Fresh Start Recovery Programme... goes global?
i wonder.. :)
10.4.10
listen to the tugs :)
Last week during clinical coaching our tutor had recommended us to see a patient, and so a few of us did. After meeting him and taking his history, I felt kinda downtrodden about his circumstances, and could hear him cry out with unspoken words the big questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? ...ultimately he was crying out to His creator without even knowing it.
He'd been heavy on my heart for the next few days. We decided to go see him again to do a neuro exam, but when we saw him and asked for consent, he was too tired and frustrated to see anyone anymore, and just wanted to go home. I was a bit disappointed, hoping that I'd get a chance to talk with him more. Yet even after we left, he kept on tugging at my heart. And so finally I gave in and decided to head back down to his room again, not really knowing what I'd say when I got there, but praying all the while that God would give me words. He'd mentioned he was gonna go for a walk, so in the back of my mind i didn't think he'd be in his room, and thought i'd get out easy. When i got to his room, i stood outside for a bit praying that if he was in his room I'd talk to him, if he wasn't, then at least i tried.
To my surprise he was sitting on the side of his bed, and so I sat down on the chair beside him and we started talking. I really don't know how to explain it, but in that one hour or so something happened. It was like God had orchestrated the conversation to steer it towards the gospel. I look back and all i can do is smile at how God placed the right words and moments in conversation. He'd gone to a Catholic school once, and so I asked him if he'd ever heard what the Bible & Christianity was all about. Surprisingly he said no. And so naturally the next question to ask was if he wanted to hear about it, and he said Yes! We talked a bit more, and in the end we prayed. He was full of tears afterwards and mentioned that his neighbour too had been praying for him every night. Wow eh? God's totally working behind the scenes at all angles! When I went back upstairs, I shared with E & F what had just happened. And how perfect that E had brought an extra bible to give away to a friend, who turned out to already have a bible, so we were able to give this bible to the guy instead! Pray that he will open and read it, and be transformed by the life and work of Jesus Christ. Pray too that God would continue pursuing his heart and soul, through his neighbour or whoever else God places in his life! Also pray that he will pray! prayer sounds like an intensely religiousy kinda thing, but was telling him its just a fancy word that means to talk. He's never talked to God before that day, so pray he will not be afraid to acknowledge and talk to our Creator in heaven.
...Sometimes i forget that God is constantly working behind the scenes. i easily get jaded at the spiritual climate of western countries, thinking ppl don't really wanna hear bout the gospel. but how wonderful it is to be reminded that it's He who works in and prepares the field of people's hearts not us, and if we are willing, he will let us join in and take part in His work :)
He'd been heavy on my heart for the next few days. We decided to go see him again to do a neuro exam, but when we saw him and asked for consent, he was too tired and frustrated to see anyone anymore, and just wanted to go home. I was a bit disappointed, hoping that I'd get a chance to talk with him more. Yet even after we left, he kept on tugging at my heart. And so finally I gave in and decided to head back down to his room again, not really knowing what I'd say when I got there, but praying all the while that God would give me words. He'd mentioned he was gonna go for a walk, so in the back of my mind i didn't think he'd be in his room, and thought i'd get out easy. When i got to his room, i stood outside for a bit praying that if he was in his room I'd talk to him, if he wasn't, then at least i tried.
To my surprise he was sitting on the side of his bed, and so I sat down on the chair beside him and we started talking. I really don't know how to explain it, but in that one hour or so something happened. It was like God had orchestrated the conversation to steer it towards the gospel. I look back and all i can do is smile at how God placed the right words and moments in conversation. He'd gone to a Catholic school once, and so I asked him if he'd ever heard what the Bible & Christianity was all about. Surprisingly he said no. And so naturally the next question to ask was if he wanted to hear about it, and he said Yes! We talked a bit more, and in the end we prayed. He was full of tears afterwards and mentioned that his neighbour too had been praying for him every night. Wow eh? God's totally working behind the scenes at all angles! When I went back upstairs, I shared with E & F what had just happened. And how perfect that E had brought an extra bible to give away to a friend, who turned out to already have a bible, so we were able to give this bible to the guy instead! Pray that he will open and read it, and be transformed by the life and work of Jesus Christ. Pray too that God would continue pursuing his heart and soul, through his neighbour or whoever else God places in his life! Also pray that he will pray! prayer sounds like an intensely religiousy kinda thing, but was telling him its just a fancy word that means to talk. He's never talked to God before that day, so pray he will not be afraid to acknowledge and talk to our Creator in heaven.
