Nice Quote from Sabbath School

“All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God. In them is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and they need to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God.”—Ellen G. White,The Ministry of Healing, p. 58.

How many of us really take times for a quiet hour? (Including me)

Serious Reflection

This trip to Penang give me a sense of reflection again what i do and why i am doing it.

Back in this conference, i was greeted by all my old classmate even some people that i dont know but seems to know me.

I met many peoples, and most of the comment "i know you from...." or "i heard you from....and (all the qualities that they claim i have and perform)" etc, etc

Some people even says, "with this kind of recognition you have, you can be easily promoted to Union, Division, or etc" some other "you will be great, and etc, etc"

Invitation for dinner, lunch, free food, free this and that flowing nicely.

There is a temptation to say that "i should aim higher" this is the time for "fly up"

For those who know what happened recently, i receive a wonderful offer that i think will give me a speedy upgrade on the term of personal career. However, i am fighting for not accepting it.

Reason given - i believe there is a great work needed to be done in this present assignment that i have. I was placed in this situation in which by faith i accept as God's direction. The work is not yet done, there is a lot of things still need to take place.

It might sounds like it is a personal ambition that i have. For those who know me, you know that is not me. It is coming from my heart as a shepherd. It is very difficult for me to go, when knowing my sheep is still sick, not well fed, not healthy enough to produce another sheep. I pray that this is what God really wants me to be and belong.

This trip to Penang gave me that inspiration again.

Self Awareness Before God

Lack of Self Awareness before God can lead us to a wrong spirituality. Many people use God to run away from God. They like to blame others for the problem that they encounter, and worse using God's name to validate that accusation. Some others, didnt realize their emotional emptiness, making God as the way to heal their pain, without ever wants to deal with the real issue. The reed of reality is just too hurting for them to accept it, so better hide in this emotional drugs call religion. That is why some, need to go to worship not for a real worship with god but for emotional high during music time, or they like sermon that will give them good feeling and self tap on the back that they are craving for.

It is something that i feel very sad. For a simple reason, this will lead them not in finding God but rather in themselves.

True Purpose of Religion

Some people use religion to make them feel good, and fill the insecurities that they feel. The do good things as a reward to themselves. When their so called "spiritual life" is considered good, they can tap their back and say i am successful! However, those thought and action cannot lead to the true joy and happiness in Christ. Probably that is why, a lot of people walk away from religion when problem and difficulties happen because they just want the Good Stuff

The Power of the Mind

I am not talking about Professor X on X-Men or those psychic supernatural spoof. But one's thinking can be very fascinating.

I've been interested in mental health field since i dont know when but for sure a long long time ago. I still remember while other kids are busy with playing with their toys, i am busy with my father's old typewrite machine writing on how to reduce stress. I took the source from some encyclopedia and my intention was to give it to my uncle who was depressed because of relationship problem.

There were times as well when i just suddenly woke up and think very deeply, about how actually minds work? and i wont be able to sleep trying to figure it out.

However as for today, being exposed to the real situation and experience its saddened me to see how one's mind can define the whole body function. I have seen how depression can bring a person to see life as meaningless and value themselves so low despite all the good things that happens in their life. How one can harm their own self just because they dont find any worth and control over their own self and the situation that affect them.

And as much as i want to help, often i felt discouraged for there are less that i can do.

But anyway, i am still fascinated

EGW on Judging Others

Pg.123

"The people partook largely of the same spirit, intruding upon the province of conscience and judging one another in matters that lay between the soul and God. It was in reference to this spirit and practice that Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” That is, do not set yourself up as a standard. Do not make your opinions, your views of duty, your interpretations of Scripture, a criterion for others and in your heart condemn them if they do not come up to your ideal. Do not criticize others, conjecturing as to their motives and passing judgment upon them."

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing

How true that statement is....

Emotionally Healthy Church & Spirituality

I've been reading this book called Emotionally Healthy Church and now Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pastor Peter Scazzero. It is a wonderful book and give me a great insight to the question, why some people can be very spiritual but on the same time still very sensitive, insecure, and angry? This book provide the balance that i didnt realize, that without emotional maturity the spiritual aspect of life no matter how strong it is will crumble.

There are plenty of part of my life that i find not yet mature. I am still insecure, and sensitive also thinking too much for things that dont even exist. Well, if you are interested in searching for a new way of living for a higher spiritual maturity, this book is a great book to read.