Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Take My Life & Let It Be

Song for this week: Take My Life And Let It Be (Chris Tomlin)

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my king.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold not a might would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use every power as you choose.

::Chorus::
Here am I, all of me.
Take my life, it's all for thee.

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee,
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee.

Here am I, All of me.
Take my life, It's all for thee.
x3

(Take my life, Lord take my life. take all of me)

Here am I, All of me.
Take my life, It's all for thee.

I always love hymns. And this one is so special. I just want to remind myself to give up my life to Him. He has the right to take my life for His glory. Completely.

Actually I prefer the original one. (I think Chris Tomlin has changed the song). I like the original better cause it sounds more touchy and heartfelt for me, but I can't find the video anywhere so I pick up this one. (Yeah, this one is beautiful also!).

For more Then Sings My Soul Saturdays, you can visit Amy here.

Message In A Bottle

Want to send a message in a bottle?
What an interesting idea I found about this site. You can compose your message to place in your virtual bottle and that will remain afloat in the Blogosphere ocean for all Blogernity.
You can click here if you like this idea.

What Flower Are You?

I am a Sunflower What Flower Are You?

5 More Minutes

Oh, He sounds like me!
('Five more minutes' have been my words when somebody wants me to do something while I'm having a comfortable position).
But, fortunately, I am not Jesus.
What will happen in our life if He holds His coming or help for us over even for just a little while? :)

Time Flies!

How Caffeinated Are You?

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

10 Things on Tuesday

This Tuesday, I am thankful for..

1. My husband
2. My mom
3. My computer
4. Cup of cappuccino that I drink every morning
5. Video of Israel Houghton sang Great is Thy Faithfulness I found on YouTube
6. The verses I got so personally when I read The Bible this afternoon
   
7. My dog Paco that celebrated his 6th birthday past week. He brightens my days!
   
8. Our quiet and comfortable bedroom where I can do almost anything
9. My quiet times this week
10. Some of the youth who are faithful to attend the youth prayer at our church.
    

Happy Tuesday!

10 0n Tuesday -Favorite Time Wasters

1. The activity of blogging, either write on my blog or read other's blog.
   
2. Play with my pets
3. Sleeping. I love to sleep..
4. Chat with my hubby
5. Make digital scrapbook.
6. Look at the Galleries on any Digiscrap sites
   
7. Reading anything: a book, magazine or newspaper.
   
8. Watching movies. Usually, AXN or Hallmark's movies 'pause' me from the stuff I should be doing
   
9. Browsing internet looking for just about anything
   
10. Mad Caps Game on my computer

For more 10 on Tuesday, you can click here

25 Good Things About God

I love this! Let's keep it going! No catches. Just the peace in knowing that you were able to share God's love and wisdom to all those you have contact with and even bless someone you don't know. Have a blessed day!

1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.

2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end! -- God's way leads to an endless hope.

3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma--but never let him be the period.

6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.

7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.

8. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.

9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.

10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.

11. The church is prayer-conditioned.

12. When God ordains, He sustains.

13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.

15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.

16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He who angers you controls you.

22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.

24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them..

25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

Now take 60 seconds and give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one. All you do is: 1. Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this, e.g. LORD God, bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day....) 2. Then forward to everyone you know relatives/friends.

WHY DID JESUS FOLD THE NAPKIN?

Have you known this fact?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early Sunday morning,while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!"

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus head was folded up and lying to the side.

Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished. Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers and mouth with that napkin and toss it on to the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm done." But if the master got up from the table,and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant knew that the folded napkin meant, "I'm not finished yet." The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

LIFE isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to DANCE In The RAIN!!!

Have a Blessed Day!

God's Grammar

Devotion! Devotion! Devotion!
Please don't be bored about the devotions:) I just want to share this with you because this article has a lot of meaning for me.

Check this out..

Somebody—probably a preacher—has said, "Don't put a period where God only puts a comma."

Good spiritual syntax. When negativity insinuates itself into the narrative of our lives, we tend to end the story too soon. Writer's block sets in. Creativity runs out. The river dries up. We instinctively figure that what's in front of us is a dead end and we can go no further.

There is a quality about failure, heartbreak, and betrayal that fuels a myth of finality: we are hoodwinked into thinking that losing something means losing everything.

If you are like everybody else who shares space with you on the planet, bad things happen to you. I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I know this with absolute certainty. At one time or another you will break up, break down, lose out, go broke, give in, get sick, be sad. Life happens. Don't buy a used car—or a slick sermon—from anyone who tells you otherwise.

Your business venture is violated by close contractual partners, significant investments of money and energy are squandered, and you determine never to risk in this way again. Your marriage hits a rut of familiarity and routine, and you think the thrill of love is long gone. You find yourself in a one-sided relationship where you give good things disproportionately more than you get them, and you wonder if the whole thing is worth the effort. Somebody dear to you dies or leaves, and you vow never to let yourself get so close again. Your church disappoints—or worse, demeans—and you want to wash your hands of such a fickle, feckless bunch.

