11-09-2011 (Sunday) “Love Enough”

This is something I’ve been thinking about over past experiences.

We’ve heard the message over and over. “Love is not that mushy, warm feeling you get inside. Its an action. Its a verb. Something you do.”

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. ~ Ephesians 5:25 (The Message)

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ~ Ephesians 5:25 (New Living Translation)

Focusing on the words in bold, love is marked by giving, yeah? Okay. So you say it doesn’t apply to you because that love is only between husband and wife.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” ~ John 13:34-35 (NLT)

Now this is Jesus speaking. And that obviously trumps everything. Love one another as He loved us. How did He love us? He gave. He didn’t get. He just kept giving.

What I’m thinking about is this: So if love is marked by GIVING, if I actually love someone, I will be giving and not be so concerned about GETTING. Sounds right? I think so. But what about the point where I come to a point where I just don’t have enough within and can’t give anymore? Does that mean I have stopped loving the person? Then begs an even greater question: Have I actually been loving the other person? If I truly loved, should it have its limit? Or does the limit just mean its not really love? The best answer I can think of is that this love was not PERFECT love because I’m not perfect.

Sounds a bit sad and sniffy but I think we can and should consider this same fact regarding our love towards God. Are we only limited to giving of ourselves when we feel like it? When our pockets are full, when we feel so blessed, having just received a promotion/scholarship, when something that we prayed for came true? How does our love compare to the one we receive from Him?

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ~ James 1:17

04-09-11 (Sunday) “You Do All Things Well”

This has been the theme song of my day so far. :)

Mountain maker
Ocean tamer
Glimpses of You
Burn in my eyes
The worship of heaven
Fills up the skies

There are so many things to be upset over and complain about this season. Mid-sem exams are just around the corner, the water and gas distribution system went wonky over the past two days, certain things don’t turn out as desired, I could probably list a few more things.

You made it all
Said, "let there be"
And there was
All that we see
The sound of Your voice
The works of Your hands
You do all things well
You do all things well
You do all things well

Everyone else have their own set of problems they face, possibly similar to mine and they can say the same. But no, I choose to be thankful and praise God in this season. I realize that its not really that hard if you give it a try! Today, in particular, I thank God because He doesn’t grow weary of showing me all that He has created and set into motion from Creation Day One.

Star creator
Wind breather
The strokes of Your beauty
Brushed through the clouds
Light from the heavens
Touching the ground
Imagination runs wild
And breathes the breath of life
Across the fields
Across the miles

It is not my 3rd year here at ANU and my 3rd season of spring already. I am still unequivocally amazed by the beauty this season brings along with it. The colours of spring make the city look like a masterpiece of an artwork. And what an Artist He is! I went for Ultimate Frisbee League in the afternoon and the sun, combined with the green grass and all the patches of clouds in the light blue sky… I’m no good with words but how I wish I could show you how BEAUTIFUL it was! I was just “wow-ing” my afternoon away!!

Won’t you join me in giving thanks in this season, no matter what you’re going through?

LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?

~ Psalm 8:1-4