Hello God

Liza:  Dear God, if I feel and think that you are leading me to do something and my husband and I do not  agree on it, does that mean I am mis-hearing you, that it was just my imagination, or does that mean my husband is not listening to you?

God: (silent)

Liza:  Hello? .... God are you there?  what to do, what to do ...  Maybe you can tell Holy Spirit to whisper it in my ear.....

God: (silent)

Liza:  I have been waking up at 2:30AM for the past 3 days.  Is there something you want to tell me? (feeling like Samuel boy in the Old Testament)

God: (silent)

Liza:  Hello? What was that verse in Jeremiah? what was that again?  "Call unto me and I will answer thee and will show you great things which you do not know..."  I am calling....

God: (silent)

Liza:  (feeling tired and sleepy)

God: (silent)

Liza: So what? do the usuals? read the Bible?

God: Yes...

Liza: Submit to my husband on this matter that bothers me, even if we disagree and I think he is wrong and I am right?

God: Yes...

Liza: (Sigh) I knew you would say that ...

God: (silent).

Liza: I am going back to bed ....

God:  Do that.  I am watching over you. You know that I love you and care about you.

Liza: zzzzzz z z z

Declutter, Simplify, Trust

The other day I donated 6 bags of stuff at the Salvation Army.  I had been hoarding those six garbage bags of "good stuff" meant for a garage sale. However, that planned garage never happen. We just could not find the right time - there is always something going on. In the meantime,  the clutter kept on accumulating, the stuff kept on filing up.  So, finally I said to myself - "that's it! forget about my desire to earn a few dollars by selling these stuff in a garage sale. donate them all to salvation army!" and so I did. It felt good. I felt good.  The room that those six bags of stuff were stored are now neater. My mind has more peace. Why did I wait several months to let go of those stuff?

In Christ Alone

IN CHRIST ALONE by Avalon

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

From Vessel to Vessel, All For His Glory

Pastor Dominic announced on Sunday that he and his family are moving to England.  The first official announcement was done last Wednesday night. (listen to it at God of New Things podcast) .

We just started attending Calvary Chapel South Maui about a month ago, and I was truly enjoying pastor Dominic's teachings. I was being ministered to in a way that I needed to.  So, deep inside of me I wanted to be very  disappointed when I first heard the news. Obviously, for selfish reasons. I wanted to feel betrayed or let down.  I wanted them to stay.  But the other part of me knows it's all in God's hands and it's all part of the plan.  I knew he is following God's will.

The last 4 weeks that we are going to Calvary Chapel I kept on thinking how much the Sunday messages were designed specially for me. Each Sunday I come home feeling encouraged by the Lord through pastor Dominic's words. The truth is, the message was designed for all of us, including pastor Dominic's family. God has a way of working together everything for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I am sad, yes. But life will go on and God will use another one to minister to me, to us. And he will use pastor Dominic and his family in England.

Last night I listened to the podcast of the Wednesday Bible Stody (God of New Things)  where he poured out his heart as he announced this move.  The story is all too close to my heart.  Many events in my life were similar in a way (even way back when I was still in the Philippines).  I thought of blogging about those stories, but can't even find the energy or the words to do so. All I know is that there is a common thread in the stories: that sometimes God pour us from vessel to vessel to accomplish the will that He has for us and for the world.  What I had learned is that if we are sensitive to His leading, if we obey His words, and if stay close to Him, He will lead the way and blessings will be poured upon us.  It's not always easy, but the peace of God would always be there.

One of the church member helped pastor Dominic set up a website for him and his family. And there's a blog in it it. Talk about getting connected.  I always believe that a blog is one of the best connecting tool available out there, and I am glad a blog was set-up for him.

So what's next? I don't know.  Are we staying at Calvary or are we supposed to attend Kumulani Chapel? I think we are going to take it day by day, Sunday by Sunday, until we (my husband and I) know for sure where the next vessel we should be....