Australia Day Celebration 2017

I have a great time celebrating Australia Day with my evening class.

My Update

It's been a while since I last updated my blog. I'm doing fine enjoying my life in Sydney.

Why and how can we forgive our offender?

When You Are Rejected, Choose to Forgive
by Tom Holladay


“You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

It’s tough being rejected, especially when it is by someone you love. It might be one of your kids, your spouse, or a close friend. But the Bible says you need to forgive that person because God forgave you.

The key to being able to forgive somebody is in today’s verse. It’s the word “remember”. When you remember what Jesus Christ did for you, then you have the power to forgive somebody else.

If you hold on to the hurt, it will only end up hurting you. When you don’t forgive others, it creates bitterness and anger in you. It will eat you up on the inside and drain you of your energy, leaving you tired all the time.

Every time you start to feel bitterness towards someone, remember Jesus on the cross, how he loved you enough to give his life so your sins can be forgiven. He was rejected and insulted as he hung there, but he looked at everyone and prayed, “Father, forgive them. They do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV).

In complete meekness and humility, Jesus gave his life because he loves you. He wasn’t thinking of himself; he was thinking of you. Peter says, “They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things straight” (1 Peter 2:23 MSG).

The definition of forgiveness is found in two words in that verse: “let God.” You let God set things right. Forgiveness is not about trusting the person again or forgetting everything that happened. It’s about putting the situation in God’s hands instead of seeking revenge or holding a grudge.

As you read this, someone might be coming to mind. Don’t wait. Take a moment right now to pray this prayer: “God, I am giving you this hurt right now. I am letting it go to you. You’re in charge. Enable me to forgive the person who hurt me.”

This probably won’t be the last time you pray that prayer. If it’s a deep hurt, you might have to pray that 70 times a day as you struggle with it. But keep doing it, and then maybe next week you’ll only have to pray that prayer 30 times a day, and maybe only 10 times the week after that. And eventually, there will come a time when you realize that you haven’t thought about the hurt for several months. That’s how you let go and let God.

Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of The Relationship Principles of Jesus.

Parental Duties VS Children Responses

Parental Duties VS Children Responses

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.  所羅門的箴言：智慧之子使父親歡樂；愚昧之子叫母親擔憂。
Proverbs 10:1
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It is good to remember who wrote the jewels of wisdom called proverbs. Since he wrote primarily to his son and young men, each son should consider his relationship to his parents. Not until he is a parent will he understand the joy and grief he can cause by his choices and actions. Let every young man consider his mother, his father, and His Father.

Solomon wrote the proverbs in the Bible, including this one. You are very blessed to have the world’s wisest king as your personal tutor. And the LORD God inspired the selection of these few from the three thousand he wrote (I Kgs 4:32). The righteous can rejoice for having secret wisdom from heaven concisely defined in short pithy statements for them and their families. See the comments on 25:1. Give God the glory!

The world can make fun of the Bible all they want. Let them look to monkeys as their ancestors, debt as their economic panacea, unruly children as their future, lazy employees as their work force, corrupt officials as their government, liberated professional women as their wives and mothers, and financial scams as the road to success. The handwriting of disaster is already on the wall, and it will only get worse. Saints will rule in the end!

The first nine chapters are introductory, with long and continuing instruction contrasting divine wisdom to sinful folly. With this verse here, you are introduced to what are more properly proverbs – short and unconnected sentences setting forth profound wisdom for every part of life. While the whole book is proverbs, here are the individual jewels deserving your rapt attention as you examine them carefully to enjoy every facet.

The first one you have, in this verse, points to the value of godly training for the joy and deliverance of parents. If these proverbs are taught and required of children, such parents will realize the full blessing of a godly seed for their great pleasure and God’s glory. If these proverbs are neglected, the future is bleak, with calamitous heaviness instead.

