Psalm 5:3

My voice shall you hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer to you, and will look up. - Psalm 5:3

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning - We find from this that he had not prayed in vain. He had received a blessed answer; God had lifted upon him the light of his countenance, and he therefore determines to be an early applicant at the throne of grace: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning." He finds it good to begin the day with God; to let Divine things occupy the first place in his waking thoughts; as that which first occupies the mind on awaking is most likely to keep possession of the heart all the day through.

In the morning will I direct my prayer - Here seems to be a metaphor taken from an archer. He sees his mark; puts his arrow in his bow; directs his shaft to the mark, i.e., takes his aim; lets fly, and then looks up, to see if he have hit his mark. Prayers that have a right aim, will have a prompt answer; and he who sends up his petitions to God through Christ, from a warm, affectionate heart, may confidently look up for an answer, for it will come. If an immediate answer be not given, let not the upright heart suppose that the prayer is not heard. It has found its way to the throne; and there it is registered.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O Lord,.... These words may be considered either as expressing the confidence of the psalmist, that the Lord would hear and answer him, and that in the morning, every morning, as soon and as often as he prayed; or that he would hear him early, quickly, speedily, seasonably, and at the best time; or else as declaring what he would do in consequence of his resolution to pray to the Lord in Psalm 5:2; he would pray to him every morning: the morning is a proper time for prayer, both to return thanks to God for refreshing sleep and rest, for preservation from dangers by fire, by thieves and murderers, and for renewed mercies in the morning; as also to pray to God to keep from evil and dangers the day following; to give daily food, and to succeed in business and the employments of life; and for a continuation of every mercy, temporal and spiritual. God should be served and sought in the first place; and so to do looks as if God was with his people, and they with him, when they awake in the morning. The Targum and Arabic version consider the words as a petition, and render them, "Hear (d) in the morning, O Lord, my voice", or "my petition"; and so bear the same sense as the other petitions;

in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee; or "set it in order" (e): not so much respecting the order of words, the method of prayer, which is sometimes very broken and confused, and yet regarded by God; but in allusion either to the shewbread, placed in order on the table, which was typical of Christ's continual intercession for his people, Exodus 40:4; or to the offering of incense and other sacrifices, which when offered were put in order upon the altar; and to which prayer is compared, Psalm 141:2. Or the words may be rendered, "I will stand before thee in the morning", as the Arabic version; or, "I will present unto thee", as the Septuagint; that is, myself; see Job 1:6, Romans 12:1; though the supplement, "my prayer", seems to be a good one; and so the words are supplied by the Jewish commentators (f);

and will look up; or "out" (g) as out of a watch tower, Habakkuk 2:1; to see if help is coming, and for an answer of prayer: the phrase is expressive of hope, expectation, faith, and confidence, that an answer would be returned; and therefore the psalmist determines to look upwards to heaven, whither he directed his prayer, and from whence the answer must come; and to look out from his watch tower, where he was waiting for it, and to continue patiently expecting it till he had it: and the ground of his confidence were the nature and perfections of God, particularly his purity and holiness, as appears from Psalm 5:4.

Merry Christmas to You, J!

Hey Jesus, merry christmas and happy birthday
It's not like You'll be getting any older or younger anyway, since You live out of the time

I want to thank You for everything, every single thing You've done for us and for me

Even though I don't really know when the exact date you were born, as some people try to figure out
or even though I don't really call You according to Your Hebrew name or so-called ' more proper' name, because I'm sure that You know our limitation and variety of languages, as I myself don't really care how I'm called by my closest friends (In, Dra, Tan, Coi, Dul, Fuwa, Kafuwa etc), You are wise.

Thank You for staying with me all the times, even when there are times when I don't feel You nearby, when I can't hear Your voice, when You don't speak anything to me, when I felt as if my world crumbled down or my sky fell down. Never for once You leave me or forsake me
When You're standing in front of me, You say: Follow me, I'm gonna lead your way
When You're standing beside me, You say: I'm always with you
When You're standing behind me, You say: I got your back

As for now, I still struggle to rest myself in You wholly in every situation, but I choose to trust You.
I don't understand why You called me to some places, but I'mma trust You anyway.
I can't see the finish line nor the logical explanation about many things, but I'll follow You anyway.

This is not much, but I hope my life may be a pleasant offering to You
Happy birthday, J!

Steven Furtick and Elevation Church

If you notice, lately I kind of "promoted" things about Elevation Church and Steven Furtick
No, I'm not a part of their marketing team and I'm OBVIOUSLY NOT from Charlotte, NC
This post doesn't consist of my review about them, sorry if I don't really write "professional" reviews about churches and their movements haha

You can check the Lead Pastor's website here
or you can visit the Elevation's website through this link that I visit often

Anyway, you might be wondering how and when I found them
Honestly, as I always told everyone (yea, some people did ask about it. Thank you for asking) before this, I really forgot what happened on that day
But a few days ago I just remembered how it was

I opened my tumblr as usual, to find some inspirations, refresh myself and look for some good readings (I have tumblr? Of course I do hahaha. Click here willingly if you want, please)
Okay, let's put aside the promotions I did previously

Then I read a post of this note:
Your kingdom is forever
Your love will last forever
All glory, all honor
Unto our God forever

Being curious, I googled it and found this song, Unchanging God:

Which then led me to explore more about Steven Furtick and Elevation

I found that the sermons are powerful even though some accusations and controversies were directed towards Elevation (well, if you stand for something true and powerful such as Word of God, you'll get attacked even more)

Personally, the songs and sermons I listened helped me during my "Time and Season" of preparation :) (without altering the Word of God into any other prosperity movement etc etc)

Please enjoy them as I do a lot of times :P

God's Great Dance Floor

To you, to anyone out there, giving their best to hang on what God says
You might be closer to God's fulfilling destiny He's prepared perfectly for you even before the world was created
Just don't stop praying, hoping and trusting in Him, His heart, His character and of course His timing
Habakkuk 2:3 :)

This is not gonna be a long post anyway, would you please dance together on God's great dance floor while waiting on Him?
Don't waste your time by trying to figure everything out, just enjoy your waiting and preparation season with Him. I'm writing this for myself :P

The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving him when he seems distant.

- Rick Warren

Amazing Grace

This was one of the hymns I have been singing recently
"Until God opens the next door, praise Him in the hallway" - Nicky Gumbel

378. Amazing Grace

Text: John Newton; st 6 anon.
Music: 19th cent. USA melody; harm. by Edwin O. Excell
Tune: ---, Meter: CM

---

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound 
 that saved a wretch like me! 
 I once was lost, but now am found; 
 was blind, but now I see. 

I prayed that when I finish my journey, God opened up my eyes: "Was blind, but NOW I see."

2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 
 and grace my fears relieved; 
 how precious did that grace appear 
 the hour I first believed. 

His grace lets me overcome my fears, I learn to appreciate His grace even more.

3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, 
 I have already come; 
 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, 
 and grace will lead me home. 

I walked on this journey only because of His Grace I'd reached this point, I had no plan of turning back. I just deeply prayed that by the very same grace of His, He will lead me HOME.

4. The Lord has promised good to me, 
 his word my hope secures; 
 he will my shield and portion be, 
 as long as life endures. 

This one promise I never let go: The Lord has promised good to me! (Jer 29:11).
My hope secures in His Word.

5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, 
 and mortal life shall cease, 
 I shall possess, within the veil, 
 a life of joy and peace. 

My flesh and heart will fail me, but I know I will be living a life of joy and peace because I'm walking God's will.

6. When we've been there ten thousand years, 
 bright shining as the sun, 
 we've no less days to sing God's praise 
 than when we first begun. 

