moo has a journalling bible, and he says it really helps him really think about what he's reading by writing down stuff, and it organises his thoughts as well, so hmm... if i'm procrastinating from doing english (the irony) might as well do something... meaningful XD

was reading philemon today and this verse really struck me:
Philemon 1:6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

to be active implies enthusiasm, and it's out of a strong desire to do so - not because we are called to do so, but because we want to. and the thing is, "sharing your faith" goes beyond just sharing the gospel, from reading the second half of the verse. it seems that paul isn't just referring to the gospel, but to sharing what we have gained from our faith - the ability to love others selflessly, and our overflowing joy. and then you tie it back to the word active, and you get: actively loving others selflessly (not just a select few, but every single individual) and actively (consciously) being joyful. some may argue that to consciously be joyful defeats the purpose of joy, but i think a conscious and deliberate, yet true joy, is the most comforting and lasting (eternal =D) joy of all XD

and so if, and only if, we are active in sharing our faith, may we have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. to me it makes sense, because sharing the gospel means we understand the awesome wonderful message and what Christ has done for us, but it is only through loving others and joyfully serving that it really starts to dawn on you how much God has changed your life - it becomes a deeply personal, individual, and life-changing epiphany, and the thing is, every single day you walk with God you understand more and more.

sometimes i forget, but especially when reading verses like this, God reminds me that in the end, nothing i do is out of my own strength. it is only because of His mercy that i am justified by His grace (Titus 3:5-7), it is His love that compels me (2 Corinthians 5:14) and it just makes it so amazing that God gave me all these good things first, even before i understood them, and all along the way is patiently and lovingly guiding me as bit by bit, i slowly discover just how great and awesome He is =]

dear God, i just pray we will never lose sight of your word and remember that in the end it's all about you, not any one of us. Lord i pray for LW, i thank you that she loves you and works so hard to serve you, but i just pray that you may soften her heart to advice and guidance, that she might not be so headstrong and insist on her views and ways, that she may be able to see that it's not all about what she can do and all the things she does, but understand that whatever she does is to glorify you Lord. At the same time, i pray for us in ISCF, that we may reach out to her lovingly and with tolerance, that we handle the situation in the way that you would wish. Father i pray for EL, i thank you that she's so eager and enthusiastic about you, and i pray that you may continue to guide her in maturity and understanding, that you will ground her firmly in your word and really bring her up under your love so that although she isn't ready yet, by the time the year 12s leave she will be able to devote herself to serving you within ISCF. i pray for my year 9/10 FOCUS girls, that although they may have their differences, that in Christ they may learn to be tolerant and to love one another. i pray that with your love you will heal those who have been hurt by hateful words and betrayal, and i thank you that you have given them an opportunity to come together despite their differences and to learn about you together, and i pray that you will continue to work in their hearts and transform them. i also pray for VH, and i just thank you so so so much for all that you have given her and for giving me such a wonderful awesome friend, and i pray that in this time of difficulty you may help her make the right decisions and to deal with time management and prioritising. Father, please help her to honour her parents and whatever happens, i know that everything will work out in the end, that you will be able to provide for all the FOCUS groups and that there will always be a solution. and please help us remember that however daunting the obstacles we are facing might seem, they really are nothing compared to what you have already helped us to overcome through your selfless love - you have conquered sin and death, and so all that currently troubles us at ISCF is merely grains of sand. i pray for senior FOCUS tomorrow, that despite the current turmoil people will still be able to learn about you; i pray that you will give me wisdom to teach faithfully and true to your word, that through me you will reach out to those who come and really touch them and bless them. lastly, i pray for the upcoming church service next thursday, and i thank you that although preparations are always so last minute, that God you are awesome and it always comes together because you are in control; and i just pray for EF that his talk on hope may touch the people who attend, and that you may soften the hearts of non-Christians who will be there that they may appreciate for the first time just how great you are. i pray for time management with the music team and coordination of rehearsals, and that all we do is to honour you Lord and not ourselves, and i pray that you will always help us remember that. really really thank you Father for loving me so much and always being there for me, and i just pray that in the following week as event follows event that you may continue to help me grow in you, to joyfully serve you, and to selflessly love all those that are around me =]