...Sometimes i forget that God is constantly working behind the scenes. i easily get jaded at the spiritual climate of western countries, thinking ppl don't really wanna hear bout the gospel. but how wonderful it is to be reminded that it's He who works in and prepares the field of people's hearts not us, and if we are willing, he will let us join in and take part in His work :)
26.3.10
i was thinking through this year and the last and i'm just amazed at how God works in our hearts to change and transform us continually. God is so good! the one thing i just can't seem to get over is the grace He pours on us. this year has been life-altering for me, where i am just beginning to grasp the concept of His grace, no longer weighed down by unrelenting legality or pendular faith based on emotions. That yes, I am sinful, flawed, and i fall short in all aspects, but that i am a work in progress, and His grace blankets over all these things, cloaking me in full righteousness before a Holy God. Now THIS is Good News! And how comforting that His HS works in us bit by bit to make clear the things we ought to strip & change in our lives. But never by our own effort, for it is Him who keeps us from stumbling, and Him who presents us blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy (Jude 24). =)
Last year I was reminded of an important lesson, God doesn't want us to 'do', He simply wants us to 'be'. That out of being and basking as His child, the fruit comes as the overflow of it all. This year I'm learning that it is Grace which connects and defines these things. We are able to "be" in Him by His grace, and by His grace we are able to "do". How wonderful it is to open our eyes and see His grace at work all around us & in us!
On another note, after all the boy drama of 2009, this year has been a breath of fresh air basking in singleness. It's mindboggling how God so easily puts a lovesong in our hearts for Him, for He is the one love that lasts eternally and loves bottomlessly! And how wonderful to know that in our singleness lies our full devotion and single-mindedness to Him & His purposes for us :) At the Women of Purpose Conference, it was renewing to be stirred on again in Matthew 28:16-20. And I pray He'd continue keeping me single-minded, using my energy and mind-space to focus on heavenly things, that my heart would yearn not for myself or for a relationship, but rather i would yearn so deeply for others to grow in knowledge and love for our Lord Jesus Christ, looking not to my own interests but the interests of others placing them before myself so that they may be saved (1cor10:33)!
Father, by Your grace here I stand, use me.
Last year I was reminded of an important lesson, God doesn't want us to 'do', He simply wants us to 'be'. That out of being and basking as His child, the fruit comes as the overflow of it all. This year I'm learning that it is Grace which connects and defines these things. We are able to "be" in Him by His grace, and by His grace we are able to "do". How wonderful it is to open our eyes and see His grace at work all around us & in us!
On another note, after all the boy drama of 2009, this year has been a breath of fresh air basking in singleness. It's mindboggling how God so easily puts a lovesong in our hearts for Him, for He is the one love that lasts eternally and loves bottomlessly! And how wonderful to know that in our singleness lies our full devotion and single-mindedness to Him & His purposes for us :) At the Women of Purpose Conference, it was renewing to be stirred on again in Matthew 28:16-20. And I pray He'd continue keeping me single-minded, using my energy and mind-space to focus on heavenly things, that my heart would yearn not for myself or for a relationship, but rather i would yearn so deeply for others to grow in knowledge and love for our Lord Jesus Christ, looking not to my own interests but the interests of others placing them before myself so that they may be saved (1cor10:33)!
Father, by Your grace here I stand, use me.
13.3.10
28.2.10
2Cor5:17
VERSE (C#m, B, A)
Son of Man you came down to this earth
To restore our lives into Your hand
What saving grace
You took our sin upon Your shoulders
The crown of thorns and nail-pierced hands
You bled for us
BRIDGE (B, A)
You reconciled us to the Father
Wiping all our sin away
CHORUS (E, B, C#m, A)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us
So that we might be the righteousness of God
All our hope and joy and love is made complete in You
The old has gone and we are now made new
In You
You who gave us life when we were dead
You who gave us hope in the hopeless
You who changed our hearts into flesh
You who made us see the sun again
We are new in You
We are new in You
Son of Man you came down to this earth
To restore our lives into Your hand
What saving grace
You took our sin upon Your shoulders
The crown of thorns and nail-pierced hands
You bled for us
BRIDGE (B, A)
You reconciled us to the Father
Wiping all our sin away
CHORUS (E, B, C#m, A)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us
So that we might be the righteousness of God
All our hope and joy and love is made complete in You
The old has gone and we are now made new
In You
You who gave us life when we were dead
You who gave us hope in the hopeless
You who changed our hearts into flesh
You who made us see the sun again
We are new in You
We are new in You
26.2.10
16.2.10
give me cake!
