Knowing your enemy

I'm a Christian, not a Satanist... but I think it's time we get to know Satan more. Why?

Usually at church we talk about God a lot but we hardly talk about the Devil. I was reading up more Bible verses that talk about Satan and it's actually pretty useful for our Christian lives... because instead of being depressed and falling into Satan's traps, we can recognize his schemes and combat them with the right mindset and tools.

We tend to forget that knowing our enemy is a great way to stay clear from damage, and a great way to combat him. So what does Satan like to do? (I can already see this being used in a future sermon, when I become a pastor)... Here are some verses that give insight...

1 Peter 5

⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

John 8:44b

He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Ephesians 6:10-12

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Lately, I've been having some family problems and suicidal thoughts, and other problems too. We all have various problems, let's just admit it. Not just my family. But when we have those problems, we tend to focus on them and not look beyond to the greater picture. What is really behind the scenes when my family is arguing or my thoughts are telling me to jump in front of the subway train?

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood (people around us, e.g. family) or against our own minds. It is against the powers of this dark world. When a person becomes a Christian, and this person is devotedly following God, Satan's gonna get MAD!

My fellowship leader at ACI once told me that Satan's ultimate goal is to get us to commit suicide. He is a murderer after all. Because once a Christian commits suicide, there will be one less person to do God's work on earth and spread God's Kingdom. So we should be aware of that tactic.

Another thing is to calm down and realize that we should not argue so much over things that eventually will not matter. We need to save our time for the real battle. To equip ourselves with God's word, which eventually helps us to calm down and stop arguing anyway, and to love each other, spreading God's word to all people.

If you wanna know why I got so passionate and started sharing all these things, it's because this past Monday, I had a fundraising BBQ for my volunteer mission trip to Quebec in June, Steve's mission trip to Africa for 4 years, and International Justice Mission (to free young girls from prostitution).

The afternoon before the BBQ (Sun.) Steve said he got a fever and wasn't sure if he was gonna come. My friend and I prayed for his healing, because he was supposed to share about the mission trip the next day. My family and I also got into a problem in the middle of the night about a stupid phone call. And it just made me so depressed, and led to a deeper argument about my boyfriend. But in general, I now realize WHY this all happened the DAY BEFORE the fundraising BBQ. Because Satan is MAD!

It was not a coincidence. I mean, Steve doesn't get sick easily. And my family didn't argue for a LONG time. Thank God Steve got better the next day, and my family and I are good now, but the whole week, my boyfriend was depressed and had some other problems too that I will not mention. But you can see that Satan is working to destroy us because we are standing up more and more for God.

I feel stronger now because on Tuesday I visited Tyndale Bible Seminary, the school I'll be going to in September 2011 (God willing) and there was a class on Work and Ministry. Something the professor said hit me... HARD! He said, "In this world, goodness is usually rewarded. That's what perpetuates people to continue to be good. But Plato said that TRUE goodness only happens when a person is good and is PUNISHED, unjustly. If they continue to be good, that is true goodness."

That really encouraged me to continue being good. I still have problems with anger but hopefully by the end of this week I will calm down even more. Taking deep breaths might help. In any case, I know God has a plan for me... to equip God's people for His work in the world, as a pastor wherever I go.

To God be the thanks, praise, and glory.

Two songs by Carrie Underwood

"Lessons Learned" lyrics

There's some things that I regret,
Some words I wish had gone unsaid,
Some starts,
That had some bitter endings,
Been some bad times I've been through,
Damage I cannot undo,
Some things,
I wish I could do all all over again,
But it don't really matter,
Life gets that much harder,
It makes you that much stronger,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

[Chorus:]
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.

There's mistakes that I have made,
Some chances I just threw away,
Some roads,
I never should've taken,
Been some signs I didn't see,
Hearts that I hurt needlessly,
Some wounds,
That I wish I could have one more chance to mend,
But it don't make no difference,
The past can't be rewritten,
You get the life you're given,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were,
Lessons learned.

[Chorus:]
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned.

And all the things that break you,
Are all the things that make you strong,
You can't change the past,
Cause it's gone,
And you just gotta move on,
Because it's all,
Lessons learned.

[Chorus:]
And every tear that had to fall from my eyes,
Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night,
Every change, life has thrown me,
I'm thankful, for every break in my heart,
I'm grateful, for every scar,
Some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Oh, some pages turned,
Some bridges burned,
But there were lessons learned,
Lessons learned.

"So Small" by Carrie Underwood

Ephesians 4:26
And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry...


I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this video. It's so inspirational and meaningful. How many times have I yelled at my family members and felt like it was such a big deal? But when we figure out that love is what matters, it seems so small.

