Embracing the Lean Times
Wednesday, March 30, 2005by Os HillmanBut blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. ~ Jeremiah 17:7
Have you ever considered at what point a test becomes so difficult that you decide you can no longer trust in God and you must take over to solve the problem? The prophet Jeremiah describes a situation in which the temptation to solve a financial problem can become so great that we trust in man's way to solve it.
This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
Jeremiah drew a sharp comparison between the man who trusts in his own effort to solve his problem and the man who trusts in God when he cannot see the outcome. The man who trusts in God bears fruit despite the circumstances in his life. He does not shrivel when the heat comes; in fact, his roots go deeper into God's grace. He continues to bear fruit in spite of his circumstances.
Recently, a friend from South Africa explained to me that whenever a plant lives in an arid climate, the roots drive deeper and deeper into the soil to get the water they need. This forces the plant to develop a root system that is far beyond the normal plant because it is forced to go deeper to gain the water it needs. Sometimes God forces us to go deeper into the grace of His love in order to build a greater foundation in our own lives. These lean times are designed to accomplish this in us. If you find yourself in this condition, ask the Lord who provides the water for our soul for the grace you need today to continue to bear fruit in the desert.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
In transition
Called Prof today, he said he can only finish reading my chapt 1 to 3 tmr, then on sat he will start with chap 4 and sun chapt 5. Hmm..and he says we will talk over phone the changes. He says last year his student and him talked on sunday till 2-3am.
I'm not too thrilled abt that prospect...to finish my thesis at Monday 2-3am, and print and bind it in a matter of hours. I never do such last minute work. I pray tat by the time he reads on sat, there wun be much changes.
In transition. Tats wat I am in. Attended a GE talk today on their graduate program, and then there's some 6 mths rotation thing. Wow..sounds good, and get to stay 6 mths overseas. That would be really exciting. Reminds me of the time during JC where I hoped to study abroad for my university, but din manage to get a scholarship.
Nevertheless not wat I want, but I pray tat the Lord will show me. A bit of going thru an up and down rollar coaster..and a turmoil in my emotions and thoughts.
Funny thing is, I'm not even sure wat I like as a job now...or wat my personality is. Seemed to have been too trained and personality changed. Kinda an in-between now.
As I was walking thru the carpark...memories kept flowing in. And in and in...
as I saw the TKGS girls boarding the bus..heh...
thought of how I wished to be cool and hip in sec sch. But was always the nerd.
Then I thot of the TKGS girls in VJC.
Then I thot of my RGS days in my pinafore...and the sch bus tat I took..and the super duper easy worryless life I had.
Then I remember...myself queueing up in the old church building at tanjong katong...in my rgs uniform. Hehs.
Okie enuff...
back to reality and work.
I'm not too thrilled abt that prospect...to finish my thesis at Monday 2-3am, and print and bind it in a matter of hours. I never do such last minute work. I pray tat by the time he reads on sat, there wun be much changes.
In transition. Tats wat I am in. Attended a GE talk today on their graduate program, and then there's some 6 mths rotation thing. Wow..sounds good, and get to stay 6 mths overseas. That would be really exciting. Reminds me of the time during JC where I hoped to study abroad for my university, but din manage to get a scholarship.
Nevertheless not wat I want, but I pray tat the Lord will show me. A bit of going thru an up and down rollar coaster..and a turmoil in my emotions and thoughts.
Funny thing is, I'm not even sure wat I like as a job now...or wat my personality is. Seemed to have been too trained and personality changed. Kinda an in-between now.
As I was walking thru the carpark...memories kept flowing in. And in and in...
as I saw the TKGS girls boarding the bus..heh...
thought of how I wished to be cool and hip in sec sch. But was always the nerd.
Then I thot of the TKGS girls in VJC.
Then I thot of my RGS days in my pinafore...and the sch bus tat I took..and the super duper easy worryless life I had.
Then I remember...myself queueing up in the old church building at tanjong katong...in my rgs uniform. Hehs.
Okie enuff...
back to reality and work.
How true
Understanding Our Own Calling
Tuesday, March 29, 2005by Os Hillman..."If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me." ~ John 21:22
Jesus was talking to Peter after he had just had a very important encounter with Him-one of the last meetings the two would have. This was the third time Jesus had shown Himself to the disciples after His resurrection. It is the famous dialogue between Jesus and Peter in which Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Jesus followed by commanding, "Feed My sheep." Jesus went on to foretell of Peter's future death. As they were walking together, John was with Peter and Jesus. Peter asked Jesus about John and whether he would die also. Jesus reacted sharply to Peter's comment, telling him not to worry about what John's role or purpose was in life. All Peter had to do was worry about fulfilling his own purpose.
As workplace believers we tend to measure our success on whether we have achieved a certain position or stature in life. Even as Christians the temptation to believe that someone is blessed if they have achieved prominence is always confronting us. In His discussion with Peter, Jesus was getting at the very heart of the matter of a person's calling. Peter was worried about whether his friend John was going to get the same lot in life as he was. Jesus told him it should not be his concern. He was to concern himself only with one thing: his own calling before God.
Are you tempted to compare yourself with where others are in their life? Are you dissatisfied with where God has you right now? Be of good cheer-"[be] confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6).
Tuesday, March 29, 2005by Os Hillman..."If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me." ~ John 21:22
Jesus was talking to Peter after he had just had a very important encounter with Him-one of the last meetings the two would have. This was the third time Jesus had shown Himself to the disciples after His resurrection. It is the famous dialogue between Jesus and Peter in which Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Jesus followed by commanding, "Feed My sheep." Jesus went on to foretell of Peter's future death. As they were walking together, John was with Peter and Jesus. Peter asked Jesus about John and whether he would die also. Jesus reacted sharply to Peter's comment, telling him not to worry about what John's role or purpose was in life. All Peter had to do was worry about fulfilling his own purpose.
