Strong, Brave and Humble

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Our body, mind and soul could do amazing things even when we thought we would not be able to do it. Our weakest moment could be the time when our true, inner and most of the time, hidden, strength comes out and fight back. 

We survive because we try to do our best and the result surprised us, because we limit our ability to do something greater and settle for less, until something happened and we have no other choice but to survive. In our survival mode, the strength will rise and shine to its limit or I should say the ability to be the best.

Bravery is not just for those who fear nothing in life, but also and especially needed for those who worry a lot, freaked out too many times over little things, and scared of almost everything in life. Yes, life is (sometimes) unpredictable and is a scary place to live, but life also happens in a way that we never thought possible.

Whatever meant to happen will took place, whether we like it or not, ready or not, expected it or not. We could not control everything in life, so why bother by worrying about things that might never gonna happen to you anyway?. Deal with what is in front of you now, take it one day at a time, everyday has its own trial and triumph. 

So, try to be brave even when you are scared simply means to put up a fight even when you think you might not win the battle. But when you fight back, you do not give up easily, you put up a good show and who knows? you might win the battle, but if you never try, you never know, right? ;)

Strength is mostly mental than physical! If you set your mind to do it, the result will be much better than when you already think of "I can't do it!". When you set your mind to try your best, bravery will rises in you and will gives you the boost that you need to face everything in life.

Now, winners are those who defeated their enemies, may it be your own struggles and problems within yourself or with other people. Whatever it is or whoever they are that you defeated, keep in mind to stay humble. Yes, you are happy, do your happy dance and share your success with others, you deserve it. But, stay humble, because when your pride takes over your humility, you will not go far. A great leader and winner showed others how to be success, they do not keep it to themselves, they shared. A great leader and winner help others to reach their goals. A great leader and winner is the role model to others, that includes being humble, wise and smart, especially in victorious moment, when your character is being tested.

True compliment comes from other people who praises you based on your performance, accomplishment and testimony. Action speaks louder than words and people will see your action and hear/listen to your words. Be careful, don't let you defeated your own victorious  moment. 

Seek wisdom!

xoxo,

Lindsay

Who's Your Daddy?

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Those are just a little samples of what our Father in heaven is all about. He is ALL that, more and beyond our languages, understanding, wisdom, and words could ever describe. 

The idea of having a heavenly Father might be new, foreign or sounds ridiculous to you. Maybe you don't believe in God and the concept of trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is silly according to you. But, if you want to know more or just curious about it, please click on these websites just to get an idea of what this"Father in heaven"  is all about:

-Trinity: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/what-is-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity 

-Fatherhood: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/honor-thy-majestic-father

-Father in heaven: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/ask-your-father-in-heaven

-Anything about Christianity in general, you could check out this website: http://www.desiringgod.org/

(PS. Of course there are a lot of Christians websites, but just be careful before you read them, check out their credibility and doctrines. "Desiring God" is a great website that I, personally, find helpful.)  

Some of us when we heard the word "Father, Daddy, Papa, Pops, Ayah, Bapak, Abba", etc. We immediately  think of our own father or I may say it our "earthly/biological/caregiver/step/adopt parent", etc. The father figure that we grew up with since we were a kid is not necessarily describe or represent our Father in heaven. Our "earthly" father might be a great man, wise, provider, etc, but he is not perfect, he is after all just a human, just like you and I, we made mistake. 

There are also fathers who are far from perfect; they are abusive, lazy, run away from their responsibilities as a father (or husband), etc. But, whether we like it or not, that man is your father and as much as we hate them, it will not eliminate the fact that he is your father. 

It is NOT your fault if you have a father who is just a "sperm donor" and does not do anything as a good father suppose to do, for example: teaching your kids discipline and shows love at the same time, provide for the family, work with their own hands not begging from other people, protect the family, loves your mother, your friend but also your mentor/leader that teach your right and wrong, etc. 

Sadly, there are so many children grows up these days without knowing their own father (or mother). Some people chose to love themselves more than to be a responsible person, too selfish to sacrifice for someone who desperately wanting and needing their love and affection. 

There are fathers who are having problems with the "baby momma" and neglects their children, even though the children is caught in the middle. Adults make love, get pregnant, have a baby, problem comes, fight, and get a divorce, but you will never get divorce from your own flesh and blood. You are the father and will always be one, even if the court limit your time with your kids, it does not mean you are not responsible for their lives. 

Mothers, even if you have problems with the daddy, he is still your children's father, respect his right to be with the children (unless he is not a "fit" parent, then protect your kids from the evil one-vice versa for the daddy with the evil "baby momma" lol).

The good news is even though our "earthly" daddy is a jerk, horrible person, far from perfect, neglecting you, forsaken you, disowned and abuse you in so many ways, WE have a heavenly FATHER who will never forsaken, forgotten, neglect and abuse you in any way. We could always come to Him in prayers, believing by faith that He is Lord, our Father in heaven, who will provide for us, guide us and gives us eternal life.

"For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in."

Psalm 27:10

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you."

Isaiah 49:15

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."

John 14:18

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Hebrew 13:5

Read/Click: Matthew 6:1-34 and Luke 11:5-13 

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xoxo,

Lindsay

POW/MIA

Today is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The DoD has more than 600 people dedicated to the worldwide mission of accounting for the more than 83,000 missing service members from conflicts as far back as World War II. To learn more about the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo.

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Please keep them and their families in your prayers, hearts and thoughts, not just for today but everyday, until they ALL come home, it will give closure and hopefully peace of mind to the families who are still waiting and hoping.

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Please visit these websites to bring Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl home:

http://bringbowehomewod.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BringBoweHomeWOD

There are ways to help him come home:

1. Praying

2. Call Your Congress: 

Contact your Elected Officials today and tell them to Bring Bowe Home! 

Ways to Contact your Elected Officials:

(1) Call (202) 224-3121. This is a switch board in Washington D.C, when you connect with this number ask to be transferred to your elected official’s office. To find out who your elected official is use http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ Once connected to your elected officials office you may have to leave a message. This message should contain you name, a way to contact you, and you message to Bring Bowe Home.

(2) Tweet elected officials. For lists to tweet our elected officials check out https://twitter.com/POWMIAvoice/lists use hash tags #BoweBergdahl #POW #BringBoweHome

(3) Write your elected officials. To find the address of your elected official use http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ this will connect you with their specific website which will include a mailing address.

UNTIL THEY ALL COME HOME!

May God be with all of you and your families, gives you comfort, hope and peace of mind. 

We REMEMBER you and praying for your return.

xoxo,

Lindsay

Identity Crisis

I LOVE MARRIAGE LIFE!

HA!

I mean despite the fights, the hectic schedules we both had or whose turn to take the dog out's conversation, I actually love marriage life. I love the companionship and friendship that my husband and I have the most, even though my husband is a "non talker" kinda guy, but he is cool. I cannot stand a very talkative man anyway, it is too annoying for me. 

I know I am too young to give marriage advice or to even talk about how to make your marriage work and I am not here for any of that, because I believe that everyone's marriage life is different.

I JUST WANNA TALK!

First years of my marriage I found myself lost, because my husband is the only man that I've dated who is younger than me (gasp) and we've only dated for one year (with him being on deployment). It was a fast, fun and crazy love. So, when we got married, it was actually our real date. We found things that surprised us in a good and bad way, we sees things differently and there are questions of "Am I doing the right thing" or "What was I thinking" moments.

I also find an identity crisis! HELP!

OK, my husband is a white man, I am Asian. We have different background of cultures, foods, habit, family upbringing, etc. The great thing is that my husband is in the military, which means he LOVES to learn about other culture, eat different foods (he eats more spicy/hot foods than me and I am Manadonese, we eat extremely spicy/hot foods), eager to visit different places, longing to live in a different places - which is why we move a lot and loving it!. I mean, we are young, we should move around and enjoy life to the fullest. 

