Since I'm not able to make it tonight to our New Year's Eve service at church, (sobs.... sobs.... sobs..... I'm so sad... I really want to go... I've never missed it before...),
I am staying home and blogging this entry.
Every new year, I make a list of
1) Goals 2) Resolutions 3) Prayer requests
to God.
Seriously, every item I list is a challenge and I write them with A LOT of fear and faith mixed together. Now, I look back at 2009's list and I'm shocked to see how what-seemed-like-unattainable goals are actually achieved. I'm kinda sure it's not me. It must be God. He does it every time!
For example, I wasn't sure about making it through college. But as of this semester, I did. I now have a degree (congrats to Nway2 too!). I still can't believe it. For that, I'm immensely thankful to God for carrying me through. So many times I felt like giving up because it was too hard. Accounting... is just... SUCH A PAIN, OKAY!? Grrr... But HALLELUUUU~~~~JAH! I'm done!
This year, I'm going to be a little bolder. Step a little higher. And I just want to encourage all my brothers and sisters to do the same. If you have big dreams and you are afraid of even thinking about it, just have a little faith in God and pray for it. I did that every year and God seemed to move. I asked for ridiculous stuff and apparently it's in His will and I got them all (almost)!
Hmm... In 2009, I got a house, work permit, love, graduation, good health... Oh yes, good health. Speaking of which, my psoriasis (chronic skin disease) is pretty much gone!!! Without any medication! I just touched my skin and prayed for it! I was too tired of going to doctors after doctors and medicine which really isn't medicine because it was just eating my skin away. I got angry and I thought, meh, my Father is God! How dare this thing bother me!? So that's when I started praying for my skin. Of course, while praying and touching my skin, thoughts like "You crazy" ran through my mind a lot. But it worked. Maybe my skin got used to the weather, maybe it's just one of the normal cases where the disease fades away but whatever it is, I'm free. My mother kept asking me what happened to my skin, how I got healed and I just told her I prayed and God healed me. This mother who is a constant persecutor now believes in my prayer. And I don't remember being sick this year as opposed to last year and the years before when I was down almost twice a month! Couldn't get anything done! Now I'm pretty healthy and happy!
And wow, another one: I managed to quit spice. That's a miracle if you know me. I was like, addicted. I still eat spicy food but in moderation. I don't even care for it no more. (Can you imagine how embarrassing it was to pray to quit spice, even though it was just between me and God? Haha.. )
Anyways, you know what ALL this means?? I'm upgrading my list to bigger items!!! Mwahahaha... *ahem* scholarship to bible school *ahem* *ahem* be healthier for God and lose 50 lbs or something* haha..
When we sincerely pray and ask of God... there is nothing that He would hold back from us. Right? :))))
Happy new year! 2010, here we come! Ok.. I'm gonna do my 2010 list now. CYA! I love you all and already miss you all.. I'll be back late Jan! Hopefully, I'll be back better, stronger and more refined! Wanna come back praising God!!!
here's the thanksgiving song we have to sing this sunday. have a listen okkkkkkkkk??
it's really easy and meaningful. sobs. makes me wanna cry when i read and sing each line.
(we will sing faster.)
For all that You've done, I will thank You For all the You're going to do For all that You've promised And all that You are Is all that has carried me through Jesus I thank You
And I thank You Thank You Lord And I thank You Thank You Lord
Thank You for loving and setting me free Thank You for giving Your life just for me How I thank You Jesus, I thank You Gratefully thank You Thank You
YAF visitation to new comers’ houses went well yesterday. We visited total of 5 households because we didn’t have enough time and all the addresses. We provided toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, eggs, and instant noodles. Sayama Aye Aye Thaw said there were about 21 households.
At the third house, when I put the tooth paste on their table, the Kayar Uncle said “Is it toothpaste? We are run out of it.” When he saw tooth bushes and soaps, “oh, we need those too.” Then, he showed me their almost-empty rice bag and said they have no more rice and they finish one bag of rice per a week. Two households live in that house with total of 9 people.
