For Whom Are You Playing?

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Perhaps you have read the story told by Coach Bertman, the successful athletic director at Louisiana State University. But it's well worth a reminder in how it helps if we're playing and/or working for someone else. Here's the story as told by Michael Josephson in Character Counts.

"Coach Bertman emphasized the idea that his players were never simply acting for themselves. He reminded them: 'You represent LSU, your family and your Maker.'"

On one occasion "he told a story about a young man named John who played football for Columbia University in the 1930s. Well, actually, John was on the squad because he had a terrific attitude, but he was a bench warmer who hadn't been in a single game.

"During his senior year, John's father died. When he returned from the funeral he asked his coach if he could start in the next game to honor his dad. The coach couldn't refuse, but he warned John that it probably would be only for a few plays.

"To the coach's surprise, John played so well that he was declared the game's most valuable player. When the coach asked John how he was able to play at such a high level after just losing his father, John said, 'You know, coach, my dad came to every game. You probably saw me walking with him holding his arm. That's because he was blind.

Well, I figure today was the first time he ever saw me play. I was playing for my daddy.'"

I'm not going to argue whether John's dad saw his son play or not. But it's certainly true in that whatever we as Christians do, we'll do it better if and when we do it as unto the Lord knowing that he sees all and that he keeps the final score

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.

Do not envy sinners

Then Jesus said to his disciples:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Luke 12:22-26 NIV

Should vs Want

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom [liberty]."

Recently we had a critical situation. Joy went interstate to help take care of family matters and assured me that there was no need for me to come. Because I was under a lot of work pressure, it would have been so much easier for me to stay at home. But to me it was important that I go, not because I should, but because I wanted to be with Joy to support her and the family.
Have you ever been in a similar situation and noticed that there is a big difference between "shoulds" and "wants"? If I do certain things only because I should and my heart is not in it, how genuine is that? I am talking more about a type of compulsive "shoulds" that can be very confusing at times.

If you have ever struggled with even mild compulsive "shoulds," how can you tell what is from God, from your own self, or even from the enemy?
Compulsive "shoulds" can come from various sources. They can come from a mental condition in the brain that is inherited, or from an over-dependent need to be popular, accepted and admired. They can come from a neurotic need for approval, from false motives, for payback or even to manipulate others. They can also come from a spirit of legalism which keeps one in terrible bondage.

Or they can come from the enemy—as the old saying goes, "If Satan can't pull us down into a life of sin and debauchery, he will try to push us over the top so we become so "heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use." This was so for me in my youthful days. It was like there was a little voice inside my head that would say, "You better do this or you better not do that. Or you better do that or you better not do this." At the time I thought this inner voice was from God telling me what I should do and what I shouldn't do. It got very confusing at times.

With the help of an understanding pastor, the defining factor for me was this:
Is there a spirit of freedom in what this "inner voice" was "telling" me to do or was it a spirit of bondage? In my heart did I genuinely want to do this or was I being compulsively driven?

If it were the latter, I knew it wasn't a genuine desire in my heart and it wasn't from God because, as God's Word says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom"

Good Read

Being Nice or Being Christian?
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."1
In training for Christian ministry I recall one of my professors stating that every church had a church boss; that is, someone or a small group who, often behind the scenes, control the happenings of the church. This isn't usually the pastor or priest. Today we call these people control freaks. They have a neurotic need to control others in order to feel okay about themselves, when in reality they do this because deep down they don't feel okay about themselves.

William Easum calls them bullies. After years of consulting with churches he said, "I have seen a disturbing pattern: Most established churches are held hostage by bullies. Some individual or small group of individuals usually opposes the church's making any radical change, even if it means the change would give the church a chance to thrive again. Courageous pastors often ask, 'What do I do when one or two persons intimidate the church so much that it is not willing to try something new?'"

Easum's response was either to convert them, neutralize them, or kick them out. To which some cry, "That's not very Christian."

The point is that sometimes (not always, by any means) we Christians are just too nice. That's more because we are too afraid to stand up to bullies and call their bluff—not because we're Christian. We'd rather keep the peace than rock the boat.

True, we are to be loving, but that doesn't mean we always have to be nice. I recall hearing an employer share how he was accused of not being Christian by an inept employee he was firing. So he said to the employee in question, "Well I'm going to lovingly fire you." If, after being given several warnings and help to improve, an employee is not pulling his or her weight, it isn't loving to let him off the hook. In fact, it is reinforcing his irresponsibility, which is anything but loving. Neither is it loving to allow bullies to control a church.

