Farewell, Vain World!

“Farewell, vain world; my soul bids you adieu.
My Savior taught me to abandon you.
Your charms may gratify a sensual mind,
but cannot please a soul for God designed.”

          ~David Brainerd

The more I know God and the longer I walk with Him, the less worldly things entice me. We, Christ's followers, must examine ourselves. We cannot serve two masters. God or materialism? God or egotism? God or sensuality? Wealth, fame, power, pleasure, and other temptations in this world can never satisfy our soul. Only Christ, our Lord and Savior, can! Don't waste your life chasing after these temporary things! Live for God and give Him your undivided loyalty! Don't let the world and its pursuits come between your soul and Him.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26a

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

We're a new creation. We no longer think the way the world thinks; we embrace the mind and the attitudes of Christ. Our old way of thinking and living has gone, being replaced with the new way of thinking and living according to God's Word.

"When they see a follower of Jesus who is sold out for Christ, living free of legalism and bondage to the world, they are drawn to Jesus. When they see a follower of Jesus living for 'self' and the world, they have no problem rejecting Jesus because it allows them to play the hypocrite card. The world needs us to be an example of living the Bible so that they too are drawn to Christ. They need answers, and for us to say we are "Christians" and live our life in pursuit of personal gain would only be a contradiction to who we say we follow. " ~David McGee

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

You're invited to share your thoughts about the quote above (by David Brainerd) on your blog and then link up your post here. To learn more about "In Other Words"(what it's about, how it works, and how it originated), visit here.

This post is also linked up with Faith-filled Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

Friday's Fave Five #69

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-

1. I had a wonderful time at the Spring Tea with 2 friends last Saturday. The menu was outstanding :). The table settings were so beautiful, creative, and unique. The message was encouraging. You can see the photos here.

2. God is beyond awesome! I've seen His fingerprints in my daily life all the time. Way cool! He is a very personal God. He cares about even minor details of my life. I'm speechless...just so overwhelmed with thankfulness in my heart.

3. French wild blueberry preserves on French vanilla ice cream...Delicieux :)!

4. This article (and video): Why We Got Married by Larissa Murphy. Truly beautiful and inspiring! I cried, of course :). You can also visit here to download a free copy of This Momentary Marriage by John Piper.

"The beauty of the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His Church shines brightest when nothing but Christ can sustain." ~John Piper

5. I've been participating in the "A Photo a Day in MAY" challenge on my photo blog at http://wondersbeyondwords.blogspot.com/ . Fun and challenging :)!

Under Scrutiny

“You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read,
and your life is under scrutiny every day.
What do others learn from you?
Do they see an accurate picture of your God?”
by John MacArthur

Whether we like it or not...realize it or not, people read us and notice how we act and how we react. Are we living our lives according to God's Word? Are we extending to others grace and mercy lavishly bestowed upon us by God? Do others see the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) displayed in our lives? I hope and pray that others will see Christ in me. Of course, I am far from perfect. I often fail and struggle. However, I hope that my words and actions, including my failures, will point to the fact that we all are sinners in need of a Savior and that He is my Hope, Joy, Strength, Lord, and Life. Christians either attract unbelievers to Jesus or turn them away from wanting to know more about Jesus by the way they live their lives. Are you passionate about Jesus and the Gospel? People can tell. Your joy and enthusiasm speak volumes. Do you share the Good News with others? Can people see that you're different from the world...that Christ reigns in your life? How do you react to trials and troubles? People are watching. Your response reflects what you believe. Do you walk the talk? If not, hypocrisy will quickly turn people off.

We are Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:19-20)! Do we accurately represent Him?
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Do our lives glorify Him? What do others learn from us? Faith in the Almighty God or doubt and fear? Eternal hope in Christ or hopelessness and despair? Unconditional and selfless love for all or conditional and selfish "love" for some and hatred/prejudice for others? Are we being light to this dark world?

My personal experience attests the real-life application of the quote. Our family has been hosting a weekly dinner/Bible study for international students who attend a local university. Most of these students had never read the Bible. However, they become interested in learning about God and the Bible because they like what they see in our fellowship. They are attracted to the love, joy, contentment, caring, kindness, passion, hospitality, smiles, and laughter that they witness. We continue to pray for them that they will choose to surrender their lives to Christ.

