Put on Christ.

" And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed...

The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry or drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strive and envy...

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lust.

- Romans 13:11-14

Heading on towards 2012.

 

" Lord make me to know my end,

And what is the measure of my days,

That I may know how frail I am.

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,

And my age is as nothing before You;

Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor,

Surely every man walks about like a shadow,

Surely they busy themselves in vain;

He heaps up riches,

And does not know who will gather them.

And now, Lord, what do I wait for?

My hope is in You." 

- Psalms 40:4-7

To come to realization how frail we are, how we come and then go, how my age is nothing before God, how we may be busying ourselves with the cares of the world when one thing is concerned, our Soul. Which only God can save. God wants us to focus on eternity, not only here and now. Seeking God's kingdom and looking upon Jesus will teach us to live life on this earth while not loosing focus on God's reality. 

Lay yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6 :19-21

Peace and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, Amen. :)

it is 1am.

"Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart, " - proverbs 3:3

"My son, keep my words,

And treasure my commands within you.

Keep my commands and live,

And my law as the apple of our eye.

Bind them around your fingers;

Write them on the tablet of your heart." proverbs 7:1-3

"The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;

Pride and arrogance and the evil way

And the perverse mouth i hate." - proverbs 8:13

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." - proverbs 9:10

Lets get to know our Father in Heaven more and more each and every single day as we spend time at His feet reading His word and listening to His voice :). We have a lovely Father who loves us more than anyone else ever could! Even though Life, we never know anything about tomorrow, We do know who holds our hand and who holds the world. Our God who loves us abundantly! Our God who has wonderful and precious thoughts of us. He gave us Life, He is Life! Blessed are those who trust in Him for they shall be like a tree planted by the river, who's leave will always be green in every season!, shall never whither nor go dry. 

so many advices, opinions that can be found given in this world we are living in. They may seem good. But test all things with the Word of God. Truth, can only be found in the Word of God. So just keep keep seeking Him first in all things no matter what. take heart :)

I send you as sheep among wolves

" Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." - Matthew 10:16

" I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not in this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd." - John 10: 11-16

" My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." - John 10: 27-30




How loving and personal is our God :) words can't describe how much He loves us.

The day i appeared on planet earth.

For you formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;


Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
When I was made in secret,
 And skillfully wrought in the lowest part of the earth.


Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.


How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If i should could them , they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You. :)


Psalms 139: 13-18

_ _ _ _

Is so good to know that God knows every single detail of our lives! He know the past , the present (now!) and the future :D! and we can trust Him so much , and He loves us SOOOO much! :) He knows every single person on earth, it doesn't matter if you were born in the middle of no-where , a small billy town, He totally knows you and he Loves you like no one else on earth ever could!.^^! And God has precious thoughts towards us! more that the number of sand there is on earth! and its not a dream its reality!. Its so wonderful to know! I am your working :) and your working progress.

conduct.

"Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me." - Philippians 1:27-30

culture.

Sometimes i think about culture. How it is so different all around the world. Each culture has its own patterns shaping the entire society! But what do these cultures glorify. Most coherent in cities, in the West its all about doing something significant in the world and making a name for yourself. In Europe about living a comfortable luxurious life. In Asia about being rich and to be like the West and Europeans. All hoping to create a better world on earth. To make the earth a better place to live in or as some do, to just build a wall around themselves and live in a hole of comfort and luxury. To make sure self is not lost nor forgotten but play a significant role. 

But sometimes i wonder, If God really wanted to make the world a more comfortable luxurious better place, He would do as what the Jews longed for, a God as King to reign on earth. To set up new government to set up new rules etc. But the thing is He did not do that. As He walked this Earth, Jesus was born in a manger, in a small town. He healed the sick,  healed the blind, cast our demons, feed the thousands, clear the temple from those doing business in them.  He cared for people, showed love, justice and mercy, truth, power and authority that came from the Father. What He brought with Him was Himself, as a sacrifice for all our sins. He came to give us the opportunity to have true Life found in Him through Jesus Christ. Hence becoming a new creation all together, death would lose is sting because we will be resurrected to be with God into Everlasting Life with Him here after. And after being born again. God's kingdom reigns in our hearts as the Holy Spirit guides and helps us to live a life pleasing to the living God. This is every believes hope! To be able to be in the kingdom of God forever. Hence life here on earth, it is like a pilgrimage. To walk pass. not to make a name,  nor a grand tower nor a new earth for ourselves.

