We may be used to hearing John 3:16 and can memorize it without effort, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." But do we truly understand the weight of this love? How much it cost God, and His Son Jesus?
Do you often feel like there’s so much to do and so little time in your hands? Or you constantly find yourself in a rat race, endless chasing and chased by deadlines, feeling unable to breathe and rest? Here’s the common-sense unsolicited advice you may not want to hear: you might be taking in too much more than you can handle, and you need to let go of things to recalibrate and be able to do the rest of what you need/want to do.
Do you know the feeling of watching a suspense thriller movie and being surprised by a plot twist that turns things around and makes you go "woooahh-ly!"? That's how I felt when God revealed to me the depth of pride and unforgiveness in my heart. I had another scales-falling-off-from-my-eyes enlightenment moment as I realized that the faults I had been accusing and criticizing my husband of were actually a reflection of the very sins in my heart. Oh, the shock, the humiliation; yet also the overwhelming grace and comfort I felt through this rollercoaster.
The Boy and the Beast (バケモノの子) apparently left such a big impression on me that I am remembering it during this time of Prayer and Fasting, as I read about the “Scalpel of the Spirit,” putting on the mighty armor of God, the “Sword of the Spirit” which is His Word. With the mention of the Spiritual Warfare, I am reminded of scenes in the movie, when both the protagonist and antagonist were in moments of despair, and in different moments and circumstances, allows it to take root in their hearts. It was, for me, a clear example of how giving in…
One of the greatest blessing of this Prayer & Fasting time, for me, is bringing me back to the discipline of prayer. A prayer to start the day, praying during break time, in quiet moments, when I am in the toilet. LOL. Like really. I continue to pray that God will continue to open up my heart, to remind me of people–family, friends, loved ones–make me have the burden to pray for them, help me not to take them for granted, and be grateful for them, always. As I remember and pray for them, I am reminded of the time…
It’s Prayer&Fasting Week, and while here I am in the middle of it, my mind continues to think of other things I have to be fasting for. Also half-doubting whether my promised one-meal fasting is indeed the way to go, having unable to transform my lunch into meaning time with the Lord. At least this Day 1, and most likely in Day 3 as we will have the English lunch. To join or to fast? Decide, Jenny! But more than that, I am slowly but surely, realizing my major time-wasters in the past: – ふらふらする: wandering anywhere without a specific…
“The psalmist wrote, ‘The heavens proclaim the glory of God; The skies display his craftmanship’ (Ps. 19:1) God’s handiwork is a spectacle that, rightly understood, should not only take our breath away but inspire us to worship and praise our God as it did the psalmist David. […] encountering the wonders of God’s creation should inspire, at the least, a heart of gratitude. Are we grateful?”