REACH OUT

PHTO SOURCE

How I wish I could share the gospel every time the Holy Spirit makes the steerings.  There are times that timidity would attack like and illness.  And yet we are told in 2nd Timothy 1:7:

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."

I have experienced at one time, when we served in church planting.  We needed to distribute tracts and do evangelistic concerts at the same time.  We would play movies for people to see some testimonies of conversion before the concert starts.

In between and during the concert we would spread out and meet up with people to distribute tracts.  To some who are interested, we would direct them to where we are having fellowships and care groups.

But always, there are those who would not accept, nor lay a finger on the tracts.  It was as though it would bring them bad luck.

Little did they know that we were not bringing religion to them but Jesus Christ himself and the purpose of His death on the cross.   It is not religion that would save but the grace of God through Jesus.  God wants a relationship, a person to person kind of connection, wherein we come in close encounter with Him at the throne of our hearts.

Just today, during lunch break.  I had a conversation with the lady who cooks meals for us in the office.  He also comes to give us manicures and pedicures during lunch breaks.  Our talk veered on what is happening in the world and she was referring to the 2012 prediction.  She was saying that if it ever happens we must be ready.

It came as an opener to me, thanks to the Holy Spirit.  I asked her if it is her desire to go to heaven and stand upon the pearly gates.  She said yes.  And I added, "what would you say to Jesus so that He would let you in?"  She answered that He would ask Jesus to let her enter the gates because she wants to be in the promised place where there are no more pain, struggles and tears.  I told her that God needs a password.  So I began to relate to her about Jesus knocking at the door of her heart waiting to be acknowledged and up to how she will invite Jesus as her savior and Lord.

Art Source

I thank God that He has led me to one soul today.  People are always open for Jesus during the Lenten season.  I am going to pray that she would reach to conviction and I'd rather it be unforced. 

If fear and timidity got their way, then I have let Jesus down.  So many times I did hold back, but lies about our handicap comes from the enemy.  He does not like another soul won for Jesus.  Boldness and wisdom should always come from God, through our prayers and being open for instructions.

 A reminder for the Lenten Season:

Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

BUTS

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE

 
I said, " The path is steep." 

He said, " I'm at your side."

 I said, "But I am weak."

... He said, "For you I died."

I said, "Dark valleys come."

He said, "I'll guide you through."

I said, "But I'm not brave."

He said, "I'll walk with you."

I said, "Be light to me,

And strength as I go on."

He said, "I'm more. I'm love,

You'll never walk alone."

 

"Go for that interview, Lolita," my friend nudged me.  "But I don't think I could handle the responsibility."  I replied.

"Lolita, it is about time you go on that trip to our branch," my boss told me.  "But, Boss, I still have something to finish here,"  I countered, knowing deep inside that I am using delaying tactics.  The real reason is that I am no longer keen on taking air travel.  I don't like to ride boats either because of so many cases of boats sinking.

My stepbrother who is now based in Canada, who have done a great job in migrating his full-blood siblings over, asked me one time to go and look for on-line job opportunities so I can also go.  What do you think Mr. But did?  Well, of course, he won again.

There were lots of opportunities lost, relationships marred, and souls won for Christ, if BUTS did not block the way.

I like the conversation  going on, that goes with the picture, I can see my but-self in the story.  Once again, I found this among a hoard of inspirational quotes tagged to me by a faithful friend.  He does his silent evangelism over at FB.

There are a wealth of treasure that can be found in these picture tracts.  I delight in claiming my portion from these too.

The greatest counter-attack of Faith is FEAR. Fear of the unknown, fear of what will come our way, fear of climbing up on another limb.  We fear moves that would send us out of comfort zone.

I am a complete example of this.  When I was younger, armed with my diploma and professional practice license, I had a great drive.  Unfortunately during those times, opportunities were lesser.  Presently, there are lots of new and exciting careers that may take one across to new worlds, with high pay.  

The loser in me will say, "well I was just born in between the business boom eras,  I am content of being this way."  

My siblings are now globetrotters, going places with their high-paying jobs.  I remembered the time when my younger sister who works in an economic zone in Vietnam, asked me if I was willing to go with her and be their accountant.  I declined saying that it is too late for me, that it should have come when I was not yet hypertensive.  Perhaps my nerves shrunk together with my confidence in that fateful moment I had my mild stroke.  Short of saying, I lost a lot of opportunities because I gave in to my BUT buddy.

Anyway, I am content where I am (sweet-lemoning?), although not perfectly but fine.  I like my volunteering job at the children's center in church and going some places to review sponsored partner funds.  I have a few bookkeeping clients who have been loyal to me until the end.  Don't take this as being ungrateful, I am so blessed to have my jobs and sidelines.  I praise God for them and for how He has taken cared of us.  I am content.  I just had to share my but-moments.

I don't envy my siblings (well honestly, just a little).   In fact, I am very happy for them.  There are benefits too, like my Mother, who is now an immigrant to NY.  I have that in my long list of blessings, if not me, then it should be my Mama.  It is a very comforting thing to see her in good health, that she can tackle the long flight back home, and the evidence of living where she is now keeps me in awe of God.  She has seen several autumns in Central Park and has gone apple picking even when the snow came earlier last year.

