Only by God.

I arise today through God's strength to pilot me
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's words to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me,
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity.

Don't look down!
Keep your fork --- Something better is coming.

Grace Alone.

Every promise we can make
Every prayer and step of faith
Every difference we can make
Is only by His grace.
Every mountain we will climb
Every ray of hope we shine
Every blessing left behind
Is only by His grace

Chorus:
Grace alone Which God supplies
Strength unknown He will provide
Christ in us, our cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone.

Every soul we long to reach
Every heart we hope to teach
Everywhere we share His peace
Is only by His grace.
Every loving word we say
Every tear we wipe away
Every sorrow turned to praise
Is only by His grace.

Life is a process.

Kadang kita bertanya dalam hati dan menyalahkan Tuhan, "Apa yang telah saya lakukan sampai saya harus mengalami ini semua?" atau "Kenapa Tuhan membiarkan ini semua terjadi pada saya?"

Here is a wonderful explanation...

Seorang anak memberitahu ibunya kalau segala sesuatu tidak berjalan seperti yang dia harapkan. Dia mendapatkan nilai jelek dalam raport, putus dengan pacarnya dan sahabat terbaiknya pindah ke luar kota.

Saat itu ibunya sedang membuat kue dan menawarkan apakah anaknya mau mencicipinya. Dengan senang hati anaknya berkata, "Tentu saja, I love your cake."

"Nih, cicipi mentega ini," kata Ibunya menawarkan.

"Yaiks," ujar anaknya.

"Bagaimana dengan telur mentah?"

"You're kidding me, Mom."

"Mau coba tepung terigu atau baking soda?"

"Mom, semua itu menjijikkan!!"

Lalu ibunya menjawab, "Ya, semua itu memang kelihatannya tidak enak jika dilihat satu per satu. Tapi jika dicampur jadi satu melalui satu proses yang benar, akan menjadi kue yang enak."

Tuhan bekerja dengan cara yang sama. Seringkali  kita bertanya kenapa Dia membiarkan kita melalui masa-masa yang sulit dan tidak menyenangkan. Tapi Tuhan tahu jika Dia membiarkan semuanya terjadi satu per satu sesuai dengan rancangan-Nya, segala sesuatunya akan menjadi sempurna tepat pada waktunya. Kita hanya perlu percaya proses ini diperlukan untuk menyempurnakan hidup kita.

Tuhan teramat sangat mencintai kita. Dia  mengirimkan bunga setiap musim semi dan sinar matahari setiap pagi. Setiap saat kita ingin bicara, Dia akan mendengarkan. Dia ada di setiap saat kita membutuhkan-Nya. Dia ada di setiap tempat dan Dia memilih untuk berdiam di hati kita.

Rendah Hati - 1 Petrus 5:5-6.

Sebagai seorang kristen kita dituntut untuk rendah hati (1Petrus5:5), karena "Allah menentang orang yang congkak, tetapi mengasihani orang yang rendah hati". Kesombongan dapat timbul karena kecintaan diri seseorang akan kemampuannya sendiri, dan juga karena merasa apa yang kita punyai melebihi dari kepunyaannya orang lain. Seolah-olah apa yang kita dapatkan adalah berdasarkan atas kemampuan, kuat dan gagah kita. Kita lupa diri dan tidak sadar bahwa semua yang kita miliki sesungguhnya berasal dari Tuhan, sehingga tidak ada tempatnya untuk menyombongkan diri. Seperti nasehat yang Paulus sampaikan kepada jemaat di 1 Korintus 4:7 dalam versi BIS "Siapakah yang menjadikan Saudara lebih dari orang lain? Bukankah segala sesuatu Saudara terima dari Allah? Jadi, mengapa mau menyombongkan diri, seolah-olah apa yang ada pada Saudara itu bukan sesuatu yang diberi?".

Lalu bagaimana supaya kita dapat menghindari dosa kesombongan, (ayat 6), Karena itu rendahkanlah dirimu di bawah tangan Tuhan yang kuat,

Semua yang kita miliki saat ini, apakah menurut kita biasa atau istimewa, besar atau kecil dalam pandangan manusia, itu semua adalah anugerah luar biasa yang berasal dari Tuhan. Dan Paulus berkata "Ada tertulis: "Barangsiapa yang bermegah, hendaklah ia bermegah di dalam Tuhan." (1 Korintus 1:31). Sesungguhnya sebuah kasih karunia dikatakan kasih karunia karena bukan berasal dari perbuatan kita melainkan dari Sang Pemberi yaitu Tuhan sendiri. Dan itupun sudah disebutkan di dalam Alkitab. "Tetapi jika hal itu terjadi karena kasih karunia, maka bukan lagi karena perbuatan, sebab jika tidak demikian, maka kasih karunia itu bukan lagi kasih karunia." (Roma 11:6). Kesombongan merupakan bentuk penyangkalan dari hal itu, karena artinya mereka berpikiran seolah-olah semua itu adalah hasil pekerjaan mereka atau beranggapan bahwa mereka sudah sangat hebat melebihi orang lain atau bahkan Tuhan sehingga lupa diri. Menyadari bahwa kasih karunia merupakan pemberian Tuhan, milik Tuhan yang diberikan kepada kita akan membuat kita tetap sadar bahwa tidak ada satupun yang pantas kita sombongkan.

Marilah kita menyadari betul anugerah kasih karunia yang telah Tuhan berikan kepada kita. Semua yang ada pada kita hari ini sesungguhnya berasal dari Tuhan. (Ulangan 8:14-18). Ingatlah bahwa semua itu dari Tuhan, oleh Tuhan dan untuk Tuhan. (Roma 11:36). Kesombongan merupakan awal dari kehancuran seperti yang Amsal 16:18, kesombongan merupakan sikap yang ditentang Tuhan (Yakobus 4:6), dan merupakan kekejian bagi Allah sehingga tidak akan luput dari hukuman (Amsal 16:5). Kita harus mensyukuri semua yang telah diberikan Tuhan, dan itu bisa kita tunjukkan lewat sebentuk kerendahan hati bukan lewat sikap sombong atau tinggi hati. Sehingga pada akhirnya Tuhan memberikan yang dijanjikannya  kepada kita (1 Petrus 5:6b) supaya kamu ditinggikan-Nya pada waktunya.

God walks with the humble, He reveals Himself to the lowly, He gives understanding to the little ones, He discloses His meaning to pure minds, but hide His grace from the proud. - Thomas Aquinas.

Why have you chosen me?

This song is included in our church Caring Group Fellowship's worship song book, I found the lyrics of this song is really beautiful and so real...

Why have You chosen me out of millions Your child to be?
You know all the wrong that I've done
O how could You pardon me, forgive my iniquity
To save me, give Jesus Your Son

Reff:
But (Oh) Lord, help me be, what You want me to be,
Your words I will strive to obey;
My life I now give, For You I will live,
And walk by Your side All the way

I am amazed to know that a God so great could love me so
He's willing and wanting to bless;
His grace is so wonderful, His mercy's so bountiful
I can't understand it I confess

Trust His Heart.

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart

The above paragraph is a chorus of a song Title "Trust His Heart". I was listening to a bible conference message from RBC by Rev. Bill Crowder (He is my fave bible teacher). He talked about suffering, sometimes we don't know why bad circumstance happen to our life. He shared his experience when he was a young pastor for a church, he received a call from his family to inform that his dad has passed away. While his heart was overwhelmed with grief, a senior pastor came to him and said "one day you will be thankful for this". He thought why should I be thankful for my dad's death. That happened to be his first funeral service. Years have passed by, he conducted many more funeral services, because of his experience with his dad's funeral, he was able to serve the grieving family more passionately and connected with them.

Admittedly when unfavourable circumstances come to us, or on the other hand, good things have not come to us, when we are longing for something/someone, maybe a family is waiting for a child, a man/woman is looking for a job or a life partner, and yet these prayers have not been answered. We usually shout loudly in our heart "Why this happen to me? Has God forgotten me?" The above lyrics is the answer, We don't know where the current situation will bring us, maybe God is working on something to prepare us for our future. We have to know and understand our God, He has a loving heart. When we really don't understand and don't know what to do, just trust His heart.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

Restart again..

After being so lazy to journalise my thought for quite a long time (almost three years), I think I need to restart this good habit. All of the sudden, I browsed some of my past entries, I felt so amazed what I learnt and thought in the past. Having re-read all over again, it's a kind of refresh my mind again. I never thought that I have typed all those writings, I totally forget almost all of them. It's just good feeling you have some records of them, and it helps you to be reminded again.

RCS Baking Competition - 7 January 2012.

Sweet Christmas in January - Almond Lemington

Group photo

Closing year 2011 - at the office.

Christmas moment.

The Five Finger Prayer.

