oxymoron.
Thursday, April 27, 2006//
i was watching "L word" yday. Thankz to Weiling, my 1st episode.
Hmmm...dun know why. But i still prefer my Sex & The City. SOOOOO much nicer.
in the midst of the show, one of the characters said, "Jesus! FUCK."
when i heard that, i reali brought a LONG PAUSE in my head and mind.
though, i am not new to this language.
but i was struck totally.
it's so contradictory.
how can "Jesus" and "Fuck" come hand-in-hand??
it's like totally insulting my God.
A true Believer and Disciple of God.
Should that same lips and mouth that called upon the name of the Lord, utter such words of unholiness?
How many times, how many times have our lips committed the same mistake???
when can you start learning?
when can you realise that THIS is wrong?
maybe you are jus so obstinate to realise that this is not a sin. this is not wrong.
oh...maybe you might even have the cheek to say "alright, then let someone convict me then."
kaoz.
can you believe it?
we seriously still have the cheek to say and think that.
if i were God, i would have struck you down.
if i were God, i seriously dun know how to love and have mercy on you.
BUT, because i am not God. That is why...we sad to say, always take His grace and Mercy and Love for granted.
can we start learning.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
10:17 AM
Wednesday, April 26, 2006//
4/25/06
Encouragement for Today
"Becoming a Woman of Influence"
Micca Monda Campbell, Director of Outreach, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
John 14:7, "If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my
Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!" (NLT)
Devotion:
Have you ever watched children at play? Someone yells, "I'm the
leader" and the rest of the children fall in line mimicking the actions of
their guide. To kids, the one out front leading the way is the leader, but a
Kingdom leader, who influences like Christ, is not the person out in front but
the one willing to serve.
When we talk about being a woman of influence we are talking about leadership.
What makes an effective Christian leader today? Is it charisma? Is it ability?
Is it communication skills? God's view of an effective leader isn't based on
these qualities. They may be a part of an effective leader, but the core
attribute of a Christian leader is her integrity with God, her obedience to
follow Him, and her desire to serve others with a heart like His. When this
happens, God manifests His power in and through that leader. When people see
the Lord's power in your life, they will look at you and say, "This person
has something I don't have that is worthy of more investigation."
Becoming a woman of godly influence starts in the heart. We must emulate the
heart of our Leader, Jesus, who emulated the heart of the Father. If you want
others to see Jesus in you, then begin to love them with these four heart
qualities of Christ:
1. The first heart quality Jesus demonstrated was prayerfulness.
Christ stayed close to God. As women, we think that we need to do something, or
fix it when a crisis arises, but our real work is prayer. Jesus understood
this. Mark tells us Jesus would often go to a solitary place to pray (Mark
1:35). If Christ needed to pray, how much more do we? Through prayer we
discover God's will for our lives, our fears and anxieties are soothed away,
and we are constantly being renewed, refreshed, and empowered so that we can
face whatever comes our way. Like our Leader, are you living a life of prayer?
2. The second heart quality Jesus demonstrated was compassion.
"When He saw the multitudes; He was moved with compassion for them, because
they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew
9:36). Compassion is the ability to get beyond our own interest and respond to
the needs of others. Christ saw our need for a Savior and was moved to give His
life for you and me. Have you ever been grieved over someone else's burden? I
think that is a true sign of love and compassion for others. We demonstrate
compassion when we care for the burdens of others as if they were our very own.
Does your life exude the compassion of Christ?
3. The third heart quality Jesus demonstrated was humility.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the
form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself
of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness
of men" (Philippians 2:5-7). Humility is not putting yourself down, or
saying you're not worthy. Humility recognizes God for Who He is and gives Him
the glory for all things and in all things. I think of Moses... while the
people saw Moses calling down plagues and parting the Red Sea, Moses knew who
was really at work and acknowledged that truth. If God can do extraordinary
things through Moses, think of what He wants to do through your humble life.
4. The fourth heart quality Jesus demonstrated was willingness.
"And behold a leper came and worshiped Him saying, 'Lord, if you are
willing, you can make me clean.' Then Jesus put our His hand and touched him,
saying, 'I am wiling; be cleansed." (Matthew 8:1-3). I'm so glad Jesus is
willing. I'm thankful He is willing to guide me as I raise my kids. I'm
grateful He is willing to comfort my broken heart and strengthen my faith when
it's weak. I'm glad Jesus is willing to do whatever I can't. I bet His
willingness to touch that leper got the attention of many. We can say a lot,
but what are we willing to do? I think God agrees that talk is cheap. If we
want to influence others as Christ did, then being willing means getting dirty
sometimes. It means doing the things no one else wants to do. Willingness means
going the extra mile to help a neighbor, friend, or loved one whatever the
cost. Jesus is willing, are you?
Our challenge is to seek the Lord with a whole heart, resulting in God's power
being manifested in our daily activities as we serve others with a heart like
His. When this happens, you have become a woman of influence and others will be
drawn to "Who" they see in you.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
3:02 PM
perfect - imperfect Eyesight.
Friday, April 21, 2006//
Friday is here and SApphire's going home in the evening.
Plans to stay at home for the whole of Sat cos' mummy's not working.
i guess i will be spending my entire day watching "da chang jin" VCD.
Sunday...errr...will be my Holy Day once again.
HAHA.
submitted my thesis yday. alrights. hope i wont do too badly. cos' the 3 profs are going to mark on this final thesis! **crossing my fingerssss**
waiting for profs to edit, then gotta change and FINALLY bound thesis liao!!!
and presentation on 3rd May...then move back my stuff from hall etc etc, prepare for my aust trip. then YESH. SApphire is LEAVING ON A JETTTTTTT PLANEEEEE.
Went Bugis and Suntec yday with my frd. great outing. great breather. it's good to go out and see the world. it's good to go shopping, to go dining, to go walk walk with SOOOOO LITTLE PPL FOR ONCE. yesh la!
hate it when the streets are crowded with so many ppl and i gotta squeeze thr them like how an ant will need to manoeuvre thr my bushy hair.
went to my Dell interview that day.
everything was wrong in the morning.
a) the pair of heels that i planned to wear was wore by my stupid mum early that morning.
b) i planned to leave home at 730am, in the end i left at about 8am.i was seriously worried that i will REALLLLL late.
c) i havent recover that morning. voice was bad, feeling giddy and tired. restless.
d) when i reach clementi, i saw bus 105 and i rannnnnnnnnnnn after it. AND, i missed the bus for about 8 more steps? 8 more seconds of chasing?? if i werent wearing heals, i bet i can catch up with that stupid bus.
But, Sapphire persevere to pray and choose to still want to believe and trust in Him.
i know that God will not fail me.
He will not shortchange me.
cos' He has only goot things for me.
cos' He knows what is best for me.
indeed, when i entered in the interviewing place. God presence was there. His peace was with me.
seriously speaking, i reali enjoyed the interaction at that time.
the director was there, but he is reali nice and frdly.
He is an ang-mo about 40+ aged. but he reali has his charisma. :) shuai si le!
another Indian guy, think he's the manager. He is as nice and frdly.
and 5 minutes before the interview ended, any interviewer who is a chinese came in also.
it was supposed to be a panel of 6 interviewer...haha, but lucky me? i had only 2-3 :)
the director, Mr.Lance said they will contact me in 10 days time...and SApphire reali wonder if i will get the job.
i am still praying...praying hard.
i think i reali like this job a lot.
i like and believe in the company's vision.
i know that if i work in dell. i wouldnt be working for money.
i will be working for the vision. the Dell Effect.
but still....it's reali up to God. it's not up to me.
it's not by my might nor power, but by His Spirit and His Grace that i will receive. AMEN.
thank God for hong qiaoyun that She is fine also :)
thank God for the friends and family that He has blessed me with.
thank God for making me. though, many times, i seriously dun think He should have created me. though many times, i still cannot love and accept myself.
but i still thank God. thank Him tat He gave me the perfect 5 senses to see the world. to feel the world. to smell the world. to listen to the world.
thank God that i have a past.
but Sapphire wants to move from this past. be it past glamour or past hurt.
but things that have passed, have passed. jus gotta move on. and get your butts out of the past.
change your paradigm.
