SO THAT I FEEL SAFE

It’s so nice these days, cool and fresh air, birds chirping in the morning, light raindrops in the afternoon, and no assignment for the whole week. Yay! So it’s a good day to blog. I have been thinking about this for a few days, and just recently feeling so blessed when reading this article about waiting.

So yeah, talking about waiting, for singles the most popular waiting topic must be about the significant other. I read a lot about this, and write a lot, too, to reassure, remind, and encourage myself in this waiting time, and also for other girls who are on the same boat with me. It is hard, I know. 

Sometimes when we are busy at church, awesome community, a lot of friends, lovely family, or even busy with assignment, it feels so easy to wait. But then there will be time when this waiting time is so torturing, and we wish our prayers would be granted right now, or at least, tomorrow.

It is even harder when you are now the only single person in your circle of friends, like me. Haha. People will think nobody wants you, or you are unattractive at all, or something wrong with you, or maybe you are so pretty that you are out of their league (lol), or you are just being too picky, Some people would ask, "Why?" when they wanted to know if I have a boyfriend and I said no. Why do you ask me why? I don't know why, hello, I also want to have one! Hahaha. 

And I don't understand why being picky is a bad thing. Of course we have to be picky. We are about to spend most of our time with this person, and it will affect our life hugely. Then if we continue this relationship and get married, it means we are going to spend the rest of our life with him. Sooooo, it is important to be picky!

I know it’s not about finding the right person, but instead, becoming the right person. I know it's not about waiting for the perfect man, but it's just about waiting for that 'something' that make us sure "it is him!". Sometimes 'something' does happen, but we just know that it's impossible to be together. Isn't love simple? But why I make it sound so complicated? I am longing for that simplicity, too. When we just meet, and know each other, be friend, spend time together, love sparks, fall for each other, confessing, and voila! You are mine and I am yours! Isn't it that simple??? Haha.

I don't know. Seriously.

Maybe, I am just waiting for someone who can make me feel safe.

Safe that he is protective toward me, 

Safe that I can trust his words, rely on his promises, and believe in his actions,

Safe that he won’t run when I don't put my make up on,

Safe that I am the only one in his heart,

Safe that he will keep my purity and honour me dearly,

Safe that he will love me unconditionally and accept all my flaws,

Safe that he will accept my family, and all the absurdity,

Safe that he can lead me closer to Christ day by day,

Safe that no matter how angry he is at me, or how stupid the mistake I have done, he will forgive me,

Safe that when I cry he will hug me instead of being annoyed,

Safe that he is willing to work on our relationship, to fix problem together,

Safe that he will cherish me at my best and stay with me at my worst.

Am I looking for a perfect man?

No, I am just waiting for him who can make me feel safe.

Maybe I should date a security guy.

So what about you? What are you waiting for, all the weary hearts out there? Haha. Waiting is so hard, so let's keep each other in prayer. Sometimes we stumble, but please don't settle. Holding on to Him who has first loved us and the only One who can truly make us feel safe. The wait can be as short as in the blink of eyes, or as long as my leg, but it is our attitude while waiting that matters.  

If we wait long, at least make the wait worth it.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY

"My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations."

John Green

I have been thinking a lot lately, wondering if this is normal when you are a quarter century old. It has been hard-but-not-that-hard-after-now-i-think-about-it in these past 6 months. So, we've got our own unit and I got my job back at Karrinyup as I shared before here. 

At the beginning, I only worked 8 to 11 hours a week, casual staff. It's pretty good, though, since I was still adapting with this new life. Sometimes I worked on Sunday, but mostly not, so I still enjoyed that beautiful fellowship with my lovely church members. Working that way, I had to save up my money so tried to borrow books from my senior and library. I still enjoyed my assignment, (two of them are posters!) although still with my last minute habit.