Child, have you thought about your parents today? They each lived your life before you were born! So way back then, they were together twice as wise as you are now! Since your birth, they have accumulated much more wisdom and experience, while you took years learning not to mess on yourself and to get food in your mouth instead of your ear!

Your dear mother was nauseated, hot, and heavy as she carried you; but she already loved you and had wonderful thoughts for your life, as she decorated the nursery at home. Pregnancy, birth, and nursing took a toll on her body, yet she constantly doted on you! She cleaned your messes and fed you many times daily, and all you did was cry for more!

Later, when you struggled to make a tricycle, then a bicycle, work, your father managed his soul, his marriage, his job, his finances, his house, his car, and you, among many other things! He generated you, chose and provided for your mother, and daily invested in you, hoping for a wise and righteous son, who would grow in favor with God and man.

But most sons are too selfish, shortsighted, silly, and stupid to know how important their actions are to their parents. They cannot think beyond the next five minutes, and their only thought is to fill those five minutes with pleasure. The responsibility of being a parent is more than their mind and soul could handle, even if by a miracle they chose to try! Mature thoughts of future matters will not tickle a single brain cell until they are fathers, and only then will they think about how much their parents did and deserve.

A foolish son is the calamity of his father (19:13). It is one of his worst nightmares. The pain of seeing so much time, expense, effort, and affection go to waste sucks the life from his soul. It tears at his heart and spirit. Hear the cry of David for his foolish son Absalom, “And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (II Sam 18:33). Consider both Isaac and Rebekah’s grief at Esau’s foolishness in marrying unbelievers (Gen 26:34-35; 27:46).

If a son will consider these things and be wise, his father will rejoice. “My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me” (Pr 27:11). Solomon came from a horrible family, and he well knew the joy of a wise and virtuous son, so he emphasized the point often (15:20; 17:21,25; 19:13; 23:15-16,24-25; 29:3).

Likewise with mothers, you can be a great source of gladness in her heart (23:25). Or you can be a painful source of bitter heaviness (17:25; 29:15). How many mothers’ hearts have been broken by willful and wayward children? Only the LORD knows such large numbers! The heart that almost daily burst with pleasure and affection caring for the newborn is torn deeply by the willful disobedience and foolishness of the sinful teenager.

Child, forget birthday cards, anniversary cards, and such things, if you must. But do not forsake wisdom and righteousness – these two things will bring far more parental pleasure! Instead of taking your parents to dinner, take your wife and children to dinner and love them like a perfect Christian husband and father. It will mean far more.

Honor your father today. Obey his instructions. Keep his commandments. Answer his questions. Communicate openly with him. You will never meet another person in life who cares for you the same way and to the same degree your father cares.

Honor your mother today. Keep the law of her mouth. Do her simple requests, now. Make your bed. Clean your room. Be virtuous. Avoid foolish girls and women. “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old” (23:22).

Father, consider this proverb yourself. Future joy or bitterness, for both you and your wife, are largely your choice today. Will you love and train your children faithfully, or will you neglect them to the heavy pain of both your souls? It is your choice. The wisdom of this proverb cuts both ways. Do you deserve wise and faithful children? Or do you deserve many dark years of public shame and reproach revealing you as a slothful parent? Faithful training will bear fruit – they will not depart from it in time to come (22:6).

Reader, do you honor your Father in heaven? If you are a child of God, He is your Father in a very dear and personal way. The wiser you are in leaving this world’s foolishness and seeking Him, the more He will rejoice and draw close to you (II Cor 6:14-18; Jas 4:8; I Chr 28:9; II Chr 15:2; Rev 3:20). If you trouble Him, He will trouble you!

Jesus Christ was the perfect Son to Mary, Joseph, and God. The Bible plainly tells us He obeyed His earthly parents (Luke 2:51). A woman who saw Him knew Mary was a very blessed mother (Luke 11:27). His happy mother followed Him during His life and watched him die (John 19:25-27). And His Heavenly Father? Hear Him declare, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17). Let us follow His example.

