Check these out...they are so hilarious I laughed till I teared!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Failing tests with dignity
These kids amaze me...not only are they witty, they are funny and brave too!
Check these out...they are so hilarious I laughed till I teared!
Check these out...they are so hilarious I laughed till I teared!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Do you see what I see
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because what the Father does, the Son also does."
- John 5:19
Miracles.
What is a miracle? General accepted notion suggests that the experience of a miracle in fact requires two conditions. First is the stability of nature, which means we must recognise that the data offered by our senses recur in regular patterns. Secondly, we must believe in some reality beyond Nature, in other words, the "super-natural". When both conditions are present, and not till then, are we convinced that a miracle has occurred. These events are not always a violation of nature, for God sometimes uses nature in unusual ways to reveal himself to humans.
- John 5:19
Miracles.
What is a miracle? General accepted notion suggests that the experience of a miracle in fact requires two conditions. First is the stability of nature, which means we must recognise that the data offered by our senses recur in regular patterns. Secondly, we must believe in some reality beyond Nature, in other words, the "super-natural". When both conditions are present, and not till then, are we convinced that a miracle has occurred. These events are not always a violation of nature, for God sometimes uses nature in unusual ways to reveal himself to humans.
Alexander Pope is generally regarded as the greatest English poet of the 18th century. He once talked about the conversion of water into wine. Ravi Zacharias quoted Alexander as having said, "The conscious water, saw its master, and blushed."
I find that simple statement so beautiful, so exquisite. What a true reflection of reality! Jesus was the master. The conscious water saw him, blushed, and instantly it was transformed into wine. A miracle we say.
C.S. Lewis made an observation. In the macro view, God creates the vine and teaches it to draw up water by its roots and, with the aid of the sun, to turn that water into a juice which will ferment and take on certain qualities. Thus every year, from Noah's time till ours, God turn water into wine. That, men failed to see. In the micro view, Jesus only sped up the process when he made water into wine. In the macro view, every year God makes a little corn into much corn to feed the millions: the seed is sown and there is an increase. In the micro view, this annual wonder is sped up by Jesus when he fed the five thousand. A little bread is made into much bread. That, again, men failed to see.
The Son will do nothing but what He sees the Father do. There is, so to speak, a family style.
The miracles of healing fall into the same pattern. The magic is not in the medicine but in the patient's body. The doctor merely stimulates Nature's functions in the body, or to remove hindrances. every cut heals itself, although we speak of the inconvenience of a cut; no dressing will make skin grow over a cut on a corpse. All who are cured are cured by Him, the healer within. But once upon a time, He did it visibly, a Man meeting a man.
The Son will do nothing but what He sees the Father do. There is, so to speak, a family style.
The miracles of healing fall into the same pattern. The magic is not in the medicine but in the patient's body. The doctor merely stimulates Nature's functions in the body, or to remove hindrances. every cut heals itself, although we speak of the inconvenience of a cut; no dressing will make skin grow over a cut on a corpse. All who are cured are cured by Him, the healer within. But once upon a time, He did it visibly, a Man meeting a man.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Wonders Of God
As believers in Jesus Christ, we press on into God driven by thirst, spending time in doing all the “right” things to learn more about God. We think we know what the “right” things are. We pray; we worship; we read and study His word; we delve deeper into the wisdom of the scriptures; we choose to love through the purity of His Love. Indeed we seek after God through all possible biblical means. Such is the nature of the business in this whole pursuit of knowing God. No, I am not saying that it is a misguided quest. In fact, many of you would agree it is rightly so that we press on into God for all we are worth. That is the ideal, would you not agree?
Then He says “Anyone can think they see all of me – from a distance.” With that, we are woken up from our dreams.
Getting to know God sounds like a tedious business. Movies show monks and priests poring over dusty manuscripts and ancient Apocrypha texts as a mean of learning more about God. Or maybe you would consider the following to be more realistic perspectives on our lives? For many of us, time seems to slip through our fingers too easily and too quickly. Spending it with God through the reading of His Word, and reflecting on His goodness may sound rather boring to a lot of people. Quiet time with God often runs a distant second to a quiet snooze with Rip Van Winkle, especially so with those "five more minutes".
