Hoa Phuong

The hoa phuong (caesalpinieae delonix regia) is a flower that blooms in Vietnam during the months of April to June. The fiery orange red color of this flower is a reminder to me to fan the flame in my heart. May I live to the fullest as God has purposed me to be.

Midnight Meditation

Just before I call it a day, I asked God for a word of encouragement. I got Gen 3:16. Not really an encouragement per se because this is the curse of Eve when she disobeyed God. However, I would have to say that I consider it an encouragement for if I get to suffer as Eve did, it means I (a single person now) would be having children. Whether this is speaking in the natural (bearing children of my own to take care of) or the spiritual (birthing spiritual children as I share my faith in Jesus), I would still be joyful as bearing children is a beautiful thing, though painful.

So I will meditate on this as I sleep and will believe that God has wonderful things in store for me. In pain, yet I will praise...

Porcelain Heart

The other day, I was talking with my dear friend about 'love'--a favorite subject to many but may be, a painful one to some. I heard once that whenever people fall in love, they sort of give a piece of their heart to that special someone. The problem with falling in love is it hurts when no one is there to catch you. *Ouch* And somehow people end up with broken hearts. So I jokingly told her we should call the pieces of our broken hearts back home so that our hearts becomes whole once again. However, there's an error to that thought. We may have the power to call back pieces of our hearts but they remain broken. Only God has the power to mend our broken hearts.

So, I just want to share this beautiful song by Barlow Girl that speaks exactly about the fragile, porcelain heart. Please do meditate on Isaiah 61:3. We don't have to remain broken...

Here's the lyrics and click the title to listen to the song:

"Porcelain Heart"

Broken heart one more time

Pick yourself up, why even cry

Broken pieces in your hands

Wonder how you'll make it whole

[Chorus:]

You know, you pray

This can't be the way

You cry, you say

Something's gotta change

And mend this porcelain heart of mine

Someone said "A broken heart

Would sting at first then make you stronger"

You wonder why this pain remains

Were hearts made whole just to break

Creator only You take brokenness

And create it into beauty once again

The Discipline of Study

I've read the book Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster several times. Once as a part of our local church singles bible study, then as a subject in a formal class, then another as a part of a seminar. It has become one of my 'manuals' in growing and staying strong as a believer.

But today, my attention is caught by the fifth chapter, Study. So after re-reading the chapter, I'm thinking of which book to study next?�

I started on Nouwen's "Reaching Out" but have gotten trapped in chapter two. I've been reading the Bible in a year but have gotten stuck in 1 Kings. I simply don't feel like reading the books anymore and am wanting to skip to another chapter or maybe skip the book entirely. But then the chapter reminds us that, "We want life-transforming truth, not just good feelings. We are willing to pay the price of barren day after barren day until the meaning is clear." True discipline of study means sticking to it, faithfully until we receive from God what He wants us to understand. Only then can we receive transformation. I guess I am not the faithful follower I've always believed I am. I've loved myself more than God. I've done what is comfortable and what is easy.�

So, join me in praying for a new desire to follow the discipline of study--for me to read a book until I finish it because I know it's what God wants me to read. I pray the same for all of you as you discover your heart for studying His word and His ways.

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