“Amazing” Church Retreat Aug 15-17th 2010

Here’s what I wrote in my Facebook note on Sunday 22nd. Those of you who don’t have Facebook or my account can still read the wonderful works of Jesus Christ in my life

Hello Friends It’s been a while… Here’s my update since I’ve gone back to Indo I’ve shared to some of my friends about my first two weeks here, I told them it was wasted just because I couldn’t see God’s goodness in each day, I kept focusing on things that didn’t work according to what I wanted, I turned into a ‘Bridezilla’ (although things that made me mad not all related to the wed prep), how shame!

On my first week I was in TCT (City Church, my home church in Jkt), Tante Betty had recommended me to go to the ‘Amazing Church Retreat’ on Aug 15-17. Honestly, I wasn’t in a good heart condition at that time, I was not in a mood gathering with other believers, I was in my ‘autism mood’ due to problems I had. Approaching the days I was a bit confused in my heart, whether I should go or not. Somehow I knew if I went, I would get the deliverance I had asked, but I was not in a mood for seeking God, to be honest. I had registered my name but kept postponing paying for the registration fee, until on Friday, two days before the retreat! My fiancee had planning to go back to Jambi, and when I went with him to the travel agent, I was hesitant to purchase my ticket and go along with him. At last minute I decided I didn’t go with him, instead I paid the registration fee from the atm located nearby the travel agent. It was such a last minute decision, but Tante Betty was right, I did not regret making the decision to go!

There were many incredible speakers who went along with the retreat; we had Ps. John Mendez, Diana Frost, Riza Solihin, plus Om Djo & Tante Bet, of course. On the Sunday Aug 15 I was prophecied by Diana Frost during the Sunday Service, something that I didn’t understand and didn’t expect to hear. It was short and simple, “I see you are on a skateboard (huh?), it’s moving very fast, just enjoy the ride and you’ll laugh eventually!”. What’s the matter with a skateboard, Lord? Oh well, I received that prophecy with faith, because I know I will laugh like God has told me so!

On the second day of my retreat, we had groups divided based on gender. I chose to go with the women instead of youth (most of them was women with families aka ‘ibu2 & tante2′ but I didn’t mind, got opportunity to get extra knowledge he3). It was a heart-melting moment when Diana shared her life testimony about her marriage life! I didn’t expect a godly woman like her would ever experienced such things.

She had become God’s servant since her youth but then she made wrong decision in marrying her husband (now had passed away). He was an unbeliever, a druggist, an alcoholic, an abuser (physically, mentally, sexually). He hit her very often, he kept saying her ‘fat’, every morning he would get her to step up on scale, and if she gained weight he’d hit her! He didn’t work, Diana had a succesful career at that time at medical field and she became the backbone of the family. When they had their first son (one and only), her husband didn’t let her nurture her son, even not allowed her to nurse their baby (he said that her breasts were his!), such awful things he ever did to her! Plus, he had an affair with her bestfriend (Diana cathed them in a motel), and all he said was because she was fat!

She got it on until the tenth year, then she asked for a divorce, but it was a heartbreaking news when she heard the verdict that her son couldn’t stay with her.

It was such a long journey for her. To cut it short, her husband in the end repented! One day she was on the way picking up her son (her husband moved into her son’s house for some time). On her way to the house, God had told her that her now ex-husband would serve her, and she couldn’t believe what she heard. Her son hadn’t come home by the time she arrived, her ex-husband was the one who welcomed her. He served her food and drink, something that she hardly believed. Then he asked her one thing, “Do you know what’s the most thing I miss from you?” Diana thought in her heart, ‘oh no, not again’. Times when he was nice to her only when he wanted sex from her. But then he answered himself, “It was when you worshipping God with your beautiful voice…. Now I know that you are a good wife, that’s why you left me…” WOWW!! Truly nothing’s impossible for God and His ways are just too amazing!

It was after that session I got prayed and once again got prophecied. I asked her to pray for my marriage soon, as well as for both of our families that haven’t been saved YET. Before I could continue my words, she asked me one thing that straightaway silenced me from any doubts, “Do you believe God is able?” Of course I believe! But let my acts and life be according unto my faith! No more doubts. I kept all the next words she prayed for me, I believe God will never lie with His promise, I will wait until His words shall pass! Praise God!

Diana also shared with us another part of her life testimony, this time was to all the retreat members. She had a succesful career and very liked ‘things’. She liked good cars too. One day God told her that He would give her a mercedez, and He truly gave her one, somebody just gave it to her! BUT, then God asked her to live in that car! She had to sell all things she loved and God had warned her not to tell anyone that she was living in a car; and she was faithful, she lived in that car for two and a half years! She had to rely on prayer to get fuel, food, and place to have shower. Until one day she only had enough money either to get food or fuel, and she hadn’t showered for 3 days, and she felt so frustrated. Then Holy Spirit told her she would get a phone call from someone as soon as she heard His voice (she really thank God she didn’t have to sell her mobile phone too at that time!), and she did. Somebody invited her to come over to their house and live there. They said God wanted their home to be her home. They had prepared a nice room and asked her to take a shower. After 2.5 years, she finally could sleep on a bed! She told us this experience in tears, and this really moved my heart.

She never give thanked to God for a bed or shower, but now she did! She said, when you have to pray for your provision everyday, you will have a thanksgiving heart inevitably. The more you will give thanks for God’s favor, the more you can see and appreciate each of His blessings! God is rich and never lack of anything, and so His children are also! But, do you realize that you are actually rich? Not because of worldly material, but because God’s favor is simply upon us, everything will work for our good! It is time to use money to help and love people, not loving money and use people! Have a ‘crazy faith’ in God! Crazy faith equals to incredible favour from God! Faith is what it counts! Believe that we have God’s favour in our family, workplace, uni, relationships with people, and most importantly – relationship with God!

Ps. Mendez also talked a lot about faith. He reminded us that God’s promises may be interrupted, but our God is faithful to bring it to the end! God is still in control above the interruption! Message from Ps. Riza Solihin was also sharp like a sword to my heart, mind, and soul. He shared his life testimony of his marriage life too, how he once was an abuser to his wife. He would kick, hit, and slap his wife if he got angry. Then one day his daughter (from his wife’s previous marriage) went out when he was hitting her mother and asked him to stop. She was only a little kid at that time, but then she laid hand on him to stop and believe in Jesus! Such a bravery for a little kid, such a great faith she had! From then on Riza wanted his life to be changed, and Jesus has done so!

One statement that I remember he said, “Don’t build success outside your family and marriage life!” Where we live -our family- is the crucial foundation, more important above our workplace and social life. What use if one had a reputation in his social life but had a messy family? What use if one received many awards and high salary from his work but none of his family members be proud of him?

This was a very sharp warning for me, because before I went to this retreat, I had an awful time with my parents especially with my mom. I couldn’t accept her weaknesses, I couldn’t be more understanding, I couldn’t bear fruits of Spirit! I see that fruits of flesh were very apparent within those two weeks, things like hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, feeling that everyone is wrong (Gal 5:20, NLT), surely I wasn’t proud of myself!

If I kept facing conflict and problems in same way like before I knew Christ, how could she be able to see that Christ lives within me now?

If I had to build my ministry well, it wasn’t started in church or in social community, but first of all in my family! This is what I am called to do at the present!

These are the main messages I received from the retreat, thanks for paying attention up to this point

I prayed to God before I came home, for the change to start in my heart and spirit first; I long to have an active faith (and the speakers especially Diana Frost has inspired me so much!). Start proclaiming God’s promises out loud! This isn’t the time anymore to pray silently and ask quietly in doubt for His promises! Faith comes from hearing, start praying with boldness and confidence! Abide in Him everyday, and He will give us anything we ask in His name (John 15:7).

Jesus is coming soon, we really have to let Holy Spirit moves through and within us, to carry out His kingdom to be on earth!  

I am very joyful to receive God’s many new revelations, but even with greater revelation comes greater responsibility (not only for Spiderman! ). I have a greater responsibility to walk based on that revelation, to be the doer of God’s words. Not by my own might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord I am able to conquer doubt, laziness in pursuing God and in maintaining my spiritual disciplines, weak faith, and other hindrances from devil! 

