Enemy is Defeated

if theres anything I learnt in Tassy, it was that joy comes in the morning, or simply put, suffering is part and parcel of the plan, take hope in that God will see you through it, and that it will pass and be replaced with exponential blessing.

He is greater than the circumstances. I WILL praise Him and thank Him despite these letdowns. I am already blessed as it is with supportive family etc. Ugh. Rant.

Dear Child

"I want this! Its looks good to me!"

Smiling fondly as he wraps his warm hand around mine, he gently pulled me away and said, "No dear child, I know what you really want."

"How do you know?"

"Because I love you, more than you love yourself."

"Then show me what to do! Or tell me what is it that I really want! Its not easy you know."

"I have been showing you all the time dear one, never once I have stopped. But you realise, that you have to be nearer than that to hear me through the noise?"

"I am near, aren't you always beside me?"

"I meant here." He then laid his hand upon my heart. "Listen from here."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, I'll be waiting. I love you."


Some of you need to reflect upon this! :)

That 4 lettered word

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incomplete's will be canceled.

1 Cor 13:8-10 (MSG)

I guess sometimes, its good to remember that if we understood everything, there wont be a need for God to teach and guide us, would there?

"we only know a portion of the truth" - that He showed us anyway. Its quite humbling that sometimes we get caught up in doing things, learning, teaching, and feeling oh wow we're there! We're definitely not there. But its important work nevertheless, because He first loved us, then only we are able to love Him and others.

Also, it is not fair to say Christianity is illogical, senseless, brainless just because its based on faith. Its more like, faith is what we believe will bring us to knowledge - complete, perfect, and truthful knowledge, because our God promised completeness in Him. Dont get me wrong, the human pursuit of knowledge is important, and I advocate finding out as much as possible in science and nature. But specifically I am of opinion that the careless dismissal of faith and emotions as medieval charlatanry is bigoted.

Interesting that Love was the only one that didnt die out when He comes to complete us. Maybe, thats the only complete part of us that didnt need fixing.

In conclusion, v13 (MSG) goes on to say:

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

The Importance of Memories

Looking back is dangerous.

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Genesis 19:26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

But remembrance is important.

1 Cor 11:24-25 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying,“This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

When you take out journals, pictures, notes, cards, messages. It strengthens resolve, it reinforces purpose, it refreshes weary hearts, and it redirects tired feet. 

Yes! There were struggles, worries, fears, doubts in the past. But as you look through the memories, you realise you can cling on to the promise that He will walk with you now, as He did then.

Keep them memories close, and the people in them closer.

Question Mark

its mysterious

its fresh

its new

its intriguing

its a new thing every time!

Expansion comes at the expense of comfort, and replaces it with a curious mind of "what's that, what's next?"

God You Have Done It Again!

yesterday I saw fire fall down from heaven.

I saw people whose hearts were hungry,

I saw broken lives restored,

I saw old and new chains crumble into dust.

I saw a generation ready to claim the promise land.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this Father.

Transcending

2 lines mark today,

"I see your hands, I see where you thought you're insufficient, but know that I am pleased with you, I love you, keep this up."

"Do you trust Me?"

Phil 3:14 - Press on.

History

Looking back, we were definitely young, said too many things, laughed more, thought less, cared more, tried harder, dreamt more. Change is inevitable but fast forward, are we living for the right things now?

Let not our growth take away the innocence of youth.

Arise, Hope

Sometimes, victory seems so out of reach, no matter how hard we try. Chasing dreams for umpteen years yet coming out second best. Seeking for the answer, only to be left with even more questions unanswered. Doing good, yet receiving nothing in return. Offering an helping hand, that is pushed away. Searching for comfort, but only finding doubt.

Although the saying "the night is always darkest before the dawn" is to be questioned, it is with a considerable degree of certainty that the dawn will come, no matter how long or dark the night. So lets have hope! Right?

