breathing is difficult, why do I even bother taking that next breath? But as I read the book of Acts, I think in preparation for a lesson I was to conduct last semester, I read this verse, which made sense to me then, made so much sense in fact. And this is bearing in mind my hope that I will truly learn to grow in my heart to love the LORD as far as it is possible in me to contain – as that seen in the life of Kind David, the man after God's heart.

Acts 13:36-37
“36"For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.”

So I realised then from this 2 verses how David had embraced the fact, in his pursuance of understanding and enjoying the love of God, he had served God's purpose in his own generation, BEFORE he fell asleep. And I am reminded, that perhaps my work is not yet done here, and there is a reason for the LORD giving me these few breaths and not bringing me home yet. So I asked the LORD once again to not allow me to fall into the traps of meaningless existence, and to learn to appreciate into greater extent the life that He has given me. And to learn to give up this life in parts to bring people closer to the LORD my God. May he ever teach me to do so, to ever declare the truth that will remind others and always bring to their memory the love of God, who is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

So it is my prayer that if any of you should come to a point of desperation in your lives, that you will not be overwhelmed, but you will learn to cry unto the LORD, just cry unto Him, and allow Him to be the one that sustains you. And I will hope also that the Spirit of the LORD will remind you of the sanctity of life of which is given to us, the breath of God within the his image in us. The reminder also of how we are the children of God, and that even if the world forsakes you, it does so because it does not recognise the face of Jesus Christ and it forsake Him first. And yet we remember that it still remains our choice and our privilege to be the mouthpiece of the living God, to choose to obey His calling to love others, and to speak forth His truth into their lives. Truth that will convict their hearts to walk in His ways of righteousness, if they should listen, truth that is encompassed in love and mercy, but yet truth also that possesses the degree of justice as the LORD our God is a just and righteous God. Be of the salt and the light my brothers and sisters.

In His love,
Jon

Additional Biblical References:
Philippians 1:21
“21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Philippians 3:7-9
“7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Acts 20:24
“24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me; the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”

1 John 3:1-3
“ 1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

John 13:34-35
“34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."”

1 John4:11-12
“11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Micah 6:7-8
“ 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
“13 Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.”

(Thoughts) On memories...

2007-06-12T00:46:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) On memories...

Hi there,

Yeah today i thought i'll just talk about something that been constantly on my mind for the past few weeks. When people talk about memories, what is it that comes to your mind? Most people will highlight and remember the most vivid and impactful of memories that if generally classified, can be into 2 categories: (1) The fond ones, (2) The unpleasant ones.

Of course this does not exclude the other kinds of memories that may be in your mind, things that you sought so hard to remember, like your new house number, back in the age where there were no handphones and you had to key in the entire length of numbers onto the keypad before you can connect with another. Others that aren't so vivid could be the “usual” stuff that happens in your life, the teddy bear that you said goodbye to before your bedtime, your hot cup of coffee that your mom prepared for you in the morning, or the bus driver who gave you the nod and smile when you bored the bus to school. Oh yes, and those were random just examples, NOT of my life.

But one thing I would like to bring up and suggest, that if you think about the memories that are so vivid to you, they do share a common factor of being naturally developed. That being said I mean that on most occasions when a fond memory occur, it is not as if you had particularly set aside a certain memory and desire in your heart, “Oh yes that should be one that is fond.” and hence it becomes fond. It is fond for various reasons, our preferences(naturally, and developed in our growing years), our state of mind and comfort level at that point in time, and others.

Just to make clearer, for example if you did like butterflies before visiting a park, and one day as you rest on a bench at a park in the midst of watching the waters trickle down a nearby fountain in the sun, and a nicely striped butterfly flutters by, it is a fond memory that is implanted in your mind. You need not tell yourself repeatedly, “oh yes I am told that butterflies are beautiful and hence when one flutters by in the right circumstances, I am to think it good.”

Conversely, another example could be that if you had never liked bees, and we have the same setting as above, that beautiful warm sunshine upon that bench you are sitting on, admiring the fountain int he middle of the park, AND a bee flies by, turns back and darts straight at you. The whole image is still one that is unpleasant or negative to your mind, despite the beautiful setting, and you need not tell yourself that it is unpleasant, because it becomes naturally so.

So what am I driving at? Just a simple point really, that the most pleasant and most unpleasant of memories do not happen by choice(unless in specific circumstances of which people try hard to manipulate their way of thinking, and tweak the way they view their memories in manners that alter perceptions of truth), it comes about quite naturally and smoothly without our need for intervention.

That being said does not mean that one must always view life in a negative sense, when one goes through the downs of life, or strictly positive when one goes through the ups of life. For I do believe that the dwelling upon the different thoughts of the mind and emotions of the heart is that more of by choice. Here I would like to refer to the letter of Philippians that Paul wrote, from Philippians 4:8.

“8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

As it is seen Paul urges the people of Philippi to choose to dwell upon the thoughts that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.

So the question now lies here. What in the world can be classified into such a category? I would like to suggest 1 thing, the word of God as revealed in the Bible.

“18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-19

“5 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Proverbs 30:5

“28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.”
Psalms 119:28

“105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalms 119:105

“ 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalms 119:11

“4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.”
Psalms 33:4

“12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.”
Job23:12

“6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.”
Psalms 12:6

And all in all once we learn to begin treasuring the word of God, with the right attitude of the heart, we begin to learn to change as He teaches us through renewing our minds, through the conviction upon our spirits by the Holy Spirit. But on our part we have to make that effort in treasuring what He has given us in his revelation in the Bible.

