Threads of Destiny

I watch this movie yesterday night and to my surprise it was not the usual 'feel good, romantically sweet' movie that i expected. "Threads of Destiny" have been one of the most distributed online serialised novel in Japan, and one of the most sensational reading material on a Nihon cellphone.

The plot of the story is pretty interesting (something different) and for a teenage love story, it has all the ingredient of youthful ideals about love, friendship, and even discussion about social issues that floods the Japanese youth of today. However I found the dialogues lacks the umph and the movie was moving rather too slowly for me. The ending was also kinda confusing.

Well, it's ok la...for a watch but not what you'll expected if you are hoping for a 'feel good movie' to feed your romantic soul :)

1 Sam 11: Saul - From Timid to Teriffic

Saul as we know him from chp. 9 & 10, was a timid guy who hid himself behind baggage when chosen to be the King of Israel. Despite being told and anointed by Samuel, Saul perhaps felt he was too little for the job. He perhaps felt his background from the smallest tribe of Israel made him unfit to lead the people. On top of that, some troublemakers made it clear that they doubted his ability to save them from their enemies and rejected him as God's chosen king.

But here in chapter 11, Saul emerges to be the warrior-king that rescued the City of Jabesh. The people saw a side of Saul that they never thought was in him; a brave and strong leader and Saul was reaffirmed as the King of Israel in a great celebration.

Vs. 6 tells us the root of his transformation.

"When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger."

Saul was able to be a great leader because of the empowerment of the Spirit of God. It was the Spirit of God that inflamed him with burning passion and righteous anger. And gave him the strength and ability to unite all the people and claimed victory over the Ammonites.

The thing that I've learned from chp. 11 is that we need to be completely dependent on him for resources and strength and that he will miraculously multiply skills and talents in order to use them for his purpose. It is something that I have to constantly remind myself, that I can only live an effective life in and through Him alone.

One of my all time fav video

Since One in a Million and American Idol is coming to its finale soon...it reminds me of one of my favourite video clips..."Ken Lee"

1 Sam 9-10: God at work

The anointing of Saul the first King od Israel reveals how God was actively working behind the scenes. He was the one who miraculously brought Saul to Samuel, revealed His will to Samuel that he should anoint Saul, bringing dozen of people into Saul's life as confirmation of his anointing, and finally changing Saul's character through his Spirit. In all this God's unseen hand was accomplishing His purposes.

Today, God is also still actively at work in our lives. He brings people into our lives miraculously, revealing His will for us bit by bit, confirming them through people and circumstances and finally transforming us by His Spirit.

I thank God for His unseen hand in my life, the wonders He was done in my life and changing me day by day to be who He was made me to be.

1 Sam 7: One man can make a change

Can one person bring a great change? Can one person save the fate of a nation. In this episode, we see how one man Samuel, led the people of God to once again turn back to God and because of this God saved the Israelites from their enemy. And in all the days under the leadership of Samuel, God Himself defended the people and brought back peace.

1 Samuel 7:13-14:
13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again. Throughout Samuel's lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines. 14 The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to her, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the power of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

What was the secret of this one great man? What is his success story? I believe Samuel was great because while everyone was doing the wrong thing, Samuel knew what was right and choose to speak up and point them back to the right direction, that is to God. One man who dared to go against popular culture, against the value systems of his time.

Today, we need young Samuels who would point to their own generation the right way back to God...who is willing to go against popular belief, make a stand and bring the change.