I am now 3 years older than Jesus was when He died (on the cross as Saviour of the world, before rising as Lord, commissioning His followers and ascending to heaven).
(Oh, well, technically 3 years and 1 day.)
_________________
Another year to reflect on what the last 36 years have been worth.
What have I achieved?
Where am I going (or what is my ultimate destination?)
What should the rest of my life look like (whatever time God gives me between my past achievements and my future destination)?
The answer to the 1st question: Nothing, without God.
.. My current standing before Him (saved/assured of eternal life & sinless perfection);
.. my sometimes verbatim knowledge/memory of whole chunks of the Bible;
.. my ability up until last weekend to turn 4 types of double pirouettes even on a weak L leg;
.. my gradually stabilising financial situation;
.. my completed childcare, gifted ed., primary ed., music & French qualifications;
.. my better-than-the-average-person's relationships with family, church, work & ballet people..
..all these accomplishments, God has done for me. (ISAIAH 26,12.)
The answer to the 2nd question: Eternal life; heaven; the direct presence of God my Saviour & Father & the Lord Jesus Christ.
The answer to the 3rd question:
".. if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
{ACTS 20,24^(!!).}
L/T.
^(!!) Ideally. Note I said "should" - this is regrettably not a reflection of actual life events..! So if you pray nothing else...please pray this verse for me!)
~
~
P.S. Thank you, friends, for your messages on my Wall on f'book.
Whatever you wrote has been transferred here in your honour.
To protect your anonymity, I've only used your initials...
CL(sport.)
happy birthday -----ia!! hope you had a great day :P
CL(musiq.)
happy birthday ----tia :)
hope you had a lovely day today!
:)
DB
Happy Birthday. Hope you have a fantastic day!
EC
Happy birthday ----tia (: !
ET
Happy birthday and have a lovely day!
GC(Z)
Happy birthday t---!!
IZ
Happy birthday ----tia!! :)
JA(C)
Happy Birthday -------a!
JS
Happy birthday T---!"
KC
Happy birthday from old London town! Hope things are well back in Oz. :)
LZ
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
MW(R)
Joyeux anniversaire ma soeur dans le Christ!
NC
Happy Birthday!!!!
NP(Y)
Happy b'day T---! Hope u had an awesome day!
NT(M)
Happy birthday ----tia! Hope you've had a lovely day!
NW(C)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ----TIA!!! <3 ^_^
OD
joyeux anniversaire!
PT
Happy Birthday, ----tia - or bon anniversaire!
rw
happy bday!
rBY
hey! happy birthday =) hope you have a blessed bday! x
SbP
Hullo! Happy birthday!!!!!
TC(jeune)
Happy birthday, dear T---! Have a fantastic one!
TC(aînée)
Happy birthday t---! Hope you have a blessed day and that your leg is feeling better :-)
VT
Happy bday -----ia
________________
ajt
All the very best:) Happy birthday!
AK
Happy birthday, ----tia! I hope that you've had a great day. Blessings to you. :)
AL(jeune)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
AL(aîné)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
CD
Happy Birthday :) I no idea what is your age but it's nor really matter, keep the smile and God bless you
DF
happy birthday, T---! have an amazing day!
FDCF
Joyeux Anniversaire et Bonne continuation ;)
JC
Happy Birthday ~
KD
Happy birthday L..C..!
KW
Happy birthday!
NF
Happy birthday.=)
PYJ
happy bday --t! :)
TK
Dear cousin, have a happy happy birthday! May God bless you richly and guide you
TN
Happy Birthday!!!!!
TT
Happy birthday ----tia!
WW
Joyeux anniversaire!! :)"
21 September, 2013
21 June, 2013
7 versets bien-aimés
Yes, it has been a busy year - more than 6 months since I've written here.
A chunk of Scripture that has been a great comfort and encouragement for me in the last 4 years is the 43rd chapter of Isaiah.
I love all of Isaiah - but this bit is just outstanding.
ISAIAH 43:1-7
_________________
But now, this is what the Lord says -
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth -
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
________________
Wherever you are at, I hope this comfort I have received from God will be of comfort to you also.
Que Dieu vous bénisse,
L/T.
A chunk of Scripture that has been a great comfort and encouragement for me in the last 4 years is the 43rd chapter of Isaiah.
I love all of Isaiah - but this bit is just outstanding.
ISAIAH 43:1-7
_________________
But now, this is what the Lord says -
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth -
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
________________
Wherever you are at, I hope this comfort I have received from God will be of comfort to you also.
Que Dieu vous bénisse,
L/T.
01 January, 2013
0 regrets (je ne regrette rien)
un regret = chagrin, déception causée par la perte d'un bien ou la non-réalisation d'un projet
_________________
One French definition of regret, as expressed above, is: "chagrin, deception caused by the loss of a good, or the non-realisation [non-fulfillment] of a project".
It is 2013.
10 years have passed since I began professional work.
There are some who would look back on my life since 2002
and who would say things pertinent to work would have been better
if I had made different choices.
But I have no regrets. Zero.
None at all.
I am happier than I was 10 years ago,
more satisfied in God than I was 10 years ago,
more confirmed in where(ever) I am going than ever I was 10 years ago.
Happy New Year.
Y'varechacha Adonai v'yishmerecha / que Dieu vous bénisse! / NUM. 6:24ff.
L/T.
~
_________________
One French definition of regret, as expressed above, is: "chagrin, deception caused by the loss of a good, or the non-realisation [non-fulfillment] of a project".
It is 2013.
10 years have passed since I began professional work.
There are some who would look back on my life since 2002
and who would say things pertinent to work would have been better
if I had made different choices.
But I have no regrets. Zero.
None at all.
I am happier than I was 10 years ago,
more satisfied in God than I was 10 years ago,
more confirmed in where(ever) I am going than ever I was 10 years ago.
Happy New Year.
Y'varechacha Adonai v'yishmerecha / que Dieu vous bénisse! / NUM. 6:24ff.
L/T.
~
30 December, 2012
4 cultures folles
Missionary madness!
In my opinion, the funniest conversation I’ve seen on f’book.
It occurred in response to a posted & tagged photo of a number of incumbent missionary families/singles, taken at a missionary training college some years previously (2005, maybe).
Codes:
(m) = male missionary
(f) = female missionary
(tck) = third culture kid (child of missionary)
CAMB. = serving in Cambodia
CHIL. = serving in Chile
IANT. = served in indigenous Australia/Northern Territory
NAMI. = serving in Namibia.
________________
(m) IANT.
Do the arranged marriages for our kids still stand?
They're getting frighteningly closer to the right age.
(f) NAMI.
In true arranged marriage style, they can't remember what each other looks like!
(m) CAMB.
Whatever the arranged marriages were is fine by me, I just want a lot of money to give away my daughter. When in Rome...
(m) NAMI.
remember, in africa, we price our daughters according to education levels.
For example, for a bachelor's degree, it will be a number of cows (as in Zimbabwe) for a daughter, but for an uneducated daughter, a chook will do (as in Malawi)
(m) CAMB.
Nope, here money will do just nicely.
(m) NAMI.
sure, but if your son wants MY daughter, then you pay the AFRIKAAN way MAAN.
(tck/f) CAMB.
I'm right here, dad. :P
(m) CHIL.
See, now THAT didn't happen when we commented on kids in 2005.
________________
*sniggering*
L/T.
By the way, for anyone familial wondering where I am at present, I've been in Vietnam since 26/12, hoping to be back before 05/01 next year (2013). Visiting family, adding to my motley collection of brothers (I now have 4 of them!), and confirming, among other things, the fact that NO, I am quite sure that God is NOT calling me to serve in this south-east Asian country any time soon. (And also, thanking God SO MUCH for reasonably reliable air travel, a set return date, generally cooler climates in my part of Australia, and that Sydney is nothing like HCMC!!)
:S
In my opinion, the funniest conversation I’ve seen on f’book.
It occurred in response to a posted & tagged photo of a number of incumbent missionary families/singles, taken at a missionary training college some years previously (2005, maybe).
Codes:
(m) = male missionary
(f) = female missionary
(tck) = third culture kid (child of missionary)
CAMB. = serving in Cambodia
CHIL. = serving in Chile
IANT. = served in indigenous Australia/Northern Territory
NAMI. = serving in Namibia.
________________
(m) IANT.
Do the arranged marriages for our kids still stand?
They're getting frighteningly closer to the right age.
(f) NAMI.
In true arranged marriage style, they can't remember what each other looks like!
(m) CAMB.
Whatever the arranged marriages were is fine by me, I just want a lot of money to give away my daughter. When in Rome...
(m) NAMI.
remember, in africa, we price our daughters according to education levels.
For example, for a bachelor's degree, it will be a number of cows (as in Zimbabwe) for a daughter, but for an uneducated daughter, a chook will do (as in Malawi)
(m) CAMB.
Nope, here money will do just nicely.
(m) NAMI.
sure, but if your son wants MY daughter, then you pay the AFRIKAAN way MAAN.
(tck/f) CAMB.
I'm right here, dad. :P
(m) CHIL.
See, now THAT didn't happen when we commented on kids in 2005.
________________
*sniggering*
L/T.
By the way, for anyone familial wondering where I am at present, I've been in Vietnam since 26/12, hoping to be back before 05/01 next year (2013). Visiting family, adding to my motley collection of brothers (I now have 4 of them!), and confirming, among other things, the fact that NO, I am quite sure that God is NOT calling me to serve in this south-east Asian country any time soon. (And also, thanking God SO MUCH for reasonably reliable air travel, a set return date, generally cooler climates in my part of Australia, and that Sydney is nothing like HCMC!!)
:S
20 December, 2012
1 tâche impossible!
ÉPHÉSIENS 4,29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.
________________
L/T.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.
________________
L/T.
24 September, 2012
35 rue Lutetia (+ 3 jours)
HAB.3,17-19
Car le figuier ne fleurira pas,
La vigne ne produira rien,
Le fruit de l'olivier manquera,
Les champs ne donneront pas de nourriture;
Les brebis disparaîtront du pâturage,
Et il n'y aura plus de boeufs dans les étables.
Toutefois, je veux me réjouir en l'Éternel,
Je veux me réjouir dans le Dieu de mon salut.
L'Éternel, le Seigneur, est ma force;
Il rend mes pieds semblables à ceux des biches,
Et il me fait marcher sur mes lieux élevés.
Au chefs des chantres. Avec instruments à cordes.
________________
At the age of 12y7m, I was challenged to take Jesus seriously as Lord and Saviour. I have now reached the age of 35.
Therefore, now, in the 23rd year of the reign of King Jesus (the Son of God, Son of Man and son of Joseph & Mary - of David's line), I ponder:
What makes life worth living?
One's talents and/or gifts, of which God has bestowed so many upon me, His undeserving servant shepherdess?
One's career/relationships (or lack thereof?)
One's ability to be financially independent, or secure?
One's influence for good in the lives of other people?
One's faithful ministry serving the people of God where needs can be met by the considerate exercise of one's God-given gifts?
Or one's faithful Creator, the Sovereign Lord, who with the blood of His Son purchased men [presumably mankind: GK. anthropos] for Himself?
"..Parce que tu as du prix à Mes yeux,
Parce que tu es honoré et que Je t'aime,
Je donne des hommes à ta place,
Et des peuples pour ta vie."
ISA. 43,4
________________
Thank you to all my friends and/or family who sent me messages on my birthday. I replicate the Facebook posts from my Wall here, both as a token of appreciation and to free up visible space on that irritating f'b "timeline" of mine..
AT
[greetings card]
Happy happy birthday! =) thank you for all the wisdom you've shared with me, it's always such a joy to talk to you! =) Hope you have the loveliest day, God bless! X
AW
Happy birthday ----tia! :)
CMG
Happy birthday!!! x
DP
Happy birthday! Hope you have a great day.
ET
Happy belated birthday!
GT
Happy birthday t--- :)
GZ
Happy birthday ----tia!! :)
IH
Hope you are well. Hoping that you had a wonderful birthday! Hoping God will continue to look after you in the coming year and that he'll continue to grow your love and knowledge of him.
Love JL.
Happy Birthday L---sa Cheng and Miss-l't Cheng Miss you ladies! Catch up soon!! :)
JM
Joyeux Anniversaire à vous mon cher ami.
kYC
Happy Birthday!
LkC, VT
Happy birthday :)
LZ
Happy birthday! See you on Sunday :) hope it's an excellent day.
LH
Happy Birthday T---!!!"
MLQ
Happy B'day T---!! xox
MH
Happy Bday Miss l't!
MW/H
Happy birthday. See you in Summer School, right? :)
PC
Joyeux anniversaire, Miss Cheng! xoxoxo :)
PP
Happy Birthday ----tia =)
You're an amazing person! Hope you enjoy this special day!
x
(r)BY
Happy Birthday ----tia!
RL
Happy belated birthday ----tia=)
VV
Happy Birthday! :D
VH
Happy birthday cousins!!