The last house we went was near Lia Lian & Lian Pu place. That house is just empty. They have nothing. They don’t even have rice for this week. We asked them for food stamps. They said they don’t receive yet, and haven’t even filled out for food stamps yet (I think we need to let Janet knows about it). We checked letters for them. Sayama Aye Aye Thaw called me when we are at that house. They were at Church yesterday, but because they couldn’t find Sayama Aye Aye Thaw to tell that they have no more rice they went house just like that. I guess, may be they scared to tell some of us at church or they didn’t know who to tell. So, Ko Aung Shwe went back to Church and got a rice bag and bought some meats for them to eat in this week. Lian Pu said they help them to get some grocery sometime, but they just don’t tell what they need.
I also found out that Ko Maung Soe is also helping these new comers. This Friday, Ko Maung Soe, Saya Lone Wah, and Ko Aung Shwe will go shopping for them using their food stamps and distribute accordingly.
I thank God for using us (OBMBC) in helping, people who are in need. Like Saya Lone Wah preached yesterday, we are not doing it for them in favor or anything; we are just paying our debt to Christ, who died for us on the cross to pay for our sins.
Hope and wish that YAF can be more involved in New Comers Ministry more often, not just as one time event. It will be great if we can have a help-desk for new comers at Church after every Sunday Service, so they can bring the letters and we can help them read, explain, fill out the form, etc. And they can also tell us what they need. So then, they don’t have to wait for Sayama Aye Aye Thaw only. Of cause, we should continue the visitation at least once a month.
can someone explain to me what is the difference between Antioch church and Baptist church..
I been struck with this question today and I can't answer. The person ask why Baptist could be so informal at the church such as wearing Jeans or having fun,talk loudly and anyone can go up to podium and while Antioch doesn't tolerate those things??
You know how even though we’re saved, we still sin?
Even though we’re Christians now, we still can have bad habits too. I, for one, have many bad habits to break.
Hello, lovelys. I’m back with my Dr. Charles Stanley sermons again. Soooo thankful to God for sending me at least one trustworthy teacher of God’s word on television.
Anyways, this is a great sermon. Sometimes, when I’m struggling with my sins, I would confess to God… I would repent, and repent…. and repent… to no avail.
After listening to this message - which I diligently sought for online after being so miserable in my sin and praying without answers - I realized it’s because repentance is not just about being sorry. Sorry just doesn't cut it. It’s about surrendering everything to God. Giving it up. Making a change. So, enjoy and be blessed as I was. I typed up some key phrases.
God's Call to Genuine Repentance – Part 1 of 3
What is wrong when a person says, “I’m a Christian; I profess Jesus Christ as my Savior.” And there’s no change in their lives?
What’s the problem in the life of a Christian who goes on and on, confessing the same thing over and over and over again?
They would tell you they’re sincere, I’m not doubting that, but something’s wrong with this.
We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.
Romans 2:4 – The kindness of God is to lead you to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 – Genuine repentance – A heart-felt sorrow for sin AND a commitment to forsake sin to walk in obedience to Christ.
It isn’t just enough to have sorrow, regret, and remorse for what you’ve done because you felt guilty or whatnot but there’s a commitment to walk away from it, forsake it.
One of the reasons we are sorrowful of our sins is because
• We got caught. • Or, we are so miserable living in it.
You can be teary-eyed, you can cry, you can be ashamed of it, be embarrassed, you can fear being caught, whatever it is, none of that is repentance.
The genuine repentance is to change.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – Turn from their wicked ways, then will I heal their land. It isn’t just “humble themselves and pray.”
You cannot tolerate sin. God hates sin. He hates all sins for a simple reason: He loves us.
God's Call To Genuine Repentance – Part 2 of 3
He loves us too much to let us get by with it. He judges sins because He knows what sin does in the lives of His children.
Luke 15:11-15 – A very good example of true repentance: The prodigal son.
He’s sick and tired of being sick and tired.
What change took place? He said, “I will arise and go to my father.” He meant business.
v20-22 – He genuinely repented. He did what he said he was gonna do. He left his old lifestyle.
Many people, they are absolutely spiritually corrupt.
Many people don’t get right with God until they’ve lost everything.
Will God let you lose everything? Every single thing. Is that bad? Anything that drives you to God has got to be good.
He’s trying to get your attention! What got his (prodigal son) attention? He lost everything!
You can’t straighten your life. God must change your life.
