tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-296450612024-03-14T00:59:44.676-07:00What I learned from God todaythe most important wee minutes of my dayUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-11370780261829516692009-07-19T21:30:00.000-07:002009-07-20T08:48:53.373-07:00日本語の スピーチ (Nihongo Speech)To take doing hard things <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">for </span>God further and <span style="font-weight: bold;">past </span>my comfort zone and <span style="font-weight: bold;">past </span>my expected abilities, I have decided to join the <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">nihongo speech contest</span>. And to encourage others as I have been encouraged, I'm actually going to use the entry prior to this for the speech content. (^_^) I'll be posting it here<a href="http://www.thenihongospeech.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><a href="http://www.thenihongospeech.blogspot.com">www.thenihongospeech.blogspot.com</a></span> where I ask everyone who are interested to correct and comment on the nihongo version of that speech.<br /><br />Thanks a lot in advance to all. (^_^) yoroshiku onegaishimasu.<br /><br />It will be omoshiroi how all this turns out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-1611899234177572292009-06-21T08:03:00.000-07:002009-06-21T08:08:55.278-07:00Do Hard Things - That first scary stepYesterday, I read about "That first scary step".<br />I'm just going to write down the parts that I underlined.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"If we take a step despite feeling uncomfortable, afraid , or inadequate, our comfort zones expand. We grow in strength and skill. What we consider normal for us changes, sometimes radically."</span><br /><br />I've been working in a Japanese company for two years now and normally, we would have Japanese managers. I've studied Japanese now for more than two years and am studying for the next level and by God's grace, pass the exam this December for the JLPT level 2. You'd think that that's really quite an achievement. Well, Praise God for that. You'd think that someone with that proficiency could muster up a "ohayou gozaimasu" or "konnichiwa" when the Japanese President or any Japanese manager would pass by me on the hallway. Well, for the life of me, up until now, I find it really hard. The book put it so well - it was <span style="font-weight: bold;">uncomfortable</span>, greeting them didn't seem to be of basic requirement, it's <span style="font-weight: bold;">scary </span>- perhaps irrational fear. If you look at it, hey even if I look at it, that's really something really easy to overcome. I remember one lunch time I was struck with inspiration and courage and piped up to my friend and lunch mate that we were going to make a "plan". Something that targeted more respect towards our Japanese bosses, because we noticed, it wasn't easy for most people to speak to them. For me, its so awkward to be in that atmosphere. And I don't think that I could be a blessing to them if we couldn't even greet them! Sure they probably don't mind that and we all just ignore each other. But the first step and it was essential to the "plan", was to be able to "greet" them. So the next day at lunch again, we found out that our plan was <span style="font-style: italic;">harder than we expected</span>. For some reason, we couldn't muster up the "konnichiwa's". One of the people in the "plan" was able to greet them (many of them) on the note that they all passed her desk when they came in for work, and that she was part of the general affairs department. With that said, it's even more frustrating knowing it can be done but we just can't seem to <span style="font-style: italic;">consistently </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">properly </span>do it.<br /><br />This narrative is such a small matter but I understand now that it has a lot to do with being uncomfortable and fear. I was challenged when the twins, Alex, and Brett wrote:<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">"You can't live by fear and faith at the same time."</span> Then they pointed out 2 Timothy 1:7 <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but the spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline."</span><br /><br />Something in me has got to change. <span style="font-weight: bold;">And perhaps such a small step out of my comfort zone will lead to bigger triumphs for God.</span><br /><br />I am continually encouraged as they write, <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"What we're really saying is that we don't want to do things that don't come easily or naturally. We don't want to break through our fears. And by our actions, we're also saying that God isn't good and powerful enough to help us do what we can't comfortably do on our own. And that's a </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">lie </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">the Enemy loves!"</span><br /><br />After that and the list enumerated after gave me second thoughts. I've always known that my God was all powerful, creator of the heavens and the earth. Yet I never acknowledged that in things like these. I'm glad they pointed that out. And you know what makes me even happier? <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">It's that God uses my weaknesses so that He will be glorified when I depend on the strength He gives me and not my own.</span><br /><br />Right now, I haven't a faintest idea how to go about it, or how God will work things out from this realization. I do know though that I might fail a couple of times to muster up this courage, but I will be able to do it, with His strength.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"It turns out that God loves to take stammering boys and shy girls and use them to change lives for eternity. And it's not about feeling strong; it's about <span style="font-size:180%;">obeying God</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> Even when you're afraid</span></span>."</span><br /><br />Thanks a lot Alex and Brett. God bless you and your family for being an instrument in many of our lives. In my life. I will definitely read on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-77649311041705610032009-06-18T06:08:00.000-07:002009-06-18T06:21:57.680-07:00Do Hard Things - Thinking Deeper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eU04VqWPuQw/Sjo_G784fOI/AAAAAAAAABA/7lgR9VwpK14/s1600-h/BS091692418211204.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eU04VqWPuQw/Sjo_G784fOI/AAAAAAAAABA/7lgR9VwpK14/s320/BS091692418211204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348656895860702434" border="0" /></a><br />I just finished Part one of Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris (yes, the brothers' of the world famous Joshua Harris, the person whose book has blessed me in ways he or others may not know). Before I step into another exciting part, I just know that I have to chew on what I just read. This isn't just your everyday easy to read through material. I felt that if I didn't chew on this, I'd miss out BIG TIME.<br /><br />Here's the book by the way.<br /><br />I guess I have kind of a different story for most. But sadly I see too that it might be going for the same tragic low expectations imposed by yours truly on myself. But all is not lost! I refuse to let it all be lost. I grew up in a Christian family and my parents have taught us to live our lives for God. We are 3 in our family, my older sister and my twin. I don't really remember why or where excelling was underlined explicitly. It had just always been a tacit agreement, well, as I understand anyway. I've always had this feeling that if we make our parents proud and happy, that God would be proud and happy.<br /><br />I guess part of it is also that my sister was such an achiever. Personally, I never really thought of achieving as a primary goal. It just seemed like a really good idea. So I followed after her steps though perhaps not so consciously. I thank God for an example like her who set the standards. I know that God was the one who brought me through that.<br /><br />In the book, I understand that if one pushes himself/herself in an early stage, one can accomplish great things. I'm just a bit sad no one, not even me, pushed myself harder on the talents that God has blessed me with. It's so amazing to see that in my life. When I was a child, I learned to draw and actually thought I was quite good and patted myself for being a good enough artist (I drew people and anime). Then I went to highschool. I found out that there was someone else who drew so much more beautiful drawings than me. And then another and another person. I remember rising up to the challenge, looking up polycarbon.com and learning to draw with principles. I remember drawing way into midnight (I believe it was summer) until I felt I was satisfied with my work or too sleepy to go on. I look back into that now and realize that that was definitely kind of the hard thing to do. But when I step into college, I stopped drawing when school became frantic and developing the skill was too much time consuming. I've always thought to myself up until now that I'd pick it up again someday. Recently, when I've started working, I have picked it up again and now want to hone it even more. I have this, shall we call it, passion, to come up with a manga that revolved around a story of teenagers, highschoolers, discovering a life with Christ and standing up for Him. I know now that unless I get out of my comfort zone and actually do that with the strength and grace that God provides, that it will just be another great oppurtunity lost and another dream that did NOT come true. An oppurtunity I have to account for before God someday. As I read through the book, I pray for more insight why it's turning up a little harder to just get to it.<br /><br />I'm also learning a new language - Japanese. I've always been interested but I've only started learning it 2 years ago when I got my current job. In two years time, I have passed level 4 and 3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency test. Now I know that God really does have something really amazing in store for me. Each time I took the tests, I've always prayed, God, if it is Your will, I know that I'll pass. I don't know God's plans, but someday I know that I'll be able to use this new skill for His glory. God has made me find it so interesting that I'm studying for the next level and hope to take the exam this December and perhaps even pass it if it is His will. From what I've just read from the book, I now have no second thoughts if this endeavor is worth the effort or the weird feeling I get when others are just okay if they don't quite make much effort and then it's different when it comes to me. As I went through college and work, I now recognize this struggle of being 'in' by doing just like everybody else, because after all, you'll be really singled out if you excel. If it weren't for God and 1 Cor. 10:31, maybe I'd have given up pushing for the next level right after I've passed the level 3 (which just became mandatory in our company this year). Maybe we're all just teetering on the line between doing just okay and excelling because we're not sure it's really worth the effort or if anyone would just give us reason to excel, like set an expectation, wouldn't you say so? I want to set an example and challenge and help my fellow language learners and anyone really to step up and do harder things.