Making Decisions
(as though God didn't exist)

What is "Seeking God"?
Is it a monologue?
Feeling good vibes after journaling?
Going for a praise and worship session?
Frankly, I am not too sure.
Watching an interesting documentary on God's chosen nation today,

I think means:

1) Not making decision as though He doesn't exist.
2) Seeking Him for direction in 0ur lives (first),
3) WAITing for Him to fulfil His promises, something that many people
of the bible did not do. which is to WAIT.
and as a result, tons of bad consequences came from them taking things
into their own hands, (e.g. Sarah).
4) many times Christians and even God's chosen people (or nation),
continue to make decisions as though it doesn't matter if God existed or not.
5) many times people (even God's chosen), countries rely on their
own strength or political ties to protect themselves.
But Zachariah 4:6
"Not by might,
Not by power,
But by My Spirit,
Says the Lord."

I really hope His chosen people will turn back to Him.

i will miss all my old colleagues

Freedom of Choice.
Freedom to obey (God).
Freedom to believe.

Here is also where the road divides, the path chosen for you, they and he/she, is not the same path chosen for me. =) I will definitely take a more knee-praying, humble listening (to Him), unhurried pace before stepping into my next step of life. Won't u pray for me, and I'll pray for you. Pray that we will keep the common ground.

dreams and plans

here is life's common debate: to follow goals in life or to just flow with what life brings to us. Working for almost 3 years since graduating, I have met various differing opinions and points of view or call them philosophies of life.

"We could plan whatever we wanna plan in life, but it's still up to God to approve."
"We set goals for ourselves and follow them all the way."
"We should shoot for the moon for even if we fail we land among the stars"
"Life is all about fate. It's not up to us." (do you really really think so?)
"The world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where he is going."
"Your destiny is in your hands."
"Life is about freewill and choice. Not fate."
"Life is about decision making every single day. The process of making decisions is the main thing."
"There's two ways to life. We choose to be in God's permissible will or to be in God's perfect will."

Arghh. We are giving fate too much credit. Even though God is still sovereign in the sense He is who He is (The great "I AM"), and ultimately, only if He allows, will things happen, a huge fraction of what happens in our lives is our own Self-will (We are stubborn creatures), and brings about the idea of Freewill and Choice. Not even the devil is can be given than much credit for making things in our life happen.

Again, we say:
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”- Psalm 91:1

so many times

Don't we all wish there was something better about ourselves like, "I wish i were smarter, prettier, funnier, blah blah blah." So here we are, trying to hide our fears and doubts about ourselves behind masks, facades and even a persona. or we get really really defensive or offended when others hit that fragile area of our self identity. BUT see the key word here? Its "self-identity" and not "true identity".

Who are we, to doubt ourselves, how we are made, when we sit down and really ask, "Who is the one who made me?"

"concentrate and be aware"

one of the safety trainings i attended as a compulsary thing working in construction industry was conducted by some ang moh (no offence to caucasians) who kept emphasising that at the construction site, we have to all "concentrate on our work" yet "be aware of surroundings".
to my amusement, i looked around and saw the different reactions of my colleagues, each face or expression representing their own country. (that's the advantage of being in private companies). Several overseas colleagues looked very puzzled and confused even. "How do you concentrate yet be aware?" They asked. so the lecturer threw some of us back the question.
then a "smart" haha, guy replied "ohhh.....it's just like driving, u have to concentrate but be aware."
The lecturer was so pleased with him. "Ahh yes you are correct!"

Then i realised how useful this simple piece of experienced advice was from a 60 year old. (oh well). if we could just apply this theory to our living like being focussed on our work, lives, families, friendships, but still listening and reading others' blogs, news, catching up with people that we see daily down the corridors, neighbours, colleagues who seem childish or silly or aloof (as u never know who they are till u talk to them), even simply observing people....

hmm...the tendency for many people is to just work hard in the first few weeks or sometimes months in our jobs....then ok we're satisfied with the "peak" we've reached. but the truth is, is that the highest peak??

(just trying to challenge myself)

Washed by the sun, dried by the rain

A group of about 40 people came to a religious sharing this week. Call them Christians or protestants.

This young man, about my own age, gave a lengthy but not-one-moment-dull sharing on all the trials and struggles he and his family went thru...for the sake of the gospel. Each time leaning on the Words from The Book as his lifeline, the passages on Paul and his sufferings (imprisonment, beatings, etc) being the inspiration.

In the end it was this bottom line he shared. That as a true believer, the question to ask oneself is not "If i were to take up the cross...." But, "What/which cross will I take?"

This cross could take the form of having more perseverance, loving difficult people, hardship, living more simply, change.

Passage shared:
One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.…..33 Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple. 34"Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing.
- Luke 14:25-27