Then we are caught up in a whirlwind. We are such highly sought after commodities that a whole myriad of things under the spectrum of the realities of this world vie for our attention. Then again, many of us want quality time with God, but are uneasy with the solitude, for there we face our unanswered questions, our unresolved hurts, our desires, and our unconfessed sin. To many of us, God does not seem to be the source of delightful fascination, but the reminder of our faults. Yet it is within our nature that these very needs of ours be met. God has made us so.
How then, can our needs be met? How can we view God with a sense of wonder and constant fascination? C.S Lewis asked:
"Do fish complain at the sea for being wet? If they did, would the fact not strongly suggest that they had not always been, or would not always be, purely aquatic creatures? If you are really a product of the material universe, how is it you don’t feel at home here?"
The fish don’t complain, for they are in their element. The fact that we complain; that we are never satisfied; that we have unending streams of needs to be met; the fact that we are restless and thirst for more – betrays just how ill at ease we are in a material universe apart from having an intimate relationship with the God who made it.
We are made in the image of a creator of all things who himself is immaterial, yet in every way very real and tangible indeed. We see the wonders of God in the Rainbow, the autumnal colours of the maple trees, all life on Earth, and the oceans and the coral reefs of the world. We see His might in the creation of The Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and the mass of stars in the heavens. We see His humour in the Platypus, and we see His glory as the Sun rises each new morning. In accordance to the infiniteness of His nature, God is wonderful beyond all this. On that concept, it is not surprising, yet life itself is full of surprises. Trust God on that.
We seek after God because we are filled with a part of Him – He breathed into us. We are made in His image. We will remain insatiable in our thirst as long as we remain in this material world because we are meant for a life of eternity in a spiritual world with Him. Even so, when we are eventually with Him, we will still be continually drawn toward Him in worship for eternity.
As we worship, God will reveal more of Himself and His glory in His perfect endless nature. For as the apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:10, God’s wisdom is manifold; it is so that we will realise that God is inexhaustible in His wonder. Only from a flowing stream which is inexhaustible in its supply will an insatiable thirst be quenched.
Let our prayers be that our eyes be open to the wonders of God, and our hearts be continually singing of His praise. That our hearts remain tender to His overtures of love and not hardened by angers big and small. That we take time to look at and not only just to see His wonders. That within us, from the restored joy of knowing Him, we will sing, listen and embrace Him without reservations.
"Read not to contradict or believe, but to weigh and consider"
Then He says “Anyone can think they see all of me – from a distance.” With that, we are woken up from our dreams.
Getting to know God sounds like a tedious business. Movies show monks and priests poring over dusty manuscripts and ancient Apocrypha texts as a mean of learning more about God. Or maybe you would consider the following to be more realistic perspectives on our lives? For many of us, time seems to slip through our fingers too easily and too quickly. Spending it with God through the reading of His Word, and reflecting on His goodness may sound rather boring to a lot of people. Quiet time with God often runs a distant second to a quiet snooze with Rip Van Winkle, especially so with those "five more minutes".
Then we are caught up in a whirlwind. We are such highly sought after commodities that a whole myriad of things under the spectrum of the realities of this world vie for our attention. Then again, many of us want quality time with God, but are uneasy with the solitude, for there we face our unanswered questions, our unresolved hurts, our desires, and our unconfessed sin. To many of us, God does not seem to be the source of delightful fascination, but the reminder of our faults. Yet it is within our nature that these very needs of ours be met. God has made us so.
How then, can our needs be met? How can we view God with a sense of wonder and constant fascination? C.S Lewis asked:
"Do fish complain at the sea for being wet? If they did, would the fact not strongly suggest that they had not always been, or would not always be, purely aquatic creatures? If you are really a product of the material universe, how is it you don’t feel at home here?"
The fish don’t complain, for they are in their element. The fact that we complain; that we are never satisfied; that we have unending streams of needs to be met; the fact that we are restless and thirst for more – betrays just how ill at ease we are in a material universe apart from having an intimate relationship with the God who made it.