I was reading a World Vision magazine today, and seriously, sometimes in North America we start to think that our problems are the only problems out there. We all have problems that are important to us... so I'm not saying they are unimportant. But when we put things in perspective, we start to realize that we don't have to get so worked up sometimes.

For example, there was an article about "machismo" in Mexico. Machismo is the idea that men are better than women, and women are just objects, they shouldn't go out and work... they have to just raise kids. The machismo idea is running so rampant and so deep in Mexico that many wives are being beaten, sometimes beaten to DEATH. And the police are machismo too, so they also side with the men.

The article talked about this family where the Grandma came into her bathroom seeing her daughter (a mother of 3 children) in a noose, dead. It may look like a suicide at first glance, but her feet had mud and there was blood on the floor and sink. The 3 children actually witnessed earlier on that their dad and uncle came in and their mom was beat to death. The police dismissed this at first, saying it was all just suicide, but the Grandma fought hard for justice to happen. And World Vision now is starting programs where people are taught to respect women and especially, their wives.

So... what's going on in your life right now? We can be there for each other. And even if you don't feel like sharing, remember to put things in perspective, and perhaps you will see things a different way.

Saying goodbyes are not my thing...

Hi everybody!

At the "request" of a very avid blog reader, I have decided to give you a little update after a while of not blogging. I've been doing quite well, nothing's seriously wrong, been just breezing by my weeks hanging out with family, Adrian, and doing random errands that need to be done.

It feels nice to start making health a priority, like making sure I drink enough water and get enough sleep... and not rushing everywhere like I'm used to. I've been doing job applications too, and I think I might have gotten a job, but I didn't sign anything yet :P I've been also doing a bit of planning for summer trips and events, cleaning my room (it looks a lot better than the landfill it used to be), and watching some movies on the computer.

I neglected my singing during the school year so I've been practicing with my sister's help. I call her my coach, haha. She motivates me to exercise and gives suggestions on how to improve my singing... and I teach her guitar! It's all so fun. Visiting friends has been nice too.

Today was my last day at SCSU. I felt happy today, not sad. In the past when I thought of finishing up at SCSU I felt sad, but goodbyes are not my thing anymore. I just want to treasure the memories, and keep in touch, or just move on and hope we bump into each other sometime. I'll be praying for everybody, hopefully they all accomplish their dreams in life. <3

I finally figured out how to upload pictures onto an album on facebook. Wooohooo! I have so many nice nature pictures from SCSU continuity to be proud of. Oh, I also got a nice framed certificate from Imran, the past Chair of the Board. The frame seems fragile, but... oh well. Now if only Katrina could recover her gavel as she enters into her new position as Chair of the Board. I think Pirasanthan stole it.

Beautiful Day...

Today was a pretty much stress-free day at home. If you know me well, you will know that this is quite rare. I'm usually on the go, doing this or that, and when I'm at home I can often get frustrated or stressed as well. Anyhow, these days I'm taking it easy, while doing errands such as booking health appointments, finishing my tax return (yes, it is a bit late), spending time with family and Adrian, cleaning/renovating my room, sending a card to Grace in Uganda, etc. etc.

It's been a lot of fun hanging out with my sister and mom at home, watching videos and making lunch, joking around, figuring out school stuff... I'm really glad. Haha I even bought this bunny baseball bat type thing for my mom, and she loved it!

Yeah, there are days that money can't buy.

2 Timothy 2:23-26

²³Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

A world of neon green and black.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4: 11-13, NASB

Today there was a planned power outage (Yes, I also asked why it was planned) and we had a meeting in a conference room lit by green glow sticks (no windows). It felt alien, funny, and evil all at the same time. If you saw my photos you'd know. The phones and lights were ALL not working, although I kept trying to turn on the TV and lamp, forgetting that those were powered by electricity too.

When the light came back on, someone said "Wow, I don't feel like an Amish anymore!" and someone yelled, "Hey, Equity!" (both of these were guys, figures... haha jks) but really it shows how much we modernized ppl have come to depend on electricity and technology. We really take small blessings for granted, even something as simple as being able to cook without using old pioneer methods.

Light is a big thing too. I kept on wanting to fall asleep, I had to sit by the window after we switched meeting rooms. Sunlight is also taken for granted. Seriously!

And what about colours? I could hardly see in the dark. I saw a world of neon green and black. It was creepy. So yeah, colours, another thing we take for granted. I think if we all were more thankful, we'd be a lot more happier and more satisfied.

The Bible says we should always give thanks. Man, I gotta learn that. And by the way, I found the Bible passage above under the suggested reading section for those who are unemployed. That's me! Isn't it interesting how usually we take the last sentence of this passage (verse 13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me) and use it for general things we do every day, but don't apply it to being content whatever the circumstances?