"If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."Bullseye. I remember talking about this with a friend a few years ago, and of course as girls we'd use sweets in our analogy. We hold on to that pinch of sugar with clenched fists unyielding and stubborn and stupid not to open our hands to the chocolate cheese cake offered us. Hrm, indeed I am too easily pleased. May the fullness and completeness of my joy be found solely in You, the infinitely Enjoyable!
- C.S. Lewis (The Weight of Glory)
14.2.10
argh
i got sent this article in an email. i rarely get angry over anything.. but this, it definitely invoked angry-feelings! What blaring lies the media will spin to suit their own personal agenda. its disgusting, horrifying, and worst of all misleading...
this article's been thrown around quite a bit in the defense for legalizing heroin. i wonder who in their right mind would think all problems associated with heroin-use will disappear if it's legalized. what dark clouds we live under that truth can be so far distorted..
"The truth about heroin is that it is a benign drug. It is addictive – and that is a very good reason not to use it – but the only significant screw-up it inflicts on the physical, mental and moral condition of its users is constipation...
The truth, which for decades has scarcely dared to speak its name, is that all of the illness, misery, death and crime associated with heroin are, in fact, the effect not of the drug itself but of the black market on which it is sold as a result of this war against drugs" - Nick Davies.
this article's been thrown around quite a bit in the defense for legalizing heroin. i wonder who in their right mind would think all problems associated with heroin-use will disappear if it's legalized. what dark clouds we live under that truth can be so far distorted..
12.2.10
"Commitment as a Christian" - Bob Moorhead
'I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion or popularity. I do not have to be right, recognized, praised, regarding or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labour by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way rough, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not give up, shut up, or let go.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I will go on until He comes, and work until He stops me.'
'I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion or popularity. I do not have to be right, recognized, praised, regarding or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labour by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way rough, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not give up, shut up, or let go.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I will go on until He comes, and work until He stops me.'
11.2.10
frustration.
this night has been strange.
it was weird, but i left bible study today quite disheartened & discouraged. the opposite of what I should've been. especially since tonight's study we were looking at such an uplifting passage (Jude 24-25). i took a loooooong detour walking home... 1 hr of trying to clear my head & talk things out with the big G.
i didn't even know why i felt that way... but finally came to the conclusion that i was disheartened with myself. i remember a year ago, one of the very 1st sermons that Pastor Steve preached on was bout having hard heads & soft hearts. i've got the soft heart down pat. but as far as the hard head goes... at times i wonder if there's much inside this head. before i always loved the fact that God could hear my unspoken words. i would just sit ..and without saying a word, loved that God could hear my every cry of joy and sadness in my heart. and while reflecting on His words, they would make their mark in my heart... but not as often a mark in my head... prolly why i was never great at explaining these unsaid things... i just knew them to be true in my soul. Oh but how I wish I could grow not just in heart but also in knowledge and understanding with WORDS, not just internal unspoken truths. I admire those in my bible study group. They have such MASSIVE HEADS & such clarity of thought and speech! Today more than ever though, i felt a lot of big words fly over me. While reading the passage, I just had this urge to jump with joy lol. I couldn't even explain it... such hope, such comfort, such PURE JOY knowing that we are His and He will NEVER forsake us. WOW! More than that, knowing how much of a sinner I was, and the great cost Christ paid on that cross so that I may have this joy and hope and peace! It boggles my mind. I'd imagine its pretty much like that feeling you'd get if you won the lottery! =) Complete bliss knowing you're set for life!! and how undeserving we are of it too! All this I was feeling, yet couldn't put any of it into words.