But, I found myself doing things that I hate, but I do it anyway to make my husband happy. At least that's what I thought, but then I realized that there are so many things that my husband introduced to me that I used to think I hate it. I guess he brings out the potential, the goodness out of me. I do not  like trying something new (unless it is food lol), my husband is adventurous. I hate hikes, due to its intense hills, sunburn and bugs. But, guess what? I am loving it now. I hate hardcore music and one day my husband took me to "Sleeping Giant" concert and I love it now. I still do not like extreme roller coaster, no matter how much my husband loves it. I still do not wanna touch a snake, no matter what my husband think of a snake. I still hate cherries, my husband loves it (I do love cherry fruit, I do not like them on my drink/cake). I learn some "geeky" stuff, since my husband is one of them, I love some, understand some, hate some, don't understand a lot. LOL!

My point is that in the beginning of our marriage, I am still trying to adjust the two worlds. I had to brave myself up to try the things that is foreign for me or weird or sounds discomfort. There are things that I finally love, there things that I still hate. You don't have to like all of your husband's hobbies, habits or friends lol, but you learned to let go, compromised, acceptance, sacrifice and get your own bargain..uh huh ladies..you do A for him, which means he will do B for you. It works both ways to be happy ;)

So, remember, just because you are in a relationship, it does not mean you have to be boring. What I meant by "boring" is that you do not wanna do something new because you had one bad experience or because of your insecurity. Try it first, if you do not like it then tell him/her, but you might be surprised of your new found love. 

Do not do it in the name of "trying to fit in" or to look/sound cool on Facebook! Do it because you want to try it. Do it because you like the challenge. Do it because you want to find out what you have been missed all this time. Do it because you are curious!.

On the other hand, do not lose your identity either. God creates us unique in our own way, you do not have to be someone else to make him/her happy. Don't do something just because you want them to be happy and losing yourself in the process. Yes, we must sacrifice a lot of things in a relationship, but it does not mean you "killed" yourself. Stay true to who you are as a person and find what truly makes you happy. 

There are things that we do that I hate, there are things that he hates, but along the way, we started to find out what works-what does not work, what needs time, how we do it, how we say it/introduce it to our spouse, when we do it and how to understand that sometimes not everything that we love would works for the other person. Instead of pushing him to love your hobby that he hates, why not doing things that you both love?.

Sacrifice is needed but remember of who you are as person. Do not lose your identity! Be happy, be proud and celebrate yourself. On the other hand, open up and live a little..try new things, even things that you are afraid of or hate, you might love it, you might not, but hey..you have tried!

Do not limit yourself or your family! A lot of kids do not try new things because the parents are "boring" , doing the same thing over and over again. You might not like it, but your spouse might like it and your kids might love it too, but they will never know it because you might limit the fun meters. Sometimes you just need to let go and not being too afraid of everything. If you are a control freak, like myself, then it is time to learn that you can't control everything. If they (spouse/kids) wanna do something, let them try it and if you wanna do something new, do it! :)

-Live Life To The Fullest-

Me and my man on my B'day!

xoxo,

Lindsay

Comfort Zone Is Boring!

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This is my AHA!!! moment today.

A ship is built to sail, to explore the beauty of the oceans, to take you places, to experience adventures.

'Though when it is not doing all that, the ship will stayed in port, afloat, safe but going nowhere.

If only a ship could talk,

I am sure it will be like this, 

"Let's Sail!"

Our lives sometimes are way too boring,

because we hold onto our past (or present),

we hang onto our safe harbor,

we do not want to let go the comfort zone to the unknown zone!

I mean it is pretty much understandable that some people are willing to take risks more than others,

But it is not acceptable that some people would rather die holding onto their death wishes than to chase their dreams!

What do you want to do with your life?

What legacy would you like your kids to remember you someday?

What dreams that you still wanted to accomplish in life?

What nightmares that you wanted to let go, even if you think you could not do?

TRY!

Get out of your comfort zone,

Explore the unknown world,

You might like it!

If you hate it,

You could always comeback to your own "known" zone,

But at least you have tried instead of wondering.

