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The Illusion of the Right One: How I Found Freedom from the Lie

The Lie
Somewhere out there is my Mr. Right. When I find him, I will be whole and happy.

I know I bought this lie.

We have been inundated with movies and books brandishing fairytale-like love stories and insanely romantic love affairs filled with characters so in love and so “right” for each other; or preached at, by some of our churches and well-meaning Christian friends, that finding the “right Christian guy (or girl)” equals perfect happiness plus the assurance of a struggle-free marriage implying that Christians ought to have it all together. It is almost impossible not to think that we deserve the kind of love story portrayed in our modern-day media — that story with the right one — as we are skillfully bombarded with it daily. Our vision of marriage is that of a couple whose story opens with a great line and ends with an exceptional closing scene in which the length in between can be measured by the number of pages or hours. Continue reading “The Illusion of the Right One: How I Found Freedom from the Lie”

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I am in Paradise

The gentle wind blowing on my body and slightly brushing my hair off my face, the calm sound of the waves on my ears, and the grandiose beauty before my eyes while lying on Ao Nang beach have led me to think of God and to see His glory as magnificently orchestrated in this idyllic moment.

I am in paradise; and I am highly favored to be living here.
Continue reading “I am in Paradise”

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Once Upon A Time

Fairytales have always been my ultimate favorite genre in movies and books. At 32, stories of prince and princesses, of magical powers, and of fairies still make my heart jump with extreme delight. So it was without question that I would be gawking at the abc tv series “Once Upon A Time” when it first came out in 2011. I have been, without fail, following this show ever since. Continue reading “Once Upon A Time”

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Soldiers, Not In Uniform

Indeed, we are fighting soldiers not in uniform. The enemy’s tactics have always been deceitful and subtle. He doesn’t wave his flag and announce that his troops are coming. He takes forms that appear normal, even necessary, to us. He uses truths and objects that are genuine and twists them just a little; they’re almost unrecognizable, we don’t see them coming.

But we are different.
Continue reading “Soldiers, Not In Uniform”

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The Royal Priesthood: Differences Jesus Has Made In My Life

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth — Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.”   Psalm 40:2 – 3

We are now at the tail–end of our study of the book Esther, and I am simply out of words at how God has used this study (once more) to reveal fresh truths in my heart — in my life. It has helped me look at how God has shaped me over the years granting me more than enough grace I needed for each trial and triumph. Indeed, it has been an exciting walk with my God.

One of the questions we talked about during our study was: What differences has Jesus made in your life that are outward signs of your new identity as a member of the royal priesthood?

This made me reflect on my own journey with the Lord, on how I have grown in my relationship with Him, and on how He has continually reshaped my own view of the world. So, I started to make a list of the differences Jesus has made in my life that are not only outward signs of my new identity in Him, but are inward evidences of the work He is doing in me signifying that I am His child. Continue reading “The Royal Priesthood: Differences Jesus Has Made In My Life”

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On Haman and Pride

In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62:7, NKJV)

Eager for the Lord’s revelations, I have been studying the book of Esther with some of God’s warrior princesses. As we have been digging into the story of this beautiful and courageous woman of the Bible, I reflect on what God is saying and not saying on these pages of the Scripture. And on these pages, I am embarrassed to admit that I (unfortunately) see more of myself in Haman than I would want to think.

Maybe I am not alone on this. Maybe most of us, if not all of us, can identify with Haman’s obsession of himself.
Continue reading “On Haman and Pride”

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On Persistence

My God is persistent.  He is persistent on loving me, persistent on burning in me, persistent on keeping me wholly for Him. 

This is what He revealed to me about Himself in the last few weeks. 

October 19, 2012 was the expiration date of my Thai non-immigrant visa.  This visa is the hinge of all our documents here — my work permit, Jason’s visa — thus allowing us to legally stay in Krabi.  In February of this year, I acquired my U.S. citizenship in Hawaii where I was granted my US passport.  This event marked the end of a long process of making sure that it’s okay for me to stay out of the States for a very long time.  Continue reading “On Persistence”

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Staying Married is Not About Staying in Love (from "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper)

Marriage passes through breathtaking heights and through swamps with choking vapors.  It makes many things sweeter, and with it come bitter providences.      – John PiperIn a few days, Jason and I will be celebrating our second anniversary as a couple.  Still on the honeymoon stage, as many would say, and still such a young couple.  In some … Continue reading Staying Married is Not About Staying in Love (from "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper)