My Life's Journey

When Life Is Going Nowhere..

2009-10-30T14:03:00.005+07:00

Have you ever felt that your life was going nowhere? Stuck. No ways to walk out. Trapped in a pit without sunshine to shine on your face? Read your Bible, praying and do your Christianity to-do lists without finding anything that gets you out of there?

Yeah.. I have been going through that situation. Reading my Bible without understanding what was God speaking to me, praying without any clue that my prayers will get answered. I have no idea why God seems to leave me. He appears to walk away from me. He has been silent for .. I don't now, it seems forever for me. A long, long time without good connection with God. As I know, I've been trying to do anything good, but I always failed. God seems to be nowhere, don't care how hard I push myself to approach Him.

I just felt I couldn't stand it any longer. I told God this morning to speak to me through anything. I would open my laptop, checked my emails, my daily devotionals, and I was hoping that He heard me and would get me into a place I could meet Him or at least, heard His voice. And you know, I didn't know how, I arrived at Lysa Terkeurst's blog (you can read the post here) where she wrote about her experience with God, and the same feeling as I've been feeling for months.

Here's what she wrote ..

There have been many days in my Christian journey where God was reduced to something on my to do list. Somewhere along the way I picked up a checklist of sort of what good Christians are supposed to do: Pray. Read your Bible. Go to church. Don't cuss. Be nice.

Being the rule following girl I am, I subscribed to that list and waited with great expectations to receive the zap of contentment and happiness good Christians girls are supposed to exude.

And then I felt something was wrong me.

I still felt restless. I still got angry. I still felt a bit hollow.

I was going through all the motions but didn't feel connected to Jesus. Others around me seemed very connected. They would talk of being 'moved by the spirit.' They would hear from God himself. They would clap their hands and shout amen in the middle of a sermon that sounded like Greek to me.

I often felt like a weightless soul grasping at the air hoping to somehow snag this Jesus that was just out of reach.

Have you ever been there?

(You can continue reading by clicking the link above).

And this was exactly what I feel! And yeah.. I also found that this post had 74 comments! It means that almost 74 people once in their lives ever felt this way, too. I continued reading the comments and found this encouraging comment from Joyful (you must read her encouraging blog!).

I read once that the Lord can only be silent with those He knows will continue to seek His face. He sees you. He loves you. He is with you. His word never returns void. Keep spending time with Him. I just really feel He is molding something very special within your heart. I know sometimes it's hard. I know sometimes it's frustrating. Don't give up. He sees the longing of your heart and His Word promises that those who diligently seek Him will find Him.

It got me thinking. Could it be me? Could God be silent with me because He knows that I will continue to seek His face? I don't know. So far, I persevere :).

And this one from Anonymous..

Although life gets hectic, there are reminders all around us. If we look up and see the changing sky, the clouds dancing and changing color. We are experiencing a reminder of the One who created it all.

Okay. I have to admit. Perhaps God has been showing me His clues and direction for me to find, but probably my eyes can't see it clearly, because of all pains and sorrows I've been bearing these times had become my main focus. Hopefully, we all can see His directions through anything He puts around us to remind us that He, God of the universe is there, not leaving us alone..

Forgive me, Lord. Please, let me see You. I want to know You deeper. I want to see Your glory revealed through and in my life. Use me according to Your will. Take my whole life, Lord. Please, don't leave me alone. I can't handle it myself. I need You.

Thank You for speaking to me through certain blogs and its comments.

Blessed be Your Name..

CREATED DIVERSITY

2009-10-30T12:30:00.003+07:00

This is a devotional from Anchor Your Life, written by Marji Kruger. I found it resonated with what I feel today. Yeah.. if He created us differently each other, we have to know what's our uniqueness and personal purposes He put in each of us in order to be fulfilled.

Oh, please read it yourself..

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (NIV) Isaiah 64:8

Sitting on a balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico with my laptop in hand I am in awe! What a great setting! It always amazes me to look out on creation and see the diversity that God created. I watch the pelicans and seagulls flying around, occasionally dipping down into the water for breakfast...the fish jumping, the water is ever moving...the diversity of the trees and plant life... palm trees of different heights and shapes, bending at all different angles...saw grass, oak trees, pine trees...even trees in the middle of the bay behind me, seemingly growing without land.