And the same Spirit of God is also within everyone of you. God bless you all

 xxxx

with Ps. John Mendez from California

With Ps. Diana Frost, an Incredible Woman of God

“What I See, Hear & Experience at BIC Winter Camp 2010″ :)))

I wrote this last week’s Saturday in my Facebook notes

Awesome God!

OK!! I can’t wait to write this note and share it to all of you! I’ve been thinking what to write since last night, there are so much but I’m just gonna try to write it as short, sharp, and clear as I could. I hope this note will be a blessing for you as the Holy Spirit reveals His words regardless your life situations that may be different than mine

Before I came to the camp I said to God I don’t want any emotional play, I just want to taste and see that God is real, and I want to get His special words and guidance esp before I’m going back to Indo end of this month (how fast!)

The theme is “Back to Basic”, and I thought the speakers (Ko Dan, my pastor & Ps. Mark McLendon – a really funny guy for sure!) would discuss about “Jesus & His sacrifice at the cross” (I thought that was the basic of Christianity), instead they discussed about what is life, our destiny, our purpose and calling, eternal life, and Kingdom of God! (so deeppp )

First day and night I didn’t get much, I was too sleepy to listen to the sermons! I accidentaly slept when I was writing *upsss… first time happened (the memory will last in my ‘unbalanced writing’ in my 365 notebook )
Then on second day session 4, Ko Dan had an altar call, for those who were willing and ready to do God’s calling in our life. I knew God’s calling in my life as the big picture (to bring lost souls in my family & community through any ways), but I didn’t know the exact details of the puzzle, yet.
When KD anointed me with the oil, I felt a deep pressure in my heart, I couldn’t hold it I just cried and cried as KD spoke to me simple words,

“Just follow Me, I will lead you”

As simple as that but I knew God Himself was speaking those words to me through KD!
You know when God speaks, He doesn’t need many words, simple words will always burn my heart and soul! And this has become my rhema (God’s spoken words for me, me only!)
I cried and cried even after I went back to my seat, my heart said at that time, “God, nobody ever loved me the way You do!” (I actually said it to God in Indo, I feel it is more intimate, “Tuhan, aku ga pernah dikasihi seperti ini!! Seumur hidup aku ga pernah ngerasaiin dikasihi seperti ini!Hanya Engkau yg mengasihi aku THIS much!“)
I just felt God’s love so deep, I couldn’t even describe how deep, how great His love is! God’s love is just indescribeable, it can only be experienced and to be enjoyed…

Then Holy Spirit spoke to me, He said, “Nat, too many times you only use your physical eyes in seeing things. If you want to follow Me, you have to see by faith!”

I kept thinking, from many words that God could speak, He instead spoke to me, “Just follow Me”… That is such an assurance! Holy Spirit asked me rhetorically, “is it hard to just follow?”…. No, it’s not hard, Lord… Just following is never hard! It’s supposed to be not hard, it MUST be easy! Especially if following Someone whose wisdom as great as Yours!

Then at night there was a ‘soaking’ session by Ps. Mark (he also had that session when I joined the 2007 Winter Camp “Undivided Heart”), it was time to just sit and be soaked by God’s presence and love.
I was expecting God’s touch and the manifestation of His Holy Spirit, but I felt nothing.
I didn’t cry at all, I was just there praying, speaking to God.
To my amaze, this time I didn’t get disappointed at all to not experience His manifestations (while some were crying, jumping, and laughing). I knew He was there, He is real, and I knew as a good Father He won’t neglect His children who draw near to Him. I said to Him, “Lord, I know if You want to touch me You can do it anywhere, anytime You want. I’m just gonna wait, touch me at Your perfect time”
Also the next day, at our last session, I didn’t feel anything. Yet once again I wasn’t disappointed. What other signs could I ask if His Spirit within me has testified to my spirit and soul that God is real?

I might get disappointed if this happened to me some years ago. Yet, apparently God has brought me to a higher level of faith! Therefore I am rejoicing!!
I just knew He is there and I just believe He never neglect me, not even once!