So let's not confuse loving with being nice.

Jesus was always loving and compassionate as this was his nature, but he wasn't always nice.

Think how he turned over the tables of the money changers—merchants who were ripping off the poor in the house of God, no less—and drove them out of the temple with a whip, and how he scathingly scorned the religious bigots who loved their doctrines more than they loved people, and used their teachings to control people for their own ends.

Jesus knew the value of tough love. Not that it's easy. In fact, it can be very difficult, but we need to exercise it too when such is called for.

In good times and bad times

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;

in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,

both of having abundance and suffering need.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:12,13 NASB

Can you guess who this is???

Watch the entire video and identify the person whom you guys know very well...in fact this person is one of us....:))) ...Guess who???

It is not a joke...it is for real!!!

I am confused.

Saw this recently and am rather confused. Can anyone enlighten me whether it is alright to offer burnt offerings and sacrifices to GOD as indicated below?

And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-

These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Isaiah 56:6-7 NIV

Doing God's work the experiential way.

Guys, I think it is a brilliant idea to inform, spread and to teach God's words through the experiential way!

Why not we do the same as what the Museum (see below) did by creating inspiring experiences for those who do not know GOD yet?

Any takers?

The movie Night at the Museum portrays the humorous experiences of a security guard at a natural history museum. The excitement begins for him when the displays come to life at night.

Inspired by this movie, directors of a real museum created a similar experience. The staff
portrayed historic figures such as knights in armor, Victorian ladies, and Egyptian royalty. When children arrived at the museum, they were told that the people in the exhibits had come alive and needed to be led back to their proper place. As the children responded, history came alive for them.

Children need not be bored by history. This is especially true of Bible stories. Take Moses, for example. He escaped death as a child, was educated as a prince, worked miracles, and received the Ten Commandments on tablets. What exciting story elements that teach children about God!

Biblical stories have been shared with children for generations—all the way back to the times of Exodus (ch.12–13) and Deuteronomy (ch.6). Moses described times when children were retold vital stories from Jewish history.

Why not set a time to read Bible stories to the children in your life? Then watch their excitement as biblical history comes alive!

The stories in the Word of God Are there for us to see How God has worked in people’s lives throughout all history.

The Bible’s treasures are found by those who dig for them

Never Say Never when it comes to what GOD can do

A Story from the Daily Bread...May 29 2010 by David C McCasland

While a friend and I walked along the path of the former Berlin Wall, he told me, “This is one of those ‘never say never’ places in my life.”

He explained that during the years when the Wall divided the city, he had made a dozen trips through Checkpoint Charlie to encourage members of the church living under continuing surveillance and opposition in East Germany. More than once, he had been detained, questioned, and harassed by the border guards.

In 1988, he took his teenage children to West Berlin and told them, “Take a good look at this wall, because someday when you bring your children here, this wall will still be standing.” A year later it was gone.

When Saul of Tarsus began to attack the followers of Jesus, no one could have imagined that he would ever become a disciple of Christ. “Never. Not a chance.” Yet Acts 9:1-9 records the story of Saul’s blinding encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Within a few days of that life-changing event, Saul was preaching in the synagogues of Damascus that Jesus was the Son of God, to the astonishment of all who heard him (vv.20-21).

When it comes to God’s work in the most difficult people we know, we should never say “never.”
God’s power cannot be confinedTo what you think is possible;So when it comes to changing lives—Imagine the impossible. —Sper

Never say never when it comes to what God can do

Questions and GOD's answers

An African proverb states, “The one who asks questions doesn’t lose his way.” That concept can be helpful as we consider David’s questions in the Psalms. He was clearly seeking God’s guidance for the way he should go.

Look, for example, at some of the questions he asked:
“O Lord—how long?” (6:3). A question of eagerness to see God’s plan accomplished.

“What is man that You are mindful of him?” (8:4). A question of awe that God even cares about sinful man.

“Why do You hide in times of trouble?” (10:1). A question that reveals a longing for God’s presence.

“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” (15:1). The ultimate question of who may live with God.

David had some tough questions for God. He had discovered what it was like to lose his way when he excluded God and followed his own sinful path. But as he penned the Psalms, he was a man in search of godliness, which meant he probed God’s mind about difficult subjects.

Questions.
Like David, you have them. Keep asking. Then, through faith in God’s Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, listen as He leads you in His way.

