I Thank God

photo courtesy of Google

Last Saturday (which was yesterday) was a great one to have, because we were a bit abounding of number in the Korean church including a new found friend who just frequently joining us.
Normally, it's the Korean Pastor's wife who would always lead out the Sabbath School program with new concepts of icebreaker that may awaken the senses of the church goers.
What she did yesterday was good enough for everyone to think of something that we need to thank God for by listing it down.
I was called to read my lists and shared what I have thank God for about, and here it is....

photo courtesy of Google

I Have All the Reasons in the World to Thank God....
1. for the trials and struggles in life everyday (here in Cambodia).
2. for the blessings of life.
3. the job He provided for me here in Cambodia.
4. the low salary I'm receiving in my teaching job.
5. for the blessings of health both physically and spiritually.
6. for the blessings of a new set of new found friends here in Cambodia.
7. for the blessings of protections.
8. for the blessings of food physically and spiritually.
9. for the blessings of the spiritual gift in teaching.
10. the miracles of getting up everyday.
11. the miracles of opening my eyes every morning.
12. the blessings of having good students.
13. the blessings of having a good school and the new management.
14. the blessings of the bad news that I see and hear everyday reminding myself to cling on more to God.
15. the miracles of having a great God who accepted the worse in me.
16. for the wonderful family I have, we may not perfect but I am glad we aren't.
17. for the blessings that I could find way to go to church every Sabbath and worship with fellow SDAs abroad.
18. the blessings that I could have my own personal devotions everyday.
19. for the persecution I have had.
20. Lastly, for the shower of blessings He gives each day.

These are the lists I have made except numbers 19 & 20 which I added only now to make it 20. Words of gratitude aren't enough to Him, I just feel ashamed and embarrassed because I don't deserve to call Him my father, because of my filthiness but then, I thank God for loving me always..I am just so lucky that I am a child of God and I am claiming that always.

WHAT IF GOD.......

Last week,before I posted my previous entry of this blog..I was in the Jacob's trouble..Jacob's trouble is an emotional and spiritual fight or trouble inside with the Lord..I really had a fight with the Lord about the things that I wish and wanted to have in a day without considering His decision whether He allows it or not.
I voiced out all my innermost ill-feelings to the Lord,why He doesn't give me this and that,and why He never permitted me to fly out of the country that soon..and so many why's ? I'm practically sure,everyone has gone to that point that you question God about the unexpected event in life contrary to what you desire to have and to happen.
Till the day realized me that I should wait and understand God's purpose why He is delaying His promise to me...well,that experienced..I guess just developing my patience and more patience,without knowing that it is one of the best virtue of being a Christian.."Patience".herewith is a nice anecdote that I've got from my roommate,posted on our room's wall..which I believe would ask us what if God?????

What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?
What if God decided to stop Leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the Rain?
What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if God took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?
What if God took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
What if God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.
What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if God stopped loving us and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if God wouldn't not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?
What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if God met our needs the way we give Him our lives?
-Anonymous_

THIS FAR BY FAITH

Just to pass out the dull rainy morning...I thought of something that would keep me busy aside from listening to both secular and religious music in my MP3 phone.My eyes were roaming around the four corners of my room searching for the possible errand to do,so I decided to read book to enhance my reading and vocabulary instead.
As I was chosing the best book to read,a simple booklet had caught my curiosity as if by trapping or snaring.The book entitled:"Praying with Power-Moving Mountains" written by Dr.Kenneth Mulzac,a very dynamic speaker and professor which I met personally a hundred times..
Nonetheless,I read the first part of the book till I got into the main course of the story which a lamp hardened in my throat while the author telling the intro part of a story of Thomas Dorsey known to be the father of Gospel Music and known for his composition "Precious Lord Take My Hand".
Here is the short story of Thomas Dorsey that cried me a river just this morning: Thomas Dorsey once suffered a life-changing tragedy.He had left his wife in Chicago,expecting their first baby,while he played in a revival in St.Louis.In the middle of the concert a messenger brought him a telegram.Dorsey's wife had delivered a baby boy.But she had died.He was torn, a tumult of emotions rising like a tidal wave in his breast.On the one hand,he wrenched in agony and pain at the death of his beloved wife Nettie;on the other hand,he choked with tears of joy for his boy.Shocked and crazed with pain,Dorsey made his way back to Chicago where he learned that the baby had also died.Dorsey buried both of his wife and baby in the same casket.he slumped into depression.Then one day,a friend,a music lover,locked him in a classroom,empty except for a piano.Dorsey slowly fingered the keys,improvising.A song was born:

Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:

Refrain

Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:

Refrain

When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Dorsey's tragic story moved me to cry like a baby..profoundly pondering how pathetic I was in the midst of adversity while I was calling the precious name of Jesus.It may sounds so corny or funny for others but I felt something inside that warmth the chilling of my heart.

GOD USES ORDINARY PEOPLE-DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

Most men pray for power,the strength to do things.Most men pray for money, the happiness to buy anything,but few people pray for education, the ability to learn something.
My earliest encounter with the world of learning comes from my parents.In a home that I am living in,apparent (of)poverty is clearly evident that getting a college diploma is hopelessly impossible.
I never dreamed of studying at all which apathy and frustrations poisoned my interest,but instead I inspired myself with courage to seek job locally and internationally.Unluckily,adversity came to me for a year which I can't get a job.Being jobless for 1 year was wretchedly deficient for me.
Thanks to my missionary friends who devotedly prayed and showing exalted influenced that purposely driven me to study again.
The Lord had seen my strong desire to obtain a college degree,so as He secretly performed miracles in my life that I could imagine.He uses ordinary people with extraordinary talents who surety allowed themselves to be of used by God for my academic needs.
Compendium of thoughts coming from my benefactors are (the) words that well lived,written to my heart that will serves as guideposts and road maps in my travels through highways and byways.
I want to mention virtually the following persons who endlessly indefatigable supported me..my benefactors:
1. Mr. & Mrs.Paul Lackey- They were American Frontier Missionaries who opened the windows of opportunity for me to study in a University.Their helped was truly a great opener for me.Hope I can still be in contact with them.
2. Ma'am Maria Lee - (A well-educated and a woman of substance)...thank you so much for the big amount that you have had contributed,that made me once in a while the richest student in school.Your respond to my plead was a perfect timing while I was in the midst of the quicksand of distressed monetarily.
3.Pastor Robert Wong - I knew you were in the valley of decision's as to whether you'd help me or not but the Lord had sent His answered through your prayers.You were like a father to me which your dedication to serve God brings a vibrant cadence in your heart.
4.Elder Robert Quillin - Your presence and words of advise was measured in lyrical phrases that brought assurance and inspiration.
These amazing people didn't worry about the financial they had shared and who gets the credits but stirred my emotions to embellish in writing them here.It's practically rare to find persons like them, that is why my words of gratitude embedded with maxims of praises.
I thank the good Lord for sending these extraordinary people without them I won't be where I am today.