A Cup of Blessings

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

My Emmaus Journey

Let’s face it, we all go on countless journeys and life takes us along many a winding turns and narrow streets. But, how many of us have taken a spiritual trip along the ‘Road to Emmaus’ just like those two disciples did long time ago? I had the opportunity of travelling on mine a few months ago when I embarked on an Evangelisation Course at our Church. It all began on a cool Saturday afternoon. However, the setting was nothing like the rocky road that those disciples travelled. Our journey took place in the church grounds. We students were grouped together and each one had to choose a partner for the journey. Before embarking on this journey, everyone had to be blindfolded. After that, we made our way all along the church grounds taking on the characters of the two disciples many years ago. When my partner and I started the journey, we didn’t know what to expect. We were a little perplexed, weary and hopeless. We also had many reservations about the entire journey. But, as we journeyed along, we spoke about the many struggles each other were facing. My partner had a problem with her daughter who was in a relationship with someone of another faith and she was also managing a dysfunctional marriage. On the other hand, I was coping with a crisis wherein my father was in denial over his substance abuse problem and I was also trying to endure my constant bouts of depression. We chatted and listened to each other all the time. Although our challenges were different, we could relate to one another as mothers and as sisters in Christ. We could offer each other support and some godly advice. In the beginning, it seemed as if nothing was going to change our mood. But, when we reached “Emmaus” our frame of mind underwent a drastic transformation. In our hearts we knew God was walking alongside us even though we never noticed his presence. And as our journey came to an end, everyone could but stare at us in awe! That previous air of uneasiness was replaced by profound joy radiating from our eyes to our faces. God is alive! God is real! God’s love is everlasting.

Verse: 30. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Luke 24:30-32 [NIV]

Prayer: Lord, thank you for accompanying us on our Emmaus journey. Please help us to never lose faith in you and to know that you are always with us no matter what our circumstances. Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins and rising again. Amen

Have you travelled on your road to Emmaus yet?

Have a blessed day,

Cheryl

Monday, October 11, 2010

Comfort to you my friend, if you have lost a loved one

My friend, today

in God I pray

that you will find

some peace of mind

That God will be

forever near

to wipe away

your every tear

And that His grace

will strengthen you

And shelter you

in love anew

Your anchor he

will be in time

A spiritual safe-haven

when rocky roads you climb

And when you think

he’s far away,

God’s always there

to address

your every care

In the morning

and at night

He will fight

your every plight

And in Him that

perfect peace you’ll find

A precious gift

call peace divine

That inner peace

beyond compare

Will make you all

your sorrows bear

So hope in God with

all your heart

‘cause his love in you

will not depart

Even in those times

of death

His kindness and grace

will give you rest

And in God’s promise

Is hope of what’s to come

A new life and heaven

with God’s very own Son

So, let His word be

your guiding light

And keep that Holy

fire burning bright

Sunday, October 10, 2010

What legacy are you and I going to leave behind?

I was reading a “Guide to a better life” by Randy Pausch a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Before he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008, Dr Pausch inspired many people through his highly acclaimed book, “The Last Lecture”.

I was inspired by his love for his family and the fact that he wanted to leave a legacy for his wife and children despite the short time he had left on this earth. His courage was phenomenal! In spite of his circumstances, he still wanted to motivate others to reach for their dreams. Dr Pausch was an amazing human being. What a legacy to leave behind!

Here are some of the points he mentioned in a Guide on how to improve one’s life:

Personality:

1. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

2. Don’t have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

3. Don’t overdo; keep your limits.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously; no one else does.

5. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

6. Dream more while you are awake.

7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

8. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partners of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.

10. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

13. Smile and laugh more.

14. You don’t have to win every argument.

15. Call your family often.

16. Each day give something good to others.

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

19. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

20. What other people think of you is none of your business.

21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.

23. GOD heals everything.

24. Do the right things.

25. However good or bad the situation is, it will change.

26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

27. The best is yet to come.

28. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

While practising all of the above, I would like to share this knowledge with all of you so that you in turn will pass this treasured gift onto everyone who crosses your path on a daily basis. This will enrich your life and the lives of all those around you.

What legacy are you and I going to leave behind?

Prayer: Lord, let me leave a legacy behind that is worthy of your praise. Help me to be forever grateful of the precious time I have here on earth and let me live every day as if it were my last. Help me to always live in your light and be a blessing to all who crosses my path. This I pray in your wonderful name. Amen.

Be Blessed,

Cheryl

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The God of Hope

Stuff I've Done

Here is a list of Stuff I’ve Done – or not

I came across this list on Jenna’s The Joyful Journey blog. I tweaked it a little bit and just thought it would be great to see what I have done and what I haven’t or what I would like to do. If you’d like to try it, why not copy the list and mark the things you’ve done in bold or whatever colour you’d like to use. I’ve marked mine in red. Enjoy the journey!