Nothing's gonna change my love for you* - George Benson

Last Sunday's sermon was on the latter half of Romans chapter 1. It was on the wrath of God - how God's wrath is poured on us be used of our sins. It was a good reminder of how much God detests sins, how holy he is.

 But it wasn't all just "fire and brimstone" kind of sermon. It ended with us being reminded th at even though God cannot stand sin, he still loves us and provides a way for us to be forgiven of our sins, to be transformed rom our sinful ways. We cannot do it ourselves but with God, nothing is impossible. It may be possible but it sure was not easy - it cost Jesus everything. He died for our sins. God demonstrated his love for us this way (as stated in chapter 5 of Romans).

Therefore, in Romans chapter 8, we are reminded of this great love of God in verses 31-39:-

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a wonderful reminder. I really needed this. We talk about God's love so much that sometimes, I forget just how much he loves me. But when I think of how much I love my little girl, and then remind myself that God loves me even more than that - so very much more than my feeble love, it overwhelms me to think of such great love. And just like how I will love my girl no matter how naughty she gets, God will still love me the same no matter what I will do. And nothing will be able to separate me from his love. His love will never change.

 One of my fears of the surgery that I am going through next week is that I will be separated from my daughter for days, or even weeks. And that she will not be able to understand what is going on. But that is something that will have to be done. And I know that while I may be separated from my loved one, God will be there with me all the time.

"Hold me close, Lord. Never let me go. Bring me near, draw me to your side. And as I wait, I'll rise up like the eagle. And I will soar with you, your spirit leads me on by the power of your love".

*His version of this love ballad which in my view is better than the original.

Who knew* - Pink

It has been a while, hasn't it?

Who knew that i would be back here blogging?

Who knew that i would actually stop posting anything for more than 1 year?

Who knew that i would once again be going for a major surgery to remove a tumour from my head?

We don't really know what will happen, do we? We can hope, we can wish, we pray - at best, we can try to predict. But we will never know until it happens.

Looking back, i never knew how much studying in the UK for my Masters would change my life - until it has changed it. In fact, it wasn't even my plan to go to the UK.

I never knew how wonderful being a parent is until i am one now. There was a point in life when i didn't even think i would get married let alone have a daughter!

So that is how life is. And that can make it a very scary and nervy journey as we travel on this road, not knowing what lies in store. Yes. And no.

No - not if you know someone who knows what is going to happen!

God knows! God knew! God will always know. He is in control of things - yes, even when things seem to be spiraling out of control. How many times have we seen things go that way only to somehow miraculously fall neatly into place? Or when things do indeed crash and burn - and from the ashes, rises something even much better?

As one classic song goes - I don't know about tomorrow - but i know know who holds tomorrow, and i know who holds my hand.

Here is LeAnn Rimes with my favourite version of that song:-

When we know the person who holds tomorrow - and we know that he is holding our hand, then it doesn't matter if we do not know what is going to happen ourselves. Just like a little child who holds on to her father's hand as he leads her to a mysterious place - it is fine with her even though she doesn't know what to expect because she is holding on to her father's hands. And she trust in him.

I am going through a difficult time now in my life - i do not know for sure what is going to happen but it helps so much knowing that God is in control. And that he loves me so much!

“What no eye has seen, 

what no ear has heard, 

and what no human mind has conceived”— 

the things God has prepared for those who love him

(1 Corinthians 2:9) 

*My favourite song of hers. It was a hit in the UK during the summer of 2006 when i was a student there.