Pursuing Humility? Meditations of a Proud Heart (2021) by Joel Cornuz, Book Review

 Pursuing Humility? Meditations of a Proud Heart (2021) by Joel Cornuz

I read this book on a flight from Taiwan to Kuala Lumpur. As soon as I and my colleague landed home, I told them very proudly, “Yes, I’ve finished reading a book on humility!” What an irony! Letting people know that I’ve read books on humility (such as this one and Andrew Murray’s) is probably a sign of my pride. Maybe yes, maybe not. But it is more challenging if I write a book on humility. Joel Cornuz thought so in his introduction: “If you pretend to teach about humility, you already demonstrate pride. Go and present yourself as an expert on the subject, and you disqualify yourself from talking about it. ‘I am the best, especially at humility.' The statement may be funny, but it reflects the reality of the problem.” As the author revealed in the book about his own pride, I saw mine all too obvious too.

Thus, I find this book—a series of the author’s meditations on humility from the Scripture—very helpful in pointing out my personal sin of pride and being independent from God, either intentionally or unintentionally. It was scary, but I needed the realizations that I gained from this book. The Holy Spirit speaks through the meditations of His Word. I need humility, or more accurately, I need God for humility, or, essentially, I need God. Joel concludes, “Humility is first recognizing the reality of who I am (a proud person in need of forgiveness) and who God is (the one who offers me the forgiveness I so desperately need); humility is then accepting my dependence on that God (without Him, I can do nothing); and finally, it is placing my life at his disposal for the service of those around me (and for His glory).”

It is the humble recognition that God (YHWH) is God and placing our dependence on Him that freed us from the weight of pride so that we could be more like Christ, the ultimate embodiment and example of humility. Remember the word that says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34) #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #Humility #Pride #LikeChrist #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

*Thanks to FES Singapore for the gift!

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

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Kingdom Come, Kingdom Go: Luke-Acts (2007) by the International Bible Society, Book Review (2nd Reading)

The Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles is a two-volume work by the same author, Luke, and the same recipient, Theophilus. It is meant to be read together and continuously. And what makes this book Luke-Acts special is that it comes without those annoying chapter and verse divisions that disrupt the context, logic, and flow of the grand narrative (I used to have a whole Bible like this, but I lost it in the train station). Reading the Scripture in this format is like reading an action-packed novel, except that it is about historical events, non-fictional people, and an actual person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

While the divisions are, in my opinion, good for reference and quotation, they can cause some serious problems. There are instances where chapters are wrongly divided and verses are taken out of context. Men such as Zakir Naik looked like a genius to the Bible illiterates when he quoted Bible verses out of memory, but if you check them in their original text, you will find that they are always out of context. Another problem is that the divisions encourage people (even sincere Christians) to read only small parts at a time. How many of you can quote John 3:16? Well, how about John 3:15 and John 3:17? Exactly!

The Bible and each book of the Bible is meant to be read as a whole and straight through from the beginning. Try reading the Gospel of Luke (or the Gospel of Mark, the shorter one) in one sitting. Set aside 2 to 3 hours this week to go to a quiet place, bring a physical Bible with you, turn off your smartphone, and read through it. I bet you will discover many truths for yourself, and the words of the Psalmer will echo in your soul: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103)

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #TheGospelOfLuke #TheActsofTheApostles #TheScripture #ReadTheBible #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

I read this book two years ago and wrote something (sort of) about this issue too, READ HERE

To read my other book reviews/summaries, CLICK HERE

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The Mindful Man: Words from the Earth (2018) by Caspar Walsh, Book Review

The Mindful Man: Words from the Earth (2018) by Caspar Walsh

In my opinion, the concept of mindfulness is not unique to Buddhism and/or Hinduism. It is an ancient eastern practice that evolve and may or may not be called 'mindfulness' that you can also find in other religions, teachings, and traditions. As for Christianity and the Old Testament Jewish religion, the closest, almost similar practice that I can think of is Meditation in Biblical terms. But here is the main difference: Mindfulness focuses on self, which is good if done properly (yet limited in its scope) but Biblical Meditation focuses on the One true God, YHWH. The basic attitude of Mindfulness is 'what's I'm doing, thinking and feeling right now' but the attitude of Biblical Meditation is 'delight in the law (or word) of the LORD day and night' (for example, refer to Psalms 1:2). Once you know the difference then, reading books like this one from other beliefs and worldviews, can be much profitable and safer for the soul.

