~ R ~ A ~ I ~ N ~ B ~ O ~ W ~ S ~

= The Rainbow Connection =

Heard HMV playing this song while on my way to PC Show on friday. Her voice is really soothing and I remembered listening to it while i was younger. I walked past city link to go PC Show again and i heard the song again =) Decided to buy the CD on sunday while walking through citylink to go to the MRT.

Currently it is listed as my "Favourite song" on my IPOD and jukebox at work ...

Yep, Yep .. u are absolute right .... for those who know me - it will be playing on my IPOD's default mode till the next nice song captures my heart ... That's me =)

= Pastoral Lesson =

While listening to it on my way home and i suddenly thought - The Rainbow was a promise of God's covenant to Noah.

And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth." Gen 9:12 - 17

And at that moment, I really am assured by God's promises and plan for my life. His promise to me ...

(For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11)

(Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psa 37:4 )

My life and future is in the palm of his hands so i need to continue to trust him for the things that i am praying for =) So no matter how the wait may seem. When God says I promise, he definitely will fulfill it :)

Yep =) He definitely will ... I will trust him and be patient =)



Here is the song .... ENJOY ! Courtesy of You Tube

Praying the Heart of God

Been wanting to blog this for a while. But didn't have the time to do so ... Finally !!!

Have you been in that special moment when God reveals his heart to you?

And as he reveals his heart to you - you begin to experience the grieve, the joy and every other emotions that just flows into your heart .

The feelings and emotions though overwhelming and heavy yet an unexplainable joy bubbles forth in your heart. You begin seeing how God view this one thing or person. The great love he has and why he chose to die on the cross for this one person.

Prayer no longer seems just to be an utterance of words, requests and the things I want. But it becomes a divine connection and communication with your ABBA Father. The perspective no longer seems skin deep and your view of things and people just expands beyond any mortal's understanding.

The freshness that the refreshment brings just cause you to want more and more of this experience. It drives you forward wanting to have these special encounters with God more and helps you desire him more and more.

=)

In Your Presence O God - Lynn Deshazo

I was searching the internet and came across the PDF format of her testimony and how she came to compose the song. The lyrics and tune came to her by the power of the holy spirit in 1993. She was going about her daily routines when this line kept playing in her head - I want to go where the rivers cannot overflow me, where my feet are on the rock. She mentioned that she realised that the rivers she wrote in her song was not Rivers of Refreshment, they were rivers mentioned in Isa 43:2 and this song was given to the people as a form of encouragement for the difficult times ahead like the september 11, 2001 event faced by the US people.

This song talks of Lynn herself wanting to be in a place where the rivers cannot over flow or over whelm her.

More of her testimony ==> http://www.lynndeshazo.com/articles/InYourPresence.pdf

IN YOUR PRESENCE, O GOD - By Lynn DeShazo
(Recorded and compiled in Paul Wilbur's album)

I want to go where the rivers cannot overflow me
Where my feet are on a rock
I want to hide where the blazing fire cannot burn me
In Your presence, O God

Chorus:
In Your presence, that's where I am strong
In Your presence, O Lord my Go
In Your presence, that's where I belong
Seeking Your face, touching Your grace
In the cleft of the rock
In Your presence, O God
I want to hide where the flood of evil cannot reach me
Where I'm covered by Your blood
I want to be where the schemes of darkness cannot touch me
In Your presence, O God
(repeat chorus)

Bridge:
You are my firm foundation
I trust in You all day long
I am Your child and Your servant
And You are my strength and my song
You're my song

Words and Music by Lynn DeShazo
© 1995 Integrity's Hosanna! Music/ASCAP Lyrics reprinted by permission

My Dear Phone called Gree'nie (Part 2) and the lessons learnt

Some people asked me :"Suz, it is only a phone, why are u so upset? Just get it replaced and move on" My answer then was that though my phone was really not reliable and gave me lots of problem, I still love it. To me then though it was not working as well as it should, I still do treasure it a lot. I love every of my electronic gadget that I owned =)

However during cell word when Vincent was sharing about sacrifice. I was pondering on the fact as to why I took the loss of my handphone so hard. The night before I couldn't really sleep and was tossing and turning thus was feeling super tired the next day. As I was reflecting and listening to the sharing, just felt God impressing the main issue upon my heart. It was the issue of control and willingness.

To me, the phone belongs to me and it is considered MY processions. It belongs to ME and NO ONE including God should try to take it away from me. Instead of giving God control of my whole life, giftings, career, processions, I was in fact subconsciously withholding and guarding these things from God and claiming it as MY OWN and God has no hold over it.

It was like this - God, I really do love u and desire the closeness with u BUT these are MY things so it belongs to ME. And please do not touch MY things. Please respect my decision.

When I finally understand why I was so upset, it was like God asking me straight in my face there and then "Suzanne, my dear child, are u WILLING to give me CONTROL in EVERY aspect of your life including your processions? I want not just not ONE area or some areas BUT ALL OF IT. Are you WILLING to give me that CONTROL?

As I shared that lesson learnt through my reflection with my cell during the word, i realised i couldn't do it. That's why I teared. I was ashamed of myself.

