- by David Ruis -
The narrow pathway
Through the needle's eye
I'm stepping forward
To the place I die
For I know that You are faithful
As we walk these fields of white
To the waiting and the humble
Your Kingdom comes
The way of mercy
Takes me to the least
Down the road of suffering
To the wedding feast
For I know that You are faithful
As we walk these fields of white
To the weary and the hurting
Your Kingdom comes
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
the wisdom of God
The wisdom of God is like honey to one's soul
irregardless of seasons and circumstances. (Ezekiel 3, Proverbs 2:10)
Like the best grade of wine, one would settle for and
forget about other offers. (Matthew 13:44-45, Proverbs 8:11)
Like thunder and lightning that strikes the heart of man,
awakens the soul and the spirit.
Like a spot light that penetrates through schemes of darkness and
protects one from an atrocious fall. (Proverbs 2:12-22)
Like an unending sequel of mysteries
that invites one to a life time journey of discovery and understanding
by means of the revelation through HIS Holy Spirit
always leaving one in the sense of awe. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14, Isaiah 11:1-3, Isaiah 40:28, Romans 11:33, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 1 Corinthians 13:2)
Like the assuring sun that springs forth life
investing its way to eternity and bringing fruition in its due time. (Isaiah 33:6, James 3:12-18)
However, it contradicts with the wisdom of this age. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Luke 5:36-37)
No man can boast as His own inspiration or claim as his own work of hands.
It does not spell glory unto man.
Those who follow it are most likely be labelled as fools. (1 Corinthians 1:18-30)
No amount of money can exchange
Neither certain formula/steps nor pursuit of education/profession
would qualify one to attain the wisdom of God. (Acts 4:13)
He reveals only to whomever HE loves and calls as HIS own children
Who walks not by his own understanding but in the act of obedience to what HE says.
Wisdom finds its way to the humble hearts and understanding to those who believe in the ONE whom HE had sent from above. (Romans 12:2)
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:6-8,Proverbs 9:10, Job 28:28)
It calls out loud in the open, only certain hear and take heed...(Proverbs 1:20)
irregardless of seasons and circumstances. (Ezekiel 3, Proverbs 2:10)
Like the best grade of wine, one would settle for and
forget about other offers. (Matthew 13:44-45, Proverbs 8:11)
Like thunder and lightning that strikes the heart of man,
awakens the soul and the spirit.
Like a spot light that penetrates through schemes of darkness and
protects one from an atrocious fall. (Proverbs 2:12-22)
Like an unending sequel of mysteries
that invites one to a life time journey of discovery and understanding
by means of the revelation through HIS Holy Spirit
always leaving one in the sense of awe. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14, Isaiah 11:1-3, Isaiah 40:28, Romans 11:33, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 1 Corinthians 13:2)
Like the assuring sun that springs forth life
investing its way to eternity and bringing fruition in its due time. (Isaiah 33:6, James 3:12-18)
However, it contradicts with the wisdom of this age. (1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Luke 5:36-37)
No man can boast as His own inspiration or claim as his own work of hands.
It does not spell glory unto man.
Those who follow it are most likely be labelled as fools. (1 Corinthians 1:18-30)
No amount of money can exchange
Neither certain formula/steps nor pursuit of education/profession
would qualify one to attain the wisdom of God. (Acts 4:13)
He reveals only to whomever HE loves and calls as HIS own children
Who walks not by his own understanding but in the act of obedience to what HE says.
Wisdom finds its way to the humble hearts and understanding to those who believe in the ONE whom HE had sent from above. (Romans 12:2)
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:6-8,Proverbs 9:10, Job 28:28)
It calls out loud in the open, only certain hear and take heed...(Proverbs 1:20)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
the "Departure"
Lately, this movie kept flashing in my mind. "Okuribito" means departure. I had it watched two years ago and that was how long it took me to pen this down.