A Journey of Obedience and Faithfulness

I have been writing this draft since last month,
There are some reasons that I posted this just now :D

A vision!
This time, I was inspired to picture myself as a kid, doing all my activities normally...
Until one day, He told me, "Hey, I got a surprise for you."
"What surprise? No, it's okay, I'm perfectly fine with everything, I can't even thank You enough for it."
"Just follow Me."
And He put a blindfold on me, even if I said that I was okay and wouldn't ask for more.

He held my hands and led my way, He knew the direction, while I was still wondering where I would be brought to.
This turned out to be a pretty long journey to walk, some might take days, months, years for some people.
For me, months...
During the beginning of the journey, the one thing called obedience was very easy to do. I was excited, having high hopes, I didn't feel tired of walking and everything was just beautiful at the beginning.

Days after days had passed and I started to wonder,
"Hey God, why haven't we reached our destination yet? Why don't I feel that we are getting any closer to the place You've told me?"
"Be patient..."
A simple sentence that has a really deep meaning behind it
(3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. - Psalm 37:3-4)

Steps after steps, I began to fall down sometimes, I felt the obstacles here and there, an uncomfortable atmosphere around me, and hear that people had stopped going on this direction. But, I couldn't see anything at all, I did not know what was happening.
I asked and kept asking "Is it the correct path? Can we just quit this journey and go back home?"
You know, I just found out that keep asking to "go back" indicates that you are being discouraged. I was, I really was.
He said, "Keep on walking"
(5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. - Psalm 37:5-7)

I honestly admitted that I wanted to question His answers, I was starting to lose heart and faint, I hated this situation, but I didn't let my hands go of His.
I kept on walking...
Many times I felt too tired to hold on
Many times I was overwhelmed with fears
Many times I doubted that I would ever reach there
and many times, I was brought down on my knees in prayers, only to take a break, and ask for His joy and peace to fill my heart.
I felt like walking through a deep valley.
(4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4)

Then I reached a point where I bumped into a wall, a really high wall, many people kept saying that it was the end of the journey.
You know what, to quit was my biggest prayer before I walked on this journey because I simply didn't want to meet a dead end. I was sort of 'being led' to continue this journey, and here I was, in front of a high wall.
My hopes were shattered, I couldn't even think of any good endings of this journey.
I wanted to express my vexation, I wanted to defend myself, yea I was sort of being angry. But He told me to calm myself down.

(8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. -Psalm 37:8)

I wanted to speak up upon 'unfairness' I experienced, because I just felt like a dumb.
(2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. - Psalm 39:2)

Still, weirdly He asked me to humble myself even more and stop thinking about those things. "Be still, be quiet and trust in me. It is not over yet, let's start walking again."
So, I left my anger and anxiety behind, I forsook and forgot about it. Nothing good's gonna come out by keeping it.
(9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. - Psalm 39:9)

Nevertheless, my heart cried out to Him, "God, what do You want me to do? Continuing this walk? I've accepted the fact that I might have met a dead end. My only prayer is to be strong in moving on, that's ALL I need. Isn't this the dead end? EVERYONES's already gone back and been telling us to do the same, isn't it stupid to go on? I am being avoided and forgotten anyway."
(9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. - Psalm 31:9-12)

"No, you know it is not over yet."
Then I brought myself to start walking again.
Every single day I woke up, I always prayed for more strength, courage, patience and gentleness.
I was tempted to figure out everything and strategize an "after-journey" plan, but I got frustrated even more, that was too much for me right now so I left everything to His mighty hands.

I just know one thing for sure, I know the voice of my Sheperd!
My part is to walk obediently and joyfully, knowing that He is with me and He has something for me.
"I'm done fighting, I'm finally letting go"
and I still walked on the road He had showed me, with my eyes focused solely on Him.
(1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. - Psalm 23: 1-3)

1st of October, He said to me: "You know, one day you will be thankful for what you are doing right now."
I, being freed from my own thoughts, was finally able to say: "Hey G! Whatever Your will, whatever the result is, I will still love You, I've fallen for You since a long time ago. You're the One who always stands beside me even when I'm all alone. I love You and I trust in You."
Well, Christ is enough and that's what matters most :)
(22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. - Psalm 31:22)

How do I know that God is with me?
Because:
the fears I felt,
the tears I shed at nights,
the doubts I had,
the failures I faced,
and even the rejection I got are all real,
certainly His peace and love that fill my life abundantly.
(13 As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; - Isaiah 66:13a)

Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe ~ Bonhoeffer
I learn how to walk really obediently, although without understanding the reason why I should keep on walking.
I'm just doing what I've been told.
Maybe, I learn to really BELIEVE.
I love God more than my self-esteem, dreams, hopes, feelings or even myself.
Trust me, I wouldn't want and wouldn't be able to lower myself to this extent without Him.
This is literally my everything, my life as a burnt offering.
(1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. - Psalm 77:1-3)

I have many stuffs to work on, I'm still praying everyday only to ask for strength to continue walking.

My situation was somehow described by this song,  HELP ME FIND IT - Sidewalk Prophets

A powerful song!

As I said at Youth Service, I can't promise you anything, I just trust that GOD IS FAITHFUL

and now I'm learning furthermore to rest in the faithfulness of God.

I'm learning to stop doubting+worrying and wait for Him, because He's never failed before.
(114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. - Psalm 119:114)

Last thing, a really clear picture of this vision of mine is that:
When the time has come and I've reached the end of my journey, He takes off my blindfold and lets me see what's there waiting for me. I'm simply brought down on my knees again, and in awe I say: "Thank You, Father. I'm really thankful for THIS (whatever it is)."

I wanted to know about it, but I had stopped asking Him, for I know that obedience is much better than understanding. It's not that He does not have intention to reply my questions, but it's just not the time yet.
I've made sure that I did not ask Him to 'break me and use me for His purpose', I'm weak, instead of feeling 'that' tough to pray for such prayer.

Yet, I'm joyful because in every turn of the road, He's there, waiting for me and encouraging me all the time.
I do everything, remain faithful, and press on forward based on conviction I received, that's all I know.
(This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me. - Psalm 119:50)

And in the end, I will be grateful because I finish this race just like how He wants me to.
You may not understand today or tomorrow, but eventually God will reveal why you went through everything you did. - Jarrid Wilson

Faithfulness involves character, discipline & determination. It makes choices from a base of conviction, not convenience! - Brian Houston
So, turn your eyes upon Jesus and stay faithful, friends... Stay faithful :)

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say: "It is well, it is well with my soul"

HELP ME FIND IT - Sidewalk Prophets

I don’t know where to go from here

It all used to seem so clear

I’m finding I can’t do this on my own

I don’t know where to go from here

As long as I know that You are near

I’m done fighting

I’m finally letting go

I will trust in You

You’ve never failed before

I will trust in You

If there’s a road I should walk

Help me find it

If I need to be still

Give me peace for the moment

Whatever Your will

Whatever Your will

Can you help me find it

Can you help me find it

I’m giving You fear and You give faith

I giving you doubt

You give me grace

For every step I’ve never been alone

Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way

Even in the valley I will say

With every breath

You’ve never let me go

I will wait for You

You’ve never failed before

I will wait for You

I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)

Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)

I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)

‘Cause You are all I need

Romans 12:12

Hope and a Future

Blessing Through a Chance

I've been doing well recently, thank you for asking hahaha
It turns out that this semester is going to be unexpected one
Simple example, for one of our subjects, we are required to build a robot, and my friend without my knowing, telling the supervisor that we will register for PRIDE competition (robotic competition), I just found out after the supervisor asked me about registeration email and stuffs (I was like: WHAAD, Seriously, dude!??). Hope we can accomplish everything by the end of semester.

