{Thursday, December 30, 2004
. }
Alas... the time has finally come... 2004 is going... going... (not gone yet...soon)
time for some new year resolution... i resolute not to have any resolution... really... i m serious... u see... i make so many resolution but never once fulfill it... so stupid... therefore i decided not to have any... just some goals... (wad's the diff... blah)
School:
To go for all my lessons... on time...
To do all my tutorial... and pass up... on time...
Personal:
Start gyming at least once a week
Ministry:
CG by end June
All my sheeps get shepherding at least twice a month
i guess tt's all to it... sigh...
been falling sick lately... have not been in school much... more absent then present... wadeva... gonna get well in the new year and start doing something abt it... gonna be there for lessons and do well... gonna pass all my modules and not be a out of phase student... all these... really hope i will be able to do it... God... in you i trust...
Christmas is good... been actively involved and did a pretty good job (minus the stumbling of the whole auditorium on the last day... dun ask) and really am thankful tt it did impact pple... God used me... wow... heehee... so look forward to a new year... my proposal for Susi is this: i retire from Drama... will help in SM when needed and go back to stage acting... u know... like those volunteers for actors... will submit it when i see her in the new year...
Dec has been a tiring, fulfillin month...
gonna have my retreat on 2 Jan... hopefully after the steamboat... if not... well... i dunno...
timtitus fishing at 1:45 pm
------
{Monday, December 27, 2004
. }
http://www03.quizyourfriends.com/takequiz.php?quizname=040624110727-ME~p7E&c=0&a=08
try it... it is a quiz abt me
timtitus fishing at 2:38 am
------
{Monday, December 20, 2004
. }
Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com
timtitus fishing at 1:48 pm
------
{Thursday, December 16, 2004
. }
well... 1st week of school is ending... and kinda slack... had a invitation for christmas and got a feel names awaiting confirmation... very excited...coz i m acting!!! hahaha...
wednesday overslept... miss my ECT... then soo seng told ms koh i m playing badminton wif him... dunno how she will react... played badminton in the afternoon and dragged Jaron to join in after a while... had fun...
carolling was ok... did not realyly got to practise songs... but had fun crapping and stuff... first session will be this sunday... trust God to harvest $$$
was reading Mei Hua blog... 44 visitor for event... 11 flow over... wah... i must work harder for my game plan... wanna see myself grow!!! jia you...
sat is svc... then next week is christmas liao... sooo busy and a little tired... but very very fun... thank you God for a chance to serve You in this manner...
update soon... kinda lost now... coz now having lessons... changing between this and excel... learning a lot abt excel... having fun... hahahahaha
timtitus fishing at 1:57 pm
------
{Friday, December 10, 2004
. }
Your element is Light: Innocent, beautiful,
kind-hearted and pure. You are so sweet your
almost angelic, you find joy in others
happiness and cannot stand to see anyone in
pain. You want to make everyone around you feel
good about themselves and if someone is upset
you can tend to become rather upset as well
which means you are sympathetic and raise
others above yourself. Being as kind and
good-natured as you are people have most likely
hurt you in the past but you pick yourself up
every time. You may look fragile but you are
stronger than most tend to see. Life is
beautiful no matter how you look at it and you
understand that people make mistakes, not
everyone is perfect. You try to see the good in
the bad which is a talent few posses, dont ever
let anyone change you. You truly have a
beautiful soul inside and a heart of gold.
.:-|What is your true element?|-:. -With Anime Pictures and detailed answers-
brought to you by Quizilla
cool... light... sounds nice...
wanna thank Joan for the very nice mail abt shepherds... hope u all will see how God looks after us and how we as shepherds should look after God's flock... shepherds... let's be faithful AMEN?
school is atrting in 3 days time and i m really excited... was tellin someone tt it is God's plan for the poly to start so early... coz the christmas harvest!!! we will work hard... wanna see 2 more sheeps in my sheep pen and my only sheep stop straying... maybe i should just break his leg... hahahaha.... joking...
wow... been very actively involved in Chirstmas and the more i think the more i find God being so gracious to me... i mean God... wad do i deserve to get all this... and the only thing i can think of to repay ya is to serve you and love you...i will be acting in both production and i m having fun... hahahahahahahahaha... so be sure to invite pple to the service and see me act... sooo exicted now leh... hahahaha...