AL
Happy Birthday! Have an amazing day :)
CoC
Happy Birthday :)
GC
happy birthday to Miss-l't Cheng :)
AgL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
AdL
Happy birthday! :)
AK
happy birthday! =]
BL
Happy Birthday! hope you have a great day
CS
happy birthday T---!! :)
DF
bonn anniv depuis utrecht!
JRF
Happy Birthday ~
JC
Happy bday!
JF
Happy birthday.=)
NF
happy birthday l--!
hope you have the happiest of days!! - enjoy the contentment and complete satisfaction of being in a relationship with Christ.
thanks for all the help and guidance over the past year, have learnt so much :)
PYJ
happy birthday ----tia!!!! God bless ya for being such an encouragement to us in small group and all! Have an awesome day and God bless!
RC
Happy Birthday ----tia!
TT
________________
1 THESS. 3,12-13
L/T.
Car le figuier ne fleurira pas,
La vigne ne produira rien,
Le fruit de l'olivier manquera,
Les champs ne donneront pas de nourriture;
Les brebis disparaîtront du pâturage,
Et il n'y aura plus de boeufs dans les étables.
Toutefois, je veux me réjouir en l'Éternel,
Je veux me réjouir dans le Dieu de mon salut.
L'Éternel, le Seigneur, est ma force;
Il rend mes pieds semblables à ceux des biches,
Et il me fait marcher sur mes lieux élevés.
Au chefs des chantres. Avec instruments à cordes.
________________
At the age of 12y7m, I was challenged to take Jesus seriously as Lord and Saviour. I have now reached the age of 35.
Therefore, now, in the 23rd year of the reign of King Jesus (the Son of God, Son of Man and son of Joseph & Mary - of David's line), I ponder:
What makes life worth living?
One's talents and/or gifts, of which God has bestowed so many upon me, His undeserving servant shepherdess?
One's career/relationships (or lack thereof?)
One's ability to be financially independent, or secure?
One's influence for good in the lives of other people?
One's faithful ministry serving the people of God where needs can be met by the considerate exercise of one's God-given gifts?
Or one's faithful Creator, the Sovereign Lord, who with the blood of His Son purchased men [presumably mankind: GK. anthropos] for Himself?
"..Parce que tu as du prix à Mes yeux,
Parce que tu es honoré et que Je t'aime,
Je donne des hommes à ta place,
Et des peuples pour ta vie."
ISA. 43,4
________________
Thank you to all my friends and/or family who sent me messages on my birthday. I replicate the Facebook posts from my Wall here, both as a token of appreciation and to free up visible space on that irritating f'b "timeline" of mine..
AT
[greetings card]
Happy happy birthday! =) thank you for all the wisdom you've shared with me, it's always such a joy to talk to you! =) Hope you have the loveliest day, God bless! X
AW
Happy birthday ----tia! :)
CMG
Happy birthday!!! x
DP
Happy birthday! Hope you have a great day.
ET
Happy belated birthday!
GT
Happy birthday t--- :)
GZ
Happy birthday ----tia!! :)
IH
Hope you are well. Hoping that you had a wonderful birthday! Hoping God will continue to look after you in the coming year and that he'll continue to grow your love and knowledge of him.
Love JL.
Happy Birthday L---sa Cheng and Miss-l't Cheng Miss you ladies! Catch up soon!! :)
JM
Joyeux Anniversaire à vous mon cher ami.
kYC
Happy Birthday!
LkC, VT
Happy birthday :)
LZ
Happy birthday! See you on Sunday :) hope it's an excellent day.
LH
Happy Birthday T---!!!"
MLQ
Happy B'day T---!! xox
MH
Happy Bday Miss l't!
MW/H
Happy birthday. See you in Summer School, right? :)
PC
Joyeux anniversaire, Miss Cheng! xoxoxo :)
PP
Happy Birthday ----tia =)
You're an amazing person! Hope you enjoy this special day!
x
(r)BY
Happy Birthday ----tia!
RL
Happy belated birthday ----tia=)
VV
Happy Birthday! :D
VH
Happy birthday cousins!!
AL
Happy Birthday! Have an amazing day :)
CoC
Happy Birthday :)
GC
happy birthday to Miss-l't Cheng :)
AgL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
AdL
Happy birthday! :)
AK
happy birthday! =]
BL
Happy Birthday! hope you have a great day
CS
happy birthday T---!! :)
DF
bonn anniv depuis utrecht!
JRF
Happy Birthday ~
JC
Happy bday!
JF
Happy birthday.=)
NF
happy birthday l--!
hope you have the happiest of days!! - enjoy the contentment and complete satisfaction of being in a relationship with Christ.
thanks for all the help and guidance over the past year, have learnt so much :)
PYJ
happy birthday ----tia!!!! God bless ya for being such an encouragement to us in small group and all! Have an awesome day and God bless!
RC
Happy Birthday ----tia!
TT
________________
1 THESS. 3,12-13
L/T.
02 September, 2012
3 ans célibataire et contente - merci, Seigneur!
It is now over 3 years since I began a lovely period of contentment about being single.
My first time going to France for short-term mission in 2009 was instrumental in that, and I am so incredibly thankful that France happened, and for all I have learned about myself (and the role I can play in God's plan for the nations) since then.
I wasn't always this happy about being single. But for now, I really appreciate the gift, and am glad that it has been given me to enjoy it.
"Mais, si Dieu a donné à un[e femme d'être célibataire], .. s'il l'a rendu[e] maître[sse] .. d'en prendre sa part, et de se réjouir au milieu de son travail, c'est là un don de Dieu."
~ ECC. 5,19
L/T.
My first time going to France for short-term mission in 2009 was instrumental in that, and I am so incredibly thankful that France happened, and for all I have learned about myself (and the role I can play in God's plan for the nations) since then.
I wasn't always this happy about being single. But for now, I really appreciate the gift, and am glad that it has been given me to enjoy it.
"Mais, si Dieu a donné à un[e femme d'être célibataire], .. s'il l'a rendu[e] maître[sse] .. d'en prendre sa part, et de se réjouir au milieu de son travail, c'est là un don de Dieu."
~ ECC. 5,19
L/T.
04 June, 2012
4 amis, 2 jours de juin, 1 anniversaire
4 friends
Partly because of my prayer diary, partly because for His own reasons God has put this on my heart, my mind turns to the 4 people I considered my closest friends in the last 10 years:
C. Soo (married name CHIN), met 2000;
L.P.Y. MOK, met 1996;
S. KRITSOTAKIS, met 1995;
and S.L.W. CHAN, met 1990.
Perhaps because in recent years I've neglected them in person, though keeping them in prayer.
2 jours de juin, 1 joyeux anniversaire
Happy birthday, S.L.W. CHAN!
- can't get in touch with you for toffee at present;
but, until you die or ask me to stop, I will keep praying for you - probably the longest-standing friend I've ever had.
(Would insert *hugs* here, but as in the 22 years I've known you you're not the touchy-feely type, I'll settle for *pats-on-shoulder* instead!)
If by some freak of nature any out of the 4 of you stumble on this
- get in touch!
(though I know it's partly my fault for not keeping up too).
L/T.
Partly because of my prayer diary, partly because for His own reasons God has put this on my heart, my mind turns to the 4 people I considered my closest friends in the last 10 years:
C. Soo (married name CHIN), met 2000;
L.P.Y. MOK, met 1996;
S. KRITSOTAKIS, met 1995;
and S.L.W. CHAN, met 1990.
Perhaps because in recent years I've neglected them in person, though keeping them in prayer.
2 jours de juin, 1 joyeux anniversaire
Happy birthday, S.L.W. CHAN!
- can't get in touch with you for toffee at present;
but, until you die or ask me to stop, I will keep praying for you - probably the longest-standing friend I've ever had.
(Would insert *hugs* here, but as in the 22 years I've known you you're not the touchy-feely type, I'll settle for *pats-on-shoulder* instead!)
If by some freak of nature any out of the 4 of you stumble on this
- get in touch!
(though I know it's partly my fault for not keeping up too).
L/T.
26 May, 2012
2 morts
1 KINGS 19:4
"Il s'assit sous un genêt, et demanda la mort, en disant:
'C'est assez!
Maintenant, Éternel, prends mon âme,
car je ne suis pas meilleur que mes pères.'"
________________
le 9 mai, 2011
It has been over a year since my sister's cat, Nyara, became ill for the last time & died. She was an elegant spotted grey tabby with white evening gloves on her forepaws whom we adored, nicknaming her "The Princess" because she always looked like a princess in a ballgown, especially when sitting at a window.
le 30 avril, 2012
At the end of last month, in her 96th year, my maternal grandmother Sonia fell asleep in Christ.
She had been in a nursing home since about age 90 and just faded away in the last 2 weeks of April.
That said, being a believer, there was a big advantage
- she would have woken up without sin.
How nice it would be to wake up sinless!
We'd have all our character imperfections gone;
no way of inadvertently hurting others by our besetting sin;
no way of letting ourselves down with disappointment over how we thought or felt or behaved even though we knew better...
Sometimes, in my most depraved moments, I wish I were where my grandmother Sonia is - in perfect holiness with our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.
Indeed, to die is gain. Incredible gain. Elijah desired it; Paul desired it; I desire it.
But obviously, my heavenly Father has plans that involve me living. Oh well. At least, one day, sinless perfection will be mine...
;D
L/T.
"Il s'assit sous un genêt, et demanda la mort, en disant:
'C'est assez!
Maintenant, Éternel, prends mon âme,
car je ne suis pas meilleur que mes pères.'"
________________
le 9 mai, 2011
It has been over a year since my sister's cat, Nyara, became ill for the last time & died. She was an elegant spotted grey tabby with white evening gloves on her forepaws whom we adored, nicknaming her "The Princess" because she always looked like a princess in a ballgown, especially when sitting at a window.
le 30 avril, 2012
At the end of last month, in her 96th year, my maternal grandmother Sonia fell asleep in Christ.
She had been in a nursing home since about age 90 and just faded away in the last 2 weeks of April.
That said, being a believer, there was a big advantage
- she would have woken up without sin.
How nice it would be to wake up sinless!
We'd have all our character imperfections gone;
no way of inadvertently hurting others by our besetting sin;
no way of letting ourselves down with disappointment over how we thought or felt or behaved even though we knew better...
Sometimes, in my most depraved moments, I wish I were where my grandmother Sonia is - in perfect holiness with our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.
Indeed, to die is gain. Incredible gain. Elijah desired it; Paul desired it; I desire it.
But obviously, my heavenly Father has plans that involve me living. Oh well. At least, one day, sinless perfection will be mine...
;D
L/T.
21 January, 2012
1 an plus proche..
One year closer to:
* Godliness - humility - perfection in Christ
* Going to be with Christ, which is far better
* Knowing what on earth the future holds for me
* Turning triple pirouettes
(in case you think that's frivolous, remember that David, the chosen king of Israel & ancestor of our Lord & Saviour Jesus, was also the dancing type^)
The 2nd two items are only if God precisely wills it, of course.
Thankfully, the first two are in line with His Word!!
L/T.
^2 SAMUEL 6:14-16
"David dansait de toute sa force devant l'Éternel.."
* Godliness - humility - perfection in Christ
* Going to be with Christ, which is far better
* Knowing what on earth the future holds for me
* Turning triple pirouettes
(in case you think that's frivolous, remember that David, the chosen king of Israel & ancestor of our Lord & Saviour Jesus, was also the dancing type^)
The 2nd two items are only if God precisely wills it, of course.
Thankfully, the first two are in line with His Word!!
L/T.
^2 SAMUEL 6:14-16
"David dansait de toute sa force devant l'Éternel.."
25 December, 2011
un verset en 2 Samuel
Then the king said to Zadok,
“Take the ark of God back into the city.
If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, He will bring me back
and let me see it and His dwelling place again.
But if He says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready;
let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.”
2 Samuel 15:25
________________
Cryptic this may seem - but I feel a little like David on the run at present, so this was a comfort when I found it during catching-up with the prophet Samuel...
L/T.
“Take the ark of God back into the city.
If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, He will bring me back
and let me see it and His dwelling place again.
But if He says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready;
let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.”
2 Samuel 15:25
________________
Cryptic this may seem - but I feel a little like David on the run at present, so this was a comfort when I found it during catching-up with the prophet Samuel...
L/T.
07 December, 2011
10 v. 28 .. (l'Évangile de Matthieu)
All year I've been plodding through Matthew's gospel, and at times I really do not understand him..
In chapter 10, Jesus sends His disciples out to "the lost sheep of Israel".
They are to preach that "the kingdom of heaven is near", just as He & John the Baptist began.
This preaching is to be accompanied by the same helping miracles Jesus did:
healing the sick, casting out unclean spirits, etc.
THEN..
..in chapter 28, Jesus sends His disciples to "all nations".
They are to go
~ baptising the disciples made in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit;
~ teaching them to obey everything Jesus had commanded.