Okay, anywayy...
Last time I realized that I needed to focus on some things
However, this year I got a chance to have futsal practise, which I've been longing since long time ago. The practise schedule matches my timetable (previously I couldn't play anymore due to important things to do during weekends) and moreoever it is subsidized, thanks to Monash (or Shaf?) and Coach Kevin Yee.
(Tuhan tau banget gua sering bokek :') ).
Never expected this though

I was introduced to Monash Futsal Captain: Shaf, by Vedo Irawan, a friend of mine whom I met when I was actively playing futsal, then I joined their games several times because their GK just graduated and also introduced to Kevin (whom Valiant told me about. Last year, we played against Kevin's team, RG during a Futsal Competition at Ferro. Of course we lost #justsaying hahaha).
He's a really good coach, kind of fatherly, that's what makes me respect him more.
I don't know why, but the moment is 'just nice' :D

Thank You for the chance, I started to come to their practises, learnt a lot of new things and met many talented people, the ones I met recently or even ones who are famous since long time ago (like Zec, Hassan, RG players).
I know I'm kind of clumsy playing on the rubber floor, my feet often get stuck here and there, messing up my timing every time hahaha.
Nevertheless, futsal is fun :P

When I looked back, there was a time when my friends got intimidated by my determination to improve (too much is a bad thing, though), but this time I have a great circumstance where I need to improve myself and that's all. I don't have to think of this and that, considering this and that, it's simply: Playing futsal.
Sounds fun eh? It sure is :D

Yea, I'm still focusing myself on my service, calling and study in Malaysia, and during my spare time, I play futsal with these talented young players and Kevin. It's really such a pleasure.

Thank You!

On The Box: Words of Comfort: Becoming an Atheist

On The Box: Words of Comfort: Becoming an Atheist: There are two main hard and fast rules for anyone who would like to become an atheist. If you are tempted, beware. It's easy to take...

Heyy 2013

This is not a late post about New Year

I know I'm always a bit behind the development, but by no means this time haha

As I wrote previously, about people who sharpened me more and more

I would like to give another big thanks for them, I appreciate their faithfulness in accompanying me

And this post is about more personal things :P

In this 2013, the more I can see that I can be rather annoying for some personal issues

I can still remember how until 2009, I kept suppressing my emotions and became a really mediocre person

Even in 2010, I literally ask my mentor, how to express a certain feeling (that I later recognized as sadness) hahaha. 

It does sound weird, but well, I'm not that expressive as I might seem you know

I learn to become more of myself, as how God has designed me to be

Even today, I'm still learning

You know, I became a close friend of certain someone this year (I'm not ignoring my best friends, fresh comms and families, you guys do a really good job in staying close with me haha, but this time let me express my gratitude more toward this person)

Setelah gua kenal dekat sama dia, semakin keliatan gua itu nyebelin di sisi mana2 aja, like seriously? I don't even know this part of me.

Berantem? It's common thing

Tapi biasanya gua berantem karena urusan2 serius: pelayanan, tugas, tim karena beda pendapat, penyesuaian visi misi, menyesuaikan antara plan dan keadaan dan alasan2 'keren' lainnya.

Tahun ini sangat2 berbeda dan bikin shock, gua bisa berantem karena personal feeling

Biasanya gua tahan, bawa dalam doa n beres (intinya jadikan sebagai bahan personal gua dan Tuhan deh), kali ini herannya ga bisa lho :s

Jelas, semakin keliatan harus dipertajam di mana2 aja

You know what, I think it really does take special someone/people to deal with this kind of side of mine

One day God told me: "Son, I want you to be happy". I was flattered and happy, but I was also questioning "what kind of happiness do You mean?". Last sunday, Ps. Julian Foe conveyed a powerful message to me about : Happily incompatible!

We have so many incompatibiities, but I think that's the art of God's love

I was greatly, deeply and largely shaped after I know this person, like how I met you guys
I'm sorry and thank you :D
I'm amazed by God's love :)

Hope you are not giving up on us, thank you for being there big time, especially during my life in Malaysia!

God bless you

ps: I'm NOT leaving Malaysia any time soon, so it's NOT a goodbye message, haha!

New Chapter 23/05/2013

Hey there, so this is about processes I've been going through til today :)

Years have passed and I know that I've grown and I'm still growing
1-2 years ago I was offered a certain responsibility, which was a huge one, (started from a smaller one for sure), yet in doing that, I faced many pressures from many places.
Fulfilling these tasks are not easy, even without them, studying Mechatronics in Monash is never easy since the beginning

But I looked at how God has led me through years of processes, and wow, I'm standing firmer compared to how I did before :)
God never ceases to amaze me!
Through commitments I built with people I love: Fresh Com, Fresh Ministry, ISCF (until last year) etc. I was brought to a long journey that sharpens me very much.

There was times when I felt like I'd fallen and I was just holding a spiky rope to make sure I didn't fall off. I often thought, why I should keep some of these. I'm bleeding because I try to put everything together, maybe it's better if I release my hands, that's not my responsibility (I had this option actually, after consulting with my leaders, and I know noone would blame me for quitting in a good manner).

I kept learning about priorities and commitments, even higher price I should pay, tears-sweat-blood I should shed and often time I was brought down to my knees.
But that's not my point, for everything I pay for Jesus is worth it
Even currently I can't foresee how these services and efforts (ministries, study, cell groups) will turn out to be, I just believe "He has made everything beautiful in its time" (Ecc 3:11a)

Ah, about commitment, through these people I learn so many things I never expected actually, some of them sharpen me really 'harshly' that sometimes I unconsciously tried to run away.
What I mean is not about sharpening process that may cause anger, misunderstanding etc (you may suspect what Kak Tama did to me, but this is not about him :P), it's about them who sharpen me due to their past, their relationship with me, their words, their behaviour, or their lifestyles.

Once Kak Tama told me: "Beruntung ya kamu, dapet anak2 komsel yang baik."
Compared to these "new" commitments I got myself into, I could say that my previous commitments/communities are really good and soft. I'm thankful meeting them, cell group mates who didn't cause too much troubles haha!

I might be hurt  here and there, yet I'm still holding on, it is because I can see God's plan for me through this year's processes, this new chapter. There are many aspects of my life that haven't been spotlighted, because it was not the time yet, not it's the time.
I could run away (not an option, just my ego, although noone would blame me either), I could be giving logical reasons, I could use "how do I know that this is my time to do this?"
I just know one thing: God wants me to be faithful in this new level, this sole reason is enough compared with other reasons I could think of to avoid this process.

Like everyone else, many things were unclear at first, and I just walked by faith step by step. As results, I started to know myself even deeper, about my weaknesses unexposed before (I did not even know this aspect of mine), learnt to overcome my feeling, to stay neutral in facing problem (mine or other people's) and see from God's perspectives. I learn all of these through this year's chapter of life ;), but above all else, I'm grateful that I could learn more about God's Heart!