God created diversity...different lines, heights, and shapes. In contrast, man has made things symmetrical, straight, and repetitive...the pilings supporting the dock are all the same heights at the same angles, spaced at the same distance...the docks are all at right angles... picnic tables, garbage cans, chairs, light posts all uniform. God created diversity, man uniformity.

That teaches me that God works differently each time He does something. His purposes and character do not change, but He is not confined to always work in the same way. And God does not create people the same. Each person is unique, different in looks, styles, personalities and purposes.

Why did God create you? What unique talents has He given you? What is His unique purpose for you? And what are the unique ways that He is and will work in you? Not sure, try asking Him!

Written by Marji "Mike" Kruger.

ARE YOU STUCK PROVING YOUR WORTH THAT YOU MISS OUT LIVING YOUR POSSIBILITIES?

2009-10-22T13:25:00.003+07:00

We all know that deep inside us, we have a need to be loved and to be accepted just the way we are. But so often, we get stumbled on people's attitude that treat us badly. So, the words 'You're not good enough', or 'You're not lovable enough', and many inferior feelings always there haunting our lives. When I read this article, it got me thinking that definitely, I'm not the only person in the world who feel that way. I'm not alone. Many people out there are suffering the same pain with me due to this 'worth' thing. So, in case you're like me, ever feel this way, this article may be helpful..

The vast majority of us, since childhood, have been trying desperately to prove our worth. We try to prove our worth to our parents, teachers, friends and lovers. We become so absorbed in meeting their standards that we missed out finding our own potential.

To focus our life in proving ourselves to others is not only a loosing battle but a waste of time.

The downside of proving your worth to others is that different people has different standards of what being “worthy” means. To be obsessed in proving our worth to another person is to give that person control in your life. Now think how many persons are you trying to prove your worth?

Ten?

That mean 10 people are somehow stirring your life in 10 different directions.

Feeling dizzy?

If we give more time meeting other’s standards, we may sacrifice finding our own identity.

God did not create us to prove ourselves to others, but to live life to the full. Jesus Himself said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” And we shall find life’s fullness in discovering and living out our vocation. Our vocation is God’s will, calling and plan for our lives.

“Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” -John 4:34

To discover and realize God’s plans for our lives is to open ourselves to unlimited possibilities that we have not even come to imagine. Living out our vocation is to let the seed of greatness that God planted in us grow. And like a small mustard seed, it shall grow into a great tree.

The road to greatness is the path of discovering our God given gifts and living out our vocation. We should stop trying to meet other people’s standards and start living in His.

In every one of us lies a great potential.

You do not need to prove it.

It is there.

What you need to do is live it.

…unlimited possibilities awaits.

Blog by Daxx Bondoc

www.inspirationalblogs.com

CAN GOD BRING GOOD OUT OF BAD?

2009-10-22T13:00:00.007+07:00

This is an inspiring article of Greg Laurie's blog that I consider very useful and comforting when I read it. So, I just copy paste here on my blog so you can read it also. Yeah.. talking about suffering, we really want to avoid it, but still we have to go through it, and if we would, we could learn something from it. Happy reading..

I am going to deal with the question, can God bring good out of bad? I believe the answer is “Yes!”

Look, suffering is inevitable. No one gets a free pass. The fact of the matter is that you are either coming out of a storm or headed into another. It’s just a matter of time.

In this life, the only way to avoid suffering is to die.

What you want to do is get ready now, so you will have a proper biblical foundation and can properly process and react as these challenges come into your life.

Prepare ahead of time

As Randy Alcorn says in his book If God is Good, “Most of us don’t give focused thought to evil and suffering until we experience them. This forces us to formulate perspective on the fly, at a time when our thinking is muddled and we’re exhausted and consumed by pressing issues. People who have ‘been there’ will attest that it’s far better to think through suffering in advance.”

In other words, be prepared ahead of time!

