The Cross
A young man was at the end of his road , seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
***
When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.
***
YOUR CROSS
Whatever your cross
Whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine
After the rain Perhaps you may stumble
Perhaps even fall
But God's always there
To help you through it all ______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sand & Stone
Sand & Stone
A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."
They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."
______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
at http://www.hlce.org.my
©HLCE 2000-2005
A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."
They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."
The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."
______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
at http://www.hlce.org.my
©HLCE 2000-2005
'It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere.'
'It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere.'
That must be one of the most common statements I hear when people first start talking about faith. What do you think about that statement? Personally, I don't think these people really mean what they are saying, at least not literally. If you are walking on a lake that's covered with one inch of ice, no matter how sincere you are in believing you can do it, you are in for a cold soaking at best. If someone encourages you to try, "as long as you're sincere," they are no friend! The issue is less the sincerity or intensity of your faith than it is the trustworthiness of the object of your faith: Is it solid enough, deep enough, trustworthy enough, to be capable of holding your weight?"....
Brian D. McLaren in Finding Faith: A Search for What Makes Sense
www.Zondervan.com
Live Life Inspired.
That must be one of the most common statements I hear when people first start talking about faith. What do you think about that statement? Personally, I don't think these people really mean what they are saying, at least not literally. If you are walking on a lake that's covered with one inch of ice, no matter how sincere you are in believing you can do it, you are in for a cold soaking at best. If someone encourages you to try, "as long as you're sincere," they are no friend! The issue is less the sincerity or intensity of your faith than it is the trustworthiness of the object of your faith: Is it solid enough, deep enough, trustworthy enough, to be capable of holding your weight?"....
Brian D. McLaren in Finding Faith: A Search for What Makes Sense
www.Zondervan.com
Live Life Inspired.
EIGHT GIFTS
EIGHT GIFTS
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING... But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION... Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER... Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE... It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT... A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR... Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE... There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION... The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. Really, it's not that hard to say Hello or Thank You.
______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING... But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION... Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER... Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE... It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT... A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR... Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE... There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION... The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. Really, it's not that hard to say Hello or Thank You.
______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
Asked From God
Asked From God
I asked God to take away my pain
God said, No.
It is not for Me to take away, but for you to give it up
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea. ______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
I asked God to take away my pain
God said, No.
It is not for Me to take away, but for you to give it up
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea. ______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
Living Excellently for God
Living Excellently for God
Philippians 3:7-11
Mr Daniel Ho
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead..." Phil 3:7-11 NIV
Introduction
God's ideal for His people – abundance, prosperous and a life of blessings.
His requirements – obedience and loyalty.
Examples of success and failures in individuals and the nation of Israel in the OT.
The NT shows how a relationship with God was possible for all people, opening a new living way through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Heb 10:20).
The example of the life of Paul, 1Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17. He was confident in telling the church "Be followers of me as I am of Christ". How is this possible for us to live excellently for God?
Choose Christ
Verse 7 - ..for the sake of Christ..
When face with decisions that will draw us from Christ, choose Christ.
Maybe costly especially in career and ambition. Choose a career that is not based on remuneration only but one that will enable you to serve in the church, be active in your family and improve society.
Choice is ours, God does not force on us His will.
The Bible is not a book of rules and regulations. It gives us principles. It shows us what happened to people who make wrong choice because they want their own will. Jesus when faced with a difficult choice was able to pray, "Not my will but yours be done".
The Holy Spirit helps us by giving us wisdom, strength and discernment.
Can never go wrong when we choose Christ.
Know Christ
Verse 8 ..surpassing greatness of knowing Christ..
How can we know God unless He reveals Himself to us? Apostle John writing to gentile believers explains this in the first chapter of John. The author of Hebrews says that God reveals Himself through his son, Jesus Christ.
Some practical ways of knowing Christ is daily reading of His Word and Prayer.
Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God This belief in God comes by reflection and quiet confidence in God.
The example of Mary and Martha by the author of "The cloud of unknowing" The Lord does not reject what we do for Him but better is the life of contemplation.
It is internalizing that relationship and knowledge of God; it is reflected by the serenity which is difficult for the world to understand. The Desert Fathers understood this as they retreated from the busy world into the desert.
AW Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy :"A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical Christian living as well"
Believe Christ
Verse 9 ..having a righteousness.. which is through faith in Christ..
In order to live excellently for God, it begins with faith in Christ. There will be times when we fail but we should not give up.
Wang Min Dow who suffered many, many years of imprisonment in China, failed when he was first tested with his faith in Christ. He was so ashamed the first time when he was asked to recant that he went out shouting "I betrayed my Lord".
