Community: Part 2.

Up to this point in time, I have had nothing but great comments about community; about being in one, about how important it is to belong to one, about how grateful I am to be in the one that I am in now.

Then I get this:












- which is perfectly fine by itself -

On my face.












By the very same community that I hold in such high regard.

Click here to view the full sequence of event(s).

p.s. - I am NOT smiling; it is only an illusion.

Only an illusion.

O n l y a n i l l u s i o n.

My Child...

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Acts 17:28
I chose you when I planned creation. Jeremiah 1:4-5
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Ephesians 1:11-12
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is...will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love,
Dad

Community.

Since everyone seems to be posting up pictures and videos of the 2005 Lifeline Camp, I thought I'd hop on the bandwagon as well and post a video.

(By "everyone", I mean Irene and Richard; and by "pictures and videos", I mean "a picture" and "a compilation of pictures on video".)

While I was absent from the camp itself, Elaine Tan was kind enough to capture for me on video a snippet of what I had missed.

**Thanks, Elaine!**

However much as I would have loved to have gone for the camp (and not sit for the dratted A2 exams!), I think missing it showed me how much community meant to me. Seeing cell group members convey personal messages (or even lack thereof) really touched me and made me all the more grateful to God for directing me to the community I'm currently in now.

Wait for the video to load only if you have lots of time to spare!



p.s. - Clare saying hello in this video clip never fails to put a wide smile on my face, no matter how many times I watch it. As well as the apparent blur-ness of a couple of cell group members... =)

Did You Feel The Darkness Tremble?

Do you feel the darkness tremble...

...when all the saints join in one song;

And all the streams flow as one river...

...to wash away our brokenness.

James 1:19

"Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath..."

Yes, but how many of us are quick to hear one another?

How many of us want to hear?

How many of us hear?

How many of us listen?

Oft, I feel the only thing willing to listen intently is the wall.

But Jesus, I know You're with me; listening to the depths of my heart, soothing the very depths of my soul...

Ode.

Over the mountains and the sea...

...Your river runs with love for me;

And I will open up my heart...

...and let the Healer set me free.