A Deep Union

Genesis 2:4-25

This is the account of the creation of heavens and the earth. When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land. Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground - trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of te garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering the garden and then dividing into four branches. The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found. The gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. The second branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire land of Cush. The third branch, called the Tigris, flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch is called the Euphrates.

The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, "You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden - except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die."

Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.

So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man.

"At last!" the man exclaimed. "This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called 'woman,' because she was taken from a 'man.'"

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are unted into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt not shame.

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 The human heart cries out for companionship. We are social creatures. God himself said of Adam, "It is not good for the man to be alone" This analysis came before the fall of humanity, when this man already had the warm, personal fellowship of God. Yet God concluded, "That is not enough!"

God's answer to man's need was to create woman. The Hebrew word used here is one that literally means "face to face." God created a being with whom the man could have a face-to-face relationship, an in-depth personal relationship in which the two are united in an unbreakable union that satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart. Marriage was God's answer for humankind's deepest human need - union of life with another.

This unity is to encompass all of life - intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, and physical. This kind of union cannot come without deep and enduring commitment that God intends to accompany marriage. Marriage is not a contract to make sexual relationships acceptable. It is not merely a social institution to provide for the care of children. It is more than a psychological clinic where we gain the emotional support we need. It is more than a means for gaining social status or economic security. The ultimate purpose of marriage is not even achieved when it is a vehicle for love and companionship, as valuable as these are.

The supreme purpose of marriage is the union of two individuals at the deepest possible level, which is turn brings the greatest possible sense of fulfillment to the couple and serves best the purposes of God for their lives.


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 Prayer:-
 * Individually or together, pray for deep union within your marriage.

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# Why does a deep, enduring commitment precede true union in marriage?

# Think of marriage you admire that seems to reflect a deep union. What do you think is functiong well in that marriage?

# In what places in our marriage do we feel loneliness or discord rather than union? These feelings signal areas of growth for us.

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Proverbs 18:22
人口中所结的果子，必充满肚腹；他嘴所出的，必使他饱足。
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

Ecclesiastes 4:12
有人攻胜孤身一人，若有二人便能敌挡他；三股合成的绳子不容易折断。
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40
 

Marriage as Partnership

Genesis 1:26-31
Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, an all the animals that scurry along the ground."

Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground - everything that has life." And that is what happened.

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. 

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Marriage is partnership, not ownership. A wife is not a trophy to be won through courtship and then displayed on the wall for all to observe, alongside a prized ten-point buck. Nor is a husband meant to be tamed into some handsome, pliant provider figure.

The loving husband views his wife as a partner. She is a living person with whom to have a relationship. She is not a person to be dominated and controlled to satisfy his own desires. She is a person to be known and from whom he can learn.

The idea of the wife as a partner is as old as human literature. In the Genesis account of creation, the woman was created from the rib of man. It is a graphic description of er role as partner. The man and his wife were instructed to fill the earth and to govern over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and other living creatures. The man was not instructed to subdue his wife; he was told to unit with her into one.

Husbands and wives are obviously different, but God intended these differences to complement each other. The husband who views hi wife as a partner has taken the first step toward becoming a loving leader in his marriage.

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Prayer:-
* to grow your marriage into a loving, equal partnership.
* to help you complement each other, honoring your differences.
* to unite you as one.

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# In what ways do we function well as equal partners? Consider the aspects of a marriage relationship: friends lovers, roommates, financial partners, parents (if applicable).

# What do you think it means for a husband to be a "loving leader" in a marriage?

# What's one specific action that I could take that would make you feel valued as my partner?

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Ephesians 5:22-23 
你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主。
因为丈夫是妻子的头，如同基督是教会的头；他又是教会全体的救主。
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the savior of the body.

Colossians 3:18-25
你们作妻子的，当顺服自己的丈夫，这在主里面是相宜的。
你们作丈夫的，要爱你们的妻子，不可苦待她们。
你们作儿女的，要凡事听从父母，因为这是主所喜悦的。
你们作父亲的，不要惹儿女的气，恐怕他们失了志气。
你们作仆人的，要凡事听从你们肉身的主人，不要只在眼前事奉，像讨人喜欢的，总要存心诚实敬畏主。无论做什么，都要从心里做，像是做给主的，不是给人做的，因为你们知道从主那里必得着基业为赏赐；你们所事奉的乃是主基督。
那行不义的的必受不义的报应，主必不偏待人。
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Servants, obey in all things our masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the rewards of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall reveive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no respect of persons.

