Empty words or genuine desire?

Daily Breakthrough by Rod Parsley

Pursuit Is Proof

Thursday, 15 July 2010 12:00 AM EDT

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. —Psalm 42:1

I told a friend of mine one time that I would love to play the piano like he did. He replied, "No you wouldn't. If you really wanted to play the piano you would be taking lessons and practicing every chance you could. Are you doing those things?"

Well, no, I wasn't. If I really wanted to play the piano I would have been taking some action and making some plans instead of just talking about it. When you really want something, you pursue it with your whole heart.

You say that you want the things of God, you want to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and you want to have an anointing on your life—but are you pursuing Him? Are you climbing the mountain of God and, like Jacob, refusing to let go until He blesses you? When was the last time you spent time in prayer and in the Word?

Pursue Him with all your might. The proof of your desire is in your pursuit. The pursuit of God will lead to holiness, purity, passion, zeal, and power in your life.

Read more: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/newsletters/daily-devotionals/daily-breakthroughs/22545-pursuit-is-proof#ixzz0u7zBBe6g

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"Remember"

"Experiencing God is like riding a roller coaster that never ends but gets better with each curve. He smiles with delight and enjoyment when He gazes on each one of us." -Mike Bickle

I've been prompted to REMEMBER - different parts of the journey, different scenes of the movie starring God and me, other characters that come and go, some disappear, some remain.

"Experiencing God is like riding a roller coaster that never ends"

most of the time we remember the downs more than the ups. many times we're so caught up with now, we don't remember yesterday. But as I allowed myself to be brought down memory lane, what was came back to mind and I am filled with thankfulness, to the point of tears. Kinda taken aback by the tears, which sprang out without any prior warning, triggered by an sms received @ 2am, read @ 4am. Tears, no longer of despair and sorrow, but tears of gratitude, tears which reminded me of His unfailing love, His goodness and His faithfulness - which build another layer of foundation for the challenges of tomorrow.

"but gets better with each curve"

Sometimes I'm afraid of the uphills - for fear that it leads to another deeper downhill. But really, I need a perspective change - I need to see that the downhills are preparation for the uphills, not the other way round. And no downhills are unnecessary. Yes, it gets better with each curve, and when I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel, I just need to tell myself through gritted teeth that it's there whether I see it or not, and even if it takes forever to get there, I will get there.

"He smiles with delight and enjoyment when He gazes on each one of us."

The image of Christ gazing on His bride, the Church has been on my mind a lot lately. I find myself enjoying weddings these days - they're a foreshadow of the day He presents us to Himself as the radiant bride. & the smile, bursting forth with such great joy, on the bride's face is an indication of what it's meant to be when we really get to know Him. Ahhh... such is the treasure of the sheer joy and pleasure of knowing Him.

green pastures. a hut. a stream/waterfall. a cow.

Beautiful relaxing image ain't it? I could almost lie down on the grass, hear the water flowing, feel the breeze against my cheek.

Except that reality couldn't be more different - pounding head, tensed shoulders, congested air passageway. signs of stress? maybe.

"you never write about happy days"

true. there were happy days. lots too. ok days are good as well. and in spite of everything, today's a good day!

and now I shall head for green pastures, where there's a hut, a stream/waterfall. and a cow. hmmmm... medium rare? ;p

what's stopping me?

with a nose dripping like a tap (I finished 100 sheets of 2 ply tissue today!) and a groggy mind... I have perfect reasons to be on MC tomorrow.

even if I don't go see elephants in Pahang with my MC, even if I don't run off and do other things with my MC...

a quiet day of rest sounds good.

so what's stopping me?

unwanted

when broken homes and separation affect not only humans, but innocent, unknowing pets as well.






Elmo: 2-year-old male Shih Tzu looking for loving owner (s). Very obedient, albeit very active and playful. Would make a great companion - seeking lots and lots of love and companionship (sits quietly next to you when you watch TV).


why wouldn't I keep him?


It's not fair to the cat.


He reminds me too much of myself. Way too much.

BE STILL & KNOW...

In a time and place where people just tell you to serve, serve, serve, do something, do this, do that...

OK. Maybe they don't tell you, but they encourage you to be active and put your youthful vigour to good use, and make 101 requests.

OK. Maybe not 101 requests, but... yea.

OK. Maybe it's not like that at all. But sometimes it sure feels like it.

It's quite telling to have 2 big figures in your life of this season to tell you, "yes, on one hand, keep going, but what's more important now is to BE STILL, and KNOW that HE IS GOD."

BE still. Instead, I've gone the other way with "BE zee" (busy).

sigh.

2010 - a dreamy year

I've been thinking a lot about "dreams" lately. Not specific dreams that I've been having, but a general sense of "dreams".

As I took the long weekend off, the fresh breath of air has helped to close a year long's nightmare. With finality I hope. It's a burden that's finally been lifted, I no longer wish to even remember any ounce of it. Whether or not things have been resolved properly, only God knows. I'm too good at having selective memory - I don't think I remember much of the nightmare anymore.

Last weekend I entered into another dream. A beautiful beautiful dreamland where your sorrows or troubles are gone momentarily - you sell them off at a price once you step into this dreamland. In my case, it was a treat of a lifetime. It almost felt like an invitation, an alluring invitation.

And then...

As with all good things, the weekend came to an end. I suppose it's not really fair to say that all good things come to an end. Bad things come to an end too, in fact, everything comes to an end, just that time flies when u're having a good time, but time seems to be dragging its feet when u're not. Towards the end of the dream, I knew that this good dream is giving way to reality and soon enough, I'll be returning to broken dreams.

So I've closed a nightmare - I have one less bad dream to deal with. Yet I cannot run away from the longstanding lingering bad dream. It felt like I was waking up from a good dream into a broken one. Well, at least it's not too depressing yet, 'cos like all good dreams, bad dreams come to an end too, and broken dreams will give way to mended dreams... where every tear will be wiped away and there shall be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Let me press on and persevere in this dream, until I finally wake up again, for the last time.

"The will of God will not bring me where the grace of God cannot keep me."