His Answers to My “Why”s

 “God loves you, God cares for you, God hears you,…”

Those are things that we often hear from people around us especially when they are expressing sympathy towards our nothing-they-can-do-to-help sad lives. There is always only one thing remains unanswered in our minds; “If God blablabla us, WHY are we stuck in this depressing situation at the first place?”

The truth is God always long to spend time with us. At times of overflowing blessings, when life seems to be too good to be true, you and I sometimes forget Him. Think back, when do we fall on our knees and pray? When do we recognize His presence in our worship? Yes, during times of need. God lets us experience downfalls to draw us near to Him.

“But I never miss out on giving thanks to Him, never for once I forget to offer and tithe, never will I forget Him after all those blessings. WHY do I still have to face lost of loved ones, rejection, failures,…?”

Now you must be thinking that I have prepared an awesome answer to that question, but I don’t cause it never got answered.

How do I then remain a believer in the God who can’t answer that life mystery?

The bible tells me that Jesus is Immanuel, God is with us. I might not know why things happen in my life, but I know never will He leave or forsake me in those times. The bible also tells me that He went through all our sufferings just to understand our pain. As we go through hardships, He is there with us, weeps and suffers with us. Now if there is someone who would ask the question, WHY, it would be Jesus asking, “WHY is He there with us?” I guess we all know the answer, “because He loves us..”

Worthiness

Worthiness : Level at which someone or something deserve to be valued.

What we tend to say in our prayer or write in our journals: "I am NOT worthy of being Yours or being loved by You," I think I said that sentence more than what my fingers can count.

Questions to ask yourself:
Are you not worthy to be your parents' children?
Are you not worthy to be LOVED by your parents?
Do your parents care for you because you are worthy to them?
Do your parents have consideration of your worthiness in their mind?

One thing you need to know not to build pride but confidence in yourselves...

"I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father." Psalm 2:7

YOU are children of God
He is YOUR Father
Will your father love you ONLY IF you are worthy to him? No, he loves you no matter how many times you failed him.
If your earthly father can love you that much, what about YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER? How much more can He give you?

Now, ask yourself again that question.
"Am I worthy enough for forgiveness and love from my Heavenly Father?"

Got to Tell the World

Imagine yourself..

1. Stuck in the airport for hours because of delay. You are all by yourself surrounded by strangers, your electronic devices are out of batteries, and you had just TOO much sleep already. "What then could I do?", you thought to yourself.

2. You are in a restaurant's private room, attending a high school reunion. You are not really close with anyone, so you have no idea of what to talk about. "I just couldn't CLICK with these old friends of mine!", you screamed inside your mind.

3. You are asked to preach or share to a group of people whom you never knew before. "SHOOT! What should I talk about now?", you freaked out.

Those are just some of the situations that you may catch yourselves being clueless or out of place and do not know what to say.

I have just a perfect topic for you that could be suitable for all those awkward moments with whoever you're with. The topic is simply YOUR STORY! Yes, you can tell your story on how God works in or through your life.

"Tell your story" is my church's new theme which I think is really applicable to everyone. At times, people think that only extreme stories are worth sharing, like freed from addictions, healing, etc. Yes! Those stories are amazing and might never happened in your lives. "What do you want me to share then, God?"

Remind yourselves..

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5 : 17)

THE NEW IS HERE, what's the new you? How did He transform you in to the NEW you?

It doesn't have to be extreme because each change that Christ has made in your lives are AMAZING by itself. There is no need to exaggerate to impress people because Christ's works' already IMPRESSIVE.

Before I accepted Christ, I was a fairly good girl, good grades, good family, good friends, everything seems to be fine. How can God change a good girl like me? Wasn't I already good? I might be having a decent life, yet God loves me too much to leave me with just a GOOD life. He gives a BETTER life instead, throwing the old me, and I become a new creation of His.

What's my story?

Nobody knows how I was always seeking for something in life, something reliable to hold on to. I came from a strong buddhist family where I was growing up being filled and edified with buddhism but I never truly BELIEVE anything. Then I went to Seattle where I accepted Christ to be my personal savior and much more than a mere religion. Now, every time I'm troubled with life problems, I have that someone to rely on, Jesus :D

I am not perfect in eyes of people around me even in my own eyes. My heart's always filled with lack of self esteem and confidence. Being in the social environment, at times, tortured me when people start staring or mocking me. Guess what! Now, I am perfect in my eyes because I know He created me perfectly. I am beautiful and perfect in the eyes of my creator! :D

I was not a druggie or an alcoholic or a sick person, but God still works in me. If He can change me, He will change you into a better person too :D Do not be afraid to share your story for it's not just yours, it's His too :)

New Year: Never Stop Dreaming

As you grow older, you'd like to think that dreams are meant only for little children.

Do you remember telling your teachers or parents about your ambitions when you're a kid? Doctor? Nurse? Pilot? Policeman? Singer?