I took a chance to come to the unknown country,

Live by myself,

Fighting for life,

Surviving the impossible

..and..

I could proudly say, I live my dreams because I took a step of faith to try first!

My journey is not always fun and all that,

It has ups and downs,

It's never easy to live in other people's country,

Without any immediate family member or friends that go to school and play with you since childhood.

Not everyone has the same destiny and path in life,

Not everyone has the same exact dreams, wants and needs in life,

But everyone has dreams, wishes, wants and needs in life.

Not everyone is brave enough to take a chance/risk,

Dreamers are those who likes to sleep,

Doers are those who lives their dreams.

Wake up,

be who you are created/meant to be,

make your dream come true by doing it.

A bird will never know she could fly until she try it.

You will never know how far you will go until you take a first step

and discover your strength, ability and greater self.

There is always a next port in your journey,

if you don't like the next port,

you could go to the next port after that, 

or you could always go back to the first one.

But at least you had experiences to remember,

Lesson to learn,

Story to tell,

A life to inspired other people.

God created you and I with a big dream and vision on His mind,

do not limit your God given talent by hiding it,

covered with fear and lack of faith,

or too lazy to even try it.

xoxo,

Lindsay

You Is Kind,You Is Smart, You Is Important

Kindness (noun) according to Webster Dictionary means favor, affection, sympathetic nature, benevolence; this word means manifesting a desire to do good/kind.

So basically it is in our nature to have the ability to do something good, a desire to be kind. 

Now, the problem is kindness will not happened only by a desire, kindness needs action. 

By nature, we have the ability/desire,
by choice we act the desire of our heart to do good or bad.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love"

1 John 4:8 ESV

As a Christian, it is our most important commandment in life to love God and others because God is love and to love God means to obey Him (1 John 2:5 and 1 John 5:3).

As a human being, 
it is impossible to see around us and not having the compassion, desire and ability to do good 
for other people. 

As a normal people, of course we will have good and bad experiences when we offered our kindness to other people, because not everyone is grateful to receive such help. 

Not everyone is wired to say "Thank You" or shows appreciation based on their arrogant heart, lack of compassion, prideful behavior or bad experience with people in the past (that includes their upbringing in a family).

So, by nature, God created us with a good seed from him. 

But, on the day we were born, we started interact  with other human being. That is the first day of us learned and experienced kindness or the opposite. 

So, I do not believe that there is a human being who is evil from the day they were born. What they experienced from that day determines their ability to do good or not. 

How we live our lives everyday is a choice to do good or evil. 

So, the blame game really is just an excuse to run away from being a responsible human being to do the right thing.

I am one of those people who works better with giving than receiving/asking for help. I just do not have the heart to ask other people to help me because I do not want to bother them with  my problems. Due to me being an only child, I tend to do everything by myself and I am content with my "alone but not lonely time" according to my dear friend Mara ;)

But, not asking for help when you needed is not the right thing to do in a certain situation. 

See, I am a big believer in trying the best and along the way if you think you need help, then you should seek one. But, you tried first!

Doing everything by yourself is insanity at some point. You need other people to help you out, even if it means it might not be the way you want it, but hey..a help is a help, receive it with a grateful heart LOL!

Now, because I prefer giving than asking for help, I am, of course, the people-pleaser group of human. 

See, it is not a bad thing to make other people happy, it becomes a bad thing when we forget to understand that we are just a human and we too, need some love and help (say it...help! lol).

What I love the most of being the helper and the people-pleaser person is my ability to make something good happened for others and to see how happy they are when they received it. 

Priceless moment!

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35 ESV

The bad thing is that not everyone appreciate it and not everyone treats me right, many of them were taking advantage of my kindness. 
I hate those moments, 
because my kindness turns into anger, sadness and it discouraged me to a point where I hate human and I only see the negative sides of them or I will do no good anymore attitude.

