Who am I?

January 31st, 2009 by karenkyaw

I used to believe and trust God. I read His words and try to do the best for him. But I find myself in a constant struggles and trials subdued me instead of me conquering it.

As i figured it out, I thought I’m good and things are great but I realized that something is missing and my life is empty. I don’t like years to slip away, while I’m in danger of wasting my life.

I am nothing I accepted it… Whatever I do,is just vain. The more I tried to be better, the more worst I became. Still, I refused, ignored and hide myself from Him. Now, I know its because I’m naturally bad. But not until I let God control my life.

God told me that I am special and He loved me so much: the reason why He gave His life for me. He lifted me and brought me to the light of truth. The truth that I had known ever since I was young but failed to live by countless times. I feel that I’m so doomed unaware, perhaps in denial that I’m painfully living a self-centered and sorrowful life until my eyes were opened and I realized that I needed Jesus in my life… my constant companion all along.. I have to believe and trust Him. Then, I listened to him…

and there He was…

He accepted me right away without hesitation and loved me unconditionally. His love has no limit, His love knows no bound!

I prayed to God silently and cried for forgiveness. Suddenly, things changed in me. I am a new person! The old me is vanished. He told me not to think of my past mistakes anymore because God has already erased it in His memory. He never holds grudges or ill feelings. He looked in my eyes and smiled at me and says that He loves me very much! He embraced me with open arms and He’s gentle touch moved me so much that all I could wish is to show Him how much I do love Him. I know my old self is gone. Thus, prayers and daily communion with His words remind me of His compassionate love.. and as the days go by, my relationship with Him continue to flourish like cherry-blossoms growing in the wild. I’m like a child who always stumble and fall but God is gracious and He is always there to lend a hand on me and carry me thru when I fall.

I am truly happy now. My existence has more meaning! He constantly reassures me of His love and providence. He brings back the life in me, the happiness, the joy of living, my life’s worth. I gained everything through Christ who gives me strength and hope. Life is much much more beautiful! I can’t imagine life without Him!

I still have plenty of challenges but God is bigger than them!

Things on this earth is changing, but the only constant one that never changes is God’s love for me and you! HE loves us all=) Amazing love how can it be?

I’ll always be thankful to Him for what He has done in my life; for the wondrous things that’s happening to our lives and those that is still to unfold; for giving me my wonderful husband; for giving me a supportive and caring family.. for giving me You… and the greatest gift God has given to us: our baby Nichole Breanna=)

I will praise Him and honor Him as long as I live!

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family trees

March 23rd, 2007 by karenkyaw

t’s important for a son to understand the things his father respects. A spouse, a home, the meaning of good value, the dignity of labor, a faith preserved through generations—these are the touchstones of a learned appreciation, laid down like rock-hard beams beneath a life.
Among the many things my father taught me to respect were trees, and not in some “eco-friendly” sort of way. Dad knows what trees are all about from a lifetime spent handling them, respecting them. Before starting a 50-year career as a dormitory dean, principal, and college literature professor, my father financed much of his own education as a logger during college summers and any year the money was too tight. I know from a hundred tales told walking in the Berkshire woods just where the sawmills once stood, where horses strained to loosen soggy logs, where pine and hemlock have replaced the birches and the beeches. I know the slow warmth of sunshine on the south side of a rock maple as sap drips in a metal bucket and hope springs eternal.
But of all the days spent in the woods with my father, few impressed me more than when our Sabbath strolls would spill us from some clovered field into an old and venerable lane. Almost invariably, Dad would pause to let his gaze run down the line of giant maples lining the drive to some long-gone home or barn. His eyes would search the massive canopy of summer green or autumn flame, and I would see that far-off look I knew he saved for things that bordered on the holy.
“Look,” he’d say with slightly husky baritone, “look what they did here. Look how they planted for the future.” And once again I would be invited into that sanctuary in which a son learns what his father deeply loves.
The well-planned rows of sugar maples that supposedly unsentimental Yankees planted near their homes 200 years ago are now the joy of only saunterers like Dad or me. Today they stand, majestic and benevolent, providing sweet sap in spring, all shade in June, a brilliant rage of color in the fall. But those who planted them have long since passed away. Now no sign declares that once a prosperous farm stood here, save for the lilac bushes around the foundation and stone walls in old cattle lanes.
There was something in those old Yankees that could see beyond cows waiting to be milked and hay waiting to be scythed—something that could see the delight generations to come would find in walking under giant maples. There was something in those otherwise practical farmers that longed to reach into the future and invest in the happiness of dozens of great-great-grandchildren they would never see.
They knew the trees they planted with such labor would never amount to much in their lifetimes: maples, after all, don’t grow so fast. But they would perhaps have been satisfied with the comment of another old Yankee, the poet Robert Frost, who told a reporter on his eightieth birthday: “Just a little while back, at my farm in Vermont, I planted a few more trees. You wonder why? Well, I’m like the Chinese farmer, 90 years of age, who did the same thing. When they asked him why, he replied that the world wasn’t a desert when he came into it, and it wouldn’t be when he departed. So it is with me. Those trees will keep on growing long after I’m gone.”1
Faith is like that, I’ve decided, an investment for this moment that yields rich rewards for future generations. If we are “rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. 3:17), the legacy of our deep respect for all things holy moves up and out the family tree to branches we may never see in earthly lifetimes. It’s a truth the psalmist surely knew as well: “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord,” he wrote, “shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright” (Ps. 92:13-15, NKJV).2
So here’s to you—young parent, “Poppy,” “grandmamma,” or aunt—still planting trees and bending twigs. The work you do, the love you show, holds value far beyond your field of view. Some deep, rich day the woods of paradise will ring with voices that you strangely know, though faces aren’t familiar.
Keep pressing on: the joy is set before you.

