Here are some quotes I've picked up on the topic on "wonder" and "awe"

To define wonder for an adult
before seeing it
through the eyes of a child
is to miss the marvel of infancy
- R.Zacharias

All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players
They have their exits and their entrances;
and one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. [Infancy, Schoolboy, Lover, Soldier, Middle-age, Decline, Old Age]
Last scene of all
That ends this strange eventful hisotry.
Is second childishness, and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything...
- Shakespeare

It's odd God.
Time's shoeless feet
sneaked up on me
and caught me by surprise.

The days of youth I knew so well
are gone with the blink of an eye
Innocent play and laughter,
tire swings and fun,
those days were too soon ended
when I thought they'd only begun.

Backyard friends were many
Worries and fears were few.
Hopes and dreams were not yet dashed.
But life as it was then is through.
No longer tree swings,
now they're blowouts,
that complicate schedules and work
as I recklessly race down the freeway
in search of paychecks and perks

How I long for the years of my childhood,
when life was uncluttered and free.
Perhaps there's a way to reprogram my goals
and capture the me that was me
- Anon.

At the cross Jesus gave
the final and
ultimate gift of
unmerited favor.
- R. Zacharias

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love for Thee....

Lord this is my prayer to you:
One thing I have asked from the Lord,
that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord
and to mediate in His temple.... Psalm 27:4

I know, its not the most original blog title, but my brain is close to toast and I am wondering if I am doing the right thing here blogging instead of chugging along with this assignment I am doing. Actually, I think I should be blogging, coz blogging does not require me to write in academic proper language. It doesnt even matter if I dont have my punctuation marks in the right place, and the best thing about blogging? I dont have to use Endnote for references! Arrrggghhh...you've probably guessed this girl has been writing one too many assignments.....

Oh man oh man...I will try not to complain too much..I know you guys must have had your own share of toils and sufferings...

Let me do a quick update:

I am on my last semester of school!!! aahahahahaha...God will see me through..I think most of my classmates are feeling it, we are feeling the end is near, and we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but....this end is torturous... We have 6 assignments in 3 weeks...and it seems there is not enough time to rest and recoup at the end of each submission... I find that my rest breaks are longer and longer, and I had to drag myself back to work...

Its like a long marathon race, and the final lap seems to take forever to get to...

Oh, and this is probably news to you: but 3 months ago I had a pet rabbit...and last sunday, he died...I cant explain it but I am still kinda grieving... I did not kill him, but he evidently committed suicide...he jammed his neck on the gaps of his metal cage...???

So sunday afternoon after church, I had two loving brothers help me dig up a grave for Peter (yes, his name was Peter Rabbit, Peter S. Rabbit, or Rabbit, P.S.) and we did a quick funeral... We even had a small tombstone...sigh...its directly outside my room...I had many good memories of Peter, small furry ball of joy...loved the sound of him chewing a carrot...and many afternoon of fun chasing him with a mop in the garden....don't ask me why I chase my rabbit...

but yeah, he was a ton of joy...fur ball of blessings...and I will remember him forever...my first ever personal pet....

Now I am praying for another pet...was so tempted to rock up to the pet store today to grab me a pair of fighting fish...but thought otherwise...I had a distant memory of my cousin's fish also committing suicide...oh....sometimes I wish my memory aint so sharp...

Anyway, thanks for tuning in to Christina's babbles and scribbles...

I had a good 10 mins procrastinating :)

Bless ya!

It's the longest day of the week...makes you wish the weekends can grow longer...you've guessed it, its Monday...

This morning on the drive to work, I was just so exhausted....the music from the radio were irritating and doesn't do a thing to quell my feelings. I woke up at the sound of my alarm blaring away at me, shattering the already uneasy sleep. It felt as though my head was so busy processing my dreams, and it was churning at full speed, and when I had to wake up to the reality, I was, truthfully, wanting to crash back to bed. To my toasty warm bed... Guess what? Today my bible reading in the book of Proverbs has a very interesting insight to what I do every Monday morning in bed: "As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed." Oh, guilty as charged...I confess, I can be pretty lazy...ugh, but mondays are just tough...

Let's turn back to the weekend...on the surface, it seems like I had it filled with all it should be. Food, sleep, church and all day Sunday fellowship, plus doing the mundane chores (which are surprisingly therapeutic). I was so happily busy. Had a nice walk too by the river, and spotted 2 friendly dolphins..beat that! It was a dazzling sunset when the sky was a painter's color palatte, God was simply showing us his colors... impressed my socks off...But as I lay my head down to sleep on Sunday night, annoyed at the clock because it says I have just over 6 hours before I had to get up, I realized, oh man, the reason I was so tired and so busy but not feeling terribly satisfied with how things went, is because, I was just so busy that I didn't really sit down and hang out with the most important person in my life = Paapa...God...