At last session though, I received another rhema from God, it is a word of “spiritual destiny”
Ps. Mark clearly said, “Your spiritual destiny isn’t determined by what kind of job or work you do”

I was really touched by the word of ‘spiritual’! I never know that the ‘destiny’ that God meant for me isn’t the kind of ‘destiny’ that is in my human mind! I said to myself, “see, once again you judge things by worldly view”!
I thought my destiny, my calling was related to more a kind of job, but it didn’t!

From the first day Ps. Mark had mentioned that our identity is “Son of God”. Jesus died for us to make us God’s children, that’s the purpose of His redemption plan (read Galatians 4:5 if you don’t believe me: “God sent Him (Jesus) to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children“)
As God’s children, our home is not in this world!
The life we’re having on earth is just temporary, one day it will end… Our destination is HEAVEN, to be with Jesus Christ! And if you think Heaven is only about “fence made from gold, happiness, all costly stones, angel’s flying everywhere”, well, that is still too shalow, and once again that is worldly definition of heaven! KD said, if that kind of happiness that the Heaven only offers, how long you’d think you would not get bored? Maybe within a week you’d said, “I wish I bring my magazine!”

Heaven is just too great to be described and imagined! Good news is, God wants us to feel that heaven while we’re still on this earth!
I know I have to read again Jesus’ teaching about Kingdom of God in the Gospel, because Kingdom of God is about principles. That’s why we can experience the reality of God’s kingdom while we’re still on this earth, IF we practice its principle as our way of thinking and living!

Jesus has taught us (to name a few) to be a forgiver (forgive seventy times seven), to be a giver (give and it will be given to you, the measure you use will be used unto you), and to be a man full of love (love and bless your enemy). By adopting and acting out these principles in our daily life, we can experience God’s power and overflowing joy in our daily life!

And by knowing that our destination is heaven, we will think really wisely of things that we want. We will ask not only ‘how to get what we want” but also more importantly “WHY do we want what we want?”

If we want to chase that certain career position, WHY? If we want certain things to posses, WHY? If we want certain relationships, WHY?

Because many (if not most) things we want, we will not bring it with us to heaven! They are all TEMPORARY!

So be wise in setting our values and life priorities.

KD said it does’t mean we can’t do or have what we want on this earth, but we should use temporal things (things that we have in this world) as a mean to get the eternal things!
Our skills, talents, career, work, material, posessions, family, husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, hobbies – they are ALL will discontinue one day! We cannot keep those!
But we can use these to achieve things that we eventually can keep when we die, we can use these to add value to the salvation that we’ve received from Jesus!

Don’t be afraid to surrender these things we have in this world, “We will never lose whatever we release to Jesus, but we will lose whatever things we keep from Jesus” – KD

So this is my destiny in living!
My point-of-destination is heaven, earth is just a transit. God has given me a destiny to be His own child, to live the principles of Kingdom of God while I am still on this earth, through anything that He has entrusted me (the temporal things)!

Indeed, I am so thankful for all of these revelations!
I’ve always known I can be ‘more’ than I am now. I can be more intimate with Christ, I would be able to know more what’s in God’s heart, and most importantly not only knowing, but to have a heart that is more like His, to be more Christ-centered than self-centered…

By the way, the place of this Winter Camp, Grampian, was the first place I also had when I first joined Winter Camp in 2005. Five years surely went very fast. At that time I knew very little about Christ (now is also still little because His characters are too deep to be experienced, it takes my whole life!), but I am so amazed by how God is faithful to bring me to this point!
So when I was on my way home in bus, I wonder what would I be in the next five years?
I don’t want to be the same! I want my life to be changed!
I truly want to live the way God has destined me! I truly want to be God’s true worshipper!

I believe He is able as He has given me the power to obey and please Him (that is His promise in Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in me, giving me the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him”)

What should I do now?

“Just follow Him. He will lead me”

God bless all of you my beloved friends

“A Month Before Going Back to Indo”

Today I work in compiling my blog entries again after it got postponed for many months due to I got busy in setting up my business as well as decreasing motivation (my bad). During the hours doing it, I got amazed again by God’s faithfulness troughout the years, especially during my hardest year in 2007. This is one of reasons I have to finish writing and compiling this book because I really have to share God’s goodness to others! O Lord, please give me Your passion for the souls and in writing, finishing what I have started…

Yesterday I also read again my earliest journal that I wrote back in the month of September last year. I was still very confused whether I should go back for good to Indo (on December at that time). I felt heavy to let go what I have possessed here in Melbourne. The apartment, the comfort of my boyfriend’s car and secure job, the church and friends. My life in Melbourne has become my comfort zone, and soon it is time for God to, once again, ask me to leave that zone…

I’ll be going back to Indo next month, this time together with my fiancee (yes, we have been “officialy” engaged on May 8th 2010, praise the Lord! ).