I do believe as we follow Christ we will be taught to love.  And what love does, is that it teaches us bit by bit to give up self. And love is the only thing that could make the world a better place. By following Christ, in action and deed we will be in fact making the world a better place and giving to the needy. But that should not be our focus, trying to fix this broken world i mean. But to actually fix our eyes on Christ. Who could give us living water. To share what He has given to us with others. However much we want to fix this world, It will still pass away. We must not neglect the poor, the orphans nor the widows. The truth is though that the only thing that will last in the end is the Word of God. 

to be fishers of men.

" and be ye not conformed to this world; but ye be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. " - Romans 12:2

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

When you watch the media, news paper , if you just look at your surroundings, the city, advertisements, competitions. You can hear the scream of seeking individuality, personal achievements, all about creativity and progress. And all these is what the devil wants us to focus on. To tear away our focus from the one true living God and to focus on self. Me me me. Now now now. What i can get for me, now. Its the truth. The devil wants us to be so self developed. To tap into our own power inside and will. To live as the flesh dictates. To be independent, to be so strong and self willed, to believe i can achieve anything and be anyone i want to be and that this is what living and life is all about. No more about being like-minded in the things of Christ, to humble self but to be the total opposite. The world seeks for us to glorify self and glorify men. 

As we continue to walk in this world. Let's not be of it.

This being said, it doesn't give me the right to judge anyone. God is the judge.  And He is a merciful Savior who Forgives abundantly and views His children as cleansed by His precious blood. i myself am imperfect, but that won't stop me in following the One true Living God, Jesus Christ :)

" and be ye not conformed to this world; but ye be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. " - Romans 12:2

Unless

"Unless the Lord builds the house,

they labor in vain who build it;

Unless the Lord guards the city,

the watchman stays awake in vain.

It is vain for you to rise up early,

To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows;

For so He gives His beloved sleep."

- Psalm 127:1-2

vain= without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless; senseless or foolish; fruitless, unavailing, useless.

in vain= without effect or avail; to no purpose; in an improper or irreverent manner.

Unless.

Unless the Lord is my builder. Shaping my life and plans, unless i commit all of me and what i do to Him, what i create, design and work toward, would be in vain. Unless the Lord is the one watching over me, the one directing, protecting, providing and sustaining me, my efforts in doing so for myself, would be in vain. How encouraging is it to know, we have God to be our builder, our provider and protector. That we need not do it by our own human strength and oh how foolish it would be. We in our flesh would reap corruption but in Him, everlasting life!

" Entrust your ways to the LORD. Trust him, and he will act [on your behalf]. " - Psalms 37:5

Its so easy to think and believe that our efforts, our wisdom, strength, intelligence, talent can produce something of value, something that has purpose, something that has great significance. But the truth is that, whatever is true and good can only come from God. He who is wisdom. And unless He is the one in charge, our efforts are in vain. We would be just beating our fist in thin air grasping things that hold no real value. He is our God. He is forever faithful. Seek first the kingdom of God. He will provide all our needs according to the riches of His glory as He guides us into everlasting:) Take heart, as we continue to walk this narrow road in faith.

He is the one Who builds eternity, the Only True protector and provider. The Only One who is and  gives life, liberty and light. So as that passage ends it concludes saying, as we continue to trust Him, those who belongs to the Lord will be able to enter into His sweet rest. To receive peace of the mind that can only be from the heavenly.                                                                                              

For so He gives His beloved Sleep :)

fruits.

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galations 5:22- 26

" Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary of doing good. for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those in the household of faith." - Galatians 6:7-10

" But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" - Galatians 6:14


let's continue to walk in the Spirit in all joy and to not lose heart.

