One week after the most inredible day of my life I now find myself a happliy married woman spoilt with love :) Im reminded every morning when I wake up how good God has been to V&I giving us each other.
V is already demonstrating lots of good husband qualities and though marriage does present it's own challenges & more opportunities to iron out our differences we do make sure that we have lots of fun along the way and laugh often in between hard conversations which Im sure every newly wed couples will have to learn to navigate through. God's been so gracious towards us in so many ways helping us to stretch constructively in this new phase of life & bringing the right couples to support us as well as share their wisdom with us. Im now so much more in love with Vince than ever before, it's so great to have a husband around the house and even better I no longer have to catch MASSIVE spiders & kill mossies at night coz V does it all!
We had Vince's family with us in our little crib in Rosebery for the first few days after the wedding, it turned out to be an enjoyable time for all of us so guess I didn't need to stress afterall since his family was of much fun to be with especially his 1yr old nephew Nathan who is just so adorable!
We are looking forward to our honeymoon in Jan and can't wait to meet the kids in the Phillipines who will get to goto school coz of the generous giving from our guests at the wedding. We raised nearly $3000 for the Hop-e project, V&I felt so privileged to be entrusted with much and are prompted to top it up to whatever amount for 50 kids to be put through the learning program next year. We are definitely feeling the stretch financially especially after we sat down with the ANZ financial planner last week to talk about our long term financial plans but God has been nothing but faithful in His provision for us as a young couple and it seems the more we give out of a place of gratitude the more He meets our needs in the most unexpected ways.
We are so overwhelmed by the very nature of God and the evidence of His faithfulness that He does not withhold good from those who love Him.
It was so good to be back to church again this morning after being away for a week. Im excited about getting His house ready for the christmas production coming up next weekend which is going be WICKED! Lots of exiting things happening @ Hillsong throughout next weekend including Christmas Spectacular (St&Sun) and Christmas Festival on Dank St (Sun)! Anyone who is around Sydney next weekend don't forget to come along and be part of the celebration! For more info please visit http://myhillsong.com/christmasspec!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Where is your heart?
After reading John Temple's thoughts on the contrasts between World vs God's view on money, I've been thinking a lot about the idea of 'stewardship' in the context of what God originally intended when He 'placed Adam in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
The revelation for me here is that everything on earth is on loan to us, EVERYTHING. Including our time, possessions, business affair, money and much more that we consider as our belongings.
Adam didn't 'make' the garden thus considering it 'his own'. It was entrusted to him to maintain and manage.
Somewhere along the line humanity seem to have forgotten the principle behind His timeless reminder for the Old Testament nation of Israel "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, and it is this day." Deuteronomy 8V17-18.
No doubt it's easier for us to consider everything that we have or worked hard for - cars, house, career, income, holidays...etc as OURS - so the world tells us. The culture driven by consumerism is clearly reflected in the unstable economy of 21st century as people engage in a lifestyle that features increasing need/greed to consum more, live better life and spend over/above the necessities - all for one's own pleasure.
Why does our world still hunger for more when 80% of the population in the First World Countries are ranking at world's top 20% for quality of life? I can't help but notice the crazy reality that most people are more than willing to invest their treasure and hearts into what doesn't satisfy their soul, because if it did they will not be left still craving for more while living in abundance.
Jesus said "where your treausre is there your heart will be also" Matthew 6v21. Are we just naive or are we insane to give our hearts away like that?
Proverbs 30v8 reminds me that neither rich or poor is the issue but what's true and always will be is that God is faithful in providing for our daily needs. Infact, any one who walks with God is already filled with the richness of His promises, wisdom and love - and these are the treasures that we will carry into eternity when the temporary in this world fades.
It's only when people fully undertstand their purpose by design that they are enpowered to live as Paul encouraged in his letters to the Ephesians church "to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasuare [in heaven] for themselves as a foundation for the future" 1 Tim 6v18-19.
