Integrity means that even when you don't have to, you live up to the standards you say you believe in. And when you do wrong, you correct your behaviour and repent, even if no one says you should.
Are you a person of integrity?
9:21 AM
Saturday, April 26, 2008
I don't know about your God but my God...
He's AMAZING!
Look at the works of His hands!
"A water lily carpeted pond edges Grayling Lake Trail, north of Seward, Alaska. One of the lakes along the trail abounds in grayling, surface feeders with long dorsal fins."
(Text and photograph from "Taking on the Kenai," May/June 1998, National Geographic magazine)
"Mushroom cloud of stone erupts in the Ténéré desert, remnant of its watery past. This pedestal rock began as a mass of pebbly sandstone. Its sculptors were cycles of hot and cold, wet and dry, as well as blowing sand, which caused the sloughing off of shards scattered at the base."
(Text and photograph from "Journey to the Heart of the Sahara," March 1999, National Geographic magazine)
This lonely mangrove clings to the earth with its massive roots. Cape York Peninsula is a land of extremes—scorched in one season and sodden in the next. Five months of monsoon rains causes rivers to burst their banks, then they evaporate during seven months of withering drought.
(Text adapted from and photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Cape York Peninsula," June 1996, National Geographic magazine)
Fed by the 100-plus inches (254 centimeters) of rain per year that fall in Olympic National Park, evergreen trees rise above the fog that fills this Olympic Mountain's valley.
(Photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "The Olympic Peninsula," May 1984, National Geographic magazine)
Home to a variety of animals, including kangaroos and wallabies, the rock basin known as Wilpena Pound was carved from ancient mountains by erosion. The high walls of rock are made of weather-resistant quartzite.
(Photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Rise of Life on Earth—Life Grows Up," April 1998, National Geographic magazine)
About 74,000 years ago, a volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself on Sumatra. The resulting crater later filled with water and became known as Lake Toba (pictured).
(Photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "A Sumatran Journey," March 1981, National Geographic magazine)
You who made the mountains and the sea
Measured out the universe and You made me
Echoes of the voice that called the worlds to be
Reach through the ages and now speak to me
You’re my creator king
You who made the valleys and the skies
Displayed Your love on far horizons and before my eyes
You who lit the stars and set the dawn in time
Called them all by name and now You whisper mine
You’re my creator king
Who am I that You are mindful of me
Who am I that You set Your love on me
You’re my creator king
You who made the darkness and the light
Sun and moon to watch the day and guard the night
The hand that stretched the heavens like a canopy
Reached down to cover and watch over me
You’re my creator king
Don't expect me to believe that it's pure coincidence that all these beautiful, glorious nature are made after a big bang. God is always at work. Managing His creation, making sure that nature 'works'. For who? For the people He love. For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Who taught the sun where to rise in the morning?
God of the universe, forgive me for times I've forgotten how great You really are. Thank You for Your great love.
2:46 PM
How much are you worth?
Great assets and possessions don't guarantee me a long, full life, nor one filled with happiness and security.
It's ridiculous to pin my hopes on the materials - money especially.
How much money can I earn/save to 'attain' happiness? Most would reply with a 'just a little more'.
My value is not in what I have or what I own.
My values and personal fulfillment is in who I am or what I strive to become.
This is what it truly mean when 'character' is considered, not charisma.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
I got to be very careful of what I seek to obtain in this life.
Be careful of harmful desires (which some are so well-camouflaged) that could lead me to personal ruin.
Life storms rise without warning.
Winds of change threathen my normal existence.
Accidents happen, diseases appear (SARS! Dengue!) appear and upheaval brings change to my expectations.
What 'everybody' is doing might not be right just because 'they' form the majority.
God is my master
'No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.'
God is interested in my motives.
Ungodly people may achieve material prosperity apart from God, but they can never achieve the deep-settled peace that comes from God. Oh yes, peace that transcends all understanding.
I'm worthy. 'Worth' the price to be paid by the ransom of Jesus' death.
11:24 AM
Friday, April 25, 2008
Love
Now that I've found the true source of love. I think I'm able to love with a genuine heart (also from the giver).
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.
'If you love me, you will obey what I command.'
His love endures forever... Sing praise... Sing praise...
2:33 PM
Accused =(
'Rely and trust in the Lord even when I'm wrongfully treated due to men's wickedness. Cry out to God in your distress and hurts. Continue to do what is right.' - Jean
Oh my! Never would I thought that I'll experience this! I hate accusation! Stop all your blabberings. It's so true that 'empty vessel makes the most NOISE'! Can't stand! Can't stand! Can't you just keep your 'comments' to yourself! And for goodness sake! Stop coughing!
Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.
Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.
My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
I speak truth in the name of Jesus!
10:45 AM
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I'm fasting
I stumbled upon Isaiah 58, because it was about the acceptable fast of the Lord. The Israelites did everything they needed to do, from the religious rituals to ceremonies and more traditions. However, the externals of religious practice had become the totality of their experience; they had lost sight of the spiritual side of their relationship with God.
God looks beyond the "correctness of the externals" and saw the "corruptness of the internals.
No matter what I do, God is more impressed with my heart than anything else.
The reason I'm going for this fast is because I believe fasting should not be a last resort, yet one aspect/lifestyle that is so vital. Prayer and fasting goes hand in hand.
The only pre-condition for the Holy Sprit outpouring is that we be a people who will see the vision and that we be willing to pay the price for power through prayer and fasting.
God has chosen us to do the works of Jesus in this generation, and that can only be done in the power of the Spirit.
So I told God that I'm willing to take up this supernatural ('Supernatural, supernatural God...) weapon of prayer and fasting as a regular part of my arsenal.
I told Him that I'm willing to pay the price of regular prayer and fasting so that I can pull down strongholds, have victory in my life and bring deliverance and freedom to the captives in this generation.
This journey began the day I told God, 'Where You lead me, I will follow.'
Today is the 14th day. It's a miracle in itself, that I've kept to it. I got to admit that I struggled at start, but it gets easier as I yield myself to God. 'As I yield myself to You, move in my life like never before, more of You, Holy Spirit, more of You...' Thank You, God!
One very important 'lesson' I've learnt - It is important to lay down my life before Him today and trust Him for tomorrow.
In Psalm 69:6-10, it is written that the way to humble myself before God is by fasting. There are times when I need to tell my physical body who is boss. I need to discipline my soul. God wants me to humble myself to pray, to seek His face (instead of His hand), and turn from my wicked ways - repent.
I find fasting a good time to wait upon the Lord. It is a form of waiting, yes, very uncomfortable though. But great things are worth waiting fervently isn't it?
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
God, I pray that I will not forget my job. My job description is to be like Jesus in word and deed.
Maybe it's time for you to stop stuffing your physical body and start feeding your malnourished inner man.
5:19 PM
R.I.P
Resurrected with Jesus Christ
Identified as the child of God
Purified and set apart for Him
9:26 AM
Friday, April 18, 2008
Leave approved
Yea!
I can go for Church Camp.
But... my boss is not happy with it.
Very unhappy! Hai~
And I don't have a room mate!
9:08 AM
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Are you alive?
Is your heart beating?
Is your heart desiring to hear His voice?
Is your heart desiring to know Him more?
Is your heart desiring to follow Him?
Is your heart desiring to do His will?
Do you know His heart, His desire?
10:57 AM
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Reality
Many things around us exist to conform us into a way of thinking that negates simple faith and action. Reality is something not imagined or pretended, but the quality of something being true to life. Reality is more than just fact. Reality is where you actually experience life as defined by the Life Giver.
2:25 PM
Do you ever feel like you are taken for granted in the Body of Jesus?
When you are ill or discouraged or maybe absent from Cell group or Service and no one calls or attempts to minister to you, do you feel forgotten?
The devil smiles and gladly steps in to minister to you – in harmful ways.
