Dearest place

Saw this post by someone on a place which I thought fit quite well the description of a once dear place, ie. Church. (taking that 'grown' out of as it is)
Before reading on, I would like to say my intention of this post is to establish my statement that sums up the recent bible study on loving the Church.



Is is then possible to grow out of places?
I would say yes. We can't be in school forever with the same group of classmates. We can't really stay committed to a particular hobby and its people for long. Sadly to say, some have also 'grown' out of Church.

It's interesting to note, however, that the Church remains a very dear place to many. It is the place where love is real, where there is real caring for each other. The church is the place where many found the greatest Love, recieved on the greatest Gift, and thereby committed their faith on the greatest Being.

To this place lasting friendship and lifelong partners are found.
To this place acceptance is almost instantly gained across age, race and wealth.
To this place do people willingly share and give of their 'five loaves and two fishes'.
To this place the ups and downs of life is always being accounted, often accompanied by others, there to share in blessings and there to encourage in sorrow.
Even upon death, to this place, as many have affectionately known, to which even He called her His bride, is there to provide the comfort, peace and remembrance.

I was thinking of how, where exactly do we placed Church in our life. Is Church another lifestyle place? A place where we would attend just like we would attend school, learning good and useful knowledge, ideas so that it makes us 'better' as a person?
For a moment in my life I was almost missing out on the whole purpose of Church. The place where Spurgeon described as 'the dearest place on earth'.

In order to get a better grasp of the place of Church as so distinctive from other places and gatherings. This distinction can only come from the many faithful and set-apart Christians whose life brings out the 'frangrance' of life. It is to these Christians that have so fully live out their lives for others that I do understand on a clearer note why Watchman Nee said, 'Christ, my life'.

Thus, if Christ is indeed our life, getting involved, committed to Church seems only natural. Just like how it's natural for us to consume food when it's mealtime. The difficult part is how to shift this delight and desire from a lifestyle to 'our life'.

The thing that compels me on is the examples of the many Faithfuls and the unity of His Word. It all goes down to choice and self-will in the battle between life 'in Christ' and life 'with Christ'.

Joshua Harris told us to start loving the Church because Christ loved the Church. This leads to each of us asking ourselves: 'Do we love God?'

Do we love God enough to be willing and able to give of our time and money?
Do we love God enough that we accept differences and can even show Love upon others?
Do we love God enough that we gather together to minister and do outreach?
Do we love God enough to get fully committed and Love His Church?

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In case there is musunderstanding on my previous post. I do not advocate putting aside the fundamental Truths for the sake of reaching people. My heart was touched by how extensive and continual is the work of evangelising. God is glorified when we do His work. Notice it's every believer, myself all the more not excused.
God did not ask us to guard the Truth to the extend of condemnation, He told us to first Love, even speaking the truth in love.

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The ongoing process of Evangelising

Article: Christianity's Surge in Indonesia

Christianity's Surge in Indonesia

Pentecostalism, New Age movement... What's important is the knowledge and acceptance of the truth which must leads to repentance.

Just Love

Saw the following on one blog:

The story goes that somebody once asked a great theologian—nobody’s quite sure which theologian, but so the story goes—what was the most profound doctrinal statement he had ever heard. The theologian thought for a moment and replied:

“Jesus loves me; this I know
For the Bible tells me so.”



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Just some thoughts

Went over to the popular bookstore just now and realised that the small little "Christian living" book section has been renamed to a broader category: "Inspirational", along with other kinds of books on "Self-improvement". Not that it is of any significance, since there ain't much good Christian books in these commercial bookstores.
Haven't brought a book from there till today. "Spiritual Maturity" by Sanders, surprised to find such books in this bookstore, nevertheless, this book completes the 2 books I already had on Leadership and Discipleship. Haha. The convenience of this bookstore nearest to my house less Campus Crusade, which I heard is shifting, had me popping in occasionally just to look at what are the 'bestsellers' around.

Read through FBI notes recently on how Satan tempts us by having us substitute sensationalism for true spirituality. Which leads me to some questions which are best answered with the end times.
Are Christians out there desiring sensualism more than actually living it out in their lives? Do we yearn more for the 'inspirations' to make us 'feel' better?

2 Timothy 3:1,7
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.

,always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Just some thoughts for the day.

Weak as I am

Some areas of struggles:
Struggling to manage my finances properly given the fact that I do not watch my budget with the convenience of ATM.
Struggling to maintain disciplined time with God when time gets more occupied with other 'things'
Struggling to keep my pride and anger in check at times and in relationship with people.

I do know these aren't real struggles, they are more like excuses. It addresses something deeper with ever simple answers that I already know.

Anyway, I enjoyed the song 'In my weakness' this week.
Found the lyrics online in someone's blog and the words do make me see that I am nothing without Him- which in a not so direct way leads me to stay humble and not boast in any of my strengths.

In My Weakness by Mike Harland and Cary Schmidt

When living life for Jesus Christ become too hard a task,
When obedience means sacrifice that seems too much to ask;
That’s when I learn that my own strength isn’t really strength at all,
And I find rest in humbleness when I surrender all.

In my weakness He is strong;
In my need He leads me on.
When I come to the end of all I am,
And I place my trust in Him;
That’s when His strength begins –
In my weakness.

When failures in my human strength have weakened all my pride,
And ruined hopes in fallen dreams have crumbled me inside;
It’s then by grace I fin’lly see the strength of Jesus Christ,
His victory is real in me when weakness fills my life.

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I was sharing with the guys in Sunday school today about setting aside time for God each day. Just realised the notes that Johnathan offered to our class last week was exactly about how to do exactly that. Oh well, that's so much for not reading.

The idea of your walk talks louder than your talk talks, being a hypocrite still rings in my ears as I sometimes examine my life. Perhaps I have seen many people who are such great talkers yet hugely inconsistent with their life.

Along with this this question links on: How then do one identify a mature believer? Answer: by its fruits. This is the outward growth that is brought forth by the inward growth. Many people see this by the worldly successes the Christian had amassed himself with. The better ones puts this gauge on the level of service/commitment in Church. I am in no way condemning this mindset,
in fact these are good gauges of God's blessings upon the Christian's life as he seeks and make choices that draw him closer to God.

Because of this reason, I do see myself disqualified in many occasions in telling people of the endurance in the Christian race, to even win when I am still in the (or even just started) the 'race'.

Humility cures worldliness. The book of James clearly shows that. Like many other commandments, it does comes with a promise. James 4:10- Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Sidenote: do check out this Christian organisation Statement of faith. Quite solid. I liked the one on Church. (since we are on the topic of loving the Church now)