The Word: Begin. Just Begin! ...by Max Lucado

What difference will my work make?

God’s answer: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10).

Begin. Just Begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane.

On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which exploded.

Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless and with one exception, empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language. Translated, the note read: “This is all we can do for you now.”

A courageous assembly-line worker was disarming bombs and scribbled the note. He couldn’t end the war, but he could save one plane. He couldn’t do everything, but he could do something. So he did it.

God does big things with small deeds.


From Cure for the Common Life
Copyright 2005, Max Lucado

Testimony 18/07/06: Still Sovereign

Dad loves photography. He told me about going to Middle Java to take some photographs of Borobudur Temple at sunset.

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Mom is considering going to Pangandaran. Well… our family has not been to that nostalgic beach for years and is planning to go there for fresh grilled fish next month.

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My friends say Parangtritis Beach is very beautiful. It has stunning scenery. I know of a lot of young couples that went there to have their pre-wedding photographs taken. I wish to spend some times there in the future.

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Volcano erupted. Earthquakes strike. Tsunamis hit. The disasters killed thousands of people.

Borobudur Temple is very close to where Mount Merapi blew its hot smoke. Pangandaran is the closest beach to the epicenter of this week’s earthquake. And even though Parangtritis survived earthquake just over a month ago, it is destroyed this time round.

So many people speculate that all these happen because Indonesia has sinned. Last night, I have another thought. I thought of how small we are. An earthquake that killed thousands, Tsunamis that killed hundreds… I could easily be one of the victims.

At the same time, the disasters have also reminded me on how GREAT our God is. My family and I are all okay. Even though so many people died, God is still sovereign and He is in control. Amen!

Testimony 16/07/06: The Silver Ring

I bought a silver ring in 2000. I wear it day after day: when I go to school, when I work, when I cook, even when I bathe.

Some time ago, I went overseas for two weeks. I chose to leave my ring at home in the shower, thinking nobody would use my toilet anyway.

But apparently my bro used it for a few hot showers. I was very sad to find my ring turned yellowish when I got back. I had no problem with the ring for the past seven years yet found it turned ugly in just two weeks! I regretted putting it in the shower cubicles while I could easily stored it in the drawer. I didn’t have any idea on how I could get my “old” ring back.

I showed the ring to someone. I asked the person if anything could be done about it…

Two days later, I got my ring back. I was surprised to see it. I couldn’t remember having my ring so clean and shiny I could see my own reflection on it!

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Just like the ring, we sometimes screw up in a blink of an eye. From silver, we turn yellowish. How often we wish we hadn’t done the very thing we had done. And how often we feel dirty and unworthy to come before Him because of that.
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If we only we know the One who forgives sins. If only we know the One who could purify us from all unrighteousness. If only we know the One who could heal our pain.

He is closer than you think. His name is Jesus. Yes, we can screw up. But guess what? He can make us shine even brighter than ever before… if only we come to Him.

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A thousand times I failed
Your mercy remains
Should I stumble again
I’m caught in Your grace

From The Inside Out, Hillsong United 2006

News 02/07/06: Japan Tour 2006

I went to Japan with my younger bro. It was a week of holiday full of fun and memories. I went to Universal Studio in Osaka, Disneyland in Tokyo and Mount Fuji. Here are some photos to share.