Be That Girl 07

excuse the pictures... i'll change them when i get better ones.. =)

hey people.. BeThatGirl07 conference is coming up in 37 DAYS!!

for me.. BeThatGirl is an event that i've been looking forward to since last years conference ended... and after a whole year of awaiting this moment... it's finally here... although not yet but it's soon... the registrations are open and there are going to be BIG surprises for the people who sign up early... because we love early birds, we would like to appreciate them... so sign up as soon as possible to be in the running for a surprise!! so.. if you have not gotten the registration forms yet.. let me know and i'll make sure i get some to you... ejanez@hotmail.com...

this year.. the conference is going to be BIGGER, BETTER and BRIGHTER... haha.. the last one didn't fit i know.. hehe... but you get my point.. this year we are going to have guest appearances by this really good JAZZ band from MALAYSIA!! we're gonna have performances by CITY HARVEST!! we're gonna have an even bigger GIRLS BAND!! we're gonna have AWESOME SPEAKERS!! we're gonna have the ever so anticipated FASHION SHOW!! we're gonna have 31 SECONDS TO FAME!!! and plenty more... sign up for the conference and trust me you won't regret it... it is a chance to BE a part of this CHANGE!! BE a part of this GROUND SHAKING move!!

Venue: KEC, Klang
Date: 9th & 10th March
Fee: RM 40 (for 2days plus fashion show ticket)

COME and BE BLESSED!! i know i will walk away from this conference a changed person... i am expecting GREAT things for this conference and i know that EVEN GREATER things than i can ever imagine will happen...

so if you're having second thoughts... DON"T!! because you'll be missing out on ALOT!!

so.. what are you waiting for?!

"BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN IN THIS WORLD" -bethatgirl-

~peace~

Provision. Revelation.

Seems this has been a recurring theme in my studying and reading lately - provision. Not that I've found myself wanting or lacking. I think God's trying to teach me something *ponders* So I thought I'd share it with you too.

This is what I was reading [Psalm 144 & 145] on my weekend pastime - the train.

Psalm 145 : 15 - "All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as they need it."

What an incredible revelation of God - as a Father - provider. He gives what is needed, when its needed. His grace is sufficient for each and every one of us - regardless of the situations we are in (2 Corinthians 12:9). No doubt He is the God of exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20), but too many times we expect 'provision upon request.'

If we have not learnt anything else, we should at least know that God doesn't work according to our expectations or limitations. He is above and beyond our mortal reasoning or demands. He thinks, no, he knows what needs to be done with the knowledge of what will matter in eternity.

That's why faith is the key element to our Christianity. Without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). If we don't trust Him to provide, we'd be in doubt, worrying, and being hopeless throughout our lives. God has clearly said that we shouldn't worry (Matthew 6:25-34). God gives as we need - not as we want.

The two Psalms I was reading are amazing. It's best read out loud!

Have an amazing day filled with blessings.

Hearts.
sj

The Blood Diamond, Revolutions, and other thoughts.

The Blood Diamond.
Other than the fact Leonardo DiCaprio speaks with a beautiful African-ish accent, the movie is painfully hard to watch. When I watched it the first time I was at (a friends house), his brother's friend as well as his sister was there (both work with the UN), along with the rest of his family who seem very very well updated on the issues of the world.

As we watched the movie, they were talking about the efforts of UNHCR, and other UN projects, child soldiers, war zones, food programmes and all the likes. I mean, listening to all these stories totally gutted me. I couldn't really fathom how truly screwed up the world is. All these things happening IN MY LIFETIME. No, it wasn't some unreal sort of story from an era ago. This is happening here and now. Right under our noses. It was sickening. But its reality.

Right there in the cinema last night as I was watching the movie for the second time, (knowing how the story ended meant I cried at the most random intervals remembering the disparity of the human race) I sat there praying. I was literally crying out to God saying 'save our nation, save our world, let me be a witness for you' and in my head thinking - "I want to go do something, I NEED to do something!"

