"Money made"

I don't think there's such a word... but like to coin it every now and then to imply something that isn't "personally hand made"- i.e. its something that can be hand-made like a cake, card, or artwork, but it's actually purchased.

Food for thought: which is more precious? Is something worth "less" if it was purchased as opposed to hnad-made?

For myself, I used to think that what was hand-made was more special- it carried a personal touch for which there can be no other, except imitations or replicas. Of course as I grew older, other considerations on this "hand-made" concept came in- does something hand-made for you lose its uniqueness if the same thing was made to others? Is it wrong that the giver loves others as much as the giver loves you, and thus gives the same gift to them?

~~

There are some things that are do-able but you just can't do, but money can. I enjoy baking but I doubt I'd be able to bake a cake as good as the ones in bakeries and so I'd rather drive out and spend that money.

There are things that you can afford but carries meaning only if someone else buys it for you- like an accessory or a box of chocolates!

Money can't buy happiness, but within the right contexts, it can buy something special that brings the receiver happiness. Not that the gif itself makes the receiver happy, but the intrinsic values embedded within the gift does- like... a ring.

~~

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them."
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."
"I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
"My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth."

"Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel."
"You were bought at a price."

~~

Made and paid for,
Mi.

Gracious in every way

Once again, God had not failed to show me that He is there, watching over me, every step of the way. He's been so gracious and I am nothing but grateful for His everlasting love for me. I wish so bad that I can say thank you enough to make up for what He has done. Tonight is one of those nights when I sit and reminisce and be overwhelmed by His greatness and goodness in my life.

Today He led me to see the kingdom that He's started right here in the office!! He opened my eyes to something I would have never expected to see. I'm just so very happy with everything right now. Studying and working is indeed a huge challenge but He makes it easy when He makes me stronger and when He grants me the strength only He can give. Everything I see at work each day is like being in a new place and being mesmerized by everything around me.

I hope in time to come the joy will not fade but will be more apparent and over-flowing to all who see. Looking back, He's been gracious in every way. From the day He saved me, through all the trials and testings, for all the blessings and in every event. It was all very special in its own way. He's been nothing but gracious. Thanks Daddy! More than I can say it.

Love Always,
Me

Since when?

Since when did Christianity became about everyone else but you and God?

Since when did it became about what people see us to be but about how God sees us?

Since when did it become what we should do as Christians instead of just being?

Since when it became being perfect in the eyes of the world but not being who we really are? Who God made us to really be?

Well, maybe we ought to ask those questions from time to time. Has Christianity become about the church instead of really just about God? Many a times we want to do it right so we can be a testimony for God. So why not just do it because it's a part of us and who we are. Maybe we should stop trying to do the right thing but really just be Christians.

I was in the car on the way home with my dad. He was just saying this... "Why do people carry the badge of Christ but really praise the church more than Christ?" (Note: My dad is not Christian) I guess the answer is this... we lose sight of what's important. So many times we've made it to be something else than it being just all about God.

All I'm trying to say, we don't have to try. We just need to be. We do it not for fame or recognition. Really, we do for something greater, God! Not to tell the whole world but just to glorify Him.

Let's be!

Love always,
Me

Providence

Matthew 27:57-66

Providence is a word that's not found in the Bible but rather is implicit or explicit on every page (like Trinity). It refers to God's independent superintendency of the universe through the operation of normal and natural processes and happenings. In other words, through God's sovereign providence, He is able to take the virtually infinite number of events and circumstances, as well as innumerable personal attitudes, ambitions, and abilities that exist in the natural and demonic worlds (yes, Christians believe that there exists a demonic world, not just the existence of evil) and cause them to work together in meticulous perfection to perfectly fulfill His divine will.

Unlike miracles (another mean by which God executes His will) in which God "simply" replaces the natural events and circumstances with His own making that's usually within a short period of time and instantaneous; providence involves the infinitely more complex task of taking natural events and circumstances, as well as the limited but real freedoms of human and demonic minds and wills and, often over vast periods of time, superintending all of those elements in flawless fulfillment of His foreordained plan. Multiple myriads of individual and seemingly random plans, choices, actions and events continually work together in a divinely synchronized strategy to perform God's predestined plan.

