Saturday, June 30, 2007

Pinkie Dog

I miss my brother, aka pinkie dog!!!

He is now at a particular spot in Italy.......... gone for only 3 days......but seems like 3 yrs!

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posted by Fleur De La Lune @ 11:29 pm 0 Comments

Monday, June 25, 2007

Too Priceless to be termed Cheap

"I am a simple girl in a big big world.
A world of wolves and sheep, and something in between,
As I am taught -- To be wise as serpents and harmless as doves,
I felt there is something more,
To bring across a big picture,
Though with God everything is possible,
Man often ruined their own destiny,
With their very own brains,
Often with their faithful accomplices or even masterminds,
Who has a beautiful name called Heart,
All because of a tenant,
Named Satan."
--- Poem by Sherri, Wei


This morning was really a great service. Pastor Kong was preaching a very deep message about God’s law. There is one part that really impacted me so much. The preaching was so anointed, that I could almost felt God’s presence seep in so strongly into the hall by the end of the service. I could almost visualized the Spirit of God hovering above our heads as we were still in our seats when Pastor Kong concluded his preaching. The presence of God was so strong.


Do you remember the TERM for the following definition?

Preaching of Forgiveness without requiring Repentance
Baptism without Church Discipline
Communion without Confession
Grace without Discipleship
Grace without the Cross
Grace without Jesus Christ

==> Cheap Grace



Maybe the above definition may sound more towards the extreme, but look at the following summary conclusion of Cheap Grace, which I felt is really the essence of the whole definition, that teaches us not to perceive Cheap Grace as an extreme perspective only, but also on the basic side as well:


By Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

Cheap Grace arises when a sinner desires to be saved, but doesn’t want to become a disciple.

Cheap Grace makes a person soft and complacent, fearful of self-sacrifice and self-humbling.


Superficial Christianity in short:

Good things happen when we pray (if we ever remember to pray or believe in the power of prayer), and we are thankful (but sometimes forget to confess our gratitude to God), and we believe arguably that God is the one who has blessed us at times. We go services, cell groups, bible studies…. Whatever is needed……it’s a routine anyway…..When we are taught one of the foundational truths --> to give tithes and offerings...... we give with no gratitude in our hearts......and sometimes even grudgingly...... Something bad or challenging happens, we are stumbled and confused, wonder if we have came to the right House of God?



Basic Christianity in short:

We feel very grateful to God when God has blessed us with the desires of our heart as we prayed. To us, God is a wonderful Father who answers prayers. To show our gratitude, we will thank God, give testimonies, share revelations and quote bible verses to claim God’s promises and victory. For tithing and offering, we try our best only, not VERY BEST, and give only under the most convenient circumstances....... If bad or challenging events happen, we confess our belief in God deliverance. But bad or challenging events cannot happen for too long and it cannot be our spiritual family or House of God, else we may recall our confession.


God still loves His very own precious workmanship in the above categories, yet they are not yet a disciple.


It is very easy for us to be grateful to God if the circumstances are good. It is almost a natural response for a human being to say thank you to God when they are being blessed.

It is more difficult to love and serve God when we are undergoing tough situations.

It is almost impossible to honor God in our faith and deeds when we are undergoing adverse circumstances that cannot be turned around, or situations that cause us to be in a position where we are prone to exercise negative judgment, option or even control (for this is where self humbling and sacrifice comes into the picture)


I have checked the definition of discipleship in internet,


Disciples of Christ are:

Good stewards
Fruitful workers
Present one’s body as a living sacrifice
Actively assisting in the spreading of the teaching of Christ
Constantly examine their thoughts, words and actions in accordance with the Word of God
………..and many more.


Just imagine, that as a mere believer, God is already so ready to bless and we are so ready to receive the minimal blessings so happily.

What’s more, the infinite inheritance as a great disciple of God?


Truthfully, we should not even qualified ourselves as Christians, or even mention our gratitude (deep felt?) to God when we do not even desire or try to be a disciple of God. This is so hypocritical.

It is like asking God for His blessings, when we do not even give God any part of ourselves in the first place........ we only take and receive, but never offer our lives and bodies as a living sacrifice to God..... this kind of behaviour is very very selfish.

So we may think that God's grace is there for us always, but we are only being very myopic and foolish ---> thinking that we are very happy with our present lives, And blessings (whether we think its from God or not) will continue to come our way......

By this, we have truly neglected, the truth of :

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (ps 126:5)

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer has put it,

Real grace is a grace that will cost a man his entire life.


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posted by Fleur De La Lune @ 1:03 am 0 Comments

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Led by the Holy Spirit

There are so many things going around. Too many matters to worry, too many issues to raise up, too many tasks to handle, too many needs to fulfill, too many problems to resolve, too many hunger to feed, too many darkness to ignite…….and the list goes on and on……


If one is not careful, the focus is easily lost.

Even as seated comfortably as an audience in a spirit filled atmosphere, the powerful and anointed voice can be lost in the abyss of thoughts.


As I reflected, a mediocre human being has so many weaknesses:

So vulnerable
So limited in capacity
So small in visions and dreams
So apprehensive of God’s calling
So narrow at heart
So short in sight
So poor in memory
And yet… So BIG in ego


I really have learnt, that:

No matter what circumstances,
How many uncompleted tasks,
How many urgent issues on hand,
How bad my mood is,
How small the matter is,


……. all the things or decision that we seek to do or made must always be based on the leading by the Holy Spirit. As we seek to do that, the Holy Spirit is such a powerful alarm clock, a good helper and He is always so gentle, so wise and joyful.

At the right time, He will bring to our remembrance certain issues we need to handle. He will show us which is the right matter to handle first.


It’s a pity that in the midst of hurry, we sometimes pass by the Holy Spirit. Have almost forgotten that triumphant Peace and small still Voice that always lead us in EVERYTHING as long as we seek and ask. And one must never take for granted to seek the Holy Spirit even in the slightest thing.


Just like what Dr. AR Bernard said once, that we should not do things in a hurry. An opportunity lost, will always come back again. This is such a powerful word of wisdom, that can truly be applied for every circumstance.


Praise God!!

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posted by Fleur De La Lune @ 10:22 pm 0 Comments

Monday, June 04, 2007

Back for Good Till Further Notice

Drain

A little reminder

The stars shone brightly
In a little world they owe arguably,
Winnowing the tiny being,
Nothing more than a breath.


A second is worthless,
A matter is unimportant,
The unbecoming will,
Honored by a diligent traitor,
Steadfastly by the wavering waters,
The precious anointing of gift,
Pilfered by the devils’ child,
Over and over again.


The journey is long,
The deadline is short,
The confession is weak,
The hand is far.


Be fain to go,
Is to be armed,
The rigorous voyage,
To brave it all,
Come what may,
The willful repentance,
Is still cherished,
Over and over again.

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posted by Fleur De La Lune @ 12:12 am 6 Comments