Happiest New Year, everyone!

Truth be told, I can only echo C.H. Spurgeon's words as I look back in review of 2012 and post my last for this year :) "He has been so good to me in all my needs, trials, struggles, and sorrows. Never could there be a better Master, for His service is freedom, His rule is love." 

I hope you all had a wonderful year, and with lots of year-end soirees coming up :) Though we do not know what tomorrow may bring forth (Prov. 27:1), we know Someone who does! (How does that not sound awesome?) So let's all look forward to 2013 (..and 2014, 15, 16, 17.....) with rejoicing. "For You, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours." (Psalm 90:4) Yet, "teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). I love how God teaches us how each day matters, how o-n-e matters, how He causes us to set our eyes on eternal things, for "he who wins souls is wise." (Prov. 11:30) 

Here's a rad photo of what else but the earth - at night! (thank you NASA). I wish you all the happiest New Year celebration and all things after that! Alles Gute zum neuen Jahr / All the best for the New Year!  ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ [...and this is where the confetti comes down ♥♥♥♥]

(click for a bigger view) 

A few year-end quotes

"We've been so concerned about being cool, relevant, and fun that we have forgotten to be bread, light, and life to a hungry, dark, and dying world." 

- Eric Ludy, The Bravehearted Gospel 

- Jim Elliot 

"He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day." 

- John Bunyan 

“God is God. I dethrone Him in my heart if I demand that He act in ways that satisfy my idea of justice. It is the same spirit that taunted “If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross.” Cause and effect are in God’s hands. Is it not the part of faith simply to let them rest there?”

-Elisabeth Elliot

“If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!” 

- Elisabeth Elliot

"Soldiers have no time for everything. "I have no time for anything outside my profession," a young officer said once, and in measure that is true. We can't be entangled in the affairs of this life if we are to be real soldiers." 

- Amy Carmichael 

[Photo credit: MiC - thank you] 

Angels among us

There is no better comfort than the one Jesus Christ gives. And yes, He did show through people's hugs, comfort, prayers, and love. RIP Sandy Hook Elementary School heroes..♥♥♥ 

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:4) 

Alabama - Angels Among Us .mp3

Found at bee mp3 search engine

[Photo credit: The Dadabase, thank you.] 

Immanuel, God with us

I am writing an early post for my Christmas greeting because I will be without internet until the 26th. I will be spending Christmas with my mom here, which is a good 3-hour drive meandering through the mountains. While candy canes are still in season, I am actually looking forward to roasting marshmallows! (There's almost nothing like it :)

I wish you all a very merry Christmas wherever you are in the world..Here are some wonderful verses to think of in the hustle and bustle of the season. Have a warm Christmas, inside and out ♥♥♥♥ ..And happy travels, too! 

Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." 

Luke 1:14 "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of His birth." 

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." 

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that He should like, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?" 

[The lovely photos above are from here (thank you).

Calvary Love by Amy Carmichael

*just a note for our hearts this Christmas..Thank you to my source.

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting "Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I find myself taking lapses for granted, "Oh, that's what they always do," "Oh, of course she talks like that, he acts like that," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not feel far more for the grieved Savior than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can rebuke without a pang, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my attitude be one of fear, not faith, about one who has disappointed me; if I say, "Just what I expected" if a fall occurs, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am content to heal a hurt slightly, saying "Peace, peace," where there is no peace; if I forget the poignant word "Let love be without dissimulation" and blunt the edge of truth, speaking not right things but smooth things, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I hold on to choices of any kind, just because they are my choice, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am soft to myself and slide comfortably into self-pity and self-sympathy; If I do not by the grace of God practice fortitude, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve round myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If, the moment I am conscious of the shadow of self crossing my threshold, I do not shut the door, and keep that door shut, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or the twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily, if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel injured when another lays to my charge things that I know not, forgetting that my sinless Savior trod this path to the end, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I feel bitter toward those who condemn me, as it seems to me, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I crave hungrily to be used to show the way of liberty to a soul in bondage, instead of caring only that it be delivered; if I nurse my disappointment when I fail, instead of asking that to another the word of release may be given, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given room there; if the cup of flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I refuse to allow one who is dear to me to suffer for the sake of Christ, if I do not see such suffering as the greatest honor that can be offered to any follower of the Crucified, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If my interest in the work of others is cool; if I think in terms of my own special work; if the burdens of others are not my burdens too, and their joys mine, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I wonder why something trying is allowed, and press for prayer that it may be removed; if I cannot be trusted with any disappointment, and cannot go on in peace under any mystery, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the ultimate, the hardest, cannot be asked of me; if my fellows hesitate to ask it and turn to someone else, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I covet any place on earth but the dust at the foot of the Cross, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God.

