The Call of God

Here's a paper I wrote for the only religion class I'm required to take at DBU. I thought this would serve as a good reminder and perhaps a food-for-thought for the day for all of us..

Blessings!
Berylynn



Moses is a well known leader in the Bible who was radically called by God to deliver Israel from the bondage in Egypt. There are many things that can be observed and learnt from the way he experienced the call of God in his life.

Although Moses was a Hebrew, he grew up as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter. As a Hebrew himself, he must have grown up watching his own people suffer from the mistreatment of the Egyptians. I believe that Moses already possessed an internal growing passion and burden to deliver his people from tyranny of the Egyptians way before the Lord spoke to Him through the burning bush. So strong was his passion to liberate his people that when “he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren” (New King James Version, Exod. 2.11), “he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand” (Exod. 2.12). According to Alice Cullinan in “Sorting It Out”, “God made us and often works with our interests and abilities to accomplish divine purposes through us” (32). The call of God for Moses that came later in his life resonates well in perfect harmony within him because of his personal interest for the well being of the Hebrews.

However, it is necessary to note that Moses was in a little hurry to accomplish the will of God in his life. Moses tried to rescue a fellow Hebrew by his own initiative and strength which led to a terrible disaster. Moses was not patient in waiting for the specific word from God before he stepped into this divine task and calling. As a result, Moses murdered an Egyptian and spent the next forty years of his life a fugitive in the desert. We can clearly see from Moses’ life that “running ahead of God may be as disastrous as not seeking God’s will in the first place” (40).

Although the forty long years that Moses spent tending the flock of Jethro—his father-in-law in the desert—may seem like a total waste, nothing is ever a waste from God’s perspective. God is a specialist when it comes to making “all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8.28). As humbling as it is for Moses to transition from being an Egyptian prince to becoming a simple and unknown shepherd, I believe that his character was shaped and he was taught to wait upon the Lord and His perfect timing for the call. It is through this desert experience that the Lord prepared Moses for his ultimate destiny in leading the Israelites out of bondage and into freedom. God is good in that He shaped Moses’ character and humility before using him in the mighty deliverance that displayed some of the greatest signs and wonders recorded in the Bible. His strength of character and heart condition were God’s top concerns, rather than the mission itself.

As Moses was tending the flock at the mountain of God, God suddenly appeared to him in a burning bush that was not consumed. When Moses turned to examine the burning bush, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”. Consequently, God revealed Himself and the call that He had for Moses to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land. Although the call may seem like a sudden one, God had already been gradually calling and preparing Moses’ heart prior to this significant moment. With the sure word from the Lord and a great task at hand, Moses still wavered with doubt concerning his identity and capability. The Lord was once again gracious with Moses’ apprehension and provided him with confirmation signs of the rod and the leprous hand to assure Moses of His call. God also promised to strike Egypt with great wonders and allowed Aaron to be Moses’ spokesman.

Cullinan is absolutely accurate when she says that “God will give you what you need to carry out the divine calling” (39). God indeed prepared, called, confirmed, and equipped Moses for his great calling and destiny which marked a significant milestone in biblical history. Had Moses not heeded God’s calling on His life, our Christian history and heritage would have been a little different today.

Writer's Block

Sigh..so here I am at 12.30am. I am so frustrated! I've spent the whole day trying to write a Research Paper for my English class but nothing seem to work. It may be that I'm a perfectionist, but I think that's not it. Either writing is just not my strength or today is just a very bad day for me. I'm just not gaining any ground in this paper.

So..my beloved hubby suggested that I take a break or maybe go for a little walk. Uhm..but it's really cold outside so I think I'll pass on that one. Maybe some ice cream might help! Ahh..I'm actually just venting here and trying to console myself here.

To change the topic a little bit, we've been listening to this new CD by Darrell Evans titled "Shade". It's amazing! It's totally Thomas's and my kind of worship music. It's very acoustic, very intimate..definitely a very good CD!

Since we started listening to his songs, I've picked up the guitar once again. It's been a long while since I played, so I've forgotten most of what I've learnt in guitar class years ago. Yikes! Sigh..

Alright, I think that's all for this post. Hopefully I'll write in here more often eh?

