4 year-old Jeremiah Liauw "Jerry" was born with spina bifida, a spinal defect which causes his lower body to be especially weak.
The Club Rainbow member's goal was to crawl his way to the finish line for the 750m Kids Dash event.
A really tough 750m on his hands and knees.
"…Jerry wanted to crawl and refused to be carried when everyone was telling me to carry him coz for those of you who knows and are there, the weather was super duper hot and the ground was really radiating IMMENSE HEAT as it was approaching noon but Jerry kept diving for the ground.
If he could have it his way, he would not allow me to carry him at anytime at all. And a last note to share which may sound unbelieving to unbelievers, as I was changing Jerry yesterday, Jerry said, yes Jerry said, these are his exact words which took me aback too…
Jerry: "Actually when i saw the many people, I didn't want to crawl but God told me to crawl."
Me: "God told u to crawl?"
Jerry: "Yes. God told me to crawl."
Me: "Huh? What do you mean God told you to crawl?"
Jerry: "Yes, in my heart, I heard God's voice telling me to crawl."
Me: "Huh? you mean you heard God's voice?"
Jerry: "Yes. I heard God telling me to crawl."
Me: "Huh? What do you mean? How did you know it's God's voice?"
Jerry: "You will know it when He talks to you."
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The Just Shall Live By Faith
"The Just Shall Live by Faith
I recently attended a make up cell group which was Melvin's cell group
I must say it was a powerful cell group meeting, as it happened to be the multiplication cell group as well.
The praise and worship was really awesome. The guitarist and worship leaders really brought down the presence of God to the place. It was sincere, pure and true. It was as if we were singing amidst the angels of God.
Melvin then when on to talk about a verse in Habbakkul 2:4, in that "The just shall live by faith"
What he meant and explained further, was that no matter what circumstances you may be going through, you need to hold on to that faith you have. What is that faith you have, it is the faith to be a blessing to people. The faith to believe in your visions and dreams and never let go of it.
When Melvin was sharing about the past, I cant help but be amazed at how far this anointed cell group leader has come. He was suppose to be on MC but he spoke with such confidence and anointing, it was as if he was a zone pastor.
Then he went on to talk about how it was in the past as a new Christian, how he was disappointed as a young Christian by the circumstances around him, but he just had that hunger in him. The hunger of God. His main purpose of going to Church was to know Christ more and more. Despite not having a proper cell group, he was still very enthusiastic about God.
What amazed me was these 3 things
1) Patience, he had the patience to believe 'all things work together for the good of those who believe' he was willing to wait. He actually waited about 3 hours just to get Bible study for his baptism class. To many people, they would have left already, but he had this desire in him to want to be baptism, to want to experience the Holy spirit, that he waited, and it was really worth the wait. This all happened because he held on to faith that he was going to be salt and light , especially in the area of cell groups ministry. Turns out this past he experienced, is what helped shape his character and is one of the stories he can use to inspire people about patience and faith in the Lord.
2) Hunger. When he explained on how he took a cab, and he literally RAN after dropping off from the cab, shows how much he yearns and hungers for God. Right from when he was a young Christian. I believe most of us want this hunger, and the good thing is we can. Jacob didn't want to let go of God until God blessed him. Melvin didn't want to miss to opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit, so he ran. Are you running to God today?
3) Vision. Even after setbacks and dissappointments, Melvin kept hold of his vision. He kept working for it and he trusted in the Lord. Yes you need to instill confidence in man but he had absolute confidence in the Lord to carry him true. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul, and He will make your paths straight' His story is truly an epitomy of that
4). Hospitality. Despite me being a new member in a make up cell, he took the effort to actually introduce me, and called me by name. He was also very friendly and approachable when I approached him for a discussion. I believe this is how we should treat all our friends and even enemies. The Bible says that 'a man that hath friends must first be friendly'
Lastly, I would like to say that everything starts small. You need to start somewhere, in Luke 16:10 it says ' if you are faithful in little things,you will be faithful in the large ones' in Zechariah 4:10 it says ' Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.
Overall, Melvin's story truly inspired me to believe and have faith in my vision. My vision is to see a great evangelistic movement in Vietnam, and then spreading from Vietnam to mainland Southeast Asia.
I want to start small, but I want to keep running, I want to keep believing, I want to keep having the hunger. This is a problem I face now, I always get enthusiastic about something, but after about a week, my hunger dies, I start procrastinating, and my believe gets smaller. THIS IS ENOUGH! I want constant hunger and faith! And I am believing God for this change in my life~!
Melvin said that Luke was the only gospel that talked about the Birth of Christ, because that was the moment when God sent His son to CHANGE THE WORLD.
Jesus started small as a baby, and as a young child He already said ' I must be about doing my Father's business' He was already clear of His vision and purpose in life from the start, He knew his purpose. He kept praying, and keep reading the word. That's why when He was tempted in the wilderness, He could overcome by the WORD. Even up to his death, He said, 'not my will, but yours be done' He was persistent , He believed, He had faith. And because of Him, our sins are forgiven, and we are saved by grace through FAITH because of the victory that Jesus has already given us when He died on the cross.
Melvin prayed that I would be the connection. The connection for my cell group, and the connection that brings people to God. I will keep praying constantly for this vision, and I do hope you can pray for me too.
Lastly I would like to say looking at Melvin now, and imagining him in the past, how far he has come to leading many many cell groups, I want to be like that too and reach my ultimate destiny of being a blessing to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. I want to believe, accept change and be a great blessing to people.
I want to say a big thank you to Melvin for that wonderful and inspirational message. Its not just about him presenting a message, but I can see it in his life as well that he's not just talking about it, but his life is a living example of it! of the FAITH of GOD to accept CHANGE and to hold on to your VISIONS!
God Bless!
Daniel with a Destiny
Faith in my Destiny "
I recently attended a make up cell group which was Melvin's cell group
I must say it was a powerful cell group meeting, as it happened to be the multiplication cell group as well.
The praise and worship was really awesome. The guitarist and worship leaders really brought down the presence of God to the place. It was sincere, pure and true. It was as if we were singing amidst the angels of God.
Melvin then when on to talk about a verse in Habbakkul 2:4, in that "The just shall live by faith"
What he meant and explained further, was that no matter what circumstances you may be going through, you need to hold on to that faith you have. What is that faith you have, it is the faith to be a blessing to people. The faith to believe in your visions and dreams and never let go of it.
When Melvin was sharing about the past, I cant help but be amazed at how far this anointed cell group leader has come. He was suppose to be on MC but he spoke with such confidence and anointing, it was as if he was a zone pastor.
Then he went on to talk about how it was in the past as a new Christian, how he was disappointed as a young Christian by the circumstances around him, but he just had that hunger in him. The hunger of God. His main purpose of going to Church was to know Christ more and more. Despite not having a proper cell group, he was still very enthusiastic about God.
What amazed me was these 3 things
1) Patience, he had the patience to believe 'all things work together for the good of those who believe' he was willing to wait. He actually waited about 3 hours just to get Bible study for his baptism class. To many people, they would have left already, but he had this desire in him to want to be baptism, to want to experience the Holy spirit, that he waited, and it was really worth the wait. This all happened because he held on to faith that he was going to be salt and light , especially in the area of cell groups ministry. Turns out this past he experienced, is what helped shape his character and is one of the stories he can use to inspire people about patience and faith in the Lord.
2) Hunger. When he explained on how he took a cab, and he literally RAN after dropping off from the cab, shows how much he yearns and hungers for God. Right from when he was a young Christian. I believe most of us want this hunger, and the good thing is we can. Jacob didn't want to let go of God until God blessed him. Melvin didn't want to miss to opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit, so he ran. Are you running to God today?
3) Vision. Even after setbacks and dissappointments, Melvin kept hold of his vision. He kept working for it and he trusted in the Lord. Yes you need to instill confidence in man but he had absolute confidence in the Lord to carry him true. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul, and He will make your paths straight' His story is truly an epitomy of that
4). Hospitality. Despite me being a new member in a make up cell, he took the effort to actually introduce me, and called me by name. He was also very friendly and approachable when I approached him for a discussion. I believe this is how we should treat all our friends and even enemies. The Bible says that 'a man that hath friends must first be friendly'
Lastly, I would like to say that everything starts small. You need to start somewhere, in Luke 16:10 it says ' if you are faithful in little things,you will be faithful in the large ones' in Zechariah 4:10 it says ' Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.
Overall, Melvin's story truly inspired me to believe and have faith in my vision. My vision is to see a great evangelistic movement in Vietnam, and then spreading from Vietnam to mainland Southeast Asia.
I want to start small, but I want to keep running, I want to keep believing, I want to keep having the hunger. This is a problem I face now, I always get enthusiastic about something, but after about a week, my hunger dies, I start procrastinating, and my believe gets smaller. THIS IS ENOUGH! I want constant hunger and faith! And I am believing God for this change in my life~!
Melvin said that Luke was the only gospel that talked about the Birth of Christ, because that was the moment when God sent His son to CHANGE THE WORLD.
Jesus started small as a baby, and as a young child He already said ' I must be about doing my Father's business' He was already clear of His vision and purpose in life from the start, He knew his purpose. He kept praying, and keep reading the word. That's why when He was tempted in the wilderness, He could overcome by the WORD. Even up to his death, He said, 'not my will, but yours be done' He was persistent , He believed, He had faith. And because of Him, our sins are forgiven, and we are saved by grace through FAITH because of the victory that Jesus has already given us when He died on the cross.
Melvin prayed that I would be the connection. The connection for my cell group, and the connection that brings people to God. I will keep praying constantly for this vision, and I do hope you can pray for me too.
Lastly I would like to say looking at Melvin now, and imagining him in the past, how far he has come to leading many many cell groups, I want to be like that too and reach my ultimate destiny of being a blessing to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. I want to believe, accept change and be a great blessing to people.
I want to say a big thank you to Melvin for that wonderful and inspirational message. Its not just about him presenting a message, but I can see it in his life as well that he's not just talking about it, but his life is a living example of it! of the FAITH of GOD to accept CHANGE and to hold on to your VISIONS!
God Bless!
Daniel with a Destiny
Faith in my Destiny "
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Success that is both humanly astounding and humanely inspiring.
The Reverend Al Sharpton received a standing ovation with cheers when he told Jackson's children, "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."
"nobody bought anybody's silence"
___________________
Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief.
The news spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and crash from user overload. Both TMZ and the Los Angeles Times suffered outages. Google initially believed that the input from millions of people searching for "Michael Jackson" meant that the search engine was under attack. Twitter reported a crash, as did Wikipedia at 3:15 p.m. PDT (6:15 p.m. EDT).
He died June 25th, 2009. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 local time (21:26 UTC).
The Wikimedia Foundation reported nearly a million visitors to Jackson's biography within one hour, probably the most visitors in a one-hour period to any article in Wikipedia's history. AOL Instant Messenger collapsed for 40 minutes. AOL called it a "seminal moment in Internet history", adding, "We've never seen anything like it in terms of scope or depth."
Around 15% of Twitter posts—or 5,000 tweets per minute—reportedly mentioned Jackson after the news broke, compared to the 5% recalled as having mentioned the Iranian elections or the flu pandemic that had made headlines earlier in the year. Overall, web traffic ranged from 11% to at least 20% higher than normal. MTV and Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired marathons of Jackson's music videos. Jackson specials aired on multiple television stations around the world. The British soap opera EastEnders added a last-minute scene, in which one character tells another about the news, to the June 26 episode. Jackson was the topic of every front-page headline in the daily British tabloid The Sun for about two weeks following his death. During the same period, the three major U.S. networks' evening newscasts—ABC's World News, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News—devoted 34% of their broadcast time to him.
Jackson's memorial was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty. Jackson's casket was present during the memorial but no information was released about the final disposition of the body. While some unofficial reports claimed a worldwide audience as high as one billion people, the U.S. audience was estimated by Nielsen to be 31.1 million, an amount comparable to the estimated 35.1 million that watched the 2004 burial of former president Ronald Reagan, and the estimated 33.1 million Americans who watched the 1997 funeral for Princess Diana.
____________________________
From 1985 to 1990, he donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund, and all of the profits from his single "Man in the Mirror" went to charity. He supported more than 39 charities, winning a Guinness Book of Records.
"Man in the mirror" is about your doppelganger living the wildest fantasy of your life.
____________________________
Michael Jackson's Thriller is the best selling album of all time; though sales figures for the album vary, the album is cited as selling as many as 110 million copies worldwide. (2010)
It won in the category of 50 mil sales. A 1982 album competing the likes of 1972 to 1992. It wasn't a soundtrack. It wasn't a compilation. Only an album.
____________________________
Success that is both humanly astounding and humanely inspiring.
"nobody bought anybody's silence"
___________________
Jackson's death triggered a global outpouring of grief.
The news spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and crash from user overload. Both TMZ and the Los Angeles Times suffered outages. Google initially believed that the input from millions of people searching for "Michael Jackson" meant that the search engine was under attack. Twitter reported a crash, as did Wikipedia at 3:15 p.m. PDT (6:15 p.m. EDT).
He died June 25th, 2009. He was pronounced dead at 2:26 local time (21:26 UTC).
The Wikimedia Foundation reported nearly a million visitors to Jackson's biography within one hour, probably the most visitors in a one-hour period to any article in Wikipedia's history. AOL Instant Messenger collapsed for 40 minutes. AOL called it a "seminal moment in Internet history", adding, "We've never seen anything like it in terms of scope or depth."
Around 15% of Twitter posts—or 5,000 tweets per minute—reportedly mentioned Jackson after the news broke, compared to the 5% recalled as having mentioned the Iranian elections or the flu pandemic that had made headlines earlier in the year. Overall, web traffic ranged from 11% to at least 20% higher than normal. MTV and Black Entertainment Television (BET) aired marathons of Jackson's music videos. Jackson specials aired on multiple television stations around the world. The British soap opera EastEnders added a last-minute scene, in which one character tells another about the news, to the June 26 episode. Jackson was the topic of every front-page headline in the daily British tabloid The Sun for about two weeks following his death. During the same period, the three major U.S. networks' evening newscasts—ABC's World News, CBS Evening News, and NBC Nightly News—devoted 34% of their broadcast time to him.
Jackson's memorial was held on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty. Jackson's casket was present during the memorial but no information was released about the final disposition of the body. While some unofficial reports claimed a worldwide audience as high as one billion people, the U.S. audience was estimated by Nielsen to be 31.1 million, an amount comparable to the estimated 35.1 million that watched the 2004 burial of former president Ronald Reagan, and the estimated 33.1 million Americans who watched the 1997 funeral for Princess Diana.
____________________________
From 1985 to 1990, he donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund, and all of the profits from his single "Man in the Mirror" went to charity. He supported more than 39 charities, winning a Guinness Book of Records.
"Man in the mirror" is about your doppelganger living the wildest fantasy of your life.
____________________________
Michael Jackson's Thriller is the best selling album of all time; though sales figures for the album vary, the album is cited as selling as many as 110 million copies worldwide. (2010)
It won in the category of 50 mil sales. A 1982 album competing the likes of 1972 to 1992. It wasn't a soundtrack. It wasn't a compilation. Only an album.
____________________________
Success that is both humanly astounding and humanely inspiring.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Something close to my heart
"Yesterday"
Somehow I am mysteriously sucked into this song.
Maybe because he is singing something close to my heart.
Somehow I am mysteriously sucked into this song.
Maybe because he is singing something close to my heart.