I almost decided I should join the UN or something. LOL.

Then I remembered reading something Joel wrote. "Love God.. love people.. that's it.. that's the revolution.. revolutionary I know.. but if we understand what that means.. if we get it.. if we establish in our thinking how that looks.. and we start living it.. we will change the world.. it's not so much about the big stuff.. it's just about the stuff.. it's about the people in the places being the answer - in the places.. and together; becoming the answer to the big stuff.. it's about your backyard.. it's about my backyard.."

So rather than attempting to make my way over to the UN volunteers office to try and help change the world (in some big way all at once), I realized we all have to do what we can wherever we are. What are the needs in my backyard? Are the children I'm teaching in need of more than just an education that will enable them to be a 'success' in the eyes of the world? Do they too need love? What about the kids in my neighbourhood? Who's going to get them to church? Am I here to be the answer they need? To be the Jesus they see?

Sure I can get on a plane, fly out to Sri Lanka, Lebanon, or even Johor to help the flood victims. But I could go on forever and ever being an 'action junkie' trying to save the world. That's God's job (saving the world). We've all heard the saying, 'God's God and I'm not'. I've been placed where I am to help the very ones I meet, attempt to smile at, should go hold their hand, EVERYDAY! That's my responsibility unless otherwise stated by God himself and sent packing to save some other part of the world.

If I can do that, if I can be faithful to be a light and witness and LOVE in the very place I am not and if everyone in their own backyards can do that - we can change the world! I know it. I'm convinced it's possible. I'm convinced!

We can do it together,
Love much... sj.

ps. This also got me remembering i can't keep going on feeling neglected or disconnected - the world is too big to focus on me, and my sorry ass. There are greater needs than that of my silly little self.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful

by Susanne Scheppmann

Psalm 89:1-2, “I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” (NIV)

Devotion:

We waited and waited. Then finally, I stood in awe as the geyser, Old Faithful, spewed steaming water 150 feet into the air. The Yellowstone National Park ranger told us that it was myth that the geyser erupts every 96 minutes. He said it is faithful to spray the water, but not on man’s timetable.

Doesn’t that sound like God? Scripture repeatedly states that God is faithful beyond our imagination. However, sometimes we doubt. The problem is that we want Him to act in faithfulness according to our requests, standards, and time allotment. We especially feel that way when problems rattle our lives. We ask, “Where is the faithfulness of God right now?”

We want the Lord to react like a genie in a bottle. We call out our wishes and we demand that He bring about miraculous results. I recently witnessed this attitude in an unbelieving friend. She landed unexpectedly in the hospital with an undiagnosed problem. Frustrated she said, “I cried out to God last night and He didn’t help me! What kind of God is He?” Although, my friend never gave a thought about God until a crisis arose, she expected His immediate help when she called out. She demanded the Lord be faithful to her needs on her schedule. Her disappointment resulted in a defiant attitude of doubt.

In addition, I have discovered another intriguing similarity between the geyser, Old Faithful, and God’s faithfulness. The park guide explained after an earthquake, the time between eruptions lengthens. Earthquakes in 1959, 1983, and 1998 increased the average length between the geyser’s eruptions from 76 minutes to approximately 90 minutes. Just like Old Faithful, I have found that as God increases my faith, He sometimes increases the time between my “earthquake” and His rescue. By allowing a longer time span between crisis and aid, God brings me to believe in, rely on, and depend upon His yet unseen faithfulness.

Although doubt of God’s faithfulness may raise its ugly head, He has never been unfaithful to me. He may not rescue me as quick as I would like. He might answer my cry in a way I do not expect. However, He will always aid me in the manner that will help me increase my faith. He wants to teach me to sing of His faithfulness regardless of my circumstances as the psalmist did.

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging . . .

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:1-3, 10 (NIV).