As workplace believers we tend to measure our success on whether we have achieved a certain position or stature in life. Even as Christians the temptation to believe that someone is blessed if they have achieved prominence is always confronting us. In His discussion with Peter, Jesus was getting at the very heart of the matter of a person's calling. Peter was worried about whether his friend John was going to get the same lot in life as he was. Jesus told him it should not be his concern. He was to concern himself only with one thing: his own calling before God.
Are you tempted to compare yourself with where others are in their life? Are you dissatisfied with where God has you right now? Be of good cheer-"[be] confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6).
hi!
Just to pop a hi and say that I am still alive! heh. Haven't blogged for 2 days. Still working on thesis. Finished the writing, now editing and waiting for prof to reply too.
Re-read Pastor Ulf's sermon notes yest. One of the lines caught my attention. Pride= I am going to fix it myself.
Will lean on His strength. Cos I dun tink i can fix it myself.
Re-read Pastor Ulf's sermon notes yest. One of the lines caught my attention. Pride= I am going to fix it myself.
Will lean on His strength. Cos I dun tink i can fix it myself.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
HEHes
Prof teo called me yesterday nite..at 10 plus pm. heh. Asked me why my lit review only 5 pages? He sounded fatherly and concerned.
Today called me again at 6 plus (Today is a sunday, mind you). And asked me to shift my chapt1 stuff to chapt 2.
I'm quite touched la. And super grateful.
And u noe wat? Sat at service, I said a prayer to give the thesis to God? And...whoa...everything fell into place.
Me finished my chap 5..just did. Tmr edit chap 1 and 2...
send to prof again...
edit chap 3...
then send again..
then edit...
then...
heheh...
Need lotsa hardwork. But I feel less lost.
Today called me again at 6 plus (Today is a sunday, mind you). And asked me to shift my chapt1 stuff to chapt 2.
I'm quite touched la. And super grateful.
And u noe wat? Sat at service, I said a prayer to give the thesis to God? And...whoa...everything fell into place.
Me finished my chap 5..just did. Tmr edit chap 1 and 2...
send to prof again...
edit chap 3...
then send again..
then edit...
then...
heheh...
Need lotsa hardwork. But I feel less lost.
Change
Was listening to this brother's song...the lyrics go like
Because of YOUR great love,
I am willing to change for YOU.
I feel tat the Lord is calling me to change.
John Bevere says...when He takes out the impurities in u, a person has two responses. He either turns to Him in surrender and say I will change. OR, he goes another way, refuses to change in his sinful pride.
Whoever said tat change was easy? Or facing up to the truth of urself was easy?
Today's easter drama was so good and I couldn't stop tearing the first time I watched it. Because He touched me. Really so great His love.
And His love..gives me grace to change.
Help me Lord..to change.
To be like You.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done...
U search my heart and u know within me...the sin, the pride, the self sufficiency.
Help me....
I surrender to U.
Because of YOUR great love,
I am willing to change for YOU.
I feel tat the Lord is calling me to change.
John Bevere says...when He takes out the impurities in u, a person has two responses. He either turns to Him in surrender and say I will change. OR, he goes another way, refuses to change in his sinful pride.
Whoever said tat change was easy? Or facing up to the truth of urself was easy?
Today's easter drama was so good and I couldn't stop tearing the first time I watched it. Because He touched me. Really so great His love.
And His love..gives me grace to change.
Help me Lord..to change.
To be like You.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done...
U search my heart and u know within me...the sin, the pride, the self sufficiency.
Help me....
I surrender to U.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Looking upon the cross
Today is Good Friday.
Reading this book by Les Stobel. Just wanted to share a short passage with you my dear frens:
"The Romans used spikes that were five to seven inches long and tapered to a sharp point. They were driven through the wrists," Metherell said, pointing about an inch or so below his left palm.
"Hold it," I interrupted. "I thought the nails pierced his palms. That's what all the paintings show. In fact, it's become a standard symbol representing the Cruxification."
"Through the wrists," Metherell repeated. "This was a solid position that would lock the hand; if the nails had been driven through the palms, his weight would have caused the skin to tear and he would have fallen off the cross.
And it's important to understand that the nail would go through the place where the median nerve runs. This is the largest nerve going out of the hand, and it would be crushed by the nail that was being pounded in."
Since I have only a rudimentary knowledge of the human anatomy, I wasn't sure what this meant. "What sort of pain would that have produced?", I asked.
"Let me put it this way," he replied. "Do you know the kind of pain you feel when u bang your elbow and hit ur funny bone? That's actually another nerve, called the ulna nerve. It's extremely painful when you accidentally hit it.
"Well, picture taking a pair of pliers and squeezing and crushing that nerve," he said, emphasizing the word squeezing as he twisted an imaginary pair of pliers. "That effect would be similar to what Jesus experienced."
-The Case for Christ. Lee Strobel.
Read it, strongly recommended.
Reading this book by Les Stobel. Just wanted to share a short passage with you my dear frens:
"The Romans used spikes that were five to seven inches long and tapered to a sharp point. They were driven through the wrists," Metherell said, pointing about an inch or so below his left palm.
"Hold it," I interrupted. "I thought the nails pierced his palms. That's what all the paintings show. In fact, it's become a standard symbol representing the Cruxification."
"Through the wrists," Metherell repeated. "This was a solid position that would lock the hand; if the nails had been driven through the palms, his weight would have caused the skin to tear and he would have fallen off the cross.
