Thank God for blessing me with the two of them :)
Friday, March 28, 2008
The two most beautiful girls I've ever known!!!!
My pride and joy!!!
Thank God for blessing me with the two of them :)
Thank God for blessing me with the two of them :)
Excerpt from Girlfriends in God
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
When my daughter, Danna, was a toddler, she and her daddy had a favorite game. Dan would place her in some high spot then stand back, hold up his arms saying, "Jump to Daddy!" I hated this game but Danna loved it. She would always jump into his arms, laughing and giggling! One day, however, Dan put Danna in a spot that for some reason seemed just a little too high for Danna. She did what I do when I get scared. She closed her eyes. When her dad said, "Jump!" she said, "I can't! 'Cause I can't see you, Daddy!" Dan said, "It doesn't matter, baby. I can see you!" With a smile on her scrunched up face my daughter bailed off into the strong arms of her Father, secure in the knowledge that he would catch her just as he always had.
The apostle Paul understood and lived by the truth that God is constantly at work in and around us, monitoring every circumstance. Paul writes in Philippians 4:10, "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it." This verse contains a message that is easy to miss - the truth that God is always at work around us. Paul's circumstances did not show that God was working, but Paul knew! He was secure in the belief that help was on the way so he stood firm and began watching for God to show up!
He examined every circumstance, understanding that it had already passed through His Father's hands with His permission! And God came through! To find real security and contentment we must learn to search for the handprints of God in the every day circumstances of life.
Life is not a series of accidents but a series of divine appointments made by our heavenly Father, designed to prove that He loves us and orchestrated to illustrate His provision for us. That interruption we complain about or that intrusion we resent may well be a window of opportunity sent by Him! God is our provider. The word "provider" comes from two Latin words, "pro" which means "before" and "video" which means, "to see". In other words, God will take care of it beforehand. God caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul's needs and it came at the time when Paul needed their love the most! He always comes when we need Him the most! It is a picture of the Good Shepherd meeting every need of every sheep.
John 10:4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. (NLT)
The Shepherd is always ahead of his sheep - out in front which means that any attack upon the sheep has to go through him. What peace and security we can have knowing that God has gone before us through every valley, across each mountain of life. He knows what tomorrow holds and will give us everything we need to face it. When we begin to understand and walk in the truth that God monitors every circumstance, we will also understand and walk in contentment.
You may find yourself in a frightening place filled with darkness and doubt. Your fragile heart may be wondering if God knows where you are. Let me assure you my friend - He does. Even if you cannot see Him He can see you. And when it comes right down to it, I really prefer that God be able to see me rather than insisting that I be able to see Him! We think that because we cannot see the hand of God or sense His presence, it means that He is not working. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is always at work in our lives. Now that is real security and the cornerstone of a life of contentment.
Now it's Your Turn
By faith, accept the truth that God is always at work in your life and thank Him for His steadfast provision. Look back over the last few days, weeks and months of your life. Now praise Him for the things He has done.
Identify the people or things that you tend to think of and rely upon as sources of security and contentment in your life.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What are the steps listed in this passage that -- when taken -- will produce contentment?
What hedges of protection can you put in place today that will prepare you to face tomorrow with security and contentment?
When my daughter, Danna, was a toddler, she and her daddy had a favorite game. Dan would place her in some high spot then stand back, hold up his arms saying, "Jump to Daddy!" I hated this game but Danna loved it. She would always jump into his arms, laughing and giggling! One day, however, Dan put Danna in a spot that for some reason seemed just a little too high for Danna. She did what I do when I get scared. She closed her eyes. When her dad said, "Jump!" she said, "I can't! 'Cause I can't see you, Daddy!" Dan said, "It doesn't matter, baby. I can see you!" With a smile on her scrunched up face my daughter bailed off into the strong arms of her Father, secure in the knowledge that he would catch her just as he always had.
The apostle Paul understood and lived by the truth that God is constantly at work in and around us, monitoring every circumstance. Paul writes in Philippians 4:10, "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it." This verse contains a message that is easy to miss - the truth that God is always at work around us. Paul's circumstances did not show that God was working, but Paul knew! He was secure in the belief that help was on the way so he stood firm and began watching for God to show up!
He examined every circumstance, understanding that it had already passed through His Father's hands with His permission! And God came through! To find real security and contentment we must learn to search for the handprints of God in the every day circumstances of life.
Life is not a series of accidents but a series of divine appointments made by our heavenly Father, designed to prove that He loves us and orchestrated to illustrate His provision for us. That interruption we complain about or that intrusion we resent may well be a window of opportunity sent by Him! God is our provider. The word "provider" comes from two Latin words, "pro" which means "before" and "video" which means, "to see". In other words, God will take care of it beforehand. God caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul's needs and it came at the time when Paul needed their love the most! He always comes when we need Him the most! It is a picture of the Good Shepherd meeting every need of every sheep.
John 10:4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. (NLT)
The Shepherd is always ahead of his sheep - out in front which means that any attack upon the sheep has to go through him. What peace and security we can have knowing that God has gone before us through every valley, across each mountain of life. He knows what tomorrow holds and will give us everything we need to face it. When we begin to understand and walk in the truth that God monitors every circumstance, we will also understand and walk in contentment.
You may find yourself in a frightening place filled with darkness and doubt. Your fragile heart may be wondering if God knows where you are. Let me assure you my friend - He does. Even if you cannot see Him He can see you. And when it comes right down to it, I really prefer that God be able to see me rather than insisting that I be able to see Him! We think that because we cannot see the hand of God or sense His presence, it means that He is not working. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is always at work in our lives. Now that is real security and the cornerstone of a life of contentment.
Now it's Your Turn
By faith, accept the truth that God is always at work in your life and thank Him for His steadfast provision. Look back over the last few days, weeks and months of your life. Now praise Him for the things He has done.
Identify the people or things that you tend to think of and rely upon as sources of security and contentment in your life.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What are the steps listed in this passage that -- when taken -- will produce contentment?
What hedges of protection can you put in place today that will prepare you to face tomorrow with security and contentment?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
This kid is not bad!!!
He's cute and can bring up the atmosphere with the audience too. Entertaining!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
5 year old blind talent
I am sure you will be impressed after watching this show! It is very touching when this little 5-years old blind sung a song that really represented her plight.
It is another sign that God has always been fair and has endowed us with different abilities.
It is another sign that God has always been fair and has endowed us with different abilities.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Cheerobics 2007 - Cheerobics 2008 post coming soon
This was last year's Cheerobics where Lavvy's school won Champion again!
But of course, 2008 Cheerobics, St Hilda's won yet again, making them the defending Champion for the last 5 years (I think)!
This was their winning performance
But of course, 2008 Cheerobics, St Hilda's won yet again, making them the defending Champion for the last 5 years (I think)!
This was their winning performance
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
“Yet I hold this against you; You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4 NIV).
If you’re married, what do you do when you’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’? Maybe you truly adored your husband in the beginning, but now you can’t remember why. Maybe you honestly admired his finer qualities, but now you can’t remember what they were. Maybe you appreciated his wonderful attributes, but now take them for granted. What do you do now?
Here’s a statistic you might find interesting. According to an analysis of the National Survey of Families and Household, 86 percent of unhappily married people who stick it out find that, five years later, their marriages are happier. In fact, nearly 60 percent of those who rated their marriage as unhappy in the late 1980’s, and who stayed married, rated their same marriage “very happy” or “quite happy” when re-interviewed five years later ( Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher, The Case for Marriage (New York: Doubleday, 2000) 148). In comparison, those who divorced and remarried divorced again at a rate of 60 percent (Judith Wallerstein and Julia A. Lewis, and Sandra Blakeslee, The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce, Hyperion, 2000) p295).
So, starting over may very well be the answer! As long as it’s with the same man.
In the book of Revelation in the Bible, God had this to say to the church at Ephesus. “Yet I hold this against you; You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Ephesus was one of the most loving churches in the New Testament and yet, somewhere along the way, they lost that initial thrill of knowing Christ. Their love for each other and for God had grown cold.
As I read God’s lament, I whispered a prayer. “Oh Lord, how many of us women have forgotten our first love. We’ve forgotten the thrill we felt when we first met our husbands: the spine tingling chills when he walked into a room, the heart skipping flutter when he called on the phone, the tender wooing when we opened a letter penned by his hand. Somewhere between taking out the garbage, paying the bills, running carpool, mowing the lawn, disciplining the kids, folding the laundry…somewhere among the mundane routine of life, we’ve lost the romance”.
How do we get it back? God gave the church two simple steps for the Bride of Christ to renew her passion for her Beloved, and I believe we can apply the same principles to renewing our passion for the man of our dreams.