Learn from Spider

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The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. 守宮用爪抓牆，卻住在王宮。
(Proverbs 30:28)
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Spiders are very small creatures of God, but they are very wise (30:24). Here is the fourth of the small things that provide object lessons for wisdom. Agur will teach you the wisdom of the spider (30:1). Instead of fearing or despising spiders, learn their wisdom.



Are you too proud to learn from this small creature, which you can crush and destroy so easily? “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning” (1:5). Are your hands less capable than a spider’s? Are palaces more closed to you than spiders? Consider it, reader.



Many think spiders are dangerously poisonous or likely to attack at any time. This is not true. The only dangerous spiders in much of the world are the brown recluse spider and the black widow spider. The brown recluse is not common, especially in places of human activity; and the black widow rarely bites, and not without provocation. For the most part, spiders are beneficial, eating insects and other spiders!



Spiders are invertebrates – they do not have a backbone or spinal column. They are also arthropods – they have a skeleton on the outside of their body, and their legs are jointed.



Spiders have two body parts – a head and an abdomen. They have eight eyes in their head; and they have four pairs of legs on their abdomen, which is larger than their head.



Spiders are mostly known for their intricate webs to catch insects. The webs are made of fine silken threads produced by “spinnerets” on their abdomen. The silk is secreted in liquid form, which hardens when exposed to the air. Wipe a web away today, and there will be one there tomorrow! Some species spin parachutes to travel great distances! The ingenious design, pattern, and structure of webs reveal incredible intelligence from God!



Wise Agur, by the inspiration of our Creator, wants you to know two things about spiders. They take hold with their hands (all eight of them), and they are in kings’ palaces. Even though great pains are taken to keep them out of palaces, they are still found there! And from these two observations you may learn a lesson to teach you God’s wisdom for success. Faithful and diligent perseverance in a task, even against much opposition and difficulty, will bring significant reward!



When you have a job to do, use your hands and do it! When it is a repetitious job, keep using your hands. Do not stop! Take the next object in your hand and perform the necessary operation. Do not fold your arms or put your hands in your pockets, like the sluggard (6:10; 19:24; 24:33; 26:15; Eccl 4:5). Use them! See the comments on 19:24.



Men do not assist spiders at all, and they do most everything they can to hinder their work and lives. Spiders are discriminated against constantly, and they have every reason to be discouraged. But they do not complain, sue, or quit! They simply keep taking hold with their hands, and they do not give up because of trouble!



The way a woman uses her hands reveals her character. A virtuous woman’s hands are seldom still, because there are so many things to be done with them (31:13,19-20). You can find these women by their well-dressed children, clean and organized homes, and excellent meals. And good women with diligent hands should be rewarded (31:16,31)!



If you use your hands diligently, you also will end up in kings’ palaces, for kings and great men want diligent persons working for them (22:29). Slack or lazy hands lead to poverty; but diligent hands lead to riches (10:4; 12:14,24; 14:1; 21:25; 26:6; Eccl 10:18).



Can you match the spider today, dear reader? What task do you have before you? Take hold of it! “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might” (Eccl 9:10)!

Chidren Training

Catch Your Children Doing Good Things
by Doug Fields

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“The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.” Proverbs 12:6 (NLT)

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You can make an enormous difference in the lives of your kids just by affirming their good qualities and good behavior.

I like to be around people who like me. I’m guessing you do, too. It’s human nature to avoid people who regularly criticize you. If you’re consistently on your kids’ case, they’ll be conditioned to avoid you. You don’t want that.

The words you use to your kids matter. The Bible has a lot to say about the words we speak. Proverbs 12:6 says, “The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.” (NLT) Your words are life-giving to your kids. They are powerful and memorable.

