One thing worth mentioning and which that took me by complete surprise is the passing of Christine Cavanaugh. She's the voice of Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory, Chuckie from Rugrats and Babe. All of these are my favourite childhood characters -- especially Dexter. A moment of silence to my favourite voice actress... rest in peace Cavanaugh-sensei.


We had a Bible study held at home today. When was the last time we had Bible study at home with the folks from my old church? I forget. It's not important. My sister had work today, and she told me that she also works on January 1. Wow. Mom and I cleaned the house like it's the last time we'll do in life, it's silly. I told her that we can still clean the house before leaving for the Philippines. We still have time. Excited much?

The Bible study went well even though there's a extreme cold warning announced from the news. It's no problem. The house is warm. I was reminded of how gracious God is; "As far as the east is from the west, so far has h removed our transgressions from us." - Psalms 103:12. God is good. The Bible study started at 7:30pm. Dad lead us, and he thought that Pastor M was going to bring the message. Although he had prepared something already. His message was based on Mark 5, from the story of the woman that touched Jesus's cloak to the story of Jairus and his daughter. The verse to look out for is Mark 5:36: Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

My take on it: The world had declared that it is hopeless. But God ignored what the world is saying and tells us "Don't be afraid; just believe." Imagine putting your shoes at Jairus' place. Your daughter is dying. Your cherished daughter that you've worked and toiled for. Your daughter whom you've sacrifice yourself from work, from the sweat, tears, and all the exhaustion you've encountered in life. And now she is dying. Of course you want to save her! And then you find out that Jesus is coming. You rush over to where He is. Your heart is racing and pumping, because He is the solution you're looking willing to try out and the solution you've chosen to take. You're very eager to save your daughter. You're desperate. You can't do anything else, because it's out of your hands. But there are a lot of people, but you find Jesus. You tell Him that your daughter is dying. In your head, you're thinking that you can still save her. There's still time. However, there are just too many people in this time of emergency and that you're poise is slowly crumbling. You're almost out of your nerves on your way home. Come on! Get out of the way! My daughter is dying!

And then you see some people from the house approach you and heard this news: "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?"

Imagine now how would you feel? The world crashes. Your heart skips a beat and gets torn. Sorrow. Grief. Disappointment. Maybe Jairus fell on his knees and shouted. Everything falls apart.

What if someone had told you something that's hopeless? What if you had a problem beyond yourself? What if you're facing something right now that everyone else thinks that it's too late? What if you need help and everyone else thinks there's no more what anyone else can do?

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

Jesus ignored them and said to Jairus not to be afraid but just believe in Him. Jairus called looked for Jesus because he believes He can heal his daughter. Jesus told Jairus to keep that belief in his heart. Keep his faith.

And we see that in Mark 5:39-42. He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

Do not get swayed from the thinking of man when they think that everything is too late. It's never too late with God. If God is by your side, who would be against you? If the Creator says, "Don't worry. I'll take care of it." Then we forget all the worries the world has thrown at us. Amidst the daily struggles happening in our lives, God is faithful and His grace will consume us if we truly love Him; it's God's treat and He will take care of it.

Labels: 365-project