Why did Christians chose to die?

"My Choice" was a poem by Bill McChesney, American missionary, killed at age 28 in the Congo uprising of 1964. A poem which I had taken out word for word from a book titled,"Making Jesus Lord" by Loren Cunningham. I took the trouble to share the poem as it somehow resembled a comfy life I would like to have for myself one day. Isn't all of us working to achieve some goals in life? The poem speaks to me in many ways...

I came to know Christ when I was 17 years old. Did not identify myself as a Christian simply because I didn't live my life to be worthy to be one. I was still quite the same old me then. After all, I thought I was a okay person. I ain't perfect but surely God will understand. Haha! Who really knows if there is really a God anywae? Who HAS died and resurrected to tell that He really seen God in person. Even if such a person existed, he would probably be dismissed as a nutcase or some religion fanatic!

Some years ago, a friend passed me a book titled "Jesus Freaks". It contained volumes of Christians who were martyred(killed) for their faith in Jesus. Many of them died quite horribly. Their accounts set me thinking. What would you do if someone point a gun to your head, or worse still! Threatened the life of someone you love the most, and forced you to renounce Jesus? Would you renounce Jesus or would you be one of the Jesus Freaks who died for their beliefs?

Through the years I went through several periods of suffering for some silly decisions I made. Everyone make some silly mistakes every now & then. I guess we can learn from the mistakes and avoid making them again!

Since then, I keep asking God what is His will for my life?

My choice

My Choice
I want my breakfast served at "Eight,"
With ham and eggs upon the plate;
A well-broiled steak I 'll eat at "One,"
And dine again when day is done.

I want an ultra modern home,
And in each room a telephone;
Soft carpets, too, upon the floors,
And pretty drapes to grace the doors.

A cosy place of lovely things,
Like easy chairs with innersprings,
And then I'll get a small TV -
Of course,"I'm careful what I see."

I want my wardrobe, too, to be
Of neatest, finest quality,
With latest style in suit and vest.
Why shouldn't Christians have the best?

But then when the master I can hear,
In no uncertain voice, so clear,
"I bid you come and follow me,
The Lowly Man of Galilee."

"Birds of the air have made their nest,
And foxes in their holes find rest;
But I can offer you no bed;
No place have I to lay my head."

In shame I hung my head and cried,
How could I spurn the Crucified?
Could I forget the way he went,
The sleepless nights in prayer He spend?

For forty days without a bite,
Alone he fasted day and night;
Despised, rejected – on He went,
And did not stop till veil He rent.

A Man of sorrows and of grief,
No earthly friend to bring relief –
“Smitten of God,” the prophet said –
Mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red.

If He be God and died for me,
No sacrifice too great can be
For me, a mortal man, to make;
I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake.

Yes, I will tread the path He trod,
No other way will please my God;
So, henceforth, this my choice shall be,
My choice for all eternity.

Bible Book Quiz

There are thirty books of the Bible hidden in the following paragraphs. See if you can spot them. Answers I will post again...

This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much that he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john-boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column.

Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving that she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people, however will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the books are not necessarily capitalised. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund-raising event which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi-Lemonade booth set a new sales record.

The local paper, the Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it,” the books are all right here in plain view hidden from sight”. Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you to complete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember there is no need for a mad exodus, there are really 30 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.

Sunday April 17

"The thief(devil) comes only to steal(our joy), and kill, and destroy(our property, peace); I(Jesus) came that they may have life, and might have it abundantly."

It was all hell broke loose for me when my brother found out I crashed the car. Its my fault as I was careless. Thank God for His grace and mercy no one was injured. Thank God for giving me enuff grace to pull through this episode & the entire week. A special thank to sis XQ for sending me sms and prayers. Really appreciated!