the PERFECT weather...

the perfect setting..

I'm especially enjoying the evening.

Love the rain, the sound of it, the smell of it, and the cool air it brought. It's especially enjoyable too that it's a quiet evening and I get to sit right here, on the couch, with windows WIDE open, sipping Starbucks' Passion Fruit Mixed Tea Freeze (?!) my husband bought me earlier, and getting some Camp stuff done.

More updates will on my blog next time. But before I go, Psalm 103 - a blessing in the midst of this busyness, a reminder of God's mercy, love and grace...

²Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
³who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

¹⁵As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
¹⁷But the steadfast love of the LORD is from
everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
¹⁹The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Term Break

Haven't visited any blog, not even my own since I last blogged 10weeks ago!
Yes, 10 weeks cos that's the length of the whole of TERM 3. Ouch! Haiz..

It had been a very trying 10 weeks. The kids and the work load are seriously very, very, very burdensome. So much so I have declared it my BIGGEST trial in my teaching career. SERIOUSLY, never ever had one bigger than this.

The past month in Junior Church, Pastor CH (my husband) has been preaching from the book of James. My job - to teach the memory verses! Yup, nothing more convicting than having to read & memorise & recite God's word & promises over and over and over....

"My brethren, count it all JOY when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:2-8

Seriously, I need not just faith, but a working faith - faith that works!


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Term break? nope.. revision lessons, workshops, cca, ...

counting down to 7 Oct!

Bracing myself for...

another term in school!

10 super crazy weeks.


Abide in me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in me.
I am the vine; you are the branches.
Whoever abides in me and I in him,
he it is that bears much fruit,
for apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:4-5)

Just before I left the USA, an older lady shared these verses with me - that I may continue to remain connected to my Lord, and be fruitful in all the work that He gives me.
Making this my constant prayer - that which the Lord has given me is my portion for now, and He is the Supplier of the strength, wisdom, encouragement, and comfort that I'll need for this next 10 weeks (and beyond).

Off I go to prep myself for the new term!

back from a seriously long blog break...

taken such a long break from blogging basically cos there are seriously other more urgent stuff to get done.

School's been taxing, even in the school holidays! :'( so much to do, so little time. Seriously, I love all the interaction with the students, teaching them what I know, learning new stuff with them, and taking as many opportunities I have been presented to tell them of the Christ who came to die for their sins. And I think that's all there is for me in this vocation. The rest of the add-ons, well, I wish they would just GO AWAY!

Over the past 2 months, some significant stuff happened. Lost a friend who had greatly impacted my (and my husband's) life in the year and half we were in the states. We had a lot of fun hanging out and exchanging ministry ideas. He was one who always put others first before self, even when he was really tired from his night shift at UPS. Life is like a vapor, that appears for a little while but vanishes away... but God is eternal and His word is eternally true - God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

28052009 We celebrated our 4th Wedding Anniversary. No big crazy thing we did. In fact, I went to a ladies' fellowship meeting that day! I thank God for my husband, who's been a great example of what Christ is like and what God wants me to be - others first, people more important than self / things, generous & pro-active in loving others, forgiving 7x7 times+++, ... I LOVE YOU, BABY :)

June Camp - the highlight of school holidays. We went to this 5-star hotel place in Putrajaya (somewhere near KL). It's good to be in the fellowship of like-minded believers who love the Lord, His word, and His people.

Just a few more days to school re-opening. Much work to get done... off I go...

2nd week back in school...

I must say it's almost a prayer come true - while I was in the States, I had thought it would be a great experience if I could teach an EM3 class when I return to teaching. Lo, and behold, due to some very unforeseen circumstances in staff movement, I am now taking an EM3 GRADUATING class. A great challenge since it's my first EM3 experience. And they are definitely very challenging in every possible way!

This is my second week in school. It's been really trying (and 'teary' too!) Thanks for the many who love me and have been interceding for me, especially my husband who has been soooo patient! I do need much prayer (and to be in prayer!) - that I'll have Jesus' patience and love for them!

Let me end off with a very encouraging salvation testimony a friend in ministry shared.

George was a boy in the Christian school that got up to give a testimony. He is a small Hispanic boy who had gotten saved this week during school. He had a unique way of describing what happened to him. He stood up to the microphone and with conviction said: “This week Jesus was knocking on the door of my heart, and I let him in. He came in, brought all His stuff, sat down on the couch and took off his shoes, and He said He’s not leaving!”

What a comforting thought! He is never going to leave me!

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." (Jn 10:28)

there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Lk 15:10)

Home and...

jetlagged.