The movie started by introducing Daigo (the main actor) as an enthusiastic man, having fulfilled his dream by becoming a cellist in a symphony in Tokyo. No sooner than his first performance, events suddenly took an unfortunate turn when he received the devastating news that the group would be disbanded, which would mean leaving him jobless. Broken but comforted by his wife, both of them decided to start all over at his old hometown.
After some time of job searching, he came across a classified entitled "Departure", assuming that it was a travel-related job advertisement. Money concerns hung over his family. Left with no other options, he dropped his most desired ambition and went for the job interview halfheartedly, only to find that the job was actually for an "encoffineer" (Nokanshi) - to prepare the dead for the burial. It was an undesirable job. In fact, a "taboo" among the society. It required one to clean the body and the facial of the deceased in a ceremony immersed in tradition. In fact, in his first case, he had to endure the gruesome ordeal of working on a deceased who had passed weeks away in an unfortunate manner before she was discovered. He was physically, mentally and emotionally spent. Although, he tried his best to keep it a secret, rumor had its way to his wife. When she learnt about his new job, she could not accept it and threatened to leave him.
While his wife and others despise his job, he soon discovered a hidden passion to master the art of "Nokanshi. In the midst of dealing with the deceased, he found himself as a breach between the deceased and the living. Some complicated relationships between the deceased and the living were resolved during the ceremony. And some sour relationships were turned into joy once again. While no one understood him, they offered this level of empathy and appreciation for his work. It came at a cost.
What moved me the most was not so much of the appreciation part. Rather, it was a clip where he sat outside the open greens below the pale blue sky playing on his cello...The scene was beautiful and magical! The melodious piece of music that birth forth out of a heart of brokenness, of dying to self, of humility and a heart of gratitude made it all the more beautiful...He didn't need the inspiration to perform in an orchestra setting with full packed audience. He already had the universe listening to him even though no men were present. He had already realized his dream.
Somehow, it just reminded me of the same vision that I received on the ice skater. If you have time, i recommend you to watch this movie - "Okuribito" aka "Departure".
The movie started by introducing Daigo (the main actor) as an enthusiastic man, having fulfilled his dream by becoming a cellist in a symphony in Tokyo. No sooner than his first performance, events suddenly took an unfortunate turn when he received the devastating news that the group would be disbanded, which would mean leaving him jobless. Broken but comforted by his wife, both of them decided to start all over at his old hometown.
After some time of job searching, he came across a classified entitled "Departure", assuming that it was a travel-related job advertisement. Money concerns hung over his family. Left with no other options, he dropped his most desired ambition and went for the job interview halfheartedly, only to find that the job was actually for an "encoffineer" (Nokanshi) - to prepare the dead for the burial. It was an undesirable job. In fact, a "taboo" among the society. It required one to clean the body and the facial of the deceased in a ceremony immersed in tradition. In fact, in his first case, he had to endure the gruesome ordeal of working on a deceased who had passed weeks away in an unfortunate manner before she was discovered. He was physically, mentally and emotionally spent. Although, he tried his best to keep it a secret, rumor had its way to his wife. When she learnt about his new job, she could not accept it and threatened to leave him.
While his wife and others despise his job, he soon discovered a hidden passion to master the art of "Nokanshi. In the midst of dealing with the deceased, he found himself as a breach between the deceased and the living. Some complicated relationships between the deceased and the living were resolved during the ceremony. And some sour relationships were turned into joy once again. While no one understood him, they offered this level of empathy and appreciation for his work. It came at a cost.
What moved me the most was not so much of the appreciation part. Rather, it was a clip where he sat outside the open greens below the pale blue sky playing on his cello...The scene was beautiful and magical! The melodious piece of music that birth forth out of a heart of brokenness, of dying to self, of humility and a heart of gratitude made it all the more beautiful...He didn't need the inspiration to perform in an orchestra setting with full packed audience. He already had the universe listening to him even though no men were present. He had already realized his dream.
Somehow, it just reminded me of the same vision that I received on the ice skater. If you have time, i recommend you to watch this movie - "Okuribito" aka "Departure".