I wrote back in September, although a part of me missing Indo and felt God has another purpose for me there, I felt heavy to let go what I have had here, the comfortable life. I said to God, if He did want me to go back to Indo, He must have provided a greater purpose so I would dare to say “Yes” in leaving my comfortable life behind in Melbourne.

When it became clearer that we’ll be going back next month (through natural process and reasons, no supernatural vision or voice that told me to go back on July 29 2010), I only asked God His presence will always go with us, just like what Moses asked God in Exodus 33. There is nothing to fear as long as the Lord is with me.

Then I felt sad when Adi finally sold his car two weeks ago, I almost cried. Not because now I have to take trams and trains (just like I used to for years when I was still single), but because of all the memories we had with the car. We had our fights in it, tears, but mostly joy and laugh that we shared either together or with our friends at the backseat. Why am I so attached? It’s only a car, right?! Well, I don’t know… Maybe I’m just too melancholic.

And today is also Adi’s last day at his workplace. I felt sad this afternoon. He had been working there for the last three years. Why was I sad? It wasn’t even my job. It wasn’t my own car.

Could it be because of the ‘losing’ feeling…?

However, I understand in order to pursue God’s purpose and fulfillment of His plan in our live, we have to forgo some things in order to walk align with His will. It isn’t a scarifice, it is a way to reach the fulfillment of His plan. A way to receive God’s even greater plan and blessings.

I am excited to start a new journey again in Indo. We still don’t know what we should do, which job we have to apply, what kind of business we want to set up and how. Yet looking back what God has done in my life, I know He has prepared a way.

The same question was also in my mind when I went back to Indo in 2008, God provided me a job as a copywriter in a good company. The dream that I have had for years, God made it true this year – having my own business, in Melbourne.

What is impossible for Him? Nothing.

I just question myself, when everything has settled in Indo and we have felt comfortable once again, will God ask us again to go somewhere (back to Melbourne)? Or giving us ‘new task’ in Indo or even other country? We don’t know.

I just believe that wherever God sends us, His provision never fails. Whatever task He asks us to do, His grace never fails.

Right now I just want to focus on wanting to know more of Him, the real Jesus Christ. No worries or fear. I believe God will take care of my outer needs.

Thank You Lord, I can’t wait for Winter Camp tomorrow!  I’ve prayed I don’t want any emotional play, I just want Him! I just want to grab and experience the reality of Him! Things that will have an everlasting impact, a life-changing one, not a magical one day of change only, but to add the beauty of my walk with Jesus for years and years to come!

Feels Like Home…

Seneng bangetttt td habis ngerayaiin Christmas celebration di City Tower Baru 6 bulan aku tinggalin tp pas nginjeknya lg langsung udah berasa kangen bangettt… and I am really happy for all the people who give me a very warm welcome!!! Much warmer than I ever thought or could expect!!! This has made me missing this church even more… Habis itu jg langsung dijadwal singer buat awal Jan ma kak sher hahaha… Seneng banget… Tuhan bae banget Dia sediaiin dua gereja yg menurutku the best church in each of the country God put me: City Tower (TCT) di Indo and BIC di Melb.. How I am so blessed by these churches!