And it's important to understand that the nail would go through the place where the median nerve runs. This is the largest nerve going out of the hand, and it would be crushed by the nail that was being pounded in."
Since I have only a rudimentary knowledge of the human anatomy, I wasn't sure what this meant. "What sort of pain would that have produced?", I asked.
"Let me put it this way," he replied. "Do you know the kind of pain you feel when u bang your elbow and hit ur funny bone? That's actually another nerve, called the ulna nerve. It's extremely painful when you accidentally hit it.
"Well, picture taking a pair of pliers and squeezing and crushing that nerve," he said, emphasizing the word squeezing as he twisted an imaginary pair of pliers. "That effect would be similar to what Jesus experienced."
-The Case for Christ. Lee Strobel.
Read it, strongly recommended.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Stretching my limits
Prof Teo (Sorry to tell u this look): "I read your chapter 4. It's not very interesting. To me, it's not exciting. The propositions that you give are quite intuitive. As in..we all know that when funding increases, charitable organisations will seek more alliances."
Prof had read my second last draft, not the last one.
He pointed out some mistakes on my part..
Heh
Yah and I re-read. It's NOT exciting indeed.
Now gotto find more journals to back up all my claims.
DUN make sweeping statements.
Grammer must improve..
tenses too.
Use present tense.
OKIs
Though his feedback wasn't so positive, I tink it helps. COs.......
Criticsm is good.
Feedback is betta than none...
OKEE..gotto burn midnight oils..or...wake up b4 the sun shines on me.
8am. I will resolve to do tat everyday.
Called James abt forum GOH.
James: I dun have any recommendation to that. Depends on your team.
Ermm..hmmmm....
---
Easter is coming.
Day tat Jesus rose from the dead for us. Every single one of us.
Thank You Lord.
There is really super magnificent power in all tat.
In the midst of this..I find tat..
I've so many dear frens tat encourage me. Thank u!!
Today feng started msning me "jia you". Haha..2nd time. I kinda forced him to proof read for me when I'm done.
Eu has always been there. XT "jia you"s a lot too.
WJ and kel are my fellow "sufferers" in the same boat. Thank God for them.
Most of all..
received a good news from a newcomer in church yest. Called me and said, he received healing from Benny Hinn. Healing from his mood swings and depression. Tats the greatest news anyone can tell me. ANd..he prayed to receive Christ! Heavens rejoices.
Met di today. She's coming on sunday! Yo girl! :)
N272..my helpers and everyone are a great bunch.
Thank you for all tat.
Tmr..is VCF musical which Min is singing in. Hehe..she has the voice of an angel. So glad for tat. Will be going down..and to meet old frens too. I thot of my thesis and din wanna go..but I shall. Something prompts me to go.
God..give me strength and wisdom..and hope for the new day. AMEN!
Prof had read my second last draft, not the last one.
He pointed out some mistakes on my part..
Heh
Yah and I re-read. It's NOT exciting indeed.
Now gotto find more journals to back up all my claims.
DUN make sweeping statements.
Grammer must improve..
tenses too.
Use present tense.
OKIs
Though his feedback wasn't so positive, I tink it helps. COs.......
Criticsm is good.
Feedback is betta than none...
OKEE..gotto burn midnight oils..or...wake up b4 the sun shines on me.
8am. I will resolve to do tat everyday.
Called James abt forum GOH.
James: I dun have any recommendation to that. Depends on your team.
Ermm..hmmmm....
---
Easter is coming.
Day tat Jesus rose from the dead for us. Every single one of us.
Thank You Lord.
There is really super magnificent power in all tat.
In the midst of this..I find tat..
I've so many dear frens tat encourage me. Thank u!!
Today feng started msning me "jia you". Haha..2nd time. I kinda forced him to proof read for me when I'm done.
Eu has always been there. XT "jia you"s a lot too.
WJ and kel are my fellow "sufferers" in the same boat. Thank God for them.
Most of all..
received a good news from a newcomer in church yest. Called me and said, he received healing from Benny Hinn. Healing from his mood swings and depression. Tats the greatest news anyone can tell me. ANd..he prayed to receive Christ! Heavens rejoices.
Met di today. She's coming on sunday! Yo girl! :)
N272..my helpers and everyone are a great bunch.
Thank you for all tat.
Tmr..is VCF musical which Min is singing in. Hehe..she has the voice of an angel. So glad for tat. Will be going down..and to meet old frens too. I thot of my thesis and din wanna go..but I shall. Something prompts me to go.
God..give me strength and wisdom..and hope for the new day. AMEN!
Monday, March 21, 2005
My profs still haven't reply me yet!! :(
Why are they so busy...
SIGH. SO helpless. Nothing I can do about this.
Pls pray for me to have wisdom. Wisdom of a professor.
Yest I had a dream. Of a cat and a hamster. Both owned by me. The hamster walked in my palm..was itchy.
I dreamt I met Mr. Goh Chok Tong. And I asked him to be the GOH for our forum. He kindly said to me..I will email u back soon.
Why are they so busy...
SIGH. SO helpless. Nothing I can do about this.
Pls pray for me to have wisdom. Wisdom of a professor.
Yest I had a dream. Of a cat and a hamster. Both owned by me. The hamster walked in my palm..was itchy.
I dreamt I met Mr. Goh Chok Tong. And I asked him to be the GOH for our forum. He kindly said to me..I will email u back soon.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Heart operation
I feel peace.
Not because all things are well.
But because I am at peace with my Maker!
I realise that all along I wanted someone to walk with me. I wanted affirmation, reassurance. Wanted to have someone hold me hand.
Been seeking them all over in the wrong places.
I think tat even getting a first class honours...it will make me happy, but it wun satisfy my soul. This deep down longing for something more.
This hole and gap.
