Faith Of A Child

Unless you are converted and becomes as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3


One Sunday I heard Mike talk about his relationship with his two fathers - the one who raised him as a child, and his Father in heaven.

First he described his childhood trust toward his earthly father as "simple and uncomplicated." He expected his dad to fix broken things and to give advice. He dreaded displeasing him, however, because he often forgot that his father's love and forgiveness always followed.

Mike continued, "Some years ago I made a mess of things and hurt a lot of people. Because of my guilt, I ended a happy, simple relationship with my heavenly Father. I forgot that I could ask Him to fix what I had broken and seek His advice."

Years passed. Eventually Mike became desperate for God, yet he wondered what to do. His pastor said simply, "Say you're sorry to God, and mean it!"

Instead, Mike asked complicated questions, like: "How does this work?" and "What if...?"

Finally his pastor prayed, "Please, God, give Mike the faith of a child!" Mike later testified joyfully, "The Lord did!"

Mike found closeness wiht his heavenly Father. The key for him and for us is to practice the simple and uncomplicated faith of a child. - Joanie Yoder


Have you noticed that the childlike faith
Of a little girl or boy
Has so often shown to older folks
How to know salvations's joy? - Branon

Faith shines brightest in a childlike heart.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^...

My mum always saying me that I am too simple minded... and I will think it over again and again... what's wrong with that?

I try to makes myself not to be that... but, are there anyone can teach me how?

Anyway, I don't care for that anymore... I got to know that Father Lord prefer someone with children minded... simple and no harm... :) hehe.... I had qualify... :P

A simple minded will makes you look at the nice thing for everthing happen around you... no matter how worse it is for others... for you, it must be at least one thing is good...

I am someone like that... and although I know when I step into the society sooner or later, I will face some trouble... but why am I thinking of it?... God will take care of me... just because I am His daughter... the one and only one Sapphire... :P

A Lot To Remember

He who restrains his lips is wise. - Proverbs 10:19


"Thanks a lot," the man behind the postal counter said to the person in front of me. The clerk, Jon, had seen me in line and was hoping I would overhear him. When it was my turn, I said hello to Jon, who had been a student of mine when I taught high school in the 1980s.

"Did you notice what I said to her?" Jon asked. "I told her, 'Thanks a lot.'"Sensing that I was missing his point, he explained, "Remember what you told us about the term a lot? You said a lot was a piece of land, not a phrase to use instead of much."

Astounding! An English lesson from a quarter-century before had stuck with Jon through all those years. That speaks clearly to us of the importance of what we say to others. It also backs up one of my favorite lines by poet Emily Dickinson: "A word is dead when it is said, some day. I say it just begins to live that day."

The words we say may have long-term consequences. Our comments, our compliments, and even our harsh criticisms may stick with the hearer for decades.

No wonder Scripture says, "He who restrains his lips is wise" (Prov. 10:19). The words we speak today live on. Let's make sure they come from "the toungue of the righteous" (v.20). - Dave Branon


Father, help me live today
With thoughtfulness in what I say,
Confronting wrong with truth and fact,
Expressing gentleness and tact. - Hess

The toungue is a small organ that creates either discord or harmony.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...

Living Deceptively

You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15


The year 2007 was labeled the "Year of Living Deceptively" for South Korea, because of the country's numerous scandals involving fake academics and corrupt politicians. A survey of 340 professors selected the Chinese phrase 'ja-gi-gi-in" (deceiving yourself and others) to sum up the year.

It should not surprise us to hear of deception like that. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:13, "Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." To received is to make others believe falsehood as truth and accept wrong as rigth.

Our defense against deception is to know God's Word, for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (v. 16). Correction is to set right what is wrong. God's Word not only makes us aware of wrongs, it also prompts and teaches us to do what is right.

Is your New Year's resolution to walk rightly before God and others and to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work"? (v.17). Then read and apply God's Word, asking the Lord to make you a person of integrity. - Albert Lee


When reading God's Word, take special care
To find the rich treasures hidden there;
Give thought to each truth, each precept hear,
Then practice it well with godly fear. -Anon.