I don't remember a time I've been more jetlagged than this. Waking up at 5am almost every morning, and feeling lightheaded and weird throughout the rest of the day. It's really a challenge to stay alert throughout the day.

Still, I know I can rejoice and give thanks for the blessings of early mornings in God's Word, being home with family, and yes, today I finally got confirmation of my posting - back to Xinghua Primary School.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow...

Some very precious memories

The last couple of weeks had been busy with bidding farewell to friends who were much like family in the past 1.5yrs.

Dearest Millers, thank you for spending so much time with us, making us feel so a part of your family. You've been so generous in your love towards us. We love and cherish all the times we had together! Hope you guys can come to our side of the world some time too! We love and miss you very much.

Our fellow Asians, we love you guys! Thank you for your friendship and generous spirit, always looking out for us, from helping to satisfy our cravings for asian food to a roof over our heads in the last month, we're truly thankful! We love and miss the fun times we've had and look forward to you being on our side of the world! Can't wait! :)

Dearest Landry, Trena & Shiloh, what a blessing you have been to us - your love for the Lord has been a great encouragement to us. We are glad that we had the opportunity of serving in Trek with you! We love you guys, and thanks for all the fun 'short-bus' rides! Totally unforgettable!

Dearest Canfields, we had so much fun getting to know you. We know the Lord will be with you and work through your new ministry in Kenya! We're gonna miss hanging with you guys, esp the kids!

Dearest Caupps, you played a huge part in getting us to the States, and helping us settle into school and dorm. Thank you always looking out for us and making sure our needs are met. Your love for the Lord and willing sacrifices for His work are great examples for us. We love you guys!

Our very special friends, we love the late nights with you, coffee, no coffee, healthy food, monopoly, translation of chinese hymns, etc Thank you for challenging us with deep theological issues that fry my brains. We'll truly miss you.

Katie, thanks for all the fun & adventures we had. You've been a great blessing and encouragement in the Lord. Remember the race we're going to have! I'm so looking forward to that day!

Oh Betty! I'm gonna miss all those crazy fun times with you. May the Lord meet your every need and give you the desires of your heart as you continue to obey Him. I love you!

Gwen, I can't tell you enough times how great an encouragement you have been to me. Let's continue to focus our eyes on the finished work of the Cross, and remain faithful in serving our faithful Lord. I'm gonna miss all the lil and long chats we had!

Eva, you are more of an encouragement to me than you think! I almost want to say "when i grow up, i just want to be like Eva!" I love how you'd put other's needs before your own, how you always strive to speak gently as the Lord would have you, and always an encouragement to please the Lord in word and deed, yet remain so humble in spirit!

Dear Rebekah, thank you for sharing your struggles that I may learn the Lord's grace and faithfulness. As you continue to trust and obey God, He'll grant you the desires of you heart. How exciting!

Mrs Marcia Gammon, thank you for the wise & very firm counsel whenever I needed them, and challenging me to dig for answers in the Word.

Mrs Shannon Doney, thank you for all your patience and encouragement and not giving up on your almost over-age piano student :)

And there are just so many, many more we love and will miss..

I've been kind of feeling very emotional the last couple of days. Thought we had more time left than we actually have. And I realised that while I was all excited to come to the USA, I did not prepare myself or even think about what it is going to be like to leave. We've made so many good friends here, and the thought that it might we a long time before we meet again, if we do meet again, is just soooooo painful to think about... haiz

Sweet Valentines

Valentines' is kind of fun this year. I gotta bake cupcakes and cheesecake, and made some chocolate strawberries.

Pink Cupcakes

Mocha Layered Cheesecake & Chocolate Strawberries

The cheesecake look so pretty and it was kind of yummy, at least for the first couple of bites. But the taste buds noted the unusual saltiness. Sadly, the sugar canister had some salt in it too. Haiz.. so, here is a sweet memory of my salty cheesecake.

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Last Valentines was spent babysitting the Millers an Canfields. This year we spent it with our Adult Bible Fellowship - Young Marrieds class. It was fun. We played some games and had yummy steak and nice chocolate truffle dessert.

It's our kind of Valentines. Being with friends - being a blessing and being blessed by nice Christian fellowship :)

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Our eyes are upon you, Lord

King Jehoshaphat's prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:12

"... For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you"

In times of danger, pain, sorrow, injustice, uncertainty... i.e. when things are not going the way we had wanted them to go, our response reveals where our eyes are upon - God or self?