The quote above reminds me of several similar quotes:
"I am my neighbor's Bible. He reads me when we meet. He may not even know my name, yet he is reading me." ~Unknown

"We are His word to the world. Are we clearly heard?" ~Unknown

"Of one hundred men, one will read the Bible; the ninety-nine will read the Christian." ~Dwight L. Moody

"You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips." ~Oliver Goldsmith

"So let our lips and lives express
The holy gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine." ~Watts


~This post is linked up with In 'Other' Words @SunflowerFaith , Faith-Filled Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

Live Like That

May everything I say and do point to You, Lord! "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24

"We must be the same person in private and in public. Only the Christian worldview gives us the basis for this kind of integrity." ~Chuck Colson

"Loving God - really loving Him - means living out His commands no matter what the cost." ~Chuck Colson

A life well lived for God's glory and His kingdom: Chuck Colson, 10/16/1931-4/21/2012

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

Welcome to my blog! My name is Urailak (aka "LivingforGod" around bloggyworld and "Fruit Bearer" on Facebook). I am a Christ-follower, Bible-believer, daughter & servant of the King of kings, the blessed wife of my beloved Godly husband (for over 20 years), homeschool mom of three precious blessings (18 yo daughter, 13 yo son, and 10 yo son), sister in Christ, and friend to all. I have been blogging since 2006 (previously at homeschoolblogger.com). If you are new here and wonder what this blog is all about, please check out my favorite posts (see the right sidebar). I also have a photo blog and a family/homeschool-related blog.

Currently, I'm hosting three different giveaways:
- Win a copy of A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Rick Osborne and Gary Chapman (4/20)
- Win a certificate redeemable for a copy of Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick (4/20)
- Win a copy of  The 5 Love Languages of Children by by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell (4/30)

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy your visit !

My UBP Story

                                            
                                            Join me..join me.
                                            Don’t delay.
                                            The Ultimate Blog Party
                                            Is now underway.
                                            What fun it would be
                                            To enjoy visitors
                                            Without cleaning your house
                                            Or dusting furniture.
                                            You can host a party.
                                            You can visit day or night.

                                            You sure will have a ball.
                                            But that is not all.
                                            Oh, no.
                                            That is not all.
                                            Oh, the places you will go
                                            The people you will meet
                                            Imagine the possibilities
                                            How wonderful…how sweet!
                                           
                                            Now! Now! Have no doubt.
                                            There are prizes galore.
                                            Everyone is a winner.
                                            Go check it out to know more.
                                            While you are here…
                                            Oh, what do you say?
                                            Leave me a comment.
                                            Let me know if you may.
                                            Hope to see you around.
                                            Hope you’ll come back a lot.
                                            Oh, I can’t imagine…
                                            Why not?
                                                      
I wrote the above poem (Dr. Suess style) when I joined the Ultimate Blog Party in 2007. I have been a faithful participant ever since. This year will be my 6th year. Faithful...but not "successful" :)! You see? My blog is still not famous or well known. It still doesn't have gazillion followers. Here's the amount of comments I received for each year's UBP post.

2007:8 comments; 2008: 6 comments; 2009: 17 comments; 2010: 20 comments; 2011: 15 comments

Nothing impressive. I'm probably the one to be blamed. I don't have time to visit lots of blogs and leave lots of comments. I am thankful for new visitors via UBP and I do take the time to visit those who have left comments. Several said they would be back but I don't think they have come back yet :). Last year, I even participated through all my three blogs (Living for God, Fruitbearers, and My Father's World). Maybe this year will be different. If not, that's okay. I enjoy the party, anyway. And the reason I blog in the first place is not to become well known or well liked but to draw people to Jesus...to make Him known. Soli Deo Gloria!

Friday's Fave Five #68

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-

1. I had a wonderful time at the dumpling-making party with some of the international students at a friend's house. I love dumplings :)!

2. Som Thum (Thai papaya salad)...so yummy! It made me a little homesick for Thailand though. I haven't been back since 1992.

3. I had fun playing Monopoly Deal Card Game with my youngest son (10). 

4. I like this quote:

"Ever wonder why there were two crosses next to Christ? Why not six or ten? Ever wonder why Jesus was in the center? Could it be the two crosses on the hill symbolize one of God’s greatest gifts? The gift of choice.

The two criminals were convicted by the same system. Condemned to the same death. Equally close to the same Jesus. But one changed!

You’ve made some bad choices in life, haven’t you? You look back and you say, “If only I could make up for those bad choices." You can!

When one thief on the cross prayed, Jesus loved him enough to save him. When the other mocked, Jesus loved him enough to let him. He allowed him the choice.

