Grace

I was lost when you found me here
You pulled me close and held me near
And I'm a fool but still you love
I'll be your fool for the king of love

He gave me wings so I could fly
And gave me a song to colour the sky
And all I have is all from you
And all I want is all of you

It's grace, grace
I'm nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me

And there've been days when I've walked away
Too much to carry
Nothing left to say
Forgive me Lord when I'm weak and lost
You traded heaven for a wooden cross

And all these years you've carried me
You've been my eyes when I could not see
And beauty grows in the driving rain
Your oil of gladness in the times of pain

It's grace, your grace
I'm nothing without you
Grace, your grace
Shines on me
Your grace, your grace...

~Michael W Smith~

Happy 60th Birthday!!! :D

Happy birthday!!! My dad turned 60 on 26th January 2011. He is plain funny, super chilled out yet a patient, caring and loving father he has been to us. Love you papa :D xox

Two weeks have passed since I touched down in Melbourne but this time around it feels different. It's as if I left my heart behind in Malaysia. Looks like some things just don't change even when we are older and living independently. Missing my family is definitely one of em for me. Love you papa, love you mumzy, love you cherby...

Rarely Too Early, Never Too Late

Ecclesiastes 3:11 "He makes everything beautiful in His time..."

The night is darkest just before dawn :)

Awesome One

A gorgeous dress caught my eyes when I was in Sydney back in March 2008. Despite my fancy, I knew I had to give dresses from this shop a pass considering the steep price range and starving peeps who struggle to get through the day.

His eyes range across the earth to strengthen those who love Him. Truly, He cares about every detail of our lives including stuff I reckon isn't important at all. Just recently, He had impressed upon Ceci's heart to give a dress she had worn only once to me. I was completely speechless when I saw it. Today, the exact same piece that caught my eyes in 2008 is in my wardrobe! There is absolutely nothing He can't do.

How awesome is He! :)

Resting & Trusting

1st January 2010 was a memorable day for me. I was camping at the Murray River and just as I was about to snuggle in my sleeping bag after a refreshing midnight swim, it started raining heavily. Wild thunderstorms and lightning lashed Victoria and NSW. Imagine being in a tent surrounded by massive blue gum trees. Quite a horror I must say. My immediate response was to pray with Els that Jesus would calm the storms.

The situation that night was a reflection of my life at that point in time. As I prayed, He invited me into the place of rest with Him (instead of anxiously pleading for Him to calm the storms in my life). I am learning to be still and know He is in control. Some things may not make any sense at present and it is pointless wrecking my head trying to fit the missing jigsaw puzzle ahead of His appointed time.

When we go through moments like this, I believe all He wants us to do is to let Him hold our hands as He leads us through the 'dark tunnel'. To trust Him and lean not on our own understanding and He would certainly make our paths straight. We may see only what is on the horizon but He sees the big picture. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Psalm 16:8 "I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken"

The Voice Within

Crash me at top speed
Throw me in the deep
Push me down a steep
Lash me till I bleed
Torment me till I weep
Is it victory that you seek?

But my Lord, He heard my plea
A mighty warrior none can defeat
He rescued me from the pit
Out of the darkness I leap
Into His arms, a love so sweet
In His presence all are meek

~Cherbreena~

Got Your Full Armour?

Are you on guard? Do you have your full armour on? For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Have you been intimidated? The spirit of intimidation can be traced back to the old testament days. Elijah slayed the prophets of Baal and then ran for his life after his victory. The Israelites felt like grasshoppers when they explored the land God promised them. Both instances show that giving in to intimidation cost Elijah, his calling and the Israelites, the promised land.

Often, intimidation is a ploy used by the enemy to hinder us from moving into the plans and purposes of God. Just yesterday, I experienced an overwhelming sense of intimidation. The enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy. His plan is to instill fear and to cause us to forget our position and authority in Christ so we lose our faith and boldness to hold on to His promises.

We need to be alert and put on the full armour of Ephesians 6. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Often, he tries to isolate and before intimidating his prey. Why? It is easier to devour a prey in isolation because there is always strength in numbers and unity. I'm extremely thankful for my awesome family and friends who stand with me in prayer.

We need not give in. Greater is He that lives in me than he that lives in the world!

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

I'm in Malaysia at present and I've been tied up with some massive cleaning. Flashback of memories went through my mind as I cleared the junk in my room. Here are some stuff I rediscovered after a long time, stuff I did for my school magazine and newsletter nine years ago. I've laid it (my interest in art) down for way too long. Perhaps it's about time I pick it up again? :)

Happy Camper

I'm a water-baby so I don't usually do a good job in saving water as compared to electricity (Take a chill pill all you water conservationists, I do try! :P).