Malaysia's Anwar promises to dump pro-Malay policies

Agence France-Presse - 9/2/2008 8:29 AM GMT

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday he would dismantle controversial positive-discrimination policies for Muslim Malays if he seizes power in the multicultural country.

Anwar said he would replace the New Economic Policy (NEP) launched in the early 1970s with a system to boost all poor Malaysians, whether they are majority Malays or from the minority Chinese and Indian communities.

"We will do everything in our power and disposal to help and assist the poor and the marginalised, which means the vast majority of the Malays and the poor Chinese and the poor Indians, but we do it on a needs basis," he said.

He also promised to abandon the Approved Permits (AP) scheme for importing cars, which it is claimed has corruptly enriched a small number of Malay entrepreneurs.

"Those talking about Malay dominance would realise that the AP is a classic case where the Malays and the Malay name has been abused, raped and plundered by the few," he told a press conference.

Anwar, a former deputy premier and finance minister who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, has vowed to topple the government with the help of defectors within weeks.

He accused embattled Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of spending his way out of trouble with a 2009 budget packed with perks and tax cuts, and said if he comes to power he would reduce the projected 2008 budget deficit of 4.8 percent of GDP.

"I suspect Abdullah feels that his days are numbered, so he spends as much as possible because he knows the next government has got to deal with the debts," he said.

The NEP was launched two years after racial riots broke out in 1969, in an effort to narrow the wealth gap between the Chinese -- who control the business sector -- and Malays, who dominate government.

But critics say it has failed and that the policy's beneficiaries have been Malay entrepreneurs who cash in on an array of perks including discounts on property purchases and specially allocated government projects.

Anwar's opposition gained unprecedented ground against the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition in March general elections, after successfully garnering support from across Malaysia's racial spectrum.

The 61-year-old opposition leader -- himself a Malay -- has also had to defend himself against allegations he has sold out the interests of the majority community in return for political gains.

A Soul Has No Color

I've started work at DBU International Admissions & Recruitment Office for close to 4 weeks already. Today, we had a prayer meeting for the Nations! A lot of the student workers here represent many of the different countries in the world such as Korea, Jamaica, India, Botswana, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Japan..and the list goes on. We had the privilege of praying for the new incoming students who will be here for Fall. It was an amazing time...

God is beginning to break my heart again for the nations, for the people that haven't heard of Him, for the people that need Him so much. How will they call on Someone they have not believed? How can they believe if they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things."

This post is rather sketchy, raw and un-edited..it's really just a glimpse of the many things going through my mind and heart. People need the Lord, after all..God loves everyone the same..and.."A Soul Has No Color."

Cite Soleil = Sun City??

Here's a post i wrote in August last year! I finally finished it and here it is..finally. Yikes!


I was reading up about this place called Cite Soleil yesterday on wikipedia..and my discoveries appaled me. It struck a chord in me..yet i don't know how to help. I've never heard of this place before until yesterday..and this are bits of what i read.

Cite Soleil means "Sun City" in English, but it sure doesn't look or feel sunny to me. It is one of Haiti's poorest, roughest, and most dangerous areas.

The shantytown was originally designated to house manual labourers but with its extreme poverty, persistent unemployment, high rates of illiteracy, the unsanitary conditions due to the absence of public services, and rampant crime and uncontrolled violence, it has become a microcosm of Haiti's problems as a whole.

Not only is Cité-Soleil the poorest area of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere it is also becoming one of the most dangerous as armed gangs roam the streets. Murder, rape, kidnapping, pillage, and shootings are common as every few blocks is controlled by a rival armed faction, such factions said to number over thirty-two.

Most of the residents of Cité-Soleil are children or young adults. Few live past the age of fifty; they die from disease, including AIDS, or violence. Since December 2006, UN Peacekeepers and Haitian National Police have been involved in intense operations and frequent gunbattles with armed gangs, resulting in the deaths of 30 people, including 20 gang members. A total of two UN soldiers and ten policemen have died and ten have been wounded.

There's more written about Cite Soleil..but i think picture speaks louder than words..

