The word amateur has been redefined over the years and has lost the luster of its original meaning. The English word comes from the Latin word amore, which means “to love.” An amateur is someone who does something simply for the love of it.
In today’s way of thinking, receiving payment moves you into a “higher” category—that of a professional. The reasoning is that if someone is willing to pay for your service, you must be really good. An amateur, therefore, is considered to have less skill or talent.
As I read my Bible, however, I see a different hierarchy of values. During the time of Jesus, the religious professionals were using their position to gain power and prestige for themselves, not to serve the people. Jesus didn’t choose those who were wise, mighty, or noble by human standards (1 Cor. 1:26). He sought those willing to follow Him and be trained for loving service.
In today’s world, the scene is much the same. God is still looking for “amateurs,” those who will serve the Lord for the sheer love of it. Compelled by our love for Jesus, may we, like the disciples and apostles before us, proclaim the love of God for the world by following Christ’s example of loving and serving others.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree; I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow: If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. —Featherstone
One proof of our love for God is our love for our neighbor.
Our Daily Bread 28th June 2008
topsy turvy-ed @ 7:15 PM
Friday, June 27, 2008
Was just browsing imeem.com and 'The Wilds Music' sing very beautifully. I love this hymn especially. Keep my focus on you, Lord i pray!
I tried to decipher the lyrics below:
Sometimes I live my life just as You’ve planned Other times I struggle to obey Your commands Choices I make each day determine if I’ll obey Following You, trusting You Guide me I pray
Lord, keep my focus on you each day Though I am tempted to go my own way Help me to trust in You To live my life To honour You Lord, keep my focus on You
Trials surround me, Lord I cry in despair I know You’re with me and You’ll hear every prayer Open my eyes to see that You know what’s best for me Forever near, calm my fear This is my plea
Lord, keep my focus on you each day Though I am tempted to go my own way Help me to trust in You To live my life To honour You Lord, keep my focus on You
Humbly I follow You Sharing Your Word Praising you, Lord Jesus for Your love unreserved Guide me to do Your Will To reach the lost in darkness still Shining light, burning bright Lord, You never fail
Lord, keep my focus on You each day Though I am tempted to go my own way Help me to trust in You To live my life To honour You Lord, keep my focus on You Lord, keep my focus on You
topsy turvy-ed @ 11:29 PM
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hi everyone! The 'Not I But Christ' video is on youtube for non-facebookers! Enjoy!
topsy turvy-ed @ 11:59 PM
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
This is what's so beautiful about being 'colour blind'. Remember that there is no such thing as 'races' but only ethnicities. The whole human population is one human race and of one blood. It's in the Bible!
On the side note, this youtube video was actually an advertisement filmed in Malaysia by Film-maker Yasmin Ahmad's TV commercial for Petronas in conjunction with the Merdeka celebrations this year. It bagged the top prize at the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival (Adfest 2008) in Pattaya, Thailand.
topsy turvy-ed @ 1:32 PM
Monday, June 23, 2008
One day last week, I was at the busstop in NUS when I came across a man slightly older than middle-age. The first thing i noticed was his shirt pocket. Boy did it look like a pencil case by itself! It contained everything a pencil case cld ever hold! & rmb that it's suppose to be a pocket.
List of things in the pocket (pencil case): 2 pens, 2 highlighters, 1 pencil, thick stack of paper in wallet and thick wallet.
Everything inside made the pocket jut out almost 4 cm. That's way far out of one's body for a pocket! I really think he shld just complete the pocket pencil case with a ruler and eraser and he's ready to go to school : )
topsy turvy-ed @ 11:52 PM
Saturday, June 21, 2008
my phone just lost some of its memory like a dementia patient. it calls for some memory backup reminder in the future
topsy turvy-ed @ 11:45 PM
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The gospel can be shared in many ways. This is one way and a captivating one. Everyone reading this, watch this at least once! Enjoy!
topsy turvy-ed @ 8:37 PM
Monday, June 16, 2008
felt that i was hugging something plastic in the middle of the night and realised that my mount everest poster held up there by blu tack just decided to drop down on me. i didnt even hear it fall down and gladly hug it till it was too cold to be hugged (plastic is not a conductor of heat)
topsy turvy-ed @ 9:46 PM
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Just watched a clip on Cheng Xi's blog and this song is just too beautiful not to post it again. It's titled 'When You Believe', taken from the movie 'Prince of Egypt', adapted from the Bible. Will link my newly-found chinese friends to my blog!
topsy turvy-ed @ 9:08 PM
how wonderful it is to be in the midst of believers for a full 4 days, with extra large portions of feeding from God's Word. yay!
topsy turvy-ed @ 5:47 PM
Saturday, June 07, 2008
asking God for good weather is one thing. asking God to help us give thanks whatever the weather is like, is another thing. I think the latter is where real joy emerges, not just plain ol' on-the-surface happiness.
i learnt that in the jss picnic this morning when it rained not cats & dogs, mind you. but lorries and trucks and all other things unrealistically bigger than cats & dogs
topsy turvy-ed @ 11:46 PM
Monday, June 02, 2008
while washing the car on sunday, my elder bro n i came across a car illegally parked in the washing bay. how irresponsible can these people get! anw, the story goes like this. A few months back, another car parked the same way as this car did. the only difference was that the former went off scot-free cos of the inefficient town council authorities who couldn't be bothered to do anything about just 1 illegally-parked car even after we reported to them and they promised to send someone down.
So, i took matters in my own hands. wrote on a piece of paper the above. sure to scare the criminal for a few moments when he sees his car from afar having a white piece of paper on his windscreen like some 'summon'. my bro says i should prepare a few more of these slips for the future. We are keeping society in check by doing self-policing. Sociology is truly at work and in practice!
topsy turvy-ed @ 10:22 PM
while fetching nicolas from the airport today, i noticed this row of people lining up with boards carrying foreign names. ohh.. they are the people who stand outside the arriving terminal waiting to pick up people. just like in the movies!
topsy turvy-ed @ 10:17 PM
Who Am I
I'm Lois, a human being saved and currently alive by God's grace.
[I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Galations 2:20]
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present.”
“Arbeit macht das Leben süß” - "Work makes life sweet" :D
Loves
God
Studying (studying is good for your health) - Arbeit macht das Leben süß
Reading the Bible
Having fellowship my family in Christ
Rock Climbing
Cycling
Tennis
Blading
Badminton