Here's the story. My heart was racing real fast as I gave the water coy a buzz to check the outstanding balance of my account. God is faithful (as always), I was told that someone had settled my bills for the last eight months!

Yay yay-eeee!!! He rocks ;)

Bid Hagar Farewell

In Genesis 16, Abraham and Sarah made an unwise decision simply because they became impatient whilst waiting. God took His time to fulfil His promise because He wanted Abraham and Sarah to be physically as good as dead (Hebrews 11:12) so God alone would get the glory. He was also increasing their faith, patience and building their character (James 1:1-4).

Ishmael is of the flesh and Isaac of the spirit (Galatians 4:28-29). Ishmael is man intended and God "permitted". Isaac is God promised and God fulfilled.

We can't afford to cling on to the past when God is preparing a bright future. Ishmael represents the past and Isaac, the future. Ishmael is the product of having a bond servant, Hagar. If we have Hagar in our lives, we need to surrender it to God. Initially, Hagar and Ishmael seemed appealing and satisfying but eventually Ishmael brought dissension into their home. On the contrary, Isaac brought laughter. Abraham tried to keep both Isaac and Ishmael in his home but realised that they were living in constant conflict. The time came when God said there was no longer room for compromise so Hagar and Ishmael had to be sent away (Genesis 21:12).

God's promise of countless descendants to Abraham can only be fulfilled as planned, through Isaac. Similarly, since God's promise to us can only be fulfilled His way, what then should our response be if we don't wanna settle for second best? Let Hagar go! :D

The Inevitable

~A test precedes a testimony~

Peace

~The key to peace is being at peace with His agenda~

The Potter's Masterpiece

I've been told heaps, "Oh my gosh you have a complex personality", "You act like a 30 year old when you're at work and a 3 year old when you're at play", etc. You get my drift. :) There was a season when I struggled to discover myself, the way I've been created. A girl who loves slipping into cute lil' dresses and prancing around, yet loves white water rafting and scuba diving. A girl who sips her banana smoothie from her fav bottle with cute sheeps on it (Hannah freaked out when she saw this :P), yet finds stuff like theology, law and economics interesting. A girl with a passion to make a difference in the lives of the hurting, discouraged, sick and destitute, yet loves star gazing whilst falling asleep on the beach. I'm sure you get the picture by now. The list is endless. I stopped wondering why I've been wired this way the day God spoke to my heart through this:

Jeremiah 18:6 "Can I not do with you as the potter does? Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand"

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do"

Truth is, God has created everyone unique, shaping us as He sees best for His purpose. He never makes a mistake. Even before we were formed in the womb, He knew us and set us apart as His children. We're not meant to be normal, to blend in nicely with the world around us. He has wired each of us different so we can live in line with His sovereign calling, all for His glory! :D

Where Are We Sowing?

We reap what we sow. I never had any intention to tell this story until five days ago. Just can't afford to rob Him of His glory. Two years ago, my family offered a missionary couple a place to live. Got to be honest here, I was sitting in my room the other day picturing the idea of someone offering me a place so I can save heaps. :P Well, five days ago, I was momentarily speechless when a couple whom I barely know offered me a place to live in Melbourne! I serve an amazingly faithful God.

I am reminded that apart from the need to show mercy and kindness, we constantly have a choice whether to invest in the flesh or the Spirit because we reap what we sow and we reap in proportion to what we sow. Sometimes, the seed that is planted does not bear fruit immediately. There are seasons in life just as there are seasons to nature and it takes time for the seed to take root and bear fruit. We will certainy reap what we sow. Perhaps at a different place and time? Indeed, the Lord of the harvest is in charge, not the labourers :)

2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

Galatians 6: 7-8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Looking Forward, Looking Back

I'm a year older today. Life in the last year looked like this box of yummy jelly belly given to me as a prezzie. THANK YOU my fellow comrade :) Pretty colourful, ey? I was once told but was never quite convinced that life gets better as we grow older if we are walking in His will. Well, I am today. It's been the best year of my life thus far. What an exciting journey, filled with sweet surprises and of course, the occasional dark-coloured jelly bellos of challenging moments, only to develop a stronger spirit in me. I'm learning that what matters is a life adventure filled with joy regardless the circumstances I'm in. You see, God's will brings joy, not necessarily happiness, but joy is a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness is merely a fleeting state of being. Happiness is dictated by external conditions. Joy isn't. I'm lovin' it. :)

A special thanks to everyone who made the last two days a memorable one for me! I feel incredibly loved! :) xoxo

Psalm 138:8 "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever- do not abandon the works of your hands"

Ain't a Chocolate Soldier

It was a rather challenging day but I found encouragement in a message by CT Studd, a missionary to China, Africa and India:

"EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER — of Christ

THE OTHERWISE CHRISTIAN IS A Chocolate Christian, dissolving in water and melting at the smell of fire. Sweeties they are! Bonbons, lollipops! Living their lives in a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little delicate constitution.

