Loh Lawrence
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This is great!!!! Just click on your favorite song, and enjoy the season.
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday 25 December 2012
CHRISTMAS' SONGS
Wednesday 5 December 2012
OUR GUEST AUTHOR POST - PAMELA JONES
SHOULD CHRISTIANS ENGAGE IN ONLINE DATING
In a world that seems to accept wrongdoing as the way of living,
Christians must be resistant to this way of life. Some of the
wrongdoing that troubles our world today transpires over the internet: pornography, gossip, identity theft, money scams, and so on.
The concern here is online dating. It’s an internet activity that
brings people together. Some people find love; others get scammed out of money. There have even been situations where people were murdered after meeting their online date in person.
In other words, like anything else, online dating can have its problems. So, should Christians engage in it?
The Answer is in The Spiritual Voice
We must follow God’s plan for our lives. Otherwise we won’t find our true purpose for life; we won’t even be happy. So, to answer the question of whether or not Christians should engage in online dating – it depends.
If the Holy Spirit is telling you to engage in it, then follow the Spirit. The path is already set for you and your soul mate to find each other through this method. You’ll even be guided as to which website you should join since there are several.
Please note that if you feel led to join an online dating site that connects people for sexual purposes only, this isn’t God’s intention. God is about love, not one night stands. So make sure you’re being guided by God and not desperation or lust.
On the other hand, if you don’t hear or have a spiritual intuition to set up membership at a decent online dating website such as a Christian dating site, then follow your instinct. Doing so will never lead you in the wrong direction. It’s just happen that God could have for you to meet your soul mate another way.
Conclusion
So online dating for Christians … yes or no? Just wait and listen patiently for God’s wise, whispery voice and you’ll have your answer.
About the writer
Pamela “Penlady” Jones is the author of “Virtual Love: Everything You Need to Know About Online Dating.” This eBook covers Christian online dating. It’s available via the Amazon Kindle Lending Library
To read about our interview with the above author, please click the link below:-
http://liftyouup.blogspot.com/2012/12/interview-with-author-pamela-jones.html
http://liftyouup.blogspot.com/2012/12/interview-with-author-pamela-jones.html
Wednesday 14 November 2012
Q and A
James: When did you begin to write?
Ever since I was a teenager, I enjoyed writing of
one form or another. I love artistic expression of all kinds. I've written more
than 50 songs since I first picked up a guitar at age 13. Written enough poetry
to fill volumes. As far as writing "books", I started right after
college. It was just something I wanted to try and once I finally graduated, I
finally had time. After I self-published my first book I was HOOKED. Addicted.
There was no going back. So, when my wife and I were going through the adoption
process, that's where my brain went. I knew I had to write our story.
James : What make
you to think of publishing a book to share with others and at the same time
encourage others to share their faiths? So far what is your worst
criticism/attacks, and how you overcome it?
I'm not afraid of
putting myself out there. I'm not afraid of criticism. My wife and I have been
advocates for adoption ever since we decided to adopt, and believe it or not
there are a lot of people out there who strongly oppose adoption. Most of my
criticism comes from those people- the ones who hate adoption. Some people
think it's not possible for adoptive parents to love a child as much as a
biological parent could. They're wrong. Some people think it's always the right
thing to do for a single parent to raise the child. They're wrong. I'm not
saying it's always right to choose adoption for an unplanned pregnancy because
that's not true either. But there is a right time and a wrong time- all a
personal decision.
James: How you come
up with title of your books?
The main title-
"Open Adoption, Open Heart" I came up with on my own. "Open
adoption" means that our children's biological parents are still part of
the picture. We love them, talk to them, share photos with them, and even visit
face to face quite often. The subtitle "An Adoptive Father's Inspiring
Journey" fits well with what the book is about. It's our story. We came up
with that subtitle in a group meeting at the publisher.
James: Can you
enlighten us a little more about your books?