The definition of mindfulness can be very fluid. So, let me quote the author, Caspar Walsh, to explain it for himself: "Mindfulness sums up meditation, focus, attention, and reflection in a single word. But it is also a paradox. Breaking it down suggests mind-fullness, the fullness of mind - exactly the opposite of what a beginner's mind is hoping to achieve. Mindfulness means focusing, bringing our mind to what we are doing, and paying close attention. In a wider sense, it explores the whole experience of being human. The mind is an essential tool for interpreting, translating, and finding meaning in the world around us and inside us. It is essential to living in every sense." Without God as the center focus of the mind, I can only agree with the author from the human perspective. No more. Nevertheless, it is an important aspect to consider about since most of us - men, especially - need to be self-aware of what's going on within us and around us. We are so engaged with technology, concerned about other people's lives on social media, and busy with work that we neglect self-care and what's going on with our lives. Most men are lost, purposeless, and tired. We need a guide.

For some men, Caspar Walsh's The Mindful Man can be the beginning of that journey. This book doesn't have all the answers. In fact, it has lots of helpful reflection questions and insights to consider. "The world needs mindful men, now more than ever. Men who understand what makes us tick, aware of the impact we are having on the lives of others." Elsewhere he also wrote, "We need to up our game, daily. We are the leaders we're been waiting for. In a world divided by fear and greed, it's time to look deeper into what we can do to ground ourselves, ready ourselves, to be of service to our friends, our communities, and our highest ideals... How do we become mindful men who can be trusted, respected, and called on to begin the healing? It is essential for all men to be initiated into the mature, sacred masculine. And for this, we need courage." Yes, we need the courage to examine ourselves to be better men. In this book, Walsh invites us to 'see' the ideals of a Physical Man, Emotional Man, Family Man, Brotherhood of Man, Sacred Man, and Working Man. These are the areas that a Mindful Man needs the courage to 'see' ⚡

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #TheMindfulMan #Manhood #Mindfullness #Masculinity #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Seven (7) Reasons Why You Should Read the Bible

I'm committed - for LEGASI.tv FB page - to help and inspire you to be a better leader, creative and grow in your personal development regardless of your race, religion and belief 😬 But I'm a follower of Christ and once in a while my desire to share my faith is uncontainable 😉 Here are seven (7) reasons why you should take time to read the Bible every day:

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The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential (2013) by N.T. Wright, Book for Sale

One of the world's most trusted Bible scholars, N. T. Wright turns his attention to the central collection of prayers that Jesus and Paul knew best: the book of Psalms. Wright points out that the Psalms have served as the central prayer and hymnbook for the church since its beginning—until now. In The Case for the Psalms, Wright calls us to return to the Psalms as a steady, vital component of healthy Christian living.

Reading, studying, and praying the Psalms is God's means for teaching us what it means to be human: how to express our emotions and yearnings, how to reconcile our anger and our compassion, how to see our story in light of God's sweeping narrative of salvation. Wright provides the tools for understanding and incorporating these crucial verses into our own lives. His conclusion is simple: all Christians need to read, pray, sing, and live the Psalms.

After I read this book and read the Psalms in The Message paraphrased-Bible, I get more of it. Simple writing but profound insights. To own this copy - original price around RM50+ - simply comment to my Facebook’s post [CLICK HERE], "Psalms" and I'll contact you personally.

Category	Religion/ Biblical Studies/ Wisdom Literature
Condition	Used, Wrapped beautifully

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Self-Leadership #3 Play To Your Strengths

“What great leaders have in common is that each truly knows his or her strengths - and can call on the right strength at the right time.”

(Tom Rath)

Self-discovery is nothing if not personal both in the process and in the results. There is no formula by which you can find out what makes you tick, no standardized test that will reveal your goals in life. Looking within yourself to ask the tough questions is an individual quest, and you must not conform to what you think the results should be.

