thoughts, testimonies, news and all such things

2007-11-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

These words from Dr.Moorehead mirror my thoughts too and I suspect many people. It probably is something most people realize in some way or the other, but then remain trapped in it all. Because if we're honestly going to do those 'things that really matter' things that he lists at the end of the article, on any kind of regular basis, it means making some life changing decisions and most people consider that an'impossibility'. Thank God we serve a God who makes the impossible possible.

Remember

By Dr Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember; say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember; give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember; say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember; hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

2007-07-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

This was written by one of my new myspace friends Steven Andrew. I think it's really cool and witty.

RECALL
Body: The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and
central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the
original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the
reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed 'Subsequential Internal
Non-Morality,' or more commonly known as S.I.N, as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect,
is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to
correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously
offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these
repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE
procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus,
into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it
with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers'
Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
For further details on the use of these fixes......

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction
voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded.

2007-07-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

Yay!! I have time to say something on me blog again...

A few days ago the leadership team at The Vine (my home church) got together for dinner and we were all asked to share one brief tip on leadership, and I was thrilled that almost all suggestions pointed towards servant leadership. I can't tell you how awesome an experience it is when you serve with a group of leaders who have an attitude like this. This is the kind of atmosphere that nurtures real and genuine friendships and honestly I am all for that.

Anyway, that was a tangent...a nice tangent : ), but what I really want to write about is the comment I ended up making on leadership. I said something to the effect that we should use encouragement rather than discouragement to motivate and lead our team.

Now these days, more and more, when I say something sensible like that : ), I tend to recall it during my private times with Jesus and give Him credit for it. So I was doing that this morning and He smiled and took that statement a bit further saying, 'use encouragement you mean rather than discouragement you don't mean'.

It's true isn't it?

Encouragement that ends up being just nice words someone is saying has a way of falling flat and failing miserably in the long run doesn't it?
On the other hand being nastier than you actually are or losing it when things are not being done the right way, or your way is just as tasteless, and then you end up regretting what you said and if you end up being too embarrassed or proud to apologise, the thing follows you everywhere you go like a bad smell.

I sometimes think we're so afraid to use grace and encouragement rather than a stern school principal kind of approach because the fact is, we live in a world where many times this kind of attitude gets people to walk all over us, but you know what?... I find that Jesus has been doing that for 2000 years, knocking on doors that won't open and some that open and then get slammed in His face again, and I find that...we (mankind) are still here, still being allowed to do that. Gosh! if Jesus was anything like me, His patience would have run out in the first 10 years and He would have let wrath take over (forget the lamb, just be the lion) and with God that means wipe out the world. Aren't we all glad Jesus is not like me : ).

I sure would like to be like Him though...you know why? because there came a day in my life when I connected with His grace, and my life never was the same again. You see, even though Jesus was my God ever since I can remember, I had never met Him and as a result connected with His throne of grace. Not until that day, when I was sitting in my room feeling miserable and unloved, and He spoke to me Spirit to spirit, and said, "Cheryl, I love you so much, I gave my life for you." Now before that, I always considered myself a fairly decent person. I was obedient to God's laws to the best of my ability, and all in all did not feel like too much of a sinner. When I heard Jesus say that however, the first thing I realized was how I don't deserve that...gosh! who does? how good can you be to deserve God dying for you? I realized that not only can no one deserve it, I was far from being someone who came anywhere close, even if...and yet He didn't seem to mind at all. He just kept pouring out His love and it broke me, like no whip or law ever could, and ever since then something of the old me that doesn't please God keeps dying, and something new comes to life in it's place, and today I obey God not because I am scared of Him, but because I love Him back so much I can't help it. Everytime I struggle with obedience, I allow God to love me and I still get surprised by how powerful that is to transform some of my greatest feelings of anger, frustration, worry, pain, hurt...whatever, and it's the only reason I want to preach the gospel, to give people the incredible life that comes to anyone who connects with the throne of Grace. It's an all powerful, all conquering treasure and in challenging moments, when I'm all tempted to lose my cool and put my claws out...when I take a few moments and sometimes a couple of days : ) to turn to God and allow grace to flow through me instead, the outcome is always mind blowingly blessed. It really changes the way you look at life and people. It's addictive really...use grace instead of anger once and have a blessed outcome, and it's hard to not want to do it that way again.

