So it's come to this.
When I'm down and out and everything is terrible, with contracts being signed bearing unknowing consequences and necessary contracts not appearing, work life comes to a halt. Love life is a struggle because I don't feel I can support her, I don't listen or care about her. I have no passion. I have no motivation. I am in a pit and I am in "the dark place", where so many of us tend to find ourselves. Jobless, broke, no direction and no potential, no value in the world, no friends to rely on...it's a grim picture that I splash on the canvas.
Before you spare a moment of sympathy, and consider leaving a word of encouragement, let me ask you one vital question: do you NEED a reason to encourage someone else? Do you treat someone according to their product? Do you say "well done! keep it up!" like a master to a well trained dog, if they do what they were supposed to? And as logic follows, do you then berate them if they do it wrong; "YOU'RE USELESS!" The question stands; do you NEED a reason to encourage someone?
The verb "to encourage" stems from the Hebrew word "chazaq", of which has many meanings along the lines of to strengthen, prevail, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm and many others. To strengthen someone else, to help them become strong, or help them prevail. Giving them the courage to grow and become firm.
Luke 4:18 - Jesus was teaching in synagogues and it was prophesised that the poor will hear the good news, the oppressed will taste freedom. Blind will see and deaf will hear. All because Jesus was encouraging and teaching people he didn't know.
Phillipians 4:8 - encourage others to think Godly, wholesome subjects and love the Lord always.
2 Thessalonians 2:17 - encourage our hearts, strengthening us in every good work and deed. Just as God gives us courage and hope, shouldn't we also strengthen our brothers and sisters?
I've listed a few things here. I feel there is a distinct lack of encouragement in my life.
I've said enough. Time to slump back into the shadows again.
Labels: encouragement, family, people, reason, worship
"Yeah! And 9 times out of 10, the actual MUSIC blows. Its the same lame 4 chord progressions over and over again until i just want to shoot myself in the head. Where's there creativity? Where's the talent? Where's the "Melt-your-face-off-hardcore-metal-emotion"?
Even though I am a Christian, it is my personal opinion that most christian music blows. Take it as you will. You will not find any Newsboys or DC Talk in my CD binder..."
I found this in a Facebook discussion group. That's the most offensive thing I've ever heard. When I read that, I was lost for words.
Recently, I've been struggling with selfishness. Although not directly obvious, it is prominent in my nature when you look carefully at the pattern of what I do, why I do it and when I do things.
Yet, this person has seriously angered me.
Since when did we sing worship songs for our benefit? When did we honour ourselves and had the power to change lives, create eternal life after our time on earth?
This girl or woman, declaring her detest for Christian Music, appears to have completely missed the point of the music. We don't sing or listen to it for our sake. We don't make it, either, to show how great we are and how awesome, divine our talents are.
It's all for God's glory.
V
Labels: true, worship
This week has seen me.....chilling haha.
Monday, I just met up with my presentation group to finalise our data and know what we were going to say. Tuesday saw me...miss a lecture cause my head wouldn't get up off the pillow haha. Bible study was rewarding; just had a chillout session of prayer and worship. Vinny K shared with us about 1 Corinthians 13; everything we do, we do it in love.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not prod. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love never fails. Amen to that! If we don't do our things in love, then it is meaningless. I hope that inspired that youth; it definately inspired me. I was feeling slightly down about the presentation, because I didn't have much input and it didn't seem like the group was clicking much...slight cultural differences may have made all the difference between our interaction? Hm...I thought I'd push on, but I think I was able to keep moving on in love, after a small thought. It didn't take much to think about; there was no revelation or inspiration, just realising that I was being silly and that I should be normal around everyone.
Wednesday saw me...working a bit more on the presentation and watching Man United get their butt kicked. Man that sucked. But, after that match, I realised that I wanted Gattuso as my older brother haha. He's so GRRR.
Thursday was great. I went to my lectures, then had dinner at Shermaine's (mm Thai green curry), then attended student fellowship for the first time! Even though we didn't have a bible study, we had a general discussion about how to greet next year's freshers. From being there, the atmosphere was just soaked in struggle and trials; this was what I missed out on. Seeing Christian students living for God in the harsh, jagged reality of uni life. It was a great blessing to be there. They're lacking a bit on the worship side; don't get me wrong, Yen Li is a wicked pianist, but it's good to expand and have more variety. I'll try and contribute, God willing.
Friday was the dreaded presentation day!! It actually went quite well; only problem was, we didn't do what they wanted us to haha! We didn't grasp the idea of what a dialogical network was, so our speeches and analysis didn't quite link. Woopsy =s. S'all good, because we didn't fail. Football was great. Left foot getting better and God has really changed my attitude in football. Yes, I'm still trying hard, but I'm having fun. Matt kinda put some pressure on me...so I walked off the pitch and let other people play. I'm not sure if I was being childish, but I'd rather do that, than start flaring up and making the atmosphere tense and crap. In the end, I still had fun and I passed the time to the Lord. Still got a damn cramp from it though in my left calf...gr.
Stayed over at Chester's a lot. It's been fun. I've learnt a lot from him, in terms of singing technique and worship leading, as well as general perspectives in life. I am a bit annoyed I chose it this late to start getting to know him, as he's leaving in June. Ah well, I think I've enjoyed the time we have had together. Only 4 weeks left. =)
I have spoken to a lot of people this week. It's been absolutely fantastic; we didn't have conversations of how wonderful the world is, or have great laughs. Instead, we stripped ourselves to the inner core of our hearts and just lay it all down to the Lord, because in the end, we're all strugglers. As one brother put it, "we're all part of the same body. It's not good if one part isn't functioning, whilst the others are." So yeah, let's hope that these friendships are passed into the Lord and the chips and cracks are filled with His blessings =)
Another big thing that's happend for me this week is the delegation of responsibility to me. However, I don't feel big or anything, I just see it as an outlet for my ideas and desire to serve the Lord. Jon Poon asked me last Sunday if I wanted to help him with worship in the church. That way, he'd have input from the Youth Group, as well as from student fellowship (through contact with stephanie, another student who is also another worship leader in church) and the other fellowships. Also, we could start improving the worship in our church together, by composing new ideas together. I'm glad I accepted this role. I prayed about it for a bit...but I felt at peace with the idea. I really want to sow into the church. PLEASE don't get me wrong peeps, I am not bragging at all! At the end of the day, I'm still the 18-year-old naive kid called Vinnie who has hyperactive disorder problems! I am not great or anything! I'm just so thankful that God gave Jon the trust to impart responsibility to me, in terms of letting me know what's going on within church and how we can improve together.
Lastly, I read Matthew in my devotion on the metrolink to football. This made me cry. It was about the woman who touched Jesus's cloak and was healed.
Matthew 9:21-22
She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
How awesome. That really spoke to me; that's having faith like a child. Believing that he can heal, he can take away your pains, troubles, anguish and anger from events throughout your life. Jesus won't get annoyed you approached him and just took his power of healing; rather, he'll be so pleased that you had the faith to do so.
Uni. It'll either make or break you.
V
Labels: fellowship, love, presentation, student, worship
Thursday, September 03, 2009
「€Œ 7:35 pm 」 » 
Comments: 
