Obedience over sacrifice

Woohooooo!!!

Finally completed my first book for the year!!!

Ok. I lied.

This is actually my second book.

I completed another book during my Taiwan trip but I didn’t highlight the portions that spoke to me so I’m going to reread it!

Anyway, I’ve completed “Battlefield of the mind” by Joyce Mayer.

I think is a super timely book as God been speaking and dealing with me some of the areas mentioned in this book!

And the last chapter of this book talks about obedience, which was my “theme” last year!

Nothing really happens by coincidence! XD

So here is some points from the book that hit me.

You can’t overcome your situation by determination alone. You do need to be determined, but determined in the Holy Spirit, not in the effort of your own flesh. The Holy Spirit is your Helper – seek His help. ~p.g. 20

This avoidance of hope is a type of protection against being hurt. Disappointment hurts! So rather than be hurt again, many people simply refuse to hope or to believe that anything good will ever happen to them. This type of behavior sets up a negative lifestyle. ~ p.g. 37

Salvation is based solely on the bold of Jesus, His death on the cross and His resurrection. Many people will be in heaven because they truly accepted Jesus as their Savior, but many of these same people will never have walked in victory or enjoyed the good plan God had for their lives because they did not get their mind renewed according to His Word. ~ p.g. 60

You and I must grow to the place where we are satisfied to know the One Who knows, even if we ourselves do not know. ~p.g. 91

It is the privilege of every believer to refuse to worry or have anxiety. As believers, you and I can enter the rest of God and stay there. ~p.g. 104

We must realize that we have our own way of seeing things. We like to tell people what we think, and that is exactly the point – what I think may be right for me, but not necessarily right for you, and vice versa. ~ p.g. 125

Each of us belongs to God, and even if we have weaknesses, He is able to make us stand and to justify us. We answer to God, not to each other; therefore, we are not to judge one another in a critical way. ~ p.g. 127

He is always with us, but we need to think on Him and be aware of His presence. ~ p.g 159

Many people never see the answer to their prayers because they negate what they have asked for with their own thoughts and words before God ever gets a chance to work in their behalf. ~ p.g. 163

How can we be a blessing to the Lord? By letting His praise continually be in our thoughts and mouths. ~ p.g. 165

We need to hear what the Spirit says, not what the world says. Let God speak to you about your future - not everyone else. ~ p.g. 182

I will patiently suffer rather than fail to please God. ~p.g. 203

… Jesus said to Peter, “Don’t be concerned about what I choose to do with someone else – you follow Me!” ~ p.g. 260

Samuel’s answer to King Saul was that God desire obedience, not sacrifice. If we “think” too much, we can reason our way out of God’s will. ~ p.g.269

Toodles! :]

Fourth

Is been a while since I really sit down and write something from my heart. Trust me, I’ve tried to squeeze stuff out of my brain and I get nothing. I think I still have my holiday mood on. Many people told me that we always get things done after Chinese New Year, anytime between Christmas and Chinese New Year is consider holiday. So I guess is understandable that I’ve been not having the right mood lately?

Anyway, I decided to really write something. You know, just to get the engine started and I decided to do my day 4 post of my 12 days in Thailand. I know right, is been more than a month. Do I really still remember what happened? Especially in a daily basis! Oh well, thank God I write every day before I sleep (sometimes after I sleep) during that trip. So I can clearly remember the things that happened and how I felt that day. So day 4 story it is.

Day 4 was particularly disappointing. We went to Silom where we both agree upon before that trip. I decided to go to this place is because I heard someone praying for this place and I Google search it and it happen to be in Bangkok. This happen after we decided to go to Bangkok.

So we went and walked around that place. Since both of us were unfamiliar with that place, we just literally walked around. And after hours of walking around, we literally did nothing! NOTHING! We just walked around.

And that is when I doubted the whole purpose of going to Bangkok. We just walked around like zombie, observing our surrounding and also the people there. 

I really felt very discouraged. To summarize day 4 in one word will be DISCOURAGED!

But God is just way too amazing! When I’m still dwelling in my emo-ness, He sent me my big brother to encourage me! Kevin texted me and ask me how I was doing and to cut down the long story, he encourages me just enjoy and surrender to God. He asked me not to set my own purpose, hear God’s calling and don’t be stress. I was super touched! Touched to have this brother. Touched that God prompted him during prayer meeting to text me. Touched by God’s love. Thank you Abba!

And then day 4 ended up to be a day of encouragement. :]

Walk with your Mind and Run with your Heart

Accidentally found this insanely good band from Singapore and my mind is stuck with this song.

My stalker mode was turned on and I found another inspiring video featuring Benjamin.

Walk with your mind and run with your heart. :]

Is 2015

My 2014 ended with the companion of 5 familiar faces and the cheer of millions strangers.

It was freezing cold in Tainan, Taiwan and after hours of standing and walking, I almost can’t feel my leg anymore. We stood there for one last song from the famous (judging from the scream of the girl behind me) yet unfamiliar boy band.

Is 2015.

I think being slow in realizing things have changed is one of my trait mark. Because the reality of 2015 only sink in 2 days ago when I was on my flight back from Taiwan. The first 6 days spent in Taiwan caused me to be ignorant of the changes that have taken place silently.

The rock finally hit the bottom of my heart.

Is 2015.

As I still habitually type 2014 at work instead of 2015, a small whisper will remind me that a year had past quicker than I’ve realized. I guess when things are good, time passes quicker than it feels. And if this is real, then I hope 2016 will come even faster.

Is 2015.

There’s a lot on my plate now, scattered all over. I’m not comfortable looking at them scattered around, but I’m glad that they are there. I wonder what masterpiece will come out from all these. I can’t wait.

God, is 2015.

Let’s have FUN!

Third

-End of stay at 'home' Day 3-

Second

I think out of all the days in Bangkok day 2 is one of my favorite.

Though I was tired at the end of the day, but I enjoyed walking around the city of Bangkok freely.

We started of the day by going to church.

We went to the same church we went earlier in July.

We manage to talk to the pastor after the service and he prayed for us.

Oyan was a happy girl. She really really likes that pastor.

But her excitement didn’t last long because I wanted to walk around and it was a very very long journey. XD

I think God rewards wonderers that wonder with Him.

Because we ended up at this small little railway and I had fun there!

I always wanted to take picha along railway and my dream came true!

Yup! I did play my ukulele while walking around.

But it didn’t last long and I didn’t sing very loud lar~ 

*shy*

Unknowingly, we walked pass 2 BTS station and decided to take the train to Siam instead of walk there.

I told Oyan that if is only a station away, we shall walk. 

She was relieved when she found out that is 2 stations away! LOL

We spent the day at Siam and acted like a tourist by having tourist food. 

And take tourist picha.

Also found a lovely place that sells a lot of stationeries!

*heaven on earth*

We also went to SomTam 5 that is recommended by KampungBoyCityGirl.

Love their friend chicken!! *yums*

One thing about Bangkok is that there’s a market everywhere you go.

So we just shopped around for awhile before we head back to Asoke and ended our day with this at Terminal 21’s food court.

At the end of the day, Oyan was tired and she got a headache.

I think is from all the walking around. 

Oopps… My bad!