Matthew 17:20. He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
My friend's favorite hymn is Come Thou Fount, and every time I heard this hymn, I think of them.
I love how music can trigger memories, experiences, sensations.
But it is the same old song you say, well, I agree with the artists, it just doesn't grow old, because the message is still as relevant today as it was yesterday.
Happy Birthday YY. You can join us in worshiping together, by downloading the hymn from Noisetrade.com. @resonate_church You can grab all the chords here.
Let illness not hold us back from doing the work God has called us to do. The lead vocalist from The Ember Days was really too ill to sing. But that didn't stop her and her band from following through with God's plan.
Lately a few sisters from church were heading to a mission trip, but in ill health, yet, they did not stop to rest, they pushed through, for His glory.
The Ember Days acoustic sessions reminds me of Gungor, beautiful one. It's the same spirit-filled mesmerizing intimate feel. But they are from down under- well New Zealand.
Chord charts available on their website. Their website takes a while to load, but do check them out. They are funny and talented.
Free download from noisetrade.com. @TheEmberDays #theemberdays #freemusic #morethanyouthink
A E
You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low
A E
What they said wasn't true, you're beautiful
D E
Sticks and stones break your bones, I know what you're feeling
D E
Words like those won't steal your glow, you're one in a million
D E
This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
I get a bit nostalgic when I see things like stop motion. David Crowder Band's MV was based on lite-bright stop motion. It reminds me of playing with the etch sketch when I was younger. I was so enthusiastic about the toy when I first got it, and after a while, it was abandoned, I don't actually know where the toy is anymore.
When we first get to know Jesus and salvation, we are totally overwhelmed and excited. It's an amazing love and we just want to tell everyone about it. We want to shine so everyone can see it. But then as the years go by, does your light get brighter? Or is it just like my old toys, abandoned for newer things.
In the last few months, I have had clients that have suffered so much at their young age. I struggle to find a way to help them forgive their past. How can they forgive people who have caused them so much pain?
We too have caused God a great deal of pain. Yet, while we were still sinners, still hurting God, he chose to come and die for us. And in this, he showed us how to forgive.
Building 429's new album comes out TODAY! It's the same artists that bought us "Where I belong" which was really my anthem last year. If you feel the winter blues, feel sluggish or just bored. It's time to Get up!
As Christians, we were born again not just to fill up empty bleachers and seats at church. Our hands were made to reach out. If you aren't currently serving in church, have you considered getting up?
There are so many options, Worship ministry, Children's ministry, Outreach ministries, bible study leaders and helpers, etc.
Klove's free song this week is : Get up by Building 429
I had over 200 hits on my original post featuring Sanctus Real's promises a year ago. And now I'm revisiting the song because, this week's klove free song is promises- by sanctus real.
I've been feeling a little off recently. I know my God is real and he loves me so much, but I'm just overwhelmed by his amazing plans for me. Even though I could see him working all along, it's just so crazy how he pays attention to the little details in my life.
In sickness, in poverty, in stress, in depression, in suffering, in heart break, in mind-blanks. Hold on to the promises ~ because God does work for the good of those called according to his purpose. Don't forget to thank him :)
As stubborn as I am, I'm pretty weak. I've had to make some pretty tough decisions lately. It would be much easier to call it quits and deal with the consequences later. But a wise friend of mine sent me a letter and reminded me that I should carefully consider my decisions.
Sometimes it's hard to differentiate hurdles in front of us. Are they challenges from God we are meant to overcome? Are they signs from God that we should give up and change directions?
Yes. We can walk away. But for the right reasons. "I don't want to be someone who walks away so easily".
Enjoy this version of I won't give up- Christian style :)
I woke up this morning to find out I won an Aurora bangle from Trollbeads Australia. I never appreciated glass beads until I visited the Tacoma Glass Museum in the United States last year and watched the master and his team making a masterpiece together.
The glass elements were heated and poked at, heated and rolled around, heated and blown, heated and rubbed. After hours and hours of this continued shaping, changing and evolving, the final product was born. It was spectacular, all the onlookers gave a roar.
It gave me a brand new appreciation of glass artwork. Without the fire, the heat, the rubbing, the rolling, the poking, the artwork would have never been so beautiful. At the same time, we have to realize that Life is Beautiful because there are births, there is laughter, there is peace and dancing. Life is also beautiful because of hardships, tears. Because on the other side of hardships, we are evolving into something more beautiful.
Who is my God? He is the great I AM. To me, God is existence itself.
I am so humbled and grateful for all the blessings in my life. Over the last 12 months alone, I have so much to be thankful for. Every step of the way, my God has shown me that he is there with me. I am blessed with friends that are there besides me even when I am moody, stressed and busy. I am blessed with a family who puts up with the needy me. I am blessed with the many opportunities including in teaching, in travelling, in sharing the gospel. I am blessed with a functioning body. I am blessed with every breathe that I take.
Thank you.
I had a fantastic birthday yesterday. Even though I didn't have any parties, but in my busy day, God gave me surprise after surprise after surprise. I'm currently working hard towards PhD completion, and I'm unsure what is on the other side of that, but I know, my God will be there, just as he has been, always.
This week's Klove free song is Jesus a Firm Foundation. It's part of a album with revamped traditional hymns by leading Christian artists. In most churches today, hymnals stay on the seats and the congregation focuses their attention to big projection screens. While there are great modern christian songs, there is such richness in traditional hymns. Yet, the four part harmonies in which these are based are seen as out dated.
It was so exciting to find out about this new album which marries the traditional hymns with modern interpretations. Hopefully, this will prolong the relevance of the stories and meanings behind these hymns. Hymns include: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, I surrender all, Blessed assurance, it is well (oh my soul).
In my church, we have been praying for the health of various people. Every week, we are praying for recovery from cancer, heart attacks, etc. Our God is so powerful that he can heal the sick, bring the dead back to life. But how strong is our faith? Will we stay faithful even if the healing doesn't come?
This week's klove free song is: Even if by Kutless. Claim by 29/4/2013.
"What does blue sky mean in chinese?" It's a bit of a joke in my family, because mum underestimates my brother's ability in chinese and often asks him if he understands the simplest of things.
I am so thankful that my mum bought us up answering questions and asking questions. My current supervisors are most impressed with my willingness to ask questions. Asking questions is so helpful in the learning process. Why is that so? Why did you do that? Why do you think the client acted that way? What do you think? What can I do better?
By asking questions, we can also understand life and the world around us more.
When I woke today, I was greeted with the news of a death. Rick Warren's son lost his battle to depression. When a suicide happens, people are left asking why, they maybe shocked, they may be reminded of someone else close to them, or a number of other reactions. Depression doesn't just happen to the few. Depression is real and it maybe more common than you think.
1 in 4 Australian women will suffer from depression. 1 in 3 will experience anxiety. Men also suffer at similar rates (1 in 8 for depression, 1 in 5 for anxiety). http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Signs and symptoms include: low motivation, prevailing sadness, self-defeating thoughts, constant fatigue, etc.
GPs and trained mental health professionals can help you get better (Who can assist). There are also things you can do including (1) reaching out to friends and family (2) exercise (3) prayer.
When we cry out to God in our despair, he answers us. If we cry out to him and cry out to him and cry out to him, we might not get an answer straight away. But indeed, he hears us. I've found that when I am down and out, God reaches out to me and holds me through the storm. Though I may not like to be sick, not like to fail or not like to feel sad, but it's at these times of my life where I truly hand it all over to God. I guess that is a positive of being down...
This is certainly food for thought. Do you love me enough to let me go?
In an interview about the song, the lead artist from Switchfoot talks about how love songs are typically about loving forever, or about a love that is possessive. The bible talks about the ultimate love, the ultimate act of love. God didn't demonstrate his love for us by suffocating us with love. God didn't demonstrate his love for us by transporting us straight to heaven. He loved his son.
Romans 5:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I'm writing my first letter to my new sponsor child Sam. One of the questions they suggests is "what do you want to do when you grow up". I'm not sure what his answer will be, but I am sure if I asked my sunday school kids, the answer will undoubtedly be different.
I am currently pondering which job I should take out of the offers that I have been given, or to continue to apply and wait for an ideal offer. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, people are struggling to keep afloat given the recent financial crisis, or trying to simply stay alive in war-torn countries. There are those wandering around in our community with serious mental health issues that prohibits them from gaining employment. There are struggling single mothers/fathers. There are children who are forced to be adults.
This is absolutely ludicrous. There is such disparity in the world, and here we are worrying about first world problems. Everyday we hear of new charities, new things to donate time and money towards. It may seem overwhelming and we might forget certain causes after they are out of the media spotlight. Or you may think you have already done your part by donating $X amount each year towards X charity.
BUT OUR WORK IS NEVER FINISHED. Why doesn't God just automatically teleport every christian to heaven as soon as they believe? Isn't it because this is the time of grace and there are some things we can only do on this side of heaven. We give because we love, and we love, because Christ loved us. Let's meet the physical needs of those around us and win one more for Jesus!
Lately, I've been working with children who are suffering mental health problems partly due to their parents behavior. In the past their parents may have neglected them, may have done things to them, may have used drugs during pregnancy And despite all this, you know what? All they wanted was for their parent to be there for a particular birthday party or school event.
Parents bring their kids into therapy expecting us to fix the kid and give them a perfect kid afterwards. But the reality is, parents must also be committed to becoming like new parents. This change is HARD. And some aren't willing to change. But for those who are willing to give it a shot, the rewards are well worth it.
Movie Summary: A nerdy accountant encounters a thief while he is shopping at a costume store. He takes matters into his own hands and saves the owner. After this incident he trains himself to be fitter and better. He is approached by one of the witnesses with the costume as a gift. Pretty soon he finds himself labeled a hero and a symbol of hope for the citizens of America. News headlines are constantly reporting about him and everyday people are standing up for themselves.
But things don't last and he is betrayed by the very person who gave him the costume. He is accused of trying to romance a single mother out of her money and put to public shame.
Despite all of this, he is still somebody's hero.
