This blog has moved to a new and spunkier site. You can find it on www.ablaze.org.au/lisatoh
For my avid blog readers (hah) you can find the full account of my blog-AWOL there!
Don’t forget to update your links etc
Lisa
May 21, 2007
Hi guys & girls,
A couple of blog entries ago, I wrote about the burden upon my heart to see you all run the race and finish it well. (I still haven’t been able to shake this!)
We are passionate, zealous and committed to God now. Praise God! I pray that we will be all these, and to a far greater extent in the last days!
Jesus said “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or-worse!-stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Matthew 6:19-21, The Message)
Did Jesus have foresight when He said that? Of course He did! He knows this place inside out! Heaven is His ‘hood! And this is the place we as believers will be having an eternal rendez-vous with our Lord for the rest of eternity after we pass from this life! This, my friend, is the place we should be investing our lives in.
70 years on earth may seem a mightly long time. Eternity is WAY longer!
Lately, I have been thinking a lot of our lives – how are we, as young people in this ipod-generation, choosing to live our lives? When we have the truth in our lives, these are questions we should seriously consider, and come to a resolution about.
- How are you spending you life?
- What are you investing in your life?
- Is what you are investing in eternal? Or will moth, dust and burglars have their share of your posessions?
- Have an honest evaluation – what are your treasures?
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating a poverty (drive a bomb, live in a hut, wear torn clothing) mentality. By all means – we should enjoy the blessings God has given to us! That’s what they’re there for!
But let us not let our blessings and freedom in life blind us from the fleeting nature of life. Perhaps it is for this reason that the God urged us to ’spur one another on’.
Ablaze – are we accommodating each other’s self seeking lifestyles? Or we are spurring one another on, asking those difficult questions?
My prayer is that we would be a community that does the latter, so that we will all run, and finish the race well.
Your fellow runner,
Lisa
May 21, 2007
It has been a long time coming, but I finally finished Undercover, by John Bevere. This is one of the most thoroughly written, deeply convicting books I’ve read.
It covers submission to authority (of all sorts – from parents, bosses, husbands & wives, church leaders, and even polititians), the difference between submission and authority (what to do if someone in authority asks me to do something against God’s word?), and much more.
It is a must read! My wonderful Pastor – Wilson recommended this book several times over the pulpil last year – making it even more of a must read!
Over the course of reading this book, there were many (and I mean many!) times of repentance as the Holy Spirit brought conviction to my heart around the issue of submission and obedience to leadership.
I was quick to repent because I discovered the severity of God’s curse/judgement on us when we disobey those in authority. The Holy Spirit showed me how I had been clogging up the flow of blessings into my life and my community because of my insubordinate and insubmissive attitudes!
The danger is this: these attitudes are so subtle.
Perhaps the lack of breakthroughs in our own lives and in our community lies within ourselves. As I look through my new found lenses at the nation (how it seems like a norm to tear down our polititians), my colleagues (how tea room talk is about how bad our bosses are), and fellow believers (how attitudes of dishonour and disrespect for our leaders are harboured in our hearts)…
God works in Divine Order. All leaders, whether we like them or not, whether we agree with them or not, are instituted by God. When we curse them, we curse God. When we pay them out, we pay out the the King of all kings.
We cry out for revival in our nation. But I wonder whether we are really the ones who have bent the keys of revival out of shape?
May 17, 2007
Its not how you start, but how you finish that matters.
Pollster George Barna recently reported that:
- 33 percent of born again Christians think good works will get someone into heaven.
- Another 26 percent responded that it doesn’t matter what faith system you hold, just so long as you believe something.
- Worse yet, 28 percent believed that Jesus committed sins just like the rest of us when he was here on earth.
(Excerpt from Rick Warren’s Ministry Tool Box)
Something I haven’t been able to shake this week are these looming questions:
How am I going to finish the race?
How are others around me going to finish the race?
