PART TIME JOB

CHANGES

Every time  I'm passing by in this area (this is where I stayed during my previous 3 years here in UAE) so many memories started to come back to me. Memories that brings joys, gladness and a little tears in my heart. But as always said…there's nothing  permanent in this world but change. No stability, no security.  Every one of us comes to some certain point in our life that we have to move on. We have to leave our family and friends back home to explore the other side of the world. We have to leave behind our comfort zone and put our self on battle field of life to test our strength and endurance. We have to leave the company that we learned to love with in exchange of greener and better pasture.

People, things, circumstances change. It's the catalyst of life. It may be hard at first, we started to complain, we become pessimistic and worst of all we give up. We are broken and with that we forgot to see a clearer picture of what is set before us. A wonderful promised that God is giving us. "...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..." (Jeremiah 29:11). His plan is concrete and nothing nor anyone can change it.

It is also an assurance for us that in spite of all the changes that are happening right now there is still one thing that never change and that is the love of God for us that continue to go on and on. It is overflowing and constant.

So if you are in the midst of changes right now and you think that it is unstoppable just be still for the God we have is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8) He alone NEVER CHANGE and His love never fails..

EID 2010

I'm back from  5 long day holiday in celebration of Eid Al Adha here in UAE .It was such a wonderful days to be cherished for. It really refreshed my body, mind and soul. Allow me to give some best highlight of my week long holiday.

Day One - November 16, 2010

Location: Sharjah National Park

Event: WIN Sharjah Family Day

With my 4 yrs stay here in UAE and being a  member of WIN Sharjah never did I attend family day it is not because I don’t have to but laziness always attacking me. I would rather  stay at home and waste my time doing nothing than to have fellowship with my "family". But God is really good because HE let me experience the joy not only being surrounded of God's people but also with the beauty of His creation that really refreshes my soul, it may be a tiring day but the joy, the fun and the laughter is really beyond compare.

Day Two – November 17, 2010

Location: One and Only Royal Mirage

Event: Lunch date with Thursday Group

Who would think that only rich and famous people can have  lunch in this nice, cozy and elegant restaurant? It not even in my wildest dream, maybe because sometimes we are too much contented with what we have right now and never think that we can also experienced what those wealthy and famous people have in their life. We forget that our God is the owner of everything that is here on earth and as His heir we have the privileged to enjoy the beauty of it. And that's what you called blessings from God. This event is really in God's plan because everything works out smoothly. Truly a memorable experience that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Day Four – November 19, 2010

Location : Win Sharjah church (Union Church)

Event: Thursday Group Presentation

from left to right: Agnes, Erika, Sharon, Shiala, Me, Guen, Rona, Alma, Thess, Sigrid and Lizzie

11 lives…11 souls…Pipol Transformed. It is really amazing how God moves in our life. All of us have different stories, different testimonies, different experiences in life to share with. As we are preparing for this presentation we have only one common goal that is God will be praised in our lives and those people who will hear and see our presentation will be touched and experienced the same transformation God had done to us.

The 2 days in between were spend at home recharging and bonding with my housemate and doing some house chores.

God be praised



NOVEMBER CELEBRANTS

They say that real test of friendship is distance. It doesn't matter how long or how far you have been apart from each other but on how you will able to pick up once again the pieces where you left off. Friends are the missing puzzle in each one's life. Same with puzzle game you have to seek thoroughly, spend lots of time and energy before you will be able to complete it , same with friendship or in any relationship time , energy and commitment are some of the main ingredients to achieved a lasting one.

This month 3 of my friends who's all name starts with letter A and whom I dearly missed celebrated their birthdays. Two of them already find peace in the bosom of our Creator and the other one I hope his happy with the life he had right now.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell them how much I value the friendships we have. Though it was such a short time but the memories we have will last for a life time and I wished they are still here to them how thankful I am to have them in my life.

Angie – every time I see Myra singing in front of the congregation it is you that I'm reminded of. You're dedication and commitment in serving God through the talents that He gave you was really beyond compare. You may not be with us anymore but we know you're happy now because you singing now in front of the One who gave you that talent. Missed our ROTANA times.
 

Ahlen - our sweet Ahlen. Who can forget the one who love monkeys. You're sunny personality and positive outlook in life are some of what I admire most of you. Wish we have more time together. You may not able to fulfill all your earthly plans but being with the One who holds our future is greater than any fulfilled plans. Missed our gala moments in Karama.

Arturo - It's been 3 yrs since my last conversation with you . Don’t worry I don’t have any ill feeling towards you. Though there are questions in my mind that till now are left unanswered but still I understand and thank you for the friendship we had even for such short time. I pray that you already find the happiness that you've been looking for. No matter what happen you will always be remembered and will always be part of our family. We will always be thankful for sharing your life with us. We may not able to see and talk with each other same like before but you will always be in our prayers.

So long my friends…..looking forward to see you once again ….

Friends come and go but only those who knew the true meaning of friendship stays for a lifetime.

LIVING WISELY

Living wisely in this world takes a lot of courage, a lot of persistence and a lot of hard work. Everyday we are in a battle field; we are being attacked of many circumstances that will somehow test our faith. We have been tested. We sometimes win, but most of the time we lose.

Being Christian God commanded us that we should live not as unwise people but as wise people (Ephesians 5:15). It will not only spare us from the attack of the enemy but we will also know what God's will in our life is. The carefulness Paul advises is in how we live. We are to make sure we live as God intended, following his example (Ephesians 5:1). What we have to do is to grasp every opportunity to live as children of light, to let our light shine, and to transform our world.

As the light of the world, we should shine. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). It reminds me of the story of a curious firefly. His mother told him not to get near the gas lamp for he will be burned but because of his curiosity he keeps on coming near and near to the light until such time that his wings get caught on fire and he died. Let us be the gas lamp and the world is the firefly that because of our bright light the world will become curious and will come near to us which will lead them to a far more everlasting relationship with the true source of Light.

Make the most of our time, being prepared and tuned in to win over the challenges that will prevent us from living in the light. Common challenges that we experience every day show us whether we stand in the light or the darkness. The days are evil-will we make the most of them by pursuing the light of Christ, or by stumbling around in the dark? Will we give up the pleasures of the darkness in favors of the clarity of the light?

Grant us understanding, Father, as we engage our world in Jesus’ name. May we grasp every opportunity that you present to us to live out the gospel in our world.