Monday, October 25, 2010
:)
Dear Melvin,
I know I have said countless thank yous to you since you have became
my leader and friend. But the thing is, you have said before, that -
the great is in what is unfailing. And, you have never failed... To not fail
to deliver God's motives to us through God. What was real during the
meeting was that, a living example whom I personally know was doing
exactly what he was sharing. This really captivated my thoughts.
Even writing this email, I could feel His presence and I know that I
have reconnected my bridge and slowly rebuilding what was lost in Him
once again. I was doing so many things, and yet failed to do the most
important thing since this year begun.
I really do not want to walk away from Sunday feeling it was a meeting
filled with emotions and fire and zest, because it will all die down
someday. But I will walk away this time, filled with sustain and with
faithfulness.
This will probably be my I-don't-know-how-many-times-of 'thank you',
but Thank you, Melvin.
Because you sacrificed.
I know I have said countless thank yous to you since you have became
my leader and friend. But the thing is, you have said before, that -
the great is in what is unfailing. And, you have never failed... To not fail
to deliver God's motives to us through God. What was real during the
meeting was that, a living example whom I personally know was doing
exactly what he was sharing. This really captivated my thoughts.
Even writing this email, I could feel His presence and I know that I
have reconnected my bridge and slowly rebuilding what was lost in Him
once again. I was doing so many things, and yet failed to do the most
important thing since this year begun.
I really do not want to walk away from Sunday feeling it was a meeting
filled with emotions and fire and zest, because it will all die down
someday. But I will walk away this time, filled with sustain and with
faithfulness.
This will probably be my I-don't-know-how-many-times-of 'thank you',
but Thank you, Melvin.
Because you sacrificed.
Impartation
"Mel. I want to remember what happened in the discipleship today. Thank you for teaching the Word. I try to recall what happened, I think God's grace hit me in the discipleship. Thank you so much."
"Melvin. Wanted to say that the discipleship today on impartation was really awesome! I could feel something different when you shared the whole message. Is like we are going on a whole new level on our perspectives! =) Thank you for preparing this word and bring forth an impartation to us. There was a conveyance happening! I'm spiritually filled. Thank you Melvin!"
"Wow! What happened!"
"Melvin. Wanted to say that the discipleship today on impartation was really awesome! I could feel something different when you shared the whole message. Is like we are going on a whole new level on our perspectives! =) Thank you for preparing this word and bring forth an impartation to us. There was a conveyance happening! I'm spiritually filled. Thank you Melvin!"
"Wow! What happened!"
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thank you
"Your worship.. Good. I can totally feel the presence. It is actually very good." - YL
"You are good." - Pst Meng
"You are already pro level." - WE
"Thank you, Melvin. I could even hear it all the way upstairs. It is very good."
__________________________
"hey Melvin, I have been reading your cell's blog. Awesome la."
"You know, Melvin. There have been people reading this blog of yours. They teared! Because they immediately could identify what you were writing about!"
"You are good." - Pst Meng
"You are already pro level." - WE
"Thank you, Melvin. I could even hear it all the way upstairs. It is very good."
__________________________
"hey Melvin, I have been reading your cell's blog. Awesome la."
"You know, Melvin. There have been people reading this blog of yours. They teared! Because they immediately could identify what you were writing about!"
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
And if you can represent this status quo in your heart, soul and spirit.. You are proven unfailing.
An important truth: "Something is called great is in it being unfailing." - cranberriesempty
What's greater.. It's unfailing.
What a powerful truth. When I heard it from a Children's CD, I thought to myself, "This is even better than the adult CDs I have heard..."
Not because the adult CDs are not good.
But because the Children's CD has faith.
Too many intelligent words recently, but lacking something.
I like what Pst MJ told me, "It is not the technicalities. It is the raw faith."
Pst YL reminded me," It is always the Spirit behind the Word."
"The Greatness of all is the Servant to all."
The Servant is at the point of all social failing.
Simply because its status quo is at lowest returns.
But this status quo is where you are most revealed.
The returns for this position is passed on to God.
And if you can represent this status quo in your heart, soul and spirit.. You are proven unfailing.
What you reveal to God is returns to God.
There is a transcendence of what you can be when you are not.
You are not needed to be a servant.
But when you choose to be one.
That is the transcendence of what you can be when you are not.
Jesus said, "be". He did not say, "you are".
Because He knew that if He could get to you, you would get to where He will be.
What's greater.. It's unfailing.
What a powerful truth. When I heard it from a Children's CD, I thought to myself, "This is even better than the adult CDs I have heard..."
Not because the adult CDs are not good.
But because the Children's CD has faith.
Too many intelligent words recently, but lacking something.
I like what Pst MJ told me, "It is not the technicalities. It is the raw faith."
Pst YL reminded me," It is always the Spirit behind the Word."
"The Greatness of all is the Servant to all."
The Servant is at the point of all social failing.
Simply because its status quo is at lowest returns.
But this status quo is where you are most revealed.
The returns for this position is passed on to God.
And if you can represent this status quo in your heart, soul and spirit.. You are proven unfailing.
What you reveal to God is returns to God.
There is a transcendence of what you can be when you are not.
You are not needed to be a servant.
But when you choose to be one.
That is the transcendence of what you can be when you are not.
Jesus said, "be". He did not say, "you are".
Because He knew that if He could get to you, you would get to where He will be.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Because only He can extract life.
Finding loose change does not equate to issues. It equates to the extraction of value from life itself. It is representative of what life can be for one person. I would join anyone in the endeavor of “extracting life”.
The issue of forgiveness can never be an issue of letting go 10-cent.
No sane (or insane, for that matter) person would value unforgiveness.
The issue of forgiveness is always associated with anger and madness because it deals with robbing your eyes and mind.
It takes away things.
It is the loss of a good thing that causes the madness.
I read recently about an issue about an elderly person stooping down to pick up a ten-cents coin.
Was she being irrational?
Is 10-cents is of no value to any strata of society?
Someone who will not pick up 10-cents simply because it was not “worth it”.
The bystander is someone who detests the prodigal son.
The bystander is someone who will scoff at the sight of 2-mites.
The bystander is someone who will immediately cast the first stone.
The bystander is someone who doubts the possibilities of Zaccheus.
The bystander issues summons readily because he does not seek to extract life.
There was already no life in these things.
God designed HIMSELF to extract the best life He can find.
He came in Man-form (be it Jesus or not) so many times.
God is someone who runs towards the prodigal son.
God is someone who actually waits for the 2-mites to be transferred into His account.
God is someone who repels the first stone without violence.
God is someone who extracts the possibilities out of Zaccheus.
The older lady stooped down lowly to search for that one 10-cent.
Only simply, because she knows that only she can extract the value out of that 10-cent.
The bystander misses the whole point because he is eager to do every other thing, rather than what God is doing.
God seeks to extract life, to redeem life, to produce life.
One who does not do likewise, is like someone who laughs off at the Savior slogging to the Cross.
Because only He can extract life.
The issue of forgiveness can never be an issue of letting go 10-cent.
No sane (or insane, for that matter) person would value unforgiveness.
The issue of forgiveness is always associated with anger and madness because it deals with robbing your eyes and mind.
It takes away things.
It is the loss of a good thing that causes the madness.
I read recently about an issue about an elderly person stooping down to pick up a ten-cents coin.
Was she being irrational?
Is 10-cents is of no value to any strata of society?
Someone who will not pick up 10-cents simply because it was not “worth it”.
The bystander is someone who detests the prodigal son.
The bystander is someone who will scoff at the sight of 2-mites.
The bystander is someone who will immediately cast the first stone.
The bystander is someone who doubts the possibilities of Zaccheus.
The bystander issues summons readily because he does not seek to extract life.
There was already no life in these things.
God designed HIMSELF to extract the best life He can find.
He came in Man-form (be it Jesus or not) so many times.
God is someone who runs towards the prodigal son.
God is someone who actually waits for the 2-mites to be transferred into His account.
God is someone who repels the first stone without violence.
God is someone who extracts the possibilities out of Zaccheus.
The older lady stooped down lowly to search for that one 10-cent.
Only simply, because she knows that only she can extract the value out of that 10-cent.
The bystander misses the whole point because he is eager to do every other thing, rather than what God is doing.
God seeks to extract life, to redeem life, to produce life.
One who does not do likewise, is like someone who laughs off at the Savior slogging to the Cross.
Because only He can extract life.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Different perspective
"I just read your email.
You have a different perspective from everyone.
It is one notch higher.
I like reading yours.
I learn something from you." - YL
"I am going. Let's go."
You have a different perspective from everyone.
It is one notch higher.
I like reading yours.
I learn something from you." - YL
"I am going. Let's go."
Monday, September 27, 2010
In spite of those who hate me.
Another great encouragement.
In spite of those who hate me.
CEO and I had a heated discussion.
In closing, he admitted, "Melvin, you have a brain that thinks above most people."
YL: "That is true. It is your gift."
In spite of those who hate me.
CEO and I had a heated discussion.
In closing, he admitted, "Melvin, you have a brain that thinks above most people."
YL: "That is true. It is your gift."
Because this revelation can change ANYONE.
I had a pleasant surprise.. :)
"If anything that distracts you is called an idol,
Then it is imagery that robs your connection with God." - cranberries_empty
"One of the greatest revival stories always centers on imagery.
Peter had that imagery revival.
He keeps seeing 'Jesus in action'.
Now he sees 'Jesus coming back for him'.
That changed him.
Because this revelation can change ANYONE.
The greatest revival is on 'Jesus coming back for you'.
That is the entire centerfold for the end-times.
A tough time.
But 'Coming Back'." - cranberries_empty (23/09/2010)
The greatest interest for Jesus over any time is 'Coming Back'.
And on the 24/09/2010, the title of Pst Zhuang's sermon for the WYZ Adult District Meeting was "Coming Back".
YL immediately messaged me when she heard that pastor was going to share on that.
"You will be surprised what pastor will be sharing later."
As I sat in front, I was blown.
It was the same revelation.
Just a few hours apart (not even 24 hours).
I am grateful that this has happened again.
"If anything that distracts you is called an idol,
Then it is imagery that robs your connection with God." - cranberries_empty
"One of the greatest revival stories always centers on imagery.
Peter had that imagery revival.
He keeps seeing 'Jesus in action'.
Now he sees 'Jesus coming back for him'.
That changed him.
Because this revelation can change ANYONE.
The greatest revival is on 'Jesus coming back for you'.
That is the entire centerfold for the end-times.
A tough time.
But 'Coming Back'." - cranberries_empty (23/09/2010)
The greatest interest for Jesus over any time is 'Coming Back'.
And on the 24/09/2010, the title of Pst Zhuang's sermon for the WYZ Adult District Meeting was "Coming Back".
YL immediately messaged me when she heard that pastor was going to share on that.
"You will be surprised what pastor will be sharing later."
As I sat in front, I was blown.
It was the same revelation.
Just a few hours apart (not even 24 hours).
I am grateful that this has happened again.
Monday, September 20, 2010
For a friend..
Saw this lyric on One Republic's Marching on:
We'll have the day...s we break
And we'll have the scars to prove it
We'll have the bombs that we saved
And we'll have the heart
Not to lose it
I thought of you, bro. Don't lose the heart. :) The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. A strength of the matter is the matter of a strong heart. :)
We'll have the day...s we break
And we'll have the scars to prove it
We'll have the bombs that we saved
And we'll have the heart
Not to lose it
I thought of you, bro. Don't lose the heart. :) The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. A strength of the matter is the matter of a strong heart. :)
There is no criteria for Grace. Only Grace for all criteria.
I watched this show, "Murderball".
It is pretty much like a handball game in a wheelchair.
But a very inspirational documentary about people who "suddenly" fell sick when they were younger and they grew up less an arm or a leg.
One of my fav quotes was from the canadian coach:
"I believe God doesn't believe in competition.
I believe God believes in helping people."
It was so true.
The Canadians lost the first seat to the Americans.
Then they went back to grueling training and strategies for months.
...
When they came back to fight, they finally won the Americans.
But the Canadians were still only Silver Medlists.
...
Because the New Zealanders had risen from position 6 to number 1.
This is what it is all about.
God doesn't believe in competition.
There is no criteria for Grace.
Only Grace for all criteria.
For those days we felt like a mistake,
Those times when love's what you hate
Somehow
We keep marchin on
For those nights that I couldn't be there,
I've made it harder to know that you know
That somehow
We'll keep movin on
There's so many wars we fought
There's so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
For all of the plans we've made
There isn't a flag I'd wave
Don't care where we've been
I'd sink us to swim
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
For those doubts that swirl all around us
For those lives that tear at the seams
We know
We're not what we've seen
Oh
For this dance we move with each other
There ain't no other step
Than one foot
Right in front of the other
Oh
There's so many wars we fought
There's so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
For all of the plans we've made
There isn't a flag I'd wave
Don't care where we've been
I'd sink us to swim
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
Right Right Right Right Left
Right Right Right Right Left
Right Right Right Marchin On
We'll have the days we break
And we'll have the scars to prove it
We'll have the bombs that we saved
And we'll have the heart
Not to lose it
For all of the times we fought
For all of the things I'm not
Oh!
You put one foot in front of the other
We move like we ain't got no other
We go where we go we're marchin on
Marchin on
There's so many wars we fought
There's so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
Right Right Right Right Left
Right Right Right Right Left
Marchin On
Marchin on
It is pretty much like a handball game in a wheelchair.
But a very inspirational documentary about people who "suddenly" fell sick when they were younger and they grew up less an arm or a leg.
One of my fav quotes was from the canadian coach:
"I believe God doesn't believe in competition.
I believe God believes in helping people."
It was so true.
The Canadians lost the first seat to the Americans.
Then they went back to grueling training and strategies for months.
...
When they came back to fight, they finally won the Americans.
But the Canadians were still only Silver Medlists.
...
Because the New Zealanders had risen from position 6 to number 1.
This is what it is all about.
God doesn't believe in competition.
There is no criteria for Grace.
Only Grace for all criteria.
For those days we felt like a mistake,
Those times when love's what you hate
Somehow
We keep marchin on
For those nights that I couldn't be there,
I've made it harder to know that you know
That somehow
We'll keep movin on
There's so many wars we fought
There's so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
For all of the plans we've made
There isn't a flag I'd wave
Don't care where we've been
I'd sink us to swim
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
For those doubts that swirl all around us
For those lives that tear at the seams
We know
We're not what we've seen
Oh
For this dance we move with each other
There ain't no other step
Than one foot
Right in front of the other
Oh
There's so many wars we fought
There's so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
For all of the plans we've made
There isn't a flag I'd wave
Don't care where we've been
I'd sink us to swim
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
Right Right Right Right Left
Right Right Right Right Left
Right Right Right Marchin On
We'll have the days we break
And we'll have the scars to prove it
We'll have the bombs that we saved
And we'll have the heart
Not to lose it
For all of the times we fought
For all of the things I'm not
Oh!
You put one foot in front of the other
We move like we ain't got no other
We go where we go we're marchin on
Marchin on
There's so many wars we fought
There's so many things we're not
But with what we have
I promise you that
We're marchin on
We're marchin on
Right Right Right Right Left
Right Right Right Right Left
Marchin On
Marchin on
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Cowards can never be moral.
Talked to a friend last night.
I was feeling really really depressed.
Cowards can never be moral.
Author: Mahatma Gandhi
I really don't like it when people misrepresent.
They say things like as if they weren't responsible for the situation.
Actually they just revealed themselves as cowardly acts.
You cannot let your values be taught by the tainted.
You cannot listen to those who have never proven themselves.