Avoiding storms

Paul reminds us that we are to “Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts, and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other” (Colossians 3:16).

But we would rather not do that, because the topic of suffering is difficult and uncomfortable.

Suffering is one of those things we all want to avoid if at all possible. If you are flying and you see a storm, you try to fly around it, not into it.

But here’s the reality—sometimes you simply cannot do that. Your life can be going reasonably well one moment, and then it changes in a flash.

That certainly happened for our family.

Good things out of suffering?

Here is one of the “good things” that come out of crisis and suffering. You turn to God with a dependence like you have never had before, like a child running to their mom or dad and burying their face in their shoulder.

And you know what? God is there waiting for you with the strength, peace, and love you need. Not necessarily with all the answers you may want, but He is there.

One of the things you “treasure” in suffering is knowing God’s presence as you do. Your faith begins to grow stronger.

Use it or lose it!

Faith does not grow through ease and comfort. It grows through challenge, conflict, and difficulty.

Faith is like a muscle in that it gets stronger through use, not neglect. If you do not use your muscle, it can atrophy.

We have a choice in life—use it or lose it!

The Bible reminds us, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (James 1:2-4 THE MESSAGE).

Source : Greg Laurie's blog

2009-10-16T12:30:00.001+07:00

Isn't it confusing how our status gets ping ponged between Twitter, Ping, Posterous, FF, Hootsuite and all this stuff?? *confused*

2009-10-16T12:18:00.001+07:00

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment -- Lao Tzu

The Little Princess

2009-10-16T05:30:00.005+07:00

I've just read an interesting story about Halloween on this link and found the site is really cool and awesome. They got the way to spread The Gospel via email. You should visit the site! :)

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR TODAY?

2009-09-30T06:37:00.007+07:00

Ever read this article?
Yup. There always be something to be thankful for in life if we would seek for it..

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL

BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS
WHO ARE THINKING OF ME!

What are you thankful for today?
Let's count our blessings everyday..

GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS

2009-09-30T06:19:00.006+07:00

I read this entry from my Google Reader this morning and yeah.. this post from Believe Achieve had captured my heart. So inspiring and have encouraged me to go after my dreams..

Let's check it out!

Go After Your Dreams

You're good, but you're going to be great.
You're the best, but you're going to get better.

Sometimes the paths we take are long and hard,
but remember: those are always the ones that lead
to the most beautiful views.

Challenges come along inevitably:
how you respond to them determines
who you are - deep down inside -
and everything you're going to be.

Increase the chances of reaching your goals
by working at them gradually.
The very best you can do is all that is asked of you.

Realize that you are capable of
working miracles of your own making.

Remember that opportunities have a reason
for knocking on your door,
and the right ones are there for the taking.

You don't always have to win,
but you do need to know what it takes to be a winner.

It's up to you to find the key that unlocks
the door to a more fulfilling life.

Understand that increased difficulty brings you nearer
to the truth of how to survive it - and get beyond it.

Cross your bridges.

Meet your challenges.

Reach out for your dreams,
and bring them closer and closer to your heart.

Get rid of the "if onlys"
and get on with whatever you need
to do to get things right.

Go after what you want in life,
with all the blessings of all the people
who care about you.

And find out what making your wishes
come true really feels like.

~ Collin McCarty ~

What dreams are you going after?

DISCOVER YOUR PERSONAL MISSION!

2009-09-29T04:40:00.005+07:00

Are you in your journey to discover your personal mission on this earth? I do believe that we were sent here for a reason. Every single person is significant in this world. That's why we're so different with each other..

If you are traveling your personal journey and still haven't found the ideas about why you're here on earth, the questions from this link may be helpful.

Yet, if you're still confused about what you may get, you can just ask God.. It's much better action you can do rather than any effort you may have done.. :)

GOD WHO PRAYS FOR US

2009-09-28T01:15:00.008+07:00

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Luke 22:31,32, NIV

I read these verses on our Sunday Service this morning. And although I've read and have heard these verses for several times, this morning I sensed something different in my heart.

