"Think beyond your lifetime, if you want to do something truly great. Make a fifty-year master plan. A fifty-year master plan will change how you look at the opportunities in the present"
~ Walt Disney ~
Friday, 30 November 2007
Fifty-year master plan...
Monday, 26 November 2007
Another link to the past...
Gua tuh pertama signed up buat facebook gara2 pengen nyari temen2 high school gua. Makanya, lumayan disappointed sih, waktu gua found out kalo ternyata gua ngga bisa nemuin satu juga anak Aloy angkatan gua yang di fb! Well, at least ngga ada yang gua kenal... =(
Biarpun gua dulu anak "bae2" sih, and that's probably why gua ngga terlalu kenal banyak orang. =P
Anyway, hari ini, lewat someone, gua nemuin grup Aloy! =) And then, lewat group itu, nemuin someone yang ternyata anak angkatan gua dulunya! =) Temen sekelas lagi! - well, setaon doang sih sekelasnya, tapi tetep aja temen sekelas! =)
Tapi, menurut dia sih, kayanya ngga banyak lagi deh anak Aloy laen (angkatan kita) yang di fb. Mungkin karena most of them dah married and have kids katanya. So, ngga pada ada waktu maen fb kayanya... =(
Well, at least gua dapet satu temen bekas high school hari ini! =) Siapa tau ntar2 ada yang join fb lagi, and join grup Aloy... and gua bisa 'ketemu' mereka lewat group itu! =)
Anyway, lumayan interesting sih, catching up ama someone from the past! =) Someone yang "ngomong Sunda"-nya lebih kentel dari gua juga! =P
Biarpun gua dulu anak "bae2" sih, and that's probably why gua ngga terlalu kenal banyak orang. =P
Anyway, hari ini, lewat someone, gua nemuin grup Aloy! =) And then, lewat group itu, nemuin someone yang ternyata anak angkatan gua dulunya! =) Temen sekelas lagi! - well, setaon doang sih sekelasnya, tapi tetep aja temen sekelas! =)
Tapi, menurut dia sih, kayanya ngga banyak lagi deh anak Aloy laen (angkatan kita) yang di fb. Mungkin karena most of them dah married and have kids katanya. So, ngga pada ada waktu maen fb kayanya... =(
Well, at least gua dapet satu temen bekas high school hari ini! =) Siapa tau ntar2 ada yang join fb lagi, and join grup Aloy... and gua bisa 'ketemu' mereka lewat group itu! =)
Anyway, lumayan interesting sih, catching up ama someone from the past! =) Someone yang "ngomong Sunda"-nya lebih kentel dari gua juga! =P
Friday, 23 November 2007
Lagi mikir-mikir aja, iseng...
Menurut gua, interesting sih, gimana kita tuh ngamatin orang laen and belajar dari mereka.
Kadang, ada orang-orang yang kita amatin ato pelajarin ato kita kenal lebih deket and kita decide buat niru sifat ato sikap mereka yang kaya gini ato kaya gitu... Pengen lebih kaya mereka gitu.
Kadang, ada juga orang-orang yang kita amatin, ato pelajari, ato kenal lebih deket, and conclusion kita tuh lebih - ok, I need to make sure gua ngga kaya dia kalo gua in the same situation nih....
Anyway, gua cuma mikir, interesting aja sih, how we learn from people... and how what we learn about people sometimes helps us reflect on the things that we are doing juga...
At the moment... gua lagi pengen banget makin lebih mirip seseorang. Makin gua find out tentang dia, makin gua pengen mirip dia! =) Gua bukan lagi ngomongin soal Yesus sih, hehe. Well, Yesus sih udah pasti lah! =) Maksudnya, udah pasti lah gua pengen and selalu aim buat rubah biar makin mirip ama Yesus tiap hari. Tapi gua bukan lagi ngomongin Yesus. Gua lagi ngomongin someone else. =P
So yeah, gua tuh lagi pengen ngerubah diri gua sendiri - pengen makin mirip ama dia gitu loh. =)
Tapi, at the same time, at the moment, gua juga lagi mikir sih, soal orang-orang laen di sekitar gua... ada orang-orang yang kadang, abis gua ngamatin sikap or sifat mereka in dealing with things ato relate ke orang tuh, gua bakalan ngingetin gua sendiri - "make sure gua ngga kaya mereka!", that's not a good thing to do, gitu loh, soalnya kalo elu gini ato gitu, orang laen tuh bakalan respond in a certain way and that's not helpful - so, gua mesti aim ngga ngikutin contoh mereka, gitu...
I know sih, kadang mereka ngga sadar... Makanya, gua suka pengen mastiin aja gua aware of those things dulu, jadi gua kalo pas ngelakuin something like that tuh gua bakalan sadar kalo itu tuh ngga helpful and not something good to do, gitu loh...
And mesti mastiin kalo gua juga ngga ngelakuin something equally unhelpful at the moment sih - maksudnya, biarpun "the unhelpful" thing yang gua do mungkin bukan the exact same thing, tapi, tetep lah, mesti keluarin balok dari mata gua dulu baru bisa ngeluarin 'selumbar' dari mata orang laen... =)
Anyway, mungkin gua lagi in a reflective mood aja sih =)
Menurut gua, interesting sih, gimana kita tuh ngamatin orang laen and belajar dari mereka.
Kadang, ada orang-orang yang kita amatin ato pelajarin ato kita kenal lebih deket and kita decide buat niru sifat ato sikap mereka yang kaya gini ato kaya gitu... Pengen lebih kaya mereka gitu.
Kadang, ada juga orang-orang yang kita amatin, ato pelajari, ato kenal lebih deket, and conclusion kita tuh lebih - ok, I need to make sure gua ngga kaya dia kalo gua in the same situation nih....
Anyway, gua cuma mikir, interesting aja sih, how we learn from people... and how what we learn about people sometimes helps us reflect on the things that we are doing juga...
At the moment... gua lagi pengen banget makin lebih mirip seseorang. Makin gua find out tentang dia, makin gua pengen mirip dia! =) Gua bukan lagi ngomongin soal Yesus sih, hehe. Well, Yesus sih udah pasti lah! =) Maksudnya, udah pasti lah gua pengen and selalu aim buat rubah biar makin mirip ama Yesus tiap hari. Tapi gua bukan lagi ngomongin Yesus. Gua lagi ngomongin someone else. =P
So yeah, gua tuh lagi pengen ngerubah diri gua sendiri - pengen makin mirip ama dia gitu loh. =)
Tapi, at the same time, at the moment, gua juga lagi mikir sih, soal orang-orang laen di sekitar gua... ada orang-orang yang kadang, abis gua ngamatin sikap or sifat mereka in dealing with things ato relate ke orang tuh, gua bakalan ngingetin gua sendiri - "make sure gua ngga kaya mereka!", that's not a good thing to do, gitu loh, soalnya kalo elu gini ato gitu, orang laen tuh bakalan respond in a certain way and that's not helpful - so, gua mesti aim ngga ngikutin contoh mereka, gitu...
I know sih, kadang mereka ngga sadar... Makanya, gua suka pengen mastiin aja gua aware of those things dulu, jadi gua kalo pas ngelakuin something like that tuh gua bakalan sadar kalo itu tuh ngga helpful and not something good to do, gitu loh...
And mesti mastiin kalo gua juga ngga ngelakuin something equally unhelpful at the moment sih - maksudnya, biarpun "the unhelpful" thing yang gua do mungkin bukan the exact same thing, tapi, tetep lah, mesti keluarin balok dari mata gua dulu baru bisa ngeluarin 'selumbar' dari mata orang laen... =)
Anyway, mungkin gua lagi in a reflective mood aja sih =)
Monday, 19 November 2007
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Time to let go...
