Saturday, February 7, 2009

Today, I went to do some household errands.

First, I visited the clinic for some medicine.

Later in the afternoon, I attended a friend's funeral (Ms. Helen Lah), my buddy in secondary school, leaving behind a husband and five children to mourn her loss.

I want to post these biblical references and prayer for my reminder and also my readers.

Jesus said:
"I am the door, if anyone enters by me, he will be saved..." John 10:9.

The Bible says:
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13.

Prayer of Salvation
"Dear Jesus, I believe in You. I believe You are the Son of God, that You died for my sins, and that You were buried and rose again as written in the Bible. I'm sorry for the things I've done that hurt You. Forgive me for all my sins. Come into my heart, take charge of my life and make me the way You want me to be. With Your ever present help, I renounce all my sinful practices of the past. Cleanse my heart with Your precious blood. Write my name in Your Book of Life. I confess You now as my Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Jesus! In Jesus' Name, Amen."


Posted by Evangeenabryan

Thursday, February 5, 2009.

A day after my birthday, I read through this wonderful article which in many ways open my heart and eyes about marriage. I want to keep reminding myself of the challenge that I face as a daughter to my God, parents, wife to a husband, a mother to a child and a friend to peers and friends.

Living today is getting tougher and at times it really test your innerself stability.

Recession-Proof Your MarriageWritten by Jacqueline Overpeck

In the United States today many married couples are facing greater financial difficulty than ever before. The housing market has cooled and thousands of families are struggling to keep their homes. The Mayo Clinic cites financial problems as one of the chief reasons why married couples need counseling (1).

A typical recession only lasts a few months, but it is a painful run and can have devastating consequences. Just as we need to take action to protect our finances in times of recession, we need to take steps to protect our families as well. Don’t let a financial crisis foreclose on your marriage.

Fiery financial darts

As Christian married couples, we are in this world—but not of it. (See John 17:15-18.) It’s important to note that being in this world means that we face the same obstacles as everyone else. The difference is that we have the Lord Jesus to help us with both our financial and marital issues.

It doesn’t take long for the strain of economic woes to clog your peace of mind.



Video: Affair-proof marriage
Take action: Do a Life Lesson
What happens to you when you’re filled with financial worry? What happens to your spouse? Many of us become moody and as cranky as a wet cat, and we eat lots of chocolate—right?

The book of John tells us that we’ve been equipped with the same glory that God gave to Jesus (John 17:22). That glory unites us with the Lord and with our spouse. The Greek word for glory is doxa, which denotes honor and respect. During times of increased financial strain it’s important to extend extra doxa — honor and respect — to your spouse. Financial downturn provides you with a unique opportunity to lift your marriage partner up while you look for practical solutions together.

The Lord is there when you sit with your spouse at the kitchen table and pour over your bills. James 1:5 encourages us that God will give you wisdom when you ask him for his help. God is the expert at making a way where there seems to be no way. (See Isaiah 42:16 to find a promise for the Lord’s help.) But, even still, human nature makes us tense up when money worries abound.

Predictors of a love recession

When debt soars, dryness results. At one time, you may have been glowing, but financial pressure can lead to a sense of lethargy and a general lack of interest. Your spouse senses it when this happens to you. To him/her it starts to feel like all of the excitement is gone.

Often times in an economic recession the Federal Reserve will step in and cut interest rates to balance the economic situation (2). Whether or not that’s always the best solution is a matter of debate, but for the sake of this example, let’s consider the potential benefits. Just like the United States as a country counts on the Federal Reserve to help bring stability, we as citizens of heaven can look to God for a strategy on how to steady our financial frets in marriage.

Go back over Isaiah 42 and remind yourself of God’s promise. Ask Him to help you and try these ways to protect your marriage from suffering a slump along with a distressed economy:

Know what God says: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 In stressful times, our quiet moments in the Word can get lost. Guard that time.
Prayer: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 Pray often. Claim God’s promises for your family and leave your concerns at His feet.
Pursue patience: “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14). Patience is one of the hardest disciplines. Know that God is with your in your waiting and spend the time with Him.
Apply understanding: “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1). When we’re stressed it’s easy to lose sight of the other person’s intentions or needs. Ask God for clarity and for the patience to truly listen to what your spouse is saying.
Double up on God’s idea of romance: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). You may not feel romantic, but you can use these verses as a practical guide to be romantic towards your spouse. An investment in your marriage will be dividends far beyond anything you’ll ever have in the bank.
Home prices have fallen, but your love and marriage don’t have to fluctuate negatively with market downs. Remember that in God’s economy things are different. Loss is gain. The weak are made strong. (See Isaiah 40:29 and 2 Corinthians 12:9.) When you and your spouse choose to take stock in God’s word, you’ll experience new mercy and the benevolent dividends that it provides.

