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Sunday, June 17, 2007

Sabbath - Day of Rest

thinking... what does it mean to be a life witness of Christ's love? or actually moreso, what actions can you take to bring Christ's love to the lost and hurting people of this world?

sometimes people seem so different from a distance... and you only get to know these people within a limited context.. perhaps a classmate you never talk to, a co-worker you rarely work with, a far off distant family member, an elementary school friend you never keep in touch with...whomever it may be... you are only give a very strict limited context to get to know them and form some sort of idea about what they are like... what their interests and talents are...

and then God opens your eyes at various random chance occasions... and He enables you to see these people for who they really are... you catch a glimpse of their pain, their struggles, their innermost raw emotions... and it hits you so hard... these people are HURTING badly... so lost and some even searching for faith and trying so hard to hold onto something they can't see nor feel... and what can you do about it? these people are not close enough to you so that you can feel comfortable talkign with them and listening to them... since you two normally dont' talk or interact much outside of that extremely limited environment, there are little instances where you can offer a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a prayer... and yet, your heart breaks to know they are lost, angry, confused, hurt, seeking, and so in need of Christ's love to fill them... i think.. perhaps the best thing i can do now is pray for them and pray boldly... they prolly will never know, but i believe God hears our prayers and answers them.

posted by ~*~VaNeSsA~*~  -- 2:55 p.m. (1) comments

Monday, June 11, 2007

Choices

quoting my mom,

"I am a very American/Canadian woman and your dad is very traditional chinese"

sometimes i really do think the way my parents think and their mindset on life is often like night and day... which ends up in... satisfying one yet disappointing another..

it's rather interesting... to one, i appear to be independent and have a good head on my shoulders... to the other, i appear to be immature, self-centered, and naive.

often, it's like phone tag... with a messenger in the middle... obviously not the best means of communication by anyone's standard... but at the same time, it's reality

so...action items... i need to ask for.. approval... opinion... debatable points... so that i can prove that i do respect and honour...

after all these years, it's still up to me to initiate... would you not expect the parnet to initiate? in the end, it doens't matter so long as things get out in the open...

i think the thing that gets me most are those four words... "I'm disappointed in you" those words will always be hard to live down... it's almost as if i can remember each time the phone tag messenger has sent me that msg over the past 5 years... each time, i take a hit, evaluate the msg, attempt to make amends, and move on...

if that's one thing i ever learnt growing up, it's to be independent. on another note, i'm very very thankful to have huge support from the other parent... that i know i should never take for granted.

posted by ~*~VaNeSsA~*~  -- 7:37 p.m. (0) comments

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Actions

many times, you never really know how your own actions & words can affect another until you somehow discover it in retrospect...

- you never know how three little words (i love you) can mean the world to someone who might not even hear those words much in their lifetime
- you never know how much a simple warm hug communicates that you care, that you support, that you love, that you cherish the time spent together with that person
- you never know how much a simple sacrifice of less sleep one night can mean light at the end of a dark tunnel for another, a glimmer of hope that someone cares for them
- you never know how much it means to listen to a few hrs of ranting so that someone feels important, feels like their life is worth smthg, feels listened to, feels comforted
- you never know how much it means to someone to ask about their day so that they know you do have a vested interest in their life
- you never know how much treating someone out for a meal can show that person that you respect them, that you love them, that you honour them
- you never know how much sitting 5 minutes in silence can mean to a person that is lost, unsure, hurt, or crying
- you never know that willingly initiating to set the table, clean up the table, & wash the dishes shows that you aren't spoiled, that you appreciate a home-cooked meal, that you want to share in people's responsibilities
- you never know how much small simple acts of kindness without ever asking for anything in return communicates a heart that's infused with God's love and gentleness
- you never know how powerful and inspiring it is to speak the words of God to others who are weary, downcast, worried, hurt, angered, alone, stressed, persevering... indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints & marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"
- you never know how it can change an offender to see you acceping the wrongdoings done against you, forgiving the offender, and loving the offender
- you never know how much it means to another person to know that people are praying for them because the Lord Almighty is fighting for them
- you never know if people can see Christ in you if you are unwilling to be transparent, to admit your faults, to be genuine, to actively change the worst parts of your character, to show your raw emotion even when its embarrassing, and to ask for help

is God bursting forth with every action I take, with every word I speak? Can people see the love of Jesus in my soul? Do people know that my faith in Jesus Christ affects every single thing i do in this life? Do people know that I am ultimately accountable to God?

1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24 says...
" 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. "

~ Amen.

posted by ~*~VaNeSsA~*~  -- 6:17 p.m. (0) comments