He plants a multitude of questions in your mind that only grow darker.
You begin to question whether you are truly loved in the body, whether anyone evern notices or appreciates you.
Paul doesn’t want us to take each other for granted.
We all need to hear words of encouragement, words that affirm the Father’s love for us, words that strengthen our faith.
All of us have that unspoken expectation of God and our church family, and when that expectation is unmet our struggle to feel confident of our place in the body can begin to erode.
Respect those who work hard among you.
Do you think Paul is addressing how we ‘feel’ about our leaders or are there some things we might ‘do’ to hold them in ‘highest regard in love’?
God, I thank You for Jean.
Live in peace with each other.
When we have that peace Jesus left in the world, the peace that affirms our place in the Father’s favor, we have the confidence to allow it to cushion our relationships with each other.
Warn those who are idle.
Idle means lazy.
If a person is lazy in one area of life, they are usually lazy in every area of life.
Some may think the word ‘warn’ a bit extreme.
Warn them about what?
Is that an ‘or else’ kind of warning or is it a more friendly suggestion?
‘Warn’ really stands out if you read it in the context of the urgency Paul was suggesting.
Maybe Paul is telling us to not ignore them and write them off as a lost cause.
They need to hear God’s warning about their lifestyle or their lack of spiritual sincerity.
We share a God mandated responsibility to minister to them in a loving, firm way.
Encourage the timid.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Timidity or fearfulness will not achieve God’s purpose for the Church in a hostile world ruled by an evil dictator.
Fear can immobilse our faith.
Paul encourages Timothy to remember God’s anointing and the teaching he had received.
Timid people need encouraging, a sense of God’s mission and their role in God doing what God wants to do in their world.
You know someone who needs that encouraging word.
Watch for your next opportunity to speak that word to them and give them a new vision of themselves.
Help the weak.
Paul says, help those who are weak without becoming their judge and jury.
Real love is more powerful than the devil’s lies.
Be patient with everyone.
None of is born with patience, we have to learn it.
Patience is one of the fruits born in our spirits by the Holy Spirit.
Patience is not the result of some miracle of God’s Spirit.
Patience is a developed skill as we learn to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’.
What might the statement of thought ‘I’m just not a patient person’ indicate about your spiritual development?
None of us is perfect, we make mistakes and we need others to realize where they,, too, have come from and show us the same understanding they received.
Always try to be kind to each other.
Human kindness like patience is learned.
We are a selfish animal and among the most unkind in all the animal kingdom. And we have a brain to think with. We just fail sometimes to use it in the right way.
Kindness must replace retribution.
Vengeance belongs only to God because only He is qualifies to judge,
Be joyful always.
Joyful is a bright outlook, an optimistic assumption about life and its possibilities.
Some of the most joyful folks I have ever been blessed by are the elderly people in nursing homes and hospitals.
Though they have much they could focus on and be depressed over, many of them see the glass half full and just keep on having fun in life.
They bless everyone around them and are always eager to share the things that give them joy. Of course, I have met some of the other kind, too, who poison that air in every room that inhabit. Thank God they are in the minority.
The devil cannot rob you of that joy if you tenaciously hold on to the hope Jesus had give you.
Pray continually.
Don’t stop praying – ever.
Prayer is the power of God put into action.
Don’t stop praying just because what you have asked for hasn’t come to pass.
Continual prayer is both a mindset and a lifestyle that recognizes the work of God in daily life.
- Kent Sutherland, Yes Lord, I'm listening
11:20 AM
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
1:30 PM
Yes Lord
Oh my! Yes Lord, I will spur and encourage my brothers and sisters-in-Christ!
1 Thesssalonians 5:11-18
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Be joyful always;
pray continually;
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
10:41 AM
R.I.P
For all who are wondering how I down graded from a faithful Gmail user to 'Grace is appeared offline'. And I'm sure my boss-administrator didn't block it because it's the same at home. I'm dead. I mean my gmail's dead. Die. Death. R.I.P. =(
9:40 AM
Hey!