Time passed and I just couldn't wait for my 2 weeks mid-term holiday, because I just missed those moments at home, laying down on my bed watching Korean dramas, eating chips, and cuddling with my dog, although I knew it would not happen here. But then holiday started and I got this dog-sitting job far away in Southern suburb. I got more shifts at the shopping centre because it was holiday and some staffs were on leave, so good for me I could work more and earn more. I was also happy to cuddle with that cute maltese-shih tzu dog and I loved him so much, but I was so exhausted from commuting between north and south. I planned to work on my assignment a bit during the holiday, but I was too tired, I ended up touching no book and making no progress at all.

Finally school started again, everyone came back refreshed from the holiday, but I just felt more exhausted than before. Then I got a good news, hmm, sad news actually. One staff, Karen, resigned and she was like one of my fave-forever. She was an awesome worker and lovely lady, and she got the best shift ever! She worked Monday and Tuesday, also Friday to Sunday. My manager said she would give Karen's shift to me, but since I could only work up to 20 hours, I could only do Friday to Sunday. She asked another girl, Neha, to do Monday and Tuesday. Voila! I was so happy, I got 20 hours on the weekend (the pay was unbelievably good!), and I got Monday off to study (because my class was Tuesday to Thursday).

But remember I hadn't touched any assignment during the holiday? Yeah, so I still had 11 major assignment waiting for me. It wouldn't be a big problem, though, if only I didn't feel too exhausted after work. For example on Saturday I finished at 4 pm and Sunday at 5 pm. Supposed, I still had good time at night to do something, right? I felt so guilty and lazy but I couldn't help, I immediately felt asleep after dinner. So last semester was such a struggle for me. Working 20 hours maybe was not that hard if I didn't have to study so much. 20 hours maybe wouldn't be too hard if it was not a cleaning job, but it is. If my assignment was like those weekly homework in my undergraduate study, I would be alright, but it is not. It was like doing our small thesis every week with different topic. Don't wanna sound too negative and dramatic here, but honestly, I was drowned.

Plus, since I had to work every Sunday (won't complain, because I need this and should be grateful), I couldn't go to church and meet the lovely congregation. This was such a dilemma, eh? I needed the money but I was also sad for not being able to attend church, but there was no way out. Maybe you would ask, "If you hate this job so much and keep complaining about how tiring it is, why don't you just quit and find another job?" I can't. This is the highest paying job that I can do. This is the only way I can survive, and I also need Sunday shift to survive. But deep inside, my heart was longing to that peaceful and joyful Sunday when I could see those happy and graceful faces of people I love at church.

Then I got sick. I am still taking medication now, in the process to be recovered. Everything became much more harder when I was sick. I got a headache when I read books (haha believe me it's not an excuse!), and the fact that English is my second language makes reading twice harder. I was also struggling with this thought that I was so ungrateful because I couldn't really enjoy my job, and that I couldn't attend church as well. Thank God I was surrounded by people who were graciously loving. They understood about those rubbish (combination of unnecessary guilt and anxiety) spinning in my head, and they said, "But it's normal to feel that way about your job, because you've got a qualification. Of course doing that routine makes you numb." Then I was told, "I know sometimes we don't have a choice and I myself was once in a situation when I couldn't attend church for three years, but it's only temporary, so don't worry."

I blamed myself for being miserable, like, "Hello, war is happening out there, people can't get enough food, some are fighting with terminal illness, some are jobless, some can't go to school, my friend is dealing with her visa issue, and I am here, studying, working, and keep saying I am tired?" But blaming myself didn't bring any good. I just forced myself to be grateful. A forced-gratefulness. But these people told me, that I shouldn't be guilty for that, because this was my feeling. I felt it, it was real, and it affected me.  Just because someone are suffering more out there doesn't mean that I am not allowed to feel down, Yes, we have different response toward problems, but it doesn't determine someone being weak or strong. We live in a broken world and broken body. Somehow, those simple sentences freed me, and I could start to genuinely be grateful.

