Flashing Sky

I noticed a series of consistent lightning this morning. I woke up around 6.15am and found flashing on my window. At first I thought it's lightning, but after 5 minutes, I notice the flashing like a siren. So I thought it might not be lightning as it kept flashing. So I open the window and look to the sky, it is lightning in the cloud - unusual one. There were about 4 lightning in one minutes, one lightning has about 5 flashes. I did not see the lightning but flashing in the cloud. Yeah, you might seen it before in drama that a few bombs or fire shots in the haven and when people looking up, it's just flashing inside the cloud. It was 6.30am with grey cloud in the sky.



After my shower, I still can see the flashing behind my window curtain. I was thinking it might be a war having in the heaven. I kept praying that Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Lords, and He will win every war. No one can defeat Him because He is the most powerful.

A flash thought in my mind, if He is powerful yet how come He made so little thing in me? I did not blame Him but feeling guilty for trusting Him so little and I submit so little to Him. My small faith has stopped Jesus to do big thing in my life. I have fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). I kept saying sorry in my heart, shouting guiltily. I kept thinking, if I see Jesus today, I will be empty handed to see him, ashamed. When I arrived at the car park in the office, it seems not much cars around. I doubted whether am I left behind? I read a fiction story before called "Left Behind", in fact I just read a few pages in front when I was 17? Well, it was hard to hang on the habit to read English story book by a Chinese educated young girl. I got to search for 10 words in the dictionary in a page before I can fully understand what is going on. But I managed to find out it was about a father and a daughter or son left behind, and the rest of the family members were "raptured", leaving the rest of the world in chaotic. I was asking myself, am I the left behind because I am not doing good :(

Wake up my soul!

问

曾经有朋友对我说,"你知道吗? 我有一天会信耶稣, 做基督徒的; 但不是现在..."

我感谢他/她的坦白, 也知道那一刻的他/她还没有做好准备接受耶稣基督为他/她的个人救主. 但是, 我鼓励他/她, 不要只停在那一刻, 继续前进吧朋友. 不怕你现在不信, 只怕你停留.

"耶稣说：凡寻找的就寻见，凡叩门的就给他开门..."(摘自圣经), 这句话对你来说, 可能半懂不懂的. 另一句话是说, 只要你愿意不断的寻求和不耻下问, 你不明白圣经的道理,一定要问到低; 也要去思考. 如果你不明白什么是圣经, 为什么要读圣经? 也要问. 耶稣是谁? 问! 为什么基督徒称他是神? 问! 因为只要你愿意求告耶稣基督, 他一定会回答你的问题. 怎么回答? ...

下一次告诉你... 只要你愿意知道.

What happened on Christmas Eve over 2000 years ago?

Today is the day of remembrance the birth of Jesus Christ to the world, as stated in Holy Bible:

... And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." - Luke 2:8-12 Holy Bible (NIV)

Christ = Messiah. "The Christ" (Greek) and "the Messiah" (Hebrew) both mean "the Anointed One"; also in verse 26. This means an angel appeared to the shepherds and told them a Messiah will be born in this world!!!

But today, what happened to our world? They don't believe or maybe I should say they don't even bother? I've watched a video clip in Youtube (actually is being edited from my friend to present to a church event), the host interviews a few people on the street in US, asking what Christmas meant to you? ... most of their answer is "a time for family to gather around..." "I don't know ..."

Do you know? Or don't you bother when there is a child given by God who loves you so much, for the purpose of saving your life?

"For God so love the world He gave His only begotten Son, for whosoever believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16

Who will send his only begotten son to die to save your life? The God father loves His Son very much, the intimacy of the relationship is far beyond our imagination, which we could not find in the earth... not here. But He willing to send Him to the earth, so that ... on the day, Jesus Christ will be crucified on the cross to cleanse your blood ... to wipe off your sin, from an innocent blood to exchange our sinful blood.

His amazing love ... do you how deep the Father's love for us?

