THE GIFTS

The month of April this year has brought upon me special gifts.  Diane has listed hers a month or so earlier.  I would like to post mine too, in gratitude to the givers, and to reflect on how they made me feel.  I should like to keep some givers to myself for reasons that they may not like to be publicly known.  Suffice it to say that they will know how deeply they touched my heart and it is very difficult not to say a word.  My thanks to you, and my Praise to the giver of heavenly gifts.

James 1:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1.  A Crucifix with a keyhole and a key and "The Way" printed at the bottom signifying my salvation.  It is a reminder that I have a key to the gates of heaven.  Through Jesus Christ's Cross and Resurrection, I am saved and is given inheritance in heaven.  Thank you, for this beautiful symbol, my dear thoughtful friend.  I will call it My Easter Cross because it arrived a few days before Easter 2012.  And it is an empty cross-a resurrection cross.  It is precious.

2.  A Willow Tree figurine of an angel by Susan Lordi.  Her name is "Thinking of You (keeping you close in my thoughts)."  This is so special because it symbolizes what words could not find enough expression.  Look at the way the angel is holding something close to her ear.  She is listening to the ocean sound in a seashell.  Perhaps, seeking to hear the ocean's roar to where I exist and let the distance melt, to keep us closer.  Thanks to the giver for my name is forever engraved in the tablet of her heart.  She constantly think of me-she calls me her divine appointment.  She is an angel to me and to many. The angel now occupies a spot in my heart and on my bedside table.  So that it would greet my mornings and send me off to rest-land at night.

3.  The little book by Joan Walsh Anglund entitled A Friend is Someone Who Likes You, needless to say a friend is someone who loves you.  Thank you, my dear friend, for the token speaks a thousand word.  Seeing your pen on the first page brought the miles and oceans separating us closer even more..... to my very heart.  You are an angel of a friend, whose words are a whole wealth of God's heart poured out to heal the brokenness of your readers.  I know I can find you in each page of the book.... whether as a brook, where in silence I could sit, just dipping my feet upon your coolness...  you could be a boy or a girl or even a cat.




4.  Another cute book by Fynn (short for Sydney Hopkins) and Anna Fynn, a story of friendship entitled, Mr. God, This Is Anna.  A book review says:

THE TOUCHING TRUE STORY THAT WON THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS OF READERS AROUND THE WORLD!

Anna was only four years old when Fynn found her on London's fog-shrouded docks. He took her back to his mother's home, and from that first moment, their times together were filled with delight and discovery. Anna had an astonishing ability to ask--and to answer--life's largest questions. Her total openness and honesty amazed all who knew her. She seemed to understand with uncanny certainty the purpose of being, the essence of feeling, the beauty of love. You see, Anna had a very special friendship with Mister God. . .

I am positive, I will gain wisdom from the simplicity of Anna's existence.  My gratitude to the giver, not only for the token, but for the friendship that bind us together across the miles, to our ends of the globe.

5.  I was wishing for this thin-line series Bible because it would be lighter to carry wherever I go plus it is very pretty and durable.  I got one from my brother who is now home with my Mama, to attend the graduation of our niece.  Of course, I sent him the website, hoping he would find it in his heart to get me one.  And he sure did.  It also came with a 365 days Early Morning Devotionals.  Am I not so blessed?  Yes I am.....and so deliriously joyful.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, my brother.

6.  April 3, 2012 marks the day my Mama turned  81.  We celebrated her birthday in my sister's home with home-cooked dishes.  Come to think of it, it was like Mama's 18th birthday, 81 jumbled around.  Mama is God's gift to us, her children.  They asked me to lead us in prayer over our meal and I gladly did with thanksgiving over her new year ahead plus a blessing of good health and more years to spend with my brother in the US and home-comings each year.  I also asked God to bless my brother abundantly because he has helped my nieces and nephews to college.  Two of them are in London and now helping their own family.  Another is graduating, come April 11, 2012, from Nursing School..... the reason they have come home earlier.

7.  A handed down TV set.  This was given by my sister which replaced my old battered one, which no longer give clear pictures of channels I love.  It sure needs a replacement badly.  She got a new one, therefore it was practical to pass on the old one to her sister.  I was overjoyed with the gift because a clearer viewing of programs over my favorite  channels is now provided.  Thanks a million, sis.