__________________

1Thomas Wintle, “A Good Word for Old Age” (sermon), First Church of Christ, Lancaster, MA, 1980.
2Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

_____________________________
Bill Knott is editor of Adventist Review

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Growing Old!

January 9th, 2007 by karenkyaw
this is a forwarded message from my cousin…i like to share it here with you cuz its worthwhile to read it…
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.
Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day…like her breasts.
They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this:
"I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life."
"I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’."
"I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."
"I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."
"I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one."
"I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. 
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

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blues away

December 13th, 2006 by karenkyaw

Don’t let sadness or hatred stay in ur heart. Ur a good person and whatever is it that makes u sad, Just think that things happen for a reason. We may not undersand it now, but surely, God knows what’s best for us.

You know that we care for u so much today as much as we cared for you before. You will always have a good place in our hearts yesterday, today and tomorrow.

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August 19, 2006- Don’t hide what God gives you!

August 19th, 2006 by karenkyaw

He who buries his talent is making a grave mistake.

Biblical text: Do not neglect your gift, wihch was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14 NIV).

A man named Luigi Tarisio loved violins and began collecting them. He took great pride in scouting out rare finds and purchasing only those instruments that he knew to be of the finest quality. No one realy knew about his passion, however, until after he died. It was while his estate was being appraised that some 246 valuable violins were discovered in his attic!

One of the most expensive violins had been hidden in the drawer of an old dresser. It was a Stradivarius he had purchased from someone who had also bought it solely as a collector’s item. In commenting on this, W.Y. Fullerton noted that in preserving the instrument, Tarisio had robbed the world of beautiful music all the time he treasured his violins. Others before him had done the same. In fact, by the time the greatest Stradivarius violin in his collection was finally played, 147 years had passed!

The gifts, talents, abilities, and aptitudes that you have been given by the Creator are intended for you to discover, and then use until they become perfect. We are to uncover who we were created to be…. not cover up what we fear we are. Give expression to your inner self today. It is not only God’s gift to you, but the very best you can ever give to others.

© Australasian Conference Association Limited

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Why I Tithe

August 18th, 2006 by karenkyaw

MALACHI 3:10 ICB
10 Bring to the storehouse a tenth of what you gain. Then there
will be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord of
heaven’s armies. "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I
will pour out more blessings than you have room for.

Tithing is giving ten percent of your income to God.

While tithing is not a command given in the New Testament, what
we do with our money is a test of our love and commitment to
the Lord.

In truth, all we have as believers really belongs to the Lord.
Ten percent is a low figure, yet it is a starting point. Sadly,
one which many Christians have never reached.

I practice tithing to God because:

* Tithing is a way of expressing my worship in a tangible way.

God is worthy of my all — my best — and so much more. Nothing
I could ever give would be sufficient, but that is no reason to
do nothing. The money I give is tangible evidence that I do
value God.

* The Lord promised blessing to those who tithe.

There are books full of testimonies from people — even non-
Christians — who put God to the test, as He challenges us in
Malachi 3:10, and found God faithful to prosper them, as He
promised.

* Tithing is an act of faith, which pleases God.

It takes faith to give when you don’t have enough. Many people
do not tithe for this very reason; they are afraid God will not
come through and take care of them.

