Holy Week 2014

Reflect because Jesus needs respect.

H- Halt! Stop of slow down.

O- Off with your worldly pleasures and concerns.

L- Listen and be silent.

Y- Yield to God.

W- Warm up your relationships.

E- Erase burdens of sin with a good, honest and humble confession.

E- Express your love.

K- Kneel down in prayer before God, say sorry and thank Him.

Stay happy, holy and healthy this Holy Week!

God bless you!

Thank you! Praise God! ;)

Lessons learned from Kish Island

I wrote this post before I left Iran (about 2 months ago) but because of the busy schedule I have and things have been doing, I wasn't able to post it. So here I am sharing to the whole world the amazing experience through the realizations I have staying there. Better late than never hihihi!

This is my 2nd time to visit Kish Island after 2 years since I got my first job in Dubai, UAE. I can't believe that time flies so fast and here I am again exiting for change of visa from cancelled to tourist. This happened last January 27 until February 1, 2014. I stayed for 5 days as I wait for the issuance of visa.

We were in an island wherein most of us have been there for quite a while and there was nothing for us to do. We decided to go to places together, talk about random things/situations, had an experience to attend a bible study and we usually ate our meals together. We had fun because we enjoyed our stay there.

I have learned 10 things during my 5 day stay there........

1. Build RELATIONSHIPS through FRIENDSHIP with other people because no man is an island..

2. Sharing your burdens with others. In return, listening to their stories and learning from their mistakes.

3. No worries, less stress. Enjoy life. Relax. Take it easy. God is in control.

4. Try to learn something new. 

5. Be open to various possibilities. Get ready for the (unexpected) surprises from God.

6. Enjoy and savor your simple joys.

7. Overcoming fears and surrendering to God.

8. Waiting takes time. Great things come through patience.

9. Being distant is hard and communication is important to maintain relationships. Trust is essential.

10. Letting go of bad experiences, unwanted feelings and burdens then allowing God's love 

and forgiveness to heal you and take over. (Letting go and letting God)

At some point we were lonely because we felt isolated from the world but it was a chance for us to reflect and realize the importance of time for others, the presence of our loved ones and our time for our own self. Busy as we are with the priorities we have, we usually fail to realize that we are blessed. Sometimes we take for granted the persons whom we loved and the time we spent with them is almost too little.

Going to Kish was like a retreat for me since I don't spend my time wisely because I'm too busy with some things. I am happy and proud because meeting people, listening to them and journeying with them there was a bonus. I had fun and I didn't regret going there. God taught me to build and strengthen relationships and that I will put in to practice with His grace in time.

Fear not

I felt so inspired just by listening to the clip of this video. The words are direct and have an impact to which is true in real life.. May we have the courage to fear not, be fruitful and faithful. 

Most Christians never have the luxury of hearing God say fear not because they never attempt anything great enough to merit the command. If what you attempt does not scare you spitless then you are not in the will of God.

I charge you not to fear the wrath of man but to fear that you never make men angry. Fear not the attack of satan but fear that you never make his hit list. Fear not the unknown but fear that you never learn what's beyond the unknown. Fear not trials and tribulations but fear a life of ease and complacency. 

Fear not the God haters but fear God himself. Fear not that your messages are not good but fear that your messages are not of God. Fear not what men may say about you but fear what God would say about you. Fear not attempting something great for God and failing but fear rather attempting small things for God and succeeding. Fear not those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul but fear Him who's able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

My prayer for you is not that you'd live a life free from fear, but a life fearing the right things!

-Richard Crisco

Created from dust with Love

Today is Ash Wednesday (March 5, 2014) and it marks the start of the Season of Lent that is composed of 40 days. It is a time to repent, to fast, to pray, to serve and turn to God. The reason we celebrate Lent is for us to reflect on the life of Jesus, on the life He chose to live wherein He saved us yet He suffered and died for the salvation of many. This is the time to change our negative ways and do good to others.

All are from the dust and to dust you shall return.