That change takes place when you respond in genuine confession and repentance that is a genuine sorrow for your sin. Not only the willingness but allowing God to turn you around and forsake your past ways and begin to walk in a different way.
And I think about people who live with all the wickedness in their lives and they say, “What I’m gonna do is I’m gonna join a church.”
You can go to church, you can go to every denomination, die and go to hell.
“I teach Sunday School, I sing the choir, I’ve even preached a few times.” That would not do you any good.
You mean to tell me if I’m willing to get up and preach and teach and help people to understand the truth, and I still won’t go to heaven? Absolutely not.
God's Call To Genuine Repentance – Part 3 of 3
Matthew 7:21-23 -- “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name? And in Your name cast out demons?
A man can preach gospel all of his life, but if he’s never been saved by the grace of God, when he dies, he’s not going to heaven.
Salvation has nothing to do with good work. You can’t clean up your life. Repentance is not cleaning up my past.
Repentance is acknowledging that my past is wicked and sinful against God, acknowledging my helplessness and turning to Him, asking for His mercy, placing my trust in Him because He said if I would come to Him, He would forgive me, cleanse me and change my life. It’s what He does in us.
But don’t you have to clean up something to get saved? No. You can’t clean it up. If you can clean it up, there’d be no cross.
We’re desperately lost from God apart from the grace and mercy and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring us to the realization we need to be saved.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a strong message. It is a message to walk away from your sins.
Salvation is an eternal change of your destiny. Therefore, our walk is to be like a godly man or woman.
I’ve got one or two things in my life, whatever it may be, I’ve asked God to forgive me and you know what? I’m still doing it.
I’m asking You, God, please believe me, I’m as sincere as I know to be, please forgive me. And deep down inside, you know you’re gonna do it again.
What about believers, who have habits in their lives, relationships in their lives, ideas in their lives, lusts in their lives, whatever it might be, and you ask God to forgive you and you come to Him and you confess it.
Let’s talk about confession for a moment.
The primary reason that there’s so much confession and no change is because of one single thing, it’s because I haven’t surrendered it.
It is only when I let it go that there’s gonna be change.
Surrender is the key in genuine repentance. I’m willing to walk away from what God says does not belong in my life. This is why Christians cannot break away from certain habits in their lives.
Partial obedience is disobedience.
By acknowledging your sinfulness, telling Him that you don’t deserve anything, you’re asking for His mercy, His forgiveness, and His cleansing, you’re surrendering your life to him. You’re placing your trust in Him as your savior, your Lord, your Master. And in the process of turning to Him, you’re automatically turning away from your past into a new life that He’s provided for you.
I came out not just alive, but with everything in it's places.......
If you haven't accept Jesus yet, I want you to open your heart and try it. You have nothing to loose. My accident is truly a miracle. After the accident, the police came to my house to ask about my accident. He was surprise to see me sitting down and answering his question. I hit with other 3 cars. After I hit with the first car, my car went into the opposite direction jumping the middle rump and hit with 2 more cars. The last car was hit head on and stopped. The police said if my car didn't hit with the last one and stopped, it can jump again to another lane and I could die. He said "someone is watching over you." I can't forget that word he said right there.
This accident is only one thing, one example of how much I'm blessed. I can't tell you enough of the great things He have done for me. First of all, He died for me, and gave me eternal life. I can see this is hard for some people to accept. For that, I thanks God that I didn't have a problem to accept it. I think it's only depend on your willingness. If you truly want to find living God, you will find Him.
Yesterday Night, I was studying late around 1:30 am and I heard creaking sound down from my bathroom all the way to my study table. I was alone and everything was very quiet but all those plastic bags starting to crumple very loudly and there was no wind in sight. I ignored it at first but it keep on going around 3 minutes and it come closer to where I was sitting and then I saw a plastic bags moving. My mind started to go crazy and starting to wonder it's Ghost or something. When I saw those plastic bags moving and I got goosebumps in my whole body. The first thing I could think of was GOD.. I started to sing praise songs that are in top of my head and pray to GOD that he's the one I trust and no one can harm me if he doesn't give permission. Well that still doesn't help me since my heartbeats are super fast at that point. So I decided to stop studying and finally pick up a bible. When I was holding a bible it seem like bible have heartbeats or maybe it was my own heartbeats. So first thing I read was Mark Ch 1. I read about how Jesus of casting out evil spirit out and it make me calm down. I see how all those evil spirits obey him and I come to realization that I have nothing to worry about. So I can finally fall a sleep after reading bible. Weird right?