The MacArthur NT Commentary
(personal notes included)

God's providence can be seen in that short passage Matthew had written in that all those individual people who did what they did- with good or evil intentions, came to fulfill the prophecies of Jesus as stated in the Old Testament.

I came upon this passage just as life was "picking up" again after a series of events and reading the above extracts, I knew I had to share this... for His glory...

I had just sent my application to D Co. (I'm calling it D Co. as it was THE company that I had set my heart and hopes to work in) and despite my confidence and convictions up till that moment in time, something came up- there was a stirring in my heart that seemed to tell me that though I had that peace, the qualifications... just before I sent the application in- I'm actually not going to get the job.

I was devastated. Broken. I cried out to God and shared with Me the fears in my heart and though I wish this was the turning point of my story, it wasn't. The call came, followed by the e-mail. I was rejected (though those were not the actual words).

Little rays of hope came in to try out for D Co. again so I took it, though this time around, I knew was only trying because I still couldn't let go of it- God had something better in store but at that point in time, I wasn't greedy, I would gladly settle for D Co.

But throughout that time, something that Me said to Mi rang in the back-burner of my mind... It went along the lines of "Going out into the working world is such an important step in your life. Do you think Daddy will just let you go into it like that? If He had allowed so many things in your life while you were in college, He will definitely make "a big deal" out of this as well to glorify Himself through you."

"Y Co.?" (Y because I was wondering "Why this co.?") I didn't want to try. It seemed a little silly to do so: Their website said they did not have open positions, a reliable source working inside personally enquired of their Human Resource Department and was told that they were indeed not hiring (in the department I was trying out for), and Y Co. has been known to me as being strict about fresh graduates in the department that I wanted to apply to.

At that point in time, where I stood, with my heart still clinging on to D Co., I could not see it. I could not recognize the great "Wow, it MUST be God if you got into Y Co. then" if I did get in. So how come I applied for it anyway? I did it purely out of obedience to my parents.

The call to attend an interview came and I rushed back to Malaysia. I shall not enter into the exact details of the interview and assessment, but it was good though it was very tough- My assessment included 2 additional essays that were technical Qs (Note: Candidates are usually required to write only 1 personal essay according to the topics available to choose from, so I did that and 2 more) and my interviewer asked me a lot of scenario based and open ended questions that left me convinced I was not going to get the job because I didn't have experience. The fact that it ended with a note that I needed to go through a second interview with the partner himself sealed my disappointments.

Oh, how I was wrong. The interview with the partner came through! Turns out they were actually impressed and pleased with my assessment and first interview- which is still beyond my comprehension even to date, and thus, I was offered the job.

In retrospect, I see now that if I did get into D Co., although it would still be by God's grace, most likely, I would've turned proud. The rejection had to happen that I may be humbled and abandoned to God so He could glorify Himself and I would be reminded to depend on Him in everything.

Clearly, our God works in all things for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

God's divine providence is just... amazing.


Lost in wonder,
Mi.

Please pray

Dear reader,

Here's a cry for your most earnest prayers. Much has happened in our country lately and we've been the talk of the world. Imagine what the world thinks when we ourselves think the same. Many bloggers have written angry and sad posts regarding this sensitive but yet very serious matter. It has been very difficult to witness such acts in ones that we entrust our nation's future upon. So many have been hurt and outright betrayed in rtheir faces.

This post is not meant to be one that is sad, angry nor it is meant to be a hurtful post. It is one to bring hope to this country. A plea for prayer for this country. The end times are here. We've been praying for revival, and now there is. But it also means persecution comes with it. So please be strong, don't stop praying for this nation. Pray for His hand to move. This event is to show how much we need Him and how we should never turn away and disobey Him. He is an amazing God, One that is worthy for our worship and praise.

