How many times have we heard it before. Perpetual reminders of what Christmas is, or should mean to everyone on earth.
It's the sound of falling snow,
As we hurry out to go.
Carolling with family and friends
Christmas, the one time where church is something other than what old people go to every Sunday morning. When Jesus is mentioned not as a curse. When the Nativity is elevated from static story to cherished tradition. Where songs are sung about God by Christians and non-believers alike and prayers are uttered not in muffled tones but with clear voices.
Where shops and stores release their latest interpretation of what The Gift Of The Year should be. And when wallets and credit cards suddenly lose all sense of inhibition.
Its the laughter in the air
By the fireside we share
Sweet memories we've made throughout the years
When families gather and friends suddenly lose sight of differences. When memories of past years, and past Christmases are dredged up and laughed at. When people get the urge to organize IMU reunions even though friends are spread across 3 continents.
And as we gather close
With those we love the most
Read the story of Christmas,
Christmas time is here.
The night when Jesus was born as a baby. God encased in human flesh, exposed to frosty cold air, his nostrils assaulted with the salty tang of ammonia from fresh manure, his eyes filled with the sight of a blissful mother and a relieved father looking down on him.
Nowhere in the Bible is there a command to celebrate Christmas, no command to set aside a day for its celebration, unlike the Pentecost. But it seems, the world didn't need one.
Can you hear it, the sound of peace on earth?
Its the song of Christmas and the greatest birth.
Its the chorus that rings in human hearts,
God came down, here with us,
It's the song of Christmas.
"Newsong (The Christmas Hope) - The Song of Christmas."
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Sex?!?
I'll be the first to admit; sex is intriguing, for the want of a better word.
Being the kampung boy that I am (!) sex doesn't come up in a conversation often. And the times I was present in a sex-themed conversation, well, lets just say it wasn't particularly Godly.
Which I think is a shame. But how often do we discuss what God's perspective on sex is, other than the generally accepted view that Godly sex should be between married couples, and is the ultimate act of giving oneself to another?
ChristianityToday, the source of my free bible studies, sent me a link about a conversation between 4 Christian sex therapists, which is pretty interesting to say the least.
Agree? Don't agree?
More insights to share?
I'm opening this to the floor in general:-)
Being the kampung boy that I am (!) sex doesn't come up in a conversation often. And the times I was present in a sex-themed conversation, well, lets just say it wasn't particularly Godly.
Which I think is a shame. But how often do we discuss what God's perspective on sex is, other than the generally accepted view that Godly sex should be between married couples, and is the ultimate act of giving oneself to another?
ChristianityToday, the source of my free bible studies, sent me a link about a conversation between 4 Christian sex therapists, which is pretty interesting to say the least.
Agree? Don't agree?
More insights to share?
I'm opening this to the floor in general:-)
Friday, November 9, 2007
the march
I think, everyone's been pretty busy. Work must be pilling up to your noses at this point.
It is during this time, we often forget what's most important, because we look at everything else, and worry about entirely all things different from what's before us.
After the Israelites defeated the Amalekites, Moses built an altar for God and called it the Lord is my Banner. (Exodus 17:15)
You know, as I thought about it, really, a banner is very significant in A LOT of things. In a march during war especially, as it boosts troop morale. Sir William Wallace had his own banner of Scotland (or however the flag was then) as they marched into battle.
Guess what?
We have the Lord our God as OUR BANNER!
Isn't that in itself a guaranteed success?
Remember guys/gals, look at what's just before you, but more importantly, remember who your banner is! Let it fly high as you march into whatever battle you are facing!
It is during this time, we often forget what's most important, because we look at everything else, and worry about entirely all things different from what's before us.
After the Israelites defeated the Amalekites, Moses built an altar for God and called it the Lord is my Banner. (Exodus 17:15)
You know, as I thought about it, really, a banner is very significant in A LOT of things. In a march during war especially, as it boosts troop morale. Sir William Wallace had his own banner of Scotland (or however the flag was then) as they marched into battle.
Guess what?
We have the Lord our God as OUR BANNER!
Isn't that in itself a guaranteed success?
Remember guys/gals, look at what's just before you, but more importantly, remember who your banner is! Let it fly high as you march into whatever battle you are facing!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
A medical student's post
Recently, I saw a patient who had a discharging abscess, very messy. The SHO who saw him after me asked for my tourniquet to use in taking bloods. Needless to say, I wasn't too keen, but gave it up anyway, knowing that that was the end of my tourniquet as a useful device.
An Accident and Emergency rotation without a tourniquet....not the best situation ever. And since I haven't discovered lunchtime meeting areas yet, I haven't been able to rely on that benefactor of medical students to provide me a new one: the drug reps.
After chucking it in the bin, I found I had to keep asking the nurses around for their tourniquets to use in taking bloods, putting in cannulas etc. Otherwise, I'd just be hanging around (the Royal Liverpool Hospital sees 200 plus patients everyday in A&E, so it gets pretty busy).
I was fortunate to have a yearmate who had an extra one and loaned it me for a few days. It was nice having my own for a while; I even lent it to a doctor who seemed to be in the same boat as me earlier.
***
I think a touniquet is just one of those things that I don't really think about until its not there. Its just one of those things.
I find that I can misplace God pretty easily and not miss Him. Until I come to a situation when I need Him, that is. And its then that I ask for help, that I repent, that I cry out to Him, etc etc. And He answers, always.
Going to meetings, camps, boosting my faith by meeting others and living by their testimonies etc is fine, for a while, but ultimately I need to pursue this relationship by myself.
With purpose, and not by convenience.
Not borrowing off others, but seeking my own (insert)
Actively seeking, not trusting to circumstance.
God didn't leave me to chance, on His part.
***
I still do really need a tourniquet. In Malaysia I'd have used gloves, but I'm still not that confident putting cannulas in for me to try that.
An Accident and Emergency rotation without a tourniquet....not the best situation ever. And since I haven't discovered lunchtime meeting areas yet, I haven't been able to rely on that benefactor of medical students to provide me a new one: the drug reps.
After chucking it in the bin, I found I had to keep asking the nurses around for their tourniquets to use in taking bloods, putting in cannulas etc. Otherwise, I'd just be hanging around (the Royal Liverpool Hospital sees 200 plus patients everyday in A&E, so it gets pretty busy).
I was fortunate to have a yearmate who had an extra one and loaned it me for a few days. It was nice having my own for a while; I even lent it to a doctor who seemed to be in the same boat as me earlier.
***
I think a touniquet is just one of those things that I don't really think about until its not there. Its just one of those things.
I find that I can misplace God pretty easily and not miss Him. Until I come to a situation when I need Him, that is. And its then that I ask for help, that I repent, that I cry out to Him, etc etc. And He answers, always.
Going to meetings, camps, boosting my faith by meeting others and living by their testimonies etc is fine, for a while, but ultimately I need to pursue this relationship by myself.
With purpose, and not by convenience.
Not borrowing off others, but seeking my own (insert)
Actively seeking, not trusting to circumstance.
God didn't leave me to chance, on His part.
***
I still do really need a tourniquet. In Malaysia I'd have used gloves, but I'm still not that confident putting cannulas in for me to try that.
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