Without fail, every single time I hop on the treadmill for a 5km run, I think about how I’m going to finish my spiritual race. I think about how people around me, in my church, in my life group, are going to finish their spiritual race. In this age more than ever before, we must be grounded in God’s word. Passion, zeal, faithfulness alone aren’t enough. In the last days, it will be the word of God that will anchor us to His promises when all the odds are against us.
This has been my prayer for Ablaze this week:
God, I pray that every single person in our midst today will run the race, and run it to end well. I pray that none will fall to the wayside, caught up by the distractions and deception of the world. I pray that none will trade their birthright to be co-heir with Christ for a fleeting bowl of soup (career, wealth, human relationships or any other form of idolatry). Cause every single person to be planted deeply in your word, so that we do not get deceived. I pray that every single person will be whole-heartedly devoted to You, so that we are not lured by the things of this world. Cause our eyes to see the reality, value, and surpassing greatness of Your kingdom.
I pray that on the last day, as You do a head count against names in the book of Life, that we would all be there.
May 15, 2007
I mean, Torchie’s blog.
In case you haven’t heard, our good friend and what-a-blast-of-a leader Torchie has started blogging. Check out Torchie’s blog for to read messages straight from his heart.
Torch has been a real inspiration to many of us. Week after week, he has been brewing and cooking up some pretty meaty preaching for us at Ablaze Service. God has been using this young man in such an incredible way. It is not easy leading a church, let alone a church full of young people! But Torch has been doing a mighty good job! It is really easy to take this kind of stuff for granted, so when you do see him, why not do something to let him know that you really appreciate him! (His birthday is coming up on May 27 – so start schemin’ something to bless him or shop at Ikea!)
May 15, 2007
‘Don’t mistaken my love for legalism’. These words (passionately preached by Pastor Judah Smith, Generation Church) stuck with me for a while after I listened to his sermon titled ”Mistaken Love”.
Every now and then, I like to stop to think about why I do the things I do. One of my pet hates is just doing things mindlessly. Yet sometimes, I catch myself in this robotic, religious mode. Don’t we all, from time to time?
Yesterday after work, as I spent some quality time with God at my favourite quiet time place (it shall remain a mystery otherwise this place might soon be flooded with you guys too) I reflected on why I am doing what I am doing.
Why do I have different priorities from others my age?
Why do I see and go about life so differently?
Why do I serve an invisible God with so much of me, when others joke of its futility?
As I chatted with God about these weighty questions upon my heart, once more, I came back to a place of surrender. As I sat in my car in the presence of my Father God, I was gently reminded from where He has brought me, the past from which He has rescued me, and the future that He has promised me.
In the thick of God’s sweet presence, I was reminded once again that the choices I make on a daily basis to live for Him are not stupid, futile, or legalistic. Taking up the cross might attract scorn and sceptism. Who cares what others think? I’m a girl in love with Her God.
They say love is blind. I say true love opens up your eyes to see what you’ve never seen before. Something so attractive and compelling, you are willing to give up your whole life for it.
What about you – are you in legalism, or are you in love?
May 14, 2007
I was just taking a break from working on an application tonight, and for a mental break, I hopped on Google to find myself. Not because I’ve lost my way (or my mind), but I was just curious about what I would find. (This is inspired by my good friend Daisy, who in her spare time loves to Google people she knows).
The results were quite shocking. Almost 6 months ago the only Lisa Toh I could find was a successful business woman across the other side of the world (not me, obviously). Now, nearly the entire first page of hits are me! Nearly all of them are from these blogs, but I’ve also found myself on some newsletter, resource order form and random bits and pieces!
Quite exposing, really. All of a sudden I felt like the entire world was watching me (of course, they’re not). Well, at least it will have a glimpse into my life. I forget the power of the internet. It is making me extra conscious about my ‘blog-haviour’ – just like how I no longer pick my nose when I’m driving because other people can see you – even when your car windows are tinted! I still sing unashamedly though, because in the worst of cases I can just pretend I’m on the phone using my handsfree.
End note – this is one of the more useless blogs.