I have known that Satan has been over and over attempting us. Yes, we knew that already. Even he asked to sift us as wheat -just as Bible told us. So, many people had fallen and descended into the trap of sins. Even they're living in that sinful ways. But thanks to Jesus who have prayed for us. He knew already what will be happening. And He had foreseen our weaknesses and our easy-to-attempt natures, yet He prays for us. What a huge thing A Mighty God can ever do for His creatures!

I can't say how much I felt grateful this morning. Realized that I had God who prays for me has rocked my world. Yeah, I may not be perfect, but I am guaranteed in His hands. And He even accepts me just the way I am, remembering the fact that I'm living in the world which define its identity based on all 'superficial' things. (You mention it!:)).

9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
John 17:9, 15, NIV

Thank God for being my Lord and my God.
Thanks Jesus for praying for me.
My life is in Your hands..

GOD WHO REMEMBERS

2009-09-27T01:44:00.005+07:00

He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
Psalm 136:23,NLT

I didn't satisfy when I read this verse in Indonesian. The translation was a little confusing for me, so I tried to search its different translation. Yeah.. different words, but the same meaning.

God remembered us when we were down,
His love never quits.
Psalm 136:23, The Message

to the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136:23, NIV

This verse was so meaningful for me right now.
Knowing the truth that I am remembered -no matter what- is something profound for me.

Thank You, Father God.
This is all I need for now. That's it.
Thank You for unfolding this truth personally for me.
Your faithful love endures forever..

WHAT IS LIFE?

2009-09-25T01:01:00.014+07:00

Hi, everyone!

Yeah.. I know.. it's been so long, long time since my last post. Hmm.. I hate to admit it but I've been thinking that I've got nothing to write here. Seriously. I've even once thought that maybe I lost my writing talent or what, because you know.. I couldn't write at all. I mean, I've got no inspirations as easy as I got usually to write on my blogs.. Hmhh..

Yeah.. sometimes life doesn't go as the way we want it.. We put our hopes on many aspects and.. boom! Something happens and.. all of them are suddenly broken. With no clue. Vanishes in just a wink. Even before we realize what's actually happening there!

Ok. I haven't been feeling okay these moments. Really, really not. I tend to blame my circumstance, my family, everything around me. You may know that there are times in life where all we can do is just blaming everything but ourselves. I'd been going through this stage and it's pretty hard for me. Felt as if somebody was spilling all the sins and guilty feelings over my shoulder and I had to bear it all myself. (Arrgghhh!!).

I even thought and asked soo many questions about God. Why He had been so quiet and had never answered all my questions to Him. I knew He might have some reasons but I couldn't be patient to hear it. I felt that I was abandoned and forsaken. I was alone, with the idea that even God Himself didn't want to show up for me. I was depressed and looking for clue without ones to find. Until I met a woman who had gone through sooo many struggles in life. This woman told me about how she fought against her breast cancer, while she and her family didn't have enough money to afford the cures. But she kept believe in God, that He would heal her and provide whatever she needed. She also told me about how God sent the money in the right time. But the story haven't ended yet. After she got well, she had to face that her husband's kidney had damaged. And any other following problems. She realized that it's much harder to face your spouse's pain than to bear it yourself. I've got pains, she said. Anguished, fears, sadness, and worries over my husband. After all, her husband will be retired on January next year, and they have to move to their own house -which hasn't finished being renovated yet- immediately. Can you imagine the feelings all the problems caused? (And I haven't told you all of the story! It's gonna be too long!).

Compare to what this family has been struggling with, what I faced was just a dust. Oh my.. ashamed me! How could I be so selfish and pity on myself and felt that kinda worst feeling? Yeah.. probably I have to learn how to be thankful in any circumstance. There always much harder lives out there. Much more difficult, struggling and full of pressures. But here I was, cry over my own little pain.. OMG..

Thank God it was all over for me. I just want to look at my future boldly, with no turning back, as I always did :). I know that God will make all things beautiful in His time in my life. All I need is just patience to wait for it. Meanwhile, I've to live my best life, which am trying to.

