::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

Indah pada WaktuNya (Everything is beautiful in His time)

Today I realize that God's timing is really perfect.

This is probably a small incidence to some people, but through this small thing, God reminded me about His timing, about His providence, about His understanding.

This is about eating at El Gaucho.

El Gaucho has been known as one of the best steakhouse in Seattle.

Me, being a foodie, has been very compelled to try the steak there.

There were several occassion that my friends had invited me to have dinner there,

but there weren't great timing.

Today, celebrating my brother's overdue birthday dinner, we got the chance to eat there.

Somehow, I was reminded about 3 years ago when I was in worse financial situation than now. At that time, I was working on a side job being a host at an Irish restaurant.

My friend invited me to a dinner there to celebrate her birthday.

I was very motivated to go, although I did not have spare money to spend on this luxury dinner.

Thank God I managed to skip the birthday dinner and saved the money for better use at that time.

God gently whispers to me, "See, if you have been patient enough, I will give you your heart desires."

That words just blow me away.

Once again.....I am in awe. I am loved beyond measure.

The most selfish 1 letter word - I - avoid it.
The most satisfying 2 letter word - We - use it.
The most poisonous 3 letter word - Ego - kill it.
The most used 4 letter word - Love - value it.
The most pleasing 5 letter word - Smile - keep it.
The fastest spreading 6 letter word - Rumour - ignore it.
The hardest working 7 letter word - Success - achieve it.
The most enviable 8 letter word - Jealousy - distance it.
The most powerful 9 letter word - Knowledge - acquire it.
The most essential 10 letter word - Confidence - trust it.

"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."

::Relating to Diamonds::

This morning I overheard my co-workers discussed about a diamond that my company has it re-graded. She said "Wow, the imperfection went away." and I was puzzled, "can it be, really?"
But as I clarified with her, she actually meant that the imperfection in diamond went away because GIA authorities decided that the diamond worth better clarity grade (VVS1) rather than (VVS2) -what it was graded as last time. My co-worker emphasized that the imperfection of a diamond can not go away unless the imperfection side of the diamond is cut.

That particular statement reminded me of the Vine, the Gardener, and the Branches analogy in the Bible.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15


Same thing with our lives, in order to be more fruitful or radiant (to show God's beauty); there are areas of our lives that we need to cut and trim.
Let's evaluate together which part of our lives we can cut in order to be more fruitful? or let's be thankful for His "pruning" since it is for our best :)


This diamond conversation also recall a cute conversation I had with a friend of mine about a year ago, regarding relationship.
(I kinda forgot how the conversation started, and it lead to either I was talking to him that he needs to lose weight, or i was whining that i need to lose weight)
which now reminds me again, that i need to cut down my chocolate consumption :P
...and He said "Even the G-I3 ae payu"
(talking about that even the people who isn't so handsome or pretty (=lower grade diamonds) still attractive to some people)
(He was either comforting me or comforting himself about our tiny weight problem...)
and I said "Yeah, because they can't afford the D-IF, that's why they settle for the G-I3 " :P

Let's still strive for the perfection in God ;)

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matt 5:48

Follow Your Heart?

I have been hearing people saying to me
"Follow Your Heart."
Same statement echoes over and over from people around me.
I don't know whether it is the right thing to do.

is your heart = your feeling= your mood?
feeling is fickle.
it is constantly changing depending on my circumstances....
If I decide to follow my heart, I certainly will waver.....
losing my focus, miss my mark, getting no where.

The bible said:
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9
"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Matthew 15:19

I decide to remind myself to align my mind and my heart to God's word everyday so that I can be renewed and transformed. Praying that it will never be my feeling that guide me, but it is God's word, which is the ultimate truth.

"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:10

.on Trusting God.

Ever frustated with someone?
say.....
a boss that wouldn't give you the raise or promotion you deserve?
a professor that mark your final unjustly?
friends that go against your back?
parents that limit your freedom or push you to do certain things?
or someone you love that doesn't love you back?

I believe that if we trust God, He can do ALL things if it is in His will.

"The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; He guides it wherever He pleases." Proverbs 21:1

Ezra 6:22
"And they observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had caused them to rejoice, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to encourage them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel."

Acts 7:10
"He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace."

From scriptures above, I learnt that if God can turn those kings' heart, He can also change the heart of people around us that we may gain favor from them to glorify God.

All that we need to do is: "Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might, and all your strength"