It is like asking for work from a beggar.
The very thing they are avoiding is definitely not the best topic from them.
Having a soul does not equal to having a spirit.
This just tells me one thing.
Cowards do not count in battle; they are there, but not in it.
Author: Euripides
I was feeling really really depressed.
Cowards can never be moral.
Author: Mahatma Gandhi
I really don't like it when people misrepresent.
They say things like as if they weren't responsible for the situation.
Actually they just revealed themselves as cowardly acts.
You cannot let your values be taught by the tainted.
You cannot listen to those who have never proven themselves.
It is like asking for work from a beggar.
The very thing they are avoiding is definitely not the best topic from them.
Having a soul does not equal to having a spirit.
This just tells me one thing.
Cowards do not count in battle; they are there, but not in it.
Author: Euripides
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Don't lambaste.
Been reading more and more entries made by other people.
I realized that too many people try to be 'A R Bernards'.
Simply, it is an compromising attitude of trying to be word-smart and not character-building.
One guy talked about the roles of 2 different groups of people.
No, none is reserved. I totally disagreed with the entry.
The process of judgement is the same for both.
You cannot say that an apple and a banana cannot be put into the same fruit basket just because of different vitamins.
Do not misrepresent roles and gifts.
The role remains role, but bringing different gifts.
A role is never a gift.
And a gift can never be a role without commitment.
One's role has to uphold responsibility.
The other'e role has to instill responsibility.
"To pastor is to be responsible for possibilities.
To thinketh is to be plausible to responsibilities." - cranberriesempty
Just because you cannot take intonations of poorer speakers, you begin to judge on intonations.
Intonations are like colors.
The values they carry are the vitamins.
Don't brainbash for something you don't know.
Don't misrepresent what God has pointed.
_________________________________________________________________
Homer A. Kent writes, “Pastors and teachers are named as one grammatical unit (by use of just one article in the Gk text)” (Ephesians: The Glory of the Church, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 72). Pastors (i.e., shepherds), as they care for the flock, are also teachers.
In Acts 20:28, Paul again refers to pastors. Here, however, he uses the verb form of the word, which is translated “to feed” (ASV) or “to care for” (ESV). Pastors feed, tend, and protect the church. They are to do all the things that a shepherd would do for a flock. Note in this verse that the church is called “the flock.”
Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:2, Peter encourages these servants by saying, “Tend the flock of God . . .” The word “tend” is again the verb poimaino, which W. E. Vine defines as, “to act as a shepherd” (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, McLean: MacDonald, n.d., p. 427).
To tend is to be responsible for further possibilities.
__________________________________________________________________
Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
The thinker's role is simply this verse.
It is not to explore blamelessly.
To dwell is to be plausible for responsibilities.
__________________________________________________________________
Don't lambaste.
It really reflects your stupidity.
I realized that too many people try to be 'A R Bernards'.
Simply, it is an compromising attitude of trying to be word-smart and not character-building.
One guy talked about the roles of 2 different groups of people.
No, none is reserved. I totally disagreed with the entry.
The process of judgement is the same for both.
You cannot say that an apple and a banana cannot be put into the same fruit basket just because of different vitamins.
Do not misrepresent roles and gifts.
The role remains role, but bringing different gifts.
A role is never a gift.
And a gift can never be a role without commitment.
One's role has to uphold responsibility.
The other'e role has to instill responsibility.
"To pastor is to be responsible for possibilities.
To thinketh is to be plausible to responsibilities." - cranberriesempty
Just because you cannot take intonations of poorer speakers, you begin to judge on intonations.
Intonations are like colors.
The values they carry are the vitamins.
Don't brainbash for something you don't know.
Don't misrepresent what God has pointed.
_________________________________________________________________
Homer A. Kent writes, “Pastors and teachers are named as one grammatical unit (by use of just one article in the Gk text)” (Ephesians: The Glory of the Church, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 72). Pastors (i.e., shepherds), as they care for the flock, are also teachers.
In Acts 20:28, Paul again refers to pastors. Here, however, he uses the verb form of the word, which is translated “to feed” (ASV) or “to care for” (ESV). Pastors feed, tend, and protect the church. They are to do all the things that a shepherd would do for a flock. Note in this verse that the church is called “the flock.”
Similarly, in 1 Peter 5:2, Peter encourages these servants by saying, “Tend the flock of God . . .” The word “tend” is again the verb poimaino, which W. E. Vine defines as, “to act as a shepherd” (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, McLean: MacDonald, n.d., p. 427).
To tend is to be responsible for further possibilities.
__________________________________________________________________
Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
The thinker's role is simply this verse.
It is not to explore blamelessly.
To dwell is to be plausible for responsibilities.
__________________________________________________________________
Don't lambaste.
It really reflects your stupidity.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Received and Taught
Taught
"Never disrupt the boundaries of which it was created. If you do, you have effectively removed any chance of understanding."
Taught
"Capacity is designed for the knowledge of doing now and the knowledge of what is about to come to you. Without either, that is not capacity."
Taught
"Sit with those you have to lead. Being their replacement puts you in the best position of sacrifice."
Received
"Crumbs for miracles." - Matt 15:27
Received
"There can be only one Pearl of life." - Matt 13:45-46
Received
"There are many miracles for everything. Only the miracles written are for your benefit of knowing Him better." - John 20:31
"Never disrupt the boundaries of which it was created. If you do, you have effectively removed any chance of understanding."
Taught
"Capacity is designed for the knowledge of doing now and the knowledge of what is about to come to you. Without either, that is not capacity."
Taught
"Sit with those you have to lead. Being their replacement puts you in the best position of sacrifice."
Received
"Crumbs for miracles." - Matt 15:27
Received
"There can be only one Pearl of life." - Matt 13:45-46
Received
"There are many miracles for everything. Only the miracles written are for your benefit of knowing Him better." - John 20:31
Thursday, August 26, 2010
And finding treasures in the the mud of your life.
"I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light" (M. G. Brainard). Had a tough day yesterday but... Jesus reigns!" - Pst Kong
When P. YL asked me to read it in the middle of the night, I finally could understand what it means to be happy.
Happiness is truly discovered when you are most tired.
Not when you are surrounded by good stuff.
You are happy when it comes from within.
Not when it is introduced to the eye.
Loyalty and Integrity cannot be introduced.
It couples to who you are.
And you are happy.
To be happy is not exhilaration.
I remember so many people asking me to keep on a high to be happy.
It isn't.
Even Pastor is living it out.
To be happy is to have gratitude oozing out of your heart.
To able to walk side by side with your integrity.
You realize you will win because the Greater has won.
Not because you won and the Greater is acknowledged.
You will find that happy place when you are most tired
And finding treasures in the the mud of your life.
When P. YL asked me to read it in the middle of the night, I finally could understand what it means to be happy.
Happiness is truly discovered when you are most tired.
Not when you are surrounded by good stuff.
You are happy when it comes from within.
Not when it is introduced to the eye.
Loyalty and Integrity cannot be introduced.
It couples to who you are.
And you are happy.
To be happy is not exhilaration.
I remember so many people asking me to keep on a high to be happy.
It isn't.
Even Pastor is living it out.
To be happy is to have gratitude oozing out of your heart.
To able to walk side by side with your integrity.
You realize you will win because the Greater has won.
Not because you won and the Greater is acknowledged.
You will find that happy place when you are most tired
And finding treasures in the the mud of your life.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Integrity is a question reserved for the strong only
In my opinion, these guys are really good.
"So be careful what you say,
what goes up is gonna come down." - Hedley
Integrity is a question reserved for the strong only. - cranberriesempty
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Speaking Into People
Speaking into People
There are 3 parties when you are speaking to people.
Holy Spirit (God) – The Informant and Wisdom
People – The Residing Atmosphere or Target
The Speaker – The Channel
I had this thought that came to my mind:
“It is the end that will be greater than the beginning.” (Job 8:7 and Job 42:12)
But the end of the matter to God: are New Beginnings.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Rev 1:8)
Now write what you see, what is and what is to take place hereafter. (Revelation 1:19 )
Here, Revelations is likened to a man talking to another man. There is an invading process and a filling process. C.S. Lewis has written these significant words:
“God is going to invade this earth in force. But what's the good of saying you're on his side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else, something it never entered your head to conceive comes crashing in. Something so beautiful to us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left. This time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love, or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down, when it's become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing; it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realize it or not. Now, today, in this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever; we must take it or leave it.”
The entire book of Revelation is targeted to inputting a new establishment: the new Earth. But begins itself by inputting a new Wisdom to the readers: You and Me.
People
Since it is a matter of wisdom, there is a storm in the Wisdom realm of the person receiving.
There was a constant struggle upon the Children of Israel that we can all agree: rebellion. And many have agreed that God’s Presence and Acknowledgment were the most important ingredients for their salvations. And God’s way to help them: was to input the exchange for His Wisdom.
Exodus 28:3 And you (Moses) shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. – with wisdom, come the preparation for anointment
Exo 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; - with wisdom, come the work for the Temple
Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; - with wisdom, come Work
“Unite the thoughts in his mind
Fear fragments the congruent of God's Wisdom.”
The truth is that God’s Truth is undeniable. Solid Truth is like plates of armor that are reinforced and impregnable. The enemy goes for the joints that are in-between the armor. They are the regions most flexible and thinly armoured.
A comment from a blog:
They disobeyed the Lord by violating Genesis 2:16-17.
In Genesis 3:17, Adam disobeyed God by obeying and subordinating himself to his wife, a violated of Gods' order. A few people believe that he violated Genesis 2:15 by not guarding the garden.
Genesis 3:16 demonstrates Gods disapproval of Eve's insubordination to her husband. She attempted to supplant both God and her husband in 3:1-6. She sinned by offering the fruit to her husband. Some people believe that she sinned by speaking to the serpent.
The fruit represents doing something that was contrary to Gods will, or sin.
Gen 3:1, 4-5 Satan lies and questions Gods character. 3:3 Eve adds "touch".
---Glenn on 5/12/09
What a erronous thought to have that the fruit was an conceiving aspect. It has no conceiving power. It represents a set. Not an option.
V1 Now the snake was the most clever among all the wild animals that the *Lord God had made. The snake said this to the woman: ‘Did God say that you can eat the fruit from all the trees in the garden?’ – generic to establish generalization; effectively limiting the effect of one tree
v2 This is how the woman answered the snake. ‘We can eat the fruit from the trees in the garden.
v3 But God said, “You must not eat the fruit from a certain tree. That tree is in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it, otherwise you will die.” ’
v4 But the snake replied to the woman, ‘You will not die. – linking to a sense of eternity which has always been the nature with God. Something eternal and undying.
v5 But when you eat the fruit, your eyes will open. God knows that. You will be like God and you will know right things and wrong things.’ – God had always wanted us to be like Him. We were created in His image. A very clever linking to a Truth by adding a false positive.
Be careful of allowing "false positives". They will be the false revelations and cements that forge your armor. They will leech when the real weathers of life come.
My prayer: “Unite the thoughts in his mind
Fear fragments the congruent of God's Wisdom.”
The devil attacks the congruent of God’s Wisdom. When you hear people, hear the congruent of their words.
The Speaker
The Channel allows the straw of events that will exchange God’s Wisdom into the situation.
I did think for a very long time the relation between Elijah and Elisha. Bear in mind, one thing: it was starkly different and yet starkly similar. Of course, everyone knows about the similar miracles they did: Rain, Food, Miraculous Pot of Oil, Resurrection, Vision Restored, Power in Death.
The moment one asks the question: “Were these men similar?” one immediately receives an emphatic: “No”. Smith in his Bible dictionary states: “In almost every respect, Elisha presents the most complete contrast to Elijah.” Elijah was a grand and romantic and emotional. He does of course fit the image of a prophet; with long flowing hair and a girdle of skin around his loins and the ability to out-run a chariot. He was also a loner; in almost all of the narratives concerning the prophet he is dealing with one or two people; on the two occasions he deals with a bigger group it is to slay them.
We find that Elijah did not just suffer from isolation but he seems to have courted it. When running from Jezebel he chose to leave his servant behind. When his time to depart came we find him attempting to leave behind the faithful Elisha. Even when Elijah wanted to communicate we typically find him appearing, delivering a message and then immediately removing himself.
Elijah’s name: Jehovah is God.
Elisha’s name: Savior
There is one occasion when I think we see genuine warmth coming from Elijah and that is in the instance of the healing of the widow’s son. We can almost feel him pleading with God and asking why this disaster had been brought upon the woman that he was lodging with. However if you view his actions from the point of the widow he is still far from comforting. There are no words of condolence or even encouragement: simply the command to hand over the child. The prophet then disappears to return later with the boy healed.
We are given far fewer insights into Elisha’s direct interaction with God. Instead we are regaled with account after account of his dealings with people. He appears to have lived in Jericho with the son’s of the prophets. A good number of his miracles occur in the day to day running of their lives. He makes friends with a woman of affluence and is an accepted part of at least three royal courts on different occasions. The sight of Elisha dressed as a normal Israelite walking with his staff down the high-road was almost certainly common-place where he lived. The result was double the anointing. An ordinary ordinary; an extraordinary on the inside.
In Romans 11:2 we see Elijah as a picture of a faithful remnant. However I believe it is James 5:17 we get the most telling reference to Elijah almost because it is so tangential. When James is looking for an example of someone to point to and say: “Look, even he had desires the same as us…” it was Elijah that immediately came to mind. The man that would lead a life of austerity, sacrifice and confrontation in order to state the Jehovah was God.
Eilsha's bare-minimun was the multiply but to multiply God's Will.
The Channel, like you and me, is to multiply God’s Will into a situation. Elijah, to the end, was a faithful remnant. Continuation and transfer was a constant sight in Elijah and Elisha’s lives. To release something and to take away with something. That is the process of Wisdom as you speak.
God in this picture
Zep 3: 17 The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.
“What a picture of the scene we see in Zephaniah 3. The city of
Jerusalem was under siege, being punished for her many sins (vv. 1-7). The
LORD Himself was the assailing force, pouring out His wrath, striking the city in His fierce anger. The devastation seemed enough to consume the entire world in an awesome conflagration (v. 8).
And then, in the rest of the chapter, we make an amazing discovery. As that dreadful night of judgment comes to an end, and day dawns, we realize there are survivors! We see God's scattered people, purified, return to worship their God (vv. 9-10). We realize that the arrogance that characterized Jerusalem had been burned away, and the city
now held only the meek and humble, who would do no wrong (vv.
11-13).
And we hear a voice raised in song, tentative at first, but soon swelling in a glad chorus of joy as the people of the city realize that
God, mighty to save, is with them, and will quiet them with His love (vv. 14-18).”
When we worship, we sing over God. But God starts to reverse this role, when He starts observing that inner thing you carry becomes treasure to Him.
When you are speaking over someone, you need to discern and reveal what is the sacrifice that that person must undertake. Yes, there is a need to help “solve” the problem for that person. But many a times, I discovered that we “overly solve” when it is supposed to be “discern” the “true sacrifice” in a person’s situation.
“If Jesus’ Death was considered as history's all-time low, how can you call yourself to be truly in depression without being in a sacrifice?” – cranberriesempty
Depression and sacrifice is greatly coupled in the bible. Every great man went through depression because it was masking an inner secret: Sacrifice! Your greatest ability is to discern what is the true sacrifice for that person’s life!
A person who has relationship problems: Sometimes maybe it is wrong timing!
A person who has communication issues: Sometimes renewal of the mind!
A person who has behavioural issues: Sometimes there are secret sins and inner lifestyles!
