They are still waiting for the Messiah. I'm talking about the religious or observant Jews who diligently study the Torah (the five books of Moses or the first five books of the Christian bible) , the Prophets, the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs) and their oral traditions, commentaries and interpretations of the many Mosaic laws. For them, salvation is by living a life of religious duties and good deeds, of keeping the laws of G-d (as the name of God is too holy to be spelled out). Like the Muslims, they are concerned with questions on daily conduct like, can an observant Jew use a camera or play musical instruments on Shabbat (or the Sabbath, the day of rest)? But of course, the laws of the Jews and those of the Muslims are worlds apart, as the former have the incomparable 10 commandments.
I lived in the world of the Hasidic American Jews for a few days as I read Chaim Potok's My Name is Asher Lev and its sequel The Gift of Asher Lev in quick succession. A master story teller, like an artist, Potok draws you into that world as he paints with words the story of the conflict of a boy then a man born with the gift of art in a culture that frowns upon the profession, traditions and craft of a painter, the idea of making images being inimical to the second commandment according to their strict interpretation. Drawing nudes? Unacceptable! Painting the scene of ultimate suffering and sacrifice, the crucifixion? Anathema. Especially when they believe that it was that man on the cross who has brought them so much persecution and pain from his followers, the Christians. It is sad but true that many misguided deluded people have done that in the name of Christ through history and even now, blaming the Jews for killing Jesus.
But according to the Bible, Jesus voluntarily laid down his life for all mankind. Indeed He declared many times before the cross that He had come purposely to die to bear our sins so that all man may be reconciled with God (Mark 10:45; John 10:11,17,18). So it was not the Jews nor the Romans who are guilty of crucifying the Son of God, but it was everyone of us who had ever sinned. As He hung on the cross, He prayed for those who were participating and watching His execution: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:34). His first believers, disciples and witnesses to His resurrection were His own countrymen and people, the Jews who then spread His good news of pardon from sin and eternal life to the rest of the world, the Gentiles.
The Messiah has come as promised in the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings, but, sadly, the majority of His people did not recognise or receive Him. As John the Apostle and one of the original 12 disciples wrote: He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. (John 1:10,11)
Why? Why did they not recognise Him? Perhaps because He was not what they had expected, a king powerful and glorious overcoming evil and his enemies and inaugurating a reign of peace and prosperity as an earthly king would. But as Jesus had told Pilate, His kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36) And He never promised a new world after His first coming, only after His second. "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John16:33)
The question is: Are you still waiting, hoping, and longing for a Messiah, the Promised One, the Chosen One, a Saviour, one who will make all the difference in the world to your life? Or do you know that He has come and He is here indeed and you can trust in Him and follow His way? It is the difference between light and darkness, day and night, death and life, despair and hope.
The sad thing is that the Jews read only the their scriptures, which they do assiduously, but they refuse to look into the New Testament, especially the Gospels. The sequel, the fulfilment, the culmination, is already here, but they are still stuck in the first part of the story, the promise, and still yearning and hoping. He has come and He is already here: He has died and He has risen again and He lives for evermore!
The woman (at Jacob's well) said to Jesus, "I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us." Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am He." (John 4:25,26)
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Serva sum
Qui voluerit inter vos primus esse, erit vester servus. Matt 20:27 (He that will be first among you shall be your servant.)
... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt20:28
Qui maior est vestrum, erit minister vester. Matt23:11 (He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.)
... For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt23:12
Latin and the Bible... aahh... food for my mind, soul and spirit.
In principio - Verbum: In the beginning - the Word.
Learning Latin is not easy, but extremely rewarding. It has a logical and systematic structure and grammar. And it opens up a world of thought and meaning behind many words and expressions because English was much influenced by Latin. It is used liberally in law, science, literature.
Eg. the legal dictum: nemo dat quod non habet means no one gives what he does not have. It is used in the law of transfer of title and property to show that if one is not the legal owner of a property, he cannot transfer its title to another. So a purchaser of a car or house from a thief or fraudulent party gains no title and the title remains with the true owner. The purchaser's remedy would be to sue the seller, if of course he can find him and if not, he bears the loss.
