water issues

One of my favouritest verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:8

Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things.

Every once in a while, actually, more often than not, I realise that the reason I get so troubled about things is because I dwell so much on the negative side. It's probably only human to mull over negative things and allow them to overwhelm me, but being human is not good enough an excuse for bad attitudes and negative thinking. As Christians, followers of Christ, believers in the One and true God, we are charged to think positively. Just like that famous analogy of the half cup of water. Do we look at it as half empty, or half full? If half empty, then we will never be satisfied because nothing will be enough. If half full, then we will always be thankful to God for whatever we get, even if it is just a half cup of water. This is one of the ways we live out our higher calling; this is how we become a testimony to those who do not yet know Christ or understand His teachings--when we live a life that says "We face difficult circumstances, but we are not overwhelmed because everything and anything is, can be and will be solved."

But the problem with us is, like I said, we dont dwell enough on the good things but we see the negative side of things and allow our attitude and our thinking to be distorted. Everything then becomes about ME, how I deserve better than this, how this is not working out for ME, how life is so unfair to me, how dare other people treat ME this way, I'm not getting what I want, etc., etc., etc.

The world becomes a sad and sorry place when this happens. We lose respect for others when this happens. Although we can rationalise that we should expect the worse, honestly, even that rational thinking is warped because everything is centered on the self. So while the world and the people in the world turn into a nasty bunch, we forget that we are turning ourselves into one of them. Selfish, Nasty, Unreasonable, Unforgiving.

Oh God, help me not to be anything like that. I want to learn to love like you do, Jesus. Help me to live with and show Your compassion, Your love. Help me to live with honour and respect for others. Help me to prefer others above myself, and to love them with all my heart. Help me, Oh God, to be just like you. Make me a testimony to the world of Your love and grace. Make me reflect you, Jesus.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another. (John 13:34-35)

The solution? Dwell on the good things! Even in the midst of trouble, there is good in it! Look at the silver lining in every cloud and remember that the light and clear skies will follow. What good is it when we mull over things and let our attitudes reflect our troubles, when we can let our troubles reflect the greatness and sovereignty our God? He is able, and we must believe it, and LIVE it!

How do YOU look at YOUR half cup of water?

Finally, my brothers, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are HONEST, whatever things are RIGHT, whatever things are PURE, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are OF GOOD REPORT; if there is any VIRTUE and if there is any PRAISE, think on these things.

"A Long Way Home"

Here's the song "A Long Way Home" by Bebo Norman

It's a long way home, and the fists have flown
In the silence, there's nowhere left to run
It's the battle of our pending love
In the shadow of another smoking gun

When we dreamed this dream for the first it seemed
We could live this love for a lifetime...you and me

I will not give up this fight
I will not lay down and die
I will not carry this heart of stone
I may not be your place to run
I may not be your kingdom come
I may stumble through this great unknown
But I will be all that is true
I will not give up on you
I was made to be with you alone

Cause you and me, we're gonna see...the long way home

It's a long way home, and crying is done
But the sorrow is still wet upon your face
Our colliding hearts sometimes break apart
But now the pieces are gathered up in grace

When we dream this dream for the last time we'll see
That we lived this love for a lifetime...just you and me

Cause you and I, we're gonna fly...the long way home

The words in this song...just so riveting, so apt at this point in my life. My heart is comforted. Thank you Bebo, thank you so much.

thin...

I've been thinking today that I'm spread out too thin with so many things, responsibilities, expectations; it's a wonder that I'm still sane.

Then there's still plans, ambitions, wants...and along with them come the worries and the stress. Sometimes I feel like just moving out to the country...and farm. Alone.

Almost two years ago I remember telling some friends of mine who went with me into the orang asli villages in East Malaysia...that honestly, I wouldnt mind living in one of those rickety wooden houses, with a small plot of farming land, and just work it for a living. I said "I'd like to live like this, maybe for a year or two."

OK...maybe that'll be too much of a stretch...but it sure would be nice to live and work far far away from the crazy demands of this world, wouldn't it?

Spring Break....

Okok...real quick...I was over being angry many moons ago, so chills, baby! So anyways I just wanted to say that I had a restful spring break. Even though I still had to work, but I had some good rest times, just not worrying about classes, spending time with friends, etc.

Also I'm starting to exercise a little more frequently now, was planning to take part in a triathlon in May, but now am rethinking that decision because of a more important priority...will post when plans are more solidified, OK. But meanwhile, I am still hoping to maintain a regular workout schedule. You know, getting fit is a good thing for anyone.

So yeah anyways, thank you all those who keep praying for me and Lynn. We are blessed, and we are praying through many things right now...and things have been and are looking to be even more exciting for the both of us.

God is good, and His mercy endures forever! Praise be to the King of Kings!

I am right now EXTREMELY MAD at and UPSET with myself. I had promised a couple of good friends, Eric and Dustin, that i was gonna go see them take part in a triathlon about 70 miles away in another city, Athens, and I OVERSLEPT. Yes i missed my multiple alarm clocks that i had set up and OVERSLEPT (gasp, facedown, slap-to-forehead, cry uncontrollably). I was supposed to leave at 8am to travel there and arrive at 9.30am in time hopefully to catch them cycling or running. But this TWERP here had to wake up at 9.30 itself, which even if i had gone would have taken me 1.5 hours drive and arrive at 11pm. The triathlon would already be over by then. And worse still is that I had indicated to Eric that i would be able to give him a ride from Athens back to Dallas...and now...GARRRHHHHH!!!

Nobody talk to me, for your own safety.

*boil*