In essence, sacrifice is always the first step to establish the New Beginning! It wipes away everything to re-establish a new thing! Do not be afraid to restore what is right! Not just emotionally hop on the bandwagon. Teach; not just explain the situation.
It is only when you are in a sacrifice mode, God will reverse the role of worship. There is something greater in a man that God notices: sacrifice. It actually allows Him to honor your sacrifice. What an awesome exchange to invite God into the situation that you are talking to. It is a great resource exchange and a great resource management the Channel can do.
There are 3 parties when you are speaking to people.
Holy Spirit (God) – The Informant and Wisdom
People – The Residing Atmosphere or Target
The Speaker – The Channel
I had this thought that came to my mind:
“It is the end that will be greater than the beginning.” (Job 8:7 and Job 42:12)
But the end of the matter to God: are New Beginnings.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Rev 1:8)
Now write what you see, what is and what is to take place hereafter. (Revelation 1:19 )
Here, Revelations is likened to a man talking to another man. There is an invading process and a filling process. C.S. Lewis has written these significant words:
“God is going to invade this earth in force. But what's the good of saying you're on his side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else, something it never entered your head to conceive comes crashing in. Something so beautiful to us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left. This time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love, or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down, when it's become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing; it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realize it or not. Now, today, in this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever; we must take it or leave it.”
The entire book of Revelation is targeted to inputting a new establishment: the new Earth. But begins itself by inputting a new Wisdom to the readers: You and Me.
People
Since it is a matter of wisdom, there is a storm in the Wisdom realm of the person receiving.
There was a constant struggle upon the Children of Israel that we can all agree: rebellion. And many have agreed that God’s Presence and Acknowledgment were the most important ingredients for their salvations. And God’s way to help them: was to input the exchange for His Wisdom.
Exodus 28:3 And you (Moses) shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. – with wisdom, come the preparation for anointment
Exo 31:6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; - with wisdom, come the work for the Temple
Exodus 35:30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; - with wisdom, come Work
“Unite the thoughts in his mind
Fear fragments the congruent of God's Wisdom.”
The truth is that God’s Truth is undeniable. Solid Truth is like plates of armor that are reinforced and impregnable. The enemy goes for the joints that are in-between the armor. They are the regions most flexible and thinly armoured.
A comment from a blog:
They disobeyed the Lord by violating Genesis 2:16-17.
In Genesis 3:17, Adam disobeyed God by obeying and subordinating himself to his wife, a violated of Gods' order. A few people believe that he violated Genesis 2:15 by not guarding the garden.
Genesis 3:16 demonstrates Gods disapproval of Eve's insubordination to her husband. She attempted to supplant both God and her husband in 3:1-6. She sinned by offering the fruit to her husband. Some people believe that she sinned by speaking to the serpent.
The fruit represents doing something that was contrary to Gods will, or sin.
Gen 3:1, 4-5 Satan lies and questions Gods character. 3:3 Eve adds "touch".
---Glenn on 5/12/09
What a erronous thought to have that the fruit was an conceiving aspect. It has no conceiving power. It represents a set. Not an option.
V1 Now the snake was the most clever among all the wild animals that the *Lord God had made. The snake said this to the woman: ‘Did God say that you can eat the fruit from all the trees in the garden?’ – generic to establish generalization; effectively limiting the effect of one tree
v2 This is how the woman answered the snake. ‘We can eat the fruit from the trees in the garden.
v3 But God said, “You must not eat the fruit from a certain tree. That tree is in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it, otherwise you will die.” ’
v4 But the snake replied to the woman, ‘You will not die. – linking to a sense of eternity which has always been the nature with God. Something eternal and undying.
v5 But when you eat the fruit, your eyes will open. God knows that. You will be like God and you will know right things and wrong things.’ – God had always wanted us to be like Him. We were created in His image. A very clever linking to a Truth by adding a false positive.
Be careful of allowing "false positives". They will be the false revelations and cements that forge your armor. They will leech when the real weathers of life come.
My prayer: “Unite the thoughts in his mind
Fear fragments the congruent of God's Wisdom.”
The devil attacks the congruent of God’s Wisdom. When you hear people, hear the congruent of their words.
The Speaker
The Channel allows the straw of events that will exchange God’s Wisdom into the situation.
I did think for a very long time the relation between Elijah and Elisha. Bear in mind, one thing: it was starkly different and yet starkly similar. Of course, everyone knows about the similar miracles they did: Rain, Food, Miraculous Pot of Oil, Resurrection, Vision Restored, Power in Death.
The moment one asks the question: “Were these men similar?” one immediately receives an emphatic: “No”. Smith in his Bible dictionary states: “In almost every respect, Elisha presents the most complete contrast to Elijah.” Elijah was a grand and romantic and emotional. He does of course fit the image of a prophet; with long flowing hair and a girdle of skin around his loins and the ability to out-run a chariot. He was also a loner; in almost all of the narratives concerning the prophet he is dealing with one or two people; on the two occasions he deals with a bigger group it is to slay them.
We find that Elijah did not just suffer from isolation but he seems to have courted it. When running from Jezebel he chose to leave his servant behind. When his time to depart came we find him attempting to leave behind the faithful Elisha. Even when Elijah wanted to communicate we typically find him appearing, delivering a message and then immediately removing himself.
Elijah’s name: Jehovah is God.
Elisha’s name: Savior
There is one occasion when I think we see genuine warmth coming from Elijah and that is in the instance of the healing of the widow’s son. We can almost feel him pleading with God and asking why this disaster had been brought upon the woman that he was lodging with. However if you view his actions from the point of the widow he is still far from comforting. There are no words of condolence or even encouragement: simply the command to hand over the child. The prophet then disappears to return later with the boy healed.
We are given far fewer insights into Elisha’s direct interaction with God. Instead we are regaled with account after account of his dealings with people. He appears to have lived in Jericho with the son’s of the prophets. A good number of his miracles occur in the day to day running of their lives. He makes friends with a woman of affluence and is an accepted part of at least three royal courts on different occasions. The sight of Elisha dressed as a normal Israelite walking with his staff down the high-road was almost certainly common-place where he lived. The result was double the anointing. An ordinary ordinary; an extraordinary on the inside.
In Romans 11:2 we see Elijah as a picture of a faithful remnant. However I believe it is James 5:17 we get the most telling reference to Elijah almost because it is so tangential. When James is looking for an example of someone to point to and say: “Look, even he had desires the same as us…” it was Elijah that immediately came to mind. The man that would lead a life of austerity, sacrifice and confrontation in order to state the Jehovah was God.
Eilsha's bare-minimun was the multiply but to multiply God's Will.
The Channel, like you and me, is to multiply God’s Will into a situation. Elijah, to the end, was a faithful remnant. Continuation and transfer was a constant sight in Elijah and Elisha’s lives. To release something and to take away with something. That is the process of Wisdom as you speak.
God in this picture
Zep 3: 17 The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.
“What a picture of the scene we see in Zephaniah 3. The city of
Jerusalem was under siege, being punished for her many sins (vv. 1-7). The
LORD Himself was the assailing force, pouring out His wrath, striking the city in His fierce anger. The devastation seemed enough to consume the entire world in an awesome conflagration (v. 8).
And then, in the rest of the chapter, we make an amazing discovery. As that dreadful night of judgment comes to an end, and day dawns, we realize there are survivors! We see God's scattered people, purified, return to worship their God (vv. 9-10). We realize that the arrogance that characterized Jerusalem had been burned away, and the city
now held only the meek and humble, who would do no wrong (vv.
11-13).
And we hear a voice raised in song, tentative at first, but soon swelling in a glad chorus of joy as the people of the city realize that
God, mighty to save, is with them, and will quiet them with His love (vv. 14-18).”
When we worship, we sing over God. But God starts to reverse this role, when He starts observing that inner thing you carry becomes treasure to Him.
When you are speaking over someone, you need to discern and reveal what is the sacrifice that that person must undertake. Yes, there is a need to help “solve” the problem for that person. But many a times, I discovered that we “overly solve” when it is supposed to be “discern” the “true sacrifice” in a person’s situation.
“If Jesus’ Death was considered as history's all-time low, how can you call yourself to be truly in depression without being in a sacrifice?” – cranberriesempty
Depression and sacrifice is greatly coupled in the bible. Every great man went through depression because it was masking an inner secret: Sacrifice! Your greatest ability is to discern what is the true sacrifice for that person’s life!
A person who has relationship problems: Sometimes maybe it is wrong timing!
A person who has communication issues: Sometimes renewal of the mind!
A person who has behavioural issues: Sometimes there are secret sins and inner lifestyles!
In essence, sacrifice is always the first step to establish the New Beginning! It wipes away everything to re-establish a new thing! Do not be afraid to restore what is right! Not just emotionally hop on the bandwagon. Teach; not just explain the situation.
It is only when you are in a sacrifice mode, God will reverse the role of worship. There is something greater in a man that God notices: sacrifice. It actually allows Him to honor your sacrifice. What an awesome exchange to invite God into the situation that you are talking to. It is a great resource exchange and a great resource management the Channel can do.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Out of 100
I just a watched a documentary on Autism.
out of 100..
- 30 will be affected permenantly
- 15 can lead a normal and complacent life
- 10 will show extraordinary development and intelligence (esp. music and science)
Wow.
The way to help them: Attract their attention. Be slow. They can understand you.
out of 100..
- 30 will be affected permenantly
- 15 can lead a normal and complacent life
- 10 will show extraordinary development and intelligence (esp. music and science)
Wow.
The way to help them: Attract their attention. Be slow. They can understand you.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
None
"Melvin, I still like your eyes."
"Really impressed me. What special lens?" Ans: None.
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sins
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Ever in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that i sing
You are life, You are life
In you death has lost its sting
Oh, i'm running to your arms
I'm running to your arms
The riches of your love will always be enough
Nothing compares to your embrace
Light of the world
Forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In your presence i'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else i'm letting go
Hallelujah, forever
All the glory, forever
All the praise to you
My heart will sing
No other name
Jesus Jesus
"Really impressed me. What special lens?" Ans: None.
You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sins
You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Ever in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that i sing
You are life, You are life
In you death has lost its sting
Oh, i'm running to your arms
I'm running to your arms
The riches of your love will always be enough
Nothing compares to your embrace
Light of the world
Forever reign
You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In your presence i'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else i'm letting go
Hallelujah, forever
All the glory, forever
All the praise to you
My heart will sing
No other name
Jesus Jesus
Monday, August 16, 2010
Let them think.
"Mel, God changed your life. You weren't like that last time."
"Melvin, I am sorry that you had to take that role for the last one month.
You do have a brain of a PhD student. You did it amazingly."
"Melvin, I love you as my leader and friend!"
"Brought back to what seems to feel like Karuizawa with a local touch and much learnt about oneself. Welcome to earth. Thanks Mel :)"
Misunderstood and misrepresented.
Let them think.
______________________________________
"Melvin, I am sorry that you had to take that role for the last one month.
You do have a brain of a PhD student. You did it amazingly."
"Melvin, I love you as my leader and friend!"
"Brought back to what seems to feel like Karuizawa with a local touch and much learnt about oneself. Welcome to earth. Thanks Mel :)"
Misunderstood and misrepresented.
Let them think.
______________________________________
Friday, August 13, 2010
Greatness is followed.
Sometimes I really dislike being misunderstood and misrepresented.
Sunday - Malaysia
Monday - Malaysia
Tuesday - Leaders Meeting
Wednesday - Customer Meeting
Thursday - Home
Friday - Cell Group Meeting
Saturday - Airport
I hardly even take a holiday off from my schedule and when I am gone, everyone seems to hate me for me. 2 days out of 7 days. 1 trip out of 2 months.
I feel that I have balanced it to the best I know how.
Sometimes, I just wish I can be selfish.
I send the sick and in-need home. But people see it as foolishness.
They curse me with disease.
I do not want to end up with no friends like my predecessors.
When you had help from others, you never thought who helped them first.
You were well-liked because someone else first sowed into them.
Nothing is free.
Don't behave greatness. Greatness is followed.
Being a manager, I am already required more.
They want me to spend up to 15 hours per day at work but I have reduced it as much.
I think I have really done my best.
In spite of all my disappointment and bitterness.
I still believe in faithfulness and being kind.
I am just not surrounded by the like.
They do not see. And they curse what they have.
My previous company keeps calling me when they found out they could not replicate what I did.
It is too late to appreciate.
I am sorry that you are sorry.
The moral is to open your eyes.
Don't think of greatness.
Look out for those who sow in tears.
Greatness is following them.
Sunday - Malaysia
Monday - Malaysia
Tuesday - Leaders Meeting
Wednesday - Customer Meeting
Thursday - Home
Friday - Cell Group Meeting
Saturday - Airport
I hardly even take a holiday off from my schedule and when I am gone, everyone seems to hate me for me. 2 days out of 7 days. 1 trip out of 2 months.
I feel that I have balanced it to the best I know how.
Sometimes, I just wish I can be selfish.
I send the sick and in-need home. But people see it as foolishness.
They curse me with disease.
I do not want to end up with no friends like my predecessors.
When you had help from others, you never thought who helped them first.
You were well-liked because someone else first sowed into them.
Nothing is free.
Don't behave greatness. Greatness is followed.
Being a manager, I am already required more.
They want me to spend up to 15 hours per day at work but I have reduced it as much.
I think I have really done my best.
In spite of all my disappointment and bitterness.
I still believe in faithfulness and being kind.
I am just not surrounded by the like.
They do not see. And they curse what they have.
My previous company keeps calling me when they found out they could not replicate what I did.
It is too late to appreciate.
I am sorry that you are sorry.
The moral is to open your eyes.
Don't think of greatness.
Look out for those who sow in tears.
Greatness is following them.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Perfect
"Melvin, because of your stories, I feel a little closer to the real me.
Thank you."
"Melvin, I cannot understand your overly positive. It is uncomfortable."
"Good morning melvin, 1 year 10 mths ago, u sent a sms to encourage me to do my best. I will read the sms to encourage myself. 1 yr 10 mths later, I still remember. I want to thank you for being there right from the start."
I cannot be perfect.
I realize that.
And I cannot be who is perfect in your mind.
When you're caught in a lie and you've got nothing to hide
When you've got nowhere to run and you've got nothing inside
It tears right through me: you thought that you knew me
_________________________________
Perfect
Falling a thousand feet per second, you still take me by surprise
I just know we can't be over, I can see it in your eyes
Making every kind of silence, takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I was wrong
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?
Making every kind of silence, it takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I was wrong
I know that I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?
When you're caught in a lie and you've got nothing to hide
When you've got nowhere to run and you've got nothing inside
It tears right through me, you thought that you knew me
You thought that you knew
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
'Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my, just myself
Just myself, myself, just myself
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The only thing that was moving, was me.
Looking back at some of my crappy handphone pictures, I suddenly realized something was very consistent.
When I wanted to take landscapes, my camera had no wide angle.
When I wanted to take closeups, my camera had no zoom feature.
When I wanted to take bokehs, my camera had no leeway aperture.
When I wanted to take low lights, my camera had no exposure compensation.
But everyone loved the pictures.
Some even won competitions.
The only thing that was moving, was me.
What I can get out of a landscape, I grab.
What I can get out of a closeup, I move in.
What I can get out of a bokeh, I tilted.
What I can get out of a low light, I find light.
"I" compensated what will be lacking in my pictures.
Out of the limitations, come a new thing. - cranberries_empty
The item in my hand didn't change. I changed.