This blog tour is
focusing on Open Adoption, Open Heart. I've written a few other books, some
adoption and some not. This book is our story. There are so many things about
the adoptive world that people just don't know about and I strongly feel the
best way to help people see into our world is not to just tell people what it's
like. You have to come along on the journey and experience the entire process,
with all the emotions and feelings. It's quite the roller coaster- one minute
feeling secure, then the next minute wondering if the adoption is going to fall
through and the baby taken away. Up and down, up and down. It's quite the
story. And while it was so stressful, that only makes it that much sweeter in
the end.
James: Is there
anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards
to your book, which you have not mentioned above?
This book is not
just for people who plan to adopt, or have adopted. In fact, although I think
reading something like this is essential for someone considering adoption, the
majority of those who have read it are regular people who just want to read a
good true story and see what it's like to live through an open adoption. Even
my next door neighbors and my best friends said things like, "We were near
you the whole time and we had no idea." It's such a wild ride you would
think it was fiction.
James: When do you
plan to publish your book 2, if applicable?
Book 2 is written
already! It continues the story from our first adoption since that relationship
will always be growing and adapting. It also tells the journey of our second
adoption- one that takes place locally and is also an open adoption. Even
though we'd gone through the process once before, the second time through was
just as intense.
James : How many
volume of books for the above series?
There will be more
than these 2, but the ones after these two will not likely be the same style or
length.
James: Tell us your
guided principle that governs your life? How you cultivate these values?
My wife and I are
Christian, believing strongly in the power of meditation and prayer. God gives
each of us personal revelation if we are seeking it. We also believe strongly
in the constant need to nurture our spiritual side, or life would drift away
from what brings true joy.
James:
Is there any other advice which you like to share with our readers?
Whether
you're interested in adoption or not, do what is right for YOUR family. We've
found that out for ourselves. Nobody else knows what we need but us, and that's
for us to decide.
Thank again for
joining us today. Let us wish her a rewarding and fulfilling day.
Thursday 12 July 2012
INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN AUTHOR -TRACY KRAUSS
About the author
Tracy Krauss is a best-selling
author, artist, playwright, director, worship leader, and teacher. Originally
from a small prairie town, she received her Bachelor’s Degree at the University
of Saskatchewan. She has lived in many
places in northern Canada with her husband, a pastor, and their children. They
currently live in Tumbler Ridge, BC.
She currently has four romantic suspense novels and several stage
plays in print. Visit her website for more details. http://www.tracykrauss.com
Now, onto
the interview.
When did you begin to write?
I started
writing shortly after I had my first child. (She’s 27 now.) I could hardly wait
for her nap time so that I could pound away at my mother’s old typewriter. What
started out as mere fun soon became a compulsion which has lasted all these
years.
When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I was one
of those kids that enjoyed making up stories, even at a young age. I wrote my
first stage play while in grade four at school and convinced my friends to
practice during recess. When our teacher saw what was going on she arranged for
us to perform it in front of the entire school. It was my first ‘written’ work
and my first time as a director.
How much did you write before you were published?
How much did you write before you were published?
I wrote
on a daily basis. I finished four full length novels before I even started
submitting. It took some courage to finally share those early works with
anyone, and then even more courage to keep doing so since they were soundly
rejected multiple times. The candid criticism did me good and I learned from
it, though. I’m thankful for it now, although it hurt at the time.
What is your favorite part of writing?
What is your favorite part of writing?
There is
something exciting about starting something new – the freshness of it. I also
love it when the words just seem to flow, and then the best is that feeling of
accomplishment when you finally finish the first draft.
What made you think of publishing a book to share with others and at the same time encourage others to share their faith?
I guess
my faith is an important part of who I am so it makes sense for me to write
from this worldview. I remember being influenced early in my writing career by
a Christian rock group that I liked. (DC Talk – this was the 90s, remember!) I
was impressed that they were so blatant and unapologetic about their faith. I
wanted to be like that with my writing.
Tell
us about your latest release.
Here is
the back cover blurb:
Marshdale. Just a small farming
community where nothing special happens.
A perfect place to start over… or get lost. There is definitely more to
this prairie town than meets the eye. Once the meeting place of aboriginal
tribes for miles around, some say the land itself was cursed because of the people’s
sin. But its history goes farther back than even indigenous oral history can
trace and there is still a direct descendant who has been handed the truth,
like it or not. Exactly what ties does the land have to the medicine of the
ancients? Is it cursed, or is it all superstition?
