He's Always Been Faithful

A dear friend wrote me today and shared that he and his girlfriend broke up yesterday.  My heart goes out to him; I know (if not wholly, then at least in part) how he feels.  This is my heartfelt response to his email:

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My dear brother ______,

There's so much I want to say to comfort you right now, but I dare not depend on my own human words and efforts to bring you comfort.  I'm asking our Faithful Abba 天父 to comfort both of you.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and theGod of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." -2 Corinthians 1:2-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lhtx417HwU

"He's Always Been Faithful"

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Morning by morning I wake up to find

The power and comfort of God's hand in mine

Season by season I watch Him, amazed

In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain

He did not recycle to bring me gain

I can't remember one single regret

In serving God only, and trusting His hand

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He's always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, this is my song

The theme of the stories I've heard for so long

God has been faithful, He will be again

His loving compassion, it knows no end

All I have need of, His hand will provide

He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful

He's always been faithful to me

May your heart be comforted and encouraged by these lyrics!  Keep your eyes on Jesus, beloved brother!

Your loving big sis,

Frances

Luke 15:1-2

Luke 15: 1-2 (NIV) Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

Luke 15: 1-2 (ESV) Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

This morning during quiet time which took place during my brief break at work (setting: bench outside of the hospital building on Plaza level), when I read that Jesus welcomed and received sinners and would even choose to and want to hangout with them so as to share a meal and sit at the same table... unlike the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were irritated, dissatisfied, and grumbling, my heart found much reason to rejoice.  Great reason to rejoice, in fact!  For I belong to that category of "sinners".  And the fact that Jesus, the Holy One - God Incarnate - would want to humbly stoop low from His high place, His lofty throne in Heaven, just to meet me in my messy shame and ugly sinfulness and be my friend and dine with a sinner like me... that just really blows my mind and leaves my heart and soul drowning in joy and hope and thankfulness.

:)

Two Years

Today marks 2 whole years since the break-up.  I'm still alive and even doing well - PRAISE THE LORD!  That event and everything that followed over the span of the past 2 years was probably the most painful, heartbreaking thing I've ever experienced, but looking back, I'm super grateful for all that the Lord brought me through in His sovereignty, perfect wisdom, and loving care.  All that happened in the past two years was what my Father thought was best for me.  What a special time of precious sanctification - coming face to face with my deeply gross and disgusting sins and ugly pride, learning true repentance, experiencing and receiving God's abundant grace that pardons and cleanses within, growing in Christ likeness...

I have grown SOOOO MUCH (I can feel it!) - and it's all by God's grace.  He has grown me in areas of acceptance, contentment, forgiveness, thankfulness, joy, trust in God; putting to death self, idols, pride, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness... I am beyond grateful.  I know my Lord Jesus more intimately and deeply than I did two years ago.  I know the power of His resurrection more than I did two years ago.  I can say that I had the privilege and joy to share in His sufferings a little more than I did two years ago.

Even though T's not in my life anymore (at least not in the same way), I have Christ and that is enough!  Christ is sufficient for me!  He is everything to me; all I have is Christ.  And He is the reason why I am able to move forward - with my eyes fixed on my True and Eternal Love: Jesus.

:)

See you in Heaven, Eisabeth Elliot

Stranded at SFO because my flight to LAX got delayed (what's new for Southwest?). Visited my favorite website only to discover the sad-yet-joyful-at-the-same-time news that Elisabeth Elliot passed away yesterday morning. John Piper writes a good tribute to her in this post: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/peaches-in-paradise

I own Shadow of the Almighty and Passion and Purity, though have yet to finish reading through them both. I remember I was in the middle of Passion and Purity during my first year of nursing school. It was April 2012, right around the time that a particular classmate took interest in me... Seems like ages ago.

Happy 30th Birthday to a very special friend! :D :)

Jesus Loves Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gKXu6J2wE

Really loving this new Chris Tomlin song "Jesus Loves Me".  Been replaying it on loop on Youtube last night while packing, and the night before, and at the moment.

The Greatest Gift Is God Himself

"God offers his presence when I want his presents." -Vaneetha Rendall 

My heart felt like :) after I read this blog post

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-greatest-gift-is-god-himself

Sick on Easter Sunday

I've been confined to bed rest the past several days due to a severe case of viral gastroenteritis.  Been feeling nauseous, dizzy, weak and lethargic, achy in my back and abdomen, headaches, feverish, diaphoretic, chills, lack of appetite, bloating, and many episodes of diarrhea.  Had to call in sick at work twice, couldn't attend Good Friday service, and was bummed that I was still diarrhea-ing this morning when I woke up on Easter Sunday.  I sure am thankful for my church's livestream, which I'm listening to right now.  Although I sure wanted to have gone in person to my Father's house to worship Him this Resurrection Sunday along with the other saints and prayed last night that I would wake up today feeling better so I could go to church.  I'm sure God has a good reason to say no to my prayer though.  Pastor John is preaching on saving faith - how it will endure to the end and cannot be destroyed.  This is the perseverance of the saints.  A true believer is marked by saving faith and obedience.  Lord, I am thankful this morning for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ my Savior.  I am also thankful that You in Your mercy, grace, kindness, and love have made me a true believer.  Please help me to be more obedient to You, no matter the circumstance.

Here's an excellent quote I found on Tim Challies's website by Charles Spurgeon:

Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever, “to him be glory.” Is he not a “Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek”? “To him be glory.” Is he not king for ever?—King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? “To him be glory for ever.” Never shall his praises cease. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus! thou shalt be praised for ever. Long as immortal spirits live—long as the Father’s throne endures—for ever, for ever, unto thee shall be glory. Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying him now? The apostle’s words are, “To him be glory both now and for ever.” Will you not this day make it your prayer? “Lord, help me to glorify thee; I am poor, help me to glorify thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol thee by spending them for thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but thine, and glow with no flame but affection for thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of thee and for thee; thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into thy treasury; I am all thine; take me, and enable me to glorify thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.”