So how do you use those powerful and memorable words in a way that most effectively affirms your children? Start by going beyond the four A’s that most kids get affirmed for in our culture -- appearance, athletics, academics, and the arts. You and I both know that a person can be a brilliant, artsy, good-looking athlete and be an awful human being. We need to go deeper than that.

Instead, we need to affirm our kids for the character qualities they demonstrate and the appropriate behavior they show. Be specific when you do this.

For example:
“I was really proud of the way you handled that situation.”
“I was amazed at how patient you were with your little brother.”
“I’m so grateful for how kind you were to your mom – and you did that without her even having to ask you!”

No one in the world has as much influence over your kids as you do – not the media, not peers, and not other adults. You can make an enormous difference in the lives of your kids just by affirming their good qualities and good behavior.

You can do this. Catch them in the act of doing great things because they are doing great things. You just need to make a point of catching them when they do.

Extracted from http://profile.purposedriven.com/dailyhope/post.html?contentid=6654

 

INFINITY

This video was taken in Toronto.

Steve Jobs' Speech at Standford

Three Stories of Steve Jobs

Is it OK to take revenge on your enemy?

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Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
你不要說，我要以惡報惡；要等候耶和華，他必拯救你。 Proverbs 20:22

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Is revenge sweet? Your spirit and the world say that it is. But the Lord God of heaven declares it is sin. Who will you believe? Solomon warned his son against this sin (24:28-29). He told him not to even think or speak about repaying evil to anyone. Rather than take things into your own hands regarding your enemies, let the LORD take care of them.


When someone hurts you, the natural response is anger and thoughts of self-defense and revenge. You react immediately, instinctively, and violently. It is due to your depraved heart inherited from Adam. Paul described his own natural instincts this way: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

Mankind loves to fight and war. Rather than overlook offences, you want to repay! Rather than forgive wrongs, you can hold a grudge forever! Paul described your warlike character very graphically, “The poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known” (Rom 3:14-17).


Revenge comes from pride: a humble man does not worry about repaying evil. Revenge is blinding: it can easily lead to horrible crimes, including murder. Solomon’s proverbs are about wisdom, and the blinding rage of revenge perverts your ability to perceive, understand, and judge correctly. It destroys wisdom. And it leads to sinful actions.

The situations at stake are personal offences against you. Offences against God are to be dealt with as the Bible directs: rebellious children are to be punished; sinning church members are to be excluded; violent citizens are to be executed by the king; etc. Personal offences are to be overlooked, and personal enemies are to be loved (Matt 5:38-48). This is the law of Jesus Christ, and it is the highest form of charity and wisdom in the world.

Rather than returning evil for evil, a noble and wise man will return good for evil, thus avoiding the blinding danger of grudges and revenge, calming his enemies with kindness and patience, and glorifying God in a difficult matter (25:21-22; Lev 19:18; Rom 12:17-21; I Thess 5:15; Heb 12:14; Jas 3:16-18; I Pet 3:8-11). Here is wisdom! Learn it today!


You should not even think about revenge, not even in your heart, not even when evil befalls your enemies from other sources! God and Solomon condemned any joy when your enemy falls (24:17-18). Sinful thoughts against another are murder (Matt 5:21-22)!

Who are your enemies today? Are there any that you resent? Are you harboring a grudge or thoughts of revenge against any? Maybe your spouse? Maybe a colleague or boss at work? Maybe a neighbor? Maybe a church member? Confess your sin to God, and look for opportunities to befriend them! Treat them as you want them to treat you, not as they have treated you (Luke 6:27-36). This is true wisdom! This is true Christianity!


Glorious men pass over personal transgressions by others (19:11). They are not moved, especially to anger or revenge, by others’ offences. They are too noble to be disturbed, distracted, or destroyed by such minor and insignificant things. If you cannot gloriously and nobly ignore offences, there is only one other option – God’s way (Matt 18:15-17).


