CONTINUE ON BY ROY LESSIN

My dearest mentor mom Dee shared this with our mommy group.  I hope to pass on the encouragement to all the wives/mommies out there through this poem as well.

Continue On 

By Roy Lessin

(Update as of June 20, 2014.  My original blog post attributed this poem to I. Brown.  After further research and input from other readers, I've updated it to Roy Lessin)

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.  She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.  She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.  At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.  "Is it worth it?" she often wondered.  "Is there something better than I could be doing with my time?"

It was during these moments of questioning that she heard the still, small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart:

"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.  Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.  But I notice.  Most of what you give is done without remuneration.  But I am your reward.  Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support.  Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know.  I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.  Your children are precious to Me -- even more precious than they are to you.  I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me."

"What you invest in them is an offering to Me."

"You may never be in the public spotlight.  But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me."

"Continue on."

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

-- Colossians 3:23-24 --

FAMILY

My father in-law sent me this beautiful illustration about FAMILY.  It was in Indonesian.  So let me translate this to English for a broader audience.


Need encouragement?

MEDITATION IS LIKE A CUP OF TEA

Meditation is like a cup of tea.  :-)


We are the hot water.  God's word is the tea bag.


Hearing the word through a sermon or Bible Study lesson is like dipping the tea bag in water.  But taking time to read, study and memorize Scripture is like immersing the tea bag in water and letting it steep for an extended period of time.


When we consistently combine God's word with time and a teachable heart, His truth permeates our very lives.  Like sponges, our hearts absorb more and more of Him, and we are transformed in the process.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path." -- Psalm 119:105

May this be a blessing!

ARISE AND SHINE

Isaiah 60 : 1-3

1 Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Four processes that happen according to these verses:
1) First, God is the Light
2) Then, He gives His Light to us
3) We receive the Light
4) And finally we reflect the Light to those around us


What kind of Light are we reflecting?  Among others, let that be the Light of our characters.  The characters that bring people to Christ.  The characters that let people see Christ in us.  The characters that do NOT become a stumbling block for people to believe in Christ.


Are you ready to reflect the LIGHT?


-From Pastor Hosea's sermon-


May this be a blessing!!!

GRANITE VEIN

This post is to document and share with you what I learned from Lysa TerKeurst's Mommy Stress sharing just so that it can serve as a reminder for me in the future.  Also I want to document this just in case the recording will be deleted, archived, or moved to a different place that I can no longer access it.  :-)


Illustration: Granite Vein

Lysa talked about her new installed granite countertop that had something that looked like a crack or gap.  She was disappointed.  It looked like an eye sore to her.


When she called the store, the representative told her that what she saw was NOT a crack.  It was rather the granite vein.  And the vein is good to have on the granite because it indicates that it's an authentic granite.

[Click to enlarge]

Granite vein that looks like a crack or gap in Lysa's story

Granite vein can also look like a burn mark like this one at our home

Things that encourage me:

• We, moms, sometimes build the stability of our identity on the fragile choices of our children
• And when we do have bad moments (in parenting), we easily think of ourselves as a bad mom
• Each one of us has that "crack" or "gap" just like the granites do
• And our eyes tend to be drawn into that "crack" more than to focus on the entirety of the beauty, strength, and authenticity of the granite itself
• Sometimes the "crack" could be small; sometimes it could be big
• However, do NOT let the "crack" define who we are, label us, and impact our relationship with our kids (and spouse)
• Let the "crack" be the call to action through prayer to God
• Ask God to be our "portion" and fill that "crack" or "gap" for us
• Just because we just had a bad moment, that does NOT mean we are a bad mom
• As a mom, we shall focus on adding the QUALITY of our children's life and not the quantity as God has already numbered their days
• Our anxiety does not add or reduce the days God has numbered for us and our children
• Sometimes we as moms want to write the story for our kids no matter how old they are, what situation they are in, etc
• Be courageous enough to let God write our children's testimony

"My flesh and my heart fail;

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:26

Though the sharing is more about parenting, I believe that this can also serve as a reminder for other parts of our relationships (with our spouse, family, friends, etc).  So I hope this encourages and challenges you as it did for me.


