In The Mystery

God has a very mysterious way of working. If you spent an eternity trying figure out why and how He does the things He does, no one could answer nor explain why.
That's just how amazing God is. That no man can understand His ways.

But ultimately, His ways has always been the best ones in the long run. The initial stages may be full of pain, trials, challenges, tears, broken hopes and broken hearts, broken dreams and battered faith.

BUT

If you remain faithful to Him long enough, the light will ultimately break through the darkness to restore and renew your tired soul.

The past few months have been hurting for me. From almost every aspect, life was wearing me out. I was discouraged, disappointed, lost confidence in myself, angry, heart-broken and just wanted to breakaway from everything.

And then my semester break came, I thought maybe I can take a break now. But one month into the so-call holidays, my ass grew tired of sitting around the whole time. And so I thought, I should get a job. I applied and was hoping of securing one internship position.

I went for the interview on Thursday but would not get a reply till a week later. Who knew that my mom's friend would call the next day and was curious of what I'm doing now. Mommy said I was looking for a part time job, 'coincidentally' her friend's friend was looking for a temp. The pay also was way better than an intern's pay.

I called that friend, and one thing led to another, and praise the Lord, the boss called me to come in on Monday - for work!

Amen. Apparently, the person they initially had confirmed FFKed them on that said Friday. Is it not God's divine work here???

The plus side is it's near Sri Petaling, thus transport is not so troublesome.

On another note, I feel God is playing with me a little here. Can it be really coincidental that my work location(s) are somehow in proximity with a particular someone??
Previously as well, and not to mention timing as well??
It's probably nothing but is it???

Not just another love story

Lately I have been overwhelmed with love stories, in particular love stories that stand the test of time. They have really melted my heart and hopefully given me some hope for the future.

Among these love stories where the movie Definitely, Maybe and also Jane Austen's Persuasion. I won't go into too much detail into the stories but basically despite the many years that parted the lovers, they eventually found each other again. Thus, giving hope that if it's really true love, it will stand the test of time.

If it weren't true, then they may have forgotten about that love and moved on completely with no attachment to those feelings they once had.

I really like Persuasion, despite the risk of letting go of the perhaps love-of-your-life, Anne Elliot remained true to that love despite the many years. And my utter most favourite part from the book would when Captain Wentworth professed his love for her, he wrote her a letter and it melted my heart instantly. Also, this quote "He persisted in having loved none but her." He never stopped loving her, despite the hurt he went through when she broke off with him once.

This led me to think of another love story in the bible - Jacob and Rachel. I honestly think this is love at first sight and Jacob really loved Rachel. He was willing to work seven years for her (and another seven when he got cheated).

Can anyone find a man would be willing to work that long or pay that kind of a price for his love???

And also the verses that say "and it seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her." (read Genesis 29) Doesn't this touch one's heart?

It's really just my hope for the future to find the one who will love me that way in which he would be willing to give his life, just as Jesus gave His life for us.

The Bible is...

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of men, the way of salvation,
The doom of sinners and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its history is true.
And its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.
It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It's traveller's map, the pilgrim's staff, and the pilot's compass.
The soldier's sword and the Christian's charter.
Here Paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, of good the design,
And the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully.
It is a mine of wealth, a Paradise of glory and a river of pleasure.

The Bible is given to you in life, will be opened at the judgement,
And will be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labourer, and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(p. 109 - 110, Clean Heart Constant Spirit: Dealing with Inconsistencies and Personal Contradictions, by Susan Tang)

Top 10 Traits Of A Great Christian Girlfriend

Top 10 Traits Of A Great Christian Girlfriend
by Lee Wilson

Number 10 - She's independent
No, I don't mean that she's a radical feminist or an arrogant loudmouth. I mean that she is confident, optimistic and doesn't require you in her world every second to maintain her sanity. She misses you when you aren't with her, but she knows she will survive. She knows that there are some things that are outside of her control and she's not going to pout or worry about them. She enjoys time with her friends and isn't hurt if you want to spend an evening playing X-box with your buds.

Number 9 - She's complimentary of your looks
If you're always telling her how beautiful you think she is and all she can say is "thank you," you're in trouble. A great Christian girlfriend tells you how hot she thinks you look in THAT shirt and might even be overheard telling her friends how handsome she thinks you look. She introduces you to her friends with lines such as, "this handsome fella is my boyfriend," or jokingly says things like "you can't have him, he's mine." You know what I'm talking about, those things that some girls have forgotten make us guys feel good too.

Number 8 - She's attracted to you sexually
That's right, SEXUALLY. Don't panic. What I'm about to say might be a little bit controversial, but I think you'll agree with me if you read all of this one. We're all grown-ups here and I'm not advocating that you have sex before you get married. But if it's easy for her to just sit there and hold your hand, you might want to reconsider. The apostle Paul said it's "better to marry than to burn with passion." That means that if you can't stand it and are having difficulty controlling yourself, you need to marry that person or be done with the relationship. So if you two are an "item" and have been for a while, that natural urge God placed within humans should start to kick in. If she doesn't seem to at least wish the two of you could go further than a passionate kiss, you might need to read the writing on the wall. The last thing you want is a sexually-uninterested wife. It's normal for you and her to have to fight that urge. It's not supposed to be easy. She should want you that way and if she doesn't, MOVE ON.

