Hearing the Father Speak
By Os Hillman, May 26, 2009
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My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. - John 10:27
An Englishman tells a true story of his encounter with a Muslim man while walking in the country. The Englishman wanted to share the gospel with this man but knew little of Muslim beliefs. The two men talked as they walked and agreed they would each share their beliefs with one another. The Muslim went first and dominated the time of sharing. The Englishman asked the Holy Spirit how to share his faith with the Muslim man. "Do you consider your god your father who speaks?" asked the Englishman.
"Certainly not," replied the Muslim man.
"That is one of the big differences between your god and my God. I consider my God as my Father who speaks to me personally."
"You cannot prove that," stated the Muslim man.
The Englishman again prayed to himself, "Lord, how do I prove this to this man?" A few moments later the two men began walking toward two young ladies on the other side of the road coming toward them. As they approached, the Englishman spoke to the ladies and made small conversation. He then said to one woman, "I believe you are a nurse, is that correct?"
The woman was startled that a man whom she had never met had just informed her of her occupation. "How would you know that? I have never met you before," she questioned.
He replied, "I asked my Father and He told me." The Muslim had his proof.
Many of us do not hear God's voice because we do not believe He speaks or desires to speak to us. In order to hear, we must listen. In order to listen, we must believe that He speaks. Ask the Lord today for a listening ear so that others might know that you have a heavenly Father who speaks.
***
lunch conversation with a colleague yesterday was all about God! how He has blessed me at work, and how He speaks to us through words and pictures that touches our hearts so deeply, where no one else could, and brings tears to our eyes, how he could use people who don't know us to let us know it is Him who knows us, and loves us
how He descends upon our worship and how gold glitter sparkles on our hands and arms after worship, i had doubts myself at first and made sure i washed my hands clean before worship, but they'd still appear.. it's embedded in the skin, and doesn't come off. it disappears after a while, haven't noticed when they disappear, just noticed that it appears after worship.. but i've also seen some that comes off and can be collected
it started with a thought in my mind.. which i thought aloud and asked my colleague.. does your church do prophesying?
the answer was negative.. thank God my colleague asked abt it and what we do.. and i couldn't stop talking.. that we should desire most of all the gift of prophecy, the distinction between gifts and fruits of the spirit, and how Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to do greater works. that God strengthens His body and builds unity through one spirit and one mind, when He speaks to us, it brings amazing comfort, encouragement and strength. it releases affection and builds honor between the person who receives and the person who releases the prophecy
then it rained heavily and we were stuck and had an extended time of sharing and testimonies.. what we do, what i've seen, what i've heard, what i've learnt, what i've experienced, abt prophesying (hearing the Father's voice), walking in the supernatural by the power of the Holy Spirit..
we are called to love everyone, including our persecutors, and God loves everynoe, wants everyone to know Him and receive His love for them, we do not really know about persecution, for we haven't experienced any real persecution yet ourselves, there are those who's life are in danger for sharing the gospel, and many who have died sharing the gospel. Jesus came to die for us, and demonstrated to us true obedience to God.
thank You Lord for Your thoughts for us, and for creating opportunities to share, for Your heart for us, for Your hunger for us, to draw closer and closer to You all the time
love You Lord
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
my life is in You Lord..
The Goal of the Christian Life
By Os Hillman, May 25, 2009
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I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24
The goal of the Christian life is death, not success. A popular teaching says that if we follow God, we will prosper materially. God may, in fact, bless His people materially, but few can make this claim among third-world countries. Wealth must never be the goal of a person's life, only a by-product.
A missionary to a Middle-Eastern country has shared a motto among their ministry team: "God does not require success, but radical, immediate obedience." Jesus' obedience gained Him the cross. It did not gain Him popularity among the heathen, the religious or financial success, or a life of pleasure. His obedience resulted in His death on the cross. This is the same goal Christ has for each of us--death of our old nature so that He might live through us. That may not sell well among outcome-based Christian workplace believers, but it will result in an eternal reward that far exceeds any earthly reward. "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12).
The Christian life is a paradox--the first will be last, death in return for life, and we are encouraged to offer praise to God to overcome a spirit of heaviness. It requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. Let death work in you a life that only God can raise up.
By Os Hillman, May 25, 2009
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I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24
The goal of the Christian life is death, not success. A popular teaching says that if we follow God, we will prosper materially. God may, in fact, bless His people materially, but few can make this claim among third-world countries. Wealth must never be the goal of a person's life, only a by-product.
A missionary to a Middle-Eastern country has shared a motto among their ministry team: "God does not require success, but radical, immediate obedience." Jesus' obedience gained Him the cross. It did not gain Him popularity among the heathen, the religious or financial success, or a life of pleasure. His obedience resulted in His death on the cross. This is the same goal Christ has for each of us--death of our old nature so that He might live through us. That may not sell well among outcome-based Christian workplace believers, but it will result in an eternal reward that far exceeds any earthly reward. "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12).
The Christian life is a paradox--the first will be last, death in return for life, and we are encouraged to offer praise to God to overcome a spirit of heaviness. It requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. Let death work in you a life that only God can raise up.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
tgif
Working Versus Striving
By Os Hillman, May 24, 2009
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So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6
Your greatest obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in your work life. One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the work He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know that what we achieve is by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life versus our own abilities, and is there a difference? When we reach a level of excellence and performance in our fields, it actually becomes an obstacle to seeing God's power manifest in our work. What we naturally do well becomes the object of our trust. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop skills, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything.
It is the oxymoron of all oxymorons for Christian workplace believers. Learning not to act until God shows you to act is a sign of maturity in God. "Do not lean on the natural skill which you have been given. Let God manifest Himself in what you are doing," said a mentor who has learned this balance of skill and walking with God. "You must almost restrain from doing those things you know you are prone to do and actually go against them."
I was learning this lesson recently when I was asked to participate in a large event that would give great exposure and much needed financial increase to my ministry. It made all the sense in the world to participate. Then I prayed with a friend and asked the Lord His mind on it. The Lord showed us this was not His plan for me. I declined the invitation.
Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit in your business life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit.
***
..and obey :)
obey obey obey..
there's nothing better than to trust and obey..
thoughts from worship & soaking tdy
i do not know what lies ahead but i love You & i will follow You
i want to run with You and thank You all the days of my life
i shall not be afraid because You love me and You watch over me and You take care of me and You have the best for me
send me use me
pictures: rays of colorful light shining into the room for the children, a rainbow, an eagle with outspread wings
& isa 40:31
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Lord help me to actively seek You.. desperately, passionately.. hunger and thirst for You like never before
in Jesus mighty name i pray
amen
By Os Hillman, May 24, 2009
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So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6
Your greatest obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in your work life. One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the work He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know that what we achieve is by the power of the Holy Spirit in our life versus our own abilities, and is there a difference? When we reach a level of excellence and performance in our fields, it actually becomes an obstacle to seeing God's power manifest in our work. What we naturally do well becomes the object of our trust. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop skills, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything.
It is the oxymoron of all oxymorons for Christian workplace believers. Learning not to act until God shows you to act is a sign of maturity in God. "Do not lean on the natural skill which you have been given. Let God manifest Himself in what you are doing," said a mentor who has learned this balance of skill and walking with God. "You must almost restrain from doing those things you know you are prone to do and actually go against them."
I was learning this lesson recently when I was asked to participate in a large event that would give great exposure and much needed financial increase to my ministry. It made all the sense in the world to participate. Then I prayed with a friend and asked the Lord His mind on it. The Lord showed us this was not His plan for me. I declined the invitation.
Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit in your business life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit.
***
..and obey :)
obey obey obey..
there's nothing better than to trust and obey..
thoughts from worship & soaking tdy
i do not know what lies ahead but i love You & i will follow You
i want to run with You and thank You all the days of my life
i shall not be afraid because You love me and You watch over me and You take care of me and You have the best for me
send me use me
pictures: rays of colorful light shining into the room for the children, a rainbow, an eagle with outspread wings
& isa 40:31
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Lord help me to actively seek You.. desperately, passionately.. hunger and thirst for You like never before
in Jesus mighty name i pray
amen
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Jesus loves little children
i wasn't so close to my nieces and nephew and little children before, but after following Jesus, i see them differently, and love them like never before, i can't help loving little children now.. i know this love is not from me, it's a gift from God
my nephew just came back from a holiday trip and last night we got to play together again after a longer-than-it-seems one week.. missed him terribly, gotten used to playing with him everyday.. couldn't stop asking him abt everything, and all he wanted to do the whole night was to play with me.. "why did i come back later than him.. can i go with him to his home to see him do his homework, do i want to see his new bullet train.." yes yes and yes!!! wow Jesus must miss us so much more when we get tied up with everyday things and don't spend time with Him or focus our attention on Him.. for His love for us is greater than we can ever imagine and our human love for each other is just a tiny fraction of His amazing and endless love for us.
i miss my nieces dearly too, especially the elder, it's been too long.. thank you Jesus for keeping them close in Your heart, and protecting them and blessing them with Your presence..
help us and all your children, to love You more and more each day and teach us to bless everyone as You will.
i love You Lord
***
extract from http://www.allaboutgod.com about how Jesus loves little children and want us to come to Him like little children, with 100% dependence and faith
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Chicago-born C. Herbert Woolston (1856-1927), the songwriter, is said to have been inspired by Matthew 1:14 where Jesus says, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” In this verse, the disciples were afraid the children would bother Jesus, but Jesus wants children to come to him.
“Faith is natural to a child, for complete physical dependence is accompanied by absolute emotional confidence,” wrote Christian educator Lois LeBar in her classic book, Children in the Bible.
While children come to Jesus readily, there is more hesitancy for adults to respond. Grown-ups seem to lose the innocent faith and trusting nature that children possess. Yet in Matthew 18:4-6, Jesus invites us to come to Him “like little children” and says “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
my nephew just came back from a holiday trip and last night we got to play together again after a longer-than-it-seems one week.. missed him terribly, gotten used to playing with him everyday.. couldn't stop asking him abt everything, and all he wanted to do the whole night was to play with me.. "why did i come back later than him.. can i go with him to his home to see him do his homework, do i want to see his new bullet train.." yes yes and yes!!! wow Jesus must miss us so much more when we get tied up with everyday things and don't spend time with Him or focus our attention on Him.. for His love for us is greater than we can ever imagine and our human love for each other is just a tiny fraction of His amazing and endless love for us.
i miss my nieces dearly too, especially the elder, it's been too long.. thank you Jesus for keeping them close in Your heart, and protecting them and blessing them with Your presence..
help us and all your children, to love You more and more each day and teach us to bless everyone as You will.
i love You Lord
***
extract from http://www.allaboutgod.com about how Jesus loves little children and want us to come to Him like little children, with 100% dependence and faith
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Chicago-born C. Herbert Woolston (1856-1927), the songwriter, is said to have been inspired by Matthew 1:14 where Jesus says, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” In this verse, the disciples were afraid the children would bother Jesus, but Jesus wants children to come to him.
“Faith is natural to a child, for complete physical dependence is accompanied by absolute emotional confidence,” wrote Christian educator Lois LeBar in her classic book, Children in the Bible.
While children come to Jesus readily, there is more hesitancy for adults to respond. Grown-ups seem to lose the innocent faith and trusting nature that children possess. Yet in Matthew 18:4-6, Jesus invites us to come to Him “like little children” and says “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
carpe diem
i've been much blessed in my life with family, friends, comfort and pleasures..
but nothing compares to what i have received in Him.. the amazing peace, joy, love
He is all i ever need and all i could ever want..
knowing God and receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior is the best thing that could ever happen to me.. and i pray that everyone will come to taste of His goodness, know Him personally and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior too
all that i have belongs to Him, my life, my relationships, my possessions
i own nothing but have everything because He lives in me
i am weak but He gives me strength
He is always there to pick me up and guide me when i stumble and fall
He makes the impossible possible
i want to be soft plyable clay in Your hands, that goes where You call me to, and does what You will
Lord help me
***
The Plans of Tomorrow
By Os Hillman, May 13, 2009
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You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. - James 4:14b
A group of workplace believers meet at my office every week for fellowship, study, and prayer. One man attended our group for several years. Jim was well liked and in good health. One Thursday he showed up as usual. The next morning I received a call, "Jim is dead! He died in his easy chair last night!" Jim had no prior problems and there was no indication he was about to go be with the Lord. Naturally, it came as a shock to us all.
Whenever things like this happen close to home, it brings us face to face with our mortality. A friend of mine said he was challenged by someone to do an experiment. He challenged him to live his life for one year as if it were the last year he would live. He responded to the challenge and did as proposed. It changed his life forever. He began to focus on different priorities and people when he viewed life in these terms.
James gives us a perspective on viewing tomorrow.
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:13-15).
Life is fragile. Consider where you are investing your time and energies. Someone once said they had never heard anyone on his deathbed say that he wished he had made more money in his lifetime or he wished he had made a certain deal. Usually it is something like, "I wish I had spent more time with my kids." Ask the Lord to give you His priorities for your life.
***
David Fulfilled His Purpose
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, May 13 2009
"For David...served the purpose of God in his own generation" (Acts 13:36 NASB)
Imagine for a moment that you have just died and you are about to come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus is speaking to his angel about you. He then says these words: "Janice served the purpose of my Heavenly Father for her generation."
Will God be able to say you served your purpose in your generation? Imagine being able to say that. God was able to say this about the life of David, even though David made some incredibly bad choices in his life that led to long term consequences. However, because David repented each time he erred, his purpose was accomplished on earth as God had designed it.
One of the prayers I often pray for people whenever I'm asked to pray for them is this; "Lord, may you fulfill every purpose for which you made them. May there be no inheritance left on the table that he/she is entitled to."
That is really the definition of success. Success is fulfilling the complete purpose for which God made you. It has nothing to do with wealth, accomplishments, stature in life, or standard of living. It has to do with living a life of obedience to the Father. And when we live a life of obedience to the Father, we will fulfill the purposes that God had in mind when he made you and me.
In 1924, Eric Liddle, a Scottish Olympic runner who's life was chronicled in a movie entitled the Chariots of Fire, was challenged by his missionary sister to forego running in the Olympics in lieu of going to China with her as a missionary. He responded by saying, "When I run I feel His (God's) pleasure. I was made to run and I was made to be a missionary too." Eric understood his complete purpose for his generation. As a result, he brought glory to the Father through his running and his missionary service.
Today, ask God to fulfill His purposes for your life in your generation.
but nothing compares to what i have received in Him.. the amazing peace, joy, love
He is all i ever need and all i could ever want..
knowing God and receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior is the best thing that could ever happen to me.. and i pray that everyone will come to taste of His goodness, know Him personally and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior too
all that i have belongs to Him, my life, my relationships, my possessions
i own nothing but have everything because He lives in me
i am weak but He gives me strength
He is always there to pick me up and guide me when i stumble and fall
He makes the impossible possible
i want to be soft plyable clay in Your hands, that goes where You call me to, and does what You will
Lord help me
***
The Plans of Tomorrow
By Os Hillman, May 13, 2009
Powered By Marketplace Leaders
You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. - James 4:14b
A group of workplace believers meet at my office every week for fellowship, study, and prayer. One man attended our group for several years. Jim was well liked and in good health. One Thursday he showed up as usual. The next morning I received a call, "Jim is dead! He died in his easy chair last night!" Jim had no prior problems and there was no indication he was about to go be with the Lord. Naturally, it came as a shock to us all.
Whenever things like this happen close to home, it brings us face to face with our mortality. A friend of mine said he was challenged by someone to do an experiment. He challenged him to live his life for one year as if it were the last year he would live. He responded to the challenge and did as proposed. It changed his life forever. He began to focus on different priorities and people when he viewed life in these terms.
James gives us a perspective on viewing tomorrow.
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that" (James 4:13-15).
Life is fragile. Consider where you are investing your time and energies. Someone once said they had never heard anyone on his deathbed say that he wished he had made more money in his lifetime or he wished he had made a certain deal. Usually it is something like, "I wish I had spent more time with my kids." Ask the Lord to give you His priorities for your life.
***
David Fulfilled His Purpose
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Wednesday, May 13 2009
"For David...served the purpose of God in his own generation" (Acts 13:36 NASB)
Imagine for a moment that you have just died and you are about to come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus is speaking to his angel about you. He then says these words: "Janice served the purpose of my Heavenly Father for her generation."
