This would be my prayer.. a complete prayer.. perhaps can be improved...

This would be my prayer.. a complete prayer.. perhaps can be improved...if I have the time.. ;-)

May you be blessed.

--
Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day,
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are a forgiving and understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to You.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and everyday to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over, and give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray, YOu listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers.
For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes;
that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I pray that these words be received into the heart of every eye that sees it.

AMEN!!!

National Geographic bird ash mother wings protect chicks christmas

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

At the base of a tree, one ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes. Dismayed by the strange sight, the ranger knocked the bird over with a stick.

To his amazement, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, sensing the impending disaster, had carried her chicks to the base of the tree and gathered them under her wings.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. The blaze had descended upon her, scorching her small body, but the mother remained steadfast, willing to die so those under the cover of her wings would live.

God's love is like that. God defined His unconditional and relentless love for us when He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as a baby. And Jesus said, "Yes!" What an amazing gift!

The love of God for you and for me compelled Jesus Christ to willingly exchange a throne for a manger, divinity for humanity and Heaven for Earth. God's love changes everything and everyone it touches. It protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day.

God's love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when the fire of life rains down. It is God's love and the very reason for the season we call Christmas - or it should be. I know many of you are experiencing those "fires" of life this year. No job and no prospect of one.

Someone you love is very ill or maybe you are the one battling to survive each day. A rebellious child has broken your heart. A secret addiction is slowly destroying your life. Your spouse packed his bags and walked out the front door because he no longer wants to be married.

It is hard to celebrate anything in the midst of such darkness.

I have great news for you, friend. You can celebrate Jesus. Do not believe the lies of the enemy when he tells you that your God has forsaken you. God is with you - Emmanuel.

God understands your fear and loneliness. He endured the cross, completely and absolutely alone because He loves you and because no one can take your place in the Father's heart. No matter where this Christmas Eve finds you - you can celebrate Jesus. Let's Pray

Father, I celebrate You and the love You so freely offer. I may not understand some of the things happening in my life right now but I choose to trust You with each one. My faith is small, Lord. Give me Your strength for each step and help me to remember that You are with me. Lord, today I celebrate Your birth. Thank You for the gift of life and love I find in knowing You. My Christmas gift to You is everything I am, everything I have, everything I hope to be.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Source: Girlfriends in God

December 24, 2010 And Jesus Said "Yes" Mary Southerland Today's TruthPsalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."

My first encounter with the royal malaysia police at traffic

My first encounter with the royal malaysia police at traffic ( I didn't know they have the authority to issue summon/compound!)

Today at noon after I left church heading for home, I made a U-turn (which I always do) at a “junction” at the end of a certain road. Unknowingly to me, 3 policemen emerged from the opposite direction, and upon the completion of my U-turn, they signaled me to stop.

Immediately I started grumbling and felt very frustrated, “Why.. don’t you have other things to do?!” Part of me wanted to stay calm, the other part of me wanted to scold them off, while another part of me was questioning, “How much is the summon? Oh no.. this month I’ve donated twice to DBKL traffic summon, and now JPJ?” This part of me wanted to cry.

Anyway, I opened my door and before I could say a word, police officer A scolded me, “Buat apa U-turn di sana?” I tried explaining but before I finished 20% of my sentence he kept interrupting with his harsh “words of wisdom”. That made my heart boil even hotter. “Tunjuk IC dan lesen.”

I passed it all to him. One part of me wanted to look at him in a mean, sinister, angry, boiling-over manner, the other part of me said, “You should smile and apologize, he may just let you off”. I tried smiling, but it was so fake and against my will. I quieted all these “wills” and prayed, “God help me, but may your will be done.”

I couldn’t smile, nor apologize but I refrained from my “cruel look”. So I looked calmly as Police A took my documents and opened up his thick “notebooks” with the arrogant look, and while he’s taking his sweet time copying down certain information (I do not know what), Police B came to me, “Cik, ini saman ya.”

I couldn’t help but to turn my annoyed look at him, “Ini pun mau samankah?”
He replied, “Itu tak boleh buat U-turn, kau buat U-turn buat apa?”
“Sana tak ada sign cakap tak boleh buat U-turn ma.”
“Lu tak ada ambil undang ka? JPJ orang tak de ajar ka?””JPJ orang memang tak ajar. Tak apa. Boleh saya tau saya langgar undang-undang akta apa, seksyen apa?”
He grinned, “Er.. itu mau tanya Police A. Nanti ar.” He walked to Police A.

