God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

Life is about changes and learning to enjoy the adventure of journeying in life with Him. I can't see what's ahead and have no way of controlling how things will go. I can only trust Him, that He makes all things beautiful in its time.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Real Lament

As I'm writing my paper on the intermediate state of the soul between death and the day of resurrection I lament that in this day and age, there are not many songs written today that help people, especially Christians, to deal with tough emotions. Songs that help us be honest with our pain and struggles, and teach us to truly lament. We have songs for thanksgiving, rejoicing, resting and releasing our burdens, even of toiling and working for God, and if I may add, victory in Christ. Songs of brokenness are usually related to repentance of sin and Christ's suffering on the cross. Is this a sign that we are unfamiliar with hardships? I doubt so. Do we give permission for people to lament and even voice our frustration and rage? Such songs are rare, if at all. If we truly believe that all emotions that we experience are valid and do not carry any moral judgment, then we must validate the expressions of such emotions. If not, then we can understand why Christians often feel the Church is not a safe place to express our hopelessness and despair, grief and anger... it seems there is no place for failure, much less, to talk about it. Many have expressed that it is easier to share with non-Christian friends because they have less expectation and are often less judmental. Failures and struggles are not automatically equated with sin or lack of trust in God, but part of being human. Even when it comes to confessing our sins, we often feel more comfortable confessing to a non-Christian friend than our Christian leaders. At least we know it won't be held against us for years to come ... It is sad and I don't blame them for thinking that Christians are hypocritical! Can you imagine if everytime we spoke to each other, we caveat it with a declaration, "Hello everybody, my name is Cheryl and I'm a sinner" (which means I'm a Christian and God is at work in me)?

I was happy to come across this site ... it has a list of songs and resources for helping us deal with the rough patches of life. Some of these lyrics are hard core honest.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
You holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Do I really mean this? I don't know. This song came to me. A simple old melody and I didn't know there were verses cause we only used to sing the chorus.

Soo-Inn and his wife will be visiting us in Regent this Fri. Looking forward to that.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Love bade me welcome

Love (Sonnet III)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning If I lack'd anything.

A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?

Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them:
let my shame Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.

—George Herbert, 1593-1633

Monday, October 09, 2006

Body World - Part 2

I've just been alerted by my friend about some controversy that have arisen with regards to the above exhibition. As mentioned in my earlier blog, I am quite keen to visit this exhibition. Although I'm aware there will be a degree of shock factor, nevertheless I think it is an educational and eye-opening exhibition. I don't agree that this in any way dishonours the person whose body is being exhibited or lacks human dignity provided it is done with, and only with, the consent of the deceased. It must be voluntary donation of organs and body parts. Apparently many of the exhibits do include a consent statement, but some of them are questionable, in particular those coming from China. This is very sad and will seriously taint how this exhibition will be deemed in the eyes of the public.

See related articles here:
Article by National Public Radio
The Guardian
Article by Christoph Reiners, of Peace Lutheran
Article by Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl
Stop Body Worlds Blog

Superman, I am not

I was reading a few blogs from different folks and realised that many of us struggle with feelings of depression. It's not uncommon at all and I was saddened to find some who are very young struggling with this too. Life is tough. These are the first 3 words in M. Scott Peck's book, The Road Less Travelled. It's hard and the sooner we accept this, the better it would be. "Once we know that life is difficult - once we truly understand and accept it - then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters." I think this goes especially for Christians. I find that many Christians have bought the idea that life is better, or at least is not meant to be difficult, just because we profess faith in Christ. In my years of walking with the Lord and as I seek to study the Word more faithfully, I'm not so sure. Life is tough ... and it's probably tougher for Christians. Why? Simply because the way of life in this world is hostile to those who refuse to buy into the world's system and values. We are declaring war with this world's principalities and powers when we choose to identify with Christ. With that, the Cross itself is a testimony that the world is at enmity with God and those who follow Him. We are told to bear our cross daily. We have hope in Christ and that is true, but it is not a hope for a better life in this world, I'm afraid. Christ warned us that if we are to follow Him we must take up our cross and be prepared for persecution. That is not to say we act foolishly and bring self-inflicted predicament upon ourselves. But it will not be a bed of roses. It is not hopelessness because I believe that in Christ there is hope that our efforts are not in vain, yet at the same time accept that this life is difficult. So we have hope that is not of this world, thus we do not strive but look to the ultimate hope we have in Christ. Does that mean life offers no joy? No comfort? Oh no. But joy in the Lord is knowing that we have been reconciled with God and called to live a life that has purpose and meaning. We're not merely existing and the hardships of life will not easily dissuade us from living for God. The comfort we receive from God is in the midst of all our tribulations - not in the absence of them (2 Cor 1:3-7). In fact Paul tells us that we share in his comfort precisely because we are also partakers of his suffering. I'm afraid it's false consolation to tell someone that following Christ means we will not struggle or will be spared from hardships.

Having said that, I must admit I am prone to feelings of depression myself and understand that the things that life throws at us can sometimes, if not often, seem overwhelming. So overwhelming that you feel you are incapable of facing them... to the point that you just want to shut out all the pain. When my friends tell me that life is fragile and that we can be called home anytime, sometimes, I wonder why it's taking so long. I long to be home. Longing to the point that it aches. Long for the day when I won't feel the sting of loneliness .... long to be delivered from this body that is broken and marred by sin, always inclining towards sin ... long to see the Father face to face, look into His eyes of love and hear Him whisper my name, full of love. I want to feel His embrace and I know I'm home. I'm safe. There's a song that goes "I can only imagine..." that talks about this day. (Link to the lyrics)

In the mean time, I continue on this journey, by His grace. I am depending on Him to carry me through daily because I can't... on my own, by my own strength. I do what I can, which is to hopelessly abandon myself to Him and His mercy. Also, I have a burden to share this journey with fellow pilgrims as we make our way home. That is the reason I was drawn to the pastoral ministry. It didn't take me long to realise that there's nothing I can do about their pain. I couldn't deliver anyone from their depression. I could offer no 'solution'. Some of us wish we were Superman, having the power to change the world and make a real difference, even between life and death! For me, watching Superman made me realise that he too is constantly fighting a losing battle. He can't solve all the problems of humanity and he has his limitations. For me, it was frustrating. Very frustrating.

I saw my friends hurting and some seem to have a much harder deal in life than others. I don't know why and sometimes wish life would give them a break. I admire them for their courage to face life. I don't blame them for feeling tired or discouraged because I don't know if I can do any better. I've since learned that I can't solve their problems but I can offer to stand with them as they faced those problems, or mine for that matter. I have no quick-fix and make no promises, but have only myself to offer - my companionship on this difficult journey. I know God is present with us in the midst of all these and has not left us alone; and I plant myself as a physical reminder of that presence. A reminder that ... He is at work in our lives; He has not abandoned us; He sees our suffering; He is not untouched by our pain; and most of all that He loves us. And I offer to pray. I'm not a super-spiritual prayer warrior and have my own struggles in my prayer life. But I pray not because of how 'great' or effective my prayer is, but to acknowledge He is in control, to affirm that He cares and hears our prayers. So for what it's worth, I lovingly bring them before the Lord in prayer, especially when they themselves are too weak even to pray. Is that good enough? I don't know. Does that make a difference? I hope.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Desiring God Conference

This conference was held in the US recently. I've come across a few Christians (bloggers) who attended the conference and have been impacted by the sessions.
Link to listen or read these messages. Highly recommend it.

Cracking Down on Bloggers

Recently there have been a number of libel suits against bloggers which we should pay attention and heed. A needed reminder for responsible blogging especially in view of our Christian commitment. There are important and far reaching implications that should give us a cause for concern. I can foresee some taking advantage of this development to limit our freedom of expression. Yet I understand the need to curb abuse of this highly accessibly platform.
Link

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Labyrinth

Just sharing my fascination with this symbol. As mentioned below, it's not a unique Christian practice, but Christians have adopted it for many years as a tool for meditation and prayer. In my class today, we talked about how we've lost the imagery of journey/ pilgrimage with regards to our faith. Perhaps this is one possible way of regaining the sense of that image.

Labyrinth is a means for prayer. Starting on the outside of the labyrinth, the praying person enters the labyrinth and prayerfully follows its winding paths to the centre. In the quiet, spiritual centre there is opportunity for rest, prayer, and preparation for the journey back to the world. For many walkers, the Labyrinth is a spiritual practice - for meditation, healing or insight. A labyrinth, unlike a maze, has no dead ends. There is only one path, and while it does have t
wists and turns, you can’t get lost. The same path takes you into the labyrinth and out again. With a labyrinth you don’t have to think, or analyze, or solve a problem. With a labyrinth you just trust that the path will lead you to where you need to be.

The classical or seventh circuit labyrinth has seven circuits, referring the seven paths that lead to the center or goal. This is an ancient design and is found in most cultures. It is sometimes dated back more than 4000 years. Also known as the Cretan Labyrinth it is associated with the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. This design was found on Cretan coins.

The classical labyrinth has an association with Christianity. A cross is the starting point used to construct this labyrinth. The cross at the center can become the focus for meditation and the experience of the labyrinth. The classical labyrinth design is found in many churches in Europe.

The Middle Ages showed a renewed interest in labyrinths and a design more complex than the classical seven-circuit labyrinth became popular.

This was an eleven-circuit design divided into four quadrants. It was often found in Gothic Cathedrals but over time many of these eleven-circuit designs were destroyed or intentionally removed.

The most famous of these remaining labyrinths is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France. The labyrinth at Chartres was built around 1200 and is laid into the floor in a style sometimes referred to as a pavement maze. The original center piece has been removed and other areas of the labyrinth have been restored.

This labyrinth was meant to be walked but is reported to be infrequently used today. In the past it could be walked as a pilgrimage and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage it was a questing, searching journey with the hope of becoming closer to God. When used for repentance the pilgrims would walk on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem and as a result came to be called the "Chemin de Jerusalem" or Road of Jerusalem.

In walking the Chartres style labyrinth the walker meanders through each of the four quadrants several times before reaching the goal. An expectancy is created as to when the center will be reached. At the center is a rosette design which has a rich symbolic value including that of enlightenment. The four arms of the cross are readily visible and provide significant Christian symbolism.

Virtual walk of the labyrinth.