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Thursday, 25 December 2008

A Beautiful Message from "The Polar Express"

Ah, what a day. It hasn't been a really busy day since we can't really go anywhere. Streets in my neighbourhood are all covered with snow that measure up to as high as my knees. I have been home for the past few days, but it's okay. I like it at home.Anyway, it's Christmas day today and I'm glad I get to stay home with my family. There's nothing better than sharing good laughs over a nice hot cup of hot chocolate... no I was kidding! I didn't drink hot chocolate, but I did eat lots of chocolate. Ahh, holidays! Among those that we did was deciding to watch The Polar Express - a story about a boy who doesn't believe in Santa Claus anymore, so he was chosen to be one of those who will board the Polar Express to North Pole to see Santa Claus in person. Although I don't really believe in Santa, I was up for a great story.

Aside from the really awesome animation that makes you feel like you're on board with them and taking part with their journey and escapades (Oh yeah, it made me remember about that interactive theater in Enchanted Kingdom, RIALTO, although this time I'm enjoying it), there are some very inspiring scenes that really touched my heart.

This is one of them, the part when they had to stop the train because of the caribous blocking the tracks.
Just in case the video wasn't working, but hopefully it is, here's what happened. The girl was put in-charge of operating the levers and other controls because the train engineer and his helper were fixing the light bulb in front of the train. When one of them saw what was ahead, they ordered the kids to stop the train. Thomas (the boy) and the girl (Sorry, I forgot her name) were panicking and they weren't sure as to how the train will be stopped. The girl was supposed to be one knowledgeable of the controls since she was the one left with the operation, but she was just too scared and confused. Thomas was now left with a very scary task - to decide which lever he will pull in order to activate the brakes. The girl pointed to a specific lever and said that she was taught that that should control the brakes, but she was not sure about it. Thomas noticed another lever that "looks" like it could be something that would control the brakes. Ultimately, he had chosen to pull the one that the girl mentioned even though both of them weren't sure, and it didn't look a lot like a "common brake lever".

That made me say "Whoa!" It might be as simple as that but it spoke to me a lot. I can relate it with what my walk with God should be.

IT SAYS: When God has shown me something or has directed me to do something, it doesn't matter if it doesn't seem to make sense. He knows what He is doing and He sees the bigger picture, and it always is the RIGHT THING to do. I may not see right away how it is supposed to be the right thing - especially when it looks so unusual that it may make me ask "What? Are you serious?" - but when He begins to make "the train stop as a result of my pulling the right lever", I will know that I had worked according to his plan.

When I was doing my devotion, it made me think of these verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."

Isaiah 55:8-98
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Sometimes it's just hard to follow especially when we don't know what is out there. What is God going to do with me? Where is God going to take me? And then when He finally reveals the details of the starting point, we might say, "No, no, no, no, no! That's ridiculous, anything but that." Or maybe we'll ask, "Are you sure? 'Coz it just doesn't look right. It doesn't look like a good plan to me." But our idea of what is common, what is right, what is normal, or what is sensible can only take us as far as our eyes can see... as far as our mind can fathom.

Say I'm in a marathon and I'm running behind another person; the finish line is still a few kilometres away. If my eyes are focused in a straight direction, the only thing I would be seeing is his back. I don't really see the finish line. I may not even be aware whether the finish line is close by or is still a few metres away. Then I see another path, a "shortcut" or so I thought. In my mind I want to take that route because it seems like it would bring me to the finish line faster. But then I hear the commentator say that we are approaching the end of the track; thing is, it's hard to believe since I can only hear him. It wouldn't make sense because I couldn't see anything in front of me but this guy's back, yet I can see the other path very clearly. What would've happened if I took the shortcut? What would've happened if I continued on with the race?

Life is full of choices, but blessed are we who has a God who guides. We always have the option to choose what is right - what is in accordance with the plan of Him who paints the entire picture. The only issue is whether we TRUST Him enough to obey even when His command doesn't seem to fit what we think things should be, or when He is leading us to a path that is totally in the opposite direction.

If Thomas didn't pull the correct lever but instead pulled the "seemingly correct" lever, what could've happened? I don't know, but I do know what wouldn't happen - the train wouldn't stop.

Watch this, as a conclusion. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDATLY.

Tuesday, 23 December 2008

Merry Christmas Everyone!

HAVE A GREAT AND WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!! !!!

With 2 days before Christmas REMEMBER:

Jesus is Better than Santa

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh

JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year

JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies

JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited

JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.

