if life was about money.

if life was about money, i would work for money and do anything that could give me alot of money regardless.

if life was about myself, i would focus on myself and cultivate my talents and skills in away to draw attention to myself, and maximize profit of myself.

if life was about fame, i would do anything to get the attention of the media and public, perhaps with something that some how adds value to the world, is extertaining and make profit out of it too.

if life was all about Christ, i would deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him. I would invest my complete self into the kingdom of heaven, even if it means i may not make alot of money, i may not be the 'best me' or famous.

These few days.

I do not want to share this on my facebook so if you happen to read it so :).

There is a passage in the bible that says , when you do charity or good do not announce it.

But in this blog i do want to remember these things which i have learnt something much and gain new perspective on things.

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Recently i have been helping up with teaching in a Myanmar refugee school. Its beautiful the kids, and the lady who is a teacher there and looks after the place, my friend J. She has a beautiful sacrificial heart and i am so sure that God loves her so much and i pray that He will give her the strength she needs each day as well as provision for all her needs. She has a heart for the kids, and even though her brother doesn't understand why she choose to teach there where she gets no salary but just a place to stay instead of going to get a well paying job which she is capable of doing.

The kids are beautiful. Eager to learn. In one of the classes i decided to teach English with Bible stories. And i am so glad they liked it because during the second half of the day i asked them, what would you like to learn, they replied, " the Bible " Inside my heart leaped with joy! To see the Eagerness and the hunger for the word of God in these little ones.

J called me to teach the younger ones because they liked me! ( even though they did not understand what i was saying since their English was minimal ) I tried my best to teach them and is happy to know that there is a natural attraction between me and kids somehow.

Just as i was about to leave to go home today, and also while looking really tired as ( my women thing came today ). J just said how much she really appreciated me there to teach. " really thank you so much miss, realllyyy  thank you miss. " That was enough for me to regain my strength and leave joyfully knowing that i was able to somehow give another some comfort or help.

- - - 

I hope that in this life, i will be able to just give God my complete self, and trust in all His provisions for me as i humbly choose to serve him. " Whatever you have done for the least of them you did for me ".

What joy it is to be able to live for the Kingdom of God, to be a fisher of men and to do something for God by doing something for the least ".

I pray for guidance each day, and even though i am greatly tempted in this world each day, i hope to always spend my best time seeking the Lord so i may be spiritually fed with His word , a Sword, weapon for living in this world. amen.

No need for anymore clothes.

I remember in my 2nd year in Sydney, just returning from Malaysia. I told myself that i was not going to do any shopping to buy any clothes for the entire year, I just already had enough and do not need anymore! And i tell God everything so i told Him this too, that i have to much clothes, i really don't need to buy any more, and i was happy with what i had. So i joyfully kept to my word.

Towards the end of the year, i won a competition, First Prize. It was the one whereby there was suppose to be an interview for the finalist chosen but they were too busy to conduct the interview and i won anyway! Part of the prize was AUD1000 to spend on the clothes of their brand.

I still find it so amazing. God is true to His word, He will provide. We need not seek these things but seek first His Kingdom. He will provide everything else. When i look back though, what i wished i did though, was that i shared some of the credit with my beloved friends. 

" But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you " - Matthew 6:33

Remembered also that the day before i won this competition, the Houselady of the boarding house i stayed in tore my housing contract infront of me because i won't not agree with her wanting me to change the room i was in to a room i did not want to stay in, because there was no reason to treat me that unfairly and give me a smaller room facing the main highway in which she already knew i did not want to say in.

I just trusted that God would look after me and provide for me in confidence.

Then when i won the competition, a friend from the same college placed a big " Congratulation's sign " up for me at the college board. And the housing lady, she humbly Congratulate me.

