Juanita’s blog

I often hear people complaining that they are getting old when they celebrate their birthdays. I use to do that too. But, now, after hearing a speech given by a good friend of mine at her 21st birthday party, I enjoy "getting old" each year. She said getting one year older is knowing that God is good to her and granting her another year to live. She said its so wonderful to know that God has been taking care of her for so many years. A year of birthday means another year of God’s goodness and grace. How blessed are we when we celebrate our birthdays. How thankful am I to have another year to live to celebrate my birthday this year. Looking back, I see God’s abundant loving kindness towards me, all I want is just to praise Him. I know that I am never alone and aimless in this life, because of the assurance God has given me. Our lives is a gift from God, we should live it for Him. God grant us another year to live is because He wants to accomplish His purpose through us, isn’t it amazing that we can serve Him by just living a life that’s pleasing unto Him and not just about serving Him in the front line.

As I’m turning 23, I want to thank the Lord for my parents and my dearest sis Melissa, not forgetting our cute doggie lassie. I thank the Lord for giving me such a loving family and godly parents that has taught me so well in life. I thank the Lord for my sis whose always supporting me. Growing up, we never keep any secrets from each other. I miss you so much and the times we spend together as sisters. This year will be my 3rd year celebrating my birthday without you, dad, mom and lassie. I love you daddy, mommy and melissa. Love you all heaps. I pray that God will watch over my family and grant them good health and many blessings.

I thank the Lord for my friends back in Malaysia and look forward to see you all again in the future, God willing. Must go out "mamak" stall and have a cup of "teh tarik" and "roti canai" when I go back!!!! I misses my primary school friends, my secondary school friends, college friends, church friends….all my good friends back home.

I thank the Lord for my church family. Hope BP Church is a blessing to me. I thank the Lord that He has brought me here to Adelaide to attend Hope BP church and meet such wonderful bunch of people.

I thank the Lord for my special friend, you know who you are. I’m so glad for your presence in my life.

I would like to share one of my favourite poem:

In my moments of fear, through every pain, every tear, there’s a God who’s been faithful to me.

When my strength was all gone, when my heart had no song. Still in love He’s proved faithful to me.

Every word He’s promised is true, what I thought was impossible, I see my God do. He’s been faithful, faithful to me.

Looking back His love and mercy I see. Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe, yet, He’s been faithful, faithful to me.

When my heart looked away, the many times I could not pray. Still my God He was faithful to me.

The days I spent so selfishly, reaching out for what pleased me, even then my God was faithful to me.

Every time I come back to Him, He is waiting with open arms. And I see once again, He’s been faithful, faithful to me.

My best friend once told me, "You can never please everyone". I totally agree with him. The journey of being a YAF committee has not been an easy and smooth sailing ride so far, but I thank the Lord because if it weren’t for all these tripping stones, we can never learn how to grow as a Christian. So, I count them blessings. Today’s conversation with my beloved sisters in the YAF committee made me think back why I become a committee member in the first place, that is to serve God with the bonus life that He has granted to me. I know who I’m serving and who I’m dedicating my work to, I pray that God will never let me loose that focus. Not everybody gets a second chance in life, but I had, and it was all because of Jesus.

We should never be a complaining servant but only to submit to His will. If we know that we are not good enough, then the more we need to depend on God for His strength and wisdom. How I thank the Lord for every YAFers in Hope church. Throughout the years, many of you have grown spiritually and also in your conduct. Friendships and bonds have form throughout the years and it is such a wonderful thing to know that we are one big family.

A wise man told me that he will be patience with others, because everytime he thinks back about how God has been patience with him as a sinner, he too, learn to become patience with others. It takes time for changes, but I will learn to be patience, because I know that God is patience towards me as a wretched being.

I pray that the YAFers may experience breakthrough in their lives and to always challenge ourselves to live our best for Jesus. This week is Passion Week. Pastor Ki’s prayer this morning send tears strolling down my eyes. I pray that we may take time to ponder upon the true meaning of the cross, where the lamb was slain and cried out "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me". He did not have to hung on the cross, but because of you and I and our iniquities, He chose to obey His Father’s will. Hymn 199: "I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown".

To my dearest YAF committee members, you know who your are, I love you all. When we are weary, when we are discourage, when we are burdened, when we are burnt out, remember the cross where Jesus died, it will refresh us, sustain us, uphold us and never fail us. Blessed easter.