" Rejoince in the Lord Always."
"Let your gentleness be known to all men."
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication( in humility,) with thanksgiving; let your request be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things."(Philippians 4: 4-8)
The word-Meditation doesn't jive well for most of us Christians. We tend to connect the term with the eastern religious practice and visualize it as chanting mantras in a yoga position or counting prayer beads in a serence atmosphere under the glow of candles.
On the other hand, Christians, who had understood the meaning of the word -meditation, and had experienced the value of it without following the eastern religioius practice, truly treasure it as a great discipline for Christian walk.
In John Piper's words in his book, "When I don't desire God- how to fight for joy," meditation means reading God's word and chewing on it to get the sweetness and the nourishment from it that God designs to give.
He further goes on to say that the essence of meditation is to think our way into the very mind of inspired writers who were granted by inspiration to think the thoughts of God.(2 Tim.3:16-17; 2 Peter1:21) Think and mull and ponder and chew until you see God the way they see God-namely ,as precious and valuable and beautiful and desirable.
Piper writes that prayer is our response to God in reliance on his spirit,and meditation to be as our response to God in reliance on his Word. Both tend to be inseparable. One without the other may reflect our own views and desires, but not of God's. However, the Word without grace would turn us to be legalists and prayer without love would turn us to be hypocrites. None of us want to become like Pharisees,whom Jesus warned about.
Meditation on God's Word brings about rejoicing and anxiety-free life. What a blessed life that could be for you and me !
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
March 11, 2011- Black Friday in Japan
"Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I'm worn out calling for help
my throat is parched
My eyes fail
Looking for my God."
Psalm 69: 1-3
When I read this psalm this morning, my thought went to those who were suddenly swept away by the ferocious waves of tsunami last Friday aftenoon. Like the psalmist who cried out to God in the miry depth of waters/sin. people must have cried out to God for help whether they had known Him or not.
As the day dawned on the North east coastal towns of Japan, they had the least idea what lay ahead of them later that afternoon. Giving no much thought to the weather, nor to the morrows, they must have gone doing the same old mundane things as usual.
Then it happened. Around 2.46 pm(12.46 am ET) the earth started to rock. A magnitude of 9.0 earthquake, the fifth biggest one in the earth's history rocked with such a vengence that 30-foot high waves rolled in and engulfed entire towns and swept away hundreds of people, cars,boats, and houses within blinking time. Surely, no one would have had time even to blink when they saw the rushing flood of blackish water come rushing in with such a force.
Of course, Japan was prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis and had built its highrisings and houses to withstand them. Yet, the country never expected to have a giant quake like this, nor such a merciless tsunami like this one.
The rest of the world stood still, numbed and watched in horror as the news on television slowly rolled out what was happening in Japan. "The big one is coming, the big one is coming", we'd been told now and then, but when the big one came on Japan's shore, we, in the western shores in California started to tremble. When the report of nuclear plant explosion and melting down of rods hit our ears, we, who are living above a faultline and closer to a nuclear plant are wondering whether to pack and flee or wait and see.
We do not know anyone in Japan, but we cry out to God to help those victimized and traumatized by this monstrous earthquake. About 10, 000 people had been killed, hundreds more missing, homes, cars and boats had been dragged by rushing waters and thrown over somewhere.
A mother clinging onto a tree while her daughter is grabbed and tossed away in the rushing water like a toy. A man sobbing non-stop after losing his entire family-wife, son, daughter-in-law and three grand kids to the tsunami.
Then there stood a young woman, probably in her standing alone amidst the mass debris of broken windows, roof planks, children's toys, punched down cars and face down boats. Blank faced and glazed eyes she stood there wrapping herself tightly in a worn -out blanket. I've lost it all. What next? Why I'm here?-No, she didn't spell that in words, but anyone could guess, that's what going through her mind at that time.
