tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-300314692023-11-16T15:28:39.133+08:00Behind the Scenes of WorshipHere you'll find my thoughts, questions and sharing on what it means to teach, lead and play for worship. You're gonna get JJ uncensored and real here... not for the closed-minded!Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-70600081229874401912021-02-14T03:41:00.000+08:002021-02-14T03:41:19.128+08:00Exposing the Manipulator - Laban the Scorpion<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the hardest types of people for us normal folk to
understand: the compulsive manipulator. He or she will scheme and manipulate
even when it is not to their benefit to do so. Against the
regular predator or bully, we can contain their behaviour by ensuring it is
always to their benefit to not give us problems. For the compulsive
manipulator, on the other hand, that is not good enough. Even if it is to their
detriment they cannot help but to scheme, plot and deceive.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't know much about how to manage such people; being
able to recognize them in the first place will allow us to be on our guard and
not be caught by surprise. The Scriptural account of Jacob and Laban gives us
crucial insights into how they behave and think, so we can tell what we are up
against and plan our escape accordingly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Foothold</b></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Gen 29:15 - Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my
relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your
wages be?”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the surface, Laban looks very noble here. It looked as if
he wanted a fair exchange of value between Jacob and him. But actually, Jacob
serving Laban freely made Laban VERY uncomfortable. Why? Because there was
nothing to manipulate. The compulsive manipulator knows subconsciously that Jacob
was free to walk away at any moment. And he was fishing for some way to hold on
to Jacob, not only for the sake of tangible benefit, but because it was his
nature to scheme and manipulate.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jacob gave Laban the opening he wanted; when Laban knew
Jacob wanted to Rachel as his wife, he made a deal and sank his hooks into
Jacob. However, instead of keeping his word and securing Jacob's trust and
loyalty, he foisted off Leah on Jacob.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Breaking Trust</b></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 29:25-27 (NKJV) - And he said to Laban, “What is this
you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you
deceived me?”</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to
give the younger before the firstborn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fulfill her week, and we will give you this
one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven
years.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are two sorts of liars in this world:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">those that want to be believed (so they make their lies
believable)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and those who don't care. They actually get a kick out of
forcing people around them to swallow their nonsense.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Laban is obviously the second sort. If what he said was
true, how could Jacob have worked for him seven years and never saw that happen
before? Or that Jacob would not just ask a local if that really was the custom
in that part of the world? But Laban was the sort who would never admit to
being wrong or committing it. He would either double-down on the lie (use outrageous
lies to cover up the earlier ones) or change the topic and use manipulation
instead. "You are my son-in-law, how could you not trust me?" Laban
could have said something like "I could have refused to let you marry
either of my daughters in the first place; is this how you repay my
kindness?" </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How did I know Laban was such a sort? It comes out later in
the account. For now, suffice it to say that if you meet someone who refuses to
give you a straight answer to your questions but keeps diverting them away, or his or her claims get more ludicrous as the conversation continues, recognize that you are dealing with such a compulsive manipulator. Better to
cut your losses and leave the situation as soon as possible. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Note also how Laban cunningly manipulated the situation. By
the time Jacob realized what Laban did, these were his options:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1) dump Leah and leave - then his seven years would have
gained him NOTHING.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2) take Leah and leave - then he would not have gotten what
he wanted. Laban would have taken it as a win. Make no mistake about it; Laban
counts it as a win if he can make you lose. Meanwhile, he could still use his
other daughter, Rachel, as a bargaining chip with other men and secure another
beneficial alliance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">3) take both Leah and Rachel and leave immediately, breaking
his promise to work another seven years - then Jacob would have only gotten
what he originally wanted. Leah would still be off Laban's hands. Given that
Leah was harder to marry off, he may have already written her off as an asset
that would unlikely to yield much of a return on his investment in the first
place.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jacob, being inherently an honourable person, kept his
promise and stayed his term. So, when Jacob's term of service was up, Laban had
to make yet another play to secure Jacob. Jacob thought he was prepared for
this.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>You're never really prepared </b></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 30:25 - 26 (NKJV) - And it came to pass, when Rachel
had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my
own place and to my country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have
served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the biggest clues that you are facing a manipulator
boss - none of his or her staff want to stay. Or they don't want to take up
higher positions and the boss has to find outsiders to fill the managerial or
leadership roles. Staff either resign or are fired. In this case, you see
Jacob, a long-time employee of Laban, not keen to stay, even though he had
married into Laban's family. Why? Because he knows Laban cannot be trusted. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Laban makes yet another play on Jacob's good nature, as
manipulators do to the people around them. </span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 30:27-28 (NKJV) - And Laban said to him, “Please
stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that
the LORD has blessed me for your sake.” Then he said, “Name me your wages, and
I will give it.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you are the regular run-of-the-mill Christian, odds are
that you would be taken in by Laban's words here. We'd take Laban's words to
mean that he recognizes God's blessing through Jacob and will respect Jacob
accordingly. Nope. It was just a ploy. Even the call to Jacob to name his wages
was to give Laban the opportunity to find loopholes in Jacob's terms and
exploit them. Watch and see...</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 30:31-36 - So he said, “What shall I give you?”</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will
do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks: Let me pass
through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted
sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled
among the goats; and these shall be my wages. So my righteousness will answer
for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every
one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the
lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Laban said, “Oh,
that it were according to your word!” So he removed that day the male goats
that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and
spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the
lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 Then he put three days’
journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jacob made the number one mistake we make with such people;
he thought that if he gave Laban a good deal at the beginning, Laban would just
take it and not try to shortchange Jacob further. Nope, such people do not see
concessions as a sign of goodwill, they see concessions as a sign of your
weakness, as an invitation to prey on you further. Laban was not content with
the extremely good deal Jacob offered him. Before Jacob could take out for
himself the speckled and spotted animals, Laban took them away first. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Can you imagine the chagrin on Jacob's face at the end of the day when he looked
through the flocks and found nothing he could take for his own? Was Laban
sniggering at one side? In a modern setting I can imagine Laban ghosting
Jacob's text messages and always being too 'busy' to answer Jacob's demands for
an explanation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Laban is like the scorpion in
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog" target="_blank">the story of the frog and the scorpion</a>; the scorpion stings the frog in the
middle of the river even though it means itself drowning to death, because that
is in its nature. Likewise for Laban; he cannot resist the temptation to
immediately show he has outwitted Jacob. Regardless of the long-term
consequences, Laban has convinced himself that his wit and quick tongue will
always enable him to come out on top.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>You can see the next move coming</b></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:1-2 - Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying,
“Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth
from what belonged to our father.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been.</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Scorpion Supporters - Don't be surprised if the scorpion has
supporters. Sometimes they are people who are convinced the scorpion is working
towards their good, such as the beneficiaries of a charity the scorpion is
heading. Sometimes they are manipulated into supporting the scorpion. Sometimes
the supporter is a toady, he himself is also a manipulator who has figured out
the chief scorpion's weakness and is happily pandering to it. Why? Maybe that's
how he can wheedle out luxury watches from the chief scorpion later, or he sees
the chief scorpion as the means to achieving his dreams of living on landed
property in Singapore. Who knows?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whatever it is, when the supporters of the scorpion are
eying you and the scorpion himself/herself is clearly unhappy with you (because
you managed to work your way around their scheming), be prepared. It is obvious
that Laban and his sons were up to something; since Jacob knew they held the
overwhelming advantage in their home territory, he figured out it was time to
leave. </span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:19 - When Laban had gone to shear his sheep,
Rachel stole her father’s household gods. </i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The daughters themselves resented their father. Rachel
pretty much betrayed her own father. What do you expect? Everytime Laban
shortchanged Jacob, he shortchanged their husband, the one who was providing
for them. Laban obviously did not care about his daughters once he had married
them off to Jacob. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here is another clue to help you recognize manipulators;
they are always on their guard against betrayal. They'll complain about how
hard it is to find people they can trust or rely on, conveniently forgetting
that they themselves created bad blood with people who know them best. Sometimes
the untrusting person is not one who has been preyed often too often; sometimes
it is a predator who discovered that occasionally the prey bites back!</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:26-30: Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you
done? You’ve deceived me, and you’ve carried off my daughters like captives in
war. Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn’t you tell me, so I
could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?
You didn’t even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have
done a foolish thing. I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of
your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good
or bad.’ Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father’s
household. But why did you steal my gods?”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Finally, the confrontation between Laban and Jacob takes
place. Note how Laban just HAD to mention that he had the power to harm Jacob.
Manipulators are often enjoy making threats, because everything is ultimately a
power game to them, and they know that threats are often effective in either
intimidating, confusing or distracting people. He then tries to show how woke
he is by saying Jacob left because he missed his family at home. Nope. Jacob
left because Laban was a horrible person, but Laban grabbed the
opportunity to get his point in first to sway the audience his way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jacob, of course, would have none of it.</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:36 -37 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. “What is my crime?” he asked
Laban. “How have I wronged you that you hunt me down? Although you have
searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set
it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us
both!"</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Manipulators shrink away from such public exposure like a
vampire from garlic. They want to stay on their home territory so that they can
control the narrative and what the people around them hear. The last thing they
want is a face-to-face confrontation with someone in public and openly
displaying all the evidence clearly against them. Laban brought along his
relatives both as a show of strength and for an audience for his intended
humiliation and defeat of Jacob; now they stood as witness that Jacob was
innocent and Laban had mistreated and shortchanged Jacob horribly. Did Jacob's
following words make them recall occasions when Laban pulled a fast one on them
too?</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:38-42 - “I have been with you for twenty years
now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your
flocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not bring you animals torn
by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for
whatever was stolen by day or night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold
at night, and sleep fled from my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked
for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks,
and you changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham
and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away
empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last
night he rebuked you.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Trying desperately to salvage face</b></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:43 - Laban answered Jacob, “The women are my
daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you
see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about
the children they have borne?</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And even after he is exposed, did he repent? Nope. People
like that find it very hard to repent. That takes reflecting upon their own
actions, and acknowledging to themselves and to others that ALL their
motivations and actions have been based on selfishness and a sick desire to control others, regardless of whatever cause they claimed to have been
serving. Even when they appear outwardly contrite, their minds are scrabbling
frantically for ways to save face, then rewrite the narrative in their favour. Admitting
to wrong feels like dying to them. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So even if you somehow manage to stop their schemes in their
tracks (by police action, independent arbitration or such), expect that they
will still scramble to eke out some way to salvage their lost face. </span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Genesis 31:49 - 50 - May the LORD keep watch between you and
me when we are away from each other. If you mistreat my daughters or if you
take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember
that God is a witness between you and me.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Honestly, Laban is in no position to demand that Jacob not
shortchange Leah and Rachel. Jacob has the track record of being responsible,
Laban doesn't. Laban is only grandstanding, trying to regain some face in front
of his own relatives and trying to fish for sympathy from his two daughters. I bet they rolled their eyes when he said all this!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Two Parting Thoughts</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A) In the end, Jacob was able to out-maneuver Laban only
because of God intervening and Rachel taking her own action behind his back.
Otherwise it would not have ended so well for Jacob. If you ever think of
trying to confront or bring down a scorpion, please recognize that it will not
be easy. They are the sort who will have lawyers on retainer, professional
indemnity insurance and maybe even a PR firm on call. This is not an easy
battle to survive, much less win. Personally I think it is safer for you to
learn to recognize such scorpions and just avoid them as much as you can.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">B) Laban left defeated this time. His relatives now knew there
was some truth to all the rumours circulating about him before. Even though
Laban would still have the support of his sons, and there was nothing to keep
him from finding a new victim to exploit and shortchange, how would it all have
ended? Were his sons each manipulators in their own rights, and tore the family
apart in the inheritance wars that would have begun even while Laban was still
alive? Or did the brightest among them manage to scam all the rest of his
brothers and get the lion's share of whatever remained of Laban's wealth? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whatever the scenario, I cannot imagine Laban living out the
rest of his days happy and fulfilled. He always had to wonder if his sons were
preparing to move against him behind his back, even while he was still alive.
And if there was a chief toady, would that toady have remained with Laban after
he got his branded watches and fulfilled his landed-property dreams? Or would
he have ghosted Laban and left Laban alone in his declining years? Who's to
say? I only know that the law of sowing and reaping will eventually bite such
scorpions hard, and they will discover that there are many who would smile at
seeing their fate. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So guard yourself against such scorpions, and for God's sake
don't ever become one of them yourself!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></o:p></p>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-38652123700800030472020-10-18T02:09:00.000+08:002020-10-18T02:09:08.887+08:00Taking Someone's Position (4)<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">To take someone's position, you need to be specifically
called by God, willing to do the lowly tasks and able to serve without
resources or rewards. And if you think all that is tough, the next one is often
the final stumbling block, one obstacle that many cannot clear.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Betrayal</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1) Betrayal by leaders</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can say that David's journey to the throne was marked by
betrayal. He was first betrayed by first by Saul, the one he looked up to, whom
he saw as his mentor, as a father figure. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It began with the Saul looking at David with suspicion:</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 Samuel 18:9 (NKJV) - Saul looked at David with suspicion
from that day on.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">... and then he eventually became David's enemy.</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 Samuel 18:29 (NKJV) - ... then Saul was even more afraid
of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Saul first tried to have David killed by the hand of the
Philistines (1 Samuel 18:25), then tried to kill him directly (1 Samuel 19:11).
And throughout it all, David kept his heart towards Saul pure.</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 Samuel 24:10-11 (NKJV) - Behold, this day your eyes have
seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said
to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my
hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’S anointed.’ Now, my father, see!
Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2) Betrayal by those he helped</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The next major betrayal David faced was from the people of
Keilah. As stated in the last blog post, David had enough problems of his own
with Saul seeking to kill him. And yet at the same time, God instructed him to
save the people of Keilah from Philistines </span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 Samuel 23:1-5 (NIV) - When David was told, “Look, the
Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,”
he inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”</span></i></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">The LORD answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save
Keilah.”</span></i></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid.
How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”</span></i></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered
him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your
hand.” So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried
off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the
people of Keilah.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After David saved them, it is entirely reasonable to expect
some degree of gratitude in return. The Philistines were looting their
threshing floors, in other words, destroying their food supplies. David saved
them from dying agonizingly from starvation. And yet at the first hint of
trouble from Saul, God warned David that the people of Keilah would betray him.
So David fled again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Simply put, helping others is no guarantee they will not
betray you immediately after...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3) Betrayal by your own team</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">1 Samuel 30:3-6 (NASB) - When David and his men came to the
city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their
daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him
lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. Now
David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail
the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Moreover David was greatly distressed because
the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one
because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the
Lord his God.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The backstory - David and his men were allotted the city of
Ziklag as their refuge. They left their wives and families there, and finally
had some peace of mind to carry out their own military campaigns. Imagine how
devastated they were when they came back to discover that their home was
destroyed, their possessions seized and their families were captured. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And in the midst of that, David's men spoke of stoning him.
If you were raised in a society that eschews violence, you need to realize that
violent people do not threaten violence unless they truly mean it. For David's
men to speak of stoning him meant that David himself was in genuine danger.
Never mind the battling the Amalakites, could he even save himself from his own
embittered soldiers in the first place?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are two main takeaways from the betrayals on his way
to the throne</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">A) Betrayal is one of the job hazards of leadership.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you are a leader like Saul; suspicious, treacherous,
selfish and manipulative, you are just setting yourself up to be betrayed. Then
when you meet someone like David, who bends over backward to not betray you,
you know that is a miracle from God, one you entirely do NOT deserve. </span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Isaiah 33:1 (ESV) - Ah, you destroyer, who yourself have not
been destroyed, you traitor, whom none has betrayed! When you have ceased to
destroy, you will be destroyed; and when you have finished betraying, they will
betray you.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But even if you have tried your best to live your life
right, it is very likely you will be betrayed. Ask anyone who has already been
in leadership. Maybe you're the guy patiently helping the woman of your dreams
wean off her dysfunctional boyfriend, and all of a sudden she gangs up with
that boyfriend against you. Or maybe you're the employee tirelessly going the
extra mile for your boss, only to discover that the colleague you trusted has
badmouthed you to the boss and the boss actually believes him. David was
betrayed by his mentor; you could have been betrayed by your apprentice,
someone you taught your trade secrets to who then left to set up a rival
business and poach your customers. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can say that if you are not ready to face betrayal on
your way to the throne, you aren't ready to face betrayal when you are sitting
there!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">B) You need to know when to win people over.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Betrayal is not the trickiest part; the trickiest part is
knowing when to stand your ground in spite of the betrayal and win people
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Notice David's reaction to the third betrayal. He did not
flee as he did with Saul and the Keilahites. The Scripture implied that David,
after hearing from the Lord, set out to win his men over to himself and rallied
them to the task of rescuing their families. Anyone who has ever been betrayed
before know that it is much easier to either flee or to stay and fight. To stay
and win people over is a much higher, a much more difficult route. It makes you
vulnerable to people who have already chosen to betray you before. One of the
most difficult and dangerous things to do. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I personally suspect that was the reason why this incident
was the turning point in David's journey. We are already used to David enjoying
military victory wherever he went, because he obeyed God's leading in this
area. But this encounter yielded different results. This battle allowed them to
capture sheep and cattle (1 Samuel 30:20) and this time, he actually
distributed the spoils of the battle among the various cities and regions of
Israel he and his men would roam in. Was this turning point because David
stayed behind to win over his men? Or because he was fulfilling the God-given
assignment that Saul failed at, war on the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:2-3)? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Whatever the reason, David's experiences in dealing with
betrayal before he became king helped him deal with betrayal after he ascended
the throne. As soul-crushing as the rebellion of Absalom was (2 Samuel 15),
David was still able to win back his nation. And even though it was soon
followed by Sheba's rebellion, David did not give up in despair looking at how
fractured the nation had become but continued to take the necessary steps to
regain the throne to discharge his responsibilities as king. If he could not
win back to himself his original team back in the ruins of Ziklag, of course he
was certainly not ready to win back his nation after the rebellions of Absalom
and Sheba, true?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Faithful in little...</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Conclusion</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started this series of blog posts with only a vague
outline of the topics and very little sense of the details. I meant it as a
mere intellectual investigation into David's journey to replacing Saul as king,
interesting but with little application to most of our lives, because most of
us would not be ordained by God to take such an unique path. And now at this,
my last post in this series, I realize the best summation is expressed by my
old friend, Kenneth Koh. He said we talk glibly of being king and priest
(Revelations 1:6), yet have little idea of what it means to be prepared by God
to take a throne. "So you wanna be king, huh?" How many of us are
willing to stay the course if we already knew in advance what price was
required of us? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More importantly, if you see in my series of blog posts
enough parallels to your current life and struggles, stay the course. Keep
praying, keep feeding your soul with the Scriptures and stay faithful to the
tasks at hand. Our God is gracious and compassionate toward us. May his grace
and comfort be your strength when facing a difficult season of your journey!</span></p><br /><p></p>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-84617260826551590562020-10-06T01:22:00.004+08:002020-10-06T01:22:51.037+08:00Taking Someone's Position (3)<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> To fully grasp the weight of David's struggle for the next
part of his journey to the throne, I need to lay down a lot of background, so
that you know I am not just talking off the top of my head. We have to go all
the way back to the moment Israel decided to adopt a monarchy as their system
of leadership.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 8:4-5 (NIV) - So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to
Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow
your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">From a corporate point of view, we have an organization
deciding it is time to employ a CEO. They had a largely casual, family-based
tribal network before, but now they want to implement a formal and fixed
hierarchy. So they went to the recruiting agent, Samuel the prophet, and told
him the temp staff he recommended before (his own sons) were just not up to
par; so the people wanted a CEO and all the trappings that came with it. Of
course, Samuel felt it was his duty to explain to the people what all that
entails.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 8:11-17 (NIV) - “This is what the king who will reign over you will
claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his
chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will
assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to
plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war
and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and
cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive
groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and
of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and
female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his
own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become
his slaves."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The two core parts of an employment contract: the job
description and the pay and remuneration. Samuel here lists out factors such as
labour to manage his lands, the right to allocate human resources toward his
personal assets and to enjoy the best of the land. Some of them were common
sense; for the king to be able to run a country properly, he needed to have
authority and access to the necessary resources. Others were industry standard
for remuneration and reward for performing that role. Did Israel want to accept
the deal on those terms?</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>1 Samuel 8:19-20 (NIV) - "We want a king over us. Then
we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out
before us and fight our battles.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With that, the country entered into a spiritual agreement, a
promise of sorts, that they would render to a king those rights and privileges
in return for the king fighting for them and leading them into battle. Of
course, we all know that a king's role was more complex than that. A king had
to solve the nation's problems, arrange for the administration of justice and
make decisions on foreign policy (whom to ally with, trade with or to declare
war on). A king who only knew battle was no more than a glorified robber baron.
That said, the most crucial role a king had to play was that of fighting the
nation's battles. That aspect was the role that a king could not compromise on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As for David...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It looked good for David in the beginning. He went from
proving himself in his private battles (against the lion and the bear, 1 Samuel
17:34-35) to a public victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50) to a crucial next
step, leadership over a group of soldiers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 18:13, 16 (NIV) - So he sent David away from him and gave him command
over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all Israel and Judah loved David, because
he led them in their campaigns.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This meant that David had to grow in his leadership and
management skills. Not only did he need to have his own fighting ability, he
had to ensure that the men under his charge were fighting fit also. He had to
watch for their welfare and morale, as well as practice delegation, communication
and coordination. We would certainly agree that these were essential skills for
anyone in a position of leadership to possess. It looked like David's
apprenticeship for the throne was going along nicely.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then came the massive
spanner in the works. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Saul began in jealousy of the popular acclaim David
received, then progressed to believing David a threat to his throne, until Saul
ended up in full enmity with David (1 Samuel 18:29). All that eventually
erupted into an all-out attempt to eliminate David as a potential threat to his
throne. Over the following chapters, David escaped and sought to take care of
family from Saul's reprisals. Unexpectedly, he found himself sought out by a
different and unexpected group of people. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 22:1-2 (NIV) - David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When
his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him
there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered
around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with
him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bear in mind, Saul was always on a military recruiting
footing. He was constantly on the search for mighty or brave men to enlist into
his army (1 Samuel 14:52). Those were the type of men David led in his first
military command. Those were NOT the type of men David found himself leading
now. The men he led now were the rejects, those that Saul would not accept into
Israel's national army, or who for some reason or other had left or had been
expelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">So now David found his leadership responsibilities much more
challenging. He had:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Less men (from one thousand to about four hundred);</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Poorer quality (rejects from Saul's army, who either had
less talent or more character flaws, or both) </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">AND</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) NO access to resources to take care of his men.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And this is the HUGE
difference.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">How on earth do you feed four hundred men out of nowhere?
You cannot settle them down to start farming; that would only make it easier
for Saul and the army to track them down and finish them off. You cannot raise
herds, flocks and cattle, because these men had to remain mobile and ready to
flee at a moment's notice should they hear that Saul was on his way. Their only
hope was to find a sympathetic community that was large enough to support them
and yet be willing to hide the news of their presence. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">What did God do next? Did God bring David to a safe hideout
with easy access to food supplies and other resources? Or did God just expect
David to continue leading his people in battle anyway, for the sake of his
people Israel?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 23:1-5 (NIV) - When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting
against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” he inquired of the LORD,
saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The
LORD answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But
David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if
we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once
again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, “Go down to
Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” So David and
his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock.
He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">So even without resources, David still continued to serve in
the most crucial responsibility of a king: protecting the nation against her
enemies. He may have hoped that saving Keilah would have engendered some
gratitude that could have led to them hiding his men for some time and feeding
them, but that was not to be the case.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 23:10-13 (NIV) - David said, “LORD, God of Israel, your servant has
heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on
account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come
down, as your servant has heard? LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And
the LORD said, “He will.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Again
David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And
the LORD said, “They will.” So David and his men, about six hundred in number,
left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You cannot blame the people of Keilah. Saul had already
shown himself willing to kill the priests of the Lord because he thought they
were in cahoots with David. Of course he would show the people of Keilah not
even a smidgen of mercy. Thus David and his men had to leave Keilah even before
Saul arrived. You don't have to be a genius to figure out David and his men
were sorely disappointed; firstly, at the lack of gratitude, and secondly at
not having a place from where they could find the supplies they needed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was the difficulty David was in - he was doing the job
he was called to do, fulfilling the responsibilities of the role he was
anointed for, but WITHOUT the rewards or resources that would go with it. It is
easy to fulfill the tasks and responsibilities of kingship when you have access
to the resources and the manpower. The real test of a person's calling is
whether he or she remains faithful to the task, devoted to the people, even
without immediately receiving the rewards and resources that accompany the
role. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">David's only gain from saving Keilah? Getting another two
hundred followers. That meant at least two hundred mouths to feed. Not as if he
was doing very well in feeding the four hundred he already had in the first
place, right?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 23:13 (NIV) - So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left
Keilah and kept moving from place to place. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When you are in David's position, leading a troop of armed
men and with no access to food and other necessary supplies, you only have a
few options. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Become a raider/robber of God's people - essentially,
turn his army into a group of bandits.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Run an extortion/protection racket - a step up from being
bandits, true, but still wrong. You cannot justify threatening God's people
with death and destruction just to get food for yourself. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Find some rich community or landowner, protect his
possessions and his land for free, and hope that later he would, out of
goodwill, voluntarily share some of his bounty with you and your
followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 25:4-8 (NIV) -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While David was in
the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. So he sent ten young
men and said to them, “Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. Say
to him: ‘Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good
health to all that is yours!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“‘Now
I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did
not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was
missing. Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable
toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and
your son David whatever you can find for them.’”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Was it entirely by chance that David happened to be in the
vicinity of Nabal and his holdings? Or maybe David decided that looking for a
town to take shelter in was too risky; because the larger population and the
volume of human traffic meant that Saul would get word of his location easily.
Nabal fit David's desired demographic perfectly: he was wealthy enough to
support David's army, for at least a while, and there were fewer people in
Nabal's vicinity to bring word to King Saul.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is obvious that David would be quite pressurized by now.
He was running low on options and time. I wonder at times what David told his
men to discourage them from turning to banditry and preying on the rest of the
Israelites. In any case, David was to be disappointed again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 25:10-11 (NIV) -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nabal answered
David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants
are breaking away from their masters these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should I take my bread and water, and the
meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who
knows where?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And that was why David was so provoked by Nabal that he
wanted to slaughter an entire household (1 Samuel 25:22) over the insult.
