These days I haven't been blogging as much cos I've been seeking solace in reading and asking God about things. :) It is in this quiet secret place where I find God near to me, and yet not so near cos sometimes my mind spins too fast and thinks too much about many things.
For one, I don't really like carrying uncertainty and like to have answers asap! Just seeking God about some stuffs, and still find that I'm not really getting the answers yet. But yet this season of just waiting on Him, reading books, has been really edifying to my soul. :) Been reading my bible daily too, trying to finish up the One year bible this year, and now I'm at Exodus reading on my favourite character Moses!
In Genesis, God's covenant love is revealed time and time again through His divine protection over His people, in spite of their disobedience, pride, deceit etc etc. U find miracles going on in one chapt, and then the next, God's people turn away from Him. Such an awesome God we serve, who loves us unceasingly.
For me, the miracle God just did in my family, changing my dad's heart, from wanting to chase me out of the house if I wanted to go into social sector, to now really like asking me if I want to go full time. I'm amazed! :) But almost in the next couple of days, fears start to creep into my heart, and I wonder if God will provide, if He is big enough for me! And lots of things revealed in my heart, a lot of insecurity and esteem problems on the inside, that God has to deal with, gently but lovingly.
I know God loves me in spite of all I am. And wow, Jesus no longer calls us His servant, but His friend, and we have a God whom we can call Abba Father.
Just wanted to encourage my blog readers too who are reading this, God is faithful and loves you a lot. :)
------------------
Thanksgiving....
All the unpacking has been done, and my parents are starting to get used to staying in the new house! Tho mummy has trouble with the new washing machine, and rain sometimes pours in and wets the dried clothes. But really, the challenging times have passed. And yep, we are waiting for Chinese New Year to come! Yay. :) I believe its a new year of new beginnings.
At work, my project will go live this Friday, so any issues will be found out then and also on next Mon and Tues, but I'm thankful that it is coming into completion after about 8 months of hard work!
At church, it has been a whole new experience serving in the discipleship group. :) Slowly learning to get to know one another. Learning to lean on God's strength. Growing much from the daily readings and devotional journals.
And so 2007 went by, yes yes I'm still reminiscing cos I didn't have enough time to think about it! ahahaa. I'm praying for a fruitful 2008. A year of preparation. :)
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock
Ps 27:4-6
At the middle of 2007, God spoke to me through this psalm, and it was only around the end of 2007 that I read Pastor Kai's devotions, that I realised what God was trying to say. That in spite of all the uncertainties going ard us, one thing we can be secure in, is to be able to dwell in the house of the Lord. It is in His secret dwelling place where we can find solace and comfort. And ofcos, yes, strength to do what He calls us to do.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Because He first loved us
With the impending change, my heart is filled with a mixture of awe, excitement, surprise, yet some apprehension and fear as well!
God has been good, He indeed works within the hearts of humans. I'm thankful. :)
As I sought the Lord and asked Him what I can do for Him? At first it was, I really want to do something for You God, I want to serve Your people...I I I I...and myself...and my sacrifices. And then I realised that it was not because of I, but it was a joy, bcos He first loved us, so we can love others. These days I'm reminded of the parable of a man who found the precious pearl, and sold all that he had. Indeed, the value of the lovely pearl exeeds anything that others can give, whether it is fame, fortune, status etc etc. I admit though, pulling at the heart strings are feelings of sentimentalism.
Heh, the above wouldn't make sense to my blog readers, not until anything I do is concretised anyway. =)
"But more deeply, in order for you to be useful to the Master here- or anywhere- you must be close to Him and in love with Him. To the degree that you are intimate with Him, you will know what to do, what you must do."
Heidi Baker
God has been good, He indeed works within the hearts of humans. I'm thankful. :)
As I sought the Lord and asked Him what I can do for Him? At first it was, I really want to do something for You God, I want to serve Your people...I I I I...and myself...and my sacrifices. And then I realised that it was not because of I, but it was a joy, bcos He first loved us, so we can love others. These days I'm reminded of the parable of a man who found the precious pearl, and sold all that he had. Indeed, the value of the lovely pearl exeeds anything that others can give, whether it is fame, fortune, status etc etc. I admit though, pulling at the heart strings are feelings of sentimentalism.
Heh, the above wouldn't make sense to my blog readers, not until anything I do is concretised anyway. =)
"But more deeply, in order for you to be useful to the Master here- or anywhere- you must be close to Him and in love with Him. To the degree that you are intimate with Him, you will know what to do, what you must do."