Then Police C came to me. “Sana tak boleh buat U-turn…”I replied, “Betul saya tak tau, encik, saya betul-betul tak tau… tapi sekarang saya taulah…”

Then police A walked toward my car, with his snobbish look he “copied” down my road tax number, and continued jotting things into his notebook. After a few minutes, Police A walked to me, “OK, cik, kali ini saya bagi amaran. Saya tak saman. Tapi lain kali jangan U-turn sini lagi.”

Immediately, I was relieved, my serious-angry face switched to appreciative smile, “OK ok, terima kasih.”
“Tadi cik tanya ini akta apa seksyen apa ya?I nodded happily, “Ya, ini akta apa?“Sekarang saya beritahu u, ini Akta Undang-undang Lalulintas Tahun 1987.”I replied, “Tapi akta ini banyak seksyen. Seksyen apa?” “Kamu balik rumah baca buku undang-undang you, ada banyak seksyen.”With a curious look I asked, “Tapi mesti ada satu seksyen yang menyebut tak boleh U-turn di tempat macam ni. Saya nak tau apa yang seksyen itu tulis. Kalau tidak saya tak akan tau apa kesilapan saya.”

With a frustrated look he said, “Ok kalau cik mau tau banyak sangat nanti u boleh call saya. Saya explain satu satu bagi you. Tapi kalau ada divider macam ni tak boleh U-turn.” He explained further, “Divider ada 2 jenis, satu yang macam tembok kuning ni, satu lagi macam besi highway. Ini dua divider tak boleh U-turn.”

“Ooo.. boleh boleh, bukan masalah, terima kasih ya. Minta maaf ya, betul betul sorry, sebab saya betul betul tak tau.” I smiled happily. Then I chirped, “Tak ada saman, jadi tak blacklisted juga kan?”

He nodded, and the three of them left.

Yeah.. truly I thank God for rescuing me from these policemen, despite my ill mannerism, God was still merciful. Praise the Lord! ;-)

Ps. After I reached home and do some research, n here’s some findings.

Compound and Summons
Road Transport Act 1987 and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 empowers Road Transport Department Officer, traffic police and other authorities such us local councils to serve summons notices as provided by Section 53 & 115 RTA 1987 and Section 45A VLBA 1987.
Any person who has committed an offence breaching the Act, may be served with a notice to appear before a Magistrate court. The Road Transport Department (RTD) and the Royal Malaysian Police may issue summonses based on both the Road Transport Act 1987 and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board Act.
You can access the following sites to know more about traffic offences:
· Royal Malaysian Police
· Road and Transport Department
· Kejara System (Demerit Points)
· Check and pay traffic summons (www.eservices.com.my)
· Check and pay traffic summons (www.rilek.com.my)
· Check and pay traffic summons (www.myeg.com.my)

Source: http://www.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Relevant%20Topics/Transport%20System/Citizen/CompoundandSummons/Pages/CompoundSummons.aspx

Morning prayer (cute australian blue heeler cattle dog)

This is too good not to share!!! I can't help but to laugh and roll on the floor (literallY!) as I watched this video, again n again n again.. n i'm still laughing!

enjoy this wonderful superb youtube, featuring the cute australian blue heeler cattle dog saying grace (morning prayer). watch it, don't miss it!!

May She Rest in Peace - a suggested prayer

Father,

it seems that anxiety and doubt are constant companions right now. This valley seems so deep and so dark. By faith, I choose to trust You, my Shepherd. I am so tired, Father. Will You please carry me?

I cannot see what is ahead. Will You please guide me?

I am discouraged and ready to quit. Will You please be my strength?

I love You and want to please You with my life.

Empower me to be all You created me to be.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

- Mary Southerland

IL Divo singing Amazing Grace at the Coliseum in Rome

IL Divo singing Amazing Grace at the Coliseum in Rome…..Click on the link below and enjoy the next 4 minutes.

AMAZING GRACE – John Newton

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
‘tis grace that brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me HOMEUSER

The lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we first begun.

