EYE-POO PART II

ok, so i've been asked to clarify my Tozer quote from last sunday. so here's my take on things (and i hope it's correct!)...

1. Deal thoroughly with sin.
i think this one's pretty self-explanatory. if we leave any hint of sin lurking around, it'll get in the way between us and God (and probably affect our relationships with others as well) (Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 32).

2. Never own anything - get rid of the sense of possessing.
the idea here, i think, is not about not buying anything or having nothing to your name. i don't think Tozer is telling us to live our lives renting and borrowing from people. the point is more about seeing everything we have as belonging to God. it's about living life with an open hand - His to give, His to take away (Job 1:21).

3. Never defend yourself.
again, this one isn't about literally letting someone hurt you. the motivation here is to allow God to bring about justice rather than take it into our own hands. Romans 12:19, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[12:19 Deut. 32:35] says the Lord.'" so it's not so much about physical defense as defending our reputation or pride.

4. Never pass anything on about anybody else that will hurt them.
'cuz that would be gossip. and "gossip separates close friends" (Proverbs 16:28)

5.Never accept any glory.
glory belongs to God alone because without Him we wouldn't be where we are. Revelations 4:11, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

i hope that's helpful. there are probably other explanations, but that's how i see it.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
~Colossians 3:16~

HE'S REAL

here's a handy tip for all of yas: don't donate blood if you feel even slightly unwell. guess who had to learn the hard way? [grin]

anyway, if anything good could come out of extreme tummy discomfort, loss of fluids, fitful sleep, lack of sugar and low blood pressure, it's this... i felt the hand of Jesus keep me from bashing my head against the toilet as i was on the verge of fainting and again lifting me up off the bathroom floor and guiding me to my room even though i could hardly see. it's odd but i distinctly remember calling on the name of Jesus to help me get up even though my body was slumped on the ground this morning. and i think it was knowing that He was with me that kept me from freaking out since none of my suitemates knew (or cared) that i was sick. wow. it's really so reassuring knowing that God watches over me. it's also good to have friends who live downstairs who are just a phonecall away. :>

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD ,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you-
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
~Psalm 121~

ON HUMILITY

just my thoughts from this morning...

humility comes to those who put their trust in God. when we are confident in our identity as God's children, we don't have to strive to prove ourselves or try to protect our pride. when we feel secure in God, we can obey Him freely. Richard Foster says that obedience is the key to humility, but i think it goes beyond that. faith is the key to humility. most interpretations of Philippians 2 (see below) are that Jesus came to earth as a human and was obedient to death on a cross despite being God. but i tend to agree with John Ortberg who said that Jesus came down and was obedient not despite being God, but because He is God. the nature of God is humility. it was because Jesus knew God's nature, His faithfulness, His sovereignty, His love... that He had the freedom to obey the Father and live a selfless life. looking at it this way, Philippians 2 becomes a passage that is not about the heroism of Christ - it is a message of hope for us that we too can attain an attitude that is "the same as that of Christ Jesus."

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death--
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
~Philippians 2:5-11~

EYE-POO

talking to my best friend last night, we came upon an analogy that got us both thinking and laughing. we were discussing the things in our lives that are keeping us from seeing God clearly when the idea of "eye poo" (or, "sleep" in english - basically, the crusty stuff that keeps your eyes from opening fully in the morning) came about. and we realized that we need God's help to rub our eyes clean so we can open them fully and see His face.

we also went on a tangent about the vulgarity of the cantonese language where bodily secretions are all termed "poo" of some sort (snot = nose poo, earwax = ear poo)... hahaha... oh, we're still such children. anywho, we are mystified as to what the other dialects of chinese call these things - my mom doesn't even know. maybe cantonese is the only dialect that even refers to such things?...

anyway, i've been reading Gems From Tozer and practically every page has something underlined. now i want to read more of his writing! i'll share one thing today (more to come later?):

Now there are five vows I have in mind which we do well to make and keep.
1. Deal thoroughly with sin.
2. Never own anything - get rid of the sense of possessing.
3. Never defend yourself.
4. Never pass anything on about anybody else that will hurt them.
5.Never accept any glory.

the two blind men said it well:
They said, "Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!"
~Matthew 20:33~

CROWDED NEURONS

it's been over a week since i've updated... my apologies for anyone who's been checking and finding no updates. :T

there's too much on the brain! we started construction on the set this past week. the first read-through of the play is tomorrow. chrismas music has already started being played on the radio(!). there's some serious lack of sleep going on. and for some odd reason, i haven't been feeling like going to church (don't worry, i'm still going every week). i'm feeling more and more like a recluse wanting to slip away into my little corner of the studio, immerse myself into my imaginary world and not resurface for a very long time. but thank God for brothers and sisters in Christ who check up on me. 'cuz i feel like i'm in a dangerous place. like i'm trying to trace the footprints of God (Psalm 77:19)

anywho, no really inspiring thoughts today. but if you happen to have some, feel free to leave a comment. :>

*sigh* time for bed!

I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the LORD ;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
~Psalm 77:1-2, 10-11, 13-14, 16, 19~

LIKE A CHILD

some of you may know that my pastor's four-year-old son is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. this past week, he had a bone marrow transplant and the most recent prayer update i received from my pastor was quite inspiring. so i'll share a little snippet of it with you:

Amidst all the discomfort he has felt over the last 2 weeks, we admire our son's endurance and strength. When we told him how sorry we are for the way he feels, "that's ok" he said. He has the simple faith to trust that despite all the pain we have put him through, we are trying to help him get better. He's never doubted our love and he does not complain. Only if we can also learn to trust that God is love and He has been putting us through this painful experience to make us "better"!

And [Jesus] said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
~Matthew 18:3-4~

NEW PRAYER

this morning's passage was about Elijah when he faced the 850 prophets of Baal in a showdown on Mount Carmel. while i'd read this story before and always felt like cheering for God after seeing how He sent fire down from heaven to burn up a water soaked sacrifice, i'd never taken a close look at the prayer Elijah prayed to effect that response.

rereading Elijah's story, i could identify with him in some senses. Elijah was one man of God in the face of hundreds of unbelieving skeptics. i do not stand against hundreds, but as a Christian, i am definitely a minority in the Theatre department (i know of one other person who claims to be a Christian). Elijah was high profile. i'm not as high profile, but as a fourth year who's designing a set for a show, i do get looked to quite a lot, both by students and by faculty. and Elijah had the favour of the Lord on him that allowed his endeavours to succeed. in the same way, i have been sensing that God's hand is definitely on me as i design this show (how else would you explain the mysterious way all my profs had no readings or assignments due the week my final design package was due? coincidence? i think not!). so my new prayer is now the one Elijah prayed for the people as he stood in the face of the unbelieving masses. i pray that they would see God's work and turn back to Him.

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed:
"O LORD , God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD , answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD , are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."
~1 Kings 18:36-37~