Funny thing about humans: they are never as good as we want them to be. The temptation is to cut our losses, take our meager winnings, and never place bets on human beings again. In short, the temptation is to put a period where a comma used to be.

Don't make that grammatical error this year.

Feed your faith imagination. Discipline yourself to believe that every ending entails a new beginning. Train your eye to see potential success winking over the shoulder of every failure. Believe that the possibilities of grace have a way of outwitting the established patterns of our past. Dare to deliver an alternative speech of hope to yourself. Say words that inspire and stir, that subvert all stored up messages of grief. You thought these messages were indelible, but they're not. Pray this: Lord, let me live with faith in the good that may happen tomorrow rather than regret for the bad that happened yesterday.

Pray that prayer to the one whose creative spirit hovers over all the failure and brokenness of our lives, whose divine eye is peeled to spot all our dead ends and connect them up with everybody else's. Look closer after praying these prayers. You will see that the road hasn't run out; it goes on after all.

The script of your life is still being written, and the pen is in your hand. You've incurred losses like everyone else, but all is not lost. Losing something does not mean losing everything.

So delete that period. Put a comma in its place. How you finish the sentence is up to you and God.

Resource: The High Calling

It's In The Valleys That You Grow

This is a message I received from my friend one day in my life when I felt as if I was walking in the darkness. I don't know who wrote this but it's very true and touchy and encouraged me to raise up my spirit in The Lord.

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,

Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then I have to remember
That it's in the valleys I grow.

If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys I grow.

I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

Thank God for sending me great friends who always be willing to keep me in their thought and prayer.. I love you, my dearly beloved friends. May God bless you abundantly!

Paco's B'day

Graphics and Myspace Layouts at pYzam.com

Today is my little sweet dog Paco's 6th birthday..
Look how nice he is..

Isn't he handsome?

These are some quotes I found about dog..

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.
For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

Dogs are miracles with paws. ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

The more I see of man, the more I like dogs. ~Mme. de Staël

A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life. -Bob Barker

Happy Birthday, Paco!
You are the sweetest dog in the world!
We love you!!

Proud To Be Myself

Astronomers Fred Hoyle and N. C. Wickramasinghe found that the odds of the random formation of a single enzyme from amino acids anywhere on our planet's surface are one in 10²⁰. Furthermore, they observe, "The trouble is that there are about two thousand enzymes and the chance of obtaining them all in a random trial is only one part in (10²⁰)^20,000 = 10^40,000 , an outrageously small probability that could not be faced even if the whole universe consisted of organic soup."

And this is just one step in the formation of life. Nothing has yet been said about DNA and where it came from, or of the transcription of DNA to RNA, which scientists admit cannot even be numerically computed (see Genesis 1:1-27 ).

Resource: Zondervan

Well, regarding to this article, still you feel confused about who you are?
There's only one you in this world.
Please encourage yourself to be proud of whoever you are.
You are so precious in God's sight!
If He spent time to make a different personally touch for each of us, just think how great His plan and His blessings that He'll unfold to us. Keep a strong faith in Him!

Please remember this verse...

If we are faithless,
He will remain faithful,
for He cannot disown himself.

II Tim 2:13, NIV

How Is Your Color Vision?

Have you ever passed a color vision test?
I found a site regarding to color vision. Even though this test can be accurate, it should never be used to replace a doctor's visit.
Please visit the link here.
Also, you'll get a little surprise at the end of the test.
Happy visioning!

BYBS - The Hardship Is Worth It

To be honest, I am facing what may worth to be called the darkest moment in my life. There's something too personal so that I can't share with you here. But I just try to keep looking for the positive perspective in everything happens in my life. I just believe that everything happens for a reason.

Sometime even I think I just too much pursuing something unreal in my life. But, well, let's see what next. I won't pushing myself so hard. I'd definitely like to enjoy this life as well, just like any other people. Or, okay.. it may just something I have to face. Supposed that it's just a cross I have to bear. Life can be uneasy and unkind for most of us.. :).

What keep me walk straightly in these times is just a philosophy of gold. Gold will still be gold anything you do to it. The more gold is refined, the more precious it will become. Also, gold can be used for almost anything. It can be used in food, in restorative dentistry, can be made into thread and used in embroidery, in photography, for medals, is used also as the reflective layer on some high-end CDs. Automobiles may use gold for heat insulation also. You can read about the more about gold here. Probably God is preparing me to do something much bigger than what I can think through this hardship. He is refining me to be something precious in His hands. That's the reason I still survive!

