Morning sermon

When I listened to the sermon this morning, it got me thinking. What do we want from Jesus? Do we approach Him for His gifts? Is He not gracious enough that we must 'buy' His blessings through tithing? The Law is a reminder to obey the Lord's command, to put the Lord as the first priority in your life, to remember that the Lord is the One you must worship not His blessings. I do not think it is particularly intended to give you a blessing formula: "You give then you are blessed, if you refrain then you are cursed." Have we loved gifts more than our Giver?

No doubt, He did miracles in the NT. Do you think He did the miracles to satisfy you? Far be from it. He did it with the purpose to point people to the true God. Jesus said a couple of times about forgiving the sins of the person when the person actually asked for healing. Why Jesus ask him so? this shows that the most important need of the person is salvation not physical healing. Are you saying those missionaries that died because of their sickness were cursed by God? because they did not tithe enough? Do you say that the pain Job went through were the result of God's curse? Job was blameless. In the end, God did not reveal the reason of striking him. He is God, He does what He pleases including bringing good and bad things. Yet, we know that good and bad things happen in our life is for our best. We do need His gifts undoubtedly. But, we should surrender to Him for it is His right to give, which we tried to steal by telling Him what to do for us. Not that the stealing is possible. Be careful, those who were given what they asked so earnestly. Be careful, lest God had given you away because you insist so much in getting the desire of your heart.

I am thankful

Had an interview with a professor from NUS. He said the scholarships will be prioritized to those doing PhD program. Kinda wish it was not so. But, there is a possibility of me getting it for Master of Science. Hopefully. I am also applying for jobs now after a vacuum. It is going a bit slow but sure. These days my health is not very good but I am generally happy. I am grateful for having loving parents, really hope they will know Jesus soon. God is faithful even when I am faithless. He is extremely gracious to me. I am thankful for everything. O my little soul, Jesus loves thee dear. May your love for Him ever grow stronger and deeper. May you succeed in fixing your eyes upon Jesus day to day. May you treasure His sacrifice on the cross ever more. May you grow in understanding of his great love.

Jesus has died for all your wrongdoings without you knowing. The just punishment for your sins, he bear it on the cross. Give up doing your own way and come to Him. It's not too late.

Doa untuk GKBHJ family

Tuhan, terima kasih untuk saudara-saudari di Gereja Kristen Batu hidup Jakarta. Terima kasih untuk contoh iman, keakraban, dan kerendahan hati untuk melayani yang saya lihat dan rasakan dari teman-teman. Tuhan berkati tim musik yang selalu setia melayani gerejamu setiap minggu. Dengan tiada lelahnya mereka berlatih dengan sukacita dan tulus hati. Sungguh telah membawa banyak puji-pujian bagi namaMu. berkati mereka ya Tuhan, karena mereka juga bekerja, bukan hanya untuk mereka sendiri tetapi juga untuk menghidupi keluarga mereka. Berkati dalam ibadah mereka kepadamu, biar semakin hari mereka semakin mengenal engkau. Bukakan mata mereka kepada FirmanMu yang hidup, semakin hari semakin menghargai dan mencintai kebenaran ini.

Tuhan, berkati guru-guru sekolah minggu yang selalu setia mengajar adik-adik. Jagalah iman dan hati mereka untuk selalu takut akanMu, untuk selalu terpukau akan Engkau karena mereka seringkali tidak bisa mendengar firmanMu dikhotbahkan hari Minggu. Tuhan ringankan beban mereka, terutama mereka juga bekerja dan mempunyai keluarga. Saya bersyukur akan kesediaan mereka untuk melayani.

Tuhan, berkati gembala sidang kami dan para pengurus gereja yang tak jemu2nya mendoakan setiap jemaat dan menawarkan kepedulian mereka terhadap berbagai masalah kami. Lindungilah mereka dari yang jahat dan tutup bungkus mereka dengan kuasa darahMu. Cukupilah kebutuhan mereka dan selimutilah mereka senantiasa dengan sukacita yang daripadaMu.

