Luke 7:43-47 (AMP)
Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” - ESV

Perspectives:.

Recently i have been thinking a lot about perspectives.
On how we can allow our minds and our responds to be more optimistic than pessimistic.

I am reminded about an illustration that a pastor gave during his sermon last week
about 2 shoe company's salespersons that are being sent to Africa to survey whether it is a good target market.
One of the salesperson came back and said: "No one wears shoe there, no one will want to wear shoes- it's a bad idea to export it there"
The second sales person came back and said: "No one wears shoe there. GREAT, we can introduce it and have all people start wearing shoes"

Perspectives.

While writing this post, i also keep on thinking about the 12 men that Moses sent to explore Canaan. 10 came back with bad reports that Canaan is full of giants and they will not be able to enter the land. However, Joshua and Caleb saw that Canaan is full of milk and honey and believe that God will give them Canaan (in Numbers 13-14)

Again, Perspectives.

Lord, teach me to always see my cups as full or half full and never as half-empty.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

God's love letters::

Everyone who has experienced love would know how wonderful it feel...
the woo-ing, the pursuit, the flattering words.......
You usually would re-read the letters, the text messages, the IMs over and over....until you probably memorize all the wordings.... just because.

Recently, God showed me the picture of God wanting me to do that same thing.
Oh, how wonderful are God's love letters to me, written in the Bible. His public display of affection to every single one of us.... I strongly encourage all of us to fall in love with God all over again!

I am reminded of His promise to me beginning of the year....

6"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6-9)

:Father, teach me to love Your words; to meditate upon it day and night:

"Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for." -Bob Marley
~Give yourself a chance. take the risk.

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1Cor10:23-24

I believe that even though there is freedom to do things as we want to, we should weigh whether the outcome will be pleasing before God and others.

Choose wisely. Need lots of prayers.

-Keep Singing to You-

Just reminded of a song that my friend, Irma Soraya, composed early on this year...

"Trials may come my way ..
Dissapointments will cross my path ..
But when things seem to go wrong .. God I won't let you go
You're the One who hold my hands
I'm gonna keep singing to You .. praising Your name .. putting my hope in You
I'm gonna keep lovin You Lord .. giving You all (that) I am
I know You'll never let me go .. "

a note from her.....................................

I wrote this song when I was going through some tough times in my life ..
I confided in the One who writes the story of my life .. and this realization sink in ... as long as I live .. there'll always be something going on to "spice" up my life ... and it's up to me on how I'm going to respond to that and in whom will I trust ..

Just like the song said ..
I'm learning to give thanks in times of difficulties .. confident that my Author of life has the best ending to my story...

Easier said than done .. but I'm still learning ..

God's Pursuant of Us -2-

After hearing some of my friends' thoughts, I am reminded that God pursues us both for salvation and sanctification- as relentlessly- thank you Marini for reminding me this. Even after our salvation, God never stop to pursue us for sanctification- I think some people became "great" - Moses, Paul, Peter not only because they repented, but also because they responded to God's calling in their lives. They do not take their salvation lightly, but instead, they kept on responding to God's pursuit.
Take an example of Peter- Even after Peter's denials, and after his hanging out with Jesus all the times- Peter chose to go back to being a fisherman after Jesus' crucifixion.
Jesus never stop pursuing Peter (Jesus reinstated Peter in John 21 - after the resurrection of Jesus) - Jesus filled Peter with the Holy Spirit- Jesus continues to pour out visions in Peter's life.

Being caught up on the issue of election/salvation- I overlook this profound truth. I forgot that after us receiving Him, [true that we have to work out on our salvation with fear and trembling (phil 2:12) ] I realized that He still lavishly pour out His love and grace on us... He surely will deliver us in times of need, He will continue changing and molding us into His perfect image. I truly believes that God never stop to love us, never stop pursuing, chasing after our own hearts.
He just IS love..

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right." Acts 10:34