what happened today

How's everyone?

You know, when I went to YAF mtg today (prayer and praise), I wasn't expecting anything. Wasn't really thinking; was mulling over impending papers and the Dumb Things i'd done. But things change when God is near, wherever you are. I can't wish every one a better thing than to find rest in God's presence each moment this week.

But i've been reminded a few times this week of these things.
That I should trust Him, and when it feels like i cannot believe, pray, "Lord, help my unbelief."
That God is close to the broken-hearted.
That He is God of all comfort.
That He is working in us.

(today, during small group prayer), that He loves us, and therefore all problems no longer should consume us.
(during lunch conversation), that we feel lonely and unloved when we gaze at others being together in the eyes of the world, instead of upon God. That being attached or even married will not solve our loneliness. But when we gaze upon God, there is no need for loneliness.

and it's true, i realise i have always known this, but not taken it to heart. Man's problem is alienation. But Christ has brought us near.

Today's sermon: Calvary: Four Witnesses (Luke 23) by a visiting pastor, Rev Daniel Chua

may i make a nerdy comment here? you know what they call the skullbone--the top of The Skull-- in Latin/anatomy? Calvaria.

Four Witnesses-- what can we learn from them?
1) Simon of Cyrene. "Carry the cross". Here we are walking our own road, doing our own thing, and suddenly, unexpectedly, we are faced with the person of Jesus. Is my life marked by the theme of taking up the cross? Do I ever balk because of the cost of discipleship?

2) The robbers. "Jesus, remember me..." Both, Matthew 27 tells us, heaped insults on Christ at first; perhaps as Christ prayed "Father, forgive them" even as He bled, that prayer of love moved one criminal to a prayer of faith. Lord, remember me. When did I last confess my sins to someone and ask to be prayed for, for forgiveness and restoration? Is there humility, gratitude in my heart towards God? "The Jews and the Romans were only our proxies"; it was for our sins that Christ was crucified. And yet, lest guilt overpower us and make us think ourselves unable to call upon God, we will remember that He came to save sinners; it's precisely because of our wretchedness that there was Good Friday, that there is the sacrament of Communion today.

3) The Roman centurion. "Surely this man was the Son of God!" Matthew says he was terrified--i didn't realise that he would have realised the implications of what he had just done. To lay a hand on the son of an earthly king means death; but when men killed the only Son of the High King of Kings, the Lord of all creation, He opened the way to forgiveness, to reconciliation, through His blood. This is outrageous love.

4) Joseph of Arimathea. "We need the guts of Joseph of Arimathea". Of the Sanhedrin, the highest authority in the land; John 19.38 tells us he was a secret disciple of Jesus. This is his challenge that arises; this is his last chance (in his foreseeable future) to make a stand for his Master, to show in public that his loyalty lies with Jesus, and not with the powerful rulers or the crowds. Nicodemus went along with him to see Pilate, cos that's wad frens are for.
let's come into the open and witness for Christ.


In short, God loves you and me! let's be glad (:


each time i realise
that nothing escapes His eyes
my problems come down to size
it's all in His hands
and tho i might be alone
i know i'm not on my own
the stars down to the stones
are all in His hands

it's all in His hands
all under His control
at His command
each moment then unfolds
below and above
ever since time began
the power of love
is all in His hands

it's easy to believe
i look around and see
that part of Him in me
is part of the plan
now i don't worry so
each day the blessings flow
now all i need to know
is all in His hands

~all in His hands, Cristy Lane