Yeah, I often think what should depressed people do in their depressing times. And now, I've got the answer: Besides keep struggling with their own circumstance, they'd better open their eyes to look carefully at other people's lives. Who can say they got the worst life if they had nothing to compare with?

Bible says that life is just as vapor, which will be vanished away, so take your moment and enjoy it. It's your life. Nobody can't steal it from you if you don't allow it!

Has The Bible Transformed Your Life?

2009-08-31T13:21:00.002+07:00

This is a great insight from Zondervan. I got laugh when I read this..

Has the Bible transformed your life? I heard about a converted cannibal on an island in the South Seas who was sitting by a large pot reading his Bible when an anthropologist wearing a pith helmet approached him and asked, "What are you doing?"

The native replied, "I'm reading the Bible." The anthropologist scoffed and said, "Don't you know that modern, civilized man has rejected that book? It's nothing but a pack of lies. You shouldn't waste your time reading it." The cannibal looked him over from head to toe and slowly replied, "Sir, if it weren't for this book, you'd be in that pot!"

The Word of God had changed his life — and his appetite. If you are serious about changing your life, you are going to have to get into the Bible. You need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it.

Slow But Sure

2009-08-29T13:56:00.003+07:00

Sometime I realize that my journey with God has been slowly but sure. I don't always receive what I ask for. So often I have to wait for a long, long time. Sometime even I don't get anything or see anything as an evidence that God hears me. But through all of those experiences, I've been learning that God makes everything beautiful in His time. He does have the perfect timing for everything. Although I consider it's a bit too slowly for me, He still sticks to His plan.

Yeah.. life is hard, but I always have something good to hold on.

So sorry for not updating my blog. I always have 2 contrary sides in my life's journey. But I'm still in the process. Sometime I think that God has been grinding me, till I am broken. Probably not what's visible, but some invisible things inside me : my selfishness, my ego, my ambitions, sort of these things.

Yeah, I don't see the destination yet. The harbor still so away from me, but I feel surely that God has been leading me and always leads me, through this process, to prepare me for something greater than my life..

Just after I recognized the pattern God uses in me, I can think about noble things. I know God sees us in different ways, because we are unique and so different with each other. He works in me slowly but sure, but He still keeps His promises for me. For knowing this, I can stick to His promise just as He wants me to do.

How about you?

What's Your Spiritual Gifts?

2009-07-11T01:38:00.002+07:00

What's Your Spiritual Gifts : http://ping.fm/hO41F

Day 5

2009-07-10T23:22:00.006+07:00

Feel so blessed, healthy, happy and grateful today. Feel like I've found my life purpose back. Refreshed. Renewed. Re-energized. Thank God.

I know something good is happening. I don't know what's that. I just feel it. And I know it's true. As true as bright sunlight in the morning.. :)

I just learned something about risk taking. I figured out that everyone received the blessings in The Bible were risk-takers. So many of great peoples are risk takers, too. They picked risky path God took them instead of remained in their comfort zones, and they really worth the rewards.

I believe every risky actions we take will worth doing. Once we give in our lives into something risky God lead us to, we'll get the great adventures. God will never leave us or forsake us. All that we need is just our obedience. I like Oswald Chamber's statement 'All God’s revelations are sealed to us until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes'. This is true. We can't leap into another level of our faith till we obey Him in one small thing He asks us to doing..

We often ask God to give us clues or clear directions in our journeys with Him. We forget that going without seeing any clue is a true evidence of faith. Like Abraham which Bible says 'By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going..' (Heb 11:8). We may have no idea about how our journeys will end up, but all we need to do is just obeying God for whatever He tells us to do.

Started from Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David, and till now, us, as Christ followers, we are demanded to be risk takers in following and serving our Lord. I think, the most 'risky' action we can take is to give Him the control of our lives. Yes, indeed we like to enjoy staying in our comfort zones, taking all the control of our lives, but we know the risk takers will jump right into the places God takes them..

Where is God leading you to? Is He leading you along a path of obedience? Would you dare to take the risks although unexpected things may happen?

People always says that journey with Jesus is and will always be an amazing adventure. But I don't believe what people says. I want this to be true in my life, so I can experience it by myself..

