10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of yours. 9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt. 8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Triune God. 7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" including women, children, and trees! 6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky. 5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a few generations old. 4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving." 3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity. 2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God. 1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian. Now, how would you refute these claims? Or would you agree with them? At first glance it does indeed seem true. Write something similar of other religions and get killed. Is this fair? Joel.

Ever wondered why some people can be so naturally charismatic around others, or are people-magnets, or don't happen to have problems talking to complete strangers at all. Yet others seem so stuffy or stuck up when approached and are actually in no mood to converse.

It all boils down to our levels of confidence. Why we act differently around our close friends compared to strangers. Singaporeans generally appear aloof and cold, and somewhat distanced from others. We're too comfortable in our own zones, to be exact. Which is a sad thing indeed. If we don't befriend strangers, talk to them, show them God's love/shine God's light then HOW WILL THEY EVER SEE GOD?

On Thursday I was asked why my MSN nickname was "Holy discontent and being salty! Catch the vision and be aligned". A great opportunity to share, to people whom I have known in less than a month. That's one of the ways we can actually talk to others! This society thrives on extroversion, not introversion. We need to be proactive, it is after all God's command to "go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit", not "wait for people of all nations to come to you and ask you how to receive God".

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

(Romans 10:11-15)

We are to be proactive, and filled with confidence and boldness. To boast in the Lord, our confidence. Gideon was a timid person, a coward, till he met with God. Moses did not dare to speak up against Pharaoh, but with God he became a powerful leader of the Israelites. Therefore Jeremiah says, "but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," decla res the LORD (Jeremiah 9:24)."

Confidence is instilled by God. We don't have to worry about our flaws, because naturally as humans we are flawed. God didn't care about what we were. He cares only about our heart towards Him. "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:27-31)

When we boast in the Lord, He makes us complete. And He loves us!

Joel.

Found love beyond all reason
You gave Your life Your all for me
And called me Yours forever

Caught in the mercy fallout
I found hope found life
Found all I need
You're all I need

The time has come
To stand for all we believe in
So I for one am gonna
Give my praise to You Jesus

Today, today it's all or nothing
All the way
The praise goes out to You
Yeah all the praise goes out to You
Today, today I live for one thing
To give You praise
in everything I do

All we are is Yours
And all we're living for
Is all You are
Is all that You are Lord

---

Searching the world
The lost will be found
In freedom we live
As one we cry out
You carried the cross
You died and rose again
My God
I’ll only ever give my all

You sent Your Son
From heaven to earth
You delivered us all
It’s eternally heard
I searched for truth
And all I found was You
My God
I’ll only ever give my all

Jesus we’re livin' for Your Name
We’ll never be ashamed of You
Our praise and all we are today
Take take take it all
Take take take it all

Running to the One
Who heals the blind
Following the shining light
In Your hands
The power to save the world
My life

Take, take, take it all.
Take, take, take it all.
Take, take, take it all.

---

Love unfailing
Overtaking my heart
You take me in
Finding peace again
Fear is lost in all you are

And I would give the world
To tell your story
'Cause I know that you've called me
I know that you've called me
I've lost myself for good
Within your promise
And I won't hide it
I won't hide it

Jesus I believe in you
And I would go
TO the ends of the earth
To the ends of the earth
For you alone are the Son of God
And the world will see
That you are God
That you are God

---

Everyone needs compassion
Love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
 My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I Surrender

Shine your light and
Let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory
Of the risen King
Jesus Shine your light and
Let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory
Of the risen King

 

---

I know He rescued my soul
His blood covered my sin
I believe I believe
My shame He's taken away
My pain is healed in His name
I believe I believe
 
I'll raise a banner
'Cause my Lord has conquered the grave

 

My Redeemer lives my Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives my Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives my Redeemer lives
My Redeemer lives my Redeemer lives

You lift my burdens
And I rise with You
I'm dancing on this mountain top
To see Your Kingdom come

---

God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears
And I don't care what the world throws at me now
I'm gonna be all right

Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud their freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
We're gonna be all right

'Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here

Salvation is here
Salvation is here, and He lives in me
Salvation is here
Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is here
Salvation is here, and He lives in me
Salvation is here
'Cause You are alive, and You live in me
Salvation is here
Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here
'Cause You are alive and You live in me

---

I lay my life down at your feet, you're the only one I need
I turn to you and you were always there.
In troubled times it's you i seek, i put you first thats all i need,
I humble all i am all to you!

One Way Jesus, you're the only one that i could live for.
One Way Jesus, you're the only one that i could live for.

You were always, always there. Every how and everywhere
YOur grace abounds so deeply within me
You will never ever change, yesterday today the same
Forever till forever meets no end

You are the way the truth and the life
We live by faith and not by sight for you. We're living all for you

Joel's favourite 7 songs copyright Hillsongs.

Here I go. I'm expecting a lot from it. It promises to deliver. By God's grace it will be able to deliver more than promised. I want that A$189 ticket to count, and reap dividends not just on my life but also to those around me. That's the best way of making investments. 20 years down the road, will I look back and see i) people changed, their hearts surrendered to God, or ii) people still living the same way they are?

When we have the knowledge of something, do we share it or deliberately keep it to ourselves?

---- Away from 28th Jun '06 to 09th Jul 06 ------

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)."

---

Being mature is not about just acting mature. One can never act mature, because maturity is shown in a person's character through the decisions he/she makes, through the thought processes, and through his/her general behaviour. The way one talks, the way one carries oneself, etc. You can be the richest person in the world and yet lack maturity. You can be the most good-looking person in the world, yet lack maturity.

Paul in Corinthians is exhorting us to grow up, and "put childish ways" behind ourselves. Petulance, over-complaining, pettiness, frivolity --- all are just but concepts of immaturity. The way we react to circumstances in our lives --- from when we are toddlers and cry because someone snatches our toy, till when we start schooling and can't keep up with the pressures of CCAs, studies, and a possible boy/girlfriend, or when someone starts backstabbing you at work, or says nasty things about you when you're in church.

"From life's first cry, to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny (From the song "In Christ Alone")." How are we going to react to negative situations? By reacting negatively? It gets us nowhere. In the end when we die we will still be sore, we will still be bitter --- for what? Holding on to something that will hurt us when in fact the other person won't know that he/she hurt us. Would it be fair? In the end God may judge that person for the sin that he/she committed, and judge you for holding on to the sin of resentment and anger against that person.

Do not judge a book by its cover. On the surface a person can be mischievous and playful, as a personality trait. God created him/her to be like that. But when it comes to serious stuff, does the person give an insightful comment to intriguing questions, or a silly response, or has no idea what's going on? When his/her close friend meets with an accident, what does he/she do? When another friend is upset, what else does he/she do? All these determine your maturity level, not by how you speak or how you dress. Not even how much you serve God. Sometimes, it is a great job serving Him by doing nothing than by doing something which God doesn't want you to do.

God looks at the heart. All He asks is obedience, and reverent awe of Him. Of Him who created the heavens and the earth in 6 days, who made man in His own image, who built the stars and the skies up from nothing. He made them all, and there is in fact nothing that He cannot do --- except to sin of course, because He is perfect and sin is imperfect. A heart ready to follow Him --- that's true maturity.

Joel.