a different lifestyle

The sound of fireworks, gongs blazing, lion dance, traffic jam, long queues at the mall only mean one thing. Chinese New Year is here again. This is by far the most celebrated festive season. Yes bigger than christmas, at least in Malaysia.

I have mixed feelings this time of year for obvious reasons but I love it all the same. its nice to see everyone back and there's the visiting and the fellowship, its great.

This year I decided to take my devotions a bit more serious and its been great so far. Lets see how long I last. But today reading through Matthew again and seeing how Jesus deals with our motives for the things we do made me consider how I have done things until now. And then there's the talk of reward for praying and giving. Is there one for motivation or is it just for knowledge. Should I do something because I know there's a reward? I was thinking about this and what came to mind is the board game risk. In the game if you do not conquer at least one territory in your turn you don't get a card for re-enforcements. So sometimes it may not be beneficial to attack and nearby territory but just because you want the card to re-enforce later in the game you do it anyway. So should our prayers and giving be because we want the rewards? And interestingly Jesus does not mention what they are. Motives.

This whole thing made me think about the difference in the lifestyle of people who love God. We pray before our meals not because we can't eat otherwise but because we want to be grateful to God who provides. And we recognize that what we have is a gift from God. Its a powerful expression of faith and belief. Of course this is just one example and a very simple one at that but really if it can become a habit to fully embrace this kind of lifestyle and truly be different, that's a very powerful thing.

As is usually the case, I didn't intend writing so much but I guess I've been thinking about these things for a while and they just jumped out there. Happy year of the dragon to all celebrating.

-ONWARD!

surrender and act

Wow look at that its 2012 already. This year is really racing ahead. Its already the 12th. Chinese New Year is in 2 weeks time and after that its decisions time. I thank God for some answered prayers but still really learning to trust and surrender and act.

-ONWARD!

some steps forward

Around this time last year I asked for more the of the good stuff. I also mentioned that a new year is not a reset button and nothing will change until we make the effort to change things. The more I think about it the more its true. I'm at the stage in my life when the decision of what my life will amount to lies increasingly on me. Its like the safety net has been removed and its scary. And more and more its obvious that nothing will happen unless I move and actually apply myself, recognising it may well take a lot of effort and persistence than I have come to expect.

For 2012 I want things to be different, like radically. That's what I want. I want to be less afraid and over evaluate everything. I want to be bold and take bold steps I think are worth taking. I want a lot of things. But what I need is room to grow even if its a little bit because it matters. Especially to me.

Going to camp taught me that troubles will come and really asking God to take away those problems is not being productive and in some ways its working against God's purposes. Instead seek strength, patience and perseverance throughout the storms and see the salvation of the Lord. He promises to be there through it all, not to watch you fall on your face but to carry you through it.

Loving father keep your promises, and continually remind us of them.
-ONWARD!

some christmas thoughts

This time of the year is a very sentimental time for me. Its like the whole year is leading up to these few days of joy and happiness. And the timing is one that forces you to look back and take time to reflect on the year that has been.

I was looking at the few posts I've made this year and a lot has happened in these 52 weeks or so. I'm glad I'm still here, I'm glad that even through everything that has happened I have in some way become stronger in my faith and knowledge of God.  There were a lot of trying times which I don't wish to discuss, the people that know, know but God has been really kind and merciful and patient with me.

Just like the last post, I'm reminded to remember that I'm not alone in my journey that I have a counsellor who is always there and within reach. I'm reminded that my life won't go easy or smooth or anything like that but regardless there will always be a reason to smile in the midst of it all.

This afternoon a few friends were sharing about some of the difficult times they went through and how they view it in hindsight, with thankfulness, giving glory to God for seeing them through really touch my heart. I didn't share anything because well I often try to protect myself. Maybe I should be more vulnerable to closer friends. But I think if we all take a moment to look back there will be atleast one instance where God has been faithful.

My life is no where near where I want it to be and I'm still learning and growing but despite everything I am grateful for where I am right now and confident that I will see the salvation of the Lord. Someday.

Have a blessed Christmas everyone.

-ONWARD!

Remember

Camps are great, especially bible camps. I just got back from one with the theme: 'spiritual discipline' focusing on the 9 fruits of the spirit. In most of the lessons, for me at least, it was nothing I've not heard before but things that I have forgotten and its always good to be reminded. I think I've quoted this before but I'll say it again. 'Humans need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed'. Why? Because we forget easily.

When the Israelites where walking through the red sea, God commanded the leader of each tribe to pick to stone from the sea bed and keep it as a remembrance of their salvation from their Egyptian taskmasters.

When we went through 'peace' as a topic, what struck me is that God does not promise to remove troubles from our lives and make us more comfortable but rather promises to be there in our troubles and help us through it. Its just that that's usually not what we want but it helps me to pray right.

For the past few weeks even this morning in my devotions the message have been the same, remember. To tell you the truth, its really scary to put your trust in God. We read of the Israelites being commanded to go the battlefront where they will be facing two different armies from two nations joining forces to take them down. But all they had to do was to bring their guitars and drums and musical instruments to praise God. Thats a scary and foolish thing to do but in hindsight it saved their life. The armies killed themselves and the people of God needed three days to loot the plunder.

So remember, God is good. His promises are sure, not gonna change. Troubles, challenges, awkward uncomfortable moments even seasons won't go away but we are never alone through these things. Remember that God is good.

-ONWARD!