And as I walk along..I realise that my companion and fren Jesus.
He is so interesting. Heh
Showing me new things everyday.
I walk to a place...and I wanted to go in. But He said wait, no! You are not ready yet.
So He directs me...
and leads me to another place.
And in time..He brings me back to that place.
I realise tat i now have the ability to conquer it.
He has made me so big on the inside.
But I am only as big as He is big.
As strong as He is strong.
Tat is wat
"My grace is made perfect in your weakness" means.
Not because all things are well.
But because I am at peace with my Maker!
I realise that all along I wanted someone to walk with me. I wanted affirmation, reassurance. Wanted to have someone hold me hand.
Been seeking them all over in the wrong places.
I think tat even getting a first class honours...it will make me happy, but it wun satisfy my soul. This deep down longing for something more.
This hole and gap.
And as I walk along..I realise that my companion and fren Jesus.
He is so interesting. Heh
Showing me new things everyday.
I walk to a place...and I wanted to go in. But He said wait, no! You are not ready yet.
So He directs me...
and leads me to another place.
And in time..He brings me back to that place.
I realise tat i now have the ability to conquer it.
He has made me so big on the inside.
But I am only as big as He is big.
As strong as He is strong.
Tat is wat
"My grace is made perfect in your weakness" means.
Friday, March 18, 2005
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged." 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Isaiah 6:1-8
Wat a wonderful glory of God.
5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged." 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."
Isaiah 6:1-8
Wat a wonderful glory of God.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
I realise...
Wat would you do, if you only had one day left to live?
Who would u spend your time with?
Would there be any regrets? Things tat you have not done..things u wished u had said or done?
How ironic tat we spend days and time and hrs worrying and feeling depressed, and not valuing wat we have.
Step back one moment...
And tink...
Wat matters?
Really...
---
D's mum went home to be with the Lord today.
I feel really sad for him.
But sadness can be sadness with hope. Or it can be sadness without hope.
I realise tat worrying is negative praying. It places dark clouds over ur head and u lose ur perspective. When there is so much more in life for you to value, to love, to be passionate about. But many of us live through lives limping. Because we never get over a casuality. Wounds are not healed.
I realise tat...
God gives everyone of us diff capacity and calling...
I realise tat...
Not everyone can take trials...
But if you can take it...
Then...
U rise up to another level.
One day u will look back and laugh. and say
I made it
But..
God placed us in trials to make us pass the test. Not to fail us!
He loves us too much.
God is placing you in a trial right now...
because...
He knows u are able to take it.
How to go thru a trial...
Trust in Him.
Keep walking.
Hold on to Him.
Who would u spend your time with?
Would there be any regrets? Things tat you have not done..things u wished u had said or done?
How ironic tat we spend days and time and hrs worrying and feeling depressed, and not valuing wat we have.
Step back one moment...
And tink...
Wat matters?
Really...
---
D's mum went home to be with the Lord today.
I feel really sad for him.
But sadness can be sadness with hope. Or it can be sadness without hope.
I realise tat worrying is negative praying. It places dark clouds over ur head and u lose ur perspective. When there is so much more in life for you to value, to love, to be passionate about. But many of us live through lives limping. Because we never get over a casuality. Wounds are not healed.
I realise tat...
God gives everyone of us diff capacity and calling...
I realise tat...
Not everyone can take trials...
But if you can take it...
Then...
U rise up to another level.
One day u will look back and laugh. and say
I made it
But..
God placed us in trials to make us pass the test. Not to fail us!
He loves us too much.
God is placing you in a trial right now...
because...
He knows u are able to take it.
How to go thru a trial...
Trust in Him.
Keep walking.
Hold on to Him.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
The cycles of life
D shared with me yesterday tat his mum only had a few days left. His mum has cancer. He sounded strong, and said tat he is at least comforted that his mum has been baptised.
I didn't know that the news affected me so much, until I dreamt.
I had a nightmare. Of someone v close to me, dying. And it was terrible. In my dream I was bawling, crying, wailing. And I grabbed that person v close...but it was as if life sipped out of her life..and all I could do was cry.
I felt lost.
A deep sense of loss...
A part of me gone...
I din know I cared so much for her.
And then..momentarily..it gave me an inkling of how D felt.
When D put down the phone he said...so you must treasure your parents and those close to u. Indeed we must.
How vulnerable a life is. How easy to fall. How life..can be cut off..in a sec...
Almighty God..I pray for the soul...of my frens.
There's gotto be an urgency for them.
---
Been pretty stressed out. WJ has been great encouragement. He is also doing thesis. Fellow ple in the same boat. I'm not sure I've encouraged him much. But he is really angelic to msg me jia you at different times of the day. :) Thank God for frens. Once again...yups.
Collected guitar today! yay! Super happy. I might have to play for cg. Cos mel has got her promotion, and wun be able to attend fri cg regularly. Yups. So must master it pretty soon.
---
In a while, I will be attending YM's wedding. The first wedding dinner I'm attending of a peer! Well, she is 2 years older. But it is a wonderful experience of rejoicing. Hoho..Yay...
The amazing cycles of life.
Reminds me of Fann Wong's song...
Ren you bei huan li he..
Yue you yin qin yuan que
Reminds me also of Eccl..
There's a time for everything
I didn't know that the news affected me so much, until I dreamt.
I had a nightmare. Of someone v close to me, dying. And it was terrible. In my dream I was bawling, crying, wailing. And I grabbed that person v close...but it was as if life sipped out of her life..and all I could do was cry.
I felt lost.
A deep sense of loss...
A part of me gone...
I din know I cared so much for her.
And then..momentarily..it gave me an inkling of how D felt.