I just had to share this as soon as I woke up since that finally get me holding a bible. :D Hope u all have wonderful day and don't forget to have GOD in mind and put him first in everything you do...
How are you all doing? For me.. I feel like I wanna be by myself for some reason that I don't know. I know it sound crazy... don't get alarm. I'm fine!!! Or get alarm and pray for me... heheee
Well... I'm glad that whenever I feel down, I have someone or some place to turn to. I think this is the benefit that I got from getting to know Christ.
You all know that I got into car accident at the beginning of this year. I was meant to testify here but never get a chance to do so. When I think about it... that time I really thought I was gonna die. I'm so amaze by how my thoughts were very clear at that moment. I worry how my family will be when I gone. I worry where I go.. up or down? Honestly that's the question I have at that time. "Am I going to heaven or hell?" I always thought since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior I will definitely go to heaven. But... why do I have that thought in my mind of where will I go? Am I not save? Am I only saying I love Jesus... and not following his foot step? Exactly!! Yeh.. it's true that I love Jesus and I serve at church. But it's not enought. I know I'm holding back so many things. I'm not doing the best that I can. I'm not showing the best example at all time. I know I can't be perfect. No one can be perfect but the question is... are you doing the best you can to serve the Lord? No I wasn't!
I like to thanks God for giving me a second chance. For that moment........ for that question was bothering me, I know God is giving me the second chance. For He love me enought to die for me on the cross, He is not letting me go.
Thank you all my brother and sister for being there for me all the time.
Praise the Lord for HE is GREAT!I am happy today because my prayer from many years ago has answered today. To tell you the truth I forget about a prayer I made many years ago but GOD never forget. He gives me an answer today. I finally saw YAF multiplied.We had 38 people fellowshipping today as young adults.
I remember back in 2006 I prayed for YAF to be a big group and multiplied 10 times the members of that time and I saw his miracles among us today. Our YAF meeting room was full with new comers joining us at the fellowship.Now we have to keep this fellowship with them & have friendship flowing and having GOD in center of our lives.
He is always there for us.We do not remember every prayed we made but he remember.He reminded me of how great he is today by showing me all those new members once again.
Let have social gathering again as a YAF and outdoor activities and get to know each other with our new members.
This is one of the special Sundays for us because today is Phyu and Walala birthdays. Happy Birthday again Phyu and Walala. It is also YAF cooking day; we had meeting and went to Ko Va Bei’s house.
We started off with cooking, then birthday cake for phyu (sorry I don’t have picture). After the worship service we ate our delicious Si Kyat Kaut Swae. We all went to Walala’s house after the follow up meeting for OBMBC’s projects. After thanksgiving service at Walala’s house we, the YAF, went to Ko Va Bei’s house to have fellowship with him and to comfort him because his brother went to our Heavenly Father a few days ago in Burma (Thanks to Thang Pi for bringing this message to us, otherwise we will not know about it). When we got to Ko Va Bei’s house, we found out his strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and how he accepts the will of God. I was really glad to see him like that. He repeatedly told us that he is so happy to see us. He still doesn’t know what really happened to his brother. His brother left 4 kids with wife. Ko Va Bei’s sister is on the way to the city that their brother lived and will try to find out what was really happened to their brother. So, please pray for his sister’s trip, Ko Va Bei, his brother wife and 4 kids, and the rest of the family to have peace and comfort from our Lord. Things happen according to God’s will. Sometime we don’t understand why God does this and that. God’s plans are really amazing and can’t compare with our little minds. Like Job said in Job 1:21, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blesses be the name of the LORD.” May the God be with Ko Va Bei and his family at this difficult time.
Here are the some pictures and video clip from visiting to Ko Va Bei’s house.
Thanks Saya Lone Wah for sending pics of phyu with cake.
I haven't post anything here for a long time now. Everytime I think of posting here, there are so much things and I lost in my thoughts. Now, I can't help it anymore. It's been bothering me the whole day. I feel so bad and feel like carrying a big burden.