The sermon on Sunday was a great reminder for me: "Jesus is the one for me to focus my life's eyes upon"

Hebrews 12

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 ways to keep our eyes upon Jesus:

1. remember that even godly forefathers (Heb 11) are still only man!
2. realise that unbelief will only distract you from God's plan - at the root of every sin is unbelief!
3. reflect on the pattern of Jesus' life - 4 patterns:
   

• delayed gratification - joy in a distance and not right now for Christ
• patient endurance - enduring the cross, Christ created even the hands that nailed Him to the cross!
• humble obedience - not My will, but the Father's will
• righteous exaltation - He is now seated on the right hand throne of God - the most exalted position!

Philippians 2

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I must fix my eyes on Jesus, and continually remind myself of what He has done for me - the exemplary life He lived, the death He died, the victory He has given.

Me and my darling - the cutest, sweetest, and most loving guy on earth! :)

One of the rare times we have a nice picture taken :) Thanks to Vicky. She's a freelance photographer who's recently joined the church and is kind of taking over my husband's role as photographer for Tri-City.

We're thankful for the many opportunities to serve in Tri-City's many different ministries. I thank God truly for helping me see that no one is indispensable in His work, no matter how important I think I am or someone else is. God's work will always be done when He wants it done. He is inviting us to be in His work, a ready instrument and vessel for His work. What a privilege and I pray I'll never be distracted by the affairs of this world.

Speaking the Truth in Love

I hadn’t intended for my first 2009 blog to be this. There’re just so much to write about: things I learnt in 2008 and my resolutions for 2009. But I really do not want this precious lesson to slip by me just like that…

Went out to lunch with my friend today. It has been 4 weeks or so since Rebekah and I last spoke. Started because she was going through a very trying time, and we had spend quite some time talking. She reminded me about the night when we were talking, and I had honestly told her about how she wasn’t trusting the Lord about her situation. Looking back, she shared how the Lord had used that conversation and other stuff that came along to change her.

I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I remember it was very, very, very hard for me to be honest with her and tell her that she was not doing right and that she needed to trust God. I mean, she was already very heart-broken and was seeking comfort from her friend. And I am not very good at being honest because, very often, I come off as being blunt and mean, and the last thing I want to do was to make her hate me for not being ‘nice’. I dislike confrontations. I really just want to be the nice person, not offend anyone or worse, or lose my friends. But I was deeply concern with my friend and her need to trust God for her situation, and I really cared about her well-being. I finally talked to her honestly.

God knew what I needed to understand. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about “speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:16) and what it really means and how to do it. A situation occurred this week and I have been so troubled by my reaction – I spoke the truth, and I know the receiver did not like the truth, but I thought I did everyone some good by telling the truth… Problem: but I am not sure if I really did it in love… basically means, I DID NOT ! I have been totally unable to justify my action. I kept thinking about how I can avoid such situations again – RUN AWAY? But I am my brother’s keeper! How can I claim I love God, and that I live to glorify Him and then not love those (in word and in deed) He has put in my path!

Lessons learnt:

· The real problem is a heart issue, not the behavior that we see (Prov 4:23; Matt 12:35)

· Truth guided by the Holy Spirit, seasoned with the same grace we have and are continually receiving will change hearts

· Motives - I have spoken the truth and it sounded right because the person was doing wrong. BUT, my motive? He needs to know what he has done is not biblical, it is SIN, he needs to know, he needs to be told. This is NOT speaking the truth in love.

· Do I really care about the person I am confronting? The well-being of my brethren?

· Speaking truth in love has the intention to RESTORE, to build up, not to hurt or tear down, or worse, PUBLICIZE someone else’s sin.

· Speak to edify!

· God’s word applies to ME every moment of my life, and I don’t read it for another person

· Applying Ephesians 4 to my own life, Paul urges ME (not him, her, they, them, ...) to…

“walk in a manner worthy of the calling… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds… But that is not the way I learned Christ!... to put off my old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, … speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, … Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Rebekah has taught me a precious lesson. I was genuinely concerned, I wanted her to feel better! She could have hated me for telling her she was not pleasing God when she was already feeling miserable. When she said she was praying and reading her Bible, I kind of doubted her (sorry, my friend!), because I just thought she would read into what she wanted Scriptures to mean. But she did not. I believe that because she was truly seeking God’s comfort and will for her situation, the Holy Spirit worked in her heart to reveal to her the areas to simply trust and obey. Sweet victory the Lord has given her, and there is indeed true joy in her heart now.

We kept saying ‘thank you’ to each other as we were parting. But we know, it is the Lord’s doing.