If such a tragedy of this magnitude had happened on our shores, surely we would have been bombarded with so many why?s and why not? We would have blamed the goverment for not giving us proper warnings, for not constructing tsunami preventing bunds, not rushing to the disaster zone sooner and not providing enough drinking water or so on.
Surprisingly, nothing of that sort was noted in the affected areas in Japan. Inspite of the tragedy, the people maintained their calm composure and polite behaviour. It was reported that people and cars stood in line to get drinking water and gas from one pumping station for hours and no one yelled or pushed another aside. Neither was looting reported at any time.
Japanese,by nature are known to be polite and respectful. But in a crisis like this, even a saint may blurt out in anger and frustration. But the people of Japan displayed calmness and solidarity even in a horrendous tragedy like this. Nuclear plants are threatening to meltdown and emit radiation. Yet, men are willingto work selflessly in those plants, to bring safety for their fellowmen. When one of those men's wife was interviewed, she calmly said that her husband had asked her to take care of herself with all the caution necessary while he;d be gone for days to attends to the safety of the people around. She wasn't sure of the time of his return, yet she looked calm.
It's applaudable that other countries are reaching out to help those in Japan. Yes, at times like this, the good in us over-ride our pettiness and reach out to give, love, help others in need, as well as learn from those we try to help too. In other words, good things can come out of bad happenings, if we have the right perspective to see. Such thought may sound harsh and silly at the moment, but it may dawn to us years later may be.
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I'm worn out calling for help
my throat is parched
My eyes fail
Looking for my God."
Psalm 69: 1-3
When I read this psalm this morning, my thought went to those who were suddenly swept away by the ferocious waves of tsunami last Friday aftenoon. Like the psalmist who cried out to God in the miry depth of waters/sin. people must have cried out to God for help whether they had known Him or not.
As the day dawned on the North east coastal towns of Japan, they had the least idea what lay ahead of them later that afternoon. Giving no much thought to the weather, nor to the morrows, they must have gone doing the same old mundane things as usual.
Then it happened. Around 2.46 pm(12.46 am ET) the earth started to rock. A magnitude of 9.0 earthquake, the fifth biggest one in the earth's history rocked with such a vengence that 30-foot high waves rolled in and engulfed entire towns and swept away hundreds of people, cars,boats, and houses within blinking time. Surely, no one would have had time even to blink when they saw the rushing flood of blackish water come rushing in with such a force.
Of course, Japan was prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis and had built its highrisings and houses to withstand them. Yet, the country never expected to have a giant quake like this, nor such a merciless tsunami like this one.
The rest of the world stood still, numbed and watched in horror as the news on television slowly rolled out what was happening in Japan. "The big one is coming, the big one is coming", we'd been told now and then, but when the big one came on Japan's shore, we, in the western shores in California started to tremble. When the report of nuclear plant explosion and melting down of rods hit our ears, we, who are living above a faultline and closer to a nuclear plant are wondering whether to pack and flee or wait and see.
We do not know anyone in Japan, but we cry out to God to help those victimized and traumatized by this monstrous earthquake. About 10, 000 people had been killed, hundreds more missing, homes, cars and boats had been dragged by rushing waters and thrown over somewhere.
A mother clinging onto a tree while her daughter is grabbed and tossed away in the rushing water like a toy. A man sobbing non-stop after losing his entire family-wife, son, daughter-in-law and three grand kids to the tsunami.
Then there stood a young woman, probably in her standing alone amidst the mass debris of broken windows, roof planks, children's toys, punched down cars and face down boats. Blank faced and glazed eyes she stood there wrapping herself tightly in a worn -out blanket. I've lost it all. What next? Why I'm here?-No, she didn't spell that in words, but anyone could guess, that's what going through her mind at that time.
If such a tragedy of this magnitude had happened on our shores, surely we would have been bombarded with so many why?s and why not? We would have blamed the goverment for not giving us proper warnings, for not constructing tsunami preventing bunds, not rushing to the disaster zone sooner and not providing enough drinking water or so on.