Amy Carmichael, "Calvary Love," from If, by Dohnavur Fellowship. Fort Washington, PA: CLC Ministries, n.d. Used by permission.

What's grace like?

We may think that the only picture of grace is the Cross. This couldn't be any truer! However, God's grace can also be tangible in and through us, in middle-of-the-road, ordinary, everyday life. 

"Grace is not just evidenced at the Cross, but has been made eternally available through the Cross. This Grace is ever-present, always available, always accessible, amazingly sufficient for every good work, potently efficacious, and divinely effective in procuring its ends." (- Eric Ludy) 

I had never thought that God has made available to me everything I could possibly need to carry out the life I've been commissioned to live. Not until I saw this luminous, plain-as-day picture of unvarnished truth:

If you ever find yourself in an 'impossibly crazy' situation and you are a step away from giving in and letting self win, don't quickly throw your kayak into the water for a paddle around. Remember what Galatians 2:20 clearly says about how we are not our own anymore. It is actually a perfect opportunity to let grace shine through our skin, right that very moment! All we need to do is get the grace to deal with it. It is always available and is abundantly given, to fully equip us to live a life that displays the ultimate Grace Himself. What a humbling, amazing responsibility it is! And as we abide in Him daily, minutely, He fills us more with His grace, that we may have everything in place, ready for battle, even before any 'crazy' situation arises. Only by His enablement alone can we become imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), and find that He did not require of us to be these things and mirror Him, without supernatural provision from above. Let's pray for one another (Colossians 1:9-14) as we run the race. Bless! ♫♥ 

Jesus is to be, to us:

I keep this list handy to meditate on throughout the day. How faithful Jesus is to show Himself real and true to me. And He will do the same to you, too! Today, get hold of these amazing truths. Marvel and bask in this King of kings, this Savior, who has promised to "satisfy the longing soul, and fill the hungry with goodness." (Psalm 107:9). 

"You have made known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy, at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11) 

My Portion. [see also Psalm 16:5; Lamentations 3:24; Psalm 119:57]

My Maker.
My Husband.
My Well-Beloved.
My Savior.
My Hope.
My Brother.
My Helper.
My Physician.
My Healer.
My Refiner.
My Purifier.
My Lord.
My Master.
My Servant.
My Example.
My Teacher.
My Shepherd.
My Keeper.
My Leader.
My Feeder.
My Restorer.
My Resting Place.
My Meat.
My Drink.
My Passover.
My Peace.
My Wisdom.
My Righteousness.
My Sanctification.
My Redemption.
My All in all.
My ultimate Bridegroom.
My Prince that is more perfect than any fairy-tale hero that ever existed.

[an excerpt from Leslie Ludy's message 'Is Jesus Really Enough?'

1 mississippi..2 mississippi..

Two cookbooks later, I started counting the number of seconds to go before Christmas. :) 

The holiday season is now officially upon us, and although it gives us that dancing-around-the-kitchen eureka feeling, let us not forget the joy of including others. My friend Annie said these words: "Jesus is what I need, what my family needs from me, what children need from me, what strangers need from me, what my work needs from me. They do not need a 'bettered' me, but a crucified, emptied vessel that overflows with the life of another - Jesus." 

May He be glorified with both the emptying and filling of our lives. 

Here are two beautiful images to mark the counting!  ♥ 

(Thank you for the 'inspiring Christmas photography.')

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) 

A thundering from Spurgeon

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." — 2 Peter 3:18.

GROW in grace"—not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fullness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward—having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to"grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." 

He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus—as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace. (Spurgeon) 

Oh how I love this encouragement and awakening! Lord Jesus, cause me to delight in You and desire You more than anything. Let this be my heart's prayer every single minute of my everyday life: Satisfy my longing soul, Lord! (Psalm 107:9) But I can't delight on my own, I can't long for You in my own strength. Cause my heart, Lord, as only Your Spirit can do..