My mind cries its questions, My longing heart, joining: O Father, please hear me! O Spirit, keep teaching! —Verway

It’s good to have questions, but it’s even better to search for God’s answers.

DREAMS

Dreams.
Do they have meaning and purpose? Does God still speak to people through them?

Technically speaking, dreams are the right or creative side of the brain communicating to the left or logical side of the brain. They are often visual symbols representing what we are feeling deep inside.

Clinical tests have shown that we all dream every night even if we don't remember what we have dreamed. Dreaming is one of nature's ways to relieve tension. In one test, sleepers were monitored with electronic equipment to show when they were dreaming. As soon as they started to dream, they were awakened and the dream stopped. The test had to be discontinued after several nights as the people in the test were becoming too emotionally distressed.

Some dreams can be caused by an emotional upset; others by stress or physical pain. For several days, following an operation on my Achilles tendon, which I snapped twice in three months, I kept dreaming over and over that I was falling and snapping my tendon. These were more like nightmares!

At other times dreams can be very insightful. For instance, some dreams have clearly shown me conflicts from childhood that I needed to resolve. When we have repeated dreams on a theme—such as when we are trying to run from something but can't move, or when we are being chased but can't get away, or falling and can't catch ourselves—it may indicate an unresolved fear or conflict from the past. It's nature's way of notifying us that we need to resolve some long forgotten memory.

But does God ever speak to us today through dreams as he did in Bible times to the patriarchs and prophets?

At times I think God still uses dreams to communicate to us. On one occasion when my organization (ACTS International) was facing a severe financial crisis, I was feeling very afraid and discouraged, and fell asleep during my morning devotional time when I had a fascinating dream.

In the dream I heard a voice that said very clearly, "Philippians 4:18 makes sense to me."

Immediately I woke up, opened my Bible to that passage and read the following: "I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied!"

I had never memorized that Scripture verse so it didn't come from my memory bank! That certainly encouraged me and, by way of interest, we did survive that crisis.

Some dreams may be from God. Most aren't. However, the ability to dream is. And we have been given them for a purpose—at least to relieve stress and to gain insights for personal and spiritual growth.

The difficulty can be in interpreting them correctly. However, through prayer and practice we can learn to do this and use these dreams creatively.

"Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions."1

Dreams not only give valuable personal insights but also have given many creative insights. Some inventors, for example, have received profound ideas from dreams. I recall reading how the inventor, Elias Howe, designed the first sewing machine. He was having great difficulty in conceiving a workable needle. When he was close to running out of money, he had an unusual dream. He dreamt that he was about to be executed because he failed to design a sewing machine for the king of a strange country.

In his dream he was surrounded by guards, all of whom held spears that had been pierced with holes near the tip. Howe woke up and immediately rushed to his workshop. The perfect concept for the sewing machine needle came to him in this dream. Within a few hours the first sewing machine was well on the way to being designed.

I have heard it said that the theory of relativity came to Einstein in either a dream or a vision. Apparently he saw it on a beam of light. I have also read that the design for the first radio tube came to the inventor in a dream.

Was it time for these discoveries to come into the world and did God give them to the persons who were trained to understand them and put them to use? Or did they just happen by chance? I prefer to think the former.

So whatever we think about dreams, as we said yesterday, they are a God-given gift in that he gave us the ability to dream. Whether we repress them as many do, ignore them as most do, or use them for creative purposes as some do is entirely up to each individual.

To remember dreams it can be very helpful to keep a pen and pad at your bedside and record any dream that makes a strong impression on your mind. Speaking personally, dreams have given me many valuable insights for growth and recovery.

Faith 2 by Natalie Chong

Thanks Natalie

Faith as contributed by Natalie Chong

More to come .....

Ha Ha Ha

If God would have wanted us to live in a permissive society

He would have given us Ten Suggestions

and not the Ten Commandments!

Noah's Ark Rebuilt

A Contribution by Suzette:

Man Builds Noah's Ark to the Exact Scale Given in the Bible

The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was opened the first crowd of curious townsfolk to behold the wonder. This replica of the biblical Ark was built by Dutch Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible.

The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house.

Life-sized models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold.



A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine. Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been

Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005. On the uncovered top deck - not quite ready in time for the opening - will come a petting zoo, with baby lambs and chickens, and goats, and one camel.

