Arms That Hold The Universe

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Arms That Hold The Universe

By. Fee

I know it seems like this could be the darkest day you’ve known

But believe you me, the God of strength will never let you go

He will overcome, I know

And the arms that hold the universe are holding you tonight

You can rest inside, it’s gonna be alright

And the voice that calmed the raging sea is calling you His child

So be still and know He’s in control

He will never let you go

Through many dangers, toils, and snares you have already come

His grace has brought you safe this far, and His grace will lead you home

You can hope, you can rise, you can stand

He’s still got the whole world in His hands

You can hope, you can rise, you can stand

He’s still got the whole world, the whole world in His hands

He’s still got the whole world in His hands

In his hands, yeah

He’s still got the whole world in His hands

This song has blessed me beyond words. I have listened to it over and over again and it still strengthened me to face today, tomorrow and forever. I pray that as you read this blog, that God will speaks to your hearts and let you know that "It is gonna be alright!"

My prayer is that whatever it is that you are facing right now. May it be financial troubles, marriage or relationship issues, heart broken, addiction, confused moments or just a troubled heart. Problems that keeps you awake at night, cry until you fall asleep and ruined your life. People that you can't trust anymore because they hurt you very bad. WHATEVER it is that you labeled as "trouble" or "problems."

Tonight, let God hold you in His arms. Give Him your problems, talk to Him and cry with Him. I pray that God's own hands will comfort you, strengthened you and lift your spirit up. I pray that God will make you feel His love right here, right now. I am crying with you, I am praying with you. I hope that as much as this song and its words brings me comfort, it will do the same to your heart. God is in control and He will never let you go. If He could create and hold the entire universe and beyond. He makes sure the animals have food and shelter. He makes sure one planet and star do not collide with each others. He make sure the moon and the sun knows their job. It means that YOU and I, are absolutely can rest easy in His big and loving arms.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

XOXO

Lindsay

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Happy Memorial Day

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Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. Service Members who died while in the military service. Today is the day!

As many Americans celebrate today with BBQ and run by the beach or getting some tanned by the pool. There are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who mourned for the lost of their family member. There are wife, husband and children who are paying the price of losing their loved one, for our freedom. As the old saying, "Freedom is not free." Indeed! But, not everyone understand the pain of losing someone to a war.

I am a military brat and am proud of it. Growing up in a Military family makes me understand the meaning of sacrifice, scar of war and the price we have to pay. Married to a military man, makes me experience it to a whole different level. I am a part of that, daily!

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So, today, as you enjoy your day off and grilling those yummy BBQ. Thank a Veteran today, thank their family. Remember the fallen heroes and honor them. Pray for the family who lost their loved one in a war, past and present. Pray for those who served and are serving in the US Armed Forces. Their sacrifice is more than you could ever imagine or understand, unless you are in their shoes (or in their family's).

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There was a moment when he was just born, 

and you cried with happiness.

There was a moment when he was drawing an airplane and said "I want to be a pilot," 

and you smiled.

There was a moment when he decided to join the Armed Forces 

and you were crying with pride.

There was a moment when you opened the door 

and there were officers with uniform standing there to informed you that..

he died fighting for your freedom,

And you are crying endlessly!

We feel your pain and we are praying for you. Your son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, father, mother are not forgotten. You are not forgotten too, family!

May God give them comfort and love as we, as a nation, celebrate today as a "Memorial Day" and they remember the memories they had with their loved ones.

In loving memory of our friend, Sgt. Jason Adam McLeod

Click on these websites to help veterans and their families:

Disabled American Veterans

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

http://www.volunteer.va.gov/

ONE MORE

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"One More"

by SUPERCHICK

It feels like I have lost this fight

They think that I am staying down

But I'm not giving up tonight

Tonight the wall is coming down

I am stronger than my fears

This is the mountain that I climb

Got 100 steps to go

Tonight I'll make it 99

One more

Go one more

Yeah, yeah

Don't stop now

Go one more

Yeah, yeah

One more

Go one more

Go one more

Yeah, yeah

I have everything to lose

By not getting up to fight

I might get used to giving up

So I am showing up tonight

I am my own enemy

The battle fought within my mind

If I can overcome step one

I can face the 99

Who was praying for you?!

