Floods in Queensland

Family and friends in Singapore have asked me if I am affected by the recent floods in Queensland. Thank God for His protection, we are not affected here in Brisbane. But many have been evacuated, many lost their homes, many animals died, much crops destroyed, increasing threat of crocodiles and snakes, etc and it saddens anyone reading about it... just as the bushfires in Victoria some 2 years ago.

The truth is, the floods are pretty far away from Brisbane. The badly affected areas are north and west of Brisbane. See the map below. Bundaberg is about 5 hours drive away. Rockhampton is about 8 hours drive away, 500km from Brisbane (For comparison, driving from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur takes about 4 hours. The distance from Singapore to the Peninsula Malaysia/Thailand border is between 800-900km.)

These floods are also costing a lot to repair and it would take a while to get 'back to normal'. Singapore will also feel the effects of this by increased food prices. The Singapore Armed Forces has also offered help to the flood-hit areas.

Read about how did the flood happen and how you can pray.

It rained so much in the last 2 weeks of 2010 and accompanied with the warmer temperatures, we are seeing more incidences of snakes in our backyard. Beyond the fences of our backyard, is a creek area. When a lot of rain falls, little puddles/ponds can form. We can see them, just a few metres away from our fence. This prompts the snakes in the area to want to go drier land (e.g. our backyard). So far, it has not been too dangerous for us but it certainly deters (especially) me from stepping out into my backyard to do things like throwing the rubbish (into the bins), gardening and even putting out our laundry. Thank God for a husband who would sacrificially do all that. Where possible, I will not step into the backyard if husband is not at home.

Thank God for His protection over us but may we be sensitive to those who are and pray for those who are. This can happen to us too - we are not spared from storms and hailstorms. Remember those affected by the floods in your prayers...

Lots of Encouragement This Week (So Far)

For the past few days, I have been filled with heartfelt thanksgiving to God... which I suppose I have been taking much for granted (not in particular order) -

Monday

- received a bad news and was rather shakened.

- had a long long-distanced chat with J which helped/reminded me of my faith and trust in Jesus

- had K who offered to come over to be with me, but I decided it was ok not to.

- had S to chat with and offered to have Tuesday Bible study at her place instead, but I reckon I will be ok by then.

- had 2 other girl friends rang to encourage me.

- brief chat with SIL G who really encouraged me and allowed me to cry. Baby A was amazingly ok with her mummy talking to me on the phone.

- FIL did some massage treatment to relieve the tension on my shoulders and neck.

- chatted with mum and to know that after so long, she is finally able to understand my predicament about one area of my life.

Tuesday

- woke up and feeling really thankful for being able to live on earth, that God created us in His image.

- gchat with D whom I have not kept in touch for ages. Really encouraged by his and his wife's growth and perseverance in Christ even when things are not exactly easy for them.

- message from P's wife, D encouraging me and praying for me.

- emails from 3 other girl friends encouraging me and spurring me on.

- a little gift from S to cheer me up and she prayed for me during CG where she knew exactly what to pray for.

- had IG asked how things were and how he can pray for me.

- being reminded from H that this is the day the Lord as made and made me :) instead of :(

- read D's blog to be encouraged by her testimony.

- encouraged by Nick's interview.

- receiving a pair of free movie tickets that came in the mail, compliments from Witchery. Hubby has a meeting to attend next week so I decided to pass the tickets to G as a blessing to her and her friend.

Wednesday

- woke up and was thankful that God made our bodies so intricately. Pain is good as it signals to us that somewhere in our body needs attention. When we cut ourselves, the sensation of pain tells us that we need to do something to stop our blood from running out. Without pain, we may bleed to death!

- being able to buy needful things from Target on the last day of sale. Went out during lunch time to buy them. This was a little way of God showing His providence when I need things, even in the smallest area of all.

- able to write an email to mummy S to encourage her about her health.

- great time of fellowship and cooking session with KEGnadians.

- able to pray for other people and not just focused on my own worries.

- appreciating mum's gift of dried scallops that I may enjoy having it in my rice congee for lunch.

Today, Thursday

- woke up being thankful that God provides for the birds and lilies and me!

- love and encouragement shown through Y.

- the knowledge that my life on earth is able to bless others and minister to some, all for God's glory!