To live excellently for God is to have faith in His son, Jesus Christ. The ancient Church Fathers when faced with death for their faith would reply, "I believe in Jesus who died for me because it is incredible. I believe He rose from the dead because it is impossible".
Our faith in Christ is visible in our attitudes, character and deeds. These are consistent throughout the day in whatever situation we may be in.
We are consistent in how we treat others, the young, the lowly and those superior to us. We are not a chameleon, the lizard that changes itself in different environment.
Our faith in Christ is tested all the time because Christ paid a price to redeem us. He is our master and which slave is greater than his master?
Our faith in Christ will mean that we live a life that will look forward to His second coming. It will also mean that we are involved in evangelism and missions. If we believe the only way to God is through the righteousness of His Son, then we must be making that known to others.
Conclusion
Living a life of excellence for the glory of God is expected of every believer in Christ. It begins with a choice. It involves a diligent desire to want to know Him better and living a righteous life of faith. It involves the will and may we have the courage to pray like what our lord and master prayed, "Not my will but yours be done". Amen.
Philippians 3:7-11
Mr Daniel Ho
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead..." Phil 3:7-11 NIV
Introduction
God's ideal for His people – abundance, prosperous and a life of blessings.
His requirements – obedience and loyalty.
Examples of success and failures in individuals and the nation of Israel in the OT.
The NT shows how a relationship with God was possible for all people, opening a new living way through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Heb 10:20).
The example of the life of Paul, 1Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17. He was confident in telling the church "Be followers of me as I am of Christ". How is this possible for us to live excellently for God?
Choose Christ
Verse 7 - ..for the sake of Christ..
When face with decisions that will draw us from Christ, choose Christ.
Maybe costly especially in career and ambition. Choose a career that is not based on remuneration only but one that will enable you to serve in the church, be active in your family and improve society.
Choice is ours, God does not force on us His will.
The Bible is not a book of rules and regulations. It gives us principles. It shows us what happened to people who make wrong choice because they want their own will. Jesus when faced with a difficult choice was able to pray, "Not my will but yours be done".
The Holy Spirit helps us by giving us wisdom, strength and discernment.
Can never go wrong when we choose Christ.
Know Christ
Verse 8 ..surpassing greatness of knowing Christ..
How can we know God unless He reveals Himself to us? Apostle John writing to gentile believers explains this in the first chapter of John. The author of Hebrews says that God reveals Himself through his son, Jesus Christ.
Some practical ways of knowing Christ is daily reading of His Word and Prayer.
Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God This belief in God comes by reflection and quiet confidence in God.
The example of Mary and Martha by the author of "The cloud of unknowing" The Lord does not reject what we do for Him but better is the life of contemplation.
It is internalizing that relationship and knowledge of God; it is reflected by the serenity which is difficult for the world to understand. The Desert Fathers understood this as they retreated from the busy world into the desert.
AW Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy :"A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical Christian living as well"
Believe Christ
Verse 9 ..having a righteousness.. which is through faith in Christ..
In order to live excellently for God, it begins with faith in Christ. There will be times when we fail but we should not give up.
Wang Min Dow who suffered many, many years of imprisonment in China, failed when he was first tested with his faith in Christ. He was so ashamed the first time when he was asked to recant that he went out shouting "I betrayed my Lord".
To live excellently for God is to have faith in His son, Jesus Christ. The ancient Church Fathers when faced with death for their faith would reply, "I believe in Jesus who died for me because it is incredible. I believe He rose from the dead because it is impossible".
Our faith in Christ is visible in our attitudes, character and deeds. These are consistent throughout the day in whatever situation we may be in.
We are consistent in how we treat others, the young, the lowly and those superior to us. We are not a chameleon, the lizard that changes itself in different environment.
Our faith in Christ is tested all the time because Christ paid a price to redeem us. He is our master and which slave is greater than his master?
Our faith in Christ will mean that we live a life that will look forward to His second coming. It will also mean that we are involved in evangelism and missions. If we believe the only way to God is through the righteousness of His Son, then we must be making that known to others.
Conclusion
Living a life of excellence for the glory of God is expected of every believer in Christ. It begins with a choice. It involves a diligent desire to want to know Him better and living a righteous life of faith. It involves the will and may we have the courage to pray like what our lord and master prayed, "Not my will but yours be done". Amen.
The True Life Partner
The True Life Partner
Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant who had 4 wives.
He loved his fourth wife the most, because she was the most beautiful one amongst his other wives, and gave her a lot of his riches and wealth.
This man was very proud of his third wife and always tried to introduce her to all his friends, though he was always worried if his wife would run away with other guy.
He loved his second wife very much, because she was patient and understanding. Whenever he had problem, he always asked for her opinion; she was the one he could rely on. Through difficult times, the second wife always helped and was always by her husband’s side.
