Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Nothing is Impossible...
Took some liberties with this story. Am writing a book, hope to be published.
In another story, there was a blind man who wanted to see again.
Perhaps, he had heard about the wondrous view from the mountaintops near his birthplace, or to just catch a glimpse of the woman by the marketplace, the one with the jangling bracelets and musical voice. She always had a kind word for him, even though many people, even children, ridiculed him. He thought it was perhaps he looked like a freak. And a freak he was, the only one in town who had this incurable condition. Some said he was ill-fated and felt sorry for him, throwing him a pathetic glance and then going about their daily affairs. Others labeled him a jinx and did not want to cross paths with him. He was shy by nature, he grew shyer with the ostracism.
All his life, he was told he could not do this, he could not do that, because of his disability. He wanted so badly to see. He wanted to live a full life. But he knew that was virtually impossible. Hadn’t all the doctors told his grieving mother that nothing could be done? Mother spent the family fortune passed down from their landowner- grandfather to search for a cure, for a miracle. They tried everything. From village cures to posh hospitals, they went to it all. Mother died one day, leaving him all alone in his dark world. It was said that he had cursed his mother to an early death. But he knew better. Mother died of a broken heart.
Years later, the villagers did not even call him by his name anymore. No one knew or remembered his name. And no one bothered to ask. They just referred to him as “blindman”, The one who cannot see. By this, he seemed to be even more alienated in the village. But there was nothing he could do. He only had one fervent wish – that was to be able to see, to open his eyes for the first time, for he had this affliction since birth.
One day a stranger named Jesus visited their locale. He was said to be mysterious, had eyes that saw everything. Blindman couldn’t know this, no one bothered to tell him. Yet he listened to the crowd, the way he always did. Listening was the only thing he was good at; it was a pity it was not a valuable commodity that could be traded for a better life. He listened to everything – the neighbor’s quarrels about money, the playful banterings of the children in the elementary school. He heard the words that people say over the graves of their loved ones and the gentlest of whispers between lovers on the night of their union.
The crowd whispered about this guy, was he a magician, a trickster, or the genuine stuff? He was said to have a magnetic personality, his words could move stones, and cause people to love again, to be transformed. In more ways than one, Blindman hoped that the village would love him,too. He was deprived of love all his life, except for that which only his mother had shown him.
He felt a tap on his shoulder, and through the hushed whisperings of the crowd, knew that Jesus was here. “Yes?” – he found himself answering. Jesus called him by his name, the name that his mother had given him out of love. His mother named him after the person she loved most in her life, his father – her husband.
“Bartimaeus.”
The crowd gasped and murmured amongst themselves – How could Jesus know his name when no one else knew…?
“Yes?”
He answered feebly, knowing that he was in the presence of a powerful person, someone who could possibly grant him freedom even though he did not know exactly how.
Jesus whispered to him, and having no one paying him any attention for years, Blindman burst into tears. The tears could not stop. It did not stop. He heaved huge, shuddering sobs that carried away a lifetime of unhappiness.
Jesus asked,
“Do you believe that I am able to help you to see again?”
Blindman listened. He gripped the hand that was resting on his shoulder firmly. And softly said,
“Yes...help me please.”
Jesus smiled and gently stepped back.
“According to your faith, it will be done.”
Blindman/Bartimaeus used his dirty fingers to wipe off the tears still glistening upon his face. When he lifted his hand to touch his eyes, he found that they were red and swollen. He frowned as the light was too bright, he could barely keep them open.
Then he realized, that he could see, perfectly.
Nothing is impossible to him who believes.
In another story, there was a blind man who wanted to see again.
Perhaps, he had heard about the wondrous view from the mountaintops near his birthplace, or to just catch a glimpse of the woman by the marketplace, the one with the jangling bracelets and musical voice. She always had a kind word for him, even though many people, even children, ridiculed him. He thought it was perhaps he looked like a freak. And a freak he was, the only one in town who had this incurable condition. Some said he was ill-fated and felt sorry for him, throwing him a pathetic glance and then going about their daily affairs. Others labeled him a jinx and did not want to cross paths with him. He was shy by nature, he grew shyer with the ostracism.