Let's have a wonderful adventures then! :)

The God of the Broken Hearted

2009-07-10T02:47:00.001+07:00

Our God is The God of the broken hearted!

From: http://ping.fm/xHP1A

Day 4 -- FAITH

2009-07-10T01:17:00.004+07:00

I was reading Mark 7:24-29 this morning, a chapter told about the faith of a Syrophoenician woman, when I felt that I read something I usually ignore..

24Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.
25In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil[b] spirit came and fell at his feet.
26The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."
28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."
29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter."
Mark 7:24-29, NIV

Footnotes:

1. Mark 7:24 Many early manuscripts Tyre and Sidon
2. Mark 7:25 Greek unclean

I found something that surprised me on v. 29 'For such a reply, you may go..'.
Not Jesus' power that saved this woman's daughter, but her answer of faith did. I figured out that our faith guide our life. Miracles will only happen as long as we believe. Actually, Jesus' answer wasn't nice to hear, but this woman kept begging Him, and her faith did save her daughter.

Although God is powerful, we can limit Him by our unbelief. Jesus can't work to those who are unbelieving. Sometimes, I consider myself an unbelieving believer. In many situations, I do limit God by my unbelief. I count on myself and hope that all is well, and.. tada! I got nothing!!!I apparently have to tell myself continually that without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Heb 11:6).

O God, I do believe, save me, help me overcome my unbelief..

Day 3

2009-07-08T16:31:00.004+07:00

I love them that love me;
and those that seek me early shall find me..
Proverbs 8:17

All I need is that God of Wisdom and Understanding will grant me His wisdom and understanding I need to follow His pathways ..

Love You, Lord..

Day 2

2009-07-08T16:12:00.003+07:00

My body was adjusting. I got headache yesterday so couldn't post anything to this blog (and my other blogs!).

To be honest, this journey isn't as easy as what I've ever imagined. I thought about Daniel when he was fasting.. How hard to do this actually, but he succeeded. And I keep trying to do this. All I need to do is just focus to my purpose.. :).

All my longings lie open before you, O Lord;
my sighing is not hidden from you..
Psalms 38:9

Day 1 -- Got A Soft Reminder!!!

2009-07-06T23:16:00.009+07:00

Today has been in good mood. Everything seems to be okay. Hopefully it will last forever, at least till I finish this 'journey'.

My reading was taken from Proverbs 6 this morning. I use to read 5 chapters of Psalms, 1 chapter of The Proverbs, some of The Old Testament and some of The New Testament everyday. So far, verses that resonated with me was from Proverbs 6:9-11.

9 How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
When will you get up from your sleep?

10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

11 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Oh my.. maybe this is the first thing I need to work up in my life. Yes, I hate to admit this but it's very true. I'm a real procrastinator, like to spend my time doing something I like, not something useful. This verse has been haunting me all day long, you know! Eventually, I conclude that God is preparing me to receive His blessings. But I need to change first before I can take it from Him.

Yeah.. however, The Bible is God Himself, so I have to follow whatever He wants me to do. I'm re-evaluating my life right now, so if there's something I need to change, therefore it must be me!

I missed my french toasts and a cup of coffee, the breakfast menu we use to have here. Oh, can't believe I could do it willingly.. :)

When I watched 'The Answer' -a TV program which broadcasts Christianity programs- (it was like a coincidence -I'm not a TV lover!- but I believe that there's no coincidence in God! He has set and planned everything perfectly!), the hosts were talking about life calling that got me think. So far, I've been so confused about my life calling. Have no idea. Then the host said that to find our life calling, we can ask to ourselves, what our passions are, in which way we can bless other people, and what thing you really enjoy doing it, even though any other people say it's pretty hard to do.

Yeah, honestly, writing has been my passion. Every time I write, I sense God is smiling to me and working through me in His strongest power. I loooove to write and anytime I read my writings, I can sense something wonderful fills in my heart. I know for sure where they come from (they were granted to me from heaven!). I know my life is fulfilled then. It brings me a wonderful joy I can't explain. I always be grateful anytime people emailed me or messaged me, told me that my writings had inspired and encouraged them. You know, it has always been a joy, joy, joy, joy (once is not enough! -smile-) in my heart.