When D put down the phone he said...so you must treasure your parents and those close to u. Indeed we must.
How vulnerable a life is. How easy to fall. How life..can be cut off..in a sec...
Almighty God..I pray for the soul...of my frens.
There's gotto be an urgency for them.
---
Been pretty stressed out. WJ has been great encouragement. He is also doing thesis. Fellow ple in the same boat. I'm not sure I've encouraged him much. But he is really angelic to msg me jia you at different times of the day. :) Thank God for frens. Once again...yups.
Collected guitar today! yay! Super happy. I might have to play for cg. Cos mel has got her promotion, and wun be able to attend fri cg regularly. Yups. So must master it pretty soon.
---
In a while, I will be attending YM's wedding. The first wedding dinner I'm attending of a peer! Well, she is 2 years older. But it is a wonderful experience of rejoicing. Hoho..Yay...
The amazing cycles of life.
Reminds me of Fann Wong's song...
Ren you bei huan li he..
Yue you yin qin yuan que
Reminds me also of Eccl..
There's a time for everything
Following Only the Father's Commands
Tuesday, March 15, 2005by Os Hillman
Jesus gave them this answer: ''I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'' ~ John 5:19
Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with. ?How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"
"Lord, should I add this Bible study to my schedule? Should I spend an extra night out on this committee this week? Should I take on new business that will take me away from home more? Should my daughter be involved in music lessons?" These are the daily challenges for the world we now live in. We are an activity-based society that often encourages more and more activity, often in the name of Christian virtue. ?Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the model Jesus provided. It may not always please everyone. Jesus never sought to please everyone. Ask the Lord each day this week how you and He are to spend your time. Yield your schedule to Him. Let Jesus direct your every activity. You may discover that He desires you to cut back some things in order to spend more time alone with Him. He will be faithful to show you. And you will become more fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005by Os Hillman
Jesus gave them this answer: ''I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'' ~ John 5:19
Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with. ?How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"
"Lord, should I add this Bible study to my schedule? Should I spend an extra night out on this committee this week? Should I take on new business that will take me away from home more? Should my daughter be involved in music lessons?" These are the daily challenges for the world we now live in. We are an activity-based society that often encourages more and more activity, often in the name of Christian virtue. ?Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the model Jesus provided. It may not always please everyone. Jesus never sought to please everyone. Ask the Lord each day this week how you and He are to spend your time. Yield your schedule to Him. Let Jesus direct your every activity. You may discover that He desires you to cut back some things in order to spend more time alone with Him. He will be faithful to show you. And you will become more fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
I saw a light..
Yesterday during Pastor Benny Hinn...
I saw a light...a vision of God's glory. And it was Holy.
Came to my mind...Woe is me, I am undone..for I saw the glory of the Lord.
And then He filled my heart with His love.
And covered me with His righteousness and glory.
I felt Him surround me. The Holy Spirit.
And He said...let go...
For I care for u.
and I LOVE you.
Praise God for the healings and miracles....blind woman saw, lame can walk.
Expressions of God's love for mankind, and His children.
The lyrics went....God made us whole. He made our soul whole. Something like that.
And suddenly I knew tat my broken heart was made whole.
Just like the people who had physical healing...
He took my heart and healed it.
I saw a light...a vision of God's glory. And it was Holy.
Came to my mind...Woe is me, I am undone..for I saw the glory of the Lord.
And then He filled my heart with His love.
And covered me with His righteousness and glory.
I felt Him surround me. The Holy Spirit.
And He said...let go...
For I care for u.
and I LOVE you.
Praise God for the healings and miracles....blind woman saw, lame can walk.
Expressions of God's love for mankind, and His children.
The lyrics went....God made us whole. He made our soul whole. Something like that.
And suddenly I knew tat my broken heart was made whole.
Just like the people who had physical healing...
He took my heart and healed it.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Breathe in and out (tats wat Feng suggested)
Harllos
It is strange coming home to an empty house. Can hear the quietness and the ping of a needle falling on the ground. Strange not having mummy ask me if I had eaten. No daddy sitting in front of TV. Had thot I would feel liberated hehe..even had thots of moving out as well..gaining independence.
I can imagine how ple who stay alone come home to an empty hse. Hehs. I guess I dun really like the feeling. Its like nobody loves u kinda feeling.
I am feeling the stress from my thesis. I am still analysing the interviews and trying to generate theory. I can find a few theories, but the few theories dun hold ground in ALL the cases. And the thesis is due in 25 days..and I need abt 3 days for binding, 2 days at least for refining/aligning/proof-reading the first draft?
So I've 20 days.
Out of these 20 days I wun be spending all my time on my thesis ofcos...
Now I have done about 45 pages. I need 80 pages.
About 20 of the 45 pages may end up in the appendix. So I have 25 pages done.
AAHHHH!!! Help!!
:S
Now is the time to walk the talk. Been telling ple to have faith. Now crucial moment..XJ, can u have the faith?
Yes Yes and Yes!
Went to comp lab today..saw Kel. Kel was super upset cos of the results he got from the survey weren't good...walked past WJ, raymond...heh...all super stress.
We all know that the discouraged cannot encourage the discouraged. How can... So therefore I need to fill myself with God's strength..so tat I can have the courage too! And not be a whiner...or join the whiner party.
Lord, give me the strength, grace and wisdom!
It is strange coming home to an empty house. Can hear the quietness and the ping of a needle falling on the ground. Strange not having mummy ask me if I had eaten. No daddy sitting in front of TV. Had thot I would feel liberated hehe..even had thots of moving out as well..gaining independence.
I can imagine how ple who stay alone come home to an empty hse. Hehs. I guess I dun really like the feeling. Its like nobody loves u kinda feeling.