1 Peter 3:1-7
你们作妻子的要顺服自己的丈夫；这样，若有不信从道理的丈夫，他们虽然不听道，也可因妻子的品行被感化过来；这正是因看见你们有贞洁的品行和敬畏的心。
你们不要以外面的编头发，戴金饰，穿美衣为妆饰，只要以里面存着长久温柔，安静的心为妆饰；这在神面前是极宝贵的。
因为古时仰赖神的圣洁妇人正是以此为妆饰，顺服自己的丈夫，就如撒拉听从亚伯拉罕，称他为主。你们若行善，不因恐吓而害怕，便是撒拉的女儿了。
你们作丈夫的也要按情理和妻子同住；因她比你软弱，与你同承受生命之恩的，所以要敬重她。这样，便叫你们的祷告没有阻碍。
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without eh word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Post Uni-life...

Another one way ticket that's so meaningful for me. Packing all my stuffs and can't wait to leave this place. It's May 19th now, and i had some interesting events.

December 22nd, depart from Kuching, a city i had get familiar with after 3 years. Together with me lots of luggage, despite 20 more boxes travel by bus. Too much memories that i can't let it go.. 3 days after landed in KK, we travel to Tawau and settled down there.

i supposed to have a job as PA for a doctor that's doing Jeunesse which is a MLM. However, they decided to set up an office that i strongly disagree with. Hence the job is no longer available as i were not willing to work for such wicked woman.

After Chinese New Year i decided to search for a job. At the same time i realized i failed a subject that's merely impossible. i make up my mind to work and pay off my tuition fee using credit card and my salary. It's a sales position that i wanted to avoid the most. Joining Netiquette as Business Development Executive with aimed to master their ERP. As Swinburne did not provide training and session on this, so doing sales became my secondary goal. Well-paid, good benefits except colleagues. Left this job by end of 2nd month, they terminated my service due to poor KPI.

Great exposure when i was in kl for this job. Attended various expo and seminars and met a handful of connection that could be useful for my future. Not to forget about my dear friend Esther. I won't be able to reach airport on my own with those bags.Also my lovely cell group that prepared a sweet farewell for me before my departure.

Now am back to Kuching, just nicely one month away from my final exam. Busy tired got back to student life for a week, rushing group report. My poor throat riot for i did not had good rest for 2 months. Took me about a week which is my busiest week to recover. Thanks to Aunty Rossy who told me to take vinegar and honey. I really thank God for preparing this place for me to stay, sweet lovely blessed Christian family.

As for that lazy fat cat, he still treat me well. No doubt. And I should learn to appreciate my friends even more for they are really good to me.. Thanks Deidre PeiJia~ tho I will be leaving 1 month later, but they treated me really well.. i am so blessed that i could count them everyday and more are coming!

Home Coming!!!~

It has been three years since the day I left my hometown KK to Kuching, changes happened and I couldn't recognize even myself at some point. But well, it has all gone and am ready to start the new chapter of my life. But before I move on, I would like to share at here, what I had been through throughout the years.

I was hoping for a uni life that's with excitement and surprise, to add more colors to my youth time. Getting to know people that I don't usually meet and involve in activities that enrich my days even more. Before I depart, i had my birthday wish: I want a boyfriend, and he's gonna be my husband!

That's a declaration i supposed, and yeah i got a boyfriend within a month when i started my degree. Oh well, it wasn't official yet, not technically, but practically. It turned official with FB's relationship status update after 6 months. Those were the sweet days, when i spent my time with my charming prince, day in and out, at library and cafe and in church. It lasted for over a year before he left for Intel.. Long distance dating for another year before we finally realize we're not compatible to each other. Not if it's because there were too many negative thoughts at that time or just simply admit the fact that we don't suit each other.

I didn't had a hard time to overcome the breakup, or I actually did but not realizing it at all? During the year when i was "taken but bf not around", I traveled with friends to various spots for fun. Swimming is my favorite and singing with another friend at night. Time flies, without me notice it.

I proceed with my life normally, going out with friends and less guard of me with boys. At first is like brother and sister, then slowly more contact and often alone with him... Eventually something irreversible happened and thought it could be fun to have some spice for my last few months of uni life. Hence I decided to ignore all the teachings unto me, and began my days without God.

The funny part of both guys is that, they asked me to be their gf on their birthday, as their present. I thought I could be a blessing for them, as much as i care for them, i wish the best for them.. So I begin to get back on track, for a promising future. However, i was way too naive and simple-minded which i forgotten he's a satanist, whom i never expected to meet in my life.

I realized that he has been holding back on me in many aspect, it could be some tiny petty matter but it's gonna turn wild when i insist to do it my way. Soon I realize that am not only failed my God but also my life, which i owe to my mum and my self. Am waking up from deep sleep.

A decision has to be made and certain things got to be reset. Getting out of the mud is not easy especially when it concern about a person's feeling, what more to say he has been a dear friend to me for past 2 years. I seek for balance between him and God but I found none. So I can only be selfish and neglect him in my new life, while praying for God to have mercy on him.