<3

New

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

"No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.  But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved. No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’" - Luke 5:37-38 

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” - Matthew 9: 16-17 

  

"In the same way, look upon yourselves as dead to the appeal and power of sin but alive to God through Christ Jesus our Lord. Do not, then, allow sin to establish any power over your mortal bodies in making you give way to its lusts. Nor hand over your bodily parts to be, as it were, weapons of evil for the devil's purpose. But, like men rescued from certain death, put yourselves in God's hands as weapons of good for his own purposes. For sin can never be your master; you are no longer living under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:11-14

 

The Christian Life is not about patching up your old self. Its not about metamorphosis. Or as Lady gaga says " I am born this way" and being happy and content living fallen and sinful and to be the queen of this world that breathes of our fallen nature, dead. nor about fixing the old. or even earning points, maintaining certain standards or keeping scores.

Its about total discard of the old system and self, and accepting the New. Only found in Jesus Christ, the way, truth and Life. In Him we become an entirely new creation. Our inheritance is in heaven. Its about being born again, putting on an entirely new garment. Living by the Spirit. Its when self dies and Christ lives. We are definitely still imperfect and we make mistakes, we still sin, but we can trust the Lord in perfecting us in our heart and thoughts as we continue to walk and follow Him. And may it be displayed in truth and deed :)

peace !

Rest

" Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. " - Psalms 37:7

Rest as opposed to action, movement, taking things into our own hands, devising schemes, doing, creating. 

Rest from the Merriam-Webster dictionary: 

a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities, freedom from activity or labor ,a state of motionlessness or inactivity, peace of mind or spirit, a rhythmic silence in music, something used for support.

Rest in God, finding comfort and quiet confidence in Him that the need to strive and take things into our own hands cease. 

Wait patiently. I know i know, its impossible to wait patiently for anything in this generation. Everything happens instantly! Sending and receiving emails, text messages, calls. No more waiting days, months, hoping that the mail won't get lost through its process and journey. We have instant noodles, fast food, microwaved popcorns ( gah!,). We live in a now now now age. Its normal and Okay for us to lose our temper, to complain in annoyance, to blame someone else if we don't get what we want NOW. Everyone becomes extremely demanding, their way has to be met, and profits have to be made within certain time frames.

People use to walk or ride animals to get to places. Go on sea, dependent on where the wind. blows and the temperament at sea. Now we are so sheltered and so protected, and totally allowed to control almost everything! The weather don't seem to matter so much as it did before. Self dependent beings we are. I can't even say, remember the days where we had to grow our own crops and wait for harvest.  Where there were seasons for sowing and seasons for reaping. Haha, we just go to the supermarket!. Or well now we can do online shopping! We need not even move our body.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

When i think about waiting patiently, a women from the bible reminds me of how needed and rewarding it is to wait on the Lord and how disappointing it is when we actually try to take things in our own hands. Well, if you can maybe guess. Yes that women is Sarah. Abraham's wife. :)

Promised by God that she who was barren would one day have a son. She waited for years, yet, no Son. She soon forgot who the giver was, and Him who's timing was always perfect. She was required to wait on the Lord for God to fulfill this promise. But out of her disbelief, her hastiness maybe. She took matters into her own hands and asked Abraham to have a son with her maid servant Hagar. You can see here that she totally have lost her faith, she was here not trusting and hoping in God but wanting to work things our in her own timing and understanding. But the consequences we actually disastrous and the child that Hagar had for Abraham in fact was not a chosen son of God because it was not an act of obedience towards the Lord. God of course out of his sovereignty and loving kindness and mercy will always be able to make all things work out for those who love Him but there is always consequences when we try to take things into our own hands and depend on our own works.

God said to Sarah" I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be from her. "- Genesis 17:16. She was at that time 90 years old, totally way pass the age to give birth. She actually laughed in disbelieve. But as you know this promise was fulfilled. Isaac was born, the promised son! So hence, should we all learn from Sarah and learn to wait patiently on the Lord. :)

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Another person that came into mind were the two sisters in the New Testament. Martha and Mary. 

"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”And Jesus  answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10: 38-42

Here as it is illustrated, we can see that Mary was resting at Jesus' feet,  humbly listening to all He has to say. She was not busy serving Him, She was not doing anything! But sitting there resting at His feet and listening to His Word. And when her sister complained to Jesus asking Jesus to tell her sister to get up on her feet to help her serve Him and everyone else. Jesus just said, Mary has chosen the good part which will not be taken away from her. Stop worrying Martha and stop being troubled about the many things! I guess the only true service to God is the service of obedience. Obedience to His Word. We can't serve Him without Him, now how dangerous would that be! 

