Living with people..

is

an art.. 

a skill to learn.. 

a time to accept and love people for who they are.. 

a time for grace too.. 

and it is fun too!

It really depends on how we choose to see it, isn't it?

TEN Conclusions on John 1:1 - 18

Just would like to share here an assignment that I did at my first Agape staff conference. A list of TEN conclusions on this short passage of John and the reasons why John wrote them (my reasons, of course). Thought it would trigger our thoughts a little more as you read on.. Well, this is my TEN conclusions that I have come up with and it isn't exclusive on its own. This was what I was inspired to as I reflected.. Hope you would be encouraged..

1. Jesus is the Word and He is there since the beginning with God. John wrote this to emphasize the importance of putting this crucial truth across to the readers and from the start.
2. It is concluded that without Jesus & God, nothing would have been made. This implies that God is the creator of all things.
3. It is concluded that only Jesus could shine in the darkness and whoever follows Him will have the light of life. John wrote this because it is God's desire that all can be in the light.
4. God sent John, the baptist to prepare the way for Jesus so that people are expecting His coming to them. Or the least, people would know someone is coming and He would be the Light.
5. If people receive Jesus into their lives, they would be children of God and have the heritage of God. This is important, to have the sense of belonging and commitment from God. In particularly, on how God views His people.
6. It has been known to Jesus that as He comes to the world, He would be rejected and yet, He still comes. This was written to indicate how much Jesus loves His own people.
7. Jesus is the only Son from the Father. THis was written to bring that connection clear to the readers.
8. Jesus has come to the world and lived among His people so that His people would experience His grace and truth. This indicates He desires to be with us and His willingness to know each person individually.
9. God gave the law through Moses; He gave grace and truth through Jesus. THis was written so that we could have personal relationship with God through Jesus.
10. God is the ONLY God. Jesus and God are one. This probably was with the intention of pointing to the truth about the Holy trinity; the very first attempt to bring this idea to the readers?

May you be inspired to look at gospel of John for yourselves.... If you do not have a bible with you, no fear.. It is available online too. Please click on this blue link below .. and enjoy reading what John has written about Jesus and discover nuggets of truths for yourselves as you read along...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NIV

As for me, I hope to do more studies on gospel of John too on my own, using the methods that I have re-learnt.. I am excited to see what God has to say to me through His Living Word. I may well scribble some of those here in the days to come. Hence, look out for this space as I explore and reflect.. *wink*

Missing someone..

ha!.. I am!.. missing someone.. not only someone but many 'ones'... and it is nice to be missing someone.. just allow me to appreciate them even more while they are not here with me.. appreciate the relationships and friendships.. the times we had.. the chats we had.. the fun we had.. the laughters.. the tears too!

Been thinking.. praying.. dreaming.. oops.. oh well.. life is about dreams that come true.. isn't it? life is about making the best of what is given to us.. life is about people that He has brought into our lives.. how we could be there for one another, love one another, care for one another.. and that just pleases Him. He desires us to dance, laugh, play, share and so much more for His Glory.. to invite others to join us in this exciting journey of faith and belief in Him.. 

Coming back from my very first Agape staff conference just made me think of many things.. of the many challenges and fun ahead.. and the much more possibilities ahead too! It just blew my mind away.. I am still very much trying to absorb and make sense of things.. just awesome! That is all I could say.. For once, I am speechless.. Yes, my sweet Heavenly Daddy, I am speechless.. Think I have been speechless for months now.. Still couldn't make sense of things that had happened, really. I wonder, would I ever will? Possibly not.. and I just know somewhere inside me that there are more to come!.. *grin*

Missing people is a good feeling.. Missing their fellowship.. Missing their humour.. Missing their chats about their passion and what inspires them in life!... And more importantly, missing them means they are very special to me in my little heart. *wink*

Cleaning Spree!..

Just feel like I am on a cleaning spree the past weeks and in the days to come... Lots to clean.. Think being in my previous place did trigger something within me.. Am I a person who loves to clean? hmm.. not sure about loving to clean.. but would love a clean place!.. hee.. So, I guess if I want a clean place, I have to clean then!.. Think I am almost done with the bathroom.. I am cleaning little bit of the kitchen.. There is the windows in my room to clean too!.. Think I will do those after my staff conference.. 

Maybe the good Lord is saying something to me about cleaning.. to keep the house clean.. My next purchase after the conference would be a dyson vacuum cleaner!.. Looking forward to that! I heard that it is a very good vacuum cleaner.. I desire to vacuum my room to dust free! *grin*

A Berekah...

It means.. 'A Blessing'... I learnt this on Monday devotion in the office which I find to be very helpful.. to list down 10 things to thank God for;.. followed by another 10.. and another 10.. etc.. And, to write a Berekah with them.. and here is my version of it.. :)

"Praise be to You, O Lord, who gives friendships and relationships to me. Friends (regardless of age; 2 1/2 years old to 70 years old and beyond) who are there to support, care, love & pray. Friends whom I have learnt various things from and be a better person. This is so that I could continue to grow even closer to You, O Lord. You know exactly what I need to be changed even when I don't understand it. Please bless all my friends, colleagues and family; keep them close to Your side too, Lord.

Blessed are You O Lord who is my Provider in all forms.... protection, peace, love, joy, fun time and so much more!

Thank You O Lord for ever being there, never giving up on me and continuing to see me through thick and thin. Amen"

I really find this exercise to be very enlightening and refreshing!.. It encourages me the space and time to write down stuff and to focus on Him.. To me, this is the best part of being in Agape.. to be able to engage in things like this; making it as part of my daily routine at work.. Love it!.. God really does know exactly what I need! *grin*

Nomadic feeling..

Just having this feeling of being a nomad!
If this is of the Lord, may I truly enjoy being a joyful one!
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..... What to discover next?

Progress...

As I hear many good news, one thing that came to mind is that there is progress in people's lives.. and naturally, I would ask the question of.. "how about me?".. "what are my progress?".. Really have to be careful not be sucked into the mode of comparing but turn my eyes to Jesus... Yet, it is so easy to focus on the "seen" progress and forget about those "unseen" ones that the good Lord has blessed me with.. 

"Sorry dear God for losing sight of things even for a moment.. Please help me to be contented with what I have at this hour.. be celebrating with others of their "seen" progress in lives.. and wait upon You, Lord..."

Oh! I so look forward to seeing my two special munch-kins.. they have grown so much.. and am so excited for the third one coming along coming year.. Praying for he/she as he/she grows in mummy's womb... Actually, I wonder.. should I go home for good? I am missing out not being there but yet, I recognised that by me being far away, I could really see greater spiritual growth.. and I do remember the Lord said to me few years back that, "your work is done here and it is time to go..."  But I do feel torn in-between at various times recently.. Never would I ever thought I would actually feel that way.. yet, I do.. I am feeling it!.. feeling the feelings that I don't usually feel in the past.. gosh.. amazing stuff!.. And as I feel it, I want to pray into it.. and pray for my family back home.. *grin*

Thought about it but at the same time contented..

amazing but true.. thoughts do come about various things especially seeing the updates of friends on facebook.. asking the when, who and how.. and yet, where I am now, I am contented.. My next thing that I look forward to would be my move.. then probably followed by my trip back home in December.. of course, I am sure there are many exciting things happening in between August and December at Agape for me from Him... and then, come 2012, a little car of my own.. the rest I have no clues.. but I am contented and know He will surprise me with much.. All I ask is that my family back home are well taken care of.. that they are safe and they are walking close with God.. I am increasingly praying that their lives would be wonderfully touched by Jesus in every way especially Joshua and Tiffany... I am claiming what He says in His Word.. that I am free to do His work and I do not need to worry about other stuff but trust Him to take care of them and that includes my family.. includes my health.. includes my needs.. my desires.. so on and on.. yay!.. *grin*

The Lord is watching over me and my family... So comforted in His truth and promises.. :)

Being proud..

Just feeling proud of this two girls and one boy.. I guess it is because I had the privilege in participating in their journey as they toiled in their studies, assignments, projects the past one to two years.. Three amazing testimonies, different in their ways and yet the ultimate result is that His Name is glorified in all three testimonies.. Thank You O Lord.. :)

Controlling..

Just amazing that people can be seriously very controlling.. ish...
me dislike!

well.... I am off.. not going to hang around....

At least, I have tried.. and after trying, it didn't work out. Hence, time to move on.. Just feel so happy that I no longer feel obliged to hang around.. Able to make clear decision to leave and walk after seeking His peace. :)

Helping friends sometimes do cause inconveniences.. but the heartache is when the help wasn't even appreciated.. oh well.. who am I to judge? The Lord knows my heart and He knows my desires and He will grant them in His time.. Anyway, as for now, I am looking forward to my move in 12 days time! Gonna have a mini party when I am in the new place.. lalalalala... 

Another move..

Yup!.. I am moving again.. and hopefully and prayerfully, it would be for a longer term.. Excited about this move as there are much potentials.. and much opportunities ahead in this new accommodation arrangement.. one that I have been praying for and He has answered. So excited!.. *grin* Thank You Lord for Your way of provision and Your Timing too.. 

Optimism...

The glass is half full... not half empty.. 

Optimism is a learned skill or it could be in built.. I discover that I love optimism even more these days that when someone who is negative is around me, I could pick it up immediately.. Is that a good thing? I believe that every situation I went through or going through has its lesson for me to learn to be a better person.. Only the Lord knows what is best for me as I avail myself to Him... I really do want to please Him with my life. Am I living such a life? A life that is pleasing Him? I have my flaws and weaknesses.. Yet, the Lord uses me in my flaws n weaknesses..

As I think of my current accommodation arrangement, did I make a wrong choice by moving? Hmm... Guess I will never know but I'm taking it as a cultural and language challenge.. An important lesson to learn.. Shall try not to read in between the lines and just be myself.. :)

What a child is meant to be?

(by Vineyard UK)

In my weakness I find

That your strength knows no bounds

And in my loneliness I find

That the everlasting arms surround me

And even with this fragile heartI find a place to rest here 

Safe where you are

And I am falling into grace again

And I am run – ning where mercy never ends

Lord I’m learning that your love can cover me

You are teaching me

What a child is meant to be


A Song that touched my heart at the last Growing Leaders session on 09.07.11... I am a child of God.. :)

Roller Coaster Ride with God..

It is a Corkscrew roller coaster where it is going round and round with the same distance from the middle all the time.. Signifying God will always be in the same distance and closeness to me as I take this ride of a lifetime with Him and I am always safe in Him.

And He has made Romans 8:28 so true in my life.. Once upon a time, the idea of roller coaster ride was horrifying for me even the thought of it because of a bad experience. Yet, today, He has turned it to positive.. turned it for the good for me.. It will be lots of fun!.. and there will be more than just me on it.. As I giggle with gleeeeeeee and fun...Others will be attracted to me and want to join me on this ride.. Lord, may this picture be clearer and clearer in Your Time.. and Father, as I pray, I pray that I would know who these others are.. and how I would be connected with them and invite them to join me.. or even, they would come and ask if they could join me in this adventure.. 

yippppppppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeee!.. 

His Timing..

Me a happy bunny at this hour..

very...

 coz it is His Timing.. and He hears my cry..

*waiting in anticipation*

*blink Blink*

No Topic... just a question..

"Father Lord, how would you want me to respond?"....
to take heed of the need to move? or to remain?
I need much peace and many confirmations to move..
Lord, please grant me clarity.. I know You will. :)

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Cut and paste the following paragraphs from Nehemiah Notes: When someone lets you down.. (pls click on it to read the full article)... It is such a good read and encouragement as well as reminder for me at this time... :)

"Yet our greatest need--far and away--is to appreciate God’s creative sovereignty in our life and his infinite concern for us. When that perspective is right, our negative feelings toward others often dissolve. Genuine forgiveness becomes possible. And when confronting someone is necessary, we are able to do it in a more relaxed, confident spirit.

The bottom line is that God is not our adversary but our friend. We can’t remind ourselves of this fact too often. If the example of Joseph isn’t convincing enough, he has given us his clear promise in Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” And to make the point even more emphatically, Paul reiterates it in different words three verses later: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31).

The friendship of Christ is the overriding factor that touches every relationship and encounter of life. In this matter he has not withheld his hand."

And it wrote about one of my favourite bible verses... Romans 8:28... Indeed, things will be worked out for good of those who love Him.. think and reflect on that.... *wink*

His Will Be Done..

that is all I am asking and praying that His Will Be Done in my life.. even when I do not understand it.. 

And, the beauty of how He has provided the "missionary" visa for me on the 16th June was just beyond words.. Well, to me, it is.. It did match to what I have been feeling.. which is a confirmation in some sort.. an encouragement from Him that I do hear Him about myself and it isn't a myth.. 

There is work still to be done in Birmingham for me.. and which is why I am to stay on.. Lord, please show me what they are as I take one step at a time.. each day.. praying.. seeking.. doing.. 

Lets the fun begins!.. heeeee... Thank You O Lord.. 

Jesus..

He is my answer..

He is my comforter..

He is my provider.. 

He is my encourager..

He knows the plan for my life..

He knows me in and out, upside down..

He loves me for who I am.. 

He loves me even when I make mistakes..

He knows my heart...

He cares.. 

He guides.. 

He is my friend.. best friend..

He is my Lord Saviour..

He is my everything..

Without Him, I am nothing..

Without Him, I would still be in the pit.. 

Without Him, I would be running after the wrong things..

At this junction.. at this very special moment.. even as I reflect and pray about what is ahead of me.. with the visa appointment scheduled tomorrow.. the sense of where does God wants me to be.. Birmingham? Malaysia? Does it really matter where I would be? I do miss home.. I do miss friends back home.. yet, I could see the potential here in this place... but what is God saying? I wish I could be at two places but I couldn't.. My prayer is that I would have His peace; no matter what happens to the 'verdict' of the visa.. Even if it means staying on, or even if it means going back.. Even if it sounds cliché.. I want to say.. "Thy Will be done, O Lord".. (Matthew 6:10)

Crucial Crunch of thought..

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

Deuteronomy 20:1