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Call to 'HIS' Approval
I could no longer contain the sequel of thoughts that have been lingering in my mind. They were as if piling laundry hidden in the wardrobe awaiting to tumble down at any time. Plus, it's been AGES since I last wrote. Recently, I gave up on the attempt of capturing a vision that I had received some years ago into the form of drawings. I recognized my limitation, knowing what my hand could produce would not be able to justify the awesomeness of the whole thing, which also led me to relinquish to the fact that there could be a reason behind- to let it just remain imprinted in my mind. Hence, my attempt to simply translate the vision into words.
It was on a typical Sunday morning in a church service setting, "an unexpected intrusion of beauty" happened. I recalled my eyes were closed and I could hear the worship team playing some tune on the backdrop. In the vision, I found myself being ushered into a pitch dark-setting. Then, a stream of light was cast in the middle, gently lifting the blanket of darkness, revealing what seemed to be an ice skating ring. There stood a skater, posing in poised and looking upward. She started wheeling herself around the ring as the light trailed her at every point. I will never forget that smile of assurance on her lovely face as she formed into a 'spiral' movement. Every move was noticeably graceful and confident. I watched in amazement, enthralled by the beauty and her flawless performance. And then, the breath-holding moment came when she slowed down at a corner and braced herself before she made a jump, soaring into the air and started spinning herself for the first, followed by a second..and the third time! She nailed it, landed safe and smoothly. Then, she secured herself in a position where she started spinning herself up maneuvering her arm to resemble a swan. Because of the speed and the lights reflected from her garment, it looked like a spinning ball of blue crystal. It was awesome! She slowed down and finally came to a stop looking up to the spotlight. Her countenance was beamed with joy and radiance.
I felt it was as if I was standing outside of what was actually taking place. No applause, no cheers no praises heard from the crowd. I observed that there was not a single soul present behind the ring! The smile on her face...oh that smile...it told so much of her joy and satisfaction. All that seemed to be coming forth from a deep communion with the light. She knew that she was being watched from above and that was all that mattered to her most. And that was it. She knew 'HE' was smiling back from above. It was as if she was designed to perform just for the pleasure and delight for 'HIM' alone. She had 'HIS' approval.
I would not say I've fully taken hold of it, eventually, I believe every encounter will help me gain a deeper insight and lead me to its greater mystery that is yet to unfold.
It was on a typical Sunday morning in a church service setting, "an unexpected intrusion of beauty" happened. I recalled my eyes were closed and I could hear the worship team playing some tune on the backdrop. In the vision, I found myself being ushered into a pitch dark-setting. Then, a stream of light was cast in the middle, gently lifting the blanket of darkness, revealing what seemed to be an ice skating ring. There stood a skater, posing in poised and looking upward. She started wheeling herself around the ring as the light trailed her at every point. I will never forget that smile of assurance on her lovely face as she formed into a 'spiral' movement. Every move was noticeably graceful and confident. I watched in amazement, enthralled by the beauty and her flawless performance. And then, the breath-holding moment came when she slowed down at a corner and braced herself before she made a jump, soaring into the air and started spinning herself for the first, followed by a second..and the third time! She nailed it, landed safe and smoothly. Then, she secured herself in a position where she started spinning herself up maneuvering her arm to resemble a swan. Because of the speed and the lights reflected from her garment, it looked like a spinning ball of blue crystal. It was awesome! She slowed down and finally came to a stop looking up to the spotlight. Her countenance was beamed with joy and radiance.
I felt it was as if I was standing outside of what was actually taking place. No applause, no cheers no praises heard from the crowd. I observed that there was not a single soul present behind the ring! The smile on her face...oh that smile...it told so much of her joy and satisfaction. All that seemed to be coming forth from a deep communion with the light. She knew that she was being watched from above and that was all that mattered to her most. And that was it. She knew 'HE' was smiling back from above. It was as if she was designed to perform just for the pleasure and delight for 'HIM' alone. She had 'HIS' approval.
I would not say I've fully taken hold of it, eventually, I believe every encounter will help me gain a deeper insight and lead me to its greater mystery that is yet to unfold.
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