If you are in that situation when you think and know that people are taking advantage of your kindness, think of these:

-You do it for someone that you respect/love the most (may it be God, family, etc)

-You do it for a greater purpose

-You are doing the right thing (even to the wrong people, you are still the good person)

-It is better to chose good over evil

-Its rewarding for you

-Keep in mind that being kind also means being wise!

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV

What I am trying to say is that when you are kind to other people and you help them and they are taking advantage of you, understand that there is also a boundary of offering your help to other people. If you are in a situation when you are hurt, sad, feel used and even to the point of abused by other people that you helped then maybe you should stop doing that for them. 

Of course being kind is a good thing, but being kind without wisdom could be dangerous.
When you do something that is not your job, but you do it anyway out of the goodness of your heart, that is kindness. Even though we do good thing without expecting anything in return, but when kindness means someone used you for their own benefit in a very bad/selfish way, that is not good.

For me, I think kindness is every sacrifice we made for the benefit of other people. May it be energy, time, money, prayer, help, etc.
People tend to appreciate or categorize kindness as in "money" alone and we must admit that money is a big help in people's lives, but kindness is not limited to money alone.
Spending time with a person in need, making a meal for a family who just lost their loved ones, praying with a stranger in a hospital, buy a stranger some food, give your shoes to those in need, helping a child cross a street, give up your seat on a bus for an elderly man, giving water or a home to a homeless dog, answering the phone with a nice voice, not yelling at other people, share some tips on how to make their computer works better, etc..are acts of kindness!

"And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount."

Luke 6:34 ESV

By nature, we all have the ability to do good and be kind to other people.

Whether we do it or not is our choice!

Kindness is a sacrifice for other people's good benefit, not yours. 

It is an unselfish act of love and grace.

But, understand that you must be wise to know which/who needs your help and which/who is just using you for every wrong/evil reasons and purposes.
Kindness suppose to do good not the opposite!

Keep in mind that you too are important, precious and beautiful in God's eyes.

Never lose your identity just because you are too busy fulfilling other people's need and lost yourself.
Read this verse:

"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves."

Romans 15:1

You must be strong to help the weak, this is why it is important to understand that we need to take care of ourselves so that we could take care of other people. 
Strong does not mean we have to wait to do good until we are "strong" (financially, physically, etc) then do good. 
Strong as in we know who we are (our faith) in Christ,
we understand why we are doing this, 
we give with what we have to those in need, 
not just to those who are poor financially, but physically, spiritually and mentally exhausted with life. 

This is why we need to be strong because if we are weak, drained and exhausted with our own life, our kindness will turn into complaining, comparing, weary, judgment, asking for credit and all the wrong reasons. 
Also, we must be strong to say no to those who just used our kindness for bad things out of their greediness, manipulation, laziness, and evil thought.

One more and VERY important thing:

Be kind to your enemy. 

They might be one of those people who used you for your kindness for their benefit, but just because you refused to do certain things for them because you know they will use that for all the wrong things, it does not mean you have to be rude to them.

Even if they meant evil toward you, 

"Kill" them with kindness 
;)

"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the LORD will reward you."

Proverbs 25:22-23

"A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve."

Joseph Joubert

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The Help

Indeed 

:)

xoxo,

Lindsay

A Little Reminder

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One of my biggest turned off when I talked with other Christians is this statement, 

"You are going to hell because _____!"

or

Have you heard a testimony about A,B,C who went to hell and back? They saw D,E,F in hell!

SERIOUSLY??

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

The ONE and ONLY Judge is God himself!

The ONE and ONLY,

Do not forget that.

Yes, we are all sinners,

Yes, God loves the sinners and hates the sin,

Yes, we all will be judged someday based on what we did, good and bad (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Yes, ALL of US!

I do believe that there is a heaven and hell,

I do believe in ONE God, 

I also believe in his WORD of TRUTH.

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Please, do not try to be the judge,

We could be the helper.

Please, do not try to be the judge,

We could be the listener.

Please, do not try to be the judge,

We could be the prayer buddy.

Please, do not try to be the judge,

We could be the witness of God's love and TRUTH.