now playing [jaci velasquez - just a prayer away]
timtitus fishing at 3:55 pm
------
{Wednesday, December 08, 2004
. }
A New Look at the 23rd Psalm
Psalm 23: A Shepherd's Perspective
"Shalom my friends. My name is Yeshua ben Yosef. I am from the ancient land of Palestine and I'm a shepherd by trade. Â It is an honour for a man of my occupation to be allowed to stand here and speak with you today. You see in my nation shepherding is not looked upon with favour. For most of my countrymen it is a job to be avoided rather than sought. The hours arelong. The work is dirty and backbreaking. You should see the thick calluses on my feet. And the pay ... well let's just say you'll never get richtending sheep for a living. I learned the trade from my father and I continue the family tradition.
You pastor thought it would be helpful for me to come and speak with you today about my lowly occupation. I'm not really sure what I could teach you but I'll tell you everything that I know.
Did you know that in the Bible you read, God refers to his people, you and me, as sheep nearly two hundred times? You may have never considered the significance of that comparison but I have because I work with sheep day and night. Let me tell you it's not a compliment to be called a sheep. Why not rather eagles - majestic, swift and beautiful? No, God calls us his sheep. Why not lions - strong, fearless, terrifying? No, instead, God calls us his sheep. Oh they are unique, but to be compared to one is nearly an insult. A sheep is perhaps the stupidest animal on the face of the earth. Have you ever seen a trained sheep in the circus? You'll see elephants, horses, bears, seals even hippos, but not sheep. They are too stupid totrain. Sheep are also quite filthy. The wool that you see in clothing has been cleaned thoroughly. The fluffy white sheep that you view on your television sets didn't get that way on their own. Sheep will not and cannot clean themselves. Â The shepherd or his hired hands must do it for them. Not only are they dumb and dirty, sheep are utterly defenceless. They have no claws, no fangs, no wings. They can't run fast or scare an enemy off with a loud roar or spray a predator with a noxious scent. All they can do is bleat.
Sheep are completely reliant on their shepherds. Their lives and well-being depend on the person who oversees them each day. If God calls us his sheep I wonder just what he's trying to say? Maybe you would understand God a little better if you spent a day with me. Come with me on a journey shepherding sheep.
The day begins early, before dawn. It is my job to provide food and waterfor my sheep. This is not an easy task. You see in my country the land is parched and dry. We have nothing like the vast green pastureland that your sheep and cattle enjoy here. You can just turn your animals loose and theyhave all the food they need but not in my country. Oh no. Grass can be found only in narrow strips separated by long stretches of rock and dust. Â Except during the rainy season, water is provided by natural springs or wells spread out here and there. I sometimes have to lead my sheep miles just for a few yards of grass or a quick drink of water. It is for that reason that we arise early. It takes all day to find the nourishment my sheep need.
I know the area like the back of my hand. I've walked every square foot of it many times. This is how I'm able to lead my sheep. You may have imagined that shepherding is like those old Westerns you've seen where the cowboys, riding their horses behind the herd, drive the cattle forward. A Shepherding is somewhat different. I walk in front of the herd and they follow me. Wherever I go they go. If I were unfamiliar with the land or the sheep were left on their own they'd starve to death. But I lead them. I know where the grass is. I've been there beforehand. We spend the entire morning traveling from pasture to pasture. By mid-day the sheep are exhausted and thirsty. They need refreshing or they will die.
Along the route I know the location of several oasis. These places have shade and lush pasture for the sheep to rest. I make them lie down and drink. Speaking of which, did you know that sheep won't drink from just any water source. Oh no. They will only drink from quiet still pools. They have a natural fear of fast moving water and for good reason. If a sheep should slip into a river or stream its wool would soon soak up the water and become completely saturated. Sheep are poor swimmers anyway, but the weight of the water in their wool would cause them to sink and drown. That's why the waters must be gentle and still. If I can't find a pool I have to create one by diverting water from a stream. Now you're beginning to understand what hard work shepherding is.