I'll end with Pastor Tony's leadership tip. "Don't criticise what someone is wearing, until you have tried on their shoes." LOVE that one! It's a good way to avoid harshness and put on grace.

2007-06-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

oh! my gosh!

MUSIC IS FROM GOD, ABOUT GOD AND IS FOR GOD!!! IT ABSOLUTELY IS!!!

I never thought I'd ever appreciate Opera, I don't understand a word this guy is singing but I had goose bumps big time! And I bet you will too. I don't know what others will call it, but in both these videos, I'm absolutely convinced it's God's Spirit in each one.

Do remember to pause my song player at the top of this page before you watch these videos yeah? Enjoy!!!

2007-05-10T05:05:00.000-07:00

I have been AWOL from blogger for a lil while, he!he! It's myspace's fault. Guess I like myspace :)
I've been making some nice new friends there and LOOK!!!! I got meself a fancy blogsite music player. I figured it all out by lil ol meself. I so smart!!! I've downloaded some of my favourite songs and hope you enjoy the music as you hang around here.

I might take a lil while to post another blog but in the mean time come visit me at myspace okay? okay.

Just click on zis thing.Cheryl’s Space

2007-04-03T03:18:00.000-07:00

I have a myspace account!!!!

Cheryl’s Space

why? ... I'm still figuring that one out.

So far it's been great fun browsing around myspace and checking out that world - gosh! some of it is totally alien, yet... some of it is remarkably familiar. For the moment each time I visit, it's a fascinating ride, so I'm taking it a step at a time.

Other than that, I have some kind of weird throat infection that has caused me to lose my voice. I sound so strange and in the mornings it's quite funny, because all I can do is whisper. It began on Sunday and this is funny... Mark came by as I was musing over my sore throat and I said in my crackling, 'poor me' voice, "I've lost my voice Mark" and he says, " Shhh! don't speak then".

Aaaaahhh!!! I want my mom!!! : (.

Well, actually I'm not such a whiny baby when I get sick.

Oh! something exciting ...or freaky depending on your view of such things. We have two new additions to our mini zoo at home. We've got two lizards...Frodo and Sam.

This is Sam

Frodo is semi exotic and was bought from the pet shop. Sam is his plain and common cousin, who was caught in our garden. I am happy to report that they are both currently enjoying their new home. Will try and post some pics of Frodo soon.

2007-03-24T18:52:00.000-07:00

My friend sent me this. It has a distinct HK flavour to it that is rather amusing, but hey! you've gotta like it : )

2007-03-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

He did it again...

Jesus makes the best comments when we watch the Lord of the Rings together. I've seen the movie like countless times, and I do it a lot when I want to spend 'hang out' time with God. He doesn't get bored... Isn't that awesome? : ) Have you ever done that? Hung out with God? I'm only asking because, it's still a relatively new experience for me... : ). Have you heard the song, "I am a friend of God, He calls me friend". Those words happen to be... entirely True!!! : ), and God will go with you, and do whatever you want to do and yeah...He will comment and chat through it all, just like any friend would. He never leaves you, that's bible truth : )... so yeah... He'll be there even if you're doing what you shouldn't be doing. : ) For example... He'll go with you when you sneak out to have a smoke, and yeah! he'll pass a few comments too... you just may not like what He says about it... but trust me it's the best way to get cleaned up : )

Anyway, I totally LOVE what He says when we watch the movie together. He is so insightful and so deep and He's a brilliant buddy to watch the movie with. And I know it's like 'unspiritual' in a way, to talk about God like it's a surprise He's so brilliant... but it's one thing to say it because it's the right thing to say, and another thing to experience the reality of it and then say it. I don't think He minds, I believe He wants me to be real. So many times, I read His word and I say to Him, 'God you are just soooooooooooo brilliant - no one I know can put it the way you do...there really is none like you' and He says, 'Thank you'. : )

So what He did this time was point out the team work that exists between the 'fellowship' as they battle together. They are constantly there for each other. There is this one scene, where Aragorn is in the front line and the Uruk-hai are charging towards him and from behind him, there is this volley of arrows that is shot by the elves to bring down the enemy. There is another time in the battle when Aragorn sees danger coming and he turns to Legolas and asks him to handle it. He does not try to do it himself, he knows who can do the job and he asks him to do it. Also there are hobbits who offer their services, these are little ones who clearly lack the experience to do the job but while in the battle, no one judges their performance, no one stops to blame them for wrong moves and no one stops to train and instruct in the middle of the battle.
Then God said, "How often does my army behave like this? "
When we see the enemy attack someone(which basically means - sin is revealed) what do we do?
We judge, we complain, we get upset, we get disappointed, we get depressed, we feel ashamed - any number of things which amounts to us putting down the weapons that we have and letting the enemy just walk all over us.
We are supposed to fight... the enemy...NOT the person. Our brother's enemy is our enemy. When sin is revealed, it is not a time for scandal, anger and gossip - whose weapons are those?