 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

" There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. " - Hebrews 4:1-3


c:


rest.

Introduction

 

" In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, " Let there be light", and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." Genesis 1:1-5

" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:1-5

Its beautiful how God introduces Himself. The creator of all things. Life. The light that separates us from darkness. The beginning and the end.

c:

the pilgrimage

So, we walk upon this planet. Going along with life, playing along the wind. Letting it blow us wherever it wishes may be? Controlling every little single detail of our lives perhaps? Or maybe you have allowed someone else hold the pen? What about giving the pen to someone greater, out of this world, that someone who knows more about the human race, this planet, more than anyone else imaginable!. No scientist, no philosopher, no human can have His wisdom or understanding because He is the one who made them, who made everything we see. How can something you create understand more about you than you if you had created it? Same with God. What we know is just a speck of dust compared to what He knows. Try to be wise in your own eyes and you'll only see how foolish you are. He is in control of Everything. Truth.

We travel from one place to another. Journeys are usually about getting from one point to another. And the in between, the walk. We see things, encounter things, we try to survive. The physical journey is one where you need food and water to fuel you. You need to rest in the shade, and have a good sleep at night. Rest your feet. Is live all about survival? maybe for some. Is life if going well, all about being the best and on top? maybe for others. But what is life to you. what is the journey for?

What we are, is a soul with a body. Not the other way around. Have you thought about your spiritual journey? Is it asleep? pushed aside? is it growing? More than not, this journey on earth is about your inner growth and its always from the inside that shines and is displayed outward,  everything comes from the inside. A plant, it is healthy and strong because of the type of water it receives, its fertile soil and having enough sunlight. What is your spiritual water, your spiritual food, what is your Sunlight?

The thing about Christianity is that Christ has said, " I am the Living water ", " i am the bread of Life", come to me and you will never run thirsty nor hungry. He is our Sun, He is the light, apart from darkness. Its amazing how He ilustrates Himself as the Spiritual food for us, to grow, to live. Its amazing, and its the truth!. He even said "come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest!" Rest, the inner peace and joy and rest. Can only be found in the creator of it. It can't exist anywhere else! You may get physical rest from stopping and laying down, But the inner man, that inner self, the peace and rest, God gives its like no other, nothing like the world. And He Jesus is the one who said , follow me!, I will lead you, I will impart my Spirit to you, to always be with you.

You see, if you think life is all about what you see, well. Its more than what you see. This whole world is a battlefield between good and evil. Between God and the sons of Disobedience. Choose your side. God is knocking on your heart, He is always willing to be your God if you'll just let Him. Nature obeys Him, why do you think the sunrises and sets at the same time, gravity holds things down, The trees grows and give. They obey the rules of nature, We on the other hand, we were made in Gods image, God let us choose, create, we have free will to disobey. Could you imagine if the sun was able to say, " i'll take a rest today at my own time mind you" .. or the trees that give out fruit were able to withhold them from you asking for something in return, or if gravity decided it didn't want to work that way. 

The whole world would be chaos! Now imagine your life living in disobedience. We are all fallen and imperfect. But God has given us Grace to be accepted. He fulfilled the Law by reversing everything when His perfect sinless Son paid the price for humanity. Sin = dead. But when someone sinless, not at fault pays the price for everyones sins, everything reversed. Dead was Conquered. The curse removed towards those that accepts Jesus. The Law fulfilled. We were ransomed. The bible is a beautiful love story. Of God and His people. Check it out :)

Imagine music being played in an Orchestra. You need someone to orchestrate it!, To write the music piece, If you want it to sound like its suppose to, Magnificent. Every single one of the players need to play their instrument by looking on to the orchestrator.  If everyone decided to do their own thing, or that they will worship the guitar player instead or the harp player. Everything just gets messed up. But the thing about life is that, God orchestrates all of time and eternity. He weaves it so magnificently that His will, will be done.  He will even work so in a way, that those who are not on his side, what they do also plays a part in fulfilling His will. Did you think that if the devil knew that crucifying Christ would save humanity He would actually work for it to happen. And at that point where Christ was on the cross, the devil might have thought he won. But the truth was that God was going to fulfill the Law! God was going to conquer death. God is wisdom. So its either walk with Christ, follow Him. Or the highway.