<br /><br />Thinking deeper I realize now that I may be guilty of singling others out. Even the young people in my church. This is such an eye opener for me. I teach them all about doing the best for God, especially the praise and worship team and yet still single out, even if it isn't that obvious, like a joke, a tease at being great at something. By God's grace, He may show me and correct me when I do this. It really is amazing how taking a second look at our ways just reveals God's ways. It reminds me of a verse from Proverbs "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways; but the folly of fools is deception". If we don't look hard, we will be deceived. Just like the myth of adolescence. Deceived.<br /><br />It's really cool to see that a life lived for God is a life being pushed by God to do harder but better things for Him. I never imagined in my college years that I would be living by myself. You see, I live in Cebu most of my life. My mother moved to Manila and built houses there because there was land to build it there. My brother moved to Manila for work. And my sister was assigned to Japan for almost 3 years now. I never thought that I would have to actually be independent and learn to take care of myself, budget for myself, and really get to where I am now. Of course, I have my share of misgivings in time and budget management. But I see that even though I've always thought this situation was hard on me, God was shaping me. I wasn't all that ready to leave Cebu and work in Manila, live in a house in Manila where I didn't have to pay rent, and Mom was always there, because I was convinced that God hadn't given me the go signal for it. I couldn't leave the youth ministry just yet. It has been fulfilling to see young people's lives changed, when they make the right choices, and trust God in their everyday living, I can really say, I've done something by God's grace to truly impact someone else's life other than myself. But through it all and what's to come I know, He'll get me through them not just and not necessarily painstakingly but truly "a life lived abundantly".<br /><br />I know that God has placed into my hands so much I can do for Him. I understand now that in many ways, I'm still held back by that same twine that holds the elephant back. I hope to learn more about doing hard things for God, living up to His expectations, and being able to do them.<br /><br />Check out their website: http://www.therebelution.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-69087270510043463522009-06-17T08:44:00.000-07:002009-06-17T08:53:50.456-07:00How do I number my days aright?February 14, 2009<br />Psalm 90<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Teach us to number our days aright </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">that we may gain a heart of wisdom.</span></span><br />(v12)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Life is too short</span>. Will I be able to do the assignment<br />God has given me?<br />How do I number my days aright?<br />- v1-6:<br /> by seeing my life compared to God's eternal existence<br /> by seeing my life compared to God's time frame (ratio-> 1000:1 day)<br /><br /><br />I really want to be able to do the assignment<br />God has given me by the time my time is <span style="font-weight: bold;">up</span>.<br />I'm still not sure what it precisely is though.<br />Is it just one thing? Or is it the many things that<br />He has given me right now? Or are they going to<br />be things that have yet to come? Either way, I know<br />that by <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">obeying God, seeking His will, and numbering</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">my days aright,</span> </span>I know I won't miss it, even though<br />the assignment is not that clear as of the moment.<br /><br />How do I want to live my life in this short span of years?<br />Will it be:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. In fear and under God's anger? </span><br /> "We are <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">consumed </span>by Your anger and <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">terrified </span>by<br /> Your indignation. You have set our iniquities before<br /> You, our <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">secret sins</span> in the light of Your presence.<br /> All our days pass away under Your wrath; we<br /> finish out years with a <span style="font-style: italic;">moan</span>." v7-9<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Or in joy and gladness?</span><br /> "<span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Satisfy </span>us in the morning with Your <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">unfailing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"> love</span>, that we may sing for joy and be glad all<br /> our days. Make us <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">glad </span>for as many days as<br /> You have afflicted us, for as many years as we<br /> have seen trouble." v14-15<br /><br />I would <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">very much love</span> to live my days under number 2.<br />But how? How can I sing for joy and be glad all my days?<br />By God satisfying me with His <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">UNFAILING LOVE</span>.<br />So I should live everyday with His unfailing love <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 204);">in my heart.</span><br />Always remembering all the deeds, all the wonderful things<br />the Lord has done in my life. <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">How He saved me. How He </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">pulled me out of the pit. How He keeps me. How He hears</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">me. How He takes care of me. How He put me through college.