Aku mereka-reka sih rencana Tuhan yg lbh lanjut buat aku di Melb tuh maksudnya apa… Aku rindu banget buat melayani di Indo, at my own homeland… tp ternyata skrg ini it seems like God’s calling me again to stay in Melb yg gatau smp kpn utk saat ini… Sebagaimanapun aku rindu utk plg ke Indo, God has given me responsibilities and other desires too di Melb…

Well, utk saat ini pokoknya aku hny mau ngikutin panggilannya Tuhan… make myself be available for Him fully… setia ngikutin guidance-nya Tuhan.. krn apa yg Dia rencanaiin buat aku itu yg terbaik… I trust in You, Lord…

Niwei, bahasanya mix gini tolong dimaklumin yah.. udah malem, ngantuk, seharian dr pagi pergi (total dr jam 8 pagi n br plg td jam 9.30 malam hahaha).. Thank You so much Lord for this wonderful day…

“Panggilan Tuhan”

Hoaaaa… ternyata terakhir kali nulis di blog ini udah April!! Busettt.. udah lama bangettt >.< time fliesssss…!!
Excited sih udah masuk June, "semester pertama" 2009 udah lewat (critanya msh jaman kuliahan hehehe)… I believe God is preparing something bigger for the rest of the year! Semester ke-2 nilainya pasti akan lebih baik lg dr yg pertama! (nilai kehidupan yg bisa aku peroleh dan belajar mksdnya.. ciehhh ).. aminnn…

Bbrp hari ini Tuhan lagi sering ngomong soal janji Tuhan dan penggenapannya nih… Dibilang suruh tunggu “the appointed time”, His time, His Kairos… Ternyata Tuhan ingetin aku spy aku ga lupa sama janjinya Tuhan… n aku bersyukur banget, Tuhan yg mau kasih kado kok jd Dia yg ingetin aku supaya ‘nagih’ kadonya ke Dia… hehehe…
Sebenernya ada 3 hal sih yg paling banyak mengkonsumsi pikiran aku… 2 hal pertama dirahasiakan aja yah huehehe… yg ke-3 ini berhubungan sama keinginan aku utk mengetahui panggilan hidup aku yg seutuhnya dan menjalaninya…

Tau kan kalian, kl semua org jg ingin hidupnya berguna… Nah baru2 ini aku juga dpt conviction lg kl tujuan hidup aku itu intinya cuma satu: memuliakan nama Tuhan, to glorify His name, to give my life as a living sacrifice for Jesus Christ, the Lord… Kalo pun aku sukses jd wanita karir, kaya raya, berhasil, kalo semua itu bukan ditujukan utk kemuliaan Tuhan, maka sama aja hidup aku ga bakal berasa ‘pas’… pasti msh trs ada yg kurang… krn inner satisfaction dlm hati aku itu hrs dipenuhi, n I believe it is God…
Dia yg udah ciptaiin aku dgn tujuan menyenangkan hatiNya…

Sama kalo misalnya aku membuat suatu karya yg bagus, misalnya aja sebuah lukisan… Selama proses pembuatannya aku enjoy, pas udah jadi pun aku sangat menikmati looking at the painting at all time whenever possible, krn aku tau I’m the one who paint it, I am the creator…
Sama juga sama Tuhan yg udah ciptaiin aku pun begitu, He delights in me, and that is truth yg sangat berharga, ga semua org bisa yakin Tuhan itu delight in them… n ini butuh hati yg terbuka dan kasih Tuhan ijin buat berkerja dlm hati mrk itu utk mrk juga bisa dpt conviction yg sama dlm hati mrk…

Nah, stlh Tuhan ingetin lagi tujuan utama hidup aku itu utk menyenangkan Dia (above all my personal ambitions), tentu aku pengen tau dalam hal khusus spt apa aku bisa menyenangkan Dia, apa panggilan hidup aku sebenarnya… and I tell you, this is a process yg bs exciting, bs juga jd bikin stress sendiri kl ga bener cara nanganinnya (berdasarkan pengalaman hehe…)

Stlh malam ini aku hbs baca bukunya Iin Tjipto “Panggilan Tuhan” yg br aku beli di seminarnya Yusak Tjipto di Balai Samudera Kelapa Gading tadi, aku ngerti bbrp hal:

1. Panggilan itu beda sama perkerjaan.

Org yg menganggap sesuatu yg dia kerjakan sebagai panggilan Tuhan, dia bakal ngerjain itu dgn sukacita dan sukarela. Instead of expecting dibayar, mrk yg justru bayar harga spy bisa memenuhi panggilan itu…
Jd misalnya kalo di gereja aku skrg pelayanan jd singer, kl aku menganggap itu sebagai perkerjaan aku, aku bakal nuntut acknowledgment, praise, atau ‘bayaran’ lainnya utk satifsy my own self. Tp kl aku ngerti itu panggilan Tuhan, aku justru yg akan dgn senang hati memberikan diriku semasa aku bisa memberkati org lain lwt hal yg aku bisa lakukan ini, yg sbnrnya juga kemampuannya diksh dari Tuhan sebagai semata-mata kasih karunia…

2. Org yg tdk menemukan panggilannya akan selalu membandingkan dirinya dgn org lain

Dia ga akan merasa puas kalo liat org lain kok kerjaanya begitu sdgkan aku cuma begini, dan berbagai macam keluhan lainnya. Nah dlm hal ini juga nih aku ditegur. Seringkali aku ngerasa aku ini agak-agak ga berguna hanya krn liat org lain kok lbh sukses n keliatannya lbh dipake sama Tuhan lewat kesaksian hidup yg bisa dia bagi mengenai kesuksesannya itu… Malam ini aku ditegur dan diajar, aku memiliki suatu panggilan yg khusus, yg unik dari Tuhan, dan bukan aku yg mengaturnya, tapi Tuhan.
Dengan banding2in sama org lain aku bs kehilangan fokus, kehilangan sukacita, bahkan kehilangan panggilan Tuhan yg udah secara khusus Tuhan ksh buat aku… bahaya loh kl sikap hati kaya gini ga dgn cepat aku rubah.. Makanya makasih banget buat Tuhan udah ingetin aku lewat bukunya Iin Tjipto mlm ini…

3. Org yg ga menerima panggilan ato ga mengenali panggilan Tuhan buat diri mrk, cenderung menghakimi org lain.
Alasannya? Mrk terlalu kebanyakkan waktu alias menganggur. Krn ga berusaha utk mengenal panggilan dlm hidup mrk, mrk jdnya sibuk melihat ke luar, ke mana aja deh pokoknya asal bukan liat ke dalam diri sendiri.

Ini 3 lessons di antara sekian banyaknya aku belajar mlm ini lwt buku yg aku baca…
Ini jg mepet banget sih sbnrnya udah mau tidur, tp pengen banget pikiranku dituang ke dlm bentuk tulisan, jdnya mlm2 pun yaudah deh online aja.. tdnya bahkan mau update dr BB aja tanpa hrs repot2 nyalaiin laptop, tp ternyata susah bo haha..

Hmmm.. sekian dl deh… bsk disambung lg crita2nya

God bless you all!

For All Women Out There ;)

Who said becoming women is easy or easier than men?

I’ve just read this article by John Piper, one of my fave authors, and these are the challenges that women of God have to face (girls, embrace yourself! ):

1. That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God

2. That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing

3. That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven

4. That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching. That meditation on Biblical truth be the source of hope and faith

5. That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God would open to you; and the power of faith and holiness would descend upon you; and your spiritual influence would increase at home and at church and in the world

6. That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God, that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers and believers of these things

7. That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific role, that you not fritter your time away on soaps or ladies magazines or aimless hobbies. That you redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom

8. That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married

9. That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer

10. That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children who hope in the triumph of God, sharing with him the teaching and discipline of the children, and giving to the children that special nurturing touch and care that you are uniquely fitted to give

11. That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world.

That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom— to be in the employ of someone telling you what to do to make his business prosper, or to be God’s free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God’s business prosper? And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or yuppie lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what will strengthen the family and advance the cause of Christ.

12. That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life’s ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things (very important!)—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment choices, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finding God’s will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success.

13. That you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might.

14. That in all your relationships with men you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in applying the Biblical vision of manhood and womanhood. To understand your unique role as what I call “gracious leadership”, a leadership which involves elements of protection and care and initiative.

15. That you see Biblical guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women in relation to each other.

Spend some time to think about those challenges and roles that God has offered for us. Surely women are unique. If God has loved us so much, surely even much more we deserve from men, but don’t chase after their approval! It is your right, to be loved. Women are not beggars hihihi… We are indeed valuable human being, beautifully created, fearfully and wonderfully made by our mighty God

God bless all my girlfriends