Firstly the insult was totally uncalled for. David was not threatening to Nabal
and his household in anyway. Secondly David's men were an assuring protection
to Nabal's holdings. Consider:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Samuel 25:15-16 (NIV) - Yet these men were very good to us. They did not
mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was
missing. Night and day they were a wall around us the whole time we were
herding our sheep near them. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm skipping past how Abigail resolved the situation with
words of honour (in place of insult) and with provision (in place of
ingratitude). My point is, until David took refuge with Achish, King of Gath
(which I am very uncomfortable with), he was struggling to feed his men. He was
still trying to live as a king ought to, and without the necessary resources
and attendant rewards.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The point is...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I firmly believe this is a core part of the process, a key
aspect of David's journey to his destiny. He had to fulfill his
responsibilities as a king without the necessary resources, and while resisting
the temptation to extort the resources from the people of God. And, should you
be called in some way to walk the same path as David, that would be your
journey also.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You could be a worship leader, called to full-time ministry,
but because the doors are not yet open you are forced to work a day-job while volunteering
your gifts and abilities in church. You could be a bible teacher by calling,
and you spend hours and hours preparing your lesson plans and teaching
materials at your own expense. And in spite of getting little or no recognition
you keep seeing opportunities to serve AND God's hand of blessing upon your
work. You see people blessed through you and yet you yourself are not reaping
the rewards of your labour. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't misunderstand
me<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is God's plan and purpose that work be rewarded and
recompensed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1
Corinthians 9:7-10 (NKJV) - Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants
a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not
drink of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does
not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, “You
shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is
concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no
doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who
threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Should you ever be in a position where your work is not
rewarded, your first response should be to examine yourself to see what you are
doing wrong. Are you in the wrong industry or company? Or have you yet to learn
how to draw boundaries and enforce them? For most people, looking into these
aspects is enough to show them the cause and solution of the problem. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But should you find all this happening when you are growing
into your calling, and you find yourself struggling to take care of yourself
even while you are effectively blessing others, then take it to the Lord. Are
you in the same position as David, trying to fulfill the responsibilities
without the resources and the rewards?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">If so, you need to stay the course. You need to seek God for
wisdom day by day, week by week and even hour by hour. You need to guard your
heart; bitterness will be your worst enemy masquerading as a warm friend. And
of course NEVER walk this path without godly counsel; people whom you can trust
to pull you back on track should you ever begin to veer off into error,
self-righteousness or resentment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am NOT saying working without reward will automatically
cause God to open doors to the position you want and bring you there. A
situation like this is VERY rare. It is much more likely that someone would be
deceived into thinking working without reward is the way to get you the
position you desire. And that is setting yourself up for disappointment and
resentment when God does not give you what you have demanded for and presumed
you have earned. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But if you are one of the rare few, a man or woman after
God's heart, whom God has been patiently cultivating and raising for the
opportunity, then maybe this prophecy in Isaiah also applies to you in your
journey?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Isaiah
49:4 (NASB) - But I said, “I have toiled in vain,<br />
I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity;<br />
Yet surely the justice due to Me is with the Lord,<br />
And My reward with My God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conclusion - And if
you think all this is heavy, wait till you check out the last obstacle to clear
on the way to the throne. That is even harder to clear than what I talked about
here. Will get on with it as soon as I can. In the meantime, chew on this one
and let me know what you think?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-8508283000425816372020-08-09T18:12:00.000+08:002020-08-09T18:12:23.158+08:00Taking Someone's Position (2)<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you know me long enough, you'll know that I don't dream
big myself. I don't have dreams of setting up my own epic business empire or such. My life goals are much more niche!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">That said, I am always very keen to see the people around me dream
big, set big goals for their lives, and go out boldly to pursue them. Now
because life has bashed my head against the wall quite a few times, and because
I am a keen student of the mistakes of others, I have some sense of what is
necessary to make things happen. Not everyone else has that same sense...</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A boss recently talked with me about one of her new hires,
an employee who wanted to leave her small company after less than two weeks on
probation. Reasons he gave include 'This company is too small, I cant see any
progression. I dont want to be photostating stuff. i want to lead'. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(No, I did not miss
the typos in the texts, I left them there on purpose.) <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">He told her he wants to do business. He wants a lot from his
life. And when that is given as a reason for leaving her employment, it's clear he
thinks he is not going to get anywhere working at her company. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good thing David did
not think that way. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we last saw David, it was in 1 Sam 16:12 when he was
anointed king by the prophet Samuel. And very soon in the Scripture account,
David had his big break, his first open door, so to speak. He was appointed
official court musician out of nowhere, it seems. And it was one huge step
towards his destiny, yes?</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 Samuel 16:19-22
(NIV) - Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David,
who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of
wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. David came to
Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of
his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain
in my service, for I am pleased with him.”</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">But what if David disdained the opportunity? If he was
anything like the young man mentioned earlier, David could have said that he
was meant to be king, and wanted to be groomed as such, and not have to waste
his time as merely an entertainer or just a musician. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Thank God David was
too humble for that!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 Samuel 17:17-18
(NIV) - Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and
these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along
these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and
bring back some assurance from them.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the next chapter, we discover that even the court
appointment was not a full-time gig. He had to go home from court at times, and
when he was at home he went back to his menial duties. Over here, we see that
David had to do GrabFood delivery!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">David had to cycle being available to minister unto Saul and
going back to his original shepherd job. He could have let the lowliness of the
situation overcome him with resentment. He could have even pulled rank on his
family, so to speak, by reminding them he was anointed to be king; he ought not
to be thrown the work the rest of his brothers refused. David did not do
that.</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 Samuel 17:28 (NIV) -
When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned
with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did
you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and
how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The passage implies:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">1) his brothers did not take seriously the call upon David's
life;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">2) David himself was unassuming, doing whatever he was
ordered to do by his father. His promotion in the eyes of God did not fill him
with pride; he remained in submission to the authority of Jesse, his father. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Important<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even David's first big break, being appointed Saul's
personal musician, did not come out of nowhere either. Consider this passage.</span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1 Samuel 16:18 (NIV) -
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who
knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and
is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We can argue about the spiritual and practical significance
of the criteria David fulfilled to be chosen for that job. But this is
indisputable: David qualified for his first official appointment through all
the work he put in during his shepherding days. We will see from the rest of
his journey to the throne that after his first appointment, he still had other tests to pass along the way. Some of those tests were not as straightforward
to overcome!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The point of what I am saying is this: a lowly position is
where you get to build up faithfulness. That is where you get to
practice and try out skills AWAY from the harsh glare of public scrutiny. That
is where humility and patience are trained and cultivated. Why? Because if you
make any mistakes in humility and patience at that point, matters are less
likely to blow up in your face than if you make the same mistakes when you are
in a higher position. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am not saying that you should always choose the lower
position if doors open at the same time and you get to decide. What I am
saying is that if you find yourself stuck in a lowly position, or if the
opportunity you have is the only one that is available to you, then don't despise it.
Don't look down on doing cleaning, low grade paperwork or even just zapping
enough copies of lesson materials for children's classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">If all you have to do is run errands, then
run errands. Use the opportunity to pray and look out around you for things to
notice and people to observe (and maybe help). In the course of the mundane
life, you do not know when your burning bush experience will come, when God
uses something a little out of the ordinary to catch your attention and speak
to you. You do not know when the mundane tasks will turn out to be training you
in skills you need in the future, or if the smaller challenges you have to
overcome now in private are preparing you to overcome your Goliath in
public.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Luke 16:10 (ESV) - One
who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is
dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This one single passage is probably responsible for almost
everything of worth I have achieved in my life so far. May it encourage you in
your own journey also. There is still more to share about David's journey to
being fit to become king in Saul's place. See you at the next post!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-11946400591395379212020-07-24T12:27:00.000+08:002020-08-08T11:25:15.303+08:00Taking Someone's Position (1)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever had to take someone else's position before? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ever had to be the usurper, so to speak?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hesitate to post on this, because there are people out there who will take this teaching and use it to justify and rationalize plotting against their pastor, bosses and other leaders. But I soon figured out those people don't need excuses from me, they'd proceed no matter what I say. So for the benefit of everyone else, people who'd actually NEED this teaching, I'll proceed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Romans 13:1 (ESV) - <span class="text Rom-13-1" style="background-color: white;">Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So every person in authority has been appointed by God. Therefore, to plot against them, to seek to remove them from power, or even worse, to take their place, is an extremely serious matter. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Samuel 15:28 (ESV) - </span><span class="text 1Sam-15-28" id="en-ESV-7589" style="background-color: white;">And Samuel said to him, “The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have to be very clear - any removal of anyone from a position of authority has to start from God. If he did not decree it, it will not happen. And you risk very serious consequences, in both the material and in the spiritual realms, should you try. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Samuel 16:12 (ESV) - </span><span style="background-color: white;">And he sent and brought him in. Now he was </span><span style="background-color: white;">ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> said, </span><span style="background-color: white;">“Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Likewise for who is to be that leader's replacement. That is a decision to be made by God, not by us. It is not for you to desire and want to be the leader; it is for God to appoint you for it. And even if God himself has appointed you for it, there are still tests and trials ahead, tests and trials that you might very well fail and thus disqualify yourself.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What makes the whole thing very tricky is the fact that God looks at all these matters very differently from how we look at them.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you were to judge the reigns of Saul versus David, Saul did very little wrong compared to David. He lost his kingdom to David for the sin of sparing the Amalekites. Meanwhile, David messed up horribly compared to Saul. And yet God decreed the throne of David a throne that would endure forever. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What gives?</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This should fill us with humility and the desire to seek the Lord, to walk close with him every step of the way, and strive to obey him in every single area we can. Confidence in the flesh is VERY dangerous, and even more so should you be called by God to leadership in any way, shape or form. We are woefully inadequate to judge if God has withdrawn his support for any leader he has appointed. Does it happen? Yes, of course. But when? It is well nigh impossible for us to judge thus in the flesh. And even more so if you believe you are the one chosen by God to replace him or her. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Conclusion:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The entire Saul-David dynamic is very interesting to study. It raises questions for which there are sometimes no certain answers. I personally do not know any believer who had to walk David's path to take over someone else's kingdom, but I have read enough horror stories of what happens when people thought they were the David to replace a Saul, and they were wrong. The damage is extensive and far-reaching. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This thought should spur is to humility and walking closely with the Lord, true? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See you at the next post. Be blessed!</span></span>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-58444551220924946232019-06-26T15:46:00.000+08:002019-06-26T15:50:29.769+08:00Buy Time and Use Time Wisely<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I haven't been putting up teaching posts, because I have been really busy and tired out with work. Also, I wanted to do posts only if I could spend as much time and effort on them as I did in my earlier posts. That was unrealistic, to say the least. So, just to break the drought of posts, here is a simple one to get things going again. Hopefully...<br /><br /><em>2 Chronicles 17:3-5 (ESV) - The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand.</em><br /><br />Jehoshaphat had just ascended the throne. He decided in his heart to not follow the example of his father Asa, who rejected the LORD in the later part of his reign, but instead to seek the LORD fully. The LORD established the kingdom in his hand. Simply put, his devotion to the LORD gave him a good head start, a position of strength over his kingdom.<br /><br /><em>2 Chronicles 17:7-10 (ESV) - In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.<br /><br />And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat.</em><br /><br />Jehoshaphat used that time to teach the people the Word of God. He made the deliberate effort to raise national Scripture literacy levels. To him, it was not enough that his heart was in the right place, he wanted his people to be educated in the ways of the LORD and how to please him. <br /><br />Notice the result - because he sought to teach the Law of the LORD, the usual foreign enemies made no war against Jehoshapat. Of course, this was only a temporary reprieve; we know from the Scriptures that war eventually came against Judah later. But the point is this: the teaching of the Law bought him time even more time of peace, and allowed him to accumulate resources and prepare for war.<br /><br /><em>2 Chronicles 17:12-13 (ESV) - And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.</em><br /><strong><br />Lessons for us</strong><br />1) Start Well - set your heart upon the LORD. This is the essential foundation for everything else. It will bring us a basic level of success and prosperity. <br /><br />2) Feed on the Word of God - many people get complacent. "Ever since I believed in Jesus, my sickness went away and I got a promotion at work". That's absolutely wonderful, but don't stop there. This is the time to renew your mind and feed your spirit man on the Scriptures, so that you become stronger still.<br /><br />Hard truth - what helped you clear the easier trials and tests of faith is NOT going to be enough to clear you through what will come later. You need to continually grow in the LORD, to establish yourself more firmly in the faith. And a huge, huge part of that depends on the time you spend feeding yourself the Word of God. Use the time of peace to prepare yourself for the trials that will come, for they will come. <br /><br />3) Plan for Trouble - Part of preparing for trouble is of course spending time in the Scriptures. By now I am convicted that every believer needs to regularly read though the entire Bible every few years at least, to ensure that they have some hope of remembering the next Bible verse they need. I have been reading through the Bible once a year every year since 2016, and given the trials I face that is just a bare minimum. <br /><br />Another part of planning for trouble is being practical - save up money, don't splurge it unnecessarily Invest your money in what strengthens you (Jehoshaphat building fortresses and investing in troops) and build up supplies (Jehoshaphat building store cities). Build up your health, reduce your intake of unhealthy food, eat healthier food and get some proper exercise regularly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You don't want to face the trials of life broke and sick!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br /><br />I hate seeing believers get caught offguard when they are hit by the trials of life. What I often see is that they had a time of peace before that, but they failed to use that time well to prepare for trials. Don't let that happen to you, OK?</span></div>
