entertaining vs hospitality

Read this off a blog:

Entertaining is fundamentally "me-focused."

• It has the feel of a show and it's heart is impressing other people either visually or with a meal.
  
• It is embarrassed if something "goes wrong" or doesn't fit the kind of reputation it is trying to project or protect.
• It is essentially prideful and hopes to be repaid. It carries an air of formality that prohibits spiritual intimacy and fellowship. It tends not to associate with the "lowly."

Biblical hospitality is humble.

• It attempts to make people feel comfortable; creating an atmosphere where people can be themselves, fellowship together, and where ministry can take place.
• It doesn't seek to hide areas of weakness or flaws - these are assumed.
  
• It recognizes that the importance of any other person rests in their having been made in the image of God, not their social status.
• It is servanthood that desires God to receive glory by time spent with others.
  
• It is open to the needy and doesn't seek repayment. It points unbelievers and those who are weak toward the Gospel.
  

I am praying that if the Lord does graciously allow me to own a flat next time, I may be a hospitable Christian and not an entertaining house owner. This really gives me a new understanding to hospitality. That it is not just about me being a nice host to someone and it is definitely not limited to only when I have my own flat. As common as when I deal with people, it is important that I am not trying to create a good image of myself before them but it is to show Christ to them with humility through my life. So the next time I use the word "hospitable", I better be prepared to live out it's true implications in my life.

a man after God's heart...

David is often described as a man after God's heart. What exactly does it mean? My initial thoughts would be he does things that are in line with God's will. But a further look into 1 Samuel during team meeting helped me receive deeper insights and clarity on this commonly used phrase so that I might use it with a better understanding the next time.

• David was FAITHFUL to what he was assigned to do. Despite the fact that he was given the role of a shepherd, compared to his brothers who were reputable, he was faithful to take care and protect the flock that was under him. His faithfulness was further shown in 1 Sam 17:20 where he left his flock under the care of a keeper even before going to the battle site.
• David was GOD-CONSCIOUS. In his replies to both Saul and the soldiers, David recognized that whatever situations he faced as a shepherd, God was the one who helped him through them. Even as he went forth to fight Goliath, he knows that God will help and lead him through.
  
• David was SENSITIVE to what is right. Knowing that Goliath's challenge was a upfront challenge to the living God, David stood up against him despite the fact that Goliath was a warrior since young and huge in size compared to him, a young man with a normal stature.

With these 3 qualities in mind, I am praying that God will help me to work on these 3 areas and be a man after God's heart! :)

zeal...

Was preparing for a session on Quiet Time and I came across this quote:

“People say that the Bible is a boring book…but they don’t say that about Shakespeare, because the people who teach Shakespeare are zealous for Shakespeare.”

Malcolm Muggeridge,
British broadcaster, 1903-1990

How to develop good habits and a love for God's Word? 一个字，ZEAL. According to the English dictionary, zeal is having great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. If our end goal as Christians is to know God better and develop this relationship we have with Him, then reading the Bible and teaching it would come naturally. Sometimes it gets tiring to plough through the Scriptures, especially so when I am brain dead and when there's a deadline to meet. But I would need to remind myself that my studying of the Scriptures is not to meet deadlines or to impress people but it's really for me to know Him better and that should give me the motivation and energy to keep digging deeper into His Word! Nothing else should replace that as my reason lest it becomes just an academic pursuit. May I continue to find much joy and fun in reading His Word. :)

wat's your problem?

The speaker last Sunday mentioned this:

"Identifying the problem is 50% of the solution"

I find it a helpful and sobering reminder. Many a times when a situation arise, the immediate reaction is to solve the situation rather than sit down and look at the problem before coming up with appropriate solutions. The result is a lot of work generated but in the end, the problem may not be solved at all. And most of the time the problem ends up being swept under the carpet, left to be surfaced again in another occasion. Looking at the planning of the TeenGames event so far, many situations have surfaced. And I must say that I was more caught up to solve the situation than to look hard at the problem and solve it from there. I still got a good half a year of games to go, may the Lord grant me the eyes and the mind to evaluate the situations, identify the problems and solve it from there. And I guess this will not just apply to TeenGames but my ministry and my life as well. Like the good old saying, "Don't be busy fighting fires when you don't identify and elimate the source of the fire". (of cos this is paraphrased one)

the happiest people in the world...

are and should be Christians! For a simple fact that we have a God who is almighty, powerful, faithful, all knowing, loving, merciful, gracious, the list can go on and on and on... I was preparing and doing the Precept book on prayer and this passage in Psalms 118:1-9 was used:

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."
4 Let those who fear the LORD say,
"His steadfast love endures forever."

