It is yet another cool morning. The weather has been rather cold of late and I feel my lower back pain more often. Nontheless, I thank God for each day that I am alive and still breathing. Living is a gift from God.
This morning, the Daily Bread article is on 'Cast Down Sheep' with reference to Psalm 23. Interesting title, isn't it?
Sheep are built in such a way that if they fall over on their side and then onto their back, it is very difficult for them to get up again. They fail their legs in the air, bleat and cry. After a few hours on their backs, gas begins to collect in their stomachs, the stomach hardens, the air passage is cut off and the sheep will eventually suffocate. This is referred to as a "cast down" position.
When a shepherd restores a cast down sheep, he reassures it, massages its legs to restore circulation, gently turns the sheep over, lifts it up and holds it so it can regain its equilibrium.
GOD is my loving Shepherd who reassures me with His grace, lifts me up and holds me until I have gained my spiritual equilibrium when I am on my back, flailing because of guilt, grief or grudges.
This article together with Psalm 23 comes as a timely reminder to me that when I am cast down (physically, mentally and spiritually), GOD is the only one who can help me get on my feet again. HE will restore my confidence, joy and strength.
Like the Psalmist, King David who wrote in Psalm 23: 3 "He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." ; I experience this personally too. Being afflicted with pain in my lower back and sorrows of rejection in sharing the gospel, I grow weary, troubled and downcast. Yet, I rejoice in the LORD my Shepherd who restores me, renewing my strength once more. Thanks be to the LORD!
This Shepherd of mine knows each trial, each snare, And at just the right moment my LORD will be there, On His shoulders to carry each burden for me - Yes, the LORD is my Shepherd, and always shall be.
The weak and helpless are in the Good Shepherd's special care.
Thank you, GOD for caring for me always! What a great blessed assurance to be a child of GOD!
10:09 am;
27 August 2009
Light as a feather
Awaking to the cool morning, I read the Daily Bread article on 'Light As A Feather', with reference to 2 Samuel 6: 12 - 23. Reading this Bible passage refreshes my weary soul, having being tormented by the pain of my severe muscle spasms and prolapsed disc (commonly known as slipped disc) problem that presses on my nerves for the past 2 months, especially the past few days when I cried in pain to sleep.
Throughout the period of being tormented by the excruciating pain of my lower back, numbness and 'electric currents' that seem to flow through the right side of my body, I seem to have become joyless and even depressed, being physically and emotionally affected so much that I kept having mood swings. :-( I love my friends and work at NIE CRPP, but the pain definitely affected all of it in one way or other. Feeling apologetic for bothering and burdening my friends cum colleagues around me with my pained mood swings. Sad feelings just overwhelm me now and then. Hope I don't scare my friends away. :-( Sorry, my friends.
Time and again, God's Word has come to me timely through Bible reading and Christian friends to comfort and strengthen me. Thankful for the dear sisters in Christ whom I have to be there to renew my love and joy in the LORD once again.
Yes, I am reminded God is my TRUE FRIEND, always there for me and never forsakes me. He's there for me 24/7, carrying me through my toughest times. Good times, bad times, He is with me. Whenever I feel that nobody seems to care about me, I know deep in my heart that GOD cares for me coz He LOVES me having sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins though I am such an unworthy sinner. It's a blessed assurance as a Christian to know God is my Friend, my Counsellor, the Rock of my Salvation and Refuge!
Indeed, like the Bible verseProverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones." In Ecclesiastes 3:4 "...Take time to laugh."
Laughter has been a gift of God's goodness that carried me through some of life's darkest days. the joy of the LORD has often been my refuge and strength (c.f. Nehemiah 8:10)
Like King David, my spirit is buoyant and I feel "as light as a feather" when I cast my cares upon the LORD my God who renews my strength, love n joy. Simply trust n obey, turning my eyes upon the LORD Jesus Christ. Oh God, that I fix my eyes upon YOU and not lose my direction!
A merry heart is like a medicine - It's soothing for your sadness, gives you joy; So lift your voice and let your spirit soar - True happiness is yours without alloy.
As I reflect on Saturday's Daily Bread reading of 1 Corinthians 9:24 - 27, the topic of 'Running Every Day' strikes a chord in my heart.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24, it reads "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."
In verse 25, the word 'temperate' carries the meaning of 'self-control' practised by athletes who train to win the prize. As a consistent habit of life, regular discipline is of far greater value to any athlete than last minute preparation.
The question of "Am I approaching 'the race that is set before me (c.f. Hebrews 12:1) with a hit or miss spiritual regimen or with purpose and discipline born from a desire to please God?" strikes me. Ultimately, the key to going the distance is the discipline of running every day.