Those two months were extremely hard for me, because I wanted to crawl back to my comfort zone. I kept wondering why I decided to choose this difficult path. I poured my tangled thought in this Hobbit post haha. However, everything turned out good, thanks to a lot of people who helped me with my struggle. I remembered going to my lecturer's room, and I told him maybe I wouldn't be able to submit my assignment on time. He said, "You are here not to get a good mark, so even if are not doing really well, it's okay. Don't worry too much". So it was hard, but finally, finally, I didn't know how I submit everything, everything was over and the long holiday came. Hooray!

Then my manager told me that I couldn't have Karen's shift permanently because the main office didn't allow it. That whole shift belonged to one name and if I could only take the weekend, they had to split it to two, and it would upset the whole system, they said. So that shift was given to Neha, and I took Neha's shift, only 11 hours a week, 5 hours Saturday and 6 hours Sunday. My income dropped significantly, but I would just trust Him, then. Maybe He will give me another job related to my study for the rest 9 hours! Anyway, during Christmas, no staff allowed to take annual leave, so there was not many shifts available for me. However, the shopping centre's trading hours was longer, and sometimes there were some events, so they needed extra staffs. It was good during the long holiday (2,5 months!), I worked almost everyday, but after Christmas everything returned to normal, so I couldn't work that much. Had a lot of time to do my craft and wall art project, though, which was good!

Doing another dog sitting over Christmas and the lady was very generous. She only needed to pay me 480 bucks for 16 days but she gave me 650 instead! The amazing thing was, when I did the dog sitting in October, the money I earned was exactly what's needed for my mom's ticket to Bali (since my godmother also went to Bali at that time, so my mom could go with her). In January, I had to accompany my mom but I got the sale tickets which was really cheap for the two of us, and plus the hotel, taxi, etc, it's exactly what I earned from dog sitting in December. My mom kept worrying about this extra expense to send her to Bali, but God provided! Exactly the way we needed it!

I am still in my health recovery, excited for this new semester, trying to manage my time better, and enjoying this phase of life. I got my transcript and it's satisfying, which left me in wonder. I am writing down this roller-coaster struggle and thought, just to share and let you know, in case you are just like me, drowned in your own thought and doubt. It is humane to be so. If you are struggling, or dealing with guilt, you are not alone, seek help. Surround yourselves in good community, and just keep going in the grace of Christ. God is good, and He is faithful.

And this story is continuing, but I just want to thank Him in the middle, which sometimes I forget.

P.S. And God gives me His angel, in the form of mommy, to support me in this difficult times, with all the funny things and crazy laughter, plus good and healthy food she cooked for me. I love you.

Perth, February 27, 2015

from the middle of the story,

THERE AND BACK AGAIN

When I finished watching The Hobbit, I was so mesmerized (as usual) by Peter Jackson's work, although I knew it's slightly different from the book. I enjoyed the movie version, tho, even with this 'fictional' character of Tauriel, and her 'non-exist' love story with Kili, which was quite entertaining, and, hmm, sweet. Moreover the part when Tauriel asked, "Why does it hurt so much?" crying over Kili, and Thranduil finally admitted, "Because it was real". Oh, pardon me, I am not going to talk about them actually, I just can't help myself! That was one of my favorite part! #faintofexcitement

So, yeah, I was relieved that Bilbo went back home safe and sound, and the only thought in my mind was, "That feeling when they finally reach Shire, after all the adventures, hardship, friendship, tears, blood, fears, journeys. That feeling they wouldn't feel if they never left home. Before they start, they don't know what's ahead. But after they finish, every step is worth it." I am referring to Frodo and Sam as well, casting my mind back to the ending of Return of the King. 

I was thinking, maybe they would never feel that way when they saw their home, if they never left. It's just home, nothing special. Although it's Shire, and it's beautiful, but that's it. However the feeling turned completely different after their journey (that almost killed them like thousand times if I may add). Home was far more precious than ever.

