"You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust." God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague, Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield. You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come. You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see. You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent. For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion the dragon. Whoever clings to Me I will deliver; whoever knows My name I will set on high. All who call upon Me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor. With length of days I will satisfy them and show them My saving power."
Existence
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." -Galatians 2:20
“my existence” by shinning bright for Christ blogger Alpha Christina
http://alphanikki.wordpress.com/
It is my desire to constantly defy the ways of this world so I won’t settle down with all the temporary hypes of this life because there is something greater UP there. GOD is bigger than all of this.
“My prayer today is that GOD would make me an extraordinary Christian”
-George Whitefield
We are not to feel at home in this earth for we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. -Rick Holland
As my mom once told me in a letter,
The world is neither for us to desire, nor for us to dream of going and seeing every places, it is God’s, the desires and dreams are exclusively for Him, where He will send us and give us the golden opportunity to seek first His presence in every corners of it. Ours is very basic, learn how we can flourish and nurture His earth, how we can do our share to maintain its richness and beauty.
Accepting that “golden opportunity” will be a way of glorifying and exalting Him by letting people feel that there is God, letting them see God in you by being ready to feel their needs and giving your open arms and hands when they need it. Being bold enough to share His Words and allow Him to use you in His battle. Just be selfless in having a God governance life and before you knew it, God is handing you your Platinum Card to Heaven.
Don’t get so caught up with all the enticing things this fallen world has.
It will come and go.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2
Lord,help me see that my very existence is not for my own.
But in giving YOU praise and honor in every aspect of my life.
Sisters
"that dress is beautiful!!!"
"We often find ourselves expressing words we do not fully understand. One expression that I have come close to full realization of, is the word, "beautiful". For me, beautiful had been merely qualities of a person or a thing that relied solely on the visual aspects.
Just recently, I have realized that it is MUCH more than that. It is hilarious how God works in our lives, and I found my revelation in the most unexpected place: Downtown Eastside.
This summer of '09, I started doing Agape Street Ministry. For those who don't know, it's a ministry that reaches out to the women of the streets. The ministry does an "Agape Walk" where the volunteers hand out goodie bags to the women. Not only the candies increase their glucose level for medical purposes, but it also acts as icebreakers for the ministry to interact with them. We may pray over them, take prayer requests or simply greet them.
An interesting fact about this ministry is that male volunteers are on the walk only as protection. Brothers are encouraged to lay low and serve as security acts. The reason being that it is the men who have abused these women and they are more likely to open up to sisters more for obvious reasons. Before my first walk, Andre told me that this ministry was "beautiful".
My first few walks consisted of a very few people. Reaching out to roughly about 150 women in two short hours was not a easy job. On my first few walks, there were many times where I had to step in to give out the goodies and be part of the interactions because the extra hands were needed. Surely, I have volunteered for the Soup Kitchen and have done this kind of work before. This, Agape, wasn't any different from those experiences where I had to reach out to the poor. For this reason, I did not fully understand the beauty that Andre was talking about.
Over the time, more people started coming out to the walks, (this one time, we had 15, thanks to the exert. haha) thus I had pleasure of staying back and fulfill my intended roles as a brother. It was then, my eyes started to open to the "beautiful" thing that Andre so often talked about. The thing that is so precious. The thing that is ever so elegant. That thing that is BeautifuL: our sisters radiating the love and mercy of Christ.
In YFC, we define the roles of brothers and sisters. For brothers, we are the pastors. protectors and providers. For those reasons, we are the ones that lead worships. We are the ones that lead ways. We are the ones that lead the sisters at all times.
The Agape Ministry provided opportunities for the sisters to take charge. For sisters to pastor. For the sisters to lead the way. For me, it had been such a blessing to see how the sisters took the initiative to spread the love of God.
When the sisters walked ahead of me and lead the way deeper into the Hastings, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters carried those heavy bags without any tiredness nor grudges, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters greeted the women so whole-heartedly, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters offered and gave out the treats, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters asked how their day was, how their children were, how their family was, tthat was so beautiful.
When the sisters couldn`t wait to approach the next woman, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters put rosary around that woman's neck,that was so beautiful.
When the sisters prayed over that woman who lost her mother, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters comforted and assured them that God loves them, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters comforted those who wept, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters hugged them without signs of disgust but smile, that was so beautiful.
When the sisters filled that place of sadness, sorrow, evil and darkness with their genuine love, care and comfort...
that was so beautiful.
In this changing world, we often hear about our Catholic Church being sexist, such as "why can't women be priests" remarks. I believe that our God, God of details, so intricately designed His men and women to have unique roles and responsibilities.
What sisters cannot do, brothers will accomplish. Not because the sisters are not capable of doing those things, but rather God has plans that he specifically called sisters to do. Likewise, sisters will spread the light of our God where brothers cannot go.
God made us, brothers, to be strong. Firm and unshaken to Provide, Pastor and Protect.
God made sisters, to be beautiful. Gentle and tender to Care, Comfort and Cherish.