I was pondering on how a country can come to this devastating stage, and then I remembered a conversation Thomas and I had with a friend from Jamaica. Worrell told us that Haiti is one of the countries with most witchcraft activities. The leadership of the country have basically given the country over to the devil. Many people are involved in witchcraft, vodoo and demonic activities. And the result is clearly seen today..take a look at a country that have given their souls to the devil.

Hmm..

Gloomy Shopper Alert

An interesting article i read. So watch out..Gloomy Shopper Alert! :)


Sad and introspective? Don't go shopping!
Agence France-Presse - 2/8/2008 2:56 PM

Glum shoppers hoping to boost their self-esteem with a bout of 'retail therapy' will spend more for the same item and come to regret the purchase, a new study showed Friday.

According to a study released at the annual meeting of the Society for Social and Personality Psychology, inward-looking people who are down in the dumps tend to spend more money on the same item than their neutral-emotion counterparts.

Earlier studies have drawn a link between mood and spending habits, but this one highlighted the key role played by how self-focussed a person is.

"It is the combination of sadness and self-focus that drives the effect, and it turns out that sadness leads to an increase in self-focus," said Cynthia Cryder, a doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon University and one of the co-authors of the study.

"What we think is going on is that sad and self-focussed people are feeling pretty bad about themselves and have a decreased valuation of themselves. They want to enhance this valuation, and one way to do this is by acquiring material goods," she said.

Placing a higher value on those goods could be an attempt by the sad, self-focussed person to boost their self-esteem by transferring the value of the item to themself.

The big problem is, the purchase is often regretted later.

"A huge key to avoiding decision-effects like this is being aware that you're sad in the first place. But that's rather hard to do," Cryder said.

"Participants in studies such as ours usually have no idea that their feelings influence their decisions, so it's impossible to correct," she said.

"Secondly, always re-evaluate major purchases one day or one week after you make them so that you can make sure that whatever you bought is still attractive to you," Cryder said.

"That lowers the probability that you'll have an over-priced mistake due to some fleeting influence that you didn't know about and still don't know about. You just know, 'Wow... why did I pay so much for that?'"

You are God alone

My latest favorite song by Philips, Craig and Dean!




You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

[chorus]
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is

[chorus]

[bridge]
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are

Staff Day Picture Competition

We had our staff day earlier this month. We as Trinity Church staff (which I am priviledged to be a part of) take a day off once every quarter and do something fun for the whole day. One of the things we did the past Staff Day was visiting the Dallas Arboretum. In spring time, there are prettier flowers. Since we went in the Fall, there weren't much flowers to see.

We were divided into a few teams and we were supposed to take 3 most creative pictures that we can think of. So here are the products of my creative team: Jeremy(the accountant), Cristyn(Member Services Team), Melody(Children Ministry Team) and me!

I really really really think we have the best pictures. I will try to post some from the other teams later..but here are the winning ones! =) Results, not announced yet. We will find out in our next staff party-Christmas/ Thanksgiving party!

"We are the champions..my friend!" hahahaaaa

Cat Adventure!!

Today, we had quite an adventure. This is our last weekend in Matt and Sako's residence-housesitting for them while they are away in Japan! We were about to walk out the frontdoor to go to church when Bear Bear (the dog) dashed out the front door! Horrified, Thomas went after the dog. It is illegal for a dog to be out without a leash. And we definitely do no want to lose one of the Neese family member while they were gone!!

Bear Bear ran next door to a neighbor's house. While trying to grab Bear Bear..the neighbor's cat(came out from I don't know where) got frightened and scratched Tom's forehead! It looked pretty bad to me. Big lines across his forehead and blood oozing out! Tom finally got Bear Bear back into the house. And we decided to drive home to get his wound medicated because there wasn't any in the Neese household. And the last thing i want is for Tom to bloat up because of allergy again! And thus, we skipped church service today.

Anyhow, we've had a good long weekend. I had a 5 day weekend, Tom had 4! So, we're ready to get back in gear for a new week. Though we got a little lazy after the long weekend. But hey!! Bring It On!! It's a new day! God is so faithful! =)

.....Pheng (tired of Bear Bear's whining)
.....Thomas (talking on the phone with his family-Tom's dad, then Ah Sok, then now his sister)
.....Bear Bear (just glad to be around any homo sapien-such a social dog)

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day here in America. People generally take this special day to pause and be thankful for the people or things in their lives. I've came up with mine a few weeks back, but never got the chance to post it until now.