Its funny how the way God provided the next accommodation for me just a few days before my class started. It was when i said out loud " God i do not care anymore!" ( as i tried calling about 30 times  the housing i inspected/interviewed for the day before,  and no one picked up ) the phone rang and i was accepted to stay at a beautiful boarding house ( Reminding me He cares, and He will provide). Also before the interview for this boarding house i bummed into my friend who introduced this place for me to stay on the street and He just prayed for me there and then that if its God's will i will stay there, and that He would provide for me.

And at this housing, it was a Bible School associated with a church which my previous housing lady went to. Its so strange how everything worked out, but i learnt not to judge people. The next housing was so lovely, the lady even gave me a free room to do my sewing!!!! 

ALL I CAN SAY, GOD PROVIDES. SEEK HIM FIRST. TRUST HIM. His timing is perfect! He never fails :) In your weakness you may boast. Because His glory shines through in His goodness and power!

For our heavenly Father knows we need all these things.

Chocolate Soldiers.

Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don't deter any but Chocolates from executing God's Will. When someone says there's a lion in the way, the real Christian promptly replies, "That's hardly enough inducement for me; I want a bear or two besides to make it worth my while to go."

CHOCOLATES are very fond of talking loud and long against some whom they call fanatics, as though there were any danger of Christians being fanatics nowadays!Why, fanatics among Christians are as rare as the "dodo". Now, if they declaimed against "tepidity", they would talk sense. God's real people have always been called fanatics. Jesus was called mad; so was Paul; so was Whitfield, Wesley, Moody, Spurgeon. No one has graduated far in God's School who has not been paid the compliment of being called a fanatic. We Christians of today are indeed a tepid crew. Had we but half the fire and enthusiasm of the Suffragettes in the past, we would have the world evangelized and Christ back among us in no time.Had we the pluck and heroism of the Flyers, or the men who volunteered for the North or South Polar Expeditions, or for the Great War, or for any ordinary dare-devil enterprise, we could have every soul on earth knowing the name and salvation of Jesus Christ in less than ten years. 

- CT Studd ( Chocolate Soldiers )

WAKE UP.

"Some wish to live within

the sound of Church or Chapel bell;

 I want to run a Rescue Shop 

within a yard of hell."

—C. T. Studd

I am not afraid of God changing my plans. He can change them all He wishes, my only want is to be obedient to what He called me to do and where He calls me to go. I may make plans, but He can lead me wherever He wants me to go. As He transforms my heart and mind while i seek Him and His Kingdom first, i know that He will whisper to my heart His plans and open the door as well as be my main provider for all my needs.

People think its dangerous in Asia, I think its more dangerous living in the West where your faith may grow stale and slowly the world starts creeping in and suddenly there is no difference to how you live to one who does not know Christ and have moral standards. Because living for Christ is more than right and wrong, its gaining eternal life and fighting the good fight of faith or remaining dead. I would say stop being lukewarm and WAKE UP.

I know that many people may not understand me, people may judge my motives, people may have opinions but to me, they matter very little. Humans will always have a lot to say. Never the less God's counsel stands. And i only seek for His approval.

Love of the World.

" Do not love the world or the things of this world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in it - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. The world is passing away and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. " - 1 John 2: 15-17

Have you ever thought about it. That everything will just pass by, and then you'll have to stand before God. What are you living for, is what He has given you not enough? Is He enough for you? Do you really need that thing which moths will eat and thieves will break in to steal?

Living in the city, sometimes i feel so easily my life caught up with the affairs of this world, Fame, fortune, luxurious shopping, living, eating, fleeting entertainment. As a Christian sometimes i feel embarrassed to call myself a follower of Jesus, especially if i am not living any different from the world. I feel that i go through ups and downs, but i am easily tempted and ensnared by the world as i live within it. Perhaps many of us go through this, but i want to continue running the race and not get distracted.

And people, well meaning Christians would try to tell you of how you should live, and its no different from the advices of the world. Go get a good job, invest in properties, seek comfort and security, go live in the West, it is much better living there. I honestly wonder if that is the advice God will give me, If i choose to be part of His family, is this how i take it all, its my time to live a comfortable, luxurious life? Is that what Jesus died for me for? And all the other Christians who were and are being persecuted now? Am i going to stand before Him thanking Him for blessing me with big houses and Hermes bags? 