- learning to give thanks for little things, not taking anything for granted and complain.

Last but not least, I am really thankful for a husband who loves me and is there for me to care and comfort me. Hubby is far from perfect (just like me) but He is God-given to me. It is such a great blessing to have him grow old with me through all the laughter and tears of life.

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Patience & Waiting

I grew up thinking that there is only 1 tea in the world - Lipton. My parents only drank Lipton and stock it in our place when I used to be living with them. Only recently, do I better appreciate and prefer Dilmah over Lipton.

I refuse to buy tea at the normal price. I always only get them when they go on sale. Eversince I have finished my first 100-pack Dilmah, I have been waiting and waiting for them to go on sale again (sale price of about $3 versus $4.69 UP). Finally, after a wait of 1-2 months, Dilmah went on sale at Woolies for $2.99 for a box of 100. In fact, I just bought a box of extra strength version at Coles last week because they were on sale. Since I have not opened it, I shall bring back to return :p because I prefer my normal Dilmah black ceylon tea. I didn't want to get it earlier also because I don't want to regret buying it this week and only to find out it goes on sale the next week. I know I sound cheapo... but in better words, I am doing smart shopping :p

Somehow, waiting to buy Dilmah it made me think of my waiting upon the Lord... as I pray for things that I want. It is so easy to want our own way and our own things at our own timing and to disregard God's timing for things that He thinks are good for us and in the best way that He knows will be best for us. Our Father will not give us a stone when we ask for bread. In various sessions of my life, I have been challenged to wait and pray for many things... yet every time, I still am challenged by God that I have to trust Him and wait... when will I ever learn my lesson? Some waits are easier than others. In the difficult times of waiting, I struggle until I question God and wrestle with Him - "When, Oh Lord?", "Please, Oh Lord!".

A SIC reminded me of God's promise in the Bible - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " I am thankful for that timely reminder... I am also thankful that when things seem hopeless, I always can hope in Jesus.

Dear Lord, please give me patience to wait and faith to trust in Your total sovereign will, Your best for me. Please forgive me for being selfish and me-centred.

Burden for our lost families

Read my SIL's email about how her in-laws (her in-laws and BIL's family were visiting from Singapore) did not wanna attend church service with them yesterday and my BIL was feeling discouraged. I fully understood his feelings... My family too, did not wanna come church with me when they were in Brissy last year.

During the church service, as we were singing songs of praise to our God and Saviour, I thought of my unsaved parents and siblings and also the unsaved parents and siblings of my other BIL (hubby's 2 sisters both married Singaporeans too) and how we all have gotten each other to pray for each one of us as we share the gospel with our Singapore families... I praise and thank God that He is our God and one who loves us. If we love our families and want them to be saved, I know that God desires that more than us... and God is also the Sovereign One in control of all our lives. I am thankful that I was reminded through the songs of the attributes of God. If we are burdened for the salvation of our families because we love them, how much more does God feel for them? Yet at the same time, I only can pray for God to be merciful and to help us trust that in His good time and will, they will come to the knowledge of His saving grace.

I wonder how 'coincident' it is for my in-laws to have Singaporean in-laws. Yet I am also thankful for the persevering faith of my hubby, parents-in-law, my sibling-in-laws and that through their witness and prayer, we have the opportunity to be Christ-like to our extended family which is our in-laws' family (i.e. both my Singaporean BILs' families). One by one, they visit Brissy to spend time with my BILs and this also give us opportunity to be Christ's witnesss. It is really nice, I thought, that eg. all my in-laws (parents and siblings) can minister to my parents and siblings when they come to Brissy to visit. I feel so privileged to belong to a Christian family that I never had (even though I have my Christian 'family' in church). Thank God for that.

Now, hubby and I are on our way back to Singapore... and we are mindful of this 'mission'. We seemed like missionaries, going overseas (out of Australia) where we now reside) to share the gospel. Except that we have a specific target group – my parents and siblings. We only can pray that God will work through us to share His love and that they will begin to know and understand who Jesus is and what He has done for all of us. I have to trust that God also love my folks and even more than I do...