Pssst, can I add another negative-resident in my brain?  What if I took opportunities?  Would I have been able to realize dreams that were born, which eventually died, if the but did not interfere?

Here I am in front of my PC typing away.  I am in a place God planted me and I am willing to grow in this soil, bear fruits and thrive for Him.

What if, what if, if only, sigh, snort!!.......

Ohhh! Two of my resident anti-Faith-plaques are tumbling around the washer and ready to drain........ go, go, go away.  Currently cleaning up.

 

This is a powerful read:  The "Unstoppable" Negative Thought

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puppy Eyes

Isn't she cute?  Look at the picture closely.  I know she is a she because the owner made her wear a pair of rosy spectacles.

A friend pasted this in my comment box at Mutiply.com.  I was tempted to post it here because I want my "circle of sharing-love friends," which from here onwards I would just nickname "My Circle.," for all the wondrous things attached to it by all our members, (ohhh.... a long sentence in the making), see how I would look every morning when I open my PC.

News-bit:  Lolita is now punching time-ins at 45 minutes ahead of office time in the morning.  She is on her way to get a medal to be "Model Employee" come December 2012 (if God lets her) for punctuality.  Her boss no longer complains at her punch card wearing lipstick-(red for late punch-in).  Once her boss told her, "Lolit, look at your card, you are so punctual in running home at 5:00 pm.  Only your time-outs are black."  She then vowed she would do better..... all to no avail.  Then came, Di, Vi, Pam, Betty and Martha.  The boss is all smiles now..... very easy, without pushing her.... she comes ahead of everyone, except for the cleaner. Huhummmm..... what made the change?  Is she afraid of her boss?  Nah!


Our secret, she is coming ahead of time before others because she likes to grab her PC by herself, office quiet, no people asking for signatures for Gas POs...... asking for cookies from her cyber friends.

PURINA

Could you afford not to give her her fill for the day? 

"Where is my Purina, D, V, B, P and M?  I want it now, please,"  she begs, with those puppy eyes, so pitifully cute.

Yes, I too have a large appetite but with an equally large tummy.  I come begging over and over again.

Truly, I love partaking of "My Cicrle's" dose of faith, hope, inspiration, humor, arts, talents........ rolled into one.

ON BOTTLE

Thank you, guys, for making my soul and my heart fatter everyday.  I am growing, so I see.

 Sometimes I need milk for easy digestion.

A Call to Persevere in Faith

CIRCLE

A Call to Persevere in Faith

 

Taken from Hebrews 10

 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 

20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 

25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 

I love the passage above from Hebrews, and is so timely for the days are evil..... and if it does not end this year, as the prediction and movies are announcing, I and most of my group-mates are, on the path towards our sunset .  It is the surest thing in this world.  Only God knows when He would recall me to that promised mansion, set on one golden crossroad, in His Kingdom.  The sun will soon rest and usher me to the darkness which will lead me to a place where there's no more (darkness).

 

...... and thus, circle of "sharing-praying friends,"  here it is ....... let us not grow weary of meeting together here at our special cyber-table over at WWW. Let us pray for one another, encourage each other, push if we might, each other's bottom,  and all to the end...... not letting up, to build, to edify, to teach and reproach to His glory.

Our "circle of sharing/circle of praying friends," have come together on-line.  I met them, one after the other, when I began following Pam Depoyan's   Writing ..... Apples of Gold blog.  

Every time Pam publishes a post, I immediately would go to her blog and read.  I became so attracted at the way she writes encouragements. Her writings paint and weave beautiful pictures of God's love, goodness and mercy.  Even if she does not insert photos, one could easily get a clear picture of a heart so after Jesus.

It wasn't for long that I noticed, I had a classmate, faithfully reading and commenting on Pam's post.  I would visit her blog and read, still on tiptoe, as anyone attempting to enter into another's life.  I was in awe of course, she writes from the heart of Jesus and is so generous in her love for her family and her mother-in-law.  It was there written in her special pages she called "my memoirs."

One day soon, I made myself known to her.  I knocked softly at Diane's cyber home and left a message in one of her power posts. (Pardon, for I forgot the date and which post it was).  I am one, who would tread quietly on fresh grounds, never wanting to push myself.  Oh my, how she welcomed me with her extravagant love.  We hit like opposite poles of a magnet.  Of course, we are oceans apart, in terms of residence.  But it did not bother us.  Boundaries are unknown to friendship (sinful things excluded).  We are now sharing our parlors, kitchens and dining tables regularly.  Sometimes she would take me to see her chiropractor, other times, on errand to the grocer....... all in cyber-space.  She became a beautiful source of strength and inspiration, all in the name of faith, hope and love with her AEW.

Came the day when we visited Martha in time for the early rain in Hill Country, Texas.  Again, I was so amazed at this gracious lady, telling us of her chronic pain with all dignity and grace, and yet humor is her apple pie.  She strongly  insists to us, saying, "Pain Won't Beat Me," and she goes on in-faith, baking her share of cookies, to put upon our "circle of friends'" table.  And all of us partake, insights, truths to reflect, pain to share and great unbeaten humor to roll on the floor with glee.

