So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom....'
Psalm 90:12
Christmas is always a lullaby day for me, even in my pagan days, for it occurs in the last month of the year, when the vacations take the center-stage, bonuses are awaiting, and the whole atmosphere even in sunny Singapore is in decidedly cozy mode. This year might be a little different for many though, given the general disastrous year the world had, with the economic turmoil picking up where the natural disasters in Sichuan and Myammar left off. It feels like January 2009 has already started and the beginning of another long work year has come early, just like Spring popping up in Winter, due to global warming.
Yet, the year ahead might be different, for there is no more of the dreary office routine to look forward to, for there might not be more of the same for many, as the unemployment rate will pick up speed globally.
'For we are consumed by Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we troubled.'
Psalm 90:7
Man is made in the likeness of God. It just that in our relentless drive to achieve Satan's delusions, we the clay have forgotten about the Potter.
The newspapers have recently highlighted an increase in sale of Christmas trees, against the general downtrend in most other purchases. Church attendances have picked up decidedly globally and as values of one's material wealth tumbled, there has been a general improvement in human attitudes towards each other.
'Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us.'
Psalm 90:15
Deprivation might be hard on the body, but it is good for the soul, for deprivation strips away the many insular layers that we have unknowingly or unwittingly placed around ourselves, and make it that much more difficult for an enlargement of our hearts, to receive the Lord our God.
'The days of our years are three score years and ten: and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away..'
Psalm 90:10
78 was the figure that pop up in my head recently. It might be the age that ends my time here and heralds the beginning of a life of eternity for me with our Lord. Might be a little reassuring, since I am going for the long overdue colonscopy next Tuesday. A simple procedure if God willing, and if He wills otherwise, then is is adieu till we meet when Christ returns.
Fear of God is a recent experience for me, ie only the past few years, but fear of everything else has been my second skin all my life. What about you?
Fear is a very real specter hanging over the lives of many, as the wealthy takes a dive in their wealth at a faster rate than the famed Tower of Terror in the Disneyland theme park. The average Joe is deep in leverage and the plain Jane will have to make do with plain porridge. Everything has gone to the dogs, and even the dogs have to queue at the soup kitchen for the destitute as was reported in the news on the set-up of a soup kitchen for dogs in Germany.
The streets will be less of a safer place, as many are plunged into despair and crime and xenopobia will be the clarion call for the destitute to cling on to.
The world will get more protectionistic as countries look to protect the inefficiencies of their sunset industries or purely for an excuse to blame someone else for its woes. Hitler rode to power on the bouyancy of a defeated Germany after World War 1, besetted by hyper-inflation and besotted with a false prophet who promised utopia. Is there a Hitler in work in progress somewhere in this world?
'....The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel.'
Mark 1:15
It has been more than 2000 years since God sent His son to deliver us all from the bondage of Adam's folly. And like the tides, man has moved from a humble and contrite heart to a prideful and unrepentant one and then back again through the ages. Along the way, like flotsam, some have been left on the shore of salvation, while others just moved on with the flow of the tide, to live a finite life with infinite angst and then to not just lose their bodily shells, but the chance of eternal joy.
'The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all'
Revelation 18:14
This is the low tide of life for many of us in this present day. This is the time for us to now anchor ourselves on the only source of comfort and grace, our Lord Jesus Christ. Words, thoughts, or actions from mortal man like me will never turn a hardened heart to the truth of the gospel. But thankfully, God can and He will, even as you find yourselves in increasingly dire circumstances, you will sense an opening in your humbled heart, that ache for that relationship with a God that will fill the void that has always existed in you, but conveniently shielded by the lures and lusts of the world.
'But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins..'
Mark 1:10
The year 2008 is a year of distribution, not cumulation. Many have practically given away a large part of their treasures on Earth, not by choice but by default.
The year ahead, ie 2009 could be a year where even the bare clothes on your body will be taken away. Yet in the bareness of our lives, would be the beginning of a life of joy and peace, a life where the only certainty is the love of God. And where men will have to acknowledge that indeed, the grace of God is suffice for the day, for there is nothing else that they can cling on to.