Quote from Monsell: Run the straight race through God's grace, Lift up thine eyes and seek His face; Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path and Christ the prize.
Besides the spiritual aspect of pursuit after godliness, I am also reminded that physical training adds up to spiritual training. Without good health and fitness, I am unable to serve God effectively.
This reminds me of the training program that my dear friend, Shirley had recommended to aid me in building up my health and fitness. Frankly, I never knew that to train up physically requires such a daily routine of run and walk everyday for 30 minutes.
Wow! I guess it was a lot of ignorance on my part about physical training. I had the misconception that exercising once or twice a week will be sufficient for healthy lifestyle. Well, thankfully my friend cleared my misconception. Hmmm... better late than never. :P
In order to build up my health progressively, it is essential that I stick to the training program of daily 30 minutes run & walk exercise for about a month (as a starter) to make sure I move enough to work my muscles and parts of my body.
Being afflicted with constant backaches and 'spare parts' (muscles & tendons) getting 'jammed', I reckon I have to start now before it gets worse. As it is, the pain is quite excruciating after nearly a month of aches following my back sprain, flu bout and existing old ailments since teaching days. Can even do weather forecast of when it's going to rain with all these aches. Aiyo.... it's all part of the package of ageing process. Sighz... spart parts wearing out after barely 3 decades.
Nonetheless, like what my buddy @ work mentioned, physical training helps to build up physical strength to counter all these. It's all a matter of discipline to put into practice what is said and known. Quoting her: "DO NOT TELL YOURSELF 'I WILL DO IT TOMORROW, COZ YOU WILL NEVER START DOING IT."
Similarly, running the Christian race takes dedication and discipline. Both physical and spiritual training requires utmost commitment and discipline. Pray for dedication and discipline to train up in both physical and spiritual life! Do it now, don't wait. Diligence and not sluggardness!
"Such is friendship, that through it we love places and seasons;
for as ... flowers drop their sweet leaves on the ground around them, so friends impart favour even to the places where they dwell.
With friends, even poverty is pleasant...
It would be better for us that the sun were exhausted than that we should be without friends."
- John Chrysotom
A friend is the first person who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
Since I have no gold to give,
And love alone must make amends,
My daily prayer is while I live - "God, make me worthy of my friends."
I do not ask for many friends,
But give me, LORD, the few whose loyalty and faithfulness are first of all to You.
TRUE FRIENDS are like diamonds - precious and rare.
Friends listen to our heartaches without blaming us for having problems.
They defend us when we're under attack.
They are happy when we succeed and sad when we fail.
They give us wise counsel to keep us from making foolish choices.
They even risk making us angry for the sake of making us right.
The best example of friendship found in the BIBLE is that of David and Jonathan.
1 Samuel 20:17 " Jonathan ... loved (David) as he loved his own soul"
I am thankful to have made many acquaintances and friends for the years of my life.
To me, the value of friendship goes beyond words, action and time. Out of the many friends I have, true friends are the most cherished and valued. It definitely takes time to discover who are my true friends and whether the friendship can stand and last.
No matter what, I always love my friends around me coz God first loved me. Love thy neighbour as thyself. A friend loves at all times. Always willing to do anything for my frenzs around me. Cheerios!
TRUE FRIENDSHIP is of great value to me. Cherishing both the old and new friends that I have made. I hope the friendships that have been built will last through the test of time.
FRENZs FOREVER!
9:27 pm;
01 August 2009
2009-08-01_Kallang Riverside Nite Cycle n NDP Preview Fireworks
*My heart goes all out to do the best I can, not for self, but for God.
*Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
*Always hoping to touch the lives of people I meet and light up their lives like a TWINKLING STAR!
*Love for photography, travelling, cycling,
badminton, reading, singing, listening to music
& doing handicrafts like friendship bands, paper cranes & hearts n making cross-stitch pictures
*Favourite colour: All shades of blue
{JUST BE who I want to be}
Just Be
Be strong enough to face the world each day
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone
Be generous to those who need your help
Be frugal with what you need yourself
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything
Be foolish enough to
BELIEVE in MIRACLES
Be willing to SHARE your JOYS
Be willing to SHARE the sorrows of others
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed
Be a follower when you are shrouded in the midst of uncertainty
Be the FIRST to CONGRATULATE an opponent who SUCCEEDS
Be the LAST to CRITICIZE a friend who FAILS
Be sure where next step will fall, so that you will not stumble
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be LOVING to those who LOVE you
Be LOVING to those who DO NOT LOVE you, and they may CHANGE.