Hidden Surprises

I finally got around to going through 3 half-filled boxes of 2nd-hand stuff given by my SIL when we moved into our new place almost a year ago. I have taken out what I wanted from the pile and my other SIL also took some when she moved into her new place 2 months ago. I was going to take photos of the remaining items and put them up for giveaway on scoodi.

As I open up the boxes, I found the following which I was delighted to keep:

navy blue tea cup and saucer set made in England

I have been considering to buy 4x tea cups and saucer for the past month or 2. Thought of having some decent, nice ones when guests come over for meals or afternoon tea. I am most attracted to those with sweet floral designs but they usually are priced at a minimum of $10 for a set of tea cup and saucer. But I hesitate to buy them, not only because it is not cheap but also because this is not a 'need' item and hence I wonder if I should spend money on them.

Recently Robin's Kitchen and David Jones were having some sale and the Maxwell & Williams Allegro Azure range were going on 50% discount. Their tea cup and saucer set was going for only $5. I was so tempted to buy 4 sets which I could use my David Jones gift card (wedding gift) to pay for it... but I couldn't really justify my purchase, thinking if it was a good use of the limited resources that we have/are given. I was still considering it... always taking a look at them whenever I walk pass Robin's Kitchen....

But today, I found these 6 sets of tea cup and saucer. This set is about the same size as the Maxwell & Williams ones. And even though I still prefer the bright and cheery blue ones, I figure this navy blue will do just as well. After all, these are non-essentials... just something nice for guests to use. I am very thankful that instead of the 4 sets that I wanted, I now get 6 sets without spending any money! :)

Maxwell & Williams Allegro Azure tea cup and saucer going for 50% discount for A$5

Set of plastic measuring spoons

I have the same set of measuring spoons but instead of white, they come in a variety of colours. I somehow lost the "1 tbsp" spoon, which I often use it in my cooking/baking. I have been looking but nowhere do they sell only the 1-tbsp spoon and I am not willing to buy a set just so that I can get one of the spoon. This surprising find is definitely welcomed :)

I am thankful for these surprise finds. Immediately I thank God and I remember our prayer every morning, when we thank Him for His providence and that we will continue to trust in His providence even when we find it difficult :)

The First Fruit

This is the first strawberry that I picked from my 2 strawberry plants in my garden. Although this isn't the first that turned red, this certainly looked 'the best' and juiciest. The rest were either rotten/soft or had a quarter of it bitten away by... (I am not sure what).

However this strawberry has 2 holes (1 in the above photo), which probably was drilled by some worms. But I thought I still could cut off bits of the fruit that was unharmed, just to try out the taste of the strawberries growing in my garden. And so I ate the bottom bit and some on the side.... it was really sweet! :) I am so pleased and so proud that finally, my garden produced a decent fruit. All other plants in the garden are vegetables or herbs. The closest is the chilli, left behind by the previous owner. The 2 strawberry plants were from my MIL. They came as small seedlings some 5-6 months ago. They grew very slowly at first and I was getting disappointed... A couple of months later, I uprooted and transplant them into another spot, which then grew quite a bit more in a shorter time. I was excited when I saw its first flower... and now, the fruits are here!

My heart is thankful... and I recalled how hubby and I actually prayed that our garden will bear us some vegetables and fruits so that we can save a bit on our grocery bill. God is answering that prayer... and hey, this is one way that God provide for our needs, isn't it? :)

Praying for Friends

People that I have been praying for...

1. Friend who is struggling with breast cancer
2. Friend who suddenly collapsed and was struggling to stay alive

Thank God for preserving their lives in the meantime and prayerfully, their life testimonies will glorify Him!

Journey of Godliness

I am just beginning to meet up one-to-one with 2 other ladies separately. We are reading through the book “Disciplines of a Godly Woman” by Barbara Hughes. Barbara's husband Kent Hughes first wrote the male version before she wrote the female version of the book. Together, they penned “Disciplines of a Godly Family”.

Kent and Barbara came to Brisbane some 3 months ago. Barbara gave a talk to women and she focused on prayer. She shared from the Bible why and how we should pray and our attitude and mindset on prayer.