I believe we are the christian brother and sister. We leaned that whatever we do is to glorify God. As a christian, we have to be very careful not to be a stumbling block to other. It is very difficult to stay in godly way as we are human and have sinful nature. But I can assure that we will never do such thing knowingly. We won't hurt one of us knowingly. YAF is a big word and it includes every young adult in our church. None of us is outsider here. We care about one another. I can assure that.
Personally, I feel comfortable in our own group. My weakness is I don't have much communication with my brother and sister outside the church. Even kelly, Susan and Lu Awung, we seem so close but honestly, I didn't talk with them in week days. Sometime they texted me "how are you today?" and I didn't reply right away and later I would forget to texted them back. I want to say sorry for those time, if I made you feel like I'm ignoring you.
I don't want anyone to feel hurt or misunderstand by writing down here. This is my crying out for help. Please pray for YAF. Please pray for individual and to have unity among us. Please pray for hurt feelings. Please pray that God would turn every bad situation we face to make us stronger. I believe prayer is the best answer for now.
Case in point: Lia Lian's guardianship was approved & he bought a guitar for $400 with $50 discount coupon from Tang Naung (thank you TN, it worked ^_^).
Early in the morning yesterday, we went to court for his guardianship hearing. I went as translator/interpreter. A lot of problems came up.
One of the biggest problems is the insufficiency of documents, such as investigation/social service reports. The judge will not be able to make a decision and we would be given a new hearing date. That's bad news because we have to go home without anything and come back another day. Lia Lian's guardian, his uncle, already took a day's leave, which as you know is not easy to obtain.
The case worker assigned from IRC is Janet. If I'm not wrong, she told us that this could take as many as 50 appearances and the many problems our volunteer attorney, Becky, raised were making it seem like we're gonna be stuck with this case forever. We were expecting anything but a 1-minute hearing.
That's exactly what happened. Everything worked out so smoothly. It's too long to write here. All the problems were resolved miraculously so that the judge can hear us after all and even when he heard us, he only asked us for our names and ages and said, "I will grant it."
I've never been to court, I don't even know what to address the judge by (your honor?) so when he said "I will grant it," I didn't know we got approved or what? I had no idea. I only translated to Lia Lian & his uncle exactly what I heard, "He said he will grant it."
This uncle & nephew pair had no reactions either, making me more confused. Like, aren't they supposed to be jumping for joy now? Their 1 year ordeal is over! Or am I misunderstanding something here? So I stood there like an idiot.
Until the judge told us to move. Haha... When we got outside, I was squealing and gave our attorney a big hug. She's a nice lady. Janet too.
^So we kinda celebrated by buying a guitar. Actually, I promised him on Sunday to drive him to San Jose on Saturday to get it. He was complaining about having no guitar after moving to the new place. (But everything worked out because we have YAF fellowship at SYLW's house on Saturday.)
He bought a guitar, a strap, a guitar case, extra guitar strings and 2-year warranty, all in total about $600 even with the $50 discount coupon from TN.
He wanted it for a long time now. And we know how gifted of a songwriter he is. That guy writes God songs like spelling ABC.
And you should know he's going blind in one eye now. With the guardianship approved, he can seek subsidized medical attention now and get an eye surgery. Pray for him. God bless Lia Lian & his family. I thank and praise God for blessing our members. It just so happened that this is my off week and I had time. Everything, God planned. I also thank God for your prayers.
It was easiest one because her dentist to do all the dirty work instead. hahahha (Previous 3 of her front tooth were pulled up by my bear hands …with lots of tears , screaming, and blood cottons … above all the worst part was I never succeed with one time trial) It was her regular check up, so none of us were ready for it, but my brave little girl did it without any hesitance. Yayyyy ..... I was so proud of her. When I was celebrating over this drama with my husband in the waiting room, I over heard the conversation between the dentist and her. It was about tooth fairy. She complainig about her tooth fairy owned her 3 coins. And she hoped that it won’t happened again. I didn’t really think she was serious about it till I found her letter under the pillow with her tooth right before the bed time.