It was not easy to let go of the lost dog without doing more to help it. It was even more of a challenge for me since I do love dogs and have a few back home, and know how it feels to lose a dog... =(
And yet I was late for the meeting already. And I did check and it didn't have any identification tag on it... I knew it would be quite challenging and much effort would have been required should I insist on helping the poor dog finds its owner...
And so I decided to do the unthinkable... and trusted the dog to God - trusting that God does care for His creation, and that even without my help, He can look after the dog and return it to its owner should He will... After all, God is in control of things... and He can act and will bring about His purposes with or without my help...
I think similar to coming across that lost dog, sometimes in life, we come across people who are in difficult or tricky situations. Sometimes, they are aware of their situations, sometimes they are unaware that they are in a mess, or are creating a mess(!)...
And just like my situation this morning, there are times when we are just unable to help them for one or other reasons... Sometimes, warnings were given and yet unheeded, and it's no longer in our place to say things anymore... Sometimes, they just need to be given a chance to make mistakes and to learn from their mistakes...
And I've found that it requires great trust in God to do that! That it is very challenging and require so much trust in God's loving sovereignty, to be able to let go of people and their situations - into God's hands...
Part of it, is just us being humans, I guess... caring for others and wanting to snatch people out of danger... But another part of it, is also us being humans! Sinful human beings that is - ones who want to be little saviours (both of ourselves and in this case, others)! Somehow, we have this inbuilt conviction that we can set things right and that we just have to do something or else things won't happen!
But we forget that God can do without us!
It is a privilege to be part of His work. It is something that is good and right - given the right time and context.
And yet, I think there are also times, when we need to let go of people and their situations... times to remember that God is the One who is in control... and not just the One in control, but also the One who can be trusted in His loving sovereignty, in His steadfast love - to His creation, and especially to His people...
And yet I was late for the meeting already. And I did check and it didn't have any identification tag on it... I knew it would be quite challenging and much effort would have been required should I insist on helping the poor dog finds its owner...
And so I decided to do the unthinkable... and trusted the dog to God - trusting that God does care for His creation, and that even without my help, He can look after the dog and return it to its owner should He will... After all, God is in control of things... and He can act and will bring about His purposes with or without my help...
I think similar to coming across that lost dog, sometimes in life, we come across people who are in difficult or tricky situations. Sometimes, they are aware of their situations, sometimes they are unaware that they are in a mess, or are creating a mess(!)...
And just like my situation this morning, there are times when we are just unable to help them for one or other reasons... Sometimes, warnings were given and yet unheeded, and it's no longer in our place to say things anymore... Sometimes, they just need to be given a chance to make mistakes and to learn from their mistakes...
And I've found that it requires great trust in God to do that! That it is very challenging and require so much trust in God's loving sovereignty, to be able to let go of people and their situations - into God's hands...
Part of it, is just us being humans, I guess... caring for others and wanting to snatch people out of danger... But another part of it, is also us being humans! Sinful human beings that is - ones who want to be little saviours (both of ourselves and in this case, others)! Somehow, we have this inbuilt conviction that we can set things right and that we just have to do something or else things won't happen!
But we forget that God can do without us!
It is a privilege to be part of His work. It is something that is good and right - given the right time and context.
And yet, I think there are also times, when we need to let go of people and their situations... times to remember that God is the One who is in control... and not just the One in control, but also the One who can be trusted in His loving sovereignty, in His steadfast love - to His creation, and especially to His people...
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Before I turn 30...
Do you know how people have "plans"/"wishes" of what they would like to happen before they have "big number" birthdays - like 18, 21, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc?
Well, I'm not a very organised person. That's why I don't really plan. And I wasn't a dreamer either, and so I never actually had wishes about "what I want to achieve or what I want to happen by the time I'm ..." for example.