A Daddy Who Loves Me

Today's Truth
"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV).

Friend To Friend

One of my favorite retreat topics is from my book, Dreams of a Woman -- God's Plans for Fulfilling Your Dreams. In this book, I talk about five dreams every little girl has: to have a daddy who loves her, to be a bride, to be a mommy, to be beautiful, and to have a best friend.
In talking to women all across the country, I have seen eyes fill with tears when I talk about the dream of having a daddy who loves me, but the tears are not for me. They reveal the longing in their own hearts.

Butterfly Kisses (haaa… this is one of my favourite song! Loved its lyrics!), a song by Bob Carlisle that climbed the charts in 2000, received international recognition in both the Christian and secular music industries. The song was about the tender love between a father and his daughter, starting from her birth to her wedding day. Mr. Carlisle said, "I get a lot of mail from young girls who try to get me to marry their moms. That used to be a real chuckle because it's so cute, but then I realized they didn't want romance for mom. They want the father that is in that song, and that just kills me."

In the Old Testament, God has many names. He is Elohim -- the Creator, El Elyon -- God Most High, El Roi -- the God who sees, El Shaddai -- the All-Sufficient One, Adonai -- the Lord, Jehovah -- the Self-Existent One, Jehovah-Jireh --the Lord Will Provide, Jehovah -- Rapha -- the Lord that heals, Jehovah--Shalom -- the Lord is peace, Jehovah-Raah -- the Lord my Shepherd, and many more. His covenant name with the people of Israel was I AM. J.I. Packer, in his book, Knowing God, said, "He is: and it is because He is what He is that everything else is as it is."

In the New Testament, Jesus introduced a new name for God -- Father. It is the name that Jesus referred to more than any other and the name that He invites us to use to address the Creator of the Universe. Just stop and think about that for a moment. The God of the universe who created the heavens and the earth, who always has been and always will be, who is all knowing, all powerful, and present everywhere at once -- that same God invites you to call Him Daddy!

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said:
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name....' (Matthews 6:6-9 NIV).

Packer went on to say: "For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new and better than the Old, everything that is distinctly Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the fatherhood of God." All other religions demand followers to worship created beings (Mohammad, Buddha), but Jehovah the Creator, the great I AM, invites us to crawl up in His lap, become His child, and call Him Abba, Daddy. He said, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18NIV).
This Father's Day, no matter what your situation may be with your earthly dad, always remember that you have a heavenly Father who loves you dearly and has your name written on the palm of His hand.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for being a father who loves me as His precious child. How amazing to think that the God who created the universe and all it contains, invites me to be His child and call Him Abba, Father. I do not take this invitation lightly, but cherish it with all my heart.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Disappointments?

i

The Cure for Disappointment

by Max Lucado

Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.

When God doesn't do what we want, it's not easy. Never has been. Never will be. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and he will get us through it.

Disappointment is cured by revamped expectations.

I like that story about the fellow who went to the pet store in search of a singing parakeet. Seems he was a bachelor and his house was too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it. The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parakeet had only one leg.

He felt cheated that he'd been sold a one-legged bird, so he called and complained.

"What do you want," the store owner responded, "a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?"

Good question for times of disappointment.

From

Let the Journey Begin:

God's Roadmap for New Beginnings

© (J Countryman 2009) Max Lucado

The world is dark.. but light still exists. Praise God for tat. =)

Everyday in my work place I encounter people of all kinds of bad attitude, snobbish, arrogant, discriminative, rude, cruel, indifferent, demanding, selfish, ruthless, rich yet stingy etc etc etc. Many a times they turn my mood off. I guess seeing these kinds of people more and more I'll be a "cool" answering machine soon.

Despite all these darkness... I'm glad.. I do encounter very very nice people.. People who are genuine, sincere, persistent, hardworking, obedient (obey the vet's advice), caring, courteous, selfless, understanding, and many a times their kind words melt my heart, draw my eyes to tears.

I thank God for sending these angels to remind me that, no matter how dark the world is, there is still light shining thru. Jesus is the light of the world. How can I keep my eyes focused on the darkside?

From now on, I'll brush away the "dark" people, and remember the "light" people. And hence I'll be posting on the "light" people in my blog and forget about the "dark".