Remember and Return
Remember what drew you to your husband in the first place? Remember how you tried to please him, capture his heart, and win his affection? That may have been fifty pounds and a full head of hair ago, but that young man who longed to be adored, admired, and appreciated still lives within his heart. He wants to know if he still “has what it takes.” Let him know that he does.
Everyone loves a love story. Tell your children the story of how you first met and fell in love. Remember special days such as your first date, your first kiss, or the day when you first realized he was the man you wanted to marry. On your anniversary, listen to a tape or watch a video of your wedding. Celebrate not only your wedding anniversary but also the day he asked you to marry him.
Now it’s Your Turn
If you have kids, tell them the story of how you met and fell in love with your husband at the dinner table tonight.
If you aren’t married, tell someone how you met Jesus Christ and gave your life to Him.
If you are married, write down what drew you to your husband initially.
If you are not married, write down what you long for in the man of your dreams.
Here’s a statistic you might find interesting. According to an analysis of the National Survey of Families and Household, 86 percent of unhappily married people who stick it out find that, five years later, their marriages are happier. In fact, nearly 60 percent of those who rated their marriage as unhappy in the late 1980’s, and who stayed married, rated their same marriage “very happy” or “quite happy” when re-interviewed five years later ( Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher, The Case for Marriage (New York: Doubleday, 2000) 148). In comparison, those who divorced and remarried divorced again at a rate of 60 percent (Judith Wallerstein and Julia A. Lewis, and Sandra Blakeslee, The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce, Hyperion, 2000) p295).
So, starting over may very well be the answer! As long as it’s with the same man.
In the book of Revelation in the Bible, God had this to say to the church at Ephesus. “Yet I hold this against you; You have forsaken your first love” (Revelation 2:4). Ephesus was one of the most loving churches in the New Testament and yet, somewhere along the way, they lost that initial thrill of knowing Christ. Their love for each other and for God had grown cold.
As I read God’s lament, I whispered a prayer. “Oh Lord, how many of us women have forgotten our first love. We’ve forgotten the thrill we felt when we first met our husbands: the spine tingling chills when he walked into a room, the heart skipping flutter when he called on the phone, the tender wooing when we opened a letter penned by his hand. Somewhere between taking out the garbage, paying the bills, running carpool, mowing the lawn, disciplining the kids, folding the laundry…somewhere among the mundane routine of life, we’ve lost the romance”.
How do we get it back? God gave the church two simple steps for the Bride of Christ to renew her passion for her Beloved, and I believe we can apply the same principles to renewing our passion for the man of our dreams.
Remember and Return
Remember what drew you to your husband in the first place? Remember how you tried to please him, capture his heart, and win his affection? That may have been fifty pounds and a full head of hair ago, but that young man who longed to be adored, admired, and appreciated still lives within his heart. He wants to know if he still “has what it takes.” Let him know that he does.
Everyone loves a love story. Tell your children the story of how you first met and fell in love. Remember special days such as your first date, your first kiss, or the day when you first realized he was the man you wanted to marry. On your anniversary, listen to a tape or watch a video of your wedding. Celebrate not only your wedding anniversary but also the day he asked you to marry him.
Now it’s Your Turn
If you have kids, tell them the story of how you met and fell in love with your husband at the dinner table tonight.
If you aren’t married, tell someone how you met Jesus Christ and gave your life to Him.
If you are married, write down what drew you to your husband initially.
If you are not married, write down what you long for in the man of your dreams.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Back from Australia
I was in Sydney for about 10 days with Timothy for the Entech 2008 exhibition. Wow!!!! What an experience! Thank God that He saw us through!!! Timothy had to work through the night for many nights in his three weeks stay. He only came back like 5 or 6am in the morning, slept for 2 hours and then back to work :(
I had to work non-stop also, building the truss for the exhibition stand, setting the stand up, run here and there like an event construction worker :P .... very tiring!
During the exhibition days, we had to walk half an hour, up slope from hotel to exhibition centre, stand from 9am to 6pm, then back to hotel, walking another half an hour with really tired feet back to the hotel. Sometimes it gets so tiring that we even skipped dinner.... no appetite already! After the exhibition, it's tear down time!!! The same process all over again.