If the miracle in my hand didn't change. It will still be me that changed.
The only compensation for any miracle is the one exposed to that miracle.
Even if the item in my hand didn't change.
I am exposed to it.
I change.
When I wanted to take landscapes, my camera had no wide angle.
When I wanted to take closeups, my camera had no zoom feature.
When I wanted to take bokehs, my camera had no leeway aperture.
When I wanted to take low lights, my camera had no exposure compensation.
But everyone loved the pictures.
Some even won competitions.
The only thing that was moving, was me.
What I can get out of a landscape, I grab.
What I can get out of a closeup, I move in.
What I can get out of a bokeh, I tilted.
What I can get out of a low light, I find light.
"I" compensated what will be lacking in my pictures.
Out of the limitations, come a new thing. - cranberries_empty
The item in my hand didn't change. I changed.
If the miracle in my hand didn't change. It will still be me that changed.
The only compensation for any miracle is the one exposed to that miracle.
Even if the item in my hand didn't change.
I am exposed to it.
I change.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Because in God's heart, the silent principle is louder than the speculate pattern.
"I am blessed by ur twit. V v v blessed. ure an awesome inspiration urself. :)"
"Hi Melvin, just wanna say u're God-sent angel to us, the night before i had wanted to buy bao, sardine, baked beans etc but u've got for us. Tnks a lot once agn."
"Melvin!
Yesterday when Pastor shared about the verse, "Faith, hope and love but the greatest of all is love", I'm reminded of the word on this verse that you spoke into my life when I was at my lowest. This was the word that kept me back on track and taught me what I needed to do back then.
Thank you Melvin for that word! :) It turned things around in my life! You've made a significant impact in this soul!"
_____________________________________
Last Tuesday, Pastor shared about forgiveness.
I still haven't found what I am looking for.
YL just smiled and said, "Never mind. I know you did."
And I shared to her about "Worth It All".
I could see her eyes tearing and sparkled.
And she called me her friend.
And she repeated it to the zone.
That really touched me.
_____________________________________
Met up another friend.
Shared to him about the real purpose of David.
And the meaning of handing him the guitar that faithful night.
"Your Calling will consistently confront you. And it will silently keep doing it so that you will come back."
I could see his eyes well up in surprise.
Something has happened.
God makes no excuses for the sins.
But at the same time, His response is a silent "It's ok to be not ok."
Grace realizes a God telling a Man, "It's ok to be not ok."
And with no exception, Sin is nailed with flesh to the Cross.
'David' is that strange story.
He should have been dismissed by God because of adultery and murder.
But God wants us to know.
God's Grace is above human dismissal.
And when He lives in someone, He doesn't spare or replace the sin.
He spares and replaces the sinner nature.
He merely advocates the soul that He loves for the world to know.
'David' is not about a pardoned king.
But about one soul He loves.
'David' becomes the eternal story of revealing God who 'You (really) are'.
He saves and He loves.
If loving David wasn't enough.. Sending the King of Kings to His Cross would have been spectacular.
Because in God's heart, the silent principle is louder than the speculate pattern.
Speculate David all you want.
Spend time on the silent principle after that.
A spectacular pattern to a silent principle.
"Hi Melvin, just wanna say u're God-sent angel to us, the night before i had wanted to buy bao, sardine, baked beans etc but u've got for us. Tnks a lot once agn."
"Melvin!
Yesterday when Pastor shared about the verse, "Faith, hope and love but the greatest of all is love", I'm reminded of the word on this verse that you spoke into my life when I was at my lowest. This was the word that kept me back on track and taught me what I needed to do back then.
Thank you Melvin for that word! :) It turned things around in my life! You've made a significant impact in this soul!"
_____________________________________
Last Tuesday, Pastor shared about forgiveness.
I still haven't found what I am looking for.
YL just smiled and said, "Never mind. I know you did."
And I shared to her about "Worth It All".
I could see her eyes tearing and sparkled.
And she called me her friend.
And she repeated it to the zone.
That really touched me.
_____________________________________
Met up another friend.
Shared to him about the real purpose of David.
And the meaning of handing him the guitar that faithful night.
"Your Calling will consistently confront you. And it will silently keep doing it so that you will come back."
I could see his eyes well up in surprise.
Something has happened.
God makes no excuses for the sins.
But at the same time, His response is a silent "It's ok to be not ok."
Grace realizes a God telling a Man, "It's ok to be not ok."
And with no exception, Sin is nailed with flesh to the Cross.
'David' is that strange story.
He should have been dismissed by God because of adultery and murder.
But God wants us to know.
God's Grace is above human dismissal.
And when He lives in someone, He doesn't spare or replace the sin.
He spares and replaces the sinner nature.
He merely advocates the soul that He loves for the world to know.
'David' is not about a pardoned king.
But about one soul He loves.
'David' becomes the eternal story of revealing God who 'You (really) are'.
He saves and He loves.
If loving David wasn't enough.. Sending the King of Kings to His Cross would have been spectacular.
Because in God's heart, the silent principle is louder than the speculate pattern.
Speculate David all you want.
Spend time on the silent principle after that.
A spectacular pattern to a silent principle.
Monday, July 26, 2010
I would like to be
I remembered my leader used to tell me that he wants to be like Shamgar.
I would like to be Jared Leto then.
Inspired to inspire.
Worship is an arrival.
After the generation that left Egypt died in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb, Israel was ready to enter the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land was already possessed by people that God characterized as corrupt and unworthy of maintaining occupation of the land. He wanted to give it to a new people, a people that would worship Him, a people whom He could bless with all the benefits inherent in this rich and fertile land.
God directly told them, “As for the towns of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing in them. You must completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, just as the Lord your God has commanded you. This will keep the people of the land from teaching you their detestable customs in the worship of their gods, which would cause you to sin deeply against your God” (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). This time in Israel’s history is known as the Era of Conquest and lasted a little over 400 years.
These 400+ years were characterized not by continual blessing but by a reoccurring pattern of Israel’s sinking into social and religious apostasy and idolatry, followed by God’s judgment in the form of oppression at the hands of the very peoples they were supposed to remove from the land, followed by repentance and return to God and His ways, followed by God’s blessing of peace and prosperity in the land. The book of Judges records seven periods of apostasy and oppression and seven corresponding periods of deliverance. The subject lived during the period of the second apostasy and was instrumental in Israel’s second deliverance. His name is Shamgar.
Judges 3:12-31 records the second apostasy and second deliverance. The Israelites were subject to Eglon of Moab for eighteen years. But when Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name is Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was left-handed. So Moab was conquered by Israel that day, and the land was at peace for eighty years” (3:12-30). Ehud was the main deliverer during the second deliverance. The Moabites lived east of the Dead Sea. They threatened Israelite territory from the east and from the importance given to the judgeship of Ehud they seemed to be the main threat toward Israel during the second apostasy-oppression. But according to Judges 3:31, Moab was not the only threat. The Philistines, who lived along the Mediterranean Sea coast, threatened Israel from the west. As a contemporary, or near contemporary, of Ehud, Shamgar was the one God used to repel the Philistines.
Shamgar is an interesting figure. Only one verse acknowledges Shamgar’s role in the history of Israel: “After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad” (3:31). While Ehud seems to be the national judge that God called to bring peace to Israel, Shamgar seems to have been a local judge (Schultz, p. 104) that organized a successful resistance to a Philistine invasion. Other judges recorded in the book of Judges were also local—Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (Schultz, p. 104). While the better-known judges-–Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson—had a wider sphere of influence, the local judges, or deliverers, had narrower spheres of influence.
Shamgar is an example of a man who was willing to be used by God for the purpose God designed for him. For the place and time God had for him. Shamgar was ready when God needed him. And that is the main lesson we learn from Shamgar. We have no idea what Shamgar did for a living prior to his battle with the Philistines, or after that battle. Shamgar could have been in any occupation. It is unlikely that he had a full-time spiritual ministry, like a pastor or religious schoolteacher. He was most likely an ordinary Israelite who responded to an extraordinary threat from one of God’s enemies. Shamgar did not wait for a spiritual leader to take care of the Philistines. He became that leader. God sent His spirit to search out someone who would respond to this particular need. And He found that man in Shamgar. By his valiant fight against the Philistines, he inspired others to fight. Shamgar showed up when God needed him.
Worship is an arrival.
An arrival of God and the arrival of man.
What Shamgar saw..
"A time where the Truth ran free (he became that leader). Birth of a song; Death of a dream."
Shamgar came Closer to his Edge.
When you cross that edge, there is an awakening. You are no more dreaming.
Shamgar must have ran through these thoughts:
"Are you scared to lose control? A subject to the gravity of that fall?"
"Are you proud of a bloodless stain? You want to avoid conflict in your hands?"
"Are you worried about falling short of temporary glory? Being a nice judge for a nice peaceful moment?"
To Shamgar, it was like the end of the world. Something was happening.
He took up the mantle for war.
1. He arrived at the scene.
2. He had a weapon.
3. He chose Deliverance.
That 3 simple responses became an awakening for him.
What is your worship?
Are you closer to your edge?
What kind of a price will you pay to deliver?
All God wanted from Israelites was purity of worship.
And He engaged War.
If this is War, then this is the Edge.
This is being a leader for the spirit of worship.
Come to the War.
Come to the Edge.
You will see what I mean.
You ready?
God directly told them, “As for the towns of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession, destroy every living thing in them. You must completely destroy the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, just as the Lord your God has commanded you. This will keep the people of the land from teaching you their detestable customs in the worship of their gods, which would cause you to sin deeply against your God” (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). This time in Israel’s history is known as the Era of Conquest and lasted a little over 400 years.
These 400+ years were characterized not by continual blessing but by a reoccurring pattern of Israel’s sinking into social and religious apostasy and idolatry, followed by God’s judgment in the form of oppression at the hands of the very peoples they were supposed to remove from the land, followed by repentance and return to God and His ways, followed by God’s blessing of peace and prosperity in the land. The book of Judges records seven periods of apostasy and oppression and seven corresponding periods of deliverance. The subject lived during the period of the second apostasy and was instrumental in Israel’s second deliverance. His name is Shamgar.
Judges 3:12-31 records the second apostasy and second deliverance. The Israelites were subject to Eglon of Moab for eighteen years. But when Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name is Ehud son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was left-handed. So Moab was conquered by Israel that day, and the land was at peace for eighty years” (3:12-30). Ehud was the main deliverer during the second deliverance. The Moabites lived east of the Dead Sea. They threatened Israelite territory from the east and from the importance given to the judgeship of Ehud they seemed to be the main threat toward Israel during the second apostasy-oppression. But according to Judges 3:31, Moab was not the only threat. The Philistines, who lived along the Mediterranean Sea coast, threatened Israel from the west. As a contemporary, or near contemporary, of Ehud, Shamgar was the one God used to repel the Philistines.
Shamgar is an interesting figure. Only one verse acknowledges Shamgar’s role in the history of Israel: “After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad” (3:31). While Ehud seems to be the national judge that God called to bring peace to Israel, Shamgar seems to have been a local judge (Schultz, p. 104) that organized a successful resistance to a Philistine invasion. Other judges recorded in the book of Judges were also local—Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon (Schultz, p. 104). While the better-known judges-–Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson—had a wider sphere of influence, the local judges, or deliverers, had narrower spheres of influence.
Shamgar is an example of a man who was willing to be used by God for the purpose God designed for him. For the place and time God had for him. Shamgar was ready when God needed him. And that is the main lesson we learn from Shamgar. We have no idea what Shamgar did for a living prior to his battle with the Philistines, or after that battle. Shamgar could have been in any occupation. It is unlikely that he had a full-time spiritual ministry, like a pastor or religious schoolteacher. He was most likely an ordinary Israelite who responded to an extraordinary threat from one of God’s enemies. Shamgar did not wait for a spiritual leader to take care of the Philistines. He became that leader. God sent His spirit to search out someone who would respond to this particular need. And He found that man in Shamgar. By his valiant fight against the Philistines, he inspired others to fight. Shamgar showed up when God needed him.
Worship is an arrival.
An arrival of God and the arrival of man.
What Shamgar saw..
"A time where the Truth ran free (he became that leader). Birth of a song; Death of a dream."
Shamgar came Closer to his Edge.
When you cross that edge, there is an awakening. You are no more dreaming.
Shamgar must have ran through these thoughts:
"Are you scared to lose control? A subject to the gravity of that fall?"
"Are you proud of a bloodless stain? You want to avoid conflict in your hands?"
"Are you worried about falling short of temporary glory? Being a nice judge for a nice peaceful moment?"
To Shamgar, it was like the end of the world. Something was happening.
He took up the mantle for war.
1. He arrived at the scene.
2. He had a weapon.
3. He chose Deliverance.
That 3 simple responses became an awakening for him.
What is your worship?
Are you closer to your edge?
What kind of a price will you pay to deliver?
All God wanted from Israelites was purity of worship.
And He engaged War.
If this is War, then this is the Edge.
This is being a leader for the spirit of worship.
Come to the War.
Come to the Edge.
You will see what I mean.
You ready?
"God loves the most unlikely choice."
"It was one of the most amazing discipleships I ever had. Something happened. Whatever you preached before, there was continuation. That was so amazing. i was blown away."
"Hey melvin! I just came from a mission trip. Really enjoyed myself. I realized that our mission team was really filled with people that are so willing and ready to serve! Under your leadership, though we are all stretched them, but at least we felt so contented and a strong sense of fulfillment and satisfaction."
"Love all your messages, your goofy jokes, and you just being you."
"You are a treasure to me, Melvin."
________________________________
Tomo practiced to become a concert violinist; he started to play when he was 3 years old until he turned 19. Then he discovered heavy metal. He told his father that he wanted to play the guitar, so they made one together. His uncle, Željko "Bill" Miličević, is a virtuoso violinist and orchestra teacher at Farmington High School in Farmington, Michigan and he has got the Ph.D. Tomo has been playing guitar professionally for years. He started writing his own music by the age of 17.
He went to culinary school and finally graduated as an executive and pastry chef, but music stayed his true passion.
He decided then to definitively leave the music business and to sell all his instruments. It is at that time that Shannon Leto, told him about an audition for 30 Seconds to Mars, because Solon Bixler left the band. Tomo was already one of their biggest fans since the beginning. He was selected amongst 200 musicians, first for his talent, but also for his kindness and personality. Five days later, February 3, 2003, he played with Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Matt Wachter on the The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
_________________________________
The first time I ever went up on a stage to lead.
YL just handed me a guitar and said, "Mel, go up and lead."
I had a heart attack that day. I was caught unaware.
When I went up that stage, I saw an unfamiliar crowd and sang.
YL told me, "I know you could do it. Because you have it on the inside. I believe you can do it."
Years now, I went up on that same stage. Still the same unfamiliar crowd.
"Melvin, that was awesome!!!"
"Mel, that second song.. it blew me away!"
"That presence of God was so strong. You were amazing."
The moment you choose to fight. It comes with a price.
"But out of this, them who have been hurt or affected are still in contact with their salvation and stay on."
"Melvin, what was your revelation to fight on despite of it all?"
"God loves the most unlikely choice."
The introduction for the week:
"Melvin is a very conservative leader!"
lol.
"Hey melvin! I just came from a mission trip. Really enjoyed myself. I realized that our mission team was really filled with people that are so willing and ready to serve! Under your leadership, though we are all stretched them, but at least we felt so contented and a strong sense of fulfillment and satisfaction."
"Love all your messages, your goofy jokes, and you just being you."
"You are a treasure to me, Melvin."