"And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7

We do not have to compromise to be a good Christian,

We do not have to agree with everything to be a good Christian,

We just have to do God's commandment,

Love God (Obedient),

Love others.

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5

Preaching the "go to hell" sermon with a heart of condemning,

"I know best" attitude,

"I know better than you" mindset,

"I am more holy than you" mentality,

will NOT work.

People tend to forget that we are all sinners, (Romans 3:23)

We just sin differently, but a sin is a sin!

We sin everyday with our hearts, thoughts, actions and words.

Telling other people that they are going to hell without knowing what's going on in their lives at that moment is just careless and loveless.

I am not trying to tell you to keep sinning.

NO!

But, I am trying to tell you that there is a way out and help for your problems.

I am not trying to tell you to not reminding other people when they are doing something wrong.

NO!

But, I am trying to tell you that LOVE and compassion should be your foundation in heart, not anger, not judgment, not condemning, not "I know better" mentality, etc.

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" Luke 6:37

Wondering why you are a Christian and never bring any of your "non Christian" friends to church or know Jesus?

Wondering why the only people you hang out with and bring to church are those who already are Christians?

Because you are too comfortable in your own "I am so holy" bubble,

that you could not stand talking to others who are struggles with real life problems.

Because you are sick of their sins and forget the person,

Because you want them to do what you want according to your time,

Because instead of trying to help them to know and understand God,

You ordered them around to seek God and condemning what they do wrong without giving them a way out.

Pray and Fast and Read the Bible,

are very true and helpful,

if you are a Christian.

Telling other people to do those stuff while they do not even know who Jesus is all about,

is not helping them,

it makes them confused, mad and stay away from you (as far as they could).

My point is we must live a life that shows Jesus daily,

we must also show others that we messed up in life,

but we find a way out through our faith-hope-love in Jesus.

We draw the line of what is OK with us and what is not OK with us,

we don't need to compromise, but we find a boundary that we both respected of each other.

Provide the help that they need to find God and a way out.

Last but not least,

I do believe in heaven and hell,

We will go to one destination if we do not find the right path and not making the right decision.

Is it always easy to follow Jesus?

NO

Sometimes HE is silent but He never forsaken nor forgotten me,

ever!

That is my strength to survive in this life and His promise to me,

that He will be with me to the very end. (Matthew 28:20)

xoxo,

Lindsay

Six Years

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY DARLING HUSBAND

♥ ♥ ♥♥ ♥ ♥

Here is to our six years of adventure in life,

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Here is to another six, sixty and many more!

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Nothing is sweeter than LOVE,

Nothing is greater than LOVE,

Nothing is better than to LOVE and be LOVED!

Embrace your journey together as a husband and wife,

Enjoy your adventure as the head and the helper,

Embrace your differences as an eastern and western lovers.

Enjoy your life as a man and a woman,
Embrace your moments.

United in love,

Bond in commitment,

with honor and respect,

Before God,

Each other,

and others.

xoxo,

Lindsay and Ryan

Your daily cross!

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DAILY!

We, the Christians, loves Jesus (amen)

We, the Christians, worships Jesus (amen)

We, the Christians, likes His blessings (amen)

We, the Christians, carries our cross, daily (huh?!?)

Say that again?

What Cross?

Jesus paid it ALL, right?

He crossed the cross part,

So that I don't have to deal with it,

Carry it..

Urgh..

Why should I?

Why would I?

Christianity is ALL about blessing,

NOT

Suffering!

WRONG!

I am sorry for the large font of "WRONG", I just wanted to make sure I got your attention and fully understand of what I am about to write today. If you are into "prosperity gospel", then this post is not going to please you, but you are very welcome to read it. I am NOT against rich people, I am against those who thinks/believes that Christianity is ALL about being rich, healthy, happy, no problem life.

READ THE BIBLE!

It is very important for every Christian to read the Bible and fully understand the Bible, experience it, share it and stop listening to the "all is good" preachers. They preach what YOU want to hear, not what YOU need to understand and know about God, his calling, his purpose, his mission, his everything.

