A glimpse..

It was kinda nice to catch a glimpse.. of what is to come and it isn't really about where I would be in the coming days.. It is about where the Lord wants me to be..

I am excited to be part of Agape at this season of my life..
whether it is for a longer term or not,
I know He will tell me in due time.. :)
I am praying and waiting..
but I am very encouraged by this little card
that I received in the staff retreat..
The BIG dream of a day when everyone
knows someone who truly follows Jesus.

It is a BIG dream and only the Great Lord knows
and sees what it will be like..
I am just playing a little part in this big PICTURE of God's plan..
Thank You Father for giving me this opportunity
to be part of this at this time and this season..
The Heartbeat crucial position, I might say.

what a risky business..

I know I shouldn't be but I am amazed. Life is a risky business.. and that includes everything, really. And sometimes, it hits you before you actually recognize it. Guess that is what Risk is all about.

But, the beauty for me is that it is worth taking any sort of risk if these risks are taken in God and in accordance to His guidance and love. As risks are taken in Him, He will give me the Grace to face all things. Father God knows and He will bless! :)

A Smurfy 5th year, perhaps!

perhaps, indeed! :)

5th year in the UK..

I just can't believe it.. but it is my 5th year in the UK..

and I think this 5th year is a special one in the Lord! :)

Philippians 4:6

the dear Lord knows and He gives.. He is so wonderful! :)

and indeed.. 

I am learning doubly more this season to not worry about anything;

instead pray about everything.

Tell God what I need and give thanks for all that He has done.. 

and indeed I have experienced His Peace

which exceeds anything I can understand this very morning! (5th Sept)

and continue to experience His Peace in the days to come!.. *grin*

Looking forward to the staff retreat to meet everyone.. 

Fresh Start?

January 2013 for a Fresh Start? Exciting!

I am looking forward to that.. :)

oh boy!

I didn't realise but think I have accidentally deleted all my images on my blog of the past years! I am not sure how I would have done it.. but well.... looks like I have to start again! maybe, there are reasons for this..

Just felt the overwhelming feelings of getting a place.. and yet, the excitement.. Father, please guide me... guide us in our search! You know how it is with me, Lord.. 

oops...

Feeling a little under the weather.. I do hope I am not catching any bugs..

Father, I need to be well.. Please let me be well.. thank you.

This may be it or not?

Could they be my reason for me to decide?

I do miss them.

I do miss the many moments as they grow up..

Aww.. this is tough.. hmm..

Father, I need Your help here, pls..

Is it true?

I have been thinking.. 

this would be sweeeet..

ha.. emo!

but sweet kind of emo, really.. 

God is funny!

Why do I say that? coz He always humors me.. I read the devotion below today and found myself chuckling away.. *grin*

I was reflecting upon things.. words that people have said.. Things seem like clicking correctly in my little head.. things appear to be making sense for the first time.. and it gave me more space to wonder about things.. but it is rather humorous..  If only I could help to connect the dots.. maybe, someday, I would have the opportunity to do so..

Well, my spirit is up today.. it looks like it.... so, happy bunny I am!.. :)

When I Want to be Mean          By Lysa TerKeurst

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

I looked at the text message in complete disbelief. Why couldn't this person see how insensitive and hurtful they were being?

I don't know who made up the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can't ever hurt me." Either they had nerves of steel or they lived on a deserted island with no other people. Because not only do words hurt me, but they make me want to fight back and be mean, too.

Have you ever had a little situation with someone where you just knew you were right and they were wrong? Or at least you could make a really good case for your side of things?

Oh how I have this burning need to state my case in these kinds of situations. It's like an inner attorney rises up desperate to defend my rights and get the other person to see things my way. This is pretty normal, right?

Yes. But normal doesn't always mean good. Especially in light of today's key verse.

Colossians 2:6-7 reminds me, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." (NIV 1984)

I should live rooted in Jesus' teaching and overflow with thankfulness. The opposite of this is when I'm rooted in self-centered opinions and overflowing with grumbling. I need to let God show me how to see things from this other person's side and gain a different perspective. In doing so, I will be strengthened and taught.

Colossians 3:12-14 reminds me, "... as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (NIV 1984)

My job isn't to fix this person or make them see my side of things. My job is to obey God by offering an extension of the forgiveness I've been given. But I can also stay healthy in this situation by remembering forgiveness doesn't mean giving this person access in my life that sets me up for destructive patterns.

Finally, Colossians 3:17 reminds me, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (NIV 1984)

Everything I do and say tells a story of who I serve. If I act out of anger and spite, I give in to the ways of the enemy, spreading his darkness. If I honor the Lord with my actions, I serve to further the Name of Jesus and spread His light.

At the end of the day, honoring God leads to good things. Anything else leads to confusion, emotional exhaustion and a lack of good things.

I processed the text message mentioned above with my husband. He said something that brought much clarity. "Lysa, you know when you've taken the high road, God blesses you. You've seen these blessings over and over as you've made choices that honor God. So chose a blessing today and save yourself the emotional turmoil of trying to prove you're right."

He's a smart man.

I know this isn't easy stuff. I'm having to live it in the midst of feeling hurt. But I'm also feeling more at peace being able to see another perspective—a healthier perspective—a biblical perspective. And I'm really excited about the blessings that are surely coming my way.

Suggested Prayer:
Dear Lord, You know the hurtful words and actions that have been pummeled my way. Please give me Your strength to not retaliate, but instead to react based on Your Truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

---

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

I will be MAC'ed!

yup!.. in the process of getting a Mac!

Exciting!

Energized!

It's great to be energized!

Now, things to be rectified.. I am praying for grace.

God does humor me with people and situations.. I am amazed with the way how things are.. and they appear to be. As I start to read more counselling related books, I am thinking more too.. observing my own actions, words and many others.

Go by the unforced rhythms of Grace. *wink*

Studying time!

I got news that I have been granted a place to do the Christian Counselling course at CWR. Yay! I am really excited about it and looking forward to what I would be learning this coming academic year.

A Snapshot!

and this is the link.. 

http://mystory.jesus.net/story/vivien-keu/ 

My Testimony

I wrote my testimony today using a different tool, a rather cool tool...

Here it is...
http://mystory.jesus.net/story/vivien-keu/

Enjoy and be encouraged! :-)  I am scribbling from Tallinn, Estonia! :-)

Wearing a mask..

It must have been hard to be wearing mask everyday.. but yet, that is what everyone is doing.. wearing mask as they face people.. sometimes or even, alot of times, many layers of masks.. Yet, arguably, people claim that they can't lie & they are good, etc and hence, that means they are not wearing masks? Is that true? I think, the mask can come in many forms.. or they are created due to many reasons.. Some are being put on by ourselves.. Yet, many aren't. They are put on because of our upbringing and our experiences in lives.

Father, this country really does need your touch in the lives of the people.. The agony.. the pain.. so many things taking place behind every door of household.. broken households.. In fact, dear Lord, the whole world need You.. I really just dare not read what are there in the news.. the things and situations.. I feel really burdened and weary.. Father, what is it that You would want me to do with all these feelings and thoughts? All I know is to pray and intercede.. They are overwhelming feelings, Lord..

Dear dear Lord.. Please show me how to pray.. how to pray into situations.. how to walk in Your Spirit and speak forth Your Truth.. Lord, use me please.. and even for Estonia.. while I am there, please send the people that You want me to meet and be friends with.. where we could share of your Good News. Lord, please grant me Your boldness and courage to do what I am called to do. And, Lord, could you send me one or two new people who can speak depth into my life too and vice versa.. That would be a real treat for me.. *grin* Thank You Lord..

The deep peaceful inner strength from You is what I long to have at all times.. no matter how bad the storms are; when I have that peace from You, Lord, I could pray and I could overcome. And it is with this, Father, I am able to see through the masks of the people and see where they are at.. Father, it is a scary business yet if this is what You want me to do and pray, please grant me the supernatural energy and creativity to do so.. And Lord, please deal with whatever masks that I could be wearing too.. thank You! :)

expectations & disappointments

I wonder.. maybe I shouldn't even expect.. but yet, I did.. and when I did, disappointment comes when the expectation wasn't met. How sad this is. I am saddened. Maybe I shouldn't care anymore. But yet, I couldn't. What an irony knot I am in!

Can I just....

?

That nagging feeling just lingers..

Lord, can I just let go?

will it come back to haunt me later for letting go?

I have so many questions, Lord. As usual, I guess.

At this spur moment, this phrase came to mind.

"God loves us because He is good and not because we are good"

Father, I haven't been good, have I? all look messed up! like this..

but You can untangle the mess.. :)

Thank You.

That's me at this hour!

this is a nicer way to say "Please go away!"...

Should I print this and put it outside my room door?

And I wonder, why no news from CWR.. sigh.. in God's timing, eh.. 

shall wait patiently then.. 

beautiful!

I love stationery! Maybe my next job would be to work in a stationery shop.. :)