'For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth...'
Hebrews 12:6
Let us stop numbering the days before the bleak days are hopefully over for only the Lord knows, but lets learn to number the many blessings that God has provided for all of us, each and every day of our lives.
You might use to have a full stomach and a barn full of treasures, but a barren soul. Now you will have a Spirit filled soul, and what about our stomachs? The Lord will provide and He has provided.
And while some in such difficult economic times are prone to highlight their 'God' given financial blessings, it is less important to number or boast about the comparative material wealth that we have compared to others, but rather, be thankful for the richness of our close and very real relationship with a Sovereign God who has kept in step with us every which way He leads and this must lead us to be willingly used by the Lord to bring others unto His presence, in all humility and love, knowing that truly the Grace of God is suffice for the day.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(25th Dec 2008)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Running the race #23 :Letter from America(5Dec2008)
Sent: Friday, 5 December, 2008 8:52:10
Subject: Letter from America
Dear...
'And I will also be diligent to cause you to always have memory of these things after my departure..'
2 Peter 1:15
It is now my 9th day in the United States and while a few swallows(or more like days) do not make a season, God is good and it has been certainly an insightful time for me, having traversed 3 major centres of Americana, ie New York(where the financial gnomes grease the faltering but still important US economy), Boston( the hub of the Ivy League and American intellect and cradle of Amercan liberty from their British masters) and now Washington(the centre of our present earthly Universe, where USA resides as the sole superpower for now).
'..to which you do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in your hearts....'
2 Peter 1:18-19
Having seen enough museums, there is no doubt that the Americans are truly deserving of their pre-eminent role in the world the past two century. We were also blessed to be amongst the first few visitors to the new Visitor Centre at Capitol Hill, the seat of US power and democracy. Notwithstanding a politician's comment that the USD600mio plus Centre was to alleviate the problems of 'stinking tourists,' it was in my personal mind money well spent, for besides the comforts for dog-tired visitors after a day of walking, for Washington is a walking town, the Centre has organized a very well documented history of the great men and women, many of whom were God fearing and whose faith upon the unseen but very visible God, formed the basis for the free land that have come to epitomise America and its attraction to the many who are in bondage in their own lands. The present generation must know their spiritual history and not forget that their blessings were
from God.
God works in wonderful ways and like many, I have been blessed to witness His handiwork in my life. To complete these thoughts, for my trip started with an intent to witness the worse of USA, and while indeed, it looks like America and indirectly the world will have to pay for their profligate ways, as deflation and severe unemployment picks up speed as we cross year 2008, God brought me to the days of an America which with all its imperfections, was a place where God had a place in the hearts of many.
A book I picked up, complimentary of the hotel I stayed in, a book written in 1957 by Conrad Hilton, the famous late hotelier whose chain now bears his name. Most of us are familiar with his one famous or infamous descendant, Paris, where lusts seems to epitomise a significant part of American society but the book on Conrad was an eye-opener. A product of rural America, who fought in the great World War 1 and whose sons fought in World War 2, when America was truly a benign superpower, whose sacrifices ensured the world did not succumb to facism nor communism, Conrad like many of his generation, was also a godly man.
The Lord inspired Conrad to inspire Americans and the world to truly place God as the bedrock of their lives. Conrad himself was led by God to print a poster of Uncle Sam down on his knees in prayer and Conrad penned an inspiring prayer to our Lord. To let God and be led by God.
A large part of America has lost its way. Self and materialism have now replaced our Almighty God in the hearts of many. But all is not lost. America is the New World. The faithful men of this great country was just a couple of generations back. Unlike the Old World, Europe, where many generations have long moved to the secular way from a God centred life of their forefathers a few hundred years back. Even for Europe, it is not too late to go on their knees and repent.
In the same book by Conrad Hilton, there was a photo of him with then President Dwight Eisenhower and many men of power, both civil and military coming together for their regular prayer meetings.