Visitors on the first day were stunned. 'It's past comprehension', said Mary Louise Starosciak, who happened to be bicycling by with her husband while on vacation when they saw the ark looming over the local landscape.

'I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big ' There is enough space near the keel for a 50-seat film theater where kids can watch a video that tells the story of Noah and his ark. Huibers, a Christian man, said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands, where church going has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years.



Now that I am old and gray...give me the time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles.
[Psalm 71:18]

Be Born of the Water and of the Spirit

Especially for Natalie, Jonathan and Darren Chong:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

It's time we get to "befriend" Jesus and take a closer walk with Him so that we be born of the water and of the Spirit.

What say you guys?

I am the Way

Good read...

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"1

Stanley Jones tells of a missionary who got lost in an African jungle, nothing around him but bush and a few cleared places. He found a native hut and asked the native if he could get him out. The native said he could.

"All right," said the missionary, "show me the way."

The native said, "Walk," so they walked and hacked their way through unmarked jungle for more than an hour.

The missionary got worried. "Are you quite sure this is the way? Where is the path?"

The native said, "Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path."

When it comes to finding the way to God, there are various religions in the world today all claiming to have a corner on the truth and to be "the path" to God.

There are also vast numbers of people who believe that the way to God and the path to Heaven are through good works.

Or at least, they reason (as I did in youthful days).

"If I do more good things than I do bad things, my good deeds will outweigh my bad deeds, and that will get me into Heaven."

According to God's Word, the Bible, this belief is also doomed for failure.

As the Bible says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9

It is true that Christianity makes the claim that it is the ONLY path or way to God and to God's Heaven.

Again, the Bible says: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [other than Jesus Christ] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12

Dear God, in all the many voices claiming to have the way to you and that of eternal salvation, help me to know the truth so I can be absolutely certain that I am on the 'Truth Way' and on my way to Heaven when I die. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen

The Fate of Flight 232

"And then Jesus told them,
'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'
Mark 16:15

In 1976, a daily flight which originated in Quito, Ecuador, and departed for the southern Ecuadorian city of Cuenca completely disappeared. Despite ongoing investigations, Saeta Flight 232, a 727 Boeing jet with 59 passengers, was never heard from again until recently. For over 25 years family members had no peace of mind regarding the plight of their loved ones.

But that changed a few short years ago as Chimborazo Mountain climbers discovered the jet imbedded in the snow and ice of one of the highest volcanic mountains in the world. The plane was almost intact and the bodies of the passengers were well preserved by the year-round icecap on top of the great mountain.

However, the story doesn't end there. Upon finding the wrecked plane and its preserved bodies, it was evident that others had already been there. The passengers had been stripped of their jewelry, wallets and other possessions. When, nobody really knows.

It's difficult to believe that those who found the wrecked airplane never bothered to inform any authorities so loved ones of those who perished on that fateful flight could be told of their whereabouts.

And how tragic that we know people who are lost without Christ and without hope, and we never bother to share with them the saving message of Jesus Christ.

As Mark Creech said, "Perhaps the greatest of all sins is to know the truth, to possess the knowledge that can free others, and then to conceal it for reasons that are essentially selfish."

Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for those who told me about your marvelous plan of salvation—which includes your gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life? Please use me to be 'as Christ' to every life I touch and therein communicate your love and salvation—and grant that others, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Wishing all Mothers a
Very Happy Mother's Day

Lee Strobel tells about a mother from Costa Mesa, California who told about the day her three-year old son was on her heels wherever she went. She was having trouble doing her routine chores.

"Whenever I stopped to do something and turned back around I would trip over him," she said. "Several times I suggested fun activities to keep him occupied, but he would just smile and say, 'That's alright Mommy I'd rather be in here with you.' He continued to follow me and after the fifth trip, my patience wore thin and I asked him why he was following me constantly."

He said, "My Sunday school teacher told me to walk in Jesus' footsteps but I can't see him so I'm walking in yours."

The greatest way we can teach our children about and show our loved ones the love of Jesus is through the example of how we live, and how we model his love in our everyday life.

The Apostle Paul said, "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."1

"Dear God, please help me to so live that people, especially my children (and loved ones), will see Jesus in me and will want to follow in my footsteps and have Jesus in their life too. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

Is the Bible the Word of GOD? Part I

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."1

Have you ever wondered why the Bible is one of the best-selling books of all time and why almost every home has a copy?

Some, I suppose, have a Bible as a sort of lucky charm. Others have a copy to maintain a form of religious acknowledgment. And many millions have a copy because they believe the Bible is God's Word.

