SUN STAND STILL

It’s a beautiful sunny morning. I just got to work and to my surprise the house-keeping lady got me a big piece of water melon. It was so refreshing. Isn’t it a nice morning surprise?  Well, summer is finally here! Yaay!

I was inspired this morning to keep believing in big miracles, those things that are totally impossible in our own strength. I was reading from the book of Joshua chapter 9 and 10. This has been one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I'm always astonished of how Joshua could stop the sun. Can you believe someone could actually say “O SUN, STAND STILL”? And it happened! The sun actually stood still and delayed going down about a full day! WOW! Also I heard that it's proved historically that the sun stood still during the time of Joshua. I'm actually tempted to stop the sun :P nah, just kidding!

How bold was Joshua? All though the Gibeonites and Joshua had made a mistake God was still with them and they won the battle. God is the same today. Our dreams and visions need to be big and bold. If our need is too big for us to handle, it’s just the right size for God. We serve a big God. We need “sun stand still” miracles. We need faith to move on and trust God without wavering. Even when we have made mistakes God is gracious and helps us win the battles.

Nature is waking up to spring and summer. I’m encouraged by summer and by the story about Joshua, and I hope you will be encouraged, too. God has a “sun stand still” miracle for you and me, whatever we need, but we have to ask for it!

Say hello to summer!!!

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BE STILL MY HEART

I looked at the calendar this morning and I couldn't believe that February was already half way over! I have been incredibly busy with work and my ill health. I haven't yet started taking down all the Christmas decorations, which is sadly depressing. However, I feel like now I can finally start to focus on the New Year.

As I have done in the past, I have chosen a word/phrase/verse to focus on for the year. Or, rather, I should say that God chose one for me. I had been pondering on it and leaning towards a word that would motivate me to carry on in this journey of life. Last year I have been reminded time and time again the phrase, "Love is patient" and the year before it was "Let go". Then at the end of December I kept pondering on the "ANCHOR".

I don’t fully know what my goals are for 2015 yet. While the rest of the world rushes to set goals, this year I want to study on the '"Anchor of Hope".
Besides I have my life verse...

The verse “BE STILL” hit me like a ton of bricks few years ago. I knew in my heart that was my life verse. That is what God wanted me to do on this journey of life.
However, in the course of a time I see the phrase pop up all over the place.
For example, I was scrolling down my Facebook wall and a friends' post showed this picture:

Every time I am disturbed that little voice in my heart said, “Be still.” I answered, “La, la, la. I can’t hear you.” (Oh, wait, maybe that’s the problem.). God has His own way of reminding me my Life Verse.  the other day, I was listening to Joel Osteen’s sermon and he was talking about, Exodus 14:14!

Later I was visiting a family friend. I noticed a wall hanging in their house. What did I see on there? A photo that said…

Sarah had put this on instagram:

Seriously, Lord? You are so patient with me! Okay, my thick head has received the message. I will be still.

Recently my cousin also told me that she was undergoing some problem and she told me that she was reminded of the verse I shared to her years ago from "Exodus 14:14"- the Lord will fight for you, you ONLY need to BE STILL"!

On Sunday, in church they sang the song "Still' by Hillsong. As I sang, "I will be still and know You are Lord," tears rolled down from my eyes. As weak and selfish and proud as I can be, Jesus wants me for himself. He wants me to be still so He can speak to my heart. It baffles me!

Being still or quieting myself to pray is not something that is easy for me. There is always noise around me. Even when I am alone, I will have the TV on or the music playing. My mind is always pre-occupied with so many thing. God has slowly been pulling me out of that but now He wants me to step up my game. He is emphasizing my need to be still and quiet my heart.

I can’t help but think about Mary and Martha. I am definitely a Martha. Every time I read that Gospel story I have to fight the urge to get mad at Mary for being so lazy and not helping her sister. Oh, sure! it sounds all good for Martha to sit around but eventually everyone will get hungry and wonder why there is nothing prepared to eat!

Okay, okay. I actually do understand what Jesus means and what He is trying to teach Martha. I need to quiet my heart and listen to the voice of God.

How about you? Did you pick a word for the year or make a resolution? I would love to hear from you.

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DIY - COUPLE TEE (painted version)

Today I wanted to do something special for my husband. And I decided to make a customized couple t-shirt. I know you can get it printed and stuff but it's always special when you hand make something right?

I love anchors, so wanted to do something with "anchor" as a theme. Both t-shirts will have a picture of an anchor. The boy t-shirt will say "I WILL NEVER..." and the girl t-shirt will say "...LET YOU SINK"! :P Here we go...

Things you will need:
1. 2 plain t-shirts
2. Fabric Paint
3. Alphabet sensils
4. Paint brush

Step 1: First let's work on the boys t-shirt. Put the t-shirt on a flat surface. Draw an anchor on it. Fill it with paint. (Make sure you keep an hard surface below the t-shirt so that the paint doesn't stick to the back of the t-shirt)

Step 2: Get alphabet stencils ( I got it from itsy- bitsy). Arrange the letters (I WILL NEVER) and paint on them. And slowly pull the letters out. Let it dry for few minutes.

Step 3: Take the girls t-shirt and do the same with letters as "LET YOU SINK"

Step 4: Here are both the t-shirts. I also put both our name at the back side. It's my first try. May be in my next attempt it will be lil more neater. ;)

 
Presenting to you the end product :P

If you do not have time to paint, you can get it printed. Tutorial here.

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LIL TEA SHOP

The alarm rang..It was still dark outside; a cold winter morning! I had been in bed for the past two days. I had barely recovered from my sickness. I had to go force myself to go to work. I had no leaves left. I had no choice since I was handling a high priority project. There was no turning back. I took some time to prepare food for my husband. I sent him off to work by 6 a.m. I was too tired. My body was still sick. I could hardly breathe. I had to catch the bus at 6:30 a.m. I rushed and got dressed. I had no time to have breakfast or sip a cup of coffee. I was still drowsy from the last nights medication. I left home to catch the bus. I was in such a hurry. It was getting late. I couldn't walk fast. My throat was too dry. I wanted water. I then remembered the verse "As the deer panth for the waters so my soul longs after you". I was like a deer. My feet was failing. There were no shops open. I was desperately in need of something to drink. There used to be a lil tea shop on the way. But normally it is closed in the morning. I somehow dragged myself for few steps. To my surprised the lil tea shop which normally used to be closed was open. The shop keeper was selling tea. I was super happy. The cup of tea literally saved my life. After I had tea I recovered. I felt it was God who made that shop keeper to keep his shop opened only for me. God is so good. He even takes care of lil things like "Grace needs a cup of tea". :P

The next day I saw the shop closed, I took a picture of it. Every time I see this lil shop, it reminds me of this incident.

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