Like Job's statement

But He knows the way that I take;

when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10, NIV

I have no idea about what God has in store for me. But one thing I'm sure is that if He leads me through this way, then He'll give me the strength I may need to go through it. The heavier is the cross, the bigger will be the reward. Probably I have to go through all kind of oppression, bitterness, griefs, and many thing seems I can't bear with my own strength, but I know that's all worth it..

I don't know where's this journey directed to but I let God to take the lead. So I'm sure if something unexpected happens, He'll be responsible for it. It makes me feel blessed. I know that He makes everything beautiful in its time. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal (Job 5:18, NIV). Nothing happens by accident in His hands. He must have a certain purpose for me though I haven't seen it clearly. All that I need is just patience. Any hard times must be worth it in my journey with Him.

I am blessed because I have God who always sees me.
I am blessed because I can see this hard life in His perspective (though to be honest, it's often uneasy to live that kind of life!:)).
I am blessed because I have a great husband who completes me.
I am blessed for knowing that someday, all of this pain will be paid off in Him.
Amen!

Happy Sundays!

The Difference Between Criticism & Complaining

Have you known the difference between criticism and complaining? Well.. this article came in the right time for me.
When I started to complaining about something uncomfortable that my hubby did. I thought I was right in the beginning, but oh.. as I read this, I found that I was totally wrong!


A little-known secret among marriage specialists is the fact that complaining is actually good for your marriage. You read that right! It's good for your marriage. Research at the University of Washington has shown that complaining, at a moderate level, helps couples air their grievances and keep improving. What isn't helpful to a marriage is criticism.

So what's the difference between criticism and complaining? Criticism almost always begins with you ("You always make us late!"), whereas complaining almost always begins with I ("I feel so frustrated when we are late to something that matters to me"). This may seem like a small matter of semantics, but it makes a big difference in your marriage.

Resource: Zondervan

Thank God for this corrective devotionals!

Thankful For The Family

I am thankful for those whose hearts are always open and be faithful in my church.

As family, we may sometime hurt each other,
through our words or deeds.
Sometime we do it in purpose,
but yeah.. sometime just by accident.
We have our weaknesses ourselves, and unfortunately,
we have to take it for granted.
We come from different backgrounds:
different family, culture, habits, .. we are totally different!
We may feel strong to stand by our own power,
and don't feel need to ask for a kindness helpful
We may fall and disappoint when we look at others
We make mistakes all the time
We face troubles
We aren't perfect
But we shouldn't be giving up!
'Cause we're the family
United in God's love
Purified in Jesus' blood
Bound by love that time can't take away
May God bless you and be with you wherever you are..
I am so proud having you as my family!

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

In time of test, family is best. ~Burmese Proverb

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family. ~Anthony Brandt

The informality of family life is a blessed condition that allows us to become our best while looking our worst. ~Marge Kennedy

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

Dedicated to all of my church family.
Now and forever, we'll be together.
I always keep you in my thought and my prayer.
Thank God we are family...

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Who Am I

It's Saturday again!
I want to share this song with you..

Who Am I -- Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am.
But because what of you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.

Oh, I think it doesn't need for me to give the reason why I choose this song. The lyrics has described it clearly :).
Glory and honor and power and blessing be unto God!

For more Then Sings My Soul Saturdays, click here.

Blessings to you!

I Saw A Rainbow!

Few days ago, on my way to a prayer service, I saw a rainbow. I was very overwhelmed. I sat in awesome feeling about God's greatness and might in the seat of my car.

Oh, my...

It must have been so long since the last time I saw a rainbow!

I've just remembered God's covenant with Abraham that neither shall the flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood, neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth (Gen 9:11, KJV).

I suddenly remembered a story that Laurie Beth Jones wrote on her book (oh, I forget which book it was!). She wrote that she had a little covenant with God when she was a teenager. She asked God to encourage her in her darkest night by sending her a bee as a sign of His favor. She almost forgot about it 'till someday she had to do her hectic job, almost been desperate, and felt so exhausted. Suddenly, in surprise she saw a bee flew over the window of the hotel room where she stayed. It was so snowy outside, so cold and it was impossible for bees to fly at that moment. (Just think about it: a bee in a hotel room?). But she did find it. And she knew for sure that it was God who had sent the bee to encourage her.

Oh, isn't it interesting?

I think I'll make a little covenant with God, too. I'll ask for a rainbow to peep out for me in my hardest moments. As I see the rainbow, I'll be sure that God is there with me (and hopefully, I'll always be favorable in His sight!). As simple as that. (Well, I know for sure that God is always besides me. But sometime I do need evidences to encourage me more....). Thank God for being so full of mercy and grace!!

I think sometime it's necessary to use something simple to remind ourselves about God.

How about you?

Facing All The Difficulties

There have been difficult moments happening in our lives. Difficult people, difficult circumstance, difficult choice, difficult work, and many difficulties we have to face it all alone.

Sometime I feel that I can't bear all the difficulties for any longer. Too many demands pointed at me. Too many responsibilities I've to do. Too many questions I should answer. Too many burdens I've to bear. Oh, seems no power anymore within me.

