Some blame God; some blame themselves. Others deny reality or repress their true feelings; yet others hate themselves for deserving such a fate. We end up in a mishmash of emotional turmoil, and in desperation we turn to God to rescue us from our hopeless state. We implore Him for a miracle to quickly deliver us from our suffering. Most times we don't get miracles, and God seems silent. We want to scream on top of our voices or tear at our hair, begging Him for a relief.

In times like these, our faith gets tested. Oswald Chambers says. "Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of unsyllabled isolation. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him – I will remain true to God's character whatever He may do." But God will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can bear. If we pray for courage and strength to bear the unbearable, for His grace to remember what we have left instead of what we have lost, then very often, He answers those prayers. It is such times that we discover we have more strength, more courage. Our prayers help us find the strength and courage we need. Our prayers express our utter dependence upon God. We are able to tap into the hidden reserves of faith and courage because we know we have nowhere else, no one else to turn to except GOD!

We can continue to ask God many ‘why' questions. But we know some may never be answered in our lifetime. Kosti Tolonen, a Finnish writer says, "It is not that our prayers are not answered, it is that we do not accept the answer." And believe it or not, sometimes more tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.

In his book WHEN GOD DOESN'T ANSWER YOUR PRAYER, Jerry Sittser says , "God does know everything, including everything about us. Perhaps that is the true and final answer to the question of unanswered prayer. We might never know why God doesn't answer our prayers. God may seem as distant as eternity, as unfair as evil, and as incomprehensible as infinity. But he is still God – good, powerful and wise. God is the great initiator, even when we pray. He answers the prayers of the heart because he is the one who put them there in the first place and then called them forth."

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The ten spies sent into Canaan, apart from Joshua and Caleb, returned with a report of how big and powerful the inhabitants were. Out of fear, they started to speak negatively into the situation. They somehow forgot that their leader, Moses had sent them to spy out the land (v17-20) but not to make decision on whether they should take possession based on their observation. The LORD had earlier promised to bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey. God's idea was for them to possess the land!

However, instead of excited anticipation of what God is about to do, ten out of the 12 Israelites who spied the land reacted in fear. From this incident, we can learn a few things about fear:

• Fear is both stifling and paralyzing. Without even giving it an attempt, they had already decided that they could not attack the inhabitants of Canaan and they deemed themselves as grasshoppers!

• Fear is infectious and it can cause dissension amongst those who hear it. The Israelites were ready to stone Moses who had led them out of Egypt and had been used by God to work many miracles before their eyes.

• Fear causes people to be disobedient to God and to reject Him. "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?" (Num 14:11). The fruit of fear is disaster. The ten spies who returned with bad reports were struck down and they died of plague (Num 14:37).

In a world marred by turmoil, terrorism, recession, high oil prices and diseases, we are susceptible to fear. Left unchecked, fear will plague us, easily overtake us and even strike us down. But we need to keep focus with our unchanging God and look beyond these circumstances with eyes of faith. May we confidently echo Daniel's declaration, "..our God whom we serve is able to deliver us..." (Dan 3:17)

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The result? Many Christians today live no differently from their non-Christian counterparts. There is a tendency to ‘play safe' and avoid the risk of marching to a different drum beat. Consequently, a compromise and erosion of Christian convictions. Many who profess to be Christians are being subtly pressed into the world's mould, be it in their homes, schools or work places. And if they ever find the time to ponder and reflect, many are actually horrified at the sorry state of their status as the light and salt of the earth!

When Jesus taught His disciples the way they should live, He called them to a totally different kind of response to their daily life situations. In His Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5: 1-12), Jesus placed utmost importance in the heart attitude of His disciples. In order to live out the beatitudes and experience real blessedness, we have to intentionally choose death to self and live differently. By doing that we can actually prod our world towards a better alternative – living out God's kingdom principles and reaping its rewards even while we are still here on this earth!

To intentionally choose the better alternative, we need to re-focus. Instead of a ‘quick-fix' life that demands instant answers or success at whatever the cost, we need to define what success in life is all about. Our success in life is not about making a great decision once but making smaller, righteous decisions over a long period of time.