Yes, just as I stood and waited in awe for Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, I will wait in anticipation for God to show Himself faithful in my life. I will “be still and know He is God.” Will you wait with me?

Dear Lord, help me to recognize Your faithfulness in my life. Aid me in understanding that You work according to Your faithfulness and not my desires. I pray that You increase my faith. Help me to relax and know that You are God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Why.

The lyrics to this song brought a whole new meaning to the word FAITH for me. How we often have to trust God's all-knowing self even when the situation we are in or what we have been called to do doesn't seem like the most sane thing to do. Jesus needed faith too. I've always assumed Jesus knew exactly what he had to do and the reason why behind everything he was going to do. But he needed to trust his father as much as we have to trust Him in this day and age. When it comes to faith, there are no distinctions between 2000 years ago and today. Wow. I brings me a whole new appreciation for what Jesus did for ME.

Read the words. If you can get your hands on the song.. do it.

WHY (Bonus Track on This Mystery)
Nichole Nordeman

We rode into town the other day,
just me and my daddy.
he said I'd finally reached that age,
and I could ride next to him on a horse
that of course, was not quite as wild.

We heard a crowd of people shouting,
and so we stopped to find out why.
There was that man that my dad said he loved,
but today there was fear in his eyes.

So I said, Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows.
Daddy please, can't you do something?
He looks as though He's gonna cry.
You said He was stronger than all of those guys;
Daddy, please tell me why.
Why does everyone want Him to die?

Later that day, the sky grew cloudy,
and Daddy said I should go inside.
Somehow he knew things would get stormy.
Boy was he right, but I could not keep from wondering
if there was something he had to hide.

So after he left, I had to find out.
I was not afraid of getting lost.
So I followed the crowds to a hill
where I knew men had been killed,
and I heard a voice come from the cross.

And it said, Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for my robe?
This crown of thorns hurts me more than it shows.
Father please, can't you do something?
I know that You must hear my cry.
I thought I could handle a cross of this size.
Father, remind me why.
Why does everyone want me to die?
Oh, when will I understand why?

My precious son, I hear them screaming.
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming.
But soon I will clothe you in robes of my own.
Jesus, this hurts me much more than you know,
but this dark hour, I must do nothing,
though I've heard your unbearable cry.
The power in your blood destroys all of the lies;
soon you'll see past their unmerciful eyes.
Look, there be love, see the child
trembling by her father's side.
Now I can tell you why...
she is why you must die.

Because we love Klang

Did you realize that the name of our state is Selangor DARUL EHSAN?

Alright. So you knew that.

But did you know that Darul Ehsan means Abode of Sincerity?

So there. My little fact of the day.

Let's get SINCERE, people. This is the land of sincere people right, so lets live it up!

I personally recommend getting yourself onto en.wikipedia.org and typing Malaysia in the search box and find out more about our country.

No seriously, try it.

31seconds to FAME!!

WOW!!! it's 2007 already... it's a whole new year, a new beginning, and a fresh start to life.... so looking at the title you would be asking... hmm... what is this 31 seconds to fame? well.... it is gonna be one of the attractions of the upcoming Be That Girl... and so be excited, be expectant, be pumped, and be ready for this march we are gonna rock your world... so coming back to the topic.... 31 seconds to fame already speaks for itself... when you turn on axn and watch their 30 seconds to fame and see how easy it is to win... you sometimes think to yourself... hmmm.... i think if i had the chance i could do it.... so i guess this is like a chance to get yourself famous by doing something that you think no one else can and that will impress the crowd... so girls all over the globe... come and be a part of this event... think about it... and if you're interested... let us know by emailing us at bethatgirl@gmail.com... we would love to hear from you and find out all the talent that is hidden in each and everyone of you... cause you are the ones that make this event possible...
so get out your magic boxes and karaoke microphones because you will need all the practice you can get... so BE PREPARED!!!

peace to all and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!