I for one, do not concur. For in the good book of Psalms 23:4 it reads, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

In total contrast to the view that the world depend on, that the victory is declared when the dawn reaches, when dreams are realised, when answers are given, when goodness is rewarded, when help is accepted, when comfort is found; God declares that true victory is when we walk through the night, with Him by our side, as we draw deeper and depend on Him more.

What is the dawn? It comes and goes, and it will be night again. But your God will remain by your side.

Where does your hope come from?

Desiring

Matthew 7:7-8.


Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.


Jeremiah 29:13-14a.


You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. "I will be found by you,” declares the Lord...

Beginnings

21 days.

Don't let my spirit sleep.

Deeper

Howwwwwwwwwwwwww laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Godddddddddddddddddd?????

I turn to You, not expecting, but wanting to draw deeper, because the best way for me is Your way. Please show me something!!!

Hwaiting! (C'mon, I am Your son!)

Longings

Of warm weather and a bright future.

Step 1

Realization that I cant do it on my own, or rather, it can be done so much better if I let go, and let Him.

Photograph

They say that when words are not enough, a picture comes in handy.

Or even flashy lines like "A picture speaks a thousand words" come to mind. 

But, ask yourself, what does that even mean???

A picture is most definitely not a thousand words, it is much more than that. It is a human attempt at capturing emotion, and the reason why we are touched by a "good picture" is because it has in a way, succeeded.

However, even with the best equipment available that will ever be invented, one cannot fully capture a moment. To put it simply, how do you describe an experience? You cannot, it is a bittersweet thing, for it is yours to keep but you cannot fully share it with another. You can only show a part of it, through art, dance, music, and other forms of sensory communication.

In the same way, Christianity is like photography. God is to be experienced, not simplified or put in a box. A simple analogy would be how do you put the same scent of mountain fresh air into a picture? I do not need to go into the rest of the senses, plus any thoughts and emotions that was invoked during the phototaking. Following that train of thought, we calling ourselves Christians are the photographers of this experience. We go experience God, and then bring back beautiful photos so that people might glimpse and see a small part of what God is doing.

And then, maybe they will take some photos of their own.

Without You

I am nothing.


The past few weeks. There has been good news, and the bad news and the in between news.

Let it not be my burden to bear.

at the same time, let it not be my hands that are glorified.

only You can move the mountains!

So, guide me.

Just a Picture

Through the triumph and trials alike.


exhales.

All honor and praise.

I hope for the very best for you.

I Solemnly Swear

that I am up no good, (and all the HP fans say whattt?)

that I will cut my fingernails tomorrow. Haha!

What. A. Day. :)

May

the 4th be with you!

The Last Bersih

I pray and fervently hope there will not be a Bersih 4.0.

For months people have prepared to come and protest in peace, and all it took was not even a day but a few hours for violence to break out like bush-fire across the news vine. What are we showing the world?

Crude actions by both parties, whether falsely reported or not, has gained the attention it needed, the Enemy's work has been done.

For those who suffered, by no means this is aimed to diminish what has happened to you. Good things has also happened today, that is of no doubt. Many a touching picture and video has spread across the web and shed light upon the situation. People all around the globe, are aware at the very least, that Malaysia isn't a country where it's inhabitants live in trees. Bersih 3.0 has certainly hit its mark.

But where there is good, evil will rise up to challenge it, and I fear that the seed of chaos has tarnished the once pure yellow army. Viral videos are popping up, and sowing discontent and leading to anger and a brick wall of intolerance and hatred.

In remembrance of what we are fighting for, a clean, safe and fair future for generations to come. I hope that whatever happened today, let love reign in the people's hearts, let enemies be forgiven, let us not puff up with pride, let us turn the other cheek and press on towards the bigger picture.

What happens after Bersih counts, not the rally itself.

I conclude with this, who are we to ask those whom we claim to be oppressors to step down, when we respond in kind when facing violence, hatred, discrimination and intolerance.

Are we not calling ourselves the better man?

For Negaraku, Tanah Air untuk semua.