Dear...
'..."Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
Matthew 3:2
'But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your
prayers.'
1 Peter 4:7
Some of you have through the years asked me "how I cooked" my thoughts? It is
indeed a wonder that one can write endlessly these past eight years, week in,
week out and sometimes, in my moments of Spirit led inspiration, thrice a week.
Common wisdom tells us that too much of a good thing is not good, but where it
concerns God and His love, and where I am just the pen, and He is the author,
abundance is a blessing.
'O God, You have taught me from my youth, And to this day I declare Your
wondrous works. Now also when I am old an grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is
to come.'
Psalm 71:17-18
The title for this sharing "Going home" popped in my head as I was brushing my
teeth three mornings back. My dentist whom I visited that same morning, hence
the extra diligence in my brushing, interestingly mentioned that the teeth is
probably the few parts of our anatomy that need not deteriorate with age, as
unlike other parts of the body which needs intrusive action, for with our teeth,
a simple opening of our mouth will do the trick for a trained practitioner, in
this case, the dentist to bring it up to shape, provided that we the owner of
these rows of ivory-like grinders,chewers and chompers are prepared to practice
good dental health.
'...Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have practiced deceit.
The poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness...'
Romans 3:13-14
My dentist told me that this latest examination was the best in terms of my
effort at keeping my dental health. Not perfect, but passable compared to many
of her patients.
What about our obedience to God's call? When it is time for Him to open the Book
of Life, would our personal life be one that is embarrassingly close to the
snake pit described in Romans 3:13-14?
Death is a given. It is a matter of when and how that is yet to be revealed. But
death need not also be a given should Christ return tomorrow. But till then,
many of us could still be brought home by the Lord before His return to Earth.
Would I be like the Apostle Paul who looked forward to being home with Christ?
'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!...Therefore bear fruits worthy of
repentance..'
Matthew 3:2,8
Being still the imperfect man, I must admit that I still have desires to be
living in this difficult world. Be it because of my love ones, my "toys" or
simply, death's grip upon me, though much loosened is still there. But it is
more than that. It is the question that I still cannot answer unequivocably,
"have I truly lived out my life as a living sacrifice to our Almighty God?'
'If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.'
2 Corinthians 5:17
Just this morning, a dear sister in Christ text me on the condition of her love
one. Short of a miracle, the finality of life is a likely conclusion. But God
has taught me and all who seek Him that our prayers if asked in His will, will
be answered. But is 'not going home' to be with the Lord His will? I am not sure
about that, but what I am certain of is that in all circumstances, God has a
purpose for our good, and "to be made ready" when Christ returns, or for some,
when we are asked to "go home" that we are ready to meet Christ, is His plan for
all, and indeed, Spiritual healing must take precedence over physical healing,
for the latter is about our finite life on earth, the former is about eternity
with God.
The same morning that the thought "going home" was impressed upon me, I also
felt this slight loss of hearing, as if my head is waterlogged. Not too sure if
it has to do with my swimming the night before, but the possible specter of a
tumor in my head did surface briefly. And not without cause as some might recall
a few years back in my past sharing when I spoke about the buzz in my head and
God's grace in healing me when I trusted in Him.
Much as it is a fact that we are all mortal and physical death is a matter of
time. I believe that my first reaction would be my imperfect self of fear, anger
and despair, if ever told that the sand in the hourglass of my life is nearing
its end. But prayerfully, by then, I would have experienced an even deeper
relationship with God our Father that
- I will learn to let go of these reactions of the imperfect natural man and
quickly will myself to come unto His presence and wait upon Him
- honor Him even more in my few remaining days
- be glad to have glorified Him in my days pasts and be blessed to point even
more people towards Him, the author and finisher of our faith.
- and be thankful that His Spirit corrected and my spirit responded in my many
indiscretions, so that I can look to God and receive His praise.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(28th Feb 2011)
Taking flight
We are all refugees, for the world is not our home, but the Kingdom of God is.
Might not make sense to many at this moment, but what might make sense at the
carnal level is that one's comfy life need not necessary remain the same
forever. As the world shakes even more, many more are being bumped off their
comfort zone.
Today, many once guest workers in Libya are taking flight. And when one see the
difference in avenues of escape between those from the wealthier countries and
those from the much poorer ones,it reminds one of the inequality of life.
On this, a long lost friend from 30 years back bumped into me in Dec and he was
sharing his story of his great escape during the closure of the Bangkok Airport
during the political unrest. He was fortunate to obtain a seat on a coach
arranged by one of the Western governments. But sadly, when food and drinks were
distributed for the arduous road journey ahead, none was given to the non
Caucasians, much as there was suffice to go round. Is this discrimination and
selfishness not being played out currently, and to be fair, human selfishness is
a disease common to all irregardless of race or other man defined
differentiator?
As a professed believer and follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are asked and
commanded to be different from the world, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
To move from mere mouthing to truly living out this dictum from God, will
require a period of 'practice' or more like, a transformation of our heart from
the carnal to the spiritual.
The days are with us, for clearly, the End Times are intensifying. Many more are
going home, but know not where home is for they do not know the love of God.
Will we who are blessed be willing to be made ready by the Spirit of God, so
that He can use us to journey with these travelers who are about to disembark?
'Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.'
Galatians 6:2
And for some who are bemused by the impeccable pairing of the opening two verses
in this sharing, as always, God provides and truly as i dithered a little as to
the choice of sharing, He brought me to the 2nd verse "1 Peter 4:7 and all
doubts were erased.
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