And to all moms who read this, if no one has told you yet lately, let me tell you that "You're doing AMAZING!!!!"

If you'd like to listen to Lysa's 25-minute recording, click here.

MOTIVATION

There was a fellow who was an over-the-hill linebacker, several years out of college and far, far over his playing weight.  He had tried every diet, every program, with no success.  One day a good friend approached him and said, "I can help you lose weight.  I've got a diet that's never failed."  So his buddy gave him these instructions: "Take this letter, jog over to this address tomorrow morning, and ring the bell.  When the door opens, read this letter.  You'll know what to do."

It sounded strange but he agreed to give it a try.  The next day he got dressed, jogged over to the address he was given, and rang the bell.  He was surprised to see a beautiful woman in jogging clothes answer the door.  He ripped opened the letter and read, "You can have her if you can catch her."

She took off, and he ran after her.  But he was in no shape to keep her pace.  So he began to eat right and train, and each day he would get a little closer to her in the chase.  Finally, he was within an arm's length of the woman.  He knew tomorrow would be the day.

The next morning, he arrived at her door, rang the bell, and the door opened to a girl who weighed almost 400 pounds.  She was holding a letter that read, "If you catch him, you can have him."  And he took off without looking back.

Motivation ... motivation.  It's that important huh?  What compels you and I to obey the Lord?  Let's pray that the answer to be the GRACE.  His grace should motivate us to live a God-honoring life.  His grace should inspire us to grace-living.

"What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not!  How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" -- Romans 6:1-2

May this be a blessing!

SAME VIEW DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Two men were in a nursing home.  One bed was by the window, and the other by the door.  Every day the man in the bed by the door would ask his roommate, "What do you see out there today?"  The man in the bed by the window would say, "Oh, the sun is shining, and it's a beautiful day.  I can see a mother playing with her children by the lake."  His roommate would ask, "What's on that lake?"  And the man with the view would describe what he saw, "Oh, I believe I can see a little duck - yes, there it is.  There's a duck."  He described the view in the summer time, the fall, the winter, and the spring.

Then one day he died.  Now the man by the window had the opportunity to switch beds.  So he did.  He got his things, made the bed, propped up his pillows, looked outside and saw nothing--nothing but a gray brick wall.  From every angle, all he could see was the side of the building next door.  He called the nurse in and asked, "When did that wall go up?  It's spoiling my view."  She said, "Sir, that wall has always been there."

The man didn't say much for a few days, then one day he asked the nurse when he would be getting a new roommate.  She told him it would be very soon.  "That's good," he said.  "I can hardly wait for him to come so I can tell him all I see outside our window."

I thought that's a very encouraging illustration.  We may be prompted with the same view, opportunity, or circumstances.  But our perspective of it is what matters.  The Samaritan saw a man who needed help by the side of the road.  The priest saw filthiness and defilement.  The Levite saw trouble and inconvenience.  But the Samaritan saw a man.  Same view.  Different perspective.  What do you see around you?  What do you see coming out from your experience or difficulties?  Do you see in the eyes of a human and feel disappointed of it OR you see in the eyes of the Lord and feel satisfied of the circumstances you have been put under?

May this be a blessing!

BEYOND THE PIGGY BANK

Last week I heard about the 3-piggy-bank approach to teach younger generation about money management.  Click here for the audio message.


And this week, a dear friend shared an article on how one parent applies that to her daughter.  Below is the summary.  To read more, click here.


I thought I would share with you.  Though how the concept is applied may be different from one parent to the other, I hope this can be an inspiration.  And I believe this too can be applied to couples who are different in their spending habit and are yet to find a solution to their challenges.

How are you teaching your children about money?