I don't know what's next. Let Him guide me through His Holy Words. Look forward to know what's in His heart for me (after the 'soft reminder' from Prov 6:9-11!)

Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening..

BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE

2009-07-06T04:17:00.006+07:00

This was a sentence I got from Mark 5:36, a verse that resonated with me yesterday, early in the morning, when I read The Bible.

The Bible said 'As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe'.
We're surrounded by people whose speech are often not strengthening, but destroying our faith. Yeah, the sad thing is, if 'they' refers to somebody we care about, or somebody should be our role model. Therefore it will be much harder to be growing up in faith. (I can say it because I've already experienced it by myself :).

Words have always have 2 sides: to build or to destroy. And so often, we find ourselves getting weak as we heard someone said something bad to us. But thanks to The Lord that Jesus, as soon as He heard the word that was spoken, he said 'be not afraid, only believe'. This is the only words we'd like to hear in our times of adversity!

By reading this, I tried to re-evaluate my life. Have I already controlled my tongue? Oh, I use to forget that my words can bring a great impact to ones' life. Are my words encouraging and not weakening? (Not so sure..).

Oh, my.. I sensed that God was touching a sensitive place in my life. I used to be offense hearing any hurting words spoken to me, but have no idea about how my own words have been. Sometime, I give useful advice (in my point of view!) but I forget that the way I say is much more important than what I say. (I can be mean and cynical, you know...).

I also realized as Rick Warren said 'Hurt people hurt people'. In our hard times, whenever we get hurt, we'll get other people hurt by our words. And that's something very often happens to me! :) Yeah.. whenever a 'hard time' comes into our lives, we have a choice to whether we will still do God's will in it, or hold on ours..

Another point I got here is whenever I need to fuel my faith, I know where I have to run to. Not to seek ones' advice, no matter how wise theirs are, but come to Jesus, from whom all blessings (courage, strengths, faiths, hopes, all including!) flow.

Blessings!

Tweet Tweet

2009-07-06T03:52:00.003+07:00

I'm now on Twitter.
Are you Twittering, too? :)

I love being in this community. Not only make friends, I can update what's in ones mind personally. (I still wonder seeing how internet can bring the world to our hands!).

I love to visit many useful websites from my Twitter friends' pages. I consider it an opportunity to widen my horizon!

If you're twittering, you can follow me if you wish.. (you can find the link on the sidebar):).

The Journey Has Begun..

2009-07-06T01:44:00.009+07:00

Well, as I wrote, I intended to go through a spiritual journey for 21 days. It's not to be shown off, I just write here in order that I can be responsible for this decision.

Know what, I've been struggling with discipline in various areas in my life. Procrastination is my middle name. I will prefer anything comfortable than anything worth trying. So far, I found that I'll go nowhere if I just do exactly what I've been doing over and over. I have to change. I have to make progress in any areas in my life. Spiritually, physically, and any other important areas!

By doing this, I hope that I can acquire wisdom to know God's will for me. I have no idea about what God wants me to do with my life. Honestly. I'm not speaking about it generally, but personally. If God wants me to do or to be something, I supposed He should reveal it to me personally.

These are two things I will do: perform Daniel fast (if you interested, you can read the explanation about it here and here), and record my development in my journal. I've promised to blog it, but I'll keep it personal my personal thing.. :). I like Ann Voskamp's writing about journaling as a spiritual discipline. You have to check out her blog. It has useful and interesting articles on it!

My purpose to do this are : just getting closer to God, be healthier (we have to keep the spiritual and physical life balance, right?), know exactly the purpose I live on this planet, and.. be discipline in any areas in my life: exercise, prayer, journaling, writing, and build good habits. Yeahh.. without discipline, I'll get nothing!

Please pray for me. I know it won't be easy. But it's all worth trying..
Can I become a better person in just 21 days?
Let's see.. (eww, this is the biggest self challenge I've ever made!).