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, 

that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, 

we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15 ESV)

I was on the phone with my mom the other night and it was a sweet conversation we had. My mom and the rest of my family lives in Indonesia, a beautiful country where my heart will always beat with love. We were talking about the family, crazy unpredictable weather (I know, right?!), food, etc. Then she mentioned something about my grandma. Her name is Marlene, Lenny for short. I grew up with her since I am one of the oldest grandchildren (yipee for me) and my parents were still in the college when they had me. So, I spent almost everyday with my grandparents. My grandma LOVES to cook and eat, she is also a perfectionist (I get this from her). She is one of the strong willed woman I have known my entire life. Beside our love of everything being on its place perfectly, we also share one passion in life (OK, beside food lol) and that is PRAYING

Many of you who really knows me will also know my love for God and my passion to pray for anyone or anything. It is something I learned ever since I was a kid and it grows to me personally and it becomes my daily oxygen. Praying is my life, my passion and my joy. It is my calling in life.

OK, now let's go back to my conversation with my mom last night. She told me that my grandma had a chance to testify in her annual woman's ministry last week. In her testimony, she basically said how she knew God, went to some Bible school, serve God and others.

Then, she said something that I already know but it was a great reminder for me last night. She said,

" When God called me to know him personally and to serve Him. It changed my life. I have been a Christian my whole life, but having a special relationship with God is different than just hold onto a title of being a Christian. Since that time, I have PRAYED for my husband, children, grandchildren and those future family that God will give me. I have prayed for God's grace to save their souls and God answered every single one of that prayers of mine. My children and grandchildren now knows God, saved by His grace, and are serving Him. I am forever grateful. As for me and my household, we will (and are) serving the Lord"

The best legacy anyone could ever give their children is not possession, it is their FAITH and WISDOM! You will be amazed of what prayer will change your life and others. You will be amazed how things started in life begins with a simple prayer. Its not about the beauty of the words you said. It is not about the length of time you spent. It is not about you when you pray. It is about who you are praying to and for.

"For there is one God, 

and there is one mediator between God and men, 

the man 

Christ Jesus" 

(1 Timothy 2:5 ESV)

I have seen, heard and proved the power of prayer. I have prayed and God has answered. I have asked, and God has answered. I presented my requests and some got answered, some have not and some might never be exactly the way I wished it to be answered. But, it is worth a try!

So many times, we have blamed God, circumstances, and others for not answering or doing our request the way we wanted it to be done. We think that just because certain things don't comes out the way we expected, then it is simply mean God did not answer,or worst, God is not real. How many times did you ask your parents, boss, husband, wife, kid, friend for a favor and they refused to give it to you the way you asked. Plenty of time! Now, does that make them not real, not answering, or mean to you? or do they have the right reason/excuse? some of them yes, some of them not. Simply because not everything we wished, asked and expected come true the way we dreamed, asked or wished. Why? it is a part of being human. When everything answered then there is no room for faith, hope and even love left. Why? because we got what we want anyway..who needs God or other people to help us? Being self centered, selfish and prideful of yourself is the beginning of self destruction.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

If you are a parent, pray for your children. Starting by telling God that you believe in Him and trusting Him to give you the wisdom, strength and ability to carry one day at a time. Start your prayer with thanksgiving to God's goodness. Say what is it that you are thankful for the day. The breath of life, food, job, house, pet, family, nature and so on. Then present your prayer request to God, may it be your children, job, financial, etc. But, simply just talk to God in your heart. He already knows what you need or going to ask Him, but He wanted to hear you saying it. In a conversation there is a feeling of knowing each other, intimacy, relationship. That is what God wants from us. Talk to Him and have a relationship with him, daily. Bear in mind that praying is not asking God to do exactly how we want it, when we want it. He knows best for the universe, let alone our needs. Trust Him to do what, when and how is the best way to do things for us and for OUR OWN GOOD.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, 

plans for welfare and not for evil, 

to give you a future and a hope."

(Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, 

who have been called according to his purpose." 

(Romans 8:28 NIV)

Understand that praying is not about making God your server or slave. When we pray to Him, we pray to the living God who created heaven and earth. He OWNS everything. He doesn't owe us anything. If He spared time to hear your prayers, that is an honor. That is not because He must,its because He wants to do that for us. Because God is love. He wants whats best for you and one of the best way to get to know Him is through praying, reading the Bible and obey Him.