LET YOUR MIND BE FREE.
if only i got money. there's so much i want to do now. yesh. now.
though i have to admit, there are reali a lot of times when i blame and complain to God.
seriously speaking, i think there are too many unfair things i feel.
but you see...thats my problem.
cos i cannot have a breakthr.
bcos of my inability to appreciate what God has given and provided and made, bcos of my short sightedness to believe that some things are much better, that's why i blame, i complain, i become bitter, i become unhappy.
see...thats MY problem.
if only i can see in God's view...then things WILL be totally diff.
though SApphire has perfect eyesight since young. perfect.
but in comparison with God's...i am always so far from perfect.
far from the perfect eye-sight.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
7:40 AM
Thursday, April 20, 2006//
When (C)everything goes wrong
And it (F)seems all hope is (C)gone
I remember how my Savior (G7)died
He (C)died there on the cross
So this (F)world would not be (C)lost
Jesus died for (G7)me long a(C)go
(CHORUS)
Jesus died for me long ago
On a hillside far a(G7)way
He was (C)tortured and slain
God (F)bless His Holy (C)name
Jesus died for (G7)me long a(C)go
What pain He suffered there
The (F)Holy One so (C)dear
So that you and I could (G7)live
I'll (C)try to repay
For His (F)sufferin' on that (C)day
Jesus died for (G7)me long a(C)go
CHORUS
As He hung there all alone
His (F)life's blood almost (C)gone
He never stopped prayin' for (G7)me
So I'll (C)follow all the way
And (F)live with Him some(C)day
Jesus died for (G7)me long a(C)go
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
8:01 AM
Creator King.
//
V1
You, Who made the mountains and the sea
Measured out the universe and you make me
Echoes of the voice that called the worlds to be
Reach throughout the ages and now speak to me
You're my Creator King
V2
You, Who made the valleys and the skies
Displayed Your love on far horizons and before my eyes
You, Who lit the stars and set the dawn in time
Called them all by name and now You whisper mine
You're my Creator King
Chorus
Who am I that You are mindful of me
Who am I that You sent Your love on me
You're my Creator King
V3
You, Who made the darkness and the light
Sun and Moon to watch the day and guard the night
The hand that stretched the heavens like a canopy
Reaches down to cover and watch over me
You're my Creator King
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
7:49 AM
Wednesday, April 19, 2006//
4/18/06
Encouragement for Today
"God's Resources"
Lysa TerKeurst, Author, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries
Key Verse:
Luke 12:29-32, "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do
not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your
Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will
be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has
been pleased to give you the kingdom." (NIV)
Devotion:
We are all managers, not owners, of God's resources. This lesson was taught to
me loud and clear one day while going through a fast-food drive-thru when I
realized that I didn't have enough cash on me to pay for the lunch I had
ordered for my daughter, Hope, and I. What it came down to was trust. I was
asking her to trust me, when it occurred to me that sometimes God asks me to
trust Him for certain resources, yet I still refuse.
Feeling quite embarrassed about not having the money, I knew Hope, who had just
celebrated her ninth birthday, had received a ten-dollar bill as a gift from
her aunt. I asked her if I could borrow just a few dollars to make up for my
shortage, and I promised I would pay her back. She refused, explaining that
she was seeing some of her friends that afternoon and wanted to show them her
ten-dollar bill and a couple of ones.
I asked her if she trusted that I would pay her back. She said she did, but I
might not pay her back with a ten-dollar bill. She did not want two fives.
She did not want two ones. A ten-dollar bill would, after all, be much more
impressive to her friends.
As I was approaching the drive-through window, I got more aggressive with my
offer. I told her I would not only give her change from her original
ten-dollar bill, which was going to be about seven dollars, but that I would
also give her another ten-dollar bill later. Even this offer was not enough to
release her tight grip on her bill. She did not want a ten-dollar bill later
because she might miss showing it off to her friends today.