Number 7 - She's beautiful
Yeah, yeah, I know it's popular to say that inner beauty is all that matters. Well it doesn't. There I said it. She needs to be beautiful in your eyes. If you think she's beautiful and someone else things she's ugly, so what? You win! If you think she's beautiful on the outside and the inside, you've found the perfect combination.

Number 6 - She respects you
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me! She doesn't roll her eyes at you. She doesn't mock you for thinking differently on some issue. She respects your opinion. She doesn't go to daddy to see if you really know what you're talking about. She doesn't tell your secrets to other people. She is able to recognize your strengths and admires you for them.

Number 5 - She lets you be a man (and likes it)
She understands that men and women are different. No, you don't want to go to the antique museum with her and she should know that you probably never will like it a whole lot. She should be able to recognize that when you do go it's because you love her very much and are making a sacrifice. She doesn't want you to "get in touch with your feminine side" and understands that sometimes you really aren't thinking about anything in particular. Lastly, she doesn't deprive you of golfing with the guys (or whatever you like to do with your buds). She doesn't think her shopping trips with the girls are not more mature or sophisticated than your time with the boys.

Number 4 - She doesn't nag
There is nothing worse than a nag! A great girlfriend knows this and chooses her battles wisely. She's knows you two are on the same team and so she doesn't try to be your teacher or mother--she just listens and tries to see your side.

Number 3 - She gets along with your friends & family
A great girlfriend will not only help your mom in the kitchen, listen to your dad's stories, and hang out with your friends, she will enjoy it. She'll make a real effort to get to know and love the most important people in your life. And she won't try to get you to ditch your best buds. She'll sit through your little brother's elementary play and go to your little sister's piano recital. Not only that, but your friends won't roll their eyes and moan when you announce that she'll be joining you guys when she gets off work (yes, women like this do exist).

Number 2 - She loves you
"She likes me for me!" That's a great line from a Blessed Union of Souls' song called, Hey Leonardo. That makes a great Christian girlfriend. She likes you for who you really are and not who you might sometimes pretend to be. She doesn't try to change you. She thinks you look cute in that old baseball hat and she made a decision to learn a few things about football. She treats you well on an everyday basis and doesn't play mind games with you such as playing "hard to get" or insulting you in some strange attempt to flirt with you. No, she loves you in a mature way and takes your feelings and beliefs into consideration at every turn.

Number 1 - She makes you want to be closer to God
No, she doesn't nag you about how you should be singing louder in church or shouldn't take a bite of your steak before saying "grace." In fact, she doesn't have to say anything to make you want to be closer to God. It's the way she treats you. It's that strange feeling of guilt that recently started coming over you for tripping your sister when you were a boy. It's why you want to thank God every time you think of her. Maybe it's love!

Week 12 and I'm near the end

I can’t concentrate. My head hurts. Right now instead of writing my assignment, I can only bear to think of what’s wandering around inside my head.

Yea! It’s week 12 of my semester. I have two more week to go… well its one study week and one test week, and then it’s a wrap! [for the semester that is]

Fortunately it’s almost the end. I was really starting to lose it, urgh! Assignments are on track, my PR journal is still in progress but it’ll be done in time. I just need to sit my butt down and type away, which sadly I’m not doing. God help me!

However, a downside to the end of this semester is that my favorite lecturer has ended his contract and won’t be lecturing next semester *sigh* hopefully, the replacement won’t be a lousy one…

On the emotions side, I’ve been on a roller coaster. I have wanted and hoped and prayed, but I broke my heart. Not that it was rejection but a very long delay or maybe it’s not meant to be. And especially after Sunday’s service, ask for what you want. But that’s just the problem, I thought I knew what I wanted, now I’m not so sure. Maybe the timing isn’t right for now or maybe it wasn’t from the very beginning. I don’t know and I’m not sure now whether I want to know. I feel lost.

I want to hold on, but I want to let go. But I fear that if I let go, I might regret.
I feel like I just have to let it go into God’s hands. But it’s hard.

Well, for something good. That said lecturer approached me this morning and said he’s recommending me and a few others (10 in total) for some sort of a workshop with Al-Jazeera sometime in November. [FYI: Al-Jazeera is a news channel] I was flattered and honored that I was selected and recommended. Praise the Lord!

He was asking about how I felt about journalism, seeing that Al-Jazeera after all is a news channel, well… I’m not into journalism but I’ll take any opportunity that comes by. And it’s sure an experience I won’t get again.

Thank God indeed. This just goes to show that they do realize my work and potential. I feel good.

Oh Lord, You know me

At the moment, I’m feeling a little lost. That is when the semester break comes, I haven’t decided what to do neither am I sure whether I want to do anything...

I’m finding a little solace in this verse though

Psalms 139:1-4
1 O LORD, you have searched me
..........and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
..........you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
..........you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
..........you know it completely, O LORD.

I think everyone can find some comfort on how to face the uncertainties of life because of this...

Psalms 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being;
..........you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
..........your works are wonderful,
..........I know that full well.
15 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,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
..........All the days ordained for me
..........were written in your book
..........before one of them came to be.

Thank you Lord creating me the way I am. I don’t want to change anything about myself and I want to share all that I can give to those around me.

Psalms 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
..........test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
..........and lead me in the way everlasting.

I aspire to be...

...like the woman described in Proverbs 31.

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.

15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.

20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

~~~