The More

The more we love life, the more we pay attention to small little things that make it so beautiful, grandeur, and majestic above all the mess, chaos, and complexity.

Eyes on the Road

Have you ever found yourself doubting your own belief?

"Doubting is not Godly. It diminishes faith."

I try to learn this by heart. I want to be a woman of faith. But it is not as easy as it seems. I always find myself shaken by someone else's opinion. 

In life, I do not normally get the best options. I only get two mediocre ways out. I have to see the best out of my situation and pick the one with more value. After the decision's been made, I, then, started to realize that my criteria for my decisions were not quite right. This is the point where I silently say, "I wish I would have taken the other way."

I know, it is very normal for human to look back. Looking back can teach us lots of important lessons for facing our today's or tomorrow's life difficulties. However, like in driving, a driver should not look back for too long while he is driving forward, lest he will crash the sidewalk or worse, another car. 

The impact of the act of doubting, regretting, and looking back for too long might not be healthy for our soul, mind, and body. On the other hand, opening our eyes to what's ahead and the views around us will delight our journey and lead us to our destination.

Keep moving on, Friends, and keep your eyes on the road! 

God bless you, 

Raissa

When work becomes a playing ground

I am currently working on my thesis on International Marketing of SMEs. I have not really figured out what I am doing until three months of researching the topic passed.

I have once heard that one ultimate joy that a man could receive in her lifetime is the time when she loves to do her work and is passionate about it. Her work becomes a playing ground.

I am very thankful now that I get the chance to actually spend more time to play with Marketing. I can't say that it is my playing ground yet -it is not my specialty yet- but I would really love to be able to play smarter and with a lot more fun. Who knows one day I'll master the topic.

Bravery

Whatever happens, do it with confidence, with bravery! No heroes died in fear.

Life should be lived

A full life is for those who live fully.
A half life is for those who live partially.
A no-life is for those who do not want to live.

Every moment is a gift.
Have we enjoyed every single of them?
Or have we let it pass us by?

Life should be lived. 
Whatever our circumstances are,
We owe it to the one gives life to make the most out of it.

Dr. Eam

Finn: "Some teachers teach us to drive and some teach us math, but you teach us to dream, Mr. Schue. As far as I am concerned, that's the most important one." ~Glee (edited by: R)

Tea & Story

What's sweeter than a cup of tea in a bright, warm spring morning with sweet little stories from friends close to my heart?

Wings of Love

Human is weak in default.

I guess, it is the hardship, difficulties, and extreme weather of life that make us stronger. I have no prove yet. I am 21 years old and almost turning 22. What could I say about life? I am as green as the grass in spring, the elders would think.

But one thing I am sure, it doesn't matter how heavy our burden can be there is a sweet relief in our heart when we see love on earth.

I pray that
    we will see love around us today,
         stop from a moment,
              take the love deep inside our soul, and
                   walk again with a lighter weight on our shoulder.

Love you, people!

Dare You to Move: Destroyed

It's been raining like crazy these past few weeks in Holland. It isn't like its usual rain; the fast-food rain (5 minutes and it's over). It is more like Tropical Rain. Hours and hours of unstoppable rain.

The rain gets me thinking about the farmers and their plants. Back home in Tulungagung, I used to read morning papers, and the headline would be, "Crops Destroyed by Flood After 3 Days of Rain" (my version).

I can't imagine how it feels to be those farmers when they knew that the rain killed all the hard work, sweats, money, and time for the crops in a few days. They must be very disappointed. Or angry.

Anyway, back to Rome 8:28. For the ones who love God, everything has a purpose, even the disasters. We might not know the purpose at that time, but it is for goodness sake. So, please move forward! Keep running and focusing our eyes on the prize (Jesus).

~Dare You to Move~

Smooth Stones

Whether it's our worries, our fear of failures, or our guilt, most of us have our 'Goliath'. A giant enemy who keeps us trembling and demobilized. A big-mouth enemy who accuses us of our sin and inabilities. A heavy contender who restricts us from winning the battle.

Ps. Kong Hee in his sermon David and Goliath (you can find it free on iTunes) shares about how we can defeat our Goliath just like David (the small, young, and handsome King David) defeated his Goliath.

He points out that there are 5 smooth stones that we should have before we go into battle and fight our Goliath. Do you remember that David also went along the river bed to collect stones before he encounter Goliath? Those are the stones that Kong Hee meant, they are:

1. Smooth stone of the past
2. Smooth stone of prayers
3. Smooth stone of priority
4. Smooth stone of passion
5. Smooth stone of persistence

Along with the name of the Almighty, when we have these stones with us, we would surely take our Goliath down and behead him.

Let's fight, Soldiers!

One Heart

Do you know what I love?

I love to see how awesome the work of God living in my friends' lives.

We are separated by thousands, and even ten thousands kms apart but we all are moving in the same direction: towards the likeness of Jesus.

Keep going, babes! ^^

Never Looked

You looked and looked and looked, but you never looked to him who gave you this city, never once consulted the One who has long had plans for this city. (Isaiah 22:11 MSG)

This verse slapped me on my face.

I hope you're not like me who's still trying to work it out with all my strength and my mind. Thinking that I can do it without any help from above.

If you know you know, I give you the right to call me a fool. Yes, it's foolish. I am doing something without consulting or even searching the One who knows it all and the One who plans it all. Well, if it's not completely true, at least I feel a lot like that recently. No wonder, He allowed me to be sick and rest on my bed for days. I guess, He's just trying to say...

"Hey, Ms think-you-get-it-all, involve Me, seek Me, ask Me, come to Me. I've got some hints for you."

...Now, that I am aware of the Secret. I have faith that it's not too late, isn't it, Daddy? Rejoice today, everyone!

A Sad Truth

"You don't always get what you want."

That's a very sad truth that we all know. Even when we desire it like heaven, and plan it like the ants in collecting their summer food. Sometimes it just doesn't happen the way we want it to happen. Anw, I just want to remind us all, especially me -- the very forgetful me. That despite all the unmet wants, and all the sacrifices that we have to make, God is sovereign. And He loves us. He wants the best for us. So, don't stay long in regrets and desperation...

Raise up, wash your face, and smile! Today is a new day, a new hope! Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!

P.S. Thanks to Vodafone for inspiring me to write this post. ;p.