Your greatest assets are your relationships with the Lord and with the loved ones that he has given to you. No matter what economic season the world is in, you are hedged in heaven’s care. Won’t you share that encircling love with your husband or wife today? When you do, you’re affirming your faith, as a couple, in Jehovah Jireh your provider. He’s the Lord who sees your every need and meets it!

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)

Posted by Evangeenabryan

Wednesday, February 4, 2009.

Today is also my birthday and I am a year older and desire to be more wise in the way that the Creator created me to be.

On this special occasion, I want to mark it by reading this articles which speaks a lot of truth and also which touches my heart.

Unmasking Our True Selvesby Barb Erochina

Mary took a deep breath, put on her best grin-and-bear- it smile and knocked on the door of her friend’s home. Somehow, she had gotten herself into a schedule where she always had something going on but none of it seemed to be her first choice. Mary was known for her so-called confidence and full social life, but she was suddenly realizing just how insecure and alone she still felt.

It was as if someone else had chosen everything in her life for her. Her days and activities were reduced to what everyone else wanted. Her own hopes and uniqueness faded into the background as she became the person others expected. As Mary waited at the door she dreaded the loneliness she knew she would feel amidst these friends.

Do you ever find yourself feeling like Mary? Do you catch yourself wondering how people would react if you were to expose your true self? For many people, a significant disconnect exists between their outward identity and their true selves. People desire the freedom to be themselves but more often than not, the fear of rejection or disapproval drives them to compromise their individuality.

Does anyone know the real you?

Many of us spend our lives wearing different masks or façades. We wear some of these masks to cover up parts of ourselves we don’t like and keep others around to change how people see us. The more of these masks we wear, the deeper we hide our true selves.

Wearing these masks constantly causes us to feel alone. A popular quote says "You are only ever loved to the extent that you are known". We cannot feel loved for who we really are as long as we are not known as we really are. At the same time, we fear that if we expose our true selves we will be rejected. This frustrating cycle keeps our real selves masked and our relationships shallow and unfulfilling.

In today’s culture of "keeping up with the Jones’ " it is no surprise that most of us find ourselves stuck in a never ending rat race of living up to what we think other people expect. Meanwhile, our true selves get left behind in the dust.

Additionally, as humans we have a natural desire to change and progress but because of our need to please others, too often the motivation for change is the external effects it might have rather than its innate worth. This type of change never lasts and we end up back at square one, feeling unknown and unloved, not to mention unchanged.

Though there are many masks a person can choose to wear, there are two that are very common.

Masks to cover pain

These are the smiling masks we wear when everything in our lives is crashing down around us. Taking this mask off would mean admitting that we’re not okay. We’d have to face the possibility that there might not be anybody to help us. This kind of self-awareness calls for deep change. Because of the fear of failure, this is a challenge most people are not comfortable with. It takes a deep strength to remove this mask, but it can be done.

Masks to cover shame

These are masks that scream self-confidence or pride in material possessions, even when the person wearing them feels worthless. We use these masks to point others to parts of ourselves that we like, or to help them notice the things which we hope give us worth. Masks like these serve as a distraction to keep outsiders from looking to where our flaws and shame lie. They pull people’s attention away from our true selves, from our humanity.

Some grains of truth

We wear these masks with good reason. We have all felt our fair share of pain and rejection. Yet, we still want to be known for our true selves. How do we resolve this dichotomy? Is it possible for us to become okay with letting our masks down while being fully aware of the risk factor involved?

The possibility of freedom to be ourselves is always going to get beat out by the likelihood of rejection, unless we can know we are perfectly safe from that pain. Other people however, cannot make this guarantee. Just like us, they are human and flawed. They might not be able to be there when we need them and often fail us even when they try their hardest not to.

The only safe place

God is the only one who accepts us truly as we are, without requiring anything else of us than just to be in relationship with him. We know we aren’t perfect. And often this feels like a big enough reason to cover ourselves up with so many masks. However, Jesus, God’s son came and lived a perfect life on this earth so that we could share in it. Christ both lived and sacrificed his perfect life on our behalf. All that is left up to us is to welcome Christ into our lives and accept his gift.

