Sorry for flooding this blog.
But I found those archive from our old shine blog named shine4god.co.cc.
I feel quite wasted those entry written by our bro and sis to be archived in my google reader only.
So I decided to post it here. :)
It's quite old entry but I feel nostalgic. :D
I kinda miss the old shine blog where people write their CG activity and testimonials instead only posting articles.
Those entry of event with photos are not possible to repost here. So I just post those CG event/ summary and testimonials!
Enjoy!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Repost: Shine 1 Gathering
Boardgame @ Settler Cafe
Last weekend shine1 went to Ishimura Japanese Food court @ Paradiz Center 
I like it very much. Shine2 joined us for dinner although they didn’t want to mix with us on the same table :p Had a nice dinner with a lots of ‘jayus’ thing.
Ok ok, I’ll post the jayus thing here =p
Q: The ark was built in 3 stories, and the top story had a window to let light in, but how did they get light to the bottom 2 stories?
A: They used floodlights.
Q: What is the best way to get to Paradise?
A: Turn right and go straight.
Q: Who is the greatest baby-sitter mentioned in the Bible?
A: David - he rocked Goliath to sleep.
Q: What do they call pastors in Germany?
A: German Shepherds.
Q: Which servant of Jehovah was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A: Moses, because he broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q: Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A: The area around the Jordan - the banks were always overflowing.
Q: Which bible character had no parents?
A: Joshua, son of Nun.
Q: Why didn’t Noah go fishing?
A: He only had two worms!
Q: Who was the greatest financier in the Bible ?
A: Noah: He was floating his stock, while everyone else was in liquidation.
Q: Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible ?
A: When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.
Some of the jokes I couldn’t understand either. Especially the first 2 jokes.
After dinner we went to Settler Cafe @ SMU to play boardgame, but only 6 of us playing and the rest chit chatting. The game was actually quite interesting. Someone got the new nickname as Monkey Queen
and Cockroach Queen. Wahaahaa… After that we tried to find one Monkey King to match with the Queen. Hail Ming2 and hail Hery ;p
Why they can become monkey king and queen? They played a game to collect stick while they cannot drop the monkey. Who drop the most monkey will become the monkey queen and king. And the lucky one is Ming! ^_^
Full of laughing and fun
I like it very much. Shine2 joined us for dinner although they didn’t want to mix with us on the same table :p Had a nice dinner with a lots of ‘jayus’ thing.
Ok ok, I’ll post the jayus thing here =p
Q: The ark was built in 3 stories, and the top story had a window to let light in, but how did they get light to the bottom 2 stories?
A: They used floodlights.
Q: What is the best way to get to Paradise?
A: Turn right and go straight.
Q: Who is the greatest baby-sitter mentioned in the Bible?
A: David - he rocked Goliath to sleep.
Q: What do they call pastors in Germany?
A: German Shepherds.
Q: Which servant of Jehovah was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A: Moses, because he broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q: Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A: The area around the Jordan - the banks were always overflowing.
Q: Which bible character had no parents?
A: Joshua, son of Nun.
Q: Why didn’t Noah go fishing?
A: He only had two worms!
Q: Who was the greatest financier in the Bible ?
A: Noah: He was floating his stock, while everyone else was in liquidation.
Q: Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible ?
A: When Joseph served in Pharaoh’s court.
Some of the jokes I couldn’t understand either.
Especially the first 2 jokes.After dinner we went to Settler Cafe @ SMU to play boardgame, but only 6 of us playing and the rest chit chatting. The game was actually quite interesting. Someone got the new nickname as Monkey Queen
and Cockroach Queen. Wahaahaa… After that we tried to find one Monkey King to match with the Queen. Hail Ming2 and hail Hery ;pWhy they can become monkey king and queen? They played a game to collect stick while they cannot drop the monkey. Who drop the most monkey will become the monkey queen and king.
And the lucky one is Ming! ^_^Full of laughing and fun
Repost: Shine 2 Wisata Kuliner
Wisata Kuliner
Uiihhh seru juga yah acara shine 1…tapi shine 2 juga seru loh…
sbt lalu abis greja anak2 shine2 recananya wisata kuliner @ old airport, tapi berhubung byk anak2 yg ga bisa join akirnya wisata kulinernya d batalin…and jadinya makan d restorant jepang sma kyk resto tmpt shine 1..
trss apa yg mrka lakukan yah d sono???? hmmm menurut sala satu anak shine2 yg join yg namanya “kiki” during dinner mereka ngobrol2, trs after dinner mereka mase ga puas and mase pengen have fellowship brg, so they proceed to orchard area jln2, and ga lupa juga anak2 shine2 pada mampir k “khou fu di cine” utk mkn dessert…and katanya during dessert time itu saat2 yg fun n saat yg bkn mrka pada ngakak selama makan dessert soalnya during dessert time mereka ngobrolin ttg kejadian2 lucu yg d alami oleh masing2 org…sayang kejadian lucunya cuman lucu klo d denger n on the spot klo d tulis katanya jadi jayus….hehehe
okay here we go sala satu cerita lucunya kiki…
fantasical_cosmic: jadi gini ceritanya
fantasical_cosmic: dulu pas lg g studied di perth
fantasical_cosmic: gw kan sendirian di rumah
fantasical_cosmic: soalnya all of my housemates travelled back home in june
fantasical_cosmic: trus g pegi dr rumah pagi2
fantasical_cosmic: trus pas pulang malem2
fantasical_cosmic: nah kamar gua kan di paling belakang, di belakang rumah tuh ada backyard
fantasical_cosmic: trus kamar gua tuh posisi di depan pintu itu jendela
fantasical_cosmic: waktu gw masuk rumah trus ke masuk ke kamar
fantasical_cosmic: gua liat di luar jendela ada jubah putih terbang2
fantasical_cosmic: waktu gw cerita gini ampir di stop ama sisy hehe
fantasical_cosmic: gw kaget nya minta ampun ampe lutut gua lemes haha
fantasical_cosmic: ternyata gw baru inget
fantasical_cosmic: pagi sebelom gua pegi dri rumah, gua jemur baju di backyard haha
fantasical_cosmic: trus jemurannya ketiup angin soalnya jemurannya bentuknya kayak payung, jadi kalo ketiup angin muter gitu loh haha
*hmmm for sure the rest of cerita lucu psti lucu bgt…
join us on our next activity…Sat 23/05/09 - “Botak Jones” Orchard Youth Park — ada apa yah d botak jones?? hmm
sbt lalu abis greja anak2 shine2 recananya wisata kuliner @ old airport, tapi berhubung byk anak2 yg ga bisa join akirnya wisata kulinernya d batalin…and jadinya makan d restorant jepang sma kyk resto tmpt shine 1..