My sweet daughter did not realize I had the ability to bless her with many
ten-dollar bills. She did not understand that I had spent the equivalent of
more than ten ten-dollar bills on her birthday party. She had no clue how many
ten-dollar bills I've spent on her over her lifetime. Not to mention the fact
that her lunch was part of the reason I was spending this ten-dollar bill at
the moment.
Finally, when we were at the window, Hope begrudgingly gave me the money. How
it disappointed me that she would not willingly release it. How it must
disappoint God when we do this very same thing.
You see, I had special knowledge that Hope did not have. I knew that waiting in
our mailbox at home was another birthday card - one from her grandmother that
contained a whopping fifty dollars! Her ten-dollar bill would pale in
comparison.
Likewise, God has special knowledge in our lives. He has blessings for those
who are willing to give of their resources that make the dime-store stuff we
are so intent on holding onto pale in comparison. The question is do we trust
Him? Do we trust that He will bless us exceedingly, even if it means having to
wait, or receive blessing in a different method than what we expect? Do we
trust that His blessings are infinitely better than what He might first ask us
to release?
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
7:07 AM
Monday, April 17, 2006//
my fever for the past 3 days has been like roller coaster ride.
Up and Down.
the number of panadols, antibotics etc that i have taken are also uncountable.
weak shitttttttttttttttttttt!!!!
but i believe that God will heal me.
i am going for my Dell 2nd interview tml (tues) at 10am.
whoever managed to read this in time, do pray for me man!
needed that esp when i am in a very jialat physical condition.
i need that health to my fyp, to go aust, to go for interview, to enjoy life and also to do some other stuff.
haha, sapphire always get sick. lousy shit.
but being sick is a good reason to jus stay at home and rest. to jus break away from the life's routine.
ren jiu shi fan jian de.
yes. yy jiu shi fan jian de.
TOO BAD.
haha...
fyp thesis is due this coming wed.
then sapphire will rest a while, then vroom vroomm vroommmmmmm! presentation here i come!
but, i still believe that God is Love.
God IS Love.
He can only Love.
and i thank God that He used Hong qiaoyun to convince me of this very simple truth.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
10:43 PM
truly indeed.
Saturday, April 15, 2006//
Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. It is interesting to think about, because among the Jews of the day, the testimony of a woman was not held in high regard. In fact, some of the rabbis falsely taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman. Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His resurrection.
It is also worth noting that women were the last at the cross and the first at the tomb. Mary had courage that many of the men did not have when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all. In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary "observed where He was laid" (Mark 15:47). She watched as they took His crucified body from the cross and wrapped it and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And while the guards were deciding to post a soldier by that tomb, she spent an entire night there all alone, before the guards were there . . . before the disciples were there.
And her love was rewarded. God said, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). God rewards the person who is diligent. And for those who will take time in their day to seek the Lord, for those who will take time to read His Word, for those who will take time to wait upon Him, He will reveal His truths to them.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
10:18 AM
//
this is part of the encouragement devotion tat i read today...
and i tot it reali depicts the real meaning to die with Christ.
the true meaning to carry His Cross each day.
How many ppl can be REALI convicted it that?
we know it, we understand it,we know we need to do that.
perfect answer, perfect actions, perfect mentality.
but, would you want to obey this perfect way? it's a choice.
God - the ever graceful God - always give us the Freedom to decide, to choose.
sometimes, maybe it might be better if He can just FORCE us to do that.
but What for?
If He does that, He wouldnt be God.
Cos He gives True Freedom. Free Will.
bcos, He truly loves us.
*************************************************************************************
I didn't realize it then, but this was only the beginning of my journey to the
cross. It took me several years to discover that Jesus was leading me down the
same path He traveled on earth. What path, you might ask? Where was He going?
Jesus was continually walking toward the cross. I knew the meaning of the cross
for Him. It meant death and Jesus was leading me there too - to die to my
selfish desires.
After we are called to God's saving grace through His Son's death, our next call
is to service. This is where we become Disciples of Christ. Our salvation is a
free gift. While it cost Christ everything, it cost us nothing. On the other
hand, to be a co-laborer of Christ is very costly. He asks for our lives.