Is this ever possible? Only by the grace of God. God not only provides us the grace and strength to exemplify the better alternative to our world today but He honours that kind of living. Wouldn't it be phenomenal if others around us looking at how Christians live, cannot help but exclaim, "That kind of life cannot be explained unless there is a God!"

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As Christian parents, entrusted with the stewardship of children, we actually face a very subtle threat that is greater than the dangers of war and the erosion of safety in our public places. Focus On The Family has this to say:

What is the greatest threat to passing our religious heritage and traditions and training on to our children? In a word – negligence. Our days are filled with activity and responsibility. We live at such a fast pace that it is difficult even to think about the spiritual development of our children, let alone direct it. Most of us take our kids to church and hope that the forty-five minute lesson in Sunday school will get the job done. Deep within, however, we know it isn't enough.

Every parent seeks to maximize the chances for each child to achieve success and happiness in life. That is the goal. But how do we do it? Where do we go for advice and guidance?

We start with advice from the only perfect parent – God Himself. The Bible contains directives and guidelines with regard to parenting. God has revealed some things about our children and about giving a solid heritage to the next generation. It is upon these clear, biblical principles that parents should build the foundation to help their children survive and thrive in a mixed-up world.

This article is from Focus on the Family Malaysia. For further information, kindly go to: www.family.org.my

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There's really no end to what we should do or be to be judged competent by the world. What's really frightening is that, they tell us, if we don't do our job, our children will develop "problems". They say the drop-outs or the junkies are the results of fatherly neglect.

Oh yes, we know we need to give our kids quality time. We need to be dads whom the kids can talk to if not unload emotionally. We need to mentor and discipline them. Oh yes, of course, we need to be champions and heroes for them.

We fathers don't really dispute what we should be or do. We don't care even if we are treated as mere human ATMs. What we really ask for is that the world should acquaint themselves to the heart of the father before making any judgment. (I am not talking about errant fathers here).

A father's heart is committed to his offspring to give roots to grow and wings to fly and will never relinquish that no matter what. We often mistook the "quiet storm" type father as uninterested or uninvolved. But this kind of fathers works silently but furiously in their heads - thinking, evaluating, weighing the pros and the cons, doing it all for the best of the family. But whether appreciated or not, fathers just plod on the best they know how for the family.

Fathers also forgive faster than their children can ask for forgiveness. A father's love is boundless and undying. Fathers do not hesitate when they are called to make the ultimate sacrifice for their children. We know it is there when we see on the billboard "Have you seen Sharlini?" across the country. If she were our daughter and if we could find our girl by going around the world on our knees we would do just that.

Perhaps the same can be said of mothers. But unlike mothers, we fathers don't really buy those nicely phrased words on Fathers' Day. We are too objective in our make up to be flattered with words on a calendar event. But we do savour them when they come from the heart.

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Then it started to rain, day after day, like the world was about to be washed away for good. I stepped out after one dramatic shower hoping to spot a rainbow, and saw instead beds of green like soft carpet on the surface of my pots, just like the Serengeti come alive after the spring rains!

Because green growing things are a pleasure to behold, I stared at the miracle in my pots.

Green growing things, especially when they arise out of dusty, dying soil, whisper, as Hamlet sighed to Horatio, that there are more things in heaven and earth than dreamt of in the wisdom of man. I know very little about what makes life grow out of death, but I believe it is linked to an ancient promise the Living God made to an obedient old man early in the history of my salvation. That's probably why I am drawn to the sky after a downpour, anticipating a rainbow in the sky.

Looking at my pots, I had no idea what seeds I had planted in them or casually thrown in them, nor when I had done so. I might have hoped that something would bud one day, because green growing things are a pleasure to behold.

But I was negligent about tending to those seeds, and negligence led naturally to forgetfulness. They became buried in my remembrance just as they lay buried in dying sand. One day, though, in spite of my forgetfulness, something sprouted.

The muddled prince of Denmark was right about the finiteness of human philosophy. It's a paltry thing in the light of the ancient wisdom of God Almighty. We have not sight to encompass so broad a vista as life. Therefore, isn't it good that we are a chosen people belonging to God to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light?