Once my older daughter, Ava, turned three, we had her do simple household chores so we could teach her how to handle money. I am not a fan of rewarding others for things they should be doing anyway, but I did make an exception with Ava since my initial goal was to teach her money management skills.

We started with chores that were easy for her to complete: cleaning her room, brushing her teeth. Every night, we would check off the chores that were completed, and every Friday we added them up and she was paid. We called this money what most parents do: an allowance. No matter what you call it, make sure your child does the work to earn the money.

After Ava got paid (she could earn up to $1 each week), she had three jars: Give Away, Savings and Spending. She first put 10 cents in the Give Away jar, 25 cents in the Savings jar and the remaining amount in the Spending jar. This worked so well for us. When we were at the store, often Ava would see something she wanted. We never had any arguments; we would simply say, "We'll have to go home and see if you have enough money in your spending or savings jar to buy it."

Ava has used the money in her Give Away jar in numerous ways. One year there was a little girl at my school who lost her father shortly before Christmas. Ava used her Give Away money to buy this little girl a stuffed animal. Ava actually came to my school and delivered this to her personally. Another year, Ava used this money to buy canned food for needy families in our community. This past Christmas, there was a family at her school that was struggling. Ava used the money in her Give Away jar to buy them a gift card to a local grocery store.

If Ava continues to apply these lessons in life — gives away 10 percent of her money, then saves 25 percent of it and uses the remainder for spending — and goes above and beyond in her job, she will be wealthy in more ways than a fat bank account can show.

May we be found faithful in what is His.

CHRISTMAS COCOA

I heard this on Proverbs 31 Radio a year ago.  I thought I would share the word 'COCOA' with you so that you can remember the aspects of Christmas:


C is for CHRIST.  He's the reason for Christmas!
O is for ORNAMENTS.  As we decorate our tree, let's remember to decorate our hearts and homes with God's love.
C reminds us to CELEBRATE.  It's easy to get focused on giving, but let's not forget to celebrate all that God has given us!
O is for OVERJOYED!  Instead of getting overwhelmed with our schedules, let's get overjoyed by remembering why Jesus was born.
A is for ABUNDANCE!  In the abundance of presents and people, let's remember that what we really need is the abundant life Jesus promised through a relationship with Him.


Merry Christmas, Brothers and Sisters!!


May this be a blessing!

WHO OR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE?

I was reading a newsletter sent to me and feeling the gentle reminder tapping into my heart.  It's a reminder about the right attitude in doing ministry.  So I want to share the verses and key points with you - my brothers and sisters in Christ.

By the way, you know what's funny?  About the same time of the year last year, God delivered John 15:5 to me too.  It was about the time when the English Service team was gearing up towards the Christmas celebration.  And here I am a year later.  The verse is still a gentle reminder for me.  Praise God for this verse.

Verses

"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." -- Colossians 3:4

"I [Jesus] am the vine; and you are the branches.  If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -- John 15:5

Key Points

You don't take your career to Heaven.  You take your character.


Your ministry is not your life.  Jesus is.


Do not let your ministry define who you are ... your identity.


When you have disconnected from the vine (Jesus), ministry will become joyless striving and stressful pushing.  It will become a hassle and a burden.


Relationship with Him comes before responsibility.  The relationship gives the strength to carry out the responsibility.


Jesus is an incredible gift given to us.  And as people in ministry, we get the privilege of carrying that gift to the world.  Our ministry is like the box, wrapping paper, and bow.  Our size and style of our wrapping paper and boxes can vary from ministry to ministry.  But we are all trying  to deliver the same gift (Jesus).  


Remember that the box (your ministry) is not as valuable as the gift (Jesus).  And the only reason the box exists is to deliver the gift.  You have dedicated your life to the gift, not the box.


May this be a blessing!

FIFTH GRADE ASSIGNMENT

I was forwarded this encouraging illustration from my friend's dad.  I thought I would share with you too.