Getting into all that finger pointing, anger and judgement is as if Legolas saw the enemy attacking Aragorn and then took the spear from the Uruk-hai's hand and killed Aragorn himself.
I don't know about you... but my first thought was, 'that is an entirely ridiculous thing to do'... and yet, don't I do it? don't we do it? Oooooh!, God opened my eyes big time with that one.

I realize that the weapons we have is the fruit of the Spirit. Forgiveness, grace, mercy, the word of God and I realized that when sin is revealed either in myself or in a brother or sister, the weapons I must use are God's, and not the enemy's.

Now here's my preachy bit... : ) Satan is after God's chosen, and we need to be mindful of the weapons he uses. We also need to be mindful that we're not just watching our backs, but we're watching the backs of the whole team, and while we should not makes excuses and pretend things aren't wrong, we should not get into scandal and judgement either. Prayer, peace, trust, love, forgiveness, wise councel...there is much God has given us that is all powerful and are the weapons we must use...I don't know about you, but this makes total sense to me. We're not winning especially when it comes to unity within the body because we're using the wrong weapons - we don't know it, because it's so 'natural' to do that, but with this analogy, when I realize how ridiculous it would be for Legolas to take the enemy's weapon and slay Aragorn with it...I see how deceived we are as well, and have to stop acting 'natural' and act 'super-natural'.

So yeah...that's the cool stuff God shared.

2007-03-08T14:22:00.000-08:00

Our God is creative, so are His people and He speaks through us...

I loved this video...

I love the fact that so much creative talent is coming out of the church.
If that video impresses me however... this website just blows me away...

Have you heard of Akiane?

God speaks volumes to me through her paintings and poetry, but mostly through the fact that she is only 12. Se was born into an athiest family and after a visit to heaven at 4, brought her whole family to God and has been painting and writing poetry ever since. When you brouse, go to the 'her life' link and read the questions and answers.

http://www.artakiane.com/home.htm

YES!!! that famous verse in Joel comes to mind doesn't it? In the last days He will pour out His Spirit. Sons and daughters will prophesy.

2007-02-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Some strange ones...

no... I am not trying to suffocate myself... just talking on ze phone on a very noisy train.

This pic is not very clear, but really, it's the funniest sight. Shibah (the brown one), likes to sit on Ebony's (the black one) head for some strange reason and for an even stranger reason, it doesn't seem to bother him one bit. : ) She just sits like that for 5-10 minutes sometimes.

DB Fridays. This last one was so awesome. We were out in the plaza and we hung out and sang, chatted and prayed, as all the activity happened around us, and it was the coolest experience. Totally 'out of the box' I tell ya, but an absolute blessing to be a part of.

Sorry these pics aren't very clear, but I had to resize them for easy upload and they totaly lost their clarity, and I'm still learning how to deal with all this techi stuff, so please bear with me. : )

speaking of DB... I just got to hear Aaron's new CD 'True Disciple'. Oh my gosh! I listened to it for the first time yesterday, and I played it like 6 times in a row. : ) There is this funky thing he's done with the love chapter and it's called 'All about love' and it's really really so cool. Then ther's one called, ' When I come to Heaven' and it sounds kinda Indian so of course I totally dig it!!! The whole album is so great to listen to actually. The last song 'Did you know' is about stromy times and it's got like the sound of thunder and stuff in it - FANTASTIC!!!.

I absolutely love the music talent at the Vine, and I think it's so awesome that some of my favourite singers/song writers/musicians in the whole world go to my church, are my friends and are such neat people. I wasn't asking for that, but it's so like God to add some extra special treats when He answers prayers yeah?

Anyone in HK who doesn't have a church. Do come visit us at "The Vine Christian Fellowship" www.thevine.org.hk .

okey kokey blogsite, I'll miss you till I see you again. And by the way... I've realized my blog's a 'she' and funnily enough...she also happens to have a lot in common with me : ) ... and I'm thinking up her name at the moment. Any suggestions?

