Seeing with Spiritual Eyes

Ever wonder how a person's perspective can be totally different from the other? This is what I've been discovering these few days. And the sad thing is, I had to agree with what Siow Jin pointed out: My perspective are very unbiblical. There's a lot of things that I used to think the tis no big deal and now I realized, it's super big deal!! Of course, I wanna thank God for opening my spiritual eyes and continues to do so. There's still gonna be a lot to work on and I'm gonna be cooperative this time.

I do need strength from God to talk and confront Mel of her sins. Not because I'm better but because I've experienced the peace and joy from God for doing what is pleasing in His eyes.

Thank You Abba Father for everything You've been showing me this last few weeks. I know You have more to work on and that You're gonna do it as much as I can take it so I pray that You'll continue to give me wisdom. I love You Lord!!

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Be Prepared!!

Mood depends on attitude. When I've decided to be discipline, I get done with preparation for class -> confident -> happy!! So, the lesson is... Always be prepared!!

That reminds me, we need to be prepared in all circumstances so that we would not be caught off guard. Be prepared with non-believers/believers' accusation, questions, doubts and we'll be able to answer them!!

The other important lesson today: Be bold and courageous and speak out when you see your brothers and sisters are in sin!! Do not procrastinate and do not give excuse!! Let them know the truth in love so that they may see Christ through us. Besides, we are supposed to encourage one another and build each other up!!

Thank You Abba Father for the day full of blessings. Teach me to count my blessings everyday that one day it'll become my character. Thank You and I love You, Lord!!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Photo session!!

Uni magazine photo session day!! How time flies!! As photo session starts, graduation seens to be drawing nearer. Excitement. Fear. Stress. Mix feelings.

How nice to be able to just dress up and look good and pretty all the time!! But undeniable, looks without brain just aren't attractive. Only when there's character, wisdom with fear of the Lord and love for all mankind is a person attractive.

Thank You Abba Father for making me beautifully. Help me to focus on You instead of outward beauty. Help me to overcome my laziness but instead search for all knowledge to equip myself for Your purpose. Help me to practice the fruit of the Spirit and be more and more like You each day. Thank You Lord. I love You.

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Chilling time!!

It's been a very relaxing day. Online, watch movie and cook dinner. Not a bad idea to do this once a month!! Anything more than that makes it a waste of time!! Chilling can lead to laziness. Remember not to fall into that trap. Do something useful between breaks makes chilling more worthwhile!!

Now that chilling time is over, it's time to get ready for the new week and new challenges ahead!!

Thank You Abba Father for this time of Rest & Relax. Pray that next week will be full of good surprises as I open Your gifts daily. Love You Lord!!

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made,
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Instrument of God

Whenever I hear someone breaks up, it saddens me. But in a case when it's not a God-honoring relationship, it gives me joy. Many things could have been done but the most important things is what can be done now. I pray for boldness to be a Jesus Freak and I pray that God will soften her heart.

I know part of me is excited. But this time, I'm not doing anything by my own strength. I'm letting God use me as an instrument to show His love. I might need to remind myself more than once. But I have faith in God!! If He can use anything, He can use me.

Abba Father, I'm committing myself into Your service. Help me to deny myself and carry the cross. So that I'll be so busy, I won't be a backseat driver!, I love You Lord and I definitely grew much more in love with You than yesterday!!

Isaiah 63:14
Yet, O Lord, You are our Father, 
we are the clay, You are the potter,
we are all the work of Your hand.

Walking wisely... 

Be aware of who you hang out with!! You might not be best friends, but as soon as you start hanging out, you're putting yourself at risk of gossip and before you know it, you're haunted by the gossips!! Although God can use every bad situation for His purpose, some of it are really consequences of bad decisions. So, keep this is mind!!

On the other hand, if you hang out with godly people, you might not be making perfect decisions and hearing the right thing all the time but at least you know that each other is sincere and if you really made a wrong decision, you can learn together and cry together.

Sometimes, people might bad mouth you and say Christians think they are better, therefore they do not hang out with others. Take that as a compliment!! Don't give in to them and lower your standards, instead pray that they might see the difference and would want to know God too!!

Life is really all about perspective, therefore we need to fix our eyes on Jesus, so that we may see things our Heavenly Father sees. Abba Father, thank You fir opening my eyes into things according to my ability to accept them and help me not to run ahead of You!! I love You, Lord!!

Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise,
but a companion of fools suffers harm.

P/s: I need to write more, coz when I read back, I wonder what did I learn on those empty days!! There's a feeling of emptiness. Blessings from God that was not remembered...

Real Joy 

Another wonderful day!! Ing Lee told me she and Soon Chen are back together again. I'm so happy to hear that. It's real joy to know that this time it's pleasing in God's eyes. I realized how important it is to obey God so that life will be full of joy and without consequences!! This will serve as a reminder for the rest of my life!! REAL JOY!!