This must be our prayers for not just America, but for the world, that men and women will come back unto the presence of the Lord our God and prayer from a humble and contrite heart is not just a good but an important step towards the healing of the woes of the world.
'But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction and many will follow their pernicioius ways....'
2 Peter 1:1-2
To continue to differ and dither, to continue to rely on our own understanding is to bring us all into greater grief, for God wants to bring us back, and how many more shaking does one need, to remember the faith of our forefathers to a faithful God?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
5 Dec 08
Subject: Letter from America
Dear...
'And I will also be diligent to cause you to always have memory of these things after my departure..'
2 Peter 1:15
It is now my 9th day in the United States and while a few swallows(or more like days) do not make a season, God is good and it has been certainly an insightful time for me, having traversed 3 major centres of Americana, ie New York(where the financial gnomes grease the faltering but still important US economy), Boston( the hub of the Ivy League and American intellect and cradle of Amercan liberty from their British masters) and now Washington(the centre of our present earthly Universe, where USA resides as the sole superpower for now).
'..to which you do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in your hearts....'
2 Peter 1:18-19
Having seen enough museums, there is no doubt that the Americans are truly deserving of their pre-eminent role in the world the past two century. We were also blessed to be amongst the first few visitors to the new Visitor Centre at Capitol Hill, the seat of US power and democracy. Notwithstanding a politician's comment that the USD600mio plus Centre was to alleviate the problems of 'stinking tourists,' it was in my personal mind money well spent, for besides the comforts for dog-tired visitors after a day of walking, for Washington is a walking town, the Centre has organized a very well documented history of the great men and women, many of whom were God fearing and whose faith upon the unseen but very visible God, formed the basis for the free land that have come to epitomise America and its attraction to the many who are in bondage in their own lands. The present generation must know their spiritual history and not forget that their blessings were
from God.
God works in wonderful ways and like many, I have been blessed to witness His handiwork in my life. To complete these thoughts, for my trip started with an intent to witness the worse of USA, and while indeed, it looks like America and indirectly the world will have to pay for their profligate ways, as deflation and severe unemployment picks up speed as we cross year 2008, God brought me to the days of an America which with all its imperfections, was a place where God had a place in the hearts of many.
A book I picked up, complimentary of the hotel I stayed in, a book written in 1957 by Conrad Hilton, the famous late hotelier whose chain now bears his name. Most of us are familiar with his one famous or infamous descendant, Paris, where lusts seems to epitomise a significant part of American society but the book on Conrad was an eye-opener. A product of rural America, who fought in the great World War 1 and whose sons fought in World War 2, when America was truly a benign superpower, whose sacrifices ensured the world did not succumb to facism nor communism, Conrad like many of his generation, was also a godly man.
The Lord inspired Conrad to inspire Americans and the world to truly place God as the bedrock of their lives. Conrad himself was led by God to print a poster of Uncle Sam down on his knees in prayer and Conrad penned an inspiring prayer to our Lord. To let God and be led by God.
A large part of America has lost its way. Self and materialism have now replaced our Almighty God in the hearts of many. But all is not lost. America is the New World. The faithful men of this great country was just a couple of generations back. Unlike the Old World, Europe, where many generations have long moved to the secular way from a God centred life of their forefathers a few hundred years back. Even for Europe, it is not too late to go on their knees and repent.
In the same book by Conrad Hilton, there was a photo of him with then President Dwight Eisenhower and many men of power, both civil and military coming together for their regular prayer meetings.
This must be our prayers for not just America, but for the world, that men and women will come back unto the presence of the Lord our God and prayer from a humble and contrite heart is not just a good but an important step towards the healing of the woes of the world.
'But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction and many will follow their pernicioius ways....'
2 Peter 1:1-2
To continue to differ and dither, to continue to rely on our own understanding is to bring us all into greater grief, for God wants to bring us back, and how many more shaking does one need, to remember the faith of our forefathers to a faithful God?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
5 Dec 08
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