How about common phrases like semper fidelis, status quo, in toto, homo sapiens, mea culpa, modus operandi, alma mater, magnum opus, post mortem, carpe diem, alter ego, anno Domini, et tu Brute, et cetera, ad infinitum, ad nauseum?
Of course, Latin is still used in the Vatican city by the Roman Catholic Church. When recently, the new Pope was elected, the phrase was Habemus Papam! (We have a Pope.)
This is the Lord's Prayer in Latin:
... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt20:28
Qui maior est vestrum, erit minister vester. Matt23:11 (He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.)
... For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt23:12
Latin and the Bible... aahh... food for my mind, soul and spirit.
In principio - Verbum: In the beginning - the Word.
Learning Latin is not easy, but extremely rewarding. It has a logical and systematic structure and grammar. And it opens up a world of thought and meaning behind many words and expressions because English was much influenced by Latin. It is used liberally in law, science, literature.
Eg. the legal dictum: nemo dat quod non habet means no one gives what he does not have. It is used in the law of transfer of title and property to show that if one is not the legal owner of a property, he cannot transfer its title to another. So a purchaser of a car or house from a thief or fraudulent party gains no title and the title remains with the true owner. The purchaser's remedy would be to sue the seller, if of course he can find him and if not, he bears the loss.
How about common phrases like semper fidelis, status quo, in toto, homo sapiens, mea culpa, modus operandi, alma mater, magnum opus, post mortem, carpe diem, alter ego, anno Domini, et tu Brute, et cetera, ad infinitum, ad nauseum?
Of course, Latin is still used in the Vatican city by the Roman Catholic Church. When recently, the new Pope was elected, the phrase was Habemus Papam! (We have a Pope.)
This is the Lord's Prayer in Latin:
Pater noster qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum:Lingua latina est pulchra. Intellegis?
adveniat regnum tuum:
fiat voluntas tua sicut in caelo et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie:
et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris:
et ne nos inducas in temptationem:
set libera nos a malo.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
sms n john milton
Last night, as I was turning in tired and weary still after a busy Friday cooking for the care group and the long evening, I received an sms from Jennifer, at 10.45 p.m. It said: "1 who idles fr day 2 day is a consumer of life, 1 who is active n useful is a creator of life. Good nite."
This morning, before we went to church, I sent her this: "John Milton's On His Blindness: ...
'They also serve who only stand and wait.' Be still and know that I am GOD ... Ps 46:10 Good morning and Happy Sunday!
She replied: Tq.
It so happened that I had been reading poetry and had come across this poem by Milton who is best known as the Puritan author of the epic poem Paradise Lost which was, as I learnt to my surprise, apparently written at the time when he had become completely blind.
This morning, before we went to church, I sent her this: "John Milton's On His Blindness: ...
'They also serve who only stand and wait.' Be still and know that I am GOD ... Ps 46:10 Good morning and Happy Sunday!
She replied: Tq.
It so happened that I had been reading poetry and had come across this poem by Milton who is best known as the Puritan author of the epic poem Paradise Lost which was, as I learnt to my surprise, apparently written at the time when he had become completely blind.
On His Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent,
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o'er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait."
Saturday, May 14, 2005
About Schmidt
We showed the movie "About Schmidt" at the home fellowship last night. It is about a 66 year old man (acted by Jack Nicholson, brilliantly as usual) retiring after a lifetime of working as an insurance actuary in the same company and facing the meaninglessness of his very existence. The excellent script brought to the screen the reality of aging, death, broken relationships, and amidst it all, the humour and pathos of ordinary lives of ordinary people very much like ourselves, the viewers.
Everyone of the dozen of us were quiet and sober at the end of the show. One young man in his 20's kept saying, "It's so sad, it's so sad." Well, it is sad, as Moses put it in Psalm 90:
What more if life is lived without God? In the words of the Preacher who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes,
Everyone of the dozen of us were quiet and sober at the end of the show. One young man in his 20's kept saying, "It's so sad, it's so sad." Well, it is sad, as Moses put it in Psalm 90:
"For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."
What more if life is lived without God? In the words of the Preacher who wrote the book of Ecclesiastes,
"Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun; But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. ... Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. ...
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 11:7-8; 12:8,13-14
Thursday, April 28, 2005
A Series of Unfortunate Events
The day after D's dad's funeral, D having taken the day off, we went to KLCC and caught the movie "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events". Certainly the right movie to lift up the spirit, we thought, as we considered our lives in comparison with those of the 3 unfortunate orphan protagonists, the Baudelaire siblings. It was quite well-made, to our pleasant surprise, with Jim Carrey playing the villain Count Olaf in his various personas or disguises to the hilt. It is based on the first 3 of Snicket's books of the same title. He's planning to write 13 in all (every book containing 13 chapters) and is up to Book the Eleventh. I had only read the first, called "The Bad Beginning". I had thought it a witty and easy read though unremittingly pessimistic, and I took the author's advice to stop reading the rest of the sad vicissitudes, the word here meaning "the sudden or unexpected changes or shifts often encountered in one's life, activities, or surroundings" in the lives of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire.
Well, the movie piqued (meaning to provoke or arouse) my curiosity, since I had only read the first book and the movie had unfortunately included events which were apparently from the later books. Fortunately for me, Ethan has the whole series in his room so I started taking Book the Second, then the Third, then the Fourth and so on, till now I'm at Book the Tenth, all in less than 2 months. As I said, they're easy reads, though unremittingly gloomy in outlook.
So what kept me going on? It's the play and fun with words, the definitions and explanations of words, phrases, expressions, which, mind you, are not always correct. Everything is tongue-in- cheek and deadpan (which means "impassively matter-of-fact, as in style, behavior, or expression).
Well, the movie piqued (meaning to provoke or arouse) my curiosity, since I had only read the first book and the movie had unfortunately included events which were apparently from the later books. Fortunately for me, Ethan has the whole series in his room so I started taking Book the Second, then the Third, then the Fourth and so on, till now I'm at Book the Tenth, all in less than 2 months. As I said, they're easy reads, though unremittingly gloomy in outlook.
So what kept me going on? It's the play and fun with words, the definitions and explanations of words, phrases, expressions, which, mind you, are not always correct. Everything is tongue-in- cheek and deadpan (which means "impassively matter-of-fact, as in style, behavior, or expression).
But also, it's the fact that the writer has very cleverly and sneakily leaked clues and some answers in each book making the reader go on to the next book to find more clues and a few answers only. And I have a weakness for mysteries, especially murder mysteries. Hopefully, the whole mystery of why the children's parents and so many other people were killed, and who really are the VDF will be finally revealed, although it would be too farfetched to hope that the children and their triplet friends will live happily ever after.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Widows
My mother-in-law is 76 and can only speak in her mother tongue, the Chinese dialect of Hainanese, with a smattering of some of the other dialects like Hokkien and Cantonese. She had never gone to school in her younger days and after marriage in her early 20's, for over 50 years, she depended on her husband who was fluent in the Chinese, English and Malay languages to interpret for her: every sermon or speech in church, every movie or news on the tv, the newspapers or magazines he read. He tried to teach her some Mandarin, but she didn't seem to have the gift for languages. Or maybe she didn't try too hard. After all, he was always there, explaining things and answering questions. And she was kept busy in the kitchen cooking all his favourite dishes, besides those of her children and grandchildren.
Now that he is gone, she wants to learn to read the Bible in Chinese. And this is thanks to Aunt Mei, her younger sister who had also lost her husband to liver cancer some 10 years ago. Aunt Mei used to work in a bank and now retired with 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren, she spends her time with one or other of them or at home in Penang, but all the time, praying, praising, singing and talking about the Lord wherever she is. She is with her sister now for 2 or 3 weeks, doing all that and encouraging her to learn to read and speak Mandarin, to depend on the Lord. As she says in her broken English, "I tell my sister, I am alone but I am not alone. God is always with me."