She wrote; Dear tooth fairy, I think you have to give me four monies because the first, second and third day you forgot to give me a present and money. And also don’t forget I want me and my family to see you. Because my family wants to know what you look like. And please write all about you at poster. Thank you. Love your friend the artist, Lillian.
And she added in the box. The title is “All About Tooth Fairy;” I am …. years old. My hair is … My eyes are …. My favorite food is ….. When I grow up I will be a ….. My favorite color is ….. My favorite thing to do is ……
Huh ... okay ... I got some work to do tonight .... right? The whole night I got hard time to put both of girls on the bed. They were so exciting about the visitation from tooth fairy. They also shared with me their secrets tricks to catch the tooth fairy and how to keep her alive till they wake up. hmmm I must be carefull!
Anyway, the next thing I know was I woke up by two girls' shouting this morning. "Yayyy ... Tooth fairy was here! She paid me back. I got 5 coins all together!" It didn't took long time to figure I slept through last night .... but .... who? if was not me ...?
The unknown tooth fairy said; Dear Lillian, I thank you for your tooth. It is beautiful. Sorry that I forgot last time to give you money. I am 100 years old. My hair is Golden color. My eyes are Brown color like you. My favorite food is an Apple. When I grow up I will be fairy princes. My favorite color is purple. My favorite thing to do is collect tooth from every one. See you next time. From Tooth Fairy. PS: Here is my picture – you can show it to your sister Roselyn and your Dad and your Mom. I like your letter.
The note from tooth fair really keeps my day up. I feel so move by mysterious man's genuine and kind soul. And for that I love him deerly.
Thank God for sustaining me thus far. I made it through VBS 2009!!! But like Auntie Jae said, we're not done yet!
This year's VBS is.............................. superb.
Hmm... Not as many kids as previous 2 years but I'm telling you, it's the bomb. I think Auntie Jae and Saya Lone Lone Wa Wa did such an amazing job with the program. The games are super fun and the messages are great.
The kids:
They drive me crazy, especially my class. I had to scream at the top of my lungs just to get one sentence across to them because they are so full of energy and so full of life. Hey it's all good. They got my voice all husky and amazing sounding for praise and worship. Falalalalala....
Hahaha.... NOT! Just kidding. I was really happy to see one of the kids really changed. He used to be so quiet and didn't participate much during class, and this would go on for months and months. I always had to ask him if he was alright or if his brother was bullying him. Now, he's the loudest when we sing songs and he's the one to answer most of my bible questions. Either he finally got comfortable with teachers or God really did something in his life. Either way, praise God. :)
I cannot keep their attention for too long so I tricked them lol hahahaha... Nah, I didn't trick them. I just motivated them by saying all we have to do is to get the main point of the message and I'd let them go - which is what I really wanted anyway. I seriously can't keep them otherwise; I'd have to pound the message while their 5-second attention span lasted.
Did I mention the Myan Church came? I'm sorry if I spelled it wrong but these kids are GREAT. They made up almost half the attendees. At first, we were a little concerned about the turnout because many Karen kids from our church moved to other states, etc. But God provided anyway. I don't care if they're Myan, Burmese, Karen, or American, we all need God so we serve them the same anyway. If God sent them to us, it's because we need each other and may God's will be done.
In the beginning, for a couple of hours, it was awkward and everything was new for them. They call us "the big church." But after 3 days, I can't tell if these are our church kids or the Myan church kids. They were laughing as hysterically as our church kids. I know for sure that they enjoyed themselves immensely. I got to know them and they are so comfortable with us now. If we have to play with them 10 hours just to tell them there is a God who loves them, it is worth it to do so.
The Leaders:
Basically staff members but I call them leaders because they really are.
I can't not talk about the Saw Eh Khu trio: His 3 children Cherrie, ToeToe, and Ashlee. They really did such an amazing job leading the VBS 2009 in many ways.