The trick is to find your own strengths and to play those strengths. As you start to answer the questions that lead to self-knowledge, certain strengths – and weaknesses – in your own character will begin to become evident (This is not a bad thing. Strong people tend to have strong weaknesses; as long as you're aware of them, they don't have to work to your disadvantage). Good leaders will work to reduce their weaknesses, but moreover, they will use their strengths to the greatest advantage. Focus more on your strengths than weaknesses.

There are many ways in which we may learn more about our own strengths and weaknesses. Some of these are techniques we can choose to practice, such as prayer, meditation or long walks in the park. These are methods by which we pay attention, in very specific ways: with intention, in the present moment and non-judgementally. Keeping a journal can also be a way to learn more about yourself. Other learning experiences are less voluntary; pain, for example, can provide invaluable insights but is rarely a method that people would choose for themselves.

The important thing is to make the commitment to self-knowledge, through whatever means works for you, and to accept and use to your advantage the results of this discovery process. You see, you can't be a good leader if you only compare yourself to others. You have to look into yourself. Your greatest strengths as a leader are those qualities that are unique to you. As you discover them, use them to your advantage. Different people find their ways through different paths, and if you take someone else's path, you may not like where you end up.

Here three (3) ways to learn more about your strengths and yourself:

#1 Choose Your Own Path: It doesn't have to be the path less traveled or the one of least resistance. What matters is that it's the right one for you.

#2 It's Not a Failure If You Learn Something: Be open to the learning process. Whether its pain, mistakes or success, every experience can teach you something. Sometimes the hardest lessons are the most important.

#3 Practice Continuous Renewal: Continuous, disciplined self-examination internalizes the lessons you're learning about yourself and allows you instinctively to play to your own strengths.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

George Mueller's Practice of Bible Study

The German Christian George Mueller, who developed highly successful ministries to homeless children in the nineteenth century, wrote this in his diary on 9^th May 1841:



George Mueller and his Bible



“It has pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, the benefit of which I have not lost for more than fourteen years. The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished…

Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer after having dressed myself in the morning. Now, I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warmed, reproved, instructed…

The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord’s blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to meditate on the Word of God, searching as it were into every verse to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of public ministry of the Word, not for the sake of preaching on what I had meditated upon, but for the sake of obtaining food for my soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to supplication; so that, though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to meditation, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer. When thus I have been for a while making confession or intercession or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the next words or verse, turning all, as I go, into prayer for myself or others, as the Word may lead to it…

By breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart”

For me, praying is (mainly): I talking to God; but reading and meditating on the Word of God is (mainly): God talking to me. Which one is more important? Both are important in communication and to get into fellowship. Which sequence is more appropriate? Listen first, then talking. Start your day with a little prayer then go directly into the Word and then along the way – keep praying. Let it be our goal to be happy first in the Lord every day! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

"God Washed Her Brain"

“You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today… Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, NLT)

In his book How To Be Born Again, Billy Graham tells of a missionary who was imprisoned by the Japanese in China. At this concentration camp the penalty for owning even a portion of the Scriptures was death; however, a small Gospel of John was smuggled to her in a winter coat. At night when she went to bed she pulled the covers over her head and, with her flashlight in hand, read a verse and then put herself to sleep memorized the entire Gospel of John.

When she went to wash her hands she would take one page at a time, dissolve it with the soap and water, and flush it down the drain. “And that is the way,” she said, “that ‘John’ and I parted company.”

This little missionary was interviewed by a Time reporter just before the prisoners were released and he happened to be standing at the gates when the prisoners came out. Most of them shuffled along, eyes on the ground, little more than automatons. Then out came the little missionary, bright as a button. One of the reporters was heard to ask, “I wonder if they managed to brainwash her?”

The Time reporter overheard the remark and answered, “God washed her brain.”

Billy Graham wrote: “Like Joseph storing up grain during the years of plenty to be used during the years of famine that lay ahead, may we store up the truths of God’s Word in our hearts as much as possible, so that we are prepared for whatever suffering we are called upon to endure.”