I am feeling the stress from my thesis. I am still analysing the interviews and trying to generate theory. I can find a few theories, but the few theories dun hold ground in ALL the cases. And the thesis is due in 25 days..and I need abt 3 days for binding, 2 days at least for refining/aligning/proof-reading the first draft?
So I've 20 days.
Out of these 20 days I wun be spending all my time on my thesis ofcos...
Now I have done about 45 pages. I need 80 pages.
About 20 of the 45 pages may end up in the appendix. So I have 25 pages done.
AAHHHH!!! Help!!
:S
Now is the time to walk the talk. Been telling ple to have faith. Now crucial moment..XJ, can u have the faith?
Yes Yes and Yes!
Went to comp lab today..saw Kel. Kel was super upset cos of the results he got from the survey weren't good...walked past WJ, raymond...heh...all super stress.
We all know that the discouraged cannot encourage the discouraged. How can... So therefore I need to fill myself with God's strength..so tat I can have the courage too! And not be a whiner...or join the whiner party.
Lord, give me the strength, grace and wisdom!
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Good morning
Yeah its morning! Listening to "Hero" in the background, courtesy of Mainer's website.
My parents are off to a leadership training camp at a bible seminary from thur to sat. Haha. My parents..who used to be anti-church, pragmatist. Now, going for leadership training. :) Praise God. With God all things are possible.
This week Rev Benny Hinn is coming to the indoor stadium to preach. Heard it will really be crowded, with ple flying from indonesia, malaysia etc, ple buying their own air tkts to come. Pastor Audrey says tat the church office was flooded with phone calls from christians wanting to reserve seats in the indoor stadium. There's one church that's even bringing 400 ple! So expected to be really crowded. Heard of ple going at 12pm to queue..some foreigners camping overnight! Haha...so N272, wat time are u guys meeting? :)
Tmr bizad is having a prayer meeting. Organised by Derrick. Am expecting God to move mightily. I pray for open hearts. I will be sharing my testimony. Derrick will share somemore. Then also hoping we get to pray for some of them and minister to them. Lets see how God will move. God, is tis the time u r talking abt? The revival tat U showed me?
Exciting times ...Roy is going down to Temasek Sec to preach today. Pray for him. Ziling..his mbrs, invited him down, to speak to a group of 10-20 of them.
In the midst of all these there are the hiccups/obstacles. Sigh..I quote..the greater the calling, the greater the depth and width of your faith experiences. Things have not been so smooth in the forum, emotions..Challenges in my life. The door is open but the adversaries are many. Therefore pray pray and pray.
My parents are off to a leadership training camp at a bible seminary from thur to sat. Haha. My parents..who used to be anti-church, pragmatist. Now, going for leadership training. :) Praise God. With God all things are possible.
This week Rev Benny Hinn is coming to the indoor stadium to preach. Heard it will really be crowded, with ple flying from indonesia, malaysia etc, ple buying their own air tkts to come. Pastor Audrey says tat the church office was flooded with phone calls from christians wanting to reserve seats in the indoor stadium. There's one church that's even bringing 400 ple! So expected to be really crowded. Heard of ple going at 12pm to queue..some foreigners camping overnight! Haha...so N272, wat time are u guys meeting? :)
Tmr bizad is having a prayer meeting. Organised by Derrick. Am expecting God to move mightily. I pray for open hearts. I will be sharing my testimony. Derrick will share somemore. Then also hoping we get to pray for some of them and minister to them. Lets see how God will move. God, is tis the time u r talking abt? The revival tat U showed me?
Exciting times ...Roy is going down to Temasek Sec to preach today. Pray for him. Ziling..his mbrs, invited him down, to speak to a group of 10-20 of them.
In the midst of all these there are the hiccups/obstacles. Sigh..I quote..the greater the calling, the greater the depth and width of your faith experiences. Things have not been so smooth in the forum, emotions..Challenges in my life. The door is open but the adversaries are many. Therefore pray pray and pray.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Obstacles..
Ah!!
Dr. Vivian rejected us to be GOH. :( Now we need someone else...
And the sponsors want to know who is the GOH.
No GOH no sponsor...
No sponsor no 50K.
God, You are my provider!! Please provide one for me?
Dr. Vivian rejected us to be GOH. :( Now we need someone else...
And the sponsors want to know who is the GOH.
No GOH no sponsor...
No sponsor no 50K.
God, You are my provider!! Please provide one for me?
Monday, March 07, 2005
What is love?
Prov 30:18-19
18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: 19 The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.
Yups, this comes from the bible.
One of the most complexed thing in the world, I think is the love betw a man and a woman. It is complexed yet it is a beautiful and wonderful thing.
What is love all about?
Love is defined as 1Cor13:4-8
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails.
Love is then seeking the best for the other. Love is then, not just an emotional feeling, but it is also balanced with logic. Balanced with issues.
If therefore with the issues, one does not perceive the r/s will go on long termed, starting anything will only hurt one another.
If one has the maturity to see it, one doesn't start it in the first place.
Does it mean one does not love the other? Nope. But it is a mature thing to do. It is because you love the other too much, and know that this decision works for both of you.
And you move on.
Love....
What is love all about?
:)
18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yes, four which I do not understand: 19 The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.
Yups, this comes from the bible.
One of the most complexed thing in the world, I think is the love betw a man and a woman. It is complexed yet it is a beautiful and wonderful thing.
What is love all about?
Love is defined as 1Cor13:4-8
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails.
Love is then seeking the best for the other. Love is then, not just an emotional feeling, but it is also balanced with logic. Balanced with issues.
If therefore with the issues, one does not perceive the r/s will go on long termed, starting anything will only hurt one another.
If one has the maturity to see it, one doesn't start it in the first place.