I've pondered on what I'm thankful for in life and there are many. A speaker came to our church almost three weeks ago and spoke at our Missions Conference. Wayne Myers said, "How much you are really worth, is what you have left when you've lost it all."

If I lost all the material things in my life, God, my family and friends still remain. So, naturally they are the top of the list. There are other things that I'm thankful for too. Here's a few that I've came up with. What are YOU thankful for?


1) God’s love and mercy

2) My beloved family

3) His promise of salvation for them

4) Sister and brother’s salvation

5) My dear husband

6) My friends (near and afar)

7) Food to eat

8) Car to get around with

9) Church to serve in

10) People who love me

11) My youth pastors who have sowed into my life

12) Healthy body

13) Opportunity to study abroad

14) God’s FAITHFULNESS

Lost

I feel kinda lost. Not sure where God would want us. Not sure what His plans are. Of course, ppl will say God has a plan, He will make a way. And all that is true, i know it is. But when it comes to really believing it in my heart..it's not easy. And i guess it will never be easy.

When circumstances and the odds are against you, it's hard. It's hard to keep believing, keep trusting. Everyday is a new day. A new day to decide to trust Him. A new day to know that He's got my back. =) A new day to know that my God is big enough for me. That He cares, that He never lets me down. To know that even if things don't come through..He is still God and that He's still on the throne. Like Daniel's 3 friends in the Bible? They said stg along these lines..that EVEN if God doesn't come through and save them, they will still not bow down to the idol.

So goes for me i guess. A lesson that can be learnt..EVEN if God doesn't come through, I shall never waiver. I shall be strong. I will still love Him. I cannot bow down to worry, fear, doubt. That's where the rubber meets the road!

The high priest in the olden days minister in the Most Holy Place with no light. He moves about in the small and pitch black room, ministering before the Lord. He cannot see. "The just shall live by faith" "We live by faith, not by sight". It's really more than a song isn't it?

Hmm...i almost feel like a piece of rubberband stretched more and more and more........

Anyways, please pray for me. My ulcer and my jaw hurt really bad. It's been like that for almost a week. Thank you for your prayers.

berylynn

At The Foot of The Cross

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me
And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can

And You've won my heart
And You've won my heart
Now I can..

BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my brother's BIRTHDAY today!!!!!!!!!!! September 19th! He turned 26 this year. I'm happy that he got to spend his birthday with his someone special-Soo Ling. I sure do miss him though we're not the closest brother and sister. He's still the only brother i've got! =))

FUNNY GUY!!

Hahaaa..i almost forgot to write this. We were in the kitchen last night wanting to cook and pack for lunch the next day. Before we started cooking, we had to put away the pots, plates and cups in the dish dryer from the night before.

I was telling Tom about my 'new' favorite song. I was excited to play Ronan Keating's song on the Ipod for him that i really enjoyed at work that day. If you're curious about what song, I played "Lovin Each Day" by Ronan Keating. I was sooooo excited. I turned up the speakers and turn to face Thomas...

He cracked me up! He started dancing and grooving to the music. And as usual i laugh..then he went on and on. And then, he picked up a little silver pot and started dancing with it..and used it as a mike! He's soooo funny!!!

I was really impressed. He can dance!! Hahaaa..for those of you who didn't know he could! HAhahahhahahaaaa...

You can try to make him dance for you, but i think it will never be the same! Phenomenal!

heeheee..

Small Group!

We went to our first small group EVER since we joined this church. We have put it off for the longest time because of various reasons: we don't know anyone, we didn't have the time etc etc. BUT finally, when Pr. Melissa approached me 2 days ago about this small group she's starting today for newly weds, we knew it was time for us to be plugged into a small group. Not that it wasn't 'time' before..but we both knew that we should this time!

