22.

Thank you God, for it is by your grace and mercy that I managed to come to the end of my NS liability. It has been an enriching journey and a great test of faith. I have to admit, that I have stumbled and struggled. It hasn't been the easiest of 22 months. I recognize what Jesus has done on the cross for me, I want to live out a Christ-centered life. Looking back, I realized that I have grown quite a bit. My walk with Jesus has never been so close before. In just 22 months, I have changed, for the better I hope.

Thank you Lord, you are just so wonderful and praise-worthy. Your love is beyond all measure.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Psalm 25:1-5

Beyond Measure

What constitutes love? Is it how much you are willing to pay for a meal? Or is it how much you are willing to sacrifice? It is dangerous to put our own definition to what love is. The idea of human love is often one filled with the warm and fuzzy feelings, or the feeling of being pampered. Is that what love is? I beg to differ. When we love, we shouldn't be thinking of ourselves and how much the other party can serve us. The very fact the the feelings mean so much is already revealing to us and others that we are more concerned about how we feel. That in itself is selfish.

So, what's love? Some Christians, without thinking further and considering the context, would quote 1 Corinthians 13's famous verses. "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV) Yes, that is love. That's the love that God shows us. It is the perfect love that only God can give. But, let's look at God's love in its context and the dynamics of it. What is the basis of God's love for us? Is it warm and fuzzy? No! It is for he loves us so much, that he sent his own son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. It was a bloody and painful one. For someone to die on a cross, he has to be a big time criminal. So much that being hung by a noose would be too light a sentence. To die on the cross entails humiliation, torture and a slow death. It could be one of the worst forms of execution or punishment available, not to mention how gruesome and bloody it is. This is love. God's love.

I will cringe every time I remind myself of how God loves His children. By his grace, I have heard the Good News. By His grace, He has forgiven my sins because Christ has died on the cross even before I was born. Through Christ, I'm confident of my salvation and I'm assured of eternal life.

Who can measure up to God's love? We as mere humans fall short of it by more than what I can imagine. It is wider, deeper and longer and has more capacity that one can ever fathom. But we should still always try to follow God's example of love, one that is humble and willing to put the interest of God first.

How will you love then? Are you still desiring to have the warm and fuzzy feeling to be the first and immediate outcome?

Seek.

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NASB)

Come messy.

The Lord's Prayer
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.' (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

Go to God with a burdened and battered soul, go to Him as you are. Go to Him messy.

Pray.

twist.

Not all things in life go as what we have planned.

If it really goes as what humans have planned, loads of people wouldn't be out of job and many others wouldn't be in severe poverty. Do not be upset if things do not go your way, sometimes they are just not meant to. When we feel that we are out of control, someone is in control. He is always in control.

It all boils down to matter of faith and how much we trust in the Lord. I have to admit, things aren't as rosy as people see all the time. I have faced tough times too. I've been in situations where things are just not right and I feel awful. Most of the time, I will be able to pick myself up from where I stumbled and find my way out in Jesus Christ. It can be plain, given to you on your hands. Other times, it's like a maze. You are lost, and you have to find your way out. It's not as easy as it seems, it may take a lot more than what I'd usually need.

I'm glad that I've made it through this far in life. I'm thankful for what I've received, the people around me and most importantly, having known such a great and wonderful God. Because of what Jesus did on the cross for me, I can look into the mirror with confidence and tell myself that I'm saved from sin, and I have received the greatest gift in life. Thank you Jesus!

Creamy Goodness.

I got my inspiration to make this simple and healthy cream pasta from my dear Oli. I have never ventured into avocados because I thought they were hard to handle and expensive. I was pretty wrong about both. It's easy to handle, relatively easy to pick and I managed to get it at a dollar a pop.

What you'll need (serves 2):
1 ripe avocado, pitted and diced
Fusilli (enough to feed 2)
Cream
3 portobello mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves of garlic
Miso paste
Basil
Thyme
Parmesan/Romano cheese, grated
Butter

Steps:
1. Put a suitable amount of water to boil in a deep pot. Salted water is optional. Chuck the dried pasta into the boiling water, set your timer running according to what's indicated on the packaging.

2. While your pasta is cooking, heat up a frying pan. To a oil free and dry pan, add in the sliced mushrooms. Watch them 'scream' and 'squeal' on the got pan. It'll last for about 3 minutes.

3. Add in a knob of butter to the mushrooms. Followed by the garlic. Turn down the heat, you don't want the garlic get burnt and taste bitter.

4. Then put in 4 tbs of cream to the pan. Add the chopped basil and thyme. To finish up your sauce, add in about 2tsp of miso paste. Stir well. You can add water to make sure the miso gets mixed into the sauce.

5. Your pasta should be somewhat cooked by now. Drain it, add into the pan with the sauce. Turn off the heat. Add in the cheese, give it a good toss.

6. Mix the hot pasta with the avocado in a large bowl. Serve with more grated cheese.


Health benefits of avocado:
http://www.fatburningfurnace.com/blog/avocado-nutrition-facts-–-health-benefits-of-avocado

Choosing an avocado:
http://www.avocadocentral.com/how-to/how-to-pick-how-to-buy-avocados

Enjoy your creamy treat!

count.

it's not only about how much you do, or how good you do it. the intention is important too.

Day #265. 25 days to go.