But God is good and faithful, forever a GOD of love - He gave me another opportunity on sunday itself during the service to make a choice to surrender and give him full control of my life, processions, career choices, ministry and even the relationships that I want and have to him.

Now as I looked back, I thanked God for teaching me such a valuable lesson. Even as a long time christian, I am constantly receiving fresh revelation from God and having him correct and mold me to be the person he desires me to be

Last year the word for me was To surrender my life and everything that i hold on tightly to and be obedient. It was a preparation and continuation for what he wants to do in my life for this year, 2008. I have seen how he opens the door for me when i accept his plans and will for my life in my career, cell ministry and relationship with God. There were many impossible moments but yet he grant me the openings.

Life seems "smoother" when u really entrust your future and life to God. I am still learning and listening and obeying. I am excited for all the other lessons God is teaching and continually to teach me.

This is an exciting year when i begin running my 3rd lap. I am also trusting God for other areas in my life =) Hmmm Hmmmm :)

====================================================

Dear Abba Father

I promise to run on faithfully in the race to win the prize that you, my God is giving me =) Thank U my God for being so real and teaching me lessons I need to learn time and time again. Thank U for being so patient and loving a little me, sometimes so stiff neck and disobedient. Constantly running away from you yet u always draw me back to your presence.

But most of all, thank U Abba Father for saving me, choosing me, allowing me to serve u and seeing your purpose and plan for my life.

Going from my 10s .... 20s ..... 30s and counting on and on and on ....... for many many more years of your faithfulness and love u will continue to shower in my life. Teach me O lord to know your heart and let me listen to your voice. I desire to walk in greater intimacy with u and to develope an even greater level of deepness in my relationship with u.

=) I love you, Abba Father,

Love,
From your grateful daughter

My Dear Phone called Gree'nie (Part 1)

It was a really sad evening for me :(

My Little 6280 nokia phone called Gree`nie died. Was having a conversation when my phone slipped and fell from my ears to the floor of at Braddel MRT. It's poor little body cracked in half. The "intestines" were exposed.

Brought it to Nokia Car Centre. The damaged was classified as physical damage so i will have to pay 80 - 150. Didn't wanted to do repair it cos it was more practical to get a new one. So I happened to walk past a 2nd hand phone shop and sold my dear phone for $20.

My Poor phone named Gree'nie, Though cranky at times, you have served me well for a period of 21 months =)

So farewell, Greenie. I will miss u and the times you accompanied me as i spent time with my God
:)

Bye Bye

Energy Saving Mode

This blog is currently on "ECO Friendly Mode"
More inspiring sharings will be coming up soon :)

Till then it is Zzzzzz Time !

< My Reflection for Year 2007 and My Thoughts for Year 2008 >

Year 2007 was a rather eventful year for me. God taught me many lessons but the 3 main significant lessons that was impressed upon my heart was - 1.) To learn to be PATIENT and wait for God's prompting instead of making my own decisions. 2.) To be OBEDIENT to accept his plans rather than building my own plans. 3.) To learn how to SURRENDER everything that I have always held on tightly.

It was also in this year 2007 where God brought me out from a state of spiritual stagnation and pumped out all the "clogged up" stuff within me. Thank God for the renewal and restoration of my mind and heart. God helped me be aware of what it means to be a witness and influencer in the places he has placed me and to be an overcomer to speak his goodness to whom he provides me the opportunity to.

Year 2007 was also a season where God began refining and molding me - showing me areas where he wants to bring about the change in my life. I think and feel that I have grown much as a person, a christian, an employee, a fren and a daughter.

Year 2008 will be the next phrase where God will begin to grant me the opportunities to apply the lessons he has taught me in 2007. Year 2008 will be a greater season of discomfort, challenges and greater shapening of my character. God has also reminded me many times to always go back to my source for strength, refreshment and renewal - To always remember to dwell in his presence and spend my precious moments with him :)

My IPOD is my constant companion as I travel to work. So when I heard this song - By Hear, By Soul by Avalon with Aaron Nevile. It is a love song but as I hear the lyrics, it blew my mind literally .... Cos it really touches me as the lyrics speaks of the deep desire how 2 people wanted to grow toward each other and have the relationship deepen. It speaks of the deep love and committment towards each other.

For me, I feel this is just like my love song to my Abba Father. It really spoke of my desire to really walk and live this one life for God - To continue growing and have that deepening relationship with my Lord and wanting to know him in a more intimate manner.

This song will be a strong reason and reminder for me as I begin the year 2008 :)

Verse 1:
If You were a road,
I'd learn every turn til I
Could find my way with my eyes closed

If You were a song,
I'd sing along til I
Knew every word and every note

But you were everything to me,
A mystery
Your the Love I live to see

Chorus:
By heart, by soul
That’s how I want to know You
Keep you as close as
Breath is to life
Wanna watch Your Love unfold
By heart, By soul

Verse 2:
If You were a place
I'd stay my whole life til I
Had every corner memorized
And if You were a star
I'f follow You home, You would be
The Light that is my only guide

You were everything to me
My A to Z
Your the Love that’s lives in me

Bridge:
I wanna know You inside and out
Better than I even know myself

If You were a star
I'd follow You home
By heart By soul

By Heart, By Soul - Avalon with Aaron Nevile