We went for the first meeting tonight. It was so good. We didn't look at any curriculum tonight, but we had a good time getting to know new couples, new people in the church. We had a good time.A "jolly-good-time" a British will say? =)

Okay..it's late. We're going to bed. yawnnnnn...

berylynn

Pet Peeve

We're all learning something new about ourselves each other. Recently, i found out what really ticks me off..BIG TIME! INJUSTICE and someone who doesn't keep his/her word.

Injustice in my own words..when something is done in an unfair manner. I'm a very strong advocate that one should carry out his/ her responsibility thoroughly. I cannot stand when one does not do things 'right'. A lot of times, i will review in my mind what the right thing is..or what i would do if i were in that position etc etc. I get so mad when i see INCONSISTENCY in the way a person handles things.

And really, i think that my intolerance towards injustice has a close link to my aggravation towards someone who doesn't keep his/ her word. When someone does not deliver what he promised me he will do, i get really upset. And i mean..REALLY upset. I think that he should NOT even give me his word in the first place if he wasn't planning on keeping his word. How disrespectful to lead someone to trust that you will keep your word and then only to let them down.

I know that not everyone out there gets ticked-off by such people..but i really have a hard time with people like that. Yes, God is full of GRACE and MERCY. But like i said..these are things that i found out about myself recently. Yeah, i need to be gracious..but how much better this place would be..if things are done rightly/fairly/justly..and people deliver what their words promise to.

Sigh..anyways. That's my frustrations right now..just thought i could let out some constant thoughts in my heart.

berylynn

Is It Really Possible?

I'm at home right now, resting from a full day of being in front of the computer screen. Have been thinking today..is it really possible to work and study at the same time? Is it possible to be newly weds, adjusting to a new life and still take time to study? Not to mention the work load involved for ministry? What about the money for school fees? One semester's school fees here is similar to what one needs to pay for 3 years of Public University's fees back home.

YET..in saying all that. I searched deep within..and i'm forced to ask myself this question: do i believe that i can do all things through Christ who strengthens me? Do i really believe God when He said "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD"? Do i believe that I am made in His image? Do i believe that i can achieve and excel in the dreams and hopes that He has put in my heart? Do i believe that I am the head and not the tail? Do i believe that when i am weak, that's when He's strong?

"I DO!" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and He is my Provider!!

lynn

Joke

I was waiting for my hubby to pick me up from work today. I get off at 6pm, but he finishes at about 6.20pm and he has to drive to church to pick me up. So usually, he gets here by 6.50-7.00pm. That leaves me a lot of time to just relax after a long day at work. So, i went online to www.thestar.com.my (a local Malaysian news online) and read a funny joke. I told the joke to Tom in the car and he laughed so hard! He thought it was so funny that he already told the joke to 2 of his friends tonight. Just thought you guys might wanna read and check it out!!

To my blonde friends out there. No offense, okay?? It's just a joke....

A lawyer and a blonde woman were sitting next to each other on a long flight. The lawyer leaned over to her and asked if she would like to play a fun game. The blond decline and turned towards the window to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persisted, saying that the game was really easy and a lot of fun. "I ask you a question and if you don't know the answer, you pay me, and vice-versa. Again, the blond politely declined and tried to get some sleep.

The lawyer made another offer. "Okay, if you don't know the answer, you pay me $5, but if I don't know the answer, I pay you $50." The blond agreed.

The lawyer asked the first question : "What's the distance from the earth to the moon?". The blond silently reached into her purse, pulled out a five-dollar bill, and handed it to the lawyer. Then she asked the lawyer : "What goes up the hill with three legs and comes down with four?"

The lawyer took out his laptop and searched all his references. He tapped into the airphone with his modem and searched the net. Frustrated, he sent emails to all his co- workers and friends. All to no avail. After and hour, he gave up.

He woke the blonde and gave her fifty bucks. The blond took the money, then turned away to get back to sleep. The lawyer asked the blond: "Well, so what is the answer?".

Again, without a word, the blonde reached into her purse, took out five bucks and handed it to the lawyer, and went back to sleep.

Cheers!

Countdown

Muahahahhahahaaaa....the countdown begins. 11 days, 10, 9, 8, 7....i'm going home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pics

Mum and Ah Yee..


Chee Phang and Ah Loo..

Family..

Grandparents..

Sweetheart..

Missing home..