All his life, he was told he could not do this, he could not do that, because of his disability. He wanted so badly to see. He wanted to live a full life. But he knew that was virtually impossible. Hadn’t all the doctors told his grieving mother that nothing could be done? Mother spent the family fortune passed down from their landowner- grandfather to search for a cure, for a miracle. They tried everything. From village cures to posh hospitals, they went to it all. Mother died one day, leaving him all alone in his dark world. It was said that he had cursed his mother to an early death. But he knew better. Mother died of a broken heart.
Years later, the villagers did not even call him by his name anymore. No one knew or remembered his name. And no one bothered to ask. They just referred to him as “blindman”, The one who cannot see. By this, he seemed to be even more alienated in the village. But there was nothing he could do. He only had one fervent wish – that was to be able to see, to open his eyes for the first time, for he had this affliction since birth.
One day a stranger named Jesus visited their locale. He was said to be mysterious, had eyes that saw everything. Blindman couldn’t know this, no one bothered to tell him. Yet he listened to the crowd, the way he always did. Listening was the only thing he was good at; it was a pity it was not a valuable commodity that could be traded for a better life. He listened to everything – the neighbor’s quarrels about money, the playful banterings of the children in the elementary school. He heard the words that people say over the graves of their loved ones and the gentlest of whispers between lovers on the night of their union.
The crowd whispered about this guy, was he a magician, a trickster, or the genuine stuff? He was said to have a magnetic personality, his words could move stones, and cause people to love again, to be transformed. In more ways than one, Blindman hoped that the village would love him,too. He was deprived of love all his life, except for that which only his mother had shown him.
He felt a tap on his shoulder, and through the hushed whisperings of the crowd, knew that Jesus was here. “Yes?” – he found himself answering. Jesus called him by his name, the name that his mother had given him out of love. His mother named him after the person she loved most in her life, his father – her husband.
“Bartimaeus.”
The crowd gasped and murmured amongst themselves – How could Jesus know his name when no one else knew…?
“Yes?”
He answered feebly, knowing that he was in the presence of a powerful person, someone who could possibly grant him freedom even though he did not know exactly how.
Jesus whispered to him, and having no one paying him any attention for years, Blindman burst into tears. The tears could not stop. It did not stop. He heaved huge, shuddering sobs that carried away a lifetime of unhappiness.
Jesus asked,
“Do you believe that I am able to help you to see again?”
Blindman listened. He gripped the hand that was resting on his shoulder firmly. And softly said,
“Yes...help me please.”
Jesus smiled and gently stepped back.
“According to your faith, it will be done.”
Blindman/Bartimaeus used his dirty fingers to wipe off the tears still glistening upon his face. When he lifted his hand to touch his eyes, he found that they were red and swollen. He frowned as the light was too bright, he could barely keep them open.
Then he realized, that he could see, perfectly.
Nothing is impossible to him who believes.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Acts 2:v43-47, "TE"
Incredible Unity - v44, v46, "together"
Passionate Heartbeat - v47, "praising"
Strategic Leadership - v43, v45,
Vibrant Atmosphere - v43, v45,"awe"
Passionate Heartbeat - v47, "praising"
Strategic Leadership - v43, v45,
Vibrant Atmosphere - v43, v45,"awe"
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
CROSSover to TAKEover
We are into 2006!
Do you feel that this year is going to be REALLY different (spiritually)?
As we have prayed and commited our plans, family, job and lives to God in 2006, what do we sense God telling us?
2006 is going to be different.
This is not a cliched statement - that every year is different, but 2006 is going to be a year of CHANGE. Pastor Dominic said it, other prophets have said it. But what are we going to do about it?