Will God be able to say you served your purpose in your generation? Imagine being able to say that. God was able to say this about the life of David, even though David made some incredibly bad choices in his life that led to long term consequences. However, because David repented each time he erred, his purpose was accomplished on earth as God had designed it.
One of the prayers I often pray for people whenever I'm asked to pray for them is this; "Lord, may you fulfill every purpose for which you made them. May there be no inheritance left on the table that he/she is entitled to."
That is really the definition of success. Success is fulfilling the complete purpose for which God made you. It has nothing to do with wealth, accomplishments, stature in life, or standard of living. It has to do with living a life of obedience to the Father. And when we live a life of obedience to the Father, we will fulfill the purposes that God had in mind when he made you and me.
In 1924, Eric Liddle, a Scottish Olympic runner who's life was chronicled in a movie entitled the Chariots of Fire, was challenged by his missionary sister to forego running in the Olympics in lieu of going to China with her as a missionary. He responded by saying, "When I run I feel His (God's) pleasure. I was made to run and I was made to be a missionary too." Eric understood his complete purpose for his generation. As a result, he brought glory to the Father through his running and his missionary service.
Today, ask God to fulfill His purposes for your life in your generation.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
guitar class
wow, it's been 10 weeks since guitar class started.. yesterday was the final lesson for b2guitar class at coos
what i like best about the class is the emphasis on prayers and praise, and connecting to God and being led by the Holy Spirit!
it is probably difficult for skilled players with many many years of experience to understand the struggles and difficulties that beginning players face, for it is already effortless for them to play basic chords, but our teachers have taken the trouble to give much thought and evaluated each lesson over the weeks and conduct subsequent lessons based on our progress, covering each module as planned, and yet providing individual guidance and tips based on our wide range of entry levels and playing abilities.. they have been extremely kind to structure the lesson in such a way that is best for us, and their patience is simply amazing, they would even slow down the lesson to go through chord changes pair by pair with us to show us how we can practise when we are on our own!
i have been much much blessed.. i've always admired how people can play the guitar and sing just like that, it's so incredibly beautiful.. i can only gape in wonder and go wow wow wowing non-stop in my heart.. i had found it very difficult and painful to even strike a nice sounding note at first, and remember thinking how nice it'd be if i could play the guitar and sing at the same time, even if it's just one song.. it had seemed far-fetched to me and quite impossible.. it just looked too complicated to me, the fingering with the different chords (how could i possibly remember all those chord shapes and placement of fingers on which fret and which string..?) and strumming with the other hand.. how do i do one thing with one hand (chord fingering) and do another thing with the other..(strumming)?
well, i don't play quite well yet, i don't strum skillfully or effortlessly for now, and i still struggle a lot with bar chords and Fs and Bs and am not very confident about playing, publicly, in particular, but our teachers have been really understanding and encouraging.. and it really can be done..!! each of us were able to play a song at the end of the course! i'm deeply thankful that i managed to play (and sing!!) a full song to testify of God's goodness and grace
i used to have a phobia of singing in the presence of other people..
would never sing, no matter how my friends try to coax..
but God has helped me overcome my singing phobia!
and helped me to play and sing at the same time!
and even given me new songs!! when i didn't know how to compose songs nor recognize chords..
His goodness and grace is simply overwhelming
it was very painful at first, the skin on the fingers becomes sore and peels. i used to dislike the calluses on my fingers.. they look ugly, but now i love them.. they keep the pain away :)
i believe everyone can play.. i thought i couldn't but i did it, and i know everyone else can too!
what inspires me most is our teachers' heart of worship, and always harping on the heart of worship, that it is all about Him
what i like best about the class is the emphasis on prayers and praise, and connecting to God and being led by the Holy Spirit!
it is probably difficult for skilled players with many many years of experience to understand the struggles and difficulties that beginning players face, for it is already effortless for them to play basic chords, but our teachers have taken the trouble to give much thought and evaluated each lesson over the weeks and conduct subsequent lessons based on our progress, covering each module as planned, and yet providing individual guidance and tips based on our wide range of entry levels and playing abilities.. they have been extremely kind to structure the lesson in such a way that is best for us, and their patience is simply amazing, they would even slow down the lesson to go through chord changes pair by pair with us to show us how we can practise when we are on our own!