Heidi Baker
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Mini-town
My house is located near the construction site of a condominium. Many foreign workers work at the site, I'm not sure, maybe from China, Bangladesh and India? Sometimes a few of the workers sit at the grass patch outside chatting, I saw one of them sitting on the floor and writing in his notepad yesterday. And there's usually a silent communication betw us as we don't speak to each other but glance at each other because afterall we look so different!
Anyhow I always get a peak into the construction site as I walk past, and it looks like a mini town center of its own sorts! It seems like a mini town because there is life within the construction site as the workers hussle and bustle and cook and live there. It somehow stands in isolation as people walk past. It reminds me of the days in Philippines when we went to build the houses. Cement is being made in those big barrel kinda thing on the trucks and then we queued for cement in the philippines!
The workers work long hours, sometimes when I am back at 9pm, I still see dark figures up above the incomplete buildiing. They work so hard!
I wonder if the gap of gender, culture, race, nationality between us will be bridged.
The nearest experience I had to know ple from diversed backgrounds was knowing Pastor Don's team of brothers. Some had been ex-offenders and drug addicts. But wow, it was nice relating to them, and esp over the one day trip at indonesia, we made friends. In Christ, these false divisions betw ple have to fall. In Christ, the man next to you, whether from which country or race, is a fellow brother and sister redeemed by Christ. And we relate to one another as human beings. I wonder if I am putting up a false segregation of sorts. But I wonder if we will ever step into someone else's boat and see the world from there (or can we not be bothered?). Just like Jesus, stepping into Peter's fishing boat that very day, and came not with pomp or glory, but as a human being. Maybe we are men with poor souls in rich clothings.
How amazing it will be in heaven whereby all tongues, tribes and nations shall worship our living God. :)
Anyhow I always get a peak into the construction site as I walk past, and it looks like a mini town center of its own sorts! It seems like a mini town because there is life within the construction site as the workers hussle and bustle and cook and live there. It somehow stands in isolation as people walk past. It reminds me of the days in Philippines when we went to build the houses. Cement is being made in those big barrel kinda thing on the trucks and then we queued for cement in the philippines!
The workers work long hours, sometimes when I am back at 9pm, I still see dark figures up above the incomplete buildiing. They work so hard!
I wonder if the gap of gender, culture, race, nationality between us will be bridged.
The nearest experience I had to know ple from diversed backgrounds was knowing Pastor Don's team of brothers. Some had been ex-offenders and drug addicts. But wow, it was nice relating to them, and esp over the one day trip at indonesia, we made friends. In Christ, these false divisions betw ple have to fall. In Christ, the man next to you, whether from which country or race, is a fellow brother and sister redeemed by Christ. And we relate to one another as human beings. I wonder if I am putting up a false segregation of sorts. But I wonder if we will ever step into someone else's boat and see the world from there (or can we not be bothered?). Just like Jesus, stepping into Peter's fishing boat that very day, and came not with pomp or glory, but as a human being. Maybe we are men with poor souls in rich clothings.
How amazing it will be in heaven whereby all tongues, tribes and nations shall worship our living God. :)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Upcoming plans!
heys...I havent been blogging here for some time, cos I have been writting at my christian blog. Since the discussions there are more christian, u may go take a look if u r interested! [ U would have known the link ;) If not, ask me]
Life has been busy, adjusting to the new house, the new year, and planning for the new year! :) Not sure what to expect but it sure looks like a brand new beginning! I hope it wun drift pass unknowingly!
This year:
- Learn more about God and His word through IDT
- Learn from my peers through sharings in IDT, and challenge each other to become more Christ-like
- More ministry to the broken
- Learn guitar-> hope to be able to praise and worship God, and sing to Him together with others. Music brings much healing to the soul
- Do more housework (hopefully this will earn me brownie pts!!) Parents are growing older, and I hope that we may grow in understanding abt our goals & dreams
That's about it for now!
Life has been busy, adjusting to the new house, the new year, and planning for the new year! :) Not sure what to expect but it sure looks like a brand new beginning! I hope it wun drift pass unknowingly!
This year:
- Learn more about God and His word through IDT
- Learn from my peers through sharings in IDT, and challenge each other to become more Christ-like
- More ministry to the broken
- Learn guitar-> hope to be able to praise and worship God, and sing to Him together with others. Music brings much healing to the soul
- Do more housework (hopefully this will earn me brownie pts!!) Parents are growing older, and I hope that we may grow in understanding abt our goals & dreams
That's about it for now!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Welcome 2008!