How great were Ashlee's dances? There's no denying it. There's no doubt in my mind that that girl has the spiritual gift of worship dance from God and she is not afraid to use it for His kingdom. She holds nothing back and only 16 years old. She came up with 10 choregraphies for 10 songs in 2-3 weeks and managed to hold her team to lead the kids. The.kids.loved.it. They go crazy! The steps are really fun and easy for them to follow! Ok I admit, I love dancing along too. :D
Cherrie was responsible for bringing the Mienh kids to our church. She single handedly brought all of them and did the liaison stuff with their parents to make sure everyone is taken care of. And throughout the VBS, she really paid close attention to their every need and slept with them although she wanted to sleep with me upstairs. All these sacrifices are so lovely to me. She's got a gift with children. I would have gone crazy with their whining. She gets along with them so well! Maybe because she's the oldest sister herself, it comes naturally to her. You need to speak an alien child language if want to talk to those kids and you cannot go to school for that!
ToeToe was fantastic with the boys. What would they do without him in VBS? What would WE do without him in VBS? He was like the big brother to all of them. All of them relied on him and trusted him in entirety. The boys don't necessarily want to talk to the girl teachers and ToeToe was perfect for the role. During the trip to the zoo, he exhibited excellent leadership skills. Small kids are so naughty and they kept running everywhere. Matthew got lost twice in the first hour because he just took off! ToeToe found him back and made sure he's always got the headcounts right. He made sure all his little members are taken care of before himself.
There are so many more young leaders involved that shine like stars to make this happen. They are all so young! Our "juniors" are really growing up. Emily, Mabel, Danielle, Janet, Amanda.... Kelly, Doe Doe, Wine Wine, our cooks and our drivers! Sobs... I feel so touched by their efforts.
I hope this VBS brought out their passion and love for God and the good works that He has prepared for them.
^Phillip and Christian's tennis ball game... so funny..
I am still uploading.
Our official VBS picture gallery (TN and the rest are still uploading):
I am blushing … because it has been quite a while to greeting you here this way. I hope you all could find some forgiveness toward my ignorance and careless.
I had very good night sleep. The very first thing I did this morning was opening your blog for listening music with a cup of coffee in my hand. And you know what ? I am already start working on iParent blog. Why it took so long …. I ask myself … and poor me …Though I found so many answers that I could not share with you quite yet ….I like to congratulate my self with you all …first … whom has been support me as who I was …
Thank you all for not giving up on me …. thank you all for trusting me still when I was weak …
It’s funny to say this ….but I think this VBS is going to be very special in my life …I found my calling back … and I learn to trust Him right way …. The best thing is …. VBS is still half way …. and I am ready …. so ready to run …
Hi All... I just wanna share this beautiful and touching song "In Christ Alone" by Brian Littrell. He was/is a Backstreet Boy.
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
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 honor in just to know Him more And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord
On top of the July 4th weekend fun we had, we also visited some refugee families the next day. They're muslims but it's okay. We extend our love to them any day.
It was a special occasion for their daughters and we were treated with freshly made indian prata and we prayed for their families as a group.
^Haha, our pastor is very cute. Saya Lone Lone Wa Wa. I mean, Saya Lone Wah. :D
^AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! Hasina!!!
GREAT VIDEO COMING UP (YOUTUBE keeps failing me gazillion times!!! ARGH!)
(Hihihi! This post is super overdue! Sorry! I was so busy with my final exam! Plus, my brother is always scolding me about using his laptop. I know God will bless me with a new laptop AGAIN cause He did it before and cause I never lack when He's my provider! - in all seriousness. Hee :))
Main things of the day: Sports & BBQ!!!
Ko Paul & Ko Franky were whipping up very mean BBQ entries... How come the men of our church can cook SOOOOOOO well??? They should cook more often!!! Amen, sisters!!!???
The marinate was FANTASTIC... the meat was cooked to perfection on top that! They were standing there long time and BBQing for the entire church... and we had like maybe 50 people that day. Wow, that's service and dedication for you right there.
And LOL! STRANGERS not from our church came to eat too! What the???? I don't see them in church AT ALL during service but they certainly heard about our BBQ. It's all good. We like strangers. COME, ALL YOU WHO ARE HUNGRY! ALL YOU WHO ARE THIRSTY, SAYS THE LORD! hahahaha
What a lovely anniversary we experience today. They were so cute. Check out the pictures below.....
Before that, I want to share something that touches my heart today. I saw how people serve one another. Especially, those new comers, who are waiting for other to finish dancing and chatting, and then they started folding the chairs and tables. That’s the sweetest thing. Another group is also in the kitchen cleaning up. By seeing those, I see the glory of God. Jesus himself showed the example to serve one another. He washed his disciples’ feet, and said “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15) Not only that, Jesus also said “… Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45) We true Christians should serve one another.