He does the same for you!" ~Max Lucado

5. After 12 years of doing Steps for Life and being inducted into the Steps for Life Hall of Fame for raising over $10,000 for the Pregnancy Resource Centers, Alyssa (my daughter) is passing the baton to her younger brother. I'm so delighted to see their passion to defend the defenseless and save lives! Please follow this link to visit Isaiah Liljequist's personal web page and help him in his efforts to support Pregnancy Resource Centers of Greater Portland. Thanks!

Have a blessed Good Friday and Resurrection Day weekend! Christ is risen! Let us rejoice and share this great news with everyone!

Never Neutral

“No one can remain neutral regarding Jesus’ resurrection.
The claim is too staggering,
the event too earthshaking,
the implications too significant
and the matter too serious.
We must either receive it or reject it as truth for us.
To remain indifferent or undecided is to reject it.” 

~Mark Driscoll

Jesus' resurrection is pivotal! It confirms His claims to deity and guarantees the future bodily resurrection unto eternal life of all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It sets Christianity apart from all other religions. Christ is alive; all the founders of other religions are dead. Only Christ Jesus has victory over death, demonstrating that He has power over all things. His resurrection is a provable historical fact.

The above quote reminded me of this quote: "The most powerful thing about the Bible is that it is not neutral---in fact, there is no such position as a "neutral" one. One way or another, we must all contend with its claims. To not make a decision about whether or not it will serve as the authority for your life is, in fact, to decide against it." ~Greg Hall in Already Compromised (co-authored with Ken Ham)

The point is that to not make a decision is the same as to have already made a decision. Once you learn what the Bible says about Who Jesus Christ is, His birth, His life, His ministry, His death and resurrection, you must decide how you will respond. You have a choice to make. Accept Him or reject Him? Your life and eternal destiny depend on your choice. Heaven or Hell? An abundant life with Christ or a hopeless life without Christ? By the way, you cannot just want Jesus to be your Savior but not your Lord. It doesn't work that way. You cannot have one foot in God's kingdom and one foot in the world, either. You're either in or out! You cannot serve two masters.

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God in human flesh, came to earth to live a sinless life, died in our place to save us sinners, and conquered death by His resurrection to give us eternal life. He did it all because He loves us so much. What will be your response to His love today? Life is short. Death is certain for everyone. I hope and pray that you will choose Christ now before it's too late. "I'm thinking about it" won't do you any good because it means you decide against surrendering your life to Christ at this moment. There may never be another moment...

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that He was buried,
that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born."
1 Corinthians 15:3-8

This post is linked up with In 'Other' Words @Writing Canvas, Faith-Filled Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the videos.



"They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand and knelt in front of Him and mocked Him. "Hail, King of the Jews!" they said. They spit on Him, and took the staff and struck Him on the head again and again. After they had mocked Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him." Matthew 27:28-31

Jesus, I can neither love You enough nor thank You enough, but I will neither stop thanking You nor stop loving You! You took my punishment and death. Thank You once again for Your amazing love for me! I love You, my Lord and Savior!

Friday's Fave Five #67

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-

1. I finished reading Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick. Awesome book! You can read my review and enter a giveaway here.

2. Our whole family had our dental checkup yesterday. No cavities for all of us. Yeah :)!

3. Our daughter got her SAT result yesterday. Her score is 2010! We're so proud of her.

4. I had fun playing UpWords with my youngest son (10). He certainly has a way with words :).

5. On Sunday, we enjoyed Hot Pot and a class of Christianity Explored with the international students. Great food and great discussion! Please pray that they will understand the Gospel clearly and that they will choose Christ.

Bonus: While I was enjoying Hot Pot, I got a tiny fish bone or something sharp stuck on the right side of my throat. It hurt and I couldn't reach it. I prayed and prayed (silently). I'm super thankful that the Lord made it go away and I can swallow without feeling anything there anymore.

Book Review and Giveaway: Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick

About the book:
On the night of November 5, 2006, the Barrick family was driving home from church when their van was struck by a drunk driver. Fifteen-year-old Jen suffered multiple skull fractures and severe brain trauma and was not expected to survive the night. But against all odds, she did. After lingering in a coma for five weeks, Jen opened her eyes and began praying and praising God. She didn't remember her middle name, recognize her parents, or recall that she had a little brother—but she remembered Jesus and every word to every praise song and Scripture she had hidden in her heart before the accident. As any loving mother would, Jen's mother Linda wanted God to heal Jen--make her like she was before. Normal. But a loving God had something else in mind--instead of making her normal, God is making Jennifer--and the whole Barrick family--extraordinary, miraculous. Miracle for Jen is the remarkable true story of a family who overcame tragedy and learned to trust God's plan for their lives in a whole new way.