Joseph assigned his brothers’ offences to the sovereignty of God and did them no harm, though he had them in his power (Gen 45:5; 50:20). Abigail kept David from foolish revenge against Nabal (I Sam 25:23-35), and he let Shimei curse, believing God would hear (II Sam 16:5-14). Learn to commit your soul to your faithful Creator (I Pet 4:19).

The best revenge is to leave enemies to God. He is most fair, His judgments most awful. Vengeance is His: He will repay (Deut 32:25; Luke 18:7-8; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30). David left Saul to the Lord, though he could have killed him. What was the result? Saul fearfully consulted a witch, killed himself, was hung up for display by Philistines, was cremated, had his bones buried under a tree, and his family was cut off from the throne!


Moses was wickedly confronted by his sister and Korah. Rather than punishing these arrogant and profane rebels himself, he left the matter to the LORD. Miriam was sharply rebuked by the Lord, became white with leprosy, and was quarantined outside the camp (Num 12:1-15). What of Korah? He was swallowed alive by the earth (Num 16:1-40)!


Only the Lord can create and sustain a loving and peaceful spirit in a man, so that anger and revenge are only fleeting thoughts of folly. Faith in God is the cure, for He will always take care of His own. Believe it! If you are guilty of vengeful thoughts, confess your wickedness to God, cast yourself upon his mercy begging for strength, pray for your enemies, and seek opportunities to do good to them. This is wisdom and the will of God!

Perception VS Reality

He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.被人輕賤，卻有僕人，強如自尊，缺少食物。Proverbs 12:9

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These strange words teach wisdom – your image is worth little. In a world crazy about image over substance, perception over reality, pretense over character, and words over performance, this proverb is very relevant. Concern about what others think is the pride of life. Living godly and comfortably is wisdom and success (Eccl 9:8-10; I Tim 6:6).

Here are two men. The first man is despised by the world, for he does not make the splashy show the world values. He is a simple, hardworking man, who prefers peace and quiet at home to any worldly party or popularity. By hard work he has achieved a modest measure of comfort and success – he has a servant for companionship and labor.

The second man is popular and flashy, always seeking the approval and limelight of the world. He moves in the popular circles in town and presents himself as charming and successful wherever he can. But his image is all show, for he is basically broke, especially if his debts were paid! Thinking work beneath him, he lives for image alone!The simple, honest man is better than the pretentious fool. Solomon saw men living for public image rather than working for the rewards of pleasure and security at home. He saw successful men humbled by God unable to quit their former lifestyle and get a job. He warned against image and encouraged contentment with life’s modest successes.

More people live for image today than ever before. The media constantly exalts image; peer pressure is powerful; easy credit makes it possible to live above your means; and corrupt bankruptcy laws allow these pretenders to start over when debtors claim their assets. It is a powerful temptation parents and pastors must teach and warn against.

True success is working hard, enjoying simple domestic pleasures, and living a contented and godly life (Eccl 9:8-10; I Thess 4:11-12; I Tim 6:6-10). Modest possessions with love, peace, and righteousness are better than even wealth with trouble (15:16-17; 17:1). Wise men ignore what the world thinks; they will not use foolish debt to buy clothes, cars, or houses beyond their means. They choose the lower seat in public life (25:6-7).

Frequent divorces, substance dependency, and dysfunctional lives show the vanity of the “rich and famous.” The lie of image does not pay; it destroys men (I John 2:15-17).


What God thinks of you is far more important than what the world thinks. Jesus, despised and rejected of men, sits at God’s right hand in eternal joy and pleasure (Ps 16:11).

PUBLIC TOILET

PUBLIC TOILET

This is a picture of a public toilet in Houston from outside; it's all mirrors.

It's made entirely of one-way glass! No one can see you from the outside, but when you areinside it's like sitting in a clear glass box!
Now, would you... could you....



NEXT --
 

A PAINTED BATHROOM FLOOR!!!

Tenth floor of a hi-rise building.........
IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY ..


AND THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM....

You open the door....
NOW, REMEMBER THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR !

IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY......
DOESN'T IT?

Scroll sloooooooowly.
.......

Would this mess up your mind??? Would you

be able to walk into this bathroom???

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FINALLY!!

THIS IS A CEILING MURAL IN A SMOKER'S LOUNGE.

Please share with friends who have a sense of humor…

4 Worms in Church

4 Worms in Church

Four worms and a lesson to be learned!!! A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.- Dead The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol   The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead   Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive . So the Minister asked the congregation - What did you learn from this demonstration? Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, 'As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!' That pretty much ended the service!



Get to Work! Now!

Extracted from www.LetGodBeTrue.com

So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Poverty is your certain future, if you approach duties sluggishly! Poverty is an irresistible force, if you like to sleep! Wake up! Stand up! Get to work! Now! Keep poverty away by doing today’s duties (and maybe a few of tomorrow’s) right now!

The Preacher taught his son the importance of diligence (6:6-11). He first told him to watch the ant, which works vigorously all summer to lay up food for the fall (6:6-8). See the comments on 6:6 and 6:7. And the ant works like this without a teacher or ruler, for ants are self-starters! They do not need to be dragged from bed and told to get to work!

Then he ridiculed sleep to shame his son for sleeping too much (6:9-11). He asked, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard?” Love this perfect father, as he mocks the approach to life that is popular today! “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.” Love his wise sarcasm! You know what he thought about snooze buttons!

A traveler always gets to his destination. Even though the journey may take a while, he will eventually arrive at his chosen endpoint. It happens by degrees, but soon you are there. So it is with poverty. It may take a while to arrive and pull a man under, but it will surely arrive! And it will surely pull him under!

An armed man does not fear resistance, for he is armed. He will go where he pleases, and he will enter any building he chooses. You will not stop him, for he is armed. So it is with poverty. You cannot stop its arrival. Your defenses will crumble before its irresistible approach. Your efforts to avoid it will be in vain. You will go down!

You lazy sluggard! You effeminate sleeper! Hate the bed! Consider it a necessary evil! Solomon said, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread” (20:13). Be early to work! Work overtime – in the morning! Most anything you can do at night after work, you can also do before work!

You think you are okay? Poverty is closer every day. You will borrow for your needs? Credit melts in poverty’s advance. You will seek a raise? Not with your reputation! You will beg? Good men let sluggards starve (20:4)! It is coming. Get to work!

Spiritual poverty is also real, but far more costly than financial poverty. If you are lax and lazy about spiritual duties, your poverty with God and wisdom will soon be exposed. The hypocrisy of your feigned wealth will disappear before God’s fiery trials. Get to work!

You are My Beloved

This is a part of the album "Overtaken" by CFNI.


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You're My Beloved

You're My Bride

To sing over you is My delight

Come away with Me My love



Under My mercy

Come and wait

Till we are standing face to face

I see no stain on you

My child



You're Beautiful to Me

So Beautiful to Me



I sing over you My song of peace

Cast all your care down at My feet

Come and find your rest in Me



I'll breathe My life inside of you

I'll bear you up on eagle's wings

And hide you in the shadow of My strength

I'll take you to My quiet waters

I'll restore your soul

Come rest in Me and be made whole



You're My beloved

You're My Bride

To sing over you is my delight

Come away with me my love

Creation Calls

Creation Calls by Brian Doerksen
I have felt the wind blow,
Whispering your name
I have seen your tears fall,
When I watch the rain.
(Refrain)
How could I say there is no God?
When all around creation calls!!
A singing bird, a mighty tree,
The vast expanse of open sea
(Musical interlude)
Gazing at a bird in flight,
Soaring through the air.
Lying down beneath the stars,
I feel your presence there.
I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/brian-doerksen-lyrics/creation-calls-lyrics.html ]
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray.
Listening to a river run,
Watering the Earth.
Fragrance of a rose in bloom,
A newborns cry at birth.
(Refrain)
I love to stand at ocean shore
And feel the thundering breakers roar,
To walk through golden fields of grain
With endless bloom horizons fray
I believe
I believe
I believe
(Interlude)
I believe
I believe
I believe just like a child
(Choir I believe..)
I believe