We are made in the image of a creator of all things who himself is immaterial, yet in every way very real and tangible indeed. We see the wonders of God in the Rainbow, the autumnal colours of the maple trees, all life on Earth, and the oceans and the coral reefs of the world. We see His might in the creation of The Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and the mass of stars in the heavens. We see His humour in the Platypus, and we see His glory as the Sun rises each new morning. In accordance to the infiniteness of His nature, God is wonderful beyond all this. On that concept, it is not surprising, yet life itself is full of surprises. Trust God on that.
We seek after God because we are filled with a part of Him – He breathed into us. We are made in His image. We will remain insatiable in our thirst as long as we remain in this material world because we are meant for a life of eternity in a spiritual world with Him. Even so, when we are eventually with Him, we will still be continually drawn toward Him in worship for eternity.
As we worship, God will reveal more of Himself and His glory in His perfect endless nature. For as the apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:10, God’s wisdom is manifold; it is so that we will realise that God is inexhaustible in His wonder. Only from a flowing stream which is inexhaustible in its supply will an insatiable thirst be quenched.
Let our prayers be that our eyes be open to the wonders of God, and our hearts be continually singing of His praise. That our hearts remain tender to His overtures of love and not hardened by angers big and small. That we take time to look at and not only just to see His wonders. That within us, from the restored joy of knowing Him, we will sing, listen and embrace Him without reservations.
"Read not to contradict or believe, but to weigh and consider"
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Boys, let's pray
He said, “Boys, let’s pray.”
He knelt by a chair, and his two friends lowered themselves to the bedside, and one of them recalled that he “really poured out his heart to God.” They had never heard a prayer of such childlike directness.
His friend recounts, “Lord, you know I’m doing all I can. You know I don’t have any money, but I believe we ought to do this. You know, Lord, I’ll put another mortgage on; I’ll take the little I have and put another mortgage on. Lord, I don’t know where the money is, and if I did know where it is, I’m too busy to go out and get it. I feel the burden for it, but it’s up to you, and if you want this, I want you to give me a sign. And I’m going to put out a fleece. And the fleece is for the $25,000 by midnight.”
His friends agreed in awe, “You could feel the presence of God there. You could feel a state of expectancy. God was listening to him. Something is going to happen…God is faithful. Whatever God starts, God finishes.”
At the end of the crusade, he spoke of the radio opportunity. He said he felt he should take this available time for God rather than let it go to a tobacco company or suchlike; that he had no money nor the time to raise it. When he mentioned $25,000, a lot of money in 1950, he heard a ripple or two of laughter.
At last the audience was released. A long line soon formed near the back office where a shoebox was held. Scribbled pledges and dollar notes were thrust in. A lumberman from Idaho left a $2,500 pledge. A couple of youths asking, " Sir, is chicken feed acceptable?" threw in a handful of change and a dollar, and he said, "God bless you. Thank you." An old lady in a worn dress produced a $5 bill.
The box was given to the crusade chairman. The offering was tallied at just $23,500.
They all looked at him. "It's a miracle. You're as good as on the air!"
He, almost in tears at the generosity and trust of the people, firmly said no. The fleece was for $25,000 before midnight, so $25,000 it must be. The devil might have sent the lesser sums to tempt him. When the two friends offered the balance, he refused them.
A subdued team returned to the hotel shortly before midnight. He went up to his room, while one of his friends went to the mail desk where three envelopes delivered by hand were given.
In each was was a pledge from someone unable to wait in the line: one for $1,000, two for $250. Together they made up the $25,000.
The title of the radio programme, was "Hour of Decision." In his first-ever radio programme, he emphasised the urgency of the hour and pleaded for a nationwide movement of prayer - even in its time is still of great relevance today: "Faith, more than fighting, can change the course of event today. United, believing, self-humbling, God-exalting prayer now can change the course of history."
Only at the close did he sound a direct evangelistic call: "A crucified and a risen Christ will forgive sins, lift burdens, solve problems, and give assurance of salvation to many. This experience can be yours, whoever your are, and whatever your circumstances may be, if by faith you will open your heart to Jesus Christ. Right now you can say an eternal yes to Christ, and you can become a partaker of eternal life."
The programme caught on rapidly, and Billy Graham's voice became familiar across America and many countries overseas.
The "Hour of Decision" had a considerable influence on his development as a preacher. It demanded every week a fresh address of highest calibre, which disciplined him all the more to study the Bible and theology, and to observe and assess contemporary events.
He knelt by a chair, and his two friends lowered themselves to the bedside, and one of them recalled that he “really poured out his heart to God.” They had never heard a prayer of such childlike directness.
His friend recounts, “Lord, you know I’m doing all I can. You know I don’t have any money, but I believe we ought to do this. You know, Lord, I’ll put another mortgage on; I’ll take the little I have and put another mortgage on. Lord, I don’t know where the money is, and if I did know where it is, I’m too busy to go out and get it. I feel the burden for it, but it’s up to you, and if you want this, I want you to give me a sign. And I’m going to put out a fleece. And the fleece is for the $25,000 by midnight.”
His friends agreed in awe, “You could feel the presence of God there. You could feel a state of expectancy. God was listening to him. Something is going to happen…God is faithful. Whatever God starts, God finishes.”
At the end of the crusade, he spoke of the radio opportunity. He said he felt he should take this available time for God rather than let it go to a tobacco company or suchlike; that he had no money nor the time to raise it. When he mentioned $25,000, a lot of money in 1950, he heard a ripple or two of laughter.
At last the audience was released. A long line soon formed near the back office where a shoebox was held. Scribbled pledges and dollar notes were thrust in. A lumberman from Idaho left a $2,500 pledge. A couple of youths asking, " Sir, is chicken feed acceptable?" threw in a handful of change and a dollar, and he said, "God bless you. Thank you." An old lady in a worn dress produced a $5 bill.
The box was given to the crusade chairman. The offering was tallied at just $23,500.
They all looked at him. "It's a miracle. You're as good as on the air!"
He, almost in tears at the generosity and trust of the people, firmly said no. The fleece was for $25,000 before midnight, so $25,000 it must be. The devil might have sent the lesser sums to tempt him. When the two friends offered the balance, he refused them.
A subdued team returned to the hotel shortly before midnight. He went up to his room, while one of his friends went to the mail desk where three envelopes delivered by hand were given.
In each was was a pledge from someone unable to wait in the line: one for $1,000, two for $250. Together they made up the $25,000.
The title of the radio programme, was "Hour of Decision." In his first-ever radio programme, he emphasised the urgency of the hour and pleaded for a nationwide movement of prayer - even in its time is still of great relevance today: "Faith, more than fighting, can change the course of event today. United, believing, self-humbling, God-exalting prayer now can change the course of history."
Only at the close did he sound a direct evangelistic call: "A crucified and a risen Christ will forgive sins, lift burdens, solve problems, and give assurance of salvation to many. This experience can be yours, whoever your are, and whatever your circumstances may be, if by faith you will open your heart to Jesus Christ. Right now you can say an eternal yes to Christ, and you can become a partaker of eternal life."
The programme caught on rapidly, and Billy Graham's voice became familiar across America and many countries overseas.
The "Hour of Decision" had a considerable influence on his development as a preacher. It demanded every week a fresh address of highest calibre, which disciplined him all the more to study the Bible and theology, and to observe and assess contemporary events.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Go ahead, make my day...
This is an old post, but it meant a lot to me...one of a few that I feel is worthwhile to retell...
I had just returned to the apartment from the morning service at Riverside Community Church (RCC) in Pittsburgh. I had parted company with Sis Ellie and Jessica. They each had their own engagements respectively - one with friends, the other with family.
Left alone for the rest of the day with no lunch and nothing good on t.v., I decided to take Matt's jeep out and have a burger for lunch at my favourite eating place in Pittsburgh - King's Family Restaurant, and then pay 6 bucks for "A Million Dollar Baby" - directed by Clint Eastwood.
Clint Eastwood made famous that line "Go ahead...make my day" in one of his old cowboys flicks. But little did I know that God was working behind the scenes...
I screamed along in the 4X4 headed for my destination which was about 20 minutes away. Well, the muffler was broken and noisy and the wind was perforating in under the canvas hooded top. I had to scream to be heard if i were to talk, but i was alone.
The sun was out while winter had snugly set itself in; roads were empty as feet high snow piled up alongside; water flowed and dripped only to be frozen by the winter chill again into large armour piercing icicles suspended menacingly but lodged firmly along the edges of cliffs.