My Thoughts and Review:
Wow...what an amazing testimony of God's faithfulness, goodness, and power! I love this book! I cried several times while reading this book...yes, it's that good :). Through her mother, Linda Barrick's memoir, Jen Barrick's unwavering faith, heart of gratitude, total devotion to God, and passion to proclaim Christ ministered to me so much. Though suffering from a severe brain injury, Jen's spiritual connection/love relationship with God has remained intact and even grew deeper and stronger after the accident. She could also see Jesus standing right beside her. How precious! She prayed, praised God, worshiped Him in songs, and quoted the Scriptures while she could not talk. God is truly glorified and His power is definitely made perfect in her weakness. Jen's Godly insights and heavenly-minded prayers encourage people around her, including her mom who is at times grieved over what Jen has lost. In her journal (before the car crash), Jen asked God for boldness in sharing her faith. God answered her prayer in a way that nobody could have imagined. God transformed Jen into His beautiful vessel, being used mightily for His glory and for His kingdom. I really appreciate that Linda shares openly and honestly how she feels. As a mother myself, I can relate to her and understand her struggles. At the end of the book, you will find Jen's message sharing the Gospel clearly. Story of God's grace. Story of hope. God is still the God of miracles! I highly recommend this book!

Below are some of my favorite Jen's quotes from the book:
"Thank You for giving me the brain injury." (p. 150...Can you imagine that?!)
"Mom, your problem is that your brain gets in the way. You think too much! You have to just trust God." (p.150)
"If He doesn't heal me completely it's because He has something far greater for me to do." (p. 167)
"I don't feel normal, and I'm okay with that. I never wanted to be normal. And I don't want to be remembered as 'the girl with the brain injury.' I want to be remembered as the girl who loved Jesus with all her heart." (p.244)

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the trailer.

GIVEAWAY: You can win a certificate redeemable for a copy of this book. Deadline: 4/20/12

To Enter: Please visit The Barrick Family's website, "Hope Out Loud" and then leave a comment here sharing your thoughts.

For Extra Entries (please leave a separate comment for each one that you do):

- Follow this blog via GFC or NetworkedBlogs

- "Like" my page "Christ Alone" on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter: @treasuredbyGod
- Share the link to this giveaway post on Facebook
- Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter 

~I received a copy of this book and a certificate (for giveaway) for free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Friday's Fave Five #66

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-
1. I enjoyed the International House picnic. There was a cooking contest. Lots of yummy dishes from various cultures such as Vietnamese, Chinese, Middle-Eastern, etc. I entered my Thai Green Curry with Chicken. I didn't win. The winner's dish was pizza :).

2. Last Friday night, we (our Bible study/fellowship group including several international students) had so much fun playing ping-pong, pool, foosball, and cool group games! Lots of laughs.

3. I participate in Spring Reading Thing 2012 and posted the list of books that I plan to read this spring here. 

4. March Madness = sledding fun in the snow! I think spring is really confused or has lost its way somehow :). We took advantage of the snow we got yesterday.


5. "7 Tips for Teaching Preschoolers the Bible" written by Alyssa (my 18 yo daughter) is published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's March issue.

 

Book Review: The Colors of Hope by Richard Dahlstrom

The Colors of Hope: Becoming People of Mercy, Justice, and Love by Richard Dahlstrom  is the co-recipient of the Christianity Today Christian Living Book of the Year Award for 2011.

About the Author
Richard Dahlstrom is pastor of Bethany Community Church in Seattle, Washington, and is a conference and Bible college speaker. He is also the author of O2: Breathing New Life into Faith, which was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best Christian books of 2008.

My Thoughts and Review
Based on Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God," Richard Dahlstrom invites readers to become artisans of hope painting with mercy, justice, and love. We are born to make a difference in this world. More importantly, we Christians are "born again" to make an eternal difference in this world. The book is divided into 3 main parts: Vision (of hope), The Primary Colors (that create hope): justice, mercy, and love, and Creating Art While Life Happens (which means now, not waiting around).

I enjoyed reading Mr. Dahlstrom's first book (O2). I'm glad I had the opportunity to review his new book, The Colors of Hope. The author challenges us to use our God-given passions, skills, and abilities to beautify and bless this broken world in our own unique ways. Christ's followers must intentionally live out their faith and calling as artists, painting colors of hope vividly wherever they are. I appreciate the author's honesty, Biblical insight, and practical advice. It's an excellent read! I highly recommend it.