I've been walking here and there all along my journey, searching for a clue but found nothing. Oh, should I be that one?

I do ask myself a question 'Why we should meet some difficulties in this life's journey? Can't we just walk on a straight pathway, find that everything has been all right, as good as what you may expect and hope it will be so forever?' Oh, my...

The hardest part is, I've to be perfect for my folks. I've to be pretending that everything is all right. I've to act as if I am okay and put a big smile on my face that shows to everyone that this life is such a good thing and we have to live it as good as we can and we have to keep waiting and praying and trying and expecting and working and pretending.....

Oh, what a beautiful life!

That's probably why many people can't keep up their faith to God. Because like a quote says 'seeing is believing'. Without seeing, we can't believe anything. We want to see something clearly before we can put our hope and faith on it. We could never walk in the darkness. We need some clues. We need to behold up to the sky and find a cloud in key shape or something like that that we may get it as a sign from God about our lives.

Yes. It's our very nature. We can't be pretending that we always have faith. We can't say that anything happens, we will keep up our faiths in God meanwhile our surrounding isn't well done.

Oh, probably you say that you're having a big faith in God. But, please consider that you're still a human being. With your own power, you'll be falling someday. With your intelligence, your great feelings, your existence you'll be arriving at your lowest point somewhere in your journey..

Yeah, that's why we need God. In order that we can count on Him. We can cast all our cares upon Him. Outpour all our feelings to Him. Tell Him how weak we are and expecting His strength to be showed up to fill in our weaknesses.

Oh my goodness..

Even sometime, the reward doesn't make any sense for me. Like everybody says that there must be a reward for everything we do. What we sow, so that will we reap. But when I arrive at my lowest point, when I walk in the darkest night in my journey, when I'm out of my mind, I can't think anymore, feel as though I want to get rid of this journey. I want to walk on my own way. But, oh.. I'm afraid.

Lord, please take my hand, take my heart, my mind, my soul, my feeling, my whole life..

Oh, I've been inspired by this: Have you ever watched 'Boiling Point' on MTV? On that program, someone will come to mess up a certain situation (for a certain moment) and the 'victim' is required to be patient and show up good attitudes. They'll fail if they start to call the police or speak out something insulting regarding to that 'play'. In opposite, they'll get the rewards if they can keep up their good attitude.

Many people get surprised when they succeed to survive that play and get their rewards meanwhile some of them fail and feel sorry to loose that play because one reason: they don't know that they were tempted. If they got the idea why the situation seems to be messed up, all of them may successfully pass out the play as winners.

Probably, this will show us a little bit about this life's journey. When the hardship comes, when the bee stings, when our eyes cry, when our power has vanished, when our strength has gone, it could probably be temptations we are facing. It could be a test we have to pass over and win it. The bigger is the test, the bigger will be the reward. The harder is the temptation, the greater will be the victory.

Oh, as I type this, the more it comes true in my life the verse that says

'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit' said The Lord of hosts

(Zach 4:6, KJV).

With my own power I'm not able, Lord, so let Your power takes the lead all along this journey...

Amen.

Ten on Tuesday - 10 Things I'm Really Good At

These are 10 things I'm really good at.
(Hey, sometimes think about your good sides can turn your mind from your bad thoughts!).

1. Journaling

2. Playing piano

3. Keep up my faith to God

4. Understand one's feeling just by looking at his/her face

5. Write an operetta script

6. I'm not afraid to try and learn something new. Challenges make my adrenaline rush in my body!

7. Choosing good movies

8. In certain mood, I can write song well! :)

9. Cook. My specialty is oriental food.

10. Be calm in every situation. I am a true phlegmatic person!

For more 10 on Tuesday, click here

Gratitude For Those Who Have Hurt Me

All along my journey, I've met sooo many people. There are people who are great and so much kind. There also are people who are in common, not trying to do the best they can. And the remain, people who are –uhm, have no idea about who they are, because they can be so kind to me but talk the things I can't ever understand about me behind me.

I've always felt that I've never have enemies. As whatever I say or do in front of ones, the same will I say or do behind them. I can't believe there are some people who talk the different way to you and behind you. Why they can be like that?

To be honest, sometime it hurts me. It will hurt anyone, I supposed. Seems to feel as if I am betrayed by someone I've never expected to. Imagine what would happen when you hear the one you supposed to be kind to you definitely talked something bad behind you. Can you believe it? You must be asking 'Why?', 'How can?' You'll never expected that!

Yeah.. we have always to learn from any mistakes we've met all along our journey, haven't we? I have met many people such like that. Often, I want to give up. I supposed I can control their words. I supposed I can shut them up through my kindred heart. I supposed I've known them well that they can't talk something hurt and untrue like that, or the one who tell me about that was doing wrong, but apparently I'm the one who is totally wrong. Yes, there are people with that type surround us!