I'm sure you would understand how much we L-O-N-G to come home to Singapore and to our children!!! One thing good is that the whether was really cool, sometimes cold there. Not forgetting the beef is delicious too :P
But we miss local food cos it's always bread bread bread and more bread, if not meat meat and more meat!!! Haha
Even coming home was a small little adventure. Our flight was due to depart at 5pm Australia time but was delayed till 8pm. That means we stayed at the airport from 2.30pm till 8pm just to catch the flight back home. We ended up arriving on Sunday early morning instead of Saturday night. PHEW.... :)
I had to work non-stop also, building the truss for the exhibition stand, setting the stand up, run here and there like an event construction worker :P .... very tiring!
During the exhibition days, we had to walk half an hour, up slope from hotel to exhibition centre, stand from 9am to 6pm, then back to hotel, walking another half an hour with really tired feet back to the hotel. Sometimes it gets so tiring that we even skipped dinner.... no appetite already! After the exhibition, it's tear down time!!! The same process all over again.
I'm sure you would understand how much we L-O-N-G to come home to Singapore and to our children!!! One thing good is that the whether was really cool, sometimes cold there. Not forgetting the beef is delicious too :P
But we miss local food cos it's always bread bread bread and more bread, if not meat meat and more meat!!! Haha
Even coming home was a small little adventure. Our flight was due to depart at 5pm Australia time but was delayed till 8pm. That means we stayed at the airport from 2.30pm till 8pm just to catch the flight back home. We ended up arriving on Sunday early morning instead of Saturday night. PHEW.... :)
Monday, January 28, 2008
14 years old Charice Pempengco
Her voice is not too bad. Great stage presence also. Just like what the interviewer said, she made the stage looks small. Watch for her changing of the mics from right to left hand, in mid air - cool! Have a listen:
And the interview session:
And the interview session:
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Our Pride and Joy!
Yesterday was a day filled with emotional roller coaster rides. First it was excitement in the morning, then great anticipation, then anxiety kicked in before joy came through.
What do I mean by that? Well, Lyn collected her 'O' levels result yesterday.
I'm so glad we were there all the way to support her.
You see, Lyn had tried her very best last year with her studies when she finally decided to really buck up and do well for 'O's. She was not exactly up to par from sec 1 to 3 but we believed in her that she will mature and will start to plan for her future. She did! When she started to work hard, we cheered her on knowing that that's the best thing we can do and should do. She didn't disappoint us!
You see, before we left for school, I felt that we needed to pray and commit everything to God. No matter what the results were, God is in control - that was what I prayed. I wanted her to put her trust in God and learn to accept whatever results she may get. Deep in my heart I knew she'll do well but if she didn't, I didn't want to put pressure on her.
When we reached school, the anxiety is really unbelievable. All the girls were excited, seeing many of their friends' names listed on the screen - those who scored xx amount of As, those who had a high aggregate difference between prelim and 'O's etc etc. Well, it came time for the rest to collect their results and we were literally standing on our toes with anticipation. She called me on my mobile to tell me that she scored better than expected! Hallelujah!!!! Praise the Lord. I'll never forget that scene when she came running to us, with tears in her eyes and a wide grin on her face and gave both of us a big hug. I cried, so proud of her. Tim was controlling his tears but I could see the redness and tears welling up in his eyes.
In fact, she did better than many of her classmates who always topped her! I believe her hard work paid off, but most importantly, God has be glorified in all this!!!!
Thank you Jesus for seeing us through!
AMEN!
What do I mean by that? Well, Lyn collected her 'O' levels result yesterday.
I'm so glad we were there all the way to support her.
You see, Lyn had tried her very best last year with her studies when she finally decided to really buck up and do well for 'O's. She was not exactly up to par from sec 1 to 3 but we believed in her that she will mature and will start to plan for her future. She did! When she started to work hard, we cheered her on knowing that that's the best thing we can do and should do. She didn't disappoint us!
You see, before we left for school, I felt that we needed to pray and commit everything to God. No matter what the results were, God is in control - that was what I prayed. I wanted her to put her trust in God and learn to accept whatever results she may get. Deep in my heart I knew she'll do well but if she didn't, I didn't want to put pressure on her.