Hey you guys, who sharpen me many times, I thank y'all.
I hope I'm not the only one who learn from our journey together,
and let's keep praying for one another.
God bless :)

Engkau di Dalamku - Total Submission

Hey guys
Been a long time since I felt the overwhelming feelings that I needed to write something

I know that life with God is full of adventures
But I never asked it to be like the J-Dorama, K-Drama or whatsoever (or I might have, too much manga/anime when I was a kid maybe)
I realized that recently my life turned to be quite complicated, full of emotions, wonderful things...
I was having this kind of feeling "We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun" (Terry Jacks)
It was fun, filled with joy, tears and smiles

I think I gotta be thankful for being invited to participate in this 'movie' haha
Life with God is never boring indeed and I'm sincerely grateful for that
All my best kept things: A certain principle, dreams, or even my whole life's plan were being turned upside down by God (certainly for a beautiful purpose, I haven't seen right now)
Just right after the moment I could accept that God's plan, I was slapped and told not to be arrogant for the strengths came from God Himself.
It continued to the point where I was reminded again about Total Submission/Surrender

Please pardon me, I would like to present you Sidney Mohede's song that reminds me about Total Submission:


ENGKAU DI DALAMKU
Pongky Prasetyo & Sidney Mohede
Giving My Best


KAULAH PENULIS HIDUPKU
KAU MEMBUAT S'GALANYA BARU
ENGKAU DI DALAMKU
DAN KUADA DALAM-MU
TAK ADA YANG TAK MUNGKIN BAGI-MU

KU DICIPTA UNTUK-MU
'TUK MEMBAWA HARUM NAMA-MU
ENGKAU DI DALAMKU
DAN KUADA DALAM-MU
KINI KUDATANG MENCARI WAJAH-MU

MENGASIHI-MU S'LALU DENGAN S'GENAP HATIKU
MENCINTAI SELURUH PERBUATAN-MU
MENGABDIKAN HIDUPKU SESUAI RENCANA-MU
KU MAU MENYEMBAH-MU SAMPAI AKHIR HAYATKU

KAU MEMAHAMI HATIKU
HANYA KAU YANG MENGERTIKU S'LALU
ENGKAU DI DALAMKU DAN KUADA DALAM-MU
KINI KU DATANG MENCARI WAJAH-MU



The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.” - Job 1:21b

Different Kind of Woman: Sisakan perawan utk kami: Purity and virginity.

Different Kind of Woman: Sisakan perawan utk kami: Purity and virginity.: WARNING: Post yg satu ini berisi bahasa2 vulgar. You've been warned! =P Beberapa waktu lalu gw baca sebuah artikel tulisan seorang cowo...

TGIF: Trust! God is Faithful

Hey you, whoever you are, who've been with me as friends in my inner circle for a long time or even recently (especially this year). This is for you!

I can't express how grateful I am to know you guys
Being trusted by you
Sharing our life's stories
Support one another
Watch each others' back
Unite to walk on God's will (Phil 3:10-11 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.)

One more time, thank you for your willingness to share your stories with me.
And as you've always known: I'm a good secret-keeper ;)
Through every process with you, I'm asking more and more of God and His heart
"Not only to accept the past but also to help, support and maintain each others until we win our fights"


Short story, it was not before this year I found my calling and was affirmed about this.
In an instance, God said: "Okay, You've got your part (what you'd been asking for), haven't you? Now it's your turn to help your friends."
And boom! Welcome to One on One, where I learnt to know some people even deeper


Meeting these people, I was like: "Eh, that happened to me? Really? Me? Yesterday? Dia? dan dia? ... ...." (terus berasa dicubit n dibilang: "Sudah, sudah, itu bukan mimpi. Bantu mereka dalam pergumulan2 mereka, temani mereka untuk semakin mengenal Aku")
It  does feel like it is a dream, but it's not.


Another process: There is my one HUGE principle in my whole life, and it was suddenly being turned upside down.
Again, I was like: Aw, mannn.... Aw, mannn... Aw, mannn.... (you can repeat it many times until you're satisfied, haha), I didn't even know what to say anymore at that time.

You know what else even made me speechless? 

In one single day

Morning: I finally learnt to reconcile with my friend's past,

Afternoon-evening: Two different people affirmed my struggling through their different speeches, 

and at Night, I was told: "Now you're able to accept his/her past. Don't be arrogant! Thinking like you're capable enough to accept it. It's not by your might, it's Mine. It's not about you, it's about Me."

(sounds harsh, but I didn't respond it that way, because I know He's teaching me about TOTAL Surrender/Submission to His power)


I don't have any other ulterior motives to pray and support you all (it's never for my purpose, or that I'm a too kind/generous person and stuffs. Should I have that kind of motives, I'd been broken down unto pieces since the very first time we met)
I'm just really longing that we win against our struggle, no matter how TOUGH it is
On the other hand, I'm really really blessed that I learn to walk my life more in total submission to Him, that I need His heart.
Believe it, our sharing session would be long ended if we (I) don't have God's heart.

Not that I've obtained everything about His heart, like what Paul said on Phil 3:12

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Do not give up, pals!
We're destined to be a winner in Christ
Do our part, be faithful in our process, depend solely on Him, leave out the rest to Him :)
#LiveBold
TGIF: Trust! God is Faithful

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Friday, 29th March 2013.

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Friday, 29th March 2013.: “Couldn’t the resurrection have just been a hoax or a myth? Is there any evidence Jesus rose from the dead?” 1 Cor. 15:17:  “If Ch...

Blessed are the PURE in heart

Hey, guys, it's been a while
So I decided to do some writings in the midst of all my business and activities

Well, writing is fun

Anyway, here we go, Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God - Matthew 5:8

As you can see, the word 'pure' here (katharos) has this meaning:
clean, pure
physically
purified by fire
in a similitude, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit
in a levitical sense
clean, the use of which is not forbidden, imparts no uncleanness
ethically
free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
blameless, innocent
unstained with the guilt of anything

Such an interesting definition: Purified by fire

My first question was: What is this purificating fire? Process? Certain (religious) activities? Meditating?
While the fact is:
"The heart of man is naturally unclean; nor is it in the power of man to make it clean, or to be pure from his sin; nor is any man in this life, in such sense, so pure in heart, as to be entirely free from sin." - Gills Exposition

There must be something to be done in order to purify our unclean state!

Bear with me, we'll continue reading other verses
1 John 1:7 clearly states:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Ephesians 1:13-14

13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Hebrew 12:29

For our God is a consuming fire.

John Wesley stated: For our God is a consuming fire - in the strictness of his justice, and purity of his holiness.

See what I mean?

Through Jesus, something is done to us!

This very concept of Jesus' sacrifice as the Lamb of God explains a LOT about the concept of grace God's given us (eternal salvation).
Despite being naturally unclean and failing to do God's justice, by accepting Jesus, we are purified by God's spirit (fire) and hence we become clean (katharos)

Next: "For they shall see God"

See (Horao):
to see with the eyes
to see with the mind, to perceive, know
to see, i.e. become acquainted with by experience, to experience
to see, to look to
to take heed, beware
to care for, pay heed to
I was seen, showed myself, appeared

Of course we still remember how Esther was struggling in order to see the King Ahasyweros:

"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." - Esther 4:16

There's consequency in seeing the King without permission, not a pleasant one for sure. (Moreoever seeing the King of all kings)

And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. - Esther 5:2

It's even possible that we (she) did not win favour in King's sight and therefore got banished/killed

Seeing the king's face is a Hebrew expression:

2 Kings 1:19,"Those that stood in the king's presence;" in the Hebrew, those that saw the face of the king; that is, who were his favorites and friends. So here, to see God, means to be his friends and favorites, and to dwell with him in his kingdom. - Barne's Notes

John Gills added to Mat 5:8

(see the God) In this life, enjoying communion with him, both in private and public, in the several duties of religion, in the house and ordinances of God; where they often behold his beauty, see his power and his glory, and taste, and know, that he is good and gracious: and in the other world, where they shall see God in Christ, with the eyes of their understanding; and God incarnate, with the eyes of their bodies, after the resurrection; which sight of Christ, and God in Christ, will be unspeakably glorious, desirable, delightful, and satisfying; it will be free from all darkness and error, and from all interruption; it will be an appropriating and transforming one, and will last for ever - Gills Exposition

My last question: Are you friends of God (pure in heart)?

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Thursday, 21st February 2013.

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Thursday, 21st February 2013.: What Hollywood Believes – Bruce Willis Bruce Willis gave his thoughts on religion: “Organized religions in general, in my opinion, ...

