My rambling for Friday morning.

Most of the time, life is joyous journey with the Lord for me. There are
hard times, but I am more of an introverted optimist - with a touch of
Trent's "Otter" & "Retreiver" personality. I view things from a positive point of view,
even in the midst of seemingly negative situations.

Call me naive, but I tend to believe the best until I am very much hurt.

Rick Warren book - Purpose Driven Life, chapter 5 & 6 listed 3 things about life
- Life is a Test, a Trust, a Temporary Asignment

I believe most would not like the first one, "Life is a test." I know it is true, but I don't like it much either. Along list of Bible heroes in Hebrew 11 seems to support this ciew very well.

School Tests was never a problem so those kind of tests are okay, but life tests are terrible! They show too
many of our weak areas! But that is part of the joyous journey

Someone said, you are either entering a trial (insert test), in the midst of a trial or coming out of a
trial. That seems too pessimistic but it is true to a certain extend

I do like the other two areas and resonate with both. Life is really a trust. What I do with what God has given to me is my gift back to him and I want to give him the best. I do not always accomplish this, but it is my
aim. I want to please Him!

As for Temporary Asignment - Pastoral ministry gives us unique contacts and situations. Like all things we do, this role has given to us for a time. Everything is a temporary assignment. A visit to a nursing home, or a rehab centre will give you real perspective in life. Many who were once strong and self-assured man & woman can be so frail, downcast and pesimistic.

A family or marriage situation that appears so happy on the outside can suddenly slef-destruct like a hurricane. So much unrealistic expectation, so little affirmation. Blattant selfishness. etc


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Prayer items for Tuesday Night Prayer meet 8/7/03

Sim shared on the concept of tipping the prayer bowls in heaven - Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3-5. He took some exerpt from Dutch Sheets' book - 'Intercessory Prayer" God will add his fire to our prayer - in the incense bowl

Generally, there is a common threads as we summarised the prayer items from various groups

1. Youth & YAG - more female leaders, clear vision, consolidation into a more coherent group for synergy & greater effectiveness.
2. Adult chidren of members who are in the workforce - salvation for those unsaved - eg like Eleeta. And the Lord's sustaining & drawing them closer for the snares and temptation of the busy and demanding workplace.
3. Jobs & Business opp for those in need - prosper those in business - Connie & Henry, Bill & Linda, Khee Hin & Gim Bee etc.
4. VCE Students
5. Those in Hillsong, for good spiritual feeding, safe journey etc
6. Baptism candidates
7. 20th July's 2nd anniversary celebration - co-ordination, gospel focus.
8. Healings- Sandra, William, Hardys etc
9. Help us to listen to Your voice.
10. Bigger meeting place - 200 plus capacity