SELFISH

Such selfishness!.... *provoking*

I realise that this current post seems rather negative, however, this are clear observations and I'd admit the truth is a fact.... YOU'RE (we're) SELFISH!

Selfish.... self-centred.... just being bitter and soaking in self pity... only wanting what you want or at least to wanting to make your opinions heard without thinking of the cosequences. I'm not innocent of such as these and I still don't have to be selfish. It's a daily decision...

• Are you feeling determine to get what you want, realizing the only person benefiting from it is YOU?
• Are you feeling sorry for yourself, thinking that you're the only person hurting and wanting evenryone else to know how you're feeling bad about it?
• Are you being bitter about the people, assuming that they're better off without you or you without them? (maybe it is true that they can do it with you, but definitely not better without)
• Are you holding on to the pain, having a 'pity party' and became addicted to it?
• Are you hanging around bitter, self-centred, critical people cos they share the same views?
• Are you feeling resentful when you read this?
  
• There's more...??
  

... Selfish!

Ephesians 4:29-32

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths (including writen), but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along withevery form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

WHATEVER LAH!

Whatever lah....

Improvements... small baby steps.

Half the year is almost gone and already I've learnt and discovered so much about myself and others. It is said that personal experience accounts for most of our learnings and discoveries, I truly agree.

Something I've improved in:
In recent years, a lot of my personal relationships hadn't been very good. I've come along to be overbearing, preachy and pushy (still am). Many of which came because of my personal lifestyle and work habits. It had always been about performance and ensuring that I was doing ALL it takes to accomplish the goals (whether realistic or not) set before me.

But I've learn some of my short comings through some very courageous, good-willed friends. Though I wouldn't agree with all that was said of me (cause that would mean I didn't consider carefully of the criticism), it was enough to keep me in check.

So, how have I improved? We'll, it is still a process. I've now seen some obvious changes in my attitude. The consequences are that some relationships are being mended and I'm thankful for even a small improvement. It is still an improvement!

Something I need to work on continuously:
I'm generally not good with planning ahead of time. I could barely sit down and focus on the details of my work and ministry. So I must train, equip and plan better... it takes time but I'll get there somehow!

"... I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"

GRACE. Unexpected. Undeserved... its a GIFT

I read the book The Ragamuffin Gospel and found the joy of understanding the grace of God. Grace has become 'cheap', and taken without a consideration of the GIFT it is for US. I recommend YOU to pick this book up at a christian bookstore or online and once again be refreshed and transformed by the grace we so long needed to encounter.

Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of meaningless and empty life... It strikes us when year after year, the longed-for perfection does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades. When despair destroys all joy and courage. sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: 'You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. do not ask for the name now: perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now: perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything. Simply accept the fact that your are accepted.' If that happens to us, we experience grace

[Paul Tillich. Taken from the book, The Ragamuffin Gospel]

... Never confuse your perception of yourself with the mystery that you really are accepted.

RECOMMENDED BOOK - THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL

The Ragamuffin Gospel Visual Edition

Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out
Written by Brennan Manning
Illustrated by Charles Brock

Religion - Christian Life | Multnomah Books | Trade Paperback | September 2005 | $14.99 | 978-1-59052-512-8 (1-59052-512-4)

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Too Graphic for Words Would you rather watch a movie than read? Do magazines and the Internet draw you in because there’s so much catching your eye? Then you’ll love The Ragamuffin Gospel, Visual Edition. Brennan Manning’s original bestselling message comes to life through the provocative photographs, illustrations, and other attractive images throughout the book. Easy to flip through, toss in a backpack, and share with others, this book helps you experience on a whole new level the tremendous, life-changing truth that God loves you, no matter what you do or do not do. His grace is too great to be summed up in words, best understood when experienced. Respond now to the Father’s furious love…it’s hot on your trail!

God’s Grace—

Too Graphic for Words

Story Behind the Book

Brennan Manning’s bestselling The Ragamuffin Gospel found a home in the hearts of thousands of “ragamuffins”—God’s precious flock of believers who were bedraggled, beat-up, and burnt-out. But the message of God’s powerful love and grace, constant no matter what you do or do not do, is for everyone! To convey the reality of this life-changing message in an entirely new way, the visual edition was created. Audiences with shorter attention spans, youth, and image-driven people everywhere will engage in the attractive display of this simple message.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brennan Manning

Brennan Manning is a Korean War veteran and former Franciscan priest who lives in New Orleans , Louisiana . A native of Brooklyn , Manning earned degrees in philosophy from St. Francis College and in theology from St. Francis Seminary. His other books include The Signature of Jesus and Abba’s Child. Still traveling widely, Manning continues to write and preach, encouraging men and women everywhere to accept and embrace the good news of God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ.

About the Artist
Charles Brock

Charles Brock is a graphic designer and senior art director for The Designworks Group in Sisters, Oregon. His love for books propelled him into book cover design eight years ago following his graduation from Oklahoma State University, and his works have since been featured in Communication Arts. He enjoys spending his spare time with his wife, Kimberly, and pursuing his interests in photography.

ISLS 2006

Sunday Lunch with the family!

Volley in the mid-day

Football Coaching at a jail for children and teens.

Basketball Coaching at a local school!

Here's a few pictures from my South Africa adventure. These are some of my 'brothers and sisters' that has really impacted my life.

I miss you!

RAY VANDER LAAN - RUN

Jaeson Ma's Testimony

I thought this would stir some hearts. Its all for the Father's glory.

We are all unable to attain the grace of God by ourselves if it weren't already given with the price of another's life on the cross.

Jaeson Ma's Testimony

Jaeson Ma
"... I just keep on going and saying 'God,' Hebrews 11:6 say that you're a rewarded of those who diligently seek you'... and I said 'God, I'm gonna seek you until I find you until I get you until I capture your presence in your heart in my life', and I did and I was 19 years old."

"If you wanna have passion for Jesus, you have to study his passion for you... how much he loves you. How much He suffered and He died for you. Because 1st John 4 says 'we love Him because He first loved us.."