Of course, it does not mean I'm not purposeful. Just that I never really wished or dreamed! =) Especially after I learned that I can trust God and I've learned to be content in whatever situations He has alloted as my portion in this life and in the one to come. =)
But yeah, maybe I'm changing now... =) Maybe in my effort to be more creative, I have learned "to dream"... =)
Either way, I do have a wish for what I would love to see happen by the time I'm 30! =) But it's not something I can achieve... Not something I can contribute anything to... It is something that needs to be granted to me. Although of course, I can ask for it... But then again, I know it's kind of selfish to ask for it... =(
Anyway, shared my wish with my sister last week, and suffice to say - she was a bit more than just stunned! =) And I know it's something that I will never share with my parents because I know they'd be horrified by it! I mean, not even all Christians would be able to understand it, so they definitely won't understand... =)
But it is something I'm really looking forward to - so very much! =) So even if it is after I'm 30, it is something I'm really looking forward to! =) Just thought the sooner the better! =) But I know I need to repent of that selfish thought! =)
Anyway, I think now I finally understand why people say that unless you have something/someone to die for, you don't really have anything to live for...
Now that I have something, or better yet Someone, to die for... I do have Someone to live for! =)
Not that I didn't have Him before, just that I was never really this aware before! =) Or maybe I just never really appreciated my relationship with Him as much as I do now! =)
Well, I'm not a very organised person. That's why I don't really plan. And I wasn't a dreamer either, and so I never actually had wishes about "what I want to achieve or what I want to happen by the time I'm ..." for example.
Of course, it does not mean I'm not purposeful. Just that I never really wished or dreamed! =) Especially after I learned that I can trust God and I've learned to be content in whatever situations He has alloted as my portion in this life and in the one to come. =)
But yeah, maybe I'm changing now... =) Maybe in my effort to be more creative, I have learned "to dream"... =)
Either way, I do have a wish for what I would love to see happen by the time I'm 30! =) But it's not something I can achieve... Not something I can contribute anything to... It is something that needs to be granted to me. Although of course, I can ask for it... But then again, I know it's kind of selfish to ask for it... =(
Anyway, shared my wish with my sister last week, and suffice to say - she was a bit more than just stunned! =) And I know it's something that I will never share with my parents because I know they'd be horrified by it! I mean, not even all Christians would be able to understand it, so they definitely won't understand... =)
But it is something I'm really looking forward to - so very much! =) So even if it is after I'm 30, it is something I'm really looking forward to! =) Just thought the sooner the better! =) But I know I need to repent of that selfish thought! =)
Anyway, I think now I finally understand why people say that unless you have something/someone to die for, you don't really have anything to live for...
Now that I have something, or better yet Someone, to die for... I do have Someone to live for! =)
Not that I didn't have Him before, just that I was never really this aware before! =) Or maybe I just never really appreciated my relationship with Him as much as I do now! =)
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:18-26
Walking alone...
I like alone-long-distance-walk, not just because walking is my first choice of sport, but because to me, it reflects (and so encourages me in) my walk as a Christian in so many ways...
Main thing being the fact that I can walk alone, with just God accompanying me, and I still can finish my race...
I think, in our Christian life, many times, even though we have brothers and sisters in Christ, they don't always understand the things that we go through... There are just things that only God can fully understand... Sure, presence of brothers and sisters in Christ help. Even when I walk alone (from work), I found it comforting and "safe" to know that there are other people walking the same leg/route as me... =)
But yeah, in life, at least in my life, I have learned that there are just many things that I can only share with my Heavenly Father and Lord. And no one on earth... Not even my dearest friend(s)... (And btw, I'm not even implying that it has anything to do with my gift/state of singleness =) I think only single people tend to think/have a misconception that they can share everything with their forever-understanding spouse =) But yeah, not talking about being single. Just life in general... )
But yeah, that's OK. It's OK to be able to share only with my Heavenly Father and no one on earth. It's actually more than OK! Because He alone is more than enough. He understands and His company is more than enough to me! =)
And that's why I like long distance alone walk. Because I am encouraged to remember that even when I seem to walk alone, I am never actually alone. And I can still finish my race as my Lord actually walks with me, and His Spirit presents within me! =)
PS: Recently, as I think of the not so near future plan, I think that I need to grow in perseverance in being different - if I really want to go there to be different and make an impact. And somehow, I think walking alone would train my sense of perseverance as well - as living differently would be very challenging! So challenging that you would rather give up when it gets too tiring and you feel that you have no one "walking with you" or "accompanying you"... But I don't want to give up then! I want to make sure I will persevere and finish my race! I want to be true to the end even if no one else walks with me! By God's grace of course! =) But yeah, I want to be trained in persevering from now. And that's why I have made it my aim to walk all the way home (from work) - at least one day per week! =)
Main thing being the fact that I can walk alone, with just God accompanying me, and I still can finish my race...