But now...

"I'll go with whatever my parents told me to.."

"Wanna be rich? Just be a businessman..."

"No worry! I simply will continue my dad's successful business..."

Sounds familiar? Have those phrases ever slipped out o your mouths?

DREAMS are not only for little children, you know why? God has plans for all of you until the day you go back to Him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

FAQ: How do we know His plans for us? He is a living God, your Heavenly Father, faithful Friend, and advisor. The answer is to communicate with Him, as He is urged to speak to you. HOW? Pray, pray, pray, and read His words. I do not know how He would communicate with each of you, but He could speak to you in many ways unimaginable.

FAQ: What if we are not capable enough? It's clearly mentioned how the Lord KNOW the plans to prosper and not to harm you :) You do not have to worry for He will provide you with whatever you need to fulfill His calling.

One of the most common things that happens is when things aren't seem to be hopeful. Remember Joseph in the bible? God gave him dream after dream that shows things bowing down to him; however, then, he was a slave. In the end, He became a king :)

Just like Joseph, life for you may not seems to be leading to a bright future; however, believe in Him always and never ever stop to have big dreams :D

The Broken Necklace

Few days ago, something weird happen. Perhaps you could already guess from the title; YES! The chain of my necklace broke all of a sudden. You might be thinking, "So what? That happens all the time". That could just be another life's coincidence, but God never works through coincidences because He has reasons for all things.

I have been wearing this necklace with a cross pendant for roughly 2 years. I always take if off before showering, so as to maintain its quality. More or less, I pretty much take good care of it.

Enough of the necklace's history. For these past few weeks, I have been faced with a lot of changes from school to surroundings. I thought I would be able to accept all those things instantly and joyfully; however, I did not. In addition, things quickly piled up in my schedule, and it was beyond what I could handle; at least in my thought. If I were to count the number of complaints I have had, perhaps counting babies' hair would be easier to do.

The moment my necklace dropped from my neck onto the table, I was struck by God's message behind this happening. I was strongly reminded of the very basic thing about how Christians shall live. It is how Jesus already died on the cross, carrying not only our sins, but also our burdens. Do not ever try to do things with your own strength because I guarantee you 100% that you'll be worn out and exhausted. Jesus provides you the strength to do His will, so rely on it instead of yourself.

God spoke to me, "Vanny, don't you remember how I have took away all of your burdens at the cross? Let me cast away all troubles from your mind, just let go off your cross and let me carry it for you."

The Come Back

When did I stop praying for those people who are living without love? When did I stop pleading to God for their salvation? When did I give up? When did I simply swallow all that He give me and not throw it all out to many? When did my lips get sealed by fear and discouragement? When did His words begin to stop shining in my life? When did worship and praise only happen in the count of my fingers weekly? When did thankfulness for all that He does fly away from my heart?

When did all these things happen? Why? Isn't God the best runaway place? Isn't He whom you'd seek when tears begin to fall? Then why did I put Him away in the corner of my heart?

The answer, I realized, is "my choice".

God says..

"I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Then why do we sometimes feel like He is further than miles away? If you have not realized, it is us who refuse to feel His presence. It is us who ignores Him calling out for us every time. If you are in this state right now, know that He is there, right now, beside you. All you need to do is to say a little prayer and open up your ears to listen to His voice.

God bless all of you :D

God, Our Best Hairdresser

"I'd like it a bit shorter.."

"I miss my old long style.."

"This color looks ridiculous on me.."

"Should I wait for it to grow naturally?"

"I think I will use the extended fake one.."

"I am so gonna cover it up with accessories..."

Do you ever say those things in front of a mirror, while looking at yourself? If not, at least, for once in your lives, I am pretty sure that you have the desire to change your hairstyle.

I was just doing it moments ago, and God struck me with an illustration.

He asks me, "Why don't you like your hair the way it is?"

And then, all of these thoughts start to run through my mind.

What about putting on some extension?

The complication of treating it, risk of it falling off or looking fake. The worst of all is when people figured it out?!?!? Oh no!

Coloring it?

The colors' going to be gone and makes my hair so dry. Having to buy special shampoos and conditioner and the list goes on will dry my pocket.

WIG? I am kidding, right? Imagine the heat you have to bare for the whole day; Oh! not to forget the itchiness of it.

Nothing else in mind...

"What about you just wait for it to grow long naturally?" , a voice whispers in my ears.

And I thought to myself, "There is simply no problem at all with waiting."

When you are waiting upon something in life, sometimes you feel like it would never come. You pray and you pray, and God says," Keep waiting." I need no proof of God's faithfulness in my life; there are a bunch of stories in the bible which show that great things happen to those who wait upon Him.

Waiting for your hair to grow will really test your patience, but wouldn't the result be the best?

I hope that all of you keep filling up your hopes on Our faithful God, Jesus.