By Josephine Lim
Happy Easter, everyone!
Just to share with all of you some precious nuggets and revelations that I learnt and wrote these past months:
By having the desire and willingness to improve, we are already seeing progress.
Make right decisions now and we don’t have to worry about tomorrow.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:2)
I rather live a fulfilling life than have all the riches in the world and yet feeling empty.
Whoever gives heed to instructions prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord (Proverbs 16:20)
Humility and the fear (honour/worship) of the Lord bring wealth and honour and life (Proverbs 22:4)
Real happiness is when we choose to look beyond ourselves and reach out to love and care for others. Because by looking at self, we will never be good enough in our own eyes neither in the eyes of others. Choose to bless and you’ll be blessed.
Life’s not about how rich we are unless it is used to share and bless,
Life’s not about how successful we are unless it benefits others,
Life’s not about how intelligent we are unless it inspires,
Life’s not about how beautiful we are unless it radiates with warmth and kindness.
Sometimes, the simplest beauty in life is just around us.
By the way, just some updates about my recent trip. I came back from the Middle East more than half a month ago and the followings are the summary of my trip:
1. Saw two wonders of the world namely, The Pyramids in Egypt and The Treasury in Petra, Jordan. We went into one of the Pyramids via tiny tunnel - for sure not for the faint-hearted. To be honest, my personal wonder of the world would be Israel as it used to be a parched land until the Jews came back and it became fertile and blessed by the Lord.
2. Went up Mount Sinai on a camel and walked one hour to the peak to catch sunrise then faced with extreme physical challenge walking down the mountain for almost three hours. After completing our feat, our pastor said, “First time is curiosity, second time is stupidity, third time you are a tour guide.” It’s a good joke.
3. The climax of the trip was visiting the Promised Land (Israel) and the country is getting more and more beautiful with plenty picturesque moments.
4. Went on the wet and dark Hezekiah’s Tunnel adventure in Jerusalem which was quite fun.
5. Took a dip and some TLC moment in the Dead Sea with more men covered their whole body with the mud than women. Male vanity on the rise? Well, with Pastor Joshua playing muscular man with the mud, that speaks of itself. By the way, we were very encouraged and blessed by the revelationary teachings of Pastor Joshua. A real refreshing trip.
6. Rode on horses to take overview pictures of all Six Pyramids and the Sphinx, what a fantastic closure to our trip!
7. Survived crazy and adventurous Cairo by the grace of God. Thank God for my two amazing strong lovely companions, Connie & Rachel that we three golden girls, as some of our tour group members called us, emerged unscathed during our additional nights spent in the city by ourselves.
Praise the Lord for He is good and His love endures forever! (Psalms 136:1)
Saturday, 3 April 2010
The Love of the Father
By Josephine Lim
Happy Easter, everyone!
Yesterday, I had a memorable time with a few church friends. We watched Passion of Christ, The Proposal, and Taken (starring Liam Neeson). I got all teary with Passion of Christ moved by His honourable sacrificial love for us. How awesome is His love and who can match? Last night, we practiced democracy in selecting our DVDs and apparently “Taken” was one of our top choices although not mine initially. I was "Taken" by surprise! Excellent choice, thanks to Ronnie & Co!
“Taken” is about a father, a retired CIA agent on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter from prostitution vice in Paris. The movie begins with Bryan (Liam Neeson) sourcing for a birthday present for his daughter Kim, who is living with his ex-wife and her rich husband. Bryan bought a Karaoke set for his daughter knowing that her dream is to become a singer while her step-father bought her a stallion (horse). Of course, she was ecstatic and more so towards the gift from her step-father. Every year, Bryan would stick his daughter’s birthday photo onto his album which he cherished dearly. She’s surely daddy’s favourite girl and the most precious thing in the whole world.
Few days passed, Kim being an under-aged teenager wanted to get Bryan’s signature of approval to travel to Paris. Bryan got an uncomfortable feeling about the trip but after much persuasion gave his approval with very specific conditions (instructions) to ensure his beloved daughter’s safety. Eventually, she arrived in Paris met with a stranger who offered her and her friend a shared taxi ride. She had forgotten about giving her daddy a call when she arrived and felt bad about lying to him, etc. Being a concerned father, Bryan kept calling and finally got to speak to Kim who had to find a quieter section of the house to speak. While talking to her dad on the mobile phone, she saw from the window that her friend was being forcefully taken by three or four men. She was terrified and told her dad everything she saw in between sobbing. She listened to her dad’s instruction carefully during those critical moments and when told she would be taken by the kidnappers too, her heart sank. Bryan assured her no matter what happens, he will FIND her and that is his PROMISE but for now she has to stay calm and follow his instructions carefully so he could rescue her.
