Shoes, Books & Birthdays...

Was at Hush Puppies Warehouse Sale yesterday. Gosh, it was a mad house! Took me 40 awful minutes to just get into the ballroom. Yup, Armada was packed with people. I've been very terrible, I bought 4 pairs of shoes.... and a pair of slippers. Yes, Rickster, I'm trying to justify my cause! Was all exhausted by the time I was finished. Boy, didn't know it could be soooooo exhausting just to try shoes. -[ Aleph-Tav ]- said, "Guys are not created for shopping." Well, was a good experience. Now I hold the record of man-with-most-shoes in the house. *grin* Went to Atria just now for lunch with our new worship leader for this weekend, James and my dear friend Rickster. Bought John Maxwell books cheap! Books were going for RM20 or less plus a 20% discount on top of that! Just love those John Maxwell books! Gosh, can read them over and over again! Just like James said it, "Leaders are readers!". Well, at least that's what I'm aspiring to be one day, if God willing! I'm here for one purpose and that is to touch hearts change lives and impact the world for our Lord J.C.! Today is Geraldine's birthday. All I could remember was that her birthday was end of the month. And boy, oh boy! I thought 30th of July was the last day of the month! Gave her a call yesterday and ..... you know the rest. Soooo malu-fying! Was embarassed to say the least. Well, anyhow, redeemed myself today by giving her another call. Don't know about you but birthdays are very important to me. I make it a point to remember people's birthdays whenever I can.

It Just Gets Tougher...

It's really true what my dad told me many years ago, life just gets tougher each year. Today, I have to face a really big decision in my life. I'm not sure why but I always have to decide between two choices. Some choices are not black and white. But rather, they are grey and blurred. It really takes faith to step forward.

For the past few weeks, God has impressed upon my heart that whichever choice I choose, He would be there and He would embrace me at the end of it all. God spoke to me today through a fellow brother who said that the Lord is teaching me to be decisive. Maybe it's true that I can sometimes take really long to decide on things in life.

Well, it'll be over by the end of today. I will have to decide and choose only one. And I pray, Lord, that You would be there guiding me all the way and pouring your favour into the steps I take. That I would be a morning glory for You. Oh Lord, my heart's desire is to honour You in whatever I do, in wherever I am and in whichever situation that I might be in, that You are first in my life and that I would praise You and glorify You. Lord, give me the strength and I pray that I would not have any reservations when it comes to You. I will go all out for You! You are the love of my life! Amen!

 

Morning glory...

I'm having this bad back ache since Thursday. It's pretty annoying as you are left behind not able to do much. Sit too long, and it hurts, stand too long, and it hurts. I'll be going to an orthopedic tomorrow, just in case it has to do with my slip disc. So if you are reading this, please pray for me! When Pr. D was talking about how we can become more Christ-like, the thought of a morning glory came to mind. Our lives should be of a morning glory when God shines at us, we become radiant and look our best. Isn't it true that when we draw closer and closer to God, our lives become more and more meaningful? Isn't it true that people around us would be attracted to our beauty and our personality? However, when we are far away from God, just like a morning glory without sunlight would wither and die away. We should then live a life of excellence and radiate the love of Christ to the people around us. We should praise God in whatever circumstances we are in. These past few weeks have been a challenge for me. God has been so patient with me and even when I go through this current struggle in my life. I know that He'll be there at the end of it all. He will "embrace" me. Am I ready to give my life to God completely? It's funny how God really touches you. Sometimes, it can be the least expected ones. But I can see, that God is showing me more and more of Him each day. As I die to myself more and more each day, my faith grows. I tell the Lord that I wanna give my best years to Him and that I will not give him anything that cost me nothing. "I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing" - 2 Sam. 24:24 As God reveals more and more of Himself to me each day, I know that He is preparing me for something greater and bigger ahead of me. My heart's desire is to see myself like a morning glory, shining brightly and radiantly. Thank you, Lord!

For I am with You...

But now, this is what the Lord says-

 

He who created you,

He who formed you;

Fear not, for I have redemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

 

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

 

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;

Since you are precious and honured in my sight,

and because I love you.

 

I will give men in exchange for you,

and people in exchange for your life.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

Passionate or Passiveness...

Just finished watching the new Hillsong DVD! It was AWESOME and PHENOMENAL! Had Angie and James over at my place after a good meal of VICCHUDA!   Impacting lives...   This morning, during my MAG, I shared with them about my heart's desire to impact their lives and during those "instantial" periods, where we spend together, I would want to make it count. Spending quality time was important.  It was indeed an awesome time together, just being able to share and hear from them. These kids have so much ahead of them and I can see the amount of potential in their lives. I thank God that I can invest a little of my time into theirs. And I hope that the seeds that I sow would be of great blessing and would be a positive impact on their lives.   In fact, my heart's desire was to see their lives changed for the better and that they would strive for more and more of Jesus each day. My heart sinks each time I am unable to be there for them but however, each time we meet, there is always something where God wants me to share with them. I thank God for their heart of servitude and humility. They are a great bunch of guys and their passion for God is insurmountable!   Talking about passion...   Rickster and I were talking about this subject on the way to church this morning. And it really make me think about what it really means to be passionate instead of being passive. Are we just servants of God or are we also stewards of the presence of God in our lives?   How we live our lives and how we hold accountable to one another is just so important! I can't stress enough how much it means to lead a godly live and how much it means to be stewards of our own lives. Isn't it true that the Holy Spirit dwell within us? And we being the caretakers of our Lord? How we govern our lives outside describes how we are inside.   Something to think about...   - How much time do we spend with God each day? - How much of that time we spend is out of our convenience? - What actions would you take to make it an effort to spend time with God?