A 5th grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in different ways to communicate ideas about God.  Here are some of the results:


1) God is like Bayer Aspirin.  He works miracles.
2) God is like a Ford.  He's got a better idea.
3) God is like Coke.  He's the real thing.
4) God is like Hallmark cards.  He cares enough to send His very best.
5) God is like Tide.  He gets the stains out others leave behind.
6) God is like General Electric.  He brings good things to life.
7) God is like Walmart.  He has everything.
8) God is like Alka-Seltzer.  Try Him, you'll like Him.
9) God is like Scotch tape.  You can't see Him.  But you know He's there.
10) God is like Delta.  He's ready when you are.
11) God is like Allstate.  You're in good hands with Him.
12) God is like VO-5 hair spray.  He holds through all kinds of weather.
13) God is like Dial soap.  Are you glad you have Him?  Don't you wish everybody did?
14) God is like the U.S. Post Office.  Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
15) God is like Chevrolet.  The heart beat of America.
16) God is like Maxwell House.  Good to the very last drop.
17) God is like Bounty.  He is the quicker picker upper.  Can handle the tough jobs.  And He won't fall apart on you.


May this be a blessing!

WHICH SCENARIO ARE YOU?

You were in a train.  Since all seats were full, you had to stand.  Without you realizing it, you dropped your cell phone.


Scenario 1
Someone saw you dropped your cell phone and immediately gave it back to you.  How would you respond to that?  Most likely you'd thank him and walk away.


Scenario 2
Someone saw the phone but didn't immediately return it to you.  By the time you were to get off the train, you realized your phone's gone.  At that time, he returned the phone to you.  How would you respond to that?  Most likely you'd thank him with a greater appreciation than Scenario 1.  And then you'd get off the train.


Scenario 3
You didn't realize you had dropped your phone until you got off the train.  You called your number hoping someone nice would pick up the phone and return it to you.  Someone did and agreed to meet you at the next station.  How would you respond?  You'd be thankful for sure and probably give a little appreciation gift to this person.


Scenario 4
After you got off the train, you realized the phone's gone.  You tried to call the number; but no one picked it up.  You sent text messages but had to wait several days before someone finally replied and agreed to meet with you.  How would you respond?  You'd be forever grateful and perhaps give a bigger appreciation gift to this person.


Moral of the story: 
In all the 4 scenarios, you lost the phone; and someone found it for you.  However, out of the 4 scenarios, who is "supposedly" the best person?  The one in Scenario 1 for sure because he immediately returned the phone to you.  Unfortunately, this is the person who received the least reward.  Why?  Because in each scenario, your feeling of losing something increased.  The greater the feeling, the greater your appreciation (towards the person and your possession - the phone).


Today, is there anything you need to be grateful for?  Don't wait till you lose them to start feeling grateful.  Be grateful for what you have including your life while you still have it.  Don't wait till it's gone.  Be grateful for what you have.  Life is filled with happiness ... if we see it through God's eyes.


May this be a blessing!

IF YOU NEVER ...

A letter from Jesus with love :-)


Dearest My Children,


If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am the Healer?
If you never had to pray, how would you know that I am the Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I am the Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I am the Forgiver?
If you knew all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on Me?
If your life is perfect, then what would you need Me for?


Love,


Jesus

INTERESTING CHURCH SIGNS IN UK

My mother in law emailed me the following catchy church signs.  I thought of sharing with you.   

Can't sleep?  Don't count sheep.  Talk to the Shepherd!

Speak well of your enemies.  After all, you made them.

Almost 2000 years old and STILL under the Maker's guarantee.

The meek shall inherit the earth, if it's alright with you!

Adam blamed Eve.  Eve blamed the snake.  And the snake didn't have a leg to stand on.

May this be a blessing!

A CAB DRIVER AND AN OLD LADY

This story was told by the cab driver.


When I drove up in my taxi cab at 2:30am, the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.  Under these circumstances, many taxi drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away.

