Lawrence and Christine Family Blog

Its so interesting yet so true that we are very self-centered creatures. We look at ourselves, our ability, deny our unlikes, boasts about about strength and most critically, refuse to put God before oneself.

Perhaps, it is false modesty and perhaps, its our stubbornness.

Now, in pre-delivering His people from the Egyptians, the Bible decides to side step into a chapter dedicated to identify the lineage of the Israelites, the link that will soon be used to claim the Savior as the rightful link to the house of David. Here, we find leaders being identified - Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Gershon, Kohath, Merari, Izhar, Uzziel, Korah.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 0 comments  

God's revelation often works best in the highest contrasty scene of human history. The first face-off encounter with both Pharaoh and the people of Israel has not only build upon a higher contrast of impossibility of the assigned task, but reveals God's desire that Moses walk not by his sight.

Against all odds, at the end of the day, its what God says count really. If He says so, it shall come to past. Its that plain and simple truth that we oftentimes still have trouble grasping. This approach also taught me that God's work can involve a degree of perseverance. It takes a few attempts, and then a few more.

In such situation, our dependence and trust in God have to increase with each step forward as the contrast of impossibility comes more pronounce but I believe that's exactly what God wants us to do.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 0 comments  

Just when it cannot get any worse...comes a new low for the enslaved Israelite - Increased physical hardship. Well, I have been there. And its not funny for one moment. In our context, its usually more mental and spiritual than physical.

Here, the "onward" plan commanded by God to perform suddenly gave way under Moses's feet. Herein lies a lesson for us perhaps?

• God is always in control in every moment despite worsening turn of events
• God's work does not always come smooth and overpowering from man's perspective.
• Its supposed to mold His people into closer dependence on God
  

Posted in: Quiet Time on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 0 comments  

Sometimes, out of the blue, things around us crumple for no good reason. I mean, real bad. It can happen in your work where troubles spur. It can be a relationship. And you suddenly wonder what's this all about? Are you being played?

Well, that's exactly what happened to the Israelite! I guess the straws provide the tensile strength to the brick made from mud but the labor to both collect them and make bricks out of it. You get the idea - falsely accused yet unappreciated.

In a way, you can say this is how the Lord God showcase His sovereignty. You won't have a clue what they are at that instance but we are simply asked to put our trust in Him faithfully and walk the talk.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 0 comments  

Big decision, big decision.

Just do it!

Stronger relevance to our friends who are currently following only our family blog.

UPDATED - Done!

Posted in: Editor Notes on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 0 comments  

Well, it sure is a shame that this blog be just deleted. Hence, my decision today to overhaul the focus of this site to become my family blog!

Yeah...that's what I will do!

Posted in: Editor Notes on at 0 comments  

In His sovereign design, mankind would to first fall, then a system of grace be in place to bring them to Himself through a process involving time. Doing His work would also mean a series of challenges that are supposed to condition His people to draw closer and stronger in ties with Him.

Here, in a twist of event, Moses and Aaron's work to deliver the Israelite backfired, ending with a greater persecution on the already suffering population. Sounds familiar to you too?

Posted in: Quiet Time on at 0 comments  

In any dedicated work we carried out in God's decree, it's imperative the basic spiritual criteria be met and fulfilled. In the Old Testament, its the a physical act of circumcision that also signified a spiritual separation and removal of one's sins symbolically. In the age of grace, its the circumcision of the heart that brings about a prerequisite to serve God.

Moses carelessly ignored that as commanded in Genesis 17, and was nearly killed by the Lord before reaching Pharaoh. A constant self examination is very important in our christian walk. In this case, God was gracious enough to Moses to allow his wife, Zipporah to show him of his lack. Perhaps, this can still apply today if our spouse do so out of a sudden to us!

In doing His work, its great to also accommodate and work with a partner in Christ. Look out and welcome that as well as a possibility.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 0 comments  

Well, if you have been reading from the first chapter of Exodus, zero hint was given that Moses had an elder brother. In fact, even at chapter four, it was God Himself who revealed this fact.

Through his sojourning, not a word was mentioned that Moses even attempted contacting his brother...zip? But again, out of the blue, the account that Aaron was coming to visit him in Midian was all a surprise to me at least. So, they did caught up and kept in touch! OK.

As far as family goes, his first-born son - Gershom, was documented at 2:22. Several others were born but not accounted for when he left for Egypt at 4:20.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Monday, May 11, 2009 at 0 comments  

Now, you might say, I would do anything if God would appear to me like He did to Moses! Hmm...think again. In today's context where the Bible is readily available and God's Word is all sufficient in instructing our lives, you can say God is living with and in us per the burning bush days of Moses each day!

Well, the problem is first this - we don't read it as often as we should. Second problem - we lack the consistency to read through even a book to allow God to speak to us. Third problem - we pick and choose what we want to read, like a buffet meal, that ends with an unbalanced outlook of God.

Little is accounted for as to how close Moses lived with God but God's decision to use Him says pretty much how close he was with God! Right? Maybe...as God can use anyone for His Kingdom.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 0 comments  

Its said that God oftentimes show us miracles or signs as big as our faith. As little faith as Moses can muster, a serpent staff is all he could witness at this point of time.

It is also said that man are really hard to be convinced in their depravity. In the heart of unbelief, even a Goliath of miracle would easily be swept under the carpet of jeer and sneers. To add onto the cynical hearts of man, it pleased God to provide a second miracle to go with that serpent staff - a leprous hand trick!

In return, when we "jeer" God with our absurd doubt of fulfilling his work, we are taught to sober up and depend on His strength rather than some man-driven affirmation of the work we are to carry out...

Being personally convicted to the Lord's work is more important.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Friday, May 08, 2009 at 0 comments  

What a name God identifies Himself to Moses - I AM (Hayah). Being a memorial name, one would wonder if man can instantly associate that name with God. Well, its the sending of a man to help the people of Israel that is more important here.

When we cry (only in humility can we really do this) as God's people, He hears us. And in the real world, will also do what He did again - by sending someone to help us. Now, that person can be anyone, as opposed to only believers.

And the deliverance is never instantaneous. It usually begins with a small step, like a 3-day "pass" that Moses will seek with Pharaoh. Also note, deliverance is not automatically initiated by God. Moses and the elders of Israel have to open their mouth with the request to begin.

Posted in: Quiet Time on Thursday, May 07, 2009 at 0 comments  

One thing troubling me is that whenever you are back in any of the civilized city, you can entirely readjust whatever skill points you have earned to any of the skill areas you so please!

Though flexible, it kinda upset the system on logic and nature...

Posted in: Fun on Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 0 comments  

Nothing more is known of Jethro's wife except that she bore Jethro seven daughters. It was also said Moses became a shepherd for the next 40 years after he fled from Egypt. While on one instance, his venture landed him on Horeb, also known as the mountain of God. Some say its another name that denote Mount Sinai but that's not the key point.

In calling His servants, God oftentimes can use extraordinary phenomenon and signs to draw our attention to Him. It can be a "personal crisis", an event that draws our focus to nothing else but him. To which, Moses would say, let me ponder over this and reflect upon it. Now, its interesting to note that a choice was still given to Moses.

He can choose to ignore it and walk away. Only when God saw that Moses (or us) turned to it that he then decided to call upon him. Interesting? Yes.

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