Simplicity.....I need to trim it down...cut the unnecessary....give myself to Him who helped me throughout the week...actually, take that back, my whole life and for ever and ever...
Okay, that bit is just a reflection...of a not so rested/satisfying weekend...

I just received an email .... it's nearly time, well, closer to the time of the year when the Muslims will be going through the month of Ramadan... here's a little slice of what a Muslim believes..

THE 5 PILLARS OF ISLAM....
1. Reciting the two-fold Creed (shahada) (profession of faith) - ‘There is no God but Allah’ and ‘Muhammad is his prophet’ (or ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God’).

2. Prayer (salat) - At five set-times a day while facing towards the city of Mecca.

3. Alms-giving (sakat) (zakat - means ‘purification’, an act of worship) - Both obligatory and voluntary giving to the poor.

4. Fasting (saum) - Especially during the ‘holy’ month of Ramadan.

5. Pilgrimage (hajj) - At least once in a lifetime - to Mecca, Saudi Arabia if at all possible, known as The Hajj.

Growing up in Indonesia, I have always thought of Muslims as neighbors, indeed, I live as their neighbors, wake up to the Arabic declarations eminating from the nearby mosque and love hanging out with the kids who live around me... Now as a Christ follower, I see more reasons to love Muslims, in a deeper and more significant way... I pray this season the Holy Spirit will enable me to pray faithfully and be more in tuned with my prayers during the month of Ramadan. I believe God is at work, and his heart is for also our neighbors who are Muslims. I hope that Christians can join in and love our neighbors during this important time of Ramadan...He is BIG enough...amen??

Here's a link:
http://www.30-days.net/ (let's put love, faith and hope into action...)

Yours in Christ...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
When there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is love, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying, that we awake to eternal life.

- this prayer is associated with Franceis of Assisi, and reflects his spirit...

Whee, its been a while since I wrote something here. Today is my rest day and I am going to start scribbling again.

Dear Daddy God,

in spite of my failings, I know Your compassion and forgiveness.
In the midst of my broken pride, I sense Your strength and comfort. In my
loss of direction, I look to Your leading. I will always be secure in Your protection.
Thanks be to You, Lord Jesus..

Should Thy mercy send me
Sorrow, toil and woe,
Or should pain attend me
on my path below.
Grant that I may never
Fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever
Cast my care on Thee.
- James Montgomery

Over the weekend, and boy, do these weekends go past real quick, I have had a few notable events. I sit on my desk now, on a mid Monday morning, relishing my real rest. I thank God for the pain in my lower belly that really rendered me useless to any form of physical activity, but save my active mind. So here I am writing away, and feeling content that I am with no one else but my Father in Heaven as my sole company. I was immobilized by my pain last night, despite taking NSAIDS, I wrestled with the idea of taking a leave today from work. But I think I have put the nagging thoughts past my head and trusted God that today is a profitable day to dwell upon God and all His generous giving of rest, and to my great delight, to sit by Jesus' feet and listen to Him...

I did not forget that I started writing that there were a few notable events the past weekend. And yes, this all too familiar pain episodes in one of them. Others are of a different nature. A friend managed to secure the loan of "Luther" the movie, chronicling the life of Martin Luther, the man who started the Protestant Reformation. Hmm, I have a lot of thoughts about that one subject alone. Where do I even begin??

I think I start with thanksgiving. I thank God that He does not allow his truth to be marred. He decides the course of history, authors it and will see the end of it. How Christianity began is through the life of his Son, Jesus, who is the truth..

Echoing the apostle John:

I am amazed how God rescues His people, how God rescues us from the tyranny of ourselves, from the all familiar 'laws' that twisted the truth and nature of God. I am grateful to be able to read my bible, and to be touched by the message of love from the Living God. Blood of faithful martyrs enabled this and seeing that movie, awakens me to realize again that the Word is so powerful. Lives can be altered and changed. God is not aloof and detached from human suffering, bondage and misery. He knows and is working in the lives of people who obeys him to transform history for his glory. One such man is Luther..

Something else is also shaking, rattling and threatening the course of our ordinary lives. So, our lives are not that ordinary after all. In the friendships that we hold dear, the enemy stalks and wants to steal and destroy. He wants something that is precious in the sight of God. Without much details, I'd been praying for God to guide us through turbulent waters. God answered magnificently. I know I am skipping the details, but I am content to write these bits which, personally, are the ones that will make all the difference: God has declared again and again, He is above all our circumstances!!

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

I guess the world may never know why we Christians stake all our claims, all our hopes, fears and burdens on the Cross. It is a pretty ironic thing isnt it? Where our LORD was bullied, laughed at, mocked at, and tortured to death, comes the amazing come back. He defeated Death, and all our sinful passions, worries, things that stumble us, everything that makes the world the way it is, is nailed to that wonderful cross. I can't ever fully comprehend the full extent of what Jesus did, but I sure am liberated, sure am grateful that when I look to the cross, I see help, and experience hope...