But then I realized, hey, Frodo didn't go back to Shire safe and soundly. Instead, he had to leave Middle-Earth for the West. At first, I thought because he was stabbed by the Witch-king's morgul-blade, he couldn't be healed. People are questioning, though, and after I read this article, I am pretty sure it's because Frodo had simply lost something that couldn't be restored through the quest (besides all the wounds and losing his finger). As noted by Tolkien, "broken by a burden of fear and horror — broken down, and in the end made into something quite different". 

It makes me draw the conclusion that it's impossible to fight for something without cost, "that everything ends well, and gets tied up with a pretty ribbon." The fact that Frodo has achieved his quest but also can't recover from it, shows that there will always be price to pay. This novel simply shows that there will be consequences of fighting against evil.

So I stop thinking that it's a happy ending for Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and everyone involved. It's a good ending for the world, yes. But for them individually, there must be damage, seen or hidden, physically and/or mentally. Then I start to question, is the journey worth it? Is leaving your comfort zone worth it? Because in the end, it's not the same anymore. Everything changes. Even we do not return the same. We may gain something, but surely lost something. 

Suddenly this idea of leaving comfort zone for an adventure (or a greater good) didn't seem too thrilling anymore. I think then it all just depends on our choice. Do we prefer sitting there in our comfort zone, with the possibility to miss everything out there, or going out with the risk of losing something we have back there. 

Don't worry if you are confused with this writing. I am, too. And we have this quote:
"When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did."

So, which side I am on? I don't know.

One thing I know, if I am already half way to Mordor, I can't go back to Shire.

P.S. I found this!

Sam says, "It's like the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something."

"What are we holding on to, Sam?" Frodo sighs.

"That there's something good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for."

PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND

Hello ladies!

Some of us might be familiar with the term "praying for your future husband". Maybe we have started praying for him years ago, or yesterday. Since we accepted Christ, or just these days when our biological time is ticking. As we have heard often, it is very important to pray for him, for everything. We also have a book with exactly the same title as above. This is a very recommended book, I will write the review later. Basically the concept of this prayer is also to prepare and change ourselves. But maybe sometimes we wonder, do they also pray for us?

Research shows that actually godly men also pray for their future wives. I came to this realization when I was working (doing that 'lovely' cleaning job) and thinking, "Ugh, why do I have to do this, for bunny sake?!" and suddenly my heart just said, "Hey, maybe he is praying for you right now, and this is the way God answers his prayer." So hey, maybe we are where we are now, doing what we are doing (although it's hard sometimes), because he is praying for us just like we are praying for him. It is not only us praying for him, but preparing for him. Prepare to be a good help-meet when we meet and unite later. Facing this process to change, to glorify God together.

Are you in a situation where people looking down at you?

Maybe he is praying for your humility.

Are you in a situation when people hurt you?

Maybe he is praying for your patience.

Are you in a situation where you have nothing to hold on except God?

Maybe he is praying for your faith.

Are you in a situation when you feel sad?

Maybe he is praying for your joy in the Lord.

Are you in a situation where your heart is so weary?

Maybe he is praying for your peace from Him.

Are you in a situation when people treat you rudely?

Maybe he is praying for your gentleness.

Are you in a situation surrounded by people in need?

Maybe he is praying for your generosity.

Are you in a situation when everything is taken from you?

Maybe he is praying for your contentment in Christ only.

Are you in a situation that makes you weak day by day?

Maybe he is praying for your strength.

Are you in a situation that forces you to give up and leave everything?

Maybe he is praying for your faithfulness.

Are you in a situation when you don't know what's going on?

Maybe he is praying for your understanding.

Just like we are praying for his.

Perth,

January 19, 2015

THE WEDDING, WINE, AND WORLD

A Report on the Parable of Power

Introduction

Food and fest, glam and glory, wedding and wine. The first miracle that Jesus did is so simple yet remarkable. Andy Crouch in his book Playing God discusses the concept of power in The Wedding Wine story. The writer is going to evaluate this exploration chapter with the commentaries on John 2 to see the message and application behind the passage.