"Why A. C. Milan?" by Me

Associazione Calcio Milan, one of Serie A football clubs
I'm sure many of you have known this name (why many, not all? because my family does not)

Since 1899

When I was younger, I didn't support a certain football team, I just loved to watch a good football match (but I did not focus on a certain sport either, I played badminton, then basketball, football then futsal. So it was 2006-2008 that I started watching football rather seriously, such a newbie huh? haha)

Alright, due to my lackness of knowledge that time, I only had several 'great' players (according to me): Gianluigi Buffon, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (I was proud for being able to memorize his full name), Oliver Kahn, Iker Casillas, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Del Piero, David Beckham. #sangatsedikit
I was not even interested in the older generation players like Shevchenko, Maradona, Batistuta, Pirlo, Ronaldo Delima etc. Silly younger me, really

Then I was introduced this player and his football team, rather than focusing on how awesome his performance was (he was known with motto: Impossible is Nothing), I learnt about his integrity to live as a devout Christian while he is maintaining his status as a great footballer.
Just imagine, in Brazil, he and his partner (Caroline Celico) remained sanctity until marriage, even a child like me understood how difficult that was
I also learnt about his response about the career-threatening swimming pool accident
I was like: WOOOW :O
I began to love this A.C. Milan team because of his impact, he'd moved to Real Madrid though

I present to you, Ricardo Kaka

Some wondered why I support this kind of non-mainstream team, some said that the reason I support A.C. Milan was because I could not move on (let it remaind silent for some people, ha!), .

Anyway, who does not want Fernando Torres to return to Liverpool, and hopefully regain his prime condition? (I know there are some people who don't, but never mind, just take it as "Noone does not", lol). 

Same thing goes for Kaka's returning to A.C. Milan, at least for me

I know A.C. Milan was experiencing some kind of turbulences and now at the 3rd place of Serie A (after serious instabilities in their performances)

They are not like the mighty Juventus (like I said, I love Buffon and Del Piero haha), they do not have a powerful weapon like Barca's Tiki Taka, etc etc. But I still love them

Milan is the first football team that I love, the one and only *cieh

Il Faraone

You know what, one more player who made me said: "This is it! I love this player" was Stephan El Shaarawy, Serie A Young Footballer of the Year (2012).

Looking at his skills makes me questioning if he is really one year older than me o_O

And Milan now have the trio (mohawk) youngsters::

Left to Right:
M'Baye Niang (1994) - Mario Balotelli (1990) - El Shaarawy (1992)

I care less about the other young players, except for David de Gea (1990) the Monkey Mutant from Manchester United huahahaha

Let me conclude this: 

I love A.C Milan but I'm just a football lover.

It would be really great if we can stop the hating, harsh words among teams, annoying action like green laser things, etc.

When you're supporting a team, what you really want is they win the competition (whatever it is), and it doesn't necessarily mean hating other team, am I right?

You support this team, I support another one, does it make us an enemy?

Come on, let's just enjoy the game and stop hating (although I do hate some players' actions such as diving, fighting, doing violence)

#ForzaMilan

Recent Updates 20/02/2013

Chinese New Year is over, some families still keep the CNY snakcs for their visitors though.
This time, my update includes some conversations during Pai Cia (sanjo), visiting friends or whatever you call it.

Some are good to hear, some are heart-breaking ones...

My parent's friends asked me whether I have got myself a GF (I don't know if they realize I'm just 20 this year or not haha)
Thanks to friends who taught me to answer this kind of question: "Indra, I think your GF-to-be is most likely a nun, pastor or 'like Jesus'."
It effectively closed all of those questions, thank you thank you hahahaha

Personally I have made another vow to God about relationship subject.
What for? #IntimacyWithGod, FGCC's daily devotion project convinced me to do this even more :)

The heart-breaking conversation are like this:
A friend of ours told us, "In doing business, being honest will not make you successful. We are a businessman, it's impossible for us to be honest."
Oh wow...
Many people think like that
But I learn to have God's heart:
Love the sinners, hate the sin

It's difficult, really...

Can't they see that God they (we) worship is a living God

Why do they act like if they are keeping their integrity, God will not take care of them?

Ps. Arman Harijanto (I wrote a bit about him on previous post) is one of the people with integrity.

Maintaining righteousness in living his life, proving that God will take care of the rest.

Too bad, many people just can't see it, can't see how much God loves them even until now.

Nevertheless, rather than focusing on useless things like: Viewing who are the false converts and who are true converts, we should do something much useful, loving them for an example.

Supporting this opinion, I should tell my another story, I attended a workshop, where a musician, named Ps. Xiau Dong San and a speaker, Ps. Samuel Sia were sharing their different topics in one same event.

People started to lose their focus, they chatted and stuffs.

Great lesson I learnt is that both Pastors were still teaching enthusiastically, in spite of the numbers of people who really paid attention to them might be less than the one who did not.

Simple, like rain, it pours impartially

No matter how good, how bad, how this and how that you are, rain will pour fairly for you when it's the time (mencegah ada komentar aneh2 seperti: kalo musim kemarau gimana? dll dll).

I also felt that something was off with me lately.

I don't know what it is and I realized that it's about Fresh Ministry (for me).

Until yesterday, I talked to Kak Tama, asked whether he wanted to say something to me

"Coba untuk lebih serius tapi tetap santai", he said...

I was like, yes that's the answer! I did not behave like my usual self, sangat ga santai, ga tau alasannya apa.

Thank you so much to friends who still maintain my life and evaluate my working or studying.

I can not do much without you guys as my family, team and friends.

God bless :)

Do we focus more on not misrepresenting Christ or representing Christ?

Do we focus more on not misrepresenting Christ or representing Christ?

Because we can work all we want on not being a misrepresentation of Him, but when it comes down to it, how have we actually represented Him?

"Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."

It's a great quote and all, but if we aren't actually making an effort to be a representation, it means nothing.

Be an example by your actions, yes, but also by your words. Your thoughts. Your deeds.

If you see a need that you can meet, take care of it.

The Bible clearly states that if we know the good we are supposed to do, and choose not to do it, we've sinned.

A simple act of love and open the door to salvation, but if we don't take that first step, we've lost our opportunity.

At the end of it all, what's more important? Not risking it and getting rejected and having your feelings hurt? Or taking the leap of faith and pursuing the lost?

Besides, they're not rejecting you, they're rejecting God, and if that fact doesn't hurt you more, you need to reflect on what you're placing first in your life.

~Michael Schaffer (Christian Memes Founder)

Lucy, A. afarensis From Other Perspective

Lucy,our 'ancestor' (according to the evolutionist)

Australopithecus afarensis is one of the so-called 'missing links' for evolution theory
WIKIPEDIA

The links below consist of interesting discussions and explanations from another point of view, written by Carl Kerby (a creationist). For me personally it answered my questions regarding this kind of topic.

Some of you may refuse our belief (about creation, it is), but how about spending some minutes to read this article? It won't do any harm, right? (I can assure you, NO hypnosis in there, ha!)

There are only 5 parts of it

First Part
Directories

Spoiler:

Perhaps you are thinking, “Carl, You’re a creationist. You’re biased!” Well, you’re right, I am biased. My presupposition is that I believe what God said in His Word. So let’s look at only the observable evidence, the “beef”, and follow it to a logical, testable conclusion.

See? No forcing, no childish arguments, we just want the 'beef'. Why shouldn't we share the 'beef'? ;)

Simon says, “Pat your head”.
We pat our heads.
Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples…” We memorize that verse.
- Francis Chan

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Thursday, 7th February 2013.

On The Box: Today’s Show Notes: Thursday, 7th February 2013.: (Email from A.) “I was wondering if tarot cards are okay to use. I personally just use them as a source of minor income for my family ...

The Transformer Generation

The words "Transforming" and "Fighting" echoed in my head lately

We are the fighting generation, transformer generation

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12

We have to fight in this era, to create better generation.

