In all things give thanks..

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hardamong you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

As the start of a new year begins and another has past it is timely for reflections, learnings and experiences. 

2012 was a massive year - I got married and finished my masters as two major milestones - all thanks to God. It was a year where I got to travel a lot to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hainan, Sydney, Paihia, Queenstown, Glenorchy. But most importantly, I was able to do most of this with my family :) It seems like I was lucky to be able to travel so much but sacrifices were made and in particular my family made many to make this happen. I thank God that He has given me such an awesome family!

It was also not an easy year full of changes and not so great experiences however with each of these God helped me to be stronger. Not to mention that it was supposed to be the end of the world! But what I've learnt is that with most things.. You have a choice. To be happy, sad, joyful, bitter, thankful, resentful, free, full of regret and so on. HOW you choose to respond to what is given to you is your choice. Life is also short and fragile so it's important to take time and appreciate what others do for you. As the Bible verse says.. Let them know that you appreciate their help too!

Late last year, I had the opportunity to finally go to Queenstown. It was the perfect end to my year and was the break I needed. It is such a beautiful place and words can't describe it. It is the most peaceful place that I have been to and everything seems to just look after itself. I know some people will think that it is such a boring place to live but there is something about the energy in Queenstown and it's surrounds that you would never get in the city. 

Not only did I get a break but what I also realised is that all the mountains, lakes, fields etc are all virtually untouched, the farms are so huge and farmers just let their sheep wander and nature just does it's thing. God looks after such massive structures like the Southern Alps all the way down to the farms and the grass. So what more could God do with my life? How much more can He help me?

After this trip, my brother-in-law also had a few thoughts and came up with this which I think is really good to remind us of what giving thanks is about. He is an avid photographer and of course really loves a place like Queenstown and surrounds. However, this year when he went back with us, the lakes had changed and he was not able to get the same photos as what he did previously. He was upset but what he realised was that the photos he took last year was actually rare and could only happen under certain circumstances - at the time he actually didn't realise how special the photos were. At the time the weather wasn't great so he wasn't expecting great photos. This year we had great weather and he couldn't take the same photos.

Whatever happens in 2013 I will try to remember my favourite verse - "it's not about what I can do but it's about what God can do":

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations;  I will be exalted in the earth.”

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

A sad time..

So this blog is beginning to look like a pretty sad one and that my life is full of sad things around me. I still believe that God is looking after me and others despite what has happened.

Yesterday, a student fell from the top level of the building where I work. Unfortunately a lot of students were witnesses to this tragedy as it was inside the building and I saw the aftermath (I really thank God that my plans had somehow changed so I actually missed seeing the fall - if I saw it, I think I would be in an even worse state). My first thoughts were - is it a student that I've seen? Did I miss something and could have helped him? Turns out it was a student I know but not too well. The sadness hit me almost immediately. I was shaking but had to see my second student who seemed indifferent to what had happened. Two weeks ago, a non-student hung himself in one of our gardens. Yesterday was his memorial service. Last week, I saw a girl crying and I thought she was breaking up with her boyfriend until she shouted "I can't get a B, I need to get an A". My regret was I didn't stop to comfort her.

I feel sad that there is so much emphasis on getting a tertiary education and don't get me wrong, I believe that going to study is really important. Lately there have been so many stories about students not being able to get jobs and the competition between students is incredible. They panic each other and more and more I have to do damage control. The flip side is that students then end up with so much pressure that it might only take one bad exam to tip them over the edge. We will never know what made these students choose to do what they did. I hope that we don't have a trend that will continue. I hope that students who are under pressure and stress seek help. That's the best advice I can give. No matter how hard things seem and it feels like things can't change - go talk to someone, pray, see a counsellor, anything. Your education is important but it's not the end of the world if things don't go the way as planned. Many successful people have failed in life and that's what makes them stronger and successful. But definitely seeking help, as hard as it may be, is so important. I pray that students who are in need can get the help and support that they need.

I will never look at that area and students studying before their exams the same again. My greatest fear in my job has always been - will I miss someone, could have helped them so that they don't end their life in tragedy? And who will be next?

Today was a nice one. I went out with some colleagues to buy some flowers for the little memorial we have in the place that it had happened. I felt that it gave me some strength to face that area again - I have to walk past it almost every day. It also gave me some peace, knowing that he is in a better place and people do care. I hope his family is getting support too and that God will look after his family in this time. I'm glad that some of colleagues were by him before his last breath, giving him comfort and peace in the spiritual sense.

I accidentally deleted the photos of the flowers I got, so here is the other one that I bought to remind myself and others that there is alway HOPE. And perhaps more than ever, we need God's love and His reign over us.  A song that I am listening to is "Lord won't You reign" by Journey of 7 (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/journeyof7). Hopefully it can help everyone during this time.

King of kings and Lord of lords

The name above all names

Ever lasting word of God

The author of my life

Jesus, you're everything I'm not

And I need your goodness in my life

So Lord won't You reign

Reign over us

Take hold of us

Bring me to Your side

So Lord won't You reign

Reign over us

Fill this heart of mine

And give it all to You

Reign over us

Son of man and Son of God

The Shepherd of my soul

Take away all my burdens 

And nail  them on the cross

Jesus, you're everything I'm not

And I need your goodness in my life

Heaven and earth will pass away

But Your love will never ever fade

Deep down in my heart

I know there is nothing good

So help me put my trust in You