Happy valentines day YALL!!!

Family and friends, let me tell you,
I Love you... and honestly, from the bottom of my heart...
after God, you are the best thing that ever happened to me.

BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! for now

2007-02-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

Some more pics...

Tong Fuk Beach

The normal green water of the HK ocean has actually been this lovely blue for the last week : )

The Cool T

T and Shi

That's T's famous 'look at my poor tired puppy look'. They're a team... these two!!!

Now where does she get this silly streak from?

A -HA!!!

Like father, like daughter...

2007-02-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

Gosh! I still have too much on my plate to post a decent blog update but I need to say this ...

I have been missing my blogsite so much, it's beginning to worry me.

I do believe that I now have for my blogsite, what some guys have for their cars... what some musicians have for their guitars. You know that thing...when inanimate stuff goes from being an 'it' to a 'he' or a 'she' and if you did not know what they were talking about, you'd be convinced they were talking about the love of their life...

Yikes! I'm afraid it's getting a bit like that, with me and my blog.

The good thing is - it's not quite got to the 'love of my life' stage.

In fact... it's not too bad really... because, while it's gone from being an 'it' to ' sorta human' status, the gender isn't quite defined yet. Like... I don't know yet, if my blog is a 'he' or a 'she' and so yeah... I think I've nipped this thing in the bud... I've caught the virus before it spreads, you know?
Anyway, just wanted to say that - this is only one of the many things I've been going through this month. Yeah, so if that bit of news tells you that my busy life is probably affecting my head and I need to rest, I think I'll agree. : )
So yeah, it's been rather hectic and even freaky...some of the stuff we've been going through, but all in all - it's been good, and anyone out there who knows what challenges are like in the life of a believer, you'll know what I'm saying... but enough talking... let's post some latest family pics for the folks and friends out there.

ze cool dude on ze bus to Mui Wo Ferry Pier.

the rest of us on the other side of the same bus.

that's our two boys and our girl - yup! She rules!!!

and this is our new body guard. : )

Okey kokes, that's it for now. God bless!! Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

2007-01-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

Hello beautiful people and a wonderful and blessed 2007 to you.

I have had an absolutly lovely Christmas and New Year and today I'm sitting here so grateful for all the people I have come to meet, know and become a friend to in 2006.

I do have lots to share and I hope I get a chance to soon but for now let me just say...

HAPPY 2007 TO YOU...

AND MAY YOU HAVE AN

AMAZING,

AWESOME,

FANTASMAGORICAL YEAR.

2006-12-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

I received this from a friend recently and it made me think...

If they know of him at all, many folks think Ben Stein is just a quirky actor/comedian who talks in a monotone. He's also a very intelligent attorney who knows how to put ideas and words together in such a way as to sway juries and make people think clearly.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary (USA)

"Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart: I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important?

I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are.

If this is what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don' t feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution, and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too.

But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this Happen?" (regarding Katrina)
Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives.
And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.
Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about and we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.
Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.
Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing?"

2006-12-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

Tiara's birthday with friends.

Hello, this is Tiara again...

Christmas is in the Air... It's December, my favourite month,

because it's my birthday, and my mommy's birthday and it's

Jesus' birthday month. I LOVE DECEMBER!!!

Johnson Christmas Tree.

My grammy sent me this real funny link. It's Santa Claus singing 'White Christmas' and I wanted to share it here.

http://www.mesasoftware.com/merrychristmas.htm

ENJOY!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

2006-11-30T14:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone who missed Aaron's message last Sunday... gosh! you must listen to this. I believe, this is an awesome example of new wine. http://www.thevine.org.hk/grapevine/pages/audio.html. For those not familiar with how this works, scroll down the page and choose the 6.00 PM message on Sunday the 26th. And even if you're not a memeber of the Vine, you are most welcome to hear it. We all know that when God speaks, so many times, He's addressing all of us and not just those inside the room at the time, which is why I so love pod casts and the whole media thing.

Pastor Tony's message was really good too and I haven't listened to Maggie's yet and am looking forward to that : )

Anyway, Aaron's message comes at such a great time for me.

Excerpt for Cheryl's journal 27 Nov. 2006...

This last month or so I'm in a very special place in my relationship with God. It's more personal and intimate than it has ever been and I am loving my Bible... and Aaron's message gave me that same excited feeling I get when I ... watch a movie say, and it's an amazing movie, and then I meet someone who has seen it too and is just as taken with the movie as I am. That's like so awesome ... and together we get all hyped and excited talking about it. It was like that.

