Where is God when it hurts?
He has been there from the beginning, designing a pain system that, even in the midst of a fallen world, still hears the stamp of his genius and equips us for life on this planet.
He transforms pain, using it to teach and strengthen us, if we allow it to turn us toward him.
With great restraint, he watches this rebellious planet live on, in mercy allowing the human project to continue in its self-guided way.
He lets us cry out, like Job, in loud fits of anger against him, blaming him for a world we spoiled.
He allies himself with the poor and suffering, founding a kingdom tilted in their favor. He stoops to conquer.
He promises supernatural help to nourish the spirit, even if our physical suffering goes unrelieved.
He has joined us. He has hurt and bled and cried and suffered. He has dignified for all time those who suffer, by sharing their pain.
He is with us now, ministering to us through his Spirit and through members of his body who are commissioned to bear us up and relieve our suffering for the sake of the head.
He is waiting, gathering the armies of good. One day he will unleash them, and the world will see one last terrifying moment of suffering before the full victory is ushered in. Then, God will create for us a new, incredible world. And pain shall be no more.
Author: Philip Yancey
Monday, May 30, 2005
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
In The Garden, On The Cross
In the Garden, His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death,
In the Garden, He prayed earnestly until His sweat like drops of blood falling to the ground,
In the Garden, He cried to His Father for another way out.
In the Garden, He obeyed.
On the Cross, He knew what His Father wanted Him to do,
On the Cross, He was mocked and offered vinegar instead of water,
On the Cross, with great pain, He continued to love, He continued to forgive,
On the Cross, another soul was saved and accompanied Him to Paradise,
When you cry, remember He cries with you,
When you are in pain, remember He was there in pain also,
When you are in sufferings, remember He has suffered much too.
For all that He has done, is the great love He has given in the past, is still showing us now and will be forever to eternity. We can cry and groan at His feet, calling out for Him, for His Love, His forgiveness, His Grace, His Strength, His Mercy and His Healing...........
In the Garden, He prayed earnestly until His sweat like drops of blood falling to the ground,
In the Garden, He cried to His Father for another way out.
In the Garden, He obeyed.
On the Cross, He knew what His Father wanted Him to do,
On the Cross, He was mocked and offered vinegar instead of water,
On the Cross, with great pain, He continued to love, He continued to forgive,
On the Cross, another soul was saved and accompanied Him to Paradise,
When you cry, remember He cries with you,
When you are in pain, remember He was there in pain also,
When you are in sufferings, remember He has suffered much too.
For all that He has done, is the great love He has given in the past, is still showing us now and will be forever to eternity. We can cry and groan at His feet, calling out for Him, for His Love, His forgiveness, His Grace, His Strength, His Mercy and His Healing...........
Saturday, May 21, 2005
A New Era Begins
Ephesians 5:31
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
Indeed, watching you walking down the aisle with your beautiful bride, I am really beginning to feel my age. The slides that you have put up did bring back many wonderful memories. I believed all the other aunts felt that same way too.
I remembered when you were 3, I got your hand caught in between the lift doors. That was one of the frightening experience I have had in my life. I thank God now for you, that He has protected you and blessed you with a wonderful life partner.
As you begin a new era in your life, I pray that God will grant you wisdom, strength, discernment, self-control in all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Monday, May 16, 2005
With God's love, it is our 1st anniversary
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:4-6
Tonight, we celebrated our 1st anniversary of Geylang carecell.
Indeed, it is through God's love and His grace that we are able to gather in this manner, to encourage one another's faith in such a way.
May we continue in this way, to come together - praise and worship our Lord, study His words and experience Christ together.
Brothers and sisters, thank you for your love, effort, keep up the good work for Jesus!
Saturday, May 14, 2005
The fireworks display in my memory lane
It was Chinese New Year's Eve.
Chinatown was extremely crowded. All were coming to see the very first display of firecrackers and fireworks that were arranged by the authorities. So, we were there.
The small town was bustling with activities. There were stages put up at different areas. Artistes were there performing and entertaining the crowd. The street vendors were busy with their new year goodies business. The atmosphere of countdown to the new year was just great. Everyone was in high spirit to welcome the year of Monkey.
As we walked into the crowd, we held our hands together with our fingers locked tightly. I have a strange feeling. I could feel my heartbeats faster and I guessed my blood pressure went higher too. It was as if I was in love and being loved again - with a man I used to know, who I have spent half of my life with. We did not talk much, but I felt good. Too good that I have no words to describe.
Finally, countdown to the new year began. As we counted to zero, the firecrackers were first to go. The deafening noise made some parents covered their children ears. Then, followed by the fireworks. One by one, it splashed into the dark sky. They were like flowers blooming in front of my eyes, and their colored sparkles fading away like falling stars. It was beautiful.
Watching the fireworks display with our hands held together, how I wished the world would just come to a standstill. I wished I could hold his hand forever. Indeed, this was the most romantic evening I ever had.
As I rest my head on my pillow that night, I knew this would be my ever best beautiful moment collected in my memory lane.
Chinatown was extremely crowded. All were coming to see the very first display of firecrackers and fireworks that were arranged by the authorities. So, we were there.
The small town was bustling with activities. There were stages put up at different areas. Artistes were there performing and entertaining the crowd. The street vendors were busy with their new year goodies business. The atmosphere of countdown to the new year was just great. Everyone was in high spirit to welcome the year of Monkey.
As we walked into the crowd, we held our hands together with our fingers locked tightly. I have a strange feeling. I could feel my heartbeats faster and I guessed my blood pressure went higher too. It was as if I was in love and being loved again - with a man I used to know, who I have spent half of my life with. We did not talk much, but I felt good. Too good that I have no words to describe.
Finally, countdown to the new year began. As we counted to zero, the firecrackers were first to go. The deafening noise made some parents covered their children ears. Then, followed by the fireworks. One by one, it splashed into the dark sky. They were like flowers blooming in front of my eyes, and their colored sparkles fading away like falling stars. It was beautiful.
Watching the fireworks display with our hands held together, how I wished the world would just come to a standstill. I wished I could hold his hand forever. Indeed, this was the most romantic evening I ever had.
As I rest my head on my pillow that night, I knew this would be my ever best beautiful moment collected in my memory lane.
Monday, May 09, 2005
Crying as they go
So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the Lord on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rates and the models of the turnors.Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way, they did not turn to the right or to the left...... 1 Sam 6:10-12
Tonight devotion bring me to these verses. This reminded me of a book written by Susan Tsang - How to heal a broken heart. She wrote if animals which HE never died for, can forsake their natural desires and instincts in order to fulfill the holy duties, how much more must we?
Indeed, the daily struggles continues. The pains and hurts I have once buried, resurface time and again. Sometimes, I just feel that I need to put off my strong front and cry my heart out. But life must go on. It is only continously moving along with HIM, then I can I find daily strength to battle on. Only in HIM, then I can find healing.
Dear Lord,
As these cows are able to forsake their young to fulfill the holy duties, help me also to carry the cross daily. Remind me that those nails on Your Hand are for my sake. They are to deliver me from all my iniquities, sins and make me whole. Lord, help me to find strength in you when I am weak and lead me into Your arms once again for healing.......Amen
Tonight devotion bring me to these verses. This reminded me of a book written by Susan Tsang - How to heal a broken heart. She wrote if animals which HE never died for, can forsake their natural desires and instincts in order to fulfill the holy duties, how much more must we?
Indeed, the daily struggles continues. The pains and hurts I have once buried, resurface time and again. Sometimes, I just feel that I need to put off my strong front and cry my heart out. But life must go on. It is only continously moving along with HIM, then I can I find daily strength to battle on. Only in HIM, then I can find healing.
Dear Lord,
As these cows are able to forsake their young to fulfill the holy duties, help me also to carry the cross daily. Remind me that those nails on Your Hand are for my sake. They are to deliver me from all my iniquities, sins and make me whole. Lord, help me to find strength in you when I am weak and lead me into Your arms once again for healing.......Amen
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
He Stopped The Rain
It was raining. Although it was not heavy, still not good enough for us to start the fire for bbq.
All of us were inside this small room - a chalet in Pasir Ris Park. The boys were busy pushing the buttons on the tv game controls - who cares about the rain, huh? The rest of us were just sitting around - chatting away.
As the men were trying to start a man-made pit just outside the door, one of the sisters said, "Hey, why not ask Auntie Rei to lead us into prayer, to ask God to stop the rain for us, so that we can have our bbq evening?" I prayed and all of them agreed with a loud Amen.
Looking out, the rain still pouring. I vividly remembered, many times we prayed for good weather for outdoor events - for family or church - God answered our prayers. It would be the same for this time. He will answer! He will stop the rain!
As I walked out the chalet, still praying in my way - I saw snails moving slowly on the wet grass. They might have said - "Alas, it rains, better get a good bath in the rain before I get back under the shade". Yes, it has been very hot for the week, couldn't blame the snails if they were enjoying the rain. But not us, we needed to bbq our food. We needed God to stop the rain! I started praying again. I saw another sister also praying as she walked up and down the corridor.
Minutes later, the rain was lighter. At last, it stopped completely. The evening was just cool - cool enough for us to enjoy ourselves with our food. All thanks and praise to our Almighty God.
Indeed, we have had a wonderful bbq evening. The food was good and so was our fellowship. We talked and shared our concern with one another. We uplifted all our loved ones in prayers and petitions. Finally, we left the place with a contented heart and spirit.
Praise God for all things He has done in our lives.
All of us were inside this small room - a chalet in Pasir Ris Park. The boys were busy pushing the buttons on the tv game controls - who cares about the rain, huh? The rest of us were just sitting around - chatting away.
As the men were trying to start a man-made pit just outside the door, one of the sisters said, "Hey, why not ask Auntie Rei to lead us into prayer, to ask God to stop the rain for us, so that we can have our bbq evening?" I prayed and all of them agreed with a loud Amen.
Looking out, the rain still pouring. I vividly remembered, many times we prayed for good weather for outdoor events - for family or church - God answered our prayers. It would be the same for this time. He will answer! He will stop the rain!
As I walked out the chalet, still praying in my way - I saw snails moving slowly on the wet grass. They might have said - "Alas, it rains, better get a good bath in the rain before I get back under the shade". Yes, it has been very hot for the week, couldn't blame the snails if they were enjoying the rain. But not us, we needed to bbq our food. We needed God to stop the rain! I started praying again. I saw another sister also praying as she walked up and down the corridor.
Minutes later, the rain was lighter. At last, it stopped completely. The evening was just cool - cool enough for us to enjoy ourselves with our food. All thanks and praise to our Almighty God.
Indeed, we have had a wonderful bbq evening. The food was good and so was our fellowship. We talked and shared our concern with one another. We uplifted all our loved ones in prayers and petitions. Finally, we left the place with a contented heart and spirit.
Praise God for all things He has done in our lives.
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