Said my welcome to 2008 at Dawn Prayers in CEFC. Started at 6am, so I woke up at 445am. Tossed and turned in my bed from about 11ish up to 1plus am. So it was a feat waking up. And praise God, I got to take a ride on a friend's car. Surprised by Pastor Edmund's opening prayer, "Happy New Year God." haha. That sounded a bit strange. Other then that Dawn Prayer was very very good and refreshing.
2008 looks like a very busy year for me. The overflowing events of 2007 into 2008 is regretful! No fullstops there, still packing my room. Thankfully I only have one box of letters and some adhoc stuff left to pack. Went to church just now, and then came home and packed again. I'm pretty exhausted. Still have not yet had time to sit down and be still. But yes, church has been good, and in those moments, I find rest.
I will be in Intentional Discipleship Training (IDT) starting on 11th Jan. Its a training program including weekly bible studies at church on fridays, daily devotional homework and memory verses. Its sounds pretty heavy going! But yet I am excited to be able to re-learn about God, from the basics all the way to everything. Will also be serving as a leader, so I am pretty excited to serve again, to be able (I hope) to be a blessing to others, and to learn from others.
Woke up one of the mornings a few days ago, and felt impressed upon my heart this verse:
"Arise, shine; For your light has come!"
Upon referencing to the verse, this was wat it followed up with:
"And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising."
Isaiah 60:1-3
Wow it was a pretty encouraging verse for me. 2007 has been a very difficult year, cried a lot, and "gave" up on things I really liked. Now I feel at peace. And this verse speaks to me of the new hope in 2008. 2008 is a year of preparation.
Prepare for what, I am not too sure. But I know that IDT will be good training in the word. Will also be going on another mission trip with my cell members, leading it with Pam. I think that these will be good preparation for whats ahead. And also, I think I will try and do more housework at home, and to be a blessing to my family.
2008 looks like a very busy year for me. The overflowing events of 2007 into 2008 is regretful! No fullstops there, still packing my room. Thankfully I only have one box of letters and some adhoc stuff left to pack. Went to church just now, and then came home and packed again. I'm pretty exhausted. Still have not yet had time to sit down and be still. But yes, church has been good, and in those moments, I find rest.
I will be in Intentional Discipleship Training (IDT) starting on 11th Jan. Its a training program including weekly bible studies at church on fridays, daily devotional homework and memory verses. Its sounds pretty heavy going! But yet I am excited to be able to re-learn about God, from the basics all the way to everything. Will also be serving as a leader, so I am pretty excited to serve again, to be able (I hope) to be a blessing to others, and to learn from others.
Woke up one of the mornings a few days ago, and felt impressed upon my heart this verse:
"Arise, shine; For your light has come!"
Upon referencing to the verse, this was wat it followed up with:
"And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising."
Isaiah 60:1-3
Wow it was a pretty encouraging verse for me. 2007 has been a very difficult year, cried a lot, and "gave" up on things I really liked. Now I feel at peace. And this verse speaks to me of the new hope in 2008. 2008 is a year of preparation.
Prepare for what, I am not too sure. But I know that IDT will be good training in the word. Will also be going on another mission trip with my cell members, leading it with Pam. I think that these will be good preparation for whats ahead. And also, I think I will try and do more housework at home, and to be a blessing to my family.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
I've moved!
Hihi..I've been so busy moving house for the past few days and there was no internet access! Hence the lack of updates.
Its a mixture of emotions, but thank God that everything went smoothly, and it was relatively peaceful at home. :) Even though there were sparks of disagreements here and there ranging from where to put the towels to the books to missing keys etc etc. But overall, God has been gracious. There's still some things I've to unpack and rack my brains abt where to squeeze them. Yeah..so phew, but anyway I can take a breather now!! Thank God!
Dad has been bz and good...driving the stuff to and fro and most of all, installing the computer and restoring the internet! Heh...can't live without it.
Hmmm.....moving also taught me a few principles. I guess the first thing is when I started packing I realised what a whole lot of things I have! A lot of them are gifts from ple, whether it is clothes, accessories, soft toys etc. I've moved a lot of them here and some of them I don't know where to put! Cos I don't really like the accessories for instance, and I have too much of them! A lot of purchases from my mum. Haha. ;) And then for the soft toys, I've chucked behind some newer ones and took the older ones with sentimental value. At the end of the day, value is measured in terms of the meaning behind the item, as opposed to the valuation of the item.
