The lyrics of this song is very powerful hope it will speak to many hearts out there.
It will be good to have pit stops in our spiritual life to check the state of our spiritual health. Maybe it's time to do so now...
Somewhere in the middle by Casting Crowns
Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
God is faithful…
Another testimony of God’s providence as we obey His call to give to His Kingdom. (By ZJ)
In September 2007, the Lord led me to begin praying for the church redevelopment project. This was before the plans were firmed and anything was announced to the church.
At the same time, the Lord challenged me to be prepared to give $10,000 to the church redevelopment fund on top of my monthly pledges and tithe. This amount was way beyond my imagination but in my Spirit, I was very excited because this meant that God would once again be magnified as He has to be the one to bring the finances in (what is faith pledging if no faith is required?). This was on top of the expenses that I would be plowing into my wedding in 2008, the house and other debts incurred by my family. In order to help me keep track of my savings and set aside the money which belongs to God's kingdom work, I started a savings account for the building fund. (in part, also to capitalize on whatever little interest that may help increase the funds.)
Time and again, God showed Himself faithful and mighty. In 2008, He provided me with unprecedented pay increment and bonus. The wedding was also over and abundantly covered from the gifts we received. (On top of that, God threw in a wonderful honeymoon package and photo shoot experience overseas.)
In Nov 2008, the church began to call for worshippers to begin pledging for the building fund. By this time, my building fund savings account, though growing, was far from the $10,000 target. Given only 6mths, I had to stagger my giving. So I decided to split up my pledge by the thousands and give a lump sum of $5000 in the final month.
The first $1000 was easy to give, since I had ample in the account to cover for it. But over the months, the money was going out faster than it was coming in, and the amount of money in the bank account was dwindling. It became more and more challenging each time I had to write the next cheque, trusting that God will honor His Word.
5months have passed now and we’re nearing the end of the church redevelopment funds. Once again, God has broken through and multiplied my finances! This year, despite news of the economic crisis, the Lord blessed me with over $6000 bonus! This is truly His great grace as #1) I’ve already tendered my resignation in January and the company could easily have reduced the amount of bonus paid out; #2) Base on my salary scale change from the last increment, I was no longer eligible for bonus scheme A (where the bonus is tagged to local office profits and personal performance.) My bonus was suppose to be calculated base on the scheme B (this includes global performance) – which has been badly affected by the economic crisis, especially so when our company is based in United States. Yet, God granted me favor with my bosses and they decided to calculate my bonus so that I get the higher of the 2 schemes. In addition to that, I was entitled to claim tax relief this year due to my earthly father’s retirement.
I give God all the praise and honor for helping me fulfill the pledge for the building fund. More than that, I praise Him for being a faithful God, and always ready to take our faith to the next level, if we were to trust and obey!
In September 2007, the Lord led me to begin praying for the church redevelopment project. This was before the plans were firmed and anything was announced to the church.
At the same time, the Lord challenged me to be prepared to give $10,000 to the church redevelopment fund on top of my monthly pledges and tithe. This amount was way beyond my imagination but in my Spirit, I was very excited because this meant that God would once again be magnified as He has to be the one to bring the finances in (what is faith pledging if no faith is required?). This was on top of the expenses that I would be plowing into my wedding in 2008, the house and other debts incurred by my family. In order to help me keep track of my savings and set aside the money which belongs to God's kingdom work, I started a savings account for the building fund. (in part, also to capitalize on whatever little interest that may help increase the funds.)
Time and again, God showed Himself faithful and mighty. In 2008, He provided me with unprecedented pay increment and bonus. The wedding was also over and abundantly covered from the gifts we received. (On top of that, God threw in a wonderful honeymoon package and photo shoot experience overseas.)
In Nov 2008, the church began to call for worshippers to begin pledging for the building fund. By this time, my building fund savings account, though growing, was far from the $10,000 target. Given only 6mths, I had to stagger my giving. So I decided to split up my pledge by the thousands and give a lump sum of $5000 in the final month.