... how I pray I may know my God and my faith not just in heart but also in head! to think hard & deep bout these things not just for the sake of my inner self during quiet times, but also for the benefit of others as we grow together in the faith!
it was weird, but i left bible study today quite disheartened & discouraged. the opposite of what I should've been. especially since tonight's study we were looking at such an uplifting passage (Jude 24-25). i took a loooooong detour walking home... 1 hr of trying to clear my head & talk things out with the big G.
i didn't even know why i felt that way... but finally came to the conclusion that i was disheartened with myself. i remember a year ago, one of the very 1st sermons that Pastor Steve preached on was bout having hard heads & soft hearts. i've got the soft heart down pat. but as far as the hard head goes... at times i wonder if there's much inside this head. before i always loved the fact that God could hear my unspoken words. i would just sit ..and without saying a word, loved that God could hear my every cry of joy and sadness in my heart. and while reflecting on His words, they would make their mark in my heart... but not as often a mark in my head... prolly why i was never great at explaining these unsaid things... i just knew them to be true in my soul. Oh but how I wish I could grow not just in heart but also in knowledge and understanding with WORDS, not just internal unspoken truths. I admire those in my bible study group. They have such MASSIVE HEADS & such clarity of thought and speech! Today more than ever though, i felt a lot of big words fly over me. While reading the passage, I just had this urge to jump with joy lol. I couldn't even explain it... such hope, such comfort, such PURE JOY knowing that we are His and He will NEVER forsake us. WOW! More than that, knowing how much of a sinner I was, and the great cost Christ paid on that cross so that I may have this joy and hope and peace! It boggles my mind. I'd imagine its pretty much like that feeling you'd get if you won the lottery! =) Complete bliss knowing you're set for life!! and how undeserving we are of it too! All this I was feeling, yet couldn't put any of it into words.
... how I pray I may know my God and my faith not just in heart but also in head! to think hard & deep bout these things not just for the sake of my inner self during quiet times, but also for the benefit of others as we grow together in the faith!
26.1.10
self reminder :)
train hard!! persevere!! let each waking minute be used for His glory! Be saturated with His Word so that you may have a clear mind as to what it is God wills for you each day! =)
16.1.10
note to self.
its easy not to care if you (un)intentionally distance yourself away from those needing it.
its easy not to notice those who are hurting & breaking if you've never stopped to look & listen but would rather have eyes plastered only to yourself.
its easy not to feel a thing if you've never cracked your hard-shell accumulated from all those years of living in a jaded cynical pessimistic world.
its easy not to love if you've never experienced true untainted selfless grace-filled God-sourced love.
its easy not to believe in the power of the gospel if you always cower in lack of faith, misunderstanding that it is not you but God who transforms hearts by His will - you're just a messenger.
its easy not to be bold if you're always in the shadow of doubt and unbelief.
its easy not to do anything if you're always just sitting here typing & thinking. . . .
its easy not to notice those who are hurting & breaking if you've never stopped to look & listen but would rather have eyes plastered only to yourself.
its easy not to feel a thing if you've never cracked your hard-shell accumulated from all those years of living in a jaded cynical pessimistic world.
its easy not to love if you've never experienced true untainted selfless grace-filled God-sourced love.
its easy not to believe in the power of the gospel if you always cower in lack of faith, misunderstanding that it is not you but God who transforms hearts by His will - you're just a messenger.
its easy not to be bold if you're always in the shadow of doubt and unbelief.
its easy not to do anything if you're always just sitting here typing & thinking. . . .
15.1.10
we looked at the 1st chpt of the sermon on the mount yesterday. its funny how the bible has this way of letting you see your reflection as it truly is. conclusions? I need to spend more time caring, less time procrastinating. More time listening, less time talking. More time being understanding, and less time being impatient with others..
I'm looking at this year stretch out before me, and wow, this is definitely gonna require some better time management and perhaps less sleep on my part. God help me get through it all. More than that, help me find missing sheep here in brisbane..
pearls:
"We love our people whether they turn out well or not and the successes do not vindicate our ministry nor the disappointments nullify it. What is important is whether we have loved in a real way - not preached in an impassioned way from a pulpit." - Jackie Pullinger
"We love much because we have been forgiven much!" - JP
I'm looking at this year stretch out before me, and wow, this is definitely gonna require some better time management and perhaps less sleep on my part. God help me get through it all. More than that, help me find missing sheep here in brisbane..
pearls:
"We love our people whether they turn out well or not and the successes do not vindicate our ministry nor the disappointments nullify it. What is important is whether we have loved in a real way - not preached in an impassioned way from a pulpit." - Jackie Pullinger
"We love much because we have been forgiven much!" - JP
12.1.10
ny resolution.
i got into brisbane yesterday. on the plane ride here, i was a bit apprehensive about starting another year. there's just so much clutter in my head right now that adding school & the crazy workload that comes with it is the last thing i need. but the moment i landed and the moment i breathed in the hot humid brisbane air, i felt peace. its a good feeling. but its more than a feeling. its a knowledge that everything will work out :) this morning during devos i was staring outside, i could hear the birds chirping, see the sun peaking through the trees and the crystal blue sky, and wow it never ceases to amaze me that God is creator. God is creator of ALL things :) He's placed the moon the sun and the stars in the universe, stretched out the sky before me and filled up the oceans deep, rose the mountains and carved the rivers. He is in control of all things. How comforting to know my life too is in His hands :) and so goodbye apprehension and hello 2010! i'm excited for the new year and look forward to the next decade to come no matter where i end up or what i end up doing.. i pray it all may be used for the expanse of His kingdom!