But, rather than blaming them, whole heartedly I have to thank them for anything they've done to me.

Without them .....

I'll never learn which one is good and which one is bad for my behavior.

Probably I'll do what they've done to me to other people.

I'll never learn anything about integrity.

I can't share my story here :)

Without comparing to bad ones, how can I know which is such a good friend to me?

I can't be thankful for anything good that have come to me.

Oh, they are such as a mirror for me. It could be possible that they've just reflected what I've done actually in my past. Who knows?

Thank God for placing them in my journey. I am lucky. I am blessed. Though my heart may hurt, but I got something to learn through them, meanwhile they might not get anything from their behavior...

There always be a reason to be thankful!

Thorn & Flower

He Understands

Cries of loneliness. Tune out the traffic and turn down the TV. The cry is there. You can hear their cries. You can hear them in the convalescent home among the sighs and the shuffling feet. You can hear them in the prisons among the moans of shame and the calls for mercy. You can hear them if you walk the manicured streets of suburban America, among the aborted ambitions and aging homecoming queens. Listen for it in the halls of our high schools where peer pressure weeds out the “have-nots” from the “haves.”

Many of you have been spared this cruel cry. Oh, you have been homesick or upset a time or two. But despair? Far from it. Suicide? Of course not. Be thankful that it hasn’t knocked on your door. Pray that it never will. If you have yet to fight this battle, you are welcome to read on if you wish, but I’m really writing to someone else.

I am writing to those who know this cry firsthand. I’m writing to those of you whose days are bookended with broken hearts and long evenings. I’m writing to those of you who can find a lonely person simply by looking in the mirror.

For you, loneliness is a way of life. The sleepless nights. The lonely bed. The distrust. The fear of tomorrow. The unending hurt.

When did it begin? In your childhood? At the divorce? At retirement? At the cemetery? When the kids left home?

Maybe you have fooled everyone. No one knows that you are lonely. On the outside you are packaged perfectly. Your smile is quick. Your job is stable. Your clothes are sharp. Your waist is thin. Your calendar is full. Your walk brisk. Your talk impressive. But when you look in the mirror, you fool no one. When you are alone, the duplicity ceases and the pain surfaces.

Or maybe you don’t try to hide it. Maybe you have always been outside the circle looking in, and everyone knows it. Your conversation is a bit awkward. Your companionship is seldom requested. Your clothes are dull. Your looks are common. Ziggy is your hero and Charlie Brown is your mentor.

Am I striking a chord? If I am, if you have nodded or sighed in understanding, I have an important message for you.

The most gut-wrenching cry of loneliness in history came not from a prisoner or a widow or a patient. It came from a hill, from a cross, from a Messiah.

“My God, my God,” he screamed, “why did you abandon me!” (Matthew 27:46)

Never have words carried so much hurt. Never has one being been so lonely.

Out of the silent sky come the words screamed by all who walk in the desert of loneliness. “Why? Why did you abandon me?”

I keep thinking of all the people who cast despairing eyes toward the dark heavens and cry “Why?”

And I imagine him. I imagine him listening. I picture his eyes misting and a pierced hand brushing away a tear. And although he may offer no answer, although he may solve no dilemma, although the question may freeze painfully in midair, he who also was once alone, understands.

Resource: MaxLucado.com

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Old Rugged Cross

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

 On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
 the emblem of suffering and shame;
 and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
 for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
 So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
 till my trophies at last I lay down;
 I will cling to the old rugged cross,
 and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;

 for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.
(Refrain)

This is one of my favorite songs. Every time I hear this song, I always remember this verse

He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Rom 8:32, KJV

Isn't it wonderful to remember?

The Father's Love

Hey, I've just read this wonderful post from Walking with Father.
Regarding to our Heavenly Father's love, yes, we have to acknowledge that His love is so amazing and wonderful and complete!

The Father's love comforts
us when all seems dark and hopeless

The Father's love heals
us when we are hurting and wounded

The Father's love befriends
us when we are lonely

The Father's love accepts
us just as we are

The Father's love carries
us when we don't know which way to turn

The Father's love empowers
us to live beyond ourselves

The Father's love invites
us to follow Him into the unknown

The Father's love transforms
us into the person he made us to be

The Father's love encourages
us to fulfill the desires he put there

The Father's love waits
for our response

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you."
John 15:9, New International Version

Thankful Thursday

I always be thankful 'cause I have unlimited resources for my self development around me:

I am thankful for The Bible. I know that The Word is God, and through His Word He talks to me and leads me toward His perfect will.

I am thankful for the internet, which through it I can learn about anything. News, gossips, hobby, technology, self development, even faith issue!

I am thankful for any spiritual blogs I've read. They shared many things about faith in Christ. They also upraise my faith when I was lost. Even the writer probably would never known how much their blog means for me. But thank you, thank you for sharing your life to all of you, spiritual blog writers..