"For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it, but if you lose
your life for my sake, you will save it" (Luke 9:24).
With this realization came a choice. Will I continue to follow Jesus or not? I
mean nobody likes death, especially their own. Still, the time had come. I
could no longer be a spoiled-rotten child of God receiving His blessings only.
It was time to decide whether I would go on with Christ and learn not to only
receive from Him but to serve Him. The requirements Jesus offered were
difficult. "If you desire to follow me, you must put aside your selfish
desires, carry your own cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).
This meant I had to nail to the cross all of my rights, my selfish desires, my
pride, my anger, my family and my own personal dreams in order to fulfill God's
dreams for my life.
When I reached this point of spiritual death, I began to understand what Paul
meant when he said, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith" (Galatians
2:20). My spiritual death led to new life, just as Jesus' death led to
resurrection life. It was the life I was always looking for, filled with power,
peace and joy as I served my God and my King.
Oftentimes we stop at the foot of the cross. There God's grace is extended, our
sins forgiven, and Heaven becomes our future home. There is more. You've sensed
it. You've desired it. God has a plan for your life greater than you could ever
imagine. Can you hear that second call? If so, will you get up from the foot of
the cross, nail all your worldly passions there, and commit to follow Him
wherever He leads? It's an adventure of a lifetime that will last forever more.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
10:01 AM
Thursday, April 13, 2006//
had a sumptuous breakie today. full.
going to take a test at 12noon ltr.
still looking thr the past yr paper. last final term paper, and i am done with all my modules. left only FYP thesis and presentation (1st week of May).
then there, i will fly off to Aussie.
prof Tay asked me to improve on the discussion and analysis if i want better grades. but till now, i have yet to look and work on it.
i think, i am seriously very busy and more involved looking for jobs, praying and praying each day (realli praying like nobody's biz for once, cos TOO many things and TOO many ppl to pray for. HAHA), inviting ppl to go for the event (which is realli nice, when i call up frds whom i have not contacted for so long...like Lily :), realli miss her so much ever since she went NJ!)
and lastly...worrying about my testimony sharing tml. haha.
kaoz, it's reali God who leads me tml le man. no idea how am i going to do that though.
time flies.
i was thinking about a lot of things these few days in hall (cos when you got privacy, your mind starts wandering...and memories came flooding back).
sapphire's gonna cut hair this sat.
sapphire's wanan go MAMBO.wanna go shopping. wanan go play pool. wanna go to somewhere to sit, listen to the waves, enjoy the sea breeze, stars and people around.
COZY BAY? haha. we'll see.
wanna a car ride along the expressway to changi airport.
grow up le....so fast.
gonna start working (hopefully) real soon.
no more free time. no more the luxury to get involved with the things that i enjoyed.
adult. working world.
*wow piang*
mixed feelings sia.
wanna go kayaking. wanna go to the beach and enjoy the Sun.
wanna sweat.
seriously reali thank God for especially the people He has brought into my life.
it's amazing to have such good friends around.
it's amazing to see how God used them to minister, speak and bless me.
though, sometimes its quite saddening when relationships simply dont work out to be to your expectations, but well, as least aquaintance is better than not meeting.
human walls are the hardest to overcome. the hardest to break.
it takes a lot of initiative, a lot of pro-activeness, a lot of willing heart, a lot of effort to step out of comfort zone, a lot of compromise, a lot of love AND time.
but isnt that beautiful? some might think..."sorry, that's not me. not prepared to do that. i am happy with the things i have, happy with the way I AM, dun see the need to do any of that.", while others will always believe, "as long as its worth it, i will do anything it takes, to achieve it."
different paradigm produces different actions.
different perception, different outward manifestation.
different . OUTCOME.
you see, you do have some control ya?
cos it's always 100% man and 100% God.
************************************************************************************
Jesus....we'll give you all our praises.....
this song rythmn keeps repeating in my head.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
9:07 PM
//
The Five Love Languages
My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Acts of Service.