Ok ok… going back to Ko Lawrence and Ma Hmwe Hmwe… they both are also very loving, caring, and serving to others. They always stay late at Church on every Sunday to finish up stuffs and clean up after people. Ma Hmwe Hmwe used to work on Sunday night, and she has to go home and sleep before going to work at midnight, but still … mostly their family is the last to go home. Tell me about the wedding… every church wedding… Ko Lawrence is the one taking care of Ceremony program, and Ma Hmwe Hmwe is the one in charge of foods. She once told me that she likes seeing wedding ceremony, but she is always busy with preparing the foods. On behalf of ppl who are married and who are going to marry soon, I like to say thanks to both of you and I’m so happy that not only Ma Hmwe Hmwe sees the wedding ceremony today, but she is also a part of it. Happy 25th!!!!!!!!!!!
We are the Young Adult Fellowship of OBMBC. This website/blog is mainly for our members to stay connected while we are not together. Aside from regular Sunday services, we hold a YAF meeting every 2nd week of the month.
One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high powered over achievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz."
Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide mouthed Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.
When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"
Everyone in the class said, "Yes."
Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"
By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered.
"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"
"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good."
Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!"
"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."
What are the 'big rocks' in your life?
Your relatinship with God?
Your husband or wife?
Your children?
Your loved ones?
Your health?
Your education?
Your dreams?
A worthy cause?
Teaching or mentoring others?
Doing things that you love?
Time for yourself?
Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. If you sweat the little stuff (the gravel, the sand) then you'll fill your life with little things you worry about that don't really matter, and you'll never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks).
So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the "big rocks" in my life? Then, put those in your jar first.
Matthew 6:33
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
ARE YOU 'THE CRACKED POT' ?? .
A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway. Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."
At a certain university, there was a professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians. At the first class every semester, he asked if anyone was a Christian and proceeded to degrade them and to mock their statement of faith.
One semester, he asked the question and a young man raised his hand when asked if anyone was a Christian. The professor asked, "Did God make everything, young man?"
He replied, "Yes sir He did!"
The professor responded, "If God made everything, then He made evil." The student didn't have a response and the professor was happy to have once again proved the Christian faith to be a myth.
Then another man raised his hand and asked, "May I ask you something, sir?"
"Yes, you may," responded the professor.
The young man stood up and said "Sir, is there such thing as cold?"
"Of course there is, what kind of question is that? Haven't you ever been cold?"
The young man replied, "Actually, sir, cold doesn't exist. What we consider to be cold is really an absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist. We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."
The young man continued, "Sir, is there such a thing as dark?"
Once again, the professor responded, "Of course there is."
And once again, the student replied, "Actually, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is really only the absence of light. Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally, the young man asked, "Sir, is there such thing as evil?"
The professor responded, "Of course. We have rapes, murders, and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil."
The student replied, "Actually, sir, evil does not exist. Evil is simply the absence of God. Evil is a term man developed to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. It isn't like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat or light. Evil is simply the state where God is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light."
The professor had nothing to say............
Does God Still Speak?
A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" After service he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message.
Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.
It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God.. If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."
As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought, to stop and buy a gallon of milk.
He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.
But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.
"Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk.
He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn down that street."
"This is crazy," he thought and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will." He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in semi-commercial area of town.
It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.
Again, he sensed something, "Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street."
The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat. "Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.
Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk.
If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient.
I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."
He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside.
A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away. The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed.
He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?" The young man thrust out the gallon of milk,
"Here, I brought this to you."
The man took the milk and rushed down a hall way speaking loudly in Spanish.
Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen.
The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying,
"We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.
"His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"
The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put it in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail."
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said,
"Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."
John 3:16
In the city of Chicago, one cold, dark night, a blizzard was setting in. A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers.
He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay,"
The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "you go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in."
So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16....I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.
Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16... Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full.
She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.
The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested.
The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible. She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face.
"Do you understand John 3:16?" she asked gently.
He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it," She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16. .. .. I don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.
You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The unknown tooth fairy said; 