Apakah Anda sulit untuk berdoa? Berikut ini ada tuntunan praktis dalam berdoa yang disebut dengan THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER – Doa Lima Jari

1. Thumb – Ibu Jari - Ibu jari adalah jari yang paling dekat dengan Anda. Jadi, mulailah berdoa untuk orang-orang yang dekat dengan Anda. Mereka lebih mudah untuk diingat. Berdoa untuk orang-orang yang Anda kasihi merupakan “a sweet duty”, merupakan tugas yang menyenangkan.

2. Fore Finger, Pointing Finger – Jari Telunjuk. Jari berikutnya adalah jari telunjuk. Berdoalah untuk mereka yang mengajar, memberikan instruksi, pelatihan, dan tim medis yang melakukan diagnosa dan tindakan untuk penyembuhan. Termasuk di antaranya adalah guru, dosen, dokter dan para pelayan Tuhan. Mereka membutuhkan dukungan dan hikmat untuk memberikan petunjuk yang benar kepada orang lain. Doakan mereka selalu.

3. Middle Finger – Jari Tengah.Berikutnya adalah jari tengah, jari yang paling tinggi. Hal ini mengingatkan kita pada para pemimpin. Berdoalah untuk presiden, untuk para pemimpin dalam bisnis, dunia usaha, dunia industri dan administrasi. Mereka mengarahkan bangsa kita dan membentuk pendapat umum. Mereka membutuhkan tuntunan Tuhan.

4. Ring Finger – Jari Manis. Jari keempat adalah jari manis. Jari manis adalah jari yang paling lemah. Mungkin hal ini mengejutkan banyak orang, tetapi para guru piano memang mengatakan demikian. Jadi, hal ini mengingatkan kita untuk berdoa bagi mereka yang lemah, mereka yang sedang menghadapi masalah atau sedang sakit. Mereka membutuhkan doa kita siang dan malam. Anda tidak dapat mengatakan bahwa mereka sudah terlalu banyak didoakan.

5. Little Finger – Jari Kelingking. Terakhir, jari kelingking kita, yaitu jari yang paling kecil. Berdoalah untuk diri kita sendiri, untuk pertumbuhan rohani kita, untuk hubungan kita dengan Tuhan dan untuk hubungan kita dengan orang lain. Daud berkata di dalam Mazmur19:13 “Siapakah yang dapat mengetahui kesesatan? Bebaskanlah aku dari apa yang tidak kusadari.” Tanpa kita sadari, ada banyak kelemahan dalam hidup kita. Segala kelemahan bahkan hal-hal kecil yang sering menjadi batu sandungan bagi orang lain, seharusnya membawa kita untuk terus berdoa bagi diri kita. Selamat Berdoa!

Sampai sekarang kamu belum meminta sesuatu pun dalam nama-Ku. Mintalah maka kamu akan menerima, supaya penuhlah sukacitamu - Yohanes 16:24

Enjoy the Journey.

I found this article in my journal. I wrote this from a book, I forgot what book. Last night I read it again, I think it is good to put this entry into my blog as a reminder. I hope you all may find it useful and blessed by the words.

Proverb 4:18 "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day".

Sometimes it's easy to become so goal oriented and so focused on our dreams that we over look the simple things that we should be enjoying in our everyday life. But we have to remember that life is not really about the destination. It's about how we live along the way. It's about the path we're on that shines brighter and brighter.

In this life, there is no such thing as a finish line. Once you accomplish one dream, God will give you another. When you over come one challenge, there will be another. There is always another mountain to climb. If we make the mistake of just living for the destination, we'll look up one day and realise we've missed out on the biggest path of life because most of life is routine. Most of us get up every morning, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed and do it again. There are very few montain tops where you graduate from school, or you get married, or have a child, or go on vacation. The hightimes are few and far between. Don't get struck living for the mountain tops, learn to enjoy the path you're on. Learn to enjoy the simple blessings of walking in the path the Lord has prepared for you.

A Prayer today
Father God, thank you for the give of life.
Thank you for the good plan you have for me today and for my future.
Teach me to enjoy the journey of life, to embrace each day with joy and enthusiasm.
Help me to see the blessing of every moment you have given me.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.

My life is not about me anymore.

Many things has changed this past one year. I am still struggling to balance my overall activities; Work, church ministry and household's responsibilities. Work has been so demanding, by its nature, I have lived with it for almost seven years. Maybe I get use to it already. I have made choices and stay focus on a few ministry that I really can assist. The latest is not my expertise. Until last year, I was so independent, take care of my personal matters... When it comes to take care of others, I am quite disappointing.