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">How He has shown the work of His hands in my family.</span></span><br />(v16-17)<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">How do I number my days aright?</span></span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:130%;" > By Living in His Love.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-73186077005734774512007-12-03T04:27:00.000-08:002007-12-03T04:48:42.621-08:00Understanding jealousy<span style="color:#33cc00;">Jealousy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">Jealousy is that feeling that many of us has experienced. Its that <span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>crushing-the-heart feeling</strong></span> that we all <span style="font-family:arial;color:#ff0000;"><strong>hate</strong></span> to feel. But yet don't find ways to prevent ourselves from feeling. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;">But really, is it <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">just</span></strong> an uncontrollable feeling?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I believe not. It's hold is deeper than just hormones influencing our minds. It's the a very effective way of making us do all sorts of dark things. We become so <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">overwhelmed</span> </span>by the feeling that baffles us and we name jealousy. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">No, I believe jealousy is <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>deception of the heart</strong></span>. We feel jealous when we THINK, consciously or not that we <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">OWN</span></strong> something, or someONE. We think that no one has the right to have anything to do with what we own. With what <span style="color:#6600cc;">we DON'T want to SHARE</span>. The feeling blinds us so much that we don't see this. Effective isn't it?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">But no one owns anyone. <em><span style="color:#3333ff;">That only belongs to God</span></em>. I cannot own you. Nor can you own me. No matter how a person is sold to someone for any exchange. That person will never be truly owned by the purchaser. Except if you were the devil, I suppose. We have to recognize that God alone has the right to own anyone. That is why its absolutely <strong>WRONG</strong> for us to. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">But there is a way. If we can't get to our heart, since its <em><span style="font-family:arial;color:#663366;">so busy deceiving and being deceived</span></em>, let's use our brains.<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> First</span></strong> of all, we have to recognize that we DONT own anyone or anything. Only God has that right. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Second</span></strong>, we have to LET GO not in words but in deeds, even if it goes against the very fiber of your being and against the raging of your heart. And <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">finally</span></strong>, we have to tell God, "He/She/It is Yours alone. Do with it whatever You please. <em><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#3333ff;">No matter what I do, don't allow me to do it.</span></em>"</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jealousy is that crushing-the-heart feeling that we all hate to feel. But yet don't find ways to prevent ourselves from feeling. But there is a way isn't there? I guess the question really is...</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Are you willing to <strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">give up</span></strong> "ownership"?</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">If the answer is <span style="color:#cc0000;">no</span>. Then, you'll continue to be fooled by that hormonal rages.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Who can withstand jealousy?"</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"Envy rots the bones."</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"A crushed spirit dries up bones."</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">If the answer is <em><span style="color:#ffcc66;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">yes</span>, then <span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong>prepare for greater <span style="font-size:180%;">glory</span>...</strong></span></span></em><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-1153529005125456022006-07-21T17:19:00.000-07:002006-07-21T17:43:25.150-07:00Me? Yes, but God? No<blockquote style="font-family: arial;">This is what the LORD says:<br /> "Cursed is the one who trusts in man,<br /> who depends on flesh for his strength<br /> and whose heart turns away from the LORD. <p> <span id="en-NIV-19364" class="sup">6</span> He will be like a bush in the wastelands;<br /> he will not see prosperity when it comes.<br /> He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,<br /> in a salt land where no one lives. </p></blockquote><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial;">That's from Jeremiah chapter 17. I thought, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">how horrible</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> for those who do that...It's just </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">too bad </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for them. I mean, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Not even seeing prosperity when it comes</span><span style="font-family: arial;">... I sure didn't want to be in that person's situation. The following came after those verses:</span><br /><br /><p style="font-family: arial;"> <span id="en-NIV-19365" class="sup"></span></p><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><p><span id="en-NIV-19365" class="sup">7</span> "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,<br /> whose confidence is in him. </p><p> <span id="en-NIV-19366" class="sup">8</span> He will be like a tree planted by the water<br /> that sends out its roots by the stream.<br /> It does not fear when heat comes;<br /> its leaves are always green.<br /> It has no worries in a year of drought<br /> and never fails to bear fruit."<br /></p></blockquote><p style="font-family: arial;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ah, anyone who trusts in the Lord will </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">never have to worry</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> even when things seem really bad. Anyone who trusts in the Lord will </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">never fail to bear fruit or please God</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. Well, that sure sounded a </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:180%;" >lot </span><span style="font-family: arial;">better didn't it? So all I needed to do was to put my trust in the Lord...</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:180%;" >Simple</span><span style="font-family: arial;">....</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">or was it really that simple?</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Well, the answer was in the next verses:</span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><br /> <span id="en-NIV-19367" class="sup">9</span> The heart is deceitful above all things<br /> and beyond cure.<br /> Who can understand it?</blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><long> </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Heeyy.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">..come to think of it, I've actually been the person who "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength" </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">many times</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> in my life. Trusting in my own strength or other people to bring me happiness and security. What's worse is that I realized, I've sadly also gone over to someone "...whose heart turns away from the LORD."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yes, the heart is deceitful.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Making you think that you're not one who is at fault. The first thing that comes to mind and heart is that defensive feeling of "</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">not me</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">". When in fact, many times it has been very "</span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">me</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">". And in those times, I really can say, "It's just too bad for me". </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">If I can be deceived by my heart, who else can keep me from being the person who trusts in man?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">...Well, you got it. It's in the next verses:</span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><br />"I the LORD search the heart<br /> and examine the mind,<br /> to reward a man according to his conduct,<br /> according to what his deeds deserve."</blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">cannot </span><span style="font-family: arial;">trust my heart to tell me to do the right thing. </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">I can be deceived by my heart but God can't.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> I can't trust my strength, but I can trust His. What's more is that I just simple don't know everything, but He does. I can't control the world no matter how badly I wanted to, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">but He can stop space and time if He wanted to</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. I can't become the person who trusts in the Lord and have confidence in Him if it were not for Him, by His power, by His will, and by His means. I believe this too was what Jeremiah felt at that time when he said,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;" id="en-NIV-19372" class="sup"></span><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><span id="en-NIV-19372" class="sup">14</span> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Heal </span></span>me, O LORD, and I <span style="font-weight: bold;">will be</span> healed;<br /> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">save me</span></span> and I <span style="font-weight: bold;">will be</span> saved,<br /> for you are the one I praise.</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-family: arial;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">I cannot, but God can.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-1153106662223871332006-07-16T19:07:00.000-07:002006-07-16T20:26:13.730-07:00Wazzat You're saying??<span style="font-family:arial;">Have you ever experienced the "Wazzat You're saying??" phenomenon? I call it the wazzat phenomenon because right after listening to what someone was saying, right after your brain parses the person's words as logical, you just dont get it, and it makes you go, "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Wazzat</span>?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">That must have been what the people listening to Jesus went after He told them about the Parable of the Sower. Even His disciple went "Wazzat?". I too wondered with the disciples why Jesus used parables. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Didn't that just make it a lot harder to understand?</span> But He did explain...