Then there is Malliga, whose husband John died in July last year. Malliga had never worked outside the home: from her mother's house, she went to live with John and continued to cook and clean and serve her husband and then an adopted daughter. She can read and write English and Tamil, and is supported by her family and her church, the Tamil Methodist Church in Ipoh. She can cook the best dhall, chicken curry and thosai in the whole country, and whenever we visit, as we did last Thursday, we get to eat all that finger-lickin' great Indian food, followed by the best steaming hot teh tarik. She also sews and earns a little from sewing curtains and clothes.
The house is quiet without John's loud boisterous voice calling her for this and that, from the moment he wakes till he sleeps. 14 year old Nisha goes to school and then for tuition for every subject ("Tuition is my hobby, " she says), and at home, it's homework all the time. That's the life of a typical Malaysian student. Thankfully, she has her cousins and church youth fellowship to keep her weekends and holidays full. And she has a mother who, like the wife of noble character of Proverbs 31, is clothed with strength and dignity, and can laugh at the days to come, who watches over her and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Now that he is gone, she wants to learn to read the Bible in Chinese. And this is thanks to Aunt Mei, her younger sister who had also lost her husband to liver cancer some 10 years ago. Aunt Mei used to work in a bank and now retired with 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren, she spends her time with one or other of them or at home in Penang, but all the time, praying, praising, singing and talking about the Lord wherever she is. She is with her sister now for 2 or 3 weeks, doing all that and encouraging her to learn to read and speak Mandarin, to depend on the Lord. As she says in her broken English, "I tell my sister, I am alone but I am not alone. God is always with me."
Then there is Malliga, whose husband John died in July last year. Malliga had never worked outside the home: from her mother's house, she went to live with John and continued to cook and clean and serve her husband and then an adopted daughter. She can read and write English and Tamil, and is supported by her family and her church, the Tamil Methodist Church in Ipoh. She can cook the best dhall, chicken curry and thosai in the whole country, and whenever we visit, as we did last Thursday, we get to eat all that finger-lickin' great Indian food, followed by the best steaming hot teh tarik. She also sews and earns a little from sewing curtains and clothes.
The house is quiet without John's loud boisterous voice calling her for this and that, from the moment he wakes till he sleeps. 14 year old Nisha goes to school and then for tuition for every subject ("Tuition is my hobby, " she says), and at home, it's homework all the time. That's the life of a typical Malaysian student. Thankfully, she has her cousins and church youth fellowship to keep her weekends and holidays full. And she has a mother who, like the wife of noble character of Proverbs 31, is clothed with strength and dignity, and can laugh at the days to come, who watches over her and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Borders in KL
Yesterday was the opening of the long awaited biggest bookstore in Malaysia, Borders in the Berjaya Times Square in KL. We went, of course, after having been told the news by a friend (also a book lover) on the phone... we don't usually buy the daily newspapers.
"Mom, can we go crazy now?," Elliot asked, as we approached the entrance with heightening anticipation and excitement. The boys and I could hardly contain ourselves: two floors of shelves and shelves of unwrapped books nicely arranged with wide aisles and occasional benches and sofas for readers. There were also sections for music and movies, CD's and DVD's, Starbucks and another cafe and decorative items and knick-knacks. The prices seem to be about the same or higher than the other bookshops, except for the bargain buys that are displayed on tables in the open areas.
David joined us later from the office and we bought 2 cookbooks and a historical novel by Umberto Eco, all from the bargain buys. After a quick dinner, I drove back to the church for my line dancing class while the guys stayed back to browse some more and then to catch the movie "Robots" at the IMAX theatre.
"Is KL joining the civilised world at last?" David asked. I hope so, I hope people take care of the books and not mistreat them. I did see one book pushed into the shelf with its cover jutting out and had to put it back properly. It's sad. Kinokuniya in KLCC started out with unwrapped books but now every book there is tightly wrapped with plastic. There may be one open for browsing or you'll have to ask the staff to unwrap one for you to check it.