What is the reason for the differences?
At the risk of being accused of cessationism (although my personal experience of Jesus Christ as Saviour & Lord makes that impossible)
- why, in His second & more global commissioning from ch.28, does Jesus SKIP the part about miraculous doings (cf. ch.10)?
We know, of course, in the days of the early church, there were miracles aplenty. Through Simon Peter and John Zebedee, a lame man is healed at the gate Beautiful (ACTS 3, verses 1-10). The casting-out of a spirit from a slave girl in Macedonia sparks a crowd riot (ACTS 16, verses 16-24). Eutychus, who is picked up dead after falling from a window, comes back to life after Paul hugs him (ACTS 20, verses 7-12).
So it's obviously not as if Jesus didn't intend for His disciples *not* to do these things. Did He just assume they would do these signs/wonders and, therefore, in His ch. 28 commission, He deliberately concentrated on the preaching/teaching command
- because He knew that otherwise this word-focus might take a back-seat?
Why is His emphasis on baptism [presumably for repentance/the forgiveness of sins] and teaching obedience to His commands?
Why not "go and make disciples, baptising..teaching..AND healing.." (etc.)?
This is all conjecture, of course.
But if we want to take God's word seriously, surely these are things we should ponder?
L/T.
In chapter 10, Jesus sends His disciples out to "the lost sheep of Israel".
They are to preach that "the kingdom of heaven is near", just as He & John the Baptist began.
This preaching is to be accompanied by the same helping miracles Jesus did:
healing the sick, casting out unclean spirits, etc.
THEN..
..in chapter 28, Jesus sends His disciples to "all nations".
They are to go
~ baptising the disciples made in the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit;
~ teaching them to obey everything Jesus had commanded.
What is the reason for the differences?
At the risk of being accused of cessationism (although my personal experience of Jesus Christ as Saviour & Lord makes that impossible)
- why, in His second & more global commissioning from ch.28, does Jesus SKIP the part about miraculous doings (cf. ch.10)?
We know, of course, in the days of the early church, there were miracles aplenty. Through Simon Peter and John Zebedee, a lame man is healed at the gate Beautiful (ACTS 3, verses 1-10). The casting-out of a spirit from a slave girl in Macedonia sparks a crowd riot (ACTS 16, verses 16-24). Eutychus, who is picked up dead after falling from a window, comes back to life after Paul hugs him (ACTS 20, verses 7-12).
So it's obviously not as if Jesus didn't intend for His disciples *not* to do these things. Did He just assume they would do these signs/wonders and, therefore, in His ch. 28 commission, He deliberately concentrated on the preaching/teaching command
- because He knew that otherwise this word-focus might take a back-seat?
Why is His emphasis on baptism [presumably for repentance/the forgiveness of sins] and teaching obedience to His commands?
Why not "go and make disciples, baptising..teaching..AND healing.." (etc.)?
This is all conjecture, of course.
But if we want to take God's word seriously, surely these are things we should ponder?
L/T.
07 November, 2011
1 vie seule
It seems that every year since 2008
I have gone through seasons of nothingness
- that is, where nothing much happened, & looking back on it all it seemed like just a waste of unfilled time.
I should like, in 2012, to be able to be doing something over the whole 12-month period;
something within my ability,
& something which allows me time/opportunity to develop further ministry skills
that I would need if any overseas ministry [not overseas teaching work] became an option.
Preferably before my life stage changes!
(Or, before I depart & get to be with Christ, which is far better.)
That "something" is not a full-time job.
Nor is it any kind of employment that takes me away from the mentors & coaches who have been so willing, under God, to meet with me & encourage me to seek our Father, to listen to Him & grow in Him.
And we only live once. Only 1 life.
It would be nice to have a year where everything balances a bit better than it has done since Dec.'08.
But may I be willing to accept whatever is in store - & to wait not for transient things but for anything that leads to sanctification & perfection in the Lord Jesus Christ.
*sigh*
L/T.
I have gone through seasons of nothingness
- that is, where nothing much happened, & looking back on it all it seemed like just a waste of unfilled time.
I should like, in 2012, to be able to be doing something over the whole 12-month period;
something within my ability,
& something which allows me time/opportunity to develop further ministry skills
that I would need if any overseas ministry [not overseas teaching work] became an option.
Preferably before my life stage changes!
(Or, before I depart & get to be with Christ, which is far better.)
That "something" is not a full-time job.
Nor is it any kind of employment that takes me away from the mentors & coaches who have been so willing, under God, to meet with me & encourage me to seek our Father, to listen to Him & grow in Him.
And we only live once. Only 1 life.
It would be nice to have a year where everything balances a bit better than it has done since Dec.'08.
But may I be willing to accept whatever is in store - & to wait not for transient things but for anything that leads to sanctification & perfection in the Lord Jesus Christ.
*sigh*
L/T.
07 October, 2011
34 rue Lutetia
Am I really that OLD?
34 years and 17 days?
Well, as my life slips away without my noticing, let's reflect on 1 pertinent issue impacting what things would be like if God picked me up and hurled me into the French student ministry situation
- at this very moment of who I am and where I am in life.
________________
{replicated from a recent Note on my Facebook page}
Well, I know where I'm meant to be for the moment. 3 trips to Paris plus 1 trip to Strasbourg have helped to clarify it. So did a meeting with CMS in July this year.
A number of issues are at stake here, some of which will be discussed in future - though in random order. Solitude and loneliness, for one..
* because, when I go, I think it most likely that I will go alone.
Not that I won't know anyone - in fact, I'll be better off than most people I know who might go in my stead, because whenever I've been in France I've managed to make new friends among the locals.
What I mean is that if I go, I'm likely to go by myself - sent by a sending organisation, but without ready companionship in my langue maternelle. Because, simply put, I've been single all my life, & now that I'm past 30 it becomes rarer and rarer for Christian girls such as me to end up married.
And I am really, really OK with that, unless God isn't at some point in the future!! So no sympathy is required here..
;)
What implications does this have?
Let me paint a recent picture for you:
When in Strasbourg, I was part of a small team of fantastic people
- 3 French, 1 Italian, 1 Australian (who by virtue of having lived in France since 1991 is practically French anyhow).
Our principal interactions/communications, therefore, were in French.
And I was really, really OK with that, too..
..except for the time difference.
By 2PM each day (10PM AEST) I would be, well, let's say quite sleepy. Trying to concentrate in a 2nd language (French, for me) as well as concentrating on staying awake...something had to give.
So on a number of occasions in the afternoons, when my 3 French team-mates chattered to each other in French, I ended up not switching into the conversation due to exhaustion; this meant that I didn't really participate and therefore isolated myself. And yes, that isolation was hard - but don't forget the fatigue factor..
Thus the sense of isolation and loneliness could be quite strong, owing to my opting-out of the conversations at certain "down-times" in the afternoon.
Please be aware, however, that this was no-one's fault. No-one was to blame. (I always had the feeling my level of French surpassed their level of English, so it was more convenient for everyone that we operated in French.) Yet it was tiring - so very tiring.
In hindsight, I don't believe I am yet ready to cope with that level of isolation or loneliness in the long term.
Now I liked my French team-mates, I miss them all more than they probably know or care, I'd do another week with them in a heartbeat. But coping with long-term interactions in French (or any other 2nd language) - I think it would take around 2 years to get over the sense of loneliness and isolation
- the feeling that there's no-one in your own age bracket who you can really, really just talk to because of the existing language barriers.
And then, one backtracks - because what about God?
Am I saying, somehow, that God is not enough for me?
That He is not up to the task of dispelling any loneliness or isolation I might have to handle?
That He is not Someone whom I can really, really talk to without any language barriers?
Is it that I am not dependent enough on Him?
Not willing enough to rely fully on Him, to let Him be the companionship I know I'd need if I went back to France long-term?
Or is it none of this, and I'm simply just discovering my own limitations?
And yet in twisting and turning through all of this, I know the needs in France, the lostness of the people, the difficulties faced by those who serve full-time as ministers of the gospel. These things sharpen more into focus every time I visit.
So would I be willing, in the end, to face even the threat of loneliness and isolation for the sake of advancing the kingdom of our God and of His Christ?
L/T.
34 years and 17 days?
Well, as my life slips away without my noticing, let's reflect on 1 pertinent issue impacting what things would be like if God picked me up and hurled me into the French student ministry situation
- at this very moment of who I am and where I am in life.
________________
{replicated from a recent Note on my Facebook page}
Well, I know where I'm meant to be for the moment. 3 trips to Paris plus 1 trip to Strasbourg have helped to clarify it. So did a meeting with CMS in July this year.
A number of issues are at stake here, some of which will be discussed in future - though in random order. Solitude and loneliness, for one..
* because, when I go, I think it most likely that I will go alone.
Not that I won't know anyone - in fact, I'll be better off than most people I know who might go in my stead, because whenever I've been in France I've managed to make new friends among the locals.
What I mean is that if I go, I'm likely to go by myself - sent by a sending organisation, but without ready companionship in my langue maternelle. Because, simply put, I've been single all my life, & now that I'm past 30 it becomes rarer and rarer for Christian girls such as me to end up married.
And I am really, really OK with that, unless God isn't at some point in the future!! So no sympathy is required here..
;)
What implications does this have?
Let me paint a recent picture for you:
When in Strasbourg, I was part of a small team of fantastic people
- 3 French, 1 Italian, 1 Australian (who by virtue of having lived in France since 1991 is practically French anyhow).
Our principal interactions/communications, therefore, were in French.
And I was really, really OK with that, too..
..except for the time difference.
By 2PM each day (10PM AEST) I would be, well, let's say quite sleepy. Trying to concentrate in a 2nd language (French, for me) as well as concentrating on staying awake...something had to give.
So on a number of occasions in the afternoons, when my 3 French team-mates chattered to each other in French, I ended up not switching into the conversation due to exhaustion; this meant that I didn't really participate and therefore isolated myself. And yes, that isolation was hard - but don't forget the fatigue factor..
Thus the sense of isolation and loneliness could be quite strong, owing to my opting-out of the conversations at certain "down-times" in the afternoon.
Please be aware, however, that this was no-one's fault. No-one was to blame. (I always had the feeling my level of French surpassed their level of English, so it was more convenient for everyone that we operated in French.) Yet it was tiring - so very tiring.
In hindsight, I don't believe I am yet ready to cope with that level of isolation or loneliness in the long term.
Now I liked my French team-mates, I miss them all more than they probably know or care, I'd do another week with them in a heartbeat. But coping with long-term interactions in French (or any other 2nd language) - I think it would take around 2 years to get over the sense of loneliness and isolation
- the feeling that there's no-one in your own age bracket who you can really, really just talk to because of the existing language barriers.
And then, one backtracks - because what about God?
Am I saying, somehow, that God is not enough for me?
That He is not up to the task of dispelling any loneliness or isolation I might have to handle?
That He is not Someone whom I can really, really talk to without any language barriers?
Is it that I am not dependent enough on Him?
Not willing enough to rely fully on Him, to let Him be the companionship I know I'd need if I went back to France long-term?
Or is it none of this, and I'm simply just discovering my own limitations?
And yet in twisting and turning through all of this, I know the needs in France, the lostness of the people, the difficulties faced by those who serve full-time as ministers of the gospel. These things sharpen more into focus every time I visit.
So would I be willing, in the end, to face even the threat of loneliness and isolation for the sake of advancing the kingdom of our God and of His Christ?
L/T.
10 September, 2011
2011 début de semestre - à l'étranger
This month my thoughts and prayers rest particularly with the French Christians and their international mission partners trying to reach university students across France with the gospel of salvation in Jesus.
A few groups in cities like Paris and Strasbourg are running something like an Aussie university "O-Week" campaign..
..minus the postering, the walk-ups, the soapbox evangelism (great initiative from the SUEU a couple of years back) the actual being permitted a presence on campus property.
No such freedoms exist on any French university campus.
So keep them in your prayers, with reference to:
* COL. 1:28-29
* COL. 4:2-6
And pray that they will be reminded of 1 COR. 2:4-5 as they attempt to have conversations with local students about the only One that stands between them and eternal condemnation.
Because there is much less openness in this age group in France than in Australia - less willingness to engage, less willingness even to stop & talk..
L/T.
A few groups in cities like Paris and Strasbourg are running something like an Aussie university "O-Week" campaign..
..minus the postering, the walk-ups, the soapbox evangelism (great initiative from the SUEU a couple of years back) the actual being permitted a presence on campus property.
No such freedoms exist on any French university campus.
So keep them in your prayers, with reference to:
* COL. 1:28-29
* COL. 4:2-6
And pray that they will be reminded of 1 COR. 2:4-5 as they attempt to have conversations with local students about the only One that stands between them and eternal condemnation.
Because there is much less openness in this age group in France than in Australia - less willingness to engage, less willingness even to stop & talk..
L/T.
04 July, 2011
2 ans plus tard..