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-69618443757226151682018-02-21T13:20:00.000+08:002018-02-22T15:07:19.690+08:00Flesh vs The Spirit<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Boasting and Persuasion</strong></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Boasting in the Flesh</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The older I get, the less keen I am to boast in the flesh. That, sadly, leads to a disconnect with people who don't hear well from the Spirit, but are much more familiar with their flesh. (I am using flesh, carnality and related terms here as a contrast to living by the Spirit)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apostle Paul had a problem with the carnal Corinthians. He found that just using the Word of God and showing the works of God were not convincing enough to them, so he felt driven to pen these words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>2 Corinthians 11:21-29 (NKJV) - But in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The key idea of Paul here: "I speak foolishly" and "I speak as a fool". In other words, Paul feels it is stupid that he even needs to bring up this topic, and that he feels embarrassed to have to appeal to his experiences rather than the Word of God and the works of God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>2 Corinthians 12:5-6 (NKJV) - Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The problem with boasting in the flesh is that it can cause misunderstandings. The carnal people speak to each other carnally, and they know what is meant. When the spiritual use carnal boasting, the carnal can easily misunderstand the words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Let me give you an example.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I first started playing drums for worship, it was at a mega-church. In other words, you know they had people to spare, they had standards and expectations from their musicians, and it meant that for me to play drums there at the age of 20, I was not a total incompetent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But if I were to talk of it, "I first started playing drums for worship at 20 years old, at a mega-church", there will be people to take it to mean I am really skilled or knowledgeable at drums. Nope, I wasn't. It's just that I was not totally incompetent. But I still had a lot to learn then, and I admit to my shame, I was quite arrogant and unteachable at that time. So I didn't learn as much as I could have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is why I'd rather not talk about that season. If I wanted to make a point about how drums were to be used in church, I would rather use logic, reason, Scripture (if applicable) and let my own ability speak for itself, if I was worth listening to or not. Look at my music, especially my playing, to see if you should give weight to my opinions on serving via music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But if someone less skilled than the 13 year-olds I taught drums to when I was 15 would say that when it comes to drums in church, I really don't get it (but he in his incompetence does), and if there are church leaders who would even give consideration to his words (to think he has a point when arguing against something I thought was common sense), that is when boasting in the flesh becomes necessary. I could understand that guy's arrogance, I mean, I was young and arrogant before too (except that I had more skills to back it up of course). But I could not understand if church leaders ever needed me to boast of my experience from the days I am now quite embarrassed about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>2 Corinthians 12:11-12 (NKJV) - I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am no apostle; signs and wonders for me measured in how seldom my boys are late for school even though I am the one in charge of getting them ready for school in the morning. In church I have a cushy ministry; I play music and get to call it serving the church, the people of God. Things cannot get much easier for me, so I don't get to boast of epic works of service. But in what I do know, I would say I know well, and I let those whom I have served decide for themselves if what I say is true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In other words, the sphere to which I have been appointed includes church music, especially in the churches I serve in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>2 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) - We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Persuading by the Spirit</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now outside of that, when it comes to other aspects of the believer's life, I would rather use the Scriptures as my authority. When dealing with an unpleasant situation, if the word of God has given clear enough guidelines, that is pretty much all there is to it. I don't know everything in the Bible as well as I'd like, so if there are Scripture passages or principles I missed, do tell me. But if I didn't miss anything but expressed the clear and complete teaching of the Bible on a particular question, the word of God should just settle it immediately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are enough rules and guidelines in the Bible on how to live life. God knows how many churches would be fine if the members were taught to follow Matthew 18 in dealing with conflicts. The book of Proverbs contains enough wisdom to keep us from marrying narcissistic sociopaths by mistake. The Psalms transmit the essence of worship and prayer in ways that conferences and seminars are woefully inadequate to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's sad that for many of my fellow Charismatics who call themselves Spirit-filled believers, they seem to think they have a Catholic-like dispensation, an exemption from the parts of the Bible they don't like. The believers I know from traditional churches are much more serious about obeying the Word, and if they disagree with me on something they have Scripture-based arguments that I can respect, even if I don't agree with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The carnal are good at coming up with excuses. "You don't understand", "You don't know what it's like", "You have never been through what I have been through". *shrug Show me from the Scriptures since when those are valid reasons for nullifying the Word of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong>Don't Get Me Wrong</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't obey ALL of the Bible either. I don't do everything I know from the Scriptures I ought to do. And because of that, I know I am NOT entitled to all the benefits of obedience. It is as simple as that. Any area of my life I do not obey the Scriptures in, is an area I cannot complain to God about when things go wrong or if I have no rest in my spirit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that is what I say to my fellow siblings-in-Christ. Obey the Scriptures, the best you can. Don't make excuses for not obeying, and later expect God to lavish on you the benefits of obedience anyway. Let me not have to boast in my flesh to tell you the Word of God will prevail. Let me not have to tell you stories of all the nasty lessons I learned from life because I was too stubborn to learn from God's Word directly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if God brings mentors into your path, for God's sake listen to them. Don't talk to them about how well you heard from God before, and that is why you don't need to obey the Scriptures immediately, now. A God-sent mentor can drastically level you up in your wisdom and following the ways of God. Empty your cup, be humble, let the Word of God through your mentor prune you further that you may bear much fruit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>John 15:2-3 (NKJV) - Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More blog posts coming up, God willing. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-5437455042924059522016-11-09T01:20:00.000+08:002016-11-09T01:20:08.801+08:00Michael Card - Biblical Imagination Series ReviewOne thing about me - I am an independent learner when it comes to the Bible. I don't go about chasing after the latest, greatest, flavour-of-the-month when it comes to Bible teachers. Why would I do that when I can just stay at home and read the Bible by myself? Of course there are other people who say the same thing, but not that many of them actually read the Bible. I do. I spend extended periods of time in the Scriptures and enjoy it.<br />
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But Michael Card has gotten me all excited about his Biblical Imagination Series!<br />
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The timing was interesting - I was going through the Gospel of John as part of my Bible reading plan this year and this time through I felt that I wasn't quite getting it. The Gospel of John wasn't quite sinking into me as much as usual. And just about that time I found out that <a href="http://soughtaftermusic.com/" target="_blank">Sought After Music</a> was bringing in Michael Card to teach on the Gospel of John, I just KNEW I had to be there.<br />
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And I certainly was not disappointed.<br />
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To humour those of us who knew him more for his songwriting than for his teaching, he began by singing three of his songs, including his classic El Shaddai.<br />
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Putting it simply, he was singing in Hebrew way before it was considered cool!<br />
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Then he went into his prologue, giving us a broad overview of Jesus as presented in the Gospels, pointing out details that make each Gospel account unique. For example, the Gospel of John only spoke about Jesus' emotions four times, while the Gospel of Mark had fifteen adjectives for Jesus' emotions. And Mr Card used this example to drive home his point - we not only have to listen to what the Gospels say, we also have to listen out for what they do NOT say.<br />
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Especially for the Gospel of John, what he does not say is very important to note. 92% of the Gospel of John does not occur in the other Gospels. Because yesterday's session was only the first part, Mr Card did not yet delve much into the Gospel of John yet. He did, however, point out that John was a preacher, who by the time he wrote the Gospel account would have had 50 years of preaching experience. He would therefore know through experience when we listeners would need help and would insert parenthetical statements to explain his point further.<br />
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For example:<br /><br />
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<span class="text John-7-2" id="en-NASB-26331" style="font-style: italic;">John 7:2-5 (NASB) - Now the feast of the Jews, <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26331D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26331D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>the Feast of Booths, was near.</span> <span class="text John-7-3" id="en-NASB-26332" style="font-style: italic;">Therefore His <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26332E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26332E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26332F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26332F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>disciples also may see Your works which You are doing.</span> <span class="text John-7-4" id="en-NASB-26333" style="font-style: italic;">For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”</span> <span class="text John-7-5" id="en-NASB-26334"><i style="text-decoration: underline;">For not even His <sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NASB-26334G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NASB-26334G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>brothers were believing in Him.</i> (emphasis mine)</span></blockquote>
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I am not going to go into more detail here, because there is no way I can do Mr Card's material and presentation justice. But I urge you, strongly urge you, to attend his teaching yourself. He teaches in a way that is possible only for people who have spent huge amounts of time and effort digging into the details of the Gospels, the historical context of the events and the nuances of the Biblical languages.<br />
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So turn up. Mr Card still has one more session on tonight (9th November 2016), 7.30 pm, at Bible House, 7 Armenian Street, 5th Level. Entry is at $40 for the session, and you'll have to hurry because the seating is limited. I'll certainly be there for tonight's session. Hope to see you there!<br />
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<br />Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-11372616573641623982016-11-08T17:29:00.000+08:002016-11-08T17:29:49.831+08:00Practice, practice, practice<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many adult students I have think it is much easier for
children to learn a music instrument. Having taught young children before, I
can tell you they face the same difficulties as the adults do: learning
physical coordination for a unfamiliar form of movement, learning how to read
music and think in the music language (especially the counts). I see them
struggle the same way we adults do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The main advantages children have, compared to us, are:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are used to struggling to learn anything.
They have just learned how to walk, they are in the midst of learning languages
and maybe even mathematics and all that. Everything was a struggle, they
learned nothing effortlessly. We adults are used to knowing what we are doing,
and sometimes the struggle of learning new things catches us by surprise.
Sometimes we let that overwhelm us into thinking things are more difficult than
they actually are. Nope, they are not. You want to know what’s difficult? A
young child learning English. That is so difficult it is a miracle that some
people succeed!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have fewer demands on their time. It’s
easier to get kids to practice an hour a day, or even more. We have to juggle
practice with work, family and church. That is why I respect those people who
make themselves available to serve at church even at a moment’s notice. Every
church needs a few of those in-case-of-emergency-break-glass people. It is a
big deal in my eyes!<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They also have parents to pay for the music
lessons for them. Admit it, people. No matter how much you currently earn, you
would still rather someone else pay for your music lessons and buy you your
first instrument, right?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But since we are adults, like it or not, we’ll just have to
make do with the time and resources we currently have. What then can we do to
best optimize our limited practice time?</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep turning up for lessons. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years I’ve seen many people will cancel a lesson if
they have not been practicing. By now I have taught even more adults than
children, and I know with absolute certainty these people end up not practicing
in the long run. This just doesn’t work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You people know I
don’t do a prima donna thing or throw tantrums during lessons if you don’t
measure up. If you don’t get things right I will tell you, but I still try to
show the fruit of the Spirit during lessons. I also pace out the lesson
contents so that as long as you keep turning up for lessons you WILL improve,
even if you don’t practice. And if you are having any difficulty getting the
hang of any particular lesson, lesson time gives me a better chance to figure
out what is actually going on and to help you work your way around your
difficulties. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So keep turning up!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Important point – when it comes to drums, turning up for
lessons is even more important than for other instruments such as piano.