8.  My COF-circle of friends, blogging from across the States and to the Orient Seas, sharing our hearts and our minds over the WEB.  We have started coming together early this year and we connected and bonded to form our COF.  We are centering on God's word, sharing and encouraging each other with our journey.  I am so blessed to know all of the members, gaining a lot of wisdom and insights from their messages and stories, and arts included.

9.  Lastly but not least, Lolita Shticks, a Shticks' stick figure of myself, created by Ms. Veronica Shticks Anderson.  I have earlier blogged on these two images she did for me.  One picture was of my American Autumn dream and another with my Red Umbrella.  She is such a wonderfully gifted lady who has opened her blog site rendering daily-life humor featuring her own family.


I am counting my blessings, naming them one by one.....I shall treasure, and I declare the goodness of God, for all the time God is good!

Easter is a Holiday of Hope

THE WEBSITE

The cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is the universal symbol of faith in Jesus Christ. An odd choice, don't you think? Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope.

Would you wear a tiny electric chair around your neck? Suspend a gold-plated hangman's noose on the wall? Would you print a picture of a firing squad on a business card? Yet we do so with the cross.

Why is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no farther than the cross itself. Its design couldn't be simpler. One beam horizontal--the other vertical. One reaches out--like God's love. The other reaches up--as does God's holiness. One represents the width of His love; the other reflects the height of His holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave His children without lowering His standards.

How could He do this? In a sentence: God put our sin on His Son and punished it there.

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Basically, Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.

Envision the moment. God on His throne. You on the earth. And between you and God, suspended between you and heaven, is Christ on His cross. Your sins have been placed on Jesus. God, who punishes sin, releases His rightful wrath on your mistakes. Jesus receives the blow. Since Christ is between you and God, you don't. The sin is punished, but you are safe--safe in the shadow of the cross.

This is what God did, but why, why would He do it? Moral duty? Heavenly obligation? Paternal requirement? No. God is required to do nothing.

Besides, consider what He did. Just for you He gave His Son. His only Son. Would you do that? Would you offer the life of your child for someone else? I wouldn't. There are those for whom I would give my life. But ask me to make a list of those for whom I would kill my daughter? The sheet will be blank. I don't need a pencil. The list has no names.

But God's list contains the name of every person who ever lived. For this is the scope of His love. And this is the reason for the cross. He loves the world.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

As boldly as the center beam proclaims God's holiness, the crossbeam declares His love. And, oh, how wide His love reaches.

Aren't you glad the verse does not read:

"For God so loved the rich..."?

Or, "For God so loved the famous..."?

Or, "For God so loved the thin..."?

It doesn't. Nor does it state, "For God so loved the Europeans or Africans..." "the sober or successful..." "the young or the old..."

No, when we read John 3:16, we simply (and happily) read, "For God so loved the world."

How wide is God's love? Wide enough for the whole world. Are you included in the world? Then you are included in God's love. God's love is just for you.

It's nice to be included. You aren't always. Universities exclude you if you aren't smart enough. Businesses exclude you if you aren't qualified enough, and, sadly, some churches exclude you if you aren't good enough.

But though they may exclude you, Christ includes you. When asked to describe the width of His love, He stretched one hand to the right and the other to the left and had them nailed in that position so you would know He died loving you.

But isn't there a limit? Surely there has to be an end to this love. You'd think so, wouldn't you? But David the adulterer never found it. Paul the murderer never found it. Peter the liar never found it. When it came to life, they hit bottom. But when it came to God's love, they never did.

They, like you, found their names on God's list of love.

Because God loves you, He has invited you to enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven. Jesus said, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Jesus made a way to accept God's invitation, and He did it just for you. Accept God's invitation by believing that Jesus received the punishment for your sin by His death on the cross. Confess that you've sinned and ask His forgiveness. Invite Him into your life and ask for God's help to turn from your sin. You can pray something like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and I need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died to pay the penalty for my sin. I want to turn from my sin nature and follow You instead. I invite You to come into my heart and life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

   


I just wanted to share this to those who are in search for the truth and the way to salvation.  This was reposted from this website:  Gospel Light Society.  I like the way it is presented and it is directly connected to the cross and Easter.  With my utmost gratitude to the site owner.

Photo Credit

We were created with inherent freedom of choice.  God did not want brainless people who would move by remote control.


He wants us to have a free choice including the purpose of our existence.  Although He would like everyone to follow the right parth that leads to life,  it is still left to us whether to take it or not.


Let us look at the two crucified criminals on either side of  Jesus that day on the first Good Friday.  They both had a choice.  One cursed and condemned Jesus, which led to death.  But the other had chosen to repent and look up on Jesus for a way to Paradise and Jesus instantly gave it to Him.  It led him to forgiveness and life.


Thus, we live on this earth.  There are always choices, a decision to make.  So that we can make the right one, we also need to be filled with the Word, and a life of intimate knowledge of who God is and what one is to Him.


The choice would always be:  will this lead to destruction, or is this the way to forgiveness and life everlasting?


Make easter the best event in your life...... it is a day to remember, Jesus died in our place.  He became sin for us, giving us hope to eternal life.  Without the resurrection of Jesus, then the whole Bible especially the Old Testament which prophesy about the Messiah, will have been in vain.

Salvation is freely given (to all-no limitations at all) so that those who believe will not perish but have eternal life.  But the choice is yours, you need to declare it with your mouth and believe with all your mind.

A blessed Easter Holiday to all!

My thanks to the website owner of gospellightsociety.com for the Gospel I have shared above.

Sometimes I Cry

By:  Jason Crabb

I look the part
blend in with the rest of the church crowd
I know the routine
I could list all the bible studies in town
watch Christian TV
I know all the preachers...their cliches
been born again, without a doubt I know I'm saved

Chorus
But sometimes I hurt and sometimes I cry
sometimes I can't get it right
no matter how hard I seem to try
sometimes I fall down
stumble over my own disguise
I try to look strong
as the whole world looks on
but sometimes alone I cry

I try to speak faith
never give the devil one inch to get in
I do worship and praise
let everybody know just where that I stand
on the back of my ride is a fish and a cross
for the world to see
I know God is good, all of the time
yes there's no doubt for me

Chorus
But sometimes I hurt and sometimes I cry
sometimes I can't get it right
no matter how hard I seem to try
sometimes I fall down
stumble over my own disguise
I try to look strong
as the whole world looks on
but sometimes alone I cry

Bridge
Sometimes I fall down
stumble over my own disguise
I try to look strong as the whole world looks on
but sometimes alone I cry

Tag
I try to look strong as the whole world looks on
but sometimes alone I cry


Another song that Betty hummed to me in response to my post :  Reach Out .  So true for most of us.  Unless, it is to a friend, our countenance may sometimes be controlled and held true feelings are just kept inside.  It is not easy to wear a scowl or frown and all the more sadness while in front of folks in church.

Most young people do this many times, because they keep to themselves so much.  Hurting people may open up or clam off.  We are not perfect, we are human and we could be exposed to so many forces around us.  It is not easy to show real feelings, afraid others would judge us.

I want to laugh at the way Jason Crabb's bridge lines, "Sometimes I fall down, stumble over my own disguise.  I try to look strong as the whole world looks on but sometimes alone I cry."  Falling over his own disguise..... this should lead one to be real, not to hide feelings and to be transparent.  It is bound to surface anyway.

We need to talk it over with someone, specifically to one more mature.  When things go wrong, relationships are failing, or in indecision, one should go to someone to talk to, no need to show a happy face when our clouds look gray.

And when none is within our close vicinity, there is always our forever friend.... Jesus!

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. (Ex 33.11)
 

Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God's intimate friendship blessed my house, (Job 29.4) 

As for me, I'd would like to be in Adam's foot path while walking beside God in the Garden, talking to each other.  It would be more as a friend rather than the mighty God of creation.  Intimate, relaxed and appeasing to my own troubled heart.

How about you?

  





A new link to the video/audio of the song:

http://betty-wiseheartedwomen.blogspot.com/2012/06/sometime-i-cry.html

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