But is the Bible God's Word and his special message to mankind, or is it simply a compilation of man-made messages? How can we know whether it is one or the other? What evidence is there to support the Bible's own claim that it is "inspired by God?"2 Let us examine the following evidence:

Support from Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus accepted the Bible as God's Word is important to note. In his day, only the Old Testament section of the Bible had been written. It was then known as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, or simply as the Law. Referring to these writings Jesus said, "All things which are written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."3

He also said, "Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law [the Bible] until everything is accomplished."4

Peter's confirmation. The New Testament section of the Bible was written immediately following Christ's time on earth. A large part was written by the Apostle Paul. In speaking about Paul's writings, Peter—one of the better-known disciples of Jesus—equates what Paul wrote with the rest of the Bible.5

Evidence from fulfilled prophecy. The Bible boldly foretold events of major historical significance hundreds of years in advance—many of which have already been fulfilled.

For instance, at least fifteen hundred years B.C., God gave the first hope of a Savior (the Christ) who would come from Israel through the tribe of Judah.6 A thousand years B.C., the Bible said that Christ would come through the family of David.7 Seven hundred years B.C., Bethlehem was named by the prophet Micah as the birthplace of Christ.8 About the same time the prophet Isaiah wrote that Christ would be born of a virgin,9 and six hundred years B.C., the prophet Daniel predicted the time of Christ's coming.10 All of these predictions were fulfilled exactly as stated in the Bible.

Humility

True Humility
"A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."

"Tony Campolo tells of preaching a really good sermon in his preaching class in seminary. Campolo felt pretty proud of his outline, his arguments, and his delivery. He felt pretty proud of himself—until he read his professor's comments at the bottom of the page: 'You can't convince people that Jesus is wonderful and you're wonderful in the same sermon.'"

I recall hearing a somewhat heated discussion between a church member and his minister. I couldn't help but overhear the member all but shouting, "I tell you, I AM humble!" The trouble is if I have to tell you how humble I am, already I've lost it.

Humility, however, is not degrading or putting yourself down or hanging your head in a false kind of shame. That's insecurity. True humility is having a realistic evaluation of yourself, recognizing your gifts, abilities, and strengths and being grateful to God for them—and putting all these gifts to good use in serving God and others. Humility also recognizes and accepts one's weaknesses and, with God's help, does something about overcoming them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YO!

When It's all been said and done

A very nice video for all...enjoy!

Your Biggest Weakness is your Greatest Strength

I got this in my daily email that inspires me a lot ...

What Is That in Your Hand?

"Moses answered [God],
'What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, "The LORD did not appear to you?"'

Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied. The LORD said, 'Throw it on the ground.' Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it."1

I have read how "there was a 10-year-old boy, who's left arm was damaged and subsequently amputated. He decided to learn judo. His Sensai (teacher) was an old Japanese judo expert.

"The boy learned quickly. After a short time, he had mastered one important move. He asked his teacher to teach him more moves. The sensei told him that this was all he would need.
"Soon after, the boy entered a tournament where his opponent was bigger and more experienced. The boy seemed outmatched. After a long match, the opponent seemed to lose concentration. Quickly, the boy took advantage and pinned what seemed to be his superior opponent.

"On the ride home, the boy asked his sensei, 'How could I win with this one move?' The sensei replied, 'You have mastered one of the difficult moves in judo. And a good defense against that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.'"

Sometimes we don't think we have much to offer in service to God. But we all have at least "one thing in our hand." If we offer that willingly to God, he will use it for his glory.

And as the writer of the above story said,

"Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your greatest strength."

I totally agree.

Sometimes in our hours of pitch darkness, we find unbelieveable strength and hope.

If everything is smooth and according "to our plan", there's no need for hope and strength, right? We dont need to get out of our comfort zone and find solution as to how to climb the wall in front of us.

But the wall is placed there for a reason....

It asks us how badly we want to climb over it or remain blocked by the wall.

And we Christians have an unfair advantage. - GOD is always there with HIS invisible Hand to lift us over the wall that hinders our journey...

It is purposely placed there by GOD not to test our physical strengths but to let us check how badly we want to overcome the wall...

Happy Climbing:)

Rest In Peace

It's been 15 days since Joyce's mom had passed on and it had not really sunk in yet that she had left us temporarily...

Joyce had taken it reasonably well and I am surprised at her strength. Somehow, I know she misses her mom a lot but does not show it out to us....

