OCF Perth

a change of perception..

2008-06-10T20:01:00.004+08:00

there are many things that God has been teaching me this week..

and i would like to share one of them with you (:

i have been struggling with some things recently. but God recently opened my eyes to the things that He has blessed me with: friends, family, health, money, love, laughter, peace, time, His Holy Spirit.

if you are feeling down at the moment, if you're feeling stressed, if you're weary, if you're tired, if you're disappointed, if you're angry with things not going the way you would like them to go, why not take a step back and look at the things that God has given you today, or has provided for you over the course of your life..

magnify the things that God has blessed you with, instead of magnifying the things that God hasnt blessed you with.

I'm trading my _____

I'm laying them down

For the Joy of the Lord.

-Trading my Sorrows

kris (:

boys should learn from us girls (:

2008-06-06T01:41:00.003+08:00

i was preparing for bs tonight when i came across 2 very interesting ladies in the bible.

Hannah was struggling because she was barren, and she was ridiculed by her husband's other wife for not being able to bear children. So she was praying very hard for God to bless her with a son (1st Samuel 1:10), and God remembered her and blessed her with samuel, the prophet.

and i came across her prayer of thanksgiving to God:

Then Hannah prayed and said:

"My heart rejoices in the LORD;

in the LORD my horn is lifted high.

My mouth boasts over my enemies,

for I delight in your deliverance.

"There is no one holy like the LORD;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.

"Do not keep talking so proudly

or let your mouth speak such arrogance,

for the LORD is a God who knows,

and by him deeds are weighed.

"The bows of the warriors are broken,

but those who stumbled are armed with strength.
Those who were full hire themselves out for food,

but those who were hungry hunger no more.

She who was barren has borne seven children,

but she who has had many sons pines away.

"The LORD brings death and makes alive;

he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The LORD sends poverty and wealth;

he humbles and he exalts.
He raises the poor from the dust

and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

he seats them with princes

and has them inherit a throne of honor.

"For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's;

upon them he has set the world.
He will guard the feet of his saints,

but the wicked will be silenced in darkness.

"It is not by strength that one prevails;
those who oppose the LORD will be shattered.

He will thunder against them from heaven;

the LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

"He will give strength to his king

and exalt the horn of his anointed."

1 Samuel 2:1-10

another woman of similar praise said this about God:

And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

- Luke 1:46-55

it was a random thought, but it occured to me how both women, both in very different generations, were so ready to testify in such a positive way about God's goodness and sovereignty over their lives. maybe we should try to praise God for His sovereignty over our lives today (:

You give and take away

my heart will choose to say

Lord blessed be Your name

-Blessed be Your name

kris (:

a word of encouragement

2008-06-05T00:39:00.002+08:00

jeannie shared something with my BS group tonight, and i thought i'd just share it with everyone else!

for those who are struggling as Christ's followers in school or at work or anywhere else, i hope 1 Peter 4:12-19 encourages you as much as it has encouraged me...

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

If you suffer, it should not be as a muderer or thief of any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And, "if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

joy

How can i stand here and not be moved by You?

2008-06-03T16:27:00.006+08:00

i found this video on Godtube and doesnt it look familiar? (: (Hint: EM!) and i also found this beautiful story from my friend's blog (:

An elderly man was invited up on the pulpit to speak.

"Three people boarded a boat: a father, his son and the son's friend. They were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began. "Then a fast-approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept off the boat and into the ocean."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who looked somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life. Which boy should he throw the other end of the line to? He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend definitely was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, ;I love you son,!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus. He could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity in hell. Therefore, he sacrificed his own son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us."With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

After the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for the father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His son for me. You see... I was the son's friend to whom the father tossed a rescue line."

i was reminded of this passage from Colossians 1:15-23,

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or power or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullnes dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to prevent you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel."

Perhaps take some time today to thank God for His grace on our lives. despite the things that we are struggling with, despite the sins that we have committed, know that the Lord is merciful and that He has saved us through His death on the cross. i really liked the bit where the girl in the clip was struggling to get back to God, and in the end God jumped in to save her from all the addictions and sins of the world. If we choose to honour God today, God will honour us.

kristi (:

a word of encouragement

2008-06-01T00:48:00.000+08:00

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt."

- James 1:5-6a

"He gives strength to the weary,

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary;

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

they will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

-Isaiah 40:29-31

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

- Colossians 3:23-24

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from Him.

He alone is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

My salvation and honor depend on God;

He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in Him at alll times, O people;

pour out your hearts to Him,

for God is our refuge."

- Psalm 62:7-8

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

- Philippians 4:13

more photos!

2008-05-31T16:42:00.000+08:00

thought i'd add more recent photos...

combined Bible study at murdoch uni 2008
coffee & cake after CBS
katie's convo...

have a great weekend everyone!!!

joy

OCF Photos! (:

2008-03-16T19:39:00.000+09:00

Birthdays! (:

2008-03-16T18:21:00.000+09:00

HARROWS

2008-02-26T12:27:00.000+09:00

hello one and all!
welcome to the very first post in this ocf perth blog!
it gives you an avenue to share and care, to encourage and spur each other on in our daily lives.
also, we will be uploading pictures to update you on the recent happenings, events, and activities in our ocf ministry.

SO, stay tuned to this page, and yes, it WILL BE UPDATED! :)

if you do have any prayer points, prayer requests or any other things under the sun, please do not hesitate to contact any of your friendly LC members. we will be more than happy to help and pray with/for you!

cheerios, take care and God bless you all!