trss apa yg mrka lakukan yah d sono???? hmmm menurut sala satu anak shine2 yg join yg namanya “kiki” during dinner mereka ngobrol2, trs after dinner mereka mase ga puas and mase pengen have fellowship brg, so they proceed to orchard area jln2, and ga lupa juga anak2 shine2 pada mampir k “khou fu di cine” utk mkn dessert…and katanya during dessert time itu saat2 yg fun n saat yg bkn mrka pada ngakak selama makan dessert soalnya during dessert time mereka ngobrolin ttg kejadian2 lucu yg d alami oleh masing2 org…sayang kejadian lucunya cuman lucu klo d denger n on the spot klo d tulis katanya jadi jayus….hehehe
okay here we go sala satu cerita lucunya kiki…
fantasical_cosmic: jadi gini ceritanya
fantasical_cosmic: dulu pas lg g studied di perth
fantasical_cosmic: gw kan sendirian di rumah
fantasical_cosmic: soalnya all of my housemates travelled back home in june
fantasical_cosmic: trus g pegi dr rumah pagi2
fantasical_cosmic: trus pas pulang malem2
fantasical_cosmic: nah kamar gua kan di paling belakang, di belakang rumah tuh ada backyard
fantasical_cosmic: trus kamar gua tuh posisi di depan pintu itu jendela
fantasical_cosmic: waktu gw masuk rumah trus ke masuk ke kamar
fantasical_cosmic: gua liat di luar jendela ada jubah putih terbang2
fantasical_cosmic: waktu gw cerita gini ampir di stop ama sisy hehe
fantasical_cosmic: gw kaget nya minta ampun ampe lutut gua lemes haha
fantasical_cosmic: ternyata gw baru inget
fantasical_cosmic: pagi sebelom gua pegi dri rumah, gua jemur baju di backyard haha
fantasical_cosmic: trus jemurannya ketiup angin soalnya jemurannya bentuknya kayak payung, jadi kalo ketiup angin muter gitu loh haha
*hmmm for sure the rest of cerita lucu psti lucu bgt…
join us on our next activity…Sat 23/05/09 - “Botak Jones” Orchard Youth Park — ada apa yah d botak jones?? hmm
Repost: Summary of CG
Summary from Shine 1 CG - God’s Goodness and Kindness
Sometimes it’s easier to remember bad things that happened in our life, rather than remember the good things that happened. That’s human tendency to forget what has been happened to us whenever we’re too comfortable in a condition, where in the end we will feel really frustrated and stressed if we’re having some problem, or when we feel that we don’t have the joy on doing something, or we feel bored and tired.
Take an example when we’re serving in the church, maybe when we start to serve at the first time, we’ll feel really excited and joyful, where that’s a new thing for us, and a lot of things that we’ve never experienced before, but as time goes by sometimes we’ll feel tired and bored, where in the end we might feel frustrated since we force ourselves to do it.
Basically why we might feel frustrated, especially when we serve in the church, it’s mainly because often times we always rely on our own strength, instead of relying on God. Basically the point is where our focus is, if we put our focus on God and rely on His strength, He himself will bring us to completion, and we’ll not feel frustrated, the key is to focus on Him.
Other than focusing on Him, God also expect us to obey Him, and when we really obey Him, God will pour out His blessings endlessly into our life, like what the bible said in Deuteronomy 28:1-2, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”
The next 15 verses list all sorts of blessings that God will give His people. It sounds really good to be radically blessed, but notice that there is a condition: you must “fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands.”
You may freely choose between obedience and disobedience, but know that “a man reaps what he sows”(Galatians 6:7).
Copyright 2009 ChristNotes.org
Repost: Shine 2 CG activity
Updates from shine 2
Sorry for slow updates
Okay let me updates u on shine 2 movie activity last saturday.
We went to watch movie at Kiki’s place @ kembangan. The movie title is “Facing The Giant”. It’s a must movie for those who have not watch it. The movie is about “Faith in God”. The morale of the movie is ” There is nothing imposible when God is on your side”. Facing the Giant is facing the fear n obstacle in our life wif Jesus hand in hand.
While watching movie, we were having tidbits as well, and we can see who like tidbits and never stop eating the tidbits…it’s quite fun to watch movie together at home setting
oia ga lupa juga, kta dengerin yukk cerita n kesannya deborah pas ntn :
One day in office, very boring day as usual. I have received email invitation from my church friend called Joseph. He planned to have a night watch movie, “Facing The Giants “in one of my friends house and asked us to join. Facing The Giants? What is that, i have never heard about that before. Is it a new movie in Cathay? Well, before i decided to join, i checked about this movie in the internet and i found a movie with a background of two person in an American Football uniform, playing American football. First thing comes in my mind, not interesting to watch this movie, boring picture background, no handsome guy, no famous guy, and must be a bored drama story. ^^
Well well, finally after i know the film review from the website itself and from Nia and Joseph also, i decided to watch….So after Indonesian service, we have dinner in Concorde Hotel as usual, then buy some tit bits, then head to Kiky house in Kembangan. Here we go…
For the first few minutes feel so bored. No handsome actor, no famous guy, no action or fighting (hahaha) well… It’s a Christian drama, can’t expect too much of it. But thanks for those guys who buy lots of tit bits so we can keep our mouth occupied and feel not that boring ^^.
“Facing the GIant” is very good at teaching us, that praying and waiting for God’s blessing is worthy. BUT it’s not enough! You also must take an action such as preparing your field and make yourself ready so God can spill His blessing to you, agree? Not only that, this movie also have good morale, remind us that as a Christian, we are blessed because we KNOW HIM and when you are desperate, you may ask God’s help and you are given! Well, i strongly recommend to those people who haven’t watch this movie, watch this movie. You can watch many many times (if you want) just to remind you that you are so blessed because you know Him, Jesus. ^^
Akhir kata, pengen nonton lagi and minjem dvd nya sama pao (from shine1) hehehe ^^ thanks for Joseph and Kiky yg udh nyumbang listrik and tempat and cable, and peralatan2 yg ada. Waiting for the next round yah. GBU
Okay let me updates u on shine 2 movie activity last saturday.
We went to watch movie at Kiki’s place @ kembangan. The movie title is “Facing The Giant”. It’s a must movie for those who have not watch it. The movie is about “Faith in God”. The morale of the movie is ” There is nothing imposible when God is on your side”. Facing the Giant is facing the fear n obstacle in our life wif Jesus hand in hand.
While watching movie, we were having tidbits as well, and we can see who like tidbits and never stop eating the tidbits…it’s quite fun to watch movie together at home setting
oia ga lupa juga, kta dengerin yukk cerita n kesannya deborah pas ntn :
One day in office, very boring day as usual. I have received email invitation from my church friend called Joseph. He planned to have a night watch movie, “Facing The Giants “in one of my friends house and asked us to join. Facing The Giants? What is that, i have never heard about that before. Is it a new movie in Cathay? Well, before i decided to join, i checked about this movie in the internet and i found a movie with a background of two person in an American Football uniform, playing American football. First thing comes in my mind, not interesting to watch this movie, boring picture background, no handsome guy, no famous guy, and must be a bored drama story. ^^
Well well, finally after i know the film review from the website itself and from Nia and Joseph also, i decided to watch….So after Indonesian service, we have dinner in Concorde Hotel as usual, then buy some tit bits, then head to Kiky house in Kembangan. Here we go…
For the first few minutes feel so bored. No handsome actor, no famous guy, no action or fighting (hahaha) well… It’s a Christian drama, can’t expect too much of it. But thanks for those guys who buy lots of tit bits so we can keep our mouth occupied and feel not that boring ^^.
