FAITHFULNESS!

"I woke up this morning feeling like some people are doing their very best but they feel like they are failing! Maybe it's because your business is barely making you a living, or your family (kids or marriage, etc) are struggling in some way...the list is endless BUT faithfulness is success in God!

You can't determine outcomes, you are only responsible for doing what's right...serving people with excellence, loving people well, putting God first...but that doesn't mean you will necessarily make a lot of money, or that your family will be perfect, etc.

In the Bible, Joseph was sold into slavery but God said he was successful. Than Joe was sent to prison, yet again God said he was successful. Finally he was promoted to the palace where the world got to see what had been going on in this man's life for 2 decades! Faithfulness to God in any circumstance, (in good times and in tuff times), is success! Don't forget that...

Now stop condemning yourself and be at peace...help is on the way..." - KV

Grace, Faith, Works

Something I took away from yesterday's sermon. Teachers are good. Because they are clear and puts the truth in very simple yet plain words for easy understanding. The balance of the 5 fold needs to be in place.  Where is the law found? In the beginning. Genesis. And in the beginning, as John wrote, was the Word. Jesus was actually asking if you could see, that, I am the beginning, I am the Word, and in the Word, I am the Law. We are saved by grace through faith, not works lest we boast of our salvation. But we were saved by grace through faith, so that our faith in Him may produce the good works that we have been called to and saved to do. (James says that we are justified by works not just faith alone) That the good works in deeds may be pleasing to God and thus glorifying Him by the praises of men. This is the truth, the tension and the paradox: that we are saved by grace through faith, so that the works done out of that relationship produces excellence. And when people who are around, has seen the good works of your hands and that it has been blessed by the One who saved you, they cannot help but give glory and praise to the One who has called you and saved you; by grace, through faith, no less.

The Desert Test

Based on Japanese Archetypes the desert represents a hardship. Each of the animals represents an aspect of your life. The order in which you sacrifice the animals might be said to represent the importance of these things to you. The one that you sacrificed first is the least important, and the one that you kept is the most important.
1 You sacrificed the Lion. The Lion represents pride.
2 You sacrificed the Monkey. The Monkey represents your children.
3 You sacrificed the Sheep. The Sheep represents friendship.
4 You sacrificed the Cow. The Cow represents basic needs.
5 You kept the Horse. The Horse represents your passion.

From a random personality test...

1. A kind of person you will be attracted to in a real life situation is those who are unbridled and free
2. In the process of courtship, the approach that makes you feel irresistible is being straightforward, and having your partner speak directly.
3. The impression you'd like to give to your lover is optimistic.
4. One reason that would make you break up with your partner is his or her being emotional. If they're moody, you won't know how to please them.
5. The kind of relationship you'd like to build with your partner is that you care not only about the present but also the future with your partner. A long-lasting relationship that you can grow with is important.
6. Would you commit adultery? Society and morality worry you. You wouldn't do anything wrong after marriage.
7. About marriage, you think marriage is a precious thing. Once you get married, you'll treasure your partner very much.
8. About love, at this moment, you always thirst for love. You will do anything for it, but you don't fall in love easily.

Passion

There is no real love without intense passion. There is no intense passion that doesn't require extreme sacrifice. There is no extreme sacrifice that doesn't test the limits of our very souls. And it is only those souls that know the depths of God's love which transcend the minds of men and fulfills the longings of their hearts. - KV

Wisdom - And all that it encompasses

When we lose the knowledge of the existence of a creator, we lose the concept of design. When we lose the concept of design, we undermine the discovery of purpose. When we undermine the discovery of purpose, we remove the conviction of accountability. When we remove the conviction of accountability, we undermine the fear of God. The Bible says, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. - Bill Johnson

A really long update cause I can

I'm typing this as I think through and reflect on what I have been through and to give thanks for whatever that was thrown at me thus far. The comfort of typing this at my favourite hang, though I have sort of delayed doing this for a while. And perhaps to crystalize it in this memory log and to provide a closure of sorts.

So June was an extremely tough time, but it was not without His grace and goodness.

At the end of May I quit school due to 3 reasons; 1. because school was being delayed (because I failed my drums technical studies last semester. No one to blame of course but myself, but not looking for an excuse or what but the syllabus is just... never mind.) 2. my pianist pulled out of my exams 1 week before and to replace and rehearse was gonna crazy plus panicky. I sort of figured this would happen, another long story by the way, so when it happened, I decided that this would be it. 3. My mum had a dream that I was involved in a serious accident and died. So she was worried and she called me and asked. When I told her that I was ok physically but felt like I was dying spiritually, she asked me to think if I would still want to continue studying. This was the partial permission which I took up in the end and called it quits.

Calling it quits was one thing, VISA with a SPECIAL stamp issue was another (look at post tittled: Heartdriven Taiwan 2013).

But this Taiwan Trip was the highlight of June. June was a busy month. After Taiwan, I did worship for 3 consecutive weekends and welcomed July with a busking/worship/jam session and a covering and liberation.

In June I received a new mentor and a much needed covering. This agreement has helped me because all of a sudden I feel like I can do what I want to as long as I am accountable to him. Its not for me to abuse but for me to steward it well and bless others. But not being under a covering for so long, this shelter has suddenly helped me to understand the importance of it.

Also, coming back to SG and leading worship in one of the cell/sharing session has lead to a blessing that was a total SURPRISE! Cynthia, after the whole session, at the Bus-Stop in front of her house, prayed for me for like 30mins and my, the prayer was so generous I was truly truly blessed. It was liberating and affirming and encouraging all at once. (Will attempt to blog about this in greater details)

Not only all that good things had happened, but I know that God has confirmed my dreams of having a building, the finances He is gonna pour into my life and like many more. Ok for the details I'll try to get them out ASAP, but for now this is about it.

Yes, I am counting all my blessings and naming them one by one. I have to do so for contentment and testimony is the way to go, for all glory, belongs to Him and Him alone. Besides otherwise, I'll be whining at my current situation and forgotten how He has come through for me. Lest I be like the Israelites when God took them out of slavery and yet they complained against Him.

God is good all the time. Amen!