Japan, Story of Change

Osaka, Japan
October 22, 2010

For more information visit the site at:

http://www.billygraham.org/specialsections/tv/tv_index.asp?QR=270&BA=2230

A Prayer for Japan

A Prayer for Japan

Mar 12, 2011 01:30 am | by John Piper
The scenes of the tsunami in Japan are apocalyptic:

The power of moving water is greater than most of us can imagine. Nothing stands before it. We are driven to our knees:

Father in heaven, you are the absolute Sovereign over the shaking of the earth, the rising of the sea, and the raging of the waves. We tremble at your power and bow before your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. We cover our faces and kiss your omnipotent hand. We fall helpless to the floor in prayer and feel how fragile the very ground is beneath our knees.

O God, we humble ourselves under your holy majesty and repent. In a moment—in the twinkling of an eye—we too could be swept away. We are not more deserving of firm ground than our fellowmen in Japan. We too are flesh. We have bodies and homes and cars and family and precious places. We know that if we were treated according to our sins, who could stand? All of it would be gone in a moment. So in this dark hour we turn against our sins, not against you.

And we cry for mercy for Japan. Mercy, Father. Not for what they or we deserve. But mercy.

Have you not encouraged us in this? Have we not heard a hundred times in your Word the riches of your kindness, forbearance, and patience? Do you not a thousand times withhold your judgments, leading your rebellious world toward repentance? Yes, Lord. For your ways are not our ways, and your thoughts are not our thoughts.

Grant, O God, that the wicked will forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Grant us, your sinful creatures, to return to you, that you may have compassion. For surely you will abundantly pardon. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, your beloved Son, will be saved.

May every heart-breaking loss—millions upon millions of losses—be healed by the wounded hands of the risen Christ. You are not unacquainted with your creatures' pain. You did not spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all.

In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.

Deal tenderly now, Father, with this fragile people. Woo them. Win them. Save them.

And may the floods they so much dread make blessings break upon their head.

O let them not judge you with feeble sense, but trust you for your grace. And so behind this providence, soon find a smiling face.

In Jesus’ merciful name, Amen.

Phonics

Home Made Ice-cream

Home Made Ice Cream - it sounds complicated, but this recipe will show you how to make it quick and easy EVERYTIME! All you need is a few basic ingredients and a blender. This video shows you how to make home made Banana Ice Cream, but you can use it as the basis of making any flavor you like - you'll never buy ice cream again!

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RECIPE FACT SHEET
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INGREDIENTS IN THIS DISH:
2 Cups of Whipping Cream (aka Thickened Cream)
2 Cups of Milk
2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Essence
1/2 Cup of White Sugar
3 Ripe Bananas (for Banana Ice Cream - try other flavors!)
Preperation Time: 2 minutes
Freezing Time: Overnight (at least 12 hours)

produced  by OnePotChefShow on Jul 19, 2009
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Daily Meditation by Henri Nouwen

Towards a Nonjudgmental life

One of the hardest spiritual tasks is to live without prejudices. Sometimes we aren't even aware how deeply rooted our prejudices are. We may think that we relate to people who are different from us in colour, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle as equals, but in concrete circumstances our spontaneous thoughts, uncensored words, and knee-jerk reactions often reveal that our prejudices are still there.

Strangers, people different than we are, stir up fear, discomfort, suspicion, and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security just by being "other." Only when we fully claim that God loves us in an unconditional way and look at "those other persons" as equally loved can we begin to discover that the great variety in being human is an expression of the immense richness of God's heart. Then the need to prejudge people can gradually disappear.


Henri Nouwen