Mightier than all.

Crime news usually doesn't sit well with me so I make it a point not to watch or read about it. For all that, one of my friends was telling us about an unthinkable crime that happened in her hometown, and somehow, having known more details than I could help, I kept on thinking about it. It affected me in the most surprising way that brushing the thought off didn't lift the fear that was subtly building up within me. 

There may be a lot of things we fear or dislike to see. Although mine are limited to just snakes (of any kind), creepy crawlies (only when startled), and anything slimy, the story I heard got me so distressed. Normally, there is nothing I enjoy more than long walks on late Saturday afternoons (which I often find time to do in the midst of paper pictures to cut out for Sunday School the next day), but I found myself recoiling at the thought of walking along my usual route. It was a strange, new feeling for me. Alas, I had unwittingly yet foolishly let the devil’s lies disrupt my inner peace. I had to ask forgiveness from the Lord, allowing Him to wash and renew my mind and once more bask in this peace that only He can bring. 

Fear, they say, is human nature. But if we as children of the Most High God live and wallow in fear that proceeds from unbelief or distrust of our Father, we sin against Him. Our actions no longer agree with the faith we profess. True, we live in a world plagued by crime and lawlessness; issues escalate to new heights when we heed what the media bombards us with. But as what Leonard Ravenhill said (one of my favorite quotes), “What does it mean to be a Christian? Your life is hid with Christ. You are bought with a Price; you are no longer your own. You have no time of your own, no money of your own…Christ must become your complete Master.” That simply means God did not call me to spend my time worrying about what the media is feeding me and joining in the world’s panic. I should be about my Father’s business, truly believing that when He wants me to answer a specific need, He is more than able to bring me directly to it. 

If we allow, even for a brief moment, thoughts that are not of God to take the place of what His Truth says, fear will subtly build within us and cripple us to live far from victory. No wonder the promise of perfect peace comes with one condition: our mind must stay on Him (Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”) Amid the perils of this world, we can still say with confidence: “The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6, NIV). “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Notice how a desert flower thrives and stands out so much against the red earth of the desert. We will be immovable in this dangerous world, just like a flower in a parched land. We are ambassadors of the Most High God, and “no weapon forged against us shall prevail” (Isaiah 54:17). “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life.” (Psalm 121:7) Oh, the richness of God’s promises in His Word. They are indeed, more precious than diamonds.

Here’s an excerpt on Gladys Aylward’s slight detour through Russia before arriving in China in the 1900s: “One night an aggressive man from the hotel staff came to my room and made clear his intention to take advantage of me and also meaning to seize my passport. I boldly replied, “God is here. Touch me, and you will see.  He has put a barrier between you and me. Go!”  At that, the man immediately fled.”

May you have the boldness and confidence today and always, because of Who you are living for. Bless! 

LOVE always prevails..

LOVE always prevails. It silences me. It rebukes me. 

What a challenging, changing, shaping, and learning month it has been. My idea of loving people unconditionally has, for the most part, come true. But something happened that left my heart really empty I was almost groping in the dark for answers. 

I had never been exposed to wickedness, at least not directly. My meager brush with human wickedness was by all means understandable, forgivable, and forgettable, because I know that the wicked are yet to be called from darkness into God’s wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). But I was unprepared to witness the wickedness of someone who knows the Lord. Although it was not meant for me directly, it affected me (and everyone around us) just the same.  

It was wicked by all accounts. And the more I listened to stories, the more I struggled to intercede for this person. I would cry and ask the Lord to lift the burden up. In my eagerness to be free of it, I unknowingly focused more on getting the facts that poured out, detailing the wickedness of her actions. I was a step away from giving up. I sinned against the Lord by faltering to labor for her in prayer (1 Samuel 12:23). 

What an enormous sin! Shouldn't I have asked the Lord for more strength to stand in the gap for her, instead of using my tongue to say words that didn't please my God at all? How naïve I was to forget my own wickedness when the Lord had not rescued me yet and made me His!   

It was wicked by all accounts, yes. But God reminded me that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12), forces that at times use and manipulate people to act in ways that lead to destruction. And if I, as His child, disobey to stand on her behalf, what right do I have to desire Christ-likeness? This is a much bigger heartache!

The Lord Jesus taught me that His kind of Love always prevails. No matter what wicked things someone may be doing, Christian or not, they all need God’s mercy and forgiveness. They all need someone to care enough to stand in the gap and pray unceasingly on their behalf, see them with God’s eyes, and extend the same grace that we have been given (2 Corinthians 9:14). Lord Jesus, continue to take ownership of my heart, my tongue, my ears, my everything. May You be seen as the Possessor of this life..

Catching up on some reading

There are no particular patterns to my weekends, but I would love to start my day with a bike ride - only I found out that it takes time to learn to ride one. Sigh..I gladly gave up the idea. :) 

Lately, I have been reading Christian biographies for hours on end, and I am marveling at how God has graciously given me free pdf files I can read online. What rich testimony of the handprint of God in their lives! There is no better way to share the joy than to give you the links so you could soak up in the grand adventure of a life with the Lord. Here they are: 

Tortured for Christ (Richard Wurmbrand's life story). A Romanian Christian minister who was arrested, imprisoned, and tortured for refusing to give up Jesus Christ. 

Jackie Pullinger. Stepping off the boat into the Walled City of HongKong, God used her enormously to impact the lost and lead at least 500 drug addicts to Christ, in the most extraordinary way. “Do you know, if Jesus were alive today, He’d be here in the Walled City sitting on the orange boxes talking to the pimps and prostitutes down there in the mud. That’s where He spent a lot of His time. In the streets with well-known criminals, not waiting in a neat clean church for the nice guys to turn up.” 

James Hudson Taylor. And a lot more here..

Knowledge of the Holy (A.W. Tozer). Who doesn't love Tozer? Here, he digests the attributes of our holy, magnificent God. It will leave you in awe of Him more than ever! 

And oh, a bonus :) 

The Scottish Chiefs (a historical novel of Jane Porter). Valiant, valiant! "Look at our country; God's gift of freedom is stamped upon it. Our mountains are His seal.." William Wallace's valiant character reminded me of Proverbs 31:8-9.

So grab a hot cup of goodness, get your Bible, sit back, and enjoy! 

P.S. I've noticed something interesting while tinkering around my blog - I can actually change the design to a more beautiful finish! So here is my own version of a prettier one :) I hope you like it. 

Update! Update! :) This was almost forgotten: God Has a Wonderful Plan For Your Life - The Myth of the Modern Message (by Ray Comfort courtesy of Living Waters) This is a must-read. Truth uncompromised..

* Here's another one I am currently reading: Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan. I would plead for you to read this, and pray that you not only be moved to tears but to action. Soul-stirring! [click here for a free pdf download, or order a free copy to be sent to your home. - Thank you, Gospel for Asia.]

November 1st!

It’s been a long while since my last post and I must say, I terribly missed writing and sharing here. Although I had visited my blog every now and then, it’s been a bustling two months (blogging-wise), and other things started to happen that it took most of my writing time. I didn't stop putting them in my journals though, but I found myself stuck for words - they seemed to be clogged somewhere within, right after I bring up a new post here. I know that feeling too well ;)

A lightbulb idea came on as I was skimming through my older posts the other day, so here’s the new look of in my corner of the world. Do you think it’s a happy re-design? It’s November, it really does feel like Christmas now, and this new look should be decidedly easier breezier to read J

Eric Ludy, in one of his sermons, said the following that left me humbled, convicted, and encouraged: ...for we have CHRIST! (I Peter 2:21) "The Bible proclaims that true Christians can be identified by a love that is wholly selfless. Supposedly, we are cheek-turners when struck, extra-mile-walkers when asked, cloak-givers when requested, and foot-washers in everyday situations. We are ready to forgive, without grievance and without being asked. Whether stabbed with unkind words or with daggers, we bleed grace, patience, gentleness, mercy, and kindness. And this is the way we are to live all the time, not just once a week."  

It is my heart’s deepest cry. Not because I want to look good as a Christian, nor because I want people to admire anything in me. But because this is the clearest picture of Jesus I may ever get. And if becoming a Christian made me His, then I want nothing more than for Him to be the Possessor of this life, this me. Oh, for my flesh to yield in joyful surrender and obedience, for I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20). 

My eyes have been pointed back to the Vine. John 15:5 says we must abide in the Vine at all times, for apart from Him, everything else we do to look or sound good is futile, a counterfeit of the real fruits of the Holy Spirit. For how can a branch live by itself for a day, without withering and dying? 