Highly Recommended - Poetry: Food for the Mind

Highly recommend to youngster who seeking the answer of life. Those who like poetry, this is a book for you, as it encourage you to think and seeking the core & only answer of a purposeful life.

The book is written in Chinese language, and translated into English language.So the books comprising both languages. It's a good book for you to kick off your very first lesson to learn Chinese- English or vv. Quoted from the translator humbly, " It might not be the perfect one, but we are improving in coming edition if we do. All comments are welcomed to make us better next time."

The translator of this poetry is a close friend of mine, a dear sister of mine - Louise Ngoi. We attended same church - Sheffield Chinese Christian Church, when we studied in Sheffield.

You may contact me to purchase for this book and it is not on shelve in public store. You email to ruth.ph.chua@gmail.com to place your order (while stock last). This book is free, but you are encouraged to give a love offering to the author/ translator of the book, to cover the cost of the book - RM18 each. I've got one extra on hand!!! Hurry! ~ ~

眼目的情欲 ` 肉体的情欲和今生的骄傲

What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?

What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?

Shared via AddThis

Question: "What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?"

Answer: This is an issue that has confused many people. On one hand, we are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, the Bible also exhorts us to beware of evildoers and false prophets and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil. How are we to discern who these people are if we do not make some kind of judgment about them?

Christians are often accused of "judging" whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, "Do not judge." There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others.

In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for his sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God's Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction." We are to "judge" sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

God Bless America

I read two news articles yesterday and today about Miss Carlifornia, the beauty queen defends gay-marriage comments. During the pageant, Hilton asked Carrie Prejean if every state should follow Vermont in legalising same sex marriage.

She replied, “I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or another, but in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offence to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”

After the pageant, she further defended her views, “At that moment after I’d answered the question, I knew that I was not going to won because of my answer”. Still, she stands by her statements. “I don’t take back what I said,” she told Lauer, adding that she “had spoken from my heart, from my beliefs and for my God”. “It’s not about being politically correct,” she said. “For me, it’s about being biblically correct.”

- News: NST 23 April 2009, Pg.34
Prejean, salute! God be with you!

Wait

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master who gently said,
"Child, you must wait."

"Wait You say wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word

"My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a 'yes' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.
"And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking and this is my cry;
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate.
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and tout
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting. . . for what?"

He seemed, then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

"All you seek I could give and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want — but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

"You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I live and I save . . . (for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of My comfort late into the night.
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for Thee.'
Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,
But, Oh the loss! If I lost what I'm doing to you!

"So be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me
And though oft' may My answers seem terribly late
My most precious answer of all is still, "WAIT".

Author Unknown

Busy

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church."
"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour."
"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children."
"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive."
To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards."
"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
"Give them headaches too! "
"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."
"That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas."
"Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
"Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation.
Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead." "Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work!"
"It will work!"
It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.
Having little time for their God or their families.
Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
What do you think?

Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?


*By fwd email

攀登信心最高点

『我父所给我那杯，我岂可不喝呢？』（约十八章十一节）

亲爱的读者，你可知道说这句话，比平静风和海、叫死人复活更伟大吗？先知和使徒能行许多神迹奇事，却不能事事遵行忍受神的旨意。遵行忍受神的旨意是最高点信心，是基督人所能作到的最高一点。

有时候你光明的希望了永久的毁灭；每天所背负的重担永得不着轻减；当你渴望有充足的财力能使所爱的过些幸福舒适的生活时，反遭到了贫穷拮据；或者竟被身体上不治的病症捆锁拘禁在病榻上；赤裸裸地被剥夺了一切所爱的人们，剩下你独自一人孤孤单单地去抵御一切外来的袭击－在这种试炼之下，你依然能说：『我父所给我的那杯，我岂可不喝呢？』－这就是最高点的信心！这就是最高点属灵的成功！