Perhaps, many of our parents have 'wordly teachings' (their life, lifestyle and teachings imparted to the children that are according to the world)
However, who on earth is righteous since their born day?
Clearly shown by Colossians 1:21

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

We are fighting to break the chain
What chain?

CURSE (idolatry, child's sacrifice to gods, occultism)
HATRED (violence, trauma, vengeance)
... You name it

To put it simple: Chain of SIN

Fighting this kind of chain can not be done by hating, it needs LOVE. Whose? GOD
Hating your previous generation (parents, leaders, seniors) will never solve the problems, you'll be trapped in this chain of sin instead, slowly but sure you'll take resemblance with people you hate (at heart)

God said:

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12

8Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
- Proverbs 1:8-9

I know many of you have known these verses, but knowing it and living it are not the same thing.

As the transformer generation, we ought to create better generation starting from us to the next generation. It's a textbook thing to say 'this generation should be better than previous, and so on", yet we often forget about it, we live like we have no responsibility at all, we live only for ourselves.

Here's the thing, maybe nothing seems wrong by living according to your heart, but there's no guarantee that you'll create better future and generation (moreover, if you are teaching them to live just according to their own way, without a MANUAL).

Be strong and stay faithful, friends

How to break the chain and create better generation?

Do what GOD told us to do, some verses above have answered that

But it's hard to do so, you don't know about my parents, my life... ...

No, I don't

Every person has their own kind of struggle in their life according to their own capacity

But God does

God has His own reason in giving His commands

I can't promise you anything for I'm a mere human, except to show you God's promise to those who's faithful to Him.

How can I believe that?

Because God is faithful

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Do not repeat bad history, we have that choice to transform the generation, starting from ourselves.

This task is not for some of us, but all of us.

Believe me, the next generations need our efforts today

Fight for our generation and be different (living what God, and not human said) as the transformer generation

On The Box: Words of Comfort: Success and the Sinner’s Prayer

On The Box: Words of Comfort: Success and the Sinner’s Prayer: As you share the gospel, divorce yourself from the thought that you are merely seeking "decisions for Christ." What we should be seeking ...

I (We) Love February

Born Again?

Born again!
A familiar phrase known by many believers
Ada yang bilang lahir baru or lahir kembali

Ceritanya: I registered myself to the Men's Conference, held by GMS Lighthouse Palembang and I'm blessed so much.
Maybe I have understood the points of the workshop. But, hey! With a truly humble heart, I'm equipped with even much much greater things

I've promised my beloved Fresh-Com mates to do a short summary about this workshop, so I'll get it done ASAP :D

There were 2 speakers: Ps. Maxi Eduard Lonta and Ps. Arman Harijanto
Ps. Maxi is the senior pastor in GMS Lighthouse, while Ps. Arman is an often-invited speaker by GMS.
Their messages are powerful, I'm thankful for joining this conference.

Ps. Arman sometimes mentioned about his service age, 11/12 years in CMN etc etc.
I wonder, but then I remembered Sidney Mohede's project to celebrate his 20th year of being born again in Christ (Solo Concert: Louder Than Life)
Then today, my friend, Irawan Chandra tagged me on his own note. Sorry haven't read it all, bro haha.
I saw his writing about his past experience of being born again in 2010 and Silvia Sugianto's comment: First love with God is unforgettable

I told myself,"Mak, gua ga pernah ingat kapan gua lahir baru. Padahal banyak orang bilang 'pengalaman pertama' itu sulit dilupakan". Padahal pengen kan tuh, bisa mengingat n merayakan berapa tahun bersama2 dengan Tuhan (jadi momen yang berharga untuk diingat misalnya), dll dll hahaha
As long as I can remember, I've surrendered myself to God personally since I was in elementary school (Kelas 1 SD, BPK Cirebon) or even earlier, I'm not sure.

Being a rationalist, I remember that I said: I never want to believe something (God) just because my parents believe in it (Him).
Mengesampingkan fakta bahwa gua lupa kapan gua lahir baru (haha), I'm grateful that God Himself leads me and my family step by step, slowly but sure, in knowing Him more!

And that's God's Grace!
Mentioned by Ps. Arman today, seringkali kita bingung untuk bebas dari dosa ini itu ini itu, inget bahwa itu bagiannya Tuhan! We just have to let Him live in us and us in Him, itu kuncinya.
Banyak orang Kristen merasa cukup setelah 'Yesus hidup di dalam kita', sayang sekali Yoh 15:5 berkata lain
Akulah pokok anggur dan kamulah ranting-rantingnya. Barangsiapa tinggal di dalam Aku DAN Aku di dalam dia, ia berbuah banyak, sebab di luar Aku kamu tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa.

Banyak yang lupa untuk tinggal di dalam Tuhan.

My point is:
Ga peduli kapan engkau mulai mengenal Tuhan, jangan pernah lepas dari Pokok Anggur yang benar!
Mau baru percaya kek, mau sudah lama ikut Tuhan kek, mau baru melayani, atau sudah tua dalam pelayanan, God's grace is enough to refresh and strengthen your everyday life. Bahkan, without God's grace, we are actually nothing!
Pengalaman hidup bersama2 Tuhan bukanlah pedoman yang credible untuk dijadikan sebagai pengganti Firman Tuhan, never has and never will.

Gua bersyukur, meskipun gua ga pernah mengingat kapan tanggal exact gua dilahirkan kembali ataupun bagaimana manisnya awal cinta gua sama Tuhan, Tuhan tetap mengajarkan gua tentang hal tersebut bahkan manisnya cinta Tuhan itu gua alami lebih dan lebih. Hidup gua saat ini is the sweetest and closest moment with Jesus as long as I live, YET FOR NOW

I don't know why I wanted to write this kind of random post
I merely hope we can rejoice in Him every single day far from feeling bored or living life as routinity.
Caranya mudah: Biarkan Tuhan hidup di dalam kita DAN (yes, it is an AND expression, not OR) kita di dalam Tuhan
Happy sunday!

Recent Updates 2013/02/02

Dear blogspot...
Today I started my day with some urgent business given by my father.
After I finished my work, I'm resting myself and writing this post while drinking a cup of delicious coffee
(boong abis hahaha).

I'm not a huge fan of coffee, apalagi setelah dengar seminar Pak Yohanes Sunardi kalo 1 glass of coffee = - 4 glasses of water, idih males abis la itu.
I do drink coffee on some special occasions such as: Kejar bahan exam sistem SKS, ditraktir orang, diajak temen, lagi pengen (jarang banget), biar terasa romantis, ataupun biar terasa ada kesan dewasa n misterius nya *apasih.

Oke, lupakan cerita singkat tentang kopi di atas, yuk kembali ke jalan yang benar...

The real story is that I'm really helping my father's business haha
Like today, I had to utilize my brain to remember what I've been taught in university.
Ilmunya keluar tuh, itung volume la, sudut la, dll (in case you don't know, my father previously worked as binchotan producer), it also includes my experience in researching/ writing an essay (I'm glad I met the spartan CIMP ENG4C lecturer, Mr. Tan Meng Chwen that I learnt so much about this)
ps: akhirnya ilmunya kepake *terharu.

Yang lagi terngiang2 belakangan adalah: God's Heart.
Dari post yang di-share oleh Bu Silvia Sugianto, chattingan dengan Bu Sarita, komennya Brian Adam dll, it's about understanding God's Heart.
Simple principle and fact: Jesus LOVES sinners but HATES sin
I don't know what you've been going through, I don't understand, and can't as deep as you yourself. But God can, I don't care (don't want to focus on) what our problems are, I just believe as long as you are faithful to Him, He will make a way. That's it!