My sheep will be fine and have everything that they need as long as they follow me. I lead them along well-worn paths where I know we will find food and water. They need my guidance. My sheep also need my protection. The land where we travel is fraught with dangers. Predators like lions and bears stalk the herds. There's the occasional pack of wild dogs. Some harmless looking plants, though tasty, prove to be poisonous. A sheep might easily stumble over a cliff or fall into a ravine and die. But my sheep have no need to fear. I watch out for them. If they begin to wander off in the wrong direction I have my trusty shepherd's staff to prod them back in the right direction. If they should fall into a pit or a ravine I use the other end of my staff to reach down and lift them to safety. I carry two sticks, though. One is a staff, but the other is a club. Â The staff is for my sheep, but the club is for predators. My sheep may be dumb, but I'm quite attached to them. I'll fight tooth and nail for their lives. Some of the hirelings and other shepherds I'm acquainted with have seen me battle a few of those big carnivores. They laugh and joke and tell me that some day one of those lions or bears will have me for lunch. That may be true, but I can tell you that I won't look the other way or run the other way like those cowards. No, that's the difference between a good and a bad shepherd. A good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep.
As long as they follow me I guide and protect my sheep. It's tough work, but I always make sure my sheep have food to eat. I always check out the fields before I allow them to graze. If there are poisonous plants in the area and go through and weed out everyone by hand. I also check the ground for snake holes. I told you it's dangerous in my land. We have tiny little vipers that live underground in some of the pasturelands. When they sense the sheep grazing, they pop their ugly heads out of the ground and bite the sheep on the nose. The infection or venom from the bite could kill them. But I have a remedy for those vicious little enemies. I walk off the entire area looking for snake holes. When I find them I pour a little olive oil into the entrance of the hole. Then I anoint the head and nose of each sheep with the same oil and allow them to graze. The oil prevents the slick bodies of the snakes from crawling out of their holes. They're powerless to harm my sheep. It makes me laugh to watch my little lambs have a picnic in the very presence of their enemies.
By evening we return to the sheepfold. One by one I examine each of them. If I find any cuts or scraps on their bodies I apply healing ointment to their wounds. I make sure they have water to drink. If I find one nearly overcome with thirst I have a special cup-shaped bucket and let him drink by himself. Â Sometimes those sheep are so thirsty that they stick their heads in too fast and too far and the water overflows and wets their heads.
Before bedding down for the night I always count my flock. Occasionally one of the lambs will stray, and there's nothing more vulnerable than a sheep without its shepherd. I go immediately to find it and bring it back to the sheepfold.
Every once in a while one of my lambs will develop a habit of straying. I remember one little fellow. I named him Jake. He came from a fine family.His grandfather was one of my very first sheep. I called him Old Abe. Jake's father was Isaac. Both Old Abe and Isaac faithfully followed me and stayed on the path, but not that little rascal Jake. He turned up missing more times than I could count. Sometimes he was in search of greener pastures while at other times I found him chasing butterflies. He never realized the danger he in, but I understood it clearly.
Something had to be done. We shepherds have developed a technique guaranteed to prevent straying. It is used only as a last resort -- when a sheep refuses to stay with the flock. The last time I caught him straying I used it on little Jake. No doubt you will think that it's cruel, but it saves the life of my sheep. At the end of the day I found little Jake wandering dangerously toward a steep gorge. I picked him up, put him on my shoulders and carried him back to the sheepfold. He didn't struggle. Jake just looked at me with only trust in his eyes. I sat him down and quickly placed his right front leg across my staff. With one swift motion I pulled down of the long bone of his leg and broke it. Wild-eyed, Jake struggled to get away. He immediately fell to the ground in pain. He couldn't understand. The one who provided for him and rescued him, the one who he trusted was inflicting the most excruciating suffering he'd ever endured. I didn't want to, but I had to do it to save his life.
Over the next few days, little Jake could barely get up. As the flocks moved from pasture to pasture I carried him every step of the way. I held him close in those days. Â He was suffering with that broken leg, but all the while I carried him close to my heart. I sat him down to eat and drink. Gradually he was able to walk again, but the smallest hill looked like a mountain to him and the shallowest stream like a mile-wide river. Whenever he encountered and obstacle all he could do was stop and look to me. Then I'd pick him up and help him over. Jake learned to trust and to follow. I had to break him to save his life. It worked. Jake is still with me todayand one of my most loyal sheep.
Well that's a day in the life of a shepherd. It's not glamorous, but it's a living. As undignified as my profession is, it still amazes me that God compares himself to a shepherd and his people to sheep. I can see the truth in it though. After all he meets our needs by providing the necessities of life, by guiding us each day and by protecting us. I guess we would be as content and at peace as my sheep if we'd just learn to trust and follow him. Â Even if we don't understand where he's leading or what he's doing in our lives, if we'd just trust him and follow him we'd be satisfied.