Tuhan, terakhir aku mau mendoakan diriku supaya entah dengan bagaimana caranya saya pun dapat ikut ambil bagian dalam pelayanan di gereja ini. Sekalipun saya mendapatkan kesulitan untuk bersekutu dengan saudara-saudara seiman, tetapi saya merasa sudah banyak mendapat berkat dan sedikit memberi. FirmanMu mengatakan diberkatilah mereka yang memberi daripada menerima. Saya pun merasakan seperti 'tidak hidup', jika tidak memberi. Tolonglah hambamu ini. Amin.

True Service

Self-Righteous Service vs. True Service :
- Come from human effort frantic, anxious, seek titanic, impressive ministry (Big Crowds) vs. Come from Divine urges, dependent on God, welcomes all opportunities (Large/Small Crowds)
- Craves applause vs. Content with hiddenness
- Concern with results vs. Leave the result with God
- Concerns with reciprocation vs. Delight only in service
- Pick whom to serve (the high and the powerful) vs. Serve enemies as well as friends (servant of all)
- Serve when the 'feeling' is there vs. Serve when the 'need' is there
- Uses technique for ego enhancing vs. Submit techniques to function
- Must perform even if destructive vs. Can withhold service, wait in silence
- Exposes frailty of other leaders vs. Cover frailty of others
- Fractures community vs. Built community

This is a good checklist on whether we have given true service by Ita. Father, I confess that my service to you most of the time is self-righteous service. I have served you half-heartedly, seek to impress and full of anxiety and complaints. I need to know how to serve genuinely. Forgive my sins and help me to serve you with all my heart.

How do you like your egg?

This is the way I like my egg:

It's cooking it in a frying pan with a bit of water (instead of oil). Cook the egg slowly over low heat. When the yolk starts to cook, turn the heat off and cover the pan. Wait until the yolk is fully cooked. Sprinkle a wee bit of salt and pepper. Best served with hot mash potatoes and cooked silverbeet. Hmmm.

Sue's Banoffee Pie

Ingredients

Signature Range sweet pastries
1 can caramelised condensed milk
1 banana
1 flat tsp instant coffee powder
250 ml cream
Chocolate rice

Roll out thin (approx. 0.5 cm) a layer of sweet pastry. Put it on a pie dish as crust and bake until it turns golden brown (probably about 10-15 min in a 175 deg C oven). Once the crust is done, your life is much easier. Fill the crust with condensed milk (if you don't want it too sickly, don't add the whole can!). Chop up banana and put it on top. Next, you need to add a tsp of coffee powder to the cream and beat it until it's fluffy enough but don't over do it as you will separate the milk fat and starts makin' butter. Chuck the cream all over the pie and sprinkle some chocolate rice.

Don't just watch it disappears, make sure you have some!

Cooking background: 'Beat it' by Michael Jackson

Tiramisu recipe

I was looking at the recipes from a cookbook released by Jazzanova and friends. It is actually a special music album (CD) with each of the artists shared their favourite recipes. A quite cleverly done album. The group is originally from Germany and ready to swing us (whilst cooking) with their catchy jazz music. I think I am enticed with Jenny's marriage proposal enticing Tiramisu. Apparently, the guests threatened Jenny with a "no show" on her party if she wouldn't promise to whip out this tiramisu. I haven't tried to make it before but it sounds really yummy and doesn't look too difficult. I think the key skill required is only beating the eggs. Yea, like if you stuffed that, you pretty much don't have a tiramisu ;p.

Jenny's marriage proposal enticing Tiramisu

3 eggs
4 tablespoons honey
300 - 400 g Mascarpone
2 round sponge cakes, ca. 1.5 cm thick
1 cup of espresso (cold)
1 cup of hot chocolate (cold)
Real cacao powder

Separate egg yolk from egg white. Beat egg yolk with honey until frothy. Mix thoroughly with Mascarpone. Beat egg white until stiff. Gently mix with Mascarpone mix. Fill 1/3 of Mascarpone mix in a round form, put first layer of sponge cake on top and drizzle half of cold espresso and half of cold hot chocolate over the sponge cake. If you like, you can also add a little Amaretto to the espresso.

Add a second layer of another third of Mascarpone mix, then again sponge cake with all the drizzling of cocoa and espresso, put final layer of the last third of Mascarpone on top.

Dredge final layer of Mascarpone with dark cacao powder.

Cool tiramisu for at least three hours in the fridge.

He Faileth Not

He faileth not, for he is God
He faileth not, his grace how good
He faileth not, his Word is clear
If we have God, whom we need fear?

The highest mount he can make plain;
The wildest flood, he can restrain;
God of impossibilities;
Poor puny man, now learn his ways.

The axe did swim on Jordan's wave!
Our God the Red Sea's water clave!
He stopped the sun! made long the day!
This is the God to whom we pray.

He bars the seas with feeble sand!
The proud waves bow at his command!
If God is thine, what more you need?
Can he not work for you indeed?

Our God is love; your need is known;
His promises He'll fully own;
Our gracious God bow down his ears;
The feeblest, weakest cry to hear.

Our God is light and never yet;
One promise did he e'er forget;
His promises in Christ the Son;
Are fully pledged, yea and amen.

Our faithful God, faith can not break;
Nor death, nor hell, his promise shake!
Who ask in faith, he'll not deny;
His word is sure, he must reply.

He faileth not, let all men hear;
He faileth not, his word is clear;
He faileth not, his grace how good;
He faileth not, for he is God!

- Anonymous

such encouragement words!! I love it! this hymn is from a book that Anne gave me :). xxx

Samuel, Hannah, and The Lord

Read the passage: 1 Samuel 1-2:21

When I read about the early life of Samuel during my devotion, I was particularly touched by God's graciousness to Hannah. He started by granting Hannah's request with a boy, Samuel. She, in return faithfully gave back Samuel to God as she had promised because it was a gift from Him. Her sacrifice reminded me with Abraham. After she weaned the boy, the boy was brought to Eli and He will serve the Lord all His life. When they came back to offer annual sacrifice, Eli later blessed them by asking God to give them children in place of Samuel. And God granted her not only one but five children (three boys and two girls). It just shows the Lord's generosity to her for she was barren previously. This then provoke me to recall the many examples of God's grace in the scripture that simply shows the possibility of Him loving me and you deeply, sacrificially, and completely. I like how the Lord reminds me of these things.

How can we doubt you O Lord? You are worthy of our deepest gratitude, exceeding praises, endless awe, our very life. O my soul, know this well, grow in daily conviction of this truth. May the fruits bring back many praises to You. xxx

Faithful by Brooke Fraser

There's distance in the air
And I cannot make it leave
I wave my arms 'round about me
And blow with all my might

I cannot sense you close
Though I know you're always here
But the comfort of you near
Is what I long for

When I can't feel you
I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can't hear you
I know you still hear every word I pray

And I want you
More than I wanna live another day
And as I wait for you
Maybe I'm made more Faithful

All the folly of the past
Though I know it is undone
I still feel the guilty one
Still tryin' to make it right

So I whisper soft your name
Let it roll around my tongue
Knowin' you're the only one who knows me
You know me

Show me how I should live this
Show me where I should walk
I count this world as loss to me

You are all I want
You are all I want

Utterly Silly

Silly, silly, utterly silly
to waste today, anxious for tomorrow
Silly, silly, utterly silly
to try changing the past
Silly, silly, utterly silly
to miss today's blessings
Silly, silly, utterly silly
to see that other's grass is greener
Silly, silly, utterly silly
to upset your beloved ones
Silly, silly, utterly silly
to fight with the Almighty

For once more

For once more,
I will not give in to fear
For once more,
I will gather all my strength
For once more,
I refuse to be satisfied with defeat
For once more,
I will stand

For God is my salvation
His vindication I shall wait
For God loves me
His grace and mercy shall be my power

To this sinner, He has granted righteousness
To this sinner, He has shown forgiveness
O How I owe you, Almighty God
O How I need you!