Perjalanan keluarga gua dari Medan-Bandung-Cirebon-Palembang adalah mujizat, kelangsungan study gua dari kecil is a miracle, diterimanya gua dari SD Meth 2 ke SMP Xav 1 is a miracle, masuk dan lulus dari kelas Aksel is a miracle, kuliah di Malaysia tanpa 'ditarik kembali' is a miracle, what happened to me (us) on 31 January 2013 is a miracle. (no, I'm not dating anyone. Gua jadian mah bukan mujizat la ya #eh #sombong #ngelantur)
Buat teman2 dekat, I will tell more about it specifically (if only you ask, anyway haha).

I'm the product of God's love, grace and miracles... full stop.

Next, "We used to try to be holy so that we can be close to Jesus, but His grace lets us be close to Him and make us holy..." @kennysgoh
Source: Sidney Mohede's instagram
I don't have android or stuff, so I just follow (stalk) some people via website haha

Gua sedikit kebingungan untuk me'rumus'kan kalimat kesimpulan tentang hal ini.
Kalimat2 yang sudah gua susun, susah untuk menjawab pertanyaan2 yang muncul (dari gua sendiri misalnya), for example: Kalo God's grace yang "lets us be close to Him and make us holy", kenapa kita masih perlu 'berusaha' untuk hidup kudus? Terus, tujuan menjadi holy kalau bukan 'to be close to Jesus' apa dong? (please note that I understand the importance of keeping one's holiness before God dan bahwa manusia itu ga sanggup melakukannya tanpa grace dari Tuhan haha).

Yah pertanyaan2 semacamnya lah, sampe kepengen order rekaman khotbahnya Kenny Go untuk bisa mengerti lebih dalam apa arti dari penggalan kalimat di atas. Sekali lagi, gua orang yang rasional, butuh bukti dan peneguhan juga dong, ga bisa modal utamanya 'I think' or 'I feel that...' doang dalam share ke orang2

Masih menyangkut God's Heart, tiba2 kalimat2 ini muncul: "Word of God is not restrictive, it's protective."
Bahwa apa yang dituliskan oleh Tuhan, adalah untuk kebaikan kita sendiri (if we know that breaking traffic laws is dangerous for us, we will not do that, will we?).

Everything's from God and everything's for God
Benar, tapi bukan berarti Tuhan itu egois #simple

God is a loving Father.
Yang dikehendakiNya adalah kebaikan kita. Supaya kita hidup maksimal dan dicap baik. 'Baik' yang seperti apa? Seperti standarnya Tuhan la #simple #kokmasihnanya (padahal ga ada yang nanya)

Sooo, kalaupun kita diperintahkan Tuhan untuk hidup kudus (kenapa kekudusan? Karena ini topik yang muncul dari membuka instagram Sidney Mohede tadi dan juga topik dari Men's Conference GMS Lighthouse Palembang), itu juga untuk kebaikan kita, supaya kita hidup berkenan di hadapanNya.

God's grace bikin kita dekat dengan Tuhan, tapi untuk menjaganya/supaya kita tetap mengarah kepadaNya, kita mesti berusaha hidup kudus (ga cuma doa tanpa usaha mematikan kedagingan). Jangan sampe kita bilang, "yah tunggu God's grace aja untuk menang dari kedagingan, kita mah sante2 aj."

Prayer Is Never a Substitute for Obedience - A. W. Tozer

Kenapa kita harus dekat sama Tuhan? Supaya kita maksimal hidupnya dan memenuhi tujuan kita diciptakan, di mana tujuan tsb disimpan oleh Allah sendiri (manusia = objek kasih dari Allah).

Masih banyak lagi sih yang lagi gua pelajari belakangan, tapi untuk saat ini, sekian deh ya :D

Gbu guys

Recent Updates 2013/01/22

Hey guys, now I've been working on something important, my dad's business stuffs haha
Short story, it's kind of tiring, I've spent 6+ hours/day at a cyber cafe for 3 days. Without doing anything fun (except playing Cat Mario, is it fun? Just try it, click HERE to download and you'll understand) while checking on the download progress.
At the first day, I had to click on each file just to download, there were 785 files and my recent download was 1.9 GB in size, luckily now it's within a rar folder. There are some more problems happened like ISP Server's disturbed connection and stuffs beyond my ability scope, and I prayed once again asking for God's guidance (if you understand the story behind this business, you'll see what I mean)

I'm reminded at Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 

 

Second, my pastor in GMI Bethlehem Palembang is one of writers for Manna Sorgawi, Pdt. Sadikin Gunawan. We had some conversations about things like theology, teaching English to his daughter, books he write (Rhema Sorgawi etc), Mansor's trip to Israel, blog writing and many more hahaha.
I think he's the second person at Bethlehem (since Cuantau Jefry Lie) that I can talk many things with.
I'm blessed to know him (well, I knew him since I was a kid, but you know, I didn't expect him to be this 'fun' regarding Christian's life :D)

So he offered me to read his book collections, mostly about theology, written by credible authors.
I was being alert whenever I heard the word 'Theology', I found it was fascinating since years ago (I studied theology from bible workshops), but I'm tired of facing people with theological knowledge minus heart of God, people who chase after the 'logos' but not God Himself, people who understand many things but do less things or even nothing at all, which doesn't show that they are Jesus' followers. I don't want to become one of them.

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

 

I prefer 'know less love more' to 'know more love less'
and I decided to walk my way focusing more on the heart of God, rather than on the knowledge

During my daily devotion, I was reminded that "everything about Jesus is good, even the knowledge itself". I know that God had led me to FGCC to prepare me more and more of God's heart before I'm equipped with more knowledge.
When the time comes that I should be equipped with more theology, I'll be prepared from the inside out.
I don't need to worry too much, to the point that I'm afraid of learning so-called theology.
If it is God's will, He'll prepare everything and of course He's wiser than anyone else.

I want to share some of  what I think interesting lesson I learnt :P
Matius 5:14
Kamu adalah terang dunia. Kota yang terletak di atas gunung tidak mungkin tersembunyi.

Adalah = bentuk penegasan (by Pdt. Sadikin Gunawan)
Bukan 'jadilah terang dunia'.
Kata 'jadilah', 'haruslah' itu berarti proses: belum menjadi -> sudah menjadi.
Again, you ARE the light

There must be something wrong if you are not (living as the light)

I also read some writings such as:

Sarita's post
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; -  Ecclesiastes 12:1

Her friend's post

And short sentence from Pdt. Petrus Agung's sermon by Yohana Setiani
We mostly talk about Jesus, but rarely talk with Jesus. Let's change that

"Let me give you the most important lesson in reading the Bible: have a humble heart.
Because if you got a proud heart, this is what you read, absolutely nothing.
You get nothing out of the Scriptures. Because the Bible says "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
If you got a humble heart and are seeking after the truth, you open up the Bible and it'll come alive"

- Ray Comfort

Source

Posts of Comfort

-Evangelism is like diving into an unheated swimming pool.
It takes courage to take the plunge, but the flesh quickly adjusts.

-READ Gen 12‐15. 13:9: In Christ we gladly give up our rights. God will give them back, if He sees fit, and that's all that really matters.

-If I can’t hate sin for what it is, I must hate it for what it does.

Ray Comfort

Reading YOUR Bible

Unexpected development today, from a simple twit about a Bible verse, I was led to another deeper study about this topic (maafkan gua, Angel. Kalo menumpahkan isi pikiran ke lu, tapi ga terlalu berat kan? kan? :P)

First of all, I found article about BIBLE's CONTRADICTION with the explanation from Answers in Genesis (you click on it if you want, but it's long, dan tolong jangan tanya apa isinya gua lagi males menulis kesimpulan *memelas)

HOW to read your Bible?
When I was younger *ceilee, I was taught this 'Inductive' way of reading (OIA):
ps: Praying to ask for God's guidance and wisdom before reading Bible is a MUST *end of story*.