What is that hidden force that makes dying things sprout life though they lie in the grave of carelessness? Hamlet hadn't a name for it, but Scripture calls it grace, sometimes, mercy. And because YHWH is alive, amazing shall His grace ever be. Blessed be God Almighty Who tenderly watches over the planting of His Hands.

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At work, they are plagued by pressing deadlines, impossible revenue targets, unreasonable and demanding employers. The Christian finds that besides work demands, there are worship services on Sundays, prayer meetings, cell groups, choir practices, seminars, retreats, committee/fellowship meetings, etc... the list seems endless. Work often continues if they have to help their kids with mountains of homework. The daily routine of the busy, harried breadwinner is dictated by social and school pressures. It's a wonder they ever find time to rest and recuperate before the vicious cycle starts again! And like it or not, most of us in one way or another, fall into this unsuspecting trap!

Even on holidays, we deliberately plan to get away from the maddening crowd, but more often than not, the planning takes so much of our time and energy that we cannot even enjoy our vacation. This pressuring need to conform to structure and regiment unwittingly haunts and suffocates us, taking the joy out of a supposedly pleasurable pursuit. How can we find rest and repose in this results-driven, fast-paced world which subscribes to the notion that inertia equals lack of productivity?

In the creation story, when God "...finished his work which he had done," He "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done" (Gen. 2:1-3). It's not that God needed to recuperate. He just stopped and ended his creative activity on the seventh day. He rested because his work was complete. ‘SABBATH' in Hebrew means ‘TO STOP, TO CEASE FROM WORK.' The Creator God, by His resting, modelled for us the divine rhythm of work and rest. It speaks of peacefulness, joy and satisfaction that comes from completing a work. Rest is therefore woven into the fabric of creation, and until and unless we are able to find this rest, our hearts will remain restless. St Augustine, in his classic work CONFESSIONS wrote ‘thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless till they rest in thee.' The image of a godly man is not one who is always busy but one who is faithful. Jesus says, "If you abide in me you will bear much fruit" (John 15:5). Indeed the child of God is known by his fruits.

W. H. Davies, the Welsh poet-writer ended his poem with these poignant lines.... A poor life this is if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare

Our desire is to live wholesome, wholistic and balanced lives, safely anchored in Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the only One who can keep us in perfect peace if our minds are stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3), the only One who offers rest to the weary when He says, "come... all who are weary and burdened... and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28)

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How do we overcome loneliness or find meaningful companionship? It begins with a deep revelation of God's love. Paul prayed that we "may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph 3:18-19).

Experiencing the sacrificial love of Jesus heals us. It shows us how precious we are, how intimately He knows us (Ps 139). God tells us repeatedly that He will never leave us or forsake us because of His faithfulness and mercy (Deut 31:6.8; Jos 1:5; Heb 13:5). Our God is always with us.

How do we then respond to such love? The answer is in Jesus' teaching of the two greatest commandments: to "…love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength", and to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mk 12:29-31). Jesus challenges us further – to love others as He loves us (Jhn 13:34).

To love is to reach out to others, to include them in our lives, to extend beyond thinking of ourselves. It means loving our families, for that is where God sets us (Ps 68:6). It means we stop wearing masks, stop pretending to be perfect. God shows us how to love others – not selfishly, but sacrificially, not because people ‘deserve' it but because they are precious to God. As we bathe in God's love, and humbly demonstrate His mercy to others, we find true companionship.

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And if I never told you
I wanna you to know
That as I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings

May passion be the wind that leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments that make your life so sweet
But more that memories

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots and help you find your wings

It's not living with you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer

Thank you Mothers for all that you have done for us. May God bless you richly on this special day!

In this journey towards that oneness, each one is constantly aware of the Lord doing that deep work in their lives. In a way, the couple not only loses their personal rights but also their personal identities. In that process of losing their personal identities, both identities merge into one, not only in status but in every aspect of their lives as decisions now affect ‘US', not only ‘ME'. In that place of oneness, we actually complete the lack or complement the strength of the other. Loads are pulled and shared together, as the marriage is likened to a yoke holding two individuals in Christ.