PRAISE GOD!!! =)

An impossible God? (continued)

This is a continuation from my previous post.
--

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses’ training school, a message was sent that there was a car tat my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the packaging strings, carefully undoing each knot.

We unfolded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some 40 pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly coloured, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas – that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.

Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the… could it really be? I grasped it eagerly and pulled it out. Yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle!

I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, “If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!”

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked, “Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she’ll know that Jesus really loves her?”

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God’s prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child – five months before – in answer to the believing prayer of a 10-year-old to bring it “that afternoon”.

--
Indeed, “before they call, I will answer!” (Isaiah 65:24). God is in the business of hearing, answering and even exceeding our prayers! We must get out of our rut of “business as usual” to engage in “unusual business” with God.

Pray, with faith, with no doubt.

An impossible God?

I read this, and found the same truth happened to me many a times. Too good not to share with you. here goes... ;-)

This inspiring story came through an email from Arnold Raubenheimer, a retired mission doctor and gynaecologist living in South Africa. This story was told to Arnold by another mission doctor serving in Africa:

One night, I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (there was no electricity to run an incubator), nor any special feeding facilities.

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly, with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle.

She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. “And it was our last hot water bottle!” she exclaimed.

There was no use crying over spilled milk, so is no use crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drug stores down forest pathways.

“All right,” I said. “Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm.”

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could easily die if it got chills. I also told them about the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During the prayer time, one 10-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. “Please, God,” she prayed, “send us a water bottle. It’ll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.”

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, “And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she’ll know that You really love her?”

As often with children’s prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, “Amen?” I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren’t there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at the time, and I had never ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

-to be continued…-

For once... (and i hope for coming days too)...

For once.. Malaysia proves herself that the Law and Constitution still rules. We are still, at least for now.. a democratic nation! I'm happy. Happy.

Court rules Nizar is Perak MB; BN to appeal (Update 10)
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional will appeal the High Court ruling on Monday that declared Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the rightful Perak Mentri Besar, and not Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
The appeal would be filed on Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
In the meantime, he urged the people of Perak to remain calm while "the situation is resolved."
Pakatan Rakyat is however adamant that there is no "situation."
“This is a great day for the rakyat (people) because the Law and the Constitution are the true winners,” Nizar said in a statement.
“It is a historic day for all who love democracy and it will be remembered for years and years to come. Its positive effects for revitalising parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy is tremendous,” he said.
He said that everyone from both sides of the political divide would benefit from this ruling “because an independent judiciary is absolutely essential for the well-being of any country and its people.”
Nizar said that all previous decisions made by the Dr Zambry administration would be subject to review but not invalidated except for the tumultous May 7 sitting.
He also suspended the state legal adviser with immediate effect.
Nizar said that once he arrived in Ipoh, he would meet with his Pakatan exco at 11pm and a press conference could be expected after that.
Earlier, Zambry said he would apply for a stay pending appeal. This was immediately rejected by the court.
The court also ordered Zambry and the six executive councillors he had appointed to vacate their office.
An aide to Dr Zambry told the media that Perak Barisan Nasional will respect the court order and will vacate their offices at the state secretariat building immediately.
He added that Dr Zambry is on his way to Kuala Lumpur from Ipoh. Dr Zambry could not be reached for comment at press time.
Dr Zambry's private secretary Khairul Azwan Harun then asked the media to vacate the office, saying that their presence was "scaring off the staff."
By 5:30pm, several truckloads of Federal Reserve Unit personnel and police had arrived at the state secretariat building in Ipoh.
“Our presence is to maintain law and order,” said Perak CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah.
“We will not allow any illegal assembly or procession by either party,” he said.
Nizar left the KL courtroom saying he would seek an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, to get his consent to dissolve the Assembly and call for fresh state elections.
He would make his request for the audience at a state function at the Istana Kuala Kangsar Tuesday morning.
In his ruling Monday, Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim said that a new mentri besar could not be appointed as the office had not been vacated.
He said a mentri besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence, and upheld the Stephen Kalong Ningkan ruling.
He noted that the Perak State Legislative Assembly had not held a vote of no confidence.
In 1966, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan was ousted when the state governor showed him a letter of no confidence issued by 21 out of 42 legislators and asked Ningkan to resign.
Ningkan refused, saying the letters were not tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the state legislative assembly. He was sacked by the governor but eventually reinstated by the Borneo High Court, which saw the necessity of a formal vote of no confidence.