1. Observation
What, Who, Where, When, Why + How and Conclusion

2. Interpretation
What's writers want us to understand from their writings?

You can (should) check and compare each writings using the facilities:
Another Bible translation: KJV, NAS, ESV etc
Bible Dictionary
Bible Maps
Commentaries (written by Theologians)
Concordances

To read Bible verse in parallel, most of the time I use: http://bible.cc/
(just type out your desired verse, and WOOSH, it'll give you almost all versions of Bible translations).
Ah yes, with Commentaries!!

For concordance, I use http://www.biblestudytools.com/
Choose KJV or NAS as your Bible translation, type out the verse, and check the 'Strongs Numbers' box on right side below 'version' box)

Bible.cc provides us the same facility of Strongs Concordance Numbers, but well, I've gotten used to Biblestudytools (thank you for asking)

3. Application
Know + Relate + Meditate + Practise
Yes, PRACTISE
Don't let your understanding be in vain because you are not practising it

You can find the full information HERE

WHY is this kind of "How to read Bible" important?
In short words: So that we are not translating it RANDOMLY or even according to what we 'think'.
Practise EXEGESIS, NOT EISEGESIS (I hope some readers understand these terms :P)

By understanding what the writers meant, we can understand more about God (because He inspired the writers). Bible is about God, God's Stories, God's Laws, God's Loves for us, while He is the main actor.
That's why I'm not the protagonist there (if you understand what I mean)

The most crucial point is: Understanding and reading your Bible in the right way is important (read: IMPORTANT), but don't forget to DO what the Bible says

For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. - James 2:26

Let's become the DOERS of God's Words (starting with understanding the Words in the right way)

Random Updates

I feel like writing a really random post, so please don't mind my writing here

It's almost been 3 weeks since my arrival,

which means my holiday is almost over no it's not and some days left before studying again (it's almost the same as the story of pessimist vs optimist who are viewing a glass of water. But that's not my point here)
*next

I watched Hitam Putih today and the guest are Annisa Bahar with her daughter Juwita Bahar (if I'm not mistaken), what I saw was that Ms. Bahar wore a huge pair of earring.

I remember some people asked about my type of girlfriend-to-be

Some say I have high standards I do
Some (Ivan Jaya, to be precise) say my gf-to-be will be a nun
Some say she will be like Jesus
Some say (I did) that she's a tough, strong, huge, scary footballer that will score a goal at my goal post
etc etc

Told you not to bother reading this post :P

I'm also now facing a dilemma, in which I can't fulfill one of my 2013 Resolutions:

Doing simple and short work-out (push up, sit up, rope jumping) 2 times a week

I still do some sports like futsal and badminton here (can you imagine that I play futsal at 7 in the morning? It's like waking up for morning class in Uni, you know. I'm so diligent)

But whenever I try to do this workout, I face many problems such as weakened physical condition, delicious foods appeared, friends were coming to my house, having  influenza, and delicious foods appeared.

Hope I'll do at least one in this week

And last thing, a serious one

I'm preparing myself to share teachings at churches

My seniors asked me to share what I learnt in Malaysia (FGCC) with some people

Again, everything's from God and everything's for God

Story: "Difference in Love and Marriage"

I found this interesting (but true) article from somewhere over the rainbow facebook actually

Story : "Difference in Love and Marriage"...

A student asks a teacher, "What is love?"




The teacher said, "in order to answer your question, go to the wheat field and choose the biggest wheat and
come back.

But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick."

The student went to the field, go thru first row, he saw one big wheat, but he wonders... may be there is a
bigger one later.

Then he saw another bigger one... But may be there is an even bigger one waiting for him.

Later, when he finished more than half of the wheat field, he start to realize that the wheat is not as big as the
previous one he saw, he know he has missed the biggest one, and he regretted.

So, he ended up went back to the teacher with empty hand.

The teacher told him, "this is love... You keep looking for a better one, but when later you realise, you have
already miss the person..."

"What is marriage then?" the student asked.

The teacher said, "in order to answer your question, go to the corn field and choose the biggest corn and
come back. But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick."

The student went to the corn field, this time he is careful not to repeat the previous mistake, when he reach
the middle of the field, he has picked one medium corn that he feel satisfy, and come back to the teacher.
The teacher told him, "This time you bring back a corn. You look for one that is just nice, and you have faith
and believe this is the best one you get... This is marriage."

My Simple Happiness #2012

Yes, happiness doesn't necessarily have to be complicated
Alright, I think it's gonna be my last post with "2012 review" theme

Soo, these are what (I think) interesting during 2012

1. Getting injured at ISCF Futsal Cup 2012

Sounds silly? hahaha
Ga pernah gua cedera gara2 tanding futsal (ataupun futbol) sebelumnya

One of my injuries, this cool scar remained for 2 weeks haha.

Puji Tuhan, entah tulang tangan kaki gua lumayan kokoh atau gimana, kena sliding pun paling usap2 dikit terus maen lagi
And this time, I got my right ankle sprained and couldn't continue the match

My teammates often got this kind of injuries, Aloy, Andro, Jepe etc etc. Masa gua nggak pernah? hahaha

2. Guitar practise at FGCC Music Clinic

Bersama pelatih Spartan kita, Kak Tama Eka Prasetya Pakpahan
You can see how spartan he is:

"Takluklah kepadaku hai anak2"

Seorang cewek pernah ngomong sama gua kalo setelah ikutan Music Clinic ini, gua semakin bisa maen gitar n keliatan progressnya secara signifikan. Meski dia adek gua juga bilang genjrengan gua sangatlah cupu -_-

I'm truly happy you know, dulunya genjreng2 yang ga sampe selagu udah ga ngerti ini maen apaan, atau maennya C A Minor D Minor ke G pun culun2 (sekarang juga sih), dll dll. Eh sekarang mayan la, bisa nyanyiin reff lagu2 favorit dibarengin maen gitar dengan genjrengan satu arah hahaha

3. Getting to know my teammates in Fresh Ministry

Ipoh Trip

Leni's Farewell

My privilege to have been working together with all of you and it will be another, to work with same and new people in this team for one more period :D

4. Food-testing team

Bersama Ibu Peri, ce Kherina Suryadi yang suka edit2 foto dan selalu memasak makanan2 lezat dan gratis dan enak dan sering dan dan yang lainnya

First time joining the food-testing team :P

We Are Not Alone

Snow Flake, KLCC

Mafia Baru Tobat

FUNway

5. Mengenal orang2 luar biasa, as one big family in God

Guy's Fresh Com in Sunway

Ga mirip sih tapi yah oke la ya

FGCC Gahul 5 RM 2012

Monash Friends

Pre-Christmas Sunway

Fresh Com partners yang alay (kebangetan) tapi tetep awesome

ISCF Cup 2012 Euphoria
You can see I was wearing #42 jersey and had sprained ankle :P

ISCF Spirit, ISCF Cup 2012 winner + ISCF Full Team

Sg-Trip Team

Ko Budi + Ce Raissa's Wedding Day in Sg

Komsel Gabungan: Tea O' Ice + Rainbow 

Vocal Gathering (like finally) 2012

Akhirnya foto bareng juga sama Nonie haha.
Muka gua ga natural tapi ya sudahlah

FGCC Christmas Celebration 2012 #Luminous

TENGKIIUU for being the BEST part of my life!! 

(Ala Nonie Marshella) :P

Thank you guys, meeting you all is one of the proudest moments in my life and will always be
I am grateful for your presence in my life :D
I am sorry for everything I did wrong

Let your light shine
Let's face our new adventures in 2013
God bless