Today, I was reading my emails and I came across the following verse in a Christian newsletter I subscribed to:

Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
John 5:28,29 NASB

I fear not for Joyce's mom as she was a wonderful person and she had accepted Christ in 2009. Thus she is in "good hands" and will be in heaven. This, I am sure, will comfort Joyce a lot knowing for a fact that someday they will meet again eternally...

Hopefully I will join them in heaven and not be brought before the JUDGE.

I know the JUDGE is fair here unlike our judiciary in the physical land we live in (cannot mention name lah). So I cannot bribe the JUDGE lor....correct, correct, correct!

Sori about the lame joke but just couldnt help it ....I am sure GOD wont mind :)

Rest in peace, mother.....

I am only one but still I am one

Throughout the entire Bible whenever God had a job to do he called a person—usually just one person. When he wanted to form a nation, the nation of Israel to be his own people, he chose and called Abraham. When he wanted to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, he chose and called Moses. When he wanted a leader to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land, he chose and called Joshua. When he needed an earthly mother for the Christ child, he chose and called Mary.
From Genesis to Revelation, God's methods are people—calling one at a time. You, too, can be one that God uses. As the unknown poet wrote:
One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring. One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room. One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom. One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer. One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care. One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true. One life can make the difference, You see it's up to YOU!
As Edward Everett Hale said, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

The story of Jean Henri Fabre

A French naturalist, and his processional caterpillars.

The naturalist encountered some of these interesting creatures one day while walking in the woods. They were marching in a long unbroken line front to back, front to back. What fun it would be, Fabre thought, to make a complete ring with these worms and let them march in a circle.
"So, Fabre captured enough caterpillars to encircle the rim of a flowerpot. He linked them nose to posterior and started them walking in the closed circle. For days they turned like a perpetual merry-go-round. Although food was near at hand and accessible, the caterpillars starved to death on an endless march to nowhere."

There are lots of people like this. They worry themselves sick over unfounded fears which all but paralyze them, not realizing that 95 percent of things they fear never happen, and the other five percent probably won't happen either.

Many men, when they arrive at middle age, experience a mid-life crisis with a sense of despair, feeling that they haven't accomplished anything worthwhile with their life to date, and feel that they have nothing better to look forward to in the future.

Other people wander aimlessly through life without a purpose and without any meaningful and worthwhile goals. Even more tragic are the millions who go through life without ever having made plans and preparation for life after death.

Similar to the processional caterpillars, these people not only spend their life going in circles, but go in ever decreasing circles until their life diminishes into nothing. A terrible way to live. A tragic way to die.

But for those who discover their God-given life-purpose and plan and live accordingly as well as living in harmony with the will of God, when they come to the end of life's journey, they have the assurance of meeting God face to face and hearing his welcoming words at the entrance of heaven. "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." A joyous way to live.

A triumphant way to die!

Our Comfort & Refuge

The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
And He knows those who take refuge in Him.




The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:
for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Psalm 9:9,10


If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23,24 NIV

It's not only Toyotas that are recalled

Even some of the best-running cars have jerks in them.

The pioneers who blazed the trails now have descendants who burn up the roads.

Always drive as if the police were following you.

Drive carefully-it's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

Quite frequently, he who goes too fast gets there not only too late-but not at all...know what I mean??

The Lost Sheep

So He told them this parable, saying,
"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
"When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:3-7 NASB

In every crisis is an opportunity

The Chinese have two characters
for the word 'crisis'. One means
danger; the other, opportunity.

The Chinese have two characters for the word "crisis". One means danger; the other, opportunity. How right they are! In every crisis there is a danger of being defeated or the opportunity for growth.

The question is: How can we turn crises and suffering into opportunities?

We need to realize that we have a choice. Our difficulties can make us bitter or better. They can become a stumbling block or a stepping stone. They can make us resentful or we can see in them an opportunity to be creative.

The choice, however, is ours.

In ancient times people used an instrument called a tribulum. It was used to beat grain in order to divide the chaff from the wheat. It's the word from which we get our word "tribulation." In the development of human character it's tribulation that divides "the chaff from the wheat."

In the Bible it says,

"We also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:3-4

To turn our crises into opportunities, we need to ask the question,

"What might God be trying to say to me through my adverse circumstances?"

No matter what happens to us, God wants to use our suffering to strengthen us, to mature us, and to make us better persons.