You know, there was a time in my life when I never knew that the Bible would get me so excited. I almost wince as I say this right now, because today I know that nothing else in my life, comes anywhere close to the valuable treasure that my Bible is to me, but when you don't know... you just don't know. It freaks me out a bit that when the blinders are on, it's like you can't see what's right in front of you, ... but anyway... Praise God, the blinders are off and I LOVE MY BIBLE!!! and everyday, may I learn to use this precious word of God, the way He wants me to.

Gosh! I remember as a kid how often my dad would try and get me to read our Bible. He never ever made me, but he would ask me to, every now and then. I did not listen to him, and of course now I'm like, ' Cheryl you knuckle head!!!' but I so love my dad for planting those seeds in me.

Our God is precious and falling in love with Him and doing the whole 'for better or for worse' thing with Jesus is the best decision I have ever made. It's so amazing to be crazy about God? it's like... intoxicating. I can't get over Him. I just can't. Right now, I'm in a 'crazy fan' sort of place about Jesus... I'm in a 'Jesus you're my Super Hero' place and I love it and I never want to lose it and so I'm writing it down here to read anytime down the line.
I never want to find myself straying from this place of awe and wonder and fascination for my God, my hero, my knight in shining armour, my friend, Our Awesome God.

Gosh! I feel like a giddy headed teenager right now, hehe! and I like it.

I love the many levels on which I can connect with God.
When I'm in deep pain or anguish, I can turn to Him,
when I have a huge crisis on my hands, I can turn to Him,
when I need sound advice and wisdom, I can turn to Him,
I can be disciplined by Him when I am being stubborn,
I can sit on His lap and delight in my daddy like a 3 year old would,
when I need a buddy I can turn to Him,
and, I can experience the intoxicating feelings of first love with Him too.
He satisfies my every need.

Lord may I always turn to you, in everything, for everything. Jesus, come alive in me and show me how to commune with my Father the way you did.

2006-11-21T20:20:00.000-08:00

Nov 15 2006 - Hillsong United were in Hong Kong...

What a lovely evening… I had such a blast, and I realized a few things...

1) I realized, that worshipping God with a famous band like Hillsong, is wayyyyyy better than just watching a good band perform.

2) I realized, that the audience honour a worship band so much more, when they allow the band to lead them in worship (let it be about God), rather than when they let the event be all about the band… and that choice is in the audience hands.

3) Thinking about that a bit more, I realized that when we idolize people, we really are letting them down. No matter how much the band may want it to be about God, I don't believe He will make His presence felt in such an awesome way, if the audience is all about the band.

4) Thinking even more about this, I realized that worldly fame is actually quite an awful thing. I mean… it’s one thing to experience what it’s like to become an idol for some starry eyed person, to feel like a god/goddess and constantly realize that you aren’t, and it’s a totally different thing to let the honour go where it is due, and receive instead an honest sense of achievement and satisfaction in your talent that God gives through His spirit, which can manifest through people's appreciation, but it's healthy and good honour... that is real, and one you can keep with no burden of pretense behind it.

5) So, I realized that in this world we really settle for a lot less when we keep God out of our lives and our experiences…

6) Finally, I realized, that while I really love Hillsong and think they are a superb band... there is this unique spot in my heart for the Vine band and I don't think anyone can take that place : ) and this is lovely to know. It feels right and it makes me happy.

2006-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from Cheryl's journal Nov 11 2006...

I've been watching the Lord of the Rings again this last week and it's a great movie to watch with Jesus : ). It's funny how I'm still in awe of these experiences with God, and how even though I've known the verse, 'He never leaves me' for the longest time... watching a movie with God is still a relatively new experience for me.

I mean, it was a funny thing, the day I realized that God is with me (all the time) whether I acknowledge His presence or not, and all I do now is ask a question like, "what do you think of this Father?" and He just answers...

Who would've thought He'd have an opinion on a movie? and yet on the other hand, it's like... of course He would... He knows how many hairs I have on my head!!... He is the living God who cares about everything that I'm about. It's awesome to wake up to the truth of this reality.

