Billy Graham on Aging, Regrets, and Evangelicals | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

This interview with Billy Graham is, similar in nature to what Jesus prayed in John 17 and what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians. There are many words of wisdom to us who may be much younger than him but nevertheless will one day have to face and deal with. Especially worth noting is the final section where he restates what is really important for us as persons in Christ and as a people of God, the church. May we as persons in Christ be wholly centred in God and may the church always remember its calling to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. What a powerful witness we would be if all of us are able to remember our primary calling as His children!

Q & A: Billy Graham on Aging, Regrets, and Evangelicals | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Suffering Displays God's Strength through Our Weakness

God never wastes suffering, not a scrap of it. He redeems all of it for His glory and our blessing. The classic Biblical reference for the concept that suffering displays God's strength through our weakness is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, where we learn that God's grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness. Paul said he delighted in weaknesses, hardships, and difficulties "for when I am weak, then I am strong."

Our culture disdains weakness, but our frailty is a sign of God's workmanship in us. It gets us closer to what we were created to be—completely dependent on God. . My weakness made me more like a fragile, easily broken window than a solid brick wall. But just as sunlight pours through a window but is blocked by a wall, I discovered that other people could see God's strength and beauty in me because of the window-like nature of my weakness! Consider how the Lord Jesus was the exact representation of the glory of the Father—I mean, He was all window and no walls! He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. And He was the strongest person the world has ever seen. Not His own strength; He displayed the Father's strength because of that very weakness.

Sometimes our suffering isn't a consequence of our actions or even someone else's. God is teaching other beings about Himself and His loved ones—us—as He did with Job. The point of Job's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see God glorified in Job. Sometimes He trusts us with great pain in order to make a point, whether the intended audience is believers, unbelievers, or the spirit realm.

Joni Eareckson Tada, no stranger to great suffering, writes, "Whether a godly attitude shines from a brain-injured college student or from a lonely man relegated to a back bedroom, the response of patience and perseverance counts. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. He not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but He instructs the countless millions of angels and demons. The hosts in heaven stand amazed when they observe God sustain hurting people with His peace."

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Asking the Wrong Questions?

Wasn't it F.W. Faber (1814-63) who said:

"Thrice blest is he whom is given,

The instinct that can tell

That God is on the field when he

is most invisible."

Oftentimes we ask of God, "Where are you?" when actually He has been with us all along?

And isn't it true that it's hard to turn our thoughts to God when everything is going well with us?

Oh, such selfish and self-centred people we are!

Forgive us for so often asking the wrong questions...

You have already promised us in Matt. 28 that you'll be with us always to the end of the age.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is ours!

Light of God

A dedication to our great and mighty God who was, is and remain faithful in His covenant to us using the beautiful lyrics of Keith & Kristyn Getty's song, Light of God:

Light of God

Come dwell within Your people

As intended

From the dawn of time

Make Your goodness

Echoed through creation

Our desire

Joy of the divine

Holy Spirit

Break through our darkness

Holy Spirit

Breathe through our lives

Light of God come

Radiant and glorious

Perfect wisdom

In this world today

Light of God come

To Your fallen people

As we follow

In the steps of Christ

May Your fragrance

Beautify Your people

As we mirror

Our Creator's light

Light of God come

Claim Christ's stolen glory

Burn the shadows

With the flame of truth

May Your church rise

Stars within the darkness

Giving glory

To the Lord of light

Light divine come

Father of all beauty

Son of goodness

Spirit of all truth

Move us, use us

People of Your vision

As we wait for

Our returning King

Keith & Kristyn Getty

Copyright (c) 2005 Thankyou Music

Church Camp 2010

Once again, the three of us signed up for church camp. This year, it was held at Thistle Port Dickson, a fairly decent resort hotel by the beach at Jalan Pantai, P.D. Almost 400 campers, young and old - including our Chinese services brethren.

Our camp speaker, Rev (Dr) Chua Chung Kai from Covenant Evangelical Free Church is a refreshing camp speaker who spoke pertinently to the need of the hour, especially at a time when Zion Bishan has been newly registered and factually speaking, we are 2 churches in 1 camp! What was particularly refreshing about Pastor Chung Kai was his willingness to be transparent and vulnerable by sharing with us his own spiritual walk. That encouraged a lot of us to open up to share freely with one another. I believe many of us would have returned from camp with many new friends as well as building stronger friendships with others whom we have known more casually before.

For me personally, I am thankful for sister Janet, our AG leader who selflessly put together and handled the logistical arrangements for our brother, Steve Aw Yong. Without Janet's arrangements, it would have been difficult for Steve to join us. Also many thanks to the brothers and sisters in our convoy of 4 cars who took turns to assist Steve with his meals and also to help wheel him around. Thanks also to Rolin who roomed with Steve and for Gary who brought him swimming as well! Through convoying together, we got to know each other much better too. It sure was a wonderful and worthwhile camp, not to mention the valuable spiritual lessons learnt during the theme talks.

Jesus, Ever Abiding Friend

Jesus remains solidly my abiding friend day after day, week after week , month after month and year after year! How precious to me His faithful friendship is...
Jesus ever abiding friend
My soul's rest and journey's end
Blameless one who erased my sin
For eternity
Comfort through my deepest pain
Love that sees beyond my shame
Christ the sweetest dearest name
That my heart has ever known
Jesus Saviour with crown of thorns
My soul's peace forevermore
Constant caring redeeming Lord
Life abundantly
Rock of Heaven strength and shield
Perfect holiness revealed
Christ by whom my wounds were healed
Name above all other names
Keith Getty & Steve Siler
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music/MCPS/Fifty States Music/Word Music/Copycare