If you are going through a time of sickness, sorrow, depression, financial setback, a broken relationship, or feel you have failed in some way, can you accept that God wants to use your suffering to help you grow and become closer to him? Can you ask him to help you see what you might be contributing to your situation, for the courage to do your part in resolving it, and through it help you to grow?

After a long winter, spring eventually comes and with it new leaves appear on the trees in all their refreshing beauty. In the summer they thrive. In the fall they die. But in dying their beauty is greater than in the spring. But the tree doesn't die. The falling leaves just make further growth possible. And that's the cycle of life-struggle, pain, beauty, growth.

Apparently, in his later years, Renoir, the famous French painter, suffered badly from arthritis. On one occasion his close friend, Matisse, questioned him,

"My friend, why do you keep on painting when you are in so much pain?"

To which Renoir thoughtfully replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains!"

For all who trust their life to God and ask him to use their struggles to help them grow, their pain, too, will pass, but their beauty will remain—forever.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Psalm 55:22

Be sure to invest your pain. Don't waste it. Invest it wisely in your own growth and in the growth of others.

Where's the Scent?

"The Lord disciplines those he loves … for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:6, 10, 11

Earl Nightingale told how on one National Secretaries Day he gave his secretary flowers and she remarked how beautiful they were. She also said that she couldn't understand why they didn't have any scent.

He informed her that the flowers came from a hothouse and explained that because flowers raised in this type of environment have everything done for them, they don't have to attract insects to pollinate them. As a result, they lose their scent. In the same way fruit raised in a hothouse, because it doesn't need to attract insects to scatter its seeds, doesn't taste as good as fruit grown in its natural environment.

It's similar to the child who wanted to help a butterfly out of its cocoon by putting a slit in it and, in so doing caused it to die. He didn't realize that the struggle to get out of the cocoon is needed to strengthen the butterfly's wings, which enables it to fly.

When people do too much for us or overprotect us, especially in our early developmental years, they can do serious harm to us. And even in adulthood it's the problems and difficulties we have that strengthen us, build out character, and teach us wisdom, understanding, and compassion—if we let them—and enable us to "fly."

This is why God disciplines those whom he loves by allowing us to go through difficult times.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT/SIS CHRIS!

Hello Sis/Aunty Chris,

Today shud be your 5? something birthday if we did not guiess wrong!

So a very happy and blessed Birthday wish to you from all of us lor

Chong Family

Climb Till Your Dreams Come True

Often your tasks will be many,
and more than you think you can do-
often the road will be rugged
and the hills insurmountable too-
but always remember, the hills
ahead are never as steep as they seem,
and with faith in your heart start upward
and climb 'till you reach you dream.
For nothing in life that is worthy
is ever too hard to achieve
if you have the faith to believe-
for faith is a force that is greater
than knowledge or power or skill
and many defeats turn to triumph
if you trust in God's wisdom and will-
for faith is a mover of mountains,
there's nothing that God cannot do.
So start out today with faith in your heart
and "climb 'till your dream comes true"!
Helen Steiner Rice

A Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give
and we are sure that the song has ended,
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
and the darkness of night has descended,
Where can we go to find the strength
to valiantly keep on trying?
Where can we find the hand that will dry
the tears that the heart is crying?
There’s but one place to go and that is to God,
and dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problems without restraint
and gain strength with Him at our side.
And together we stand at life’s crossroads
and view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision,
and He tells us it’s only a bend,
For the road goes on and is smoother,
and the pause in the song is a rest,
And the part that’s unsung and unfinished
is the sweetest and richest and best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger –
let go and let God share your load.
Your work is not finished or ended –
you’ve just come to a bend in the road

The Mask Man

These people honor me with their lips But their hearts are far from me They worship me in vain Their teachings are but rules taught by man
Matthew 15:7-9

And we, who with unveiled faces, all reflect the Lord's Glory are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit
2 Corinthians 3:18



The Mask Man Video (zipped)

Come On In

Hi Guys...I have just created a blog for the Chong Family to write whatever we want to share with the rest of the Chong, Choo, Leong, Ngo family and the friends... keep this blog going so that we have a "home" in cyberspace where we can return to share, see, feel, experience and be inspired by the Words of GOD....

Regardless of whether you are in US, New Zealand, Australia, Bandar Sunway, Puchong, Cheras, Old Kland Road, Seremban...if you can read this....



YOU BETTER CONTRIBUTE...gggrrrrrr :)