Cath's Xanga

Monday, July 05, 2004

Mon, 05 Jul 2004 06:01:42 GMT

This site has been frozen, please visit this link by movable type.

Monday, May 17, 2004

Mon, 17 May 2004 07:35:31 GMT

A Mangrove Swamp

“Seek My understanding.”

“Seek My face, come before My presence with fasting and prayer. Seek My understanding.”

That was the word that the Lord left me with during last Sunday’s worship service. Heeding the call, and while praying for the church this Wednesday morning, the Lord spoke to me through the vision of a mangrove swamp.

“A mangrove swamp? Our church?” I was personally taken aback by the vision.

“Isn’t the mangrove swamp a place where stagnant waters gather? Does that mean we are stagnant as a church? Does that mean there’s no outlet of repentance?”

“Focus on the creatures living in the swamp,” The Lord prompted.

I reflected upon the word, and having visited a mangrove swamp during one of our school projects years ago, I recalled the mangrove trees, crabs, eagles and many other life forms that thrive in that high salt density area. It dawned upon me that many of our church members have gone out of church before and returned. It was as if the Lord was saying that there’s something special about the people we have, the hardships and the paths they have taken and that they have come out strong because of it. These people will not turn their backs on God and are not easily shaken. It’s an exciting time, the Lord is preparing us for the tasks ahead of us.

Having shared the word with my pastor, he added to me what the Lord had been speaking to him lately. My pastor had an expectation that church growth should follow a certain system, which should be orderly. The Lord told him otherwise; house churches are messy. It seems that the vision is timely, as a mangrove swamp is messy; it has a different structure.

The Lord is doing a new thing amongst us, stretching our horizons, and we need an open heart in receiving the way God is working in our midst. Our own wisdom and logic tends to stand in the way of God. In a similar concept, the mangrove swamp vision is not necessary a bad thing. God is teaching us to look from a different perspective, from His perspective. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. With that I leave you to ponder upon these thoughts. Your comments are most welcome.

Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Wed, 05 May 2004 03:11:54 GMT

AlpHa’s BiRthdAY

Today is my pastor’s birthday, please drop by his site and send him your birthday wishes.

Saturday, April 24, 2004

Sat, 24 Apr 2004 13:41:05 GMT

Does God not speak?

It rained today. Dark clouds gathered followed by an occasional display of lightning. Seated near the window, I tilted my head skyward observing rain pellets which fell from the sky. What started out as gigantic droplets eventually subsided into tiny drops. Picture the sky full of tiny rain droplets milling around. How amazing! It’s time like this that brings a sense of awe to my soul.

One could always argue from a scientific point of view, citing the laws of nature of raindrops forming when water vapour condenses on micrometer-sized particles of dust floating in the atmosphere. Certainly the Lord covers the heaven with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the green grass grow in mountain pastures.

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted with for joy? “ - Job 38:4-7

“Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning? Who makes the rain fall on barren land, in a desert where no one lives? Who sends rain that satisfies the parched ground and makes the tender grass spring up? - Job 38:25-27

It’s odd, sometimes we argue that God does not exist. Does creation not declare His glory? Open your eyes to the surroundings, He is speaking, do you not hear?

Friday, April 16, 2004

Fri, 16 Apr 2004 04:26:59 GMT

“Then God Remembered”

This came as an encouragement and a timely reminder from the Elijah List, a prophetic bulletin I am subscribed to. In the midst of my discouragement last year, the Lord spoke to me through my pastor. The Lord said that I was like a seed planted in the ground. At times, it may feel scary and alone being underground. He reminded me not to despise the day of small beginnings, for in time the seed will sprout and grow into a tall tree.

Have you been feeling like a tiny seed planted in the ground, waiting for the time to sprout, waiting to bloom, to bear fruit? Have you been holding on to a promise or a word God has spoken in the past, waiting, wondering if it’s true, wondering if God’s has forgotten you? The word of God says deferred hope makes the heart sick. Be strong; be encouraged. Growth is natural; be faithful and keep walking. There’s a time and season for everything. The time of waiting and preparation will pass, eventually the time of commissioning will follow in the Lord’s timing and season. It’s important to not get ahead of God’s timing nor stagger behind. Read the following prophetic word given through Maria Magruder.

Many are called, but few are chosen. The "few" are the ones who "choose" the call. There is a remnant generation from the Church about to emerge from unknown places that have been hidden for many years.

These few are the ones who have been obedient to follow God's ways, though they were not what they would expect, nor what they would have chosen for themselves. As a matter of fact, these are the very people who are on the edge of their seat awaiting to see exactly "how" God is going to use them, and wondering "when" is that "set time" of God releasing them. For many, the waiting has been almost unbearable, and yet they have been at peace with staying hidden, staying in God's perfect plan and will. They have been "shut in" so to speak, just like Noah was "shut in" to the ark. Click to read more...

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Wed, 14 Apr 2004 02:04:43 GMT

Insomnia

I have recently purchased a copy of Strongs Concordance to facilitate a word study on "sleep". Have just begun by segregating them according to the different meanings in Greek. It's an amazing discovery, I have never realized the various meanings encompassing the word "sleep". More on this in my next post.

It's a blessing and a pleasant surprise to be awaken by the sound of my alarm clock this morning. My problem with sleep is not falling asleep but staying asleep. Ever since I shifted to this new place 2 years ago, I have been getting up between 3 to 4 in the morning. I have recently found out that my sister and another housemate faces the same problem but we thought we were the only individual. I suppose it's the spiritual atmosphere surrounding the area.

I have decided to maintain two sites at one goal , I will be posting at Xanga as well as Blogger.

Saturday, April 10, 2004

Sat, 10 Apr 2004 23:21:18 GMT

Should I Move?

Decisions... decisions... decisions....

I have just started a new blog, ++..elisha..++ at blogger. Should I shift my Xanga site over to Blogger?

Care to take a vote?

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Tue, 06 Apr 2004 04:19:49 GMT

Come Away

:: Feeling burnt out? Come away into His presence

Come away

Away from the crowds

From the buzzing activities

From the things that drain you

Come away

Lay at my feet

Be quiet; be still

Know that I am God

Come away

Into my presence

Under my Wings

I am the Lord that restores

Come away

Exchange your burdens

My yoke is light

Fit for you to carry

Come away

To a place

Where the fire cannot burn you

Where the waters cannot drown you

Come away

Into my presence

Drink; be satisfied

Draw grace; draw strength

Saturday, March 27, 2004

Sat, 27 Mar 2004 11:02:26 GMT

ToDay

Today has been blah, a day filled with misunderstandings. My head’s spinning and I am frustrated, trying to communicate but the outcome seems to lead to more misunderstandings.

It’s kind of scary when dealing with a transparent relationship. You open up yourself, your share your weaknesses and the next thing you know, you’re being measured against something you have shared the previous time.

God is Good! I am glad He sees me as I am, I am loved by Him and He sees my heart, my motivations where others don’t.

Monday, February 16, 2004

Mon, 16 Feb 2004 03:13:54 GMT

ColorEd LEnses

Colored lenses

With eyes glaring through them

Various thoughts

Passing through their minds

The world’s better

If only we could see

And behold the beauty of

One standing before us