I have experienced miraculous provision many times. I can
testify that God is faithful, and will always, somehow, take
care of His children who trust Him.

SAY THIS: Giving money to God is an act of worship.

——————————

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August 18, 2006- Don’t give in to your fears!

August 18th, 2006 by karenkyaw

Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.

Biblical text: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

On a summer morning as he was fixing his breakfast, Ray Blankenship looked out his window to see a young girl being swept along in the rain flooded drainage ditch beside his Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath the road and then emptied into the main culvert.

Ray dashed from his home and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the flailing child. Finally, he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. When he surfaced, he was able to grab the girl’s arm. The two tumbled end over end and then, within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something protrude from the bank. He clung to it desperately, the tremendous force of the water trying to tear him and the child away.

By the time fire department rescuers arrived, Blankenship amazingly had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. In that heroic moment, Ray Blankenship was at even greater risk than most people knew … since … Ray couldn’t swim.

Today, let your courage respond to needs that you see, not to the fear you may feel.

© Australasian Conference Association Limited

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Do You Believe In Love?

August 17th, 2006 by karenkyaw

MATTHEW 5:44 NKJ
44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you and persecute you,

Most people believe in force: guns and armies.

Most people believe in money: "financial power."

Many people believe in education, that "If we just educate
people enough we can change the world."

Hardly anyone seems to believe in the power of love to change
things. No one seems to think it would do any good to "turn the
other cheek."

Jesus didn’t tell us to "turn the other cheek" just so we could
get beat up more. Jesus believes in the power of love. Jesus
believes that evil can be overcome with good.

ROMANS 12:20-21 NKJ
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is
thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals
of fire on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God still believes in the power of love. He believes that if
you love enough, and for long enough, people will finally come
to their senses and respond to that love.

JOHN 13:34-35 NIV
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you
love one another."

Jesus said the mark of His believers would be their love. Where
did we go wrong?

SAY THIS: Lord, help me to believe in love, and to act in love.

—————————
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August 17, 2006- Do you see yourself as being rich today?

August 17th, 2006 by karenkyaw

A man is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Biblical text: One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. (Proverbs 13:7 NIV).

Fulton Oursler told a story of an old nurse who was born a slave on the eastern shore of Maryland. She had not only attended Fulton’s birth, but that of his mother. He credits her for teaching him the greatest lesson he ever learned about giving thanks and finding contentment.

Recalls Oursler: I remember her as she sat at the kitchen table in our house; the hard, old, brown hands folded across her starched apron, the glistening eyes, and the husky old whispering voice, saying, "Much obliged, Lord, for my vittles."

"Anna," I asked, "what’s a vittle?"
"It’s what I’ve got to eat and drink - that’s vittles," the old nurse replied.
"But you’d get your vittles whether you thanked the Lord or not."
"Sure", said Anna, "but it makes everything taste better to be thankful." Poverty is not a state of the pocketbook for many people, but a state of mind.

Do you think of yourself as being rich or poor today? What is it that you truly count as "wealth" in your life? If you list things that are not material in nature, you are likely very wealthy indeed!

© Australasian Conference Association Limited

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Walk Not in the Way With Sinners

August 14th, 2006 by karenkyaw

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not…. My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path. Prov. 1:10-15 

     Amusements are doing more to counteract the working of the Holy Spirit than anything else, and the Lord is grieved. 

     Those who are artificial in character and religious experience too readily gather for pleasure and amusement, and their influence attracts others. Sometimes young men and women who are trying to be Bible Christians are persuaded to join the party. Unwilling to be thought singular, and naturally inclined to follow the example of others, they place themselves under the influence of those who, perhaps, have never felt the divine touch on mind and heart. Had they prayerfully consulted the divine standard, to learn what Christ has said in regard to the fruit to be borne on the Christian tree, they would have discerned that these entertainments were really banquets prepared to keep souls from accepting the invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

     It sometimes happens that by frequenting places of amusement, youth who have been carefully instructed in the way of the Lord are carried away by the glamor of human influence, and form attachments for those whose education and training have been of a worldly character. They sell themselves into lifelong bondage by uniting with persons who have not the ornament of a Christlike spirit. 

     You will be invited to attend places of amusement. . . . If you are true to Christ then, you will not try to form excuses for your nonattendance, but will plainly and modestly declare that you are a child of God, and your principles would not allow you to be in a place, even for one occasion, where you could not invite the presence of your Lord. 

     God desires His people to show by their lives the advantage of Christianity over worldliness; to show that they are working on a high, holy plane.

From My Life Today - Page 215

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