If you are curious about God and everything about Him. Start reading the book of John and Romans. If you want some uplifting verses when you are praying, try to read Psalm.

I wanna thank my grandma and my mom for praying for me and teach me how to pray. I started praying when I was still in diapers. I started praying over simple things, like when I woke up every mornings and when I was about to go to sleep at night. I prayed before I ate with thanksgiving. I then started to pray for other people, nations, leaders, celebrity, world issues and even strangers. I found my strength, comfort, hope, love and faith through praying and it is all started because someone before me was praying for me to know God. That someone is my grandma and then my mom. They pray and they show me how to pray. Above all, they teach me to love the Lord and that is the most amazing thing anyone could have ever done in my life.

Who is praying for you? I am praying for you right now as you read this blog. There is always someone praying for you, even those that you do not know their names. Jesus was praying for you. If you need any prayer request, please leave a comment or inbox me. I will pray for you! You are not alone in this world.

xoxo

Lindsay

(All Images: google search)

Art of the week

This is my art of the week. I just love this painting..something about it that makes me loving it! Have an awesome week everyone :)

Sunday @ 5:30 PM

My husband is watching Chicago Bulls games on TV, it is his holy moment. So, here I am writing my blog while listening to some Miami Heat's fans cheering their team up on TV. I am a proud CHICAGO sport team's fans but tonight I just want to write about something. Let's go BULLS!

I was reading my RUNNER'S magazine last night and I was just in awe of some of these runners below.

DEAN KARNAZES

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Click the link about him and you will be amazed, as I was, of this man's determination to conquer miles after miles (literally). He ran 50 marathons in all 50 states in 50 consecutive days, finishing with the New York City Marathon, which he completed in three hours and thirty seconds. That is just one of his accomplishment, he had plenty and counting.

Why do I admire people like him? here is why : INSPIRED and MOTIVATED me to do something more in life. There were times when I feel like just being lazy in front of the TV and eat tons of junk snacks instead of go out and run. Of course, my body deserves a rest after a long hours of working. But, my body also deserves a good exercise in order to maintain its health, strength and energy level. Most of all, it makes ME, the proud owner of this body, happier and healthier. Nothing sexier than being healthy and happy with our own skin (or body).

GLADYS BURRIL

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Gladys Burril, her recent record recognition as the 'Oldest Female to Complete a Marathon' aged 92 years, 19 days. She completed the 26.2 mile Honolulu Marathon race in 9 hours 53 minutes and 16 seconds, on December 12th, 2010.

OK, people, listen up : she is the bomb! If a 92 years old woman could ran a marathon in sunny Hawaii, then I can run in my 30's (or name your own age lol). It is all in our brain. When we limit ourselves by saying "WE CAN'T" then we won't make it. We have to push our bodies to the limit when it comes to working out. I used to hate running, I have a weak left foot and my lungs get "tired" easily. I can list tons of other excuses. But, one day, I tried to run and now I am craving for it. God created our body to do things beyond what we thought we could. Try it, and then listen to your body. When it says, "lets do more..I can do it", then go for it. When it says "slow down or this is it", then slow down or stop. Trying is the word. From trying to pushing a little bit. From pushing to test yourself to the limit. We will never know our limit until we test it, right? :)

Capt.IVAN CASTRO

Captain Ivan Castro, 43, has always pushed limits. A career Army man, he joined the Special Forces in 1999 to see if he had what it took to be a sniper, and spent the next seven years jumping into the black of night and wielding an M-24 rifle—assignments that gave him the feel-alive fix he craved.

Castro was on a rooftop in Youssifiyah, Iraq, in September 2006 when mortars landed five feet from him. Shells shredded the right side of his face and tore off parts of his arm, buttocks, and shoulder. Both lungs collapsed; he suffered a pulmonary embolism and an aneurism. The blast also nuked his right eye and lodged shrapnel in his left, leaving Castro permanently blind.

"I felt desperation, anger, depression," Castro says. But a visit from a blind Marine two months after the attack made Castro realize that although his ability to see was gone, he—the soldier, the leader, the guy who loved a challenge—was not. Castro, who had been a runner since high school, set a goal to finish his first marathon.

Thirteen months and 36 surgeries after the attack, Castro ran the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon in 4:14—and found his new mission: show other disabled warriors "what blind can do." Since then, he has met with members of Congress to advocate for wounded veterans' participation in the Paralympics, spoken at military and civilian events to encourage employers to hire the blind, and counseled disabled soldiers. When he visits injured veterans, his message is simple: As long as you're breathing, life is worth living.

