NYE '09

I'm going to ring in the New Year with the Newsboys at Knott's tonight.  It's too bad that there isn't a full Praise night like in past years; but, hopefully, it'll still be good.

I had to work all day; but, fortunately, with the holidays, it's been a quiet week.  And last night, I was able to do my Bible Study prep also.   However, I was also made aware of how truly important it is to be Holy, as He is Holy; to keep our minds on things of above, to pursue purity and holiness.   In James 1, he encourages believers to ask for wisdom to be able to act rightly in the midst of trials.  May I walk in His Ways; and may He keep my feet from stumbling.   In this New Year, may I start anew, and live victoriously.  Amen!

Taking Peeks at 2010

I know it's coming; but, somehow, I'm not ready to tackle it just yet.   I keep taking a peek at it, since Christmas is over, and inevitably it'll soon be time to ring in the New Year.  I almost feel like that time in the morning when the sun is about to rise; and I just want to pull the covers over my head to block out the sunlight that will be streaming in the window. 

I know that I have to prepare for the new Bible Study series starting this Sunday.   But, I haven't been able to sit myself down, focus, and study intently.   I know that I have to start taking down Christmas decorations; but, putting them up was so much more fun.  I know I have to start dealing with things that are coming up in the New Year, because life doesn't stop even if I'm not ready for it to continue:  there's my aunt's funeral next week; I have to put on my "shepherd" hat again for my class; I have to make appointments to see the eye doctor, the oral surgeon, the dentist, etc.; I have to get my oil changed; I have to start thinking about house projects again (e.g. exterior painting).....

At least I've been slowly but surely addressing life..... my house actually has a "new car smell" right now, since I just got new sofas to replace the ones that were torn/broken.   God did lead me to give an end-of-the-year donation to World Vision.  May He use it for His Work through that ministry.  I've been preparing for my class' New Year potluck, by making sure I have enough space, and tables/chairs to accommodate people.   In some ways, my mom's room project is changing my schedule and time; but, I do hope that by fixing it up, it will help improve her health by being rid of the dust and mold.

I think that what I feel like I need most right now is to just sit at Jesus' feet and find focus and renewal.  I've been reading Mike's journal on the Tenth Avenue North website, and I'm so impressed by his passion for God.  I read his entries; and in contrast to mine; I can see how he is writing about the amazing insights that God has given him, whereas I'm just writing about life and occasionally about what I learn.   I realize that I have a long way to go, when it comes to writing.   It's great that his faith is reflected in his songs.  In his "Hold My Heart" entry, he pointed out that in Mark 7:33a when it said "and taking him aside from the crowd, privately...", it was a reminder that we need to personally come face to face with Jesus (daily!).   My relationship with Christ should not just be going to church, playing Christian music, or even preparing for Bible Study.   It's having that intimate encounter with HIM, communicating with HIM, loving HIM, experiencing His Presence, allowing HIM to teach and guide me as I walk with HIM.  In listening to some of the stories behind the songs, a couple of quotes stood out:

• "Waiting is saying I'm going to be content in being discontent"
• St Augustine is quoted as saying "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord"
  

At the close of this entry, I'd like to write about one of my favorite verses to comtemplate around New Years', Luke 2:52.   It's the verse I use to evaluate my growth in the major four areas of life:

• Mental - I haven't read as many books the last couple of years as I have in the past.  I really should make more of an effort to get back into that
  
• Physical - I haven't been so consistent.  I'm not doing badly; and I was actually really good last week after returning from the cruise; but, I could definitely improve
  
• Spiritual - I'm still "thirsty"; but, hopefully, I will soon get back into the routine of preparing for studies and allowing God to teach me through His Word
  
• Social - I have good friendships; but, this is probably still my weakest area

After a year of nothing extraordinary, it seems to have also affected all of the above areas in my life.  Maybe, in order to have a more impactful life, I need to make improvements in these areas......

Nick Vujicic

I'm always so inspired everytime I hear Nick Vujicic speak.  Despite having no arms and legs, he radiates God's joy.   When I came across a TV program today that he was speaking on, he said two things that really stood out to me:
"Motivation is temporary, but Inspiration is eternal."
and
"If you put your happiness in temporary things, your happiness will be temporary."
These are simple, yet profound and true statements.