The problem with Christian people these days is not the lack of praying, it is the lack of understanding the Bible. Christian people loves to translate the Bible according to their own understanding, not God's, not history, not facts. Though, it is true that God will gives us wisdom and knowledge, it is also true that the devils will pleased your brain and ears to hear what you wanted to hear or what you should not know about God. 

The devil is your cheerleader and you are the player in the field who got hurt, bump and killed, because you are too prideful to humble yourself to seek God, his wisdom and to seek counsel from other people, those who actually knows more than you do.

The biggest problem these days that I have noticed is that the more the world is turning, the more advanced we get. People wants more and people are willing to get more in life, with whatever it takes to have it all. The pride, the fame, the money, the trend, the self pleasing moment, the things that is not important and essential in life, but we pursue them, in the name of goals, fulfilled life, better life. The problem is that we will never have enough of everything. 

We, the Christians, take the blessing

and refused the cross..

THAT is the problem!

What is "the cross" in our life these days? Does it mean we have to literally carry a wooden cross everyday, everywhere? NOPE, even though there are some people who does that for their ministries and actually do good at it, just like Arthur Blessit. 

We don't have to be like him to fully understand the pain, the suffering, the important, the glory of the cross as a Christian. Cross could be our inside battle, our own useless mind/our addiction that we need to fight, sickness, struggles, pain, being honest in a dishonest environment, how to choose a righteous decision even when it is difficult, how to be patient with annoying people, how to deal with the death of our loved ones, how to deal with your family who hates you because you are a Christian, how to deal with bullies, etc.

Well, some of you will use this verse to ask my point ;

Jeremiah 29:11- 

"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." 

Yes and amen! 

But, in order for us to get to the future, we must overcome our past and present life. During this time, we must be willing to let God do what He think is good for our future and that, my  love, including trials, stretching, tests, sufferings and learning process. From sick-heal-hurt-heal- got the job-fired- got another job-in a relationship- broken heart- marriage- struggling for financial- not struggling anymore- struggling to have kids- then have kids- struggling as a new parents- proud parents- valley of life- top of the mountain- its an up and down-up again moments. In other words, God wants us to know that even though we might not think that a certain thing is important, but He might allow that in order for us to get a better life according to Him.

And he said to all, 

“If anyone would come after me, 

let him deny himself 

and take up his cross daily 

and follow me."

(Luke 9:23)

Don't hate me for writing about it, JESUS said those words, so ask Him ;)

Why do we need to carry our cross daily?

Because for as long as we live, we will always face the devil, ourselves, other people who might be a blessing to us and many of them are not, other people who agree with us and disagree with us, circumstances, etc. LIFE happens DAILY and that is why we must carry our cross daily too. It is the requirement to follow Him. Every second of our life is a battle!

What does it mean to deny ourselves and carry our cross daily and follow Jesus?

How could we follow someone when we refuse to follow his footsteps? How could we follow someone if we only wanted OUR own ideas to be fulfilled? How could we follow someone if we do not agree with their teachings, requirements, vision and mission?. It is not about you anymore, it is about God. 

Jesus' Journey is OUR journey.

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." (Luke 9:24)

In order for us to fully understand verse 23rd, we must read the 24th. We will NOT be able to save our own life. We are human, we are limited, we are all sinful. I found this great paragraph about it:

"When Jesus set his face to walk the Calvary road, he was not merely taking our place; he was setting our pattern. 

He is substitute and pacesetter. 

If we seek to secure our life through returning evil for evil 

or surrounding ourselves with luxury in the face of human need, 

we will lose our life. 

We can save our life only if we follow Christ on the Calvary road. 

Jesus died to save us from the power and punishment of sin, 

not from the suffering and sacrifices of simplicity for love's sake."

via/Click here for complete article

Do you know that the heroes in the Bible were all going through rough, painful, tests, suffering and trials, including and especially Jesus?

Do you understand that there are real Christians out there who are suffering daily because of their faith? 

