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read between the lines
hope for the hopeless "God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises, and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. This means that no one can boast in God's presence."thank god for inserting it in the speaking pastor's text today, 'cause i really needed it. the pastor happened to be a guest speaker from another church i'd visited before, where i first heard him speak and also got the opportunity to lunch with him and his members. he also shared with us how jesus was first real to him at the age of 16, in a tumultous thunderstorm near pulau pangkor, amidst a capsized sampan and 11 other drowning classmates, five of whom could not swim. and because of his desperate, urgent prayers, his life was spared, and so were all his classmates'. made me notice he and i (and probably a lot of people) have something in common. sometimes the truth becomes strikingly clear only in the times when it's a matter of life or death. and it's in those scary, naked, critical moments that the truth becomes clear and audible, louder than all the voices in our heads. the following sermon i went for also dwelt on a similar message to the verses above -- its title was God's Unlikely Champions. before which, they sang this old yet new (so many remakes until i don't know who wrote it) hymn: Before the Throne of God Above Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me My name is graven on His hands My name is written on His heart I know that while in heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart No tongue can bid me thence depart When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me Behold Him there! The risen Lamb My perfect, spotless righteousness The great unchangeable I AM The King of glory and of grace One with Himself I cannot die My soul is purchased with His blood My life is hid with Christ on high With Christ my Savior and my God With Christ my Savior and my God |
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