I think, in our Christian life, many times, even though we have brothers and sisters in Christ, they don't always understand the things that we go through... There are just things that only God can fully understand... Sure, presence of brothers and sisters in Christ help. Even when I walk alone (from work), I found it comforting and "safe" to know that there are other people walking the same leg/route as me... =)
But yeah, in life, at least in my life, I have learned that there are just many things that I can only share with my Heavenly Father and Lord. And no one on earth... Not even my dearest friend(s)... (And btw, I'm not even implying that it has anything to do with my gift/state of singleness =) I think only single people tend to think/have a misconception that they can share everything with their forever-understanding spouse =) But yeah, not talking about being single. Just life in general... )
But yeah, that's OK. It's OK to be able to share only with my Heavenly Father and no one on earth. It's actually more than OK! Because He alone is more than enough. He understands and His company is more than enough to me! =)
And that's why I like long distance alone walk. Because I am encouraged to remember that even when I seem to walk alone, I am never actually alone. And I can still finish my race as my Lord actually walks with me, and His Spirit presents within me! =)
PS: Recently, as I think of the not so near future plan, I think that I need to grow in perseverance in being different - if I really want to go there to be different and make an impact. And somehow, I think walking alone would train my sense of perseverance as well - as living differently would be very challenging! So challenging that you would rather give up when it gets too tiring and you feel that you have no one "walking with you" or "accompanying you"... But I don't want to give up then! I want to make sure I will persevere and finish my race! I want to be true to the end even if no one else walks with me! By God's grace of course! =) But yeah, I want to be trained in persevering from now. And that's why I have made it my aim to walk all the way home (from work) - at least one day per week! =)
Thursday, 18 October 2007
He doesn't make mistake...
I know I've blogged about this verse several times already... But what am I to do? It does sum things up nicely after all...
Wish people would tell me less things??? But then, sometimes, people do need someone who will listen......
And I do have Someone who will, in turn, listen to me and all those things people shared with me... Someone who is in charge of the world, including their lives - Someone I can entrust their joys and struggles to...
And so I don't need to worry for those people! =) Because I know that that Someone does care for them, and even though things don't always make sense, He does not make mistake... He just doesn't.
"For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Ecclesiastes 1:18"
Wish people would tell me less things??? But then, sometimes, people do need someone who will listen......
And I do have Someone who will, in turn, listen to me and all those things people shared with me... Someone who is in charge of the world, including their lives - Someone I can entrust their joys and struggles to...
And so I don't need to worry for those people! =) Because I know that that Someone does care for them, and even though things don't always make sense, He does not make mistake... He just doesn't.
The best gift...
Dad spoils us so much! There are so many things that I just won't be able to afford with my own money!
I know, it's not as if he needs to buy them anyway. Most of them are bonuses or gifts. So I am very thankful to God for a dad like mine and for the gifts He has given my dad...
I do wish and pray that He will give my dad the best gift He can give him though - a reconciliation and so a personal relationship with Himself through His Son...
I know, it's not as if he needs to buy them anyway. Most of them are bonuses or gifts. So I am very thankful to God for a dad like mine and for the gifts He has given my dad...
I do wish and pray that He will give my dad the best gift He can give him though - a reconciliation and so a personal relationship with Himself through His Son...
Saturday, 13 October 2007
Flying solo...
I was told that I've been spreading my wings... and so it's probably time for me to fly solo...