Two years ago at this time, my life was in the middle of radical upheaval.
At the start of 2009 (after six years flickering in and out of different teaching roles in Sydney schools), I found myself jobless and caught up in the inexorably swirling currents of the then-quite-new global financial crisis (not-so-affectionately known as the GFC).
As any person brought up in the fine traditions of a Protestant work ethic, I tried - without success - to find replacement employment throughout 2009. Through casual stints here and there, God provided me income that kept the scoreboard ticking over and 2 substantial tax returns (both pretty 4-figure sums).
In mid-2009, I went on a long-intended short-term mission trip overseas (to see the reality and difficulty of proclaiming Christ in a non-English-speaking context) and returned with a redefined idea of what I wanted my life to look like.
To ensure this was not just a phase, I went back in September 2009 and June/July 2010 for another look - and, as a result, decided to be more committed to praying, caring, giving, going or all four together.
Thus this year so far (6 months on a challenging class in a difficult school in a less-than-easy area) has seemed like a bit of a wilderness detour. A more than full-time demand on my life that has pushed quality time with my Father and with His people relentlessly to one side. Which I have not only resented, but been negatively affected by - because, after all, when one drifts further from God, it follows that one's conduct becomes significantly less godly and can even be a stumbling-block to unbelievers with whom one has to work. In particular, my students at school.
Apart from the income generation, I have found it hard to see the positives in this job. I feel as if the amount of pressure/stress I have been under has neither developed my Christian character further, nor has it contributed to any observable professional growth as a teacher.
Of course, I am sure the Father sees the last 6 months very differently. I just wish it was all over quicker. The pitfalls of living in an instant society.
Oh that the doors may open to develop what actually needs development - if I am ever to be useful in an overseas cross-cultural context with university student age groups!
L/T.
At the start of 2009 (after six years flickering in and out of different teaching roles in Sydney schools), I found myself jobless and caught up in the inexorably swirling currents of the then-quite-new global financial crisis (not-so-affectionately known as the GFC).
As any person brought up in the fine traditions of a Protestant work ethic, I tried - without success - to find replacement employment throughout 2009. Through casual stints here and there, God provided me income that kept the scoreboard ticking over and 2 substantial tax returns (both pretty 4-figure sums).
In mid-2009, I went on a long-intended short-term mission trip overseas (to see the reality and difficulty of proclaiming Christ in a non-English-speaking context) and returned with a redefined idea of what I wanted my life to look like.
To ensure this was not just a phase, I went back in September 2009 and June/July 2010 for another look - and, as a result, decided to be more committed to praying, caring, giving, going or all four together.
Thus this year so far (6 months on a challenging class in a difficult school in a less-than-easy area) has seemed like a bit of a wilderness detour. A more than full-time demand on my life that has pushed quality time with my Father and with His people relentlessly to one side. Which I have not only resented, but been negatively affected by - because, after all, when one drifts further from God, it follows that one's conduct becomes significantly less godly and can even be a stumbling-block to unbelievers with whom one has to work. In particular, my students at school.
Apart from the income generation, I have found it hard to see the positives in this job. I feel as if the amount of pressure/stress I have been under has neither developed my Christian character further, nor has it contributed to any observable professional growth as a teacher.
Of course, I am sure the Father sees the last 6 months very differently. I just wish it was all over quicker. The pitfalls of living in an instant society.
Oh that the doors may open to develop what actually needs development - if I am ever to be useful in an overseas cross-cultural context with university student age groups!
L/T.
27 June, 2011
5 versets qu'il faut obéir
(English ~ ROMANS 12:17-21)
Ne rendez à personne le mal pour le mal.
Recherchez ce qui est bien devant tous les hommes.
S'il est possible, autant que cela dépend de vous,
soyez en paix avec tous les hommes.
Ne vous vengez point vous-mêmes, bien-aimés,
mais laissez agir la colère;
car il est écrit:
A moi la vengeance, à moi la rétribution,
dit le Seigneur.
Mais si ton ennemi a faim, donne-lui à manger;
s'il a soif, donne-lui à boire;
car en agissant ainsi,
ce sont des charbons ardents que tu amasseras sur sa tête.
Ne te laisse pas vaincre par le mal,
mais surmonte le mal par le bien.
________________
(Hymn time!)
To God be the glory,
Great things He hath done.
So loved He the world
That He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life
An atonement for sin
And opened the life-gate,
That all may go in.
L/T.
P.S. Merci, Père,
Qui m'a pardonnée mes offenses,
Qui m'a donnée Ton Saint Esprit pour me délivrer du mal/malin.
Tu es digne de toute louange!
Ne rendez à personne le mal pour le mal.
Recherchez ce qui est bien devant tous les hommes.
S'il est possible, autant que cela dépend de vous,
soyez en paix avec tous les hommes.
Ne vous vengez point vous-mêmes, bien-aimés,
mais laissez agir la colère;
car il est écrit:
A moi la vengeance, à moi la rétribution,
dit le Seigneur.
Mais si ton ennemi a faim, donne-lui à manger;
s'il a soif, donne-lui à boire;
car en agissant ainsi,
ce sont des charbons ardents que tu amasseras sur sa tête.
Ne te laisse pas vaincre par le mal,
mais surmonte le mal par le bien.
________________
(Hymn time!)
To God be the glory,
Great things He hath done.
So loved He the world
That He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life
An atonement for sin
And opened the life-gate,
That all may go in.
L/T.
P.S. Merci, Père,
Qui m'a pardonnée mes offenses,
Qui m'a donnée Ton Saint Esprit pour me délivrer du mal/malin.
Tu es digne de toute louange!
06 June, 2011
5e-9e versets d'Éphésiens 6
No time to grieve the loss of our princess of cats, because in the job I have been given to do at school since start of February, it's Nightmare City (otherwise known as report-writing time).
So here's a snippet from EPHESIANS 6:5-9 to keep life in perspective.
__________________
Serviteurs, obéissez à vos maîtres selon la chair,
avec crainte et tremblement, dans la simplicité de votre coeur,
comme à Christ,
non pas seulement sous leurs yeux, comme pour plaire aux hommes,
mais comme des serviteurs de Christ,
qui font de bon coeur la volonté de Dieu.
Servez-les avec empressement,
comme servant le Seigneur et non des hommes,
sachant que chacun, soit esclave, soit libre,
recevra du Seigneur selon ce qu'il aura fait de bien.
Et vous, maîtres, agissez de même à leur égard,
et abstenez-vous de menaces,
sachant que leur Maître et le vôtre est dans les cieux,
et que devant Lui il n'y a point d'acception de personnes.
L/T.
So here's a snippet from EPHESIANS 6:5-9 to keep life in perspective.
__________________
Serviteurs, obéissez à vos maîtres selon la chair,
avec crainte et tremblement, dans la simplicité de votre coeur,
comme à Christ,
non pas seulement sous leurs yeux, comme pour plaire aux hommes,
mais comme des serviteurs de Christ,
qui font de bon coeur la volonté de Dieu.
Servez-les avec empressement,
comme servant le Seigneur et non des hommes,
sachant que chacun, soit esclave, soit libre,
recevra du Seigneur selon ce qu'il aura fait de bien.
Et vous, maîtres, agissez de même à leur égard,
et abstenez-vous de menaces,
sachant que leur Maître et le vôtre est dans les cieux,
et que devant Lui il n'y a point d'acception de personnes.
L/T.
15 May, 2011
1 tristesse
My sister's cat had not been well since February, though had been in spirits up until the start of May.
She went to the vet last Monday 9th, was fed at 6:45PM that evening before they closed up.
At some point during the night she went to sleep on her side and never woke up.
I know the world hasn't ended. But in moments of reflection like this, it sure as heck feels like it.
L/T.
She went to the vet last Monday 9th, was fed at 6:45PM that evening before they closed up.
At some point during the night she went to sleep on her side and never woke up.
I know the world hasn't ended. But in moments of reflection like this, it sure as heck feels like it.
L/T.
27 April, 2011
1e semaine de T2
As one starts a new school term, it is always good to keep some of the Father's wisdom in mind.
I'm sure as heck going to need it!
ROMAINS 5,1-10
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out His love into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
"You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"Since we have now been justified by His blood,
how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!
For if, when we were God’s enemies,
we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son,
how much more, having been reconciled,
shall we be saved through His life!"
________________
L/T.
I'm sure as heck going to need it!
ROMAINS 5,1-10
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out His love into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
"You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
"Since we have now been justified by His blood,
how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!
For if, when we were God’s enemies,
we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son,
how much more, having been reconciled,
shall we be saved through His life!"
________________
L/T.
12 March, 2011
5 versets de JONAS 2
I dedicate this post to all those affected by the recent earthquake & tsunami in Japan.
________________
JONAH 2:2-6
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and He answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and You listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all Your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, ‘I have been banished
from Your sight;
yet I will look again
toward Your holy temple.’
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But You brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
________________
L/T.
________________
JONAH 2:2-6
In my distress I called to the LORD,
and He answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help,
and You listened to my cry.
You hurled me into the deep,
into the very heart of the seas,
and the currents swirled about me;
all Your waves and breakers
swept over me.
I said, ‘I have been banished
from Your sight;
yet I will look again
toward Your holy temple.’
The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But You brought my life up from the pit,
O LORD my God.
________________
L/T.
26 February, 2011
2 Psaumes
It has been an extremely busy month.
I have felt so rushed so much of the time, & it seems so hard just to sit still awhile with my Father.
Expressing almost perfectly my thoughts at this demanding time of work are two Psalm quotes..
PSA. 42:1-2
(or vv.2-3 if using French Bible)
PSA. 63:1
(or v.2 if using French Bible)
L/T.
I have felt so rushed so much of the time, & it seems so hard just to sit still awhile with my Father.
Expressing almost perfectly my thoughts at this demanding time of work are two Psalm quotes..
PSA. 42:1-2
(or vv.2-3 if using French Bible)
PSA. 63:1
(or v.2 if using French Bible)
L/T.
02 February, 2011
1er des 4 Évangiles (Matthieu 10..)
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side*.
Listen to Him, for He shall be thy guide..
________________
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Whoever acknowledges Me before others,
I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns Me before others,
I will disown before My Father in heaven.
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.
I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to turn
'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law
- a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.'
Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me;
anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me.
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me
is not worthy of Me.
Whoever finds their life will lose it,
and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it."
MATTHEW 10:28-39
L/T.
*[hymn words - source unknown]
Listen to Him, for He shall be thy guide..
________________
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Whoever acknowledges Me before others,
I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns Me before others,
I will disown before My Father in heaven.
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.
I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to turn
'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law
- a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.'
Anyone who loves their father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me;
anyone who loves their son or daughter more than Me
is not worthy of Me.
Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me
is not worthy of Me.
Whoever finds their life will lose it,
and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it."
MATTHEW 10:28-39
L/T.
*[hymn words - source unknown]
20 January, 2011
3 jours (au lieu de 5)
I would really value your prayers that God might provide me with a job of up to 3 days per week.
NOT a full-time job (5 days/week, 1.0 load); I do not wish to be totally monopolised by work - & I know this WILL happen if I go back to full-time employment.
I would see a part-time one (ideally 0.6 load) as being least inconvenient in what I want to do with my life long-term.
So, a PART-TIME job prayer request.
Would you please pray about this with me?
L/T.
NOT a full-time job (5 days/week, 1.0 load); I do not wish to be totally monopolised by work - & I know this WILL happen if I go back to full-time employment.
I would see a part-time one (ideally 0.6 load) as being least inconvenient in what I want to do with my life long-term.
So, a PART-TIME job prayer request.
Would you please pray about this with me?
L/T.
14 January, 2011
10 ans après: Réponses aux prières
It was nearly 10 years ago that I began adding students I taught to my prayer-list.
Back in 2001, on a practicum teaching block of time with a Year 4 class - an experience I enjoyed so much that it was impossible not to pray for the children - especially the majority of unsaved ones, mainly from unchurched families.
And as time went on & I moved from school to school, so were added to the number yearly those who were not yet saved (or those whom, as children, may/not have made a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ at the time).
Prayer points for former students included:
[unsaved]
* that God would place people/circumstances in their lives to challenge them with the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ - & that He would show them mercy, turning their hearts to repentance & faith in Him
[Christian families]
* that any faith they had in God might be proved genuine & that if calling Christ their Lord & Saviour, they would continue to walk with Him..
[all]
* that for those students whom God called to be His, He would also raise them up to be leaders of His people..
Such little prayers..
..prayed by a little shepherdess with little fitness for much other ministry..
There were times in more recent years where I wondered, should I keep these children on my prayer list? (..or should I give up..?)
________________
But this week I went, for the 3rd time in three years, to NSW Summer School
- a week-long conference run by the Church Missionary Society.
A conference full of mission reports from the harvest field of the world; full of prayer and praise and expository preaching from the Bible and..well, more prayer.