Personally I would like to urge all of us to take God's word seriously. Seriously think about what has been said to us, all through the various sermons and through His Word. What does God want you to do for Him this year? You have expectations for yourself, I'm sure - but have you committed ALL your plans to the Lord? Yes? Do you expect Him to answer? Do you believe for miracles to happen this year?
Crossover & Takeover. (Joshua 3:5-13) We need to have a revelation of God. Before we can do things for Him, before we can see changes - most importantly we must consecrate ourselves to know Him, really hear from Him. Have faith that He will show us the way to go!
Crossover :(a path (often marked) where something (as a street or railroad) can be crossed to get from one side to the other)
- As a cell, we are moving in the Spirit. We have seen miracles taking place and our cell growing! What an awesome thing! That we are seeing, the fruits of our labor - It has become so easy to invite oikos, to find people who are willing to be nurtured and stepping forth in leadership. Let's really seize the season, and continue to invite many who have yet to come to our services and events.
Takeover :(The act or an instance of assuming control or management of or responsibility for something)
- If we are not having a revelation of God, the takeover won't happen. For those who are still Sunday Christians, now is the time to really consecrate ourselves to his kingdom purposes in our lives. If the takeover won't happen, we are not moving - and perhaps, we might lose the ones that are 'sitting on the fence'. Renew the relationship right now. Draw near to God. (James 4:8)
Sunnydalers, do you sense an urgency this year? That 2006 is a crossover and takeover year. We have to move with God to see changes take place. First half of 2006, let's be busy about the ways of God. (Heb 4:16)
Proverbs 19:20,21
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Do you feel that this year is going to be REALLY different (spiritually)?
As we have prayed and commited our plans, family, job and lives to God in 2006, what do we sense God telling us?
2006 is going to be different.
This is not a cliched statement - that every year is different, but 2006 is going to be a year of CHANGE. Pastor Dominic said it, other prophets have said it. But what are we going to do about it?
Personally I would like to urge all of us to take God's word seriously. Seriously think about what has been said to us, all through the various sermons and through His Word. What does God want you to do for Him this year? You have expectations for yourself, I'm sure - but have you committed ALL your plans to the Lord? Yes? Do you expect Him to answer? Do you believe for miracles to happen this year?
Crossover & Takeover. (Joshua 3:5-13) We need to have a revelation of God. Before we can do things for Him, before we can see changes - most importantly we must consecrate ourselves to know Him, really hear from Him. Have faith that He will show us the way to go!
Crossover :(a path (often marked) where something (as a street or railroad) can be crossed to get from one side to the other)
- As a cell, we are moving in the Spirit. We have seen miracles taking place and our cell growing! What an awesome thing! That we are seeing, the fruits of our labor - It has become so easy to invite oikos, to find people who are willing to be nurtured and stepping forth in leadership. Let's really seize the season, and continue to invite many who have yet to come to our services and events.
Takeover :(The act or an instance of assuming control or management of or responsibility for something)
- If we are not having a revelation of God, the takeover won't happen. For those who are still Sunday Christians, now is the time to really consecrate ourselves to his kingdom purposes in our lives. If the takeover won't happen, we are not moving - and perhaps, we might lose the ones that are 'sitting on the fence'. Renew the relationship right now. Draw near to God. (James 4:8)
Sunnydalers, do you sense an urgency this year? That 2006 is a crossover and takeover year. We have to move with God to see changes take place. First half of 2006, let's be busy about the ways of God. (Heb 4:16)
Proverbs 19:20,21
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.
Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
The road to success is not straight.
There is a curve called Failure,
a loop called Confusion,
speed bumps called Friends,
red lights called Enemies,
caution lights called Family.
You will have flats called Jobs.
But, if you have a spare called Determination,
an engine called Perseverance,
insurance called Faith,
a driver called God,
you will make it to a place called Success.
Pass it on to people whom you want to see blessed.
May God continue to bless you and yours.
I can search for all eternity long and find.. there is none like You
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