I thought that day would never come! And yet when it did come, it was so unreal that I sat there speechless... and then spent quite a long while walking around absent-minded...
I didn't think I'm ready for it yet......
And yet again, maybe I am! =) After all, I do know that it won't really be a one-man-flight. =)
I thought that day would never come! And yet when it did come, it was so unreal that I sat there speechless... and then spent quite a long while walking around absent-minded...
I didn't think I'm ready for it yet......
And yet again, maybe I am! =) After all, I do know that it won't really be a one-man-flight. =)
Thursday, 11 October 2007
The Rock that is Higher
When there are so many uncertainties and changes around me, it's good to have the assurance that I can always fly to my Rock, to The Rock that is Higher than I.
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Finally!
I knew I would show strong emotions when I finally got to share my overwhelming joy with him in person... But I did not expect myself to break down that soon! =P Although again, it's probably just his presence or just the way he is... somehow, his presence just gives a feeling of security???
I know he has heard of the news from someone already... But I still wanted to share my view on it with him personally. =) After all, (at least in my mind), he has always been the person I went to every time I was overwhelmed by the seemingly impossible dream...
Ever since last night, while anticipating my conversation with him today, I recalled with fondness some of the conversations I ever had with him that are related to this 'dream'...
I remembered that one of the tough conversations I had with him was one towards the end of my degree. I remembered asking him at that time, if maybe, I should not apply for permanent residency at all... That way, I would have no choice but to go back...
I vaguely remembered another conversation I had with him and his wife at a long weekend conference - sharing my sorrow and sense of despair of the great needs that seemed to be present back there, but of my inability to do anything about it... even a sense of guilt for being here... Sharing dreams and hopes of a team like one that seemed to be forming at that time for another country...
And then there were conversations taking place even after he "left" us, especially in these past few years since the lunch time meeting in the city started - the last conversation being as recent as in the second quarter of this year... I remembered a few conversations with him - at different points in time - whenever I felt overwhelmed by the need, by guilt or by something happening over there - and I was reminded me to check - just to check with him - if maybe, I finally have run out of godly reasons to stay here... if maybe, it's finally the time...
And each time, he reminded me and encouraged me to pray... and to keep praying... And to keep being faithful here, keep trusting in God, and keep praying that God will raise up people for His glory sake and bring about His purposes...
And that's why I felt I just had to share the news with him personally! Even if he had known about it, he hadn't heard it from me! And so I must tell him. He, who even when failed to recall my name in one occasion, remembered what my main concern had always been, whenever I came to see him in such a distraught...
And so I shared with him today, how the dream has turned to vision! =) and how overwhelmed I was with joy! And how much I thanked him for all the encouragement he had given me to keep praying, including praying for a team...
I told him "I know someone has told you about this before, but I just want to tell you personally. We have a team. We finally have a team!" (and I broke down in tears of joy... =)) And he shared my joy(!), and led me in thanking God and praying for the vision...
I know he is not God, and I don't treat him as God. =P But I am VERY thankful to God for him! And for his wife! Always VERY VERY thankful to God for them...
I am overwhelmed with joy! =)
But I know, I need to slow down a bit and let others catch up with my current level of enthusiasm! =) I guess, to me, this is a dream coming a step closer to become a reality... An answer to many prayers over the years!!! Maybe we are not there yet... But I've been praying for so long for it! How can I not be overwhelmed with joy?!! =)
I am scared, too, of course! of the uncertainties and just of the costs... especially since this is now no longer just an 'over-there' dream... I'm scared enough that I need to share my fear and concerns with God... But yeah, as much as I'm scared, I am also overwhelmed with joy! =) This is an answer - and just but a beginning of many more answers to prayers presented over the years! And so as much as I'm scared, the thankfulness and excitement are just too overwhelming! =)
I know he has heard of the news from someone already... But I still wanted to share my view on it with him personally. =) After all, (at least in my mind), he has always been the person I went to every time I was overwhelmed by the seemingly impossible dream...