(haha we always had our 3 P`s. You guys have 3 C`s now.)
In closing, I would like to use this opportunity to thank and honor all the sisters that have shown me the beauty. True meaning of beauty. Through your selfless acts of services in kindness and love, I was able to open my things to the things unseen.
Dear my amazingly beautiful sisters,
Thank you for showing me how beautiful you all really are."
-Peter Byun
Amen.
Growth
Revenge
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” -2 Timothy 2:23-24
Impossible to Seperate.
Stand Firm.
"If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for everything." -Alexander Hamilton
A letter.
My Child,
You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28For you are my offspring.
I knew you even before Acts 17:28 you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6I have been misrepresented
by those who don’t know me.
John 8:41-44I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4And I’ll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad
Almighty God
"to you..from God"
Well, I was like that too, and it started all of a sudden; just randomly out of the blue. No warning or explanation, I felt so angry, angry at God. But I knew that the only one at fault was me, knowing fully that God is perfect, I knew that all the blame was towards myself. But as I realized this I tried to reach out to God, but then the sins I have committed held me back with guilt, telling me that "you're just going to do it again anyway". It didn't help much and as what happens when you pull away from God, you tend to lose balance in many parts of your life.
School started and already I was beginning to feel extremely irritated. I felt alone now since even my own group of friends seemed different than from summer and I was acting in a way that wasn't me. I tried to reach out to God but I couldn't really do it. Eventually I just wanted to leave and change schools (all of this happening in the span of 2 hours, sad I know). But above all my biggest worry was how far I felt from God. When not with God, I couldn't be who I was, sin seemed like it wasn't so bad, it didn't look like it was going to be the death of me. And by death I meant the real death, not the physical one that everyone goes through, but death when you are no longer with God. I was really lost and wasn't looking forward to the rest of the school year. I was even contemplating to selfishly break away from the friends who reached out to me at school and just a be a loner, why? Because I was afraid of being influenced in the wrong ways, because I refused to look at the good in other people, because I refused to accept that God was my strength, because I refused to accept that He loves me, because I refused to love my brothers and sister that same way He loves me.
And through all this, God spoke to me. As always He arrived precisely when he meant to (LOTR :P if anyone caught that). And He did it through KnowGodKnowLove as I was browsing through Tumblr:
to you..from God
Dear [your name], I miss you. I think about you all the time. I just want you to know how much I love you, how much I want to be there for you every step of the way. I am so proud of you. If you need me, you know how to find me… Love, God
You know, I'm not too worried anymore about bad influences or stuff like that, I'll be who I am and enjoy the people God has blessed me with. True, things may not be the cleanest, but you know I have to remember one of God's most special commands: Love one another as I have loved you. And we'll have loads of fun, I'll make the best out of things, but you know, as God has always been there for me, these people are my brothers and sisters and as tough as they act, I'll always have their backs.
Maybe this time God wants me to be the one who influences.
-Gabriel
Suffering
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” -Romans 5:3-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1:2-4
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us.” -Romans 8:18
"Pain is temporary but God's love is eternal." -YFC
"Never waste your pains and sufferings, offer them up for the salvation of souls." -Father Larre
"When we struggle in our lives, we sometimes say, “Lord! Why is it that I must suffer, why is it that I must go through such hardships! Why why why!” Some of us may think that it is possibly some sort of bad karma for what we have done. Some think God is punishing us. However, have you ever thought to yourself that He is simply just answering your prayer? As I listen to the song, ‘Hosanna - Hillsong’, there is a line that prays, “Break my heart for what break yours!”
Today in RLC, I realized something during an activity where we raised our arms up like our Lord Jesus on the cross. That through His most high love, He hung on the cross, alone. As we raised our arms up, and struggled to keep them as high as possible, I realized our Lord Jesus Christ did not intend that we carry our cross alone. It is through His connecting love, that as we kept our arms up, and joined together to rest our arms upon one another, our struggles became one within the community, His church. And that it was with His crucifixion on the cross, that He truly brought the world together, that we may no longer experience our struggles alone, but that we may rest upon our fellow brothers and sisters, who strive with us every step of the way with our Lord guiding us. When we feel alone, understand that we are not, for His love is infinite and universal, and that through the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist, His love connects us further than what we can possibly understand. Our struggle is not alone, nor is it impossible to conquer, for we are a stronghold of Christ, lead by the power of the Holy Spirit, and built by the Father Almighty." -Isaac Guevera
"To ask why a good God would allow suffering is to ask why a good doctor would put a needle in the backside of an infant to inoculate them. The infant doesn’t understand it, all he knows is that it is horribly painful. He can’t understand that in a way this inoculation is going to prepare him for something in the future that he is not even aware of. And in the same way, God is a God of intention. He is a God of meaning, of purpose. He is brimming with intention and meaning. So we can rest assured that although the purposes of suffering might be hidden from us in the present life, His reasons are always wise, they are always specific, and they are always good." -Joni Eareckson Tada
"...in suffering love becomes crystallised; the greater the suffering, the purer the love." -St. Faustina