May your weekend be in fullness of Him, wherever you are in the world. Here's a rad photo of the rain from somewhere on the web (thank you)..Bless!

images that tell a story..

Here are some rad photos/images that tell a wonderful story about my heart for this past week..It's all been wonderful, and even though I haven't been really travelling, I have seen a lot by the roadside and on the streets that spoke volumes of God's magnificent heart..

“It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place.” (Elisabeth Elliot) 

May your weekend be filled with pursuing the Lover of our soul, wherever we may be in the world..It's been an amazing week in my corner of the world! [and all credits go to the owners of these photos..thank you so much!] 

John and Betty Stam

I'm writing - because the sun is out! [yay*]

Things are looking up. After days of pouring on end, it is finally bright out. The clouds still hover up there, and yet another storm is coming soon. Join me in praying for hard up places that are tremendously affected by the storm (and all the coming storms we need to weather this monsoon season). Let's take comfort in the Lord's Kingship over each and every circumstance.

I'd like to share this lovely poem with you all, written by Betty Scott Stam, an American missionary to China in the early 30s. And with it comes one of the most deeply-moving prayers that challenged me last night:

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever."  

"...at any cost..." Betty Stam was martyred, along with her husband, John Stam, by the Red Army unit in 1934, the morning after John wrote to the leaders of China Inland Mission: "My wife, baby and myself are today in the hands of communist bandits. Whether we will be released or not, no one knows. May God be magnified in our bodies, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20). 

They must have seen the angel hosts at the portals of heaven, for when their bodies were found, there was an "underlying look of quiet peace and expectancy on the faces of the two martyrs." [You can find a complete account of their life story here.]

The Gospel is "...at any cost..." Their lives are victorious testimonies that still live to this day. It has impacted me, and will impact the generations after mine. How worthy Jesus Christ is!

So here's the poem written by Betty Stam when she was 10 years old. I believe that our hearts speak the same..

I cannot live like Jesus

Example though He be

For He was strong and selfless

And I am tied to me.

I cannot live like Jesus

My soul is never free

My will is strong and stubborn

My love is weak and wee.

But I have asked my Jesus

To live His life in me

I cannot look like Jesus

More beautiful is He

In soul and eye and stature

Than sunrise on the sea.

Behold His warm, His tangible

His dear humanity.

Behold His white perfection

Of purest deity.

Yet Jesus Christ has promised

That we like Him shall be.

on impossibilities :)

As I type, my journal pages are also open as I am quite relishing jotting down some lengthy list of impossibilities. Yes, you read that right! I'm making a mental note, keeping track, and jotting down all the impossibilities that I can think of in this stepping-off-the-shore dream of a lifetime. So here I am, looking at the items on my list and already imagining how I would relish even more when I cross them out, one by one - in His time, when He has opened the closed doors, has made rain come down in a parched land, has stopped the sun from going down..

You see, looking at the 'impossibilities list' turns my eyes on the God of possibilities. I can now laugh at the days ahead and bask in the Lord's peace that He is going to do more than what my little mind can ever imagine, all to make His plans for my life come to pass. And in His time, these little phrases of impossibilities that I've written down will have to bid me goodbye - they will all gloriously turn into praise testimonies of the Lord's hand prints! And oh, what an awesome thought - the God of the universe, the One that owns Iloilo City, is the same big, great God that owns Haiti, New York, Liberia, Reykjavik, and Vienna! Nothing, absolutely nothing, is difficult for Him! (which, by saying this, I may sound a wee bit exaggerated along these lines, but that's the astounding truth of it and what my soul knows so well!) 

Outside my comfort zone is a whole lot different place. It is where I'm not my own, where my self comfort dies, where my personality isn't "great", where I'm not even a tad smart, not talented nor gifted, where I'm not strong nor brave..But it is where I love to be entirely - it is where absolute dependency on the Lord becomes an everyday theme, where my "taste for prayer" increases, and where only and ONLY my King is seen and glorified (John 3:30).

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is at the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." - Elisabeth Elliot 

And no matter where He takes me, I know the Lord is faithful and will make me adaptable and ready to follow Him anywhere, that I may find myself there at home, because He is with me. Amen and yay for the days, weeks, months, and years ahead! ♥