The more we meditate on Scripture, the more readily we'll detect error.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^

Eating As Worship

Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need. - Proverbs 25:16

When you walk into the bookstore and see a table filled with books on dieting, you know it must be January. After several weeks of overeating all kinds of holiday foods, people in many cultures turn their attention to not eating.

Food plays an important role in Scripture. God uses it not only to bless us but also to teach us. Our misuse of food keeps us from knowing God in ways He wants to be known.

In the Old Testament, God gave instructions to Adam as to what to eat and what not to eat (Gen. 2: 16-17). Later He gave the Israelites manna to convince them that He was God and to test them to find out if they believed Him (Ex. 16:12; Deut. 8:16). In the New Testament, the apostle Pail stated the proper attitude for everything we do, including eating: "Whether you eat or drink,... do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).

When we think of food as a friend that comforts us or an enemy that makes us fat, we miss the wonder of receiving with gratitude a splendid gift from God. Obsesive eating or not eating indicates that we are focused on the gift rather than on the Giver, which is a form of idolatry.

When eating becomes a true act of worship, we will no longer worship food. - Julie Ackerman Link

You alone are worthy, Lord,

To be worshiped and adored;

We to You our tribute bring

As our hearts rejoice and sing. - Hess

When food becomes our God, our appetite for the Bread of Life is diminished.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^

I had found a problem that, I will remember to pray before dine... but I don't have the faith, or the meaning to pray... it just like a habit... used to it, and just continue it... without a reason... I do know if God didn't give me, I will be hungry... but, I just don't have the feeling like I must pray...

huh... even now... I just ignore it... I do pray, but meaningless... I know I need to find out what is missing... but I had ask God... and now I can only wait for God's reply...

Don't Waste Your Breath

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. - Psalm 150:6

If I were to scoop up a handful of dirt and blow into it, all I would get is a dirty face. When God did it, He got a living, breathing human being capable of thinking, feeling, dreaming, loving, reproducing, and living forever.

As one of these human beings, I speaks of "catching" my breath, "holding" my breath, or "saving" my breath, but these are idioms of language. I cannot save my breath for use at a later time. If I don't use the one I have now, I'll lose it, and I may even lose consciousness.

When God breathed into Adam, He gave more than life; He gave a reason to live: Worship! As the psalmist said, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Ps. 150:6).

This means that we waste our breath when we use it for something that doesn't honor the One in whom "we live and more and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

Althought we cannot blow life into a handful of dirt, we can use our breath to speak words of comfort, to sing songs of praise, and to run to help the sick and oppressed. When we use our breath to honor our Creator with our unique combination of talents, abilities, and opportunities, we will never be wasting it. - Julie Ackerman Link

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

And do what Thou wouldst do. Hatch

All that I am and have I owe to Jesus.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...

When you were told the days you left, I think you will makes your more meaningful than before... as you know you may not have the chance...

Someone told me, "if you assume today is your last day, you will have a more meaningful life... as you use most of your time and doing stuffs you like..."...

I had predict my lifetime will be 60 years old... so, I will try to use it usefully...

0.o 2008

It is 1st of January 2009 now... well, let's look back what had I done in 2008...

January

In Tawau... 6th moved in to Aunty Ming Zhu's house and stayed there for 2 months... I was there due to no where to go... her place is the best choice among others... isn't other my relative's place is not good... but I prefer silence... and without pressure...

Get to know my leader and Augustine on 7th... that was my begining of knowing Jesus Christ... still remember Augustine brought his laptop and playing a problem solving game... fun, interesting and HARD!!!... XD ...

Accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and master of my life on 13th around 0100H... early right? :P ... I started going to church every Sunday and joining cell group... alot of gathering makes me feeling my time is being use at the most... tired but happy...