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You return man to dust
and say, 'Return, O children of man!'
For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!"
-psalm90 (esv)
My resolve is to:
"Keep vigilant watch over my heart;
that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of my mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep my eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch my step,
and the road will stretch out
smooth before me.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust." -prov4:20-27 (msg)
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You return man to dust
and say, 'Return, O children of man!'
For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night.
You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
For all our days pass away under your wrath;
we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
Who considers the power of your anger,
and your wrath according to the fear of you?
So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Return, O Lord! How long?
Have pity on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be shown to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!"
-psalm90 (esv)
My resolve is to:
"Keep vigilant watch over my heart;
that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of my mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep my eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch my step,
and the road will stretch out
smooth before me.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust." -prov4:20-27 (msg)
7.1.10
a.k.a. "LOST"
so i've been sick this past week, although i was better 2 sundays ago, after that day it came back with a vengeance. hopefully i'll have kicked it outta my system before i head for brissy. in the meantime, i finished reading a book "a.k.a. 'LOST'" by Jim Henderson.
It talks about being ordinary and doing small things when connecting with others. There were heaps he said that were really thought-provoking. so i'll jot them down lest i forget :)
"preach to serve & serve to preach.
We preach as if we're serving when we use words that carry people's hearts to Jesus rather than just correcting their mistaken beliefs. We preach as if we're serving when we refuse to steer the conversation in a direction that satisfies our own agenda. We preach as if we're serving when we ask more questions that we give answers. We preach as if we're serving when, after someone asks us what we're about, we talk about Jesus in a way that is real and matches their level of receptivity. We preach as if we're serving when our hearts' intention is for the other person to experience Jesus's love and reality, not just hear our beliefs.
And here's the other approach. We serve as if we're preaching when we do things for others, putting their needs ahead of our own. We serve as if we're preaching when we restrain ourselves from verbally clarifying that our real motive is to demonstrate God's love. We serve as if we're preaching by anticipating our missing friends' level of interest and praying behind their backs, asking Jesus to nudge them towards a heartfelt relationship with him."
"When Jesus approached people, he wasn't being evangelistic, he was being Jesus!"
"Finding the people Jesus misses most isn't about boldness, it's about love."
"Most pastors have learned to count the seated rather than the served - we call it church growth"
"Restraint (in conversation) is the highest form of discipline"
"The mission matters more than the method"
It talks about being ordinary and doing small things when connecting with others. There were heaps he said that were really thought-provoking. so i'll jot them down lest i forget :)
"preach to serve & serve to preach.
We preach as if we're serving when we use words that carry people's hearts to Jesus rather than just correcting their mistaken beliefs. We preach as if we're serving when we refuse to steer the conversation in a direction that satisfies our own agenda. We preach as if we're serving when we ask more questions that we give answers. We preach as if we're serving when, after someone asks us what we're about, we talk about Jesus in a way that is real and matches their level of receptivity. We preach as if we're serving when our hearts' intention is for the other person to experience Jesus's love and reality, not just hear our beliefs.
And here's the other approach. We serve as if we're preaching when we do things for others, putting their needs ahead of our own. We serve as if we're preaching when we restrain ourselves from verbally clarifying that our real motive is to demonstrate God's love. We serve as if we're preaching by anticipating our missing friends' level of interest and praying behind their backs, asking Jesus to nudge them towards a heartfelt relationship with him."
"When Jesus approached people, he wasn't being evangelistic, he was being Jesus!"
"Finding the people Jesus misses most isn't about boldness, it's about love."
"Most pastors have learned to count the seated rather than the served - we call it church growth"
"Restraint (in conversation) is the highest form of discipline"
"The mission matters more than the method"
28.12.09
healed! sorta :)
sunday morning i woke up sick to the point that i couldn't even speak. that plus i felt like there was a porcupine shoved down my throat. so was almost thinking of calling up my friend and cancelling going to church. but then thought it wouldn't be too great especially since she's just started coming out.. and didn't really want her to go alone since its pretty daunting going to church by yourself if you don't know anyone!
