Sunday, May 11, 2014
Our Poster
Regarding our blog topic which is 'Hearing God's Voice' and 'God Working in Us', our poster is a combination of edited picture by us and we hope that the poster can convey a brief message about the topic we have chosen.
Simplicity?
Meet Brian. He's 24, out of a job, with his parents and two younger
siblings to take care of. He just broke up with a girl he'd dated for a
long time. In essence, his life has gone down the drain.
With depression right at the forefront of his mind, Brian could not help but question his faith in God. After all, why would someone so holy give a follower such a depressing fate? Now, he could lose his faith, surrender into depression and kill himself. Alternatively, he could man up, toughen it out and get his life in order.
How does one get his life back in order?
For a believer in Christ, the route seems simple, doesn't it? Pray, pray, pray.
But that doesn't always work. You need to let God actually work in you, and how do you do that?
Easy, embrace simplicity, among other things. Take some time for yourself, to allow God to work in you. Keep it simple.
After all, simple is good.
With depression right at the forefront of his mind, Brian could not help but question his faith in God. After all, why would someone so holy give a follower such a depressing fate? Now, he could lose his faith, surrender into depression and kill himself. Alternatively, he could man up, toughen it out and get his life in order.
How does one get his life back in order?
For a believer in Christ, the route seems simple, doesn't it? Pray, pray, pray.
But that doesn't always work. You need to let God actually work in you, and how do you do that?
Easy, embrace simplicity, among other things. Take some time for yourself, to allow God to work in you. Keep it simple.
After all, simple is good.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Simplicity and how God works in US thru it Pt2
We talked (well, I typed, you read, but you get the point) about simplicity in the last post, and how we might use it. Now, we'll talk about how God actually works in us through it. Simplicity, as we have said earlier on, means that everything isn't complicated. There's no upcoming deadlines, no Sword of Damocles above your head.
You might say, 'Gee, that's boring,' and guess what? You might be right! But that's because you're no embracing simplicity. Did you know that some South Koreans check into prison-themed facilities just to have some quiet time for themselves?
If that doesn't show how busy we all are nowadays, nothing will.
How do you embrace simplicity?
To be honest, this is something you're going to have to find out on your own- the best we can do is guide you to it, and even then we might not be able to. Each person has their own way of embracing simplicity. Some find it in quiet meditation, some find it when pondering over their life, and some find simplicity in the happiness of success.
We'll show some people that embrace simplicity in the next post.
You might say, 'Gee, that's boring,' and guess what? You might be right! But that's because you're no embracing simplicity. Did you know that some South Koreans check into prison-themed facilities just to have some quiet time for themselves?
If that doesn't show how busy we all are nowadays, nothing will.
How do you embrace simplicity?
To be honest, this is something you're going to have to find out on your own- the best we can do is guide you to it, and even then we might not be able to. Each person has their own way of embracing simplicity. Some find it in quiet meditation, some find it when pondering over their life, and some find simplicity in the happiness of success.
We'll show some people that embrace simplicity in the next post.
SIMPLICITY and How 'God' works in US thru it Pt1
Simplicity: By definition, simplicity is a thing that is plain or uncomplicated, like living as a pastor (unless you live in Mali or Iran, in which case it isn't simple-evading angry mobs of murderous hooligans is rather difficult, no offense intended to those who live there).
But since this a religious study, these reliable definitions get thrown out of the proverbial window. In this post, we'll understand how we can 'hear God's voice' through the act of simplicity and understand how he works in us using this. At the very least, we'll give it our best shot.
Now, the first thing we need to be clear on is that IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY HEAR VOICES IN YOUR HEAD IT MEANS THAT YOU'VE GONE OFF THE ROCKER. When they mean 'hear God's voice,' it's more of a subconscious thought than anything. See, when people say that they do hear God's voice, it's when they know they're going to do something either pivotal, good, or life-changing (you can't expect the Almighty to give you advice on minor things like the best apple pie, right?). Making the decision to donate money to charity is not life-changing. But signing up for extended amounts of charity work, choosing to help out with the old folk's home nearby, or something of the sort is a pivotal decision.
Now, how exactly DO you hear God talking to you? Different people offer different solutions- some say pray, some say spend some time in quiet solitude. I say go take a break. Go, rent a vacation home or a hotel room in the midst of nowhere, take a break from the hectic life we all lead. Keep things simple for at least a while. Read a book or two...maybe pray, you know, the whole drill. But above all, keep it simply. Simplicity in life leads to quietness, and gives us more time to reflect on our lives. Take and use that chance to think of what you can do to better the lives of others. After all, there's no point in being religious when all you use it for is to annoy and waste the time of others.
God might not even 'talk' to you in the sense of the word that we know. It may be revelation that you know you need to do this. Alternatively, he'll leave you to discover your way on your own, giving subtle nudges. But of course, you'll never know if you never try, yes?
But since this a religious study, these reliable definitions get thrown out of the proverbial window. In this post, we'll understand how we can 'hear God's voice' through the act of simplicity and understand how he works in us using this. At the very least, we'll give it our best shot.
Now, the first thing we need to be clear on is that IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY HEAR VOICES IN YOUR HEAD IT MEANS THAT YOU'VE GONE OFF THE ROCKER. When they mean 'hear God's voice,' it's more of a subconscious thought than anything. See, when people say that they do hear God's voice, it's when they know they're going to do something either pivotal, good, or life-changing (you can't expect the Almighty to give you advice on minor things like the best apple pie, right?). Making the decision to donate money to charity is not life-changing. But signing up for extended amounts of charity work, choosing to help out with the old folk's home nearby, or something of the sort is a pivotal decision.
Now, how exactly DO you hear God talking to you? Different people offer different solutions- some say pray, some say spend some time in quiet solitude. I say go take a break. Go, rent a vacation home or a hotel room in the midst of nowhere, take a break from the hectic life we all lead. Keep things simple for at least a while. Read a book or two...maybe pray, you know, the whole drill. But above all, keep it simply. Simplicity in life leads to quietness, and gives us more time to reflect on our lives. Take and use that chance to think of what you can do to better the lives of others. After all, there's no point in being religious when all you use it for is to annoy and waste the time of others.
God might not even 'talk' to you in the sense of the word that we know. It may be revelation that you know you need to do this. Alternatively, he'll leave you to discover your way on your own, giving subtle nudges. But of course, you'll never know if you never try, yes?
Ruth looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter one more time...
Dear Ruth,
I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer."
With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner."
She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Seven dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door.
A loaf of french bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt satisfied as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.
"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
"Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it."
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."
"Yeah, well, OK lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag.
"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.
"You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street . . .without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. "That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth,
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?"
The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:37-40
http://www.heavensinspirations.com/jesus-dinner.html
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