Ecclesiastes 3:20

We are reminded that we came from dust and it is where we will return when our time is finish on earth. God formed us through dust and how wonderful what we have become now. Who would have imagine that we were once dust? We were stained, dirty, sinful, imprisoned, lost and messy but through the salvation of Christ we were made clean, presentable, freed from sin, saved, guided, loved and forgiven. The power of God's love is incomparable, uncontainable, limitless, unending, indescribable, empowering, sustaining, unconditional and overflowing. The kind of love He possessed was the love that set us free from the bondage of sin. The love that’s willing to sacrifice the life of His son for the benefit of everyone. It is the love that surpasses all odds and makes impossible things possible. It is also the love which Jesus showed by dying on the cross, the love that in which Mary obeyed the will of the Father, the love between the disciples of Jesus to serve and proclaim the gospel, the love for the families and the love that first came from God. How powerful that kind of love that they possess, a love that is immense, genuine and selfless.

Lord may this season of Lent allow me to pray, serve, fast and repent. I know I have flaws, mistakes and some sins that I need to overcome. Help me to do things in accordance to your will. May I accept your plans and I am confident that by your grace I will surpass them all. I know Lord I will be stronger, better, wiser and braver. Thank you for creating me from dust with love and for reminding me that it is from dust shall I return. Thank you for embracing me, for guiding me, for loving me, for supporting me, for being in me and for saving me. I am ready Lord for whatever that lies ahead. May I bring you glory and praise because you deserve it.

"Repent and don't sin again."

Readings of the day:

Joel 2:12-18
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

  My Child,

Rejoice! Be grateful that I have molded and created you from dust with love,
God

My Child, don't worry!

Be strong Princess!

 God's letter for strength, encouragement and acceptance of His will

(written last February 27, 2014)

Dear Princess,

How are you? I wrote to you because I can feel the burden that you are and have been carrying. You may hide those things from others but you cannot hide them from me. I noticed how moody and sad you are for the past few days. I know it's a hard thing to experience but I am here to support and encourage you to keep going. I can see that you are struggling and you're trying to overcome it by being strong. I know that the fight is tough and the road you're traveling is rough. I know it gets harder each time and sometimes it gets even worst. I can feel the pain that you are going through and no words can ever describe how you really feel. I know you can't resist being angry because I know you were hurt and still you're hurting. It's heart breaking but at least you know the truth at the earliest and it gets difficult to believe knowing that you were expecting something yet ended up being disappointed. I understand what you feel and I know how you try your best to understand the situation. I can definitely see that you are coping up. It's never easy but it's definitely worth it. Just be real with your feelings and cry when you need to. You can always run to me and tell me because I am always listening.

My Child, trials are difficult at first but allow them to mold and transform you to be better, to be stronger, to be wiser, to be mature and be open for a lot of changes. I know you have gotten used to the things you were doing but it's time to move on and leave it all behind. I don't want to see you down, depressed and cold. I want you to feel that you're important and you are loved. No more insecurities, guilt, anger and emotional (negative) feelings. Get up, set yourself free and move. It's not worth it and he's not worth it anymore. Save some pride for yourself. It's time to let go of the things that hurt you and allow me to heal you. I can do a lot of things for you as long as you allow my love to comfort and assure you. Open yourself and listen to me. I will take care of you. I will not hurt you. I will empower you and allow you to stand up again for you to learn the things that you refuse to learn. I will push you to do greater things and bring glory in my name. I have a lot of wonderful plans for you. Don't give up trying. Keep struggling and fighting. There's a right time for everything. Trust me because I know what I'm doing. Believe, have faith and never doubt. It may be cloudy or rainy now but it cannot stay like that forever. The rainbow and sunshine always come after a gloomy weather.

My dearest, be still and just allow my will to be done. Be patient and enjoy the wait. Forgive and don't allow anger to dwell in your heart. Be flexible and guard your heart. Be excited for the surprises that I have prepared for you. Live by being free and learn from your mistakes. Surrender your worries, fears, pains and all emotions to me for I will give you rest and peace. Smile. Just forget your circumstances and focus on my promise. I know what I'm doing. Everything will be revealed to you when everything's settled. Just hold on to me. You are not alone. You can go through this for I am with you. I love you. Allow my love to complete and embrace you during this moment. Everything will be alright. I promise you.

Love,

Your God Almighty King

Joshua 1:9

God (who is love) knows no hopeless or helpless situations

Taken and written at Kish Island, Iran
(February 1, 2014)

God (who is love) knows no hopeless or helpless situations..