Ever since last night, while anticipating my conversation with him today, I recalled with fondness some of the conversations I ever had with him that are related to this 'dream'...
I remembered that one of the tough conversations I had with him was one towards the end of my degree. I remembered asking him at that time, if maybe, I should not apply for permanent residency at all... That way, I would have no choice but to go back...
I vaguely remembered another conversation I had with him and his wife at a long weekend conference - sharing my sorrow and sense of despair of the great needs that seemed to be present back there, but of my inability to do anything about it... even a sense of guilt for being here... Sharing dreams and hopes of a team like one that seemed to be forming at that time for another country...
And then there were conversations taking place even after he "left" us, especially in these past few years since the lunch time meeting in the city started - the last conversation being as recent as in the second quarter of this year... I remembered a few conversations with him - at different points in time - whenever I felt overwhelmed by the need, by guilt or by something happening over there - and I was reminded me to check - just to check with him - if maybe, I finally have run out of godly reasons to stay here... if maybe, it's finally the time...
And each time, he reminded me and encouraged me to pray... and to keep praying... And to keep being faithful here, keep trusting in God, and keep praying that God will raise up people for His glory sake and bring about His purposes...
And that's why I felt I just had to share the news with him personally! Even if he had known about it, he hadn't heard it from me! And so I must tell him. He, who even when failed to recall my name in one occasion, remembered what my main concern had always been, whenever I came to see him in such a distraught...
And so I shared with him today, how the dream has turned to vision! =) and how overwhelmed I was with joy! And how much I thanked him for all the encouragement he had given me to keep praying, including praying for a team...
I told him "I know someone has told you about this before, but I just want to tell you personally. We have a team. We finally have a team!" (and I broke down in tears of joy... =)) And he shared my joy(!), and led me in thanking God and praying for the vision...
I know he is not God, and I don't treat him as God. =P But I am VERY thankful to God for him! And for his wife! Always VERY VERY thankful to God for them...
I am overwhelmed with joy! =)
But I know, I need to slow down a bit and let others catch up with my current level of enthusiasm! =) I guess, to me, this is a dream coming a step closer to become a reality... An answer to many prayers over the years!!! Maybe we are not there yet... But I've been praying for so long for it! How can I not be overwhelmed with joy?!! =)
I am scared, too, of course! of the uncertainties and just of the costs... especially since this is now no longer just an 'over-there' dream... I'm scared enough that I need to share my fear and concerns with God... But yeah, as much as I'm scared, I am also overwhelmed with joy! =) This is an answer - and just but a beginning of many more answers to prayers presented over the years! And so as much as I'm scared, the thankfulness and excitement are just too overwhelming! =)
Monday, 1 October 2007
Praying for an interpreter...
All these efforts... are but to meet him in his world... in a place that's familiar to him...
But I still need an interpreter to communicate well with him since I'm but a newcomer in his world...
I need an interpreter who speaks both his language and my language fluently... someone who speaks both languages fluent enough to be a significant bridge between us...
But I still need an interpreter to communicate well with him since I'm but a newcomer in his world...
I need an interpreter who speaks both his language and my language fluently... someone who speaks both languages fluent enough to be a significant bridge between us...
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Monday, 24 September 2007
Perseverance is the name of the game...
Thought it was more than that... But apparently I only walked for 6.14 kms today(!) - or around that distance. =( I really thought it had been more! =(
Anyway, feeling really tired now =) But glad that I was able to persevere until the end! =) Gave me a motivation to keep 'running' my other (much more important) race well and to keep persevering until the end, too! =)
Anyway, feeling really tired now =) But glad that I was able to persevere until the end! =) Gave me a motivation to keep 'running' my other (much more important) race well and to keep persevering until the end, too! =)
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Time and knowledge...
The thing with time is that you can only go forward... and that you can't change the past... but that the present and the future are affected by it...
And the Preacher was right when he says that more knowledge brings more sorrow*... And much more sorrow the less the number of those who share the knowledge...
And what can man do with their knowledge when things are out of their control anyway?!