As I look to the cross of Jesus, God has given courage and zeroed my fear and doubts. He says my fruit will be determined by what kind of a tree I am. I say to God in response, "Dad, I am planted in the soil of your salvation, my lifeblood flows the blood of Christ, my old seed has died and now in me, flows your Holy Spirit, so I choose my fruit to be Your will, and if you supply it, my fruit will be the expansion of Your Kingdom, right here, right now, glorify Your Name!!" I say that with a mighty shout...be afraid enemies of God, here comes the real mighty one...

I pray for wisdom and courage to face Jesus with the current "difficult" situation with a dear group of friends. I am ready to sit through it, hear the hurts, with no retort, with no smart words, just allowing God to work through me with His grace, and outflow of empathy. I don't honestly know how it will go...but it has been surrendered and committed to HIM... Jesus will lead us through it...

God has shown His commitment to the maturing of our Christian walk and development of our character. He desires humility from us to do something with us. It is painful to relinquish control, and to take risk in order to get 'hits' from other people. It is tough to listen to harsh words or witness hurts that in one way or another is caused by myself. Thankfully, I am not a great girl of faith, but a girl having faith of a great God.

Finally, another highlight of the week is a discipleship program that I've just joined, and this one is a real puncher... THE REALITY OF GLOBAL POVERTY...

ah ha!! Living radically like Jesus requires His followers to face up to the tough issues...
here's a few links to shed some light...(beware, they challenge us...only if you are ready...)

Another Sunday that just passed...and this is one of those random, write-my-thoughts-down-as-fast-as-they-come blogs...you've been warned...

I was chatting to a sister in Christ this evening on the ride home about how truly seasons change in our walk in the LORD. Last night, I took a long time reading my past blogs and realizing, wow, LORD, I've changed...the circumstances surrounding my life did not seem to have changed much, but how amazing, I have...

Today in worship at church, I felt impressed by God telling me that, He is above all my circumstances.. I saw the image of a little girl running across stones that bridges a smoothly flowing river, she was light, dressed in a flowy white dress and her laughter is pure joy. She has no burdens, and as she makes her jumps from stone to stone, she knew where she was going. The river banks was soft green grass and she was barefoot. Reaching the other side of the river, she was welcomed, and scooped into the arms of Someone who loved her, delights in her and wanted to tell her lots and lots of wonderful things..

Come as a child..come as you are..come to your Papa..
I think I need to abandon my identity as what the world sees me as and come to my LORD, and drink deeply into his everlasting fountain..I am so desperately thirsty LORD...

A sister said to me today too that Simeon.. the name that was on my hat meant that 'God has heard'...Wow, mind blowing...I think and, it always never failed to amaze me that, God is so intuned with our feelings, and what we are going through..and who are we? We are but a flower that fades, a breath that  disappears... Wow, that God, in so many ways, tries to tell me that he hears, and he knows...I think today he means to say every circumstances I face, he is ABOVE it all...

Boy, do I feel small...and I think feeling small is a good thing...that I remember who is in charge here, it is Daddy God.. not me...I just rest under his wings, and what I need, I can find it in the person of Jesus, and His grace....is enough for me...

So, back to me reading my past seasons in walking with Jesus...this is why it brought the message home: Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been. "If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know . . ." ( John 7:17  ).

If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and to send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself— begin to have spiritual discernment (Oswald Chambers)

Lord, I want to know...I want to fulfill the purpose you have for me in my life..
Help me see the bigger picture, help me to feel small...and in that way, magnify your glory...

Good night Daddy...

There are so many demands of my time, energy and emotion. I think for the most part of this year, I was caught up with many voices, calling out to me. I failed to hear the most quiet and intimite call and I drifted farther and farther away from my first love.

Sigh~the last 3 weeks have caused me more hiccups than I can remember for quite some time. So, this weekend, I truly wave my little white flag, humbled myself and ask the question,"Please Daddy, come and take me out of this fog, or if it is Your will Daddy, let me remain and do you proud." Daddy knows me so well, he is never far from me. He sees me and knows my every thought. He knows I am rather deaf, so he brings me friends, with an audible human voice to speak to me. I hear him now, and I will keep quiet, and be still. He has lots to say to me, almost like a catching up session. I think if I pause long enough, I will hear him.

He is so good, and I am not ashamed to see him. All the blaming and questionings have ceased as I approach his throne of grace. He is the most patient and understanding Father. He knew I'd come to him, he knew I'd ran out of steam on my own little wonderings. I got distracted, and the experience is similar to a child getting lost in the mall. Now, I am standing in the crowd, wondering where Daddy's hand is, but little did I know, he never did lose sight of me at all. He gave me a chance to learn, explore and realize my own strengths, and of course, limitations. But never will he withdraw himself from me, because I bring delight to him, from the moment he made me, he says, he delights in me. That makes me feel special, and, as I come to him now, not at all feeling condemned. What a safe place to be, in the presence of Daddy...