May 10, 2007
As promised, I’ve posted up my recent artwork, so feel free to scroll down and enjoy!
May 10, 2007
Ricky Tran – one of the biggest blessings and inspiration to me, is but one of many unsung heros in our youth ministry. Renowned for his dancing catepillars (eyebrows), uncanny sense of humour, next-in-line-to-Jurgen for his many accents, warm & fun-loving nature, Ricky is appreciated and loved to bits by his fellow mates in Ablaze.
Here’s a picture of our good friend
And here’s a short bio of Ricky (hehe)
Those who know him well would know Ricky’s passion (birthed out of his knack) for the construtivism and physics – of everything! Like, when I look at a building, I see windows and a door. When Ricky looks at a building, he is mentally disassembling it to its very core and foundations, and immediately reconstructing it in the most cost efficient way possible. A fun day out for him would be to spend a whole day at IKEA assembling everything!
Aside from his wonderful external attributes, deep within this young man is a big, soft heart – one that loves and feels deeply – for God and for people. Over the years of serving together in ministry, I have been a blessed recipient of his big-heartedness. Recently, at my brother’s (Sean) birthday this year, Ricky shared a heart felt message of love and stick-to-it-iveness for him that blew me away. No wonder he’s the only one who has made it to our wall of family photos!
Ricky is currently working in an engineering firm in the city. When he’s not building buildings, he is building into the lives of the people around him. So many lives have been impacted by this one man.
I especially appreciate Ricky for the tremendous support that he has been to me, and to so many in his friends. I remember the many times we would be serving together, and the one look of affirmation from Ricky would speak volumes of his heart-felt support.
Like a proud big sister, I’ve watched this young man blossom (in a manly way) over the years into one who chases after the things of God and God’s will for his life with great conviction and focus. This is a man who has weathered some tougher seasons of life, and has come out the other end stronger, renewed, refined and transformed.
He is also the Maestro of Ablaze Camp – who has got organising our annual youth camp down to an art. This year, with great enthusiasm, Rickos is taking on the leadership of running our camp again (ya hoo!)
Rickos – thanks so much for being such an amazing brother and friend to all those who are blessed enough to have you in our lives – and living that exemplary lifestyle that sings glory to your God. It really blessed my heart to see you feel, believe, and choose to live out the God-engineered burdens and desires in your heart.
We appreciate you, mate!
PS – Ricky – I know you aren’t going to like this exposure (OMG!), but you’re our hero!
PPS - You DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS CAMP! Theme is “emPOWERED” 6-8th July - check out the Ablaze website for more info soon!
May 10, 2007
I’ve been cleaning the dust & cobweb off my creative attic, and have been starting to paint (a few I’m pretty happy with so far – promise to show here), make accessories (well, 1 only so far) and play guitar (for the first time in life group since 2003!)
I was stoked (meaning ‘over the moon’ in aussie slang, for those who think i’m cursing) when I found out that my mum reads my blog! A woman who only a year ago took an hour to write a 160-character sms, is now super internet savvy! Every second day, she is recommending new Christian sermon sites to me! Go mum!
Since I’m feeling pretty creative, I thought I’d cook up an ode for her, as its Mother’s Day this weekend. This is dedicated to mum, and all the other amazing mothers I know! You inspire me to be to be a mum! I can’t wait!
Mum, mother, friend, sister
Fortress, shield and sun-shade cover
For never looking back since you’ve hit the road
To you, I dedicate this ode
Strength, courage and divine grace
How selflessly you’re anointed to lavish your embrace
When the stories of your bravery will be told
To you, I dedicate this ode
Others first, others first, you always say
Since your eyes are always fixed on the Lord’s day
Like horsemen who for the cause braveyly rode
To you, I dedicate this ode
Your heart has ached, your tears have streamed
Yet to God you are highly esteemed
For since your investments in us will never erode
To you, I dedicate this ode
This picture speaks for itself why only women can be the mums that they are! (Brilliant!)
