Counting blessings...

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 
-John 1:16


Prayer is not a get-what-you-want toll-free hotline. God is not a genie in a lamp. He does not exist to fulfill our every whim. Our wish is not God's command. God is Almighty. Who are we to demand? Our blessings come by His grace. He gives and blesses, because He loves us.


When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.


Thank You. I have not lacked. Thank You, for being faithful. Thank You, for sending me encouragement when I needed it most. Thank You, for grace. For Your love. For always watching out for me. Thank You, for always being there, even though it may not always feel that way. Thank You, for the knowledge that You are with me, even though I sometimes feel so alone.

Can men and women just be friends?

“A guy and a girl can be just friends, but at one point or another, they will fall for each other...Maybe temporarily, maybe at the wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever” -Dave Matthews 


I wondered how true this was when I first came across this quote some weeks ago. In retrospect, I think it is true. I don't have many male friends, but those whom I'm close with- I'll admit that at some point in those friendships, I'll wonder how it would be like to be in a relationship with that guy. And I suppose, at some point, I develop a crush, or feel attracted on that guy. But yet, I've never told him how I felt. I suppose I won't ever. I'm too afraid to take that risk that he may not feel the same, or that the relationship wouldn't work out, and thus, the friendship is spoilt. Teasing by other friends don't do anything to help 


Is it really true that men and women can't be just friends without any of those other feelings at some point in the relationship?

Women expect more emotional rewards from friendship than men do, so they're easily disappointed when they don't receive them.

-Sapadin

This, is true. Very, very true. Personally, if I really consider someone a friend, I will do a lot for them. I'm willing to sacrifice time, money, emotion etc- just to make a friend happy. 

"Friendships with men are lighter, more fun. Men aren't so sensitive about things." 

-Sapadin

This, depends.


“Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship.” - Oscar Wilde

Trying.

How does doubt slip in, so silently?

And why does condemnation come so naturally?

Why do I still get the best of me?

Loving so little and living so selfishly?

When all I want to do, is give this life to You

-Ginny Owen

Sums me up perfectly right now.

Gleaned bits and pieces

The free-fall feeling of change will always land me in the arms of a loving God who has nurtured and cared for me since the beginning. His strong palms will support my back as I try to get my bearings. God's grace will always lift me up and remind me that I'll be fine.

I may not know where I want to be right now, but God knows that I will be where I am now. I know that in the midst of all the confusion, He is up to some awesome plan for my life. As long as the direction of my heart is to love and serve God, I have the freedom to discover what brings me joy, love, laughter and happiness. God intended for life to be an enjoyable adventure. When I find what makes me feel good, and what resonates with my heart, I will find myself right in the center of God's will.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He is the One who will keep you on track."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

My Father is working everything out. He will provide for me. Today, I have everything I need for life and godliness.  Today, nothing good has been withheld from me. Today, He is ordaining every detail of my day for my good. Today, I don't want to be anxious about anything because He will take care of me.

-Fabienne Harford

disclaimer: this post isn't my own writing, it's bits and pieces paraphrased from what I've read here and there.

On faith, and not worrying

Why faith? Because, when you hit rock bottom, faith is all you have left. You just have to trust that He will not forsake one of His own, that because He loves you, He will take care of you, and He will provide for you. He will never give you more than you can bear, and He has a reason for everything. It is all part of His plan for fulfilling His purpose in your life. And His Grace will always be sufficient for you. Just trust in Him, and surrender to Him.

This isn't easy. Faith and surrender do not come easily to me. I'm a person who doesn't like the unknown. I fear the unknown. I don't like not knowing how I will be surviving financially, what the next day will bring, new situations, etc. I sometimes crave for a change in my life, but generally, I like having my daily routines. 

I'm also a stubborn girl. I don't like asking for help. Even when going out with my friends, it galls me to have to ask for a ride home because I don't drive. It makes me feel bad, like I'm imposing on them, especially if it is out of the way, or I know it will take them longer to get home because they have to send me. An ex-colleague once commented that I was too stubborn to ask for help. I had no reply to that, because I knew she was right. I never ask for help if I can help it. I've always prided myself on being self-reliant.  I'm afraid to rely on anyone - emotionally, mentally, physically, financially - because I'm too afraid that one day, it will be gone. That it won't last. That I will just end up being hurt.

This fear of trusting anyone has gotten to a point where I am sometimes afraid to trust in God. I am afraid that one day, He, too will leave me. I am thankful for that small, still voice in my heart, the one that reminds me, with deep conviction, that God is real. That He is ever faithful. That He will always look out for me and provide for me.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:4-7

Therefore do not worry, about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
-Matthew 6:34

I'm learning to let go, and let God. I need to learn to trust. To surrender. To have faith.

Dreaming thoughts.

I am dreaming. Dreaming of blue skies, warm sunshine, a gentle breeze, white sands, clear sparkling waters, a cool drink, good books, good music, and laughter and fun, all to be enjoyed with a few close friends.

I guess I really do have what the Buddhists refer to as "monkey-mind". My mind is constantly in motion, with thoughts swinging and jumping from one to another, sometimes completely at random. Thing is, happy thoughts will make me happy, while melancholy thoughts will pull me into a contemplative mood and lead to feeling down.

I also have a short attention span. I need to multitask. If I'm not doing at least 3 things at a time, I don't function well. I get bored and cranky. For me to work well, my iPod/ iTunes must be on, I must have a book somewhere at hand, Facebook, blogs, chat, etc...and yeah, the work. Doesn't matter if I'm studying or working. It's impossible for me to 'just focus on work'. Doing 'one thing at a time' is a foreign concept for me - one that I've never been able to do.

Time to go back to my little world~ and I'll probably post more random thoughts that come into my mind...

Mother Teresa: "Do It Anyway"

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  

Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  

Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  

Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  

Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  

Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  

Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  

Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  

It was never between you and them anyway.