Focusing on Self instead of Comparing

Me: "Tiara, keeps on eating"
Jack: "I'm going to be faster than you"
Tiara: "No, daddy. Stop. Stop eating"
Me: "Tiara, focus on your plate, stop looking at daddy's"

Me: <pause>
God whispers, "That's what I have been telling you"
"Theresia, focus on your plate. Stop Looking at others"

#ThatMomentsWhenGodSpeaks

-Jesus Calling Devotion For February 28-
Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.
Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
—Luke 6:37
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
—Isaiah 61:10 nasb
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
—Proverbs 3:11–12

Oh the Joy of Family

We have not seen my brother since last year and we have been talking and praying for him.

Tiara been asking about "qiu-qiu" for a while.

I know that my brother been busy with work and other stuffs (aka football season), so we have not really hung out with him.

Yesterday, he came to our house for a visit with many goodies from Japan, where he just came back from vacation for 1.5 weeks.

Oh what a joy to see how much Tiara loves her qiu-qiu and just to see that my brother is patient with her. Tiara always wanted to show him everything and crawled on his laps whenever she can.

I am so thankful for my brother! I am so thankful for having family around.

I might not have my parents with us now, but I am treasuring what we have.

Seeing how Tiara was to my brother, reminded me of my uncle that passed away on Qz8501 too... He was one of our dearest uncle. Always loving to us.

Anyway, Hoping that my brother will visit more often! :)

Being hopeful?

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
~Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)

When to speak the truth?

: If the truth hurts other's feelings, should you say it?:
: If the truth is not edifying, should you say it?:
: If the truth is irrelevant, should you say it?:

: When do you have to say the truth?:

at all times?

I remember a quote from "Into the Wild", "rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth. "
Even the Bible said...... "Speak the truth in love" Eph 4:25

But, what if the truth is emotionally driven?
What if the truth is not absolute? What if you can change the truth?
Should you change it first?

TRUTH: what is it? how many kinds are there?

[ Love 101 ]

My friend posted in her facebook status: "True love isn't a struggle. It's effortless. "

My thought: "Is it?"

I keep on thinking...."does the action of love come naturally for everyone? or it needs to be learned or taught?"

I believe that love comes from within- God puts love in our heart...however, as we grow up, circumstances weather those love seeds. For some, it might be easier to show love, appreciation, and kindness, but not for some others. One's expectations of love also develops throughout his/her lives.

I agree that you can train your mind to focus on love and appreciation so that it becomes more spontaneous.

Let's learn to love more :)

http://alwayswellwithin.com/2011/01/29/5-lessons-learned-from-30-days-of-love-and-appreciation/

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. ~Lao Tzu

::Is infatuation a MUST? ::

I define infatuation as a stage where two people fall in love with each other in which they live in their own world- somewhat. They are heavily intoxicated in the love potion that they disregard all logical arguments........

Some articles say.... "Infatuation is Necessary. There is actually a very good reason to have the infatuation stage of love. This creates a strong foundation of love for the relationship."

On the other hand, based on this chart, http://www.diffen.com/difference/Infatuation_vs_Love
isn't love is more wonderful?
I don't think the Bible talks about infatuation....but the Bible does put high emphasis in love- God's love, love between a husband and wife, and love to brothers and sisters.

We see people fall in love and fall out of love. We glorified the freedom to choose so much that we tends to follow emotions rather than logical- fresh thinking.
Isn't it interesting that America has way higher rate in divorce rather than India or Pakistan where arranged marriage is customary?

I think since we were a kid, through the comic books, through magazines' stories, through Hollywood movies, we glorified this "infatuation" stage as where the girls got pampered- spoiled, "much loved", girls long for this feeling- especially if one is daddy's little girl, also- or someone that never feel daddy's love?

As many of us know, this infatuation stage will DEFINITELY wear off at some point of time. Is infatuation stage a must before you decide on marrying someone?
or..........it will come later?

Is this Biblical?

Should we feed our emotion rather than our logic?
Such as if we answer "yes" to all of these questions, then you should settle?

Questions for women:

1. Do you want to help him and join his course of life (Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:9)?
2. Is he tough enough to remain strong in tough times (2 Tim. 2:3)?
3. Will he take responsibility for you and your children (1 Cor. 11:3)?
4. Is he considerate and gentle with you (1 Peter 3:7)?
5. Will he be a good father (Ps. 127:3-5; Eph. 6:4)?
6. Is he a one woman man (1 Tim. 3:2)?
7. How valuable are you to him?
8. Do you want your sons to be like him and your daughters to marry someone like him?

Questions for men:

1. Are you overlooking good women (e.g. single moms, shy, divorcees)?
2. Are you honoring, God, her, her family, her friends, etc.?
3. Is she modest (1 Tim. 2:9)?
4. Will she follow your leadership?
5. Does she have noble character (Prov. 31)?
6. Can you provide for the lifestyle she expects (1 Tim. 5:8)?
7. Is she like the worst women in Proverbs (e.g. nag, loud, quarreling, unfaithful)?
8. Do you want your daughters to be like her and your sons to marry someone like her?

Resources:
http://fulltiltmarriage.com/blog/2008/02/05/love-or-infatuation-how-to-know/
http://www.aish.com/d/w/90070802.html
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Infatuation_vs_Love
http://blog.marshillchurch.org/2008/02/20/dating/

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

:To every thing there is a season:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecc 3:1

In this post I'm just trying to discern stages of relationship (comments are welcomed):
I will use the analogy of looking for job in these various relationship stages...just to make it less complicated? =P

1. Friendship: you can go on one-two- or three one on one date with a person if you want to get to know the person more (in general to know the character of a person). - this probably won't be necessary if you hang around in the same circle of friends......