Anyways, during congregational prayer time, they switched things up a bit and we were able to pray for each other in twos :) So my friend prayed for my sickness, that I would get better. And VOILA! I got better!! I'm not completely healed, but i FEEL like i'm healed despite the sporadic cough here or there. but what was crazy was that before she prayed, when we were singing, no sound would come out when i tried to sing. after prayer however, i was able to sing like normal as if i'd never even gotten sick! :) My friend hadn't prayed to God in over a year, and God used her prayer of faith to heal me! How cool is that? =D tres cool indeed! that God uses ALL people for His glory!!
Anyways, during congregational prayer time, they switched things up a bit and we were able to pray for each other in twos :) So my friend prayed for my sickness, that I would get better. And VOILA! I got better!! I'm not completely healed, but i FEEL like i'm healed despite the sporadic cough here or there. but what was crazy was that before she prayed, when we were singing, no sound would come out when i tried to sing. after prayer however, i was able to sing like normal as if i'd never even gotten sick! :) My friend hadn't prayed to God in over a year, and God used her prayer of faith to heal me! How cool is that? =D tres cool indeed! that God uses ALL people for His glory!!
24.12.09
charlie
Today i went downtown and met a guy named Charlie, who goes by Chinay on the streets. Took a seat next to him and started talking. What a jolly guy. He was in his mid-40s and was First Nations, and had been living on the streets since his late teens. He grew up rolling 100 joints a day of marijuana with his mom. He was able to laugh through these things. i guess he was pretty proud of his success in his younger days, bringing in at least $500 a day from selling pot to his classmates. But through the laughter and somewhat mindless chatter, i could sense his hurt. He has 2 daughters who want nothing to do with him, and had 1 son who passed away. It didn't take much to know and feel the regret he had in his life. And so i did the only thing i knew how to do, i prayed with him. He got teary after we prayed, and I know its cuz the HS is working in his heart. Before i left i gave him a little care package with a bible & an invitation to come to church later on tonight.
if you're reading this post, please pray for Charlie - for mended relationships with his daughters, for learning that he can rid all shame and guilt through the cross, and ultimately that God would bring hope and light into his life as he toughs it out on the streets. Man, i look at him and i just shake my head. There's so much excess in our culture, in what we buy, what we eat, in everything...especially during this Christmas season. its rather scary when I think about how much is wasted when it can be used for good. I guess this is where Jesus needs to shine ever more brightly.. through our hands & feet :)
Praise be to God who came down onto Earth in the form of a baby bringing salvation & hope to all! Merry Christmas :)
if you're reading this post, please pray for Charlie - for mended relationships with his daughters, for learning that he can rid all shame and guilt through the cross, and ultimately that God would bring hope and light into his life as he toughs it out on the streets. Man, i look at him and i just shake my head. There's so much excess in our culture, in what we buy, what we eat, in everything...especially during this Christmas season. its rather scary when I think about how much is wasted when it can be used for good. I guess this is where Jesus needs to shine ever more brightly.. through our hands & feet :)
Praise be to God who came down onto Earth in the form of a baby bringing salvation & hope to all! Merry Christmas :)
26.11.09
PTL!
God is so very GOOD! =)
The mountain that was moved: Dr. R was facing deregistration or at best a few years of suspension from medical practice. Why? Because he stood up for what was right. Because he cares too much for his patients. and because people lied against and falsely accused Dr. R. He's opposed to drug maintenance and because of that many red alarms have been popping up all around him, and health bureaucrats have been trying to get him out. They've tried for over 10 years, but still made no dent! He offered morphine in severe cases to patients detoxing off of methadone. Everywhere around the world this is standard treatment, Canada, US, Europe, even Western Australia, but not here in QLD. More than that, he got verbal permission from the QLD Drug & Dependence Unit, who then denied giving it at all. His own lawyers thought at best he'd get 3 years of suspension, the other side was pushing for deregistration. Despite this, God moved the mountain, worked in the judge's heart who ruled that his suspension be suspended for 3 years! What a miracle! He'll be starting back at work on the monday :) It goes against all laws and logic, and I guess thats why just thinking about it puts a HUGE smile on my heart. God is a miracle-worker.