Thank you for listening. I've got to get back to work. This shepherding is a never-ending job if you know what I mean?"
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd...
THAT'S Â RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want...
THAT'S Â SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...
THAT'S REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters...
THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul...
THAT'S Â HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness...
THAT'S GUIDANCE!
For His name sake...
THAT'S Â PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
THAT'S CHALLENGE!
I will fear no evil...
THAT'S Â ASSURANCE!
For thou art with me...
THAT'S Â FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...
THAT'S SHELTER!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...
THAT'S HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil...
THAT'S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over...
THAT'S Â ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my  life...
THAT'S BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...
THAT'S SECURITY!
Forever...
THAT'S ETERNITY!
now playing[Jaci Velasquez - Imagine Me Without You]
timtitus fishing at 1:16 am
------
{Wednesday, December 01, 2004
. }
today is the 1st of dec... how time flies as i was reflecting on the days since my b'day... has not been fruitful and well... kinda sad abt it... gonna make more impact when sch starts... gonna be actively seeking out for the lost sheeps... also gonna work hard for studies...dennis is right... i m too slack... must glorify God in my studies too
this is my game plan:
ministry:
3 sheeps under my charge by end Jan 2005 (unit to hit 36)
4 sheeps under my charge and 1 of my sheeps to have 1 sheep by end June 2005(unit to hit 50)
all 4 of my sheeps to have sheeps by my 20th birthday, Sept 2005 (unit dunno...haha)
studies:
pass all my modules wif at least a C in year 1 sem 2
God i need ur strength...
taking a break from drama planning now... Nel is directing... so it will be fun workin wif her...coz she is a very funny leader... and since it is the first time she is doing it... must help her along directions and blocking... just hope dennis will guide her so tt i can focus on SM... Weiling very sad case...coz she have to do all by herself... she no SM... reading and editing the script for my ease... very excited abt tmr... the stomp drama i'm co-directing wif susi will be up on 2nd dec... there will be the full dress later in the day... excited ne...pray all will turn up well... abt 50+ hrs more to conference... it is gonna be exciting...
now playing[Jaci Valesquez - You]
timtitus fishing at 1:00 am
------
Alas... the time has finally come... 2004 is going... going... (not gone yet...soon)
time for some new year resolution... i resolute not to have any resolution... really... i m serious... u see... i make so many resolution but never once fulfill it... so stupid... therefore i decided not to have any... just some goals... (wad's the diff... blah)
School:
To go for all my lessons... on time...
To do all my tutorial... and pass up... on time...
Personal:
Start gyming at least once a week
Ministry:
CG by end June
All my sheeps get shepherding at least twice a month
i guess tt's all to it... sigh...
been falling sick lately... have not been in school much... more absent then present... wadeva... gonna get well in the new year and start doing something abt it... gonna be there for lessons and do well... gonna pass all my modules and not be a out of phase student... all these... really hope i will be able to do it... God... in you i trust...
Christmas is good... been actively involved and did a pretty good job (minus the stumbling of the whole auditorium on the last day... dun ask) and really am thankful tt it did impact pple... God used me... wow... heehee... so look forward to a new year... my proposal for Susi is this: i retire from Drama... will help in SM when needed and go back to stage acting... u know... like those volunteers for actors... will submit it when i see her in the new year...
Dec has been a tiring, fulfillin month...
gonna have my retreat on 2 Jan... hopefully after the steamboat... if not... well... i dunno...
http://www03.quizyourfriends.com/takequiz.php?quizname=040624110727-ME~p7E&c=0&a=08
try it... it is a quiz abt me
| T | Timeless |
| I | Important |
| M | Misunderstood |
| O | Overwhelming |
| T | Trustworthy |
| H | Hairy |
| Y | Yummy |
Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com
well... 1st week of school is ending... and kinda slack... had a invitation for christmas and got a feel names awaiting confirmation... very excited...coz i m acting!!! hahaha...
wednesday overslept... miss my ECT... then soo seng told ms koh i m playing badminton wif him... dunno how she will react... played badminton in the afternoon and dragged Jaron to join in after a while... had fun...