And what is all this leading up to? I would say 2 things, and in fact its the same things that I told others on the day of my 21st birthday when I was asked what i wished for. No I did not wish for world peace(I'm not a Mr Universe or something.) I wished that the people whom I know will begin to love, first by knowing how God loves us, and then from that very love, learn to love others. For that is the only true love that we can ever learn from, ever look up completely to. And I prayed and still pray in my heart, despite my current state of weariness, that I will be able to love those in which the LORD brings into my life, loving without favouratism, to love as how he will desire me to love, to be able to give forth these people that warmth and that hope of which today's world and society is so greatly devoid of.

So in effect I'm talking about the beginning of the journey of (1)knowing and revering this God of the Jews and of Christians. This God who was, who is and is to come. This God whose sovereignty is above all, who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, whose thoughts are above our thoughts, and ways above our ways. This Father God who provides for our every need, this Son Jesus Christ who redeemed us from eternal death and purified us, that we may dwell in his presence, this Holy Spirit who indwells within us to guide us into paths of truth and righteousness amidst all the confusion that lies in this world. The beginning of the journey of (2) learning to obey the command of love, to love God and to love those whom God has placed in your life.

Additional Bible References:
“12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

“5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard.”
1 John 2:5-7

“36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."”
Matthew 22:36-40

“ 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22

“10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
1 John 4:10

“12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:12

Yeah I think I have said enough for a night. Good night and may all you fellow brothers and sisters continue in your journey of learning what the love of God truly means in your life, and just living out the truth as He shows you. May we continue to encourage each other in our every segment of our lives – and to look out for those who have been left alone and afflicted. May the peace of God be with you all both now and always. Amen.

In His love,
Jon

(Thoughts) Like reflections upon a mirror...

2007-06-10T00:45:00.000+08:00

(Thoughts) Like reflections upon a mirror...

Hi there,

Yeah I just got back from Hong Kong a while back, so I've just been catching up with news from back home. Its been an interesting trip, lots of walking about the city, lots of learning to understand new people, new systems/conventions, new environments. Things like that...

Had quite a few people asking me before I went, “What are you going to be doing there?”
My answer: “ Just take a walk, go for a breather, maybe think about some things.”

Had quite a few people asking me after I came back from my trip, “So how was your trip?”
My answer: “Oh yeah i walked about alot, took alot of breaths, thought about stuff.”

Just joking. But yeah I guess it is true still in some sense what I just talked about. Visited quite a few places in Hong Kong. It is pretty much a city living like Singapore, but the societal attitude is a little more competitive than us. I took quite a few pictures, which you can see from my flickr photo link on the left.

Today's thoughts will be one that is short. I learnt some time back about how to begin to reflect upon life in order to live it meaningfully. What I'm sharing here is just something more visual in description that may aid your understanding.

The picture here shows how we can reflect upon our physical image on the mirror, and from there make some corrections, like styling your hair, something that will improve the overall package(of yourself). Life can be seen somewhat in a similar manner, the experiences and preferences of our lives whereever we may be causes us to become of a certain person that we begin to understand as we go about life. It is true that we grow and mature through the experiences of our lives, when we learn how to take lessons out of that which happens to us. But how meaningful and how great the lesson will depend upon how quality is the reference source by which we learn from.

I do feel that truly it is such a blessing that as Christians our LORD God has given us His word in the bible to read and learn about how we should live our lives most fruitfully. And so I propose this visual for you, you can picture the bible as a full bodied mirror, able to reflect upon the entirety of your life, and allowing you to see clearly in the areas that you need to improve upon to become more complete. How clearly will you see? How much will you improve upon? These are things partly determined by the LORD, which is beyond our understanding. The other is upon the willingness of our hearts to learn from Him, and to change.

Hence if you use this same imagery, I can say that is is possible for a man to improve upon his character in outward form, if he can find a theory that is true in part, or a philosophy that encourages good will amongst men. This can be seen as a mirror as well, smaller in size, and perhaps not so well polished.

If you are reading this and you concur that, “No way, Jon is just being biased because he's a Christian, hence he is just being overtly emotional and insisting upon the perfection of the word of God as he always have.”, then I will answer you with this, that we test it upon the fruits of our lives. I dare to say that truly my life in all its experiences have begun to make sense only upon greater understanding of the word of God, and my life is defintely increasingly changed as I learn more of what God's love for man is, and how I am to share it.

So I do dare to propose that if you would like to do a QC test, a true Christian is one that is increasingly transformed from the inside and out, in both form(in his action and words) and then intention of his heart, and his heart is one that truly learns to love the God whom he worships, as well as those who are needy and helpless in society. He is one that is totally immersed in the society, knowing its working, yet is able to gain strength from his God to prevent himself from circumbing to its pressures(of wealth and successes at the expenses of relationships), and through strength and love is able to move freely and attending to the needy.

In His love,
Jon

Biblical references:

1 Corinthians 13:12
“12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

James :1-23-25
“23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”

Romans 12:1-2
“ 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

(Thoughts) Love-1

2007-05-30T00:04:00.000+08:00

(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

(Thoughts) My 2 cents worth...

2007-05-24T01:57:00.000+08:00

(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.”

(Thoughts) The Widow's 2 coins...

2007-05-24T00:00:00.000+08:00

(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

(Thoughts) Something about bird watching

2007-05-21T23:52:00.001+08:00

(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

(Thought) Happiness and Joy

2007-05-10T12:08:00.000+08:00

“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

(Question) What is love to you?

2007-05-08T23:35:00.000+08:00

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

(Hymn) Lead me to Calvary

2007-05-07T23:10:00.000+08:00

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

On Contentment.

2007-05-04T02:20:00.000+08:00

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

An Introduction to the purpose of this blog

2007-05-03T00:52:00.000+08:00

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