Wind
Over Marshdale is the story of the struggles within
a small prairie town when hidden evil and ancient medicine resurface. Caught in
the crossfire, new teacher Rachel Bosworth finds herself in love with two men
at once. First, there is Thomas Lone Wolf, a Cree man whose blood lines run
back to the days of ancient medicine but who has chosen to live as a Christian
and faces prejudice from every side as he tries to expose the truth. Then there
is Con McKinley, local farmer who has to face some demons of his own. Add to
the mix a wayward minister seeking anonymity in the obscurity of the town;
eccentric twin sisters – one heavily involved in the occult and the other a fundamentalist zealot; and a host of other ‘characters’ whose lives
weave together unexpectedly for the final climax. This suspenseful story is one
of human frailty - prejudice, cowardice, jealousy, and greed – magnified by
powerful spiritual forces that have remained hidden for centuries, only to be
broken in triumph by grace.
Wow! This
book sounds really good. Are you planning on writing more in the years to come?
Writing
has been such an integral part of my life for so many years that I can’t
imagine NOT writing. I currently have two more novels ready for revision which
I plan to submit to my agent soon. Beyond that I have several works in
progress. New ideas keep popping up all the time.
So
far what is your worst criticism/attacks, and how have you overcome it?
I haven’t
really been attacked, per se, since getting published. My worst criticism came
before publication and all of that was justified, as I already said. I have had
a few less than glowing reviews, but I’ve decided that any publicity is good
publicity, so I don’t let it bother me. In fact, a few lower reviews might even
add credibility. Not everyone likes the same things, so this just shows that
people are actually reading my work and being honest about it.
What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Besides raising four kids who are now great adults, I guess I am proud of the fact that I reached my goal to become a published author by the time I reached a ‘certain’ magic age. I’m zeroing in on that age and I’m happy to say I have four books and five stage plays in print.
What does your writing process look like?
After I get an idea, I write a brief outline. Simultaneously, I create detailed character sketches that help me to understand each person’s motivation. Then I write a chapter by chapter outline. It’s at this point that I actually start writing the book, and of course, it usually changes quite dramatically. The outline helps me to have a sense of where I’m going, but I don’t let it dictate to me. If something interesting crops up, I go with it.
How did you get published?
I started
sending out a few tentative submissions in the early 2000s, and as I already
said, met with a lot of rejection. I took all the criticism to heart, however,
and finally, in 2008 I decided I was going to do a submission blitz once and
for all. I sent out a ton of submissions and after a few months I ended up with
three requests for more. Out of those I signed a contract for my first book AND
THE BEAT GOES ON with Strategic Book, New York, NY. I was quite happy to
continue my relationship with them for my next two books. Then my agent found
me a deal for my fourth book WIND OVER MARSHDALE, with Astraea Press. At the
same time, I regularly submit to a variety of play publishing houses and, much
the same as with my novels, I’ve had lots of rejection, but also some success.
I have plays published with Pioneer Drama Services, JAC Publishing, and Big Dog
Publishing.
How do you come up
with title of your books?
MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER came to
me in the shower. (True story) In a couple of cases, I thought of the title
before I even started writing. Other than that I just toss different ideas
around as I’m writing the thing.
Can you enlighten us a
little more about your books?
My novels
are: AND THE BEAT GOES ON, where archaeological evidence for creation comes at
a heavy cost; MY MOTHER THE MAN-EATER, the story of a ‘cougar’ who takes on
more than she bargained for; PLAY IT AGAIN, about an unlikely match during the
1980s rock n’ roll scene; and WIND OVER MARSHDALE, where strong spiritual
forces rock a seemingly peaceful prairie town. All of them have a redemptive
element and are sometimes called ‘edgy Christian’, although they are not
graphic by any means.
Tell us your guiding
principle that governs your life? How have you cultivated these values?
Strive for excellence in whatever
you do. This comes from a verse in Ecclesiastics which says, ‘Whatever you do,
do it as unto the Lord’.
Do you have any advice for
writers looking to get published?
Number one, hone your craft. Take
classes, read books, get others to critique your work - do what it takes to get good at writing.
