When God writes your love story

Hi everyone, my name is Joey and I am a prayer manager at the prayer center. I will love to share my love story to you all today :)

Last Wednesday, the last day of 3 years together with my boyfriend, Alvin, he got down on one knee, under the Brooklyn Bridge, overlook the beautiful sunset of NYC, and he asked me the most beautiful question of all time, "Will you marry me?"

I was in tears, couldn't even say a word, just nodding my head, lol! There were so many things running through my head at that time, all I can think of is, Jesus, You are good, all the time.

To be frank, I went through a lot of broken hearts before I met Alvin. I would spent time feeling sad about my loneliness, cried myself to sleep over boys who do not love me back. Sometime I feel like he was the right person but it was just at the wrong time. I did not understand why God will allow me to be so lonely and broken, yet He promised that He has the best plan for me. However, I did not know that all the while, Jesus wanted me to know that right thing in the wrong time is still a wrong thing.

There's one night when I was crying and praying in the balcony of my dorm in the heart of the city of Malaysia, God gave me a peace to trust in Him. I committed myself to Him, let go completely the pen of my love story to allow Jesus to write one for me. I still remember doubting Him that He will take away my feelings toward a particular someone at that time completely but I promised to keep on trusting.

I committed myself in doing morning devotion early in the morning at the balcony, praying while the sun was rising. I volunteered to help out a missionary from the states who were serving in Malaysia at that time. My heart was occupied by Jesus every day. I was very busy but I was full of joy. I found love and joy that I will never find in an earthly relationship. Little did I realized, I had completely let go of thinking about boy friends or liking someone who will not like me back.

I heard of people saying, "when you stop thinking about dating, that guy will appear". I guess, love is waiting till you are ready, till is right. And I met Alvin. I did not have any feelings towards him at first, we were just friends. I love being with him. He never lead me on emotionally, instead he protected me like how a brother of Christ should protect their sisters in Christ. We are both crazy about Jesus and as times passed by, I started to have strong feeling towards him.

However, the feelings I have is different. There is no scary moment or sadness, it was just pure joy and peace. Even though we knew at that time that we like each other, we decided to wait and pray since he would be going to school in New York while I was in Virginia. Jesus makes things beautiful in its time. This is true! Despite of long distance, my feelings towards Alvin grow stronger each day and finally he asked me to be his girl friend after talking to my parents. As an engineer who loves logic, Alvin is not boring at all. He is so romantic and he makes me fall in love more and more each day. Most importantly, with his leadership in the relationship, we fall in love more and more to our first love, Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for all the blessings from my beloved families and friends. And I am amazed and beyond grateful to my sweet Jesus.

I love this quote from Brooke Fraser, my favorite singer:

I could write a million songs about the way you say my name
I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again
and like I can't force the sun to rise or hasten summer's start,
neither should I rush my way into your heart

I am glad that I waited for the Lord, and when God writes your love story, He will blow your mind away ;)

Love,

Joey

"Showing Appreciation for the Gift of Jesus!"

How easy it is to forget what our Lord Jesus has done for us! When a person does something kind and loving for another, the hope is that it will be appreciated. We appreciate people who display an attitude of gratitude in response to an act of kindness. This response naturally surfaces when a person pauses to reflect on what has been done for them through the selfless generosity of another. How much greater should be our wonder and appreciation at the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. As the holy Son of God Almighty, knowing no sin, yet becoming sin for you and I, so that we might become right with the Father, Jesus came as a selfless, helpless baby! Personally I am grieved to think of the times I flippantly say: "Yes, Jesus loves me", but fail to ponder and truly understand just how deep that love goes. Is it possible I become numb to the depth of His love, has my heart become calloused?  Have I become so self-centered that all I think about is what satisfies me?  "I’m sorry Lord, please forgive me!"

An everyday opportunity to show Jesus my appreciation for His loving actions is through my decisions. I must ask myself: Do I truly believe that there are consequences to ALL of my actions?  Everything I do, say or think does impact my life in some way, either positively or negatively.  If I believe the lie that states, “it’s not hurting anyone” or “it’s only hurting me, so what does it matter?”, then I am sadly mistaken. Everything I do brings about a cause and effect; therefore I want the results of my actions to be beneficial, uplifting, and transforming.  I want to model my life after Jesus Christ, who has impacted the world through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. The effect left on the world has been beneficial, uplifting, and transforming! "Lord, please help me to remember that my everyday choices will have consequences." I must pause and consider what I want the results to be before I choose my actions. Our daily choices could range from small ones which do not need a second thought, all the way to crucial decisions we have considered for weeks that could determine a drastic change of course for the path we are traveling! None-the-less, we are wise to remember that ALL of our choices have consequences!

Would you like to say "Thank You!" to Jesus in a different way this year? Terrific! Pause and give consideration to the potential impact of your thoughts, words or actions...before you turn them loose! Develop the selfless attitude that Jesus modeled for us. Think of others first! Merry Christmas! May this be your year of intentional decision-making.

guest writer: Kathy Voogd

"Who Gets the Thanks?"

Have you ever realized a habit or tradition you practice regularly but have no idea why or what it's purpose is? You have heard of the husband who asked his wife why she cuts the holiday ham before she cooks it. Her answer was, "My mom always cut it". One day out of curiosity he asked his mother-in-law why she cut the holiday ham before cooking it. She answered "My mother always cut it." Now he had to know why this family always cut the holiday ham in half before cooking it. One holiday they were all at grandma's house so he asked her: "Grandma, why do you cut the ham in half before you cook it?" She answered, "That's simple, I never had a pan large enough to cook a whole ham!"