________________________________
Tomo practiced to become a concert violinist; he started to play when he was 3 years old until he turned 19. Then he discovered heavy metal. He told his father that he wanted to play the guitar, so they made one together. His uncle, Željko "Bill" Miličević, is a virtuoso violinist and orchestra teacher at Farmington High School in Farmington, Michigan and he has got the Ph.D. Tomo has been playing guitar professionally for years. He started writing his own music by the age of 17.
He went to culinary school and finally graduated as an executive and pastry chef, but music stayed his true passion.
He decided then to definitively leave the music business and to sell all his instruments. It is at that time that Shannon Leto, told him about an audition for 30 Seconds to Mars, because Solon Bixler left the band. Tomo was already one of their biggest fans since the beginning. He was selected amongst 200 musicians, first for his talent, but also for his kindness and personality. Five days later, February 3, 2003, he played with Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Matt Wachter on the The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.
_________________________________
The first time I ever went up on a stage to lead.
YL just handed me a guitar and said, "Mel, go up and lead."
I had a heart attack that day. I was caught unaware.
When I went up that stage, I saw an unfamiliar crowd and sang.
YL told me, "I know you could do it. Because you have it on the inside. I believe you can do it."
Years now, I went up on that same stage. Still the same unfamiliar crowd.
"Melvin, that was awesome!!!"
"Mel, that second song.. it blew me away!"
"That presence of God was so strong. You were amazing."
The moment you choose to fight. It comes with a price.
"But out of this, them who have been hurt or affected are still in contact with their salvation and stay on."
"Melvin, what was your revelation to fight on despite of it all?"
"God loves the most unlikely choice."
The introduction for the week:
"Melvin is a very conservative leader!"
lol.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Happy-in-your-own-sense
"Jump as high as you can.
Jump and touch the sky." - Jared Leto
I will live my life.
I am so tired.
Why should I help.. When I am despised.
Feeling very unappreciated.
But I have not quite yet regret.
I thought I could sleep a little longer..
But I had to take care of the sick at home.
I thought I could have some time..
But anytime a phonecall, I lose sleep.
Like what Pastor said, it is a test.
Then let me pass it.
She said "Smile at it."
"I know you are tired and prepared a lot."
Then let me have wisdom to walk through it.
"Closer to the edge"
____________________________
"Hello Melvin, thank you for yesterday, and for your life and energy. :)
I know I keep saying this but you're an amazingly different happy-in-your-own-sense leader.
Happier week melvin."
"An awesome, awesome, awesome time of praise and worship dg @melvinlye"
"Just wana thank you for the discipleship yesterday. The msg was good, the praise and worship was encouraging. :) Thank you for your precious time."
Jump and touch the sky." - Jared Leto
I will live my life.
I am so tired.
Why should I help.. When I am despised.
Feeling very unappreciated.
But I have not quite yet regret.
I thought I could sleep a little longer..
But I had to take care of the sick at home.
I thought I could have some time..
But anytime a phonecall, I lose sleep.
Like what Pastor said, it is a test.
Then let me pass it.
She said "Smile at it."
"I know you are tired and prepared a lot."
Then let me have wisdom to walk through it.
"Closer to the edge"
____________________________
"Hello Melvin, thank you for yesterday, and for your life and energy. :)
I know I keep saying this but you're an amazingly different happy-in-your-own-sense leader.
Happier week melvin."
"An awesome, awesome, awesome time of praise and worship dg @melvinlye"
"Just wana thank you for the discipleship yesterday. The msg was good, the praise and worship was encouraging. :) Thank you for your precious time."
Can you imagine a time that the Truth ran free?
"You are my everyday hero."
"Maybe it is your calling to do this..
You know..
Many people got blessed in the end."
______________________________
Go to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQHv-fhHq9Y&feature=related
When I tried to be different, I got shot down.
But I am not saying sorry.
God wasn't apologetic.
Can you imagine a time that the Truth ran free?
Super unappreciated. But I will not be angry.
No I won't.
We are designed to fight odds.
And we only discover it..
When we are closer to the Edge.
"Maybe it is your calling to do this..
You know..
Many people got blessed in the end."
______________________________
Go to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQHv-fhHq9Y&feature=related
When I tried to be different, I got shot down.
But I am not saying sorry.
God wasn't apologetic.
Can you imagine a time that the Truth ran free?
Super unappreciated. But I will not be angry.
No I won't.
We are designed to fight odds.
And we only discover it..
When we are closer to the Edge.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Never mind. It's ok.
People brave the new world: detaining ungrateful and forgiving unapologetic. - cranberries_empty
___________________________
I got a Farewell letter.
From my student:
'I'm really sorry though, that sometimes, I'm more of a problem than of a help, more troublesome than useful. Yet you always smile and said: "Never mind. It's ok."
You're always concerned about the amount of work we are given but in truth, you have the most work. I feel bad for complaining to my friends about my work when it's nothing compared to yours.
Sometimes when I see you so stressed, tired and troubled, I'd wish that I could do something useful to help.
Thank you for teaching me so much, be it about science or about life.
Thank you for looking out for me and everyone around you.
If only I'd meet another supervisor just like you in the future.'
____________________________
___________________________
I got a Farewell letter.
From my student:
'I'm really sorry though, that sometimes, I'm more of a problem than of a help, more troublesome than useful. Yet you always smile and said: "Never mind. It's ok."
You're always concerned about the amount of work we are given but in truth, you have the most work. I feel bad for complaining to my friends about my work when it's nothing compared to yours.
Sometimes when I see you so stressed, tired and troubled, I'd wish that I could do something useful to help.
Thank you for teaching me so much, be it about science or about life.
Thank you for looking out for me and everyone around you.
If only I'd meet another supervisor just like you in the future.'
____________________________
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
If Change was only the constant in life, Trust is the only constant to God.
"God acts in a pattern based on a principle." - A R Bernard.
Truth beholds this: You can get angry at God's patterns. But never at His Principles.
He has never killed anyone based on a pattern. Someone just got killed in a pattern.
God never killed anyone in the Bible who got angry at patterns.
He killed in 1 Chronicles 13:6-12 because of irreverence (NASB and Strong).
Which is why some things are symbolism for some and non-negotiable for some.
Some need to trance and pace to pray while some can remain silent.
Rabbi Simhah of Vitry (France, d. 1105) gives an explanation. He says that young children are taught to sway when they study the Torah, "for thus we find at the giving of the Torah 'And the people saw and they trembled' (Exodus 20:15)".
We are creatures of pattern and adventurers for principle.
But many a times, I fall prey to being creature of principle and adventurer for pattern.
Doubtists over David's unfair immunity.
Doubtists over Andrew's longsuffering.
Doubtists over Elijah's whine attitude.
But my question is this: Was it God's principle or pattern invoked?
I never attempted to answer that question. Simple.
It wasn't written in the bible. So don't go there.
If your life was never framed by His Word, then you will always have new options in your life.
Options that can make your faith obsolete.
Be careful of being too knowledgeable in a pattern that it becomes your principle.
Do your principles supply the pattern or the pattern supply the principles.
It is always a question of source. Where did you get your source?
God has full liberty over His patterns but unconditional presidency over His principles.
The loophole for calvinism and arminism is always rimming and not quite yet tipping over.
They are both arguing about the dimensions of the Cross vertical and horizontal.
"Did God choose to save some and not save some?"
"Why did God change His mind?"
Calvinism is consistently presiding over His patterns (vertically looking at His situations).
Arminism is consistenty liberalizing His patterns (horizontally expanding His options).
God is neither.
God never applied the Cross vertically or horizontally for salvation.
He applied flesh to the pattern on the Cross.
The Cross was the pattern.
The Jesus on the Cross was the principle.
So we are all carrying our crosses and not dying on crosses.
We preach about Jesus though we are not Jesus.
Pattern and Principle revealed. It is a huge difference.
Get it.
Trust to God is fully trialing Him to instill His Principles.
That has been only Constant to Him since the Old Testament to the New Testament.
If Change was only the constant in life, Trust is the only constant to God.
You are never condemned by God but unfortunately fortunate because of His Principles.
Truth beholds this: You can get angry at God's patterns. But never at His Principles.
He has never killed anyone based on a pattern. Someone just got killed in a pattern.
God never killed anyone in the Bible who got angry at patterns.
He killed in 1 Chronicles 13:6-12 because of irreverence (NASB and Strong).
Which is why some things are symbolism for some and non-negotiable for some.
Some need to trance and pace to pray while some can remain silent.
Rabbi Simhah of Vitry (France, d. 1105) gives an explanation. He says that young children are taught to sway when they study the Torah, "for thus we find at the giving of the Torah 'And the people saw and they trembled' (Exodus 20:15)".
We are creatures of pattern and adventurers for principle.
But many a times, I fall prey to being creature of principle and adventurer for pattern.
Doubtists over David's unfair immunity.
Doubtists over Andrew's longsuffering.
Doubtists over Elijah's whine attitude.
But my question is this: Was it God's principle or pattern invoked?
I never attempted to answer that question. Simple.
It wasn't written in the bible. So don't go there.
If your life was never framed by His Word, then you will always have new options in your life.
Options that can make your faith obsolete.
Be careful of being too knowledgeable in a pattern that it becomes your principle.
Do your principles supply the pattern or the pattern supply the principles.
It is always a question of source. Where did you get your source?
God has full liberty over His patterns but unconditional presidency over His principles.
The loophole for calvinism and arminism is always rimming and not quite yet tipping over.
They are both arguing about the dimensions of the Cross vertical and horizontal.
"Did God choose to save some and not save some?"
"Why did God change His mind?"
Calvinism is consistently presiding over His patterns (vertically looking at His situations).
Arminism is consistenty liberalizing His patterns (horizontally expanding His options).
God is neither.
God never applied the Cross vertically or horizontally for salvation.
He applied flesh to the pattern on the Cross.
The Cross was the pattern.
The Jesus on the Cross was the principle.
So we are all carrying our crosses and not dying on crosses.
We preach about Jesus though we are not Jesus.
Pattern and Principle revealed. It is a huge difference.
Get it.
Trust to God is fully trialing Him to instill His Principles.
That has been only Constant to Him since the Old Testament to the New Testament.
If Change was only the constant in life, Trust is the only constant to God.
You are never condemned by God but unfortunately fortunate because of His Principles.
Monday, July 19, 2010
The simplest extension of Faith is faithfulness.
"I wish I can write like you.
You can, and you will. You will do far more greater than me.
You will reap the harvest of faith as you get involved.
Patience, young man.
You are on the right track." - Pst YL
__________________________________
"Greater days of love are about to come. We won't be normal. Jesus died for this. You are a true find.
You are the sole scout in this work you do for God.
You will light up and bring paths you travelled alone for those whom God called.
I am living in times of a giant." - Eujean
__________________________________
"Because of you, we are getting somewhere. :)
Thank you." - Boss
__________________________________
I am really surprised. I remembered the Leadership of the Cross by John C Maxwell.
Leading those who are above, beside, under you.
I am recording these messages down to remind myself to be faithful.
Pastor shared very well on the last prayer meeting.
The simplest extension of Faith is faithfulness.
When I reconsidered these 3 messages this week, I knew it. Janis was right all these time.
I really felt like giving up so many times.
But I always recalled the army experience of fighting the darkness.. is simply by struggling to put one foot ahead of the other.
Don't confuse movement with progress.
But don't confuse progress with heading faithfully.
Maybe this is my calling. To open paths.
You can, and you will. You will do far more greater than me.
You will reap the harvest of faith as you get involved.
Patience, young man.
You are on the right track." - Pst YL
__________________________________
"Greater days of love are about to come. We won't be normal. Jesus died for this. You are a true find.
You are the sole scout in this work you do for God.
You will light up and bring paths you travelled alone for those whom God called.
I am living in times of a giant." - Eujean
__________________________________
"Because of you, we are getting somewhere. :)
Thank you." - Boss
__________________________________
I am really surprised. I remembered the Leadership of the Cross by John C Maxwell.
Leading those who are above, beside, under you.
I am recording these messages down to remind myself to be faithful.
Pastor shared very well on the last prayer meeting.
The simplest extension of Faith is faithfulness.
When I reconsidered these 3 messages this week, I knew it. Janis was right all these time.
I really felt like giving up so many times.
But I always recalled the army experience of fighting the darkness.. is simply by struggling to put one foot ahead of the other.
Don't confuse movement with progress.
But don't confuse progress with heading faithfully.
Maybe this is my calling. To open paths.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Sharon is still as amazing as ever.
"I was curious to find out ... how are you?"
Serious.
"I said that you were serious because you would fight for the values that you believe for. That was the type of good seriousness I was talking about."
Analytical.
"Your gift is really your ability to analyze matters. You are really sharp."
Forgiveness.
"How did you handle after that? I believe so. You must have been really hurt."
Good.
"Yah lan always said to me that you were a good man! I am blessed to have you in the cell group back then."
Instructional.
"I gave you a list of instructions when I was away. My dad told me that do I actually need to do that? But you were faithful enough to do everything that I listed and still understood my heart! Solid la!"
What a friend I have found.
I am so glad that I had the chance to be discipled by her.
Sharon is still as amazing as ever.
"I believe you and I are really humbled. Having led cell groups who have members that are more matured and older than us. You did well."
Her eyes opened wide when I told her who and what.
"Oh my goodness.. I didn't know that!"
We couldn't talk more. More than enough. :)
But still.. I appreciate. :)
Serious.
"I said that you were serious because you would fight for the values that you believe for. That was the type of good seriousness I was talking about."
Analytical.
"Your gift is really your ability to analyze matters. You are really sharp."
Forgiveness.
"How did you handle after that? I believe so. You must have been really hurt."
Good.
"Yah lan always said to me that you were a good man! I am blessed to have you in the cell group back then."
Instructional.
"I gave you a list of instructions when I was away. My dad told me that do I actually need to do that? But you were faithful enough to do everything that I listed and still understood my heart! Solid la!"
What a friend I have found.
I am so glad that I had the chance to be discipled by her.
Sharon is still as amazing as ever.
"I believe you and I are really humbled. Having led cell groups who have members that are more matured and older than us. You did well."
Her eyes opened wide when I told her who and what.
"Oh my goodness.. I didn't know that!"
We couldn't talk more. More than enough. :)
But still.. I appreciate. :)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Thank you for living out the 2nd Chance message
"You are solid!" - Eigene
"Yeah I have been praying for you everyday because I have been thinking about you everyday!" - Pst YL
"And your members have been praising you. That is where I know and see that you have come up another level." - Pst YL
"Mel, I love you even before today's service." - Eujean
"Melvin, thank you for loving both of us; the width, length, height & depth you have poured into our lives have brought a transformation to us! Because you first loved, we're able to love to that extent you have been to! Melvin we just want to say we love you too!! Thank you for living out the 2nd Chance message - acceptance and love!" - Aaron and Eliza
"Hello Melvin, my CGL AKA the hero in N182. I really love you. Thank you for the encouraging words to me. And you are always N182 great CGL." - Sarah
"Hello Melvin. Here to share a thought which came across my mind. Thank you Melvin for being not just a cell group leader to me with your sermons/ preachings/ sharings, but being a friend real to me. Thank you Melvin and I love you." - Mag
"Good morning Melvin! Thanks for last night. It was great. Because of you, I've made certain life changing decisions. Though circumstances may change in time, but at least for now I know what's the future like." - Angelyn
"Yeah I have been praying for you everyday because I have been thinking about you everyday!" - Pst YL
"And your members have been praising you. That is where I know and see that you have come up another level." - Pst YL
"Mel, I love you even before today's service." - Eujean
"Melvin, thank you for loving both of us; the width, length, height & depth you have poured into our lives have brought a transformation to us! Because you first loved, we're able to love to that extent you have been to! Melvin we just want to say we love you too!! Thank you for living out the 2nd Chance message - acceptance and love!" - Aaron and Eliza
"Hello Melvin, my CGL AKA the hero in N182. I really love you. Thank you for the encouraging words to me. And you are always N182 great CGL." - Sarah
"Hello Melvin. Here to share a thought which came across my mind. Thank you Melvin for being not just a cell group leader to me with your sermons/ preachings/ sharings, but being a friend real to me. Thank you Melvin and I love you." - Mag
"Good morning Melvin! Thanks for last night. It was great. Because of you, I've made certain life changing decisions. Though circumstances may change in time, but at least for now I know what's the future like." - Angelyn
That 'glory' part
Just ended leading worship for prayer meeting..