i have been much much blessed.. i've always admired how people can play the guitar and sing just like that, it's so incredibly beautiful.. i can only gape in wonder and go wow wow wowing non-stop in my heart.. i had found it very difficult and painful to even strike a nice sounding note at first, and remember thinking how nice it'd be if i could play the guitar and sing at the same time, even if it's just one song.. it had seemed far-fetched to me and quite impossible.. it just looked too complicated to me, the fingering with the different chords (how could i possibly remember all those chord shapes and placement of fingers on which fret and which string..?) and strumming with the other hand.. how do i do one thing with one hand (chord fingering) and do another thing with the other..(strumming)?
well, i don't play quite well yet, i don't strum skillfully or effortlessly for now, and i still struggle a lot with bar chords and Fs and Bs and am not very confident about playing, publicly, in particular, but our teachers have been really understanding and encouraging.. and it really can be done..!! each of us were able to play a song at the end of the course! i'm deeply thankful that i managed to play (and sing!!) a full song to testify of God's goodness and grace
i used to have a phobia of singing in the presence of other people..
would never sing, no matter how my friends try to coax..
but God has helped me overcome my singing phobia!
and helped me to play and sing at the same time!
and even given me new songs!! when i didn't know how to compose songs nor recognize chords..
His goodness and grace is simply overwhelming
it was very painful at first, the skin on the fingers becomes sore and peels. i used to dislike the calluses on my fingers.. they look ugly, but now i love them.. they keep the pain away :)
i believe everyone can play.. i thought i couldn't but i did it, and i know everyone else can too!
what inspires me most is our teachers' heart of worship, and always harping on the heart of worship, that it is all about Him
Thursday, May 7, 2009
love
came across this article on love by Ronit Baras
here's an extract
"I remember looking at my newborn daughter with my heart full of feelings I'd never had and loving her with every cell of my body. She did nothing. She was tiny and her eyes were closed most of the time. She just had to be there for me to have that feeling. I remember Gal holding her the first time and saying, "I don't know you, but I already love you so much". It's funny how babies don't need to do anything to be loved. They just need to be.
I wonder when this rule fades or when we, parents, forget it. I remember in those moments I imagined my mum and dad looking at me like that and I knew, with 100% certainty, that love is born with the birth of your child and that I was loved, very much loved."
***
that is like how God loves us.. without us having to do anything.. that He loves us just as we are.. very very much.. much much more than we can ever imagine or feel
He knows every little detail about us, and still loves us torrentially, just as we are..
here's an extract
"I remember looking at my newborn daughter with my heart full of feelings I'd never had and loving her with every cell of my body. She did nothing. She was tiny and her eyes were closed most of the time. She just had to be there for me to have that feeling. I remember Gal holding her the first time and saying, "I don't know you, but I already love you so much". It's funny how babies don't need to do anything to be loved. They just need to be.
I wonder when this rule fades or when we, parents, forget it. I remember in those moments I imagined my mum and dad looking at me like that and I knew, with 100% certainty, that love is born with the birth of your child and that I was loved, very much loved."
***
that is like how God loves us.. without us having to do anything.. that He loves us just as we are.. very very much.. much much more than we can ever imagine or feel
He knows every little detail about us, and still loves us torrentially, just as we are..
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
God loves us, is always with us & we are called to love & bless everyone including our persecuters
When God Seems Far Away
By Os Hillman, May 5, 2009
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Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? - Psalm 10:1
One of the great mysteries of God is His ways. Some of His ways almost appear to bring us into the most difficult places, as if He were indifferent to our circumstances. It would appear that He is turning His head from our sorrows. These events in our lives have a particular objective to perform for us. That objective is to bring us to the end of ourselves that we might discover the treasure of darkness. "Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness" (Job 30:26).
When we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.
After we go through these periods, we discover that God was, in fact, with us throughout the entire time. It does not feel or appear that He is there when we are in the midst of the dark periods. However, He is there walking with us. He has told us countless times that He will never leave us. However, when we are in those dark periods, it does not feel like He is there because He does not rescue us from the circumstances. He does this for our benefit in order that we might become more like Jesus. Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). What does that say about how you and I will learn obedience? Embrace the dark times and gain the wisdom that God intends for you from these times.