Surprisingly, nothing of that sort was noted in the affected areas in Japan. Inspite of the tragedy, the people maintained their calm composure and polite behaviour. It was reported that people and cars stood in line to get drinking water and gas from one pumping station for hours and no one yelled or pushed another aside. Neither was looting reported at any time.
Japanese,by nature are known to be polite and respectful. But in a crisis like this, even a saint may blurt out in anger and frustration. But the people of Japan displayed calmness and solidarity even in a horrendous tragedy like this. Nuclear plants are threatening to meltdown and emit radiation. Yet, men are willingto work selflessly in those plants, to bring safety for their fellowmen. When one of those men's wife was interviewed, she calmly said that her husband had asked her to take care of herself with all the caution necessary while he;d be gone for days to attends to the safety of the people around. She wasn't sure of the time of his return, yet she looked calm.
It's applaudable that other countries are reaching out to help those in Japan. Yes, at times like this, the good in us over-ride our pettiness and reach out to give, love, help others in need, as well as learn from those we try to help too. In other words, good things can come out of bad happenings, if we have the right perspective to see. Such thought may sound harsh and silly at the moment, but it may dawn to us years later may be.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Psalm 91-Blessed Assurance
I remember of singing the Psalm 91 in my native tongue in my small country church choir as a teenage girl. I can't boast of having a voice that's fit to sing a solo, yet, amidst the beautiful voices in the choir and with the accompaniment of tambourines and violin, it somewhat sounded angelic in my ears.
Never would I've imagined that in many years later, the very roof under which I stood and sang the psalm could come under attack of criss-cross firing of ethnic war. Many of us had to flee from our homeland, but God's protection has continued and thus become more meaningful and assuring than ever before.
Today, as I watch the news on television: the change of regime in Egypt, the protest and fight in Libya, the earth earthquake in New Zealand, the massive floods in Australia, the ravaging AIDs in Africa, the spewing volcano in Hawai and the hurricanes and tornados in the nearing cities, it's natural to become concerned and worried. But where can we flee or which place or country can we choose as a safe and peaceful place to dwell in these days?
Even the sunny California where I live for the last four years has it's own rips and flaws. Three times last year, the building we live were shaken by earthquakes, and two years before we had to be evacuated because of approaching forest fire.
Experiece has taught me that I cannot flee from trouble to find a safe haven. There's no place on earth is going to give me that. As long as I dwell on this planet, I'll face problems, natural disasters, disease and wars. Peace, instead of panic is God's given gift for all those who put their trust in Him.
I'm glad that I've lived through times of turmoil and unrest to experience Christ's peace and strength . That's why, even if my voice is not fit to sing a solo, I will boldly sing psalm 91 to my heart content and proclaim like the psalmist-" He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:2
Never would I've imagined that in many years later, the very roof under which I stood and sang the psalm could come under attack of criss-cross firing of ethnic war. Many of us had to flee from our homeland, but God's protection has continued and thus become more meaningful and assuring than ever before.
Today, as I watch the news on television: the change of regime in Egypt, the protest and fight in Libya, the earth earthquake in New Zealand, the massive floods in Australia, the ravaging AIDs in Africa, the spewing volcano in Hawai and the hurricanes and tornados in the nearing cities, it's natural to become concerned and worried. But where can we flee or which place or country can we choose as a safe and peaceful place to dwell in these days?
Even the sunny California where I live for the last four years has it's own rips and flaws. Three times last year, the building we live were shaken by earthquakes, and two years before we had to be evacuated because of approaching forest fire.
Experiece has taught me that I cannot flee from trouble to find a safe haven. There's no place on earth is going to give me that. As long as I dwell on this planet, I'll face problems, natural disasters, disease and wars. Peace, instead of panic is God's given gift for all those who put their trust in Him.
I'm glad that I've lived through times of turmoil and unrest to experience Christ's peace and strength . That's why, even if my voice is not fit to sing a solo, I will boldly sing psalm 91 to my heart content and proclaim like the psalmist-" He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:2
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