Do you know that there are real Christians who are praying, fasting, read the Bible faithfully, working hard, daily, and have no home, fancy clothes to wear, or even food to eat, yet they love and serve God with ALL that they have? So do not rush to assumed that these poor people must not pray hard enough, because some people might not have the luxurious and easy lives that you have, but they still love God with all that  they have. Mean while, we might leave God if we are in their position, because we value God based on what He could give us.

Have you ever watched the children in Africa worshiping God in a roofless church, barefoot, walked for miles, with clothes that even your dog won't wear them? But, the joy, thankful hearts and hope on their face are mighty luxurious in God's eyes.

Have you seen the people who walk from city to city to share the gospels using their feet or public transportation that takes hours to wait, or their own car that you will not even drive for one block because it is so bad? 

Have you seen people who are faithfully serving and loving God and others and have cancers? Just because some Christians are suffering with sickness, it does not mean that God does not love them, or they might be "cursed", or they might not visit a certain priest for healing, or they do not pray the "right" way, lack of faith, etc. YOU are NOT God, therefor, you are in NO position to judge their faith. Sometimes, God allows painful things in life so that we could see His strength, miracles, salvation and glory. I have experienced, seen and witnessed how people receive their salvation, miracles, glory through their sickness/painful event in life.

Have you known anyone who gives everything to God, and get fired from their jobs? 

Have you seen the Christians who get persecuted and how they died? 

Have you seen Christians who have to deal with divorce, rape and other painful events in life, yet they are mighty in God's eyes?

Have you seen Christians who have to witnessed the death of their own children in a tragic way? 

Have you seen Christians who died because of their faith?

Think about it! Christianity is NOT only about give money to a charity and you will get money back. Give tithe and God will give you mansion. Pray only and too lazy to work, expecting others to pay for your own desires. Go to church and you will have no sickness in life, ever. Pray and read the Bible, and you will never face problems in life. Put the "holy oil" all over your head and you shall be healed. 


Yes, "bad things" happened to faithful and righteous Christians all over the world and that does not mean God loves others more than He loves them. Have you ever think that God see them as stronger than others? God's favor is different to everyone. We will not be able to fully understand the why, what and how certain things happened in our lives. We just have to trust God and not losing our faith on Him.

Christianity is weak without evidences/facts of stories and testimonies from the Bible to this present days of those who suffered and yet victorious in Christ. 

My love, 

there is glory behind the cross 

..(pain, suffer, trial, pride, self, sickness, death, etc)..,

there is victory because of the cross.

My point is that as a Christian, we will face struggling, troubles, problems, pain and dark moments. Life happens and the devil also exists. We will make stupid choices that lead us to temptation and crappy life. But, God will be with us, always and forever til' the end. That's what keep us going. God, Himself, NOT because of what he could give to us or what he could do for us, but because of WHO HE IS as GOD!

Being a Christian means:

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11)

"Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!" (1 Corinthians 15:30-31)

"As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. " (2 Corinthians 6:9-10)

"But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"" (Acts 3:6)

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)

"We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute." (1 Corinthians 4:10)

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

Reminder:

Do not compare your life to other people's life, calling and purposes. 

Never doubt God's love for you,

Never give up on God and yourself,

God is not for sale and He is not interested in your money,

Seek His face and heart, not only His hands.

Sometimes God allowed/use difficulties, suffering, pain, hurting moments 

to teach us lesson,
to show us what He could do,
to show us the road to repentance,
to save us,

purify us,

win us over,

so that we know how to minister to other people,

who are also suffering,

and needs God in their lives.

Stop being so judge mental,

Stop being so "holy me, stay away from me you sinners" mentality,

Stop preaching the good times only and disregard the painful moments,

that makes us stronger,

and a better person,

today!

via

Keep the faith,

If your life is not as easy as your friend (or so you think),

Sometimes it is because of your choice,

circumstances,

BUT,

Many times,

it is because you are stronger than her. 

She would not last one day in your shoes darling,

We will be just fine

LOL

;)

xoxo,

Lindsay