“Facing the GIant” is very good at teaching us, that praying and waiting for God’s blessing is worthy. BUT it’s not enough! You also must take an action such as preparing your field and make yourself ready so God can spill His blessing to you, agree? Not only that, this movie also have good morale, remind us that as a Christian, we are blessed because we KNOW HIM and when you are desperate, you may ask God’s help and you are given! Well, i strongly recommend to those people who haven’t watch this movie, watch this movie. You can watch many many times (if you want) just to remind you that you are so blessed because you know Him, Jesus. ^^
Akhir kata, pengen nonton lagi and minjem dvd nya sama pao (from shine1) hehehe ^^ thanks for Joseph and Kiky yg udh nyumbang listrik and tempat and cable, and peralatan2 yg ada. Waiting for the next round yah. GBU
Repost: Josh Testimony about Church Camp 2009
My Testimonial For Church Camp..
Yeah..semua objective g terkabul si. Thanks God for that. Mungkin kalau lagi pas church camp nya mungkin ga kerasa kalau kedua objective g uda terkabur, pas pulang nya baru ngerasa bener2 di refresh ama Tuhan & bisa have a intimate relationship ama Tuhan.
Terus terang aja g ngerasa kalau church camp yang kali ini mungkin kurang dari last 2 church camp yang lalu. Mungkin gara-gara P&W hari pertama nya kali. Tapi better pas hari kedua ama hari terakhir nya. G ga nyangka ama sekali kalau g bisa nangis pas malam minestering time nya,dari situ baru g nyadar kalau 1 lagi objektif g terkabul. Soalnya selama ini hati g keras banget untuk menerima nama nya firman Tuhan, g really Thank God for that Nite. Thank for break my heart.
Terus pas hari terakhir nya juga g dapat something yang really struck me. Many times i deny that feeling, tapi tetap aja feeling itu ada. So now i still pray and get the confirmation form God about that,I want to know if the feeling form God or not.
Lastly, g really blessed can come to this year church camp. Really enjoyed it. hehehe..
G bener2 dapat banyak pas church camp yang kali ini. Almost every teaching speak to my life. So see all of you next year church camp.
Terus terang aja g ngerasa kalau church camp yang kali ini mungkin kurang dari last 2 church camp yang lalu. Mungkin gara-gara P&W hari pertama nya kali. Tapi better pas hari kedua ama hari terakhir nya. G ga nyangka ama sekali kalau g bisa nangis pas malam minestering time nya,dari situ baru g nyadar kalau 1 lagi objektif g terkabul. Soalnya selama ini hati g keras banget untuk menerima nama nya firman Tuhan, g really Thank God for that Nite. Thank for break my heart.
Terus pas hari terakhir nya juga g dapat something yang really struck me. Many times i deny that feeling, tapi tetap aja feeling itu ada. So now i still pray and get the confirmation form God about that,I want to know if the feeling form God or not.
Lastly, g really blessed can come to this year church camp. Really enjoyed it. hehehe..
G bener2 dapat banyak pas church camp yang kali ini. Almost every teaching speak to my life. So see all of you next year church camp.
Repost: Church Camp 2009
Church Camp Updates
1 week after church camp, and here the updates of wat were we doing during the camp. The title of the camp are “Heroes”.
We depart at 7.30am almost 8.00 am from Newton Foodcourt and we reach KL by 3.00pm. All of us are tired due to long journey, and when we reach The Legend hotel, we have to wait for our room key at around 5.00pm, so we have a walk at hotel nearby, but then there is nothing u can found in the hotel.
And our camp start right after dinner and it start wif the opening ceremony by performing heroes vs villain. and shine unit perform the part of heroes by becoming the angel and we defeat the demon.. ( u can see from the pic). and there are a lot of funny heroes and villains tht perform at tht nite. some jayus, some confusing but yet overall its good to laugh.
After the performance and some ice breaker from the MCs of the nite..we start our nite wif the Praise and Worship nite…well i guess thts all tht i can remember from day 1. oh then, at nite before 12pm, we celebrate our brother bday (Dony) at pao’s room. After all the programs, we go back to our room and sleep as we r tired, but i guess some of ppl go for 2nd round. this year im not joining any 2nd round..too bad..
Day 2, we woke up at 7.30am to have our breakfast and the hotel give all of us a morning call at around 6.00am i think. Day 2 is fullof teaching and workshop…it may sound scary but honestly all of us being taught by the teaching and workshop. Though we mayb physically tired but our spirit stil hungry for the Word of GOd..amazing rite..
Despite teaching on Day 2, we have a free and easy time to explore KL, and shine unit, we went to have dinner at Nandos,Sungai Wang, and we break into few groups and shop around..hohoho and we didnt forget to shop for our unit exchange gift on the next day. .
Day 3, were started by having a quiet time (devotional time) togeter as 1 CG, and it was held in my room..well thts the time where we share about 2 days camp tht we had. Day 3 is a peak day of the camp as its only left 1 day before we went back to singapore. Day 3 not much diferent wif Day 2, but the teaching is even more awaken, and u definitely will not be able to doze off eventhough u r sleepy as the topic is awesome. During lunch time, we had KFC for our lunch and guess wat we que for almost 1 hour
but some of shine ppl went to “secret recipes” for lunch. Not to forget we have our unit gathering time, it is the time when we exchange gift and give word of affirmation and encouragement to people in the group. It is time of refreshing as 1 unit.
The nite at day 3 is the last nite during the camp, and there is the time of ministering time, many ppl are being ministered and touched during tht hour including me ^^. And it was such an unforgetable nite that we had at camp. After great ministering time, at nite we gather in our own CG, and thts the sharing time. We share wat have we received and wat God has spoken to us during the camp, and wat is our application point. (i will post in the other post title “Blessing from church camp”) and on the last day of the camp, we slept later than usual and some even sleep in the morning hahaha…
Day 4, is the last day before we went back to singapore…On day 4, it’s conducted like normaly services, but we have our holy com as 1 CG. So this is the day when we end our holiday and we take pictures and yeah excited to go back to Singapore to share our experiences wif God…
OVerall we are being refreshed and recharged spiritually and in fellowship Wif God and bro n sis in Shine unit ^^ and not only that we are having great fellowship wif other CG and other unit in this Indo Hope… SO here we are after 1 week from camp but yet we stil excited. (*hope i didnt miss any story*)
We depart at 7.30am almost 8.00 am from Newton Foodcourt and we reach KL by 3.00pm. All of us are tired due to long journey, and when we reach The Legend hotel, we have to wait for our room key at around 5.00pm, so we have a walk at hotel nearby, but then there is nothing u can found in the hotel.
And our camp start right after dinner and it start wif the opening ceremony by performing heroes vs villain. and shine unit perform the part of heroes by becoming the angel and we defeat the demon.. ( u can see from the pic). and there are a lot of funny heroes and villains tht perform at tht nite. some jayus, some confusing but yet overall its good to laugh.
After the performance and some ice breaker from the MCs of the nite..we start our nite wif the Praise and Worship nite…well i guess thts all tht i can remember from day 1. oh then, at nite before 12pm, we celebrate our brother bday (Dony) at pao’s room. After all the programs, we go back to our room and sleep as we r tired, but i guess some of ppl go for 2nd round. this year im not joining any 2nd round..too bad..
Day 2, we woke up at 7.30am to have our breakfast and the hotel give all of us a morning call at around 6.00am i think. Day 2 is fullof teaching and workshop…it may sound scary but honestly all of us being taught by the teaching and workshop. Though we mayb physically tired but our spirit stil hungry for the Word of GOd..amazing rite..
Despite teaching on Day 2, we have a free and easy time to explore KL, and shine unit, we went to have dinner at Nandos,Sungai Wang, and we break into few groups and shop around..hohoho and we didnt forget to shop for our unit exchange gift on the next day. .
Day 3, were started by having a quiet time (devotional time) togeter as 1 CG, and it was held in my room..well thts the time where we share about 2 days camp tht we had. Day 3 is a peak day of the camp as its only left 1 day before we went back to singapore. Day 3 not much diferent wif Day 2, but the teaching is even more awaken, and u definitely will not be able to doze off eventhough u r sleepy as the topic is awesome. During lunch time, we had KFC for our lunch and guess wat we que for almost 1 hour
but some of shine ppl went to “secret recipes” for lunch. Not to forget we have our unit gathering time, it is the time when we exchange gift and give word of affirmation and encouragement to people in the group. It is time of refreshing as 1 unit.The nite at day 3 is the last nite during the camp, and there is the time of ministering time, many ppl are being ministered and touched during tht hour including me ^^. And it was such an unforgetable nite that we had at camp. After great ministering time, at nite we gather in our own CG, and thts the sharing time. We share wat have we received and wat God has spoken to us during the camp, and wat is our application point. (i will post in the other post title “Blessing from church camp”) and on the last day of the camp, we slept later than usual and some even sleep in the morning hahaha…
Day 4, is the last day before we went back to singapore…On day 4, it’s conducted like normaly services, but we have our holy com as 1 CG. So this is the day when we end our holiday and we take pictures and yeah excited to go back to Singapore to share our experiences wif God…
OVerall we are being refreshed and recharged spiritually and in fellowship Wif God and bro n sis in Shine unit ^^ and not only that we are having great fellowship wif other CG and other unit in this Indo Hope… SO here we are after 1 week from camp but yet we stil excited. (*hope i didnt miss any story*)
Repost: Nia's Blessing from Church Camp
Blessing from church camp
Walopun church camp uda ampir sebulan yg lalu…but the blessing blom basi donk..karena we have received the blessing spiritually and/or materially and the blessing ga akan abis….
here is testimony from sylvia who attending church camp for the 1st time
Sylvia (aka shinbi):
Church camp kali ini sebenernya gua males ikut. Karena disuruh leader y udah deh gua ikut.
Despite of that, sebelum berangkat tentuny g tetep set beberapa objektif yang mau g dapetin <— disuruh leader juga. hehe…
Walo engga dijawab 100%, but i feel blessed that i join the camp.
God speaks to me on 1 of the session. God reminds me about endurance and perseverance.
It really struck me a lot and rebuke me about authority that God had given to me in my workplace.
I have to respect my boss, despite all his unfairness towards me.
Every circumstances happens for a reason. And there is always time for everything.
Before the camp, i kept on praying to God to have a new job soon.
And God answer it just after i came back from the camp, i got a new job!
God is never late. He gave me job before i quit from my previous job and after, God rebuke me about my previous job and make me realised on certain things.
I believe that if we obey God, God will honor and blessed us =)
For those who still searching job, keep on fasting and praying.
God knows what is best for us and when we put Him first, the blessing will come naturally
*So when u follow Jesus, He will guide u. When u attend meetings, or seminars, or camp to know Jesus and experience Him more, He will show himself to you as well..U will definitely not going back empty hand, because God will for sure give u something.
here is testimony from sylvia who attending church camp for the 1st time
Sylvia (aka shinbi):
Church camp kali ini sebenernya gua males ikut. Karena disuruh leader y udah deh gua ikut.
Despite of that, sebelum berangkat tentuny g tetep set beberapa objektif yang mau g dapetin <— disuruh leader juga. hehe…
Walo engga dijawab 100%, but i feel blessed that i join the camp.
God speaks to me on 1 of the session. God reminds me about endurance and perseverance.
It really struck me a lot and rebuke me about authority that God had given to me in my workplace.
I have to respect my boss, despite all his unfairness towards me.
Every circumstances happens for a reason. And there is always time for everything.
Before the camp, i kept on praying to God to have a new job soon.
And God answer it just after i came back from the camp, i got a new job!
God is never late. He gave me job before i quit from my previous job and after, God rebuke me about my previous job and make me realised on certain things.
I believe that if we obey God, God will honor and blessed us =)
For those who still searching job, keep on fasting and praying.
God knows what is best for us and when we put Him first, the blessing will come naturally
*So when u follow Jesus, He will guide u. When u attend meetings, or seminars, or camp to know Jesus and experience Him more, He will show himself to you as well..U will definitely not going back empty hand, because God will for sure give u something.
Repost: Josh's Testimony of Answer Prayer!
Answer Prayer.
Hey Guys,
I really have a testimonial to share to all of you guys. Actually this happen last week.
Back to CG last week, we share about our struggle and about our blessing from God also. Dam man its take a long time for me to wait for my turn to share. He5. By the way last week my duty is CP so that’s why I can’t share early, as what they always said received the best for the last. hehe. Ok back to the story, last week I share about my blessing and struggle in my work place. For the blessing, I really thank God because still keep me in this company. Why I said that?? That because last week two of my colleague just be sacked by my boss. At first place after I knew about that I really afraid if I also lost my job because the day my boss sacked my friend I not around. I mean I take a leave. The next day I come I really happy because my name still stated in the list of my company attendance.
I really give thank for that because Jesus still keep me in this company but its not going too long because my project will be end at 15 Sept. So after that I really confuse if I still find a job here or not. I just think want to give up to find a job in Singapore because I have a back up where the salary more high and easy for me to went back to hometown but its really hard also for me to leave my second family in Hope.