When we reached school, the anxiety is really unbelievable. All the girls were excited, seeing many of their friends' names listed on the screen - those who scored xx amount of As, those who had a high aggregate difference between prelim and 'O's etc etc. Well, it came time for the rest to collect their results and we were literally standing on our toes with anticipation. She called me on my mobile to tell me that she scored better than expected! Hallelujah!!!! Praise the Lord. I'll never forget that scene when she came running to us, with tears in her eyes and a wide grin on her face and gave both of us a big hug. I cried, so proud of her. Tim was controlling his tears but I could see the redness and tears welling up in his eyes.
In fact, she did better than many of her classmates who always topped her! I believe her hard work paid off, but most importantly, God has be glorified in all this!!!!
Thank you Jesus for seeing us through!
AMEN!
"Branches were broken off that I could be grafted in" (Romans 11:19 NIV).
One day when Julianna was twelve years old, she rushed out her front door on her way to dance class. She slammed the door behind her as she hurried to catch her ride, but the door closed before all of her fingers followed her body across the threshold. Now you have probably slammed your fingers in a door a time or two, and can remember wincing a bit. But Julianna never does anything half-way. She jerked to a sudden halt, spun around quickly, and saw her appendages trapped in the closed door. When she opened the door to remove her hand, she was horrified to discover that not all of it was there. She had amputated the upper third of her second right finger.
"Help! Somebody help me! I've just cut off my finger!"
Fortunately, the woman picking her up for dance class was a nurse. She rushed to the screaming ballerina. "Julianna, where's your mom?" she asked.
"She's not here," Julianna answered between sobs. "Nobody's here but Daniel."
"Quick," the neighbor instructed, "Let's put some pressure on that nub. Daniel, come help us!" she yelled.
Daniel, Julianna's fifteen-year-old brother, ran down the stairs at the cry for help.
"Julianna's just cut her finger off. You have to find it. We've got to put it in ice and take her to the hospital right away."
A pale faced Daniel went to the scene of the accident. As he hung his head, he saw the finger lying at his feet. Trying not to lose his breakfast, Daniel picked up his sister's digit in a towel and handed it over to the nurse.
Well, the good news is that they got to the hospital in time. The skilled doctor put Humpty-Dumpty back together again and told them to pray that the finger would reattach.
"We'll keep our fingers crossed," he said with a grin as he walked out of the treatment room.
A few days later Julianna unwrapped the bandages, afraid of what she might find underneath. What she saw was not a pretty sight. Instead of a finger, she saw a black mushroom-like thimble sitting atop her nub.
"Doctor, we took the bandage off today. It's black and crusty and looks like a mushroom cap," her mom reported. "It looks dead."
"That's fine," he reassured her. "Don't worry. If nature is working properly, and it sounds like it is, the top will turn black, but underneath, nerves and blood vessels are reattaching. Underneath the thimble, a new finger is forming. She needs the old part in order for the new part to form underneath. In about three weeks, we'll know if the procedure worked. Just keep it wrapped and clean."
A few weeks after the accident, Julianna came to spend the night with us while she was attending a dance camp in my hometown. I had the pleasure of her company and the displeasure of changing her bandage. Her description was accurate.
Four weeks after Julianna had returned home, she wrote me a thank you note for having her in our home. She ended by saying, "P.S. Guess what? My crusty thimble fell off and I have a new finger!"
Now don't ask me how this happened. It is a mystery to me. But scripture tells of another mystery that is just as amazing. Another grafting process that is just as miraculous. God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners (cut off, dead, rotten to the core), Christ died for us and made it possible for us to be grafted onto the living root -- Jesus Himself (Romans 5:8, Romans 11:17). At the very moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we receive a new living spirit to replace our old dead spirit. God performs a spiritual makeover in the twinkling of an eye - in the time it takes for us to say, "I believe."
Now that's a miracle.
"Help! Somebody help me! I've just cut off my finger!"
Fortunately, the woman picking her up for dance class was a nurse. She rushed to the screaming ballerina. "Julianna, where's your mom?" she asked.
"She's not here," Julianna answered between sobs. "Nobody's here but Daniel."
"Quick," the neighbor instructed, "Let's put some pressure on that nub. Daniel, come help us!" she yelled.
Daniel, Julianna's fifteen-year-old brother, ran down the stairs at the cry for help.
"Julianna's just cut her finger off. You have to find it. We've got to put it in ice and take her to the hospital right away."
A pale faced Daniel went to the scene of the accident. As he hung his head, he saw the finger lying at his feet. Trying not to lose his breakfast, Daniel picked up his sister's digit in a towel and handed it over to the nurse.