I missed to put myself in other's shoes, it's quite sad if you received complain from people that close to you, saying that you don't care about them, egocentric and selfish. I know I am not perfect and cannot make everybody happy, but at least I need to start and put more effort to care for people surrounding me, even I need to sacrifice.. Doesn't it Christ has sacrificed for us? He came down from heaven, become a human and die on the cross for what? for us, unworthy sinner yet He does not care about that because He so loves us. As a christian, who is saved by Christ, I should not be self centred.

I'm Sorry sis If I've disappointed you by not being what you expected. I promised that from now on I will do my best to share our burden.

Act 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus given me - the task of testifiying the gospel of God's grace".

Wise words.

Not to conformed
"Keep sound wisdom and discretion ... Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble" (Proverbs 3:21,23).

We can't live or do business in this world without rubbing shoulders with those driven by the world's desires. So, we must make a practical decision not to be conformed, while are in the system,... It takes courage to think alone, to resist alone, to stand alone...
(Charles R. Swindoll)

Decision Making
Decisions revel values and intelligence. They require obedience to and dependence upon God.
Decision makers must understand complicated matter, but they also need God's perspective in deciding how to act.

It's crucial to make wise decisions, but no decision is wise if it's made indepently of God.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5)
(Quoted from God's Words of Life For Leaders)

Peacemaker
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9)

Peacemakers seek solutions and find no delight in arguments.
Peacemakers lower their voices rather than raise them.
(Charles R. Swindoll)

Difficulties
God delights to increase the faith of his children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God's hand as a means. Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.
(George Muller)

Control yourself.

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverb 10:11)

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverb 12:16)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverb 15:1)

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. (Proverb 17:14)

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, ... (1 Peter 3:9)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)

Life quotes.

Age is mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. - Mark Twain

Falling in love is easy but staying in love is something very special. - Anon

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. - George Burns

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand but touches your hearth. - Anon

Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. - Anon

Laughther is the medicine of life. - Madelaine Bamsford

It is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln

Having a place to go - is a home. Having someone to love - is a family. - Donna Hedges

To have a good friend is one of the greatest delights of life. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

To have joy one must share it. - Lord Byron

To the world you may be just one person; but to one person you may be the world. - Anon

Hidup adalah belajar.

Belajar bersyukur meski tak cukup,
Belajar iklas meski tak rela,
Belajar taat meski berat,
Belajar memahami meski tak sehati,
Belajar sabar meski terbebani,
Belajar setia meski tergoda,
Belajar memberi mesti tak seberapa,
Belajar mengasihi meski disakiti,
Belajar percaya meski susah,
Belajar dan terus belajar !

Everything happens for a reason.

I found the following excerpt:

"Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there.. to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be but when you look eyes with them, you know that every moment that you are with them, they will affect your life in some profound way. Sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realise that without overcoming those obstacles you would never realised your potential, strength, will power of heart."

These last few months have been very difficult for me to go through. So many things need to be managed at work, at church and at home, which the lattest previously I didn't put too much attention on it. Things changed! Many new conditions keep coming simultaneously, which break my focus. Until now, I don't understand why these things happened to me, and wondering what exactly God is preparing me for. Sometimes I feel very discourage in seeing that I cannot manage all of the stuff altogether, there are times where I need to sacrifice one of another. The above excerpt give some comforts when it says overcoming obstacles that come into our life strectching our potential capabilities. Based on my past experiences this statement is true, but I need more faith for believing it this time.. Like the song lyrics below, can we still put our hope in God when we are in difficult situation?

When I don't see Your way
When I don't understand Your plan
However I hold Your promise
My hope is only on You

Lord I will trust in You
Lord I will trust in You
Lord I will trust in You
My heart will trust in You

Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him."

Hatiku Percaya - Edward Chen.

Saat ku tak melihat jalan-Mu
Saat ku tak mengerti rencana-Mu
Namun tetap ku pegang janji-Mu
Pengharapanku hanya pada-Mu

Hatiku percaya
Hatiku percaya
Hatiku percaya
S'lalu ku percaya

Lord I will trust in You
Lord I will trust in You
Lord I will trust in You
My heart will trust in You

Guilin Tour, 18 - 25 June 2010.

Awesome Scenery

Inside Crown Cave.

Outside Crown Cave.

City tour.