Jumat, 06 November 2009

NEW COMIC: STARLIGHT STAR BRIGHT


When the YMI team received this comic by Jing Teo, we were deeply impressed.
We were so excited about it; we showed it to a few of our colleagues.
Their response? “Woo …. Ah…” “So beautiful.” “Such high quality artwork.” “It tells a poignant story with minimal text.”

So, here’s a sneak preview with the downloadable wallpaper.

starlight_tb2Download Wallpaper ::1024 x 768 | 1280 x 800

The full STARLIGHT STAR BRIGHT will be published online on 1 December 2009. Remember to check it out!

http://ymiblogging.org/2009/11/new-comic-starlight-star-bright/

ODB: where history comes alive


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November 6, 2009


The Bible’s treasures are found by those who dig for them.

READ: Exodus 13:14-16

When your children say to you, “What do you mean by this service?” . . . you shall say, “It is the Passover.” —Exodus 12:26-27

The movie Night at the Museum portrays the humorous experiences of a security guard at a natural history museum. The excitement begins for him when the displays come to life at night.

Inspired by this movie, directors of a real museum created a similar experience. The staff portrayed historic figures such as knights in armor, Victorian ladies, and Egyptian royalty. When children arrived at the museum, they were told that the people in the exhibits had come alive and needed to be led back to their proper place. As the children responded, history came alive for them.

Children need not be bored by history. This is especially true of Bible stories. Take Moses, for example. He escaped death as a child, was educated as a prince, worked miracles, and received the Ten Commandments on tablets. What exciting story elements that teach children about God!

Biblical stories have been shared with children for generations—all the way back to the times of Exodus (ch.12-13) and Deuteronomy (ch.6). Moses described times when children were retold vital stories from Jewish history.

Why not set a time to read Bible stories to the children in your life? Then watch their excitement as biblical history comes alive! — Dennis Fisher

ODJ: the love song of God


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November 6, 2009


The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs (v.17).

READ: Zephaniah 3:14-17

I t’s Saturday afternoon at Birkenhead Point, a small 
 park on the Parramatta River in Sydney, Australia. 
 Parents play with their toddlers, seagulls fight over fish-and-chip wrappers, and my wife and I sit listening—our ears attuned to the couple.


They are maybe late-40s. She sits quietly, enraptured, gazing into his eyes. He leans casually on his left arm 
. . . and sings to her. 


In his own tongue, without caution or shame, he offers his beloved a sweet love song. In the beauty of that moment I glimpse something divine.


The book of Zephaniah depicts a great and terrible day of the Lord (1:7, 3:8). God may be kind to the “unthankful and wicked” (Luke 6:35-36), but there will come a time when God’s patience will come to an end. 


In Zephaniah’s day, God’s people were bowing to the pagan gods Baal and Molech (Zephaniah 1:4-5), whose worship often required prostitution and child sacrifice. Israel had become corrupt and rebellious, her prophets and priests arrogant and profane (3:4). God’s wrathful judgment, declared Zephaniah, was coming—and not just on her but on all the nations of the earth (1:2,18, 3:8).


And yet Zephaniah foresees God bringing something beautiful out of that dark day’s rubble—a people drawn from all nations who wholeheartedly love Him (3:9-13). To this people He will be like a bridegroom who sweeps up His bride, takes her home, delights in her, and sings to her. “He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (v.17).


To His creatures, God is Creator and Warrior. But how many of us who love Him see God as beloved Singer—a God of affection with a love song on His lips? —Sheridan Voysey


Saya Juga Munafik

Kathleen Norris, dalam The Cloister Walk, bercerita tentang pengalamannya bergereja. Suatu ketika ia ditanyai seorang mahasiswa, mengapa ia terus pergi ke gereja dan bisa tahan menghadapi kemunafikan orang-orang kristiani. Ia merasa memperoleh ilham yang jitu, dan menjawab, ”Satu-satunya orang munafik yang perlu saya cemaskan pada hari Minggu pagi adalah diri saya sendiri.” Kathleen mengelakkan kecenderungan untuk mempersalahkan orang lain, dan memilih untuk berintrospeksi diri.

Sejak jatuh ke dalam dosa, manusia cenderung gampang melemparkan kesalahan kepada pihak lain. Ia cepat melihat dan menghakimi pelanggaran orang lain, tetapi lamur terhadap pelanggarannya sendiri. Ketika dirinya yang melakukan pelanggaran, ia segera sibuk menuding orang lain sebagai penyebab pelanggarannya itu. Tuhan Yesus menghardik sikap munafik semacam itu. Dia tidak mengajari kita untuk menutup mata terhadap pelanggaran, tetapi mengarahkan kita untuk memulai pemeriksaan dari tempat yang benar: dari diri kita sendiri. Kita masing-masing memiliki “balok’”, kecenderungan untuk melakukan dosa dan pelanggaran. Kita perlu terlebih dahulu merendahkan diri dan meminta pertolongan Tuhan untuk mengeluarkan balok tersebut. Pandangan kita pun akan menjadi jernih, sehingga nantinya kita bisa menuntun saudara yang lain untuk mengeluarkan serpihan kayu dari matanya.