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" James 1:2-4

Last night, Daddy sent me his friend, someone who has met his son, Jesus. I was afraid of walking home in the dark, so I prayed and asked for help to get home. The train was bright, but I was not sure, there was a man across from me who was drunk and he is getting off the same station as I was. I got off the train, walked down the steps. Who did I see? A man who knows Daddy well, he loves being with Daddy too...He talks with Daddy everyday, every moment, and listens to his voice. How encouraging. We walked the cold and dark streets, and my heart glowed with warmth. His stories are so genuine, and as though he knew what I've been struggling with, he pulls out his mobile, touched the screen and showed me the verse above...I think Daddy has a word for me..

I think I want to be still now.. I want to be like this man, who is ready to listen to the smallest whispers of God, and obey...It's been a while, and I am weary of how things have been like for me lately...I'm ready to come under His wings and stay there for ages...to be fed and watered by His grace, truth and redemptive time... to be more and more like HIM and to see even more clearly the destiny He has planned for me...

Praise the LORD, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples!
For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the LORD is everlasting.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 117...

 

 

This was sent out from my email a while ago, thought it will be a good idea to stick it here..hv a read pls..

Dear Friends,
 
you know I am hardly the person to email much, but behold, now there is actually a real good reason to emaila whole bunch of you, and request for your help regarding something that is close to my heart...please read and see if this is something you might want to be a part of...
 
CHILDREN BURIED ALIVE (I am NOT kidding!)
Stop the Amazon Infanticide!!
 
1. View the Hakani video at www.youtube.com. Rate it and send the link to others. Post it on your own website and blog
2. Go to Facebook and find the "HAKANI" group. Join the group and invite all your friends to join. Also check out www.hakani.org
3. Email your approval of Muwaji's Law to:
Arlindo Chinaglia (President of the Congress) dep.arlindochinaglia@camara.gov.br
Pompeo De Mattos (President of the Congress' Human Rights and Minorities Committee) dep.pompeodemattos@camara.gov.br
Tarso Genro (Minister of Justice) Gabinetemj@mj.gov.br
4. Use the sample letters (below) to email the Australian embassy in Brazil (if you are in Australia, otherwise, please google your own embassy): embaustr@dfat.gov.au and the Brazilian Embassy in Australia: consulado@brazilsydney.org
 
This bit is the usual: Please email 3 personal contacts to do the same, please ask them to pass these steps on to 3 of their contacts.
Also look for the internet movie premiere on July 13th at www.hakani.org
 
Christina again: Thanks for getting this far, I hope you'd set aside some time for this, because I have seen the video and heard from the people working to impact the decision. They've spoken to many people in government and there's a huge wave of effort happening online. Can't sit still and do nothing, so here goes...
 
If you decide to help, THANKS! and know there are countless lives you've affected...Please roll this on, and lets make a huge impact...
 
In HIM,
Christina
 
 
sample letter:
 
Dear,
 
Recently I have become aware that children are being buried alive in Brazil today. Infanticide is a common practice performed by many indigenous groups. The Brazilian government seems to support this injustice.
 
Deputy Francisco Praciano (PT-AM) declared publicly: "The Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution does not apply to the Indians. It just doesn't" How can the government of Brazil maintain this position that flies in the face of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements?
 
It has also come to my attention that many indigenous people in Brazil want to stop this practice. Unfortunately the Brazilian government stops them. They intimidate individuals and groups that want to save these children's lives from certain death. In addition, the government has put culture over the value of life. I find this unacceptable.
 
It seems to be that they are treating the indigenous people like some exotic animals. They do not have the right of self-determination or the right of residency. This amounts to national shame.
 
However there is glimmer of hope. Congresswoman Janete Rocha Pieta (email: dep.janetrochapieta@camara.gov.br) has submitted Muwaji's Law (Law Project 1057/2007). This will give protection for the indigenous children against infanticide as well as give human rights to the indigenous people.
 
I ask you. Please learn about Muwaji's Law (www.hakani.org as well as voiceforlife.blogspot.com) and exert pressure on the State Department to engage in discussion about Muwaji's Law in your bilateral relationship. It comes up for discussion in June 2008.
 
Thank you for your consideration
 
Sincerely
 
(Your name)
 

Because I want to, and because you don't really mind (do you?) and also because I just got back from the Independent Living Center, so let me fill you in on a subject called assistive technology to elevate your knowledge regarding this matter beyond that of the average Joe out there...

Assistive technology is  any device or product that is useful for a person's enhanced functioning and participation (Scherer, 2001).

So thats why OTs and people in the rehabilitative business (healthcare and such) have to be able to assist persons with disabilities to find that equipment, or tool or device to be able to live a quality life. Imagine wanting to speak but you cant? Imagine wanting to write a blog, but you've got only function on your neck? So what can my profession (OT) offer you?