最大的信心不是在行为上呈露出来的，乃是在忍受上呈露出来的－巴赫司脱（Dr.Charles Parkhurst） 要有一个同情的神，必须先有一个受苦的主；一个没有尝过同样痛苦的心，对于别人不会发生真实的同情。 我们自己不出代价，就不能帮助别人；我们的痛苦就是我们所付的代价，叫我们以后能同情于他人的难堪。要作一个帮助人的人，必须先作一个受苦的人。要作一个救人的人，必须先经过十字架的对付；我们若不喝主所喝的杯，受主所受的苦，就不能享受救助人的那种人生最高的喜乐。

大卫的诗篇中最能安慰人的几篇，乃是在苦难中压出来的；如果保罗没有一根刺加在他肉体上，在他许多的书信上一定会失去多少温柔！

亲爱的读者，你现在的受压的环境，就是父神手里用以雕制你的一件最合式的工具。不要去推开祂－恐怕你一动，就会弄坏了父的工作呢！

转载自考门夫人之《荒漠甘泉》

Christmas & New Year

This Christmas, is the first time I will be away from church since I baptised in year 2003. I told Aunty Ruth that I felt hard to be away from church. The thought of staying in the church kept spinning in my mind until I have a burden heart to leave church. Then Aunty Ruth says, "Get out! Leave your comfort zone and be a disciple to spread the gospel to outsiders." She is right. Stop being a spoilt child and staying in a comfort zone.

Of course if you are around at church this year, do not feel offended with my words. This is just come around my case here. You are at church this year, with a purpose that God granted this year. And for me, I am sharing that I've got chance to leave the church to be outside this year. If that is the case, just uphold in prayer. "God, please grant me exra strength, wisdom and protection as I am going out." I remember Huang Mei Lian said in her testimonial video, "When you could not change the environment surrounding you, please pray that God will grant you extra strength to face the environment surrounding you."

After Christmas, another occasion is approaching- New Year. This new year, I will be away to Ireland. I will visit North and South Ireland. This might be my last europe vacation before going back to Malaysia in January 2009. May God grant me a wonderful holiday, with a purposeful holiday. May God open my eyes and sensitivity to the needy to your eternal gift. I know I am a cracked pot in His eyes, but pray that God will accept my serving to Him... continue to mold me and cleanse me everyday. Renew my heart O Lord.

Topical bible sharing - Repentance

I was busy last week, was conducting the play on 19th Dec Student Fellowship Christmas Evangelical Night, recording video and shooting photo of church bible studies groups and fellowships for 25th Dec Video Presentation at church, preparing for topical bible sharing on 12 Dec Student Fellowship and also preparing to go back home country. But thank God for the busy weeks!

When I was preparing topic of topical bible sharing for yesterday student fellowship - Repentance. I came across a verse in Hebrew 6:4-9, talking about we re-crucified Jesus on the cross. Many people told me that they dare not watch the movie 'Passion of Christ' or commented how cruel is those men when they tortured and crufified Jesus Christ. In that verse 6, it says "if they fall away, to be brought back o repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." How many times have you been crucifying Jesus Christ all over again and again?

I felt sick the day before the sharing. I pray to God that if that is what You want me to share with brothers and sisters, please help me to have voice to talk to them. At the same time, I said to illness that if that is what God wanna do, no one able to stop it. Friday morning, I felt terribly pain in my throat when I woke up. I pray inside my heart, just for tonight. Thank God, I am fine for the night and able to convey the message to fellow brothers and sisters. Although not much of them, but I believe those who God would want to talk to, they are all there. I know I share this topic not because I know more than them, a lot of them know more than me and have better relationship with God. But I thank God chosen me, and He touched me to share this with fellow brothers and sisters. Many times, what we talked was about the love of God, even in the worship. Yes, God love us, yet we all have to keep watch of what we are doing in our daily lives. Do not live like a fool and spoilt child!