Hw good it is to be at peace with God. You know you can handle life no matter what comes your way. The kings in the Book of 1 King may seem to be cruel and heartless but when they're after God's own heart, He gave them victory and abundant blessings. Follow the book of life!! It has all the instructions needed for life, besides God is a living God. Advice is right beside you!!

Abba Father, let me not stray away from You and that I would not be desensitized by the world!! Instead, help me to draw closer to You each day!! Thank You Lord!!

Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Yaru's Birthday

It's the first time I'm celebrating with her but I hope it won't be the last!! We had a great time hanging out at her place. She prepared dinner and we prepared special presents!! I had a hard time getting a present!! Flowers are too expensive and not much of use while she won't need anything since she'll be graduating this year too!! Eventually, we got her a fruit bag and Bro Kevin brought her a pork-rib bag!! Talk about special presents!!

It's been an emotional week. Not just merely being emotional, but a lot of thinking going on. After reading Justin Lookadoo's 97 Random Thoughts, it's giving me a lot of useful random thoughts too!! Too much to do with too little time and discipline and at the same time not knowing where to start!!

Anyway, I'm in s random thought mood tonight and I've come out with a list of dos for tomorrow and retiring early for the night. Thank You, Abba Father, for this beautiful night and u definitely love You more today than yesterday!!

Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Note on 7/10/12:
Looking back on this entry, I believe Justin Lookadoo was my inspiration of random thoughts. He was the one telling me it's ok to have random thoughts and it's ok to be weird. He's also the motivator to what I am and does today. That doing something out of my profession is okay and that meeting up with people and sharing random thoughts are okay. And most importantly, I believe a lot of things started because of the courage to do something different too!!

Some of it on the list are:
Spending more time in church family than work. Fellowship over dinner, planning random trips, starting Health Information Centre, planning events. The list can be long, but I believe the reason of living life to the fullest and passion for Christ started at this time of my life.

Love

Time flies.. 3rd month of year 2010. Graduating in less than 4 months!! It was a great night. Hearing Bro Kevin share about Church and family. It's all about attitude. My attitude towards Church people. Church cannot help me grow spiritually if my heart is not right!! It's the first time that I understood the phrase 'Love the person but not the sin!!' Indeed it's a great love!! Whenever I need to remember that, I should remember how Bro Kevin love Tracy despite how rebellious she was!! Prayer does work!!

I like to experience God this way!! Hearing godly people share their views and how they handle worldly decisions and situations in a godly way!! Let me be one of the person the shines God's glory!! I kinda feel Siow Jin's obsession and passion for Christ!! I do need encouragements from brothers and sisters in Christ. Always remember this!! This is an important weapon!!

Thank You, Abba Father for letting me feel You and giving me answers to my questions!! Now I know how to differentiate good choices and best choices!! The peace of heart!! I feel it today!! Your grace is sufficient!! Amen!!

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

P/s: Getting lawyer letter vs not getting (so that someone can collect my certificate in case I'm already back in Malaysia by then) - Of course get it. God will provide the money, just get it done and out of the way from spending time with God!! (In view that otherwise I'll be worrying about this most of the time!!)

** Retrospective note on July 8, 2012
Good test on 'Is money your master?'
Do you use money to make life easier or do you put yourself in a position where you have more worry in order to save or make money!!

Eyes on Jesus

Thank God for comfortable room and warm bed, that even though it's freezing outside, I'm spared the cold! Thank God for the providence of daily needs and other unnecessary wants. Pray that wants will grow lesser and that I'll focus more on needs.

Pray specially for compassion!! Thus the need of sacrificial love!! Help me start somewhere, even if it's something small!!

Focus on Christ!! Do not leave God out in future plans. Let Him be in the driver seat instead!! Meditate on scriptures!!

Thank You Abba Father for another day. May this day not be in vain and that i'll remember all the lessons I need to learn and strive to be better tomorrow!!

Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need; and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret if bring content in any and every situation,
Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

10 Commandments of Boy-Girl Relationships

Keeping a diary is definitely not easy! Especially for me! Or at least for me! Anyway, I must make it a habit to record the blessings everyday if possible and the reason for not doing so cannot be laziness!! I need and want to kick this bad habit.

Ok. Back to blessings. I love the sermon - 10 Commandments of Boy-Girl Relationship. Straight to the point and straight to the heart!! I need to learn it well. We're only at third now. It'll be up once we are through!!

The girls had lunch together. I had a great time, at least getting to know Yaru better. I wanna get back to God's family!! I've missed so much over past years and I wanna stop missing out!!

Reminder to self: Whenever you think staying home alone is better than hanging out with godly girlfriends, THINK TWICE!! The sacrifice of time is worth it!!

