Crossroads...

Hey guys, its really cool that we've gotten down to blogging and keeping up with each other since not all of us (me especially) can make it for the weekly Bible study due to work, studies etc. I'm also happy to be one of the first to pen or should I say type my thoughts and weekly reflections.

I sincerely hope that all of you will be encouraged as you spent 5-10mins a day doing your ODB readings and reflections. My quiet times are usually on the half an hour bus rides to school every morning. I find the peace and quiet on my daily bus 156 journeys to read my ODB and to pray for thoughts and lessons that I remember.

I remember towards the end of 2007, the prospect of a new Young Adult Ministry starting was contemplated and I was excited that there would be a place like YAM where people like us could hang out and to be found encouraged. Things that were discussed before the starting of YAM if I remember correctly were on how individuals going through the Young Adult stage usually go through crossroads and challenges in life. Major decisions with major consequences or should I say outcomes would usually occur during this stage of life and YAM would then be concerned with helping the YA see and make those major decisions from the perspective of how God would view things. Little did I know that I was headed straight into a major crossroad that has turn my life around.

Some of you who know me personally would know that the past 2 months has been a really trying period in my life. First of all, I want to thank you all for being there for me during this time, praying for me, spending time with me and helping me look to the Lord for His plans instead of seeking my own understanding on matters. One thing that has kept me going has been my daily devotions using the ODB booklet. Unlike the other Christian books I am reading, it doesn't take more than 3mins to read the day's reading for ODB. I have also come to find alot of the readings very timely. It was as though when I was searching for answers, the ODB reading for that day was written just for me. Everytime that happened, I remembered my little brother Irwin's favourite tag line 'IN YOUR FACE!!' ha.

One recent reading that I would like to share would be on March 24th Monday. The Bible Passage for the day was taken from Galatians 6:14.

Gal. 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The reading was talking about how people wear crosses on their necks or as earrings either for decorative purposes or as a representation of their personal faith. The writer goes on to mention how the cross is actually a shameful instrument of execution meant only for the worst criminals of Jesus's time. It was also there on the shameful cross where our Lord Jesus gave his life for us. What really got me thinking was what the writer wrote in the end portion about how even though wearing a physical cross on ourselves maybe a challenging mark of discipleship, far more challenging is our Lord's command in Luke 9:23 to deny ourselves, pick up the cross daily and follow Him.

Luke 9:23 ¶ Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

This quiet time reading reminded me that as I go through the crossroads of life, I need to learn how to trust the Lord in Obedience just as Jesus did to pick up my cross daily to follow him. 'Crossroads' now have a new meaning to me, I see the word as 'Cross'-roads which indicate my journey with the Lord through struggles, always being mindful of carrying my cross to follow Him wherever He leads.

I trust that we will continue to spend our quiet moments with our Lord and be encouraged by each others presence. Just a song to share with all of you before I sign off...

Take My Hand - The Kry

Verse 1
I know there are times
your dreams turn to dust
you wonder as you cry
why it has to hurt so much
give Me all your sadness
someday you will know the reason why
with a child-like heart
simply put your hope in Me

[ CHORUS ]
Take My hand and walk where I lead
Keep your eyes on Me alone
don't you say why were
the old days better
just because you're
scared of the unknown
Take My hand and walk where I lead
you will never be alone
Faith is to be sure of what you hope for
and the evidence of things unseen
so take my hand and walk

Don't live in the past
cause yesterday's gone
wishing memories would last
you're afraid to carry on
you don't know what's comin'
but you know the one who holds tomorrow
I will be your guide
take you through the night
if you keep your eyes on Me

Take my hand and walk where I lead
Keep your eyes on me alone
don't you say why were
the old days better
just because you're
scared of the unknown
Take my hand and walk where I lead
you will never be alone
Faith is to be sure of what you hope for
and the evidence of things unseen
so take my hand and walk

(Bridge)
Just like a child
holdings daddy's hand
don't let go of mine
you know you can't stand
on your own


Hope to see you guys soon!

Ian