There are times we get stuck in a struggle that paralyzes us to do something and perhaps move on. Yes, it's hard to face the struggles with a heavy heart knowing that you're alone and at times hopeless nor helpless. Sometimes we forget that God has been with us through the tough times. We seem to think we can do it our selves but we can't. God is always there and He knows no hopeless or helpless situations. It is because He is God and we are not. His ways are higher and better than ours. His love surpasses all things even impossible ones. He can change our sadness to an irreplaceable joy. He is the God of all great things and the only God of all human beings.

So if you're struggling right now, remember that you are in His presence. No battle that was lost for He always wins. No sorrow that he can't take away. No pain that He can't heal. No problem that He can't solve. And no struggle that He can't overcome. For as long as we hold on to Him, rest assured that we are in good hands for He has great plans. In His presence we can find peace, joy, trust, completeness, love, faith and unending hope. All we can simply do is trust Him even if it doesn't make sense. We should surrender to Him and allow His will to be done for God knows what He is doing and He never fails to work things out for us. Continue to trust and believe in Him because He knows no hopeless or helpless situations. All is well! May God be praised! Deo Gloria! :)

Miracles do happen!

Miracles do happen! (Big and small, we just fail to notice them.)

I never intended to visit the garden but with the generosity of a friend, I was able to do so! Yehey! Of course I was privileged and blessed at the same time. I became the PA for that day. PA means Personal assistant but for me it was Photographer's acquaintance. I am so thankful for the opportunity of going out and living a good life. It made me realize to enjoy life no matter how hard it's going to be. I have struggles and that is normal because I am alive. God told me to just keep living, keep dreaming and keep struggling to do what is right.

People may push and pull us but what we become is what we can prove to them. I felt better and I know life is just starting to unfold. The year just began and there are more to come. Things may have ended dramatically but God will reveal surprises to us unexpectedly. I guess it's time for me to shine and to go out of my comfort zone. I have to let go of my insecurities, fears, burdens and allow God's mercy, love, healing and blessing to envelope me.

Being in that paradise made me appreciate the small things even the details that I don't pay attention to and that's a big thing. Seeing the colorful flowers was so attractive and I want my life to be like a rainbow that's full of colors. Gone were the days that I became confused, lost, full of questions, depressed, burdened, worried, emo moments and hopelessness. I may have become weak, questioned and fallen down but God has raised me up to be strong and standing firm in the faith. God has promised that it's not going to be easy but it's definitely going to be worth it.

Lord may you bless my journey that I may keep going through the path that you want me to choose. Bless my desires, my heart and my plans. May it be in accordance to your will. May the actions that I do and the work of my hands, glorify you! Lord in your name, I trust. You are God and I am not!

Praise you Lord! Hallelujah!

Thank you for the gift of new friends! Thank you Mr. Sponsor!

Happy Valentine's day! God bless you!

Dubai Miracle Garden

(February 17, 2014)

Kish Island 2014

A memorable 5 day stay at Fanoos Hotel in Kish Island, Iran. The wait was worth it and God indeed answers prayers unexpectedly. The pictures in the album speaks a thousand words. It may be filled with selfies of mine but it's something that I call a memory worth remembering.. Call it vain but I call it experience worth sharing.
May God be glorified!

I learned a lot of things being in this beautiful island. God allowed me to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings by being disconnected to the social media world. I became selfless instead of being selfish. I realized that no man is an island. I learned to build friendships and strengthen them through bondings, kulitan and food trips. I had a chance to go on a Kish tour to explore the history of the place. I had fun being with the people whom I just met recently and their presence created a big impact on me. I learned to share my burdens and in turn listen to the experiences of other people. It is nice to relax in a quiet place wherein you can do things like the simple joys because I was able to draw, read a book and even played guitar via tab. Also we had a chance to attend a fellowship despite having different religion but still worshiped the same God! I was able to let go of unnecessary feelings and allowed God to take over. The amazing gift to surrender and trusting Him even if it didn't make sense. It took me 5 days there. At first it was hard but then it became meaningful. It was an experience and a struggle that I had to overcome with God's grace. It wasn't easy but it was worth it. Thank you Lord for setting me free. Thank you for all the blessings you've given me! Thank you Lord! Praise God! I love you! ♥ 
Trusting, claiming, believing, loving, hoping and being like Christ,
~~Sarah ♥

January 28-February 1, 2014
Kish Island, Iran