comfort

'Have you ever had a dream that you were trapped in, and you wanted to wake up but couldn't?' she asked.

Sometimes life can feel like those moments at times..


Comfort (-readings-)

Have you ever felt a pain in the pit of your soul that just won’t go away?
He felt it, too.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa 53:3)

He lived to the age of thirty-three and He was used to being alone. No one understood or cared to understand anything He said, even though He had words beyond the wisdom of the greatest philosophers; beyond the beauty of the greatest poets. No, they shook their heads at Him. At one point in His life, they all left Him except for a small band of ragtag disciples. There were even those who tried to find any way they could to kill Him because of His words.

Who wouldn’t be sorrowful with all of that? Worst of all, He knew that the day was coming. He understood that every verse in Scripture that spoke of unspeakable suffering was about Him. Imagine how He must have felt whenever He read those verses above.

He knew that all that everyone else in the world was enjoying, from the joys of having a family to even the comfort of a home and a warm bed to sleep in, were things that He would never be able to enjoy. He knew that God had one purpose in His being on earth, and that one purpose was to die.
If you’re feeling sad, know for certain that He knows how you feel. He’s been there. If you’re suffering, He knows how you feel, because He suffered unspeakable agony on the cross. If you’re lonely, he was lonely beyond description. Even His own disciples didn’t understand him. If you’re feeling pressure, He knows how you feel. He bore the sins of mankind on His shoulders.

His heart is aching with yours. He loves you so much that He did all He could for you. He loves you like a shepherd. Even to the point of laying down His life for you.

He brings rich gifts to you. He shed His blood for you so that one day, you might have the chance to be washed in His blood, and that all your sins may be forgiven for eternity. He died so that He would rise again and send the Comforter, the promised Holy Spirit, down for you.

And when you receive the promised Holy Spirit, Christ truly dwells in you. Even when you’re feeling alone, you can be assured that you’re not really alone, but have within you His constant presence--an unquenchable source of strength and sufficiency.

Despite your broken heart, despite anything you’ve done in the past, He is there. He knows how you feel because He’s been there. Before you even know him, he has already loved you today more than anyone can ever love you.

The Bible says that we all, like sheep, have gone astray. It’s true, isn’t it? We’ve wandered far from God, and the farther we roam, the more lost we become. We encounter sorrows and pain in life because we’ve become disconnected with Him. But even so, He still loves us, more than ever. He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart, and He gently leads those that have young.A funny thing happens when you accept Jesus Christ as your shepherd. You find that His grace is always there, and is always enough for you. When your soul hungers, He leads you into the open green pastures. When your soul is filled with anxiety, He leads you beside the calm, still waters. No matter how broken your soul become in this life, He restores it. Even when faced with death, or the slings and arrows of our enemies, He is there.

The fault lies with me. How am I spending my life--am I repaying God for giving me this life? What about the people that have not learned of God’s name, or even heard of salvation, of a better home not of this world? If I have love, I should share His words, His wonders and His grace with others. If I have love, I will wait patiently and hope that change in man is possible because with God, all things are possible. If I have love, I will fight for what is right and just, and finish this race of faith. Wake up and see that He is there.

clouded..hope

When I looked to the cloudy sky today,
When I saw a little bird outside my window,
When I saw a crescent moon tonight,
I remembered some past memories.

My mind is filled with too many wishful thoughts.
I have lost sight of some short term goals in searching for the long term goal.
I need to study, need to work, need to play, need to keep going !
Time is running out.

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverence."

(Romans 8:25)

A river flows in your heart

I stood at the edge of a river one day and simply watched it flow past. It seemed like a peaceful and gentle river, and so I wondered about it and nearer to it I walked. The current grew stronger, the waters flowed faster, and everything in its path was carried along with it as time passed. And with each passing moment, the water rised to meet my feet. It was cold and merciless.

I stood there in the midst of the waters. I waited for something to happen, but the waters again rose to meet my knees. I could not stand for the current was strong as it swept past me. My balance was weak and I wanted to push past the waters, at least walk across the waters. As I struggled and pushed, the coldness, the raging of the current, and the rushing of the waters was merciless and fierce.

I was now swept away with the flow of the river. I thought to myself, will I make it? or will I drown? I took little breaths to fight to survive and I fought with the waters to stay above it that I might escape its grasp. I was weak, and my body felt tired, and I felt empty. I let myself flow with the river. I would die, I thought. Who will save me?

Then someone pulled me out of the water. A hand held tight to my hand, a warm and strong grip. I opened my eyes, coughed and shivered, then I saw My Father. He had been watching me and He saved me. He covered me, and shielded me from the cold and then I walked with Him side by side as the river flowed past. I simply followed Him, not straying to the left or right but pressing forwards.

And a peace flowed within my heart, a peace like the river.

Be mindful

I have been consumed by my own desires.

I have spoken words of foolishness.

I have forgotten His words.

I am a fool.



And my heart hurts.

And my heart feels heavy.

And my heart is broken into a thousand pieces.



Just a little seed of hope..

Just a little spark of love..

Just a little light in the dark..

Just a little further...

what kind of love?

Something I want to explore..

Filial Piety: Filial Behaviour--
(note to note..)

5 sinful unfilial behaviour:

1. to not support our parents because of our laziness
2. to not care about our parents by committing our selfish bad habits of gambling or drinking, and likewise
3. to not love our parents because of our greed
4. to bring shame to our parents, to bring shame to their name because desire and chasing after our dreams consumed us
5. to endanger our parents safety because of our quarrelsome character which inflicts danger upon our life too

So how must one show filial behaviour?


