SarahCity

This morning, I read about the Circle of Blessing from the Book "Shepherding a Child's Heart' and this statement caught my attention:- "You must be obeyed for their (your children) sakes!" In the past, I always think that a child's obedience is just simply an issue between the parent and the child. This thinking is very wrong because it can cause us to overlook an offense without making an effort to restore our child back to God. In fact, obedience is an issue between the child and God in which the parent is God’s agent in drawing the child back within the circle of blessing. In Ephesians 6:1-3 God has drawn a circle of great blessing. Children are to live within the circle of submission to parental authority. Submission to parents means HONORING and OBEYING. Within that circle things will go well and they will enjoy long lives. When our children disobey, they move outside the circle of blessing which is a place of danger, it will not go well w...

Below is a touching story from the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripps. Howard's son suffered brain damage during infancy. Howard was unsure how much his son could understand. Despite his son's retarded brain development, he talked to him about the ways of God. At 3 1/2, the boy still could not speak. The parents continued to talk to him of God, pray with him, and sought to shepherd him bibically. One day, the lad required correction and discipline. Howard was perplexed as he tried to explain, not knowing how much his son could grasp. As he grew more frustrated with the communication process, his son intervened. He spoke! His first words were, "Pray, Daddy!" This young child, compromised by brain damage, had been understanding valuable lessons all along. He knew of his father's faith in God. He knew that one turns to God when troubled. He knew that God could help his daddy communicate. -- I am very impressed by Howard's fa...

I heard this true story during one of our home meeting. I find this story very touching and decided to put it in my blog as an encouragement to those who are faithfully taking care of their loved one. You are not alone, God is watching our every action. A sister in china shared that while her husband was in coma,she read some scriptures from the new testament to him daily and after each reading, she will pat her husband on his shoulder and say "amen" on his behalf. She did this faithfully for ten years. One day, while doing the regular reading, she suddenly heard a loud "Amen" and it came from none other but her husband. God has honoured our sister by showing mercy to her husband and while he was still in coma, his spirit is still very much alive. It is a good reminder to me not to belittle what we are doing for others. When we have a heart, God will show mercy to those whom we are praying and taking care.

Sometimes, when someone wronged us, we find it is very hard to forgive the person. It is easy & very natural for us to hold grudges. However, God's instruction on this matter is very clear. Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV) By ourselves, it is hard to forgive. But because we love Him, we are willing to forgive through a decision of our will by Dear father God, we pray for ourselves and our fellow christian brothers and sisters.  Lord, by ourselves it is hard to forgive.  We bring our hurts, our pains to you.  We bring those who have hurt us whether intentionally and unintentionally to you.  As we pray, may your Holy Spirit directs our heart to forgive and we release all bitterness, anger, hatred into your mighty hand.  Help your children to love one another and bear each others.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Have started reading on Alzheimer's disease. Mum-in-law seemed to be suffering from this disease. Some facts I just learnt:- 1. It is a type of dementia. Brain cells start dying 2. Patient loses ability to solve problem and grasp concept 3. It is harder to form new memory 4. Patient loses control over mood - easily angered, sad and teary 5. Patient starts to lose precious memory 6. Affecting the bodily function 7. It is a slow fatal disease affecting the brain. Now we try to help her establish some routines and take photos to help her recollect her memories.

Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven. (John Wesley). I realise how often times I have sung hymns in the meeting but there were many moments I could not remember what I have sung. We may get into the act of singing but our hearts may be afar off. The above quote from John Wesley reminds me that our focus must be God. There is a need to exercise our spirit even in our hymn singing. Singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer - honouring Him and proclaiming Him as the king in our lives. In other word, if I do not sing unto Him, I am really dishonouring Him, disrepecting Him. This is quite a reminder for me! "...

Christianity is not about the number of books you read, nor the variety of sermons you hear, nor the amount of religious conversation in which you mix, but it is the frequency and earnestness with which you meditate on these things till the truth in them becomes your own and part of your being, that ensures your growth. (Frederick W. Robertson). I enjoy the above quotation very much. Christianity is not about head knowledge but rather the working of the truths in the Bible personally till they become internalize in us, a part of us and also bear fruits in us. Lately I have a situation at home. Mother-in-law is getting old and she always forget that she has eaten. She can be eating within an hour interval. At time she became so angry thinking she has not eaten her food and turns violent and displays extreme behavior. During these moments, it is very easy to get angry and flare up but as I learn to turn to Him our Savior, I feel that all angers start to subside. Perhaps it is thro...