I am thankful for my bad experiences I've passed through. If God allowed me to pass them through, I believe, He'll shape me, mold me and form me through each of them. Have no idea where God is directing me to, but will try to follow His guide.

I am thankful for my hubby. He completes me. He supports me in anything I do. (It does really matter!). His embrace has always been being a safe harbor to me.

I am thankful for my church family. Their 'noises' drive me crazy!

I am thankful for my little dog, Hugo. He teaches me much about faith through his attitude, more than he can ever imagine...:)

QUIET TIME

I've just read Joanne's blog and felt guilty. She wrote much on her blog about her quiet times and how close she is to God. Even, she likes to spend a spiritual retreat day in the prayer room that exists at her church. Oh my...

I admire that. If only I have that closeness to God..

To be honest, I've often passed my quiet times. There were many things came to distract me. I thought they were normal. We use to get distracted in this hectic life. But I've just realized that it was Satan's passion to get us out of this sacred pathway..

I wonder how might God is. He can use anything to get us back to the track. Yeah, probably, it doesn't mean anything for you, but it does lots for me. Am looking for God's will in my life. Have been walking to and fro and got nothing. But when eventually I totally gave up my life, He shew up. He reveals Himself through anything and everything. That's why I wrote on my previous post that I can see His fingerprints everywhere on my journey. He is working, even when I don't see Him, I know He's there besides me.

Thank you Joanne for sharing your story. It such a big blessing for me!

8 Characters of Mr or Ms. Right

Do you ever wonder if the person you’re dating is God’s best choice of a mate for you but the answer isn’t clear?

Determining the person God wants you to spend the rest of your life with is a critical decision, one that requires putting put aside personal agendas and desires, in order to consider the most important thing: What is God trying to tell me about this relationship?

Below are some characteristics that I believe are consistent with the kind of person God would provide for you to spend your life with, assuming you are His best for someone else. It works both ways. God will not give you His best if you are not already His best for someone else. So make sure to measure yourself against these criteria as well.

Read full article here

When We Feel Helpless

Have you ever felt totally helpless? Can you remember facing a situation or emergency in which you were powerless? It's a sobering experience for anyone. Even people who claim to be wholly dependent on God, still like to feel as if they have some control over their circumstances.

Read full article here.

When we feel helpless, the first word out of our mouth should be "Father." From then on, helplessness isn't an issue, because God will provide what we need.

And what I can say is Amen!

What Greatness Means?

Oh, reading this devotion seems to look at the mirror and look at who I was. This really talks about who I used to be! (Hey, I'm not ashamed to admit it, I've changed now.. :) ).

Here's the reflection..

We long to be first, to be the center of attention, to have control (oh, sounds familiar?). We hate to admit it, but we can struggle with insecurity and jealousy and sometimes become threatened when others succeed. We find secret satisfaction when our rival fails. We yearn for significance, to accomplish something great.

But Jesus redirects our earthly rationale by teaching us that being great means serving, choosing to be second, stepping out of the limelight so someone else can shine. We are on our way to greatness in God's perspective when we roll up our sleeves and offer our gifts wherever they are needed (see Mark 10:42-45).

Resource: Zondervan.com


This is why I always like devotions. It seems like having a friend who can remind you, puts the mirror in front of your face and asks you to see yourself there. Especially if they bring you the truth and the wisdom of The Bible... Thank God for all devotions I've ever received!

God's Pattern

God only knows how to handle me.

When I've almost been fallen, He came through to me.

If He hold over a little while longer for helping me, have no idea what would my life have been becoming.

Sometime I think that God works slowly within my life. Yeah, probably because I myself am an adagio person. I don't like to be in hurry. Even, I often be late. So, maybe God doesn't need to be hurry also for me. He knows me well and He does His mighty works for me according to my personality :).

I just believe one thing, that if God seems to hold over His promises for us, it might not be the same as what you could ever think. Why? Because there might be miracles being arranged in His mind.

I always think about Abraham when it comes to be patient in waiting. If Abraham got Isaac right after God promised him, there might haven't been a miracle happened.

If Jesus directly came to Bethany right after He heard that Lazarus, whom He loved was sick and didn't stay in the place where He was, possibly we would never heard the story about the dead being raised. Wasn't it a miracle also?

When God seems to procrastinate doing His mighty work, or answering our prayers, or helping us in the right time, I believe that He is planning the best one for us.

He works in patterns we should know. He doesn't work at random. There are 12 hours in the day and 12 hours also in the night. A year always has 12 months likewise a day has 24 hours. There always be patterns surrounds us.

I realize indeed that God has always wait until I have been exhausted and powerless before helping me. But it wouldn't always be so forever. There are moments also in my life when He works sooo fast. Yeah, His timing is different with my timing.

