Keep on LeArning

Karlene taught me so many things and how I wish I really wrote down everything she said... I'll share what I did remember...

She said, first must be putting God in the center of everything, I think this is always the main point, God's will, faith in God, fellowship with the Lord. The story in the Bible tells about the time when Peter was trying to make sure if it was Jesus and he asked that if He were really Jesus, He'd let him walk on water. he did walk on water, looking directly at Jesus, but once the waves got bigger, he lost to his fears and sunk. Just like us, the water is the problem we're facing, Peter can be us, the waves is the devil, trying to distract us, keeping our faith in Jesus and not wavering from it will keep us afloat no matter how big the waves are or how deep the waters are.

She also told me the story about Daniel's friends and how they trusted the Lord so much that even the fiery furnace can't burn them. I really want to grow in faith and one day become like those men... trusting the Lord completely with their lives.

I still have much to learn and I bet a huge part of it would come from Karlene. next time, I'll really bring a notebook and try to absorb as much as I can from her.

Bible study with Karlene

I was unavailable at the actual time of Bible Study but Karlene is a great blessing, she discussed with me what she discussed in BS and it was really fruitful. I learned once again. Doing our best for God is a fruitful work, unlike doing our best, simply because we want it for ourselves is dry. If we rely on Him and do our best for Him, we will never get tired or frustrated. Just like what was said to Solomon about building a sanctuary for the Lord. to make it magnificent and unique.

Also she taught me of God's magnificence... I do appreciate God's hand made, but she said it in a deeper way, about God's work never being mediocre, always the best, every single piece is one of a kind. the same specie yet, when you look really close, it's different still.

Every time I meet with Karlene, I learn a lot, I owe a big part of my growth in faith from her...

untitled poem

Jesus, my Savior, my life,
I am but Your lowly servant,
Yet You willingly sacrificed,
Helping us realize Your light.

I don't worth anything at all,
Yet You somehow find my purpose,
You let me respond to Your call,
And under Your wings find repose.

You are the Lord, my only God,
You let my heart beat unceasing,
I find comfort in the praises that I sing,
Let me sing some more for You, Lord.

Consulting God

In the old books of the Bible telling stories about David's reign as God's chosen king, David once made a mistake of not consulting God and the result was... constant loss in battle. Like David, we tend to be self reliant simply because that is something we can account for, but relying on God is much much more reliable. We can never control the circumstances we are in but God can, also, instead of constant pleading and begging for things, we must thank Him and praise Him instead for every single problem that came accross you, and every single good thing He did for you. Those circumstances were all useful to make you as you are right now.

Also, never look at other people's short comings. You know it well enough as I do, we are as imperfect as the other person. All of us are, but we must never look at their shortcomings, instead, look at ours and have a greater faith in God for He is happy the way He made us, so should we, and He's happy the way He made that other person, so should we.

Last thing, the Lord judges us based on what we know. for example. If you don't know that it's not good to tell people prank but hurtful things, you'll be forgiven, "ignorance" but once you already know that it's wrong, never do it again. Just like David's situation in the old books of the Bible, The king of Philistines delivered the Ark by a new cart which was forbidden according to the laws of Moses, David knew this but didn't act on it so He made a mistake. We should avoid doing the things we know are wrong, it is not excusable by ignorance, instead, you'll be branded as a fool.

every single detail

Have you ever felt afraid because of the circumstances in your life and whether it will get better or not?

For the past 18 years of my life, I had too many fears to enumerate and too many doubts to tell, I was afraid that I might never get out of the problem I sank in, I was afraid that things might become worse, I was afraid that I might be stuck on a situation I don't want. I admit that I have a very poor faith before, but it somehow got stronger now thanks to some people.

It's always scary to look at your life while it's in chaos, I thought that I wanted to die and I even prayed for it, just to end everything. but now that I know better, I'm thankful that I experienced them and that I never dared to suicide. it would have been a total waste of God's plan for me, I wouldn't have made new friends and I wouldn't have been able to learn new things. I really thank God that I was able to get over those problems and to learn a little more and to grow a little more.

When we're in a deep hole, let's always look upward and never stop hoping that someone will come to help. Climbing that hole by yourself will be fruitless if no one from above will pull you. just like in the Bible:

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. (Psalms 127:1)

There is not one bird that fell that God didn't know, just as He knows the exact number of strands of your hair (not exact words)

He planned every single detail of your life, be it your ups or your downs, He never forgot you even for the tiniest fraction of a second and He is always there for you. Learn how to praise Him in every circumstances and never forget how He designed every detail of your physical characteristics and every detail of your life. it's up to you to have faith in Him and find His purpose for every circumstances, because God's grace is strongest at your weakest...

God Bless! He always watches you and will never abandon you, never.

His creations

I kept on coming back to the roof while chatting with my friend, so he told me to take a picture rather than keep on going up and down the roof, so here it is, but sadly, I didn't use tripod because I can't find it...sorry if it's a little off...
Tuesday night, I was amazed at how pretty the stars were and how lovely the crescent moon is. I am simply amazed at how God arranged all of them, from every single of those plentiful stars to each phase of the moon. Reminding us of how powerful He is. I was overwhelmed by the beautiful night sky and how much stars there actually are compared to what I can see with my poor vision. I even went up the roof just to look at them (good thing Mama and Papa didn't notice me missing).

I really am grateful God let me witness that wonderful night sky and reallize how tiny I am compared to the vast sky. I felt so refreshed after seeing the stars and realizing how wonderful God's creations are once again... each star in its own place, each star as big as our own sun, and yet, God designed the wide universe and much more of it still hidden from our knowledge. He designed all of it, the constellations, the planets, our galaxy, even other unexplored galaxies. We just can't help but marvel at His wonderful creations, I really feel so blessed that He arranged the sequence of my life as well.

I just wonder, did God made aliens as well?

Four things

Anonymity

Well the preacher said that anonymity is not showing off, but to be honest, humans were maid proud and simply loves to show off, but they also said that the life you have anonymously is your life with God. only He and you knows about it.
Jesus grew up in Nazareth, which is actually not a famous town. He lived in anonymity for 30 years before finally revealing himself.

Humility

Humility, being humble, emptying one's self. if we apply this, it'll be easier for us to live a life of anonymity. When a man becomes proud, he will cease to grow. Jesus rode on a donkey to enter a city, not in a majestic manner, no horse, no body guards, none of the things you'll expect from a powerful person. Being humble is hard because you have to empty yourself and let go of trying to impress people.

Full Governance

Accept God's full governance and you can accomplish what you want and what He wants. Leave it up to Him and follow what He instruct you to. You can hear Him speak to you, but sometimes we can't decipher what the voice says. what we need to do is let go of our self reliance, our sight is very shallow, God can see what lies yonder. Let Him decide for us.

Mindful of the Father's business

"To do the will of God" is knowing what He needs of us instead of what we need with Him. He uses us to help others in various ways. Like what Jesus said "feeding Him when He was hungry," and those along that line, doing things for God. We must realize what needs be done, or sometimes, He'll just let us be ourselves and somehow be of great help to another. I really believe that God works through people. Giving you the exact person He knows can help you with a certain problem.

This thing is not among the four but is important as well, We must have a fixed schedule on our fellowship with the Lord, and we can do it anytime, anywhere. He is always with us. :)