Totally exhausted.
But the members came earlier to pray for me..
I was so touched.
I cannot ask more than that.
I am most humbled.
That explained the sights in my eyes..
"Mel, you did it la! That presence! Totally can feel it!"
"Mello, your worship was awesome!! Just like always! You blew us!"
"Melvin. Just wanna say that it's an awesome worship you led. You totally nailed it. We are blessed. And no doubt you will keep getting better for there is no limit with God."
"Thanks Melvin for today. Thanks for just now! You know which part of the worship I liked best? When we were transitioning.. where everyone sang without the music. That was a God-moment."
"Hello Melvin! Tonight's worship was awesome! I could feel the tangible presence of God! I really enjoyed that presence!"
"Melvin! You were awesome!
There are people who lead a 100 to worship.
Pastor always says that "don't be distracted by the person on your left
and on your right".
But you led a room full of people feel like
each one of them is meeting God alone in that room!
Amazing!"
"Wow.. that 'glory' part. Mmmhh!" - pastor YL
Totally exhausted.
But the members came earlier to pray for me..
I was so touched.
I cannot ask more than that.
I am most humbled.
That explained the sights in my eyes..
"Mel, you did it la! That presence! Totally can feel it!"
"Mello, your worship was awesome!! Just like always! You blew us!"
"Melvin. Just wanna say that it's an awesome worship you led. You totally nailed it. We are blessed. And no doubt you will keep getting better for there is no limit with God."
"Thanks Melvin for today. Thanks for just now! You know which part of the worship I liked best? When we were transitioning.. where everyone sang without the music. That was a God-moment."
"Hello Melvin! Tonight's worship was awesome! I could feel the tangible presence of God! I really enjoyed that presence!"
"Melvin! You were awesome!
There are people who lead a 100 to worship.
Pastor always says that "don't be distracted by the person on your left
and on your right".
But you led a room full of people feel like
each one of them is meeting God alone in that room!
Amazing!"
"Wow.. that 'glory' part. Mmmhh!" - pastor YL
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Angels and Devils
I want to thank Michelle for showing me this song as my birthday gift last year.
Somehow it has become my last one..
Angels and Devils crawling in my world.
I dun want to become cold.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
40 to 40 to 40
"Hey Melvin, I just want to say that the message you share on Sat is really good and impactful. I realized so much about myself."
"It was mind-provoking. I didn't expect this coming."
"It was mind-blowing!"
"Melvin, I'm really blessed tonight. You always have the key to unlock people's mind to things unseen. Can I have a piece of your mind please?"
"You are very different. You think really differently and you stay on. I feel a lot about you."
"What is one thing that changed you to this extent?"
"They already have potential. But you were the one who released them. Thank you. That was really something."
_____________________________
My boss pointed me out in the meeting today:
"Thanks Melvin, leading us to the right direction!"
"This was the best data we receive so far!"
I am actually quite tired out.
I just want to be normal.
I don't need liars.
Is this the price?
Did Moses feel that way?
40 to 40 to 40.
In my deepest heart, how much further?
"It was mind-provoking. I didn't expect this coming."
"It was mind-blowing!"
"Melvin, I'm really blessed tonight. You always have the key to unlock people's mind to things unseen. Can I have a piece of your mind please?"
"You are very different. You think really differently and you stay on. I feel a lot about you."
"What is one thing that changed you to this extent?"
"They already have potential. But you were the one who released them. Thank you. That was really something."
_____________________________
My boss pointed me out in the meeting today:
"Thanks Melvin, leading us to the right direction!"
"This was the best data we receive so far!"
I am actually quite tired out.
I just want to be normal.
I don't need liars.
Is this the price?
Did Moses feel that way?
40 to 40 to 40.
In my deepest heart, how much further?
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Calling and Gift
God appears to Moses in a burning bush. - cranberries_empty
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a king in Jeshurun. How changeable is the life of man! The first appearance of God to Moses, found him tending sheep. This seems a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet he rests satisfied with it; and thus learns meekness and contentment, for which he is more noted in sacred writ, than for all his learning. Satan loves to find us idle; God is pleased when he finds us employed.
The Greatest Employment is always an upcoming during your poorest employment. It is discovered when you are at your most humbled and comfortable. So start looking around. Because there is going to be an arrival. That is your encounter.
je-shu'-run, jesh'-u-run (yeshurun, "upright one," Dt 32:15; 33:5,26; Isa 44:2): Septuagint translates it "the beloved one" egapemenos, the perfect participle passive of agapao), and in Isa 44:2 adds "Israel". Most moderns take it as a poetical or ideal title of Israel, derived from yashar, "upright"; it is held to contain a tacit reference to the word Israel (yisra'el).
Being alone, is a good friend to our communion with God. To his great surprise, Moses saw a bush burning without fire to kindle it. The bush burned, and yet did not burn away; an emblem of the church in bondage in Egypt. And it fitly reminds us of the church in every age, under its severest persecutions kept by the presence of God from being destroyed. Something has become deserving and also undeserving before us.
Fire is an emblem, in Scripture, of the Divine holiness and justice, also of the afflictions and trials with which God proves and purifies his people, and even of that baptism of the Holy Ghost, by which sinful affections are consumed, and the soul changed into the Divine nature and image. God gave Moses a gracious call, to which he returned a ready answer. Those that would have communion with God, must attend upon him in the ordinances wherein he is pleased to manifest himself and his glory, though it be in a bush.
Putting off the shoe was a token of respect and submission. We ought to draw nigh to God with a solemn pause and preparation, carefully avoiding every thing that looks light and rude, and unbecoming his service. God does not say, I was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but I am. The patriarchs still live, so many years after their bodies have been in the grave. No length of time can separate the souls of the just from their Maker. By this, God instructed Moses as to another world, and strengthened his belief of a future state. Thus it is interpreted by our Lord Jesus, who, from hence, proves that the dead are raised, Lu 20:37. It is a brand new world for Moses to go interpret and release it upon the people. Your Calling is to interpret The Kingdom Mind unto a World under Fire.
The name Jehovah.
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are the strongest graces and the best duties of the most eminent saints. But all objections are answered in, Certainly I will be with thee. That is enough.
Two names God would now be known by.
A name that denotes what he is in himself, I AM THAT I AM. This explains his name Jehovah, and signifies, 1. That he is self-existent: he has his being of himself. 2. That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 3. That he is incomprehensible; we cannot by searching find him out: this name checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God. 4. That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature;
let Israel know this, I AM hath sent me unto you. I am, and there is none else besides me. All else have their being from God, and are wholly dependent upon him. Also, here is a name that denotes what God is to his people. The Lord God of your fathers sent me unto you. Moses must revive among them the religion of their fathers, which was almost lost; and then they might expect the speedy performance of the promises made unto their fathers. (Ex 3:16-22)
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 3:2 In this report of Moses and the burning bush, "the Angel of the Lord" is identified as the Lord Himself. See especially Exod. 3:4, 6. See also the footnote on Gen. 16:7.
b. Exodus 3:11 "There was something more than humility here; there was a tone of self-depreciation which was inconsistent with a true faith in God's selection and appointment. Surely it is God's business to choose His special instruments; and when we are persuaded that we are in the line of His purpose, we have no right to question the wisdom of His appointment. To do so is to depreciate His wisdom or to doubt His power and willingness to become all that is necessary to complete our need" (F. B. Meyer, Moses, the Servant of God).
c. Exodus 3:15 To know the name of God is to witness the manifestation of those attributes and apprehend that character which the name denotes (Exod. 6:3; I Kings 8:33ff.; Ps. 91:14; Isa. 52:6; 64:2; Jer. 16:21) (John D. Davis, A Dictionary of the Bible). God's name is His self-revelation (Charles Ellicott, A Bible Commentary). The name signifies the active presence of the person in the fullness of the revealed character (J.D. Douglas et al., eds., The New Bible Dictionary).
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a king in Jeshurun. How changeable is the life of man! The first appearance of God to Moses, found him tending sheep. This seems a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet he rests satisfied with it; and thus learns meekness and contentment, for which he is more noted in sacred writ, than for all his learning. Satan loves to find us idle; God is pleased when he finds us employed.
The Greatest Employment is always an upcoming during your poorest employment. It is discovered when you are at your most humbled and comfortable. So start looking around. Because there is going to be an arrival. That is your encounter.
je-shu'-run, jesh'-u-run (yeshurun, "upright one," Dt 32:15; 33:5,26; Isa 44:2): Septuagint translates it "the beloved one" egapemenos, the perfect participle passive of agapao), and in Isa 44:2 adds "Israel". Most moderns take it as a poetical or ideal title of Israel, derived from yashar, "upright"; it is held to contain a tacit reference to the word Israel (yisra'el).
Being alone, is a good friend to our communion with God. To his great surprise, Moses saw a bush burning without fire to kindle it. The bush burned, and yet did not burn away; an emblem of the church in bondage in Egypt. And it fitly reminds us of the church in every age, under its severest persecutions kept by the presence of God from being destroyed. Something has become deserving and also undeserving before us.
Fire is an emblem, in Scripture, of the Divine holiness and justice, also of the afflictions and trials with which God proves and purifies his people, and even of that baptism of the Holy Ghost, by which sinful affections are consumed, and the soul changed into the Divine nature and image. God gave Moses a gracious call, to which he returned a ready answer. Those that would have communion with God, must attend upon him in the ordinances wherein he is pleased to manifest himself and his glory, though it be in a bush.
Putting off the shoe was a token of respect and submission. We ought to draw nigh to God with a solemn pause and preparation, carefully avoiding every thing that looks light and rude, and unbecoming his service. God does not say, I was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but I am. The patriarchs still live, so many years after their bodies have been in the grave. No length of time can separate the souls of the just from their Maker. By this, God instructed Moses as to another world, and strengthened his belief of a future state. Thus it is interpreted by our Lord Jesus, who, from hence, proves that the dead are raised, Lu 20:37. It is a brand new world for Moses to go interpret and release it upon the people. Your Calling is to interpret The Kingdom Mind unto a World under Fire.
The name Jehovah.
Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel, and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly, self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so defective are the strongest graces and the best duties of the most eminent saints. But all objections are answered in, Certainly I will be with thee. That is enough.
Two names God would now be known by.
A name that denotes what he is in himself, I AM THAT I AM. This explains his name Jehovah, and signifies, 1. That he is self-existent: he has his being of himself. 2. That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 3. That he is incomprehensible; we cannot by searching find him out: this name checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God. 4. That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature;
let Israel know this, I AM hath sent me unto you. I am, and there is none else besides me. All else have their being from God, and are wholly dependent upon him. Also, here is a name that denotes what God is to his people. The Lord God of your fathers sent me unto you. Moses must revive among them the religion of their fathers, which was almost lost; and then they might expect the speedy performance of the promises made unto their fathers. (Ex 3:16-22)
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 3:2 In this report of Moses and the burning bush, "the Angel of the Lord" is identified as the Lord Himself. See especially Exod. 3:4, 6. See also the footnote on Gen. 16:7.
b. Exodus 3:11 "There was something more than humility here; there was a tone of self-depreciation which was inconsistent with a true faith in God's selection and appointment. Surely it is God's business to choose His special instruments; and when we are persuaded that we are in the line of His purpose, we have no right to question the wisdom of His appointment. To do so is to depreciate His wisdom or to doubt His power and willingness to become all that is necessary to complete our need" (F. B. Meyer, Moses, the Servant of God).
c. Exodus 3:15 To know the name of God is to witness the manifestation of those attributes and apprehend that character which the name denotes (Exod. 6:3; I Kings 8:33ff.; Ps. 91:14; Isa. 52:6; 64:2; Jer. 16:21) (John D. Davis, A Dictionary of the Bible). God's name is His self-revelation (Charles Ellicott, A Bible Commentary). The name signifies the active presence of the person in the fullness of the revealed character (J.D. Douglas et al., eds., The New Bible Dictionary).
Friday, July 9, 2010
He died for both the Misunderstood and Misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding
Knowing that it ‘s a misunderstanding, what do you think stops people from reconciling right away?
It is because a misunderstanding always has incubation time. The Misunderstood has to sustain tensile testing while the Misunderstanding is afraid of being proven wrong. Most people do not mind being corrected (process - the truth being added in) but they mind having to demolish the already-empire (process – of having to re-dig what was originally thought as well-dug). It is tedious and the correction process is long because it can never be straight-forward. People love instant gratification; it means you get quicker results. That is why Jesus had to specifically bring in the cost of foundation to bring an analogy of a fatality. Basically, Jesus was pinpointing out “could have-been”.
Mark 3:25-28
If you don’t build towards what should-have been, then you have to always listen to endless stories of what could-have-been.
If you are willing to re-dig to re-build, then you start to re-define the answerable. You avoid all other options and there you have the should-have-been.
You will find yourself against a lot of sweepings. The misunderstood always undergoes that incubation time and tensile strength is realized in your length-time of character. Jesus went through all that sweeping as the misunderstood and thus, able to sustain the both great Shame and Humility on the Cross. Shame (Eph 5:12) for warranted sins and Humility (Col 2:18) for unwarranted sins. He died for both (Mark 3:29) the Misunderstood and Misunderstanding. We like to say that the Misunderstood died for the Misunderstanding. True but not true enough.
Jesus did not waste His incubation time He learned to the Cross.
He exchanged all that limited time for a past, present and future.
Addressing both the Misunderstood and Misunderstanding (Matt 19).
The Misunderstood did not die victim of the Misunderstanding.
But Time forgiving the sins of the Misunderstanding.
Knowing that it ‘s a misunderstanding, what do you think stops people from reconciling right away?
It is because a misunderstanding always has incubation time. The Misunderstood has to sustain tensile testing while the Misunderstanding is afraid of being proven wrong. Most people do not mind being corrected (process - the truth being added in) but they mind having to demolish the already-empire (process – of having to re-dig what was originally thought as well-dug). It is tedious and the correction process is long because it can never be straight-forward. People love instant gratification; it means you get quicker results. That is why Jesus had to specifically bring in the cost of foundation to bring an analogy of a fatality. Basically, Jesus was pinpointing out “could have-been”.
Mark 3:25-28
If you don’t build towards what should-have been, then you have to always listen to endless stories of what could-have-been.
If you are willing to re-dig to re-build, then you start to re-define the answerable. You avoid all other options and there you have the should-have-been.
You will find yourself against a lot of sweepings. The misunderstood always undergoes that incubation time and tensile strength is realized in your length-time of character. Jesus went through all that sweeping as the misunderstood and thus, able to sustain the both great Shame and Humility on the Cross. Shame (Eph 5:12) for warranted sins and Humility (Col 2:18) for unwarranted sins. He died for both (Mark 3:29) the Misunderstood and Misunderstanding. We like to say that the Misunderstood died for the Misunderstanding. True but not true enough.