At that conference were at least 2 answers to my own personal prayers;
two former students, children I had taught who are now little brothers in the Lord.
One from an unchurched family background; one from a Christian family.
Both professing faith in Christ.
Both serving on the teams of leaders for the youth/children's programme
- helping teach a new generation of children about Christ & the call to follow Him.
Who could have imagined this?
What kindness, goodness and faithfulness - & all totally undeserved.
Père céleste - merci!
Que Tu, qui as commencé en eux cette bonne oeuvre, la rendras parfaite pour le jour de Jésus Christ!!
(PHIL. 1,6)
L/T.
Back in 2001, on a practicum teaching block of time with a Year 4 class - an experience I enjoyed so much that it was impossible not to pray for the children - especially the majority of unsaved ones, mainly from unchurched families.
And as time went on & I moved from school to school, so were added to the number yearly those who were not yet saved (or those whom, as children, may/not have made a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ at the time).
Prayer points for former students included:
[unsaved]
* that God would place people/circumstances in their lives to challenge them with the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ - & that He would show them mercy, turning their hearts to repentance & faith in Him
[Christian families]
* that any faith they had in God might be proved genuine & that if calling Christ their Lord & Saviour, they would continue to walk with Him..
[all]
* that for those students whom God called to be His, He would also raise them up to be leaders of His people..
Such little prayers..
..prayed by a little shepherdess with little fitness for much other ministry..
There were times in more recent years where I wondered, should I keep these children on my prayer list? (..or should I give up..?)
________________
But this week I went, for the 3rd time in three years, to NSW Summer School
- a week-long conference run by the Church Missionary Society.
A conference full of mission reports from the harvest field of the world; full of prayer and praise and expository preaching from the Bible and..well, more prayer.
At that conference were at least 2 answers to my own personal prayers;
two former students, children I had taught who are now little brothers in the Lord.
One from an unchurched family background; one from a Christian family.
Both professing faith in Christ.
Both serving on the teams of leaders for the youth/children's programme
- helping teach a new generation of children about Christ & the call to follow Him.
Who could have imagined this?
What kindness, goodness and faithfulness - & all totally undeserved.
Père céleste - merci!
Que Tu, qui as commencé en eux cette bonne oeuvre, la rendras parfaite pour le jour de Jésus Christ!!
(PHIL. 1,6)
L/T.
04 January, 2011
6 danses
One of my stated recreational interests is dance, specifically classical ballet.
In general, there are about 6 dance sequences that I'd say (off the top of my head) are great fun to watch, in terms of escape/entertainment, cleverness and/or talent:
1. Kitri's Entrance
(from the ballet DON QUIXOTE - American Ballet Theatre version)
This excerpt is outstanding, in that Cynthia Harvey (dancer in pink) is performing LIVE onstage.
Brilliant!
Meanwhile, all other preferred dance clips referenced here are from films or miniseries & were edited in some way into their current forms.
2. Crown Inn ball dance: Emma Woodhouse & Mr (George) Knightley
(from the BBC 2009 televised version of Jane Austen's novel EMMA)
3. "What a comforting thing to know"
(from the Cinderella-style film SLIPPER AND THE ROSE)
4. A dance/song sequence at an Amritsar party
(from BRIDE AND PREJUDICE;
alternate clip here)
5. "That's how you know"
(from ENCHANTED - seriously cheesy though)
=> go to 1m03 for best results
6. An opening-credits street dance
(from one of the AUSTIN POWERS films)
=> go to 1m34 for best results
Sorry if this wasn't interesting enough for you..!
L/T.
In general, there are about 6 dance sequences that I'd say (off the top of my head) are great fun to watch, in terms of escape/entertainment, cleverness and/or talent:
1. Kitri's Entrance
(from the ballet DON QUIXOTE - American Ballet Theatre version)
This excerpt is outstanding, in that Cynthia Harvey (dancer in pink) is performing LIVE onstage.
Brilliant!
Meanwhile, all other preferred dance clips referenced here are from films or miniseries & were edited in some way into their current forms.
2. Crown Inn ball dance: Emma Woodhouse & Mr (George) Knightley
(from the BBC 2009 televised version of Jane Austen's novel EMMA)
3. "What a comforting thing to know"
(from the Cinderella-style film SLIPPER AND THE ROSE)
4. A dance/song sequence at an Amritsar party
(from BRIDE AND PREJUDICE;
alternate clip here)
5. "That's how you know"
(from ENCHANTED - seriously cheesy though)
=> go to 1m03 for best results
6. An opening-credits street dance
(from one of the AUSTIN POWERS films)
=> go to 1m34 for best results
Sorry if this wasn't interesting enough for you..!
L/T.
02 January, 2011
43e chapitre d'ÉSAΪE
{Happy New Year.
Isn't this a lovely, suitable verse to kick-off my blog posts in 2011?)
"Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honour Me,
the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My chosen people,
the people whom I formed for Myself
that they might declare My praise."
ISAIAH chapter 43,
verses 18-21.
________________
Père céleste, que Tu fasse cela pour moi aussi!?
..que des eaux dans le désert soient mises, et des fleuves dans la solitude..
- Toi, qui m'a choisi,
afin que je puisses annoncer Tes louanges aux incrédules!
Toutefois, que ma volonté ne se fasse pas, mais la Tienne (LUC 22,42).
L/T.
Isn't this a lovely, suitable verse to kick-off my blog posts in 2011?)
"Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honour Me,
the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to My chosen people,
the people whom I formed for Myself
that they might declare My praise."
ISAIAH chapter 43,
verses 18-21.
________________
Père céleste, que Tu fasse cela pour moi aussi!?
..que des eaux dans le désert soient mises, et des fleuves dans la solitude..
- Toi, qui m'a choisi,
afin que je puisses annoncer Tes louanges aux incrédules!
Toutefois, que ma volonté ne se fasse pas, mais la Tienne (LUC 22,42).
L/T.
31 December, 2010
2010 sujets de prière?
This is your last chance!
After today, it will be a new year!!
If you would like any last 2010 prayers to be prayed, get in touch now!!!
I Kid You Not!!!!
L/T.
{I will be defaulting to passages in Colossians 1 and 2* and 1 Thessalonians 3** anyway, so no real rush; but informed detail is always good to keep in mind when praying for you.)
*2:6-7
1:9-13 and v28-29
**3:12-13
After today, it will be a new year!!
If you would like any last 2010 prayers to be prayed, get in touch now!!!
I Kid You Not!!!!
L/T.
{I will be defaulting to passages in Colossians 1 and 2* and 1 Thessalonians 3** anyway, so no real rush; but informed detail is always good to keep in mind when praying for you.)
*2:6-7
1:9-13 and v28-29
**3:12-13
27 December, 2010
4 jours et 2 chapitres qui restent (de l'Évangile de Jean)
After today there are only 4 days left of 2010..
..so I'd better finish those personal notes on the gospel account inspired by God & recorded by John son of fisherman Zebedee.
[For prior notes or links/directions to notes, please refer to post of 28/11/2010.
________________
KNOWING (or experiencing) GOD
From reading of John Zebedee's final chapters 20 and 21,
one may deduce that we know/experience God by..
.. ..knowing Jesus, as Lord who is with us
because of the Holy Spirit (inferred in 20:22)
- or, having known Him, continuing to desire nearness to Him even when all hope seems dead
(as one woman did by going to where His body was buried, 20:1)
.. ..understanding what the Scriptures
[=written words of the Bible]
have to say about Him (20:9),
as well as paying attention/listening to what Jesus Himself says,
talking with Him
{20:27-29 and 21:15-22
=> see sample responses to Jesus' words in v.17-19 of ch.20
(ie. as He tells disciples what to do,
they act in accordance with His word; also 21:4-6)}
.. ..believing in Christ Jesus/
what God accomplished through Him (20:31 and v.8)
=> yet still NOT needing to physically see Him with our eyes
in order to believe in Him (20:25 onwards)
.. ..following Him
(since He calls us, 21:19-22)
.. ..AND, as with other chapters,
listening to/believing in the testimony of those
who saw Jesus' life, death & also evidence of His resurrection
(21:24; vv.1-8 and vv.14-18 of ch.20;
additionally, vv.24-25 of final chapter => ie. ch.21)
________________
KNOWING what GOD WILLS for His people
It seems that knowing what God's will is for His people concentrates (in these last chapters) on..
.. ..the raising of Jesus to life,
in order that Scripture be fulfilled (20:1-9)
.. ..the need for peace to be with His people
("peace" turns up THREE times in a block of eight verses in ch. 20,
so that must count for something
- see v.19, v.21 and v.26)
.. ..sending!
"Comme mon Père m'a envoyé,
moi aussi je vous envoie." (From ch.20, v.21.)
I love stuff that smacks of [com]MISSION..!!!!!
.. ..the giving of the Holy Spirit
(ie. His intention that we receive His Spirit, 20:21).
N.B. While one isolated reference, if one looks back to the wider context
of this whole gospel, this intent was already discussed more
in chapters 14, 15 and 16.
.. ..generally, whatever Jesus says
(e.g. 20:17, or 21:15-19)
=> Which
[as frequently mentioned in most other chapters of this gospel]
has a lot to do with
believing in who Jesus is
(the Christ, Messiah/Moshiach, the King whom God has chosen)
and by believing,
having life in His Name,
as verse 31 of chapter 20 states.
________________
When I was a bit younger than I am now, I used to hear from different Bible teachers (all far more spiritually mature than myself) that JOHN 20:31 was the key or summary verse of this gospel account.
I see no reason to argue with their conclusions, esp. in light of things I've seen while spending time with John Zebedee during 2010.
In scanning over the Johannine-related notes posted on my blog throughout this year, again and again the idea of BELIEF in Jesus, & an emphasis on His WORDS spoken, have popped up in my search for answers to the 2 questions about knowledge of God/knowledge of His will.
So at the close of this year, it seems worthwhile to remind both myself and *you*
the-readers-of-these-Johannine-blog-posts
of the absolute importance of experiencing God the Father/Son/Holy Spirit
~through BELIEVING in the Lord Jesus Christ & all He came to achieve
~through SEEKING God in all His WORDS recorded in Scripture
(the Bible that we have such easy access to in the Western Anglophone world)
~and~
~ through SUBMISSION to God,
because He sought us first;
because He took the initiative of pursuing relationship with us;
because we are His own creation and we can exist and live and have eternal life ONLY through Him.
****************************************************************
"The God who made the world and everything in it
is the Lord of heaven and earth
and does not live in temples built by human hands.
And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything.
Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
From one man He made all the nations,
that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and He marked out their appointed times in history
and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek Him
and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him,
though He is not far from any one of us.
'For in Him we live and move and have our being’..(28)
(30)..In the past God overlooked such ignorance,
but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice
by the man He has appointed.
He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead."
Taken from ACTS 17:24-31.
L/T.
..so I'd better finish those personal notes on the gospel account inspired by God & recorded by John son of fisherman Zebedee.
[For prior notes or links/directions to notes, please refer to post of 28/11/2010.
________________
KNOWING (or experiencing) GOD
From reading of John Zebedee's final chapters 20 and 21,
one may deduce that we know/experience God by..
.. ..knowing Jesus, as Lord who is with us
because of the Holy Spirit (inferred in 20:22)
- or, having known Him, continuing to desire nearness to Him even when all hope seems dead
(as one woman did by going to where His body was buried, 20:1)
.. ..understanding what the Scriptures
[=written words of the Bible]
have to say about Him (20:9),
as well as paying attention/listening to what Jesus Himself says,
talking with Him
{20:27-29 and 21:15-22
=> see sample responses to Jesus' words in v.17-19 of ch.20
(ie. as He tells disciples what to do,
they act in accordance with His word; also 21:4-6)}
.. ..believing in Christ Jesus/
what God accomplished through Him (20:31 and v.8)
=> yet still NOT needing to physically see Him with our eyes
in order to believe in Him (20:25 onwards)
.. ..following Him
(since He calls us, 21:19-22)
.. ..AND, as with other chapters,
listening to/believing in the testimony of those
who saw Jesus' life, death & also evidence of His resurrection
(21:24; vv.1-8 and vv.14-18 of ch.20;
additionally, vv.24-25 of final chapter => ie. ch.21)
________________
KNOWING what GOD WILLS for His people
It seems that knowing what God's will is for His people concentrates (in these last chapters) on..
.. ..the raising of Jesus to life,
in order that Scripture be fulfilled (20:1-9)
.. ..the need for peace to be with His people
("peace" turns up THREE times in a block of eight verses in ch. 20,
so that must count for something
- see v.19, v.21 and v.26)
.. ..sending!
"Comme mon Père m'a envoyé,
moi aussi je vous envoie." (From ch.20, v.21.)
I love stuff that smacks of [com]MISSION..!!!!!
.. ..the giving of the Holy Spirit
(ie. His intention that we receive His Spirit, 20:21).