Saturday, when Kan Yeep called me up in the morning, I picked the call, yet I had no voice to come out from my mouth. And then he said ok ok, we talked in msn. I felt itchy in my throat, yet I could not cough out loud and could not cough out the phlegm, because I have sore throat, it hurts. But I was getting better in the afternoon and evening, although it is still out of tune. Haha!

This is the first time since I baptised, I do not at church during Christmas. This Christmas, I will travel to Eastbourne, somewhere near the beach of Brighton, near London- Yu Ling's aunty house, with Yuling, Joven and David Prince. Emanuel...!

A Night Lesson - Keep Watch!

I had a nice chat with Aunty Ruth last night.

Sometimes when we walking on the path of following Jesus, we may like Peter and two sons of Zebedee(Matthew 26:36 -46), the spirit is willing but the body is weak, and they fell into the temptation- fall asleep, well, it could be other temptations. From this passage, Jesus Christ said to them to keep watch with him, yet they still fell into sleep. Jesus reminded them for few times to keep watch, He talked to them face to face! Yet they still fail to do so. Not Jesus tell you this too? Brothers and sisters...There is another passage indicating 'keep watch' too in book of Matthew, which is in Matthew 25:1-13, The Parable of Ten Virgins.

She reminded me that evil will not only attack us by our laziness, jealousy, pride, and others; but evil will also attack us by aiming on our kindness, generousity, and our soft hearts. They will find wayssssss to knock us down, find holes to pull us away from God. I was immediately awaken by what she shared with me. It opened my eyes as I saw the dangerous of what we are not aware of, and what we do not pay attention at all. All the while what we think is ok, but it is not ok at all; all the while, we thought we could get rid of it, but we couldn't.

'Yes' and 'No', is easy to say, but hard to decide. Beware! Yes is yes, no is no; do not make yourself to stand in the middle of yes and no. If you are not in the light, you are in the darkness, there is no grey spot! God is just and righteous. Do not compromise with the grey spot. Even small mistake, we should be aware of it to spread. It is like the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:5), just a small yeast that will work all through the dough. To be like a yeast for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:33) is pleasing the eyes of God, but do not be the yeast or beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees that putting in your 'dough'.

I hope this sharing will benefit you as well. If Jesus comes back tomorrow (well, just a 'if'), are you ready to meet Him? Yes? Are you sure? No?... when will you be ready then? Now? Today? Tomorrow? Another tomorrow?...

Jesus answered:'Watch out that no one deceives you...' ~
Matthew 24: 4

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour'~
Matthew 25:13

Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of dealth. Stay here and keep watch with me."~
Matthew 26:38

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."~
Matthew 26:41

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."~
Genesis 4:7

Life without Limbs

為何上帝會讓此等悲劇發生？

“为什么”是我们很喜欢问的问题。我们不止问别人为什么，也很喜欢问上帝为什么。

愿这个真实对白给你带来答案。

美國著名牧師葛培理的女兒安妮，於911後被美國某電視台邀請出席節目。

主持人單刀直入問：「為何上帝會讓此等悲劇發生？」
她以神的睿智，道出一番見解︰

我深信神跟我們一樣，為此事極度痛心。
但美國人在這些年來，將神從學校中趕走、將祂從政府內踢走、將祂從我們生活中剔走。
我相信神只有默默地從我們的生活中無奈淡出。
當初是我們自己叫神離開，為甚麼現在又要問祂到底在那裡？
為甚麼我們有權質問神，為何不保護美國人？
不如讓我們回顧美國這幾年的道德發展，好嗎？