carolling was ok... did not realyly got to practise songs... but had fun crapping and stuff... first session will be this sunday... trust God to harvest $$$
was reading Mei Hua blog... 44 visitor for event... 11 flow over... wah... i must work harder for my game plan... wanna see myself grow!!! jia you...
sat is svc... then next week is christmas liao... sooo busy and a little tired... but very very fun... thank you God for a chance to serve You in this manner...
update soon... kinda lost now... coz now having lessons... changing between this and excel... learning a lot abt excel... having fun... hahahahaha
Your element is Light: Innocent, beautiful,
kind-hearted and pure. You are so sweet your
almost angelic, you find joy in others
happiness and cannot stand to see anyone in
pain. You want to make everyone around you feel
good about themselves and if someone is upset
you can tend to become rather upset as well
which means you are sympathetic and raise
others above yourself. Being as kind and
good-natured as you are people have most likely
hurt you in the past but you pick yourself up
every time. You may look fragile but you are
stronger than most tend to see. Life is
beautiful no matter how you look at it and you
understand that people make mistakes, not
everyone is perfect. You try to see the good in
the bad which is a talent few posses, dont ever
let anyone change you. You truly have a
beautiful soul inside and a heart of gold.
.:-|What is your true element?|-:. -With Anime Pictures and detailed answers-
brought to you by Quizilla
cool... light... sounds nice...
wanna thank Joan for the very nice mail abt shepherds... hope u all will see how God looks after us and how we as shepherds should look after God's flock... shepherds... let's be faithful AMEN?
school is atrting in 3 days time and i m really excited... was tellin someone tt it is God's plan for the poly to start so early... coz the christmas harvest!!! we will work hard... wanna see 2 more sheeps in my sheep pen and my only sheep stop straying... maybe i should just break his leg... hahahaha.... joking...
wow... been very actively involved in Chirstmas and the more i think the more i find God being so gracious to me... i mean God... wad do i deserve to get all this... and the only thing i can think of to repay ya is to serve you and love you...i will be acting in both production and i m having fun... hahahahahahahahaha... so be sure to invite pple to the service and see me act... sooo exicted now leh... hahahaha...
now playing [jaci velasquez - just a prayer away]
A New Look at the 23rd Psalm
Psalm 23: A Shepherd's Perspective
"Shalom my friends. My name is Yeshua ben Yosef. I am from the ancient land of Palestine and I'm a shepherd by trade. Â It is an honour for a man of my occupation to be allowed to stand here and speak with you today. You see in my nation shepherding is not looked upon with favour. For most of my countrymen it is a job to be avoided rather than sought. The hours arelong. The work is dirty and backbreaking. You should see the thick calluses on my feet. And the pay ... well let's just say you'll never get richtending sheep for a living. I learned the trade from my father and I continue the family tradition.
You pastor thought it would be helpful for me to come and speak with you today about my lowly occupation. I'm not really sure what I could teach you but I'll tell you everything that I know.
Did you know that in the Bible you read, God refers to his people, you and me, as sheep nearly two hundred times? You may have never considered the significance of that comparison but I have because I work with sheep day and night. Let me tell you it's not a compliment to be called a sheep. Why not rather eagles - majestic, swift and beautiful? No, God calls us his sheep. Why not lions - strong, fearless, terrifying? No, instead, God calls us his sheep. Oh they are unique, but to be compared to one is nearly an insult. A sheep is perhaps the stupidest animal on the face of the earth. Have you ever seen a trained sheep in the circus? You'll see elephants, horses, bears, seals even hippos, but not sheep. They are too stupid totrain. Sheep are also quite filthy. The wool that you see in clothing has been cleaned thoroughly. The fluffy white sheep that you view on your television sets didn't get that way on their own. Sheep will not and cannot clean themselves. Â The shepherd or his hired hands must do it for them. Not only are they dumb and dirty, sheep are utterly defenceless. They have no claws, no fangs, no wings. They can't run fast or scare an enemy off with a loud roar or spray a predator with a noxious scent. All they can do is bleat.
Sheep are completely reliant on their shepherds. Their lives and well-being depend on the person who oversees them each day. If God calls us his sheep I wonder just what he's trying to say? Maybe you would understand God a little better if you spent a day with me. Come with me on a journey shepherding sheep.