But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation.  Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.  This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked.  'Just a minute,' answered a frail, elderly voice.  I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened.  A small woman in her 90's stood before me.  She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase.  The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years.  All the furniture was covered with sheets.  There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters.  In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bad out to the car?' she said.  I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.  She kept thanking me for my kindness.  'It's nothing,' I told her.  'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.'

'Oh you're such a good boy,' she said.  When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly

'Oh, I don't mind.  I'm in no hurry.  I'm on my way to a hospice.' she said.

I looked in the rear-view mirror.  Her eyes were glistening.  'I don't have any family left,' she continued.  'The doctor says I don't have very long.'  I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city.  She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.  We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.  She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.  Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.  As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.  Let's go now.'

We drove in silences to the address she had given me.  It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.  Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.  They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.  The must have been expecting her.  I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.  The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said.

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.  She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.  Behind me, a door shut.  It was the sound of the closing of a life.  I didn't pick up anymore passengers that shift.  I drove aimlessly lost in thought.  For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.  What if that woman had gotten an angry driver or one who was impatient to end his shift?  What if I had refused to take the run or had honked once and driven away?  On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.  But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

People may not remember exactly what you did or what you said.  But they will always remember how you made them feel.


May this be a blessing!

CHRISTIAN ONE LINERS

I was cleaning my email and found this one from my dear friend Jamie sent to me awhile back.  I thought I would share.

"Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case."

"It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one."

"People are funny.  They want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church."

"Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever."

"Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong."

"If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has."

"Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set."

"Peace starts with a smile."

"We were called to be witnesses not lawyers or judges."

"Be ye fishers of men.  You catch them - He'll clean them."

"Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous."

"Don't put a question mark where God put a period."

"God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called."

"God grades on the cross, not the curve."

"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage."

"He who angers you, controls you!"

"If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!"

"The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us."

"The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you."

"We don't change the message; the message changes us."

"You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage the person."

"The best mathematical equation I have ever seen is: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given."  

May this be a blessing!

MOMENTS FOR GOD

I thought I would share this: 

Happy moments, praise God
Difficult moments, seek God
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God
Every moment, thank God

May this be a blessing!

MORE THAN JUST A PICTURE

Take a look at this picture below.  Do you see just a picture of Jesus Christ?  How about you take a look at it more?  The longer you look at it, the more you will see.  It contains the scenes from Christ's life.

Just like how God can use this artist's potential to the full and bless others, He too can use yours.  Are you waiting for God to use your full potential?  Ask today!

May this be a blessing!

OLD FARMERS ADVICE

I found this beautiful illustration from The Lettered Cottage.  I thought I would share with you as well for an encouragement.  

Old Farmers Advice

(Property of The Lettered Cottage)

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered ... not yelled.

Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Every path has a few puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

Don't judge folks by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life.  

Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Live simply.  Love generously.  Care deeply.  Speak kindly.

May this be a blessing!

THE POWER OF WORDS

I wrote yesterday about God rebuked me when I said stuff out of my doubt and frustration.  Though I accomplished my goal to make my fellow servant persevere the situation, I didn't do it in a loving and encouraging way.  I would have put my fellow servant in a torturing 2010!  Those words I said must have caused my fellow servant a nightmare (even though my fellow servant kindly didn't admit that :o) ).  God meant and was determined to bring triumph over it.  And I'm glad He did it.  Thank you, Father.


This is one of the many strings of rebuking events that God brought to my attention:

The Power of Words

A careless word may kindle strife;

A cruel word may wreck a life.

A bitter word may hate instill;

A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way;

A joyous word may light the day.

A timely word may lessen stress;

A loving word may heal and bless.

Author Unknown

Oh boy oh boy, what a constant work in progress I am!  Many temptations will come my way in the future.  But I'm just rejoicing of the one triumph God just brought for me and will continue to trust Him my future.

May this be a blessing.