某年，有人提出，學校內不可祈禱，因為學校應宗教中立，學校無權要求學生祈禱。
我們說︰「無問題！」
某月，有人覺得教導人「不可殺人、不可偷盜、要愛鄰舍」的聖經落伍，不如把它從學校中拿走。
我們說︰「無問題！」
某日，有人說︰「孩子的自尊心很脆弱，我們不應使用體罰。」（說這話的人，他的孩子最終自殺身亡。）
我們說︰「無問題！」
某刻，有人說︰「時代變了，老師、校長不應責罰學生 ，學生承受太大壓力了。」因怕惹怒家長，引起傳媒報導，學校不敢處罰學生。
我們說︰「無問題！」
又有人說︰「孩子有人權，他們有權接受墮胎手術，更沒有責任通知父母。」
我們說︰「無問題！」
他說︰「與其閃閃縮縮，不如主動教孩子如何使用安全套。反正孩子都是好奇嘛，婚前性行為，沒甚麼大不了！」
我們說︰「無問題！」
有人說︰「工作跟私人生活應分開，只要那總統能搞好經濟.....我們幹嗎要管人家的私生活？！人人都有私隱嘛！」
我們說︰「無問題！」
有人說︰「瀏覽色情網站是個人自由，即使是兒童色情網站又如何？這都是個人言論自由，關你甚麼事！」
我們說︰「無問題！」
有人說︰「現代人應有開放思想，電視、電影的色情、暴力，只不過在反映社會實況。關於毒品、強姦、謀殺、惡魔的歌詞，也不過是宣洩情緒、紓緩壓力......為何要大驚小怪？想做就去做嘛！」
我們說︰「無問題！」
成年人為社會訂下以上種種「社會制度」後，我們又要追問︰為甚麼現今孩子沒有良知？為何孩子持槍殺人？為何13歲的孩子已為人父母？為甚麼911慘劇要發生？

神無奈地答︰「孩子呀！是你們不許我踏入你們的生命。」
若細心思索，不難發現這一切是我們自己做成的，我們親手摧毀了自己所栽種的。
人們離棄神，卻又質問神為何整個世界正走向地獄的門口。
有趣的是，我們相信報紙所說的，卻質疑經上所說的。
你可以透過電郵發出笑話，並且很快被廣傳，但當你發出與神有關的信息時，人們卻猶豫。
不雅及色情的文章在網上自由地發放；但在學校及工作環境中，對於神的公開討論卻被抑制。

你正在想什麼呢？

*Taken from forwarded mail.

Chicken soup of the Soul

雖然鬧鐘響時我會懊惱，會拉棉被蓋住頭。
我要感謝上帝，因為我能聽得到。有好多人耳聾。

雖然我還是閉著眼睛，厭惡清晨的陽光，
我要感謝上帝> ，因為我能看到。有好多人眼瞎。

雖然我賴床不想起身，
感謝上帝我有能力站起來。好多人需終生睡在床上。

雖然這一天剛開始就一塌糊塗，襪子找不到，稀飯溢得到處都是，小孩又吵又鬧，每個人火氣都很大。
感謝上帝，我有一個家。孤寂的人到處都是。

雖然我們的餐桌從來沒有像雜誌的圖片那樣，早餐也是拼拼湊湊。
感謝上帝 賜給我們食物。飢餓的人是那麼多。

雖然我的工作枯燥乏味，常常千篇一律。
我還是要感謝上帝，我有工作機會。失業的人好多好多。

雖然我常抱怨、感嘆命運不好。
感謝上帝賜給了我生命。

* Taking from the book of "Chicken soup of the Soul".

This thing is from ME

“这事出于我”。（王上十二：24）

“得意暗藏在失意之中”——福克斯牧师

我的孩子，今天我有一个信息传给你；好叫你上面的黑云消散，前面岖路变平。这个信息是很短的，只有五个字，但是我要你铭刻心中；又把它当作一个枕头来安放你疲倦的头，使你真能高枕无忧。这个信息是什么呢？就是“这事出于我”。