The day begins early, before dawn. It is my job to provide food and waterfor my sheep. This is not an easy task. You see in my country the land is parched and dry. We have nothing like the vast green pastureland that your sheep and cattle enjoy here. You can just turn your animals loose and theyhave all the food they need but not in my country. Oh no. Grass can be found only in narrow strips separated by long stretches of rock and dust. Â Except during the rainy season, water is provided by natural springs or wells spread out here and there. I sometimes have to lead my sheep miles just for a few yards of grass or a quick drink of water. It is for that reason that we arise early. It takes all day to find the nourishment my sheep need.
I know the area like the back of my hand. I've walked every square foot of it many times. This is how I'm able to lead my sheep. You may have imagined that shepherding is like those old Westerns you've seen where the cowboys, riding their horses behind the herd, drive the cattle forward. A Shepherding is somewhat different. I walk in front of the herd and they follow me. Wherever I go they go. If I were unfamiliar with the land or the sheep were left on their own they'd starve to death. But I lead them. I know where the grass is. I've been there beforehand. We spend the entire morning traveling from pasture to pasture. By mid-day the sheep are exhausted and thirsty. They need refreshing or they will die.
Along the route I know the location of several oasis. These places have shade and lush pasture for the sheep to rest. I make them lie down and drink. Speaking of which, did you know that sheep won't drink from just any water source. Oh no. They will only drink from quiet still pools. They have a natural fear of fast moving water and for good reason. If a sheep should slip into a river or stream its wool would soon soak up the water and become completely saturated. Sheep are poor swimmers anyway, but the weight of the water in their wool would cause them to sink and drown. That's why the waters must be gentle and still. If I can't find a pool I have to create one by diverting water from a stream. Now you're beginning to understand what hard work shepherding is.
My sheep will be fine and have everything that they need as long as they follow me. I lead them along well-worn paths where I know we will find food and water. They need my guidance. My sheep also need my protection. The land where we travel is fraught with dangers. Predators like lions and bears stalk the herds. There's the occasional pack of wild dogs. Some harmless looking plants, though tasty, prove to be poisonous. A sheep might easily stumble over a cliff or fall into a ravine and die. But my sheep have no need to fear. I watch out for them. If they begin to wander off in the wrong direction I have my trusty shepherd's staff to prod them back in the right direction. If they should fall into a pit or a ravine I use the other end of my staff to reach down and lift them to safety. I carry two sticks, though. One is a staff, but the other is a club. Â The staff is for my sheep, but the club is for predators. My sheep may be dumb, but I'm quite attached to them. I'll fight tooth and nail for their lives. Some of the hirelings and other shepherds I'm acquainted with have seen me battle a few of those big carnivores. They laugh and joke and tell me that some day one of those lions or bears will have me for lunch. That may be true, but I can tell you that I won't look the other way or run the other way like those cowards. No, that's the difference between a good and a bad shepherd. A good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep.
As long as they follow me I guide and protect my sheep. It's tough work, but I always make sure my sheep have food to eat. I always check out the fields before I allow them to graze. If there are poisonous plants in the area and go through and weed out everyone by hand. I also check the ground for snake holes. I told you it's dangerous in my land. We have tiny little vipers that live underground in some of the pasturelands. When they sense the sheep grazing, they pop their ugly heads out of the ground and bite the sheep on the nose. The infection or venom from the bite could kill them. But I have a remedy for those vicious little enemies. I walk off the entire area looking for snake holes. When I find them I pour a little olive oil into the entrance of the hole. Then I anoint the head and nose of each sheep with the same oil and allow them to graze. The oil prevents the slick bodies of the snakes from crawling out of their holes. They're powerless to harm my sheep. It makes me laugh to watch my little lambs have a picnic in the very presence of their enemies.
By evening we return to the sheepfold. One by one I examine each of them. If I find any cuts or scraps on their bodies I apply healing ointment to their wounds. I make sure they have water to drink. If I find one nearly overcome with thirst I have a special cup-shaped bucket and let him drink by himself. Â Sometimes those sheep are so thirsty that they stick their heads in too fast and too far and the water overflows and wets their heads.
Before bedding down for the night I always count my flock. Occasionally one of the lambs will stray, and there's nothing more vulnerable than a sheep without its shepherd. I go immediately to find it and bring it back to the sheepfold.