Embraced by God...

The past week has been a tough period for me. I thank God for the people around me who never stops to encourage me day in and day out. There are unexpected moments where unexpected people come and do unexpected things! It's truly truly truly amazing! The joy of just being surrounded by great men of God is just so awesome! I really thank God for my MAG. Each one of them is dear to me and I love them all! They have impacted me in many ways and during this difficult period, they have been there and have seen me through these moments of heartache and anguish. Thanks guys! You guys are the best! Last Saturday has been great! Even though I was late, but I thank God that I did not miss the blessings that He has in store for me! I thank God for my worship team. They have been an excellent bunch! My MWM mommy has been a source of encouragement and love. I can't thank God enough for her love and concern for me. She's been a wonderful "mother". She's so dear to me! My worship team has been a tremendous blessing, you guys refresh me and strengthen me each time. I humble myself each time I see you guys play, you guys are the best! I wanna thank God for my friends who see me through thick and thin. You guys have proven to me that it's not how much time we spend together. It's how much love, care and concern you pour into one's life in those little times that we spend together. But above all else! Lord Jesus, You are the greatest! You walk me through my darkest hours and You restore me to my rightful place. You are my refuge and my source of strength. You are all I desire! This week, God has taught me how it feels to be embraced by Him. The sense of peace and security of just being in His presence. It is just so overwhelming! Thank You, Lord! I love You, greater than anything!

Dear God...

Dear God, You know my heart's desires. Even when I go through this rough patch in my life, You are everywhere. I just can't stop thanking You for letting me go through this. I know now, that when I go through this tunnel of despair, You would be there at the end of it. Holding me and embracing me and saying that I am Your own. I know that when I fall, I shall not fear for you would embrace me with Your love. Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, renew a right spirit within me! Lord, thank You for changing me and making me whole. I am incomplete without You and I am nothing without You. You are so gracious and so patient with me. There is nothing I desire more than You! How awesome is Your name! Amen!

His imprint, our expression...

Woke up at 5am again! And as usual, being a Melancholic, my mind starts to ponder. It's strange what you think about at the wee hours in the morning. Counting sheep was tough, because I kept losing count each time! But talking to the Shepherd was pretty easy. Somehow, He never fails to listen and He's truly my constant friend in times of need. As I lie in bed and thought about my life's greatest victories and defeats. One thing is constant, God! Just like Pr. D talks about our purpose in life and what on earth We are here for. I remind myself that God's imprint is my expression. To feel His pleasure and to run life's course by abiding to His will. Gosh, that's the most wonderful experience anyone can have! If you do not know God's will, now is the time! You do not know what you have been missing out! To know the will of the Father and have enough courage to act it out, now, that is something! These days, I've been thinking a lot about being "more spiritual" and what does "true worship" mean? Does true spirituality and true worship mean... - How fervent your prayer is? - How much vocab you possess when you speak in tongues? - How good you are at prophesying? - How good your body trembles before the presence of God? - How you lift your hands and dance in worship? By no means! True spirituality and worship is when you... - Love your wife - Be faithful in your tithe - Love one another - Excel in your workplace - Be dedicated to the decision of change in your attitude and character - Be responsible to the task you have been delegated - Be committed to the things you have promised All these is true sprituality and worship. Isn't it true that Paul said... "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship." - Romans 12:1 Being a loving husband to your wife, being faithful in your tithing, are signs of a person who wants to please God and offers not just his heart but his entire body and soul as a living sacrifice. His character and his attitude towards the people around him reflects his altitude towards God the Father. Wow, this is just so wonderful. Knowing that each time you give your wife a hug or when you appreciate someone or when you show respect to the host by being punctual, these are true qualities of a person living and abiding as a true worshipper! Thank you Jesus for this revelation! I love you, Lord! Greater than anything!

The most important words...

Rickster has left for Australia! Gosh, I'm beginning to miss him already. Was just talking to -[ Aleph-Tav ]- and I was reminiscing the good ol' days that I spend with him. We usually spend time talking in the car for hours, until the windows were all fogged up in the car. These days, I've been thinking about how much I've lost touch of life. All I have time for is work, work, work and more work. And so little time to connect to the people I care for. Perhaps the short course in human relations can help us develop qualities that we admire in others. The least important word : I The most important word : We The two most important words : Thank You The three most important words : All is forgiven The four most important words : What is your opinion The five most important words : You did a good job The six most important words : I want to know you better

What every person needs is...

Sometimes I look back and wonder, what do I need? What is most important in my life? And how do I express my love and concern for the people around me. What really draws people closer to me? Somehow, these questions are questions I believe all of us ask ourselves each day. Eventually, what we all want is to be :- - Encouraged - Appreciated - Forgiven - Listened to - Understood I find this so true in my own life. As a matter of fact, sometimes, I feel the lack of it. Just like my favourite book says :- "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them..." - Matthew 7:12 I took the first step today and applied what I learn into action. I gave my Worship Leader, Stephanie, a called and thank her for the work she has put into the Music Ministry. She has indeed touched my life and impacted me in many many many occasions. Thanks Steph! You are the best! "When special people touch our lives then suddenly we see how beautiful and wonderful our world can really be. They show us that our special hopes and dreams can take us far by helping us look inward and believe in who we are. They bless us with their love and joy through everything they give. When special people touch our lives, they teach us how to live."