Knowing we are welcome into God’s arms just as we are frees us from unrealistic standards and empowers us to begin to take off our masks and live lives of authenticity.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Posted by Evangeenabryan

Today, Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Today, I receive an email and read something that is worth pondering on and meditate upon, it is also good if we check ourselves again the Bible before making any comments.

Without God what a terrible scenario but with God helpful hands are every where. Men can't protect men from harmful accidents except God. The book of Judges has the true story between the Jews & Palestinians. The figure in the story is Samson. SAMSON PRAYED…”LORD, REMEMBER ME…PLEASE STRENGTHEN ME JUST ONE MORE TIME.”’ JUDGES 16:28

We probably know about Samson’s moral collapse but have you read the story of his comeback? He was used by God as few men have ever been but the enemy found his weakness – a woman: ‘ She pressed him daily…and urged him’ (Judges 16:16).
For me i take a note of the words pressed and urged stand for, be alert, your enemy is persistent. It starts with an unguarded moment. There are doors you should never open. (If we feed the wrong appetite for a day we may end up struggling with it for a lifetime). About the wild lives in African countries. Every morning a lion wakens and knows it must outrun the swiftest gazelle or it will starve to death. It matters not whether we’re a lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up we’d better be ready to run!’ Peter warns us to be alert because our ‘adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8) .
But Samson remembered God! It’s a wonderful day when we decide to reach again for God. Like the father of the prodigal son he’ll run to meet us.
Yes He will! Samson’s last recorded prayer was from a prison cell, So Samson's prayer was granted by God. "‘Lord, remember me…please strengthen me one more time.’ Did God answer him? Yes: ‘He killed many more when he died than while he lived’ (Judges 16:30).
Regardless of where we are today or what shape we’re in, turn to God. He’ll straighten out the crooked places in our life and help us to make a comeback!

When we find time, please devote on the meaning of this verse. In the tougest seasons of life God's nearness is available & felt by those who put their trust in Him. The text in Psalm 18:35 confirms that.."You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."

Which means that He is available when we need Him to protect us from discouragement,stress,danger,etc.. His right hand to sustain us; His grace to strengthten us and His wisdom to lead us. We should thank Jesus for stooping down to make us great because of His great love for us.


Posted by Evangeenabryan

Today, Saturday, January 3, 2009

A prayer for today:

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it--or use it for good, but what I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it! When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, & not loss; good, & not evil; success, & not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price that I have paid for it. --W. HeartsillWilson.

We spent our first Saturday back to our own home in Miri, doing our housechores and varieties of tasks including mopping the dust off the floor.

Posted by Evangeenabryan

Today, Friday, January 2, 2009

Let us realize that what happens around us is largely outside our control, but that the way we choose to react to it is inside our control.

Life is a voyage in which we choose neither vessel nor weather, but much can be done in the management of the sails & the guidance of the helm.

" Choices that Shape Your Career and Life "

We manage to reach Lawas at about 4.00 pm and straight went to the car workshop to have our car washed.

We spent the night in Lawas as our car need a new plate no. and some repair.

Posted by Evangeenabryan

Today, Thursday, January 1, 2009

Today, my family and I left our village Buduk Nur for Lawas about 11.00 am. Two members from our relative's vehicle came with us and drove us to Lawas. However, due to bad road condition, our car got stuck in deep mud and was unable to be pulled out and so we spent the night on the road.

We made it to Lawas the next morning.

Blessed and properous new year 2009:
The New Year is more than just a marking of time—or at least it can be. Many people see it as an opportunity to make a new start in some area of their lives. Perhaps it's our new calendars with their fresh images or our new diaries and weekly planners with their unspoiled pages. Perhaps it's the knowledge that millions of other people around the world (and a few people closest to us in particular) are making New Year's resolutions and setting their sights higher. We don't want to be outdone or left behind. Call it what you will—a personal wake-up call, a jolt to our collective conscience, or peer pressure—it's effective ... at least for a few days. We all know how that goes.



But this year can be different. This year your New Year's resolutions can be the start of wonderful, lasting changes—if you include God in your plans and work with Him. If your motivation is to please Him most of all, then you can be sure that He's more than happy to help you make any necessary changes. In the process, because He loves you and wants you to be happy, He will also grant you the other desires of your heart. That's a promise! (Psalm 37:4). And don't let it stop with you. Find out what changes others you care about would like to make, and get behind them. Now that's rewarding!

May God bless you and may the coming year be your happiest and best yet.

Posted by Evangeenabryan