Every once in a while one of my lambs will develop a habit of straying. I remember one little fellow. I named him Jake. He came from a fine family.His grandfather was one of my very first sheep. I called him Old Abe. Jake's father was Isaac. Both Old Abe and Isaac faithfully followed me and stayed on the path, but not that little rascal Jake. He turned up missing more times than I could count. Sometimes he was in search of greener pastures while at other times I found him chasing butterflies. He never realized the danger he in, but I understood it clearly.
Something had to be done. We shepherds have developed a technique guaranteed to prevent straying. It is used only as a last resort -- when a sheep refuses to stay with the flock. The last time I caught him straying I used it on little Jake. No doubt you will think that it's cruel, but it saves the life of my sheep. At the end of the day I found little Jake wandering dangerously toward a steep gorge. I picked him up, put him on my shoulders and carried him back to the sheepfold. He didn't struggle. Jake just looked at me with only trust in his eyes. I sat him down and quickly placed his right front leg across my staff. With one swift motion I pulled down of the long bone of his leg and broke it. Wild-eyed, Jake struggled to get away. He immediately fell to the ground in pain. He couldn't understand. The one who provided for him and rescued him, the one who he trusted was inflicting the most excruciating suffering he'd ever endured. I didn't want to, but I had to do it to save his life.
Over the next few days, little Jake could barely get up. As the flocks moved from pasture to pasture I carried him every step of the way. I held him close in those days. Â He was suffering with that broken leg, but all the while I carried him close to my heart. I sat him down to eat and drink. Gradually he was able to walk again, but the smallest hill looked like a mountain to him and the shallowest stream like a mile-wide river. Whenever he encountered and obstacle all he could do was stop and look to me. Then I'd pick him up and help him over. Jake learned to trust and to follow. I had to break him to save his life. It worked. Jake is still with me todayand one of my most loyal sheep.
Well that's a day in the life of a shepherd. It's not glamorous, but it's a living. As undignified as my profession is, it still amazes me that God compares himself to a shepherd and his people to sheep. I can see the truth in it though. After all he meets our needs by providing the necessities of life, by guiding us each day and by protecting us. I guess we would be as content and at peace as my sheep if we'd just learn to trust and follow him. Â Even if we don't understand where he's leading or what he's doing in our lives, if we'd just trust him and follow him we'd be satisfied.
Thank you for listening. I've got to get back to work. This shepherding is a never-ending job if you know what I mean?"
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd...
THAT'S Â RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want...
THAT'S Â SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures...
THAT'S REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters...
THAT'S REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul...
THAT'S Â HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness...
THAT'S GUIDANCE!
For His name sake...
THAT'S Â PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
THAT'S CHALLENGE!
I will fear no evil...
THAT'S Â ASSURANCE!
For thou art with me...
THAT'S Â FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...
THAT'S SHELTER!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...
THAT'S HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil...
THAT'S CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over...
THAT'S Â ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my  life...
THAT'S BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...
THAT'S SECURITY!
Forever...
THAT'S ETERNITY!
now playing[Jaci Velasquez - Imagine Me Without You]
today is the 1st of dec... how time flies as i was reflecting on the days since my b'day... has not been fruitful and well... kinda sad abt it... gonna make more impact when sch starts... gonna be actively seeking out for the lost sheeps... also gonna work hard for studies...dennis is right... i m too slack... must glorify God in my studies too
this is my game plan:
ministry:
3 sheeps under my charge by end Jan 2005 (unit to hit 36)
4 sheeps under my charge and 1 of my sheeps to have 1 sheep by end June 2005(unit to hit 50)
all 4 of my sheeps to have sheeps by my 20th birthday, Sept 2005 (unit dunno...haha)
studies:
pass all my modules wif at least a C in year 1 sem 2
God i need ur strength...
taking a break from drama planning now... Nel is directing... so it will be fun workin wif her...coz she is a very funny leader... and since it is the first time she is doing it... must help her along directions and blocking... just hope dennis will guide her so tt i can focus on SM... Weiling very sad case...coz she have to do all by herself... she no SM... reading and editing the script for my ease... very excited abt tmr... the stomp drama i'm co-directing wif susi will be up on 2nd dec... there will be the full dress later in the day... excited ne...pray all will turn up well... abt 50+ hrs more to conference... it is gonna be exciting...
now playing[Jaci Valesquez - You]