Does it mean one does not love the other? Nope. But it is a mature thing to do. It is because you love the other too much, and know that this decision works for both of you.
And you move on.
Love....
What is love all about?
:)
Friday, March 04, 2005
CG was great today!
Hehe the title speaks in all lar.
I'm happy to see all of us bonding together. haha..brotherly love (and sisterly ofcos!!)
A member: Actually I came to church to look for frens
Me: So did you find?
A member: Yah.
:)
God is doing a new work in our lives...really...renewed love for Him.
---
Prof Wong replied my email. With very enlightening suggestions for my thesis. HEhe. So happy. I can move forward again. 31 more days..jia you!
Tmr is Victorian's day. Going back to VJ!!
I'm happy to see all of us bonding together. haha..brotherly love (and sisterly ofcos!!)
A member: Actually I came to church to look for frens
Me: So did you find?
A member: Yah.
:)
God is doing a new work in our lives...really...renewed love for Him.
---
Prof Wong replied my email. With very enlightening suggestions for my thesis. HEhe. So happy. I can move forward again. 31 more days..jia you!
Tmr is Victorian's day. Going back to VJ!!
My spiritual gift! Cool
http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi
Spiritual Gifts
Strength
Evangelism
18
Prophecy
11
Teaching
13
Exhortation
13
Pastor/Shepherd
19
Showing Mercy
19
Serving
10
Giving
10
Administration
14
About Your Spiritual Gifts
The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your number one dominant gift is MERCY SHOWING! The Greek word "ellco" means to feel sympathy with or for others. As a mercy-shower you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by identifying with and comforting those who are in distress. You understand and comfort your fellow Christian. You enter into the grief or happiness of others and have the ability to show empathy which is to feel WITH others, not just for others.
As a mercy-shower you are willing to deal with and minister to people who have needs that most people feel very uncomfortable working with. You seem to say the right thing at the right time. Your personality is likely one of soft-spoken love. It hurts you to scold someone; you are very non-condemning. People love you because of all the love you give them. You find it easy to express yourself and are outgoing with a low-key, inoffensive personality. You are easy to talk to, responsive to people, a good listener, peaceable, and agreeable. You tend to make decisions based on feelings more than fact and like to think about things for a while before making a decision.
In your burden to comfort others, your heart goes out to the poor, the aged, the ill, the underprivileged, and so on. You tend to attract people who are hurting or rejoicing because you identify with them. Be careful not to let others use you. Try not to resent others who are not as understanding as you. Refrain from becoming a gossiper when you are around other mercy-showers. Do not let your circumstances control you. Because of your supernatural ability to show mercy, others accuse you of taking up for people, being a softy and a compromiser. They may think you are too emotional.
Mercy-showers make excellent counselors. However, left untrained, you may destroy yourself by your tendency to take people's problems home with you. Your empathy can become detrimental without personal training on how to deal with it.
Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He can cause pride because of your ability to relate to others. He may influence you to disregard rules and authority. You may experience a lack of discipline because of strong feeling for those who hurt due to disobedience and sin. Don't fall into Satan's trap of complaining and griping.
HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? Your gift is used best in times of sorrow and in times of great joy. It fits well with another gift of service such as deacon, youth worker or hospital visitation. With a counseling course, you could become a good counselor. You may serve as a hospital, nursing home, or shut-in worker; a funeral coordinator and provider of sympathy and support; or a poverty center worker. You would do well as an usher or greeter and welcome center worker or hospitality person. You may want to work in a telephone ministry. You would make people feel welcome on a newcomer visitation team. Other appropriate ministry areas include missions, committee member, furlough assistance, and correspondence helper. You would work well with the elderly and with people who have mental and physical disabilities, in nursing, and with special ministries to migrants, released offenders or abused children and women.
The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your second dominant gift is PASTORING/SHEPHERDING! The Greek word "poimen" means pastor. In Paul's spiritual gifts listing in Ephesians 4:11, this term is translated "pastor." Although the word "poimen" is translated pastor only one time in Scripture it is used sixteen additional times. The remaining sixteen are all translated "shepherd." Therefore, we are actually discussing the GIFT of shepherding, not the POSITION of pastor. Though a good pastor must have the gift of shepherding, everyone who has the gift of shepherding is not called to be pastor. The gift can be used in many positions in a church.
As a gifted shepherd, you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by overseeing, training, and caring for the needs of a group of Christians. You are usually very patient, people-centered, and willing to spend time in prayer for others. You tend to be a "Jack of All and Master of ONE," meaning you are usually dominant in one of the speaking gifts (evangelist, prophet, teacher, exhorter) as well. You are often authoritative, more a leader than a follower, and expressive, composed, and sensitive. Your pleasing personality draws people to you.
You have a burden to see others learn and grow and are protective of those under your care. You want to present the whole Word of God and do not like to present the same materials more than once. You are willing to study what is necessary to feed your group and are more relationship oriented than task oriented. You are a peace-maker and diplomat - very tolerant of people's weaknesses. You tend to remember people's names and faces. You are more concerned with doing for others than others doing for you. You are faithful and devoted and may become a workaholic. You can become an all-purpose person in order to meet needs.
People with the gift of shepherding make the best Sunday school teachers and group leaders because their desire is to go beyond just teaching or leading, to shepherd and minister to the daily needs of their students. The position of Sunday school teacher or group leader is an extension of the pastoral ministry in the church. These groups should be shepherded on a small scale the same as the pastor shepherds the whole congregation on a large scale.
Be careful to involve other people; don't try to do it all yourself. Work on making people accountable. Do not be overly protective of your "flock." Because of these potentially weak areas, other people may think it is your job to do all the work; they rely too heavily on you. You may be expected to be available at all times, know all the answers, and be at every function. Learn when to say no.
Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He will cause discouragement when the load gets heavy, and pride because your "sheep" look up to you. You may develop family problems because of too little time and attention. You may become selfish when "sheep" feed in other pastures.
HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? This gift is a great help in many areas. You may serve as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, pastor or assistant pastor, bus captain, special ministry leader (such as youth, children, men, etc.), nursery worker or as a half-way house or other type shelter volunteer. You may consider serving as a dormitory leader in a college, orphanage, children's home, etc. Scout troops would appreciate your assistance as a den leader.
Spiritual Gifts
Strength
Evangelism
18
Prophecy
11
Teaching
13
Exhortation
13
Pastor/Shepherd
19
Showing Mercy
19
Serving
10
Giving
10
Administration
14
About Your Spiritual Gifts
The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your number one dominant gift is MERCY SHOWING! The Greek word "ellco" means to feel sympathy with or for others. As a mercy-shower you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by identifying with and comforting those who are in distress. You understand and comfort your fellow Christian. You enter into the grief or happiness of others and have the ability to show empathy which is to feel WITH others, not just for others.
As a mercy-shower you are willing to deal with and minister to people who have needs that most people feel very uncomfortable working with. You seem to say the right thing at the right time. Your personality is likely one of soft-spoken love. It hurts you to scold someone; you are very non-condemning. People love you because of all the love you give them. You find it easy to express yourself and are outgoing with a low-key, inoffensive personality. You are easy to talk to, responsive to people, a good listener, peaceable, and agreeable. You tend to make decisions based on feelings more than fact and like to think about things for a while before making a decision.
In your burden to comfort others, your heart goes out to the poor, the aged, the ill, the underprivileged, and so on. You tend to attract people who are hurting or rejoicing because you identify with them. Be careful not to let others use you. Try not to resent others who are not as understanding as you. Refrain from becoming a gossiper when you are around other mercy-showers. Do not let your circumstances control you. Because of your supernatural ability to show mercy, others accuse you of taking up for people, being a softy and a compromiser. They may think you are too emotional.
Mercy-showers make excellent counselors. However, left untrained, you may destroy yourself by your tendency to take people's problems home with you. Your empathy can become detrimental without personal training on how to deal with it.
Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He can cause pride because of your ability to relate to others. He may influence you to disregard rules and authority. You may experience a lack of discipline because of strong feeling for those who hurt due to disobedience and sin. Don't fall into Satan's trap of complaining and griping.
HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? Your gift is used best in times of sorrow and in times of great joy. It fits well with another gift of service such as deacon, youth worker or hospital visitation. With a counseling course, you could become a good counselor. You may serve as a hospital, nursing home, or shut-in worker; a funeral coordinator and provider of sympathy and support; or a poverty center worker. You would do well as an usher or greeter and welcome center worker or hospitality person. You may want to work in a telephone ministry. You would make people feel welcome on a newcomer visitation team. Other appropriate ministry areas include missions, committee member, furlough assistance, and correspondence helper. You would work well with the elderly and with people who have mental and physical disabilities, in nursing, and with special ministries to migrants, released offenders or abused children and women.
The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your second dominant gift is PASTORING/SHEPHERDING! The Greek word "poimen" means pastor. In Paul's spiritual gifts listing in Ephesians 4:11, this term is translated "pastor." Although the word "poimen" is translated pastor only one time in Scripture it is used sixteen additional times. The remaining sixteen are all translated "shepherd." Therefore, we are actually discussing the GIFT of shepherding, not the POSITION of pastor. Though a good pastor must have the gift of shepherding, everyone who has the gift of shepherding is not called to be pastor. The gift can be used in many positions in a church.
As a gifted shepherd, you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by overseeing, training, and caring for the needs of a group of Christians. You are usually very patient, people-centered, and willing to spend time in prayer for others. You tend to be a "Jack of All and Master of ONE," meaning you are usually dominant in one of the speaking gifts (evangelist, prophet, teacher, exhorter) as well. You are often authoritative, more a leader than a follower, and expressive, composed, and sensitive. Your pleasing personality draws people to you.
You have a burden to see others learn and grow and are protective of those under your care. You want to present the whole Word of God and do not like to present the same materials more than once. You are willing to study what is necessary to feed your group and are more relationship oriented than task oriented. You are a peace-maker and diplomat - very tolerant of people's weaknesses. You tend to remember people's names and faces. You are more concerned with doing for others than others doing for you. You are faithful and devoted and may become a workaholic. You can become an all-purpose person in order to meet needs.
People with the gift of shepherding make the best Sunday school teachers and group leaders because their desire is to go beyond just teaching or leading, to shepherd and minister to the daily needs of their students. The position of Sunday school teacher or group leader is an extension of the pastoral ministry in the church. These groups should be shepherded on a small scale the same as the pastor shepherds the whole congregation on a large scale.
Be careful to involve other people; don't try to do it all yourself. Work on making people accountable. Do not be overly protective of your "flock." Because of these potentially weak areas, other people may think it is your job to do all the work; they rely too heavily on you. You may be expected to be available at all times, know all the answers, and be at every function. Learn when to say no.
Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He will cause discouragement when the load gets heavy, and pride because your "sheep" look up to you. You may develop family problems because of too little time and attention. You may become selfish when "sheep" feed in other pastures.
HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? This gift is a great help in many areas. You may serve as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, pastor or assistant pastor, bus captain, special ministry leader (such as youth, children, men, etc.), nursery worker or as a half-way house or other type shelter volunteer. You may consider serving as a dormitory leader in a college, orphanage, children's home, etc. Scout troops would appreciate your assistance as a den leader.
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