Hadapilah, oleh anugerah Tuhan dan ketaatan pada firman-Nya, dosa yang mencobai Anda. Kemenangan atas dosa itu akan memampukan Anda untuk menolong orang lain mengatasi dosa yang serupa.

Rabu, 04 November 2009

Menjaga Rahasia

Bayangkan. Suatu hari Anda bertemu dengan aktor film terkenal di ruang tunggu bandara. Ia duduk di sebelah Anda, bahkan mengajak Anda bicara. Apa yang akan Anda lakukan? Mungkin Anda akan mengajaknya foto bersama; mengabadikan peristiwa langka itu. Sesampainya di rumah, pasti Anda tidak tahan lagi untuk menceritakan pengalaman istimewa itu pada semua orang.

Petrus, Yohanes, dan Yakobus juga pernah punya pengalaman istimewa ketika mereka diajak Yesus naik gunung. Di situ mereka menyaksikan pemandangan spektakuler. Tuhan Yesus berubah rupa. Bercahaya. Keilahian-Nya terpancar keluar. Lalu mereka melihat Musa dan Elia, dua nabi terbesar dalam sejarah Israel. Tak seorang pun pernah menyaksikan peristiwa sedahsyat ini! Ketiganya sudah tak sabar lagi menceritakan apa yang mereka lihat. Ini wajar, tetapi Yesus melarang mereka bercerita. Saatnya belum tiba. Lagipula Yesus tak ingin ketiganya jadi besar kepala. Mereka harus tutup mulut. Ini tidak mudah. Menjaga rahasia berarti melawan keinginan untuk dipandang hebat. Perlu pengendalian diri. Syukurlah Petrus berhasil. Puluhan tahun kemudian, baru ia ceritakan kejadian ini dalam suratnya (Baca 2 Petrus 1:17,18).

Bisakah Anda menjaga rahasia? Orang kerap membocorkan rahasia, lantas berkata: ”Jangan bilang kepada siapa-siapa lagi.” Dengan begitu orang berpikir tak akan menimbulkan masalah. Toh ”hanya” satu-dua orang yang tahu. Namun akhirnya, rahasia itu bocor ke mana-mana; menimbulkan masalah; melukai hati. Kita perlu belajar mengendalikan diri seperti ketiga murid Yesus. Ada saatnya diam adalah emas.

ODB : a good morning

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November 5, 2009


Repentance is the hurt that leads to healing.

READ: Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes. —Psalm 26:2-3

Our dog, Dolly, is a 7-year-old West Highland Terrier. She loves to dig in the dirt, which means she gets very dirty. We bathe her every week or so at home, but occasionally she gets so grimy and tangled that we have to take her to a professional groomer.

She used to hate to go to the groomer because the woman was always in a rush and inclined to be bad-tempered and harsh. Getting Dolly through the door was a struggle. Just the sight of the shop made her want to run away.

Last year we decided to try another groomer and discovered that our dog, though not always overjoyed at the prospect, was less reluctant to go. That’s because the groomer is kind to her even though she must wash Dolly thoroughly, causing discomfort.

When sin and defilement accumulate in our hearts, we need to be cleansed. Like the psalmist David, we must ask God to “examine” and “try” our minds and hearts, and to point out our wicked thoughts, attitudes, and ways (Ps. 139:23-24). Our Lord may cause discomfort, for exposure is often difficult, but we can approach Him without fear.

The Lord’s examination of us, though sometimes painful, is gentle and kind. — David H. Roper

ODJ : 1.8 million

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November 5, 2009


He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice (v.18).

READ: Deuteronomy 10:12-22

We’re talking 1.8 million. That’s the record-breaking number of people who swarmed the US Capitol grounds on January 20, 2009, to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama. That number—1.8 million—is also the heart-wrenching number of orphans struggling to survive in Uganda, the small country in East Africa where I live. 


Daily, I witness some of Uganda’s parentless children striving to make it to “tomorrow.” Some beg. Some are forced into child labor. Some drop out of school to care for dying relatives. Some are placed in orphan homes. Others, sometimes as young as 5 years old, are trafficked and sexually exploited. 


Today, make a difference on behalf of the millions of orphans around the world:


• Pray that those who intend to prey on children will not succeed. Exodus 22:22-23 says, “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to Me, then I will certainly hear their cry.”


• Pray for God’s people who are seeking justice on behalf of the orphans around the world. Ask God how you can support these little ones. “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people” (Psalm 82:3-4).


• Ask God how you can help the orphans in your city or region. “Leave [a portion of your crops] for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do” (Deuteronomy 24:19).


Remember, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27). —Roxanne Robbins

Selasa, 03 November 2009

Hairstyle

By Poh Fang Chia

Snipped. Snipped. Off went the long tresses. It took me so long to get it to this length; did I make the right choice in cutting it short?

As I flipped the magazine covers and pored at the beautiful hairdos, I wondered: Oh, it would be lovely to have that crown of glory.