February

It is valentine day... learn how to pack those flowers with beautiful color paper and ribbon... i had learnt alot over there... but I didn't make any flower arrangemnet when I come back to KK... only help friends tie up ribbon... they say it is nice la... I had my CNY in Tawau... quiet happy... although I can't gather with mum, but I really feeling that my heart was full of joyness and happiness...


March

Going to NS... but had join once Alpha and cell group... mum was not happy with that... Actually the church had arrange a special baptist for me due to my leaving... but because I am not yet 18, I need permision from mum... I cried, begged... calling people to help convince mum... in the end... failed... that was my sadness moment... maybe because of this, I went to KL without missing mum at all...


April

Still in camp... mum visited me 3 times... miss my friends there...


May

I get out from camp early due to Form 6... I was forced to come back... I really don't want to go... After coming back, I had my form 6 started...


June

The form 6 class started officially... and also I didn't went to church... busy this and that... too much stuffs need to be settle...


July

Still not going to church... but I had my CF...


August

Joined Chinese Youth Camp... actually is because I had promise my friend in Tawau before I leave there... so I went back... still remember the day I call my leader he told me the next day they will need to book the bas... so lucky I had made that call... start going to church after coming back from camp... and the next week I also join the youth gathering...


September

Academy result is worse but I think my spiritual life in Christian has growth... joining leader meeting after sunday service...


October

Confirmed all my position in co-cum... basketball - treasurer... wushu - vice president... CF - Form 1's AJK... Library - Tresurer... Class - Treasurer... :P ... I seems to be very close with money, but actually I am quiet a poor person...

Going to church on saturday at 11am... for learning piano... and then join the meeting... leader meeting... and until the youth gathering start...


November

Making cross using beads for sell at X'mas Gaya... and practice ribbon dance for 'You're the Best'...


December

Get a copy of cert. for involving myself in the competition... and miss the beach fear factor... didn't went to Gaya for X'mas... absent for youth x'mas party... T.T ... I had miss alot of fun!!!...

but i did help to blow balloons... tie a ribbon for party's decoration la... that's all I can do... T.T

Last night they have a thanks giving prayer meeting... of course I was absent again... T.T ...


Conclusion... I found that I am quiet limited for church events... sad for that and also regret why I refuse to go Tawau for Form 6... if I were there, no one will block me joing all the church event... T.T ...

Live It!

You are to them as a very lovely song... they hear your words, but they do not do them. - Ezekiel 33:32

Each year, one of my goals is to read the entire Bible. While listing it among my New Year's resolutions, I noticed a bookmark on my desk. On one side was a brief appeal for people to take in foster children. On the other side were these words referring to that appeal: "Don't read it. Live it. Real children. Real stories. Real life." The people who produced the bookmark knew how easily we absorb information without acting on it. They wanted people to respond.

Regular intake of God's Word is a worthy practice, but it's not an en in itself. THe prophet Ezekiel spoke to an audience who loved to listen but refused to act. The Lord said to Ezekiel: "Indeed you are them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them" (33:32).

Jesus said: "Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matt. 7:24).

How will each of us read the Bible this year? Will er read it quickly to achieve the goal of getting through it? Or will we read it with the aim of doing what it say?

Don't just read it. Live it! - David C. McCasland

The Bible gives us all we need

To live our lives for God each day;

But it won't help if we don't read

Then follow what its pages say. - Sper

The value of the Bible consists not onlyin knowing it but obeying it.

^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^...

I think back when I was in Tawau, I live with my Godmother... the house only living both of us... and I got a full guidian in my path of Chirstian...

But when I left Tawau, my spiritual growth slow down or even didn't move at all... dangerous but I goes back to church after youth camp... at most of the stuffs is settled, and I have more time...

I stopped reading the Bible now... don't know why, don't have the willing to pick it up and read it... although I always take it with me... but i didn't read it... I know I shouldn't just take it around but also read it...

I still remember I had made a promise before in my blog... but I am really sorry about it... I didn't act it out... I will try to improve it...