:When God speaks:

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah experienced:
a great wind (verse 11), but God was not in the wind;
an earthquake (verse 11), but God was not in the earthquake;
a fire (verse 12), but God was not in the fire.

Finally, Elijah heard, according to the NRSV, "the sound of sheer silence." The Hebrew words translated "the sound of sheer silence" are qol damamah daqqah. Qol can be translated as "voice or sound." Damamah comes from a verbal root that means "to be silent, to be motionless," and daqqah from a root that means "small or thin." Various translations have been offered: "a sound of a gentle blowing" (NASB); "a gentle whisper" (NIV); "a still small voice" (KJV). What did Elijah hear? Silence, a whisper, a gentle wind? Whatever it was, it got his attention. And then a voice asked, "What are you doing here?"

I realize that we need to check in/ tune-in our ears to God's channel in the morning in order for us to recognize when God speaks through the still small voice... Lately, there are "coincidences" - the gentle whispers- or small voice- of God around me that I think is very cool; like, I had certain discussion with my bestfriend about the multiple dating issue, and then, at that time, I was asking whether she had found the church that she can be committed to...and I told her "It's ok, take your time, visit many churches, find which one suit you best, then you can grow and serve there" = then, there was this gentle whisper- "You should be ok with multiple dating...it's just like how you gave the advice to your friend about finding church. you are free to choose who you want to be with first. then you can be committed to one" - hmmm.....interesting, eh? =)
Also, I just had a discussion with a friend about the prosecution to the Christians in India and how we should respond to such incidents. He was quite upset at first, but then he told me that interestingly, during his devotional time, God reminded him of Romans 12:14-21. ;)

I believe that God continue speaking in our lives, through friends, to circumstances, to His word-most importantly- if we just want to listen.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. -John 10:27

-Be Yourself-

I am back to the Taiwanese drama fever -.-""

I recently watched "Miss No Good" 不良笑花 / Bu Liang Xiao Hua
The movie is cute. It is about this girl, Xiao Hua, that's trying so hard to get a makeover, so that she can behave like the upper class ladies to impress some people.

Thinking more after the movie, sometimes I realize that I do that too....Even though I am fully aware that I have "people-pleaser" mentality, many times I unconsciously pretend being someone that I am not in front of certain people or certain social clubs...

But, im really glad that many times, God reminds me that He loves me just the way I am and He made me special- only one in this Earth (do you realize that there are no one on earth shares exact genes, even twins :))

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

"I am deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman." Max Lucado
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not.” ~Andre Gide

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Theodor Seuss Geisel

~IF~

If we are exiles and refugees on earth (1 Pet 2:11), and if our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20), and if nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35), and if His steadfast love is better than life (Psa 63:3), and if all hardship is working for us an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor 4:17), then we will give to the winds our fears and "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matt 6:33).

We will count everything as rubbish in comparison with Christ (Phil 3: 7,8). We will "joyfully accept the plundering of our property" for the sake of unpopular acts of mercy (Heb 10:34). We will choose "rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin," and we will count "the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt" (Heb 11:25,26). Amen!

repost from Marini Yi's notes

::Multiple Dating.

Being out of the dating arena for quite some time, I am little scared of it.
A friend of mine asked what's my opinion on multiple dating...
[multiple dating: you date A monday, B thursday, C on sunday]
From his point of view, it is an ok thing since you are just getting to know your "dates" better.
At that moment, I do not know how to answer such questions.
It sounded ok to me too. Sounded quite normal, knowing that one of my senior pastors once told the bachelors that they should just go out with many girls to know which one is suitable for them.

Personally, when i get the chance to re-think my answer, I feel like I am in a competition.
I need to perform better than other girls to score more dates.
I do not like that feeling. But, aren't we set to compete everywhere in this Earth?
we compete at work, at our social performances....
However, as I prayed, i felt that God assures me that I do not need to compete for His love.
He gave it all, He took the risks........
I do not think I should expect a guy to be like Jesus, but I surely doubt whether the guy really interested in me or i am special-just like other girls...

Thinking further about this, I relate it with learning to play certain sports. I am a girl that I want to try it all -and can do it all (im not pleased with this particular trait. im working on it). I have tried playing golf, tennis, badminton, volleyball...etc etc.
As you learn playing these sports, I don't think you can pick up golf, tennis, badminton at the same times to be able to play well in a game. I believe the techniques are different on each sport. The same thing with dating girls, each girls are different, you can't devote your heart into learning and focusing to know one if you know that you have several others you need to somewhat please too..... I would appreciate if one focuses on one person -like learning a particular sport- then he can decide whether we play in a game or not (being in a relationship with that particular girl)

It is interesting to know what my Christian friends think about this issue though. Thoughts?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.- Romans 5:8

Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.

Proverbs 4:23-27

A quote by Matthew Henry about Jesus' love:
"Even the most subtle disputant cannot convince the man who has tasted honey that it is not sweet."

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"-Psalm 119:103

"There is a depth, a matchless depth, in Jesus' love. There is a luscious sweetness in the fellowship with Him. You must eat, or you will never know the flavour of it. Oh! taste and see that the Lord is good!"
(CH Spurgeon ...Fragrant graces)

::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