What is this thing called "Grace"?

I believe "grace" is one of the overused words in Christian jargon. Many Christians that I come in contact with, do not really know its meaning although it is used very often to describe their walk with God. ;)

Some of you might know that, the Blessed Virgin Mary was called "full of grace" when Gabriel (one of the archangels) paid her a visit. Some Bible translation, uses "favoured one" instead of the above. Either way, it means the same. Grace means favour. What's more it is a gift only from God.

If Grace = Favour. Therefore the classic hymn Amazing Grace by John Newton means Amazing Favour! What was this favour that God did for John Newton that he dared call it "amazing"? The answer lies in John 3:16:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."

Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many. A ransom for the debt of our sins. He favours us so much that He is willing to save us through His death. So that those who believe in Him will enjoy eternity with Him in heaven.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
~ John Newton (1725-1807) ~

The Deliberate Intention of God

"Does God really care?"

I believe this is one the many questions about God that we ask most often - yes... including me. ;) It was last week or so, at a silent retreat that I stumbled upon the answer to this question but in the form of a question.

"what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?"

(Psalm 8:4, NIV)

And I thought to myself:

OK, why David finds 'mindful' synonymous with 'care'?

Why is it that when God thinks of us (i.e. mindful); He cares for us?

I can think of someone, say my enemy but that doesn't mean I care for him/her!

So as I spent my quiet time meditating upon this verse, the Holy Spirit revealed to me these insights:

Essentially we are made from nothing. Yeah, I know the bible says that we came from dust. But where is soil from? :)Everything in this universe is willed by God. Here the word "will" means "deliberate intention". God deliberately intended to have this universe. When God "deliberately intends" stuff, He thinks.

Unlike us, His thoughts materialized and viola! - Creation. But it doesn't stop there. To keep Creation as it is (i.e. materialized), God has to remember it constantly (i.e. mindful).

From the universe to the galaxies. From the galaxies to the solar systems. From the solar systems to the planets. From the planets to Earth. From Earth to the people living in it. From the people living in it to the basic components that they were made of. Not to mention various itty bitty details (i.e. law of gravity, boiling points, human/animal/plant anatomy, etc...)Goodness! To sustain all of the above God has to remember them ALL constantly! AWESOME!

When I recall the times where I have sinned. I feel guilty, for the fact that God still thinks of me even during the act of sin! Imagine your mum caught you stealing money from her purse, heart-broken she still clothes and feeds you... On the other hand, when I feel really down and I felt that no one cares about me anymore. I can be sure that still God does. Why?

Because He alone sustains my existence. And I still exist.

That alone shows He cares. :)

AMAZINGLY FEARLESS RACE!

Top 10 Experiences of 2004

2004 has been a year of new experiences. Here is the list of my top ten (in chronological order)...

1. Co-leading House Of Manna (cell group)
2. Giving my first Lifeline talk which was on evangelism
   ...and subsequently my second on suffering
   
3. My first time to Sabah!
4. My first job as a "Corporate Marketing Executive"
5. ...and getting my first paycheck!
6. Participating in Lifeline's Amazingly Fearless Race!
7. Flunked my A-level...
8. Working part-time in the Youth Centre
   
9. My first time to Langkawi and hanging out with fellow parish workers
10. And the night before 2005: my first salsa new year party

Although not all of the above experiences was good, still I want to praise and thank the Lord because it is He who charted my life and I believe that God has more new experiences in store for me this 2005. God alone sums it best:

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
-Jeremiah 29:11-

Blessed New Year!