Playing drums is a very physical activity, and if you are intending to practice
a lot by yourself I need to keep an eye on you to make sure you are not picking
up any bad habits. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fit practice into your lifestyle</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was always the weird guy in secondary school; I carried a
pair of drumsticks in my school bag every day. It didn’t help my dating life,
but I certainly got a lot of practice done! I have heard of people who work for
themselves, and when they want to learn guitar or keyboard they actually keep
those instruments in their offices and squeeze in some practice during their
lunchtime or during quieter afternoons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing the same for drums is of course a challenge, but there
are still things we can do to get more practice done. A pair of sticks and a
drum pad allows us to practice our single strokes and all that even on long bus
journeys. Listening to a metronome app on your phone while tapping your feet
helps you develop your sense of tempo even further. And any time you get to sit
down for a couple of minutes, on a train journey or waiting for your food at a
restaurant, is an opportunity to train your limb coordination with the ABC
drill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t think you can practice effectively only if you have
the proper drum set at home. In my generation, most drum students didn’t have
supportive parents or easy access to equipment, so we would make do with drum
sticks on the phone book (Yellow Pages), or set up cushions on the family sofa
just to have something to bang on. It actually allowed us to focus on getting
our movement correct (wrist, not arm) instead of getting distracted by all the
bells and whistles on the drum kit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those improvised practice sets could not
totally replace practicing on the actual drums, but they made sure that by the
time we could sit down there to practice, we could practice just what we needed
the kit for. No point trying out advanced snare and tom patterns if you can’t
even manage your sticks correctly, agree? </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Focus on the foundations</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I just said, there is no point trying out advanced snare
and tom patterns if you don’t manage your sticks properly. The foundations of
drumming are still essential and you still need to keep practicing them (I still do).</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Basic stick control (drum rudiments)<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hand-foot coordination; and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Counting (music pulse).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All these can be practiced with 2 chairs, a cushion (or drum
pad) and a pair of sticks. When you start practicing fills you can get away
with using 2 drum pads (to simulate the hi-hat and the snare). The point is
that you have to show yourself faithful with the little first before you can be
entrusted with much. We are now at the point of the lessons when we are
learning drum fills and how to apply them. Your hands have to move from the
hi-hat to the snare, the toms and the crash cymbal. If you will still continue
to practice those foundational skills you will find all of the other stuff you
are learning now much easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So do not despise
doing the paradiddle exercise I taught you in the first lesson. I still practice
that myself to maintain my basic coordination and stick work! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope all these thoughts help you get more out of your
practice from now on. See you at the next lesson! </span></div>
Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-38882947753058162702016-10-27T08:10:00.000+08:002016-11-08T17:21:51.311+08:00Videos? No CompetitionSome days I still get awestruck at the sheer volume of music teaching available on Youtube. If you price each lesson at $20, the total price of what has been shared there is well over the millions, of that I am certain. Sometimes I bemoan the fact that Youtube wasn’t available during my early days of learning music. If it was I would probably be 3-4 times better than I am now!<br />
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That said, however, the fact remains: you will ALWAYS need drum teachers, teaching face-to-face, live and in person. Even video conference lessons aren’t good enough, especially for beginners, for teaching the basics and foundations of drumming.<br />
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Why? Because drumming is a very physical art. A typical beginner starts with very poor kinaesthetic awareness. In plain English, most people aren’t very aware of where their limbs are, doing what and when. And that is why you people keep hearing me go like this during lessons:<br />
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<i>“Use wrist…”</i><br />
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<i>“Less elbow…’</i><br />
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<i>“Wrist…”</i><br />
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<i>“Shins 90 degrees to the ground”</i><br />
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<i>“Wrist…”</i><br />
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<i>“Wrist…”</i><br />
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<i>"Elbows more to the front…”</i><br />
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<i>“Wrist…”</i><br />
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Because drumming is very physical, you all need immediate feedback and correction when you are doing things incorrectly. Bad habits are hard to break, and they affect not only your playing but also your physical health. That is why I start our lessons off with warm-ups that improve your joint mobility. These exercises help rehab your arm joints before modern life messes them up for you, and help prevent problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome.<br />
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If you have difficulty coordinating your footwork with your hands, I have to prompt you during your practice as well, either by demo-ing before you in mirror image, or even by gently prodding your limbs with a drumstick here and there.<br />
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During every lesson I am also listening carefully to your playing and counting. I am listening out for hints of where you are unsure of the counts. If your counting is hazy, your playing will be hazy too. I change tempo on the metronome often to check for this as well. I don’t want you to end up being able to play beats or fills at only a few speeds and totally messing up at other speeds. <br />
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Many beginners mentally miss out the very last eighth-note count (quaver) of the bar. When that happens it affects your fills. I’ve heard countless wannabes who speed up the tempo after every drum fill. 80%-90% of the time it is because they mentally shaved off that final count of that bar, bringing the start of the next bar even sooner. So the song gets more rushed as it goes along.<br />
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Most of the time this is merely irritating to trained musicians. But playing drums for church has become more musically demanding over the past 10 years. Songs like “Beautiful One” by Tim Hughes or “Hosanna” by Hillsong are quite unforgiving; you have to get the tempo correct and maintain it for the whole song, or the worship leaders and the congregation can end up struggling to sing those songs properly. <br />
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That is all part and parcel of learning what it means to count, to establish and build upon the pulse of the music.<br />
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We are also starting to see the connection between what we sing and what we play on the drums, especially with what I call the “Stand-by-me beat”. This is my biggest value-aid: I teach drums based on what best supports the worship leader and the congregation. This is when counting aloud in earlier exercises start to pay off. The connection we established between your mouth and your limbs will help you match your drumming with the singing.<br />
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That makes your drumming a better support for the singing. I worked with drummers whose playing was based more on whatever funky grooves caught their fancy rather than what helped the singing. No matter how good they are, their playing would mechanical and disconnected at best. Very often the playing was distracting, making it hard for the congregation and worship leader to pay proper attention to what they are singing.. Of course I could tell such drummers what to play, but they would easily forget and go back to playing distracting stuff. The musicality was not built into them at the very beginning, so it got more difficult to add that in later on.<br />
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So this is what we are studying at this stage of your journey. Work hard on all this material now; we will soon be moving on to things you will actually be playing on the drums for worship.<br />
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See you at the next lesson!<br />
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-30483290453356376992016-10-12T12:12:00.002+08:002016-10-12T12:12:10.672+08:00Deserving of PityOffering the sacrifice of praise is pretty much ingrained into my lifestyle. I haven't got to the point when I would do the morning and evening sacrifices yet, but one or two sessions a day (outside of church) is still consistent.<br />
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Just yesterday I had this fiery dart hit me in the mind: if God can pretty much count on me to offer praise to him in the good times and bad, what motivation does he have to let me have more good days than bad?<br />
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<i>Psalm 103:11-14 (NIV 84) - </i><i>For as high as the heavens are above the earth,<br /> </i><i>so great is his love for those who fear him;</i><i>as far as the east is from the west,<br /> </i><i>so far has he removed our transgressions from us.</i><i>As a father has compassion on his children,<br /> </i><i>so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;</i><i>for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.</i></blockquote>
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The shield of faith went up - the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. The Lord has compassion on me. He has no obligation to bless me, to shield me from unnecessary evil, but he has compassion on me.</div>
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Moreover, this compassion is likened to that of a father with his children. That got to me. I certainly have compassion on my two sons. How many times have I seen they were really tired out and just let them sleep, while I settle things for them so everything would be OK by the time they wake up? How many times have I delayed waking up my younger boy from his nap, even though he really ought to be up and studying for his school exams? </div>
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The NKJV version of this verse uses the word "pity" instead of "compassion". I didn't like it, but now I realize that pity implies that the object of pity is in a sad state. No matter how blessed we are in our human lives, we are still in a pitiful state. Really. You can have power and influence, a close-knit and loving family, a few gazillion dollars in the bank and servants to do your bidding, you can have perfect physical health for yourself and your immediate family, but in God's eyes you still need pity, because we are still nowhere near the highly exalted state we would be when Christ is fully formed in us and is fully displayed in us. </div>
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Thoughts like this totally mess up my mind, but in a good way. :)</div>
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So God has no motivation to bless my life, except for his compassion. How confident am I in facing life? That would depend on how confident I am of God's compassion, right?</div>
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-8750966661510948362016-09-28T12:27:00.000+08:002016-09-28T12:27:32.145+08:00Your Drum Journey<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congratulations on starting your adventure into the world of drums! It will be challenging, confusing and yet satisfying, I assure you. Just so you know, here is the big picture for your drum lessons for the next 3-5 lessons. You will start learning the 3 foundations of playing drums, which are </span><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">basic stick control; </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">hand-foot coordination; and </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">counting (music pulse).</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Basic stick-control</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What’s the difference between just banging out rhythms on tables and walls (teenage boys do that all the time) and actually playing on the full drum kit? On the kit your playing has to be expressed through drumsticks. If you do not learn how to control the sticks properly, everything you do through your hands on the drums will be flawed. Once you have to play challenging stuff the flaws will become obvious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we aim to get some basic stick control first. Correct holding, correct wrist movement and all that. We all start with one hand weaker than the other, and the basic stick drills I teach will help you even it out for both hands and get both hands better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is important to do this from the get-go. I’ve seen way too many people think they can skip this stage at the beginning. By the time they have to work on it properly the bad habits are too strong, it is very painful to fix. I’ve had to undo my bad habits for piano and drums before, and I know: it’s much easier to get things correct the first time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hand-foot coordination</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the alphabet of drumming. They are not complex, but most normal people aren’t very well coordinated. The first few lessons help you build new connections within your brain, so that when new patterns and combinations come up your body is already primed to do them. You will also develop independence between your right hand and right foot. This is one of the trademarks of someone who has taken proper drum lessons before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Counting</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is about taking the pulse, the beat of the music, and knowing where everything you do on the drums fits in. People who are hazy about that are hazy in their drumming. Even worse, they are unable to adapt when the tempo of a song changes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been involved with the worship ministry for about 20 years by now, and sat through countless practices and auditions. I was once in the middle of playing a song (to audition someone on another instrument) when halfway through someone sat down behind the drums and tried to play along. He totally messed up because he could only play in one time-signature (don’t worry if you don’t know yet what that is) and the song I was doing was in a different one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If he had ever learned how to count, how to discern the pulse of the music, he would have either been able to create on the spot something that can fit, or he would have known what little he knew didn’t fit and not messed up the song for other people. When it was his turn to audition, the other musicians started off at one tempo, and when he started playing the drums he couldn’t latch on to their tempo to support them. He immediately dragged the music down to the tempo he knew. Now imagine him doing that for pretty much every song the band tries to do on a Sunday morning… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If he had been taught to count he would not have messed things up in the first place. But he never learned how to count. You can never say such people are rusty in their skills, they never had the skills in the first place! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Counting is vital. The drummer has one job in the band – to count. He or she has to count musically, to count dynamically, but to count. A drummer who cannot count is no drummer at all. And problems in any of the basics cannot be handled with a few tips and pointers during band rehearsals, they have to dealt with one-on-one in proper music lessons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Adaptability</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end, the goal of proper basics is to give you the ability to adapt. Without proper basics, “drummers” can play slow, they can play fast, but cannot manage anything in between. Without proper basics, drummers can play soft, they can play bleeding-from-ears-loud, but cannot manage anything in between. The basics are very important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Final note: don’t try to find shortcuts around what I teach you. Everything I teach now, and the way I teach now, is to prepare you for everything you’ll need to know for the next 4-6 months. If you come back to this post in a few months time you’ll understand on a deeper level what I am talking about here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you at the next lesson! </span><br />
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-7725057913401729422016-05-22T23:00:00.000+08:002016-05-22T23:00:05.526+08:00Wear White? Worldly Wisdom<div data-contents="true" is="null">
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<span data-offset-key="79mfr-0-0" is="null">To the Wear-White People </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="593um-0-0" is="null">Let me make it very clear: I am a conservative, evangelical Christian. I hereby challenge you, whom I consider siblings in the faith, to observe and consider your own actions. I put it to you that your actions and reasoning are worldly, carnal and will yield no fruit worthy of the Kingdom of God. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3sb7m-0-0" is="null">Why wear white to send a message? You want numbers to impress the press, society and LGBT activists. You want to put on a show of power. You are, at the root of it all, playing a political game. Now tell me, where in the Scriptures do you see the people of God trying to get their way by a show of power? </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fvqae-0-0" is="null">Public display? Let me remind you of where in Scriptures we have public displays, people trying to get their way with the powers that be, through a show of numbers. The first was astroturfing with Pontius Pilate, when the chief priests and elders of the Jews persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. Pilate saw he could not prevail, that a tumult was arising, so he gave in. (Matthew 27:20-24) The second was the public rally at Ephesus, when Demetrius stirred up the silversmiths to protest against Paul and his missionary efforts. It led to city-wide confusion that the civil service had to step in and remind the people to follow set procedures and go through official channels. (Acts 19:26-41)</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="fif8k-0-0" is="null"> I think these two examples from Scripture are sufficient to show that such mass movements to rally support and put on a show of power are carnal and worldly. You can say the Wear-White display is nowhere like these two examples. I say it is nothing like the approach and the ways shown us in Scripture either. When the Bible shows us the people of God maneuvering amongst political leaders, they operate behind the scenes. Two examples come to mind </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2grcg-0-0" is="null">Nehemiah – when he desired to rebuild Jerusalem, he first prayed, and then brought up the matter with King Artaxerxes at the opportune time. When Artaxerxes questioned him further, Nehemiah showed that he had already put in thought and planning (able to give the king a time-frame, Nehemiah 2:6). Nehemiah astutely managed the conversation with the King and persuaded the King to provide resources and building materials for the rebuilding. All this was done in a private conversation, not in a public debate. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4jsrd-0-0" is="null">More importantly, note that Nehemiah only began to rally public support among the Jews only AFTER he had the political support of the king (Nehemiah 2:17-18). If he did it the same way we are trying to do now, you can imagine what the king would have thought of the matter! </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="a8a4r-0-0" is="null">Mordecai – When Haman the Agagite sought to use state machinery to destroy the Jews within the Medo-Persian empire, Mordecai did not try to rally support amongst the Jews, nor did he try to call in political favours he was owed by that time (he had saved the king from an assassination attempt, that must have had some political clout). He called upon Queen Esther to use her influence to save the Jewish race (Esther 4:8). </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="aspaj-0-0" is="null">Even in the New Testament, Paul’s problem with the Ephesian rioters in Acts 19 was NOT handled with public confrontation or getting the believers in the city to put up their own power display. The political leaders contacted him behind the scenes and told him to just stay out of sight. If he had tried to counter the Ephesian rally with a rally of his own, you don’t have to be Einstein to figure out it would all turn out very badly! </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8uhe0-0-0" is="null">Finally, it is foolish to play political games with the LGBT activists. They know what they are doing, we have no clue. Example: one of the movies that was made with the deliberate purpose of eliciting sympathy for the LGBT cause grossed US$157.3 million in ticket sales in USA alone. And most of us Christians here in Singapore had no clue about that movie’s true purpose. Many of us probably watched the movie ourselves and even recommended our church friends to do the same. The figure of US$157.3 million, by the way, was only the first installment in the movie series, some of sequels grossed much, much more. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8ah0b-0-0" is="null">If we could not even discern this one move from one of their sympathizers, how can we expect to out-maneuver them in worldly wisdom? We cannot. Not only will we fail, we will fail miserably. I have read their playbook, people. And it amazes me how dense some people from the Love Singapore movement can be when I explain to them what the LGBT activists want to achieve and what frustrates them. Jesus told us Christians to be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. I’ve seen many of us get the two mixed up… </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6porg-0-0" is="null"><i>“Then what should we do, JJ? Nothing? Just let them have their way?” </i></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="40mku-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="40mku-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="40mku-0-0" is="null"><b>Pray. </b></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2gg8a-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span data-offset-key="2gg8a-0-0" is="null">2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NKJV) - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare </span><span data-offset-key="2gg8a-0-1" is="null">are</span><span data-offset-key="2gg8a-0-2" is="null"> not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds </span></i></blockquote>