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Ecc 12:13-14 (ESV)
*Ecc 1:18
And the Preacher was right when he says that more knowledge brings more sorrow*... And much more sorrow the less the number of those who share the knowledge...
And what can man do with their knowledge when things are out of their control anyway?!
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Ecc 12:13-14 (ESV)
*Ecc 1:18
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Window to the past...
A blog reminded me of home yesterday and missing home so much...
And today, a photo (and a few others) posted by an old friend brought back past memories and I kind of miss the time I shared with them... =)
The place where I found the photo is a great social networking thing to keep in touch with old friends I don't get to see in real life, I guess. But it is taking so much time to maintain... Time that I don't actually have at the moment... Or so I feel... =) But they are my only bridge to that place and that time...... My window to the past...
I loved that place. It was a special place. It was a special time. The people and the friends were special...
The time, memories and experiences I got there were unique - nothing I got again outside of that place...
Forever thankful to God for the chance to live there! =) The people I got to meet, the friends I got to make, the cultural experiences I got to taste! =)
Maybe I will still visit that 'window' every so often... when I miss the old days and when I have the time... =)
And today, a photo (and a few others) posted by an old friend brought back past memories and I kind of miss the time I shared with them... =)
The place where I found the photo is a great social networking thing to keep in touch with old friends I don't get to see in real life, I guess. But it is taking so much time to maintain... Time that I don't actually have at the moment... Or so I feel... =) But they are my only bridge to that place and that time...... My window to the past...
I loved that place. It was a special place. It was a special time. The people and the friends were special...
The time, memories and experiences I got there were unique - nothing I got again outside of that place...
Forever thankful to God for the chance to live there! =) The people I got to meet, the friends I got to make, the cultural experiences I got to taste! =)
Maybe I will still visit that 'window' every so often... when I miss the old days and when I have the time... =)
Monday, 17 September 2007
A mine of gold...
I love my job! =) Not because of the pay (obviously not! =P) But because of the people I got to know and because I get to learn a lot from it!
So far I've learned to be flexible, to not crumble under pressure, to work with uncertainties, to work under ambiguities, to see the positive sides of things and so making the most of times and opportunities and enjoy even the most menial of tasks like filing or cleaning things up, or putting stamps on envelopes, etc... Not that I've mastered all the skills, but I have learned heaps! =)
And just today, I learned yet another thing! =)
My instruction was along these lines:
And on my way home I can't help but think:
But at the end of the day, now... I realised that I have actually learned another lesson today! - to learn of something (read everything carefully), and do what is needed to be done with the knowledge (complete the task) and yet to be able to forget it all (not confusing what is mine with what is others' to worry about! =))
I am indeed thankful for my workplace! =)
And actually, even this post is a reflection of how much I've learned to make the most of things - to see what life skills I can learn from the things I do at work - work that might be boring to others, but can also be a mine of gold and source of practical wisdom on Christian living/ministry skills for me... =)
So far I've learned to be flexible, to not crumble under pressure, to work with uncertainties, to work under ambiguities, to see the positive sides of things and so making the most of times and opportunities and enjoy even the most menial of tasks like filing or cleaning things up, or putting stamps on envelopes, etc... Not that I've mastered all the skills, but I have learned heaps! =)
And just today, I learned yet another thing! =)
My instruction was along these lines:
Read everything carefully. Complete your task well. And then forget everything!
And on my way home I can't help but think:
For in much wisdom is much vexation,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
(Ecc 1:18)
But at the end of the day, now... I realised that I have actually learned another lesson today! - to learn of something (read everything carefully), and do what is needed to be done with the knowledge (complete the task) and yet to be able to forget it all (not confusing what is mine with what is others' to worry about! =))
I am indeed thankful for my workplace! =)
And actually, even this post is a reflection of how much I've learned to make the most of things - to see what life skills I can learn from the things I do at work - work that might be boring to others, but can also be a mine of gold and source of practical wisdom on Christian living/ministry skills for me... =)
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