Castro has completed 12 marathons, many of them guided by Lt. Col. Fred Dummar, whom he met on the Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Army base. Castro is one of three blind active-duty officers in the Army, where he works in the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion. Castro thinks of himself as an example of what the Army can provide— brotherhood and a meaningful life mission—not of what it could cost you.

Still pushing his own limits, Castro plans to finish a 100-miler, bike across the United States, and hike the Appalachian Trail. "Listen, I'm driven," he says. "There's nothing I can't do."

(source : www.runnersworld.com)

Capt. Ivan Castro has my most respect of the day. He is blind and he has completed so many marathons. He is my hero. He showed me that life has more than just limitation. Nothing will stop this man to accomplish and fulfilled his life purposes. May God bless you!

"Sure, I have asked, 'Why both eyes? Why not just one? Why couldn't I see some light, or shadows?' Then I remind myself to trust in God and be grateful to Him. We all can complain that we have the worst time. But, somewhere, someone else has it worse." (Capt. Ivan Castro)

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."(1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV)

Get off that couch and start walking then jog then run! Finish what you started and finish strong! I hope that these people can inspired you to do something good for your body and impact other people to do the same in a very positive way. Good luck and have fun working out. 

xoxo,

Lindsay

BE YOURSELF

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We heard this saying "JUST BE YOURSELF" over and over again. From elderly to kids saying this statement to each other with a proud smile and hope for a better future.

My question is "Is it true?"

To be honest, there will always be someone or something who inspired us to be who we are today. May it be a family member, friends, public figure, martyrs, celebrity or even a stranger on the street. There is always another ideas, style, fashion sense, thoughts that inspired us to follow their footsteps, be like them, or at least trying to be like them.

So, is the statement "BE YOURSELF" really works the way it is or is it the end of our journey to finally figure out what we want, who we are and what we want others to see us (with the help of other people that we admire in some sense.) So, be yourself is a self discovery or is it there from the beginning and work its way up to who we are as a person today.

For me, be yourself slogan could make someone walking to a better self or the other way around. See, it is important to be yourself in a sense of do what you think is right for you, good for you without making other people suffer (even though through the process some people will or might get hurt).

What I meant is that you can be what you want yourself to be, but what are the boundaries? Law, morality, religion, limitation? We will never be able to extend our "be yourself" to the extent. Why? because we are not alone in this world. Even if A want to go around the world naked, society wont allow that, you know what I mean?

There is always someone or something who inspired us or limit us or slow us down to be the SELF that we want us to be.

Fashion, hmmm ladies, how many of you don't really enjoy walking in high heels but do that anyway in the name of trend, fashionable and makes you feel sexier or taller? LOL.

Men, how many of you wished you could grow your beard and don't have to shower all day? many. But hey the wife/gf wont allow that.

Children, how many of you don't wanna go to school and just wanna play that video games all day long and be the mighty king who killed the dragon? after all, you love yourself and wanna be yourself, right? You get my point :)

Here is my own opinion. "BE YOURSELF" is a very positive statement to build your confidence, to boost your dream, to make you feel better about yourself, to make you let go of your failure. BE YOURSELF could be dangerous as well when used to glorify yourself in a destructive way. There is a boundary in loving yourself. You have to take care of yourself as a part of being true to yourself and love yourself therefore you become who you are at your best. Now, that is be yourself to me!

Enjoy God's gift to you : LIFE. 

You are all you've got, now take good care of it and loving the result. Trying to be your best is the key of success in "Be Yourself" campaign. You don't have to be like someone else to be your best. You can have someone as your inspiration, but she or he is not you. Be creative with what you have.

Be yourself is all about trying to do the best you can. When you do your best and you still don't see the result..then TRY AGAIN. But, appreciate yourself for trying and do not try to measure it with someone else's success and timing. We have our own ideas, timing, creativity and way to make it happen.

Be proud of who you are, be yourself is about trying to extend all the qualities that is in you and use it for a better purpose in life. When you hate yourself for not being as "beautiful", or as "rich" or as whatever as others, you are abusing yourself.

