Quotes

You and I are in little (our sins excepted) what God is in large. Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know Him. In our sins we lack only the power. The moment the Spirit has quicken us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps us in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the kingdom of God. It is, however, not an end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart's happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead.

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth.

-- A.W. TOZER "The Pursuit of God"

A Resilient Life

I began reading this book yesterday: A Resilient Life, by Gordon Mac Donald.

What Gordon Mac Donald wrote in his book was largely based on the principles he learnt as a 16-year old from a model of resilience; his track and field coach - the principles stayed on today.

This book has also taken the analogy of running - so I felt that I should definitely write down my thoughts about what I've read on my under-maintained and probably unread blog.

Thus this book will start my journey of why I was fascinated with running in the first place(... it was more than an attempt to slim down actually)

I'm re-visiting what I learnt from Hebrews 12 when I was 16; I am trying to remember the kind of influence Pastor's bible study had on me.

This time, I want to make the principles stick for a while more... if possible... forever.

Resilient people are committed to finishing strong

They believe that quitting is not an option.

They know that "walking" is unthinkable.

They are convinced that building resilience is a daily pursuit.

They despise aimlessness.

They have the faces of Champions

Blessed Are The Meek; For They Shall Inherit The Earth

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" Matthew 5:5

"But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

Psalm 37:11

What exactly is this meekness? Chosen gentleness?

Recently I have been wondering to myself: do I have this meekness? I am not known to be fierce or headstrong, in fact, I'm quite the opposite; I don't like to fight and don't see a need to (most of the time) - it seems as though (statistics have proven) that I am more accommodating and to put it bluntly; more like certain household accessory*

... So am I meek? or am I weak

Perhaps how I can practice this meekness is:

When I feel as though I have been 'trampled' - not to remain in anger... but to find abundance of peace in being meek, in submission to God's will

AND perhaps... that's when it becomes chosen gentleness.

That's just when it comes to relating to people - what about relating to God?

I see a need to practice meekness when it comes to obedience to God and submission to His will.

Often I hear the voice/noise of my own will shouting above the Lord's - more often than not, I listened to the flesh's command to do the things that are disappoints and displeases the Lord.

I think it's time to be still, silent and listen to God's instruction -to keep the commandments of the Lord (in submission to His will) - and isn't it after all, for our good?

What will you do? will you desire to be meek too? Meek, not weak.

Parables of the Cross

---- By Lilias Trotter via Elizabeth Elliot-------

The fair new petals must fall, and for no visible reason.

No one seems enriched by the stripping...

And the first step into the realm of giving is like a surrender - not manward but Godward:

an utter yielding of our best. So long as our idea of surrender is limited to the renouncing of unlawful things, we have never grasped its true meaning: that is not worthy of the name for "no polluted thing" can be offered.

The life lost on the Cross was not a sinful one - the treasure poured forth there was God-given, God-blessed treasure, lawful and right to be kept: only that there was the life of the world at stake.

Marathon

Watched "Marathon" recently. Adapted from a true story (korean).

The story revolves about an autistic boy/teen called Shotaro.


In order to wear him out, his mother used to climb hills with him - that gave him a lot of stamina.
Shotaro loves trains and would run alongside train tracks on his way home everyday - he even memorised the train schedules.



Since Shotaro has a gift for running and huge stamina, his mum wants him to attempt something which no autistic child has attempted before - running a full marathon sub-3 (under 3 hours).

I thought at first, this guy has limbs, good stamina and is gifted in running - what's the difficulty?

But for people like Shotaro, they do not follow people around them at all; they need to memorise the entire 42km route by heart. Shotaro will also find it hard to pace himself to last through the marathon.



A special trainer; an ex-marathon runner came along to help Shotaro train. He used the language of a train systems to communicate to shotaro.

I can only remember one of them: "If it starts raining, remember, you are a limited express train (tokkyu) now, run till the end and don't stop."





People around Shotaro did not just label him "unable" because of his intellectual disabilities; they could have just "let him be" and he would be none the wiser. Rather than being caught up with Shotaro's condition and limitations, they were more concern about the best Shotaro could do and tried to help him accomplish something spectacular.

how many of us have wasted time and energy moping about our circumstances - if human spirit can carry an autistic child to accomplish what was "impossible"; shouldn't the Holy Spirit be able do more through us?

Should we be doing more than "not complaining"?

Ephesians 3

^"16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever."

Not just about DOs and DON'Ts

Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control by Elisabeth Elliot


This is my second time reading this. In my first attempt, I think I had zero interest...this time, it's with a spirit of brokenness that opened my heart to what Elisabeth Elliot has to say about love and relationship.

Some said that her standard are too high... perhaps that's how purity is; it's either achieved or not at all.

What if that just how HIGH God's standard is anyway. What if it's is meant to be possible for every single one of us?

If you already have in mind what this affair is all about - there is not point reading it. Read it; because you are truly looking for solid christ-centred principles that'll stand you in good stead, in faith, in life and in love.

View all my reviews

Karigurashi no Arrietty

O Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." - Matthew 7:1

It's pretty amusing how I always have to refer to this again and again (occasionally for wrong reasons). Sometimes it applies to me, there are bound to be moments where I made hypocritical judgments on other people, not realising that the same standard I "imposed" on others would be used as a measure for me.

"Jesus restated this truth and applied it to the practical details of human life. Whatever measure of judgment we make against others, we must be prepared to have that same measure applied against our life!"
- But We See Jesus Devotions (Matthew) -

It's struggle most of the time; to be mindful when I feel critical of others - I can be so blind to my own condition.

[be sure your own words don't fall to the ground]

I'm glad there are always eagle-like characters in my life to look up to; they don't impose , they truly inspire.

Be Stiff-Necked No Longer

"Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart,
and be stiff-necked no longer." Deuteronomy 10:16

This verse struck chord in my heart today... it seems random, but it's something I really need to hear.

The heart of matters is the always the heart... right?

Things happened, and sometimes for the purpose of pushing you towards the Lord and to lean on His everlasting arms.

"He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for your these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen..."

Whatever my eyes have seen, on these I recall and have hope. He's surely the same God I had all along. He'd be my praise again.

Keep Me Near

Keep me near O precious Jesus

When my days are filled with light
When the sun is warm and golden
And your goodness fills my eyes
Let me not forget whose mercies
Poured such grace upon my life
Keep me looking to you
Walking always at Your side

Keep me near O precious Jesus
When the darkness fills my sight
When the nearness of Your presence
Seems a memory in the night
Let me not forget Your mercies
In the shadows of despair
Keep me ever reaching for You
Resting in Your tender care

Keep me near O precious Jesus
To the cross of Calvary
Coming to You through the river
Where Your blood has washed me clean
Let me not forget whose mercies
Made a way for sinful man
Keep me ever drawing to You
Trusting You the perfect Lamb

- Written by Steve Cook & Todd Twining