I. Obey our parents
Practice obedience to our parents because this is according to the truth of the word of God (Ephesians 6:1-3); this is the commandment of our Father in heaven (Proverb 6:20-23). Listen to their instructions, listen to our father’s commands, listen to the law of our mother, and bind their words upon our hearts; tie them around our necks.As long as we live, bring joy and gladness to our parents (Proverbs 23:24,25). And our Father in heaven will bless us.

II. Wisdom in a child brings delight
Grandparents receive joy in seeing their children and grandchildren (Genesis 48:1, 11), just as Israel was truly joyous for he had the chance to see his offspring and his offspring. The elderly are never burdens but, rather value their wisdom in their advanced years that they we may learn of their wisdom. They shall bless us and our children because we value their wisdom, because we honoured them.

III. Provide for our parents
Even if we give offerings to the Lord, still, honour our parents in the same manner and provide for them. Ruth was determined to follow her mother-in-law everywhere, anywhere which touched Naomi although Naomi also considered her daughter-in-law’s future (Ruth 1:16-17). She always reported to her mother-in-law and supported both of them, diligently providing for their necessities (Ruth 2:2). Be sure to report to our parents for it is our duty to not let them worry over us, that yet we may still provide them security, necessities and ourselves, to be self-sustaining and independent.

Jesus fulfilled his providence to His mother even unto the point of death. He found in His responsibility, His duty, a filial act to ask John to take care of his mother when He leaves (John 19:26-27).

IV. Accept discipline from our parents as children
Love compels our parents to discipline us to fulfil their duty as parents (Hebrews 12:8), and each time they must chastise us they are just as in much pain as we are (Hebrew 6:11).

V. Do not despise our parents
Never esteem yourself higher than our parents for if you do not know this, we are somewhat immature. Know how to repay our parents’ love, know how to treat them, respect them and understand them. Do not blame them, rebuke them or scold them. But think of their safety, respect their ideas, be open to their views, provide their needs, also think of their convenience. If we do not practice this respect, but rather despise or mock our father or mother, we shall be punished.

VI. Do not curse our parents
If we curse our mother or father, we shall surely die (Proverbs 20:20). Remember the fifth commandment, do not break it or punishment awaits us (Leviticus 20:9). Do not wait until they pass away to be filial for we must seize the opportunity to honour them while it means something in this time that we pass by the world.

VII. Do not persecute our parents
Never mistreat our father or chase away our mother for such child brings shame and reproach (Proverbs 19:26).

VIII. The greatest filial act is to give them salvation

And if ever our parent does not fulfil their responsibilities in this life, repay them with good, love them as our Father in heaven first loved us. Pray that our Father will turn their hearts, that maybe they might be moved by our sincere love for them, and that maybe they might see our Father and hear His calling to them. Even as Jesus loved all sinners we ought to imitate His love, for this is just one part of love.

one family.

A day that brings a time and a oneness,

to remind a little one of how they are surrounded by love,

by a family that will always watch over

them.

Wisdom, I Do Not Understand

I do not understand. I am not sure I can or maybe I do not want to. But what can I do? Maybe people despise my youth, my character and my background, but what can I do? All I know how to do is to wait and grow up, but this waiting feels like procrastination, a time that is passed that can never be brought back, and this time is my childhood and my youth. Before I know it, it will be gone and then I will be dwelling on these moments instead, of looking forward. Misery seems to have overcome me. The more I hear of bystanders complaining they are “bored” or “tired”.. I take these words to heart as they were once words that clouded my mind and my thoughts, and in those days I only wished for it to end. Though I know I am still a youth, when I think about the future I fear of becoming lost in such fearful thoughts—thoughts that I know that I should never come across. I feel drained, and empty. Lost and weary. I want to run away but I know that my duty here is not done, neither is there anywhere to run to. I only long to return home.

I do not understand this world, how it spins around and around as all the people seek to find a place to live on it. Then again, as I rush to grow up, I know I will regret my life and the decisions that steered its direction and that is not the way I want to continue. As long as I am alive, it is not too late to change. How much longer? How further? How can I?

I do not understand what I know. Where is the hope that gives me strength to go on? As much as I do not want to observe these surroundings, I can see that love has grown so cold, a coldness that this cruel world embraces and devours. Seemingly “love” is just a mere emotion, but it really it is an ability; something that one needs to acquire through learning, practice, and testing. Then I see small little acts, little deeds in the shadow that gives me a hope to cling on to, because it is these small things that have the greatest meaning.

I do not understand the words of man. I would rather not say anything. I do not mind silence, though it is termed “an awkward silence”. I like the sound of quietness. I like the sound of gentle breathing and snoozing away at night when you know all your love ones are sound and asleep. I like the sound of a calm night, gazing at stars and the moon and just simply contemplating the moment. I like the sound of little girls and boys busying at their homework, its just an occasional whisper, papers flipping away, and pencils writing away. I like the sound of my grandma making or baking something nice to feed our hungry tummy, its just that chop-chop-chop and the sizzling sound.

I do not understand..

Stop, breathe, wait.

Wisdom
--Writings of a wise man, King Solomon--

A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of every man;

the living should take this to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.

Like the crackling of thorns under the pot,so is the laughter of fools.
This too is meaningless.

Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?"
For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this:
that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten what he has made crooked?

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:
a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—
why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.
The man who fears God will avoid all extremes .

Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.

Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you-

for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

All this I tested by wisdom and I said,
"I am determined to be wise"—
but this was beyond me.

Whatever wisdom may be,
it is far off and most profound-who can discover it?

So I turned my mind to understand,
to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things

and to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly.