People get a wrong idea of mourning. In Switzerland, they have set apart to take wreaths to graves. I questioned the people’s ignorance and said, “Why are you spending time around graves? The people you love are not there. All that taking of flowers to the graves is not faith at all. Those who died in Christ are gone to be with Him, ‘which’, Paul said, ‘is for better’ (Phil 1:23).”
My wife once said to me, “Watch me when I’m preaching. I get so near heaven when I’m preaching that some day I’ll be off.” One night she was preaching, and when she had finished, off she went. I was going to Glasgow and had said goodbye to her before she went to the meeting. As I was leaving the house, the doctor and policeman met me at the door and told me that she had fallen dead at the church floor. I knew she had gotten what she wanted. I could not weep, but I was in tongues, praising the Lord. Humanly, she was everything to me; but I could not mourn on natural lines, and I just laughed in the Spirit. The house was soon filled with people. The doctor said, “She was dead, and we can do no more for her.” I went up to her lifeless corpse and commanded death to give her up, and she came back to me for a moment. Then God said to me, “She is Mine; her work is done.” I knew what He meant.
They laid her in the coffin, and I brought my sons and my daughter into the room and said, “is she there?” They said, “No, Father.” I said, “We will cover her up.” If you go mourning the loss of loved ones who have gone to be with Christ – I say this to you out of love – you have never had the revelation of what Paul spoke when he showed us that it is better to go than to stay. (See 2 Cor 5:8) We read this in Scripture, but the trouble is that people will not believe it. When you believe God, you will say, “Whatever it is, it is all right. If You want to take the one I love, it is all right, Lord.”
But the mourning that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 5 is a mourning in the Spirit. God will bring you to a place where things must be changed, and there is a mourning, an unutterable groaning until God comes. Jesus mourned over Jerusalem. He saw the conditions; He saw the unbelief; He saw the end of those who closed their ears to the Gospel. But God gave a promise that He would see “the labor of His soul, and be satisfied” (Isa 53:11) and that He would “see His seed” (v10).
What happened on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem was a promise of what would be the results of His Travail, to be multiplied a billionfold all down the ages in all the world. And as we enter in the Spirit into travail over conditions that are wrong, such mourning will always bring results for God, and our joy will be complete in the satisfaction that is thereby brought to Christ.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
But For a Moment
Seems a long time since i last posted.. Come to think of it, i really dont know where to begin.
i hope everything's fine back home. To my dad, i pray for you, grandpa and grandma. If grandma is gg back to the Lord, there is consolation in that she is going to a better place. And we'll meet her there sometime. Help me tell grandpa i pray for him too ok. And not to be too sad.
To mum, i love you heaps. May not be good at it. But it comes from my heart. How's ah ma? Does she still ask about me? And sis too? Rest yourself well ok.
Have not been to church for like a month now... i really miss that congregational worship atmosphere. That special presence of the Lord i have gotten so used to in times past. Still He speaks, mainly through His Word, but He speaks.
Sometimes, He reminds me of the promised land, sometimes of His real interventions, and sometimes of the place that He wants to bring me too. Many times, He reminds me of His grace, His love, His forgiveness. For those beloved church friends of mine, dont ever let yourself get used to the sermons preached ok. They may even sound the same, but if you listen everyday to the same preaching, it can be new every morning...
John spoke a word to me recently. "hey lincoln, i got a word for you.. 2nd Cor 4:17.. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." And b4 i knew it, i read the same verse in Kenneth Copeland's daily devotional website.
Sometimes I have this picture. That everytime I sin, God ‘wonders’ just where His beloved son is. Though He is always watching over me. Because for that moment, He simply refuses to see my sin. And it hurts Him, like a father when he realizes his son is lost from his sight.
Yet, I know, that whenever I sin, it’s because of this earthly and worldly nature. I seek the day when He brings me into such a deep revelation and saturation of His Spirit, that my very nature and desire become holy and Christ like.
And until that day comes, I must take every tribulation and every experience like a movement of His hand. The Potter’s hand that once shaped my birth, is again shaping me in my new birth.
He loves me. So deeply and truly, a love for a creation that is nothing of the word worthy. Yet He showers me with unfailing love, eternal grace and wondrous life. So awesome Is Your love!
Lord Jesus, thank you.
i hope everything's fine back home. To my dad, i pray for you, grandpa and grandma. If grandma is gg back to the Lord, there is consolation in that she is going to a better place. And we'll meet her there sometime. Help me tell grandpa i pray for him too ok. And not to be too sad.
To mum, i love you heaps. May not be good at it. But it comes from my heart. How's ah ma? Does she still ask about me? And sis too? Rest yourself well ok.
Have not been to church for like a month now... i really miss that congregational worship atmosphere. That special presence of the Lord i have gotten so used to in times past. Still He speaks, mainly through His Word, but He speaks.