Thank you, Lord.

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Ok.. i must now go and study for my test tomorrow! Arghhh…. How did I take so long to write this??? Haiz..

My Great Salvation

[Romans 5:1-11]
Therefore, since I have been justified by faith, I have peace with God through my Lord Jesus Christ. Through him I have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which I stand, and I rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, I rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put me to shame, because God's love has been poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me. For while I was still weak [lost in my sins], at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person I might dare even to die-- but God shows his love for me in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.

Since, therefore, I have now been justified by his blood, much more shall I be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while I was an enemy I was reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that I am reconciled, shall I be saved by his life. More than that, I also rejoice in God through my Lord Jesus Christ, through whom I have now received reconciliation.

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul,
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.

12 Dec 1996

My first prayer was answered that night.


Mark 5: 18-20
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."
20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis^[c]how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed."


It was the last day of Youth Camp held in an old school building. Pastor Mike preached a sermon from Mark 5 and I remembered the invitation went something like this (probably not exactly!), "You have heard that Jesus died for your sins, and you know that Jesus is the only Way. You may be the only one in your family to hear this good news. If you really love your family, you need to tell them this good news, but you can't till you have received it yourself."

Right after that was some singing and an invitation to give praise to what the Lord has done in each one’s life. Though my eyes were closed, I remember the pressure when I felt when I everyone around me could give thanks for what God has done or have been doing in their lives. I didn’t have any. But I was actually praying! I prayed that God would give me more time to ‘consider’ this gift of salvation. Then, I remember my best friend, Grace, taking her bible and literally running out of the room. She was sobbing. I was really puzzled because I thought I had made my friend upset. JoAnn came along and I remember telling her that I don’t know what happened to Grace, she ran off sobbing. And I think JoAnn said something like, “Maybe I know!” She took me to the school hall and we sat on the stage, in the dark (and fed mozzies!). We talked for a loooooong time. Can’t recall most of the content, but I was struggling in my heart, I mean, there was a tugging that was within me and I knew that it was God. The words “I believe, I want to be saved!” was repeated many, many times, but I just couldn’t say it out. But I finally did.

The moment I said I wanted to be saved, the burden that was in my heart ‘miraculously’ lifted! It was almost impossible to express that feeling of joy.

Sometime later, I found out that while I was gone, God had used all those at camp to pray for me! God does hear & answer the pleading of the righteous.

He is still hearing & answering prayers.

The Conquering Faith

This is the paper topic I've chosen for my General Epistles' assignment. It's due in approximately 20 hrs. I'm at 6 RAW pages - The last 4 that I have written this past semester have been written & re-written at least 5 times each. This is so crazy...

I'm seriously in need of GREAT conquering faith! arghhhhh.....

Terrible Twos?

2 weeks before finals, 2 papers due next week, 2 quizzes on Monday, 2 pieces to practice for piano exam...

well, i think i'll:
take 1 more hr to do as much as i can for 1 paper tonight so that i have 1 less to do
:)

Every Member a Minister

It's so 'coincidental' that everything seems to be linking nowadays. Well, I think there is a lesson God wants me to learn here:

Last night, Capt Steve Davies (Sandy Krause's sister's husband) shared in evening service something very convicting. He is a strong advocate of 'every member a minister', and he was sharing about an experience in the military. He went up to one of the soldiers one day, and was checking on the progress of a task. His sergeant / NCO came up and 'interrupted' the conversation, and said to Capt Davies, "I've got that, Sir!"

Capt Davies used this illusatration to challenge us that as members of the local church, are we supporting our Pastor in ministry, e.g. giving a call to that someone who was missing in church on Sunday - and by the time the Pastor asks, "Hey, was So-and-So in church yesterday? I wonder what happened." You can at once reply, "I've got that taken care of, Pastor!"

Every Member a Minister! If we are committed todo the ground work, to support our Pastor in every possible way, that frees our Pastor to do what God has called him to - pray and study God's word!! If our Pastor is not able to do his job well, guess who is to be blamed?
We are!

In class, I was reminded of these verses again...

Hebrews 13:7,17
Remember your leaders,
those who spoke to you the word of God.
Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Obey your leaders and submit to them,
for they are keeping watch over your souls,
as those who will have to give an account.
Let them do this with joy and not with groaning,
for that would be of no advantage to you.

We need to obey and submit to our spiritual leaders, especially our Pastor because GOD SAYS SO! Though each of us will have to stand before the Lord one day to give an account of the kind of stewards we have been, but God requires of our Pastor to give an account of us too! He has been given the task of watching over our souls.