Man! I LOVE driving!
I pulled into the lot, clambered out of my warm shell, shuddered at the sudden change in temperature, and heaved a warm breath of vapour into the air. FUN! Warm vapour spewed from my nostrils for the brief moments that followed - suddenly i became this raging bull as my imagination got the better of me while I trudged along the next few steps in the cold headed toward the restaurant entrance.
"Table for one, non-smoking please. Thank You"
"Ok, I'll enjoy my Classic King Burger like I always did and then I'll go see me "Million Dollar Baby". I'll make sure I pay 6 buckaroos instead of 8.50." - I thought. That was the plan.
Then I was led to an empty seat. The waiter set the table right, and I was about to sit my precious bottom down when I heard a voice speak. "I'm sorry, I'm already seated here. I just left for the restroom."
God? Nah! See, I had been praying hard, seeking to hear God about things in my heart.
I screamed along in the 4X4 headed for my destination which was about 20 minutes away. Well, the muffler was broken and noisy and the wind was perforating in under the canvas hooded top. I had to scream to be heard if i were to talk, but i was alone.
The sun was out while winter had snugly set itself in; roads were empty as feet high snow piled up alongside; water flowed and dripped only to be frozen by the winter chill again into large armour piercing icicles suspended menacingly but lodged firmly along the edges of cliffs.
Man! I LOVE driving!
I pulled into the lot, clambered out of my warm shell, shuddered at the sudden change in temperature, and heaved a warm breath of vapour into the air. FUN! Warm vapour spewed from my nostrils for the brief moments that followed - suddenly i became this raging bull as my imagination got the better of me while I trudged along the next few steps in the cold headed toward the restaurant entrance.
"Table for one, non-smoking please. Thank You"
"Ok, I'll enjoy my Classic King Burger like I always did and then I'll go see me "Million Dollar Baby". I'll make sure I pay 6 buckaroos instead of 8.50." - I thought. That was the plan.
Then I was led to an empty seat. The waiter set the table right, and I was about to sit my precious bottom down when I heard a voice speak. "I'm sorry, I'm already seated here. I just left for the restroom."
God? Nah! See, I had been praying hard, seeking to hear God about things in my heart.
But as it turned out, I had come face-to-face with an elderly white-haired man dressed in a smart black suit with an American flag shaped lapel pin secured to the upper left side of his coat pocket.
"However, you are most welcome to sit with me and join me for lunch. I certainly don't mind if you don't."
"Sure!" was my instant reply. Actually, it took me about 3 seconds. Not that instantaneously instant. My eyes widened, my lips curled into a warm smile and my mind went "Wow, how nice! Why not?". All within that 3 second span.
John Myers was his name. And his game? You'll find out soon enough.
A really nice conversation ensued that lasted the course of my burger and Mr. Myers' 'usual'. I had my hot pot of tea, and he had his many cups of coffee. We learned so much about each other during that short time. We both prayed together and for each other, and we spoke values into each other, quoting scriptures and affirming each other. I told him my history of how I ended up here in Oakmont, and my vision for the future. He told me how he got here; about his family and children, and how he spends time as a retiree.
"Make sure you mention John Myers to Pastor Bill (Bill Ellis, my pastor in RCC). He's a really neat guy. He'll remember me."
"Sure!" was my instant reply. Actually, it took me about 3 seconds. Not that instantaneously instant. My eyes widened, my lips curled into a warm smile and my mind went "Wow, how nice! Why not?". All within that 3 second span.
John Myers was his name. And his game? You'll find out soon enough.
A really nice conversation ensued that lasted the course of my burger and Mr. Myers' 'usual'. I had my hot pot of tea, and he had his many cups of coffee. We learned so much about each other during that short time. We both prayed together and for each other, and we spoke values into each other, quoting scriptures and affirming each other. I told him my history of how I ended up here in Oakmont, and my vision for the future. He told me how he got here; about his family and children, and how he spends time as a retiree.
"Make sure you mention John Myers to Pastor Bill (Bill Ellis, my pastor in RCC). He's a really neat guy. He'll remember me."
Our conversation ended just like that.