"Mom, can we go crazy now?," Elliot asked, as we approached the entrance with heightening anticipation and excitement. The boys and I could hardly contain ourselves: two floors of shelves and shelves of unwrapped books nicely arranged with wide aisles and occasional benches and sofas for readers. There were also sections for music and movies, CD's and DVD's, Starbucks and another cafe and decorative items and knick-knacks. The prices seem to be about the same or higher than the other bookshops, except for the bargain buys that are displayed on tables in the open areas.
David joined us later from the office and we bought 2 cookbooks and a historical novel by Umberto Eco, all from the bargain buys. After a quick dinner, I drove back to the church for my line dancing class while the guys stayed back to browse some more and then to catch the movie "Robots" at the IMAX theatre.
"Is KL joining the civilised world at last?" David asked. I hope so, I hope people take care of the books and not mistreat them. I did see one book pushed into the shelf with its cover jutting out and had to put it back properly. It's sad. Kinokuniya in KLCC started out with unwrapped books but now every book there is tightly wrapped with plastic. There may be one open for browsing or you'll have to ask the staff to unwrap one for you to check it.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
History Alive
I love history and now I get to learn it all over or mostly, for the first time, with the boys. We're doing Roman history and reading the excellent Augustus Ceasar's World by Genevieve Foster as well as the Story of the Word - History for the Classical Child by Susan Wise Bauer. We read aloud Shakespeare's Julius Ceasar and it's true I enjoy it more than the boys.
Besides that, we have the historical fiction readers which make history come to life by transporting you back to long ago far away times and places, populated with real people like ourselves, young and old: books like Mara, Daughter of the Nile and The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Hittite Warrior and God King by Joanne Williamson, etc...
I just read about Cicero, Rome's foremost orator, writer and senator, who was killed by the Triumvirate who took over after the assassination of Julius Ceasar. He had once said about death, "When the time comes, I shall withdraw from life, not as one leaves home, but as from a temporary lodging place. On that brightest of all days, when I depart from the confusion of this world, I shall set out, I believe, for a far-off divine gathering of spirits...
But, if I am mistaken, in that I believe men's souls to be immortal, I am glad to be mistaken...
And all my life I shall continue to believe it..."
This was said before December 7, 43 B.C., the day of Cicero's death. B.C. - before Christ, before the Word became flesh and revealed God in full.
Besides that, we have the historical fiction readers which make history come to life by transporting you back to long ago far away times and places, populated with real people like ourselves, young and old: books like Mara, Daughter of the Nile and The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Hittite Warrior and God King by Joanne Williamson, etc...
I just read about Cicero, Rome's foremost orator, writer and senator, who was killed by the Triumvirate who took over after the assassination of Julius Ceasar. He had once said about death, "When the time comes, I shall withdraw from life, not as one leaves home, but as from a temporary lodging place. On that brightest of all days, when I depart from the confusion of this world, I shall set out, I believe, for a far-off divine gathering of spirits...
But, if I am mistaken, in that I believe men's souls to be immortal, I am glad to be mistaken...
And all my life I shall continue to believe it..."
This was said before December 7, 43 B.C., the day of Cicero's death. B.C. - before Christ, before the Word became flesh and revealed God in full.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Number our days
So... it's been almost 6 months since I last posted. I thought I'd never write again... sigh.... Life is happening too fast for me! But... I can't just stop writing after that last entry... as if after Bush wins, everything's A-okay now.
D's dad went to be with the Lord on March 20, almost 9 months to the day after he was diagnosed with the liver cancer. By God's mercy, he had special times with family and old friends who came from far and near to visit and renew old ties, and he had time especially to encourage his faithful, constant wife, telling her that he did not want to eat anymore because he was going to have a feast in heaven. He said he saw the gates of heaven and his brother, who had passed on recently of the same disease, waiting for him. Throughout the 9 months and at the end, he did not suffer much pain, amazingly. His youngest daughter, May Lyn, was with him at his last moments, having just come back from Australia where she's doing postgraduate studies since February.