But when I walked on the streets and observed the sea of heads, I puzzled: Seems like acquiring that perfect hair is a high maintenance job!

The media sells us an image that few could—or would—ever attain. And even if one should attain it, it is at what cost?

Marcia Aldrich wrote a humorous essay* on hairstyle. Here are some excerpts:

“In my sister’s case, the quest for perfect hair originates in a need to mask her appearance; in my mother’s case, she wants to achieve a beauty of person unavailable in her own life story. Some women seek transformation, not out of dissatisfaction with themselves, but because hair change is a means of moving along in their lives. These women create portraits of themselves that won’t last forever, a new hairstyle will write over the last.”

“[Her sister said]: ‘Don’t women have better things to think about than their hair?’ I bite back: ‘But don’t you think hair should reflect who you are?’ ‘To be honest, I’ve never thought about it. I don’t think so. Cut your hair the same way, and lose your self in something else. You’re distracted from the real action.’ ”

“[Her hairstylist said] I see hair as an extension of the head and therefore I try to do my hair with a lot of thought. . . . Nothing is permanent, nothing is forever. Don’t feel hampered or hemmed in by the shape of your face or the shape of your past. Hair is vital, sustains mistakes, can be born again. You don’t have to marry it.”

As I mused on this frivolous triviality, 1 Peter 3:2-4 came to mind. It states, “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”

Next year, I’m going to try to grow my hair passed my shoulders. :)

http://ymiblogging.org/2009/11/hairstyle/

Why We Love the Doctrines of Grace

Unconditional election delivers the harshest and the sweetest judgments to my soul.

That it is unconditional destroys all self-exaltation; and that it is election makes me his treasured possession.

This is one of the beauties of the biblical doctrines of grace: their worst devastations prepare us for their greatest delights.

What prigs we would become at the words, “The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6), if this election were in any way dependent on our will. But to protect us from pride, the Lord teaches us that we are unconditionally chosen (7:7-9). “He made a wretch his treasure,” as we so gladly sing.

Only the devastating freeness and unconditionality of electing grace lets us take and taste such gifts for our very own without the exaltation of self.

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/2062_why_we_love_the_doctrines_of_grace/

ODB : Seeds and Faith

ODB: seeds and faith

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November 4, 2009


The seeds we sow today determine the kind of fruit we’ll reap tomorrow.

READ: Galatians 6:7-10

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. —Galatians 6:7

I read a fable about a man who was browsing in a store when he made the shocking discovery that God was behind a sales counter. So the man walked over and asked, “What are You selling?” God replied, “What does your heart desire?” The man said, “I want happiness, peace of mind, and freedom from fear . . . for me and the whole world.” God smiled and said, “I don’t sell fruit here. Only seeds.”

In Galatians 6, Paul stressed the importance of sowing seeds of God-honoring behavior, for “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (v.7). We can’t expect to experience the fruit of God’s blessings if we don’t recognize the importance of doing our part.

It helps to follow the example of others who have sown good seed. Author Samuel Shoemaker said that a good example can either inspire us or cause us to say, “Oh yes, he (or she) is like that. He is not troubled by temper or nerves or impatience or worry as I am; he is just a happier temperament.” Shoemaker continued, “It may not occur to us that perhaps he had to fight for his serenity, and that we might win if we would do the same.”

Are you weary of the way you are? Ask God for His help and begin sowing seeds of new actions and responses today. In due season the Spirit will give the increase. — Joanie Yoder

http://ymiblogging.org/2009/11/seeds-and-faith/

ODJ : Follow

November 4, 2009


Jesus . . . found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow Me” (v.43).

READ: John 1:43-51

In July 2001, a few friends and I embarked on a long-anticipated rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike. But our great adventure ended after only one day. We made it to the canyon floor, but due to the stifling heat (127°F) and dehydration we couldn’t finish. After sleeping a few hours, we began our trek back up the narrow ledge trail at 2:00 a.m. The experience of hiking in pitch-black darkness was harrowing. With just one headlamp, we could see only a few feet in front of us. We made it out by following the one who was leading, taking small steps as our meager light allowed.


Our experience reminds me of how Jesus repeatedly invited people to join Him in His life and work. When Jesus encountered Philip in Galilee, He simply said, “Follow Me” (v.43). And to Simon Peter and Andrew: “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). And to the rich young man: “Follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). To the tax collector, to the beggars along the road, to rulers, to servants, to the rich and the poor, one word stands out: “Follow.”


It’s the same for us. While obedience to—and friendship with—God takes many forms, the central theme is this: Follow. Simply follow. Our prime responsibility in our spiritual journey is not to craft grand plans or muster up sincere commitment or to work hard to discern all God might be up to. Our crucial responsibility is to pay attention to whatever light (large or small) God provides—and to simply take the next step.


When we follow, we’re dependent on the one we are following. We don’t fret about the long stretch ahead. We don’t harbor regrets over what took place during the miles behind us. We don’t focus on things that don’t really matter. We simply follow. Follow Jesus today. —Winn Collier

http://ymiblogging.org/2009/11/follow/