Essentials- My books! One whole row of them behind my bed, heh. First thing that I placed in my room! :) Ideas, thoughts, inspirations, all inside my brains now, I hope....wah...the wealth of knowledge.
Letters letters and more letters, one whole box of them. Now I don't know where I should put them! Full of sentimental value. I think I would cry if I lost them. Esp some of those really meaningful ones from friends, whether it is thanksgiving or words of encouragement, really mean a lot to me.
The destination- Packing was tough, unpacking at the new house was more pleasant. Just like living in the present without a vision of the future is tough. What am I working so hard for? Where will this ultimately lead me? Ahh..its only when u are at the destination, and u can have a view of it, then it encourages u to work hard for something. This has been true for these 1.5 years. It has been tough seeing where the labour leads me to. I'm not sure where is my final destination. But I've faith that it has gotto be good, and that God is in control of wherever I am, will be going, and His loving hand is upon me.
I'm just blabbering non-stop, I guess its to let out all the days of not talking that much!
Today's sermon was GREAT, it was about thanksgiving. Giving thanks and being thankful! Three things pastor said affected us- being critical, complaining and comparing! One of the things he said spoke to me- don't complain, but be the solution. He surprised me by saying there are at least 30 things he thinks can be improved in the church, yet he is not complaining but serving. And many times, when we have a critical spirit, it is because we don't examine ourselves. How true. I think there is a lot for me to examine of myself.
It has been a tough year, mostly cos of my own attitude about things. If I had held a better attitude, seen things in different manner, I guess I would have been happier! Nevertheless, as the new year comes, I pray that I may learn each day to be thankful for all that He has blessed me. He has indeed been good. My thanksgiving item list spans up to 30 plus items. The Lord gives and take-away, and I've been struggling really really hard with the things I like/passionate about/desire, and I've been unhappy. I realise in all these, God showed me my heart- I wasn't really satisfied in Him. I really don't desire Him, and there are all sorts of holes in my heart in the shape of people & dreams. I pray that in the new year, He will continue to grant me the grace to surrender all that I love to Him, to delight in Him. His greatest calling, is not to ministry but to Him alone. I pray I may be satisfied in that.
Its a mixture of emotions, but thank God that everything went smoothly, and it was relatively peaceful at home. :) Even though there were sparks of disagreements here and there ranging from where to put the towels to the books to missing keys etc etc. But overall, God has been gracious. There's still some things I've to unpack and rack my brains abt where to squeeze them. Yeah..so phew, but anyway I can take a breather now!! Thank God!
Dad has been bz and good...driving the stuff to and fro and most of all, installing the computer and restoring the internet! Heh...can't live without it.
Hmmm.....moving also taught me a few principles. I guess the first thing is when I started packing I realised what a whole lot of things I have! A lot of them are gifts from ple, whether it is clothes, accessories, soft toys etc. I've moved a lot of them here and some of them I don't know where to put! Cos I don't really like the accessories for instance, and I have too much of them! A lot of purchases from my mum. Haha. ;) And then for the soft toys, I've chucked behind some newer ones and took the older ones with sentimental value. At the end of the day, value is measured in terms of the meaning behind the item, as opposed to the valuation of the item.
Essentials- My books! One whole row of them behind my bed, heh. First thing that I placed in my room! :) Ideas, thoughts, inspirations, all inside my brains now, I hope....wah...the wealth of knowledge.
Letters letters and more letters, one whole box of them. Now I don't know where I should put them! Full of sentimental value. I think I would cry if I lost them. Esp some of those really meaningful ones from friends, whether it is thanksgiving or words of encouragement, really mean a lot to me.
The destination- Packing was tough, unpacking at the new house was more pleasant. Just like living in the present without a vision of the future is tough. What am I working so hard for? Where will this ultimately lead me? Ahh..its only when u are at the destination, and u can have a view of it, then it encourages u to work hard for something. This has been true for these 1.5 years. It has been tough seeing where the labour leads me to. I'm not sure where is my final destination. But I've faith that it has gotto be good, and that God is in control of wherever I am, will be going, and His loving hand is upon me.
I'm just blabbering non-stop, I guess its to let out all the days of not talking that much!
Today's sermon was GREAT, it was about thanksgiving. Giving thanks and being thankful! Three things pastor said affected us- being critical, complaining and comparing! One of the things he said spoke to me- don't complain, but be the solution. He surprised me by saying there are at least 30 things he thinks can be improved in the church, yet he is not complaining but serving. And many times, when we have a critical spirit, it is because we don't examine ourselves. How true. I think there is a lot for me to examine of myself.
