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.
25 March 2007
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.
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.
17 March 2007
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.
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.
22 February 2007
I'm tired!
I'm really tired these days. I didnt get enough sleep...either i was worrying about something or i had something to do. I just so much to do and at times saying "No" is hard. Well, sometimes when i said no, people turn away from me or saying sumting bad, not appreciating that I've really considered everything. I cant do everything! hoh, so frustrating. Why do i care so much of what people think...and why do i afraid of them...ughhhh.
21 February 2007
Is uncertainty good for you?
These days I'm faced with a lot of uncertainties and they stress me out! But, really uncertainty is actually an opportunity to trust God. I remember that I asked God to make me to trust Him more. May be this is it, the grant for my request. At times, I do slip out, not trusting God but just get so focus on my problem and forget about God. But, I was reminded in Hebrew that we are to make every effort to come to rest in God. But, I know how much we need the help from Holy Spirit to do so. So...I guess uncertainty is good for you.
04 January 2007
Joking lahhh
Three men were out sea fishing when one of them hooked a mermaid. She promised to grant each of them a wish if they'd let her go.
"OK," said the first fisherman. "I want you to double my intelligence." No sooner had he made request than he found himself reciting Shakespeare's Macbeth.
"Jeez!" the second man exclaimed. "In that case, I want you to triple my intelligence." He immediately started spouting Einstein's equations on the theory of relativity.
"That's amazing!" the third fisherman yelled. "Quintuple my intelligence!"
"Are you sure?" the mermaid asked him. "You might not like the outcome."
"I'm sure. Just do it," the man said.
He closed his eyes to wait for the wish to be granted and - poof! - he turned into a woman.
Danny Hochstetler (RD March 2006)
I thought that was funny! hehe.
"OK," said the first fisherman. "I want you to double my intelligence." No sooner had he made request than he found himself reciting Shakespeare's Macbeth.
"Jeez!" the second man exclaimed. "In that case, I want you to triple my intelligence." He immediately started spouting Einstein's equations on the theory of relativity.
"That's amazing!" the third fisherman yelled. "Quintuple my intelligence!"
"Are you sure?" the mermaid asked him. "You might not like the outcome."
"I'm sure. Just do it," the man said.
He closed his eyes to wait for the wish to be granted and - poof! - he turned into a woman.
Danny Hochstetler (RD March 2006)
I thought that was funny! hehe.
02 January 2007
Reading Exodus
I was reading Exodus 32, when the Israelites forced Aaron to build them an idol so they could sacrifice burnt offerings. God was so angry (v. 9-10) and wanted to destroy the Israelites. But then Moses prayed and asked God to relent and forgive them. God did listen to moses' prayer.
I understand that God is holy and jealous because the Israelites did not give the glory and honor He deserved. Thus, the Israelites are to be punished because of the sin they made against God. Later on because moses' asked God, God decided to forgive them. I thought God really has mercy on moses that He will allow him to speak and plead for Israelites. Dont you think that God already plan to forgive the Israelites even before Moses asked him? Why He showed his anger first and until Moses asked about it then God relent. It seems that moses had power. Has God chosen 'prayer' that would 'allow' (sort to speak) Him to act further (in this case to forgive the Israelites)?
On Chapter 33:11, it was said that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Also, some interesting things on the same verse, when moses would return to the camp, his young aide Joshua actually did not leave the tent of meeting (where the presence of the Lord is). Joshua must have 'enjoyed' the presence of God, dont you think? hehe.
Later on (same chapter), v. 20, the Lord said to moses that he can not see God's face, for no one may see God and live. I just wander what has happened in v. 11. Did moses actually speak with the Lord face to face? If not, why is it written so.
About the book, I quite like when Jethro gave advices to moses to delegate the task of settling disputes to trustworthy men. So moses wouldnt have to carry huge burden. Oh also, when moses saw the Israelites were worshipping the golden calf, he thrown the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God, and broke it to pieces. Waaaa, Moses lost his CooL. I thought Moses must be really really angry but I dunno whether It was regarded as sinning against God. God did not rebuke him right away but later on asked moses to bring another two stone tablets. Ckckck. God must be so patient with him.
I understand that God is holy and jealous because the Israelites did not give the glory and honor He deserved. Thus, the Israelites are to be punished because of the sin they made against God. Later on because moses' asked God, God decided to forgive them. I thought God really has mercy on moses that He will allow him to speak and plead for Israelites. Dont you think that God already plan to forgive the Israelites even before Moses asked him? Why He showed his anger first and until Moses asked about it then God relent. It seems that moses had power. Has God chosen 'prayer' that would 'allow' (sort to speak) Him to act further (in this case to forgive the Israelites)?
On Chapter 33:11, it was said that the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Also, some interesting things on the same verse, when moses would return to the camp, his young aide Joshua actually did not leave the tent of meeting (where the presence of the Lord is). Joshua must have 'enjoyed' the presence of God, dont you think? hehe.
Later on (same chapter), v. 20, the Lord said to moses that he can not see God's face, for no one may see God and live. I just wander what has happened in v. 11. Did moses actually speak with the Lord face to face? If not, why is it written so.
About the book, I quite like when Jethro gave advices to moses to delegate the task of settling disputes to trustworthy men. So moses wouldnt have to carry huge burden. Oh also, when moses saw the Israelites were worshipping the golden calf, he thrown the two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God, and broke it to pieces. Waaaa, Moses lost his CooL. I thought Moses must be really really angry but I dunno whether It was regarded as sinning against God. God did not rebuke him right away but later on asked moses to bring another two stone tablets. Ckckck. God must be so patient with him.