I shall just stop here today :)

just biscuits for thought i guess.

Ciao!

the pilgrim

'one day, i would like to travel around the world! Wouldn't that be a treat.'

'i guess it would be wonderful! but what is your reason for traveling? to view and experience different places, culture? you know as the world say, to open your eyes so on so forth?'

' yeah! kinda. Well everyone travels now. Its the thing to do. oh, you know what i mean! it would be life changing! haven't you read, Eat Love Pray? you know, Julia Roberts. Wouldn't you want to visit those places too?'

'yeah, it would be rather lovely!, but honestly, i am much more excited about getting to this One destination.'

'so, where is this mysterious destination?'

'mmm.. it is where my Father is. Its not here on earth you see, and we only get to be there, when He calls us back to Him. For now, here on earth, it is where He prepares us for that special day.'

'And how on earth do you expect to get there? a space shutter? your such an alien you know'

' Funny. well first of all, you've got to believe of His existence. The one who made that place where He now is. (He also created the entire world you see, and both you and me). To believe what He has done for humanity, and to know that He is the only way to where He is.

He is the one who created this whole wide world and all of its beauty. He gave us rain, the sunshine, fruits from trees to feed our bellies. Even created the colorful crazy world under the sea of salty water! He is where life is.

And this place where He is, it is a magical place! It is where He rules and reigns. He is, the source of love, justice, mercy, beauty and goodness. I imagine it would be much more beautiful than any place that could be found on earth combine. It would be a place so unheard of that you won't believe what it is like until you actually, arrive.

Anyway back to it, to believe in Him, is ultimately to have faith! Faith in Him whom we can't see, faith in believing in who He is, and what He has promised us. Faith in the unseen Friend, Him that governs this whole wide world and breath it into existence. The thing about faith is that, it is a gift from Him. He gives it to us, and its up to us to receive it or to reject it. He also gave us free will, you see. To either choose our own way, or to say " Father, i'll follow your way, your will be done in my life". 

We can't claim this gift of faith as our own doing. It is a gift from him to us. He told us that we did not need to worry, He is the author and perfecter of our faith. We can trust and depend on Him, He doesn't ask us to do anything for Him whatsoever but to obey. He also gave  us His Spirit, to live in us and guide us towards Him. He decided that once His only Son a perfect being, came to pay the price for our sins, (resurrecting on the 3rd day showing how He is more powerful than death) He would sent us a Helper. A Helper to guide us walk His way, towards that one day where we will finally be ready to meet Him . It would not have been nice leave us abandon you see, We are no longer orphans once we accept Him, but His children. He wants to lovingly guides us as a shepherd with its sheep. Reigning in our lives, shining His light through us in this dark dark world. 

This world we are living in. It is absolutely fallen. Full of hate, violence and destruction. Jealousy, lies, injustice. From the beginning of time, from the fall of mankind. The disobedience towards Him who created us separated us from Him. He meant well for what He asked of us, it was to protect us, out of His love and kindness and His wisdom of what is true and good. But we decided to rebel since the beginning of time. We questioned, 'why can't we just be like Him, and eat the fruit of " knowledge of Good and Evil" which He commanded us not too'. The serpent, the one who despises God and wants to do things his own way, he tempted adam and eve to disobey, with the subtle props of 'why not', did he really say that' come on..' do you seriously think you will die once you eat it'... The one who created us, had His reasons and timing for asking of our obedience. But we rebelled ever since the beginning, sin crept into this world and this is why life on earth is as it is now.

Whether you know it or not. We are ultimately in the hands of the Maker. So you take your pick, to walk with Him or to do without.'

Where are you going after earth?




( may be continued ... )

gulp

accepting the truth.

Sometimes accepting the truth is really going to hurt you because you have got to swallow all your pride. Pride of thinking you are right, pride of your own worth, pride of what you think you can achieve by your own strength, pride of thinking we can get whatever we want. Pride of thinking you are something.