In the marriage covenant, the One who is the foundation, holding and sealing that bond is Christ. The couple works in partnership with Christ and each other. They actually enter into a partnership and an exciting adventure – an adventure that is filled with excitement, hardships, tears, joy or pain. In this colourful journey of being one, there is a lot of work to do. As couples, there are weaknesses and strengths in each other. In that process of being one with each other, some of the ingredients needed are honesty, accountability, forgiveness, grace, understanding, patience, trust and love.

This same principle applies when the Lord wants to work on our lives so that we be the man or woman that He desires us to be. How then do we respond? Wholeheartedly or do we put up a struggle? The secret is a complete abandonment and surrender to Him being the Lord over our lives and working with His Holy Spirit.

A husband and wife are one as Christ and the Spirit are one. In our desire to be One with Him as individuals, do we see ourselves through His eyes and allow Him to make us that man or woman that He desires us to be resulting in complete fullness and complete oneness….ONE WITH CHRIST!

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But in God's vocabulary, "one" denotes the Trinity. Hence, it means a partnership, a working together, being in a community, in relationship with one another.

Being one with Christ to know His heart, mind and will is something that He desires in a relationship with Him. How do we then come to this place of oneness in Christ? First and foremost, being one with Him means dying to the flesh. Our flesh represents our wants, our selfish desires, our own agendas and our pride.

In Mark 8:34, Christ commands that we take up our cross. When we do that, we die daily to self. It is in that place of intimacy with Him, that our self diminishes when His Word and Spirit reveals and exposes the wickedness of our hearts. It is also in that closeness of wanting to please Him, that the fruit of our love is seen in our obedience to Him. But it isn't an easy walk! In wanting to obey Him in all areas of our lives, obedience is an act of faith. And that act of faith is literally jumping into His arms in complete abandonment because we trust in His perfect love for us. How many times when we are at the crossroads of our lives, either in a financial, family, career or relationship situation, are we willing to jump into His arms? Do we only jump into His arms when all things match our conditions? Do we trust Him only when the future looks rosy and secure?

Being one is such an exciting adventure with God. It's a partnership, a covenant between a Father and a child. It is like a marriage union between a husband and a wife. It is a place of completeness and perfection which is a journey. (To be continued ...)

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Psalm 2 paints us a picture of a world bent on getting rid of God. The world then and the world today have not changed a bit. The nations are still trying to rid itself of God and all interference from Him. That is because they hate restrictions. They despise absolutes. They want flexibility when it comes to standard of conduct and morality. To them God and His ways are "chains" and "fetters" mentioned in the Psalm.

Psalm 2 shows the people rallying together, conniving and conspiring against "the Lord and His anointed." These people were highly impressive. They were numerous ("nations" and "peoples") and prominent ("kings" and "rulers"). They possessed the wealth of the world. They had their machineries in place. They commanded the armies trained to kill and destroy. Today the people aligned against God and His church are equally impressive. They run the school systems and they rule in the market places. They direct the advances of science and technology.

God's reaction to the rich and powerful, the movers and shakers of the earth, is categorically stated: "The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them." God laughs. In His laughter perspective is restored. There is such a thing as taking the world's arrogance too seriously. There is really no need to tremble in fear before the world's mighty. His laughter opens us to a world far larger than the worlds of kings and princes, prime ministers and presidents, far larger than the worlds reported by newspaper and television. In His laughter we learn that the "inside is bigger than the outside," and that God is sovereign over the nations.

Adapted from Answering God by Eugene Peterson

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One reason is that the world is disappointing to most people. In every domain of life, we see nothing but problems: low wages and high prices, hypocrisy, injustice, political immorality, discrimination, lack of integrity... the list goes on. Making a living has replaced making a life, and searching after new schemes and methods has replaced discovering truth and building character. Our mechanical and impersonal world leaves us little time to pause, contemplate and wonder. Unlike a child—he lives in a world of wonder because he stands still and watches and ponders. True wonder is not based on ignorance but upon knowledge. The more we know, the more we wonder; and wonder grows deeper when knowledge increases.

