Yah...it's a busy Sunday. Started with children ministry in the morning. Followed by camp briefing, and children ministry briefing for the camp. Then a book fair visit for children present. And last, PC show for myself and my bro present. Thought to leave by 4 pm, at the end i left abt 5 pm. Reached home probably 6 pm.

TG however for Don Moen's beautiful song lead. I enjoy his songs. And to my dear housemate who played his songs....hahaha...you may never know how much i like Don Moen n his songs :p

Monday again,
This morning as i meditate on my life (haven't finished yet). Few things i remember...about salt that prevent decay (in decaying workplace), also prayer for enemies...

Ok, the rest of update i hope will do it soon. There're still many works left unfinished.

These last few days i received more than 'normal' SMS about problems in life. Either directly or indirectly, health problem from minor scratch to unknown disease, works piling up because not enough people, differences in ministries and over small matters, and finding time for my own....

During those trying moments, i find myself easily irritated and fight my own way. When another SMS with 'bad' news came, my face will turn darker. When my plan is cancelled or ruined of unexpected thing, the color turn darker..

Yah...during these days that I grow to know God more. How he dealt very gently with me. Using all the turn-down moments for better things. When my own plan was completely blown up, he made a better things out of new plan. Even when i missed the bus, he gave me better transport. Out of all the 'errors' and 'mistakes' and another 'bad' SMS, all ends were good. Even when i was contemplating to take matters at my own hands (finally restrained), God dealt bountifully and his goodness again and again convicts my guilty heart.

Again as i'm meditating on the issue of leadership & servanthood, I'm brought to see again the beautiful Psalm:
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He leads me beside still waters. He makes me lie down in green pastures".


What skillful hands he has lead me.
I shall have no wants
For your faithfulness and love
They follow after me
As i follow thee Lord
You lead me besides the still waters
And make me lie down in green pastures
Eventhough i shall walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I shall fear no evil
For You are with me Lord.
With your skillful hands.
You shepherd me.

Perhaps it's really necessary for me to laugh more.
And God surely has sense of humor.
Tonite watch Shrek3...and had good laugh :D
Haha...yah..i am quite surprised if i enjoyed for most people rate it as ok...to me was very funny

ok then...yah...just glad to receive this timely need from God.
As we pray: "Give us today our daily bread".

This morning during the service, they asked the fathers to stand up and receive gift
I'd been noticing about the Father's Day event, but not paying specific attention to the exact date. I guessed it's today then

The thought is still lingering in my mind.
Surely it's one of memorable time in my life.
I never forget having a wonderful father
As i said to him many years back
"Not a perfect man
But to me, you're the best dad."

I do still think the same today
Growing up man myself
I'm more aware of the faulties within
and how vulnerable man myself

Thanks for showing me a glimpse of manhood
And being very dedicated father
The love that was real
And that enduring willpower

I do still remember the words on that day
Unless a kernel falls and dies,
it remains only a single seed.
If it dies, produces many seeds.

Despite my own weaknesses.
I will take heart and stand strong.
Till i complete my course.
And see u again, on the side of glory

During last week camp, there's this question on attitude towards vengeance & unforgiveness. I thought they're the same. After short clarification, i found out they're not quite the same
Unforgiveness means that i'm harboring resentment against the person (actually stronger than just being resentful). And vengeance means that i would like to settle the score with the person. In fact i think they're quite mutually exclusive.

By default, i should have this bad trait of vengeance and unforgiveness.....till i saw it few days ago..
I never thought myself as someone with such "darkness" inside, till i was concious that i'm smiling on my friend's difficulties and my heart saying "Yes, you deserve it." It doesn't take long to search within and find evidences of vengeance inside. It's not the big thing like making even eye for eye, or money for money, etc.....but it takes form of simple satisfaction when others suffer, or received bad luck, or in distress...

So yah... i've one demon to slay. On more serious side, this morning i was reading an account of man named Obadiah. Still thinking what his name means. I'm much impressed by this man. And there're few lessons i learned (thinking to write another entry on this). The link between Obadiah and Vengeance is the fear of God. For it's written that Obadiah fears God, and also not recorded how he took vengeance upon evil king named Ahab. If i were Obadiah, most probably i would take my vengeance...either by poisoning him or abandoning him in his distress....Yet Obadiah remains in Ahab's service.

And through such man's life, i learnt a new meaning of fear God. For it's written in another part: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." I don't take vengeance because it's God's right. And if i fear Him (by not taking something belongs to Him), rightly i will abandon the path of vengeance. I may forgive the person, but another thing to leave vengeance on God's hands. In fact, i should cry "Father forgive them for they know not what they're doing."

1 Kings 18:3 - "Obadiah feared the Lord greatly".

I thank God for such man. Through the short account of his life and actions, I've benefited much.

1. Serving unrighteous ruler
Often times we think it's impossible, or it's silly to serve unrighteous person, group, kingdom. But here a man who feared God and served perhaps the most unrighteous person in Israel's history. Of course Obadiah didn't serve the unrighteous activities (for he took courage and life to save 100 prophets). But he served the unrighteous person; another.

2. No fear of man
The effect of him fearing God that he did not fear man. The reason that he rebelled against Jezebel actions simply because he feared God. For how could he feared God if he followed or accomodated the killing of His servants? On that line, he chose where he stood.

3. Feared greatly
As if it's not enough to fear God, Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. And it's clearly visible through his actions not only hid the 100 prophets. But the length of his actions, that he splitted them in 2 groups, and fed them with water & bread. I couldn't imagine the risk he took, and the 'gamble' he actually willing to take. To hide 2 groups of 50 people? And he fed them? With water and bread when the whole country in shortage of water of 3 years? I couldn't imagine how he did it. And it's simply to show how greatly Obaiah feared God.

4. It's built up from young
In verse 12, he declared that it's from youth he'd feared God. Such fear didn't come immediately or overnight. It's cultivated and grew through the years. Till it became great. It's not a small thing to fear God. And may through the years, it matures and produces abundant fruits of righteousness.

What an amazing man

This morning as i walked down to work again,
remember of this song (in bahasa indonesia)
Selalu Hu gembalaku
Bri hatiku senang
Di padang hijau. Di tepi
Telaga air tenang


Once again i'm marvelled at those words
Short, simple, hit the point, and yet so meaningful.
It says:
Selalu (always) ... what an assurance
Hu (You) ... what a closeness
gembala ... what a figure
Ku (my) ... finally the assurance is for ME

And the next sentences put it beautifully...
Only near Him my heart at rest
And in fact...i desire nothing else
For all goodness are His

(below i leave to ur imagination :p)
Selalu  ;   Hu  ;   gembala  ;   Ku .....
Bri    hati    Ku    senang ....)
Di    padang    hijau.....
Di    tepi telaga    air    tenang.