Valley Song

by Jars of Clay

You have led me to the sadness
I have carried this pain
On a back bruised, nearly broken
I'm crying out to you

Chorus
I will sing of Your mercy
That leads me through valleys of sorrow
To rivers of joy

When death like a Gypsy
Comes to steal what I love
I will still look to the heavens
I will still seek your face

But I fear you aren't listening
Because there are no words
Just the stillness and the hunger
For a faith that assures

Chorus x2

Alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia

While we wait for rescue
With our eyes tightly shut
Face to the ground using our hands
To cover the fatal cut

And though the pain is an ocean
Tossing us around, around, around
You have calmed greater waters
Higher mountains have come down

Chorus

Yeah

Alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia

Alleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia alleluia, alleluia

Chorus (4 Xs)

Oh, Lord sing of Your mercy,
Mercy
Your mercy

*** This song gives me so much encouragement. It conveys exactly what I couldn't put into words.

My heart is longing for God. My heart will sing God's mercies. I will never lose the song in my heart.

Although death takes away, God gives life. In these rare occasions of sad endings God is putting a new life. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Why We Need Each Other

Thursday, 24 February

'...encourage the fainthearted, help the weak...' 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NAS


A mouse looked out through a crack in a farmhouse wall and was distraught to discover a mousetrap. When he went to tell his buddies, the chicken said, 'Sorry, pal, not my problem.' The pig said, 'I'll pray for you.' The cow was busy and said, 'Come back later.' Dejected, the mouse was left alone to handle his problem. That night, a poisonous snake got caught in the mousetrap and when the farmer's wife went to investigate she got bitten. She developed a raging fever, and everyone knows you treat a fever with chicken soup. So the farmer took his axe to the barn for the main ingredient! As his wife's condition deteriorated and neighbours gathered, he had to butcher the pig to feed them. Finally she died. So many people came to the funeral that he ended up slaughtering the cow to make dinner for them all. In the end, everybody lost!

The Bible says, '...encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.' It only takes one thing to be an encourager: a willingness to '...bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves' (Romans 15:1 NAS).

Before deciding somebody else's problem has nothing to do with you, read this: '...If one member suffers, all the members suffer...' (1 Corinthians 12:26 NKJV). You can't sit on the sidelines while someone's hurting; tomorrow it may be you! We are told to 'Share each other's burdens...' (Galatians 6:2 NLT). When one of us is threatened we're all at risk. Our lives are woven together for a reason; each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry.

*** The truth is; today I think I am the one who needs to be encouraged. I feel so weak. I can read all these words and ask myself am I being stubborn not seeing what God had sent unto me? God would like to strengthen the fainthearted. God wanted to strengthen me.

What's Your Approach to People?

Monday, 06 December 2010

'...in honour giving preference to one another.' Romans 12:10 NKJV

It's said that William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli were great leaders but intense rivals. Gladstone, leader of the Liberal Party, is considered by many to personify the best qualities of Victorian England. A career public servant, he was a great orator, master of finance, and a staunchly moral man. He was made Prime Minister of Great Britain four different times, the only person in history to achieve that honour. Under his leadership Great Britain established a national education system, instituted parliamentary reform and saw the vote given to a significant number of people in the working classes. Disraeli, who served twice as Prime Minister, had a different kind of background. In his thirties he entered politics and built a reputation as a diplomat and social reformer. His greatest accomplishment was masterminding Britain's purchase of the Suez Canal. Both men accomplished much.

But what really separated them was their approach to people! The difference can be best illustrated by a story told by a young woman who dined with each of the two rival statesmen on consecutive nights. When asked for her impression of them, she said, 'When I left the dining room after sitting next to Mr. Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But after sitting next to Mr. Disraeli, I thought I was the cleverest woman in England.'

There's an important lesson here. Good leaders win the confidence, trust and friendship of people they lead by taking the spotlight off themselves and putting it on others. In fact, this principle will work for anybody. It's why the Bible says, '...in honour giving preference to one another' (Romans 12:10 NKJV).