Growing up I just had no idea I could connect with God like this, but as I've hungered for more of Him, to see His face, to know His character, His person. As I've read His word with a desire to know what He is actually saying, which He reveals through His Spirit for the simple reason that I ask Him to, and believe He will, I am getting more and more familiar with who He is, just like I would get to know anyone I choose to spend time with and I find that hearing God's voice comment on so many aspects of my life, a thing that is happening more and more and it's an incredible experience and I am so in awe of it. His love is so real, He is so real and it's ...like...it's LIFE like I've never lived it before.

So anyway, this morning, after two weeks of 'The Lord of the Rings', God keeps reminding me of this one line...

"Aslan is on the move..."

Hehe! I guess He's been watching 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" with someone else. : )

And I say, "Yes Lord : ), You are on the move".

What an exciting time to be alive! : )

2006-11-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hello this is Tiara.

This is my mummy's blog site , but she said I could use it if I wanted to.

I just want to share a cool song with you. I found it this Halloween and it's called 'Do the Growl'.

I like it because I think it's cool and it's a good way to stop yourself from getting angry at someone and even though I don't like Halloween at all, this song is great. You can listen to it at this link.

http://www.ilovewavs.com/Holidays/Halloween/Music/Do%20The%20Growl.wav

I hope you enjoy.

love,
Tiara

2006-11-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

yesterday's DB service...

was so special and I want to record this because God does these incredible things at times and when I don't write it down I forget, and that's a terrible thing.

It was a small prayer meeting. We did not have the great set up that we usually do, and in the end, we did not even have the venue, and so we were out in the open, and while at the start this was something we noticed with some sadness, I think we all knew that God would turn it around like only He can and He did. : )

You know, at our regular Vine services, as I'm sure it is in all of God's churches the world over, we do realize that it's not about all the hi-tech stuff and all our talent, we do realize that we have an awesome experience only because God is in the building, but then...maybe there is room for that doubt to creep in...'hmmm! what if we did not have all the 'flash'?

Well last night was absolute proof that when it's Jesus you're with, He'll make any gathering awesome and somehow stripping away all the 'flash' was like the best thing that could've happened. You know how like in worship at the Vine sometimes, in the middle of the song, the band just stops playing and all we hear are the hearts of the people as they sing in unison praising God, how that is somehow entirely different and special... last night was like that.

We were out in the open, with one guitar, one drum and a few people who were there to love God and seek His face and He showed up in a way that did something different to all of us there. I cannot really put into words what happened, but I'll try... : )

There was a spirit of brotherhood, an appreciation for one another, a corporate strengthening of faith, an openness, a deep longing for more, an anointing for healing and a desire for signs and wonders and to be used by God in any way He would choose, even if it took us out of our comfort zones, there was prophesy and some incredible sharing and there was one distinct moment for me when I KNEW I was in the midst of God's people. I sensed Jesus in them. It was such a lovely, peaceful moment and this is a valuable treasure. Because I know we're all just people, we're all works in progress and we're going to have those times when we'll see each other failing, making mistakes, falling off the path, walking in the flesh ... but to get a God given glimpse like that into their hearts, to see them as He created them, the unblemished version ... I know with this knowledge, it's going to be so much easier to love unconditionally, to understand people when things go wrong, to be there when someone falls, because I feel I've seen what's deep inside and it's beautiful, and that's what God gave me yesterday and I believe it's the kind of special thing He does when He shows up in these 'all is stripped away' moments. Something entirely mind blowing like that.

A new boldness seemed to touch us. Aaron did such an awesome job being sensitive to God's lead and leading the rest of us accordingly and everyone shared some incredible stuff. It's like God spoke through each and everyone there and we left knowing that God was leading us, and we were following and it was awesome. You know that is such an attractive thing. I feel so strongly, that this is what God wants, this is how He works and if we walk like this, the lost WILL come to Jesus. Church like this, which flows out of the hearts of the people, is attractive like nothing else. It really is all about relationships, being open, genuine, trusting and free. It is entirely what the Spirit of the Lord does and being out in the open made us realize something else too. This spirit is really not meant to stay inside the four walls of a church building, it's meant to be out there.

Lord I say this often, but then until you give me some new vocabulary, you just must hear it again... You Are AWESOME!!!