God really not take a long time to answer my prayer. On last Thursday I work till 12pm only because I not feeling well. On the way back to JB I keep on thinking to stop a while at my ex company at Yew Tee. When I reach there I meet up with my ex boss and guest what he said?? He keep on ask me to work back in his company and ask his office girl to Photostat my passport and everything. He offer me a job as a lorry driver and with the good salary also. That job its guarantee and just wait for me to move in. Btw I move in after I finish my project in my current company.
Yeye.. Thanks God because open the way for me to stay here. I believe this accident not by coincidence but Your plan really take place in my life. So I will keep my self to available to be use by God in CG and Church. Amen. I will keep on praise YOU Lord in pain and happiness.
Thanks
George Juntan
I really have a testimonial to share to all of you guys. Actually this happen last week.
Back to CG last week, we share about our struggle and about our blessing from God also. Dam man its take a long time for me to wait for my turn to share. He5. By the way last week my duty is CP so that’s why I can’t share early, as what they always said received the best for the last. hehe. Ok back to the story, last week I share about my blessing and struggle in my work place. For the blessing, I really thank God because still keep me in this company. Why I said that?? That because last week two of my colleague just be sacked by my boss. At first place after I knew about that I really afraid if I also lost my job because the day my boss sacked my friend I not around. I mean I take a leave. The next day I come I really happy because my name still stated in the list of my company attendance.
I really give thank for that because Jesus still keep me in this company but its not going too long because my project will be end at 15 Sept. So after that I really confuse if I still find a job here or not. I just think want to give up to find a job in Singapore because I have a back up where the salary more high and easy for me to went back to hometown but its really hard also for me to leave my second family in Hope.
God really not take a long time to answer my prayer. On last Thursday I work till 12pm only because I not feeling well. On the way back to JB I keep on thinking to stop a while at my ex company at Yew Tee. When I reach there I meet up with my ex boss and guest what he said?? He keep on ask me to work back in his company and ask his office girl to Photostat my passport and everything. He offer me a job as a lorry driver and with the good salary also. That job its guarantee and just wait for me to move in. Btw I move in after I finish my project in my current company.
Yeye.. Thanks God because open the way for me to stay here. I believe this accident not by coincidence but Your plan really take place in my life. So I will keep my self to available to be use by God in CG and Church. Amen. I will keep on praise YOU Lord in pain and happiness.
Thanks
George Juntan
Repost: Pao's Resolution 2010
Pao’s Resolution
Yeah, 2010 is finally arrived after a really, truly, unexpectedly, and surprisingly colorful journey in 2009, it’s really one amazing journey, but now since we have already reached the year 2010, let’s set our sight and pace to welcome 2010, and to make a resolution that we want to achieve in 2010, and here’s my list of resolutions
Career : I want to have a change in my current employment, either I will move to another company, or stop and pursue a master degree.
Relationship : Since now my sister and I are staying at the same country, will try to meet up with her for at least once a month, we have a lot of things to catch up
Emotional : I would like to be a decisive person, and not just follow and go with the flow, but a person with a firm stand
Spiritual : Hmm….last year i said that I want to read 3 books, but end up didn’t even read 1, so this year, I want to read at least 2 books within a year
Health : For this year, no more lose weight resolution, never succeed, hahaha, so just change to having a regular exercise, at least once every 2 weeks
Financial : Need to adjust my expense, can’t just follow what my heart and mouth say, hahaha, if I do that, will end up, spend for food and movie, wekekeke, so this year, I want to try to split my income to parts, so I hope it will be able to help me to maintain my expenses
That’s all for now, for my 2010 resolution, there might be additional in the future, but for now, that’s all first, for all my friends, brothers, sisters, please help to remind and encourage me yah, hehehe
Let’s make a beautiful memory of 2010, GBU
Career : I want to have a change in my current employment, either I will move to another company, or stop and pursue a master degree.
Relationship : Since now my sister and I are staying at the same country, will try to meet up with her for at least once a month, we have a lot of things to catch up
Emotional : I would like to be a decisive person, and not just follow and go with the flow, but a person with a firm stand
Spiritual : Hmm….last year i said that I want to read 3 books, but end up didn’t even read 1, so this year, I want to read at least 2 books within a year
Health : For this year, no more lose weight resolution, never succeed, hahaha, so just change to having a regular exercise, at least once every 2 weeks
Financial : Need to adjust my expense, can’t just follow what my heart and mouth say, hahaha, if I do that, will end up, spend for food and movie, wekekeke, so this year, I want to try to split my income to parts, so I hope it will be able to help me to maintain my expenses
That’s all for now, for my 2010 resolution, there might be additional in the future, but for now, that’s all first, for all my friends, brothers, sisters, please help to remind and encourage me yah, hehehe
Let’s make a beautiful memory of 2010, GBU
Repost: Shine 1 Resolution 2010
shine1 2010 resolution
Okay, sorry for the very late posting. I’m sure u’ve read melisa's & pao's resolution. So without further ado, here’s the rest of the crew’s resolution.
Ming
Ming
- Change job latest by April
- Breakthrough in Relationship with Family (in expressing it)
- Family trip overseas
- No procrastination
- Think more detailed
- Read 2 book in a quarter (so 8 books for 2010)
- More love for God’s people
- Sports, once a week (dance/fitness)
- Eat more fruits and vegie
- Salary Increment
- Strengthen the foundation of my job
- Clear job scope
- Starts something on business
- Open relationship
- Contact family regularly
- Build a deeper friendship
- Understands about myself
- Learn to focus
- Treasure the relationship with God
- Give my best on ministry
- Healthy life style
- Eat more fruit
- Drink more water
- Take multivitamin
- Career improvement / Start a new business
- Traveling!
- Life partner
- Keep in touch with family, minimum once a week
- More diligence, patience and on time
- Read bible and devotion time regularly
- Sports once a week, and enough sleep
- Take further study
- Become a permanent staff in Starhub
- Become a blessing in the workplace
- Family trips to Singapore
- Become a blessing for my friendship
- Grow in character
- Read the bible everyday
- Involve more in ministries
- Apple once a day
- Life partner
- Humble heart that obeys the Lord
- Salary increase and a new job
- Humble and teachable heart, more joy and enthusiast
- Quiet time, worship and life journal
- Financial record, and invest
- Read 12 books
- Life partner
- 2x Family prayer
- Pop believe in Jesus and to grow faith in God
- Sport once a week, and try wall climbing
Monday, April 25, 2011
Quitting is more about WHO you are than WHERE you are.
Back in December, I wrote about the importance of starting well. In the comments, many people agreed with me, but they also pointed out the critical nature of continuing after you start. They were right. Like I said at the time, starting and finishing are the two covers of the book. The main part – the pages – represents the day-to-day labor needed to achieve your goal.
Unfortunately, in many ways starting is the easy part. Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, “The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.”