"I can't keep pretending I live in Disneyland, singing hymns and practicing personal piety while human trafficking steals children's souls, and thirty thousand people die every day of treatable diseases. I can't continue to live 'faith as usual' when I learn how many billions of people are making the same amount of money in a year that I make in three days. If knowing all this doesn't shake you to the core, something's probably wrong with your view of Jesus and the life to which we're invited." (p. 82)

"The colors of hope will be spilled into the world by broken people, living their broken lives in the midst of a broken world. But right there, in the midst of all that pain and suffering, those who have taken up the adventure of spilling hope will find colors of beauty, justice, healing and joy being poured through them onto the canvas of their families, churches, and cities. This is the life to which we're called, the adventure that awaits us as broken, yet deeply loved, artisans of hope." (p. 132)

  
~ I received 2 free copies of this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest review.

Spring Reading Thingy 2012

Here's the list of books that I plan to read this spring. I'm sure I'll be adding more as the time goes by :).

- A Perfect Pet for Peyton (picture book) by Rick Osborne & Gary Chapman
- The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
- Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick with John Perry
- Great Day Every Day by Max Lucado
- Unveiling the Kings of Israel by David Down
- Living Close to God by Gene Edwards
- Living by Faith by David Venable
- Love at Last Sight by Kerry & Chris Shook

It's About the Cross

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


Thank You, Jesus! It's all about You!
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15

Friday's Fave Five #65

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-
1. Last weekend, I attended Answers Conference via live streaming (4 sessions) and also in person (one session). Dr. Tommy Mitchell (from Answers in Genesis) spoke about dinosaurs, suffering, why Genesis matters, and Noah's Ark & the global flood.

Master Books' authors will offer free online webinars on the following dates at 9 p.m. ET.

Mar. 20- Bodie Hodge of Answers in Genesis/The Foundation of Genesis in Today’s Culture
Mar. 22- Dr. Don DeYoung/ Current Events in Creation Studies
Mar. 29- Dr. Carl Werner/ Why I Abandoned Evolution To learn more, visit www.nlpg.com and www.hslda.org.

2. I like this quote: "I can't keep pretending I live in Disneyland, singing hymns and practicing personal piety while human trafficking steals children's souls, and thirty thousand people die every day of treatable diseases. I can't continue to live 'faith as usual' when I learn how many billions of people are making the same amount of money in a year that I make in three days. If knowing all this doesn't shake you to the core, something's probably wrong with your view of Jesus and the life to which we're invited." ~Richard Dahlstrom (from his book, The Colors of Hope)

3. Yesterday, I had a tough day but then I was so encouraged by my 13 yo son who is such an encourager ♥! My Barnabas :)!

4. My two current giveaways:
-You can enter to win a copy of Miami Vineyard LIVE CD at http://fivesavedbygrace.blogspot.com/2012/03/cd-review-and-giveaway-miami-vineyard.html . Ends 3/17 This is a fun & flavorful praise/worship CD, combining Latin, Gospel, Island, and Funk styles.
-You can enter to win a copy of The Woodcarver DVD at http://fivesavedbygrace.blogspot.com/2012/03/dvd-review-and-giveaway-woodcarver.html . Ends 3/31 This is a wonderful family, faith-based DVD based on the concept of WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?).

5. I love this song. Beautiful message and beautiful harmony! Thank You, Jesus! It's all about You!
Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Biblical Grace

"Any concept of grace that makes us feel more comfortable sinning is not Biblical grace. God's grace never encourages us to live in sin, on the contrary, it empowers us to say no to sin and yes to truth." ~Randy Alcorn

By God's grace, He offers us the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. Because of God's grace, we receive what we do not deserve: eternal life in heaven, redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation, freedom from sin and death, Christ's righteousness, and adoption into God's family. No words can adequately describe the depth and magnitude of God’s grace. Nothing can compare to God’s grace. The more we realize how wretched we are, the more we understand, appreciate, and embrace God’s grace.

Excuse to Sin? Absolutely Not!
God’s grace is greater than all our sin, guilt, and shame. However, it is not an excuse for us to do whatever we want. Grace is meant to justify the sinner, but some misuse it to justify their sins. Biblical grace says: "Go and sin no more", not "Go on living the way you have been since all your sins are forgiven anyway."