My prayer is that when Pastor gives an account to God about me, he would be able to do so with joy and not with groaning! It is not for Pastor's glory, but God says it is for my on benefit!

This has been a very exciting week for me. Hearing God's word preached at me, speaking directly to my heart, convicting me of my pride and self-righteousness. Taking some time to write down some very convicting truths for me.

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Sunday... Children's Church

How often we take for granted that God is actively working in our lives, whether we are aware of it or not. Not seeing a (school) bill paid off by somebody doesn't mean God has not heard your urgent plea! He kept the job that you are working at so that you do not get into debt. Even the thought that nothing exciting is happening in your life means that your heavenly Father is keeping watch over you, protecting you from dangers, toils and snares! He hears, and answers every prayer in accordance to His will, not ours!

Monday... (Theology III: Bibliology)

By God's mercy and grace we are saved! Nothing else. Not our own merits. All our righteousness are as filthy rags. How can we ever think that we deserve something better than hell - punishment for our sins! Not even a Christian merits anything! It is solely by His grace and mercy we are saved! Christ took our place for sin's punishment!

Do you know that God could have destroyed His creation the day Adam and Eve sinned? Why didn't He? It's grace! It's mercy! Do we deserve it? No, not at all!

No one left one his own will seek God - including the little tribal man lost in some forgotten corner of this earth! (Psalm 14 & 53, and Romans 1 & 3) In fact, the sinful nature in us HATES GOD! We do not naturally do His will, we hate righteousness! From the Fall till this day, God is the One Who inititates the reconciliation. Even the little promptings in our hearts that there is a God. The fact that He loves us and how He, from time began loved us and knew that Jesus Christ is going to redeem us by His death upon the cross, is beyond our limited, finite mind's comprehension. He loved us first! (1 John 4:19)

Christ's sacrifice was necessary and perfect to redeem, and it is only because of His righteousness that we can come boldly to His throne of grace for help in time of need!

Tuesday night...OT Historical Books

How can we then question God when we fall into trials and temptations? Why God? Why me? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why am I suffering? Why are you not giving me what I need (want)? Do you even know what is happening?

David (and Joseph) in the trials that they went through, continued to trust God's sovereignty in every situation! He knew that He is the chosen King of Israel, yet there were so many trials he had to overcome. What was really striking was that he knew that Saul and Absalom were God's anointed - he did not take things into his own hands to remove these men from the throne that God had given David! He could have, but in all his situations, he humbled himself & trusted that the Sovereign Lord will make right his situations, and to each of these men, he should mercy.

Have we ever been caught in any situation like these men or worse? Have we been found faithful? Have we taken things into our own hands and by so doing tell God that He is not able!? God forbid!

Christians, there is no righteousness in us except Christ's righteousness that was credited into our life account at salvation.

The life we have now is bought with a price! Christ's death! Christ our Creator God! Have you ever thought how humbling it was for God to become man? Think for a moment: what is the most disgusting thing / job in the world to you? What is the most horrible living condition you can ever imagine? What is the greatest opposition, oppression, etc you have ever faced? The disgust you feel at that disgusting thoughts, the pain and suffering you went through or had to put up with, they are but a minute fraction of the humiliation Jesus Christ went through when He humbled Himself to become a Man for us that He might suffer death on the cross for our redemption!

We ought then to daily think about how our God has manifested His love toward us, the grace and mercy extended towards us, and repent our sin of faithlessness, pride, self-righteousness, discontentment, etc!

Our sufficiency in Christ alone! The life we now live is for Christ!

Friday... Hebrews & General Epistles: 1 Peter

So what if (in your opinion) you're suffering some kind of injustice, physical pain, emotional discomfort, etc ? Is that a greater injustice, humiliation, discomfort than Christ's? (1 Peter 4:12-19)

1 Peter 4

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,
arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,
for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer
for human passions but for the will of God.
For the time that is past suffices for doing what
the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions,
drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry...
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled
and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love
covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another
without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to
serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God;
whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God
supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 94
8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise?
9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see?
10 He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge--
11 the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

12 Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law,
13 to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?
17 If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
18 When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
20 Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?
21 They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.
23 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out.

God is Sovereign

Finally the new leader has emerged. It's a privilege to be here witnessing this world changing event. Totally mixed feelings about the whole matter, but one thing is for sure - God is sovereign!

Something that I've been learning:
God is sovereign, and He allows things, good and bad to happen. Whatever it be, even in judgment, He receives glory.