*** Today there is just one thing God wanted me to be - it is to be an encourager.

I met Kuya Domeng and Ate Evelyn on the way home while riding the same bus. The stories were endless and advices given, Godly encouragement being told. Yes, I have been discouraged myself but it shouldn't take the joy from my heart. I should still be the same person only better. As Kuya Domeng said we as Christians shouldn't complain to God because we will never be neglected by Him, we go from glory to glory to glory. It encouraged me with my situation right now. I am so self absorbed I haven't got the time to text or call people who are willing to be my friends and these people like me should be ministered with encouragement.

I am a leader, I suppose, I do pray and hope I will become an encourager, a person who builds people up, a person who anyone can rely on. But right now God is trusting me to be faithful in my situation I should be glad because it is a rare opportunity to experience such trial of faith. That only means God wants me to grow deeper in my understanding in him.. ^_^

I do pray Lord that my heart should be settled and that no negative things comes out of my mouth. I want to be optimistic, to be the light and joy wherever I go. Only because I want them to know that I am a Christian and I am willing to be an asset to the place where God have decided me to be.

When You're the Leader (3)

Sunday, 28 November 2010 00:00
'...the leader should be like a servant.' Luke 22:26 NLT

Michael Bruner writes about how, as a brash young college student, he attended a lecture by a former US Attorney General. He says: 'Afterwards I approached him to see if we could meet for coffee. To his associates' shock, he said, "How about tomorrow"...We met and talked for an hour...I peppered him with questions. What famous people had he met? What was it like to be Attorney General in the 60s? When I asked him who was the greatest person he'd ever met, he said, "I don't think of people in those terms." He went on to tell me something I'll never forget. "Don't ever seek to be the greatest. Seek instead to do great things. If you aspire to greatness, your greatness will die with you. But if you aspire to do great things, your legacy will live on. The only way to do this is by being a servant. Lead by serving and you'll do great things." I was too young in the faith to know he'd taken those words from Scripture...Jesus was the embodiment of servant leadership. He didn't just tell the disciples what they should do, He did it along with them...As I left the hotel that morning and waited to cross the street, a blind man with a seeing-eye dog came up alongside me. I stared at the beautiful Lab...his senses alert, his sole purpose in life to serve his...master. Then the light turned green and gently the dog led [him] across the street...God had sent me a living parable. I learned a lesson that morning I would never forget. Pursue great things, not greatness; lead by serving.'

** I should think of pursuing great things rather than pursuing greatness. Yes, greatness will die with me but the great things that were left behind will be a forever legacy. I want to be that kind of person. A person who will leave behind something great fro other people to use and apply in their lives. I must change my selfish desires and start being a good leader by serving others. Those who cannot pay me back. Those people who really need help.

When You're the Leader (2)

Saturday, 27 November 2010


'...Whoever wants to be a leader...must be your servant.' Matthew 20:26 NLT


Mac Anderson says: 'Like every human being, I have doubts, fears and disappointments... As leaders, however, we must manage our attitude...we can't underestimate the influence of our actions and attitudes. Churchill said, "The price of leadership is responsibility...to stay positive whether you feel like it or not." A good leader launches out before success is certain...doesn't run from confrontation...talks about his own mistakes before anybody else's, and acknowledges them before others have to discover and reveal them. He looks for opportunities to find his teammates doing something right, and encourages the smallest improvement. He doesn't tolerate murmuring in himself or in others...is specific in his expectations...values accountability...does what's right instead of what's popular or convenient.'

What does the word 'servant' bring to your mind? The guy who works behind the scenes? The personal assistant who makes you look good? The spouse who worked so you could complete your degree? Charles Stanley says: 'Godly servants are all around us, but, sadly, we frequently take them for granted. This is a tragedy we need to correct, not only for their sakes but for our own. Their faithful service brings untold blessings...Wherever Joseph went, the people he served were blessed. Potiphar wasn't a God-fearing man, yet he prospered because of Joseph. Find the people in your life who have the gift of godly service and spend time with them...When you turn your nose up at someone doing "servant's work" you cut yourself off from a relationship that could literally change your life.'

Each of us has the potential to be great - not famous, but great, because greatness comes by serving!