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2)

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
 
By God’s grace, we are set free from being slaves to sin so that we may do “every good work” that God calls us to do.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2: 8-10)

"Grace in no way frees us from the pursuit of holiness. In truth, grace is given to us to make it holy living possible. Imagine holy living as a high wire that you must walk across. One slip and you tumble, forever lost, into the chasm below. But now Jesus stretches a safety net across the chasm. When you slip, you fall into the safety net of grace, acknowledge your mistake, and climb back on the high wire--all the while with Jesus helping and supporting you." (~Jon Walker) Living under grace and living in obedience to God go hand in hand. If we live for self and choose to do whatever feels good, we abuse grace.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)


You're invited to share your thoughts about the quote above (by Randy Alcorn) on your blog and then link up your post here. To learn more about "In Other Words"(what it's about, how it works, and how it originated), visit here.
 
This post is also linked up with Faith-filled Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

I Will Follow

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21
"If anyone obeys His Word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:5-6

What Is Your Excuse?

"I want people to fill their minds with passages of Scripture while they are well and strong,
that they may have sure help in the day of need.
I want them to be diligent in studying their Bibles,
and becoming familiar with their contents,
in order that the grand old Book may stand by them
and talk with them when all earthly friends fail.
From the bottom of my heart,
I pity that person who never reads their Bible.
I wonder how they expect to draw their consolation in their time of need."

~ J.C. Ryle

The Bible excites me :) (Jeremiah 15:16). This may sound funny but I don't want to miss anything that God wants to tell me. The more I know about God, the more I want to know Him! God's Word is a treasure to me. I want to read "His Love Letter" over and over again. I enjoy reading the Bible in different versions, too :). I would like to encourage you all to take time to read, study, and memorize the Scriptures which is powerful fuel for energizing our soul and renewing our mind. In the future, we may not always have religious freedom in this country. If the Bible were to be taken away from you, the verses you have read and memorized would be there to remind you of God's love, mercy, and faithfulness, assure you of God's power and providence, encourage you, comfort you, guide you, and feed/nourish you (spiritually).

"I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119: 10-11

"How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:103-105

"Too difficult," you say?
"Not an excuse," I say! How many movie lines can you quote? How many song lyrics do you know by heart? How many ad slogans are stuck in your head permanently? You get the point. You can memorize Bible verses; it may take longer time and it may take some tools to help such as Scripture memory CDs/DVDs and index cards, but it can be done. Sadly, some parents/teachers make their students memorize poems, famous political speeches and documents, etc. but never or hardly encourage them to memorize the Scriptures. It gives me great joy to see my kids delight in the Lord and His Word.

"Too busy," you say?
"Not an excuse," I say! Do you still eat your meals even on the days you are busy? If you take care of your body by taking in nutrients through eating your food everyday, why would you ignore feeding yourself with God's Word and be willing to starve yourself spiritually? Without taking in God's Word daily, you will get weaker and weaker spiritually. It's easier to get discouraged, tempted, and deceived when you don't constantly consult with God-given life's manual/instruction guide. People seem to have time to gain knowledge from books and the internet yet have no time to search for wisdom from God's Word? Reading/ studying the Bible each day is very important. Now...think of memorizing Bible verses as eating snacks throughout the day. Snacks give us an extra boost of energy and sustain/fulfill us until our next meal. Bible memorization is similar but even better :)...keeping us energized throughout our lifetime (once in a while, we may need to review what we've already memorized because forgetfulness does happen to some of us :)).

"How to increase your faith: Expose your mind to God's Word, more & more, more & more, more & more." ~James MacDonald


This post is linked up with In 'Other' Words @Sunflower Faith, Faith-Filled Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

Friday's Fave Five #64

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-

1. My 18 yo daughter, Alyssa's ebook, Deadly Delirium, is on Amazon. How cool :)!

2. You can read my daughter's interviews here, here, here, and here. 

3. This quote by J.C. Ryle: "We must cast away everything which hinders us upon our road towards heaven – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life; the love of riches, pleasures and honors, the spirit of lukewarmness and carelessness and indifference about the things of God – ALL must be rooted out and forsaken if we are anxious for the prize. We must mortify the deeds of the body, we must crucify our affections for this world."

4. My three great giveaways: - The Mighty Macs DVD (3/4)
                                                  - Three Hearts DVD (3/14)...a must-see documentary!
                                                  - Miami Vineyard LIVE CD (3/17)

5. Last Friday, we studied about David and Goliath at our Bible Study with the international students. Then I found this video. I fell in love with the song immediately :).

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.