We need to be torn down, really broken, really down on the ground. the dirt.. To actually ask God to be the one to mend us, the let Him be the potter as we be the clay. To let go of our own thoughts, our own personal believes, our own will. Sometimes we have to be so low to be able to hear from the most High. Before we will actually want to really listen.

it's really time for me to swallow my pride :(..

Walk

lingering back to those days,

memories.

moments, they never stay.

seasons.

the old disappears and out springs the new,

changes.

we meet and say goodbye,

lets turn the pages.

can we stop at chapter 1?

no.

time passes with age,

lost.

we learn as we grow,

gain.

we believe before we see,

faith.

we hope even though we'll never know,

trust.

we let go,

grip.

We hold on to God,

the truth.

His promises,

real.

Forgetfulness of self,

love.

Rid of pride,

humility.

He is the light,

sight.

He is the living water,

Life.

Everyday we receive,

gifts.

He is always with us,

blessed.

He said "Follow Me".

Walk. c;

-noelle kan

and we wouldn't know when we'll ever know.

sometimes i wonder when i'll ever met you and if i do already know you. But i do somehow believe you are out there somewhere, though the both of us don't know that one day, our life would crash and collide. Will life take me on a journey that would lead me to you, and will it be so special making the wait seem worth everything? I somehow do believe it would.

Recent and past hopes that disappoint, dreams that came crashing down, rejections that made me feel worthless and as though i just was not good enough or that i am so flawed that they didn't feel the same way about me. But i guess its all is for the better? I guess it would all make sense once the day come when we find out why those things had to happen to bring us to where we ' now' to be able to say, 'so for this reason'. 

I have had lots of dreams, as i am very much of a dreamer. You know, the tendency of creating my own perfect plan before knowing that life's course would actually change? Well, have learned not to do that anymore. You can't like someone and have preconceive ideas before you know you'll ever be together and make yourself think he is going to feel the same. Its silly and i am rather silly. It's good to know, though, that God knows everything and know everything the best. 

And my God, He has brought me this far. Every blessing, every achievement, every random beautiful surprise that have popped up along the way, have been from Him. He truly loves and cares. I cannot boast much about myself because i know, i really do know that if there is anything good that has come my way, its because He has given it to me. Talents,  if i happen to be wise (wisdom),  skills, and the open doors. And those close doors, those insecurities and weaknesses I can be thankful for them too,  His power and strength always shines through them, as long as we trust Him on it. 

Who knew this tiny quiet small town girl would be where she is now. I am utterly grateful:) Life has been amazing, and i wouldn't have want it to happen any other way. Because His dreams for me, are ultimately better, greater and much wiser. He is the source of wisdom, of love, of beauty. How can i expect anything less?

My life is in good hands. I don't know when i will ever meet him. But if we both know the One who is going to bring us together, we can only learn something about patience and to wait.

 c:
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"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Matthew 7:11

boo!

hello , its been awhile :)

"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. " - 1 Corinthians 4:3

You know, you'll realized that whatever you do, there always will be people who are mean, who will always point out the imperfections of others, enlarge it and talk about it. I reckon a person should always learn to look at their self first and realize how imperfect they are before pointing fingers and slandering another. The one who is always slandering the other would always say that they are trying to help the other person but the truth is, they might just be bringing the other person to a much lower view of themselves :(.

I reckon its always good to look at the bright side of things, but not neglecting things we realize that needs change and where change for the better can be implemented. Now, i feel that whatever the view of others is about me. It doesn't matter anymore. Everyone can think what they like, but im never going to be one to dwell in self-pity nor self-exaltation. But to just continue to do the best in all i can regardless of what i think others think. I guess what matters more is your heart in doing things. Where its place is. The reason you are doing things, and to always commit our plans to God and acknowledge Him all the way. And we can't even know how to judge ourselves :p

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding" - Proverbs 3:5

Sometimes i get into the state where i feel, omg i am doing things wrong. I should be doing this, and this and that. But then what i should do is to just trust God with all my heart! We are where we are for a reason, and whatever that has been given to use to do is also a gift, and God can definitely use in every situation we are in. Its good to be contented wherever we are!:) Know that it is a blessing. And that God is sovereign so we don't need to worry about our past mistakes. etc But to always focus on doing the best today! To seek Him each day.