2006-10-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted something and it's because I am overwhelmed... Make that like OVERWHELMED!!! Sooooooo much has happened at church, at home, in our lives and in friends and families lives and it's like...oh! My gosh! World...Stop turning... : ) Pretty glad the world doesn't listen to that though : )

So who else has been insanely busy? Meg says she's been. Ed's been too. And it's not like busy with just work for me, it's also spiritual busy, like dueling with the enemy and dealing with the everyday pressures of life. It's like all happening at the same time. Is this like busy phase or some such thing? Does anyone like busy? I don't. Not right now at least. This whole multi tasking thing that women are supposed to be good at... I don't know what happened to me, but either I'm terribly bad at something that's supposed to come to me naturally, or whoever said that lied, and women just agree because it sounds nice. : ) So will all this busy busy end soon?

Let me take a moment to ask God...Yes, it will. Good, now I feel better.

It's good to force yourself to stop every now and then and have a chat with God right in the middle of all the huddle muddle. Funny how sometimes that is such a challenge in itself, but what I find even more bizarre is that EVERYTIME I do do this, without fail God comes through each time to get me refreshed and able to go on. So then why don't I just run to Him, like ...Immediately?

Must be the 'duh?!?!' in me. : )

The 'spirit of stupid' like I heard someone say recently. : )

Hmmmm! I do think it comes upon me when I allow the spirit of 'busy busy' to come upon me too. I do believe they work together. And busy busy just creeps up on me and takes over and it's so hard to take a moment and decide to give up certain things. I find that a super challenge. Do you? 'cause everything seems so important and it's like 'if I don't do this, the whole world will fall apart' . It takes wisdom and patience to sort life out when busy busy takes over and I for one am sure glad I'm not on me own dealing with this. Gosh! what did I do before I knew Jesus? I know, I walked through the valley and I suffered. Today I walk through the valley, but it's a journey with God and every time I turn to Him in the valley I prosper.

Lord, for the record, I want you to know that the worst valley moments in my journey with You, far supersedes the best times in my journey before I knew you. Thank you for what you've done to my life. You are so super awesome : )

2006-09-19T21:11:00.000-07:00

WOW!!!

so... I played it at home right? and I watched the scale I had placed on my player measure the quality right? :) and would you believe it?! the arrow moved from 'good' to 'awesome' to 'just as I thought - above awesome' and...wait for it...the arrow kept moving!! Yup! right on to 'way above my expectations' and then it stopped there but that's also I suspect because it was the limit on my scale. :)

Congratulations on a job well done, Tom and the entire team.

So, my favourites are
1) Desperation Song: I love what Tom says in the DVD that God breathed this song into him. I absolutely believe that 100%. How appropriate is this song for every nation of the world and then at the Vine with so many nations represented, while we all sing it for HK, we all sing it for the nations we come from too. How blessed is HK to bless all the nations by the number of nationalities that have been welcomed by her to make her their temporay or permanant home. I certainly love singing it for India too and won't every heart that cries out for their nation the world over be absolutley blessed by this song. Only the Holy Spirit can give us such a lovely prayer that we can offer to our Father God. Yes Lord! take this song around the world and let your healing come to us.
2) This is love: Gosh! this is a song after my heart. This song to me is the entire gospel right there - in it's totally sweet, simple and awesomely miraculous form. I honestly believe and pray that this song will win many souls for Christ.
3) I fear you: What a sweet voice, declaring the fear of our awesome God the way He means for it to be. Sarah sounds just like the angel she is. :)
Okay these are my top 3 but then every other song on the album is special and wonderful to me in it's own way.
I do love this album and believe and pray that it's the first of many to come. While I am excited by the success (God's gift and promise) this will bring Tom and the team, I am more excited about their life ahead as each place of glory brings them closer and closer to our wonderful Father God.
I have noticed that in our walk with God, each step in faith, each offering we make, results in a manifested blessing (our God is faithful and delivers His promises) but truly the relationship this gives us with the blessor supercedes everything else and may each and everyone in the team, press on into this very real and priceless blessing above all blessings and may they keep passing this on. Thank you Lord for an awesome worship team and an awesome CD.

You are all we can ask, think and dream of Father, there truly is none like you.

2006-09-12T23:54:00.000-07:00

This is awesome...

I know many of the wonderful people actually involved in the making of this CD have been very excited about it's release, for all the reasons they should be, but as someone who has not been directly involved, I want to talk about it too, from a different perspective.

As someone whose main involvement is going to be buying the CD's, worshipping God through them and giving some away as presents, I want to say that I am very excited too... you know why?... well yes, partly because this is being launched by my wonderful home church The Vine, but actually, the real reason for my excitement, is that I don't look at this CD like it's an offering to God by just the few awesome people who worked so hard on it. I see it as an offering to God and to the rest of Asia and the world from all of us, the people of HK. I see it as my involvement in something that God is doing and wanting very much to do through the media in HK.