Jesus did not waste His incubation time He learned to the Cross.
He exchanged all that limited time for a past, present and future.
Addressing both the Misunderstood and Misunderstanding (Matt 19).
The Misunderstood did not die victim of the Misunderstanding.
But Time forgiving the sins of the Misunderstanding.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
There is so much to learn from the most misunderstood person in the world.
My 100th Post..
I asked YL, "Haiz, can I just be normal person?"
YL: "It is like PK asking if he can be a normal person lo."
_______________________________________
"Maybe 'thought that 'understood you correctly?
Then you want to explain every single sentence you make?"
I paused. Then.
My answer would be forever yes.
Especially ever more.
_______________________________________
Misunderstanding is god of destruction.
What you missed could be either fatality or answerable. - cranberries_empty
I learned that the one of the toughest lessons is when you give your heart wrongly.
When it becomes intractability.
Misunderstanding has the power to lead. Even if it's mislead.
But the worst fact:
It behaves like 2 monologues on a single train track.
It goes nowhere and gets nowhere done.
So try to track back.
You will see an answer in what you might have missed.
Someone has been doing that for the people consistently.
I think that Jesus was and is the most misunderstood person.
In all His power, He had to resort to parables.
And explain the signs and wonders.
Because they were too instant for any understanding.
And strangely:
There is so much to learn from the most misunderstood person in the world.
I asked YL, "Haiz, can I just be normal person?"
YL: "It is like PK asking if he can be a normal person lo."
_______________________________________
"Maybe 'thought that 'understood you correctly?
Then you want to explain every single sentence you make?"
I paused. Then.
My answer would be forever yes.
Especially ever more.
_______________________________________
Misunderstanding is god of destruction.
What you missed could be either fatality or answerable. - cranberries_empty
I learned that the one of the toughest lessons is when you give your heart wrongly.
When it becomes intractability.
Misunderstanding has the power to lead. Even if it's mislead.
But the worst fact:
It behaves like 2 monologues on a single train track.
It goes nowhere and gets nowhere done.
So try to track back.
You will see an answer in what you might have missed.
Someone has been doing that for the people consistently.
I think that Jesus was and is the most misunderstood person.
In all His power, He had to resort to parables.
And explain the signs and wonders.
Because they were too instant for any understanding.
And strangely:
There is so much to learn from the most misunderstood person in the world.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
I hope you be remembered for trying out different methods.
A new Word over my life.
Thanks to Pastor for speaking
"Beautiful.
Wonderfully and fearfully made.
Walk with Abba Father to the ends of the world.
Walk with Abba Father for the rest of life."
After she said that, tears flowed like never before.
Being accepted makes a big difference.
____________________________
Eujean spoke to me.
"Thank you for your methods.
Thank you for your roots.
Thank you for your being alone."
"Melvin, by choice, You do forgo the result if the root of it was not truth.
In that you are a seeker of truth, trier of methods.
I hope you be remembered for trying out different methods.
Now I know why what Janis said means so much to you."
Once again.
"A leader braves the storm and creates new paths for people to walk on by smoothly.
My leader did that."
Thanks to Pastor for speaking
"Beautiful.
Wonderfully and fearfully made.
Walk with Abba Father to the ends of the world.
Walk with Abba Father for the rest of life."
After she said that, tears flowed like never before.
Being accepted makes a big difference.
____________________________
Eujean spoke to me.
"Thank you for your methods.
Thank you for your roots.
Thank you for your being alone."
"Melvin, by choice, You do forgo the result if the root of it was not truth.
In that you are a seeker of truth, trier of methods.
I hope you be remembered for trying out different methods.
Now I know why what Janis said means so much to you."
Once again.
"A leader braves the storm and creates new paths for people to walk on by smoothly.
My leader did that."
The Branch is still able to bear Fruit.
Dear Pastor,
"areas of renewal"
Personal Renewal:
I want to be crisis-proficient. Somehow I feel that there will be always an incoming crisis whether in my personal life or ministry. During this season of accepting new people into the cell group, I realized that I have been called to deal with so much crisis "mismanagement". This is especially true when I feel weakest this year. All the hurts I sustained this half of the year is supposed to make me more "skillful". It is this intersection that I become the most involved. Sometimes, it even reflects upon my own life.
Since I cannot beat it, I might as well filter it down. A R Bernard said, "God’s pruning is to make it more fruitful." Which I feel that it is precisely where I have been tested consistently. He went on to describe about the Fruit is observed on the Branches and not on the Vine. This is the point that I feel that I have been put to bear fruits. It may be a crisis season, but the Branch is still able to bear Fruit.
Relational Renewal:
The ones that I allow access to me are really those whom I want to be identified with. For example, I allow a lot of access to Huizhen and Jimmy. It is really more than a choice or a garnishing; it is a learning process from them. I feel that their presence reaffirm a lot on Faithfulness and Integrity. They are people who are very forgiving and uplifting.
I would fight war with those who run the race. We need those people who are being included by the Heroes of Faith from Hebrews 12. Being a minister, it is easy to be consumed by power and favoritism. It becomes important for me remember the healthy intimacy towards those who reassumes my basic needs. It is easy for me to forget my First Love which should have always been my most basic relationship. In like manner, I need to reposition the crucial basics of those who have consistently uplifted me.
Purpose Renewal:
Reexamining the value of every activity in my life, I want to reposition myself in the area of raising more leaders which I have kind of neglected. Ever since last year in N182, I have been doing my best to communicate with the members, new or longer. But the one thing I have been a little slack over would be the disciples that I have in my group.
I want to repent and reposition this area of imparting into more people around me. Recently, I have received many encouragements (from zone and overseas mission trips) from people who have been updating themselves about my life. I need to make full use of the gift I have received from God: Open Doors. I could make use of myself more faithfully. The words and photography have become my tools of encouragement. I want to avail myself to raising good people who can be used for greater works in the longevity of the Kingdom of God.
Structural Renewal:
When pastor shared about "Don't confuse Movement with Progression", I felt checked. N182 has been praised by some leaders as a 'happy cell group' but one of my own fears is that it is becoming an activity center without a spiritual camp. I decided to spend more time on personally meeting up each and every connect group within and share on the topic of Revelation and Dreams.
I really am not sure whether I have done a good job because this is my first time having a mass discipleship other than regular cell group meetings. But to go into every detail fancied by the members' thoughts, I did feel a strange empowerment. I thoroughly enjoyed smiling and talking to each one of them about the Revelations that God has placed over them. Like a structure that needs renewing cells, the Bible says without Visions and Dreams, people perish. By undertaking their Revelations, we are revealing their Vision and Dream tunnels, and there is new life upon the cell group proper. I am already beginning to see the people are slowly getting happier and excited about living life. And this is the real activity of leading cell group: Life is good.
Cultural Renewal:
Pastor started by saying "There is a new shift of the impact of the organization on society." I know that I want to be part of that shift of impact. But it would require Responsibility Thinking.
While I was reading on Victor Lim Fei's writings ever since Pastor Kong's saga, I realized his personal efforts of going against a misinformed media. But more than that, I saw Responsibility Thinking on the inside. He was taking ownership of the situation.
Personally, I am not sure how I can create Cultural Renewal but I want to dare myself in the area of Responsibility Thinking. My new career demands a lot of Responsibility Thinking, especially in the area of leadership and project management. And Moses experienced the same thing, having to "own" God's people as His own. But this is it with dealing the Babylonian or Worldly culture. The first initiative is to "own" or proclaim ownership over the lost.
If you have read this far, I thank you.
Melvin
"areas of renewal"
Personal Renewal:
I want to be crisis-proficient. Somehow I feel that there will be always an incoming crisis whether in my personal life or ministry. During this season of accepting new people into the cell group, I realized that I have been called to deal with so much crisis "mismanagement". This is especially true when I feel weakest this year. All the hurts I sustained this half of the year is supposed to make me more "skillful". It is this intersection that I become the most involved. Sometimes, it even reflects upon my own life.
Since I cannot beat it, I might as well filter it down. A R Bernard said, "God’s pruning is to make it more fruitful." Which I feel that it is precisely where I have been tested consistently. He went on to describe about the Fruit is observed on the Branches and not on the Vine. This is the point that I feel that I have been put to bear fruits. It may be a crisis season, but the Branch is still able to bear Fruit.
Relational Renewal:
The ones that I allow access to me are really those whom I want to be identified with. For example, I allow a lot of access to Huizhen and Jimmy. It is really more than a choice or a garnishing; it is a learning process from them. I feel that their presence reaffirm a lot on Faithfulness and Integrity. They are people who are very forgiving and uplifting.
I would fight war with those who run the race. We need those people who are being included by the Heroes of Faith from Hebrews 12. Being a minister, it is easy to be consumed by power and favoritism. It becomes important for me remember the healthy intimacy towards those who reassumes my basic needs. It is easy for me to forget my First Love which should have always been my most basic relationship. In like manner, I need to reposition the crucial basics of those who have consistently uplifted me.
Purpose Renewal:
Reexamining the value of every activity in my life, I want to reposition myself in the area of raising more leaders which I have kind of neglected. Ever since last year in N182, I have been doing my best to communicate with the members, new or longer. But the one thing I have been a little slack over would be the disciples that I have in my group.
I want to repent and reposition this area of imparting into more people around me. Recently, I have received many encouragements (from zone and overseas mission trips) from people who have been updating themselves about my life. I need to make full use of the gift I have received from God: Open Doors. I could make use of myself more faithfully. The words and photography have become my tools of encouragement. I want to avail myself to raising good people who can be used for greater works in the longevity of the Kingdom of God.
Structural Renewal:
When pastor shared about "Don't confuse Movement with Progression", I felt checked. N182 has been praised by some leaders as a 'happy cell group' but one of my own fears is that it is becoming an activity center without a spiritual camp. I decided to spend more time on personally meeting up each and every connect group within and share on the topic of Revelation and Dreams.
I really am not sure whether I have done a good job because this is my first time having a mass discipleship other than regular cell group meetings. But to go into every detail fancied by the members' thoughts, I did feel a strange empowerment. I thoroughly enjoyed smiling and talking to each one of them about the Revelations that God has placed over them. Like a structure that needs renewing cells, the Bible says without Visions and Dreams, people perish. By undertaking their Revelations, we are revealing their Vision and Dream tunnels, and there is new life upon the cell group proper. I am already beginning to see the people are slowly getting happier and excited about living life. And this is the real activity of leading cell group: Life is good.
Cultural Renewal:
Pastor started by saying "There is a new shift of the impact of the organization on society." I know that I want to be part of that shift of impact. But it would require Responsibility Thinking.
While I was reading on Victor Lim Fei's writings ever since Pastor Kong's saga, I realized his personal efforts of going against a misinformed media. But more than that, I saw Responsibility Thinking on the inside. He was taking ownership of the situation.
Personally, I am not sure how I can create Cultural Renewal but I want to dare myself in the area of Responsibility Thinking. My new career demands a lot of Responsibility Thinking, especially in the area of leadership and project management. And Moses experienced the same thing, having to "own" God's people as His own. But this is it with dealing the Babylonian or Worldly culture. The first initiative is to "own" or proclaim ownership over the lost.
If you have read this far, I thank you.
Melvin
Happiness is expectation met.
Seriously..
I am fully Biopsychosociospiritual being..
Within 48 hours, I would have attended 7 meetings.
- Part Scientist
- Part Manager
- Part Father
- Part Discipler
- Part Church Worker
Eigene was saying that normal people rest on Sat and Sun and work on Mon and Tue.
She works on Sat and Sun and rest on alternate days. So every Monday is Happy Day.
I work from Monday to Sunday. I think only meal-times are spared.
And then, boss asked me along for lunch meeting discussions..
Last week, boss asked, "Can you come out on Sunday or Monday morning meeting 730am? It is urgent."
A new excitement.
Discipleship, sermons, writings, discussions, programmings, even taking care of overseas delegates.
Someone just asked me, "Are you a church staff?"
Yeah, part-time.
So they stop asking me more questions.
Next question, "How come you don't sleep?"
______________________________________
Someone asked me last night, "How do you segment-ize whether you are happy?"
When your ways are committed to the Lord.
That means your (ways) commitment is issued with contentment.
Happiness is expectation met.
Contentment is having met unexpectations.
I want to say.. Everything is happening un-expectedly for me.
Holistic or not.
I am not happy.
Please understand.
Just the going gets Happy.
"Where there are broken hearts, there you find God."
Not the Happy gets going.
I do not know where this is going.
I just told someone close, "I am your Archangel. Praying war with you."
Going to where Giants are going.
I am fully Biopsychosociospiritual being..
Within 48 hours, I would have attended 7 meetings.
- Part Scientist
- Part Manager
- Part Father
- Part Discipler
- Part Church Worker
Eigene was saying that normal people rest on Sat and Sun and work on Mon and Tue.
She works on Sat and Sun and rest on alternate days. So every Monday is Happy Day.
I work from Monday to Sunday. I think only meal-times are spared.
And then, boss asked me along for lunch meeting discussions..
Last week, boss asked, "Can you come out on Sunday or Monday morning meeting 730am? It is urgent."
A new excitement.
Discipleship, sermons, writings, discussions, programmings, even taking care of overseas delegates.
Someone just asked me, "Are you a church staff?"
Yeah, part-time.
So they stop asking me more questions.
Next question, "How come you don't sleep?"
______________________________________
Someone asked me last night, "How do you segment-ize whether you are happy?"
When your ways are committed to the Lord.
That means your (ways) commitment is issued with contentment.
Happiness is expectation met.
Contentment is having met unexpectations.
I want to say.. Everything is happening un-expectedly for me.
Holistic or not.
I am not happy.
Please understand.
Just the going gets Happy.
"Where there are broken hearts, there you find God."
Not the Happy gets going.
I do not know where this is going.
I just told someone close, "I am your Archangel. Praying war with you."
Going to where Giants are going.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
God sings to them?
I am so inspired today.
A few nights ago, people mistaken me to be a designer and a free lance photographer when I walked into the room.
Some nights ago, "Why do you like strange old things?"
Because someone has put in effort to survive the test of time.
It is not about sight sometimes. It is about a feel from the past.
It isn't a design flaw. It has seen and survived so that we have it today.
Last night, "You haven't changed. :)"
Because from the inside, I haven't lose hope.
I wrote these out.
________________________________
A Lover with love on Your lips and Grace on Your tongue.
In death there's forgiveness, and forgiveness calls on a new life.
Teach me how to love as much as You teach me how to die.
God has Hands that circle us like a Wedding Band.
________________________________
A new thought.
Have you ever wonder the songs you written..
God sings to them?
A few nights ago, people mistaken me to be a designer and a free lance photographer when I walked into the room.
Some nights ago, "Why do you like strange old things?"
Because someone has put in effort to survive the test of time.
It is not about sight sometimes. It is about a feel from the past.
It isn't a design flaw. It has seen and survived so that we have it today.
Last night, "You haven't changed. :)"
Because from the inside, I haven't lose hope.
I wrote these out.
________________________________
A Lover with love on Your lips and Grace on Your tongue.
In death there's forgiveness, and forgiveness calls on a new life.
Teach me how to love as much as You teach me how to die.
God has Hands that circle us like a Wedding Band.
________________________________
A new thought.
Have you ever wonder the songs you written..
God sings to them?
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