To give you and idea of her brand of humor, here is a clip from our interactions in her post Walking-not always an easy thing to do!  dated March 27, 2012:

""Oh--I did forget one very important "Martha News" point for you:

"Good Afternoon-This is Martha-Woman with Pain in Butt informing you that More RAIN is on the way to the Hill Country in Texas! The trusty
BUTT-RO-METER-accurately tested by Martha tells us, the BURN level is running wild."

To compare, imagine that common question asked by a doctor "Now what level would you list your Pain at? On the scale of 1-10, where would you say the Pain is at?" Does anybody have a Cast Iron Skillet I could borrow?

Blessings to all of you and my love is flowing out to every person who suffers with Pain. Martha ""

From Texas, we went off to meet Ms. Veronica Shticks Anderson in the city called TheShticks.com.  I was introduced to the Shticks family.  I'd like to say, it was a day we Shtuck on each other like glue.  Finding myself in the characters that Veronica made out of her family, friends and situations, was something I will never forget.  She made Lolita Shticks and granted my wish to see autumn in America and on to Grandfather Mountains with my red umbrella.  There is a whole unique world in her Photoshop brushes, templates and tubes...... a story would emerge from her clipboards, so alive with emotions, gestures and lessons.  In fact, they really hit at you to the core.  Her brand of humor is so subtle, you just sit right in front of your monitor, in awe-a silent kind of awe.  Oh how she pulls it off?  I know, it is a gift and something she shares so generously.

Then we took a trip, on wagon trail to Betty's new camp site.  She and her missionary husband had just moved to California fresh from Papua, New Guinea.  We wanted to see her construction site and how she is settling over at their new grounds.  We found her befriending mother's in need and some undergoing critical illnesses.  She has a heart so wise and so courageous she feels so much on what is going on around her.  And she also finds time to sit with us, around our cyber table, offering her batches of cookies and dining with us, praying for each other, upholding one another, laying each one upon Jesus' loving lap (as Diane nicely put).  She has given us permission to impress our footprints on her wet concrete and our palm prints upon her wet walls.

So there you are, folks..... my "circle of friends."

We are persevering in Faith.  Ain't it lovely, it's free, it is open, it is for sharing your life and journey with.

COME ON IN!

Come on in, sit with us!  Get to know each other, sip from our favorite cups, eat cookies baked by our circle and let us carry each other's cares.... lift them up at Jesus' feet in prayer.

AND I TRIPPED

Fallen

Yesterday morning, I arrived at my office early.  I did not eat breakfast as usual, as I am in the habit of doing.  My tummy would grumble if I do.   So I eat breakfast in my office.

As I have not packed food to carry, I decided to buy from the lady who cooks for us down at the back of our building.

I walked back to the office carrying my goody and trying to balance on my wedge over the uneven path.  Then my left leg (the bad one) gave..... and down-tripped did I.  My heavy butt together with all the love handles attached to my tummy, conspired to throw my Sumo weight down the ground..... on my knees first, then on my elbows ..... lastly face down.  I was still holding my food, sauce spilling, yet held fast with my left grip.

Perhaps that was the very reason I was not able to prevent the face-on-the ground episode.  My instinct, my primitive-tummy-over-anything else instinct, saved my food and not my face.  Luckily, I only scraped my eyeglasses, saving a scratch on my face.  Another miracle I celebrated yesterday, was being able to rise up from the ground by myself, and there was no one around looking.  So glad, it did not leave me with a damaged dignity.  A little physical injury is more bearable than self-pity.

By the way, I discovered that if I wear a wedge (a 2-1/2 inch high level one), it takes away the pain on my heel as I walk.  But I have to walk carefully especially with the kind of pavements we have here...... damaged and uneven.  It is easy to trip.

Down on the ground, a few seconds before I rose myself up slowly, the reverse way I tripped, face up, level up to the waist, next up to my knees, then up on my toes, I had a vision of a fallen Savior.

He carried That Cross For Us.

It reminded me, as our country is so serious over the season of Lent, about Jesus carrying the cross, the heavy weight of our sins upon His shoulders.  He tripped, maybe many times, He tripped with the weight.

And I prayed:   

"Oh my Lord Jesus, thank you for the cross, the weight of our sins laid upon that cross.  How you suffered on our behalf...... and all we could do is thank You.  We could never say it good enough but Your love provided the salvation for us.  Help us give honor to that cross.  Make us worthy of Your grace, Lord.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord Jesus."

"I, also am super grateful, Lord, that you have cushioned me and prevented undue damage from the crash.  I know your angels were around me then.  There are also my "circle of praying friends"  who are lifting me unto your lap, upholding me with their petitions.  It did not trigger my BP to rise and I just had a scratched pair of eyeglasses.  Amen!"

To Diane:  Thank you for letting me use your phrase that I have re-phrased, "lifting me unto your lap."   I read it at Martha's post 3.27.12.