If God has different pattern for each of us, which way works best in your life?

Holy Spirit Has Changed Their Lives..

This is the 5th night of 10 nights prayer asking for Holy Spirit's fulfillment in our church.
These nights have been so beautiful. Feel God's presence so wonderful within our prayers. Heard some inspiring testimonies also about how Holy Spirit has changed their lives..

There was a woman who had always be worried about anything all the time (she also had a migraine) so she used to get sick when facing something hard. Even when her daughter came yet lately from the course she took, this woman was almost die! But, as The Holy Spirit came into her life and filled her up, she has learned to cast away her cares upon God.

There was a guy who used to be quite, timid and shy, but had been being totally changed. He said that he has a big avid to share God's word within every conversation he makes. He has lost his timidity also, and now have turned him into a joyful, brave and likable guy.

There was a girl who lived in her own world. She had always felt lonely, abandoned, depressed, and she used to feel as a victim in her life. Hurts, bitterness, grief had been becoming big part of her life. But when The Spirit filled up, she has totally changed. She's immovable in her faith toward God, she sees herself as a student from the university of life. Even, she can take conclusion from anything happens in her life that God is behind everything to provide the best from His fulfillment. She learns to see anything as God sees it.

There was a man who could never stopped smoking. He had tried hard but he wasn't able. He had given up. Oh, he was a real smoker. If one met him on Sunday service at the morning, one could always smelt the smoke through his body. But, when he got The Spirit, he had directly stopped smoking at that time, and had never been tried to smoke again ever since! Can you believe it?

If ones say that they could never change, I don't believe it. I've seen many people had totally changed as they filled by The Spirit. Do you have weaknesses to cast away? Something to fight for? Or problems you could never talk to other people? Holy Spirit is the right person you can share your burdens with. He is a meek and modest Person. And He waits for you to come to Him.

I have always been grateful having Him in my life, so I shouldn't walk alone. I shouldn't bear my burden by myself anymore, because I have Somebody to share with. I shouldn't be worry about anything because I have a Great Comforter. I shouldn't be afraid, because I have a Helper. Anytime I need Him, He's always there for me.

Thanks Jesus for sending me His Holy Spirit.
Without Him, I am lost and empty..

Ten Things Tuesday

Maybe I'm late to post this, because this is already Wednesday here. Have been busy this afternoon so I didn't have time to post this..
Yeah, this is my first 10 Things Tuesday : God's Divine Characters.

I always be grateful for knowing and having God in my life. He's everything for me. From His fulfillment, I receive grace by grace, victory by victory and blessings by blessings.

Well, here's God's names that shows His personality ..

1. Jehovah Jireh : He provides anything I need!
Whatever my needs are, He is able to fill those up!

2. Jehovah Rapha : He is God The Healer.
Not only the physical weaknesses, He also can heal the hurts within my heart ..

3. Jehovah Nissi : He's The of Victorious God
Whatever my struggle is, I can count on Him to take it over, because I know that the war is The Lord's.

4. Jehovah Shallom : He 's The King of Peace.
He's powerful to take all of my hatred, bitterness, grief, wreath, all those kind of problems!

5. Jehovah Tsidkenu : The Lord is our righteousness.
I won't be afraid for being treated unfair. He'll be my defender!

6. El Shaddai : He has both the might and the meekness. He's The Almighty!

7. El Roi : He is God who always sees me.
No matter where I am. In the dessert, facing the storms, struggling with the hardships, He sees me, and He'll come through for me..

8. El Elyon : The Most High God. Oh, who is like The Lord?
If God be for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31, KJV)

9. El Olam : Lord, The Everlasting God.
If He used to help me, He is helping me right now in His own way, and He'll help me forever. If He starts a good beginning, He'll continue it 'till perfection. If He seems not to show up, I believe that the help is on the way.. :)

10. Emmanuel : Lord is with us (anytime, anywhere, anyhow)

Hopefully, you can know God deeper through knowing His personality that showed in His names. You might be wonder about how might and glorious and powerful and worth to be praised He is!
Glory and honor be unto God, from whom all blessings flow..

For more 10 Things Tuesday, you can click here.

Blessings to you!

5 Finger Prayer

This was a message I got from my friend on Christian Women Connected.

Had ever heard before, but so refreshing
to remind it.
Just wanna share this with all of you!

This is beautiful - and it is surely worth
making the 5 finger prayer a
part  of our lives.

 1. Your thumb
--- is nearest you. So begin your prayers
by praying for those closest to you.
They are the easiest to remember.
To pray for our loved ones is,
as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

 2. The next finger
--- is the pointing finger.
Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This  includes teachers,
doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in  pointing others
in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

 3. The next finger
--- is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the
president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.
These people  shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's
guidance.

