no.429 140704 Thank you for God's colourful creation

The summer garden

I got a chance to get some fresh air and admire the beauty of God's creation. I was at a botanical garden looking at various plant and flower species. It reminded me of how detailed and creative our God is. From sizes to shapes, colours and scents, not a single flower was same as the one beside it. It reminded me of this verse from Matthew.

Look at the birds of the air; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, 

and your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

God takes care of animals and flowers in the field. We are made in God's image and He showed His amazing love through His only son to take the cross for our sins. How much more will God take care you and me?

no.115 130823 Thank you for answered prayers

This was the day God answered one of my prayers. In Santa Maria, Mexico

I'm in the middle of watching Francis Chan's sermon "Prayer as a Way of Walking in Love - A Personal Journey." I was so into it that I almost forgot to write today's entry... until my daily alarm reminded me.

I got to know of Francis Chan back in 2010 when a friend of mine introduced Chan's book, "Crazy Love." Since then, I've been listening to his sermons here and there, but lately I haven't done so. For some reason, I was driven to look up his sermons on Youtube, and came across this video that I'm watching at the moment.

As I listen to Francis share how his prayers have been answered, I think about my answered prayers.  I can think of a few prayers that have been recently answered. Actually, there might be more than a few, if I'm remembering correctly. About three weeks ago, I posted an entry while I was in Mexico and I remember writing how God answered my prayer. Francis reminds us of God's sovereignty first and then talks about how we can communicate with this almighty God. Like Francis, I too think it's crazy that God answers my "stupid little prayers." How does He even bother listening to the smallest worries and concerns I have? It's just amazing to know that our God has time for both big and small problems that I have. God always hears me when I call, but you got to make sure that you come before Him with your sins first and ask Him for His forgiveness.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." (2 Chronicles 7:14-15).

I give thanks to God for the answered prayers. Whether it's something I've been praying for a while, or it's something that I prayed once, I'm thankful for all the answered prayers. Isn't it awesome to know that God who created you and me and the universe is listening "attentively" to our prayers?