True enough, she was taken by the kidnappers after leaving a few tiny clues. Bryan had to go through all kinds of danger on his own to save his precious daughter before it was too late.
This action-packed movie not only shows a father’s love but also reminded me of how precious we are to God and He’s always present to guide, care, understand, protect, deliver and provide for us. We can never fully comprehend His unconditional love for us.
Romans 8:31-39
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 49:15-16
God said, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 41:10 & 14b
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I myself will help you,” declares the Lord.
When we are in our desperate moment, we need a real wise, courageous, understanding, willing and strong person to help us. Some people has the heart but doesn’t necessarily or always have the means or capability to do so but we thank God that we definitely have a heavenly Father who is all wise, mighty, resourceful and able to deliver us in times of need and had repeatedly assured us by His Word and proven Himself faithful. God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
I receive your love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpca64E6IC4&feature=related
I will exalt you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PxwIvxGqH4&feature=related
Happy Easter, everyone!
Yesterday, I had a memorable time with a few church friends. We watched Passion of Christ, The Proposal, and Taken (starring Liam Neeson). I got all teary with Passion of Christ moved by His honourable sacrificial love for us. How awesome is His love and who can match? Last night, we practiced democracy in selecting our DVDs and apparently “Taken” was one of our top choices although not mine initially. I was "Taken" by surprise! Excellent choice, thanks to Ronnie & Co!
“Taken” is about a father, a retired CIA agent on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter from prostitution vice in Paris. The movie begins with Bryan (Liam Neeson) sourcing for a birthday present for his daughter Kim, who is living with his ex-wife and her rich husband. Bryan bought a Karaoke set for his daughter knowing that her dream is to become a singer while her step-father bought her a stallion (horse). Of course, she was ecstatic and more so towards the gift from her step-father. Every year, Bryan would stick his daughter’s birthday photo onto his album which he cherished dearly. She’s surely daddy’s favourite girl and the most precious thing in the whole world.
Few days passed, Kim being an under-aged teenager wanted to get Bryan’s signature of approval to travel to Paris. Bryan got an uncomfortable feeling about the trip but after much persuasion gave his approval with very specific conditions (instructions) to ensure his beloved daughter’s safety. Eventually, she arrived in Paris met with a stranger who offered her and her friend a shared taxi ride. She had forgotten about giving her daddy a call when she arrived and felt bad about lying to him, etc. Being a concerned father, Bryan kept calling and finally got to speak to Kim who had to find a quieter section of the house to speak. While talking to her dad on the mobile phone, she saw from the window that her friend was being forcefully taken by three or four men. She was terrified and told her dad everything she saw in between sobbing. She listened to her dad’s instruction carefully during those critical moments and when told she would be taken by the kidnappers too, her heart sank. Bryan assured her no matter what happens, he will FIND her and that is his PROMISE but for now she has to stay calm and follow his instructions carefully so he could rescue her.
True enough, she was taken by the kidnappers after leaving a few tiny clues. Bryan had to go through all kinds of danger on his own to save his precious daughter before it was too late.
This action-packed movie not only shows a father’s love but also reminded me of how precious we are to God and He’s always present to guide, care, understand, protect, deliver and provide for us. We can never fully comprehend His unconditional love for us.
Romans 8:31-39
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 49:15-16
God said, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
Isaiah 41:10 & 14b
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I myself will help you,” declares the Lord.
When we are in our desperate moment, we need a real wise, courageous, understanding, willing and strong person to help us. Some people has the heart but doesn’t necessarily or always have the means or capability to do so but we thank God that we definitely have a heavenly Father who is all wise, mighty, resourceful and able to deliver us in times of need and had repeatedly assured us by His Word and proven Himself faithful. God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
I receive your love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpca64E6IC4&feature=related
I will exalt you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PxwIvxGqH4&feature=related
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