Wednesday, August 30, 2006
L.I.F.E: Little Investments For Eternity
After the Fall, really you'll find that there's barely a clear distinction between right and wrong anymore. I guess it has all boiled down to the one thing that distinguishes us from all other creations. Choice. After salvation there is no more condemnation for those in Christ.
Romans 8:1-4 says: "1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[d] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."
The fact is, if we were to live so as to be judged as righteous, we'd have to be perfect. But we are not. The hammer would have fallen on us long ago if we were to be judged by God's perfect standard. We have ALL been saved from condemnation, because Jesus already paid for it and that can NEVER be undone. So what's life all about from this point on? As my heading suggests, I think it can be viewed as Little Investments For Eternity. There are good investments that will reap rewards in eternity, and there are bad investments that will incur wrath for eternity. Life is really about the choices we make; are they aligned to God's will, which is to ensure we have an everlasting relationship with Him? To make independent choices is to make the choice to be outside of God's protection. So it's time to ask, 'is it wise to do this?' and not 'is it right to do this'? God allows us to make stupid choices. There are lessons to learn from them; he has designed Pain to make sure that happens.
Mantou at 2:35 PM
Monday, August 28, 2006
Eureka: The Threshold of Truth
We are all familiar with the analogy of the lightbulb phenomenon, known as the Eureka Moment. Truth be told, we encounter such moments many times on Life's Road. *keke* At least for me, I know that's the moment when I cross the threshold of an egocentric perspective and embrace the truth. Christians call it revelation; whatever it's name, there are many kinds of truths out there waiting to be discovered. Ever wondered why you can feel this way one moment and another the next? The Eureka experience teaches us one thing; our thoughts determine our feelings. It also brings into play one powerful factor: THE TRUTH. People who exclaim Eureka! are overwhelmed with joy over the discovery of some truth. Doubts often come in and cloud our minds and discourage us. Recognize that all it takes is the discovery of a truth to set things right again. And it can never be taken away because the kind of truth that causes one to exclaim Eureka! would probably be one that has yielded results. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8: 32. It didn't say the truth might / probably is gonna set you free. Free from what? Nagging doubts, paralyzing fears, deceiving and enticing lies, selfish pride, anything that is not of truth! What's the one Eureka moment I've encountered that has forever changed me? The truth that God is our all-sufficiency; I firmly and resolutely believe that God is the only that can provide us with what we need. This has caused me to seek Him more, even in times when I'm feeling unworthy; I discovered even though I was unworthy there's nothing that can make me worthy except in asking for Him to restore me! That's a Eureka for you!
Mantou at 9:54 PM
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Letter
Dear Daddy God,
I'm blessed to see Your faithfulness in such a real way in my life. Today You gave me a revelation that You take care of the mountains and valleys and every nook and cranny on this earth even though no Man has or will ever live to see its splendor. This earth and all that's in it was created by You, for You. And You will remain faithful to Your Word. 'Let there be light' and there was light. Nothing is impossible for you, as long as You speak forth Your will. Dare we defy Your Will? 'Even oceans and their waves bow to you.' Why don't You pursue and reward these that humbly do Your Perfect will? Why do You choose to let your Heart be grieved and hurt by the ones you created? Who are we, that we should have the choice to disobey You time and again? We seem to be the only creature capable of defying Your Commandments. From even the depths of Your grief You used the opportunity in our defiance to show Your goodness, Your kindness, patience, faithfulness and sovereignty. It makes me wonder; if we were in a world where there was complete obedience, would there be a chance to see Your wonderful Nature? Yet it seems that Man is the only creature struggling to understand You. This seed of choice planted in us is the source of Your Delight as well as Despair. After Your Death and Resurrection You began to draw a line in the sand and started to separate the living and the dead. Will I be on Your side?
