Pleasing my Ultimate Boss
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Love Story Part 2: Can I have a glass of water?
7.) The test. OK I admit I have a hard time understanding the chief servant's way of choosing a wife for Isaac. asking for a drink of water?
The Chief Servant must really have a hard time thinking of a plan to choose the right person. Don't have a Bible Dictionary. But from what I recall I know that the place where Abraham lived and his native land is very far. They lived in the land of Canaan (so somewhere at Israel) and his native land I think is somewhere in eastern Iraq i think. they didn't have cars back then, they just rode camels. So he had a lot of time to think about what to do.
I mean this guy had a lot of resources he brought with him. He could of just went to the town elders and made a formal introduction and then his formal request there or better yet he could of made one of those reality contest shows like The Bachelor. I don't think he had any idea what to do when he got to Nahor. The journey must of been long and tiring, but when he reached that place he was just tired and thirsty. So he prayed to God about it. He ask God to help him find the right person and that she would give him and his camels a drink of water.
First thing he notices when Rebekah comes out is she is beautiful and a virgin. How does he know that? I don't know so don't ask me. Maybe the way she dressed and acted showed what type of person she is.
The test is a drink of water. So isn't this like fleecing? So does that mean that I pray "Lord the one I'm going to choose is going to wear red today" or "If I smile back at her she smiles back too" or "If I ask for a glass of water, she'll go and wash my car and gas it up too.". I don't think its like that. Well just imagine this Rebekah is doing her household chores by going out and getting water, she can't wait to get it done. Btw just a fact: each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day (but don't think they had a flush system back then). Anyways its still a lot of water that a person had to use. So she is busy carrying gallons of water to her house and here is an unknown stranger here at near the well asking for a drink of water. She could of said "Hey don't you have 2 hands? Why don't you use them to get your own water?" But no she stops and helps a stranger out. Notice this the chief servant did not ask her to water her camels too, but she still did. Hey the chief servant did not travel alone and I believe that she also gave them water to drink. So what does this have to do with choosing a the right person. Well she showed what she truly personality. Just imagine this if someone 介绍"kai siao" you to someone, of course you would put your best foot forward. Rebekah didn't expect to be given a tip or a reward for helping a stranger out. But she still helped him out.
Notice this while Rebekah was doing all these. The chief servant was watching her. Observing her. Looking at her expressions. "Pilit lang ba siya? Baka nagtatampo na?".
And before he made his final decision he ask her whose daughter are you? And yes she is from Abraham's family. Alright my first night here and God led her already. Wow!
The chief servant does not forget to thank God for giving him success
to be cont'd...
Just a side note. Don't you wish you had a chief servant to help you look the right person? Yeah I'll sit here at home, you go and find me my wife. hehehe
Thursday, August 23, 2007
I Wonder
I Wonder
by Ruth Harms Calkin
You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for You
At a women’s club.
You know how I effervesce when I promote
A fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm
At a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder,
If You pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the callused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day,
Month after month,
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew?
by Ruth Harms Calkin
You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for You
At a women’s club.
You know how I effervesce when I promote
A fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm
At a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder,
If You pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the callused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day,
Month after month,
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Love Story Part 1
We all love to hear love stories and especially the fairy tale endings (actually there is no fairy tale ending, just an adventure).
Love is a mysterious thing. You can't see it, can't touch it, can't measure it but it is there. You can never understand it, but we all felt it.
You know after seeing your crush, it either inspires you or makes you crazy. A friend once told me that after breaking up after a long time, he still has feelings for his ex. It has this weird affect on a person positively and negatively.
I was chatting with my pastor and we talked about the subject of LCM. I was kind of confused about it. So he gave me a homework. He told me to study the love story of Isaac & Rebekah and try to get the point of the story.
So I have written down what have I observed:
1.) Wow a whole chapter on Gen 24 is dedicated to their love story.
2.) Sarah, Isaac's mom recently passed away. Chap 23
3.) Isaac's dad is old v. 1
4.) Isaac's age? well Sarah died 127 yrs old. Abraham was 100 yrs old when Isaac was born. So if Sarah and Abraham were about the same age, then Isaac would probably be mid 20's. I'm guessing maybe 27. Not sure but people don't live longer and they marry earlier during that time? I feel you Isaac, think I'm riding the same boat as you were riding before.