In this stage.........girls.....please be as genuine as possible in imitating Christ or women of the Bible, develop Godly character. wait patiently.
example: Rebekah (Genesis 24:18-21): 1) be generous, 2) be thoughtful, 3) be servant-like.
Ruth- be hard working, be diligent.

Guys: also, please be as genuine as possible imitating Christ.
Character to develop: hardworking, diligent, be initiative (Romans 5:8)
Rules for guys: please always pay- never go on a dutch date (it teaches you about giving)

Fearing God & relationship with God is a must in the individual life.

:: same like with looking for job, guys are basicly looking for the job you want (fits your need, and what you want) before you are applying for one.

2. Dating (or being in a relationship): This is a part when guys take initiative to commit in a exclusive relationship with a woman. In this time, the guy decides whether he likes a character that the women has and would like to know the girl more. In this stage, you adjust to one another.
:: same like with applying for job - like in long job interview process, guys are basicly be in their best behavior while being yourself- always be yourself, but be wise (wise is good character knowing where and how to response & act to certain circumstances), but also trying to impress the girl, seeing whether you and and the girl is a good fit, but also wooing the girl that by the time you want the girl to be your wife, she would say "yes"
Guys.......imagine of how you would apply for the very best job you wanted - be discerning whether the girl has the good wife or mother quality while developing your skills in being Godly husband & father.
Girls.......never settle for less than God's best- see whether he will be good husband, good father, and can provide you with Spiritual guidance focusing on Christ, be a good, generous financial and emotional provider for the family- loving and caring.


3. Engaged: Getting engaged meaning that you put a mark or acknowledgment to family and public that both of you are ready to think about marriage. Time in between engagement and
marriage are used for marriage counseling. This is getting serious, the only time you can back out if you strongly think God is not pleased with your relationship.
Consider both families' values and expectations, whether you can honor your spouse-to-be's parents & siblings, consider going to same church (pick the church you want to go to). Time to plan ahead- plan for marriage, plan for your wedding date, plan for your financial together- etc etc. Also, during this time, the couple priority will shift. The fiances should be a priority more than friends and family....... or at least try adjusting this priority...
Be very honest and open at this time.

4. Marriage: Have a long lasting happily ever-after love :)
Strive for passion, commitment, and intimacy all the time.
Always put God first in your marriage and God will take care of your relationship with one another. Devote time in praying together.

Highly recommended resources:
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/dating
http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Your-Marriage-Before-Starts/dp/0310492408
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Plan-Your-Wedding-Plan-Marriage/dp/1416543546

I don't think any of the stages will be easy.....but, with God- all things are possible^^
One friend of mine said the key to a successful marriage is: "give, give, give, give...then take" - give more than what you receive.

Friday morning drama -.-"

I need to learn to be less reactive ><
What a Friday morning..........
I blame it to my early 5K run, the blood must have not pumped well into my brain yet.
Basicly, there was misunderstanding with some of my close girlfriends.....
due to some over-reactiveness on certain issue.
I thank God that my friend extended her grace and forgiven me =P

Anyway, I chose to google whether it is quite common trait across women being over-reactive, or it is just something wrong with me.
this is what i found.
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101007204433AAbnTq8

funny! :P

These past few days...
I keep on thinking and praying for the people around me that ran away or has back-slided from God's love...
I keep on wondering how's that happen?

Do they stop feeling God's love?
or......do they just being stubborn and say that they no longer need God's love?
Has the church failed to embrace them?

Matt Chandler from the Village Church once warned that people should stop preaching about Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, since it is only God's love that can transform people from the inside out to being a better person.

This song keeps on rising in my head whenever I think about this...

You are my all in all

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the treasure that I seek
You are my all in all
Seeking You like a precious jewel
Lord, to give up I'd be a fool
You are my all in all

I am not saying that I have not ran away from God before, but I am just glad that He never gave up on me and I have responded to that love since.
Even since the beginning, when Adam and Eve fell into sin, God- the All Knowing God- still looked for them and embraced them that time.

Psalm 139. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.

::Focus::

"Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above-where Christ holds the highest position." Colossians 3:1 -God's Word Translation


Every design has a focal point. Where's your's?
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (NIV)
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV)
Colossians 3:2

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

Contentment != No Desire

When thinking about being content, I am thinking of people with no growth.
Many times the state of contentment is being equaled to the state of going nowhere or somewhat stuck at the "content" position.

However, thinking more or with researching from thesaurus.com, actually content means limiting the desires.
Being content means understanding which desires are necessary and "good".

to be continued.....

2012. End of The World?

With the movie "2012" being released...
people are getting more aware of where the world is going.
The world is not getting better......
Many people sense that the end of the world is coming....

I like Dr. House, MD's quote on one of his episodes:
"Almost dying changes nothing. Dying changes everything."

So, with the all uncertainty, or odd predictions of when the world is going to end...
Does it change your life? How so?

If, you have 24 hours to live, how will you spend it?

Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. -- Gandhi

Let's not forget to learn from Jesus on how He spent His Final hours before The Cross.
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/the-final-hours-in-the-life-of-jesus-1.html

~You are in this world, but you are not of this world.

Do you ever say something that you don't mean?

Perhaps, everyone does.

Thinking more, should we utter words just to fill the silence?
Just to flatter someone?
(well, we should be generous with words of encouragement,
but words of flattery on looks or wealth is a bit shallow.....isnt it?)

I am just challenged to really mean what I say.
Think before I say, so that I won't regret it.
~in which often i fail, my mouth runs faster than my brain~ but i won't stop trying.

And, I try not to boast or speak unintended lies on which I am accountable to.

James 3: 5 NIV "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."