Book Review: Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas

Bonhoeffer (Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy) is a powerful, in-depth biography of German-born Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most daring yet humble heroes of the 20th century. Eric Metaxas captures Bonhoeffer's life in vivid detail and presents those details effectively from his childhood to his death. Bonhoeffer courageously stood against Hitler and the Nazis. He really lived out what he believed and preached! He wore many hats: pastor, author, theologian, pacifist, and spy. He did it all with integrity, honor, conviction, compassion, uncompromising passion for God's truth, desire to uphold justice and defend the defenseless. Sadly, even German "Christians" sympathized with the Nazis. Bonhoeffer openly criticized both: the Nazi ideology and the (wrong) doctrine of German "Christians". He challenged fellow Christ's followers in his country to stand with the Jews in their time of need. He became one of the founders of the oppositional Confessing Church and refused to accept Hitler as leader. Bonhoeffer eventually participated in the unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Hitler and was hanged (at age 39) three weeks before the end of WWII.

This book challenges me to ponder...What is a moral person/a Christian to do in a time of vicious oppression by a tyrannical ruler? Will we choose to do nothing or to fight for freedom and resist the evil? Bonhoeffer looked deeply into his soul, his conscience, and God's Word, in an effort to decide where his responsibilities lay. This superb biography is informative, well-researched, and intensely engaging. From this book, we learn about Bonhoeffer's upbringing, personality, relationships, writings, travels, experiences, and faith journey. Bonhoeffer was a truly inspiring, remarkable man of God! This is a thick book (542 pages of main text) but an enjoyable and excellent read. A true story of love, courage, faith, sacrifice, choices, Christian ethics, struggle, life & death...a man who lived and died for God and God's principles! A doctor at Flossenburg prison, who witnessed Bonhoeffer's execution, described, "I was most deeply moved by the way this lovable man prayed, so devout and so certain that God heard his prayer. At the place of execution, he again said a short prayer and then climbed the steps to the gallows, brave and composed. His death ensued after a few seconds. In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God." (p.532) The book also includes black & white photographs and a Reading Group Guide. Very well written plus a splash of humor here and there :). I highly recommend it.

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the trailer.

~ I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Choose Joy

“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (emphasis mine)

I have always loved this passage. Habakkuk the prophet had the right attitude. He chose to praise God and rejoice in Him, regardless of his circumstances...no matter how dreary and depressing they were. We often cannot control what will happen to us or what trials we will face but we can control our attitudes and reactions. Though...(fill in the blank with whatever troubling you: eg. health problems, relationship problems, death of loved ones, financial crisis, etc.), yet God is still Who He is and still in control and still loves us and cares about us. Therefore, we can choose to always trust in Him and rejoice in Him. He is our Lord. He is our Savior. He is our Strength.

Let's choose joy and commit to walk in joy no matter what's going on around us. Let's look to God who is our Source of joy, instead of fretting over our situations.

Lord, please help us to have a thankful & joyful heart/attitude even through our difficult times. Please enable us to bear hardships and endure trials while reminding us, Lord, that You're with us through it all.  

"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful." Psalm 68:3

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness." Isaiah 61:10a

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


This post is linked up with In 'Other' Words @MiPa's Monologue, Brag on God Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

Friday's Fave Five #63

It's time for another Friday's Fave Five (hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story).

My Fave Five this week:-

1. I love Fridays! We host a weekly dinner and Bible Study for the international students (who attend our local university) in our home every Friday evening.  Food...friendship...fun...fellowship ...studying God's Word...praying for one another...sharing Christ's love...priceless!

2. Shopping at a homeschool bookstore. I could easily spend hours there and go broke :).

3. Shopping at an Asian grocery store. I enjoy Asian foods such as curry, dim sum stuff, Thai peppers, seaweeds, all sorts of noodles, etc. It's a real treat whenever I go to one (none is near us).

4. My current giveaway: you can win a copy of The Mighty Macs DVD on my other blog. Ends 3/4/12

5. My 18 yo daughter, Alyssa's eBook, Deadly Delirium is being released today by the Euterpe (YA) Imprint of Musa Publishing! She is hosting a giveaway on her blog where you can win a copy. You can also check out her Deadly Delirium Facebook page for all the interviews, reviews, and giveaways.

