sSo Tired ;(

Oh dear, another crazy week. I think everyone in the fourth year food tech is studying hard to finish the race. 50%. 50% of the points to get my whole degree is obtained this Year. Sigh sigh, everything is chasing me up. But God truly truly has been good to me. I think my assignment is aint that bad after all excpt my fourth yr project that is not looking good. Surely, as you live Lord, you know this very well. Oh I pray that I may finish well.

Lord I dont know

Chorus:
Lord I don't know where all this is going or how it all works out
Lead me to peace that pass understanding... (Newsboys)

This song reminds me of Esther. I remembered the time when I was stuck. She chucked the CD to me and ask me to have a listen. I listened to the song again tonite and my spirit was lifted up. Thank God for her.

I want a simple happy life!

The title for this post is a sentence that I often heard from people whether they are christians or not. I know because it is easy and free from troubles. But, I have also heard that we grow and we learn from tough times so even if they are undesirable, really trouble is somewhat good for us. It is difficult to say this but it used to be more difficult than now. I guess I have started to see that the purpose of the challenges I am facing and I can really say that it is for my good. If we want a simple happy life that means we have not seen it that it will grow us or may be we do not desire to grow. I do not mean to depress anyone. People think that problems are bad for them. But God said that we still can have joy in the midst of our problems. If we choose to refuge under God, He promised that he will be with us in trouble. I am not saying that He is not able to take away troubles, He is able. But if He means 'troubles' to shape us, do you think he will take it away? no, not until His purpose of growing us is accomplished. Although, He can, if we keep insisting not to grow and think that our plan (which is to be freed from the current trouble) is the best. I suggest to ask God about the hardship you are facing, to reveal His plan.

I do believe that God is in control of all things. Satan really does not like us to love God and have relationship with Him. He will try do evil things on us but God will only allow evil things to be done to us if He sees that is something good for us. God is trustworthy and He knows what He is doing. The hardships we are facing could be means to show His power and to clean us from unrighteousness.

Love

I heard from pastor today about Love. He said Love is a commitment not mere feelings. I thought wow, that's very true. Otherwise, it will be so rough whe feelings did not match and how easily feelings change.

I just look at my friends, they are really precious gifts. At times, my feeling is so easily swayed, moody and it affects the words I say to people. When I dont agree with people, it is very often that I would overreact to it and become defensive. I feel bad and embarassed when I did that but their acceptance and understanding is admirable. They did not stop being my friend just because of that. I'm humbled by that. The example they give me is showing their commitment. I want to learn to love them and forgive their mistakes because I'm not immune to them either.

Worship Songs

Worship songs nowadays are coming from various music streams from rock to pop, from noisy to quiet. But whether the stream matters or lyrics matters? In the olden days, worship songs were known mostly to be hymns, composed by people that fear God and really God centered songs. Nowadays, you could find contemporary christian worship songs which not only hymns but rock music with religious lyrics. One denomination has analysed the culture that create music streams such as rock, pop, gospel, jazz, etc. Apparently, rock music came out from secular society, society that is rebelious and not God fearing. In the end, they indeed only sing hymns and despise contemporary worship songs, I mean only singing songs that are contemplative and reflective which are quieter. Other churches (from different denominations), they have decided to sing more contemporary songs and hardly hymns being sung, probably only amazing grace and how great thou art. May be they have moved according to "what's in nowadays".

Personally, I found hymns more often to be doctrinally sound. It was true that they were made in a society that love God and genuinely seek him. In the case of contemporary worship songs, I found that there are songs lacking in the joy in Christ and self-centered. I dont know...somehow lacking the depth. But, I have found contemporary songs that are doctrinally sound and I am very pleased really. I think we shouldnt just shut down completely to contemporary songs an only sing hymns. But, I dont like the lack of depth and dont agree with self-centered songs. Songs that will make me feel good, loved, great, protected, secured etc that the experience is almost like ecstacy. Getting a dose to keep you going. I dont think that's right. We should be reminding each other and reminded of what Christ have accomplished for us, the joy of being saved, of knowing God is in control of everything eventhough we are in tough times and cant control it. Remembering of who God is and not focus on our problems. Regarding the culture of rock music that was from secular motives, I think if the song is biblical then why not.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Phil 1:15-18)

If Christ is preached through music that was coming from secular motives then it is alright.