Contentment

Just came back fr SYFC retreat! tis morn our area coordinator taught us a v beneficial lesson.

In Philippians 4:11-13, the apostle n missionary Paul wrote,
"..for i hav learned to be content watever the circumstances. i know wat it is to be in need, n i know wat it is to hav plenty. i hav learned the secret of being content in any n every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. i can do everything thru Him who gives me strength."

If any of us look at the world ard us n pay attention, we will realise tt discontentment comes to both the rich n the poor. So then, how can we be content? The verse above tells us tt contentment doesnt come to us when we were born, we have to LEARN it. Our mind must be conditioned not to focus on the material things on tis earth but rather on eternal things tt will outlast tis life.

In 1 Timonthy 6:6-10, Paul again wrote,
"But godliness wif contentment is great gain. for we brought nothing into the world, n we can take nothing out of it. but if we hav food n clothing, we will be content wif tt. ppl who want to get rich fall into temptations n a trap n into many foolish n harmful desires tt plunge men into ruin n destruction. for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. some ppl, eager for money, hav wandered fr the faith n pierced themselves wif many griefs."

Nowadays, there r some parents in S'pore who go on cruises to gamble. they will leave their children in the childcare room n gamble till as atrociously late as midnight then go n collect them. in their greed, they have neglected their role as parents. i wonder how much worse tis problem will become now tt the government has decided to set up casinos locally. the churches have written letters to the government in protest but the decision is still up to the government finally. tis is one case whereby greed can cause problems. if we read the evening newspaper, we often will see reports of families declaring bankruptcy due to wrong decisions made in greed, or ppl being murdered n robbed by others who r heavily in debts. perhaps we wont be affected by greed to such an extent, but i think in the least we will be discontent wif wat we have more often than not.

So wat is the secret to being content? if u look at Philippians 4:11-13 above, Paul says tt the secret to being content is to have faith in the fact tt we "can do everything thru Him who gives strength". Him refers to none other than jesus christ. whether we're rich or poor in the future, we must condition our mind to focus on things eternal in order to be content. we can spent our lives in pursuit of wealth n success, but they wont last beyond tis life. instead, we shd use tis life to work out our salvation n to do the things god purposed for us to do. when we put our trust in god, we will realise tt god sustains us n provides for our basic needs in watever our circumstances.

The big outside..

Nothing beats home, any country where my family n frens gather is the best place on earth. Now outside of S'pore, Aussie is the best place to travel to if u ask me. When i was in Sydney last Dec, i saw an advert for a tour package to the Ayers Rock. Basically u trek thru the desert towards Ayers wif jeeps trailing behind u carrying tents, bbq pits n telescopes. Imagine, having bbq under a canopy of glittery counstellations, WOW! After seeing tt advert, I decided to trek the Ayers Rock on my next backpacking trip to Aussie. i've alwaes been attracted to deserts (cos it has the best view of nothing. kidding, dun ask me why, i cant explain) n it is my dream to camp in one someday.



My plan is to fly to Darwin, which has the nearest airport, n then travel to the small town of Alice Springs on a Greyhound bus, n then stay there. Alice Springs is the nearest town to Ayers Rock, it'll be cool staying in a town at the outskirts of the desert. There're many things to do in tis part of the Northern Territory, some of the things im considering doing are:

-Take a sunrise balloon flight to see some of the most rugged and spectacular country by soaring majestically over the land. The flight concludes with a gourmet breakfast at a winery.
-Join a camel ride along a river n end up at a farm for a delicious dinner of beef n fish, with fresh salads and dessert, Australian wine, tea and coffee.
-Climb n explore canyons, continuing to their centre n dip in the cool waters of a garden.
-Visit the Territory Wildlife Park n cruise the Adelaide River, home of the famous jumping crocodiles.
-Join a guided Harley Davidson motorcycle tour to the Rock with an opportunity for photos.

I dont know when i can go on tis adventure, perhaps july next yr after my job attachment. Now more imptly, i wonder who's excited to go wif me, hmm..

Goddess

Crimson sky, flames beneath the crimson sky.

The dragons sleep but sleep runs dry.

The people need new dreams tonight.

Crimson rose, they believed in the crimson rose.

Dressed in ceremonial armour, armed with bows,

Like saviours we rode though the city slow.

Ashes race through the sky in Man’s country.

Sad eyes, fallen standards, in Man’s country.

Hope is denied, we can’t hold back the engulfing tide.

Everyday the dreamers die,

To see what’s on the other side.

She is fearlessness, and she comes to rescue us.

Majesty, faith, her calmness,

The greatest gift is love.

Naked flame, she stands in a naked flame.

I stand with the sons of blame.

Burned by the fire of love,

Burned by the fire of love.

I offer my life

all that i am, all that i have
i lay them down before you o lord
all my regrets, all my acclaim
the joy and the pain, i'm making them yours

things in the past, things yet unseen
wishes and dreams that are yet to come true
all of my hopes, all of my plans
my heart and my hands are lifted to you

chorus:

lord i offer my life to you
everything i've been through
use it for your glory
lord i offer my days to you
lifting my praise to you
as a pleasing sacrifice
lord i offer you my life