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. " - Luke 9:23-26

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. - 2 Tim 2: 2-7

Jesus told him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." - Luke 9:62

I do feel we need to wake up, and be aware of our condition. like honestly WAKE UP. and stop being lukewarm, which God despises and will spit out.

They say traveling changes you.

my little gem.

They say traveling changes you, but i guess its how you also choose to view things, learn and see things. 

I would say that i have grown to love Asia. And to see its beauty. As much as Asians are flocking to the Western world to gain a ' better life ' i really feel that so much can be learnt from the simple life of those in Asia outside of the city. Suddenly my desires and thoughts of going to Europe has diminished as i come to love my own Continent. The Fair and ' Good ' Aussie life just don't seem as appealing to me as , well it never really had.

Just talking to the local kids in Boracay just puts a huge smile onto my face. How they almost do not care about their profit from their Art work because they are enjoying what they are doing and is just somewhat doing it to past time and make a little extra pocket money. The uncompetitiveness towards fame and success. How much talent and skill exist in the community and how little the are being paid. Yet, there is so much heart and soul in what they do, as compared to people who do things all right and according to order yet have little heart in it.

That suddenly it matters so little about the fashion i wear, diamond rings seem so stupid and who needs cars, or the latest phone.

And back in the city, everyone is working their ass off just so that they can wear the latest clothes to fit in, wear tiffany and co. to feel that they belong, have nice cars and big houses. While in the village, they are content with what they have, and thankful for their life.

My phone got wet and my pics are gone, i am still unsure if i will be able to salvage them. But somehow it makes me think of how the fishermen, they do not take photo's of everything, they just enjoy the moment. Like last time before technology exist. You don't take photo of everything and share them to everyone. But perhaps you can tell stories and write about it to others to describe. But beautiful moments, sometimes, you just keep them, in your heart to remember, and it brings a little sweetness to your soul. And it sinks a little deeper than the shallow fast uploading of ootd. Even though i feel a little sad that i have lost the photo's, i guess the memories will rest a little deeper in me.

The West look at Asia and think of how bad it is that child labor occurs, and wants to educate them to be like them. But i see a beauty in their culture and way of life. How the kids start working at a young age and see the value of work, ' no work, no food' , how they learn their skills from those older than them. How they work hard without complaining. How they don't glue their face to the television and ipad, or how city parents celebrate how 'quick tongued ' and ' knowledgable ' their younger ones are. I am glad for villages where the government helps to sustain their lifestyle. 

Its so beautiful how they build boats, away with factories and advance technology, and bring back the human touch into things. Its funny how country progresses so fast and suddenly they feel they miss the old touch of realness and nature, but before long its too late. Their want for fast and quick gain as well as greed blinds them to creating something that has long term sustainable impact on a community. Its beautiful being able to walk in the streets and freely talk to people. Like friends. No awkwardness or competitiveness or superficial barriers.

I had the opportunity to stay at Marina Bay Sands, the luxury hotel in Singapore, and it felt just so dry and empty. I would take the hotel in Nepal anytime. There is just more live and soul in those places. More homeliness and love where people are not working just for the high paid job.

I've worked in schools where they hardly use technology as well as schools where they are free to use technology. I would say that there is beauty in places where technology are less used. When i was in Boracay i hardly touched my phone for at least 5 days and i did not feel i was missing anything. And that felt so good. I realized that when you had things to do around you and people to talk too, you really do not need the internet as much as you think you do. Is so different when you are able to stare at the stars at night and with sand beneath your feet.

I see the people who live simple as rich. Perhaps not in material wealth, but in things much better.

" Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions "

" Store yourselves treasures in heaven "

What are you investing it, are they heavenly?