easter CaMp 07

Woohoow! Easter Camp 07, Praise the Lord!

I was really challenged and touched to be able to share the good news to my friends. They were very open and seriously want to consider the work that Jesus has done on the cross. In the end, some of them even asked for a bible (so keen to know more) and I am happy to be able to pass on my Taonga (Treasure - in maori). This treasure is not for us to keep but to be passed on to others. I pray and hope that these friends will continue to seek Him with all their heart, that they may trust in the Lord firmly and willingly repent.

I also had an opportunity to be put in a group with an old fren which I hardly talked to. I thought It'll be very difficult for us becos I was a bit scared with this person. She seems to be unapproachable. When we have the chance to discuss things, I found that God actually has been working in her life and she was asking lotsa questions and willingly consider the answers the bible have. I was pretty stunt and full of joys of course.

So that was pretty special. I had a talk to couple of friends from Indo and it was a joy to be able to encourage them to keep going in their journey with God. Praise the Lord because they are all christians already.

I myself had an awesome break after that. Two days just spending time with God and He's been encouraging me from a book called "guidance and voice of God". Scott recommended the book. I am convinced that God has been providing us always since old times with with His own words in the bible. How much He has been speaking to me every morning and might be shouting at me. I was really challenged whether I do consider His words to be that precious. The book also points things such as feeling of peace, visions, dreams, still voice etc that people seek to accompany God's word and make decisions. This is kind of show that God's words are not sufficient and the most authoritative for us to make decisions. I know Making decisions is hard. There are things that the Bible did not specify and we are confused with what to do. God's main concern is on matter of righteousness. If it is not, may be they dont matter too much.

I am also more confident of God's sovereignty over everything in my life. I am more peaceful and at rest knowing that even through mistakes (bad decisions) I made God is able to accomplish His ultimate purpose which is to present me pure and blameless, like Christ before Himself.

It also raised questions such as the justice of God when He only shows mercy to whom He wants to show mercy. I found that God is completely just. It is fully just for us to recieve punishment over the things that we do wrong against God. But, God grant mercy to whom He wants to have mercy and I have been granted that mercy. To those He didnt grant mercy, He still remains completely just and blameless because simply we (all of us) deserve punishments. It is also to show how great and precious God's mercy on us.

What a Joy!

You dont wanna hear

Aiyahh. I am so stressed out, so worried. Why some people can just cruise along things alright. It is craZy. This Week I have:

Tuesday

Spread group Meeting
Develop experimental plan for my fourth year project
Prepare presentation materials

Wednesday

Meeting from 8-11 am for Advanced Food Tech
Get a Medical certificate for immigration purpose
Presentation practise

Thursday

Experiental Plan checks
TSO presentation in the afternoon

Oh dear Lord, I am so in need of your help. I cant stand it. I so need a long long break. SOmehow I want a break but I cant have it. I dun want to worry, I'm trying to save up my energy to do work but I cant. I just want to cry. I guess the people that I'm working with are not my friends and that makes things difficult. We have different schedule and whenever we tried to meet there's always something on. So getting annoyed with each other.

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.