Basically, according to Burge (2003, p. 90) the core message of this story when Jesus turns water into wine is “the old has gone, the new has come”. The New Testament also talks about how once ones receive Christ, they are not the same anymore. There is this power that makes the old goes and the new comes. They are new creation in Christ, changed, different, transformed. What is the source of this power? Is this the form of miracle? Or is it simply a process, combined with power and time, to make such a difference? Analysing this concept against two secular books, The Secret and The Empowered Mind, the writer aims to dig deeper about power and miracle.

The Wedding in the Chapter

Crouch (2013, p. 104) starts the exploration chapter by defining the grand pattern of creation as “good, to very good, to glory”. He states that creation is good, but human as God’s image bearers are very good, because we have that ability to cultivate and unfold potential. Therefore, we can make something good to very good. Nature is good, then add some creativity and care, it becomes culture which is very good. Grain is good, then add some power and process, it becomes bread which is very good. Just like egg and omelette, tree and wooden chair, sound and music, they become very good by human intelligence and intentionality. One step ahead, it leads to glory.

Grape is the best example for this. Crouch mentions about how grapes are good, and when they become wine, they can be very good, and “the right grapes, at the right time, in the right hands” can become glory. Relating this to the story of Jesus when he attended a wedding in Cana, Crouch (2013, p. 106) says that miracles are beyond power itself, working not like how this world works. Therefore the miracle Jesus performed in the wedding reveals the true meaning of power. He first states that Mary, using her power as a mother, stating indirectly what she wanted through the fact, that “they have no wine”. In this case, believing that she had the authority and Jesus would honour her, she didn’t need to request or command.

According to Crouch, Jesus replied by emphasizing that the assumptions of power and authority did not apply because Jesus was here to fulfil His mission under higher authority and that he himself had that higher authority than his mother. Yet, Mary seemed to know what Jesus would do since she told the servants to do what Jesus asked them to do, and Jesus did exactly what Mary believed he would do.

Therefore, Crouch emphasizes that there are several things to be concluded from this miracle about Jesus’ power. First, his power does not “flow through predictable channels”. He was not bound by anything: custom, law, etc. However, what Jesus did here in Cana shows “the pattern of social life: marriage, hospitality, celebration, and honouring parents”. This means that through the first miracle, Jesus touches the closest, simplest thing among us. His power restores “family and feasting”. He shows how to bless by honouring parents, showing hospitality to guests, etc. Second, his power reveals glory. It reveals Jesus’ true identity and the ultimate truth of his mission, “to make all things new”. Through the miracle of the wine, Jesus shows that he is more than expected. This miracle that reveals glory happened in the wedding which is a moment of glory, too, because it is the sign of “the magnificence of love” between man and woman, united by God.

Third is his power is abundant. The wine is more than needed, showing how God always provides abundantly. Forth is that his power is hidden as it is revealed. It does not bring him to the centre of attention and put him on the spotlight, yet it reveals his glory. Crouch mentions that true power in the world sometimes is invisible, but the effects can be seen and celebrated, and the credit goes to somewhere else, but God is behind everything.

Finally, he concludes that this story is just not about wine, it is the sign of something deeper. “The third day” becomes something special, since Jesus also was risen on the third day, the day where true power overcame and his glory was revealed. Then why would we settle for anything less, the rhetorical question ends his statement.

The Wine in the Passage

Wedding is a very important celebration in the past and present. According to Burge (2000, p. 88), John uses the cultural and religious theme as the backdrop of his presentation about Jesus. It gives clearer insight about Jesus’ personhood, yet it carries a deeper meaning.