A family found. I met the loveliest couple this past week as a bunch of us gathered to help Dr. R sift through a bajillion boxes of archives. They've somewhat adopted me as their daughter, and they my 'Australian' family. It's strange. I've never clicked with people as fast as I clicked with these 2. They're different than the typical older Christian couple you'd see in church. Gary is just backed with a wealth of wisdom and has such a huge heart full of compassion for struggling men. He works at New Hope House with Teen Challenge here in Brisbane and is a chaplain as well. His wife is one crazy amazing woman! She's studying at bible college and she's what I'd call RADICAL! :) Both Gary & Linda are the type of people I'd read about in books. I'm still recovering from meeting both of them! I think the one thing that really stuck out was the fact that they're both so eager to grow and are so fired up, there's no pause on their remote, they just Go and Do, and talking to them you understand why, they're absolutely saturated with the Holy Spirit :) I just love the fact that they really love God and they're NOT afraid to show it!
The mountain that was moved: Dr. R was facing deregistration or at best a few years of suspension from medical practice. Why? Because he stood up for what was right. Because he cares too much for his patients. and because people lied against and falsely accused Dr. R. He's opposed to drug maintenance and because of that many red alarms have been popping up all around him, and health bureaucrats have been trying to get him out. They've tried for over 10 years, but still made no dent! He offered morphine in severe cases to patients detoxing off of methadone. Everywhere around the world this is standard treatment, Canada, US, Europe, even Western Australia, but not here in QLD. More than that, he got verbal permission from the QLD Drug & Dependence Unit, who then denied giving it at all. His own lawyers thought at best he'd get 3 years of suspension, the other side was pushing for deregistration. Despite this, God moved the mountain, worked in the judge's heart who ruled that his suspension be suspended for 3 years! What a miracle! He'll be starting back at work on the monday :) It goes against all laws and logic, and I guess thats why just thinking about it puts a HUGE smile on my heart. God is a miracle-worker.
A family found. I met the loveliest couple this past week as a bunch of us gathered to help Dr. R sift through a bajillion boxes of archives. They've somewhat adopted me as their daughter, and they my 'Australian' family. It's strange. I've never clicked with people as fast as I clicked with these 2. They're different than the typical older Christian couple you'd see in church. Gary is just backed with a wealth of wisdom and has such a huge heart full of compassion for struggling men. He works at New Hope House with Teen Challenge here in Brisbane and is a chaplain as well. His wife is one crazy amazing woman! She's studying at bible college and she's what I'd call RADICAL! :) Both Gary & Linda are the type of people I'd read about in books. I'm still recovering from meeting both of them! I think the one thing that really stuck out was the fact that they're both so eager to grow and are so fired up, there's no pause on their remote, they just Go and Do, and talking to them you understand why, they're absolutely saturated with the Holy Spirit :) I just love the fact that they really love God and they're NOT afraid to show it!
A night of celebration! They brought me up to Toowoomba for Champion's Night at Teen Challenge. I'm still kinda in shock to be honest... at God's amazing power to transform lives so radically. Imprinted in my mind is a guy named Josh: was on the streets, used everything, headed towards death, but yet here he is completed the program at TC, and with YWAM now filled with such a passion for full-time missions! He was one of many stories that night. It was wonderful seeing and celebrating with these guys. One thing really stuck out for me that Pastor Alan said "Success isn't about never failing, success is learning how to deal with failure" & to get through failure think ADHD: assurance --> deliverance --> hope --> destiny!
22.11.09
"Life sometimes can be like the frayed endings of a most beautiful tapestry. We just see the bottom frayed bits in our life, but truly God is weaving a beautiful picture out of us" -- Pastor Steve
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -- 2 Cor 4
O Lord my God deliver him I pray. All things are possible through you, but let Your will be done! Grant him peace and assurance and hope knowing full well You are in control of every circumstance. As you say in Isaiah 45, "I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." Nothing goes without Your hand in it. And so I pray Lord God that You'd continue to weave out a most beautiful tapestry from Dr. R's life and the lives of his patients.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -- 2 Cor 4
O Lord my God deliver him I pray. All things are possible through you, but let Your will be done! Grant him peace and assurance and hope knowing full well You are in control of every circumstance. As you say in Isaiah 45, "I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." Nothing goes without Your hand in it. And so I pray Lord God that You'd continue to weave out a most beautiful tapestry from Dr. R's life and the lives of his patients.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
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