What about you? Are you merely a starter? When the enthusiasm for a new idea fades, when the passion cools, when the odds against you increase and the results diminish, when it looks as if success is impossible, will you maintain your intensity and keep going? Are you tenacious?
Consider the fact that Admiral Robert Peary attempted to reach the North Pole seven times before he succeeded. Oscar Hammerstein produced five shows that were flops on Broadway before staging Oklahoma, which had a record-breaking run of 2,212 performances. Thomas Edison failed in his attempt to create a workable lightbulb 10,000 times before creating one that finally worked. To achieve your dream, you need to be able to keep going when others quit.
To develop tenacity, keep in mind that…
Quitting is more about who you are than where you are.
Everyone faces difficulty when working toward a dream. And if someone fails, he can make excuses for what went wrong, how the unexpected happened, how someone let him down, how circumstances worked against him.
But the reality is that the external things do not stop people. Those who achieve their dreams don’t have an easier path than those who do not. They just have a different internal attitude about the journey. The great artist Leonardo da Vinci once declared, “Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed on a star does not change his mind.”
The one who achieves the dream sees the journey differently.
Instead of thinking, “Not enough people believe in me. I’ll never make it,” he says,
“My belief in myself is enough; I can make it.”
Instead of, “It’s taking too long to realize my dream,” she reminds herself,
“Dreams are realized one day at a time.”
Rather than, “Enough is enough! I’ve taken enough hits!” she declares,
“I’ve come too far to give up now.”
Instead of, “I don’t have the strength to hold onto my dream,” he tells himself,
“Hold on a little longer. The darkest hour comes just before the dawn.”
Novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe said, “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
And I love how H.E. Jensen expressed an achiever’s way of thinking: “The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn’t hear the referee.” The only real guarantee for failure is to stop trying.
So when things go wrong, when the obstacles seem too great, when the difficulties get to be too much, when your dream seems to be impossibly far away, your job is to simply keep going. If you stop, it won’t be because of what happens around you. It will be because of what happens in you. Choose to see things differently. Success is probably closer than you think. Just keep moving forward.
http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/2011/04/25/quitting-is-more-about-who-you-are-than-where-you-are/
Thanksgiving: The Power of a Thankful Heart
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
It is not always easy to give thanks, but this is the very thing we must do in order to see God's will accomplished in our lives. This is how we move into higher realms of faith for ourselves, for our city, and for our nation. Thanksgiving breaks the power of the enemy. Whenever you give thanks to God, despite the most difficult circumstances, the enemy loses a big battle in your life. When you give thanks in the midst of difficulty, you bring pleasure to God's heart. He is looking for Christians who live in a realm of praise and thanksgiving where the enemy no longer has an ability to hold or manipulate that person. Satan is defeated when we have a thankful heart because thankfulness during difficulty is a sacrifice pleasing to God. Are you thankful? Are you thankful for your present circumstances? Are you thankful for your salvation, your friendships, and your job? Thankfulness is a key to your life. It is the key that turns your situation around because it changes you, your outlook, and your attitude. There is power in a thankful heart.
Thanksgiving Brings Contentment
Begin to thank God for all the blessings he has given you instead of dwelling on the negative. Discontent dries up the soul. Look at what Elizabeth Elliott, who lost her husband on the mission field and has faced multitudes of hardships, says about loving God's will and being content. "To love God is to love His will. It is to wait quietly for life to be measured by one who knows us through and through. It is to be content with His timing and His wise apportionment. It is to follow in the steps of the Master, as did Paul, who was able to say that he had learned contentment no matter what the circumstances. His circumstances when he wrote that? Prison. No easy lesson, but great gain which is the sum of godliness plus contentment (I Timothy 6:6)."
Look at the example of Jesus. He followed the will of His Father to the very end. He obeyed without complaint. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul says that we should have the same attitude. Jesus made himself nothing and took on the very nature of a servant. He humbled Himself and became obedient to death. We also are to have this same attitude with a humble and thankful acceptance of God's will for our lives.
Offer God a Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving
The Duke of Wellington was the great British military leader who regretted that he had not learned the secret of praise during his lifetime. He had many great accomplishments and even defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. He was a brilliant and demanding man and when he was older, he realized that there were areas in his life that needed to change. In his old age a women asked him this question, "What would you do differently if you had your life to live over again?" He thought carefully and said, "I would give more praise." This is a lesson for all of us; if we would learn to be people of praise and thanksgiving all the days of our lives it would be a great accomplishment.
David said in Psalm 116:17, "I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord." Let each of us seek to have an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving, rising to a new level of holiness in our lives. Here are some ways to practice this attitude in everyday life:
- Thank and praise God for everything in your life. Thank Him for even the difficulties. It is a sacrifice to do this. But He can turn troubles to triumph. "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name" (Hebrews 13:15).
- Don't allow yourself to complain about anything. During the difficult times, be very careful to watch your tongue. Instead of complaining, think of ways you can verbally offer God the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
- Don't compare yourself with others. Don't wish that your life was different. God knows what is best. The Bible says having a thankful heart is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. When we begin to thank God for what we have rather than comparing ourselves with others, it opens the door for God's blessings.
"God smiles when we praise and thank Him continually. Few things feel better than receiving heartfelt praise and appreciation from someone else. God loves it, too… An amazing thing happens when we offer praise and thanksgiving to God. When we give God enjoyment, our own hearts are filled with joy" ~Rick Warren
http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/thanksgiving-the-power-of-a-thankful-heart-11616835.html
Sunday, April 24, 2011
When God Ran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARsu29eRasA&feature=related
Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run
CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran
The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run
And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me
BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran
Almighty God, the great I am
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings
Mighty conqueror, and the only time
the only time I ever saw Him run
CHORUS:
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran
The day I left home I knew I’d broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time – it was the only time I ever saw Him run
And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees
When God ran – I saw Him run to me
BRIDGE:
I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away
But now I know He’s been waiting for this day
I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said, “Son”, He called me Son
He said, “Son do you know I still love you?”
He ran to me and then I ran to Him
When God ran
God Sees The Heart
1 samuel 16:7, “the lord does not look at the things man looks at. man looks at the outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart.”
God Sees The Heart by Jamie Turner
Our God measures man by His standard divine,
For He sees underneath every outward design.
He looks past possessions and costly attire;
He studies the heart, every thought and desire.
For He sees underneath every outward design.
He looks past possessions and costly attire;
He studies the heart, every thought and desire.
Our God does not judge by how tall we may stand,
Or how much we possess, or the rank we command.
His gaze goes far deeper to things that endure;
He honors the man (interjection: or woman) who keeps his heart pure.
Or how much we possess, or the rank we command.
His gaze goes far deeper to things that endure;
He honors the man (interjection: or woman) who keeps his heart pure.
For the eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro,
We have no secrets that our God does not know.
Our Father knows our thoughts, He understands every part.