When Mary mentioned about wine, Jesus said that his time is not yet to come, which means that it looks forward to Jesus’ important work on the cross. So Jesus will act on behalf not of this wedding but the entire world. His death on the cross will provide more than wine. However, Jesus indicates that he will act since his mother directs the servant to obey him. The six stone jars that becomes the source of new wine is not only for holding water. Stone jars represent Jewish purification washing. Then they can hold large volume of wine, about 120 gallons (Burge, 2000, p. 92).

It is said that the wine is superior to before, means this is the sign that reveals something hidden before. This is not merely acts of power and might, but they unveil that God is a work in Jesus and indeed is present in him (Twelftree, 1999, p. 195).

It shows how God cares about our simplest problem, not just about saving souls and renewing lives. John is telling something about Judaism and history. The arrival of Messiah shows something unparalleled is happening in the world. The wine also recalls many prophetic words that God’s arrival and blessing are seen particularly in an abundance of wine in the land. Now God’s glory becomes visible in human form (Burge, 2000, p. 102).

Longman & Garland (2007, p. 385), also explains that “sign” was used by John to describe Jesus’ self-manifestation in his works. Wedding in the first century is a feast that can last as long as a week. Wine was a basic commodity in the ancient world. When the supply runs short, the host can be embarrassed. In contrast, some scholars do not think that Mary expects Jesus to perform miracle. Mary just went to Jesus because she knew how resourceful he is and it is natural for a mother to do so. It is also believed that Mary did not grasp the full intent of what Jesus just said because she instructs the servants to do what Jesus would tell them, then Jesus did it anyway. They also have speculation that actually Jesus only pretends that the water is the wine and people believe it because they have been too drunk.

The use of wine also illustrate human’s relationship to God as quoted from William Temple (Longman & Garland, 2007, pp. 388), that it becomes more and more satisfying with the passage of time. Just like marriage, the older should be the sweeter, because it has passed the challenge of time and process. The miracle Jesus performed was the first of his miraculous sign, which means the mighty work of Jesus, act of power. Jesus reveals glory and leads his disciple to put their faith in him. However, the third day here is simply the day after tomorrow. There are some metaphorical references. Lack of wine is the symbol of Jewish laws that fails to meet the deeper needs of humanity. Six jars is one less than perfect number seven. The jars each held twenty to thirty gallons shows abundance supply of grace (p. 389).

Basically these two commentaries have some similar views, one of them is that Jesus provides in abundance. However, there are a lot of significant differences as well, which do not support Crouch’s statement on how people are aware of their power and how to use it. There is one point missing from this story of miracle and power, it is obedience. As stated by Spurgeon (1992, pp. 93-95), this story teaches people on obedience to God before He performs miracle.

The World in the Books

The Secret is a book that talks about “law of attraction”, which means that everything comes from the power of thought. Bryne (2006, pp. 1-27) says that people need to know the secret to have and be anything they want. People throughout the history have discovered and used this secret. She believes that we all work with one infinite power. It is the same law for everyone, one power, one law, attraction. Everything that comes to our life is attracted by the virtue of images people are holding in their mind. So it is what they are thinking, that thought is the force. This law also appears in all religions throughout the history.

When people focus their thoughts on something they want, and they hold that focus, they are in the moment summoning what they want with the mightiest power in the universe. It works like Genie from the magic lamp. Genie is our law of attraction (p. 60) that will fulfil our wish. People do not need to know how, because the universe will do it for them.

In other words, people are in control of their own destiny and life, which is actually in line with the concept of “free will of choice”. People are believed to be able to create their own miracle, the impossible, by the power of their thought. Trench (1949, pp. 5-12) defines miracle as power or mighty works through the “Divine Messenger” equipped by God, referring to Christ. Miracle can immediately working, or establish to work. It is not nature, but not against it. It is beyond, and above nature. If so, it can be said that human has this ability to perform miracle. Surely, human are miracle themselves, and optimizing one core part of the body created by God to achieve what they want and to have a good life is rational.