Do we then need wonder in our lives? We definitely do! Without it, life becomes bland and blind; dull and dead. Those who walk with God by faith know the meaning of wonder. Wonder comes when we walk with Him in obedience and consecration. This daily exercise sharpens our spiritual senses. Our values begin to change and our vision sharpens. Wonder is indeed a liberating experience! It breaks the monotony of daily dullness and calls the believer to a life of faith, love and hope.

The believer sees God's wonder in seemingly little things—in a dew-laden flower, a cheerful chirping bird or an innocent baby's smile. Little things become big when they are touched by the wonder of God. It is also seen in big things such as the courage to say "no" or the strength to keep going when the road is difficult. This life of wonder is offered by our Lord Jesus Christ, because His name is Wonderful! Wonderful in every sense of the word! And only in this wonderful and awesome God can we be complete and find rest from our strife and labour. When God seizes and captures us with His wonder, we can, like the hymn writer say "...O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder"... and declare definitively "... how great Thou art"!

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One reason is that the world is disappointing to most people. In every domain of life, we see nothing but problems: low wages and high prices, hypocrisy, injustice, political immorality, discrimination, lack of integrity... the list goes on. Making a living has replaced making a life, and searching after new schemes and methods has replaced discovering truth and building character. Our mechanical and impersonal world leaves us little time to pause, contemplate and wonder. Unlike a child—he lives in a world of wonder because he stands still and watches and ponders. True wonder is not based on ignorance but upon knowledge. The more we know, the more we wonder; and wonder grows deeper when knowledge increases.

Do we then need wonder in our lives? We definitely do! Without it, life becomes bland and blind; dull and dead. Those who walk with God by faith know the meaning of wonder. Wonder comes when we walk with Him in obedience and consecration. This daily exercise sharpens our spiritual senses. Our values begin to change and our vision sharpens. Wonder is indeed a liberating experience! It breaks the monotony of daily dullness and calls the believer to a life of faith, love and hope.

The believer sees God's wonder in seemingly little things—in a dew-laden flower, a cheerful chirping bird or an innocent baby's smile. Little things become big when they are touched by the wonder of God. It is also seen in big things such as the courage to say "no" or the strength to keep going when the road is difficult. This life of wonder is offered by our Lord Jesus Christ, because His name is Wonderful! Wonderful in every sense of the word! And only in this wonderful and awesome God can we be complete and find rest from our strife and labour. When God seizes and captures us with His wonder, we can, like the hymn writer say "...O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder"... and declare definitively "... how great Thou art"!

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Obviously, the world Jesus meant comprises our work place, the residential neighborhood, the place of recreational facilities which also includes the sports arena. Some people are not interested to go to church these days. There are too many distractions outside. Entertainment outside of the church seems to get the upper hand in people's lives. So, putting a signboard "ALL ARE WELCOME" at the entrance of our church does not bring in the people.

Instead, take a ball to a playground full of children and toss it out. In no time at all you will see a whole bunch of kids running after it and kicking about. No invitation is needed. Greeting our neighbours," Mr Chong, Good Morning" or "Encik Ali, how do you do?", exchanging plants with Mr Gopal, your next door neighbor or just going for ‘teh tarik' with a friend is not a hard thing to do. The amazing thing is that, it is in this setting that we have the greatest opportunity to share the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I took my son out to play football at the neighborhood field 5 years ago and now I am involved in the work of community transformation through sports. We need to pray and keep a look out for opportunities wherever we are. Start by building relationship and friendship with people around you. Live a life of witness unto the Lord and He will eventually open the doors for you to share His love. The person God will use, is the one who is available — YOU.

Ps Philip Devadas

Find out more about reaching out to friends in the upcoming FGA Family Sports

Let us reflect on this hymn and allow it to challenge us even as we celebrate Easter this day.

The Old Rugged Cross (By George Bennard)

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff'ring and shame;
And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Chorus: So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.

Have a Blessed Easter!

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