The older you get, the wiser you should be and the more you understand what you want in life. Go get it without standing behind someone else's shadow. Let them be who they are and let you be yourself doing things you love and are good at and be happy!

Give yourself a tap on the back now..good job!

xoxo

Lindsay

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Happily Ever After

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I was watching The Royal Wedding of William and Kate and to be honest I am bored to death. (P.S Congrats to Prince William and Princess Katherine) . I have to switch the channel and watch something related to anything but princess. Without disrespect their happiness though. I am very happy for anyone who is finally getting hitched ;)

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Now, dont get me wrong. Growing up, I read Cinderella and all those fairy tale books. I was just not like most girls who dreamed of wearing a white glowing dress with prince charming by their side. I was one of those girls who grew up and thought I was going to be an FBI agent or a secret spy agent being sent to secret mission lol. I hate wearing dress, I hate being a bridesmaid and flower girls. I guess I was just not into girly girl stuff. But, it doesn't mean I am not a girl!

I don't hate princess or prince and the kingdom concept. It is just not for me. I find that fairy tale is wrong and send the wrong message to children and most adult these days. Many lil girls growing up and thought they would find a prince charming who will save them from their troubles and treat them with love and live happily ever after.

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Once you grow up and realize that real life sucks, some of you are still hoping to find that "princess life" and some of you gave up that expectation and became real. Many of you just laugh when your little girls told you that she thinks prince charming really exist (some of my adult friends still believe this LOL).

Let's just be honest. Prince charming does not exist. The one that you are married to is not that charming anymore, especially when they burp, fart and scratch in front of you. The charming disappeared when the husband started to yell at you, or throw their dirty pants on your bed, stinky socks all over the house, greasy hands on your wall, pile of laundry are waiting for you, or when he is being nice to you when all he wanted was sex..after that..poof there goes Mr nice guy! lol

What I am trying to say is that, real life is so much different than fairy tale stories. Maybe that is why people wrote stories like that because they are trying to escape their reality. I am not just talking about dirty laundry, but also cheating, abuse and you've lost that magic feelings moment in your marriage.

What books, Hollywood and sappy love stories offered us often time are so much different than reality. Sadly, many of us bought those crap stuff than trying to survive the marriage or work things out. Why? because our brain has been engraved with these fairy tales stories ever since we were a little girl.

We expect our life to be like Cinderella, a thought that things will get better once we find that prince or man. But, reality does not always turn out that good. Many of us facing depression after they found their so called "Prince" or many of us disappointed at our man because they are not as handsome, nice, rich, understanding or romantic as Mr fairy tale.

Who can beat a fairy tale character? 

they were created to be perfect, 

something that real people don't have!

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But, good news ladies..our men are willing to learn! Be patient though..not a lot of them are quick learner. Keep in mind also that they are all clueless about what women want. YOU have to tell them what you want, how you want it and what can you do to help them. It takes time, love and patience. But, men are like puppies..they are willing to learn just to please the one they love. But, remember ladies..give the TREATS! ;)

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OK, with that being said..I am not against all of you who are still hoping to find Mr.Perfect and thought that life will always be happily ever after. Happy is a strong word for everyday lives. Of course, we can find happiness everyday but for a lot of marriage, happiness is about surviving, its about respect, its about being selfless, its about learning, its about give, its about waiting!

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Don't give up! Marriage might not be a fairy tale stories all the time, but there were sweet memories that even Cinderella cannot find that in her fairy tale world. Yes, thinking that romance is dead is also wrong. Man, even though your wives might be into boys stuff like me, we are still a girl!

What I meant is that..we love it when you say we are beautiful even when we just got back from the gym. We love when you wash your plate, or clean up the house or do your laundry. We find it sexy when a man empty the dishwasher and boy, we do have treats for that effort.

When a woman is tired, it is hard to even think about sex. But, a lil massage might trigger an unexpected surprises. A helping hands on cooking the food is a very sexy activity. We love when you talk great things about us in front of your friends.

We love when you surprise us with dinner or even just a lil cupcake after a long day at work. We love it when you send us a lil note at work or just hugging us while we are washing the dishes. It is sexy and we feel loved!

My point is that when we were kids, we feed our brain with junk books like fairy tale because we were kids. But, when we grow up and see that the real life is not as fun as fairy tale..we do know that we can create our own "fairy tale" with training LOL

Good luck! 

xoxo

Lindsay

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