Sometimes, He reminds me of the promised land, sometimes of His real interventions, and sometimes of the place that He wants to bring me too. Many times, He reminds me of His grace, His love, His forgiveness. For those beloved church friends of mine, dont ever let yourself get used to the sermons preached ok. They may even sound the same, but if you listen everyday to the same preaching, it can be new every morning...
John spoke a word to me recently. "hey lincoln, i got a word for you.. 2nd Cor 4:17.. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." And b4 i knew it, i read the same verse in Kenneth Copeland's daily devotional website.
Sometimes I have this picture. That everytime I sin, God ‘wonders’ just where His beloved son is. Though He is always watching over me. Because for that moment, He simply refuses to see my sin. And it hurts Him, like a father when he realizes his son is lost from his sight.
Yet, I know, that whenever I sin, it’s because of this earthly and worldly nature. I seek the day when He brings me into such a deep revelation and saturation of His Spirit, that my very nature and desire become holy and Christ like.
And until that day comes, I must take every tribulation and every experience like a movement of His hand. The Potter’s hand that once shaped my birth, is again shaping me in my new birth.
He loves me. So deeply and truly, a love for a creation that is nothing of the word worthy. Yet He showers me with unfailing love, eternal grace and wondrous life. So awesome Is Your love!
Lord Jesus, thank you.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Emergency!
Today i had a good and eventful time flying. I went on my first solo that involved flying out into the training area instead of simply at the airfield area that we usually do. It really is quite challenging for a first timer, with questions like "what if i get lost?" and "what if i get an emergency in the area?". Furthermore, this sortie involves aerobatics in which we have so little experience in. But i remembered my QFI once saying this, that if he cleared a student for somethin, he doesn't like the student to feel afraid of doin it as the QFI has shown his confidence in the student.
Well the day really started badly. I was like totally reprimanded for the flight that i had failed on Tuesday. He mentioned Jewish kids of 13 yrs of age being declared grown ups and making decisions for themselves. And i definitely have to learn how to "be a man". Especially in this career, in which i have to protect my country with multimillion dollar equipment.
His approach to the check flight today was surprisingly kind. He usually just rails at me you see. Today he was really patiently teaching me. And before i knew it, he was sending me solo.
Walking out to the aircraft, strapping in, and starting the jet, i was fighting to keep myself calm. My nerves settled soon though, and i was in the air before i knew it. In the areas, i practised a series of exercises. Some i have actually felt afraid doing with a QFI, much less on my own! Haha... Developments began to be awry however as a caution tone sounded as i was pulling through a Loop like manueovre.
Continuing the sortie with the aproval of the QFI, i then experienced caution lights and tones as i put the aircraft through a 4 point roll. Uh oh. Making an urgency call, i recovered back to base quickly and uneventfully. Upon touch down however, there were like two fire trucks waiting for me! And they chased me all the way to the end of the runway! One even stopped directly in front of me in case i had to shut down. But i taxied back uneventfully.
I must say that two sorties in a day full of aerobatics is really tiring! Never felt so tired before man. But hey, at least i aint feeling sick from aeros anymore!
Well the day really started badly. I was like totally reprimanded for the flight that i had failed on Tuesday. He mentioned Jewish kids of 13 yrs of age being declared grown ups and making decisions for themselves. And i definitely have to learn how to "be a man". Especially in this career, in which i have to protect my country with multimillion dollar equipment.
His approach to the check flight today was surprisingly kind. He usually just rails at me you see. Today he was really patiently teaching me. And before i knew it, he was sending me solo.
Walking out to the aircraft, strapping in, and starting the jet, i was fighting to keep myself calm. My nerves settled soon though, and i was in the air before i knew it. In the areas, i practised a series of exercises. Some i have actually felt afraid doing with a QFI, much less on my own! Haha... Developments began to be awry however as a caution tone sounded as i was pulling through a Loop like manueovre.
Continuing the sortie with the aproval of the QFI, i then experienced caution lights and tones as i put the aircraft through a 4 point roll. Uh oh. Making an urgency call, i recovered back to base quickly and uneventfully. Upon touch down however, there were like two fire trucks waiting for me! And they chased me all the way to the end of the runway! One even stopped directly in front of me in case i had to shut down. But i taxied back uneventfully.
I must say that two sorties in a day full of aerobatics is really tiring! Never felt so tired before man. But hey, at least i aint feeling sick from aeros anymore!
Saturday, April 02, 2005
laugh at me!
pitch.. pitch.. pitch.. roll.. let the nose come down, pick a reference point on the ground, check it there! roll, check! watch the speed, wings level ball centre... 245 knots, pull now! Pull 4Gs in 2 secs...
Sorry if i describe it a little like a Tom Clancy war novel... i have jus finished reading one.. haha... Those were the words of an instructor taking me through my first aerobatics sequence... It's a new phase i jus got into... It's exciting, but towards the end of both aero flights i have had, i have not felt too good physically, requiring the instructor to fly us back. I hope i'll get use to it soon enough...
It's amazing how God speaks to me. To remind me of His love, His presence, and that no matter what happens, with Him things will always turn out fine... And He speaks, telling me to focus on His love for me. Not my sins, not my inadequacy, and not my circumstances. My heart races everytime i hear Him on the inside.
Well here's another interesting experience i have had. I dont know how else to describe it but interesting. haha... i had gone to church last sunday, when a man approached me. I was waiting for my friends. Well he got down to talking to me and told me about how God came into His life when his life was in shambles, how he had come to an end of himself and now totally depended on God's love for him. It was pleasing to hear a testimony. He also said he had cancer of the throat. And i just felt moved enough to open my Bible to show him this verse... Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteem Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
He immediately teared after that. Soon though, he started to talk non-stop, and i couldnt listen fully to the service at all. Intermittenly, he was disturbing me actually, seeming more interested to talk then to listen to he service. He was after all, going to attend the next service. On hindsight, it did not settle well within me, and i was still trying to be patient and polite!
Well, jus yesterday night, he sent me a sms asking how i was, how was my night and if i had a partner. My lightning fast mind refused to contemplate that possibility. His next sms though confirmed he was actually gay! Yikes! Calming myself down, i reminded myself that God still loves him. So i replied that i wasnt interested, and that God had made us man and woman specifically. And that i hoped that by His grace he would change.
Well he started challenging me to quote any part of the Bible that said being gay was wrong. i jumped straight to Genesis about Lot. And realising that my inadequate knowledge drew up a blank on any other scripture, i sent out a distress sms to my dad, Jayden and Josiah (Kelvin). God had actually laid it down as law that itwas wrong in Leviticus! Had to be careful about introducing law to him but i specifically told him that it's proof that it was not God's desire, and that was why Jesus died for us.
He started being defensive and claimed that i was implying he could not believe in God if he was gay. that i said that God didnt love him. He also said that he was made that way, and didnt fault me for liking girls! I quickly replied that i had not said so, but that God did love him, and he could believe in Him. On my dad's instructions i ended the sms with have a pleasant night with the intention to cutting short this sms conversation. He had to have the last say, and said that he would pray for me, and punctuated with the known fact that he knew God loved him though he was gay.
Haiz. I hope he lets the truth into his heart one day. But it's God's job anyway. Well Lord, you know, it really wouldnt hurt to be attractive and have many girls ask me for my number and how my night was... Haha... Go ahead, laugh at me!
Sorry if i describe it a little like a Tom Clancy war novel... i have jus finished reading one.. haha... Those were the words of an instructor taking me through my first aerobatics sequence... It's a new phase i jus got into... It's exciting, but towards the end of both aero flights i have had, i have not felt too good physically, requiring the instructor to fly us back. I hope i'll get use to it soon enough...
It's amazing how God speaks to me. To remind me of His love, His presence, and that no matter what happens, with Him things will always turn out fine... And He speaks, telling me to focus on His love for me. Not my sins, not my inadequacy, and not my circumstances. My heart races everytime i hear Him on the inside.
Well here's another interesting experience i have had. I dont know how else to describe it but interesting. haha... i had gone to church last sunday, when a man approached me. I was waiting for my friends. Well he got down to talking to me and told me about how God came into His life when his life was in shambles, how he had come to an end of himself and now totally depended on God's love for him. It was pleasing to hear a testimony. He also said he had cancer of the throat. And i just felt moved enough to open my Bible to show him this verse... Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteem Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
He immediately teared after that. Soon though, he started to talk non-stop, and i couldnt listen fully to the service at all. Intermittenly, he was disturbing me actually, seeming more interested to talk then to listen to he service. He was after all, going to attend the next service. On hindsight, it did not settle well within me, and i was still trying to be patient and polite!
Well, jus yesterday night, he sent me a sms asking how i was, how was my night and if i had a partner. My lightning fast mind refused to contemplate that possibility. His next sms though confirmed he was actually gay! Yikes! Calming myself down, i reminded myself that God still loves him. So i replied that i wasnt interested, and that God had made us man and woman specifically. And that i hoped that by His grace he would change.
Well he started challenging me to quote any part of the Bible that said being gay was wrong. i jumped straight to Genesis about Lot. And realising that my inadequate knowledge drew up a blank on any other scripture, i sent out a distress sms to my dad, Jayden and Josiah (Kelvin). God had actually laid it down as law that itwas wrong in Leviticus! Had to be careful about introducing law to him but i specifically told him that it's proof that it was not God's desire, and that was why Jesus died for us.
He started being defensive and claimed that i was implying he could not believe in God if he was gay. that i said that God didnt love him. He also said that he was made that way, and didnt fault me for liking girls! I quickly replied that i had not said so, but that God did love him, and he could believe in Him. On my dad's instructions i ended the sms with have a pleasant night with the intention to cutting short this sms conversation. He had to have the last say, and said that he would pray for me, and punctuated with the known fact that he knew God loved him though he was gay.
Haiz. I hope he lets the truth into his heart one day. But it's God's job anyway. Well Lord, you know, it really wouldnt hurt to be attractive and have many girls ask me for my number and how my night was... Haha... Go ahead, laugh at me!
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