Camping close to SiN

Wow.. i just visited this website.. and i couldn't help.. but it's too good.. i cant resist linking it here.

Read it, and be blessed. ;-)
http://ihaveplans4u.blogspot.com/2009/04/camping-too-close-to-sin.html

Forgiven Much - gwen smith

Source: Girlfriends in God
Forgiven Much - Gwen Smith

Today's Truth

"Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him." Psalm 32:2

Luke 7 introduces us to a woman who endured her shame publicly. She was guilty of something, though we are never told what. She is simply described as a woman "who had lived a sinful life." Though she is nameless to you and me, the people of her town surely knew her name. The Pharisees knew enough to condemn her with judgmental thoughts.
Her sin was public, not private. Yet, the public disgrace of this broken, sinful woman became the perfect canvas for Jesus Christ to paint a beautiful picture of extravagant grace.

"Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on the." (Luke 7:36-38, NIV).

Imagine what a scandalous moment this must have been. I'm sure the host was wondering how this uninvited woman managed to get into his home. We know his mind was racing, because the next few verses tell us.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."

Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

"Tell me, teacher," he said.

"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:39-48)

Imagine the freedom that flooded her soul when this woman looked up, through tear-filled eyes, into the face of grace for the very first time. Jesus looked beyond her reputation to her regret. Then He forgave her. Not because she had earned forgiveness, but because Jesus loved her.

She was forgiven much, so she loved Him much. Oh, how I can relate to this sinful woman. The love that resides in my heart is so great because the sins I've been forgiven of are so many.

Jesus still loves to extend grace, and I am so thankful. Grace! What none of us deserves, but each of us longs for. Philip Yancey in his book, What's So Amazing about Grace?, wrote:
Grace does not excuse sin, but it treasures the sinner. True grace is shocking, scandalous. It shakes our conventions with its insistence on getting close to sinners and touching them with mercy and hope. It forgives the unfaithful spouse, the racist, the child abuser. It loves today's AIDS-ridden addict as much as the tax collector of Jesus' day.
In his book 3:16, The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado writes, "The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God's treatment is prescribed in John 3:16." You have probably heard this verse since you were a child -- the verse scribbled on cardboard signs and held up at sporting events. The verse that gives hope to each and every one of us: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Why would He lay down His life for you, for me, and for all humanity? In one word: love. Perfect, unconditional, doesn't-matter-who-you-are-or-where-you've-been-or-what-you've-done love. God made a new and living way through the blood shed by Jesus Christ so our wounded hearts could be restored.

LET'S PRAY
Heavenly Father, You are above all and beyond all! You are mighty to save, gracious to forgive, and merciful to forget all that I've done wrong. I praise You for who You are, and thank You for the grace that is at work in my heart and in my life. Help me cast aside everything that keeps me from You today, Lord.

In Jesus' Name, I pray.

Amen.

Our God is a faithful God!

I went to cell at Unc Row's last week - aunty chris shared her life testimony with us. Her message: God is a faithful God, he keeps his promises, and we need to claim the promises from Him. A praying child will be a blessed child! ;-) amen.

Her message was true but it did not grip on my heart for the past few days until today. This evening I received a suprise letter and suddenly her message rang thrice as loud in my ears - GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES...

Immediately the few bible verses came ringing in my mind..

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33.

"How true it is..." I gasped.

I've heard these verses before, and had believed it, and even experienced the truth behind it many times before, but now with the letter, it's like God reemphasizing himself to me, "Don't you remember, I'm still a faithful God.. A Father who hears his child's prayers.. and keeps his promises till the end..."

I am awakened. I remember dear Lord.. I do. And will remember it forever...

Have you heard of Oprah Winfrey lately?

Oprah's busy with her new movement lately, her new cult. Watch the video if you haven't got an idea of what I'm talking about. or.. if you haven't watched her new movement videos.