Do you memories the Scriptures in your head as well as in your heart daily?
Do you obediently let God “brainwash” you with His Word and His Spirit?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Tujuan Utama, Kebaikan dan Bahaya dalam Berpuasa

“Apabila kamu berpuasa, jangan bermuka muram seperti orang munafik. Mereka kelihatan menderita, sehingga semua orang tahu bahawa mereka berpuasa. Ketahuilah, mereka sudah menerima ganjaran. Apabila kamu berpuasa, basuhlah muka dan sikatlah rambut, supaya orang tidak tahu bahawa kamu berpuasa. Biarlah hanya Bapamu yang tidak kelihatan itu yang tahu. Bapamu melihat perbuatanmu yang tersembunyi itu dan kamu akan menerima pahala daripada Dia” (Matius 6:16-18, BM).

Tujuan Utama dan Kebaikan Berpuasa

Kadang-kadang, rutin hidup kita yang sibuk telah menyebabkan hubungan peribadi kita dengan Tuhan semakin renggang. Oleh itu, adalah digalakkan supaya kita meluangkan masa untuk berhenti seketika daripada melakukan aktiviti rutin seharian kita. Berpuasa daripada makanan (atau kurangkan makan) ialah salah satu daripada cara untuk kita mengawal atau menahan diri dari melakukan kebiasaan ini. Berpuasa membolehkan kita berhenti dan dengan sengaja ingin memfokuskan pemikiran, hati dan emosi kita kepada Bapa yang di syurga. Apabila kita berpuasa, kita seolah-olah mengatakan bahawa kita benar-benar serius ingin berkomunikasi dengan-Nya. ‘Bapa, berfirmanlah kepadaku, hamba-Mu ingin mendengar’. Berpuasa dapat menajamkan pemikiran dan telinga rohani kita agar mudah untuk kita mendengar suara-Nya berbanding dengan kebisingan rutin harian kita.

Kebanyakkan kita berfikir bahawa berpuasa bermaksud kita tidak perlu melakukan apa-apa seperti tidak makan dan minum. Tetapi, pada pandangan saya, berpuasa ialah kita melakukan sesuatu. Kita perlu melakukan sesuatu yang jarang kita lakukan pada hari-hari biasa seperti berdoa sambil memandu kereta atau menunggang motosikal (tidak perlu tutup mata, okay); atau membaca dan mengkaji satu buku dari Alkitab untuk hari itu; atau menghafal Firman Allah sepanjang hari; atau mengunci pintu bilik dan bernyanyi lagu puji sembah dengan alat musik secara sendirian; atau menulis jurnal tentang perkara yang berlaku kepada kamu sepanjang bulan atau minggu itu; dan sebagainya. Mungkin ada diantara kamu bertanya, “Richard, bagaimana pula dengan berbuat baik atau melakukan kerja-kerja amal semasa berpuasa?” Jawapan saya, “Kawan, di dalam Alkitab, Tuhan menyuruh kita melakuan kebaikan setiap masa dan terus mengasihi orang lain tanpa mengira masa atau siapapun mereka”. Sebagai pengikut Kristus, kita patut sudah tahu bahawa melakukan kebaikan seharusnya menjadi rutin dan kebiasaan bagi orang Kristian!

Walaupun mungkin benar bahawa berpuasa dapat menyihatkan badan, dapat mengawal nafsu dan ada juga yang mengatakan bahawa ia dapat memberikan kita ketenangan dan menambahkan berkat dan sebagainya – namun begitu, tujuan utama kita berpuasa ialah: untuk menguatkan hubungan kita dengan Tuhan. Fokus terutama ialah komunikasi dengan Bapa yang di syurga. Hilang tujuan atau fokus utama ini dalam kita berpuasa, maka, perbuatan berpuasa adalah sia-sia... Jadi, apakah tujuan sebenar kamu berpuasa?

Bahaya dalam Berpuasa

Bahaya berpuasa... hipokrit!

Oleh kerana tujuan utama kita berpuasa ialah untuk kita berkomunikasi dan menguatkan hubungan kita dengan Bapa yang disyurga, maka, tujuan-tujuan yang lain (walau semurni apa pun) boleh mengundang bahaya. Sebagai contoh (jika kita merujuk kepada Firman Allah di atas, Matius 6:16-18), berpuasa boleh menjadikan kita bersikap hipokrit, berpura-pura alim, menunjuk-nunjuk, mengingini pujian daripada orang lain, sombong dan angkuh. Bahaya juga datang apabila kita beranggapan bahawa Tuhan boleh dimanipulasi oleh perbuatan kita. Bahaya apabila kita menggunakan disiplin berpuasa sebagai cara untuk kita menutup perbuatan jahat atau menjadikan puasa sebagai alasan untuk kita menyembunyikan dosa-dosa yang tidak kita akui dihadapan-Nya.