</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5js45-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="5js45-0-0" is="null">And I don’t mean pray for Christian politicking to work. I don’t know everything about God, but I believe he has no interest in granting such a carnal, worldly prayer. There are so many prayers recorded for us in the Bible, we should be praying those. Note that the political efforts of Nehemiah and Esther & Mordecai were preceded by prayer. We too ought to pray. We should be praying until we catch the heart of God and receive heavenly wisdom, wisdom that is pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). We should be praying and seeking God until we truly perceive the glory of God. </span></div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9p3g9-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="9p3g9-0-0" is="null">And after that we are to display the glory of God.</span></div>
</div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="evkje-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="evkje-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-offset-key="evkje-0-0" is="null"><i>Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. </i></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="7adso" data-offset-key="7m4t0-0-0" is="null">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7m4t0-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="7m4t0-0-0" is="null">Contrary to what some of the LGBT community would say of us Christians, we aren’t all cruel, uncaring and merciless bigots. But the wear-white movement draws attention to a wear-white message, when God wants the community we are in to see ALL the good that we do. </span></div>
</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span data-offset-key="f5ouf-0-0" is="null">1 Peter 2:11-12 (NKJV) - Beloved, I beg </span><span data-offset-key="f5ouf-0-1" is="null">you</span><span data-offset-key="f5ouf-0-2" is="null"> as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by </span><span data-offset-key="f5ouf-0-3" is="null">your</span><span data-offset-key="f5ouf-0-4" is="null"> good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. </span></i></blockquote>
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<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="7adso" data-offset-key="7hkf2-0-0" is="null">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7hkf2-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="7hkf2-0-0" is="null">Do good works. Show kindness. Let them see what God the Father is like. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="_2cuy _3dgx" data-block="true" data-editor="7adso" data-offset-key="2uv3n-0-0" is="null">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2uv3n-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="2uv3n-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span data-offset-key="2uv3n-0-0" is="null"><i>Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV) - But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. </i></span></blockquote>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f0b22-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="f0b22-0-0" is="null">If we think the LGBT activists hate us and what we stand for, then we have instructions from Jesus to do good to them. And don’t think for a moment we can get-away with a passive-aggressive kind of thing, to buy a coffee or a meal for an activist just to make a condescending point. They won’t be impressed, and neither will God. We have to look into really seeking common ground with them. </span></div>
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<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1l7l9-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="1l7l9-0-0" is="null">For example, when there were gays beaten and even killed in Russia recently, how many of us believers mourned? How many of our churches here spoke up against the beatings and killings? The local LGBT activists could garner at best 200 signatures for their petition to the Russia Embassy. If just a few of our smaller churches started their own petition calling upon the Russian government to stop the hate crimes and violence, would we not easily garner more support than that? Would we not have sent a message to the community at large that God loves the world and we actually do something to show it? </span></div>
</div>
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<span data-offset-key="1vh67-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1vh67-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="1vh67-0-0" is="null">Another example – we all know the activists organize the Pink Dot gathering at Hong Lim Park pretty much every year. Did it ever occur to us that security is a concern for them? If any nutcase goes bonkers there and starts hurting or killing people… *shudder How many of us prayed for the safety of the people, that violence would not erupt there? </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8mgv1-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8mgv1-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="8mgv1-0-0" is="null">My point is this – there will be common ground between us and the LGBT activists. If we are active in doing good in the common ground, that will glorify God. For example, we don’t like to see an effeminate teenage boy get mocked, heckled or bullied in school. We don’t want to see teenagers estranged from their parents because of their sexuality and get chased out of their homes. Because of our resources and connections, we can actually actively help make things better for society even in such areas. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="3tuda-0-0" is="null"><br /></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3tuda-0-0" is="null">
<span data-offset-key="3tuda-0-0" is="null">And that is the opportunity we still have at this moment. Whatever message we want to send to the government, press, society and LGBT activists, the MOST important message is: God is real, God loves the world, and we Christians are out to show it. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7mrgo-0-0" is="null">Don’t tell me I am naïve, unaware of the agenda at hand, uninformed about the persecution that awaits us Christians should those lobbyists have their way. As I said earlier, I have read their playbook, I know what is up and coming. But I also know the Bible, I know how God wants us to live in these times. If we want God’s kind of results we cannot achieve them without doing things God’s way. If we want to know the will of God we have to first make sure we do not conform to the pattern of this world. It all boils down to this: how much do you believe God acts on behalf of those who wait for him (Isaiah 64:4)? I am betting on it, how about you? </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7mrgo-0-0" is="null">This was written in response to <iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="525" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D1019881158090347%26id%3D105020416243097%26substory_index%3D0&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe></span></div>
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-19770206621316022752016-03-31T10:44:00.001+08:002016-03-31T10:44:56.786+08:00Songwriting - Personal OpinionI spent slightly more than a month on night-time gig. It was an interesting one, an eye-opener for me in many aspects. We would regularly do a particular song as an instrumental, featuring a performer on the soprano saxophone. And after our set one of the singers would get on stage and sing the same song, but poorly (it seemed like he was making up all the lyrics as he went along, and in very weak English).<br />
<br />
Our drummer would comment, "There are how many billion songs on this planet, why must he choose that one?"<br />
<br />
That quite sums up my attitude towards songwriting for worship and for church use. We have a crazy number of songs available for church use these days, why would we need to write more?<br />
<br />
Of course, I know that is my personal opinion, and there are people in the body of Christ gifted and tasked to write more songs for church use. Barring any major changes, I won't do that myself, because:<br />
<br />
1) There is no assurance what I write is worth using in church;<br />
<br />
2) Even if it is worth using in church, it will still need lots of time and exposure to make it something usable, with the potential of becoming what I call a <a href="http://jvworship.blogspot.sg/2010/05/fallback-worship-song.html" target="_blank">Fallback Worship Song</a>. Given that there are many great songs already available and in use, should my time and effort be put there?<br />
<br />
3) I am not in the worship music business, with a quota of albums to create, produce and market. If you are, that's great for you. Be faithful to what God has put in your hand, OK? I am not, and so I see no need to come up with more songs to add to the millions already out in the church music scene.<br />
<br />
That said, I wrote a few songs more than 10 years ago. I might get around to recording them and putting them up somewhere. But don't hold your breath, I am no Chris Tomlin, in either quantity or quality of songwriting. I do better in taking someone else's song and making it better! :)Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-21961406615101082612016-03-10T00:38:00.001+08:002016-03-10T00:38:12.077+08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever felt cut off from God's goodness before? I know I have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I feel that way because of the current situations I am in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 27:11-12 (NIV) - Teach me your way, O Lord ; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the threats and problems are current, right in your face, so to speak, it is easy to get caught up with the danger and trial and lose focus on the good that God has promised to us. And yet that is when we need to be mindful of God's goodness the most.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i><i>Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) - I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.Wait for the Lord ; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord .</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I feel that way because of things I have done wrong before. When current trials hit, there always seems to be some bright spark around me who will say "If only that time you had (ABC) then you won't have to go through (XYZ) right now..." Other times I don't need that bright spark around; I remember my own failings and mistakes well enough, thank you very much!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lamentations 3:19-20 - I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At such times, this is THE big question - are my mistakes, sins, and failings bigger and more powerful than God's goodness?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lamentations 3:21-26 (NIV) - Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:<br />Because of the Lord 's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.<br />They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.<br />I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."<br />The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;<br />it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord .</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point of the above passage, however, is that it is NOT guaranteed that we will make it through the trial. It is NOT a given that we can clear past a particular storm or crisis. In other words, there is still a chance we will go under.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does it take to successfully make it through difficult seasons? It takes the goodness of the Lord. And how do we access it? The passage tells us "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him". How does one actually hope in the Lord? By seeking him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"... it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord"</i> - This tells me the deliverance of the Lord will most likely take time. And during that time, as we are enduring trials and difficulties, we have to continue to seek God. It is not for the faint-hearted or impatient. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeking the Lord will also enable us to discern if he wants us to plant ourselves down long term. Huh? Check this out:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NIV) - This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, </i><i>says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:</i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.</i><i>Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.</i> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i><i>Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into</i><i>exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember, these are people exiled from Israel as a punishment for their sins. Humanly, we would expect that God would either take them back to Israel swiftly as they submitted themselves to God's will, and so they should not be making long term plans; or that God had forsaken them, so they would just wither, shrivel up and fade into obscurity in Babylon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But God chose neither. He had the prophet Jeremiah admonish them to make long term plans, and even to pray to the Lord for Babylon to prosper. I cannot imagine how much this idea messed up their minds and their pre-conceived notions of God and his ways!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oftentimes it is much easier to stay out of trouble. God has already warned us in this Word that sin will have consequences, and we won't like them. God often gives us an uneasy feeling about people we really shouldn't associate with, as they can turn a good situation into bad. The book of Proverbs has MANY warnings that help us recognize problematic people, and avoiding them or backing out of partnership with them is a lot easier than dealing with all the grief they cause later, believe me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But once we are already mired in the problems, however, getting out of them, and more importantly, achieving God's purposes in the midst of them, takes a lot more wisdom to manage. We really can't see the big picture while we are caught up in the storm, so all we can do is listen to God and have him guide us one step at a time. We have to discipline ourselves to not give room for the flesh, the carnal nature, to rise up and goad us into doing things we will regret later. And we need to keep our hearts and minds on God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Romans 8:5-6 (NKJV) - <span class="text Rom-8-5" id="en-NKJV-28122" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">who live</span> according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. </span><span class="text Rom-8-6" id="en-NKJV-28123" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">For to be carnally minded <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</span> death, but to be spiritually minded <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</span> life and peace.</span></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May God continually guide and navigate us through life, and even more so during the difficult seasons! </span>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-15419344695146252002015-09-11T08:15:00.002+08:002015-09-11T10:39:18.869+08:00Scripture Snapshot - Thinking About PoliticsThinking in the long term, I care about politics because I care about the country and environment my children grow up in.<br />
<br />
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<i><span class="verse-17">Psalm 103:17-19 (NIV) - But
from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear
him, and his righteousness with their children's children -- </span><span class="verse-18">with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.</span><span class="verse-19">The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. </span></i></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19"><br /></span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19">But it is God's government that is truly important, no?</span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19"><br /></span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19"><i><span class="text Isa-9-6" id="en-NKJV-17836">Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV) - For unto us a Child is born, u</span><span class="text Isa-9-6">nto us a Son is given;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-6">And the government will be upon His shoulder.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-6">And His name will be called </span><span class="text Isa-9-6">Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-6">Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-7" id="en-NKJV-17837">Of the increase of His government and peace </span><span class="text Isa-9-7">there will be no end,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-7">Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-7">To order it and establish it with judgment and justice</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-7">From that time forward, even forever.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-9-7">The zeal of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts will perform this.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19"><br /></span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19">And God's government will only be fully established in Jesus. No point looking to men to establish it or make it work. In other words, put your hope in God, not men!</span></div>
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-17">
<span class="verse-19"><br /></span></div>
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<i>Psalm 94:20-23 (NKJV) - Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,</i></div>
<i><span class="text Ps-94-20">Have fellowship with You?</span><br /><span class="text Ps-94-21" id="en-NKJV-15453">They gather together against the life of the righteous, a</span><span class="text Ps-94-21">nd condemn innocent blood.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-94-22" id="en-NKJV-15454">But the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has been my defense, a</span><span class="text Ps-94-22">nd my God the rock of my refuge.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-94-23" id="en-NKJV-15455">He has brought on them their own iniquity, a</span><span class="text Ps-94-23">nd shall cut them off in their own wickedness;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-94-23">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> our God shall cut them off.</span></i><br />
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Over where I come from, Christians care more about what is legal than what is right. The above passage tells us that God cares about what is right. Condemning the innocent is an abomination to God...</div>
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<i>Psalm 75:6-10 (NKJV) - For exaltation comes neither from the east</i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-75-6">Nor from the west nor from the south.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-75-7" id="en-NKJV-15079">But God is the Judge: </span><span class="text Ps-75-7">He puts down one, a</span><span class="text Ps-75-7">nd exalts another.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-75-8" id="en-NKJV-15080">For in the hand of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> there is a cup, a</span><span class="text Ps-75-8">nd the wine is red;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-75-8">It is fully mixed, and He pours it out; s</span><span class="text Ps-75-8">urely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth</span><br /><span class="text Ps-75-8">Drain and drink down.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-75-9" id="en-NKJV-15081">But I will declare forever, </span><span class="text Ps-75-9">I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="text Ps-75-10" id="en-NKJV-15082">“All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, b</span><span class="text Ps-75-10">ut the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”</span></i></div>
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<span class="verse-19">... and eventually there will be a reckoning. We may see evil men in power now, but God will bring them down and raise up other people. So anticipate that process with much prayer!</span></div>
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<i><span class="verse-19">Psalm 107:39-42 (NKJV) - </span>When they are diminished and brought low</i></div>
<i><span class="text Ps-107-39">Through oppression, affliction, and sorrow,</span><br /><span class="text Ps-107-40" id="en-NKJV-15740">He pours contempt on princes, a</span><span class="text Ps-107-40">nd causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way;</span><br /><span class="text Ps-107-41" id="en-NKJV-15741">Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, a</span><span class="text Ps-107-41">nd makes their families like a flock.</span><br /><span class="text Ps-107-42" id="en-NKJV-15742">The righteous see it and rejoice, a</span><span class="text Ps-107-42">nd all iniquity stops its mouth.</span></i><br />