GREATEST MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM IN THE WORLD

THE GREATEST MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM IN THE WORLD

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them. They had to be fed, and fed is what they did, according to the Quartermaster General in the Army. It was reported that Moses would have had 1500 tons of food each day.

Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each a mile long, would be required! Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long just for one day.

And just think, they were forty years in transit and oh yes, they would have to have water. If only they had enough water to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000.000 gallons each day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring in water!

And then another thing! They had to cross the Red Sea at night. (They did?) Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast to get over in one night.

But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long… Think of it These spaces just for nightly camping.

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him.

Let us take courage, we have the same God. We think our problems are so big.

Remember what God can do!

Reviving dying people - God's intervention

CHICAGO (AP) — When it comes to saving lives, God trumps doctors for many Americans. An eye-opening survey reveals widespread belief that divine intervention can revive dying patients. And, researchers said, doctors "need to be prepared to deal with families who are waiting for a miracle."
More than half of randomly surveyed adults — 57 percent — said God's intervention could save a family member even if physicians declared treatment would be futile. And nearly three-quarters said patients have a right to demand such treatment.

When asked to imagine their own relatives being gravely ill or injured, nearly 20 percent of doctors and other medical workers said God could reverse a hopeless outcome....

...It involved 1,000 U.S. adults randomly selected to answer questions by telephone about their views on end-of-life medical care. They were surveyed in 2005, along with 774 doctors, nurses and other medical workers who responded to mailed questions.

Survey questions mostly dealt with untimely deaths from trauma such as accidents and violence. These deaths are often particularly tough on relatives because they are more unexpected than deaths from lingering illnesses such as cancer, and the patients tend to be younger.

Dr. Lenworth Jacobs, a University of Connecticut surgery professor and trauma chief at Hartford Hospital, was the lead author.

Source: http://www.gospelherald.net/article.htm?id=44303&code=education

Personal comment: God is alpha & omega, the beginning and the last, the Creator of the universe and mankind. Contrary to the popular belief, "Our life is in our own hands" - the truth is, our life IS in God's hands.

Forgiveness Vs. Reconciliation

Forgiveness Vs. Reconciliation

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Romans 12:17.

This is an amazing phrase - simple looking, terribly hard in application to be honest. But I'm trying.. still learning... (forever learning one ler...) hehe.. anyway.. this post is not a platform for me to SIGH... so here goes... the rightful content.

Following a series of Daily Encounters on "Forgiveness," a number of readers wanted to know if forgiving another person meant that we have to forget what has happened; or to love and stay with them if they are abusive; or to trust them?

The answer is no, no, no! Let me explain further.

When we have sinned, we need to be reconciled to God,2 but while reconciliation with others is the ideal, it isn't always possible—and sometimes not to be desired. Some teachers argue that forgiveness isn't possible unless the offending person admits what she/he has done and asks for forgiveness of the one they have hurt. If this were true, many of us would be stuck for life for the fact that many people do not, or will not, admit that they have done anything wrong, let alone apologize for it.

Forgiveness is dependent only on the person who has been hurt.

Reconciliation is... read more here.

The Promises of Problems - 3

The Promises of Problems
by Mary Southerland

Promise of perfection
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. I recently spoke for a women's conference that used the theme of "Problems into Pearls". Strands of pearls were everywhere -- the center of each table, on the podium from which I spoke, draped across tables -- and many of the ladies wore pearls that day. When the worship leader welcomed me, she said, "We have to get you some pearls!" Digging in her purse, she produced the most beautiful pearl necklace and placed it around my neck. As the day went on, I spoke several times, counseled and prayed with numerous women and tried to meet as many women as possible. When everyone had left, the woman came to retrieve her pearl necklace. I was embarrassed. I had worked up quite a sweat with all of that hugging, laughing, talking. She brushed my apology aside and said, "Sweat is good for pearls. It helps them keep their luster."

"We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." Romans 5:3-4

God is at work in and around you. You may not see His hand, hear His voice or even understand His process, but you can rest assured that you can trust His heart.
Remember, every problem points to a promise.

Let's Pray
Father, thank You for each problem that points me to You. Help me to see trials as handles for Your promises and tools for growth in my life. I choose to accept the lessons You want to teach me in the dark times and celebrate their truth in the light. Give me the strength and power to trust You completely.
In Jesus' name, Amen