Man sees the outside, but God sees the heart.
We have no secrets that our God does not know.
Our Father knows our thoughts, He understands every part.
Man sees the outside, but God sees the heart.
This is another one of my favorites. I love songs that have strong lyrics, songs that could be a sermon in themselves. Basically is what this song says is that we cannot impress God. (The good and most pure things we can do are filthy rags compared to God’s righteousness and holiness.) We can’t be pretty enough to go to heaven, rich enough, powerful enough, popular enough, nothing that we can do will ever make us worthy of heaven, only by accepting Jesus as our Saviour and getting His forgiveness on our sins can we go to heaven when we die.
This song also says that “We have no secrets that our God does not know” God knows our thoughts, and he knows our motives. This goes both ways, God knows when we do things to bring glory to Him. He knows when we do something anonymously to be a blessing to someone else, but He also knows our secret sins, He knows if we do something out of pride or arrogance.
I’ve learned to be transparent with God. He knows it all anyway, don’t try to hide from God or hide things from God. He knows about it anyway, so you might as well tell Him and get it over with, and keep a pure heart. That’s tough sometimes. People do and say things that upset or offend us and we have a hard time forgiving them, sometimes we become bitter. We become prideful in our appearance or with how good we are at things. People do things intentionally to hurt us and we become angry. We think bad things about other people, and worse, sometimes we SAY bad things about other people. As pure as we try to be, our hearts are wicked.
I think that as a Christian, sometimes it’s really easy to “look the right way” “say the right things” and “do the right things” so that we look like the perfect person outwardly to people. I’ve known many people over the years who outwardly look like they are the model Christian, and inwardly, they are bitter, angry, filled with hate, pride, unforgiveness, wicked thoughts, and the list goes on.
Sin is sin in God’s eyes, there are no sins that are “better” or “worse” in His eyes. When I tell a lie to someone, my sin is no better to God than a person who committed murder. Sin is sin, but I firmly believe that inward sins are more dangerous to us as Christians than outward sins. Inward sins can be “hidden” for many MANY years, people can take ugly inward sins with them to their grave and no one will ever know about them. Harboring inward sins can cause us to take our focus off of God, they can harbor for years, they can cause us not to serve God the way we should. I constantly try to search my heart to make sure that I’m not holding grudges, not being unforgiving, not being unkind, not being prideful, and keeping my thoughts pure. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
I would much rather have a pure heart and a close relationship with God, only read my Bible 4 days a week and be criticized for not doing things that other people think the “perfect Christian” should do than be someone who falls into the trap of doing all the right “motions” and has bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness in their heart.
http://neverforsaked.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/god-sees-the-heart/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMJ_Ng-OeFY
http://neverforsaked.wordpress.com/2008/09/25/god-sees-the-heart/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMJ_Ng-OeFY
Thursday, April 14, 2011
MANFAAT AIR DAN BUAH
“Air minum pun bagimu akan ditentukan, seperenam hin banyaknya; minumlah itu pada waktu waktu tertentu” (Yehezkiel 4:11)
Untuk memiliki kesehatan, selain berdoa mohon kemurahan hati Tuhan kita pun harus memahami pola hidup sehat, antara lain mengerti manfaat air dan buah-buahan. Manusia butuh air sebanyak 1/6 hin. Menurut kamus Alkitab itu setara dengan 2 liter atau 8 gelas per hari. Tepat waktu minum air putih akan memaksimalkan efektifitas tubuh manusia. Dua gelas air setelah bangun tidur akan membantu mengaktifkan organ-organ internal. Satu gelas air 30 menit sebelum makan membantu fungsi pencernaan dan ginjal.
Satu gelas air sebelum mandi membantu menurunkan tekanan darah. Satu gelas air sebelum tidur untuk menghindari stroke atau serangan jantung. Bila Anda minum dari botol air kemasan, botol ini hanya aman untuk dipakai 1-2 kali saja, jangan diisi ulang berkali kali. Di samping itu, taruhlah di tempat yang jauh dari matahari. Bila Anda suka minum air dingin (air es) setelah makan berhati-hatilah. Air dingin akan membuat minyak yang baru dikonsumsi menjadi beku. Hal ini akan memperlambat pencernaan.
Makan buah-buahan harus dimakan saat perut kosong, sebelum makan! Bila Anda makan buah setelah makan maka buah akan bercampur dengan makanan lain dan membusuk serta menghasilkan gas dan dengan itu perut akan kembung. Makan buah utuh memang lebih baik daripada minum jus buah, tapi jika Anda minum jus buah, minumlah seteguk demi seteguk secara perlahan, karena Anda harus membiarkannya bercampur dengan air liur Anda sebelum menelannya. Menurut Dr. Herbert Shelton, bila waktu makan buah benar, yaitu sebelum makan, maka Anda akan memiliki umur panjang, kesehatan, energi, kebahagiaan dan berat badan normal. [RA]
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Renungan-Harian-Nilai-Kehidupan/144079890030
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Zona Asing
Yesaya 42:16 “Aku mau memimpin orang-orang buta di jalan yang tidak mereka kenal, dan mau membawa mereka berjalan di jalan-jalan yang tidak mereka kenal. Aku mau membuat kegelapan yang di depan mereka menjadi terang dan tanah yang berkeluk-keluk menjadi tanah yang rata. Itulah hal-hal yang hendak Kulakukan kepada mereka, yang pasti akan Kulaksanakan.” Ketidakpastian adalah suatu kondisi yang tidak mengenakkan bagi seseorang karena ia tidak bisa menduga apa yang akan ia alami. Bisa saja di hari itu, ia ternyata mendapatkan seribu peristiwa yang menyedihkan hatinya, tetapi di keesokkan harinya, ia malah menerima seribu peristiwa kegembiraan. Dan inilah dunia dimana Anda dan saya hidup saat ini. Salah seorang penulis Kristiani asal Amerika Serikat Byron Bohnert pernah menulis sebuah kalimat yang indah mengenai ketidakpastian. Kira-kira bila diterjemahkan berbunyi seperti ini “Seringkali mengikuti Allah bukan berarti membuat hidup Anda enak karena segala sesuatunya menjadi serba pasti. Justru sebaliknya, ketidakpastian akan kerap Anda temui. Namun, jika Anda tetap mengikuti-Nya maka perjalanan Anda akan menjadi sangat bernilai." Ketidakpastian inilah yang saya sebut zona asing. Suatu hari ketika duduk di depan komputer, saya berbicara kepada Tuhan dalam hati, "Tuhan, sekarang saya seperti berlayar di perairan yang begitu luas. Saya tidak tahu harus mengarahkan hidup ini ke mana. Beritahukan apa yang harus saya lakukan." Tiba-tiba, Dia berkata kepada saya, “Ikutlah tuntunan-KU”. Walaupun kita adalah orang-orang beriman, Tuhan Yesus tetap akan membiarkan kita berada dalam zona asing. Ini bukanlah karena Dia tidak mengasihi kita, tetapi karena kasih-Nya yang begitu besar kepada kita maka Dia mengizinkan kita mengalami ketidakpastian. Dia tahu ketika kita berada dalam zona yang aman maka kita akan melepaskan-Nya. Kita tidak lagi bergantung kepada-Nya, tetapi menggunakan kekuatan diri sendiri. Bila hari-hari ini Anda merasa seperti berada dalam zona asing dan karenanya Anda takut menjalani hidup, ingatlah perkataan Allah melalui perantaraan Nabi Yesaya kepada bangsa Israel, “Aku mau memimpin orang-orang buta di jalan yang tidak mereka kenal, dan mau membawa mereka berjalan di jalan-jalan yang tidak mereka kenal. Aku mau membuat kegelapan yang di depan mereka menjadi terang dan tanah yang berkeluk-keluk menjadi tanah yang rata. Itulah hal-hal yang hendak Kulakukan kepada mereka, yang pasti akan Kulaksanakan.” Orang yang bergantung kepada Allah tidak akan pernah dikecewakan-Nya. -RH |
Monday, April 4, 2011
Redeeming the Time: A Christian Perspective on Time Management
You know the feeling. You have a thousand and one things to do and you just don’t have the time. This is when most of us start thinking about time management, when we are up to our ears in over commitments.