God never was a chocolate manufacturer and never will be. God's men are always heroes. In Scripture you can trace their giant foot-tracks down the sands of time."

1 Peter 1:7 '"These (trials) have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

A Hidden Gem

I can't help but rave about this brekkie treasure. It currently tops the list of my fav brekkie spots! :P This lil cafe is nestled in an old station master's building at a tram stop and it overlooks a beautiful park. I moved to a unit right smack in Melb CBD six months ago and have since, been yearning to escape, whenever possible. I'm always game for cosy hideouts like this, nicely tucked away from the city buzz. What could be sweeter than enjoying my ohh so delicious poached eggs with smoked salmon and full-bodied hollandaise sauce in a gem with an old rustic charm on a sunny morning. I love it! :)

Perfect Will vs Permissive Will

~A good plan may be God's permissive will, not necessarily God's perfect will, but His perfect will is always GOOD~

Jeremiah 10:23 "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."

Captivated

Every woman longs to be romanced. ;) Tonight, my eyes were brimming with tears as I stood in Hisense Arena, worshipping the most romantic person in my life. He is my heavenly father, my master, my best friend and also, the lover of my soul. He never fails to amaze me. I must share some of the many incredible things he has done for me in the past few weeks. In all these instances, I did not make my heart's desires known to man but only to the most high.

ONE ----> I was walking passed a shop the other day and a cute cardi in the window caught my eye. Not wanting to make an impulsive purchase, I walked away and soon, I forgot about it. A week later, a friend gave me a bag of stuff and in there, was a cardi from that shop!!! How good is He???

TWO ----> Since I moved back to Melbourne, I have been yearning for a DVD player to watch some movies. Guess what? A friend said I could have her TV and it comes with a DVD player!!!

THREE ----> I've always wanted the opportunity to listen to John and Lisa Bevere preach. Well, I was given passes to both the PS and Beautiful Woman conferences and got to hear them preach!!!

FOUR ----> I simply love cultural diversity. Back in April, I was in the Dandenongs and I had told God that it would be nice to experience staying with a couple of local families and in the countryside. I'm sure you can guess what happened :)

His love for me just blows my mind. I am CAPTIVATED.

Beef Patty

Beef Patty is my lil puppy,

Boyy she is such a cutie,

Even when my day is ohh so gloomy,

She makes such great company.

:D

What Season are You in?

There is a season for everything. Life cycles are inevitable. A time to tear down, a time to build. A time to weep, a time to laugh. A time to embrace, a time to refrain. When I took a leap of faith last year, God spoke to my heart as I dived from a plane in the land down under.

I was all geared and ready to go. The rest of the crew had boarded the plane but my instructor was no where to be seen. Standing all alone, the waiting time seemed forever to me. Suddenly, he appeared before my eyes and said, "We haven't got enough time so I'll show you just enough for you to jump off the plane. When I say jump, you jump!". Gaspp...

You see, the autumn in my life had passed. I had to leave precious things behind in order to move forward on the God journey. I was about to step into winter. It is sometimes easier said than done. If we want to walk on water, we have to step out of the boat.

What an exciting adventure. As I looked out of the window, I could see only cotton candy clouds. That's the faith journey. It's about the assurance of the things unseen. He gives us only a glimpse. We aren't meant to know everything.

As I watched others dive before me, there was a sense of fear. Will I trust my maker? Before I could have second thoughts, my turn came and I heard him say "Jump!". The act of obedience (although difficult) is like free falling. It is liberating. It felt as if I was all alone since I dived with my front falling first but in fact, I wasn't. Although I could not see him (he was behind me), I was safely strapped to him.

When we opened the parachute, we were spinning like crazy because of the winds. Even after taking the step of faith, we are not spared from challenges that seek to intimidate us in the midst of uncertainty. We just have to hang on and lean on his promise.

Then it was time to land and I was told that it's extremely important that I obey his instruction. I had to lift my legs and let him land first. Not doing so could result in broken legs or death. We need to wait upon the lord and not move impatiently before his appointed time. Waiting does not diminish us, instead, it empowers us. As surely as the sun will rise, spring will come.

I later found out that I got the best and most experienced instructor in the entire school. It was certainly worth the wait...:)

"Breaking of a Horse"

Sometimes, horse breaking is necessary to get horses to let themselves be ridden. Before such learning process is accomplished, a horse will normally reject attempts to ride it. You see, in order for a horse to submit to the will of human beings, the will of the horse must first be broken.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Our fallen human will must first be crushed to give way to the perfect will of our creator. It is only then we are rideable by our master...