The revelation for me here is that everything on earth is on loan to us, EVERYTHING. Including our time, possessions, business affair, money and much more that we consider as our belongings.
Adam didn't 'make' the garden thus considering it 'his own'. It was entrusted to him to maintain and manage.
Somewhere along the line humanity seem to have forgotten the principle behind His timeless reminder for the Old Testament nation of Israel "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, and it is this day." Deuteronomy 8V17-18.
No doubt it's easier for us to consider everything that we have or worked hard for - cars, house, career, income, holidays...etc as OURS - so the world tells us. The culture driven by consumerism is clearly reflected in the unstable economy of 21st century as people engage in a lifestyle that features increasing need/greed to consum more, live better life and spend over/above the necessities - all for one's own pleasure.
Why does our world still hunger for more when 80% of the population in the First World Countries are ranking at world's top 20% for quality of life? I can't help but notice the crazy reality that most people are more than willing to invest their treasure and hearts into what doesn't satisfy their soul, because if it did they will not be left still craving for more while living in abundance.
Jesus said "where your treausre is there your heart will be also" Matthew 6v21. Are we just naive or are we insane to give our hearts away like that?
Proverbs 30v8 reminds me that neither rich or poor is the issue but what's true and always will be is that God is faithful in providing for our daily needs. Infact, any one who walks with God is already filled with the richness of His promises, wisdom and love - and these are the treasures that we will carry into eternity when the temporary in this world fades.
It's only when people fully undertstand their purpose by design that they are enpowered to live as Paul encouraged in his letters to the Ephesians church "to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasuare [in heaven] for themselves as a foundation for the future" 1 Tim 6v18-19.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Seeing human nature, and therefore ourselves, as capable of so much MORE
The past few weeks has been a bit of a stretch in my trust & confidence in God's unfailing character and guidance as V&I prepare ourselves for a lifetime of sharing our faith, hearts, dreams and goals together.
We are not surprised that sometimes what we pictured in our mind of 'doing life together' actually looks quite different in the context of reality, where we experience the challenges ALSO the rewards of negotiating our way through our differences to find the safe common ground where can defend each other against the problems/external pressure we face rather than being defensive towards each other .
In Growing great marriages by Ian & Mary Grant, the authors talked about the importance of getting the right tools for resolving conflicts as couples can become unhelpfully defensive as their preferred 'safe option' when differences arise, and from there onwards they are no longer fighting about 'the issue'but they are fighting for deeper unresolved issues of their own significance.
Felt like the light bulb suddenly lit up as I munch through the insights & wisdom from the couple who have been married for over 40yrs. What I realised was that maybe afterall couples experience disagreement and conflicts not because they are so stubborn in their differing opinions but because they need reassurance from their important other half of their significance, especially when there is a seperation in their ideas & goals.
It's only less than two months till our wedding day and what God slowly peels away in meantime has given us a glimpse of the raw ingredients necessary for building a strong & healthy marriage, starting from love for God, respect, interdependence, ability to compromise, forgiveness, desiring the best for our marriage/partner, understanding each other's need and meeting them...and the list grows with our willingness to grow :)
End of the day it's hard to explain the miracle of two human beings wired up so differently staying & growing together through the changing season/cycles of life except the fact that the crazy idea of marriage was originally from God. Its in the context of marriage where God intended to bring the best out of humanity also in our limitation to love one another unconditionally that we may finally recognise the value of His perfect love for humanity and be humbled & encouraged by His example.
"...First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." 1 John 4v19 (msg)
"Positive conversations are like seeds that germinate to create belief and expectation. So what we plan is what will grown. Engage in spirited discussion, without putting each other down. Enjoy the cut and thrust of your differeing opinions and perspective. Think of each other as a valuable recource for ideas." - Ian & Mary Grant.
**Highly recommend Growing great marriages for practical wisdom & tools for drawing out the best of relationships!
We are not surprised that sometimes what we pictured in our mind of 'doing life together' actually looks quite different in the context of reality, where we experience the challenges ALSO the rewards of negotiating our way through our differences to find the safe common ground where can defend each other against the problems/external pressure we face rather than being defensive towards each other .
In Growing great marriages by Ian & Mary Grant, the authors talked about the importance of getting the right tools for resolving conflicts as couples can become unhelpfully defensive as their preferred 'safe option' when differences arise, and from there onwards they are no longer fighting about 'the issue'but they are fighting for deeper unresolved issues of their own significance.
Felt like the light bulb suddenly lit up as I munch through the insights & wisdom from the couple who have been married for over 40yrs. What I realised was that maybe afterall couples experience disagreement and conflicts not because they are so stubborn in their differing opinions but because they need reassurance from their important other half of their significance, especially when there is a seperation in their ideas & goals.
It's only less than two months till our wedding day and what God slowly peels away in meantime has given us a glimpse of the raw ingredients necessary for building a strong & healthy marriage, starting from love for God, respect, interdependence, ability to compromise, forgiveness, desiring the best for our marriage/partner, understanding each other's need and meeting them...and the list grows with our willingness to grow :)
End of the day it's hard to explain the miracle of two human beings wired up so differently staying & growing together through the changing season/cycles of life except the fact that the crazy idea of marriage was originally from God. Its in the context of marriage where God intended to bring the best out of humanity also in our limitation to love one another unconditionally that we may finally recognise the value of His perfect love for humanity and be humbled & encouraged by His example.
"...First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first." 1 John 4v19 (msg)
"Positive conversations are like seeds that germinate to create belief and expectation. So what we plan is what will grown. Engage in spirited discussion, without putting each other down. Enjoy the cut and thrust of your differeing opinions and perspective. Think of each other as a valuable recource for ideas." - Ian & Mary Grant.
**Highly recommend Growing great marriages for practical wisdom & tools for drawing out the best of relationships!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pre-wedding reflection
I find it lots of fun (most of the time hehe) discovering more about Vince through the wedding planning process, which can be bit overwhelming at times, but bless that man who has really been so patient and enduring when it comes to our differences. Someone should give him a trophy!
John (dentist I work with) and his wife are expecting their first bubba in 2 weeks so Im trying to get as much wedding planning done as possible before he gets preoccupied by the all the first-time-fatherhood excitment! Am taking the coming week off to go back to NZ & spend some time w family before being married off to the most amazing man on earth after Jesus hehe ;)
God's been good to V&I. The opportunity he has given us to grow & mature in our understanding of Him, of life and love really made us richer in so many ways regardless of how much earthly treasure we have.
There have been lots of things we have learnt to let go as God takes us through the learning curve of maturing in our love but the reality is that what we gained in our heart as we engage ourselves in God is really beyond measure and more than what human words can express.
The closest description I can think of is probably freedom & passion.
That's all from me now, will update y'all again in the near future but till then I'll continue to ponder on all the awesome things God has done and is doing as described so beautifully in Psalm 77...
Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts...you are the God who makes things happen...
xox
John (dentist I work with) and his wife are expecting their first bubba in 2 weeks so Im trying to get as much wedding planning done as possible before he gets preoccupied by the all the first-time-fatherhood excitment! Am taking the coming week off to go back to NZ & spend some time w family before being married off to the most amazing man on earth after Jesus hehe ;)
God's been good to V&I. The opportunity he has given us to grow & mature in our understanding of Him, of life and love really made us richer in so many ways regardless of how much earthly treasure we have.
There have been lots of things we have learnt to let go as God takes us through the learning curve of maturing in our love but the reality is that what we gained in our heart as we engage ourselves in God is really beyond measure and more than what human words can express.
The closest description I can think of is probably freedom & passion.
That's all from me now, will update y'all again in the near future but till then I'll continue to ponder on all the awesome things God has done and is doing as described so beautifully in Psalm 77...
Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts...you are the God who makes things happen...
xox
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