I am so very grateful of how God has brought me this far on this adventure of ours, and I can't expect anything less from Him, even when my life seems like a waiting room at the moment. hehe..

I was reading Daniel and he was within a very secular culture. But whatever it was, he choose to live by God's standards and what honors God. He also wisely choose to negotiate rather than to rebel. He and the rest of his friends also adjusted to the culture of the Babylonians, serve the King, as long as it didn't compromise obedience towards God. God even gave them favor and knowledge and wisdom and skills :D.

 remember now, are in this world, but not of it :)

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

shaloms

Hope

Hoping in God is like knowing the sun would rise the next day. Have you watched the morning sun, anticipating it peaking from the horizon and slowly rising heralding another day the Lord has made.
He brings forth light, He shows the way, the makes the blind see, He brings forth Life!

"The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing." - Psalms 34:10

Seek the Lord. You shan't want any other, nothing else will satisfy :)

" Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sell all that he has and buys that field" - Matthew 13:44

.

"Ma la via che io batto egli la conosce; se mi mettesse alla prova, ne uscirei come l'oro." - Giobbe 23:10


the Lord is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is a good God. Cling on to Him. :)

the Message.

The Christian message.

The Christian message is a beautiful one. Its about redemption and love. about humility and grace.

Sin, being the descendants of Adam and Eve who disobeyed God in the garden. He asked them not to eat of the fruit but they, being deceived by the serpent who twisted Gods words and questioned them saying " did God really say you will die if you eat of the fruit ". Because of this, we have been cursed being thrown out of the garden of eden as a punishment. And Sin is the cause of the disobedience towards God. This cuts of the relationship between us and Him.  And because being cut off from God, we are infact considered spiritually dead.

God knew there was nothing we can do out of our own efforts to save ourselves. So He decided to pay the price. The ultimate sacrifice. Sending His beloved sinless and blameless son to bear all our sins so we may live. He is the great bridge builder, relationship mender. Full of mercy, justice and grace. In exchange for Us, He gave His only Son. God rose from the death on the third day and conquered sin. And also in this beautiful exchange, He gave the Spirit of Truth that would be within us as a Helper, we are not left alone, no more orphans. ( John 14:15..)

In the old testament, they sacrifice blemish free spotless lamb to the Lord for forgiveness of sin or for worship or devotion offering. This was the act, the shadow of what was to come, which was the sacrifice of the Perfect lamb, the spotless son of God, Jesus Christ. 

Even the history of Moses and the crossing the red sea out of Egypt is an illustration of the redemption through Christ. Egypt represents sin and how sin prisons us. Its a place of bondage. Moses He represents the Law. Joshua represents Jesus and the Red sea , the Blood of Christ that has made a way for us into His Kingdom represented with Canaan. 

If you read again the story of Moses, you can see that The Isrealites ( reflection of us) were brought out of Egypt, our sinful past . As they cross the red sea, the enemies came after them but they were drowned by the Sea. ( the blood of Christ washes away our sin ). Moses which represented the Law, was not able to go into Canaan, this is to say that the Law can't save us. Joshua ( Hebrew name for Jesus) on the other hand was the one who lead the people into Canaan, and he represented Christ, Jesus.

If you actually read the Old testament, you can see how it has representations of what was going to come in the New Testament. The coming of Christ!.

:)

My God is so BIG, so STRONG and so MIGHTY

there's nothing my God cannot do,
The rivers are His, The mountains are His,
the skies are His handiworks too :)

---
"Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."

" O you little of faith, why did you doubt? " - Jesus ( matthew 14: 22-33 the whole of it)

-------

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 
2 Timothy1:7

Breehy-hinny-brinny-hoohy-hah

"my good Horse, you've lost nothing but your self-conceit. No, no, cousin. Don't put back your ears and shake your mane at me. If you are really so humbled as you sounded a minute ago, you must learn to listen to sense. You're not quiet the great Horse you had come to think, from living among poor dumb horses, Of course you were braver and cleverer than them. You could hardly help being that. It doesn't follow that you'll be anyone very special in Narnia. But as long as you know you're nobody special, you'll be a very decent sort of Horse, on the whole, and taking one thing with another." 