N.B. While one isolated reference, if one looks back to the wider context
of this whole gospel, this intent was already discussed more
in chapters 14, 15 and 16.
.. ..generally, whatever Jesus says
(e.g. 20:17, or 21:15-19)
=> Which
[as frequently mentioned in most other chapters of this gospel]
has a lot to do with
believing in who Jesus is
(the Christ, Messiah/Moshiach, the King whom God has chosen)
and by believing,
having life in His Name,
as verse 31 of chapter 20 states.
________________
When I was a bit younger than I am now, I used to hear from different Bible teachers (all far more spiritually mature than myself) that JOHN 20:31 was the key or summary verse of this gospel account.
I see no reason to argue with their conclusions, esp. in light of things I've seen while spending time with John Zebedee during 2010.
In scanning over the Johannine-related notes posted on my blog throughout this year, again and again the idea of BELIEF in Jesus, & an emphasis on His WORDS spoken, have popped up in my search for answers to the 2 questions about knowledge of God/knowledge of His will.
So at the close of this year, it seems worthwhile to remind both myself and *you*
the-readers-of-these-Johannine-blog-posts
of the absolute importance of experiencing God the Father/Son/Holy Spirit
~through BELIEVING in the Lord Jesus Christ & all He came to achieve
~through SEEKING God in all His WORDS recorded in Scripture
(the Bible that we have such easy access to in the Western Anglophone world)
~and~
~ through SUBMISSION to God,
because He sought us first;
because He took the initiative of pursuing relationship with us;
because we are His own creation and we can exist and live and have eternal life ONLY through Him.
****************************************************************
"The God who made the world and everything in it
is the Lord of heaven and earth
and does not live in temples built by human hands.
And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything.
Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
From one man He made all the nations,
that they should inhabit the whole earth;
and He marked out their appointed times in history
and the boundaries of their lands.
God did this so that they would seek Him
and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him,
though He is not far from any one of us.
'For in Him we live and move and have our being’..(28)
(30)..In the past God overlooked such ignorance,
but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice
by the man He has appointed.
He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead."
Taken from ACTS 17:24-31.
L/T.
20 December, 2010
33 ans + 3 mois
I am proud to say that in spite of my age, I'm still not too old to enjoy a Colin Buchanan concert!
(Although I did experience some dizziness when getting up from a sitting/crouching position on the floor of the cathedral..)
L/T.
(Although I did experience some dizziness when getting up from a sitting/crouching position on the floor of the cathedral..)
L/T.
13 December, 2010
10 CDs - grâce à Dieu
In the post preceding this one, I had asked for prayer regarding the provision of an appropriate musician to play piano for me.
God in His mercy not only supplied this need, but also enabled me to sell ten CDs of my own music, which I am very thankful for, being sans boulot.
So the bergère petite is kept off the street for a little while longer!
L/T.
God in His mercy not only supplied this need, but also enabled me to sell ten CDs of my own music, which I am very thankful for, being sans boulot.
So the bergère petite is kept off the street for a little while longer!
L/T.
03 December, 2010
1 musicien/ne
I interrupt my occasional "ordinary" blog posts with a little prayer request, about a temporal issue.
On Friday 10th December I am in need of a reliable and humble muso who can play a piano accompaniment to 2 short songs, one in B major, one in C. They need only be available between ten o'clock and midday - it is not a whole-day gig. It is in Sydney's northern beaches area, and transport is provided.
Please PRAY:
..for God to provide for this need, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
________________
{If He sees it as a genuine need, that is
- I just don't see myself being able to present the song content (Bible-rich lyrics) while accompanying myself on piano at the same time!}
Thank you in advance to those who read & pray.
L/T.
On Friday 10th December I am in need of a reliable and humble muso who can play a piano accompaniment to 2 short songs, one in B major, one in C. They need only be available between ten o'clock and midday - it is not a whole-day gig. It is in Sydney's northern beaches area, and transport is provided.
Please PRAY:
..for God to provide for this need, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
________________
{If He sees it as a genuine need, that is
- I just don't see myself being able to present the song content (Bible-rich lyrics) while accompanying myself on piano at the same time!}
Thank you in advance to those who read & pray.
L/T.
23 November, 2010
18e et 19e chapitres de l'Évangile de Jean (fils de Zébédée)
More than 6 months ago (prior to taking on full-time work in childcare), I was engaged in not-frequent-enough personal study of Scripture.
The subsequent focus of a number of posts on this blog
- from January onwards -
was the 4th of the gospel accounts, as inspired by God & recorded by the apostle JOHN (son of Zebedee, brother of James). My quest was to find out the following:
* how to know God?
(principally in a relational sense, of experiencing Him)
&
* how to know God's will, desires, plans for His people; what He wants for them
(with us included, if we are Christians)
Back at the end of April this year, I had gotten up to some personal notes on chapter 17, but could not continue with the remaining chapters since the demands of my job kept me away from the Internet a lot more.
However, now that the pain in my feet has put an end to full-time work in the childcare industry (as of 8th November) .. it's full steam ahead!
________________
KNOWING (or experiencing) GOD
From reading JOHN 18 and 19, one deduces that
we can know/experience God by..
.. ..His choice to identify/show Himself to us
(as Jesus did in the garden, vv.4-8 of chapter 18)
.. ..accepting Him (God the Son) for precisely who He says He is
(i.e. Jesus acknowledges He is King, check out vv.29-38)
=> & also, this means responding to Him as He deserves
(not in the way the soldiers did, 19:2-3)
.. ..following Him
(though not at a distance, as Peter did in 18:15-18)
.. ..His speaking openly to the world
(& His words then being recorded for us to read from, e.g. vv.20-21 of ch.18)
.. ..LISTENING to His voice
- i.e. listening to all He said as recorded, and/or fulfilled, in Scripture for us
(e.g. 18:37; also inferred in v.9 and v.32)
=> & of course, listening to/believing in the testimony of those who saw Jesus' life & death (19:35 - also, they did see His resurrection, but that's in ch.20)
________________
KNOWING what GOD WILLS for His people
It seems that knowing what God's will is for His people is focused here on..
.. ..the salvation of His people through Jesus, who drinks the cup given Him
(the cup of God's wrath**, v.11 of ch.18
.. ..the importance of His WORD in revealing His will (v.9 in same chapter - a concern echoed also in v.32 and in 19:24 as well as 19:28-30 and 19:36-37
=> to indicate that His Word come to fulfillment in Jesus)
**
CUP?
This is a topic all its own - please comment if you require further explanation..
________________
Looking over related blog posts, there are certain things that just keep on repeating themselves from the preceding chapters of this gospel..!
Next up - the final notes on the final 2 chapters (twentieth and twenty-first).
L/T.
The subsequent focus of a number of posts on this blog
- from January onwards -
was the 4th of the gospel accounts, as inspired by God & recorded by the apostle JOHN (son of Zebedee, brother of James). My quest was to find out the following:
* how to know God?
(principally in a relational sense, of experiencing Him)
&
* how to know God's will, desires, plans for His people; what He wants for them
(with us included, if we are Christians)
Back at the end of April this year, I had gotten up to some personal notes on chapter 17, but could not continue with the remaining chapters since the demands of my job kept me away from the Internet a lot more.
However, now that the pain in my feet has put an end to full-time work in the childcare industry (as of 8th November) .. it's full steam ahead!
________________
KNOWING (or experiencing) GOD
From reading JOHN 18 and 19, one deduces that
we can know/experience God by..
.. ..His choice to identify/show Himself to us
(as Jesus did in the garden, vv.4-8 of chapter 18)
.. ..accepting Him (God the Son) for precisely who He says He is
(i.e. Jesus acknowledges He is King, check out vv.29-38)
=> & also, this means responding to Him as He deserves
(not in the way the soldiers did, 19:2-3)
.. ..following Him
(though not at a distance, as Peter did in 18:15-18)
.. ..His speaking openly to the world
(& His words then being recorded for us to read from, e.g. vv.20-21 of ch.18)
.. ..LISTENING to His voice
- i.e. listening to all He said as recorded, and/or fulfilled, in Scripture for us
(e.g. 18:37; also inferred in v.9 and v.32)
=> & of course, listening to/believing in the testimony of those who saw Jesus' life & death (19:35 - also, they did see His resurrection, but that's in ch.20)
________________
KNOWING what GOD WILLS for His people
It seems that knowing what God's will is for His people is focused here on..
.. ..the salvation of His people through Jesus, who drinks the cup given Him
(the cup of God's wrath**, v.11 of ch.18
.. ..the importance of His WORD in revealing His will (v.9 in same chapter - a concern echoed also in v.32 and in 19:24 as well as 19:28-30 and 19:36-37
=> to indicate that His Word come to fulfillment in Jesus)
**
CUP?
This is a topic all its own - please comment if you require further explanation..
________________
Looking over related blog posts, there are certain things that just keep on repeating themselves from the preceding chapters of this gospel..!
Next up - the final notes on the final 2 chapters (twentieth and twenty-first).
L/T.
22 November, 2010
2 mille 7 cent EUR
If you knew Philippians 4:19, you'd be aware that it promises, "My God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
What I have needed (& what God has provided through today's mail - my tax return equiv. to 2700EUR) is enough to:
* pay my rent debt to my landlady
* update my health insurance into 2011
* tithe-with-interest into causes that I have always supported in the past but struggled to support in recent months.
It is also an answer to prayer.
May the Father enable His daughter and servant to be both wise and generous.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning, new mercies I see;
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, LORD, unto me.
L/T.
What I have needed (& what God has provided through today's mail - my tax return equiv. to 2700EUR) is enough to:
* pay my rent debt to my landlady
* update my health insurance into 2011
* tithe-with-interest into causes that I have always supported in the past but struggled to support in recent months.
It is also an answer to prayer.
May the Father enable His daughter and servant to be both wise and generous.
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning, new mercies I see;
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, LORD, unto me.
L/T.
15 November, 2010
Une centaine des enfants juifs
For the 4th year in a row, I am rehearsing & performing Jewish children's songs of a highly religious nature at a Jewish school (where I worked as an Infants music teacher from 2007 to 2008).
I have been playing & singing with around 100 children (split into 4 classes), rehearsing songs about mitzvot (good works), shabbat (the day of rest - our Saturday) and Hashem (whom we call God, or the LORD).
Some of the songs (though definitely not all) are not only cute, but on the money:
BARUCH HASHEM (Blessed be The Name)
Baruch Hashem, I've got a Friend,
A Friend Who is always beside me,
Baruch Hashem, to the very end,
A Friend Who will always stick by me;
A Friend Who is kind, a Friend to share secrets with,
A Friend Who is always true blue,
A Friend Who is there, and He always cares -
Baruch Hashem, I've found it in You..
Of course, I think the theology could be deeper - but these are songs for Jewish children under the age of 7, after all..
L/T.
I have been playing & singing with around 100 children (split into 4 classes), rehearsing songs about mitzvot (good works), shabbat (the day of rest - our Saturday) and Hashem (whom we call God, or the LORD).
Some of the songs (though definitely not all) are not only cute, but on the money:
BARUCH HASHEM (Blessed be The Name)
Baruch Hashem, I've got a Friend,
A Friend Who is always beside me,
Baruch Hashem, to the very end,
A Friend Who will always stick by me;
A Friend Who is kind, a Friend to share secrets with,
A Friend Who is always true blue,
A Friend Who is there, and He always cares -
Baruch Hashem, I've found it in You..
Of course, I think the theology could be deeper - but these are songs for Jewish children under the age of 7, after all..
L/T.
06 November, 2010
4 versets de Habacuc
HABAKKUK 3
(verses 16 to 19)
I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled..
..Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to tread on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
________________
L/T.
(verses 16 to 19)
I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled..
..Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to tread on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
________________
L/T.
29 October, 2010
10e chapitre de Marc, versets 21-34
How much do I really live by God's Word?
For that matter, how much do you?
How serious do you think our Lord and Saviour was when He said these things (as recorded by John Mark)?
________________
^^ .. .. And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him,
"You lack one thing:
go, sell all that you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven;
and come, follow Me."
Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful,
for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples,
"How difficult it will be for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again,
"Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to Him,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."
Peter began to say to Him,
"See, we have left everything and followed you."
Jesus said,
"Truly, I say to you, there is no one
who has left house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands,
for My sake and for the gospel,
who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time,
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions,
and in the age to come eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.
And taking the twelve again,
He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying,
"See, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn Him to death
and deliver Him over to the Gentiles.
And they will mock Him and spit on Him,
and flog Him and kill Him.
And after three days He will rise." .. .. ^^
For that matter, how much do you?
How serious do you think our Lord and Saviour was when He said these things (as recorded by John Mark)?
________________
^^ .. .. And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him,
"You lack one thing:
go, sell all that you have and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven;
and come, follow Me."
Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful,
for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples,
"How difficult it will be for those who have wealth
to enter the kingdom of God!"
And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again,
"Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to Him,
"Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."