We would assist by doing a complete assessment and this goes beyond physical, to see how can your lifestyle, expectation, resource and ability fit with an equipment. So, we'd collaborate with the client and his/her family, their care-givers, and the rest of the team (physios, speech pathologist, doctor, nurses, podiatrist, yada yada) to find the best fit.

3 weeks ago, we did this massive assignment for a case study of a client who has a massive spinal cord injury from neck down. Wow, it was a mind blowing case, where we'd try and piece his occupational life together literally. What do I mean? Well, we have to help him get back into life again, and in this assignment, we covered his major wish list such as being able to mobilize again (move, go from place to place) independently, to be able to watch TV and use the computer, and hang out like we all wanna do.

Life doesn't end when you've got a disability. Life goes on, and I love my future job, its about helping people pick up the pieces, modifying it, and pushing them on to a life they've (literally) never knew.

Last night during my devotional, I read this:"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" Phil 4:8

How cool and praise be to God that despite the endless hours in the library and eating yucky food coz I'm too preoccupied with my assignments, that I can dwell on such up-lifting thoughts, that in all that I am learning, God has the glory and honor that he is truly the one allowing me the privilege of studying and preparing myself to be in life-long service to the God of creation.

Wow, the thought of that, just blew me away! Halleluja!

Aw, how I missed writing a blog, it seemed a long time since I last did that, on second thoughts, yeah, its been many many months...so where am I now?

I am 4 weeks away from finals for my 2nd semester in this crazy course..its been the most challenging endevour in my life ever, working so hard and churning out assignments week after week... many times I was nearly faint, as are all my classmates, but I never doubted that God will enable me and allow me to flourish where He has placed me...

I want to say sorry to all my friends who has not heard from me for ages. I realize. I realize that I have been really out of sight..even to my own family, I have been really absent..

Wow, but I am really going to go through these times with God's peace, knowing that its for a purpose and most importantly its for HIS purpose that I am able to study and do this course..

Otherwise, spiritually, I have to confess that it hasnt been the same, and God help me to return to my first love...I do not wish to be reading the Word as though I am reading my books or journals, no, I remember the excitement and joy to read God's Word and they all spoke to me...So, truly if there's anything that would help me, its to be able to get back to where I was spiritually...God will take care of the rest...Matt 6:33

I'll be wrapping up my first year of OT in Nov 19th, and starting a neurological OT prac in Singapore in January, I am so excited, so stoked for the opportunity! and most of all, I cant wait for my break...

Praise God and He is good, everyday!

"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ,...he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11 (Msg)

Random, but I hope this verse help you discover a little more of our Lord Jesus today...

Be blessed.... psalm 118:24

Give yourselves to God...
Surrender your whole being to him
to be used for righteous purposes - Romans 6:13 (TEV)

What does that all mean...?

Father God, just want to re-affirm with you that I'll do this, I don't like it (its against my nature) and will have to work hard, but its Your way (no highway here) and I'll keep up.. you'll help me...I'll just hang on to your trusty hand...

• We give ourselves to him, not out of fear or duty, but in love because he first loved us
• Surrendered people obey God's word, even if it doesn't make sense.
• Surrender is trust. Me let go and let God work
• The supreme example of self surrender is Jesus. (Think the start of the Passion of Christ in the garden before His crucifixion)
• Rick Warren writes "Genuine surrender says (Oh man this is the ultimate), "Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another's, please DON'T take it away." Grrr....ouch....but it pleases God..
• Surrendered to God (note: past tense), I don't need to have to fear or surrender to anything else..
• Surrendered people are the ones God use... (think Mary or better still, Jesus Himself)
• Oh another biggie as quoted by Pastor Rick, "YOu are free to choose what you surrender to, but you are not free from the consequences of that choice."
• Thus, mastered by Christ, you can handle anything
• In conclusion: Slave of Christ....
  

Father God, help me to learn to give it up, offer it up, and take it to Your feet, and trust that it will all work out to bring You the ultimate glory...In pray in Christ's awesome name, Amen!

Where have I been the last month??
Hey there folks, its me again, back after a long absence! Shalom, and peace in Christ, I've been enjoying time with family, and erm, my playstation, and tonight, I just wrapped up one long and phew, tiring assignment! Next time I would think twice about taking a class during holiday break, its just not the way holidays are meant to be! I totally left it to the last minute, grrr, totally out of character...

Well, God has been impressing a very important matter to me. This one is close to my heart, and really makes me feel small...(aka humbled)

FAMILY!!! This time I've been following Daddy God's instructions to spend precious time getting to know my closest people on earth, my own family. Much has happened since then..won't get into the details. It's so odd, but if we are not careful, there can be a a wall that stands in between us and our family. A wall that is invisible but you know its there. A wall that causes awkward moments when you realize that even though you are together but you don't really have much to say to each other. A wall that makes me realise that some of the closest individuals in the world to me do not yet have heaven to go as their final destination. This part really bugs me, produces tension and on most nights, leads me to prayer and to the feet of Papa God. Dear God, there's much to do, aint there? Help me be your wall breaking assistant, lemme join your team, Papa God!!!