These 2 years You have been showing me how detrimental it is to live without You. You have transformed my life and my heart slowly but surely to let You be the Lord in my life. My tomorrows are in Your Hands, Daddy God. Let me live to discover who You are and what I'm made to be. Remember the priorities You have re-adjusted in my life? Remember the wrong notions You have corrected in my life? My family, finances, friends, relationships, personal life are under Your influence now. It doesn't feel so right to be making selfish, impulsive decisions any more. Still feelings and emotions are but flags of warnings. I don't wanna take the wheel any more. I am nothing more than a servant to my Master, a soldier to my Commanding Officer, a child to my Father, a sheep to my Shepherd. How much of my life is still deceived by the god of this earth? In my family I have seen that where I have been faithful to minister to my Mom You are faithful to work in her heart to soften it enough to allow her to know you. She will be coming to COR for the evangelistic adult service this Sun. I pray Daddy God that she will know of the freedom in Christ and Christ alone. I remember the time when I obeyed Your prompting to minister to my dad, and he also received your promise of salvation. Has it been snatched away, snuffed out? What can we do about it now? I pray God that Your Will be done, and Light will shine in his life to force out the bondage of darkness and denial. My finances are still poorly managed, even though You have put in me the faith to tithe every month without fail. I know it's only in my possession to manage, and I'm sorry I'm doing such a bad job. Teach me your way.
Daddy God I know You make all things beautiful in Your time. I just wanna keep Your lovely face ever before my eyes. To discover Your wonderful love and how I can love you back with my being. Make me ready. Amen.
Love,
Vince
Mantou at 10:23 PM
The Countdown Entry
Countdown One: 16 working days till I ORD.
Countdown Two: 4 days to the arrival of new computer.
Countdown Three: 9 days to the connection of my broadband.
It's time to say adios, sayonara, 再见, au revoir, so long (and farewell in wateva language you can think of) to some things in my life, and hola, konnichiwa, 你好， enchante, hello (and any other greetings you can think of） to a new phase in my life. First of all, so long to the SAF (for a while) and the unit in which I've come to realise is quite screwed up in terms of their management. There have been many a times when I've wondered where to start cleaning up the mess. With 16 more days, it's disturbing there are still some issues that prompt me with the same question. I wish the regulars and DXOs all the best. I thank God for His providence and blessings and affirmation, not to mention friends He has added on throughout the 2 years. I feel especially blessed cos it's something special to grow closer to the Lord while I'm in the army as I've seen many others struggle through this time. Not that I haven't been struggling, but each struggle makes me realize the importance of having God in my life. I'm blessed with a new computer! I feel more equipped and accessible with such a blessing, yet burdened to have to handle another worldly possession that just might become another idol. Those who know me know that I don't really have much gadgets. Zen's my middle name. Only time will tell I guess. I'm excited about a few things: being able to blog more :p, msn more, compile and organize my music finally, and edit photos and vidz. Fortunately I've been blessed with the availibility of computers everywhere so I'm not some caveman completely unfamiliar with using a computer.
Mantou at 9:27 PM
Monday, August 07, 2006
Liberation
"Today I am going to begin" - Jean Pierre de Caussard
There is a certain liberation in opening cans of worms. *smiles*
Today I am going to begin:
'What I want to do doesn't matter, others can do what they wanna do first' - Resignation that stems from multiple disappointments. In retrospect it can also be termed as Selflessness. God sees the heart.
'I love being in worship and fellowship with God' - Escapism that stems from having faced rejection and criticism from people close to you, to the point you find no stability in human relationships. In retrospect it can also be termed as having tasted Grace. God sees the heart.
'So-and-so has got issues and struggles he/she's facing' -Sensitivity that stems from having countless internal battles trying to understand what you're going through. In retrospect it can also be termed as Empathy. God sees the heart.
'Remember you told me that there's something in my life that I'm missing? I think I know what it is. But I'm not exactly sure what it is yet. Still working it out.' - Scene from Ruri No Shima
All I want to do is to not be afraid of being myself, flaws and all. Mistakes cannot be avoided. Emotions should not be suppressed to often. Disillusionment will take its place. Scared to fall? Do I not realise there is someone waiting to catch me if I should fall? Pressured to perform? It takes away much joy and comfort in my relationships. Don't I realise that I am accepted as I am already?
The Way I was Made - Chris Tomlin
Caught in the half-life, I’m caught alone Waking up to the sunrise and the radio Feels like I’m tied-up of what’s holding me Just praying today will be the day I go free I want to live like there’s no tomorrow I want to dance like no one’s around I want to sing like nobody’s listening Before I lay my body down I want to give like I have plenty I want to love like I’m not afraid I want to be the man I was meant to be I want to be the way I was made Made in Your likeness, made with Your hands Made to discover who You are and who I am And All I’ve forgotten help me to find All that You’ve promised let it be in my lifeMantou at 2:45 AM