Chapter 1 God Speaks

Key points to this chapter:

· Words belong to God and therefore they do NOT belong to us.
· Because words to not belong to us, we must use them to His standards. This means godly talk is not an option but a command from God.
· God created words for us to understand Himself, his plans and his purpose. This is clearly evident through Lord Jesus Christ who is THE Word, and our only hope for our words.
· Words also help us define, explain and interpret who we are in light of the Gospel and others.

It’s incredibly difficult for us to communicate without words. Even if we tried to communicate through sign language, without meaning in each word, it could be all gibberish. But more importantly, words belong to God. How often are we thinking of this truth when we are communicating with our loved ones, our neighbors, and our co-workers during the day? Unfortunately we often misuse and abuse words to our own selfish interests, hence, forgetting that God demands words for His glory. But there is hope because Jesus is the Word and He alone can help us in battling our use of words.

There are so many great questions in this chapter but I want to pick a few below:

1. In what ways do you misuse words to reflect your own self-interest/self-righteousness with your (choose one or more): spouse, co-worker, stranger, and friends.
2. In your times of trouble or struggle or difficult circumstances, how do you use your words to others and to yourself in light of the Gospel? (i.e. recognizing God’s forgiveness, His grace and sovereignty, etc.)
3. Do you talk with others to develop relationship with them, or do you only talk to solve problems during times of trouble.

Don’t feel pressured to answer all of them but please share with us at least one of the questions.

For me, I tend to use extreme words when I’m frustrated or angry. For example, I often catch myself using words like “never” or “always” or “stupid” to make an exaggerated point. I think I used one of these words even this weekend when Owen was being fuzzy and refuses to go to sleep as I said to JJ, “Owen is never going to be sleep trained” forgetting that God is infinitely wise and sovereign and works all things for those who love Him, and that Owen is indeed grace upon grace! Another example is dealing with my lack of love for my earthly dad as I usually vent these phrases to JJ, “I have absolutely no relationship with him” as though justify my estranged relationship and blame shift everything to my dad (as though it’s his fault!), and thus, not making real effort to re-establish relationship. While this has been on-going and has been up and down, I need help from Jesus, big time.

But I’m encouraged brothers because no one on this blog has it all together, but rather, we are all in one great mess in our sinful nature. But thank God that He will (and has) help us! Look forward to your responses.

Chill-Out session

It's been almost two months now since I've taken an indefinite time of sabbatical from leading praise at my local Church. I actually think it's more like a chill-out session to bond with my son Owen. But I must admit that initially, I thought I would miss serving and leading praise early on, but I actually really enjoy simply being with the congregation! I mean, I do miss playing and being with the praise team, but I really thank God for this time of restoration and refreshing times of singing God's Word together on Sundays. I think one thing that I am learning about enjoying praise songs is that, whenever you recognize scriptures that's reflected in a song, you cherish the words that you sing even more so than simply singing it. For example, when I first heard a song called, "Everlasting God" by Brenton (I think), I wasn't much of a fan. But when I was reading Isaiah 40 during those those times when I was SOOO tired spiritually and physically from lack of sleep since Owen's birth, God was so gracious as to allow me to re-recognize, opening my heart to see, how God will never, ever exhaust himself and grow tired, unlike me! Even though the young men (which I sort of consider myself in that category for now) grow weary and exhausted, those who wait upon the Lord will shall renew their strength. Amen! Amen!

So it really is true. Singing God's Word is so much sweeter than singing words that we can merely relate or personalize in our own experiences (even though there's nothing wrong with that at times). When we sing these songs in the light of God's Word mirroring Christ's glory and grace, we are able to cherish that much more, and enjoy the songs more richly because it's more than a "feel good" song to us. IN fact, if that is all it sums up to be, than we have nothing more than emotionalism. But we adore Christ for all that He is for us and to us, but more importantly, to the Lord. Christ has saved and conquered death once for all, so that we may be restored back to God. And this is reflected in God's Word. What better news than this? Which sweeter songs to sing than to sing of Christ and His redemption? What songs of glory of men is bigger than Christ Himself?

O that we may continue to sing more of His worthiness in the light of scriptures!

Amen! Amen!

Sleep training

I must admit, I had enormous expectations for Owen, even before he was born. But now that he is 7 weeks old, my expectations starts to grow even more. One of which is sleep training. Through countless books on this topic, JJ & I feel so confused and weary about letting Owen cry out to sleep. At first, 5 minute felt like 5 hrs. And then 10 minutes felt like a whole day. After few attempts using Ferber method, we concluded that Owen is not like other kids that can sooth himself to sleep, hence, we will wait until he is older. But I'm very thankful that I went through this process of sleep training because I got to learn more about Owen. Some good, some, well, let's just say I hope that he will love the Lord as much as cries at night (and sometimes day). :)

I'm so thankful for Owen despite his tasmania cries and his uncontrollable kicks during his fuzzy hours. Thank you Lord!

O Happy Day

I’ve been waiting and wanting soooo badly to introduce this song for our local Church (Wellspring Church) about a year now since the Worship God conference 08 (where I initially heard the song). When I first listened to this song I thought it would be more appropriate for youth group audience since the tune/melody appear bit…I don’t know “yippidy do?” (sorry for the lack of relevant terms). I mean, when was the last time you sang the words, “happy day” especially in worship song without thinking of Fonzie with his black leather jacket being cool like that. But when I carefully read the lyrics and realized that despite its simple words to song, they paint an awesome picture of what has already happened 2,000 years ago when Christ died for our sins on the Cross and three days later rose again! Without resurrection of Christ, our forgiveness of sins and righteous standing before God would deem insufficient because we would still be enslaved to sin and consequently our sins would still hold us captive. But in the light of Pastor Sam’s sermon last week regarding centrality of the Gospel and its “First importance” of Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), I think it’s MORE than appropriate to sing this song with a LOUD shout of joy!

So will you join me in listening and learning this song in light of upcoming Easter this year? And it’s totally okay to shout aloud with one voice “O happy day!”

Link to the song:
http://www.myspace.com/timhughesmusic

O Happy Day by Tim Hughes

Verse 1:
The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive
The empty cross, The empty grave
Life eternal You have won the day
Shout it out Jesus is alive
He's alive

Chorus:
Oh happy day, happy day
You washed my sin away
Oh happy day, happy day
I'll never be the same
Forever I am changed

Verse 2:
When I stand, in that place
Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours Jesus You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace
Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate Jesus is alive
He's alive

Bridge:
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious way
That You have saved me
Oh what a glorious day
What a glorious name


And yes, Wellspring Church, we WILL (well, most likely…hopefully) sing this song in next few weeks. Lord willing! :)