Point taken: God do not draw further from us BUT we drew away from God; Bro Kevin did not stop hanging out with me, BUT I drew away!!
So get back in touch and start hanging out!! With God and with Bro Kevin and godly Christian friends!!

Thank You Abba Father for brothers and sisters in Christ, especially the Payton family!! That's how you show your love to me!!

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

10 Commandments of Boy-Girl Relationships
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
2. Be content with who you are in Jesus Christ. (Being content means "pleased or satisfied with what one has or is.") 1 Timothy 6:6; Philippians 4:11
3. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 15:33
4. Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Matthew 5:6; Psalm 63:1
5. Fellowship with other believers. "Get a life!!" Hebrew 10:25; Hebrew 3:13
6. Set boundaries. Ephesians 5:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16
7. Flee from sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
8. Do not ignore warning signs/red flags (pornography, physically abusive, verbally abusive, lying, flirting with others, controlling, possessive, drinking, drugs, etc.) 1 Corinthians 16:13
9. Be wise in your speech - Do not talk to one another about lusting after each other and being tempted by each other, etc. Proverbs 2:11
10. Guard your heart. Go slow. Proverbs 4:23

Chinese New Year Eve

Instead of looking forward to the next Chinese New Year back home, I'm treasuring every minute here with my spiritual family. Perhaps it's the first step to see the present and not looking back or to the future. I pray that the friendship we built here will stay with us for the rest of our lives. I'm reluctant to think of parting but I know God has different plans for us and all I can hope for is that part of our heart will be with each other regardless where we are.

Pictures speaks a thousand words. I hope all these memories captured will be able to help me think about the good things, especially when there's trials and temptations. Always remember, God will not take the temptations away, instead, He will help us through. There's a reason for everything that happens. The most important thing is to trust God regardless the situation. This is what I choose to do today and I want to do this everyday for the rest of my days!

Thank You, Abba Father, for the gift of friends. I love you, Lord!

HO life preview

I'm getting slight preview of HO life!! No such thing as sleeping till noon and the bad news is, what i'm going through isn't half that of HO life!! Anyway, I'm gonna enjoy as much as i can now!! Working (really means studying) 6 days is really tiring and all I want to do now is sleep!!

The weather is warming up and that means snow is saying bye.. Will they be gone for good? Maybe this marks the end of last winter.. 有欢乐也有不舍。 Collected my new specs. A lot better but there's still need of getting used to it. I'll stop here now. I could barely read my own writing.. Dozing off..

Child like faith

Child like faith. How to practice that in this fallen society? How to keep myself motivated and fight for the everlasting crown? How to be able to hang out with people of this world but not get influenced or even affected? I love to be with godly people. It's so easy to be godly then!! But when I'm not with them, I struggle to stand firm on my faith!!

I need to set my mind on achieving goals and not dwell in unnecessary thought which I always wanna get a hold on it. Instead, keep fixing my eyes on my goals will ease things up. Writing does make me express and think better. I think I'm loving to write =)

I'm anticipating for my new specs. Hopefully I can SEE then!! My eyes have been acting up!! Wrote dad an email. After so long. Years I presume. Can't wait for his reply. I hope he's godly enough to where I'll be able to share his in-sights!! I'll get to know soon!!

Long day, long week. I'm keeping this short. Kept in touch with Anya and Loys. Miss those good old days. Definitely miss Bro Al. Wonder what he thinks when he look down on us!!

1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

True Love Waits ♥

Looking back, I'm more convinced that everything happens for a reason and regardless of the circumstances, God can use it for good. It's especially easy to see God's message when I'm not whining over my situations.

One of the important thing that I want to write down is from Joshua Harris' sermon "Rescuing Sex, Part II: Are you committing pornography?" By looking at the title of the sermon, I kept procrastinating to listen to it. Until God gave me a perfect chance to do so. I mean, what else can you do when you can't even open your eyes?

To my amazement, I heard God's reassurance and His promise that Sunday evening! Promise that He'll bless me with a godly husband, if I obey His Words. I realized a painful truth, in my attempt to attract ALL guys' attention, I made myself less attractive to any godly man, including my potential mate. So I made a new Resolution.. To equip myself, for the one and only which I have faith that God will provide, without needing my help on that part BUT instead, working on myself and I realized He has given me all the tools I need, the Holy Spirit, Bible and not forgetting my SUPPORT GROUP!!

So, I want myself to ALWAYS REMEMBER this: All I need is 1 guy's attention, if and when God provides. Before that happens, God is busy working with the both of us and until we cooperate and let Him finish His work, that day will never come. So, stop resisting God's discipline and step out of my comfort zone!!

Thank You Lord for allowing me to see this truth and be freed from the devil's lie about attention. Help me to work with You as You mold me. I LOVE You more and more each day, Abba Father!!