Berpuasa bukanlah jalan ke syurga; hanya Kristus ialah jalan kepada Bapa yang di syurga. Berpuasa tidak dapat menyucikan dosa-dosa kita; hanya Darah Kristus yang suci sahaja yang dapat membenarkan kita berdiri dihadapan Bapa yang Maha Suci. Berpuasa ialah salah satu cara untuk kita terus berhubung dengan-Nya; tetapi hanya Yesus Kristus ialah Penghubung untuk hubungan kita dengan Bapa.

Wahai pengikut Kristus, berpuasalah kerana hubunganmu dengan Bapa adalah yang terutama di dalam hidup kita! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Know Your Bible (Free Books Inside!)

“Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!” (Psalm 119:12ESV).

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law”
(Psalm 119:18).

Though 66 separate books, 1,189 chapters, and hundreds thousands of words, the Bible shares one extraordinary message: God loves you (and I want to add: God is a Holy God).

From the first chapter of Genesis, where God creates human beings, through the last chapter of Revelation, where God welcomes anyone to “take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17), the Bible proves God is intimately involved in, familiar with, and concerned about the lives of people. His amazing love is shown in the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. That sacrifice of sin allows anyone to be right with God through simple faith in Jesus’ work.

Thanks to Fredda, my colleague, for taking this picture.
I only offer the book, apples are not included :)

These truths are found in the pages of Scripture. But sometimes they can be obscured by the vast amount of information the Bible contains. That’s why the writer and the publisher created (and I, Richard Angelus give away) Know Your Bible Illustrated.

In this book - a fully illustrated version of a small volume that’s sold more than a million copies – you’ll find brief surveys of all 66 Bible books. Each summarizes what that book is about, always within the context of God’s love and concern for people.

Every entry follows this outline:

IN TEN WORD’S OR LESS: a ‘nutshell’ glances at the book’s key theme, immediately following the book’s title.

AUTHOR/DATE: who wrote the book, according to the Bible itself or ancient tradition, and when the book was written or the time the book covers.

DETAILS, PLEASE: a synopsis of the key people, events, and messages covered in the book.

QUOTABLE: one, two, or several key verses from the book.

UNIQUE AND UNUSUAL: facts – some serious, some less so – that make the book stand out.

SO WHAT? An inspirational or devotional thought for each book.

Your Bible is certainly worth knowing. Use this book to begin a journey of discovery that could truly change your life!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

February 2013 Free Books

I’m giving away ONLY 3 copies of “Know Your Bible Illustrated: All 66 Books Explained and Applied” by Paul Kent. You are welcome to get a copy of this book for yourself to study the Word more deeply (not merely for your books collection!). Simple, do these 2 things:

1. Comment below “Rich, give me one copy___(Your name). I want to know the Bible better and get more from my time in it. I want to worship God through the Word’s study. Amen.” 
2. And E-mail me at Motivates4life@hotmail.com or send message to my Facebook your real name, phone no. and your postal address. Thank you.

Why I Read Book Every Day (and 10 Ways to Increasing your Reading Efficiency)

In order for me to be effective in the Student ministry, I must read at least 30 minutes to 1 hour per day, meditating on what I read and taking good notes. If I’m busy doing fieldworks, I will use my mp3 player to listen to audiobooks or sermons during my driving time or whenever I have free time (this is how I learn to improve my English too). But most of the time, I prefer reading. I do this so that by the illumination of the Holy Spirit in my heart and mind; my passion for Christ will keep refueling day after day. And second, so that I can serve students and others better. A good gift and genuine love for others is to improve oneself first in the knowledge and the holiness of God before one can share and inspire others to do the same. Therefore, one of the ways for me to achieve this end is to read every day especially in the study and the reading of the Word of God.

