doubt vs trust

i just love philip yancey's book in reaching for the invislble God. It is so readable. and it touched on several issues our minds always argue or debate internally with. but yet cant verbalise as it may seem too trivial or unimportant and un-urgent to the rat race, present lifestyle, doesn't even apply to our work.

So yesterday i read about the good points of DOUBT. yes you wont believe it but doubt is actually GOOD. and human. and God approved of it in several of His chosen ones in the bible. Jonah, Sarah, Jacob, Peter, Thomas. Looks like a male-dominated field here. But anyway...

The way to overcome doubt is just - trust.
Anyway our eternal welfare depends on pure and simple trust anyway. so might as well

spirituality, saturday, surviving

This post was supposed to come out on Sat night (few days ago) but my computer network was switched off. So here's the gist of it. Disclaimer: I'm not always this happy or "fruitful" every single day. Puns and double meaning in this paragraph only all intended purely for fun. L-O-L.

Had fruitful day. It helps a lot when you serve people. I liked teaching the kids how to hear from God. Found so many poor lost problematic souls in the neighbourhood estate our group went to serve at. They had a block party few weeks ago and the photos were ready to be given out. They had financial, mental, and health problems. Sigh. Our group of ladies suspected it was probably spiritual strongholds or idol worship resulting in principalities. Life really moves faster and gives you such a sense of fulfilment when you give it away to those who need your time more than you need your space.

Met insurance agent in the morning. Learnt he had some cool job offers in the past but chose this path.
Met B.O.B team.
Prayed for one family (all 4 present at their flat) who had health problems.

I know its wishful thinking to hope this country of mine were a God fearing country. No other-god worship, if you know what I mean. But truth is, look at USA. Frannkly, they are supposedly "God fearing" but well, like an American friend (a girl) mentioned in her book recently published, they are materialistic, which is an idol too, nonwithstanding American idol. (That last phrase was meant to be funny LOL). So....what can i say but this verse that ecouraged me today.

Another friend mentioned that God's word and character is seen most clearly when we undergo trials and turbulent times. And i realised how much more sense the bible makes when you're feeling down.

This is the verse:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10

I was in a lousy mood today. Tired and annoyed with myself, people around and...yup the past that could have been a lot better. But i guess that He knows our future more than we know our past.

To add on to the lousy mood, When i flipped the bible open i stumbled upon Isaiah 31.
"Woe to those who rely on horses who trust in the multitude of their horsemen but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the Lord."

I was reminded of a friend who recently shared that she got on her knees every single morning and night on her knees (to pray to God). And He tells her things that minister to her heart directly. I admire her humbleness in coming before him like a little girl, putting her gains aside, being almost helpless. But it didn't start of that way. It was tough to set aside time.

Then i decided to try....today talking to Him. Most of it sounded like feedback or complaints session. Ew. But I mean, i have to be and get real. But I believe like her, I could reach a point, where talking to Him becomes natural, just like my morning brisk walks are.

names of God

Jehovah - The Lord - Exodus 6:2-3
Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha'arets- Lord of Earth - Josh 3:13
Jehovah-Bara - Lord Creator - Isaiah 40:28
Jehovah-Chatsahi - Lord my Strength - Psalm 27:1
Jehovah-Chereb - Lord the Sword - Deut. 33:29
Jehovah-Eli - Lord my God - Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Elyon - Lord Most High - Psalm 38:2
Jehovah-Gador Milchamah - Mighty in Battle - Ps 24:8
Jehovah-Ganan - Lord Our Defense - Ps 89:18
Jehovah-Go'el - Lord My Redeemer - Is. 49:26, 60:16
Jehovah-Hamelech - Lord King - Psalm 98:6
Jehovah-Hashopet - Lord My Judge - Judges 6:27
Jehovah-Helech 'Olam - Lord King Forever Ps10:16
Jehovah-Hoshe'ah - Lord Saves - Psalm 20:9
Jehovah-Jireh - Provider - Gen. 22:14, I John 4:9, Philip 4:19
Jehovah-Kabodhi - Lord my Glory - Psalm 3:3
Jehovah-Kanna - Lord Jealous - Ex 34:14
Jehovah-Keren-Yish'i - Horn of Salvation - Ps 18:2
Jehovah-M'Kaddesh - Sanctifier - I Corinthians 1:30
Jehovah-Machsi - Lord my Refuge - Psalm 91:9
Jehovah-Magen - Lord my Shield - Deut. 33:29
Jehovah-Ma'oz - Lord my Fortress - Jer. 16:19
Jehovah-Mephalti - Lord my Deliverer - Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Metshodhathi - Lord my Fortress - Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Misqabbi - Lord my High Tower - Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-M'gaddishcem - Lord my Sanctifier - Ex 31:13
Jehovah-Naheh - Lord who Smites - Ezekiel 7:9
Jehovah-Nissi - Banner - I Chronicles 29:11-13
Jehovah-Rohi - Shepherd - Psalm 23
Jehovah-Rophe - Healer - Isaiah 53:4,5
Jehovah-Sabaoth - Lord of Hosts - I Sam 1:3
Jehovah-Sel'i - Lord my Rock - Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Shalom - Peace - Isaiah 9:6, Rom 8:31-35
Jehovah-Shammah - Present - Hebrews 13:5
Jehovah-Tsidkenu - Righteousness - I Cor 1:30
Jehovah-Tsori - Lord my Strength - Psalm 19:14
Jehovah-Yasha - Lord my Savior - Isaiah 49:26
Jehovah-'Ez-Lami - Lord my Strength - Ps 28:7
Jehovah-'Immeku - Lord Is With You - Judges 6:12
Jehovah-'Izoa Hakaboth - Lord Strong -Mighty - Ps 24:8
Jehovah-'Ori - Lord my Light - Psalm 27:1
Jehovah-'Uzam - Lord Strength in Trouble - Is 49:26

a manger and a hospital

Hehehe. Just imagine, 27 years ago....another baby was added to a quite refurbished hospital at 3pm.
However...our dear God was born....in.....a manger! He must have learnt how to be rugged since Day One of his life! I love this song!

Healer (Jesus you're all I need)Verse 1 -
G
You hold my every moment C9 D G
You calm my raging seas
G D/F# Em
You walk with me through fire C9 D
And heal all my disease

Am C/BC9
I trust in You
Am C9 D
I trust in You

G Em
I believe You're my Healer
Em D C9
I believe You are all I need
G Em
I believe You're my Portion C9 D
I believe You're more than enough for me
Em D/F# C9 D Em D/F#

Jesus You're all I need

Intro :G C9 Em C9

Em D/F# G C9
Nothing is impossible for You
Em D/F# G C9
Nothing is impossible for You
Em D/F# G C/B C9
Nothing is impossible for You Em D
You hold my world in Your hands

life's resources

Two things we can give - time and money.
How are we dividing or stewarding or allocating these?

What if we never really had ownership over our money? And all this time we were given this amount to keep or to really just give it out, give it away.....?