Peter began to say to Him,
"See, we have left everything and followed you."
Jesus said,
"Truly, I say to you, there is no one
who has left house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands,
for My sake and for the gospel,
who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time,
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions,
and in the age to come eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.
And taking the twelve again,
He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying,
"See, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn Him to death
and deliver Him over to the Gentiles.
And they will mock Him and spit on Him,
and flog Him and kill Him.
And after three days He will rise." .. .. ^^
18 October, 2010
5e chapitre de Romains, versets 3-5
Over the last month, I have been trying to manage pain in my L big toe joint.
The last 36 hours have been particularly trying.
Putting ordinary weight on the L foot during walking HURTS.
Plus, I can't work unless I work through the pain.
Pray for God's good, pleasing & perfect will to be done
- keeping in mind the following:
"More than that,
we rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
ROMAINS 5,3-5
________________
Oh, and as on f'b, so here:
Keep praying that doors will open for 2011.
L/T.
The last 36 hours have been particularly trying.
Putting ordinary weight on the L foot during walking HURTS.
Plus, I can't work unless I work through the pain.
Pray for God's good, pleasing & perfect will to be done
- keeping in mind the following:
"More than that,
we rejoice in our sufferings,
knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character,
and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
ROMAINS 5,3-5
________________
Oh, and as on f'b, so here:
Keep praying that doors will open for 2011.
L/T.
01 October, 2010
33 ans et 11 jours
[Traduction: 33 years & 11 days]
There is a direction in which I feel God has been leading me since July 2009.
Please pray
* for God's will to be done
* that I will humbly & obediently submit to the specific "where" details of that, because my Father knows what I need before I ask Him
* that He will lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil (& the evil one)
Thank you, beloved, for reading (& your prayers according to God's will).
L/T.
There is a direction in which I feel God has been leading me since July 2009.
Please pray
* for God's will to be done
* that I will humbly & obediently submit to the specific "where" details of that, because my Father knows what I need before I ask Him
* that He will lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil (& the evil one)
Thank you, beloved, for reading (& your prayers according to God's will).
L/T.
13 September, 2010
7 jours avant de mon anniv.
Trotting cautiously down the steep steps leading to the front door of my Sydney home, it is a typical early spring evening. The sun has long gone, & there are clouds in the sky - but it's still a winsome time of day & year.
________________
I could quite happily live where I live all my life, & never leave this reasonably comfortable city - let alone my country.
But if the Sovereign King calls this little clay-jar* daughter, His weak**, feeble & less-than-godly shepherdess, to serve foreign flocks in a foreign nation - some time before the end of her life..will she not go?
And if her Father calls her, will she go with the blessing & support of her family or fellow Servants in the Kingdom?
L/T.
*
2 COR. 4:7ff
**
2 COR. 12:9ff
________________
I could quite happily live where I live all my life, & never leave this reasonably comfortable city - let alone my country.
But if the Sovereign King calls this little clay-jar* daughter, His weak**, feeble & less-than-godly shepherdess, to serve foreign flocks in a foreign nation - some time before the end of her life..will she not go?
And if her Father calls her, will she go with the blessing & support of her family or fellow Servants in the Kingdom?
L/T.
*
2 COR. 4:7ff
**
2 COR. 12:9ff
04 September, 2010
3e jour du printemps
Attended what must be one of the last school concerts for former students now getting ready for HSC performances & examinations (on this, the 3rd day of Australian springtime).
Time to let go.
Time to move on.
Time to start closing the door on a somewhat poignant half-decade.
What doors is God now opening..?
Only time will tell.
L/T.
P.S. Same school as that mentioned in this recent post.
Time to let go.
Time to move on.
Time to start closing the door on a somewhat poignant half-decade.
What doors is God now opening..?
Only time will tell.
L/T.
P.S. Same school as that mentioned in this recent post.
22 August, 2010
1 sujet de prière
Who will join me in praying for the people of Mexico?
Compared with them, we in Australia have it easy (even if we have a government or leaders we personally did not vote for).
L/T.
Compared with them, we in Australia have it easy (even if we have a government or leaders we personally did not vote for).
L/T.
15 August, 2010
2 "pères"
This post is sacred to the memory of 2 men of my father's generation:
Robert Yap
&
Howard Wong-See
________________
In 1989 my parents' marriage was destroyed by revelations of unwise conduct on my father's part (adultery resulting in an illegitimate child).
Over the 14 years that followed, Robert Yap & his wife Doreen showed a level of kindness to my mother unrivalled by most. And a loyalty which withstood my mother's decision to remarry in 2003 - even when many other friends who moved in the same circles refused to support her.
*wiping away tears*
I had known the Yap family since my early years; there is a photo of my twin & I with Robert's eldest daughter on Balmoral Beach when the 3 of us were all still in nappies. We continued friendship with this daughter in upper primary Sunday-school, then high school youth group, then university-aged fellowship. In fact, I had the privilege & blessing of doing Bible-study with both of Robert's daughters.
At one time Robert shared office space with my father (prior to dad's marriage-devastating actions). Even after my mother chose to discontinue attending our church, I never saw "auntie" Doreen without her asking me, "How is your mum?"
________________
I also grew up with Howard's eldest daughter; we did our HSCs in the same year, & even before that (as with Robert's daughter) we had been through Sunday School, youthgroup & uni.-aged fellowship together. I then spent 2 years in a Bible-study group with the younger of his two sons.
Howard was a good friend of my now-stepfather, & like Robert Yap, maintained contact with him and my mother after they married in 2003.
________________
The title of this post translates as "2 fathers". And that is what these men were, in a sense, to me. You see, Chinese-backrgound community can be quite close-knit; & both these men, committed Christians, were like second fathers to me in the years after my parents' marriage break-up.
When I heard that Howard had died so suddenly - when I knew that it was only a matter of time for Robert - all I could recall was my last conversation with them, together with their wives. I was able, that last time, to share news with them that I could not say to my "real" fathers at the time (biological & step-). And they listened carefully, & were supportive, & understanding - and, as always, kind.
Yes, I knew them as "uncles", and I honour them here as "fathers".
They are now before the throne of God above, free now from death, mourning, crying & pain
- but I grieve with their families still living,
and I will sincerely miss them both.
Uncle Robert & Uncle Howard:
I dedicate this to you.
L/T.
Robert Yap
&
Howard Wong-See
________________
In 1989 my parents' marriage was destroyed by revelations of unwise conduct on my father's part (adultery resulting in an illegitimate child).
Over the 14 years that followed, Robert Yap & his wife Doreen showed a level of kindness to my mother unrivalled by most. And a loyalty which withstood my mother's decision to remarry in 2003 - even when many other friends who moved in the same circles refused to support her.
*wiping away tears*
I had known the Yap family since my early years; there is a photo of my twin & I with Robert's eldest daughter on Balmoral Beach when the 3 of us were all still in nappies. We continued friendship with this daughter in upper primary Sunday-school, then high school youth group, then university-aged fellowship. In fact, I had the privilege & blessing of doing Bible-study with both of Robert's daughters.
At one time Robert shared office space with my father (prior to dad's marriage-devastating actions). Even after my mother chose to discontinue attending our church, I never saw "auntie" Doreen without her asking me, "How is your mum?"
________________
I also grew up with Howard's eldest daughter; we did our HSCs in the same year, & even before that (as with Robert's daughter) we had been through Sunday School, youthgroup & uni.-aged fellowship together. I then spent 2 years in a Bible-study group with the younger of his two sons.
Howard was a good friend of my now-stepfather, & like Robert Yap, maintained contact with him and my mother after they married in 2003.
________________
The title of this post translates as "2 fathers". And that is what these men were, in a sense, to me. You see, Chinese-backrgound community can be quite close-knit; & both these men, committed Christians, were like second fathers to me in the years after my parents' marriage break-up.
When I heard that Howard had died so suddenly - when I knew that it was only a matter of time for Robert - all I could recall was my last conversation with them, together with their wives. I was able, that last time, to share news with them that I could not say to my "real" fathers at the time (biological & step-). And they listened carefully, & were supportive, & understanding - and, as always, kind.
Yes, I knew them as "uncles", and I honour them here as "fathers".
They are now before the throne of God above, free now from death, mourning, crying & pain
- but I grieve with their families still living,
and I will sincerely miss them both.
Uncle Robert & Uncle Howard:
I dedicate this to you.
L/T.
14 August, 2010
109 "fils"
In 2005, at this very same time, I was trying my hand at secondary-school teaching.
I had been offered a couple of weeks' work, trialling a Religious Studies and Personal Development job at an Anglican school in the eastern suburbs. Boys only - 5 classes of Year Sevens, 2 classes of Year Nines, 2 classes of Year Tens.
No other work was forthcoming, so I took the job.
I had 109 Year Sevens all up, who struck me (at the time) as being quite emotionally needy. So, after the 2 weeks when 3 of my colleagues - the Chaplain, Head of Religious Studies & Head of Senior School - asked me if I was willing to stay longer, I agreed.
I stayed another 7 weeks until the end of Term 3 2005, for these Y7s - for the sake of 109 children whom (in spite of their good days, bad days, sane days & mad days) I came to think of rather as my sons.
________________
Today I paid these former students one last official visit. They're now about to do their HSC exams (& looking forward to leaving a school that some of them have attended for 13 years - AND possibly looking forward to having GIRLS in their classes!!); it was good to see that so many of them are alive & well - even if, as boys, they said very little.
It was also good to see my former colleagues at this school, who always welcomed my visits to athletics events (such as today's one) or to music concerts.
At the same time it was also quite sad for me; saying goodbye & good luck can be, when you care. (And I cared - much more than I needed to.) As a group my 109 were one of the nicest sets of kids I've ever taught (when I taught them). I haven't taught them since 2005, and in many ways we've all moved on..
..but this goodbye is more poignant than most.
And my heart's desire, and prayer for them (as it has been for the last 5.5 years), is that they may be saved.
(ROMANS 10:1)
*sigh*
L/T.
I had been offered a couple of weeks' work, trialling a Religious Studies and Personal Development job at an Anglican school in the eastern suburbs. Boys only - 5 classes of Year Sevens, 2 classes of Year Nines, 2 classes of Year Tens.
No other work was forthcoming, so I took the job.
I had 109 Year Sevens all up, who struck me (at the time) as being quite emotionally needy. So, after the 2 weeks when 3 of my colleagues - the Chaplain, Head of Religious Studies & Head of Senior School - asked me if I was willing to stay longer, I agreed.
I stayed another 7 weeks until the end of Term 3 2005, for these Y7s - for the sake of 109 children whom (in spite of their good days, bad days, sane days & mad days) I came to think of rather as my sons.
________________
Today I paid these former students one last official visit. They're now about to do their HSC exams (& looking forward to leaving a school that some of them have attended for 13 years - AND possibly looking forward to having GIRLS in their classes!!); it was good to see that so many of them are alive & well - even if, as boys, they said very little.
It was also good to see my former colleagues at this school, who always welcomed my visits to athletics events (such as today's one) or to music concerts.
At the same time it was also quite sad for me; saying goodbye & good luck can be, when you care. (And I cared - much more than I needed to.) As a group my 109 were one of the nicest sets of kids I've ever taught (when I taught them). I haven't taught them since 2005, and in many ways we've all moved on..
..but this goodbye is more poignant than most.
And my heart's desire, and prayer for them (as it has been for the last 5.5 years), is that they may be saved.
(ROMANS 10:1)
*sigh*
L/T.
08 July, 2010
3 personnes
No, this post is not about the Trinity! (A great topic though..)
I'm going to tell you about 3 girls I encountered during mission in Paris, of the many people our team met by the grace & kindness of God.
Une incrédule
At Port-Royal, one of our Bible-stand locations, I met & chatted to what I think is a classic example of a young French unbeliever. In the course of conversation (our prompt-question of the day was, "What's the greatest problem in our world & how do you think it can be solved?", she said she believed it was injustice, which she felt arose out of a human desire for power & control. Flatly she added that she thought this problem was something that humans could not resolve, however much they tried.
So, a definite cynicism about the future of humanity.
I then tried to share with her a bit of the Biblical worldview, highlighting the difference that Jesus makes. Yet whenever I said anything, she watched me with an expression combining pity, mockery and superiority (as if she were thinking, "I can't believe how deluded this religious freak is.."). Her answers to my comments soon indicated her unwillingness to accept the plausibility & reality of Christ, or the hope that God offers in Him.
So, in summary, she admitted to the problem of injustice..
..recognised that humans were incapable of solving this problem, despite any efforts they made..
..yet, in spite of this rather depressing worldview, would rather have believed that humans should just keep trying to be the best people they could be
- anything other than accepting the complete & ultimate solution offered by the gospel of the perfect man Jesus Christ.