I'm feeling so perked up after visiting Shun's, Yanni's, Jere's and Charcoal's place. Looks like everybody's got their engine started up for school. Some can even afford to relax over at Coffee Bean! Poor Ada, always on the go. Ahaaahaha!
I was actually all perked up with frustrations before I reached here, my workplace. Can't stand rude Aunties who can't hold on to their patience, you should see the way they push and 'bang' recklessly. The journey to work is such a dangerous expedition. Groan! Thank God I survived without any 'injuries'.
Yea, Jon and Sab! Hang in there! A few more days! Tick tock, tick tock...
9:29 AM
Monday, April 14, 2008
School
Today marks the starting of school for many.
Father God, bless Sam in this new school environment. I know You have Your best for him, I pray He will always remember to follow Your will instead of his desires. Fill him with confidence and boldness for you did not give him a spirit of timidity. Bless him with Godly friends, if not, people who possess good characters.
I pray for Jere, help him to do his best, Lord. Add diligence and discipline in his life, that he will do everything for your glory. Change him to be more like You, Jesus. Mold his character and attitudes. May You be glorified in his life. Yes Lord, bless him with great friends who will show genuine care for him.
I pray for Shun. Yes Lord! Diligence and discipline in his life too. Give him the strength to attend lectures. Help him to choose to fill his mind with things that are lovely, pure, true, noble... Shun will bring glory to You, Jesus. Your glory will radiate his life. He will live a life free of all bondages and lies, for You have set him free by Your truth.
And for Ada too. Give her the strength to do her best for You. Let nothing bring her down. Every step that she takes, she walk by faith in You. Bless her. Bless her. Bless her.
Amen.
10:39 AM
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Psalm 40
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced,
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
be appalled at their own shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.
Oh yes! I love this Psalm. Jesus is my firm foundation. I stand in Him and Him alone.
It was really an appetiser because Andy was sharing about strongholds, temptations and addictions!
10:18 AM
Friday, April 11, 2008
Refreshing
This has been a long and demanding week. I am not complaining. I am just acknowledging the way life has been this week. Increase of workload. No Gmail chats. My family! Irritating brother! Hai!
I was thinking today about things that I did intentionally which refreshes me everyday.
Devotion! QT! Read the Bible. Pray. Fast. Sing.
Right now I am reading the book of Ruth. It's a small chapter that I've neglected. Thank God I'm learning SO MUCH from the life of Naomi and Ruth. Share with you soon. I also journal after my reading. There is just something about journaling (even in sentences or paragraphs) that makes me feel good. I don't know about you, but journaling what I've learnt definitely helps. When it's written down in black and white, my thoughts seems clearer.
DS! Thank God for DS meet-ups!
I love to spend time with a people. We are all so different! Age, school, work... It's like watching Discovery Channel Live, seeing and hearing first hand stories about them.
I'm trying my very best to stay connected with people who I've used to have the luxury of seeing them everyday back in school. People like Yan, Na, Jon and Sab. Can't wait to meet you all, Sab, are you done with Sab lily!? Thank God for handphones, e-mails, blogs, etc that helps us to stay connected!
Yea, these are the things and people that make up my life now. And I thank You, Jesus, for working and keeping everything 'in place'. Thank You.
10:39 AM
What kind of people do you like?
I love to be around certain kinds of people:
1. People who desire to encourage others. They have a way of making every one around them feel good.
2. People who generally look for the good in others.
3. People who seem to go out of their way to not embarrass others, instead goes out of their way to protect.
4. People who seem to take the high road, yea, the way of Jesus.
5. People who are secure and don’t always have to be noticed.
6. People who are just as courteous to the weak and unlovely as the are to others.
7. People who are safe. They wouldn’t think of deliberately hurting another person.
8. People who are real–even when no one is looking.
9. People who notice those who others generally ignore.
10. People who seem grateful for what others often take for granted.
There is something about these kind of people that I enjoy being around.On the other hand, there are some people who I do not enjoy being around.