It has been a tough year, mostly cos of my own attitude about things. If I had held a better attitude, seen things in different manner, I guess I would have been happier! Nevertheless, as the new year comes, I pray that I may learn each day to be thankful for all that He has blessed me. He has indeed been good. My thanksgiving item list spans up to 30 plus items. The Lord gives and take-away, and I've been struggling really really hard with the things I like/passionate about/desire, and I've been unhappy. I realise in all these, God showed me my heart- I wasn't really satisfied in Him. I really don't desire Him, and there are all sorts of holes in my heart in the shape of people & dreams. I pray that in the new year, He will continue to grant me the grace to surrender all that I love to Him, to delight in Him. His greatest calling, is not to ministry but to Him alone. I pray I may be satisfied in that.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Poignant night
Christmas eve as usual inspires poignant thoughts. Somehow it just feels like the season for reflecting and ruminating.
Have been packing my stuff for moving house, and I came across loads and loads of letters & cards, that they filled up almost one cardboard box! =) Re-read some of the letters my penpals/netpals sent to me. Remember those days in IRC when I logged online everyday in search of friends to talk to. Seems like these days emails and blogging have replaced the good old letter writing.
Actually got nothing much to say here. Its christmas eve and I am at home! Had dinner with my family and now I am eating chocolate and rum cake. :) Extremely tasty!
A bless Christmas. May we remember the reason for the season! =)
Have been packing my stuff for moving house, and I came across loads and loads of letters & cards, that they filled up almost one cardboard box! =) Re-read some of the letters my penpals/netpals sent to me. Remember those days in IRC when I logged online everyday in search of friends to talk to. Seems like these days emails and blogging have replaced the good old letter writing.
Actually got nothing much to say here. Its christmas eve and I am at home! Had dinner with my family and now I am eating chocolate and rum cake. :) Extremely tasty!
A bless Christmas. May we remember the reason for the season! =)
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Deep Sorrow & Pure Joy
I felt a very deep sorrow last night. Don't know if it was like the dark night of the soul. But it was scary.
God has been speaking to me to give up things that are dear to me, and to put Him first. And this is a trying period to trust Him in every step of the way.
Moving house has been trying. Lots of misunderstandings with my parents. I know that dad is looking forward to the terrace house, and wondering why we were so 'unthankful'. I wished he knew what I needed/wanted was not the tangible stuffs, but all I wanted was for the family to be able to dwell together in harmony and love. Be it in a 3 room flat or a terrace house, the meaning behind a 'home' entails much more than a physical building. And so I was in deep sorrow last night, wondering if they will ever understand what the poor and the needy means to me. That I would rather be able to bless one of them, then to dwell in a big terrace house. That love is much more meaningful to me in this way.
Still my heart Lord, and grant me peace and joy in the midst of the challenges.
In this season, this song is meaningful to me:
"Thankful"- Josh Groban
Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for
------------------------------------------------
"The Cross, as it enters the love life, will reveal the heart's truth. My heart, I knew, would be forever a lonely hunter unless settled 'where true joys are to be found."
"I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts."
"Life requires countless 'little' deaths- occasions when we are given the chance to say no to self and yes to God... We are not meant to die merely in order to be dead. God would not want that for the creatures to whom He has given the breath of life. We die in order to live."
"Be still and know that He is God. When you are lonely, too much stillness is exactly the thing that seems to be laying waste your soul. Use that stillness to quiet your heart before God. Get to know Him. If He is God, He is still in charge. Remember that you are not alone"
"I realised that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done."
Passion & Purity by Elizabeth Eliot
I hope that these will bless yr heart, as much as it has blessed mine.
---------------------------------------
Had dinner with EY yesterday. Hey bro, I know u are reading this! :) Thankful to see that you are much happier now. I was very much affirmed by your words last night. I hope that u will find the even greater Gift of life! =)
Also received 2 christmas cards in the office. Was encouraged by the words in the cards.
At the end of my life, I hope I have made a difference to some. Sometimes, it is not the length of one's life, but how did one make use of his/her life.
I pray for such deep intangible joys in the spirit that all of us may experience. That true joy of knowing the meaning behind christmas- yes, and for myself to truly know it as well.
God has been speaking to me to give up things that are dear to me, and to put Him first. And this is a trying period to trust Him in every step of the way.