Mrs Barbara Hughes, in a short interview before the talk began

As I live in the end times now, I need to press on living, not lose heart and to keep on praying. Barbara suggested that we must not give up praying the fruit of the Spirit for each other (she referred to our husbands) and for ourselves. I also must pray in faith and trusting that God's good and perfect will will be accomplished. By praying, we learn to align ourselves to God's will. Barbara used the illustration of us being in a boat. When we throw our anchor from the boat towards the pier, we pull ourselves closer towards the pier. We have the example of Jesus Christ, who knowing the Father's will, prayed not for comfort and his well-being, but prayed “Not my will but yours be done”.

In the first chapter of her book “Discipline for Godiness”, Barbara pointed her readers to 1 Tim 4:7-8 where Paul told the church to “train yourself to be godly”. Godliness has to be trained, suggesting that hard work has to be put in. It is like when we train our bodies to lose weight or be more healthy. It calls for a serious commitment and a “no pain, no gain” effort in order that we reach the goal, or win the prize. Hebrews 12:1 also tells us to run the race that is marked out for us with perseverance.

Barbara suggested that the true heart of discipline is a relationship with God. The fear of legalism stops people from pursuing disciplines that lead to godliness. Legalism is motivated by self-centredness, while discipline is motivated by God-centredness. I like the quote of John Wesley's words to express discipline - the beautiful relationship we have with God:

O God, fill my soul with so entire a love of Thee that I may lose nothing but for Thy sake in subordination to Thy love. Give me grace to study Thy knowledge daily that the more I know Thee, the more I may love Thee. Create in me a zealous obedience to all Thy commands, a cheerful patience until all Thy chastisements and a thankful resignation to all Thy disposals. Let it be the one business of my life to glorify Thee by professing Thy truth, and by engaging all men, so far as in me lies, to glorify and love Thee.

My SIL and I prayed the above for ourselves as we ended our first session of journey to encouraging each other towards godliness.

(Hubby and I also attended Kent and Barbara Huges' seminar on “Common Sense Parenting”. I will blog about what we learnt from the seminar at another later time)

The Matthew 6 God

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus told his disciples, saying:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Elizabeth Elliot wrote in her book Keep a Quiet Heart: "We're not naturally inclined to love God and seek His Kingdom. Trouble may help to incline us - that is, it may tip us over, put some pressure on us, lean us in the right direction."

How true it is! The sinful, rebellious me is not naturally inclined to seek God. The doubtful me worries every now and then, wondering "Will God give me this? And will He give me that?" Whenever I look back in my life, I am convinced that God is my God and my provider, Lord and Saviour. But when I hit a little barrier in life, I question God again... or when I see a blessing being taken away from me recently, I also questioned God.

Quoting Elizabeth again, "I am convinced without a doubt that a loving Heavenly Father oversees the creative miracles in the inner sanctum of each mother's womb and that in His sovereignity there are no accidents."

(Referring to Deut 8:2-3, 5, 7-9)"The cause of our discontent: We simply do not believe God. The wilderness experience leads to the Promised Land. It is the path God chose for us. His Word is established forever, and He tells us in a thousand ways that His will is our peace, His choice for us will lead to fulfillment and joy and the way of transgressors is hard. Do we suppose that we could find a better way than His?... Be patient. Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. He holds every minut if every hour of every day of every weel of every month of every year in His hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there."

The Yahweh God, Creator of the heavens and earth, the God who knitted me in my mother's womb, the God who knows me so intimately and deeply. He knows my every move, my every thought, my every emotion, my every being, my every need. If He clothes even the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, what more will He give me, His beloved child? In fact, He has already given us the best - Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for my sin. What more can I complain? If I trust fully that God is sovereign and that He is the the God of the past, present and future, then He is already in control. What more should I worry? What more should I fret?

Dear loving God, I know you love me deeply. Please forgive my doubtful heart and times where I doubt Your work in my life. My nature is to turn away from You. Thank you for the Holy Spirit which always point me to You and I pray that I will learn to seek Your Kingdom daily. I pray that I will trust in Your daily provisions. For You love me and will give me everything that I need. Sometimes I do not understand why certain things are not good for me to have at a certain time, please help me not to blame You nor throw tantrums at You like a little child. But instead, give me that of child-like faith to trust You and obey You. Amen.