Well, the good news is that they got to the hospital in time. The skilled doctor put Humpty-Dumpty back together again and told them to pray that the finger would reattach.
"We'll keep our fingers crossed," he said with a grin as he walked out of the treatment room.
A few days later Julianna unwrapped the bandages, afraid of what she might find underneath. What she saw was not a pretty sight. Instead of a finger, she saw a black mushroom-like thimble sitting atop her nub.
"Doctor, we took the bandage off today. It's black and crusty and looks like a mushroom cap," her mom reported. "It looks dead."
"That's fine," he reassured her. "Don't worry. If nature is working properly, and it sounds like it is, the top will turn black, but underneath, nerves and blood vessels are reattaching. Underneath the thimble, a new finger is forming. She needs the old part in order for the new part to form underneath. In about three weeks, we'll know if the procedure worked. Just keep it wrapped and clean."
A few weeks after the accident, Julianna came to spend the night with us while she was attending a dance camp in my hometown. I had the pleasure of her company and the displeasure of changing her bandage. Her description was accurate.
Four weeks after Julianna had returned home, she wrote me a thank you note for having her in our home. She ended by saying, "P.S. Guess what? My crusty thimble fell off and I have a new finger!"
Now don't ask me how this happened. It is a mystery to me. But scripture tells of another mystery that is just as amazing. Another grafting process that is just as miraculous. God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners (cut off, dead, rotten to the core), Christ died for us and made it possible for us to be grafted onto the living root -- Jesus Himself (Romans 5:8, Romans 11:17). At the very moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we receive a new living spirit to replace our old dead spirit. God performs a spiritual makeover in the twinkling of an eye - in the time it takes for us to say, "I believe."
Now that's a miracle.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
O Holy Night - David Phelps
I've never heard this song sung this way. Every word is interpreted as he sings along. It's no JUST a song anymore. It's really really GOOD!!! hair stand, eyes wet, heart in awesome wonder. Never thought of exactly how amazing Jesus' birth means to us! All knees bow and all tongues confess that CHRIST IS LORD!
Thank you Joel for introducing it to me!
Thank you Joel for introducing it to me!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
3 year old Akim
This boy is so amazing. I like the part when the orchestra supported him at the end (for his last song). It's a bit long but very interesting - if you like music!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
From Girlfriends in God:
"Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 )
Friend to Friend
Over the past few years, my spiritual life has changed dramatically. I've witnessed the LORD move in amazing ways, and have felt His hand guide me like never before. What's the big secret? Why the big change? Simple: prayer. There is unexplainable power in prayer.
No, prayer isn't new to me. I've prayed ever since I was a child. But even though I love God, I've often struggled to remain focused during my quiet time...or even to carve out a daily quiet time, for that matter. My creative mind has a strong tendency to wander. So a few years back, I began keeping a prayer journal...and my faith has really grown as a result.
My journal isn't fancy or expensive, just a notebook that can be picked up anywhere, but it has been a power tool for God's movement in and through my life. By keeping my heart focused in prayer, my journal has fanned the flame of my prayers, and has fueled the fire in my soul to connect with our active and living God who longs to be the center of our attention.
It's not rocket science, and there aren't any special tricks. A prayer journal can be an effective tool for spiritual growth, but the power is in the praying! How do I put my power tool to work? I start by writing the date. Then I jot down who and what I want to pray about. I also love to write out scripture passages that have spoken to my heart. Then I go to my Father...focused and fearless. God is the source of all power, and prayer is essential to experiencing His power in our lives.
Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Prayer moves the hand of God, yet, statistically; most Christians spend less than 5 minutes a day in prayer. That's just crazy! Why would we expect God to show His power in our lives if we don't give Him more time than we spend brushing our teeth each day?
Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? He wants you to come to Him in prayer: when you are hurting, when you are angry, when you need direction, when you need answers, when you need hope, when you need healing. He wants you to come to Him for forgiveness, courage, strength, confidence, and perspective. Come with praise, adoration, humility, honor, and worship.
So -- grab a journal and focus your heart and thoughts on God...or, if that idea yucks you out, banish the thought. What matters is that you pray. He just wants you to come.
A GIG PLEDGE: Let's commit together to spend more time on our knees in 2008! Raise your right hand and say out loud: "Lord, it is my sincere intention to seek you more fervently in 2008." God assures us, that when we seek Him, we will find Him! As Girlfriends in God, we are growing rapidly in numbers. All around the globe, close to 50,000 women come together in devotion to seek God's face. As we grow in width, may we, as GiGs, also grow in depth. I pray that 2008 will lead us, collectively and individually, deeper and wider into the life changing presence of God.