Visions have come upon churches that pockets of light are appearing and in these lights are the ones who are praying. Prayer brings hope for our Father in heaven hears every prayer, every cry. Let us cry to Him to have His will be done. The darkest moment of the day is just before dawn comes. Press on dear all, and please pray. That's the least we can do but the BEST thing we can do.

Thank you for your prayers. Your rewards are in Heaven. May you be blessed abundantly.

Love always,
Me

More than meets the eye

Its was the first week of the brand new chapter of the story of my life. And like always, it started with an amazing testimony for dear Daddy! He was indeed forevermore absolutely awesome like how he's always been in my life.

I just started work. Well, its only been orientation but God has been so wonderful as to reveal the room whose door He had just opened for me. It was really great to see that my long wait was so rewarding in the end. I think many people will say that I'm pretty nuts to say that I'm very eager to start work and especially to meet my new colleagues, get to know them and work hand in hand with them. They seemed like an interesting bunch. The plan was not to come here, but after applying, I became so convicted that made the wait all worth it.

I'm starting to see how I can serve Daddy right here where I worth by just being who I am. I hope to be a testimony for Him here and He'd use me to touch the lives of the ones around me. I was very wrong about this place where I work. I would have never expected to have experienced all of this, at least not here. But I was so wrong. The funny thing is, I'm glad I was. It was indeed more than meets the eye.

A shout out to Daddy!!

THANKS DADDY! FOR ALWAYS BEING SO WONDERFULLY AWESOME! I APPRECIATE THIS MORE THAN I CAN SAY IT REALLY!!

So right now, it'll be harder, it will be tiring, it's gonna take many sacrifices, late nights and maybe some discouraged hearts but I will have faith! I will trust God to give me the strength, the peace, the conviction and most of all the joy in this busy busy and hectic part of my life. But for Daddy, I'm willing and I'm excited to see what more surprises He has installed for me.

Thanks for all my lovely brothers and sisters that has always stood by me and encouraged me and kept me in constant prayer. (I still need it very much by the way... winks... thankies!!) Your love for me, I can't thank you enough and I pray that God will indeed bless you and reward you in return. Someone told me, if she were to write a character like me in a book, she'd write of many trials and testings but loads more joy and blessing given from above. I can't wait to see what happens. I'm overwhelmed by God's presence in my life. I hope I'll always be. I hope this post can bring you (dear reader) hope and be amazed by Him if you only trust that He is there.

I hope to bring you more updates in due time. Till then, take care!!

Love always,
Me

Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots

We read about them in the Bible or Christian books but who exactly are they and how do they differ?

Well, most simply, they are the 4 main groups within the religion of Judaism. In brief...

Pharisees
The Phatisees believed happiness was found in tradition or legalism. They were hot on the past. To them, real happiness came through obeying the traditions of the fathers.

Sadducees
The Sadducees believed happiness was found in the present, in modernism and liberalism. "We're here," they would say;"We've got to interpret things according to modern standards." Theirs was an updated religion, a brand new liberalism. Chuck the old stuff.

(In a sense, both the Pharisees and Sadducees had a little bit of the truth. True religion has to be based on the past. And true religion has to work in the present.)

Essenes
The Essenes said, "No, happiness is in seperation from the world." Oooh, that sounds good, doesn't it? Only they were stressing geographical seperation. They just moved out of town, into the wilderness.

Zealots
Finally, the Zealots said, "Happiness is found in political revolution, in knocking off Rome.

So..
The Pharisees were saying Go Back.
The Sadducees were saying Go Ahead.
The Essenes were saying Go Out; and
The Zealots were saying Go Against.

Pharisees were Nostalgia buffs.
Sadducees were Modernists.
Essenes were Isolationists.
Zealots were Social Activists.

What a mess!

In fact, it sounds just like today!

Extracted from: The Beattitudes,
The Only Way to Happiness,
John MacArthur.

Hahaha~ Hope you found that helpful, dear reader =)




This is Mi, signing off.