WELCOMING 2006!!

2005 has undoubtedly flown by so very quickly, in fact much faster than the previous couple of years, I would say… and I cannot deny the fact that so much has happened within this one year, real life experiences, good and bad… spiritual encounter with the Lord, bitter and sweet, which has definitely taught me a great deal in relation to my spiritual walk and growth in Him!! Things of the past which I have held on to, namely relationships (with people and places alike) and situations which I have been in… Not that I refused to let go… Looking back at it, all that I have been through, I just believe it happened because the Lord was teaching me and maturing me through all those incidents, emotionally and spiritually… if it wasn’t for His help and guidance all through, I think I would never have been able to stand strong in the midst of life’s raging storms…

Never have I thought about working on improving my spiritual walk with Him all these while… thinking that it was all about going to church, worshipping and listening to the Word being spoken? I was juz being satisfied with where I am spiritually… Very rarely would I stay still and start listening to what the Lord has to say, or even to listen to His heartbeat… until august this year where I went for calvin's cell retreat, that He has revealed so much to me regarding my spiritual walk with Him… and it was then that I found the TRUE meaning of MAINTAINING, not a luke-warm relationship but a hot one, which flames are burning bright for Him… it was then that I begin to reflect on the things that matters most to the Father!! I sense the word “reach out” very strongly… ok Lord, i will be willing to do as You say… give me the strength and let me REACH OUT with Your help and bring Your love to those who needs it “…love is not self-seeking, it always protects…trusts, hopes and perseveres!!”

In fact it was only towards the last half of 2005 that things started to come to light… prayer really works when we take an effort to put it into full use!! I wanted something more!! Not juz a deeper walk with Him, but I wanted to do what He came to do!! He came to this world to seek and save the lost… and that was juz what I wanted to do… to reach out to the unreached and not juz edifying the Body of Christ alone and having no place in mind for those much less fortunate than us… all glory to God, I found this very thing in the hearts of the PraiseGivers – a heart for the lost, needy and abandoned… another ministry discovered!! Making a difference in the lives of those He has placed in my life!!

Have I been reflecting the light of Christ like how a crystal so beautifully reflects its crafter’s skills? “When I think about it, about something that describes you, I think of a crystal… The pureness & clarity is one of it’s most encapturing qualities… It reflects the light in such a beautiful way, the same way you reflect God’s glory… It’s strong and hard, the way you stand for God, steady and uncompromising… But most of all, when we look at a crystal, it’s the Crafter’s skill that is shown!!” these were the words of a close friend dedicated to me on my 21st bday… I truly treasure what was said for it was the most meaningful message written, and ever since that day, when I look at a crystal, it always reminds me to stand for what I believe, and most importantly to stand for what is right!! Not forgetting to live a life of constant reflection of the Lord…

“RELEASE THE OLD, PROCLAIM THE NEW, POSSESS THE FUTURE” I have indeed gotten the whole picture, now that I have been through all three parts of it!! And with that I’m all set to welcome 2006!! With God’s help, I will do my best to make a difference, live life to the fullest and stand out for Christ… to live by the promises of God, and to make the Golden Rule my daily Rule.

The theme for 2006 was taken from 1 Thess 5:23 ~ May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your WHOLE spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything that the Lord has begun in us and has yet to be completed, He shall make it complete and whole!! This the year of completion!! Amen, Lord!! I take hold of what’s been said… May it be done according to Your will…

Side track a little bit… heard that the theme for dumc a very familiar one, nothing new, hehe… Hebrews 11:1 ~ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and what we do not see.

Wow!! Indeed, it is so significant to me personally right this moment!! Yes, I really do not know what lies ahead ever since I made that decision of change… but I believe that if we have the faith enuff to trust in Him to work things out, it will all work out for the glory of His name, and here comes another one: Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been CALLED according to His purpose.