His first wife was a faithful partner. She always brought goodness for the family. She was the one who took care and organized her husband’s business. Unfortunately, the merchant did not love her that much. Although the first wife loved the merchant so much, he did not really care about her.
One day, the merchant was very sick and realized that he was going to die soon; so he called for all his wives.
He asked his fourth wife, “You are the one I love the most, I gave you beautiful dresses and jewelries. Would you accompany me?”
His wife was stuck shut, then she answered him, “Of course I wouldn’t!” then she left without another word. That answer hurt the merchant’s heart so much.
Then, he asked his third wife, “I too love you with all my heart and, this time, my life will be over. Would you go with me?”
The wife answered, “Life is so beautiful here, I will marry again if you die.”
The merchant was very struck with her saying.
Again, he asked his second wife, “I always turned to you every time I have problems and you always helped me. Now, I really need your help. If I die, would you stand beside me?”
The wife quietly answered, “Please forgive me,” she said, “I cannot help you this time. I can only see to your grave. However, I’ll make a beautiful burial plot for you.”
The answer was like a striking lightning. The merchant felt so hopeless.
Suddenly, he heard a voice, “I will stay with you. I’ll go wherever you go. I won’t leave you, I’ll be faithful to you.”
The merchant looked to his side and saw his first wife there. She looked so thin, like a person in starvation.
Feeling very sorry, the merchant whispered, “If only I could take care of you while I could, you won’t look like this my wife.”
In this life, we all have 4 wives.
The fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and money we spent to make it look beautiful and handsome, everything will be gone. It would quickly leave us when we passed away. There will not be any beauty left when we see Him face to face.
The third wife is our social status and wealth. When we passed away, everything that we have will be others’. It will leave and forget its owner.
Our second wife is our relatives and friends. No matter how close our relationship to them, they will not be with us forever. They will only accompany us to our grave. The first wife is our soul and truth. Maybe we often ignore and forget about them for the sake of wealth and our personal pleasure. However, the truth is that, only our soul and our truth that will always be and be faithful to us wherever we go. If our soul clings to Jesus and we do good deeds in truth, it will lead us to eternal life. ______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant who had 4 wives.
He loved his fourth wife the most, because she was the most beautiful one amongst his other wives, and gave her a lot of his riches and wealth.
This man was very proud of his third wife and always tried to introduce her to all his friends, though he was always worried if his wife would run away with other guy.
He loved his second wife very much, because she was patient and understanding. Whenever he had problem, he always asked for her opinion; she was the one he could rely on. Through difficult times, the second wife always helped and was always by her husband’s side.
His first wife was a faithful partner. She always brought goodness for the family. She was the one who took care and organized her husband’s business. Unfortunately, the merchant did not love her that much. Although the first wife loved the merchant so much, he did not really care about her.
One day, the merchant was very sick and realized that he was going to die soon; so he called for all his wives.
He asked his fourth wife, “You are the one I love the most, I gave you beautiful dresses and jewelries. Would you accompany me?”
His wife was stuck shut, then she answered him, “Of course I wouldn’t!” then she left without another word. That answer hurt the merchant’s heart so much.
Then, he asked his third wife, “I too love you with all my heart and, this time, my life will be over. Would you go with me?”
The wife answered, “Life is so beautiful here, I will marry again if you die.”
The merchant was very struck with her saying.
Again, he asked his second wife, “I always turned to you every time I have problems and you always helped me. Now, I really need your help. If I die, would you stand beside me?”
The wife quietly answered, “Please forgive me,” she said, “I cannot help you this time. I can only see to your grave. However, I’ll make a beautiful burial plot for you.”
The answer was like a striking lightning. The merchant felt so hopeless.
Suddenly, he heard a voice, “I will stay with you. I’ll go wherever you go. I won’t leave you, I’ll be faithful to you.”
The merchant looked to his side and saw his first wife there. She looked so thin, like a person in starvation.
Feeling very sorry, the merchant whispered, “If only I could take care of you while I could, you won’t look like this my wife.”
In this life, we all have 4 wives.
The fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and money we spent to make it look beautiful and handsome, everything will be gone. It would quickly leave us when we passed away. There will not be any beauty left when we see Him face to face.
The third wife is our social status and wealth. When we passed away, everything that we have will be others’. It will leave and forget its owner.
Our second wife is our relatives and friends. No matter how close our relationship to them, they will not be with us forever. They will only accompany us to our grave. The first wife is our soul and truth. Maybe we often ignore and forget about them for the sake of wealth and our personal pleasure. However, the truth is that, only our soul and our truth that will always be and be faithful to us wherever we go. If our soul clings to Jesus and we do good deeds in truth, it will lead us to eternal life. ______________________________________________________________________
HLCE Online is on the web
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