But strictly speaking, time is not something human beings can really “manage.” When God stopped the sun in the middle of the sky to allow Joshua to win an important battle. That was time management!
(Joshua 10:12-13). We can’t stop the sun. We can’t even slow it down. God can make it go backwards!
(See 2 Kings 20:9-11).
So let’s begin by recognizing that time belongs to God. He made it and He sustains it. All we can do is manage ourselves in the way we use the time God has so graciously given us. It is not time, it is our purposes and goals and plans and actions that we are able to manage. These four key things are not only within our power to effect, God commands us to do so. They are the proper focus of any effort to use our time well.
Be Careful How You Use Your Time
Perhaps the best-known verse in the Bible concerning the proper use of time is found in Ephesians 5:15-17
“Therefore, be careful how you walk not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what will of the Lord is.”
It is our responsibility to be careful with regard to our use of time because it is an issue of our foolishness or wisdom. In order to make the most of our time, we must have a clear understanding of what God’s will really is. Just as “whatever is not of faith is sin,” (Romans 14:23) so anything that is other than the will of God is a waste of time.
Paul’s statement that “the days are evil” is especially important. We live in a world where everyone has an agenda. Our time, our money and our very lives are all viewed as resources to be tapped and exploited by others. If we do not begin each day with a clear understanding of what God wants us to accomplish for Him with our time, we will become the recruits or casualties of one evil scheme or another.
Our purpose must always be to please our Father in heaven. Our goals must be the goals given to us by Christ in the Great Commission. Our plans must be made in the light of His word and with the qualification “If the Lord wills, we will do this or that.” Our actions must be done with full conviction and forcefulness in the power of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we will miss the mark. We will fall short of the glory of God. We will squander precious time.
The Greatest Commandment
God has not left us without direction in this challenge. In fact, the most well-known and central passages in the Bible speak directly to the issue of walking wisely in the use of our time. The Greatest Commandment is one such passage.
An expert in the Jewish law once asked Jesus which of all the commandments of God was the greatest. The Lord responded by quoting a passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 with one important addition. Whereas the original passage mentioned only heart, soul and strength, in Luke 10:27 and Mark 12:30 Jesus adds the word mind.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
On closer examination we find that Christ was not adding to, but rather rearranging, the content in Deuteronomy 6. Moses had gone on to say in verses 8 and 9, “Tie [Gods commandments] as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” In other words, do whatever it takes to remind yourselves of what you know to be the will of God.
If we are going to love God, as we should, from our hearts and with our souls so that our love commands our strength, we will have to continuously “remind ourselves” of what He has said. The technique God has chosen for this process is simple literacy, the God given ability we humans have to read and write.
The principle of using literacy as a reminder is key. The challenge is to write what we know to be the will of God in a place where we will be sure to see it in time to take obedient action. Whether it is a to-do list, an appointment, or an idea for later consideration, writing things down in the right place is often what separates our effective use of time from our ineffective waste of time.
Earlier I mentioned that we can’t manage time itself, but we can manage our use of time by effecting changes in our purposes, goals, plans and actions. In the Greatest Commandment God commands us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. There is a correlation.
Purpose is our response to what we believe to be true in our hearts. It is based on our assumptions about what is real and what is true. If we believe that God exists, it will affect our purpose in life. If we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God raised from the dead, it will transport us out of darkness and into the light. As Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). So, believing is an issue of the heart.
Goals are expressions of what we yearn for in our very souls. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) A truly great goal must always be an outgrowth of our life’s purpose, which is to know God and enjoy Him forever. Great goals stir our emotions, focus our will and tap into our deepest longings. In order to know God intimately we are invited to work with Him in whatever He is doing including suffering hardship for His sake.
True goals spring from a desire and an inspiration to create or acquire or accomplish something new. Much of what people think are goals are actually maintenance. They arise from the need to take care of what they already have, to solve problems in existing situations and to keep things going just as they are, to feed the baby, to manage the business, etc. These activities, though very important, are not really goals.
The distinction may be subtle, but it is very important in how we use our time. Life involves both goals and maintenance. Every successfully accomplished goal will normally create an on going maintenance responsibility. Starting something new is exciting. Finishing it may be very difficult. But taking care of what we have finished may be never ending. That is why we must be so careful to invest our time in doing only what is truly pleasing to God. Accomplishing the right goals leads to a life of providing the right maintenance. We reap what we sow. If you want to have less regret in middle age and old age and in eternity, set your goals carefully today.
Plans are the strategies we formulate in our minds. When we are committed to accomplishing a passionate goal, our minds can’t stop thinking about it. We study. We seek out the counsel of others. We lie awake at night, solving problems, calculating costs and figuring out how we will overcome the inevitable obstacles. Such planning is best done on paper so that we can keep track of what we are learning and then put it into practice at the proper time.
Actions are what we actually do with our strength. “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23). Strong words, but true. James tells us that faith without works is dead. Purposes, goals and plans are all worthless if we are unwilling to take action. This is the purpose for carrying around a Calendar, a Schedule of Daily Appointments and an Action List. Together these tools allow us to always know what to do now or next. With them, our strength allows us to overcome the obstacles of confusion. Strength patiently, persistently and eventually conquers all kinds of opposition.
In the Greatest Commandment we have a crucial key to using our time wisely. When we love God by embracing His purpose for our lives, it requires us to set passionate goals that accomplish the various aspects of His purpose. That in turn requires us to make informed plans to fulfill each goal, and then to follow through with forceful and disciplined actions. No matter who you are, or what your circumstances, the Great Commandment is where the proper use of time begins.
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