Let's Pray
Holy Father, Thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer. I humbly bow before Your throne of grace and ask that You would forgive me for all of the times I have failed to come. I need You more than I know. Please help me experience the fullness of Your life-changing presence in a fresh and powerful way this year. For Your glory and In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
Consider keeping a prayer journal! Grab a pen and a notebook and get started! If you don't know where to start, use this as a template to begin:
Begin reading the Psalms during your quiet time. Journal what you learn and write down the verses that stir your heart. (There are 150 of them and if you meditate on one or two each day, you could be kept busy for a few months!)
More from the Girlfriends
One morning, as I was reading in the Psalms, I came across a great scripture prayer. It is Psalm 143:8: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." As I read it over and over, a song came to my heart.
Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. Visit her website at: www.GwenSmith.net, or stop by her e-store to grab a few of her worship CDs.
"http://www.girlfriendsingod.com"
Friend to Friend
Over the past few years, my spiritual life has changed dramatically. I've witnessed the LORD move in amazing ways, and have felt His hand guide me like never before. What's the big secret? Why the big change? Simple: prayer. There is unexplainable power in prayer.
No, prayer isn't new to me. I've prayed ever since I was a child. But even though I love God, I've often struggled to remain focused during my quiet time...or even to carve out a daily quiet time, for that matter. My creative mind has a strong tendency to wander. So a few years back, I began keeping a prayer journal...and my faith has really grown as a result.
My journal isn't fancy or expensive, just a notebook that can be picked up anywhere, but it has been a power tool for God's movement in and through my life. By keeping my heart focused in prayer, my journal has fanned the flame of my prayers, and has fueled the fire in my soul to connect with our active and living God who longs to be the center of our attention.
It's not rocket science, and there aren't any special tricks. A prayer journal can be an effective tool for spiritual growth, but the power is in the praying! How do I put my power tool to work? I start by writing the date. Then I jot down who and what I want to pray about. I also love to write out scripture passages that have spoken to my heart. Then I go to my Father...focused and fearless. God is the source of all power, and prayer is essential to experiencing His power in our lives.
Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Prayer moves the hand of God, yet, statistically; most Christians spend less than 5 minutes a day in prayer. That's just crazy! Why would we expect God to show His power in our lives if we don't give Him more time than we spend brushing our teeth each day?
Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? He wants you to come to Him in prayer: when you are hurting, when you are angry, when you need direction, when you need answers, when you need hope, when you need healing. He wants you to come to Him for forgiveness, courage, strength, confidence, and perspective. Come with praise, adoration, humility, honor, and worship.
So -- grab a journal and focus your heart and thoughts on God...or, if that idea yucks you out, banish the thought. What matters is that you pray. He just wants you to come.
A GIG PLEDGE: Let's commit together to spend more time on our knees in 2008! Raise your right hand and say out loud: "Lord, it is my sincere intention to seek you more fervently in 2008." God assures us, that when we seek Him, we will find Him! As Girlfriends in God, we are growing rapidly in numbers. All around the globe, close to 50,000 women come together in devotion to seek God's face. As we grow in width, may we, as GiGs, also grow in depth. I pray that 2008 will lead us, collectively and individually, deeper and wider into the life changing presence of God.
Let's Pray
Holy Father, Thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer. I humbly bow before Your throne of grace and ask that You would forgive me for all of the times I have failed to come. I need You more than I know. Please help me experience the fullness of Your life-changing presence in a fresh and powerful way this year. For Your glory and In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now it's Your Turn
Consider keeping a prayer journal! Grab a pen and a notebook and get started! If you don't know where to start, use this as a template to begin:
Begin reading the Psalms during your quiet time. Journal what you learn and write down the verses that stir your heart. (There are 150 of them and if you meditate on one or two each day, you could be kept busy for a few months!)
More from the Girlfriends
One morning, as I was reading in the Psalms, I came across a great scripture prayer. It is Psalm 143:8: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." As I read it over and over, a song came to my heart.
Gwen Smith is a worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author. Visit her website at: www.GwenSmith.net, or stop by her e-store to grab a few of her worship CDs.
"http://www.girlfriendsingod.com"
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