- the Hermit (The horse and his boy, c.s. lewis)

the reality is.

What is real, what is true is found in God

The bible just amazes me. It just speaks. Life. it speaks Truth.

" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not comprehend it." John 1:1-5

" The Lord possessed me ( wisdom ) at the beginning of His way,

Before His work of old.

I have been established from everlasting,

From the beginning, before there was ever an earth." Proverbs 8:22-23

Whatever God says and promises. He delivers!. Right from the beginning of time till forever more. The whole bible is just magical. Once you dash into it, you can see God's fingerprints all over it. Working through men and women who walked with Him.

 God is in heaven and we are on earth. Its wonderful to know there is an eternal destination to look forward too. A place where God reigns. Just like another world where is much more beautiful than earth and God has made a way for us to get there through Jesus.You know like how when you watch a movie. But that is reality it really did happened that God sent His only son Jesus on earth, totally sinless ( God in Human Form) to die for mankind and their sins. And then resurrected from death. This totally fulfilled the prophesy, what he said would happen and also proof that death could not hold Him down. because He is God, and what He says is true. No one but God is able to conquer death. And as He resurrected to Life and got lifted up to Heaven. Those who believe in Him will receive eternal life too and are no more condemned for their sins. He spoke truth of something that sounded so surreal but He did what He promised!. It's just such a beautiful story that makes you go wonderstruck.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:17

freedom is found in Christ.
Love that has no depths.

the mad machinist

i think nature is just immerse with beauty. God is just full of wisdom and is the essence of everything beautiful. every living thing has its own one-of-a-kind blueprint, imperfect, different yet it just makes me go in awe.

This week, im going to start off by being a mad machinist in the attic of my little magical hometown. I enjoy working and being totally immerse in it. It is exciting and there is so much to be done right now!. I can't wait for it to be finished :) But i know i'll have to totally get right at it and put all i have into it right now and work on it like a thomas edison. 

Gonna be full on day and night working on this. making sure it's all made with love and patience and care.Being careful yet spontaneous with every detailing. I want it to tell a story, be magical and just reflect, culture, love and lifestyle.

Can't say much now, but my hopes :). Trusting that whatever God gives me to do, he will provide all that is necessary for me to do it well, and so it will be something created that pleases Him :)

God will look after each and everyone of us with His totally care. We just have to trust Him fully. Buona notte a tutti! 

we ended at hello

sunflowers in the summertime, tuscany.

my thoughts like to linger back to moments that actually made me smile and wonder.

I remember it was about a week before i had to leave the small beautiful magical little city of florence. And there i was found sitting at the Loggia dei Lanzi at Piazza Signoria. A place i like to go to read a book, write down my thoughts,  just being among the old statues and new constantly changing tourist, all at the same time.

And there i was sitting down just day dreaming, just thinking about life, love, God whatever that was filling my mind at that moment. Then a guy came sat next to me. I didn't take much notice of him. I closed my eyes to relax a little. As i opened them, i realized he was looking at me, but quicky turned away.

I didn't really want to bother too much about it and proceeded to read the bible, yes i took the bible out that day. It was a bible i borrowed from the church i was staying at that moment. And old, dark blue, mid sized bible. 

" what are you reading?" he asked out of curiosity.

" the bible.. " i replied smiling.

" I thought that was what it was" he replied.

We then continued talking. A bit about ourselves and what we were doing over there. He was tall, slightly tan, scottish and beautiful. A gentlemen with a backpack.

After our conversation, he said he was going to go grab a sandwich and head to the near by park to relax under the shades. It was summer and a burning hot day. I still wonder if it was a subtle invitation, but we left it at that.

"What is your name?" he asked as he was about to leave.

"Noelle." I replied.

" like Christmas?"

" Yeah" i smiled.

"Im Tom."

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press on.

“Just remember, when your wings are weak, your spirit done, and you've flown as far as you can, you’re halfway there!” 

-– The Echidna ( The Legend of the Guardians )