Hebrews 12:11
No disciple seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Lessons from the Paytons

I realized that I tend to forget things. Even the most important ones. So here's some that I'll like to record for further references. Things that I learn from Bro Kevin and Sis Renee and things that SHOULD be part of my life!

1. Do not be unequally yoked - 2 Corinthians 6:14
2. You reap what you sow - Galatians 6:7
3. Shine like stars - Philippians 2:12
4. Doing what the Word says - James 1:22
5. Flee from sexual immorality - 1 Corinthians 6:18
6. Resist temptations - 1 Corinthians 10:13
7. God's disciplines - Hebrews 12
8. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
9. Thinking on the good things - Philippians 4:8
10. Setting our minds on what the Spirit desires - Romans 8:5
11. Aim for the eternal crown - 1 Corinthians 9:25
12. Train yourself spiritually - 1 Timothy 4:8
13. Face trial with joy - James 1:2
14. Be ready to give reasons of your hope - 1 Peter 3:15
15. Suffering for being Christian - 1 Peter 4:12
16. Fellowship with God's people - 1 Corinthians 15:33
17. Unity in Christ - Ephesians 4:2
18. Instructions on dealing with divisive people - Titus 3:10

Galatians 6:6
Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor.

Conjunctivitis

Isn't it amazing how we take things for granted until we lose it? I've never thought much about being able to see until I couldn't!! It's amazing how much difference it was!! First of all, thank God for giving this chance of learning a valuable lesson. First on the list: DON'T BE STINGY!! Sometimes, it's really not saving but spending!! Spending on medical bill and all others!! Secondly, enjoy everyday and everything God created!! Nothing is unuseful and everything has it's own value.

Treasure every moment with your love ones. Lost time can never be compensated no matter how much money you are willing to pay!! Thank You Lord, for Your healing, Your blessings and opening my spiritual eyes. I love You Lord!!

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

Skiing Day!!

Today was a fun day!! Experiencing skiing for the first time!! Thank God everything went smoothly. We managed to get there and play our hearts out!!

I did realized an ugly truth tho! SELFISHNESS!! I realized how upset I was when I found out that everyone brought lunch but me and all other things that happened. I'm sure I made others miserable too. So how should I change my attitude and think about ONLY the good things? Maybe I should count to 10 before making any statement the next time I'm upset something doesn't go my way and see if by doing that change my attitude and character.

I'm still not thankful enough. Way - long way to go, Alison, BUT I know I'm not alone for it's impossible to do anything alone, but with Christ, all things are possible! Thank You Lord for persevering with me, I want to persevere in becoming more like You too! I love You, Abba Father!

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

New experiences

Actually went out and played snow for the first time in my life. Wonder what was I thinking the past 7 years? Realized one thing that's really true. Self pity doesn't get me anywhere. With the bad attitude I carry around, it only hurts me and not anybody else. I realized I've missed all the opportunity of sharing the snow experience with Mel. Even though it's sad looking back, I know I can change the future. As long as I change my attitude, I'm sure God will slowly open my eyes and show me all the wonders He has created.

So, the lesson of the day is.. Never waste an opportunity to experience something new. For with a good attitude, we'll be able to find a gift in every small thing. My gift today is to experience snowman building and playing in the snow! I'm sure I'll treasure this season more than ever! For everything from God is good and perfect! All we need to do is to look at it from a different viewpoint and accept it as a gift from God!

I love You more today than yesterday, Abba Father! Thank You for letting me make wonderful memories!

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or precise worthy, think about such things.

Learning Contentment

My last winter in Ukraine. The past 2 days had been -20C. It's so cold I could hardly concentrate on anything I'm doing. Even though it's still -5C, there's so much difference that -5C doesn't seem to be that cold. Isn't it amazing how our mind works? We compare 2 things and we make a conclusion. How about everything else?

Sometimes, I take/make conclusions without looking wt the big picture. Why are all the bad things happening to me? How about all the other worst things happening to everyone else? I look at the bad side and there comes self putty but actually I AM the lucky/blessed one. So how do I breakthrough this wrong mindset? My dearest sisters (Ing Lee and Siow Jin) suggested that I start writing down all the good things and hopefully after a while, I'll learn to look only at the good things and not the bad things and thus start counting my blessings!

So, as for today, my greatest blessing is to be in Ukraine, meeting the Paytons and IBC and the Kings, learning to be a godly person, having a great support group and most important thing is to break from traditional family pattern and start a journey towards godly family!

Thank You Lord for leading me here before I know the purpose and I want to take a bold step ahead in the future even if I do not know where I'll go for You always lead and Your path is to prosper us and not harm us! I love You Lord!

Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

New Year Resolution 2010

1. Feel loved by God and loving Him in return
2. Strive to do what the Bible says!!
3. Be rooted in the Bible