This is our first ever home grown worship CD of this quality. That's huge, that's history and something I as a HKer am proud of and so happy to offer. I really would like to encourage all of us 'the church of HK' to really see things this way, to realize that we can be and are a part of something great that God is doing through the media right here in HK.

Isn't it so wonderful that we, the body of Christ in HK, can be used by Him to impact the world for Him. It's real, it's happening, it's God's plan and may many be a part of and be blessed by this awesome vision and promise.

Congratulations to the whole team that made this a reality. Come to the launch party all and lets give God the Glory!!!

2006-09-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

I love my dad...

You know, we've been so blessed by the 'Father heart of God' message by James Jordan that we heard at the Vine recently and I keep thinking of my Dad and I really want to honour him.

I've always loved my father (red shirt) and have been grateful for him, but I am realizing more and more what a real blessing from God he is to me.

I think the two most important things a father can do right, to bring up a daughter well (that my dad really excelled in) is.

1) love and encourage her (and exaggerate every now and then about how wonderful she is :) ).
2) love and encourage her mother.

It just puts a girl in the right place somehow and makes everything as it should be in her world as she grows up. My dad's encouragement to me has been what has kept me standing so many times when the lies of the world have come against me, and by complimenting and appreciating my mom, it made me feel secure, and it gave her the encouragement she needed to love and support us kids even when times were tough.

I remember when I was 8/9 when my dad helped me ride my first bike, how he'd tell me I was probably the best rider in the whole world :) - I think even then, I knew he was exaggerating but I knew he was proud of me. I remember the long walks we used to take after dinner and the stories he'd tell me. I remember how he was always so convinced that I was smarter than I thought. I remember when I first came to HK, and was so alone and missing all my family and friends, how he'd write these long letters often with words so big and flowery that I needed a dictionary near me to understand them : ) hehe! I remember how both my parents went without so much themselves all their lives so that my brother and I could have the best they could afford- it cost them, but they did it so lovingly and willingly that as kids we were not even aware that they were doing this. As teenagers growing up however, both my brother and I couldn't but be sensitive and learn from them a kind of love that is very special. I thank God for them from the bottom of my heart.

God, as His word says, made us for relationship and we get into the right realtionship with Him quicker sometimes I believe, when we have examples in this life that come close to what He is to us. His role as our father and as our husband are crucial for us to understand, in order to live the blessed and victorious life we are called to live in Him. It's not a surprise at all to me that these two are the very relationships that have come under so much attack in this world, and this has distorted tremendously our view of our Father God and our groom Jesus Christ. Today the happy, loving, united family is becoming a rare experience. Fathers are hardly around for their children and expectation rather than encouragement is used to get children to grow up and perform well in the world. Husbands and wives are seperating and divorcing one another like never before. The true family life, where love goes beyond surface level, where it is sacrificial in nature, where it is encouraging, refreshing and uplifting is rather rare today and it is because Satan has come hard against all those who are in these roles of relationship. He has done so I believe for one purpose, to seperate us and warp our idea of Father God and our groom Jesus. I really think it's time to take back ground that was stolen.

I bless my dad and all dads in Jesus name. I bless Ed my husband and all husbands in Jesus name. May they have God's choicest blessings showered upon them. May He be close to them, may they be protected from all weapons formed against them. May burdens and bondages they carry be broken and may they be set free to love and be loved, to cherish and be cherished, to treasure and be treasured by their families.
I love you Dad and I love you Ed. I am really grateful for the both of you. : )

2006-09-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Now the bedroom, and yes Carmen, you're right... :) there is nothing wrong with a phone camera.

I'm really so happy with our newly painted home and the blessing it has been doing this job as a family.

Before...

After...

even after...

Straight out of 'Better Homes and Gardens' or what? hehe! ... you like?

You see why I'm so grateful? We feel like we have a new home. And the fact that doing it was so unbelievably cheap only goes to show that what Cliff Ma says about God's economy is so true. He says 'God's economy cannot be learned in school', it's through the Holy Spirit. Brilliant!!

This life of greater and greater faith is an awesome joyride isn't it? and as God calls the Vine to stir up our faith, we can all go on this joy ride together. SUPER!!!!

See yas soon!!
Byeee!!