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<span class="verse-19">How does God judge princes? By how well the common citizens fare. That is God's heart for the people. Again, we see God's purpose and intent. But it is up to us to pray for it into reality.</span><br />
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<i><span class="verse-19">Isaiah 61:1-3 (NKJV) - </span>“The Spirit of the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> is upon Me,</i><br />
<i><span class="text Isa-61-1">Because the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has anointed Me</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-1">To preach good tidings to the poor;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-1">He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-1">To proclaim liberty to the captives,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-1">And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-2" id="en-NKJV-18846">To proclaim the acceptable year of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-2">And the day of vengeance of our God;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-2">To comfort all who mourn,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3" id="en-NKJV-18847">To console those who mourn in Zion,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">To give them beauty for ashes,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">The oil of joy for mourning,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">That they may be called trees of righteousness,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-61-3">The planting of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, that He may be glorified.”</span></i></div>
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<span class="verse-19">May this be the acceptable year of the Lord. May your Kingdom come and your will be done, Lord, on earth as it is in heaven!</span></div>
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-67823987879072930492015-04-14T11:52:00.000+08:002015-04-14T11:53:08.691+08:00After Resurrection Musings<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One problem with trying to understand the prophets: the sequence of events and themes isn’t always clear. After I looked at Isaiah 53, the next logical step would be to look at Isaiah 54. Here is what caught my attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 54:9-10 (NIV 84) - "To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the punishment for all my sin and transgression has been borne by Jesus on the cross, then logically speaking, God has no more reason to be angry with me ever again. I believe this applies in the sense of my relationship with God being secure. Of course my fellowship with God is NOT secure, and should never be taken for granted. If I choose to ignore God, neglect my prayer time and let dust gather on my Bible, I am out of fellowship with God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine, not hearing the voice of God, being deaf and blind to the leading of the Spirit, while being weak in the inner man because of not feeding on the Word of God. That is a very dangerous state to be in these last days!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 54:11-15 (NIV 84) - "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace. In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. </span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what or who is this afflicted city mentioned here?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On one level, it refers to the city of Jerusalem. We see the LORD speaking to Jerusalem in both Isaiah 51:17 and in Isaiah 52:1, and he does not address any other group of people until the start of Isaiah 55. That means that Isaiah 54:11 refers to Jerusalem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For us this can refer to the physical city of Jerusalem, or also the New Testament church</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hebrews 12:22 (ESV) - But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One mistake to watch out for – do not let the spiritual meaning negate the physical meaning. There will be people who think that this prophecy can apply to the spiritual Jerusalem, therefore it does not apply anymore to the physical Jerusalem. That would be like saying because this verse: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh“ (Gen 2:24) applies to Christ and his church (Eph 5:33) it does not apply to our earthly marriages. And Eph 5:33 shows that idea is clearly not Scriptural. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Two thoughts from this passage:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Move beyond an individual-based faith to a community-based faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our individual, personal faith-walk with the Lord is the foundation. We need to seek God for our own lives, to see his working in our day-to-day experience, to experience his promises fulfilled for us. If not we end up like some people I have seen, who spend more time praying for the church than for themselves, sound very spiritual and mature, and yet fight losing battles with their problems and addictions in their personal lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But after that foundation is laid, we must swiftly move on to praying for the community also. We can find many prophecies for Jerusalem in the Old Testament and prayers for the churches in the New Testament. If spiritual maturity is defined by how much the Bible reflects our lives, attention and priorities, then ignoring the community (Jerusalem or the church) is a clear sign of immaturity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So pray! Pray for yourself, pray for your local church, and pray for the church at large. No one with a Bible and an internet connection can ever say “I don’t know what to pray about”, it’s handed to us on a silver platter by modern technology. We have no excuse!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Pray for Jerusalem</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I set out to regularly pray for Jerusalem, I soon realized that there were many Scripture passages I could use. The above passage from Isaiah 54 is only just one example. Just casually reading through the book of Isaiah yields many prophecies for Jerusalem (and Zion) for us to use in our private prayer time. But if you are wondering how to get started, here’s a simple answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 122:6-9 (NKJV) - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls,</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Prosperity within your palaces.”</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say,</i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Peace be within you.” </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.</i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray that Jerusalem will experience the shalom of God, the peace, prosperity and well-being of God. And pray that there will be justice in Jerusalem, because the purpose of shalom is to order and establish his kingdom, the nation of Israel, with judgment and justice. In other words, shalom, judgment and justice will show the world what the rule of Christ truly is.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 9:7 (NKJV) - Of the increase of His government and peace</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There will be no end,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To order it and establish it with judgment and justice</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From that time forward, even forever.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’d better stop here before I get carried away by the Scriptures again. If so I’ll never stop writing. Chew on all this sharing for now, I need to go back to praying. Be blessed! </span><br />
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-61082433016786322052015-04-07T12:13:00.002+08:002015-04-07T12:13:56.141+08:00Good Friday Musings<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the Good Friday weekend, I went to relook Isaiah 53. For
my night-time Scripture reading with my boys, I took the time to read Isaiah 53
to them, even though they are old enough to read it themselves. I usually will
pay extra attention to these verses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV 84) - </i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he
was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and
the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All through the rest of the year I will prize divine healing
(at my age being sick sucketh, verily), but this season I wanted to really
meditate on the price paid for it, and for forgiveness and reconciliation with
God. Then this part of the chapter grabbed my attention.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 53:10-12 (NIV 84) - </i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to
suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his
offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his
hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be
satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will
bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and
he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto
death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“… the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand” –
Sometimes (OK, almost all the time) I think the will of God is frustrated or
even defeated. Let’s not look at all that is going wrong in the world, I just
need to look at my own struggles with following God. It seems to be getting
harder and harder, and I seem to fail more and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet in the midst of all that, the Word of God still
proclaims, “… the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand”. Just as it was
true in predicting the suffering, crucifying and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
it is true in declaring that the will of the LORD will prosper in the hands of
Christ. I, on my part, need to continually place every area of my life in his
hands, and it comes from specific, directed prayer. Which means listing out
everything that bugs me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV 84) - </i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that, by the way, explains why I always make time to
pray by myself, out of earshot of EVERYBODY in my family. My sons don’t need to
know that Daddy seems to be bugged by just about everything! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“…</i><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i> by his
knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their
iniquities.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will
justify many. Even those who mock him and ridicule his name now. Even those who
persecute his church. Just as he did for Saul on the road to Damascus, he can
do for the evil people of this day. I have been praying for them to be judged,
Jesus wants them to be saved, that his blood for them not be shed in vain. I
need some major repenting here!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“<span style="line-height: 115%;">For he
bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can’t bear the sin of others, but can I at least join my
Lord in making intercession for the transgressors? Knowing that I myself was
counted among them too?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this was what I was meditating on during the weekend. Be
blessed!</span></div>
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-21744840435261438062014-10-22T11:28:00.001+08:002014-10-22T11:28:44.345+08:00Faith for My Children<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven’t been posting here for a long time. Life has been a
relentless flood, problems with work, all the hassle and things that need to be
worked out for changing work, and my sons’ exams. The added pressure has been
testing my faith, for sure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One day, I realized why I was so uptight, unhappy, worried
and fearful: I did not really believe, deep in my heart, that God’s goodness
goes beyond me and extends to my children. Now once I figured that out, the
next step was to study the Scriptures to see what God has to say about it. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm
100:4-5 (NIV84) - <span class="versetext">Enter his gates with thanksgiving<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a> and his courts<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a> with praise; give thanks to him and
praise his name.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a> For the LORD is good<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a> and his
love endures forever;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a> his faithfulness<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"></a> continues
through all generations.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the passage that got me started nearly 20 years
ago, when I wanted to let the Bible teach me about worship. And it promises
that God’s faithfulness continues through all generations. Does that include my
children? The problem is that “generations” is too wide a scope for me. It
makes me imagine hordes and hordes of people, but not MY kids (which is what I
am really concerned about, right?).</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Genesis
26:4-5 (NKJV) - <span class="text">And I will make your descendants multiply as
the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in
your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; <sup> </sup>because
Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and
My laws.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God appeared to Isaac and made the above
promise, that he would be blessed, and that it was because of his father
Abraham. Don’t let yourself be intimidated by the part “… kept my charge, my
commandments, my statutes and my laws.” I know it sounded like Abraham
fulfilled all the commands in Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy, but
the fact is, God did NOT speak all those to Abraham. Study what God commanded
Abraham to do, and you will realize it is a lot simpler than what most of us
expect!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But all that is Abraham and Isaac. How
about us? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proverbs
14:26 (NIV84) - <span class="versetext">He who fears the LORD has a secure
fortress,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"></a> and for his children it will be a refuge.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me fearing the LORD will be a refuge for my children. There
are many things that the Bible defines as fearing the LORD, but they have
something in common: they are a refuge for my children. That means they help
protect them and shelter them in days that are increasingly dangerous and
treacherous for all who want to live godly lives unto the LORD.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what am I do to?
What is my part in all this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians
6:4 (NIV 84) - <span class="versetext">Fathers, do not exasperate your children;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David gives a guideline to what that means to me as a
father.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm
34:11-14 (NKJV) - <span class="text">Come, you children, listen to me;</span> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">I will teach you the fear of the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-14401">Who is the man who
desires life,</span> and loves many
days, that he may see good?</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-14402">Keep your tongue from evil,</span> and
your lips from speaking deceit.</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-14403">Depart from evil and do good;</span> Seek
peace and pursue it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as I labour in that (parenting IS hard work, don’t let
anyone convince you otherwise), I need a vision of my goal. “Begin with the end
in mind” is the management mantra that really applies here. What is the end I
desire to see for my sons?</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah
44:1-5 (NKJV) - <span class="text">“Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">and Israel
whom I have chosen.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-18536">Thus says the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> who made you</span> and formed you from the womb, </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">who will help you:</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text">‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have
chosen.</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-18537">For I will pour water on him who is
thirsty,</span> and floods on the dry ground;</span><br />
<span class="text">I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on
your offspring;</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-18538">They will spring up among the grass</span>
like willows by the watercourses.’</span><br />
<span class="text"><span id="en-NKJV-18539">One will say, ‘I am the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">’s’;</span>
another will call himself by
the name of Jacob;</span><br />
<span class="text">Another will write with
his hand, ‘The </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">’s,’ </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text">and name himself
by the name of Israel.</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sons are to see themselves as devoted to
the LORD, in both senses of the word: I have devoted them to the LORD and their
lives are given over to his loving hands, and they are to love the LORD
themselves, out of their own will, and be loyal to him. And God himself
promises to be devoted to them, to teach them himself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><i>Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV) - All your children shall be taught by the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i>,</i></span><i> and great shall be
the peace of your children.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span class="text"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Faith, confidence and assurance are to be
based on God’s word. Now that I have received light on the matter, I have to
keep the above Scriptures in front of my eyes (keep reading and re-reading
them) and in my heart (keep thinking about them) until they bring me the life
God promised (Proverbs 4:21-22). And if you are a parent, I hope this post will
encourage your heart and strengthen your resolve to raise children glorifying
the LORD. Be blessed!</span></span></div>
Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-14674999016532894872014-10-03T01:23:00.000+08:002014-10-03T01:23:46.725+08:00Praying Daniel Style 01<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently I have been going back to praying Daniel style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year I started praying Daniel style. I take the Hebrew words used to describe Daniel's prayer and search for other verses related to those words, then use them in prayer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For your reference, I blogged about those words here: - <a href="http://jvworship.blogspot.sg/2013/08/prayer-life-lessons.html">http://jvworship.blogspot.sg/2013/08/prayer-life-lessons.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are my passages for today:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1) Bless - </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 104:1-4 (NKJV) - Bless the Lord, O my soul!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">O Lord my God, You are very great:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are clothed with honor and majesty,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who makes the clouds His chariot,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who walks on the wings of the wind,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who makes His angels spirits,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His ministers a flame of fire.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2) Bow down </b>- I take this to refer to humbling myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1 Peter 5:5-7 (NKJV) - “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3) Give thanks (lift up hands) - </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 63:3-4 - Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4) To gush over, to pour out - </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the point I bring up whatever is on on my heart. Today I prayed especially for success in my work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5) To make supplication (implore for mercy) </b>- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah 30:18 (NIV 84) - Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The word for "gracious" in the above passage is taken from the same root as "make supplication". So today, instead of asking God for grace and mercy, I looked at his word to see his willingness to be merciful towards me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So that was my prayer outline for today. Hope you find it useful. Be blessed! </span>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-57601817088025863042014-09-30T12:15:00.001+08:002014-09-30T12:16:00.928+08:00Faith and Love Protect the Heart<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NKJV) - But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. </i></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. </i></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 (the middle paragraph above) was brought up during the church sermon on Sunday. It made me realize that I haven't looked at this passage for a while, so I spent some time on it this morning. "Watch and be sober", it says. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need to be sober to put on the breastplate of faith and love. It is especially telling that Paul compares faith and love to a breastplate (protecting the vital organs, especially the heart). I have been having my heart hurt often this year, in fact, my heart is danger of becoming sick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proverbs 13:12 (NIV 84) - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when hope is deferred, what else is there to protect the heart? Faith and love. So I have to make it a point to feed my faith by ramping up my Scripture time even more, as well as to keep myself in the love of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jude 20-21 (NKJV) - But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.