I may not agree with some of Brian Tracy’s principles taught in his book Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life but I must admit that his calculation is very good when he writes, “If you read just one hour per day that will amount to about one book per week. One book per week will amount to about 50 books per year. 50 books per year will total about 500 books over the next 10 years. At the very least, you will need a bigger house just to hold your books”. Amazing! Now, if you read 1 chapter per day you can finish reading the Bible in 3 years OR you can read 3 chapters per day and you will finish reading the Bible in 1 year. This is more amazing!

If you’re persuaded by this article to read every day, I recommend you to follow these 10 Ways to Increasing your Reading Efficiency:

1)  Select your reading material carefully. Don’t waste your time on books of little value. Preview what you are considering reading before you start a book. For Christians, your main and most important book to read and study is the Bible.

2)  Eliminate poor habits. Find a place where you’re free from distractions. Get rid of junk foods and avoid contact with electronic gadgets and television. This kind-of-place is hard to find, but blessed are you who find it.

3)  Make conscious effort to broaden your reading. Don’t confine your reading to one narrow area. I tend to only read Christian literatures. Thus, consciously I will vary my reading to novels, leadership books, motivational books and other secular and mainstream books. My rough ratio for Christian books and others is 3 to 1. You don’t have to follow my pattern. The point is – broaden your reading.

4)  Try to understand the big picture. Read for main ideas. Don’t get caught up or spend too much time with “insignificant problematic details” in what you’re read.

5)  Ask the author questions as you read. Be an investigator. Ask: Why? What? When? Where? Who? How? And try to find the author’s answers as you read.

6)  Also, ask yourself questions as you read. Test your own understanding of the author’s words and ideas.

7)  Don’t read too fast for the sake of finishing your reading. Make sure you really understand what you are reading before you go ahead.

8)  Concentrate on what you are reading. Don’t entertain unnecessary distractions; focus on author’s message.

9)  Visualize the author’s main points as you read them. Especially, when the author writes illustrations or parables to amplify his or her point. “See” the words describes in your mind’s eye.

10) Keep your notes on what you read and/or write and underlines important ideas that you get from your reading in the book itself. This is important if you want review them from time to time to better remember them.

And lastly, not on the list because I assume that you already know; it is essential and most basic in everything we do, that is: to ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us as we read books, especially, as we read “God’s breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16ESV) book – the Bible. Enjoy reading! :)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Hidup dalam Keseimbangan

“Apabila Yesus mendengar berita tentang Yohanes, Dia meninggalkan tempat itu dengan perahu, lalu pergi sendirian ke suatu tempat yang sunyi. Tetapi orang ramai mendengar hal itu, lalu mereka meninggalkan bandar mereka dan mengikut Yesus melalui jalan darat. Apabila Yesus turun dari perahu dan melihat orang ramai itu, Dia mengasihi mereka dan menyembuhkan orang sakit di situ.” (Matius 14:13-14)

“...berita tentang Yesus semakin tersebar luas. Banyak orang datang untuk mendengar Dia dan untuk disembuhkan daripada penyakit mereka. Tetapi Yesus pergi ke tempat yang sunyi dan berdoa.” (Lukas 5:15-16)

Hari ini kami pergi menaiki Gunung Singai di Bau, Lundu untuk membuat refleksi diri sendiri berdasarkan Firman Tuhan. Tempat itu sungguh indah sekali. Ia dikelilingi oleh tumbuhan-tumbuhan yang hijau, cuaca yang agak sejuk, udara yang segar dan jauh daripada kebisingan dan kesibukan kota – sangat tenang. Itulah pengalaman yang saya dapat apabila menaiki tempat yang tinggi kerana disana selalunya sunyi dan sesuai untuk menenangkan diri. Di situ juga saya dapat menfokuskan hati saya kepada Tuhan sepenuhnya (dan bukannya tentang hal lain).

