Continuing with Pastor and author J.D. Greear's teaching on the Gospel Prayer, this week is Phase 4.
"As I pray, I'll measure Your compassion by the cross and Your power by the resurrection."
PRAY: As I pray, I will measure your compassion by the cross and your power by the resurrection. What will I attempt for God as I view the world through the lens of his compassion (as measured in the cross) and his power to save (as measured by the resurrection)?
This prayer shows us how we are saved in Christ, as Jesus at the cross saved us from our sins. At the resurrection, we dwell in eternal hope that what Jesus had promised, he had accomplished fully and completely.
Is it really possible to have Christian Formation happening in online education? If it is, how do we go about doing that? With firm conviction, author Joanne Jung believes it is entirely possible and doable. Jung teaches at Biola University as an Associate Professor in the Biblical and Theological Studies department. With a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary, she is particularly interested into spiritual formation and Puritan piety. Through this book, she extends this interest into the online arena. Other than the usual "face to face is better" argument, Jung puts forth other compelling arguments for an online involvement.
It allows students who needed time to process to come back to the teacher with questions. Students need not be restricted during the limited class time.
It increases participation level above the typical 15%
It gives teachers an additional resource for teaching, to use online resources to teach and to maximize face to face opportunities for teacher-student interactions
It enables students to get to know their teachers beyond the classroom setting.
Continuing with Pastor and author J.D. Greear's teaching on the Gospel Prayer, this week is Phase 3.
"As You have been to me, so I will be to others."
PRAY: As you have been to me, so I will be to others. What I have, I have because Christ gave up everything for me. He was rich and for my sake became poor. We who live by his death should therefore no longer live for ourselves, but should lay down our lives and resources for others as he laid down his for us.
This prayer reminds us that prayer is stretches beyond the individual, to incorporate a heart-felt concern for the things that God cares deeply about. It helps us remember that as we take care of the things that matter to God, we also trust that God will take care of the things that matter to us.
Yesterday was a proud moment for my wife and I. My son commissioned as an officer after 38 grueling weeks of training, both locally and overseas. He has done well and yesterday, he was commissioned among 582 officer cadets (OCTs). Among them are 454 (army), 66 (navy), and 62 (air force). Below are some video clips of the happy occasion.
A) Excited parents waiting from as early as 3pm. Parade starts at 1741 hours.
B) The contingent marches singing the OCS song.
C) My son is among the five carrying the parade colours. He is behind the one carrying the Singapore flag.
D) Singapore President doing the review of the contingents
E) Religious leaders from different faiths praying for the about to be commissioned officers
F) The Commissioning Moment (After the reciting of the SAF Creed)
G) Slow Marching Out by the Newly Commissioned Officers (99/15 cohort)
H) Parents Fixing the Epaulette. We got lost in the crowd and couldn't find him. Thankfully....
I) Finally .. . .. .. (If you are interested, here's the officer's creed)
Continuing with Pastor and author J.D. Greear's teaching on the Gospel Prayer, this week is Phase 2.
"Your Presence and approval are all I need for everlasting joy."
PRAY: You are all I need for everlasting joy. In Christ I have all I need for a life of joy and purpose. I don’t need the praise of men or the accumulation of riches or anything else. So, in Christ, I can give up all that I have, because in Christ I have all that I need."
This prayer reminds us that prayer is a relationship that seeks after God's joy, God's approval, and God's presence.
We are all familiar with prayers and prayer requests. Church leaders often ask members what they can pray for. Members in various stations of need will share about their particular situations of how God can help them. As a Christian community, it is common to minister to one another regularly in care and in prayer for their particular needs in mind. We pray earnestly, faithfully, and in Jesus' Name. We pray and ask that God's will be done. What if we pray about something that is not specifically about what we or our loved ones want, but about "anything" that God wants? Scary isn't it? This is the key premise of this book, to learn to pray God's will be done above all of our needs. Putting it another way, we ask for God's will be done regardless of our specific needs. It is a holy surrender. This is the kind of prayer that the author seeks to teach.
Jennie Allen is author, speaker, retreat leader, and an inspirational teacher passionate about sharing God with believers especially women. She is convinced that the way to freedom in God is total surrender. She holds a Masters in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and lives with her husband and four children in Texas.
This is a powerful rendition of "What Grace is Mine." It is a great reminder of those who have committed ourselves to following Jesus, that our lives are not our own. Sung by Kristyn Getty in the Keith and Kristyn team, it is my favourite.
What grace is mine
That He who dwells in endless light
Called through the night
To find my distant soul
And from His scars
Poured mercy that would plead for me
That I might live, and in His name be known
So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up my cross and follow Him
What grace is mineTo know His breath alive in me
Beneath His wings
My waking soul may soar
All fear can flee for death dark night is overcome
My Saviour lives and reigns forever more
So I will go wherever He is calling meI lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain a hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up my cross and follow Him
I bow my heart, take up my cross and follow Him
