thunderstruck

twice in a week, no, thrice, i was thunderstruck

i wrote to the ST Forums Online, as i was provoked when i read that people are speaking out negatively against corporal punishment.

I wrote in, expressing my heartfelt feelings, even if the article will not be published. The presence of God was there as i composed my message. A few days past... and nothing happen... I thought it ended up in the editorial trash can, and lost hope that it would ever be published... until Saturday... When i received the SMS message from Sister Jocelyn, that my article was printed on the Saturday papers, i was so surprised i could only reply: WOAH!

The article was published, not just online, but physically printed on the national newspaper as well! (i was hoping for the article to be published online, never dreamt of it getting published on the newspaper... I felt that people got to know that corporal punishment has it's place in disciplining children. The Bible says it many times)
That's thunderstrike #1.

I was praying with Eugene, my groovy brother in Christ, during the pre-service 3 prayer meeting.
Just as i ended, Pastor Tan walked off the stage and challenged us to pray. He gave the congregation 12 minutes to pray, but many of us in the choir finished before the time was up. We're the choir, and we are supposed to be faithful and discipline to 'watch the hour' per se, and pray strong and lead by example, as we are sharing the platform with Pastor. We're given 12 mins, and we should know how to pray, ask God to teach us to pray, to pray fervently for the items on the prayer list. To me, it was a wake up call... to desire for a higher level of spiritual maturity and godliness. Keep growing!
That's thunderstrike #2.

I was told by a TV ministry brother, Melvin, that the same article i wrote, and was published on Saturday, was read by Rev. Dr Albert V. Jebanayagamn as he preached about discipline, about how God sometimes use the "stick". (I was not there for the service as i attend Service 3, but the topic of the message reminds me of the various invasions of Israel and Judah when they rebelled against God's authority. They are only delivered when the righteous men of God rise up to take ownership for the sins, and lead the nation in repentance, turning the people's heart back to God again.) The reading of the news article probably sent the message across the globe...?
That's thunderstrike #3.

Proud...? somehow, maybe strangely, no. (though i did tell quite a number of people about the article... GRiNZ)

I'm not proud that i wrote the article. Rather, there is a sense of awe... like... God is so awesome... Just did something small, only hoped for a small little outcome... and God exploded it big time... probably all over the world... If not for His divine guidance, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit... the article would not have gone anywhere.... or maybe just posted online only?

I'm confident of my self-worth in God... but still... am i worthy? There are many greater and holier than myself. Brother Hee Kwan, for example. It still blows my mind to think that God, my God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that is in existence, use me in such a manner? Speak to the nation through a little article, and the same message spoken by a great man of God across the world? I pray that the Name of God always, always, be high and lifted up throughout my life, in all that i do and say. That i dare pray for.

Looking back, the past 3 days have been overwhelming for me. The bountiful abundance of the grace of God... It has been a humbling experience for me, personally. And i will join the Psalmist, proclaiming: Praise be to God! Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised! Hallelujah!

God, if You would answer 1 prayer in my life, i pray this be the one. Use me, Lord, to reach out, to proclaim the Name of God, the death and resurrection of Christ for all mankind, to bring the Manhood message to all of Japan. As with the article, that You will use my life, to bring the Word, Your Word to all the nation of Japan, and the message to impact the whole world for Your Kingdom. That your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Let my ear always hear Your still small voice, my heart always broken and contrite, that i will be swift to obey You always. I ask all these in Jesus's Name, Abba Father. Amen.