Complete set of results
| Quality Time: | | 9 |
| Acts of Service: | | 6 |
| Words of Affirmation: | | 6 |
| Receiving Gifts: | | 5 |
| Physical Touch: | | 4 |
Information
Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.
Take the quiz
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
11:13 AM
these are my friends :)
//
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
10:30 AM
this is my Family :)
//
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
10:30 AM
生日快乐！May the Good Lord Bless ya!!!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006//
yoyoyo HONDY! haha...alrights,sounds damn 难听！！！
hope you have a GREATTT day partying today :)
hope that somehow, someway, you get most of your wishlist items...haha....despite ur min-jiejie suan you being a sec sch kid! XD
BUT, i seriously think it's fine. haha...the problem is HER (mindy), not you! HAHA.
alrights! jiayou with your exams!!!
after exam, we go for some wildddddddddd party and outing ya???
再见了！！！ 生日快快快乐 once againnnn！！！
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
9:58 AM
weewEEeweeewEEEeWEeeeeeEEEEE~~~
Friday, April 07, 2006//
alrightttsss.
i know this is REALIIII crude.
HAHA.
but i reali think its DAMN FUNNY XD
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
7:21 AM
//
4/6/06
Encouragement for Today
"A New Attitude"
Wendy Pope, Development Coordinator, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Philippians 2:5, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus." (NIV)
Devotion:
Attitude: a small word with a powerful punch. Our attitude affects everything
we say and everything we do. It also trickles down to those around us and
affects everything they say and everything they do. Have you thought about the
impact your attitude has on those around you? This phenomenon has been clearly
demonstrated over and over again in children. If I am in a bad mood and short
with them, not demonstrating kindness, they treat each other and their friends
the very same way. I have no right to correct them until I correct myself.
Let's allow the words of Paul teach us about the attitude we should have:
Philippians 2:5-6, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!"
(NIV)
It was a morning I was running late. My blood pressure was already elevated and
kindness was not rolling off my tongue. I heard the Spirit's whisper,
"obedient to death." Over and over these words echoed through my
mind. What was the Lord telling me? Should I be preparing to die? Was I
going to be put in a life or death situation where obedience would cost me my
life? After arriving at my destination, I opened my Bible to these Scriptures
and read them fully. I still did not get a clear understanding of what my Lord
was trying to tell me. I went on about my daily routine pondering these
Scriptures.
It wasn't until the next day, driving down the same road, the Spirit clearly
revealed what God was trying to communicate to me. Though Christ's obedience
did lead to death on a cross, at this time the Lord was calling me to death -
but not a literal death. His desire was for me to die to myself. He wanted me
to change my clothes. He pointed out that I needed to clothe myself with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12, NIV).
Since I love new clothes, I decided to try this new wardrobe on for size.
These new clothes weren't free. The cost was great. I had to give up my
rights. I had to choose to serve others instead of selfishly serving me. I
love the way the New Living Bible translates verse six, "Though he was
God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God." We must lay down
our rights, wants and desires. What Paul is telling us to do isn't natural.
It goes against our natural instinct of looking out for number one. But if we
are in Christ, we are new creatures made in the image of God Himself. We must
simply choose to count others' needs as more important than our own. Actually,
it is not simple at all. It requires a daily commitment. However, His mercies
are new each day and give you exactly what you need.
Won't you consult my Wardrobe Designer today? His designs never go out of
style. Don't worry about size; all of His pieces are one size fits all. There
will be no need for alterations. His clothes are not gender specific and are
appropriate for all ages.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
5:48 AM
//
A woman went to a doctor with both ears severely burned. The doctor said, "In all of my years of practice, I have never seen anything quite like this. How did you burn your ears?"
"Well," she said, "I was ironing and watching television. Suddenly, the telephone rang. I answered the iron instead of the phone and burned my ear."
"That is horrible," the doctor said. "But how did you burn your other ear?"
"Can you believe it?" she said. "The idiot called back!"