(Matt.13:1-18)</span><br /><blockquote style="font-family: arial;">For this people's heart has become calloused;<br /> they hardly hear with their ears,<br /> and they have closed their eyes.<br /> Otherwise they might see with their eyes,<br /> hear with their ears,<br /> understand with their hearts</blockquote><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Oohh...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Many times we don't realized that we have allowed our hearts to become <span style="font-weight: bold;">calloused</span>. We joke around with things <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;">we're not suppose to be joking</span> with and think that its alright. We tolerate things that happen that you know <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >deep inside</span> should not be tolerated. We <span style="font-style: italic;">compromise </span>to gain instant gratification or are <span style="font-weight: bold;">too lazy</span> that we prefer the wrong things for convenience sake.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The people would have understood if they only opened their hearts, listened with their ears,and see with their eyes...</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So the next time everything seems to be <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">white noise</span>, lets just step back, pause and see if the problem is <span style="font-weight: bold;">not the parable...<span style="font-style: italic;">but us.</span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-1152003779446678572006-07-04T01:50:00.000-07:002006-07-04T02:08:20.306-07:00Confused and out of control<blockquote style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">8:23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.42 8:24 And a great storm developed on the sea so that the waves began to swamp the boat. But he was asleep. 8:25 So they came and woke him up saying, “Lord, save us! We are about to die!” 8:26 But he said to them, “Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was dead calm. 8:27 And the men were amazed and said, “What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I was reading in Matthew one morning and it was just so amazing that this passage was next up on my devotional. I've already been throuhgh this a couple of times in my life, but as things are with God, He will always find a way to speak to us when we come before Him. I was going through confusing times in my life, though I refused to admit it. And this passage didnt shine on me out of some clouds. It simply spoke. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Many of us experience a lot of fear and very hard times too painful to mention but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. Many also tell us that its no big deal because it will just pass. Many will tell us that its just a phase and many other reasons to belittle the hardship that we were facing. They might have been through those hardships, but we're </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >IN</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> it...So those advise </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >might</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> help...but only this passage made me </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >hang on</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">. It reminds me that despite my confusion and feeling so insecure and out of control, there is a God who is powerful to freeze time and space if He wills it. But best of all </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >this God is in control</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >this God knows what I'm going through</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">. He didnt tell me to </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >just get over</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> what I'm going through...He simply told me to trust Him because </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >He can do what I can't</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">. All I needed to do was call.</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29645061.post-1150195180565252522006-06-13T03:11:00.000-07:002006-06-13T03:39:40.576-07:00The answer to being gullible, hot-tempered, and jealousIts all in Proverbs 14. I was having some issues with jealousy, being hot-tempered...and an extra side issue of gullibility... But like I said, its all in Proverbs 14. I deviated from the Matthew Chapters that I was following and was thirsting for some wise advice and truly presto, God speaks.<br /><br />So how do I keep from being so gullible? Simple.<br /> v15 <blockquote>A simple man believes anything,<br /> but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.</blockquote><br />What He told me? Don't be lazy now... THINK. Before believing anything, THINK.<br /><br />And He didn't just stop there...made me realize something more than that that I had to really change to set me free from some of my jelly issues...It was making me hot-tempered and: v16 and 17 <br /><br /><blockquote>A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,<br /> but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.</blockquote><br /><blockquote> A quick-tempered man does foolish things,<br /> and a crafty man is hated. </blockquote><br /><br /><br />Only then did I realize that: v30 <blockquote>A heart at peace gives life to the body,<br /> but envy rots the bones.</blockquote><br /><br />Yes, peace... I wanted that, wanted that so much. And its so simple... i just have to choose to be the wiser. <br /><br />Truly, v5<br /><blockquote>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.</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0