Category: Headline

Raising Kids: Jethro's Sunday School Creations

On November 21, 2009

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

I am always excited to ask my four year old son what activities he did at Hillsong Kid’s Church. Sunday by Sunday, he has that prominent expectation and enormous excitement to go. He has developed that sense of connection with other kids, volunteers and leaders at his Sunday school despite the short period of time since we moved here in Sydney only few months ago. How awesome! At his tender, innocent, and very young age, he is now exposed to God’s kingdom. He is now experiencing the goodness of God, the marvelous love of God, and that wonderful personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

I am really grateful to the Lord that I am raising a new generation in my lineage. My son is a Daniel who will defy the odds of what the world refers to as normal. You see, these days, it is normal for kids to be exposed with violent, brutal, and satanic computer games; it is normal for kids to be exposed to lewd, obscene, and indecent materials and shows; and it is normal for kids to shout back, disregard, and dishonor their parents. Praise God, my son is abnormal! I fervently pray that my son will not depart from the Godly values, teaching, and instructions he is now exposed to. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalms 127:3). Let’s embrace our children before this world embrace them.

Jethro’s artworks (captions mine):

I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5) “…observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age! – Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:20)

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9). We’re accustomed to making plans and charting the course of our lives, but it’s good to be reminded that despite our best efforts, it is God who ultimately directs the course and events of our lives.

“I’m forgiven because You were forsaken. I’m accepted, You were condemned.

and I’m alive and well your spirit is within me, because You died and rose again.” lyrics: Amazing Love (You are My King) (Chris Tomlin)

The greatest comfort in the world can be found in God’s promise to forgive all of our sins, no matter how bad. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done; if we confess our sins to God and repent, He will forgive us.

Jethro @ Work:

with his friend John Ray

His creation…masterpiece

fun time @ Hillsong Kid’s Church

How to Get Into Heaven – Something Funny!

By Thor

On November 20, 2009

In Christian jokes, Headline

closed due to rapture

How to Get Into Heaven

A man dies and meets the gatekeeper at the Pearly Gates.The gatekeeper says to the man, “Here’s how it works. You need to have one hundred points to get into heaven. You tell me about all the good things you’ve done. They are all worth a certain number of points. If your total is one hundred or more, you can come in.”

“Well,” says the man. “I was happily married to the same woman for 52 years. I never looked at another woman. I was attentive and loved her dearly.”

“That’s great,” says the gatekeeper. “That’ll be two points.”

“Hmmm,” says the man. “This is going to be harder than I thought. Well, I attended church regularly, volunteered my time and tithed faithfully.”

“Wonderful,” says the gatekeeper, “That’s worth another point.”

“One point!” says the man. “Okay, okay. I was involved with a prison ministry for twenty-five years. I went into the prison, at least monthly, and shared Jesus with them.”

“Wow!” says the gatekeeper. “That’s another two points!”

“Only two points!” says the man. “At this rate, it’ll be by the grace of God that’ll I’ll ever get into this place.”

“Bingo!” says the gatekeeper. “That’s one hundred points! Come on in.”

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (New King James Version)

source: from my inbox

Thoughts on Personal Development

By Thor

On November 12, 2009

In Headline

I came across an article entitled “The Power of Personal Development”. It’s written by Jeffrey Gitomer and was published in the SUCCESS Magazine. He mentioned about Orison Swett Marden, one of the founders of SUCCESS magazine.

According to Gitomer, Marden have authored more than 40 books and was a leading positive-attitude genius of the 20th century. He was well-known before 1930. He was a founding father of personal development and positive thought. I must admit that I never heard about Marden until I read the above article. I am particularly interested in the words of wisdom that was mentioned. The thoughts are really brilliant, direct, and honest. It’s one of those meaty parts of a written work that I can’t wait to swallow it up and meditate its taste to my heart’s content.

Here are a few of Marden’s words of wisdom from the book he wrote in 1908, “He Who Thinks He Can”:

“Every child should be taught to expect success.”

“The man who has learned the art of seeing things looks with his brain.”

“The best educated people are those who are always learning, always absorbing knowledge from every possible source and at every opportunity.”

“People do not realize the immense value of utilizing spare minutes.”

“No substitute has ever yet been discovered for honesty.”

“Poverty is of no value except as a vantage ground for a starting point.”

Who is Orison Swett Marden?

The son of poor parents, he was born in 1850 in Thornton Gore, a New Hampshire hamlet, to Lewis and Martha Marden. His father was a farmer, hunter, and trapper. His mother stayed home and took care of Orison and his two sisters. Orison was a mere 3 years old when his mother died at the age of twenty-two. Though his father was devastated by the loss he did his best to raise his three children and provide for them their basic needs. An unfortunate accident occured in which his father was seriously injured by a fallen tree trunk while setting a bear trap. Soon after the accident Lewis passed away and was buried along side his wife Martha… Read more

Photo from: http://www.infusebooks.com/marden/orison_swett_marden.htm

Nobel winner Slams Bible as 'handbook of bad morals'

By Thor

On November 5, 2009

In Headline

This is appalling. Calling God’s word, the Bible, a “handbook of bad morals”? How could Saramango say that? Did he read the “right” Bible? What’s his motive?

Of course, he is entitled to his opinion. All I can say is this: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

—o00o—

LISBON (AFP) – A row broke out in Portugal on Monday after a Nobel Prize-winning author denounced the Bible as a “handbook of bad morals”.

Speaking at the launch of his new book “Cain”, Jose Saramago, who won the 1998 Nobel Prize for Literature, said society would probably be better off without the Bible.

Roman Catholic Church leaders accused the 86-year-old of a publicity stunt.

The book is an ironic retelling of the Biblical story of Cain, Adam and Eve’s son who killed his younger brother Abel.” Read full story here

PHOTO : José Saramago receiving his Nobel Prize from the hands of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at the Stockholm Concert Hall, 10 December 1998.Copyright © FLT-Pica 1998,SE-105 17 Stockholm, Sweden,Telephone: +46-8-13 52 40 Photo: Anders Wiklund. From http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1998/saramago-photo.html

Love and Time

By Thor

On November 1, 2009

In Headline

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, “Richness, can you take me with you?”Richness answered, “No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.”

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. “Vanity, please help me!””I can’t help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat,” Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, “Sadness, let me go with you.””Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!”

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, “Come, Love, I will take you.” It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going.

When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much was owed the elder, Love asked Knowledge, another elder, “Who Helped me?””It was Time,” Knowledge answered.”Time?” asked Love. “But why did Time help me?”Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is.”

-author unknown