Number two, always get fresh eyes to look at your work. I suppose I said this
in number one already, but I can’t stress enough how important this is. We can
become too emotionally attached to our own work and not see it objectively.
Number three, be persistent. Submit, submit, submit is my motto.
Contact information:
Website: http://www.tracykrauss.com
Amazon: http://www.kraussamazon.com
Thursday 23 February 2012
Tuesday 21 February 2012
Sunday 19 February 2012
Friday 17 February 2012
Tuesday 7 February 2012
NARROW PATH TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
NARROW PATH TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
It is no
surprise at all if you find the path to heaven is a narrow one. But
don't be afraid and disappointed with God's plan. In fact, it is great
news that no one is able to reach its destination by his own doing. This
is because no one is perfect and therefore can be saved by our own
action of doing good.
Because of His great love of all creatures especially man
which was created out of His image. This One big plan, had never been
changed or altered since day one when the world was created. This plan
has been recorded in the Scripture. From the old testament, we were
told that there is no one, from Moses to King David, who was ever
perfect.
As a result of God's love of His own creatures, He even
sent His only begotten Son to save the world. The formula of one man
(Adam's) sin, the whole world sin. Similarly, this sin can only be
redeemed through one Man i.e Christ. Read John 3:16. By believing in
Him, you can only be saved. This is because such grace will then be
bestowed to us so to speak.
This is consistent to what Apostle Paul said in Romans
..............if we can be saved by our own action, then Christ's death
on the cross was in vain. God knows that due to the sin inherited from
Adam, we cannot save ourselves from our action, even if we were
united and work together toward this destination.
The good news here is that God know our limitation and
stand by us to help us at any time so long as we extend our hands to
this Mighty God. In order to strengthen us to overcome all these
challenges, we need to open our hearts to Him. Acknowledging Him is the
very first step towards this destination. By doing so, we can then
open our hearts and souls voluntarily to Him. The ultimate outcome
of repentance will occur. Once repentance takes place, He will then be
able to remove all impurities from our hearts so that we are able to see
the way He wants us to see.
This simple process is called "born again". It may sound
irrational to out natural understanding. God knew in advance that we may
have difficulties to apprehend this. As a result, Jesus had to explain
to Nicodemus, who was the prominent Priest at that time. No surprise at
all if we are not able to apprehend it.
What is more important is that you are able to see His
plan and how much love He has for us. Believe in Him is the key to the
destination. This is the plan He has for us so that we can be saved. By
believing in Him, He is not taking control of us. This is because He
still fulfills His promise of giving us our free will. Our free will
will decide whether to follow Him or take our own path. Therefore, the
choice is still with us. One thing you must understand is that by
following our own free will, we will not be able to enjoy all the fruits
He promises us.
For us to enjoy these fruits, we need to be guided so that
we can act according to His will. By then, your flesh will not feel the
pain and or discomfort; either physically, mentally or spiritually.
But, you still can claim joy just like all the great man recorded in the
Scripture - overwhelm by the joy no matter what situation they are in.
In short, untouchable and unstoppable at all - well demonstrate the
greatness of God's power.
Trust the above article will help you to see God's grace to a certain extent. Amen.
Friday 27 January 2012
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Saturday 21 January 2012
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Sunday 15 January 2012
HE HAS SET US FREE
HE HAS SET US FREE
God is so graceful to human beings and He even let His son, Jesus
Christ, to redeem all our sins when His son died on the Cross. He knows that
none of us can do good by our own means as advocated in the Scripture. If we
can attain perfection through law, then Christ died on the Cross in vain.
Therefore, let us pray and thank to Him always. To walk with Him, we need to listen to Him through our inner hearts, which we must ensure that we always stay connected with Him through submission to Him always. As such, praying and spending quiet time with Him constantly so as to maintain intimate relationship with Him.
Therefore, let us pray and thank to Him always. To walk with Him, we need to listen to Him through our inner hearts, which we must ensure that we always stay connected with Him through submission to Him always. As such, praying and spending quiet time with Him constantly so as to maintain intimate relationship with Him.
James Oh
Skype me at james.oh18
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