Moving house has been trying. Lots of misunderstandings with my parents. I know that dad is looking forward to the terrace house, and wondering why we were so 'unthankful'. I wished he knew what I needed/wanted was not the tangible stuffs, but all I wanted was for the family to be able to dwell together in harmony and love. Be it in a 3 room flat or a terrace house, the meaning behind a 'home' entails much more than a physical building. And so I was in deep sorrow last night, wondering if they will ever understand what the poor and the needy means to me. That I would rather be able to bless one of them, then to dwell in a big terrace house. That love is much more meaningful to me in this way.
Still my heart Lord, and grant me peace and joy in the midst of the challenges.
In this season, this song is meaningful to me:
"Thankful"- Josh Groban
Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for
------------------------------------------------
"The Cross, as it enters the love life, will reveal the heart's truth. My heart, I knew, would be forever a lonely hunter unless settled 'where true joys are to be found."
"I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts."
"Life requires countless 'little' deaths- occasions when we are given the chance to say no to self and yes to God... We are not meant to die merely in order to be dead. God would not want that for the creatures to whom He has given the breath of life. We die in order to live."
"Be still and know that He is God. When you are lonely, too much stillness is exactly the thing that seems to be laying waste your soul. Use that stillness to quiet your heart before God. Get to know Him. If He is God, He is still in charge. Remember that you are not alone"
"I realised that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done."
Passion & Purity by Elizabeth Eliot
I hope that these will bless yr heart, as much as it has blessed mine.
---------------------------------------
Had dinner with EY yesterday. Hey bro, I know u are reading this! :) Thankful to see that you are much happier now. I was very much affirmed by your words last night. I hope that u will find the even greater Gift of life! =)
Also received 2 christmas cards in the office. Was encouraged by the words in the cards.
At the end of my life, I hope I have made a difference to some. Sometimes, it is not the length of one's life, but how did one make use of his/her life.
I pray for such deep intangible joys in the spirit that all of us may experience. That true joy of knowing the meaning behind christmas- yes, and for myself to truly know it as well.
Friday, December 21, 2007
我要的喜乐和平静， 只在耶稣里
Just now Ed called me and prayed for me over the phone! He prayed for not just peace, but also JOY. Thankful for that. Yes yes, I don't just want to be peaceful, but I want to have the joy of christmas, knowing the meaning of christmas, that brings with it hope and redemption. :)
Work has sort of settled down, and today at the office, all is quiet. It is comfortable sitting at my desk doing some documentation and replying the deadlogs of emails. With the nice furry arm rester I got for christmas (thanks babe heh), it is providing much comfort.
All is not lost, all is at rest.
Isaiah 43:1-4
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; ... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..."
Thank you for yr promise of rest, guidance, of being with me.
Work has sort of settled down, and today at the office, all is quiet. It is comfortable sitting at my desk doing some documentation and replying the deadlogs of emails. With the nice furry arm rester I got for christmas (thanks babe heh), it is providing much comfort.
All is not lost, all is at rest.
Isaiah 43:1-4
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; ... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..."
Thank you for yr promise of rest, guidance, of being with me.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Purpose
A friend said that his life is to fulfill God's purpose, and if he finds someone along the way to walk with him, that is a bonus. I can vaguely see where he is coming from now, because if u have a purpose that u find fulfilment in, then perhaps this sense of fulfilment is so satisfying that u do not require having a mate to walk with you.
Another fren got cancer recently, am going to visit him tmr. He is thankful at this time to be able to share Christ with his colleagues. I can't imagine that he thinks of sharing God's love with others at his moment of need. And yes I am thankful and really encouraged.
We have only one life to live.
Read the story of the dog lying on a pin. It laid there for a very long long time, and yet it didn't bulge, even though it was painful. So many of us are like that. I wonder how long we can endure the threshold of pain. Or is it that ultimately, we don't see that there is a greater purpose to life, and simply live day by day to get by our lives?
Another fren got cancer recently, am going to visit him tmr. He is thankful at this time to be able to share Christ with his colleagues. I can't imagine that he thinks of sharing God's love with others at his moment of need. And yes I am thankful and really encouraged.
We have only one life to live.
Read the story of the dog lying on a pin. It laid there for a very long long time, and yet it didn't bulge, even though it was painful. So many of us are like that. I wonder how long we can endure the threshold of pain. Or is it that ultimately, we don't see that there is a greater purpose to life, and simply live day by day to get by our lives?
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