Une musulmane
Another girl I met during French mission week was a student from a Muslim family. In fact, we met many such students every day of the week at our Bible-stand locations. This student, residing in France most of her life, had been taken to mosque from a young age, & taught the basics of Islam. Upon entering French high school she was subject to the compulsory 6 years of "philosophy" education, which I rather nastily (& I think accurately) call "atheism dressed up very nicely". When she left school & started uni., she explained to me, she then began to pursue the truth herself - was Islam true? .. or philosophy? .. or some other religion?
In so doing, this student had touched on the Bible, read parts of the Bible. I asked her then, having read what she had of the Bible, her opinion on who she thought Jesus was. Her response:
A good man, a great man (maybe even a prophet), but not God.
Jesus, in her opinion, was not the Son of God, & therefore none of what that entailed - which Scripture (esp. the 4 gospel accounts) very carefully reports - could be true. She would not, therefore, accept Jesus as being either Lord of creation, or its Saviour.
And this was an extremely common refrain many of my fellow mission team members heard from Muslims that we met.
So common of the general Muslim response on the Lord Jesus Christ that, after mission was over, when I heard on the news that some well-known Muslim head honcho (guy who ran Hezbollah, or something?) had died, I actually felt quite sad, because he had died in a faith which blinded him to the Truth, the Way & the Life
- thus giving him no hope in death. And no hope to any others held sway by Islam.
*sigh*
Intéressée
At our Thursday evening activity, I forced myself to sit in on the fluent Francophones Bible-study group..
- it would have been SO much easier to have just gone to the Anglophone group, but in light of my hopes for the next 5 years I felt it better to stick with French -
..thus, it was a bit of a blur, but God in His grace made it all worthwhile after the main study time.
We'd looked at a chunk of REV. 21, & an animated discussion over the text between some of the GBU students (Christians), stagiaires Relais (MTS workers) & several unbelieving visitors had followed. In the more informal social chatting that followed, I was in conversation with one of the visitors, a girl invited along by her GBU student friend. I asked her how she'd found the evening, & what she thought of what she heard.
She was quite laid-back in her response; she had enjoyed the activities & discussion, thought it novel & interesting, & spoke a little of how she had heard things like it during childhood visits to church (with grandparents) at Easter & Christmas.
She then asked me what I thought of all I'd heard.
Thus giving me an unprecedented opportunity to share a bit of my testimony with her
- how I'd been taught about God, Jesus & the Bible at church from infancy,
my decision to accept it,
a little of my journey since then (in the grace of God),
& my sure hope in the new heavens & earth promised by God in the REV. 21 passage.
At which point her friends came by & declared they were heading home, implying that she needed to get her things together.
But by God's gracious permission, I was enabled to share of His work throughout my life..
As you can probably tell, I felt more positive about the last conversation than the first two I mentioned. And yet I know that God can do all things, that no plan of His can be thwarted.
That His love for these 3 unsaved girls is far greater than mine;
for all the world, He gave His only Son (JOHN 3:16).
That He wants them to be saved
& to come to a knowledge of the truth in Jesus
(1 TIM. 2:4-6), far more than I ever will.
That He doesn't want them - or anyone - to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance (2 PET. 3:9).
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a roar,
and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved,
and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved,
what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved,
and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
But according to His promise we are waiting
for new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these,
be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish,
and at peace.
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation,
just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you
according to the wisdom given him.."
2 PETER 3:10-15
Thank you once again, any who have followed me on my 3rd short missionary journey back to Paris. (I will keep you posted on future developments, as God allows me time!)
L/T.
{Post completed:
18/07/2010.}
I'm going to tell you about 3 girls I encountered during mission in Paris, of the many people our team met by the grace & kindness of God.
Une incrédule
At Port-Royal, one of our Bible-stand locations, I met & chatted to what I think is a classic example of a young French unbeliever. In the course of conversation (our prompt-question of the day was, "What's the greatest problem in our world & how do you think it can be solved?", she said she believed it was injustice, which she felt arose out of a human desire for power & control. Flatly she added that she thought this problem was something that humans could not resolve, however much they tried.
So, a definite cynicism about the future of humanity.
I then tried to share with her a bit of the Biblical worldview, highlighting the difference that Jesus makes. Yet whenever I said anything, she watched me with an expression combining pity, mockery and superiority (as if she were thinking, "I can't believe how deluded this religious freak is.."). Her answers to my comments soon indicated her unwillingness to accept the plausibility & reality of Christ, or the hope that God offers in Him.
So, in summary, she admitted to the problem of injustice..
..recognised that humans were incapable of solving this problem, despite any efforts they made..
..yet, in spite of this rather depressing worldview, would rather have believed that humans should just keep trying to be the best people they could be
- anything other than accepting the complete & ultimate solution offered by the gospel of the perfect man Jesus Christ.
Une musulmane
Another girl I met during French mission week was a student from a Muslim family. In fact, we met many such students every day of the week at our Bible-stand locations. This student, residing in France most of her life, had been taken to mosque from a young age, & taught the basics of Islam. Upon entering French high school she was subject to the compulsory 6 years of "philosophy" education, which I rather nastily (& I think accurately) call "atheism dressed up very nicely". When she left school & started uni., she explained to me, she then began to pursue the truth herself - was Islam true? .. or philosophy? .. or some other religion?
In so doing, this student had touched on the Bible, read parts of the Bible. I asked her then, having read what she had of the Bible, her opinion on who she thought Jesus was. Her response:
A good man, a great man (maybe even a prophet), but not God.
Jesus, in her opinion, was not the Son of God, & therefore none of what that entailed - which Scripture (esp. the 4 gospel accounts) very carefully reports - could be true. She would not, therefore, accept Jesus as being either Lord of creation, or its Saviour.
And this was an extremely common refrain many of my fellow mission team members heard from Muslims that we met.
So common of the general Muslim response on the Lord Jesus Christ that, after mission was over, when I heard on the news that some well-known Muslim head honcho (guy who ran Hezbollah, or something?) had died, I actually felt quite sad, because he had died in a faith which blinded him to the Truth, the Way & the Life
- thus giving him no hope in death. And no hope to any others held sway by Islam.
*sigh*
Intéressée
At our Thursday evening activity, I forced myself to sit in on the fluent Francophones Bible-study group..
- it would have been SO much easier to have just gone to the Anglophone group, but in light of my hopes for the next 5 years I felt it better to stick with French -
..thus, it was a bit of a blur, but God in His grace made it all worthwhile after the main study time.
We'd looked at a chunk of REV. 21, & an animated discussion over the text between some of the GBU students (Christians), stagiaires Relais (MTS workers) & several unbelieving visitors had followed. In the more informal social chatting that followed, I was in conversation with one of the visitors, a girl invited along by her GBU student friend. I asked her how she'd found the evening, & what she thought of what she heard.
She was quite laid-back in her response; she had enjoyed the activities & discussion, thought it novel & interesting, & spoke a little of how she had heard things like it during childhood visits to church (with grandparents) at Easter & Christmas.
She then asked me what I thought of all I'd heard.
Thus giving me an unprecedented opportunity to share a bit of my testimony with her
- how I'd been taught about God, Jesus & the Bible at church from infancy,
my decision to accept it,
a little of my journey since then (in the grace of God),
& my sure hope in the new heavens & earth promised by God in the REV. 21 passage.
At which point her friends came by & declared they were heading home, implying that she needed to get her things together.
But by God's gracious permission, I was enabled to share of His work throughout my life..
As you can probably tell, I felt more positive about the last conversation than the first two I mentioned. And yet I know that God can do all things, that no plan of His can be thwarted.
That His love for these 3 unsaved girls is far greater than mine;
for all the world, He gave His only Son (JOHN 3:16).
That He wants them to be saved
& to come to a knowledge of the truth in Jesus
(1 TIM. 2:4-6), far more than I ever will.
That He doesn't want them - or anyone - to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance (2 PET. 3:9).
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,
and then the heavens will pass away with a roar,
and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved,
and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved,
what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved,
and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
But according to His promise we are waiting
for new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these,
be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish,
and at peace.
And count the patience of our Lord as salvation,
just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you
according to the wisdom given him.."
2 PETER 3:10-15
Thank you once again, any who have followed me on my 3rd short missionary journey back to Paris. (I will keep you posted on future developments, as God allows me time!)
L/T.
{Post completed:
18/07/2010.}
05 July, 2010
Un escargot indépendant
I shall commence this tardy post by translating the title from French into English (for non-Francophones).
________________
Un escargot..?
A snail.
The kind of creature that, as a child, you learn about
- one that carries its house on its back.
Indépendant?
This is self-explanatory, in fact - it's just French spelling for "independent".
Thus the title reads as "an independent snail".
________________
The greatest lesson learned on this very short-term missionary journey was, ironically, not actually "mission"-related.
It happened, & indeed is still happening, as a result of my baggage being left by staff in Bangkok (current location still unconfirmed, but it's not in France or the UK).
What I learned is that, like a snail carries its house on its back (or so little children throughout the ages are told), I like to carry all my house/home things around too. Convenient stuff; basic stuff; towels, air-mattress, sheets, toothpaste, hygiene (*cough*) stuff, umbrella & boots for wet-weather, a few non-monochrome changes of clothing. All of these things were in my checked luggage, which never followed me beyond my first stopover/transit point. Consequently, I spent the entire week of mission in Paris without them.
The second part of what I learned is how much I value independence.
I feel VERY uncomfortable borrowing stuff from other people.
I've been raised (in a culture with a distinctively Chinese flavour to it) not to rely on others for things I should be able to provide for myself.
Actually, I just don't like having to borrow things from people; it all feels so inconvenient to them - in my opinion, that is.
So I didn't like having to rely on others for
*an air-mattress to sleep on
*a sheet to cover the mattress
*a towel
*deodorant (it's summer in Paris..)
In short, I didn't like it that I needed to depend on others for provision of the basic comforts (select those you agree are essential from list above).
________________
Some of you reading this are probably thinking, "So what? .. It's not a problem to be able to look after yourself or supply your own needs."
And yet, in my year's worth of thinking about O.S.C.C. mission, I begin to see that for ME personally, yes - it is a problem.
Because if I feel uncomfortable about having to accept the provision of my basic needs from other people
- if I have difficulty being gracious when it comes to depending on others -
how will I cope in the future, if being placed into an O.S.C.C. mission context where being fully supported by others (e.g. friends, bio./Christian family, link churches, missionary sending organisation) is all part of the deal?
*sigh*
Oh well. Better that I learn about weaknesses such as over-self-reliance NOW than later on..
L/T.
P.S. By the way, mission itself was very encouraging.
God graciously answered many prayers for our team.
I hope I was a little encouraging to others, too..but it sure didn't feel like it to me, at time!
At least God IS gracious..
________________
Un escargot..?
A snail.
The kind of creature that, as a child, you learn about
- one that carries its house on its back.
Indépendant?
This is self-explanatory, in fact - it's just French spelling for "independent".
Thus the title reads as "an independent snail".
________________
The greatest lesson learned on this very short-term missionary journey was, ironically, not actually "mission"-related.
It happened, & indeed is still happening, as a result of my baggage being left by staff in Bangkok (current location still unconfirmed, but it's not in France or the UK).
What I learned is that, like a snail carries its house on its back (or so little children throughout the ages are told), I like to carry all my house/home things around too. Convenient stuff; basic stuff; towels, air-mattress, sheets, toothpaste, hygiene (*cough*) stuff, umbrella & boots for wet-weather, a few non-monochrome changes of clothing. All of these things were in my checked luggage, which never followed me beyond my first stopover/transit point. Consequently, I spent the entire week of mission in Paris without them.
The second part of what I learned is how much I value independence.
I feel VERY uncomfortable borrowing stuff from other people.
I've been raised (in a culture with a distinctively Chinese flavour to it) not to rely on others for things I should be able to provide for myself.
Actually, I just don't like having to borrow things from people; it all feels so inconvenient to them - in my opinion, that is.
So I didn't like having to rely on others for
*an air-mattress to sleep on
*a sheet to cover the mattress
*a towel
*deodorant (it's summer in Paris..)
In short, I didn't like it that I needed to depend on others for provision of the basic comforts (select those you agree are essential from list above).
________________
Some of you reading this are probably thinking, "So what? .. It's not a problem to be able to look after yourself or supply your own needs."
And yet, in my year's worth of thinking about O.S.C.C. mission, I begin to see that for ME personally, yes - it is a problem.
Because if I feel uncomfortable about having to accept the provision of my basic needs from other people
- if I have difficulty being gracious when it comes to depending on others -
how will I cope in the future, if being placed into an O.S.C.C. mission context where being fully supported by others (e.g. friends, bio./Christian family, link churches, missionary sending organisation) is all part of the deal?
*sigh*
Oh well. Better that I learn about weaknesses such as over-self-reliance NOW than later on..
L/T.
P.S. By the way, mission itself was very encouraging.
God graciously answered many prayers for our team.
I hope I was a little encouraging to others, too..but it sure didn't feel like it to me, at time!
At least God IS gracious..
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