5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
9It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.

Which taught me this: Each time I walk away from prayer, my spirit should be uplifted with JOY! Yes, the burdens may be pressing and distressing but I am bringing them all unto the ALMIGHTY GOD who can and will comfort me! v.6 shows the assurance and confidence the Psalmist has knowing that what man can do is nothing compared to who the Lord is. Of cos I won't become Superman or Wolverine after praying to God but there will be this quiet and confident trust that God will do His Work in my life as He deems fit. So, rather then be downcast and weighed down by my problems and issues (which for sure will not go away instantaneously) letting it affect my day and outlook, committing them before the Lord should bring a smile to my face and really give me peace within my soul. Be it TeenGames or ministry or family or my personal life, after resting them to God, I should be a happy man because if I am not, it probably means I have not fully rested those issues unto God's hands! Indeed it is better to take refuge in the Lord.

music is the language of the heart 10...

Was speaking in the Good News Week and heard this song performed by the PArts team. Really nice song. "Comtemporized" (If there is such a word) the hymn which is equally nice. Song is by Matt Redman and is in my playlist for listening. It drew me to remember that it is Christ who bought my pardon and gave me this opportunity to be with God once again. May the song minister to you as much as it has ministered to me.

Nothing but the blood

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I've heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus it's Your blood

[Chorus]
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father's heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
It's only Your blood

[Chorus]

We thank You for the blood
We thank You for the blood

We praise You for the blood
We praise You for the blood

Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

when we all get to heaven...

The last retreat I went to was tiring. Over 3 days with 2-3hrs of sleep (that's excluding the dozing off moments, lol!) and loads of work to be done! I can't imagine how I could survive and still appear energetic throughout the 3 days. But what really kept me going was the people around me. Working together as a team is so fun and fulfilling, especially when they are like-minded and the work is of a good purpose. This is indeed a foretaste of heaven! Where work needs to be done and deadlines to meet but when done together with fellow like-minded believers, work becomes enjoyable and energizing. The chorus of the hymn "When we all get to heaven" says:

When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

Let me then work and look towards that coming day of rejoicing and victory! :)

Working together to transform the van into a mini FleaMax Station!

...give US our daily bread...

The bread that is spoiling in your house belongs to the hungry. The shoes that are mildewing under your bed belong to those that have none. The clothes stored away in your trunk belong to those who are naked.

~ Basil The Great

Somehow when I read this quote, I can't help but feel guilty. Guilty that I have so much and that I have seldom think of my possessions in such a manner. I started to count the number of shoes I have and here's the list. I have:

• 2 pairs of Basketball shoes
• 2 pairs of Crocs shoes
• 2 pairs of Nike casual shoes
• 2 pairs of running shoes
• 1 pair of leather shoe
• 2 pairs of slippers
• 1 pair of sandals

Even though these were mainly either given or bought at less than $50 a pair (except for my basketball shoe), nonetheless, this is a cause of over-abundance! No doubt I am thankful that God gave me the resources and opportunities to pick up such sales and be the proud owner of these shoes but what I lack is this. "Give US our daily bread". Jesus reminded the disciples in the Lord's Prayer that when we ask God for the necessities in life, it is not just an individual request for God to give me all I need. It is a community request. It is my responsibility as part of the community to take care of one another and not just to grow in abundance alone. I will need to learn to share, and to think of others more than myself, whenever I see a great deal somewhere. ~ God teach me to be willing ~

wat are u staring at??

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

~ Socrates

When was the last time you took a real look at your life and identify all the areas you need to work on? When I see some students just happily doing their daily routines, smiling their way through life and shoving aside any issues, problems and concerns, not being affected by them, it brings me to wonder do they really know the implications of their decisions? How their decision now will affect their future? Can't blame them. I was like this once, and sometimes am still choosing to not face up to my problems head on and do something about it. There were times I just wish to go to bed, wake up the next morning and the issues are resolved. But the reality is that it doesn't work this way. So, rather adopting a happy-go-lucky mentality, I will have to learn to "stare" hard at my life, do the necessary changes or tweaks and allow God to change me to face those situations in life. If not, life has really no meaning and nothing to look forward for. :)