How God Answers Prayers - Part 2

I definitely wasn't expecting a Part 2 to my previous post. I am so amazed how God provided and answers prayers. Its ironic how sometimes when you pray for something but probably think that God will answer (or maybe even not answer) it at a later time. But in His good time, He has answered prayers and gave blessings at an earlier and 'unprepared' time which I didn't expect. But hey, this means that God is God. He is in full sovereign control over our lives - in the good and the bad times.

God has graciously provided a roof over our heads when W and I get married in 2 months' time. I don't think I want to share details (if you want details, you can email me for me :p), but God has provided us a home in:

1. Timing (viewing of place, settlement date)
2. Availability
3. Locality
4. Cost
5. Finance
6. Favour (Sellers chose us over the other competing offers even though we are not the highest)
7. Sun direction
8. Privacy
9. Cheap (some without cost) and good-conditioned furniture and household items
10. Design of the place

Really very thankful... God had also provided me in many other ways. Through all the ups and downs while I have been since in Brisbane (its been more than 6 weeks), I have learnt to trust God more and am able to grow in trust and dependence of Him. Hope that I will continue to do so...

How God Answers Prayers

Its really amazing how God answers prayers...

Many things have been changing and developing in my life... Thank God for time that I could spend in prayer and reading His word since I've not been working. On Tuesday morning, I began to pray for God to provide me with a suitable job so that I could begin to earn my living and save for future. I was intending to work temp / casual until Jan next year. I've been kinda lazy to work but yeah... I should be working... That Tuesday evening, W received a call. It was P. P was W's friend from church. He had said that he could help me find work because he owns a recruitment agency. Since I've been here for slightly over a month, I've not really actively and seriously look for a job. Neither has P asked me if I am free/keen since I was here... until Tuesday evening! I quickly edited my resume and sent it off to P that night. It was really cool! Prayed in the morning, answered in the evening! Work place is 20 mins' drive away and quite easy to drive there, flexible time/hours (I can work anytime and any day), good pay (I would have gotten half of that if I were to do the same type of temp work in SG), brainless job (filing, cataloguing, archiving). What better can it get?

When I was going to work today, I was just thinking and asking God how this job will be like. I was a bit anxious (this being my first job in Brisbane). But I thought, if God has provided and given me this job opportunity, I trust that He knows what He's doing... When I arrived at the office reception, I picked up my mobile and wanted to use the phone. Strangely, I noticed my mobile was a little wet/cool (could have been the cold weather and the rain). Next I noticed my mobile was switched off. And next I realised, the bottle of water which I had filled it up at home, had almost emptied everything out into my bag!! The next 5 mins saw me busy trying to clean and dry up my belongings - wallet, sunglasses, PDA, mobile, etc. Boy, it was really WET! I was totally feeling so lousy, because my PDA and mobile could not get working. I think too much water went in. And guess what? I didn't have backups! Awwwhhhh!!! My mood was totally gone... and was so much hoping to go home! (In the end, I only worked for 5.5 hours and asked to leave early!)

When I was doing filing, I kept praying to ask God to revive my PDA and mobile. I realised I was so dependent on them... I was wondering what a 'jinx' to be having this job and I had to come work and my water bottle leaked and my entire bag was wet. (I don't believe in being jinx. I still believe that God is in total control. That was a passing thought). 2 hours later, the other casual staff came in. We chatted quite a bit (I mean what other brains you require whilst doing filing right?) and somehow the conversation turned to my Christian faith. I then realise that he is a Catholic, although he calls himself a Christian. He is a very open guy, open to ideals, discussions, etc. I ended up sharing with him a lot about the Christian faith (of which some of it he already know). His view is that all religions lead to the same God and I was trying to explain to him why it isn't and Jesus Christ was the only way, truth and life to salvation and reconciled with God. Half way through, I realised why God 'sent' me to work there - to talk to this guy and I hope, seeds were sown. Today was the guy's last day at the company and it was my first day. I left him with more questions which was good because they will cause him to search more and prayerfully, he will find the truth. I invited him to visit my church and he's welcome to ask my pastor any questions. I'm glad that at least some good came out of today... It was a very rare opportunity that I can share my faith like that. It also makes me realised that I should be more prepared and equipped.

Back at home, I was really happy to see 2 big boxes in my room. My 2 parcels of belongings from SG has finally arrived! They have taken almost 2 months to arrive! I have been a little worried about them and if they were having problems at the Customs. And I did pray that they will arrive here soon. In fact, W prayed it as one of the items that Tuesday night (same night as I got the offer of the job) as we prayed together before we sleep. Really very thankful that they've finally arrived and everything was intact.

I realised how small my faith has been at times. How often do I pray and ask in faith? God in His sovereign time and plan has chosen to answer our prayers in due time and ways. I just need to continue to trust and depend on Him. Its really amazing and I am humbled by God...

Really hope that my PDA and mobile can get going. Uncle offered to give me his PDA because he wasn't using it. So hey! Maybe God provides me with a PDA! But really, I still hope that my PDA data is not gone and I can still retrive them and be given a chance to back up my data!!

How My Day Typically Looks

Life's still been pretty much the same... I mean, I'm not working and have not been working for the past 2.5 months. I realised that I can get down to be pretty lazy to begin work again... or perhaps, I've just been accustomed to the Aussie lifestyle? :p

W's parents have travelled to another city in Australia for a few days. Being a free-loafer in the house, I thought that I should contribute in same ways like cooking, doing housework and the like. I wake up early (about 7am) and gets tired about 11pm even with a nap in the afternoon. I would make lunch, prepare breakfast, feed the fish, water the garden, wash the clothes, hang out the clothes, wash the dishes, do tiny weeny bit of gardening work, prepare dinner, send/pick W from work.

Clothes dry up very fast even though its winter, due to the bright sun and dry weather. Fresh (and organic) huge lettuce and bak choy that I can just harvest and cook them to eat. This is amidst the garden-full of other produce and greens.

Just in case you start to think that I am domesticated at home (which is half true), I also blog, check emails, research/read up on info that I need to know to settle down, shop/look around at a huge shopping mall nearby (they've got shops like K Mart, Big W, Coles, Woolworths, Harvey Norman, etc.. and I haven't got enough of them! :p Am just happy to browse and not buy), meet up a few people (not too many yet), driving around to familiarise myself with the roads. Occasionally, I also watch some Korean drama dvd, compliments from Yummy Mummy. At night after dinner, I will just chill out... :)

One discipline I need to get into is to spend quality time to read the Bible and pray by myself, other than praying with W every night. Also hope to do other reading... You can pray that for me :) Also pray for me as I settle down with many other details to sort out and hoping to find work some time *soon*. Pray for us as we look into wedding preparations and more importantly, planning for our future like our house-search, etc. Thanks for praying :)

This Morning's Prayer

I prayed for you this morning...

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.

Have mercy on me, O Lord for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me. Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life — men without regard for you. But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I hope I'm not quoting the verses above out of context. I'm also not attempting to preach on the above verses. I was just thinking about my prayer requests to God and the above verses came to mind...

After talking to a friend last night, I was thinking about my past and present prayer request to God and the mindset that I have towards Him answering my prayer. Surely when we commit something in prayer to God, we do sincerely and hopefully hope that God will answer the prayer. I know there were times which I pray without a total dependence on God and sometimes probably with that hidden thought "God, I pray you will answer MY request MY way". Admittedly, this is all but my human sinfulness... wanting to live life my way and not God's way.

But of course sometimes I do pray, not knowing what will happen next and knowing the uncertainty ahead, but really able to pray with my heart, mind and soul "God I really don't know what's happening, what will come next and how the future might be, but I want to trust in you and your sovereignty and that not my will but yours be done."

I always think that I will be able to recognise it when God answers prayer. I mean, it surely isn't so difficult to know that isn't it? I realised that it will only be easy if God's answer to my prayer matches what I really wish it will be. But if God's answer to my prayer is not according to my wish list, will I be able to recognise it? Will I then be short-changing myself or even asking "God, why isn't it the way I thought it to be?".

I probably ought to be more thankful in everything... not questioning God why my prayer is answered in a way that is not what I imagined it to be. I must learn to be thankful and not doubting Him and His ways. I need to go to Him with a trusting heart, in total dependance on Him. Probably then will I be able to understand when He answers my prayer and submit to Him wholeheartedly. Who knows if His answer to my prayer is much better and more beautiful than what I wish for??