Unconditional - Then and Now

Some years ago, at our first connect group meeting, we were given paper plates. One one side, we were asked to one thing we were before we knew Jesus. It was easy for me to write. I always felt this way as a child, and well into my teenage and young adult years.....

I had always felt that others were preferred instead of me. The sense of rejection was high and stayed with me even when I accomplished many things, and had much praise. When others were promoted, I took it personally that I wasnt. When others were blessed, I found it hard to rejoice for them. This lie of the enemy, that I was of little worth, that I was never good enoughm influenced many of my relationships and affected many of the things I did. My identity in Christ was stolen... 

That is, until the truth of what Christ has done for me, and how much He loves me began to dawn in me. My Hubby, with his patient and unconditional love, epitomised God's agape love for me. Who else would die for me even when I was so very unworthy? Thankfulness continues to flow as this truth sets me free....  

Indeed, that night, at the group meeting, when asked to write on the reverse of the plate what Jesus had done for me, I could thankfully and truthfully scribe this!

What joy when I wrote those two words down! I felt another level of freedom as I pressed the crayon down harder. Such love! Such liberty!

Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

And that truth applies till today. Praise God! 

Comforting Forgiveness

‪These words from C S Lewis are strangely comforting 

"I think if God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves. 

Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves 

as a higher tribunal than Him"‬

Being Diligent

It's been a while.

It's even on the header of this blog.

"BE DILIGENT TO PRESENT YOURSELF APPROVED TO GOD, A WORKER WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH." 2 TIM 2:15.

But I haven't been doing it so well. Forgive me Lord....

Be diligent. Effort is required. Exertion is implied.

Be diligent. Involves earnest endeavour.

Make effort, exert earnest endeavour to study, and to do so with haste. Don't waste time.

It's not being laid back. It's not being apathetic. It doesn't mean just waiting for something to happen.

Not at all.

It means to be forward, to be pro-active, to be intentional.

It means that words aren't enough. Actions need to back the words.

It means being diligent.

Being Quiet

It is good to be quiet once in a while. Away from all the work, the rushing about, the fast pace.

Sometimes I wonder whether the invention of gadgets is a good thing. I think we were more organized when we didn't have smartphones and tablets with which we could access, amend, act, edit, instruct, etc so easily!

Anyway, so I decide to be quiet. And it is good. Whilst everyone is out galavanting, I am sitting in a room quietly musing (ie now!)

Appreciation

It's always nice when people say thanks. Not that we do things because we want to be thanked. It's just nice to be thanked and appreciated for the effort. When someone takes the time to drop a line of thanks and not merely express it, well, it's even nicer. Like this note.

 The writer didn't stop there. Talk about high-touch people. This is one. She and her husband went one step further and gave a gift. Chocolates.

Duly shared with some of those concerned. Nice! It's good to go the extra mile to say thanks. The recipients feel the thanks more.

Antidote to Tension

Someone sent me a poem about "Solution for Tension" but the English was pretty awful. So I edited it.

But that means I can't be sure if the person this was credited to was really the writer. I doubt it because of the standard of English presented. So I am going to remove the name at the end and be honest - I didn't write this - merely edited it!

The moment you are in tension
You lose your attention
Then in total confusion
You will feel irritation
And spoil personal relation
Ultimately you won't get cooperation
And things get full of complication
Your blood pressure might raise caution
And you might have to take medication!

so, instead,

Understand the situation
And try to think of the solution
Many problems can be solved by discussion
And works out better in your profession
Don't take it as my free suggestion
It's really for your prevention
And when you understand my intention
You will never come again to tension

The Tree by the Lake

This is a tree we saw in Korea when we visited one the famous buildings there. It was right next to a lake that was frozen over.
I could not help but be reminded of the Bible verse about being planted by the river.

Jeremiah 17:8 (New King James Version)

⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

True Humility

True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself without illusion or pretense to be something he is not. He regards himself neither smaller nor larger than he truly is. A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a facade in order to look good to others who do not know who really is.

I dont know who wrote this, but it's good fodder for the soul

Word Filled Wednesday

Found this site. It's cool. I like it. And I am not too late to join if I lived in another time zone! Hahaha!
Got these goodies from Mothers Day. I am not exactly weak, but felt rather overwhelmed by the display of love through these gifts from people who are not exactly well off... They saved their coins all year round - from one Mother's Day to the next....

Did It Again

Do not wait with bated breath anymore.

They rescinded it.

And so the saga continues.....