Broken

As I was looking towards the New Year, and contemplating this past year, various thoughts crossed my mind.   Firstly, I'm amazed that we are starting yet another decade.   It just seemed like not too long ago we were preparing for Y2K, and here we are now about to start 2010.

This past year was nothing extraordinary.  I did seem to have some challenges since 2009 started; and throughout the year, I was dealing with being more tired than usual.  But, everything else progressed as usual.   It was, however, nice to end the year with the Panama Cruise with my family; allowing me to visit my fifth continent, South America.   So, now, I just have Africa and Antarctica left since I've been to North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia already; and then, I'd be able to say I've visited all the continents.

Recently, if I were to pick a word to describe the things in my life, I'd unfornately have to pick "broken".   I was wondering why there were so many things in my life that started breaking - my sofa, my sprinklers, my glasses, my watch, and most recently my dishwasher.   Yet, it makes me think that this may be preparing for my theme next year; that God can bring beauty from ashes (or from brokenness).   I place all things into HIS Hands, as I do my part in trying to address all these.    I look forward to seeing what He will teach me.

Christmas Day '09

In preparation for Christmas, last night, after Christmas Eve service at my church, I started reading some books that I had, related to Christmas.   One particular book, The Heart of Christmas, just spoke to me; and I read another section from it this morning as well.

I loved Max Lucado's chapter on "Joseph's Prayer".  He gave us a glimpse into what may have been going through Joseph's mind as Mary was about to give birth in the stable.   It truly was nothing like what he had expected.   Here they were, far away from home, without any comforts, family, or friends around them.  I do wonder, as Max Lucado did, whether Joseph started having doubts about what was happening and whether he heard God right.  But, what a wonderful reminder that it is at times like that, in which we just need to obey.  And, that's what Joseph did.

I was also encouraged by John Maxwell's chapter on "When you Follow a Star and Find a Stable".  I've been there, and in some ways, am there right now, with my "thorn".   The wise men were following a star; and I would think that they did not expect to find a King being born in a stable.  Yet, what a wonderful reminder, that when we do encounter unexpected "stables" in our lives, that we should just look for God.  That's what the wise men did, and they found Him.

This morning, I was also reading the letter from Focus on the Family in which Jim Daly quoted Mike Huckabee.....that Christmas is God doing the unexpected for the undeserving.   How true.   I am humbled by what my God and Savior has done for me.

Psalm 42:1-2

I've been thinking about the Psalm 42:1-2 verses for the last couple of days:
"As the deer pants for streams of water,
       so my soul pants for you, O God.
 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
       When can I go and meet with God?"

These first came to mind as I was returning back from vacation.  While I did attend a "fellowship meeting" on board and I was with my family and I was even preparing for the upcoming James Bible Study; yet, I felt "drier" than usual.    I had missed church for two weeks; I am typically more intensely preparing for each Sunday lesson; and I would have community small group midweek every couple of weeks.   By not having all these, my soul was thirsting for God.

I did have some great moments of communing with the LORD, as I tried to find quiet places to pray or read Scripture while on the ship.   But, environment, fellowship, and corporate worship do make a difference on our spiritual walk.

The last couple of days, I have really felt the need to stop and spend quiet time with the LORD.   I felt like I needed to be impacted by the true meaning of Christmas.   I realize that spending time meditating, thinking, reflecting, or contemplating is really important for listening to and learning from the LORD.   When I don't stop to satisfy the thirst, I'll miss out on truly meeting God.   Just going to church and even just doing routine reading of Scripture and prayer is just not as meaningful, without taking the time to really "drink in" from the streams of Living Water.

Christmas '09

It's that time of the year again, when I reflect on the true meaning of Christmas,  ponder all that God as done during the year, and look forward to what He will be doing the coming year.  

I am so grateful that Christ came to die for my sins and restore my relationship with HIM.  I am thankful for the gift of salvation and of eternal life.   What a privilege it is to KNOW HIM!

As I look back on the year, there was nothing extraordinarily new.   I am grateful for all that God is continuing to do in my Church and in my Adult Fellowship class.  If I were to point to what stood out the most this past year, it would be how God is making me more aware of World Vision.  It was good to be able to read the book, to give, and to be able to volunteer for the organization.

I do look forward to what God has in store for me the coming year.... maybe more involvement with World Vision, maybe another service/ministry, etc.   I just know that I will focus on the theme of "Beauty from Ashes", inspired by SCC and all that he has gone through this past year.

May God's will be done!  Amen!