Yet, last year God did plenty of marvellous work in my family, and many prayers were answered, and I am sure some are being worked out as I speak... Many major prayers that are living itself out this day as a testimony to Papa God's faithfulness and power. I wish I can spell it all out for you one by one, but, I'll just store it with great joy in my heart, remembering His goodness to my humble household. I know my God can do all things, and its HIS plans that are being worked out... I try to remind myself of this fact...it's so easy to lose reverence and fear for our Heavenly Father, I'm guilty...

Thanks Pa for your wonderful love, your mercy and grace, and how you continue to love me despite my 'regular' doubts and 'straying away', I just don't and never will get it. You are so patient and loving, I can't say enough about you. Thank you again Daddykins... Well, Papa God, I will keep stumbling in trying to keep following you tightly, I'm truly sorry. Please help me when I have trouble in keeping my appointments with you and getting side-tracked. I know you are good to me not because I am good, but because You are good, and you are always giving me second chances, it never runs out. Your mercies and grace keeps me alive, and breathing, and forgiven on a daily basis.. So Papa God, this year, may Your will be done as they are already being done in Heaven. I will try and strive to love you with all I've got and to love the people you've placed around me too..Papa, help me not forget that you are an amazing God and all the deeds and miracles you've done in my life...May I always trust in you, and not in my own strength....I'm really forgetful of this at times...DAd, I cant say enough about you.. :) Love you so much...so much that I will keep on discovering this for the rest of eternity...In Christ Jesus's mighty Name I pray. Amen!~!~


Thanks for sharing your time reading my blog...

Mind you, these are your everyday 'mundane' activities, but hehe, I just wanna publish it

1. Studied for a anatomy and physiology exam
2. Sat for an anatomy and physiology exam
3. Packed my stuff and moved out of dorm
4. Came home to Mama and Papa
5. Watched some movies on my flight home (I love Singapore airlines! I love watching movies on my flights and my eyes are so glued on the puny screens!): Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, CSI, & My Super Ex-girlfriend
6. Hung out with Myra
7. Visited the local YWAM base and made more friends there. Hung out with my future roomie, and combed Chinatown!
8. Did prayer walk on the beach and praying (very cool to do this in the quiet evenings after a massive eating session!)
9. Came back to my favorite church, sob, my spiritual birthplace! Viva ACTS Center! Fellowship galore!
10. Packed my little backpack and went to Shenzhen to visit my 'gu-ma' ( Watched movie on board: The Devil wears Prada, and bits of Pirates of Caribbean II)
11. Said hello to my family there whom I have not yet seen for the last 1o years (oh, man, time flies!)
12. Took a train and had a real good time praying for the city, reading my Bible, and hearing God's heart for Guangdong province. God loves his people...
13. Talked to my 'gu-ma' and dug out precious family history from her. How she came out of tough times during the early Communist days, oh, how my first grandmother was beaten by the soldiers, and how my 'gu-ma' remembered that her Daddy was living far away from her in Indonesia... oh, long story this one...will stretch it else where... God thanks for keeping and preserving my family...
14. Walked my legs out at places we visited, my 'gu-ma' had a blast hanging out with her family.. the sights were amazing, Oh DAddy God, how can we thank you enough
15. Hmmm, realised that China has indeed developed by leaps and bounds, and as of course, the church there has grown so BIG! Praise God!
16. Had a taste of the Chinese KFC and McD
17. Came back and hung out. Celebrated 'gu-ma's 70th birthday, watched Kung Fu Hustle with DAddy and brother (hilarious movie, oh, and one that dad managed to sit through without falling asleep, rare deal!)
18. Said goodbye and traveled by train to HK
19. Visited HK Disneyland
20. Stayed one day at Mongkok, Kowloon....once close to the 'Walled City' of J.Pullinger's story in Chasing the Dragon (Humbling, powerful and stirring read! Grab yourself a copy)
21. Exhausted, flew back to Singapore (Checked out the movie: Invincible!)

The rest of the week:
hung out with mom, took mom out to watch the first movie she'd ever watch in 10 over years (James Bond 007 AWESome!), went to library with mommy, taking my laptop to the "doctor", washing dishes, watching TV, started running, reading bible, book, pray, found out my hard disk had crashed (aw, bummer!), hung out with my maternal grandma, celebrated her birthday,reading into the night in the same bed as mom who is also reading into the night, emailing, took mommy to church (today!), really just chilling out...Thank God for home....

Next week:
short trip to Batam, waiting for my sister "Skiddy" to come back, off to KL for wedding stuff, celebrating my B-day with my KL family, and whatever else God blessed us with...

More news, and blessings from your faithful reporter in Christ to come...

p.s. Thanks to V, my brother for lending me his laptop for me to scribble this...oh, i miss my own...

(My aunt in China and her long-lost-but-thank-God-reunited-again half brother, my Daddy!)

It 's been a while, I know, and I have left a pretty large gap of 2 months since my last blog, yikes! In summary, it has been lots of studying, mugging, group working and flying. I finally landed in Singapore 3 weeks ago. Then I flew the week after to visit my family in Shenzhen, China, and spent a really amazing (will elaborate more later) week with them, and then last week, I took the flight home again to the familiar Changi Airport in Singapore. Phew! Was exhausting, flying so much, and this week, I resolved to stay at home, and spending quality time with mom, and my little brother.

That was a real quick summary of how the last 3 months zipped by.... God has been keeping me busy, challenged and thriving in His loving care...

In the next few blogs, (beware!) I am going to 'unload' all the events of the last few weeks in pictures and words and share a few of the many blessings that I've been privileged to have documented. So, gear up and join me in thanking our Heavenly Father ok? So happy you can join me...and thanks for surfing by...

Hi all, its been a while since my last post... Swirled around in work and wrestling around with priorities, but all is well, I have emerged victorious by His grace and am gonna share a few thoughts that are "true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.."

De Sales
The heart of a disinterested person is like wax in God's hands, ready for every impression of the eternal will. Such a heart knows no personal preference, equally prepared for anything, its one aim the fulfilling of God's will. It is not attracted by the thing God want, only by his will that wants them
Power, Francis De Sales: Finding God Wherever You Are, 59

Augustine
We may seek all these things, O Lord, but in seeking them we must not deviate from your law. The life we live here is open to temptation by reason of a certain measure and harmony between its own splendors and all these beautiful things of lower degree....Sin gains entrance through these and similar good things when we turn to them with immoderate desire, since they are the lowest kinds of goods and we thereby turn away from the better and higher: from you yourself, O Lord our God, and your truth and your law.
Augustine, The Confessions (Hyde Park, N.Y.: New City Press, 1997), 69.

Peter Kreeft
Every atom in the quadrillion-mile universe and every "chance" event in its trillion year history is deliberated and perfectly planned and controlled by God for the ultimate end of our good, our heavenly joy. Galaxies revolve and dinosaurs breed and rain falls and people fall in love and uncles smoke cheap cigard and people lose their jobs and we all die - all for our good, the finished product, God's work of art, the Kingdom of Heaven.
P. Kreeft, Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1980), 108-9.

Thomas a Kempis
Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity, except to love God and to serve only him. This is the highest wisdom: to see the world as it truly is, fallen and fleeting; to love the world not for its own sake, but for God's; and to direct all your effort toward achieving the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria, 1989),30

Ignatius of Loyola
In every good choice, in so far as it depends upon us, the direction of our intention should be simple. I look only to the end for which I am created, that is, for the praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of my soul. Therefore, whatever I choose must have as its purpose to help me to this end.
Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius (New York: Doubleday, 1964), 82-83

"Therefore my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Phil 2:12-13

Jesus answered and said, ’You do not know what you ask’ —Matthew 20:22

Dear friends,

Greetings! I hope your week has been filled with encouragement and thanksgiving. There's so many things to give thanks for, isnt it?

Well, I am at a point where I am about to burst with thanksgivings now, hehe, and I can hardly contain myself. So many things happen everyday, and it shows me how God's being active in our lives. God hears our cries to him and he just can't keep away from us: He loves us so very much, and my little brain just can't process all of it, but my heart knows .. (big hugz! to Papa God)

News:

• Happy belated birthday to Juugii! I think you are 15 right? God bless you, and may your walk with Jesus be so intimate and special always. Its wonderful to hear encouraging news about you..be blessed, and I can't wait to see you when I get back in Nov...
• The folks starting school @ UBC, take heart, be strong and get on with the work...haha... You will not be alone in all you do, I am rooting for you all the way. To the chicks (beloved sisters) with long hair and split ends, I am still keeping my end of the deal here. No scissors are coming anywhere near me... I love you all, and would love to hear updates and pictures ok? Hint!
  
• Did you know how marvellous your brains are? Well, I am about to enter the lab on monday evening to check out cadavers, hehe, looking forward to seeing dead bodies and poking around the brain to learn about this amazing organ God has given us...the smell is another matter tho...
  
• Jesus is LORD!!!!

Praise God, he is the famous One!!! Great is your name!

Well, God hears our prayers. I am watching how he is unfolding the events my life everyday now, and I am watching with great expectation and, hehe, lots of patience... Plans that are beyond my imagination are taking shape and I am just in awe of how creative God is!
Hehe, when things are almost for certain, I will post it, but for now, it will suffice to say that my heart is screaming with joy at the prospect of doing what I love, passionate about, and possibly having a real exciting 2007 with DAddy!!! Daddy God! hehe...
(isn't she being overly mysterious, you might say?? Maybe, but God is even more mysterious!)

I'll leave you with this verse, it's right on the spot!

" In Him, also we have obtained in inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works in ALL things after the counsel of HIS will." Ephesians 1:11
(CAPS mine)

Speaking for myself, I am aware that I am merely the clay, and constantly being aware of how blessed, graced by God and working for Him and not myself is serving me in good stead. Many times, our old nature would want to boast, and I get that quiet a bit too. But walking with God requires us to die to ourselves everyday (puzzling? hehe, find someone who can help you explain the Bible) and its amazing what God does within us when we do that. ITs a life long journey, but indeed to live is Christ isnt it? hehe, I talk in riddles don't I? But bear with me, just need to get this into the open...

God has been blessing me with all that is needed for me to: "Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all shall be added unto you" Matt 6:33, and remembering this I boast in Him alone...thank You Jesus for lifting me out of the miry clay...once not so long ago, you found me lost, dirty and purpose-less...I remember those days, and in doing so, I remember Your daily goodness to Your servant... I can't say enough, but thank You...

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer - psalm 19:14

For all including myself :)
"Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; YEs, wait for the LORD... - psalm 27:14

Be blessed, and encouraged.. have a great week!

Right! First and foremost, wanna give Papa God a real big hug for getting me through this day, and of course, plenty others before this one! Yikes, today, was a fruitful day indeed, and Christina has only Abba to thank....goodness, it could have been a mini disaster in the making...disaster evaded! Shanks Abba!

Oh, I want to share this picture too, I love it, because it's very special picture don't you think? It's very loving and personal how our Savior really is to us, and I like to imagine the little girl there is me...and hehe, you can imagine you are being hugged by Jesus too ok? It is likely that it is so already....

Dear Father in Heaven,
It began real early today, but you met me nonetheless. Thanks for waking me up to a toasty warm morning in my covers, to a brand new day. Class was boring today, hehe, usually it flies by pretty quick. I woke up to a bit of drowsiness because I am taking medications for my allergy. Thanks Papa, that the medication prescribed to me by the nice lady pharmacist worked well for me, I didn't even have to see the doctor for it. *hugs! It was a lovely sunny day today, thanks for bathing me in warmth, love and lots of vitamin D! Yes, dear Father, Christina was pretty sluggish today, but thanks to my daddy, yes, my daddy you gave me, he called me up when I was napping at 7pm! Woke me out of my snooze, and then you set me going like a little engine, I zoomed past 50 pages of reading and finished my written assignment, like this! Thanks Daddy, it was much needed, that assignment was like, rotting away on my laptop... I had to finish it and you helped me.. Thank you for daddy who called me, I missed hearing his voice, it has been a while since dad or mom called me. Thanks for protecting each and everyone of my family who are all over the place, only you can do this, no one else...I am blessed to be able to talk to you anytime and any place, but especially in my room, you are always there for me. Its weird, I used to think that I won't be able to live like this, being alone so much of the time, but I realise now I can, by your grace. I can always curl up and pray to you, and you delight in hearing me. At times, I must be real disappointing eh? Falling asleep during my time with you, oops, yes, but thanks for your patience with your daughter here. Anyhow Daddy God, C wants to ask for your presence always to be with her, please let her please you in her studies, her time management, and by being faithful in whatever little you gave her. These includes the hours and hours for the papers that are going to be due. Lord, I never used to think worship includes these, but now, you've changed my mind, and my heart, so now, I will work and give praise and thanks to you. Yes, Lord, studying is a privilege, and I will pour it out to you..in thanksgiving...no matter how hard it gets. I love you and thank you Abba for who you are.. In Christ's name I pray. Amen!

Your heart will be where your treasure is - Matt 6:21

Now I want to share a devotional that I did couple of days ago, its beautiful and I hope you too can find this useful for your walk with HIM....

The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it's going, that knows the source of strength is, and the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness...

Being busy is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. Peter was busy. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort and hard work and weariness (Hear that Christina??? ahem, I was speaking to myself, go on..) Being busy, in and of itself, is not a sin. But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty and hollow and broken inside - that cannot be pleasing to God.

One source of man's weariness is the pursuit of things that can never satisfy; but which one of us has not been caught up in that pursuit at some time in our life? Our passions, possessions, and pride, these are all dead things. When we try to get life out of dead things, the result is only weariness and dissatisfaction....

(Lucado, M. Grace for the moment, 2000, p. 272)

Be blessed! Write to me if you want to me to send you the picture, or even a prayer request or yikes, anything that I can manage ok?

p.s. hi my dearest Yi Ma, thanks for your text msg today!