Am now experiencing a break through, not of any simple one but for the new chapter of my life. I desire for a better life, with abundant blessing and overflowing prosperity, that I can share with others. For He has given His words, if we are to obey and trust Him, He will bless us for more than our imagination.

Daddy, here i am, back at home~ <3 p="">

Why We Work

Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasures, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. - Ephesians 6:6

In the late 1660s, Sir Christopher Wren was  commissioned to re-design St. Paul's Cathedral in London. According to legend, one day he visited the construction site of this great edifice and was unrecognised by the workers. Wren walked about the site, asking several of the men what they were doing. One worker replied, "I am cutting a piece of stone." A second worker responded, "I'm earning five shillings two pence a day." A  third, however, had a different perspective: "I am helping Christopher Wren build a magnificent cathedral to glory of God." What a contrast in the attitude and motivation of tat worker!

Why we do what we do is extremely important, particularly when it comes to our working lives and careers. That's why Paul challenged the Ephesians to do their work, "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men".

If we do our work merely to earn a paycheck or satisfy a supervisor, we will fall short of the highest motivation - doing our best as evidence of our devotion to God. So, why do we work? As that laborer told Wren, we work "to the glory of God."

Be not always wanting
Some other work to do,
But gratefully perform the task
The Lord has given you. - Anon.

No matter who signs your paycheck, you are really working for God.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just ass you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Chrst, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, whether they say are salve or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.

It's a new semester, I shall study hard to glorify His name~

The New Normal

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. - Hebrews 4:15

A pastor, who was trained in trauma and grief counselling, commented that the greatest challenge for people who are hurting is often not the immediate heartache of the loss. Instead, the biggest problem is adjusting to the different kind of life that follows. What once was normal may never be normal again. So the challenge for those offering help is to assist the sufferers as they establish the "new normal". It may be a new normal that no longer includes robust heath, a treasured relationship, or a satisfying job. Or it may be living without a loved one who has been taken in death. The gravity of such losses forces us to live a different kind of life - no matter how unwelcome it may be.

When our "new normal" comes, it's easy to think no one understands how we feel. But that isn't true. Part of the reason Jesus came was to experience life among us, resulting in His present ministry: "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin".

Our Saviour lived a perfect life, yet He also knew the pains of a broken world. He endured sorrow; He suffered agony. And He stands ready to encourage us when the dark moments of life force us to embrace a new normal.

Father, thank You that in the darkest seasons of life, 
You never abandon us. Guide us with Your never-failing presence 
through both the welcome and unwelcome changes of life.
In Jesus' name, amen.

In our desert of grief, Jesus can provide an oasis of hope. 

Hebrews 4:9-16

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

When I get up from the water, I'm a new born person... whatever happened in the past, doesn't matters any more, but I can move on with new strength that's given from God, live a life with His presence... I pray that I can have the wisdom to deal with my "new normal" life... I want to get back what I had with You before, be your lovely girl again~ ^^ I want to forgive whoever it is, that hurts or harmed me before, I pray that God can bless them, as they did it because they cared for me... I have nothing in return but to pray for them... 

Exploring to the whole new world for me, is excited and interesting... may You guide me in all my ways, so I don't fall or stray... 

Off-Limits

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

As a 12-year-old, I was curious about the Bible my dad was given when he retired from the paper mill. It came in a special cedar box marked The Holy Bible, and I assumed that "holy" meant it was off-limits to me. But still I peered inside. In the centre of the Bible was a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross, along with the words of John 3:16. There was also a see-through red film covering the page, which I assumed meant He bled and died.

Occasionally, when no one else was looking, I would gently pull the holy Book off the shelf, open the box, look at the picture of Jesus on the cross, read the verse, and wonder about this Man and why He died. I wondered if His love was meant for me or if it too was off-limits.

Several years later I heard a message about how God had provided access to His love through Jesus. Romans 5:1-2 tells us: "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." I believed and received Jesus' salvation from my sin.

Aren't you thankful that the Bible and God's love aren't off-limits? Receive His forgiveness - It's meant for unholy people like you and me.

How precious is God's holy Word
Its pages every one!
They lead us to the Living Word
To Jesus, God's dear Son. 

The Bible is God's love letter to us.

Romans 5:1-8

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

It's indeed the greatest blessing I ever had from God... That I can live with hope, knowing not only I have salvation after death, but also tons of mercy and blessing when I'm still on earth...

I pray that God's mercy is enough, to last for all my loved ones... that I can bless them, when I have the ability to do so.. I pray for their safety, their health, and their life... so that they can wait, let me be the channel to bless them, so that these people can actually enjoy their life, not just work for their life, just to make a living... 

I truly believe that God's mercy is more than enough, more than what we actually deserve as a sinner... Your amazing love is what makes us worthy, that our lives no longer just about us, not for us, when Jesus paid the price for us... and You take care of all Your children... 

Daddy, I'm proud to be Your lovely princess, and I know how much You loves me too~