Kita selalu berfikir bahawa Tuhan akan sangat bersukacita apabila kita terus menerus tanpa henti melayan Dia. Kita berpendapat bahawa Tuhan akan dimuliakan apabila kita melakukan pekerjaanNya setiap masa, 24 jam. Baik tapi sangat berbahaya. Benar tapi tidak kekal. Bagus tapi berisiko. Lihatlah Yesus, dalam kemanusiaanNya Dia memberi contoh hidup yang sangat memuliakan Tuhan. HidupNya seimbang – bersosial dan bersendirian, bertindak dan berfikir, melakukan misi dan merenungkan Firman. Dia bekerja keras untuk menolong orang, tapi Dia juga mengambil masa untuk berehat. Keseimbangan ini membolehkan Dia sentiasa terbuka untuk mendengar perintah Bapa dan dapat mengelakkan Diri daripada tekanan atau kehendak manusia.

Keseimbangan dapat memberikan kita ketenangan apabila kita menyedari bahawa kita tidak perlu melakukan segala-galanya – hanya perkara yang Tuhan mahukan dalam hidup kita. Yesus tidak habis menyembuhkan penyakit semua orang, tapi Dia habis melakukan apa yang Bapa mahukan dalam hidup Dia (mati di kayu salib bagi semua dosa manusia dan bangkit semula selepas 3 hari). Yesus ialah yang paling sibuk (malah lebih sibuk daripada kamu dan saya). Ramai orang datang untuk mendengar Dia berfirman, ramai yang datang untuk melihat Dia melakukan mukjizat, ramai yang datang untuk disembuhkanNya, tetapi Dia tetap mengambil masa “untuk pergi ke tempat sunyi.” Kamu pula bagaimana?

Kawan, kita perlukan keseimbangan dalam hidup ini. Tidak melakukan sesuatu terlalu cepat sehinggakan kita tidak mendengar panggilan Tuhan, tetapi tidak juga terlalu lambat sehingga kita terlepas peluang yang Tuhan berikan kepada kita. Keseimbangan membolehkan kita mendengar dan melihat peluang yang Tuhan berikan kepada kita. Keseimbangan membolehkan kita membuka hati untuk menerima bimbingan Roh Kudus.

Kawan, adakah kamu hidup dalam keseimbangan? Lihatlah Yesus, Dia, “pergi ke tempat yang sunyi dan berdoa”.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP. 

Slow Down oh My Soul

“What I do today is important
because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it” (Unknown).

Admittedly, it’s hard for me to be consistent in my fellowship with the Lord. To be frank, I don’t have it all figured out.  And surely I have my own struggles with Christian living and disciplines. But one thing that I’m very assured of is that – I have, by God’s grace, a relationship with the Lord. Yet embarrassingly many Christians including myself often neglect to cultivate or to renew that relationship every day. We are in the state of, what most accurate and condense language of today called – busyness. The archenemy of intimate divine relationship with the Lord is busyness. Busyness that is closely tied to worldliness – getting caught up with this society’s agenda, objectives and activities to the neglect walking with the Lord.

Busyness in your life overcrowds your mental resources, leaving no possibility for the quiet moment with the Lord. Mountain of assignments and workloads, hundreds of responsibilities, gathering of properties, achieving dreams, aim for worldly successes, etc. all these though are not evil in itself have robbed your time with the Lord God Almighty. You got to stop! Slowing down… rest and pause – stop! God wants to speak to you. God want to guide and refresh you. The Lord wants a fellowship, an intimate relationship with you, but you will never recognize it until you slow down and allow time for Him. Psalm 39:6 says, “We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing”. Therefore, slowing down will ya?

Slowing down to pray. Slowing down to listen. Slowing down to cultivate relationship. Set aside time for the Lord. Not leftover time, not throwaway time, but quality time. Time for contemplation, meditation and reflection. Unhurried, uninterrupted time. Bill Hybels in his book Too Busy Not to Pray writes, “You can’t become an authentic Christian on a diet of constant activity, even if the activity is all church related. Strength comes out of solitude. Decisions that change the entire course of your life usually come out of the Holy of Holies.” The fact is: God don’t need you, you need God. Therefore, come to Him for Life. Give up your best time for the Lord. You’ll never regret it!

Psalm 103(NLT)

“LORD, my heart is not proud;

My eyes are not haughty.

I don’t concern myself with matters too great

Or too awesome for me to grasp.

Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,

Like a weaned child who no longer cries

For its mother’s milk.

Yes, like a weaned child is my soul

Within me.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD –

Now and always.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.