QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS

Each time when I face a 'storm' or just a 'rain-drop' in my life, without fail a quiet question comes to my mind. It's only a very small word :"why?"

There is something within us that wants to know why certain things happen to us, usually the 'bad' or unfortunate things like sickness, accident, loss of a job or baby etc. It's as though by knowing the reason will lessen the pain somewhat. By now, we should realized that the answers would not necessarily bring the healing.

At some point in our life, we must come to the place where we're asked to open our hands, release our questions, and embrace God whose ways we do not understand but whose heart we know. The moment we can finally release the 'why' to embrace the "WHO" is when we find our rest. Isaiah 55:8 (Extracted from 'Rain on Me' by Holley Gerth

AMBASSADORS-Ephesians 6:20

Recently I was at the Changi Airport Arrival Hall waiting to receive someone. While waiting I observed the many people around me. I saw some SIA stewardess coming out. The first two were chatting happily while the next one was cheerfully talking on her mobile. The third SIA girl who came out was, to my surprise, pulling a long face. I think she must be very tired and frustrated, earger to go home afte a long flight? So why was I surprised? Our SIA girls are the pride of our country - they are the country's ambassadors. Wherever they go (especially in uniform), they represent the country. So to me such a behaviour is unacceptable. Immediately, I relate this incident to myself. I am also Christ's ambassador - people are always watching me at all times! (2 Corinthians5:20) Like the tired SIA girl, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Only by abiding in our Lord and by the joy of the Holy Spirit can we be strengthened.

Difference between being concerned & being consumed

Hi, This is Iris. I would like to thank Jean for being so generous to lend me her spiritual books which are enriching. Even recently she passed me a book she borrowed from the library "A life worth living" by Geri Laing.

Just share something I enjoyed. As mother, we can easily become over anxious. This is not healthy. Philippians 4 :6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

Geri Laing shared that we need to see the difference between being concerned and being consumed. When I am concerned, I think about the situation, I pray about it and surrender it to God. I am able to show support, to give encouragement and when it is appropriate, to give advice. However, when we become worked up and upset, we spread a dark cloud over everyone and those we love feel even more despair.


Thus nowadays, when there is conflict, (cannot avoid as this is part of our life), I learn to cool down and guard my hearts and turn to God for help. Sometimes failed but I think is okay if we have the heart to learn. God bless!!

GUINNESS STOUT

Hi friends, I am not a fan of Guinness stout, but the Lord has taught me a lesson about my judgmental attitudes.

How? I was knock off right out of my chair one day when I learned how Arthur Guinness (1725 - 1803) "created" Guinness stout. In the mid 1700's Mr Arthur was grieved by the harm and devastation spirits and hard liquor were causing his loved ones and his Irish country folks. So he cried out to God for a way out and the Lord told him to create a drink that was healthy to the body, great in taste and would not intoxicate the minds of the drinkers.(1 Timothy 5:23) That's how Guinness stout was born! It was a great success and many switched from drinking hard liquor to stout. On top of that, he was granted a 9000 year lease for the unused brewery for a mere 45 pounds yearly. But the original recipe has since been changed. I noticed that the logo of the corporation is a harp. Wonder why?

Lord, please help me not to form any judgment, though on the surface I may seem to be right. Teach me not to be self righteous but to be humble. Enable me to not be hasty in forming opinions for only You know the whole story. Only You are the author of our lives.

He giveth more grace - a hymn by Annie J. Flint (1866-1932)

My name is Iris. I was invited by Jean to contribute to her blog. Jean and myself would like to share our experiences in Christ so that we will edify one another. In my blog, I also share about my on-line business, what I am doing and some of my personal life because I believe that God wants us to experience Him in every aspects of our lives.

The author of the above poem, Annie Johnson Flint, suffered with arthritis for 40 years. But that terrible affliction did not embitter her. And out of the crucible of her suffering came a new and beautiful understanding of the meaning of guidance expressed in these lovely words: "He giveth more grace"


Yesternight we sang this hymn and the lyrics are as follows:-

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

The second stanza is experienced by many christians. We always come to a point where our endurance, our strength had failed and our resources had been used up. This is a time when we can be discouraged, illusioned and almost gave up. It is a time when we have to exercise our faith and relied fully on God's word and faithfulness. It is definitely easy said than done. Usually there is a period of long waiting, frustration and seemingly God is distant and through prayer and support of one another, we await God to do all things beautiful in His time!!

THANKFULNESS:AN ACT OF WORSHIP

Thankfulness is an act of worship. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Thankfulness keeps our ears and mind open to God's voice. Grumblers have a very hard time hearing from God because the Holy Spirit's voice has been quench! But it is unnatural or even supernatural to give thanks amidst life's tests, trials and tribulations.

There are so many things to give thanks for in all circumstances.

I thank God daily for:

1) HIM: His love, mercy, grace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, generosity, His very being......
2) People : parents, hubby, sons, siblings, relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ, neighbours, friends, colleagues, pets ........
3) Occupation: doctors, cobblers, plumbers, hairdressers, pilots, fishermen, farmers, lawyers, teachers, church leaders, government agencies, foreign workers,my own job.......
4) His creation: mountains, rivers, stars, fishes, insects, plants, animals, moons, wind, rain, birds,trees, .........
5) Modern day amenities: washing machine, toilet flushing system, gas stove, fridge, internet, paper clips, ball point pen, scissors, rice cookers, running water from tap,..........
6) Health: eyes to see, tongue to taste, ears to listen, teeth to bite, skin to feel, hair that protects scalp, nose to smell, lungs to breathe, .......
7)His provision, protection, promises, ........
8) Things:cars, trains, ships, taxis,.......
9) the list goes on and on and on and on .......

If we quiet ourselves and fix our eyes upon the Cross, we can see many things to be thankful for. Often we take many (far too many) things for granted - our health, our food, our relationships, our modern day inventions, etc.

Want to hear God's voice? Start thanking Him in all circumstances for this is His will for us.

DRINKING WATER CAN IMPROVE AT LEAST 11 HEALTH CONDITIONS

Hi Friends, I would like to share this article with you which I extract from a Chinese Magazine.
This article is slightly different because it looks at how, ie. the way, we drink water that helps to improve our health.
No. 1 Pigments-Drink 1 glass of cold water early in the morning
No. 2 Weight Loss-Drink 1 cup of water half an hour after meals
No. 3 Flu-Drink more than the normal daily amount of water intake
No. 4 Coughs-Drink more warm water
No. 5 Gastric pains-Drink porridge water
No. 6 Insomia-Take a hot bath or soak your feet in warm water(20 mins) before bedtime
No. 7 Constipation-Drink water in big gulps
No. 8 Fret and bad temper-Drink water at close intervals
No. 9 Feeling nausea-Gurgle with salt water (to facilitate puking)
No. 10 Chest pains-Drink 1 glass of water before bed
No. 11 Fever-Sip water at close intervals

In conclusion, I encourage everyone to drink more pure water (alkaline, if possible). But there is a type of Living water which after drinking, we will thirst no more. John 4:14 Only He can give you this water - but you have to ask for it.

DAILY SPIRITUAL CONFESSIONS

We are what we confess. So let what we say glorify God. If what we confess is positive, then we will be what we confess. These are some examples of what I confess daily:-

Mark 16:18
Even if I drink any deadly thing, it will not harm me

Exodus 23:25
God bless the bread I eat and the water I drink and remove sickness from me

James 1:19
I am slow to speak, quick to hear and slow to anger

Deuteronomy 28:6
All my household are blessed and no harm will come to them. God preserve their going out and coming in

2 Timothy 4:18
I am going to heaven

Psalm 4:8a
I will lie down and sleep in peace

Isaiah 26:3
I am in perfect peace

1 Corinthians 7:7
I am gifted

Psalm 34:20
I have no broken bones

Romans 12:3
I have faith

Mark 10:30
I will receive a hundred fold now in this time

Tioman Island Reflections

Matthew 6:26
The birds of the air ...... do not sow or reap ....; yet your heavenly Father feeds them

Reflection: Birds are some of God's creatures that do not reason; nevertheless, He feeds them.
Fishes are also some of God's creatures that do not reason; God also feeds them.

We also are God's children. Can we not rightly expect from our Father everything that we need?

Prayer: My Father, I trust that You will give me everything I need, whether for my soul or for my body.

My Tioman Island Experience

I have just come back from Tioman Island. It was a wonderful trip because I learned many lessons. I woke up at 4:30 am on Saturday to start my journey. I reached Tioman Island only about 4:30pm. There were many waitings and waitings throughout the day - waiting for the taxi, waiting for the tour bus, waiting for the custom clearance, waiting for the ferry etc. So I learned patience and slowing down my pace in life. But I also learned to accept and appreciate the slower lifestyle of other people.
Once I reached this beautiful island, I was amazed at God's creation. It's a heavenly place. I saw many things which I can't see in Singapore - flying squirrels hanging on the trees, monkeys making faces at you, fishes kissing your body, naked children swimming in the sea, monitor lizards snapping up chickens, corals mushrooming under the sea and most impressive of all, a night sky blanketed with stars and remembering God knows each one by name!(Isaiah 40:26)
So all the waiting is worth it. Waiting is important. Be silent and wait for God is the same. After all the endurance, we will cross over the other side and all the hardship is forgotten. God created many things for us to enjoy, so please good care of the Earth.

A JOURNAL - Malachi 3:16, Proverbs 7:1,3

Hi, my name is Jean. I like to write Journal- recording my thoughts and spiritual walk with God. These are my personal thoughts and comments - so I hope no one will take offense if my sharing is not to your liking.

A journal is a written record of your thoughts recorded on paper or computer. When you keep a journal, you simply transcribe what is in your heart-your thoughts, prayers, fears, disappointments, joys, impressions. Keeping a journal allows you to record your sequence of thoughts and then go back to them later. It is often surprising how much clearer things can become when you prayerfully explore your thoughts at a later date.Cultivating an ever-deepening relationship with the Lord through journaling helps us focus the eyes of our heart on HIM. The only tool you need is honesty.(Habakkuk 2:2-3)