 4. The fourth finger
--- is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is
our  weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind
us to  pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need
your prayers  day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

 5. And lastly comes our little finger
--- the smallest finger of all which is where we should place
ourselves in  relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall
be the  greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for
yourself.

 By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own
needs will be  put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray
for yourself more  effectively. 

Aren't They So Funny?

Resources : Worthy Toons

My Digital Scrapbook Layout at Other Site

Hey, it's my digital scrapbook layout I made (I uploaded to scrapbookflair.com), except the pict. I've just found it being offered freely at Scrapbook Generator. Oh, is it beautiful enough to be picked up?

Look at what I did with this LO:

Haydee and Carlo
I was seeing the beauty of life when I caught this moment!

The Waiting Game

Faith and patience issue have always grabbed my attention.
Here's a devotion I've just received this evening that wrote about faith and patience. Although we often read any devotional about the same issue, we could always have different perspective on it.

Here's the article...

It is never fun to wait, is it? Most people simply detest it. That is why so many of the products we buy are instant: Instant Coffee... Instant Pudding... Instant Potatoes... Instant Oatmeal... Instant Whatever! We simply do not have more than an instant to wait! Many people I know tap their foot in impatience when their leftovers are being reheated in the microwave oven, wondering when on earth their food will finally be warmed and ready!

Now when it comes to the things of God, you and I can throw out the microwave. God does not have a microwave, He has is a crock pot. God tells us that it is through faith and patience that we inherit His promises. If you and I are going to see God do great and mighty things in and through our lives, we MUST be patient and wait on Him and His timing.

Make no mistake about it; waiting on God is one of the hardest things to do. Often, we believe God and trust God for a miracle... but we want it NOW! In our waiting, we can easily get stressed out, frustrated and disillusioned, thinking God does not care about us... for if He did, He would act, and He would act NOW! But the truth of the matter is this: God is never late and never in a hurry. He is always right on time. He has grace to help in time of need. He says to us, "Wait on Me, and I will answer in mighty power at the proper time... and the perfect moment." The one who believes God... and waits on God... is the one who receives from God.

TAKE IT FROM ABRAHAM

Abraham and Sarah were promised a son. They were old and childless when the promise came. Obviously, they were excited and ready for God's promise to come to fruition.... but they had to wait 30 years before God gave them Isaac. 30 Years!! The Bible says, "Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he [Abraham] did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was also able to perform" (Rom. 4:20-21). God taught Abraham so much as he waited on God to perform the miracle of Isaac. He strengthened Abe's faith in the waiting room... and then blessed his socks off with a special son of promise. Did it take some time? Yes! Was it worth it? Certainly!

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you gotten tired of waiting for your miracle? Tired of waiting for Mr. or Ms. Right? Tired of waiting for your healing... or your deliverance... or your promotion... or your dream? Have you given up on your promise from God? Pick up the towel you have thrown in and get back in the waiting room! Add patience to your faith. God's promise to you will come to pass in His timing... and you will be so glad that you waited for it!


Resource: Christianity.com or fromhisheart.org
PS: Both are very interesting sites!

Keep Your Dream Alive

This was an article from CBN that has encouraged me. One more thing I wanna share with you :) Please check this out..

Do you have a dream -- something that you've always seen yourself doing? Perhaps you see yourself as a pastor, business owner, or even a news anchor. Whatever dream God has given you, don't let it die.

A dream is a wonderful thing. It can give you hope for your future and encourage you to try when all odds are against you. But beware, there are dream killers that want to snuff the life out of your dream. Don't let them do it!

People who can't or don't want to see your dream fulfilled can kill your dream. They may tell you that it is impossible for you, that you are not smart enough or that it's never been done before. However, many times the biggest dream killer is you.

Don't let fear, intimidation, doubt, lack of finances, etc., dictate to you that you can't fulfill your dream. Talk back to these killers. Tell them, "I can and will fulfill my destiny, my dream." You may have to do this everyday, but that's ok. The more you instill within your heart that you can do it, your dream will be held safe within you.

It is very important to take steps towards fulfilling your dream. For me, in order to fulfill my dream of one-day owning my own magazine, I needed to go back to school and finish my college degree. For you, it may be something different. You know deep inside what the voice of your dream calls for. Don't be afraid, just do it. Try not to let too much time go by. Time is another one of those dream killers.

Meditate on the words of a song by Yolanda Adams, "Keep the dream alive, don't let it die, it's something deep inside, keeps inspiring me to try, don't stop and never give up, don't ever give up on you. Sometimes, life can place a stumbling block in your way, but you've got to keep the faith"

When you dream, dream BIG, and never give up. There's no law that says you have to dream small. Your dream is just that, yours. Never let anyone tell you that your dream can't happen, it can! Nurture your dream. Keep seeing yourself do what's never been done before. As you continue to feed your dream and protect it, not only will you keep it alive, but it has no other choice but to come forth!

Ephesians 3:20 sums it up this way:

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.