Right before we parted ways at the parking lots, he only had one more thing to say to me...
"It was really a blessing to have had lunch with you. I thoroughly enjoyed your company. I'll be praying for you, and your family's salvation. You have an honourable vision, and you have my prayers." That was before we parted ways.
I said my goodbyes and gave him my heartfelt grattitude. I could tell from his last sentences that as much as I was touched by an angel, John Myers was equally blessed as well.
I found out a week later from Pastor Bill that John Myers is actually a retired Presbyterian Pastor. I was so moved when I heard that.
That set me reflecting...
I said my goodbyes and gave him my heartfelt grattitude. I could tell from his last sentences that as much as I was touched by an angel, John Myers was equally blessed as well.
I found out a week later from Pastor Bill that John Myers is actually a retired Presbyterian Pastor. I was so moved when I heard that.
That set me reflecting...
God knew that I was searching, and I needed prayers. All through January, God changed my life by sending Pastor Bill Ellis as my counsel. In friends I had Ron Hembree (President of CTVN), Norma Bixler (72 yrs old, and founder of CTVN), Tim Burgan (VP of CTVN), Steve Totin (head of Prisions Ministry in CTVN), and many others in CTVN to guide me, speak values into my life, pray and to encourage me. All of whom hardly knew me, let alone know of my desires and vision. Yet, they had greatly impacted me.
And then God arranged for Mr. Myers and I to meet on one particular day when I felt so alone.
God spoke to me the only way He knew I would respond to His calling in my life best - through Godly counsel - speaking the eternal promises of His word.
A lunch with a stranger. I never thought it would happen. Too Hollywood you think? Maybe. That was what I thought. Inviting someone who happens to be having lunch alone at the next table to sit with you? Who knows what that person might have been going through prior to lunch time. Who knows, maybe that person needed to feel valued and appreciated just to get through the rest of the day?
As surely as Jesus is with us in our lives, He is with us in every single aspect of our lives, even deciding to choose to eat a meal with a stranger.
Does doing something nice have to cost a lot? Speaking Godly values into the lives of others most certainly don't. Praying for others most certainly don't.
Hold the door just a second longer for another to enter. Wave for the person ahead of you to go before you. Smile and say "How ya DOH'ng?" with people who serve you, the people who work with you, and your friends. Life is stressful enough; a little kindness goes a long way towards easing things up.
I doubt any of those would equate to going out of one's way to render service. But to me, my lunch with a stranger, I thought that it was God going out of His way once again in His assurance of love to me. Bless others with God's love too.
And then God arranged for Mr. Myers and I to meet on one particular day when I felt so alone.
God spoke to me the only way He knew I would respond to His calling in my life best - through Godly counsel - speaking the eternal promises of His word.
A lunch with a stranger. I never thought it would happen. Too Hollywood you think? Maybe. That was what I thought. Inviting someone who happens to be having lunch alone at the next table to sit with you? Who knows what that person might have been going through prior to lunch time. Who knows, maybe that person needed to feel valued and appreciated just to get through the rest of the day?
As surely as Jesus is with us in our lives, He is with us in every single aspect of our lives, even deciding to choose to eat a meal with a stranger.
Does doing something nice have to cost a lot? Speaking Godly values into the lives of others most certainly don't. Praying for others most certainly don't.
Hold the door just a second longer for another to enter. Wave for the person ahead of you to go before you. Smile and say "How ya DOH'ng?" with people who serve you, the people who work with you, and your friends. Life is stressful enough; a little kindness goes a long way towards easing things up.
I doubt any of those would equate to going out of one's way to render service. But to me, my lunch with a stranger, I thought that it was God going out of His way once again in His assurance of love to me. Bless others with God's love too.
"As in water face reflects face, So a man's heart reveals the man" Pro 27:19.
"Go ahead, make my day" indeed. God made my day through his servant, retired Pastor John Myers. The value of that lunch was worth more than a million dollars to me, as I went on to watch my "Million Dollar Baby" that afternoon.
"Go ahead, make my day" indeed. God made my day through his servant, retired Pastor John Myers. The value of that lunch was worth more than a million dollars to me, as I went on to watch my "Million Dollar Baby" that afternoon.
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