According to Bryne (2006, p. 71-92), there is a pattern of this method. Ask, believe, and receive. She quotes scriptures too, from Matthew 21:22 and Mark 11:24 that when we pray, believe that we already receive it, and we will receive it. There are the powerful processes of gratitude (to be grateful for what we have and we will get more), visualization (to create the picture of us enjoying and feeling that we already get it), and action (to make it a habit). This also influences all areas in our lives, including wealth, health, and relationship. They teach people to be generous with money, give so that they will receive more, to love themselves and love people, to know that laughter is the best medicine disease is held in the body by their thoughts. Basically, they can receive all things they want because this universe offers abundance.

These methods to increase wealth, health, and relationship are actually what the Bible teaches us. Give more, and God will bless more, because there is blessing in giving. Live happily, happy heart is the best medicine, do not resent and keep bitterness because it will make people sick, love people just like people love themselves, care for them like Jesus cares. They are basically the same, that we have and ought to use this power in us to have a “good life”, since good life is associated with being wealthy, healthy, and happy.

In The Empowered Mind, Scott (1994, pp. 1-11) mentions the technique of using “creative force”, which is the inner power in people’s mind both to get what they want and to feel more satisfaction. Scott claims that she has used this technique for more than twenty years in her life and that everyone can do this. It is just tapping the power that they haven’t used or fully developed, to be, do, and enjoy the best. She gives the examples of how she can do the things that she believes she cannot do before, in this case, the impossible. This technique will make the readers feel more powerful, gain more confidence, develop personal identity and purpose, be satisfied and get more enjoyment by focusing energy for optimum functioning, maximise their talents, designing the person they want to be, becoming smarter by sharpening their intellectual powers, increasing power of perception and awareness, making better decision, turning problems into possibility, and optimizing relationship. So, all they need is to develop and pay attention to make it powerful.

All these methods focus on the power in human self and how to use it right in order to achieve what human wants, a good life. Human are the ones who construct the definition of a good life, and they spend the whole life to live meeting that definition for self-satisfaction. Scott also mentions about how practicing intuitive technique makes her feel like having a magic Genie she can call forth whenever she needs help. When she can’t find answer with her logic then help will pop out, not only quick but also right (1994, p. 13). Isn’t this power known by Christian as the Holy Spirit? How he reminds people of scripture or memory they need at that time, gives wisdom beyond logic that is “not only quick but also right”.

Crouch, Burge, Longman & Garland, Bryne, and Scott, they talk about power and they believe that human have power and control over it. The secular views also believe that human has total control, but they need the universe to help them. They are talking about the same power and force in human’s life. Only, the source of power for them is the universe, which will conspire to support and provide what human need only by the power of their thought. It is dangerous to emphasize on how human can get what they want, because human’s intention and desire corrupt. On the other hand, the Christian views urge to use the power, yet it is important to surrender it to the source of the power, God himself. Crouch also mentions that “Jesus’ power is hidden as it is revealed” (2013, p. 111), which fits this concept of power by the universe. There is the source behind it.

Linking it to the concept of miracle, human are empowered by God to do miracle through the Holy Spirit, but miracle is a product of grace and faith. The secular view emphasizes on faith in self, but excludes grace, because the control 100% belongs to human. Referring back to Crouch’s rhetorical question, with the glorious power of God in this world, why would we settle for anything less? Is 100% power still less? Yes, because power can fail.

Conclusion

Power, along with process and time, turns something from good to very good, even to glory. With this power, comes miracle. However, the source of power and miracle are God, which will be given by grace, yet requires obedience as the step of faith. Some people believe that the source of power is the universe, and human as the ruler of the universe. Power is in human’s thought, and by recognizing and optimizing how to use it, there is no limitation to make impossible become possible. In other words, human can get what they want with their own power. However, it is still less than the source of power itself, God, because human’s intention and desire corrupt, and power can fail, but grace remains.