5.) The Chief servant v.2. Doesn't give his name. Don't recall anything else mentioned about him before and after this chapter. Only description is the one in charge of all that he (Abraham) had. Well from that we can learn that this person is trustworthy, dependable, high position and educated.
6.) Conditions made by Abraham for choosing a wife:
a.) Will not get a wife from the daughters of Canaan
b.) Get a wife from his country, his own relatives.
c.) Not to take his son back to his country
Let's talk about the Conditions. Some might say that Condition A is really an issue about culture but i think it has a lot to do about God's standard. Abraham saw what the Caananites were like and he didn't like the way the live their lives. I'm sure they were pretty but the way they lived their lives were not the standard that God has set. Condition B, so Abraham was thinking if he wanted to look for someone with the same standards with God the best place is back to his hometown from his own family. Condition C, this condition is well kind of weird. I mean if your looking for a wife for your son why not send your son to go find one rather than send your chief servant?
The conditions that were set, were set by Isaac's dad. Isaac did not have a say the kind of wife he would have. If I were Isaac I'd secretly go to Chief servant befriend him and tell him my preference. I'm thinking Isac might want to say this "Hey Chief Servant. We've been through a lot and I treated you well . So when you go out and find my wife. Please make sure she is pretty. Not taller than me. Make sure she can cook. Also..."
Ok just think about this. If you were the girl. An unknown guy comes along offers you money and tells you that his master's son is looking for a wife and your it. There's no picture of the groom. You don't know if the guy is a fake. All he is giving you is his word and some dowry. Would you go with him? Kind of an impossible task. So Abraham adds (my own words) "Ok if you go there and the girl won't go back with you. No need to kidnap her for Isaac. Its ok I won't hold it against you. You can come back your mission is accomplished."
Hey but before Abraham said that he said something on v.7 (again my own words) "Don't worry about it. God will provide. He has already sent his angel before you and has prepared that special someone for Isaac already. all you need to do is tell her about it."
to be cont'd...
Love is a mysterious thing. You can't see it, can't touch it, can't measure it but it is there. You can never understand it, but we all felt it.
You know after seeing your crush, it either inspires you or makes you crazy. A friend once told me that after breaking up after a long time, he still has feelings for his ex. It has this weird affect on a person positively and negatively.
I was chatting with my pastor and we talked about the subject of LCM. I was kind of confused about it. So he gave me a homework. He told me to study the love story of Isaac & Rebekah and try to get the point of the story.
So I have written down what have I observed:
1.) Wow a whole chapter on Gen 24 is dedicated to their love story.
2.) Sarah, Isaac's mom recently passed away. Chap 23
3.) Isaac's dad is old v. 1
4.) Isaac's age? well Sarah died 127 yrs old. Abraham was 100 yrs old when Isaac was born. So if Sarah and Abraham were about the same age, then Isaac would probably be mid 20's. I'm guessing maybe 27. Not sure but people don't live longer and they marry earlier during that time? I feel you Isaac, think I'm riding the same boat as you were riding before.
5.) The Chief servant v.2. Doesn't give his name. Don't recall anything else mentioned about him before and after this chapter. Only description is the one in charge of all that he (Abraham) had. Well from that we can learn that this person is trustworthy, dependable, high position and educated.
6.) Conditions made by Abraham for choosing a wife:
a.) Will not get a wife from the daughters of Canaan
b.) Get a wife from his country, his own relatives.
c.) Not to take his son back to his country
Let's talk about the Conditions. Some might say that Condition A is really an issue about culture but i think it has a lot to do about God's standard. Abraham saw what the Caananites were like and he didn't like the way the live their lives. I'm sure they were pretty but the way they lived their lives were not the standard that God has set. Condition B, so Abraham was thinking if he wanted to look for someone with the same standards with God the best place is back to his hometown from his own family. Condition C, this condition is well kind of weird. I mean if your looking for a wife for your son why not send your son to go find one rather than send your chief servant?
The conditions that were set, were set by Isaac's dad. Isaac did not have a say the kind of wife he would have. If I were Isaac I'd secretly go to Chief servant befriend him and tell him my preference. I'm thinking Isac might want to say this "Hey Chief Servant. We've been through a lot and I treated you well . So when you go out and find my wife. Please make sure she is pretty. Not taller than me. Make sure she can cook. Also..."
Ok just think about this. If you were the girl. An unknown guy comes along offers you money and tells you that his master's son is looking for a wife and your it. There's no picture of the groom. You don't know if the guy is a fake. All he is giving you is his word and some dowry. Would you go with him? Kind of an impossible task. So Abraham adds (my own words) "Ok if you go there and the girl won't go back with you. No need to kidnap her for Isaac. Its ok I won't hold it against you. You can come back your mission is accomplished."
Hey but before Abraham said that he said something on v.7 (again my own words) "Don't worry about it. God will provide. He has already sent his angel before you and has prepared that special someone for Isaac already. all you need to do is tell her about it."
to be cont'd...
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Short fuse
Ever have one of those days where your have a short fuse. I think I just had it today. Actually I still have it. I'm having this terrible headache and it seems that any small irritating comment, criticism or anything and the bomb would just go off. Trying to control myself. Lord, help me forgive. help me control my anger.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Oh how he loves you and me
I really hate driving traffic but there is one thing I miss about it.
Time alone. Time to think. Time to evaluate. Time to pray. I also like listening to the radio especially DZAS. I heard this song. A simple song, but the message is so powerful.
Time alone. Time to think. Time to evaluate. Time to pray. I also like listening to the radio especially DZAS. I heard this song. A simple song, but the message is so powerful.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
What is God's will in my life?
The million dollar question that everyone is asking "What is God's will in my life?". Can we really know what God's will for our life is? or do we just live life aimlessly hoping to somehow get lucky in life?
I often ask this question myself. If God has a plan for my life how come He is not revealing it to me? I mean when you open up the Bible, it doesn't tell you what course your going to take? Where you are going to work? What career will God lead me too? Who will I marry? Will I remain here or move somewhere else? How will my life end?
How I wish I had a magic crystal ball where i can see the future and see how things will turn out. Sigh :(
When I think about God's will this verse pops out of my mind. Ok there are better sermons out there about this verse but let me share to you some insights that I learned. BTW pls free to add your comments.
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So based on these verses we can test and approve what God's will is.
meaning there will be roads in our lives that we have to test and need approving. Not all the roads we encounter, even though it might look ok, will lead us to His will.
But in order for us to test and approve of it we need a transformed mind (just like the Transformers :). We need to have the same mind set as God has. See things thru His eyes. But in order to do that we need worship God by offering our lives.
Some adjectives about His will: good, pleasing and perfect. Good - it will bring us good not harm. It is pleasing to God. And perfect. Yes! everything works out for the good of those who love God! God's perfect timing.
So how are we going to apply it in our lives? Well it can start as simple as doing what God commands like Worship Him, read the Bible, pray for others, share others about Jesus Christ, obey parents, work hard, help each other out, ... I guess its those simple steps that lead us to His will.
In short: You want to know God's will, start obeying Him.
I often ask this question myself. If God has a plan for my life how come He is not revealing it to me? I mean when you open up the Bible, it doesn't tell you what course your going to take? Where you are going to work? What career will God lead me too? Who will I marry? Will I remain here or move somewhere else? How will my life end?
How I wish I had a magic crystal ball where i can see the future and see how things will turn out. Sigh :(
When I think about God's will this verse pops out of my mind. Ok there are better sermons out there about this verse but let me share to you some insights that I learned. BTW pls free to add your comments.
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
So based on these verses we can test and approve what God's will is.
meaning there will be roads in our lives that we have to test and need approving. Not all the roads we encounter, even though it might look ok, will lead us to His will.
But in order for us to test and approve of it we need a transformed mind (just like the Transformers :). We need to have the same mind set as God has. See things thru His eyes. But in order to do that we need worship God by offering our lives.
Some adjectives about His will: good, pleasing and perfect. Good - it will bring us good not harm. It is pleasing to God. And perfect. Yes! everything works out for the good of those who love God! God's perfect timing.
So how are we going to apply it in our lives? Well it can start as simple as doing what God commands like Worship Him, read the Bible, pray for others, share others about Jesus Christ, obey parents, work hard, help each other out, ... I guess its those simple steps that lead us to His will.
In short: You want to know God's will, start obeying Him.
Who am I
Who Am I
by Casting Crowns
album: Casting Crowns (2003)
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
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