Heralds Digest

A word of wisdom says that only a matured man looks back when he falls; a child simply stands up and continue running. And that is the reason why it is natural to expect safety counsels and good judgement with wealth of life experiences. Unfortunately, many keeps falling without growing up, simply because it is cheaper to transfer aggression; instead of acknowledging and accepting the resources for growth in all failed experiences. Behind every agent of disappointments lies the Chief Corrector crying ..." Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked? ". But, as long as man only sees the agent that hold the rod, but not the one who has appointed it, he cannot benefit from God's investment in the rod of correction.

Denial of right to Justice, withdrawal of bowel of Mercy, and the mockery of the culture of Humility represent the characteristics of the world of position, power, and prosperity. Man may appear compliant outside of these privileges, until the favour of the Lord shines upon him; but loyalty to God is not genuine until he is measured and not found wanting. Nevertheless, God's dealing with man always present the opportunity to stand for Justice, to sow with Mercy, and to strive under Humility. However, the self-serving nature of the created would seek to please the Creator with unacceptable gifts, offering, and sacrifices of the mundane things of the world. Whereas "... He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you ". Being created in the image of God commands the responsibility of God's representation as the agent of Justice, Mercy, and Humility ; and these the three sides of the Triangle of Gratitude to God .

As horrible and excruciating as pain is, no new life can exist without it. No one can measure the value of sweetness without the experience of bitterness. And no success can be celebrated without a significant story of failure. However, we often cry foul during our trying moments, especially when our focus on the target dream is shifted. Rather than crying "Why Me Lord?", every purposeful man should understand that his present pain is rightly served. Because you are called for a purpose, committed for a project, and consecrated for a profit, no one else deserves your raging storms. Arise and keep the focus flying.

Mountain symbolizes obstacles in front of progress. Life without mountains has no focus, making mountaineering an inexpedient adventure for every man with purpose. And the scriptures offer faith as the only help to moving mountains. Especially, when a man's life is perfectly shaped and driven by the purpose that heaven giveth, a little twist to the concept of the mountain before him is that every step up the mountain represents attainment of higher ground. Likewise, the mountain of the Lord represents the promises of eternal rest and victories from the challenges against faith. If anyone hopes in the mountain of the Lord, he need not faint. For God's promises are certain. All obstacles that presently appears insurmountable will soon disappear before the mountain of the Lord.

In man's economy, it is not strange that the word "Freewill" is not as popular as "Goodwill". Goodwill speaks of service to humanity, while freewill implies sacrifice unto God. Although the NKJV Bible presents 5 usages of the word "Goodness" and 18 usages of the word "Freewill", it takes the grace of God for man to serve others as a freewill offering unto the Lord. Why should we hesitate to serve others, until benefit to self becomes explicit? It is unfortunate that souls can be lost, people can perish, and nations can be destroyed, as long as self interest is not under consideration. Jonah prayed for mercy in the belly of the fish; and God answered him. He was excited about the grace of God until God showed the same mercy unto the nation Nineveh of about 120,000 people. Obviously the preservation of Nineveh is a treat to the pride of Jonah and his people. It took a stretch from God for him to realize that God's grace is without borders. ...

No doubt the concept of the Psalmist about the Hill of the Lord is true - Holiness becometh the House of the Lord. The only concern is the promotion of competition among Saints rather than community of Seekers. Jonah must have fallen into this web of Holier Than Thou, as he compared the people of Nineveh with the Israelites. Needless to say that the Hill of the Lord does not only speak of the Holiness of He who sits upon the Throne; it is a place of Mercy. The Hill of the Lord is open wide; for the broken hearted finds no rejection continually in the Presence of the Lord. It will be noteworthy that no one who willfully trespass against the law of the Lord can truly exhibit a contrite spirit, acceptable before the Throne of Grace. Come Up to the Hill; You are worthy Just As You Are.

Not so pleasant to wake up this morning and read "Japan in Ruin" in Ottawa Sun.."Japan Devastated" in National Post.."Japan Shattered" in Ottawa Citizen.."Japan Races to Tame Nuclear Plant" on CNN.com, when yesterday had just announced the blast of pro-Ghadafi forces in Zawiyah, Libya. These are definitely wake-up calls, somethin's Goin'on. "Wake Up", if you are still sleeping. Time is closing in..for we shall soon be gone. So far, the reason for the simultaneous earthquake and Tsunamis in Japan by science is not available. As reported by BBC News, government spokesman Yukio Edano said the force of the explosion had destroyed the concrete roof and walls of a building around the Fukushima Nuclear Plant's number one reactor, but a steel container encasing the reactor had not been ruptured. However, the detection of caesium isotopes outside the power station buildings could imply that the core has been exposed to the air. What...