We rode into town the other day
Just me and my Daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man
That my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes
So I said "Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I'll bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy, please can't you do something?
He looks as though He's gonna cry
you said he was stronger than all of those guys
Daddy, please tell me why
Why does everyone want him to die?"
Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And Daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering
If there was something he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross
And it said, "Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father, please can't You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle the cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
When will I understand why?"
"My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father's side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die."
-Kevin Solis (via Camp Truth VIII)
"When I say I'm Christian"
“When I say, “I am a Christian,”, I’m not shouting “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my guide
When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority — I only know I’m loved”
-Victoria Troung (via anonymous)
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my guide
When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name
When I say, “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority — I only know I’m loved”
-Victoria Troung (via anonymous)
Labels:
Hope
The Armor of God.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” -Ephesians 6:10-18
Labels:
Hope
Rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake." -Psalm 23:1-3
Labels:
Love
Psalm 91
"You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust." God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague, Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield. You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come. You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent. For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion the dragon. Whoever clings to Me I will deliver; whoever knows My name I will set on high. All who call upon Me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor. With length of days I will satisfy them and show them My saving power."
Labels:
Faith
Existence
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." -Galatians 2:20
“my existence” by shinning bright for Christ blogger Alpha Christina
http://alphanikki.wordpress.com/
It is my desire to constantly defy the ways of this world so I won’t settle down with all the temporary hypes of this life because there is something greater UP there. GOD is bigger than all of this.
“My prayer today is that GOD would make me an extraordinary Christian”
-George Whitefield
We are not to feel at home in this earth for we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. -Rick Holland
As my mom once told me in a letter,
The world is neither for us to desire, nor for us to dream of going and seeing every places, it is God’s, the desires and dreams are exclusively for Him, where He will send us and give us the golden opportunity to seek first His presence in every corners of it. Ours is very basic, learn how we can flourish and nurture His earth, how we can do our share to maintain its richness and beauty.
Accepting that “golden opportunity” will be a way of glorifying and exalting Him by letting people feel that there is God, letting them see God in you by being ready to feel their needs and giving your open arms and hands when they need it. Being bold enough to share His Words and allow Him to use you in His battle. Just be selfless in having a God governance life and before you knew it, God is handing you your Platinum Card to Heaven.
Don’t get so caught up with all the enticing things this fallen world has.
It will come and go.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2
Lord,help me see that my very existence is not for my own.
But in giving YOU praise and honor in every aspect of my life.
Labels:
Hope
Sisters
"what a beautiful sunset!"
"that dress is beautiful!!!"
"We often find ourselves expressing words we do not fully understand. One expression that I have come close to full realization of, is the word, "beautiful". For me, beautiful had been merely qualities of a person or a thing that relied solely on the visual aspects.
Just recently, I have realized that it is MUCH more than that. It is hilarious how God works in our lives, and I found my revelation in the most unexpected place: Downtown Eastside.
This summer of '09, I started doing Agape Street Ministry. For those who don't know, it's a ministry that reaches out to the women of the streets. The ministry does an "Agape Walk" where the volunteers hand out goodie bags to the women. Not only the candies increase their glucose level for medical purposes, but it also acts as icebreakers for the ministry to interact with them. We may pray over them, take prayer requests or simply greet them.
An interesting fact about this ministry is that male volunteers are on the walk only as protection. Brothers are encouraged to lay low and serve as security acts. The reason being that it is the men who have abused these women and they are more likely to open up to sisters more for obvious reasons. Before my first walk, Andre told me that this ministry was "beautiful".
My first few walks consisted of a very few people. Reaching out to roughly about 150 women in two short hours was not a easy job. On my first few walks, there were many times where I had to step in to give out the goodies and be part of the interactions because the extra hands were needed. Surely, I have volunteered for the Soup Kitchen and have done this kind of work before. This, Agape, wasn't any different from those experiences where I had to reach out to the poor. For this reason, I did not fully understand the beauty that Andre was talking about.
Over the time, more people started coming out to the walks, (this one time, we had 15, thanks to the exert. haha) thus I had pleasure of staying back and fulfill my intended roles as a brother. It was then, my eyes started to open to the "beautiful" thing that Andre so often talked about. The thing that is so precious. The thing that is ever so elegant. That thing that is BeautifuL: our sisters radiating the love and mercy of Christ.
In YFC, we define the roles of brothers and sisters. For brothers, we are the pastors. protectors and providers. For those reasons, we are the ones that lead worships. We are the ones that lead ways. We are the ones that lead the sisters at all times.
The Agape Ministry provided opportunities for the sisters to take charge. For sisters to pastor. For the sisters to lead the way. For me, it had been such a blessing to see how the sisters took the initiative to spread the love of God.
When the sisters walked ahead of me and lead the way deeper into the Hastings, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters carried those heavy bags without any tiredness nor grudges, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters greeted the women so whole-heartedly, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters offered and gave out the treats, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters asked how their day was, how their children were, how their family was, tthat was so beautiful.
When the sisters couldn`t wait to approach the next woman, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters put rosary around that woman's neck,that was so beautiful.
When the sisters prayed over that woman who lost her mother, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters comforted and assured them that God loves them, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters comforted those who wept, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters hugged them without signs of disgust but smile, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters filled that place of sadness, sorrow, evil and darkness with their genuine love, care and comfort...
that was so beautiful.
In this changing world, we often hear about our Catholic Church being sexist, such as "why can't women be priests" remarks. I believe that our God, God of details, so intricately designed His men and women to have unique roles and responsibilities.
What sisters cannot do, brothers will accomplish. Not because the sisters are not capable of doing those things, but rather God has plans that he specifically called sisters to do. Likewise, sisters will spread the light of our God where brothers cannot go.
God made us, brothers, to be strong. Firm and unshaken to Provide, Pastor and Protect.
God made sisters, to be beautiful. Gentle and tender to Care, Comfort and Cherish.
(haha we always had our 3 P`s. You guys have 3 C`s now.)
In closing, I would like to use this opportunity to thank and honor all the sisters that have shown me the beauty. True meaning of beauty. Through your selfless acts of services in kindness and love, I was able to open my things to the things unseen.
Dear my amazingly beautiful sisters,
Thank you for showing me how beautiful you all really are."
-Peter Byun
Amen.
"that dress is beautiful!!!"
"We often find ourselves expressing words we do not fully understand. One expression that I have come close to full realization of, is the word, "beautiful". For me, beautiful had been merely qualities of a person or a thing that relied solely on the visual aspects.
Just recently, I have realized that it is MUCH more than that. It is hilarious how God works in our lives, and I found my revelation in the most unexpected place: Downtown Eastside.
This summer of '09, I started doing Agape Street Ministry. For those who don't know, it's a ministry that reaches out to the women of the streets. The ministry does an "Agape Walk" where the volunteers hand out goodie bags to the women. Not only the candies increase their glucose level for medical purposes, but it also acts as icebreakers for the ministry to interact with them. We may pray over them, take prayer requests or simply greet them.
An interesting fact about this ministry is that male volunteers are on the walk only as protection. Brothers are encouraged to lay low and serve as security acts. The reason being that it is the men who have abused these women and they are more likely to open up to sisters more for obvious reasons. Before my first walk, Andre told me that this ministry was "beautiful".
My first few walks consisted of a very few people. Reaching out to roughly about 150 women in two short hours was not a easy job. On my first few walks, there were many times where I had to step in to give out the goodies and be part of the interactions because the extra hands were needed. Surely, I have volunteered for the Soup Kitchen and have done this kind of work before. This, Agape, wasn't any different from those experiences where I had to reach out to the poor. For this reason, I did not fully understand the beauty that Andre was talking about.
Over the time, more people started coming out to the walks, (this one time, we had 15, thanks to the exert. haha) thus I had pleasure of staying back and fulfill my intended roles as a brother. It was then, my eyes started to open to the "beautiful" thing that Andre so often talked about. The thing that is so precious. The thing that is ever so elegant. That thing that is BeautifuL: our sisters radiating the love and mercy of Christ.
In YFC, we define the roles of brothers and sisters. For brothers, we are the pastors. protectors and providers. For those reasons, we are the ones that lead worships. We are the ones that lead ways. We are the ones that lead the sisters at all times.
The Agape Ministry provided opportunities for the sisters to take charge. For sisters to pastor. For the sisters to lead the way. For me, it had been such a blessing to see how the sisters took the initiative to spread the love of God.
When the sisters walked ahead of me and lead the way deeper into the Hastings, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters carried those heavy bags without any tiredness nor grudges, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters greeted the women so whole-heartedly, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters offered and gave out the treats, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters asked how their day was, how their children were, how their family was, tthat was so beautiful.
When the sisters couldn`t wait to approach the next woman, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters put rosary around that woman's neck,that was so beautiful.
When the sisters prayed over that woman who lost her mother, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters comforted and assured them that God loves them, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters comforted those who wept, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters hugged them without signs of disgust but smile, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters filled that place of sadness, sorrow, evil and darkness with their genuine love, care and comfort...
that was so beautiful.
In this changing world, we often hear about our Catholic Church being sexist, such as "why can't women be priests" remarks. I believe that our God, God of details, so intricately designed His men and women to have unique roles and responsibilities.
What sisters cannot do, brothers will accomplish. Not because the sisters are not capable of doing those things, but rather God has plans that he specifically called sisters to do. Likewise, sisters will spread the light of our God where brothers cannot go.
God made us, brothers, to be strong. Firm and unshaken to Provide, Pastor and Protect.
God made sisters, to be beautiful. Gentle and tender to Care, Comfort and Cherish.
(haha we always had our 3 P`s. You guys have 3 C`s now.)
In closing, I would like to use this opportunity to thank and honor all the sisters that have shown me the beauty. True meaning of beauty. Through your selfless acts of services in kindness and love, I was able to open my things to the things unseen.
Dear my amazingly beautiful sisters,
Thank you for showing me how beautiful you all really are."
-Peter Byun
Amen.
Labels:
Love
Growth
"We're not saying that after giving through this youth camp, we'll be living perfect Christian lives. We'll probably fall but it's standing up that matters most. After all, it's faithfulness, not success that God wants." -Talk 5 : Growing in the Spirit, CFC-YFC
"God never place us in any position in which we can not grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress." -Elizabeth Prentiss
Labels:
Virtues
Revenge
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:19-21
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” -2 Timothy 2:23-24
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” -2 Timothy 2:23-24
Labels:
Virtues
Impossible to Seperate.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39
Labels:
Faith
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