WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN ARE YOU?

So a week ago someone asked me this question: What kind of christian are you? And since then. i've been asking myself that question. What kind of christian are you? As christians, we know what is right and what is wrong. And when people ask questions like these, we always try to give the politically coorect answer, which is "I am the light of the world..." etc. But everyone knows that to say one thing is different from being what you say you are. Hence the common saying "don't just talk the walk, walk the talk".

So until today...i still find it hard to articulate the kind of christian i am or at least i'm try to be. So the next question i asked myself was "how am i different from non-christians?" or "how is my lifestyle different from non-christians? Is there a difference at all in the way i behave and do life?" (don't get me wrong. i am by no means trying to say that christians are of a different or higher class than non-christians)

So is there a difference? There should be, because we've got the LOVE of God and the Holy Spirit residing in us. We should be living our lives in such a way that will lead others towards God. But why is it not suprising than to hear people, believers and/or non-believerss, call christians hypocrites? Why is it not suprising when people actually have to watch their backs when in church? And is the church doing anything about this or are they just trying avoid and ignore the situation?

I suppose, if every child of God asks themselves "what kind of christian am i?" and give a candid and honest answer, maybe the church would be a more accepting place? I don't know. Hmmm....

Cheryl

FREE TO LOVE

In life we make decisions. Personally, most of my decisions are based on what i want and more importantly, what God wants for me. However in the last two weeks, i have chosen to make a decision based on what i wanted. For the first time, i did what i wanted to do. Having made that decision, it did cross my mind that since i made a selfish decision, God may take a while [like most of us would] to accept the fact that i wanted to do what i wanted to do. And that it would be a while before He starts talking to me again.

But i was wrong, as usual. My God is bigger than that. He loves me no matter what.

2 weeks have passed and i'm feeling much better. No regrets. And i've never been happier. Especially when God spoke to me in His own special way last night. This was what He said:

"My Princess,

You are free to love. I have set you free to love others, so don't let people who have caused you pain paralyzed you from experiencing the joys of love. I know there is always a risk when you give a piece of your heart away, but i've created you to enjoy the gift of special friendships.

Choose wisely the ones that you invest your time and energy in, and also give those you love the freedom to fail. Remember that no one will love you as perfectly as i do. If you let me take the disappointmnets that come with relationshis, you will be free to give and receive love unconditionally.Remember, most people need love the most when they deserve it the least.

Luv, Your King who is LOVE."

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Today is the day of celebrating great friendships marked by trust and honesty. Today is the day of celebrating great relationships marked by genuine understanding and sincere appreciation.

Today is the day of celebrating LOVE.

Why do we love?
It's reassuring yet scary
to think that we're ready to do everything
to think that we're ready to give everything for love
I will allow myself to get hurt,
because i know that i can fight back.
I will allow myself to hold on to pain,
so that when the time comes, i will know how to let it go.
Isn't that the point?
To live and know that you've loved
To live and know that you've been loved
I hope you'll find someone who would give you
the strength to believe in love.
Even if you have no assurance that
your story will end with "i love you"
LOVE!

YEAR OF THE FORK - EXPECTATIONS

Romans 15:13

"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confidence hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

Frank D. was talking about how this year is THE YEAR OF THE FORK, the fork of EXPECTATIONS. After hearing what he had to say about expectations, a sense of confidence and hope just resides in me. Somehow i feel like no matter what i've done, am doing or am going to do, something good is going to happen from all this. Hence the confidence and peace within me. Its almost like I know that whatever happens, God will still love me and He will never forsake me. I guess that's the difference when you place your trust in Him and when you kinda place your trust in Him but semi-doubt Him at the same time. Get my point?

Anyway, here were some points he mentioned that was really interesting:

The FOUNDATION for expectation is DESIRE.

The FOCUS for expectation is PEOPLE.

The TIME for expectation is NOW.

The SOURCE for expectation is GOD.

The MEANS for expectation is BELIEVING.

The EMOTION for expectation is JOY.

The MINDSET of expectation is PEACE.

The BLESSING for expectation is OVERFLOW.

The FUEL of expectation is the HOLY SPIRIT.

JARS OF CLAY

"We [I] now have this light shinging in my heart, but I myself am like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that my great power is from God, not from myself. I am pressed on every side by troubles, but I am not crushed. I am perplexed, but not driven into despair. I am hunted down, but never abandoned by God. I get knocked down, but I am not destroyed. Through suffering, my body continues to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in my body......That is why I never give up."

2 Corithians 4: 7-16

Be encouraged.
Cheryl

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Can we believe in such a kind of love? Yes, we may experience a short glimpse of such a kind of love, every now and then. Maybe the real question is: do we dare to believe in such a kind of love? So pure, utterly unselfish and raw.

Such a kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. And we are only able to do so if we actually set aside our own desires and instincts, so that we can love while expecting nothing in return.

Cheryl

TRUST IN ME

Past week or so has been a new experience for me. Some of you may know about what i'm talking about. Honestly i'm not sure why i'm posting this particular entry up, but i just felt compelled to. Maybe some of you might be experiencing similar situations. Hopefully this love message from My Heavenly Father helps you bring some light to your situation, whatever it may be. Be blessed.

My dear child,

trust me with those you love.

I know your heart, and I know how much you love those close to you. I am your Creator and the Giver of every good gift. I have given you loved ones to share your life with. But you, my chld, must remember that those you love ultimately belong to me - not to you.

I didn't give you those special relationships to tear you apart or to control you through fear of the future. Like Abraham did with his only son, Isaac, I need you to open your heart and give back to Me whose you love. Trust Me with everything that concerns you regarding them.

Place your hand in mine and I promise I will walk you, and your loved ones, through all things this life brings.

Love
Your trustworthy King