The first $1000 was easy to give, since I had ample in the account to cover for it. But over the months, the money was going out faster than it was coming in, and the amount of money in the bank account was dwindling. It became more and more challenging each time I had to write the next cheque, trusting that God will honor His Word.
5months have passed now and we’re nearing the end of the church redevelopment funds. Once again, God has broken through and multiplied my finances! This year, despite news of the economic crisis, the Lord blessed me with over $6000 bonus! This is truly His great grace as #1) I’ve already tendered my resignation in January and the company could easily have reduced the amount of bonus paid out; #2) Base on my salary scale change from the last increment, I was no longer eligible for bonus scheme A (where the bonus is tagged to local office profits and personal performance.) My bonus was suppose to be calculated base on the scheme B (this includes global performance) – which has been badly affected by the economic crisis, especially so when our company is based in United States. Yet, God granted me favor with my bosses and they decided to calculate my bonus so that I get the higher of the 2 schemes. In addition to that, I was entitled to claim tax relief this year due to my earthly father’s retirement.
I give God all the praise and honor for helping me fulfill the pledge for the building fund. More than that, I praise Him for being a faithful God, and always ready to take our faith to the next level, if we were to trust and obey!
Friday, March 20, 2009
We serve a living God!
Hi all, want to share a thanksgiving with you guys!
It started when church asked for pledging 5 months ago. At that time, i dont think i can pledge cause I'm not working. I told God that I'm not working and has no income thus no need to pledge But my heart was not feeling at peace. Then marchze told me he wanted to pledge this certain amount and I was like 'wow', are you sure???
Then we decided to pray about it and see what God say. Our prayer:
1) God do you want us to pledge?
1) God do you want us to pledge?
2) How much?
3) As individual or only Marchze?
God showed me malachi 3:10-12 and He specifically say to bring ALL into His store! 'ALL'??? 'Are you sure???' and He said "YES!"
He said 'you can pledge from the monthly expenses from the grocery.'
I said 'ok, if you say so.'
So we pledge as individuals, preparing to dip into our reserve (our children's saving) till it drop to 10% or maybe 0 by the end of the six months but at the same time, I know that God will provide us the money though i dont know how.......
5 months down the road, God provided ALL. Marchze received a bonus for year 2008 on his birthday. The amount is more than ALL OUR pledging + fund raising dinner payment + tryphena's homeschooling curriculum. (for those who have yet to know, we've just started our homeschooling journey for our kids, after much prayers also) :)
BUT the most amazing to us is not that but how God sustained us these 5 months. We've not once dip into our reserve and now we have this amount of savings in our bank. If we did not pledge in the first place, we would never have save this amount. In a way, God helped us to save!
Thank you God!!! We really serve a living God!!!
The Chngs
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Clinging to Him
Cling to the cross IS your best bet as the world around you may be a swirl and no understanding could be found.
I cling to the cross-Paul Baloche
I cling to the cross and everything it means
I know it's the only hope there is for saving me
For without Your great mercy
I would be forever lost
With a thankful heart I come
And cling to the cross
Standing at the empty tomb
Promises I have in You arise
I was made alive in You
Everything You said was true
You suffered, died, and rose to bring us life
I cling to the cross and everything it means
I know it's the only hope there is for saving me
For without Your great mercy
I would be forever lost
With a thankful heart I come (Jesus I come)
With a thankful heart I come
With a thankful heart I come and cling to the cross
Bridge:
The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
No turning back, no turning back
I cling to the cross-Paul Baloche
I cling to the cross and everything it means
I know it's the only hope there is for saving me
For without Your great mercy
I would be forever lost
With a thankful heart I come
And cling to the cross
Standing at the empty tomb
Promises I have in You arise
I was made alive in You
Everything You said was true
You suffered, died, and rose to bring us life
I cling to the cross and everything it means
I know it's the only hope there is for saving me
For without Your great mercy
I would be forever lost
With a thankful heart I come (Jesus I come)
With a thankful heart I come
With a thankful heart I come and cling to the cross
Bridge:
The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
The world behind me, the cross before me
No turning back, no turning back
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