1. People who only seem comfortable when the attention is focused on themselves.
2. People who are too insecure to give others credit.
3. People who constantly talk about their "toys".
4. People who put other down and then try to laugh it off with a, "I was only kidding." (You know you mean it!)
5. People who rain on another’s joy. Darn!
6. People who are so "prickly" and moody that I must be extremely careful not so say the wrong thing around them.
7. People who lie.
8. People who find a way to be critical about most anything. Nag, nag and nag.
10. People who bully others in order to get their way. Boo!
Jesus must have been such an enjoyable person to be with. He had a way of making people around him feel comfortable. No one was ever repelled by Jesus because of his attitude or rudeness. If they were put off by Jesus if was because they rejected his teaching. I have a feeling that if you were to grow up with Jesus (when he was a boy), he would be just the kind of guy who you would want for a friend. Yes! Jesus, You are my best friend.
10:21 AM
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Amazed
You paint the morning sky
With miracles in mind
My hope will always stand
For You hold me in Your hands
Lord, I'm amazed by You
10:46 PM
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Not pleased
I'm left to use the old bulky monitir AGAIN!
Poor screen properties, double vision.
I hate this!
9:28 AM
Friday, April 4, 2008
When I send you my QT/what I've learnt, I'm saying:
You are an important part of my life.
I want to run this race with perseverance with you.
I want to know God with you.
I can't help but share how much the Word is speaking to me and how great God is.
You have access to my life.
Please speak ONLY the truth to me.
Correct me if you see anything wrong with me.
(Basically accountability)
Please pray for me, regularly!
For now, my prayer request is to be all that God wants me to be.
11:09 AM
Trust me.
There is really someone who love you no matter what.
You don't have to prove yourself to Him.
He doesn't put a price tag on You for your looks, talents and abilities.
He says you are beautiful, for He created you.
If only you would let down your guard to accept Him to tell you how beautiful you are in his eyes.
Sometimes, we can't help but allow people's opinions to shape who we are, how we look, what to say, how to act...
To an extend, it's important, because human beings thrive in compliments and praises.
Just remember, whenever the Creator looks at us, He can't help but smile from ear to ear. =)
God made me who I'm meant to be
He loves me just the way I am
God made me who I'm meant to be
His love for me is so amazing
For this simple reason
I am happy to be me!
10:14 AM
'Orbak-licious'
9:47 AM
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Irritating
The frequent-always 'you are no longer signed in' is so IRRITATING!
Now, the Stormynitez and Splinterboyx are back in UIC. =*(
UIC oh UIC...
And Cheerfulboy is out of sight.
2:57 PM
Beautiful One, I love
A mated pair of red-and-green macaws soars above the forest in Bolivia's Madidi National Park. These long-lived birds mate for life, and couples spend nearly every minute together.
Have you ever experienced a sorrow so devastating that you felt you were enveloped by heavy, thick, dark clouds? A dreadful darkness that makes God's perfect love seem gone forever, with His grace to bear all things cast into a sea of despair and hopelessness?
"A water lily carpeted pond edges Grayling Lake Trail, north of Seward, Alaska. One of the lakes along the trail abounds in grayling, surface feeders with long dorsal fins."
This lonely mangrove clings to the earth with its massive roots. Cape York Peninsula is a land of extremes—scorched in one season and sodden in the next. Five months of monsoon rains causes rivers to burst their banks, then they evaporate during seven months of withering drought.
Fed by the 100-plus inches (254 centimeters) of rain per year that fall in Olympic National Park, evergreen trees rise above the fog that fills this Olympic Mountain's valley. 
Home to a variety of animals, including kangaroos and wallabies, the rock basin known as Wilpena Pound was carved from ancient mountains by erosion. The high walls of rock are made of weather-resistant quartzite.
About 74,000 years ago, a volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself on Sumatra. The resulting crater later filled with water and became known as Lake Toba (pictured).