</span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I keep myself in the love of God? By looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Which means that I am always on the look out for mercy, signs of his grace and help even in the midst of the trials or day-to-day life. So that summarizes what my spirit man is set on these days. Be blessed!</span>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-91298689541157413722014-08-15T23:19:00.000+08:002014-08-15T23:19:19.112+08:00Quick Update 02<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another passage on my heart recently</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>James 1:2-4 (NIV) - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. </i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trials test faith. The idea of “trials of many kinds” suggests that there is also faith of many kinds too, or at least faith applied in different areas of life and yielding different results. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Romans 14:1-4 (NIV) - Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One person’s faith holds him/her to stricter standards, another’s faith gives more latitude. I find it interesting that even Paul refused to specify one as better than another. If he doesn’t hold up one as higher or stronger than the other, why should we?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to the topic of trials – the purpose of trials is to bring maturity, and that requires perseverance. That finally started making sense to me, since any virtue is flawed unless it has perseverance to back it up. For example, compassion is weak if it cannot continue in the face of adversity. Humility in degrading situations has to persevere, or else it is unable to bear fruit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds good in theory. But in real life, when trials hit, we usually don’t know what they are for and how we ought to handle them. Sometimes trials require us to use our faith, to express our faith with specific works, in order that we may achieve the outcomes God desires for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>James 1:5-8 (NIV) - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. </i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we see the most basic application of faith – to ask for and receive wisdom. We can even say that without wisdom, we are unable to achieve the purpose of any trial, because we’d just be groping in the dark about what is happening and what to do to overcome that specific trial. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This tells me that one of the first areas a new believer has to be established in (after the Fatherhood of God and forgiveness of sin) is divine wisdom. The new believer has to be taught that God’s wisdom is above that of this world, he desires to impart wisdom to us, and what we, on our part, have to do to receive it in order to act upon it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>James 1:9-11 (NIV) - The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. </i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This passage has had me stumped for ages – humble circumstances are a high position? Riches are a low position? But it is starting to make sense to me these days. When we are in humble circumstances, the only high position we have is NOT of this world, it is in the eyes of God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV) - And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is when we are in humble circumstances that we most need to remind ourselves of how highly God has lifted us up in the heavenly realms. Problem is, the heavenly realms aren’t perceived by our earthly senses, they can be perceived only through faith. Hence the need for both faith to be tested (James 1:2) and for us to set our minds and hearts on things above (Colossians 3:1-2), as I said in my previous post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And when we are rich we should take pride in our low position. In what way are riches a low position? Earthly riches are so transient, they can fade away so quickly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Proverbs 23:4-5 (NKJV) - Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease. Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven. </i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earthly riches are transient, they can be lost so quickly. Every rich man knows that, anyone who has slogged for his or her millions knows how precarious that position is, that he or she is usually just one bad decision or one financial calamity away from losing everything. You don’t need the Bible to tell you that, life tells you that quickly enough! But the Bible goes a step further and tells is to take pride in it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Greek word translated as “take pride” (Kauchaomai, Strongs’ #2744) has the idea of boasting. When a rich person boasts of how precarious his wealth status is, that tells everyone not to look to him for help, to not envy him but to look beyond earthly wealth. And that means looking unto the LORD, maker of heaven and earth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe this explains what happened to David in Psalm 30. Could it be that he got caught up in his wealth and success and thought that they were secure even apart from God’s sustenance? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 30:6-7 (NIV) - When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suspect this is what God wants me to learn this season, that in the midst of my trials I have an exalted position in Christ, and even when my trials are over, any earthly success or reward I might get is transient, so fragile and able to fade away quickly. But earthly rewards are not all that I will receive when I make it through this season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>James 1:12 (NIV) - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a crown of life waiting for me. I don’t understand what it means, what it looks like, or if it is something I will receive in some way here on earth or only at the final judgment. All I know is that thinking about it makes my heart beat faster in anticipation and courage to arise again within me. That passage also tells me the secret to persevering under trial: love God. Keep loving God and that will ensure you make it through!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is my prayer for myself now, that God will keep that crown of life on my heart and strengthen my love for him even during this season. Is that your prayer too? I would to God that be so! </span><br />
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-11320576479255341352014-08-13T23:07:00.000+08:002014-08-13T23:07:48.849+08:00Quick Update<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(personal blog post) </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I know I haven’t been posting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life used to be ups and downs. Ever since I last posted it has been a lot of downs, to the point when I often can’t think straight. Whenever I see all that happening, I hunker down and go into crisis prayer mode. That means – no Scripture reading plan, and if I don’t think of any new Scripture passages to look at today I relook at whatever I meditated and prayed on yesterday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, I will usually try to relook at the previous day’s verses also, to further ram them into my mind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pain of this season is more acute because of how well things went last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Psalm 30:6-7 (NIV) - When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."1 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, I am thinking of just sharing in a small way the verses that are on my mind this season. Bear in mind, there is no plan, so don’t expect things to build one day on top of another. Here goes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1 Peter 1:3-5 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I have to put in effort into – keeping my mind on things above, especially when things below are going badly. Earthly problems have this way to shout loud in your mind in the voices of fear, anger and despair. And that makes it hard to remember the living hope I now have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the part that grabbed my attention – suffer grief in all kinds of trials. During the time of writing, the trials the believers faced were various forms of persecution for their faith. And let’s face it, no matter how bad things are at my side, I am still not persecuted for my faith in Christ yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the passage said “all kinds of trials”. Does that include many disappointments and let-downs in my teaching? Does that include my son’s injury and all the stress and hassle that follow? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>“All kinds of trials”. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am very much a Word-of-Faith person, and I believe that God prospers and heals his people. So I do get tired of people who say that they bearing with sickness glorifies God. Nope, it doesn’t. It makes people wonder if the Jesus you believe in, who healed multitudes of people during his ministry on earth, is unreal, misrepresented or uncaring. Who gets the praise, honour and glory, then?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe we do. I believe God is the one who will lavish on us praise, glory and honour at his chosen time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) - Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The salvation of our souls – if we take an expanded definition based on the Greek word sozo (Strong’s #4982, “make whole, to heal”, as in Mark 5:34), this also includes the healing and making whole of our souls. This ties in with Romans 5.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) - Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the midst of my trials, as light as they seem to my logical mind, my true character comes out. Eeewwwww, I don’t like what I see! And the only way to fix the character flaws and faults I see in myself right now, according to Romans 5, is to rejoice in my sufferings. Peter does not tell me just to rejoice, he says I can be filled with “an inexpressible and glorious joy”. How unreasonable! How ridiculous! How unbelieveable!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it is just so like God, isn’t it, to ask of me what I cannot reasonably accept or do, so that I have to trust wholly in his wisdom and empowering to do what he wants of me? OK, enough of this for now. Will post again soon, hopefully. See you then! </span><br />
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Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-8282721729609496362014-07-14T11:08:00.001+08:002014-07-14T11:09:41.033+08:00Is Substandard the New Normal?I am all about encouraging people to garner their courage and take a step out to play music for their church. But over the years I have seen way too many unprepared people thrown into the deep end of the pool too early, left to sink or swim (sink, more often than not). That's not doing anyone, the church or the wannabe musician, any favours.<br />
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Even worse, I have discovered that when you get unprepared musicians playing "live" for church too soon, their bad habits usually become permanent. Something that could have been learned with 6 months of lessons now becomes a bad habit that takes 1-2 years to fix. And the unlearning and relearning process is painful (been there, done that).<br />
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<b>Confession time</b> - I too have contributed to such a culture. I have simplified stuff and cut things down to their bare essentials when teaching music for church. I guess that has unleashed the floodgates, sending people the idea that things can be simplified even further. And after some time music foundations (which take a long time to build) get short shrift in the quest to churn out "servers" for church, who feel better about their playing than they ought to. <br />
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The only way to get some semblance of music skill from such servers is by feeding them cheap, simplistic music formula. But if they believe too strongly the cheap music formula they are given, they become unable to pick up mistakes in their own playing.<br />
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<b>Let me share my experience:</b><br />
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When I was a teenager, I started learning drums. I played in the school marching band, and so had a decent idea and grasp of snare drum rudiments. But when I shifted to the drum kit I had no one to teach me how to play rim shots or cross-stick. I made up my own approximations. When my own approximations did not sound like the professionals I assumed it was because the professionals had sound engineering to make them sound better, so if they gave me the same sound engineering and mixing I of course would sound just as good.<br />
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In the end, it got so bad that I thought my “boom pat” on the kick and snare was on par with the professionals’ “boom THWACK!” I heard my playing as the same as theirs. Looking back I cannot believe I had THAT much hubris!<br />
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This doesn’t just apply to musicians. It can also apply to singers. I worked with a singer who was not very fluent with English, but did her best to sing English songs because her church needed her to lead worship in English (God bless her heart). Whenever I pointed out to her any pronunciation mistakes she made, she would say that’s what she heard from the video/MP3. I tried my best to ignore those mistakes, but I had enough when I heard her sing the song “Worthy is the Lamb” by Hillsong. There is one line that is “crown him now with many crowns” and she sang it as “clown him now with many clowns”. No, I doubt Hillsong sang it like that!<br />
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But that is the problem when mistakes become habits. After some time we can’t even hear them anymore and we think our music/singing is doing just fine. We mentally tune out any extra high G notes on the guitar that clash with the B minor chord, or we play a pad sound on the synthesizer, hold it down with the sustain pedal, and leave it there even if we played the wrong notes in the first place or it no longer fits the chords of the song. When I was taking music lessons at Yamaha we used to laugh at a one-chord-fits-all kind of playing. I never thought our little insider joke from all those years ago would ever be seen as acceptable playing in a church… <br />
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<b>To sum up what I am saying:</b><br />
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<i>Proverbs 28:19 (NIV) - Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.</i></blockquote>
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Don’t fantasize of waking up overnight and suddenly having musical skill and ability you did not work for. Don’t dream that amateur bumbling and noodling around will lead to skill that people who have put in proper work will envy. There are some shortcuts to certain aspects of music skill, but don’t ever let yourself think that practice and training will always be fun and easy. It is always fun and easy only for boring children’s music. The Levites in the Old Testament initially started serving from 30 years old onwards (1 Chr 23:3) and that was later changed to 20 years of age onwards (1 Chr 23:24). Even then I don’t think they played kiddie music in church!<br />
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OK, I am going to chill now and get on with my regular life. Be blessed!Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30031469.post-42660724554673306552014-03-05T13:55:00.000+08:002014-03-05T13:55:57.879+08:00In His Presence We Are Equal<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This has been burning in my heart recently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been going through a tough season recently ("again, JJ?" Yes, again). And the past few times these happened I have been looking at others with envy. Some people just don't have the responsibilities and challenges I have. Others cope with them so much better, either because of natural ability, wiser decisions in the past or help from supportive friends and family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whichever case it may be, it pains me to look at their lives and see how they do better than me. Facebook is NOT your friend at this point! I find it difficult to rejoice with those who rejoice these days, as the Bible admonishes me to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet on the other side, I am sure there are people who envy me. I have decent music skills and I am quite effective in using them in the service of God. I have two healthy sons, and despite the different challenges they give me in parenting them, they are good kids. They are turning out better than I have reason to expect, and for that I really have to thank God for his grace and mercy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>This is before I start comparing myself from people who are less well-off than I am.</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years I had people sign-up for my mailing list and every email I sent on worship ministry was an excuse for them to ask me to send them money. :) The fact is that there are believers from the poorer countries that look at Christians from other countries as money-channels to be tapped and exploited. They will always say that they are serious about serving God, have no support from their own churches, and want me to go over and hold worship concerts for them. Then they expect me to pay my own way and give them money too, while they use the concert as a chance to raise funds from their fellow church-mates and countrymen. They get to keep all the money they raise of course...</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*shrug*</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's tempting to be judgmental, but I have experienced extended seasons of lack and know firsthand how much it crushes the soul and affects the thinking. After some time you will start getting bitter and think you are entitled to help from others. Once you start thinking like that it is VERY difficult to breakout of that mindset and start trusting God to bring us to maturity and to make things work. So I sympathize with them. Not enough to do what they want, but enough to at least not name and shame them publicly.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In His Presence We Are Equal</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I realized: when we worship God and experience his presence through the Holy Spirit, we are equal. I don't get any less of God's presence than the people I envy. And I don't get any more than the people who envy me. I might be better able to perceive it and recognize it, because my heart may be less cluttered with worries and the things of this world (notice I said "less"), but God is with us the same. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me make it even clearer - when we worship God we all have the same access to his presence manifested in our lives. The guy with a divinely-blessed family and earning more in one month than I do in one year gets as much of God as I do. The guy with sick kids and struggling to pay his bills or even feed his kids gets as much of God as I do. The woman with a great career and less family responsibilities gets as much of God as the bereaved widow struggling to stay strong for her kids. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what?</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When God is with us, he can bring help to us in our troubles.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV) - <span class="text Ps-46-1">God is our refuge and strength, </span></span></em><br />
<span class="text Ps-46-1"></span><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-1">an ever-present help in trouble.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-46-2" id="en-NIVUK-14617">Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way</span></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Ps-46-2"> </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-2">and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-46-3" id="en-NIVUK-14618">though its waters roar and foam </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3">and the mountains quake with their surging.</span></span></span></em></blockquote>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we cannot expect things to happen automatically without any action on our part. We have to prepare the way for God to act, to show that we are humbly trusting in him and depending on him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3"><em>Psalm 50:23 (NIV 84) - He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way </em></span></span><em>so that I may show him</em><em> the salvation of God.</em></span></blockquote>
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every time we enter the presence of God through worship, there is that divine potential. It may be seen as the power of God present to heal the sick (Luke 5:17) or God delivering us from our adversaries (2 Chronicles 20:22-23). Every time I worship God I don't know what he will do for me that session. Sometimes I get wisdom and insights, sometimes I receive comfort and strength. I won't know what to expect. I only know that God is worthy of my praise regardless of what happens, but as I praise him I can expect good to happen. </span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I trust him enough to let him decide on how and when he wishes to bless me. As long as his presence goes with me, I know everything will work out.</span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Most Importantly....</strong></span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">... His presence is with YOU. </span></span><br />
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<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-46-3" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same God that is with me is with you, if you are a believer of Christ and a child of God (John 1:12). And you get the same presence of God that I get. Can I just encourage you to make full use of this privilege? Be found in his presence worshiping him and praising him, he will take care of you! Be blessed! </span></span>Junjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772599769450509807noreply@blogger.com0