Review: SongCompanion

I received a free SongCompanion for review. SongCompanion is an interactive publication in pdf format that explores the lyrics and themes of some Christian songs to help you learn and grow in your faith. Music often touches people's hearts in a powerful way and gets stuck in people's minds for a long time. Tom Houck, the founder of SongCompanion, hopes to provide fun, enjoyable learning tools for spiritual growth. Each SongCompanion is like a devotional/Bible study guide based on a meaningful song. The one I reviewed is based on the song, "How Many Kings" by Downhere. I love this song; in fact, it's one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs :). I enjoyed the colorful, multi-media SongCompanion. It is filled with great relevant Biblical truth, interesting information, web links, video clips, and more. Did you know that Downhere is a Canadian band? I didn't know that. The theme in the How Many Kings SongCompanion is humility and serving others. I really like the Deep Dive Questions; these questions help readers dig deeper into God's Word and reflect on real-life applications. SongCompanions can be used for personal use or for group discussions. Check these wonderful resources out at http://www.SongCompanion.com/.

The Secret to Being Content

“Being content does not mean we are satisfied. In fact, to be content is to know we will always
be groaning this side of eternity. Yet when we believe that fullness will come, that there is more than this life, we live with contentment.”

Lisa Graham McMinn, The Contented Soul (found in Mornings with Jesus, p.30)

I don't fully agree with the quote above. I know what she tries to convey. Our longing for our true home, Heaven. Yet I believe we can be content and satisfied on this side of eternity, too. I like the commentary that Keri Wyatt Kent made about the quote above in Mornings with Jesus: "The 'more' she writes of is Jesus. His love and grace are sufficient. Resting in Him, we can be content." I agree with that; Jesus Christ is the key.

"But Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6) Would you like to know the "secret" to being content? I believe we can truly be content only when we realize that we are complete in Christ. No one else and nothing else will ever make us complete. Six years ago, I wrote the following poem, "Complete in Christ" to remind myself of that, and hopefully, it may encourage others as well.

Complete in Christ

Philosophy, psychology
Idolatry, ceremony
They do not set us free.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Legalism, mysticism, asceticism
Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism
Don't be fooled and trapped in man-made religions.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Spiritual formulas, worldly principles
Self-help books, staged miracles
These won't save us. Don't be gullible.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Elaborate church buildings, expensive programs
Certain prayer patterns...we have to discern
Don't be captivated. Don't be intimidated.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Popularity, plastic surgery
Model looks, designer clothes
Don't be envious. We don't need those.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Drugs, cults, New Age, evolution
Power, portfolios, prosperity
Don't be led astray. Don't love money.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Luxurious homes, acres & acres of land
Private planes, latest high-tech gadgets, fancy cars
We don't need anything extra.
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Degrees, recognition, career
Costly hobbies, social status, approval of peers
Think of heaven, not just now and here
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

Human regulations, immediate gratification
Sensual indulgence, collection of things
They give us no peace. True joy...they don't bring
We are complete in Christ...Christ alone.

~ Copyright 2006 Urailak Liljequist

It's our human tendency to desire "more" and "better" and "new" and "exciting". It's our human tendency to get bored easily, to complain, and to be ungrateful. With Christ's strength, we can overcome the human tendency (aka our sinful nature). "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, Who is the Head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:9,10


This post is linked up with In 'Other' Words @Writing Canvas, Brag on God Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.

Movie Review: Deadline

Inspired by a true story, Deadline (PG 13) is a powerful movie about the unsolved murder of a 15-year-old African American, Wallace Sampson, in Amos, Alabama. Nineteen years after the cold-blooded killing, Trey Hall, is on a search for truth. She wants to know what happened to her housekeeper's son, Wallace. Trey asks Matt Harper, a reporter at The Nashville Times, to help her investigate this case. Obstacles arise against Matt. His publisher objects it. His fiancee calls the wedding off. His father is battling cancer. Matt gets assistance from a fellow reporter, Ronnie Bullock, who is a very interesting redneck.  Deadline is a story of racism, redemption, relationships (esp. between father and son), justice, journalism, hope, and faith. It portrays the ugliness and devastation of racism as well as the beauty and restoration of racial harmony. I was so touched that I got teary eyes a few times. The climax is truly heart-wrenching. The cast did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed this gripping film. I love the poem, "Times" by Wallace Sampson (written on the day he died):
Times are hard here
Times are uneasy
Times call for courage
And the hope that these can still be
In fact, still are
The best of times

Deadline is adapted from Mark Ethridge's novel Grievances. Ethridge is a former managing editor of The Charlotte Observer. Deadline is directed by Curt Hahn, starring Steve Talley and Eric Roberts. You can watch the trailer and sign up for email updates including when Deadline will be released in your area at http://www.deadlinefilm.com/.