Like this woman, it seems to me that some people in the church today are preoccupied as well. In many ways, we have lost our focus and have missed what our priorities should be.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
5:34 AM
Thursday, April 06, 2006//
4/5/06
Encouragement for Today
"Close To You"
Marybeth Whalen, Author, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Psalm 31:23, "Love God, all you saints; God takes care of all who stay
close to Him, but He pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it
alone." (MSG)
Devotion:
If you are old enough to remember the 70's brother-and-sister group The
Carpenters, then you probably know their song, "Close To You" by
heart. For some reason, this song is one of those that I often find myself
humming for no apparent reason. It just seems to get stuck in my head. The
other day, I found myself singing the familiar lyrics in my head yet again, and
began to think about the spiritual significance of the lyrics. Though intended
to be a contemporary love song, on this day I spent some time thinking about
being close to my First Love.
I wondered: Is it possible to be close to God in the midst of a busy, demanding
life? Is it realistic to "be still and know that He is God" (Psalm
46:10) when everything else in my life is calling out for my attention? How
can I endeavor to make sure I am "close to You" God? Oh, how I long
to be close to You!
I have hit upon a few suggestions that perhaps will help us draw close to God in
spite of a busy life:
* Commit to getting up just 15 minutes earlier each day to spend time with God.
This short amount of time will not drastically affect your sleep, yet it will
drastically improve your habit of spending time with Him. Increase this time
as you are able.
* Think of God as your friend (John 15:15) How do you spend time with your
friends? You talk to them and carve out time for them regularly - otherwise
the friendship would grow stale.
* Find a quiet place in your home to be your prayer closet. For me, this is the
shower! The pounding of the water drowns out the noises in the rest of my home
so that I can focus my attention on Him and Him alone. I look forward to
talking to God there each day.
* Start a prayer journal or spiritual journal to document particular Scriptures
that speak to you, prayer requests and answered prayers. Document your
children or grandchildren's spiritual growth and questions. Whatever you want
your journal to include - use your imagination and creativity to make your
journal your own.
* Don't know what to study? Do word searches in your concordance on words that
are coming up in your own life - words like "joy," "peace,"
"faith," etc. Get your Bible out and read the Scriptures mentioned
in these devotions each day. Read the whole passage and not just the one
verse.
* Play praise music in your home. I find it beneficial for us to crank up our
local Christian music station about lunchtime each day. This helps me to
refocus my day and my attitude. (Check out "Because," the music CD
by Gwen Smith at the end of this devotion.)
* Be intentional about drawing close to God. Learn to listen for His voice,
follow His leading and respond accordingly.
* Forgive yourself when you can't or don't do these things. Try again the next
day.
Use these suggestions in your own life and also spend some time thinking of
other ways you can draw close to God that will work for you personally.
Drawing close to God is not "one size fits all" thing. It will vary
according to each individual person. Above all, remember that He longs to be
close to you, and to know you intimately. When you draw close to Him, His Word
says He will draw close to you (James 4:8). Take comfort in this and feel the
wonder of being close to Him no matter what other demands are pressing in on
you today.
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
4:27 PM
Tuesday, April 04, 2006//
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
2:08 PM
Monday, April 03, 2006//
1st official cell group with HONG QIAOYUN after SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo long!!!
lovely and really miss her SO SO MUCH! haha.
but once again...i wonder why she is so gaga over renfred and cheng-jun ge...
i wonder why!!! XD
anyway, it was ironic.
i was to blog down on sun morning
" I forgive, bcos i Love."
but i was in a rush to TCT....so, didnt blog it down.
very COINCIDENTALLY, during sermon, pastor said, " Forgiveness is the greatest demonstration of Love."
that totally struck me.
i know God is trying to tell me something.
and i am glad that He has been speaking to me so strongly these 2 weeks.
that's why i (very rare!) actually went down for altar call.
and once again, i cried like NOBODY's biz.
but everytime i was made so broken before Him.
i can totally feel the Peace within.
sat cell group was FABULOUS.
God really used HQY to speak a lot of things to me...
as ususl. SApphire is still digesting and pondering :)
--AbsoluteSApphire8--
5:57 PM
