All things work for the good of those who love Him. I thank God for friends, those who really want to look out for you.
Recently, I was getting disillusioned, Wondering about my future, when These dear friends reminded me I had to think of the big picture, Not the organisation's but the one that is mine...
God's big picture for me...
It was then that the Lord's Peace descended on me... I realised that whatever that is to happen to me Could only happen to me because it was part of God's plan, or that there was a lesson to be learnt.
That no one can change the plan that God has for me.
That I would be where He wants me to be, even with detours.
Like Jonah.
Overnight, my anxiety lifted I accepted whatever that is planned for me Not because I am a walk-over But because God is in control.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. " Hebrews 11 v1
A casual remark from a new colleague kind of brought the understanding of faith to a new level for me recently.
It was an eye-opener for me to realise that there are arranged marriages, in this day and age.
In some cultures, a man and a woman become husband and wife, not as a result of a marathon courtship, or a whirlwind romance.
Rather, the couple who has every intention to keep the vow of "till death do us part" has probably just met each other on 2 - 3 occasions over a period of 2 - 3 months.
My colleague is a double masters graduate, brilliant, confident and a great conversationalist. She is the type that would have no trouble getting a guy. Yet she agreed to an arranged marriage?
Her answer to my question was simple: Her parents have never let her down, nor put her in a situation that was not for her own good, so why should she worry about their choice for her as a husband?
Wow! Chew on that! That is faith!
My colleague totally abandons herself in her parents' hands as her experiences with them had affirmed her belief that they always have her best interest at heart.
How much more can we trust in our heavenly Father who knows His plans for us and will give good gifts to those who ask Him?!
Matthew 7v 7 - 11 9 Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
My colleague cried today. No, that was not exactly correct. She.... bawled. If you can imagine a 3 yr old, Sitting on the floor screaming her head off because she was denied her favourite toy... You get the picture.
Except that she's Not 3 yrs old and she's not sitting on the floor... She was standing up hugging the mic.. Yup! hugging the mic not hogging...
Disclaimer! I am NOT dissing her I am only trying to Explain the emotions, I guess
For this was how she felt, Up to a certain point..
You see...
She's in line for promotion To head another centre....
She has to leave us Deep down she wants to yield to wherever God is leading her But she was finding it difficult To let go
I feel for her It's tough to come out of one's comfort zone It's hard to leave the knows and enter into the know-nots
Friendships forged... Bridges crossed...
& then.... another new beginning
But we know that there is no new beginnings without the Lord already preparing the process & the ending...
So dear friend We'll still meet & our friendship will not diminish with time
& I want to thank you for that glimpse of the bare soul It takes a confident person To dare to expose what he / she preceives as weakness I see it as strength....
In the days when the Israelites were having a long haul trip from Egypt to the Promised Land, thanks to their lack of faith (all but 2), God provided for the whole race. Not just a tribe, not just the troop, but the whole race.
He sent Manna from Heaven, which were to be consumed on that day only, unless it was the Sabbath, when the people can gather enough to last the Sabbath. The manna would then last twice as long, ie one extra day... talk about short shelf life!
When they finally took over the land flowing with milk and honey, the manna stopped.
We, or at least I, tend to use the phrase "manna from Heaven" as God's provision literally from the sky. As in, whenever times were hard, I would label any extra income as manna from Heaven.
Take my acting.
The acting bug was caught about 10 years ago. From Gotcha on, I have been having small parts. More than just being an extra, but nothing much to shout about, and definitely nothing substantial.
Then I had a 'big break', and for a while, I was acting nearly every week. It was the right 'time' and the opportunity was there.
As it happens, this became kind of a pattern. The casting directors just don't seem to call me when I have stricter working hours.
Not that they know, that's the amazing part.
Somehow, during certain seasons, I don't get calls for audition, for shoots. Zip! Sometimes, I would get hauled out of the attic. The timing? Perfect.
For the last couple of years, I was getting back into acting, getting calls even in the middle of the day, asking for free slots.
As suddenly as it happened, it is slowly tapering off, again. It's as if the Lord is not sending down the manna from Heaven, at least for a while, as (I felt) I am entering another season.
One thing about the manna from Heaven, for the people of Israel, and for me, is that it's always enough. Not excess, just enough.
I like to watch reality TV. Not the Fear Factor stuff but documentary / docu-drama
Recently I watched a few shows about criminals on death row. These serial killers, or compulsive multiple killers had been caught, convicted and sentenced to die.
A few of them turned to 'religion'
They realised that they needed God!
Wow! That's an under-statement of the year!
It seemed that the conversion is real and legitimate
One sought to be baptised and wrote to a local pastor wandering if his sins were too much for him to be considered baptism.
The pastor baptised him a short time before he was executed
Another, finally wrote a letter of apology to God for all the sins she'd committed and asked if she was fit for Heaven...
This brings back the story in the gospel when one of the robbers hung on the cross Next to our Lord Jesus Asked to be remembered by Jesus Jesus then replied "Today you will be with me in paradise"
Then it dawned on me The power of Forgiveness
When we get to heaven We may be in for a rude awakening.... As we come face to face with murderers, robbers, serial rapists, even war criminals who sought the Lord's forgiveness and became born again Christian.
They will be standing side by side with all who had put their faith in Jesus singing praises and hallelujahs
I don't mean to offend anyone who may have lost their loved ones through some fiendish horrific crimes
My heart cries with them wanting justice to be exacted when the culprit, caught, convicted and paid the price of their deeds
but if God could forgive them and allow them a place in Heaven
Who are we to deny them entrance to eternal life?
For that matter anyone with whom we might have had grievances would be in Heaven if they made peace with God
My question is Have I made my peace with Him?
His love is so amazing His Mercy really knows no end.
The story came to a part where the father swam down to the machine room, to switch the rotary motor so to rotate in the opposite direction, eventually, to get out of the sinking ship. Something to that effect anyway... (shows I know so much about ships huh?)
The point is, Daddy Kurt Russell had a heart attack while trying to press the button, and just before he died, Managed to accomplish his mission.
I'd watched the film before, but for some reason, I found myself weeping.
He knew he might not survive, but he did it anyway.
My thoughts catapulted to those brave passengers on the fateful flight on September 11, 2001. When they realised that they'd probably not be getting out of the hijacked plane alive. They stormed the plane, forcing it to crash just short of its intended target, Saving probably hundreds of people, if not thousands.
They knew they might not survive, but they did it anyway.
Their heroic acts Illuminated one truth that separates us, the human race, from the animals, evil fiends aside.
That when the rubber hits the road, We do rise to the occasion and yes, Some would sacrifice for the greater good of those around them.
These heros went ahead to do what is 'right'.
They knew their price is their lives, but they did it anyway.
Then I got thinking about the Korean volunteers who were kidnapped. Did they know they were going to die when they volunteered in war-torn Afganistan? Would they have gone anyway? Knowing how volatile the country is?
I guess I had to find out when I meet them in heaven. But one thing I know, is that, This trait Of self sacrifice Is from God If you accept that We ARE made in the image of God.
I do, and I also know that Long long time ago A man sacrificed His life On the cross, so that I could be Reconciled with God
Name: charisMA Home: Singapore About Me: Mom of 2 amazing n different girls. Love to sing, act n help people, even if it's just with a smile. See my complete profile Earworm:
