The LORD is my Shepherd, I Shall not Want

I start work on monday. Had my physical today. But not feeling too lively spiritually.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him,
my Salvation and my God."
Psalms 42:5

Maybe because I'm still a struggling sinner. I had to use google to find that verse in the Bible, and somehow I got more than one result. Sure enough, it's also the same verse on Psalms 42:11 & Psalms 43:5. I remember my friend David told me how this verse is like the Chorus in this psalm, which is a song. Have you ever felt this way? Maybe this is the chorus of your song this week too.

I tried to run away from God but He's still there to find me. As with this whole 'working full-time for the first time' deal, I think God has been calling me out. I have so many plans running through my head... "Oh when i finally start working, the first thing I'll buy..." or, "What kind of car will I find, used or new?" and my favorite, "But iPhone 4 is finally on verizon!"

Oh Andrey, [just tonight] I even looked up the word 'covet' on my computer's dictionary to try justify for myself. "If I don't want other people's stuff, but just want nice things in general, that should be ok right, God?"


And then, like a coincidence, a faithful friend put an entry on her blog with just this verse (with bold letters too):

"For the love of Christ controls us [...] and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." II Cor 5:14,15

I feel like Jonah trying to hide in the bottom of the ship.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and rainment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." I Tim 6:6-9

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (verse 11,12)

Lord, I surrender everything to You. Make me and mold me. Shape my character to Yours. Thank you oh Holy Spirit for the conviction. Will be playing piano for tomorrow's service, accompanying Kuya Ronjo who will be singing. Without a clear conscience, I can never play well. Forgive me for relying to much on feelings this week... Your grace is enough for me, Your righteousness alone sustains me, O LORD my Salvation.

Skate

My friend Neil teaching his daughter how to skate on a frozen basketball court.
(music's hilarious).

Watch his other videos too.. they're all pretty funny. :)

Camp Wakonda

Came back from Camp Wakonda, Wisconsin a couple of hours ago. Great times spent with the rest of the youth. But a more important thing as I look back at the weekend past, I pray for a true revival to take place in the individual lives of our youth. Not just a mere valley after a blessed weekend.

"The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley which was full of bones.
And He led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.
And He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest."

Ezekiel 37:1-3

A true revival happens when one realizes the need to be revived; when the dead realizes there's something better than death and come to the Father for life that 'undries' the bones. Can these bones live?

30 Day Challenge

..in one day :)

1. Weird things you do when you’re alone

I sing to my full potential.

2. How have you changed in the past 2 years?

Let me see.. 2009. I think i'm slightly quieter in 2011.

3. What kind of person attracts you

Quiet and gentle spirit. Thoughtful with underrated sense of humor. Deeply in-love with her Savior.

4. What you wear to bed

Depends on the season.

5. 5 things that irritate you about the same sex

Can't think of 5.. I'll give 2

1.) Guys don't tend to share personal problems too often

2.) Spend too much time following sports (note to self)

6. The person you like and why you like them

I like my sisters because they seem to be always there.

7. Your opinion on cheating on people

Not cool.

8. Something you’re currently worrying about

My job interview on Monday.

9. Your last kiss

Never been kissed.

10. Your views on drugs and alcohol

They numb your brain.

11. Your current relationship, if single discuss how single life is

Single life is a blessing. God reminds me, one day my time will come to step into a relationship.

12. Things you want to say to an ex

n/a

13. A date you would love to go on

This question is too girly to answer.

14. Something disgusting you do

I still sleep using the same bed and pillow cover from ikea since my freshmen year (2005). There's now a slight 'tint' to them but they're really clean. :)

15. The best thing to happen to you last week

I got a call from the HR lady.

16. 3 things you are proud of about your personality

I forgive and forget

I like to listen

I find joy in giving

17. Things that make you scared

Running into sharks while swimming in the ocean.

18. Disrespecting parents

??

19. Something that never fails to make you feel better

The Comforter

20. The last argument you had

Earlier with self: To shovel snow now or later.

21. Something you can’t seem to get over

n/a

22. 10 things about you people don’t really expect

10? maybe that's why this is a 30 day challenge. I'll give 3

1.) I remember too many things from previous encounters

2.) I can handwrite neatly

3.) I drink warm water every morning

23. Something you always think “what if..” about

I try not to.

24. Things you want to say to 5 different people

Next..

25. 10 ways to win your heart

I think this question is for girls to answer.

26. Your religious beliefs

Seventh-Day Adventist

27. Talk about your siblings

Yuliana Octavia Manullang is 5 years older than me. Now a married lady. Her birthday is also in October, so we often shared the same birthday cake growing up.

Elizabeth Manullang is 1.5 years younger than me. She is a nurse like my older sis. I've heard stories of how mean I was to her growing up. But she loves me now, she's a great little sister.

28. The month you were happiest this year and why

Since this year's just starting, I'll point you to last years month of August. The month I graduated. Great burden off my back.

29. A picture of yourself

I always keep this picture in my wallet. Funny how people grow up. 3rd grade?

30. What changed this month and what you hope will happen next month

This month I passed my boards. I hope next month will be the start of me being more independent financially, and also spiritually. All in His grace.

Death

"The LORD hath disciplined me severely,
but He hath not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD."

Psalms 118:18,19

I don't have all the answers as to why disasters happen and take away the lives of many people; why is there so many suffering children on this earth? But I know the angels of darkness are like roaring lions who would devour the lives of mankind when given the chance. Know that our Heavenly Father is the sustainer of our lives. However faulty you and I are, we are viewed by Him as His own, "a people for His own possession" (I Pet 2:9).

Just a couple of chapters back, the psalmist says,

"The LORD hath been mindful of us:

He will bless the house of Israel;

He will bless the house of Aaron.

He will bless them that fear the LORD,

both small and great."

Psalms 115:12,13

"The dead praise not the LORD,

neither any that go down into silence

But we will bless the LORD from this time forth

and for evermore. Praise the LORD."

Psalms 115:17,18

The Marvelous Light

50mm f1.6 1/4000 sec

I got a call this morning from a lady who wanted to schedule my interview on Monday. Please pray for me so things will go well. God is good. He provides all our needs.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." I Peter 2:9,10

Take time to remember how He's shown mercy in our lives. May we proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His daily-renewed grace. Introduce Him to your friends, so they too may see and feel the warmth of His marvelous light. Mention His faithfulness, how time and time again, He provides in times of need.

These are They (Rev 7:13,14)

"And one of the elders answered, saying unto me,

Who are these, clothed in white robes,

and where have they come?

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.

And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation,

and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

Revelations 7:13,14