How often do we stop to consider why we hold to the traditions we do? I think this is an excellent time of the year to consider the purpose of holidays, most specifically Thanksgiving! I have always been amazed at the many people who celebrate Thanksgiving, yet have no appreciation for God or what He offers us through His Son Jesus. They believe they are self-made and have no appreciation for the blessings God has given to them. If one does not believe there is a God who sovereignly rules and is the source of all blessings, then there must be another answer. Here is an answer I found online: "The Pilgrims had the first Thanksgiving, because they wanted to give thanks to Squanto and the Native Americans for teaching them how to do things and live life in different ways, not just the ways the Pilgrims used to live like. Without the Native American's, they probably would have died. Today, at Thanksgiving time, we express gratitude for the good things, people, and events in our lives and the greater world around us." So basically some believe we are simply thankful to each other for what we have. We fail to mention that the Pilgrim's gave thanks to God Almighty.

President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation was pretty clear: "...To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. ...They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God...I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens..." 10/3/1863

Maybe you can help someone better understand the history of Thanksgiving Day in America by pointing them to the goodness of our Lord. We are so blessed and enjoy the many gifts that have come from His hand even though we do not deserve any of it. Let's help each other keep a proper perspective this year as we remember to give thanks to our Creator God! Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!!


"Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation." Psalm 100:3-5

Where to Hide

Have you ever have too much on your plate and you just need a break, and hide somewhere else from the craziness?

Have you ever feel like you are all alone, no one to talk to, not loved by anyone and you just want to hide and disappear?

Have you ever feel like the sins you committed are too big too many and no one can save you from them. And all you can think of is to hide....

Somewhere far away, somewhere where there no body can see you....

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence? 
 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 
 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea, 
 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast. 
 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,” 
 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

 (Psalm 139: 7-12)

I tried a million times to hide from the world, and God to be frank.

But even if I try my best, I can never hide from the grace of God. Our God loves us so much that He reached down from Heaven to serve us, touch our hearts and to be a living sacrifice for us.

Yes, Jesus died for your sins, and yes, Jesus is able to save you from your sins.

No, you can never hide from the grace of God, and no, even darkness cannot hide you from the light of Christ.

I am thankful that our God never give up on us. I am glad that if I need to hide from the world, I can hide in His faithfulness and merciful grace and peace. I hope you feel the same way today!

Praying,
Joey Prayer Manager

Love Others

I am interested to know if anyone else questions whether "American Cheese" should be called cheese! My children know that I call it "fake cheese!" In my opinion cheese ought to have some substance and real flavor to it like Cheddar or Colby Jack (add your own favorite here). When you bite into a sandwich piled high with your favorite deli meat, wrapped in your favorite bread, don't you desire to have a slab of cheese in the mix that stands out and can be noticed? Are you with me on this? For me, fake cheese doesn't qualify! One definition of imitation I found is: "a thing intended to simulate or copy something else: an imitation diamond."

Today we were all challenged by Pastor Jonathon Falwell to consider how well we as Christians are loving other Christ-followers. We are the leaders of today and we have been called by our gracious Lord to humbly think of others first. Romans 12:9 teaches us that our love must be sincere, as opposed to imitation love. Does that imply that we may demonstrate love that is fake at times? We all wrestle with self-centered tendencies and must be vigilant about checking our pride as we reach out and practice serving others. I realize that it is not easy to love each of the Christians we know, or to be patient with fellow believers as they try us in so many ways, or allow others to take the credit, or give to others freely, or share in their joys and sorrows, or live in harmony, above criticism and at peace with brothers and sisters...(you get the idea). There is no doubt that this will take intentional effort. But I am convinced that none of us want to be seen as fake followers of Jesus! It is lunch time and I am hungry...I sure hope my sandwich has some real cheese on it today :)

p.s. Take note of verse 12 below. We should "steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer" 
It just so happens that we have an excellent place for you to come and develop or maintain your habit of prayer! Dorm 13 lower level "Prayer Center"

Romans 12: 9-21 (PHILLIPS translation) 
9 Let us have no imitation Christian love. Let us have a genuine break with evil and a real devotion to good.
10 Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit.
11 Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning, as we do our work for God.
12 Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.
13 Give freely to fellow-Christians in want, never grudging a meal or a bed to those who need them.
14 And as for those who try to make your life a misery, bless them. Don’t curse, bless.
15 Share the happiness of those who are happy, the sorrow of those who are sad.
16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions.
17 Don’t pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. Don’t say “it doesn’t matter what people think”, but see that your public behavior is above criticism.
18 As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone.
19 Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine. I will repay’.
20-21 ... these are God’s words: ‘Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head’. Don’t allow yourself to be overpowered with evil. Take the offensive—overpower evil by good!

Grace Allergies

Scotty Smith in Everyday Prayers, writes "A Prayer about Grace Allergies," "...would have given you living water." John 4:10

".....why we choose broken cisterns, dumb idols, and self help over your love is sheer madness. Grace is for sinners not pretenders, posers, and performers. You mean to heal us not harm us; embrace us, not embarass us; succor us with compassion, not shame us with contempt.

So, Jesus, once again I bring real thirst to you today. I bring my allergic reactions to the gospel. I bring that part of me that would rather help others discover your grace than partake of it myself."