You have to stand in line to see Santa

JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap

JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"

JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly

JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO

JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"

JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.

Santa's little helpers make toys

JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but

JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

Santa is a myth

But Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life

While Santa puts gifts under your tree

JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.

We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

We need to put Christ back in Christmas.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas 2008

And may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year.

Your Brethren in Christ,

Fred,Rebecca, Lucas, Danica, and Alissa

----------------------------------
Taken from Tito Fred's email.
Reasons Why I Love Jesus More Than Edward Cullen. :)

I Wish Girls Loved Jesus As Much As They Love Edward Cullen by Beky!! Christmas Contest!!

OH, but I love my JESUS MORE than Edward Cullen. :)

= A normal guy would say: “I love you, baby!”
= Edward Cullen would say: “You are my life now”

= God would say: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” - Jeremiah 31:3b

♥

= Edward Cullen would say: "The Lion fell in love with the Lamb."

= Jesus, the Lion of Judah, became the Lamb of God who was sacrificed so that through His death you may have life.
*2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

♥

= Edward Cullen would sing you a song he wrote for you while playing the piano.

= God will exult over you with loud singing!
*Zephaniah 3:17 (Revised Standard) - “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you with His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

♥

=If you died Edward would kill himself because life without you isn’t worth living.
*"Well, I wasn't going to live without you." He rolled his eyes as if that fact were childishly obvious. "But I wasn't sure how to do it--I knew Emmett and Jasper would never help... so I was thinking maybe i would go to Italy and do something to provoke the Volturi."

=Jesus already died on the cross so that you don't have to receive death for your sins, because He values our souls.
* Isaiah 53:5 - “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

♥

= Edward Cullen would sing until your nightmares went away.
*"Do you want me to sing to you? I'll sing all night if it will keep the bad dreams away."

= God will not just sing away the fear, He will DEFEND you from that fear and even send His angels to your rescue.
*Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
*Psalm 91:11 (NIV) - "For he will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."

♥

=As you left the house Edward Cullen would say: “Come back to me love”
*He smiled my favorite smile."Hurry back to me"
"Always"

=When you wander off, God would exert all efforts to find you.
*Matthew 18:12-14 - "If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?"

♥

=Edward Cullen would make you breakfast everyday.

=Jesus would never make you hungry nor thirsty all day, all night, and forever for He is the Bread of Life and Living Water.
*John 6:35 (NIV) - "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

♥

=Normal Guy would say: “You hair looks like a haystack ….go brush it!
=Edward Cullen would say: "Your hair looks like haystack…but I like it”

= Jesus would say: “You’re a sinner… but you are worth dying for.”
*Romans 5:8 (NIV) – “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

♥

=Edward Cullen truly means everything he says.

= God doesn’t only mean what He says, His Word is stone-pierced and flawless. He has never broken a promise. NEVER.
* Psalm 89:34 - “I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered.”
* Psalm 18:30 – “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.”

♥

=Edward Cullen is very patient… even at times when it’s hard to do so.

=God’s patience is unlimited!
*1 Timothy 1:16 – “But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinner, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

♥

=Edward Cullen sparkles in the sunlight.

=God doesn’t just “sparkle”, He is blazing with light!
*Psalm 76:4 (NIV) – “You are RESPLENDENT with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.”

♥

= Edward Cullen is very intelligent.

= God’s thoughts are BEYOND comprehension.
* Psalm 55:9 (NIV) – “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

♥

=A normal guy buys you flowers and chocolates.
=Edward Cullen buys you a car.

= God gives more than what 1000 normal guys and 100 Edwards can give, combined… every time you ask. :)
*Psalm 2:8 – “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”
*John 15:7 – “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
*Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

♥

=Edward Cullen loved a clumsy, average girl like Bella

=Jesus’ heart goes out to the filthiest, poorest, even most immoral sinners ever to walk on earth.
*1 Timothy 1:16 – “But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
*Matthew 9:12-13 – “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

♥

=While far apart in different places a normal guy would say: “I miss you”
=While far apart in different place Edward Cullen would say: “It’s like you've taken half of myself with you."

=Jesus doesn’t just reciprocate love and emotion, he even aches and longs for people who doesn’t even want to have anything to do with Him.
*Luke 13:34 – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

♥

= Jesus is just the ultimate romantic.
*Romans 8:38 – “For I am convinced that neither DEATH nor LIFE, neither ANGELS nor DEMONS, neither the PRESENT nor the FUTURE, nor ANY POWERS, neither HEIGHT nor DEPTH, nor ANYTHING else in ALL CREATION, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

♥

= Because His love SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE.
*Ephesians 3:18 – “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long, and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

♥

= Because He left His Kingdom to die for me.
*Philippians 2:5-8
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

♥

= Edward Cullen is fictional.

= JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE and He will come again!!!
* John 14:1-3 - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

--- > I don't know about you but I'm speechless. And those are only few verses from the Bible, not even enough to fill up one side of a page. Ahh, pure pure love. :)

"Why settle for the Knight in Shining Armour when you can have the KING of Kings."

♥ Blessy

(I found those "reasons to love Edward Cullen" all over the internet. Oh and btw, I'm not a hater. I think his character has been written quite well. Kudos to Meyer!)
Here in Your presence, heaven and earth become one...

Here in Your presence, heaven and earth become one...

It's amazing how this line speaks a lot. Truly that when His people here on earth begin to join the heavenly worship , heaven and earth become one. There is an overwhelming exploding atmosphere of hearts being molded as one - one purpose, one mind, one will, one voice. God's purpose for creating His most valued creation comes to its full glory.

The heavens worship Him, the trees worship Him, the mountains worship Him, the animals and all other creation above, on, and below the ground worship Him... but when His people begin to lift up their hands and voices in adoration, the very purpose is fulfilled. For that moment in time, there is a revelation of what will be happening when heaven and earth become one at the end of time. Isn't God's plan truly amazing?

Expect more, desire more, WORSHIP HIS MAJESTY! 'Coz you can't help but do that... :)

Amazing He is!
W for Winter? No, W for Worship.

Usual day - I woke up late though, and yes I missed my Biology class (again). But then I need to go to school because I have a quiz to write for Biology tutorial. So I was on the train, staring outside as always, enjoying my favorite view (between Edmonds and 22nd Street), slightly smiling and sighing whenever I feel something good inside, when I thought of something that I have never thought of before.

If I recall correctly, I was listening to Parachute Band's "All the Earth" on my iPod at that time. ...hear the trees, joyful cry, praising You... . At that moment, when I looked at the trees one by one, I have seen something different. I said to myself, wow, look at the branches of those trees. They look like they are raising their little arms to praise their Creator. The sight of towering pine trees against the vastness of the sky never looked so majestic. ...hear the trees, joyful cry, praising You... . And I'm seeing it. It's amazing. They speak silently yet they worship with zeal, something that I have never seen before. What amazed me more is the sight of those smaller trees, and even those little bermuda grass sprouts. All day, all night, "hands and arms" raised up high! I can't even keep my hands raised for 30 minutes straight!

But the best thing I have seen all day is this. Yes, I did see the pine trees. Yes I did see those trees that still have their leaves on. Oh and yes, they look wonderful. But what about those that entirely lost their leaves earlier this fall season? I wonder what their story is. Winter is coming up... it's all part of the cycle... Yeah I know that. But when I clicked my brain's camera and developed the picture in my head, it's different.

Some would think it is a gloomy and sad picture. I thought of the same, but God made me see it differently. Yes it is nice to see these trees with all their splendor; it's great to enjoy looking at the different colors of the leaves during fall. But once those leaves are all gone and what is left to see are those dark, spooky-looking branches, do they still tell of a glorious message?

YES! I have realized that even though those leaves that bring splendor to their stature give glory to the Creator of all things, and when these trees lift their branches in worship, they tell of the beauty of the Lord, taking them all off brings greater focus on God. We see them for what they are and what they do, we clearly see their devotion in worship. Now, without those leaves, we clearly see their branches - their arms and hands - lifted up high in worship of the Great "I Am". They may be naked, but in their nakedness, their highest praise shows. Did they curse God for stripping them off their layer of "clothing"? They have been taking good care of their precious leaves during the rest of the other seasons and now they are being commanded to take them off? Ouch. But did they mutter complaints and annoyance? No, they kept their "hands" up high! ...we'll praise you in the spring, in the summer, in the fall, and in the winter Lord. We'll praise You all day, all night.

What an amazing way to illustrate how we Christians should be! When everything is stripped away, all that should be seen from us is our extravagant worship, because that's what we are created for. What are these extra things in life? They are like the wind that comes and goes. They aren't ours, even our lives aren't ours! We are but stewards of God's treasures. In the end, it's not going to be a matter of how much we give out of our abundance, but how much we give out of our nothingness.

Praise be to God forever and ever.

CREATED TO PRAISE. BORN TO WORSHIP THE ROCK OF SALVATION. ♥