As it is written in Revelation 15: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
Hundreds of thousands upon thousands have died in the earthquake and tsunami on the day after Christmas last, and thousands more in the earthquake on the day after Easter.
Daily, more die of bomb blasts everywhere and in Malaysia, of gruesome traffic accidents and some rape-murders.
Death... we hear of it, see it happen to others, but try not to think of it happening to us, as it will one day. Yes, as it is appointed unto men once to die...
I will pray the words of Moses in Psalm 90:
D's dad went to be with the Lord on March 20, almost 9 months to the day after he was diagnosed with the liver cancer. By God's mercy, he had special times with family and old friends who came from far and near to visit and renew old ties, and he had time especially to encourage his faithful, constant wife, telling her that he did not want to eat anymore because he was going to have a feast in heaven. He said he saw the gates of heaven and his brother, who had passed on recently of the same disease, waiting for him. Throughout the 9 months and at the end, he did not suffer much pain, amazingly. His youngest daughter, May Lyn, was with him at his last moments, having just come back from Australia where she's doing postgraduate studies since February.
As it is written in Revelation 15: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
Hundreds of thousands upon thousands have died in the earthquake and tsunami on the day after Christmas last, and thousands more in the earthquake on the day after Easter.
Daily, more die of bomb blasts everywhere and in Malaysia, of gruesome traffic accidents and some rape-murders.
Death... we hear of it, see it happen to others, but try not to think of it happening to us, as it will one day. Yes, as it is appointed unto men once to die...
I will pray the words of Moses in Psalm 90:
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it."
Thursday, November 04, 2004
W Wins!
Thank You, Lord!
Lord of Heaven and earth, Lord of the Universe, Thou who art on the throne, and who ordains the powers that be, I praise and thank You.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalm 75:5,6
Against big money and Hollywood celebrities, film makers, pop idols, bestselling book writers, newspapers and TV networks, against world opinions and all kinds of pundits and pollsters, George Walker Bush won! People may make fun of him, hate him and his very face and name, say and write all kinds of things against him, but does Bush worry? No, he looks cool and upbeat most of the time, and as the night of vote counting begins. Here is a man who does not make decisions based on the polls or to seek the approval of the greatest majority, needing to pass a "global test". Many cannot understand him. Doesn't he care? Is he dumb? Is he heartless? Is he insane? Who does he think he is?
I think I know. It is because he knows who he is: a man under God. He is a man who has put his faith in the God of the Bible and who seeks His approval and will first, above all, and one who has chosen to live by His word and makes His rules his principles.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3
Lord, grant Mr. Bush and his team the strength equal to the tasks demanded of them in the coming days, and the wisdom they need. And grant them steadfast and growing faith in Thee.
Lord of Heaven and earth, Lord of the Universe, Thou who art on the throne, and who ordains the powers that be, I praise and thank You.
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalm 75:5,6
Against big money and Hollywood celebrities, film makers, pop idols, bestselling book writers, newspapers and TV networks, against world opinions and all kinds of pundits and pollsters, George Walker Bush won! People may make fun of him, hate him and his very face and name, say and write all kinds of things against him, but does Bush worry? No, he looks cool and upbeat most of the time, and as the night of vote counting begins. Here is a man who does not make decisions based on the polls or to seek the approval of the greatest majority, needing to pass a "global test". Many cannot understand him. Doesn't he care? Is he dumb? Is he heartless? Is he insane? Who does he think he is?
I think I know. It is because he knows who he is: a man under God. He is a man who has put his faith in the God of the Bible and who seeks His approval and will first, above all, and one who has chosen to live by His word and makes His rules his principles.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3
Lord, grant Mr. Bush and his team the strength equal to the tasks demanded of them in the coming days, and the wisdom they need. And grant them steadfast and growing faith in Thee.
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