My blogging days started when I signed up to Myspace (eons ago) and I was awakened to the wonders of blogging.
Never again did I have to scribble endlessly in my journals (I still do that, sometimes), but I am now able to share my thoughts, daily (deemed to be) interesting encounters and sightings as well as squeeze a few laughs from my readers every now and then.
I was looking through one of the entries I wrote several years ago and I thought it well to transfer the contents here.
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"I was to worship lead for an upcoming event. I hurriedly whipped out my cell phone and texted my team members.
I received a msg from a friend (and team member) saying, "Well Mel, I'm really not that good in guitar playing but if you want me to play, I'm willing to give my best".
That struck me so deeply and I love the heart that he has. I responded with, "I view your talent secondary but your heart first. I'd love to serve with someone who has such a heart. See you on Saturday".
As I sat down and pondered, tears flowed freely. This clearly brings up memories of a younger me when my heart was so caught up worrying about my skills and talents rather than seeking God and giving Him my best.
I attended my 1st Planetshakers Conference in 2005 and my life was forever changed. I was prayed for and I remembered God clearly speaking to me saying, "Why are you so worried about what other people think of you? Why do you seek for their approval instead of MINE?"
I love how God chooses people to do His mission and His fieldwork.
The Bible has extensive examples of heroes of faith. They were never the ones that everyone was rooting for, the top of the cream, the best and most excellently skilled.
They were mere, ordinary people who said, 'Look God, this is what I have. If you're gonna use me, YOU will have to work through me'.
I only hope that we can have the hearts and attitudes of these incredible people.
They were made great because of their simple faith, trust and heart that they offered up to an extraordinary God. Thus, their lives were never the same again.
Therefore, don't get caught up in a same rut and path when serving.
Renew your heart, look for something new and fresh from God. Most importantly, have a heart that is ready and hungry for God to work upon.
Never, ever say something like, 'Without me, the team cannot function or I'm the best thing that has ever happened to the team'.
God can't work when your heart is hard as stone, filled with pride and self-glory.
Only with a broken and contrite heart can God work exploits, propelling and elevating you to heights you'd never imagine reaching."
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P/S: This is one of those things that is so worth sharing. :)
"If you have in your mind that Christianity is merely a religion, you are gravely mistaken. Christianity is never a religion, but an invitation to a relationship of unfailing love."
I heard this song a couple of years back, led it twice and chanced upon it again at Tinki Talks.
(Verse 1) In Christ alone will I glory Though I could pride myself in battles won For I’ve been blessed beyond measure And by His strength alone I’ll overcome Oh, I could stop and count successes Like diamonds in my hands But those trophies could not equal To the grace by which I stand
(Chorus) In Christ alone I place my trust And find my glory in the power of the cross In every victory, let it be said of me My source of strength, my source of hope Is Christ alone
(Verse 2) In Christ alone do I glory For only by His grace I am redeemed For only His tender mercy Could reach beyond my weakness to my need And now I seek no greater honour In just to know Him more And to count my gains but losses To the glory of my Lord
(Chorus) In Christ alone I place my trust And find my glory in the power of the cross In every victory, let it be said of me My source of strength, my source of hope In Christ alone I place my trust And find my glory in the power of the cross In every victory, let it be said of me My source of strength, my source of hope Is Christ alone Is Christ alone
The unusual (and crazy) things that my college mates and I do, in between boring tutorials
A better look on the items used for my updo - A pair of purple scissors, A G-Soft pen and A Faber Castell black gel ink pen (attached with a Pendrive) speared right through the bun.
On April 14th, 2010, I wrote a post entitled Keys To Life.
I mentioned this (look below) in the particular entry,
"I have found that freedom comes from a life that has been completely surrendered to Him."
How excited I was when I stumbled upon this quote by AW Tozer (only that it was written years ago),
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"Let a (wo)man set (her)his heart only on doing the will of God and (s)he is instantly free."
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Pursue the things of God, chase and crave after His presence. Forget your own wants, desires and plans. Strive to do His. Love His plans, His works, His people, His house.
Commit yourself to those things, and there will you find freedom and fulfillment.
I can't say that I am too sorry about the growing up process.
In my 21 years of living, I've slowly grown into my own person, learned to love and be loved in return, got my heart broken, taught myself once again to love (even when it is undeserved), stood by with and am still standing with my most precious gem of friends, understood that life is many times unfair but is still SO worth living.
I've also learnt that through thick and thin, if there is one thing that I could count on (apart from God), it is my family. From the diaper and drooling days where hugs, cuddles and kisses were aplenty, I am still receiving them, and treasuring every single one of them. I know that I am forever loved and always adored, come what may.
I am, however, most grateful for my blossoming relationship with Him. In walking with Him, I've fallen more and more in love with Him, be swept off my feet with the immeasureable amount of love that I am caught in. Such bliss...
I’ve recently turned 21, two days ago, to be precise.
It is a norm (I prepared myself for this), to be asked if I had received a pendant in the form of a key upon reaching age 21.
I had never liked the pendant or the look of it, since young. I’ve always thought that it looked odd (and ugly).
A friend of mine texted me on the very morning of my birthday and asked if I had received that particular gift. I coolly responded with, “I am not fond of it and specifically requested that my parents do not purchase that for me.”
Her response? “It’s very rare to find someone who doesn’t want the key, Mel.”
Rather true, I must admit. My other friends gave similar (if not paraphrased) replies.
I’ve finally began to understand over the years that gaining freedom based on laws or mores of society does not give the least bit of satisfaction or contentment.
Being able to waltz into bars without having to show any ID, purchasing booze legally and to carry out forbidden elements that were not permitted during childhood does not entail a person (me) to freedom.
My 21st birthday (according to worldly celebration customs) was supposed to be joyfully inebriated, entering a drunken stupor, karaoke and crawling to my door step, utterly wasted.
I did none of those, and I would have none of those.
My desire as of this year and for the rest of my days is the keys to His kingdom.
I want the keys to unlocking broken hearts into the fullness of Christ Jesus. I desire the key of intimacy with God. I want the keys that would enable me to release the presence of God, so much so that any person who has had that experience would be found totally abandoned to His presence.
Personally, I desire for my heart be held captive to the love of Christ and toss away the keys of my wants.
I realised freedom does not connote an absence of laws. Freedom never meant liberty to do the will of one’s heart.
I have found that freedom comes from a life that has been completely surrendered to Him.
Freedom at its’ fullest (in which contentment can be felt evidently) is a heart yearning to please Him, a heart that is passionately in love with the most Beautiful Saviour of all.
Above it all, I’ve understood and have it settled within me that the freedom in which I choose to dwell in, it NEVER means that I am losing out on anything.
I believe that in this freedom, I have found the keys to unleashing a fulfilled, contented life. One that I would look back through the passage of time and smile, without a single shred of regret.
Verdict: I nipped a little of this the first time, and it's really good. I loved it so much that I had the whole plate to myself this time around. Needless to say, I couldn't finish it (It's HALF a chicken, and a huge chicken at it). The fries, dipped in the ranch beans is the perfect combo (this coming from a person who does not like fries).
Fresh Apple Cobbler
Remember I mentioned it here that the desert to-die-for? I managed to restrain myself for a couple of seconds to snap a shot of it.
Verdict: Absolutely delish. The warmly toasted walnuts, soft, almost-melting cinnamon-scented apples with crunchy crumbles is a match made in heaven when partnered with Hard Rock's homemade ice-cream. The drizzleof caramel sauce is the perfect round-up. Yum!
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Love you, Annie. Thanks for the years of awesome friendship.