Graduate Level Christianity
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, May 05 2009
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
There was a man who had become a friend and mentor to me, but a conflict arose between us that we were unable to resolve. I never imagined that this man would go from being one of my best friends to an enemy. I asked God to show me how I should treat this man, and the words of Jesus came to mind, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"Lord," I said, "surely you don't mean I'm to love this man! Not after the way he's hurt me and refused to reconcile!"
As I argued with God, I remembered that Jesus, before He was betrayed, got down on his knees and washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, His enemy. The moment that scene came to my mind, I knew what God was calling me to do. I had to wash the feet of my Judas.
This man who had been my friend and mentor had also been a client of my advertising agency. He was a Christian author and speaker, and I decided to bless this man by continuing to promote his ministry and his books.
Did he ever come back to me and reconcile? Yes, seven years later. But even if he had never reconciled with me, I knew that I did what God called me to do. I washed the feet of my Judas. I passed the test.
God doesn't promise that if we forgive there will be a happy ending. He doesn't promise that the man who refuses to pay a bill will suddenly write a check. He doesn't promise that the one who rejects reconciliation will instantly soften his heart. Jesus forgave his executioners, but that didn't keep them from nailing Him to the cross.
The Graduate Level Test is not about getting the results we want. It's about proving that we trust God enough to forgive our Judases. It's a graduate-level course in Christian obedience. But I believe that every leader whom God uses in a significant way must pass the Judas Test.
God wants to know if we are willing to be imitators of Jesus. How can we say we are followers of Christ if we won't wash the feet of our Judases?
By Os Hillman, May 5, 2009
Powered By Marketplace Leaders
Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? - Psalm 10:1
One of the great mysteries of God is His ways. Some of His ways almost appear to bring us into the most difficult places, as if He were indifferent to our circumstances. It would appear that He is turning His head from our sorrows. These events in our lives have a particular objective to perform for us. That objective is to bring us to the end of ourselves that we might discover the treasure of darkness. "Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness" (Job 30:26).
When we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.
After we go through these periods, we discover that God was, in fact, with us throughout the entire time. It does not feel or appear that He is there when we are in the midst of the dark periods. However, He is there walking with us. He has told us countless times that He will never leave us. However, when we are in those dark periods, it does not feel like He is there because He does not rescue us from the circumstances. He does this for our benefit in order that we might become more like Jesus. Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). What does that say about how you and I will learn obedience? Embrace the dark times and gain the wisdom that God intends for you from these times.
Graduate Level Christianity
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman
Tuesday, May 05 2009
"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).
There was a man who had become a friend and mentor to me, but a conflict arose between us that we were unable to resolve. I never imagined that this man would go from being one of my best friends to an enemy. I asked God to show me how I should treat this man, and the words of Jesus came to mind, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
"Lord," I said, "surely you don't mean I'm to love this man! Not after the way he's hurt me and refused to reconcile!"
As I argued with God, I remembered that Jesus, before He was betrayed, got down on his knees and washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, His enemy. The moment that scene came to my mind, I knew what God was calling me to do. I had to wash the feet of my Judas.
This man who had been my friend and mentor had also been a client of my advertising agency. He was a Christian author and speaker, and I decided to bless this man by continuing to promote his ministry and his books.
Did he ever come back to me and reconcile? Yes, seven years later. But even if he had never reconciled with me, I knew that I did what God called me to do. I washed the feet of my Judas. I passed the test.
God doesn't promise that if we forgive there will be a happy ending. He doesn't promise that the man who refuses to pay a bill will suddenly write a check. He doesn't promise that the one who rejects reconciliation will instantly soften his heart. Jesus forgave his executioners, but that didn't keep them from nailing Him to the cross.
The Graduate Level Test is not about getting the results we want. It's about proving that we trust God enough to forgive our Judases. It's a graduate-level course in Christian obedience. But I believe that every leader whom God uses in a significant way must pass the Judas Test.
God wants to know if we are willing to be imitators of Jesus. How can we say we are followers of Christ if we won't wash the feet of our Judases?
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