你有没有想到过：凡与你有关的事，也与我有关？因为：“摸你们的，就是摸我眼中的瞳仁”（亚二：8）；“我看你为宝，为尊”（赛四十叁：4）。所以，我特别喜欢训练你。

　　 当试炼攻击你，“仇敌好象急流的河水冲来”（赛五十九：19）的时候，我要你知道“这事出于我”，你的软弱需要我的刚强，你的平安在乎让我替你争战。

你是不是正在艰难的环境中，四周的人都不了解你，都不遂你的心意，都看不起你？“这事出于我”。我是管理环境的神。你所处的境遇并非偶然的，都有我的美意在其中的。

你不是曾求我给你谦卑吗？你看，我已经把你反在一个学习谦卑的学校里了，你所接触的人和环境是被我利用来成全我的旨意的。

你是不是正感觉经济缺乏呢？“这事出于我”，因为我是经营你用度的，我要你向我支取，完全仰赖于我。我的供给是无限的（腓四：19）。我要你证实我的应许，我不愿意你“在这事上却不信耶和华你们的神”（申一：32）。

你是不是整夜忧愁呢？“这事出于我”。我是忧患之子，常经忧患，深知怎样担当忧患的。当你向世人寻求安慰时，我故意叫他们不给你同情，好叫你转向我寻求永远的安慰（帖后二：16／17）。你是不是渴望为我作些伟大的工作，结果倒反卧病在床呢？“这事出于我”。在你忙碌的日子，我不能引起你的注意力来；我要你学习一些更深的功课。事奉不是体贴自己的热心，乃是遵行我的旨意。我有许多顶心腹的仆人，都是关于最冷僻的地方，用祷告事奉我。

今天我把这个信息当作一瓶香膏送在你手里。你可以自由敷用。我的孩子，不顺的环境，扎心的毁谤，无故的逼迫等等，临到你的时候，你就敷上这香膏。如果你能在一切事上看见“这事出于我”，所有的痛苦便会立时消失了。——司诺



“This thing is from me.” (1 Kings 12:24)

“Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” --- Rev. C. A. Fox.

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from ME.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight. (Isa. 43:4), Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil. 4:19). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1”32).

Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16, 17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all-prayer.

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things. --- Laura A. Barter Snow.

“This is from Me,” the Saviour said, As bending low He kissed my brow, “For One who loves you thus has led. Just rest in Me, be patient now, Your Father knows you have need of this, Tho’, why perchance you cannot see.--- Grieve not for things you'e seemed to miss. The thing I send is best for thee.” Then, looking through my tears, I plead, “Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know, Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread, Each path before me here below. And for my good this thing must be, His grace sufficient for each test. So still I’ll sing, Whatever be God’s way for me is always best.”

~ Streams In the Desert for 01Feb~

True Peace

Happened to read those writings on the calendar which hang in my boss's shop. The calendar belongs to our church - Sheffield Chinese Christian Church. The writings are appeared on the page of September.

"Do not let your peace depend on what people say about you, whether people speak good or ill of you, make no difference to what you really are. True peace and joy are to be found in Christ and in Christ alone. The person who is neither anxious to please nor afraid to displease for the sake of the gospel is a true disciple of Jesus Christ and that person will enjoy true peace."

“不要让你的平安靠在别人的评价，世人称赞你或诋毁你，对你的真正价值毫无影响。 真正的平安与喜乐，惟基督可赐予，亦惟有在基督里可以找到。那不在意取悦人，又敢于直言不畏的人，才是耶稣基督真正的门徒，也必享有真正的平安。”

Thank God I have chance to work in a Chinese take-away during this trip to UK. This is my new and valuble experience to me. I haven't got chance to work in this kind of environment before. Although it was a little bit similar to what I had in my 3-day-training in McDonald's Malaysia (Which I worked in RMHC Malaysia before, yet everyone in HQ must have 3-day-training at operation restaurant), yet it is different in terms of customers, colleagues, and sharing the true feeling of a take-away shop owner. I was once worked in the local Chinese Community Centre, when I served the community, I knew their needs and situation, yet it came so real to me when I work hands-on. Again, thank God for putting me in this take-away shop, which belongs to a sister in Christ in my church. She has been treated me nicely and patiencely when I did it wrong. Oppss...hehe.

I lost, learned, and gained more ... ^^

Unfailing Love by Chris Tomlin

Unchanging by Chris Tomlin