This Vagabond ...

"The Lord is Good, His Steadfast Love Endures Forever." ~Psalm 100:5

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Friday, August 1, 2008

A Busy Week

Posted by Ruth72


[Originally written/drafted on 31.7.2008 but was forgotten for quite a while]

Honestly, what a busy week it has been. Our court has been receiving more than 30 PATI cases this week alone (in case you're wondering what 'PATI' means, it's not the essence of chicken or pati ayam in malay languange. PATI is the abbreviation of Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin). In a way, we have been swarmed by them altho' all are humbly hand-cuffed and harmless. Then there's the 'Jamet' tort case, successfully concluded yesterday. Lots of documents to be processed, but I'm happy coz it's been an industrious week for us all.
Lately I've been listening to the compilation CD by Anne Murray, a gift from a friend i.e our former P.O in SCT 1, Miri, ASP Ang. He promised me, 'You'd love this cd', and I did! Listening to gospel song fortify you like no pop songs ever could.

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On Good Days and On Bad

Posted by Ruth72


Dear Lord,
Help me to accept Your love,
on good days and on bad;
when I am disappointed with myself,
and when I'm feeling strong.

Help me to believe deeply in Your unchanging love,
so that I may always rejoice in it,
without fear and needless worry.

-Father John Catoir's prayer.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Enlighten My Mind

Posted by Ruth72


Dear Father In Heaven,
Author of all holiness,

Please enlighten my mind...

So that I may dream up little ways
Of delighting You.


Protect me and help me
To presevere in my good intentions
and instill in me an awareness of Your Smile.

(From the Book, 'God Delights In You').

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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Winter in Bintulu

Posted by Ruth72

It's been rainy lately and the temperature is cooling, which I prefer to the hot, dry weather. The weather also reminds me of freshness of the soul, being poured upon by divine water after a long drought.

Recently I read an awe-inspiring book written by Father John Catoir, entitled 'God Delights In You'. It's a life-changing, God-sent book... a revelation of something which I've never known before, to think that God ever 'delights' in a sinner like me :-( but after reading this honest, down-to earth book, I feel like a free bird ready to soar up the sky. Now I can fathom His love, not to the depths, but at least I know He loves me very much enough to tell me, 'Keep trying, I'm not angry with you...' each time I fail to perform my duty as a Christian.Last time I used to think of God as a fearsome Father who punishes me everytime I contravene His law. Yes, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom", but my kind of fear is undoubtedly a wrong kind of fear. I fear Him to the point of misunderstanding His love for me. Thank You, Lord...for enlightening it to me.

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Held

Posted by Ruth72

A friend's dad recently passed away n she sms to me these words:
"Really need someone who can hug me now,
empty...so empty".
This song is for that dear friend of mine... Held.


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The Road To Simelatong (19.3.2008- Excerpt from My Journal)

Posted by Ruth72

Sunday 16th March, 2008: It was raining lightly...or drizzling.
The long journey was compensated by the beautiful scenery. Never in my wildest imagination had I thought that the journey would be a sight for sore eyes. The trees, the contrast between rain & shine, the paddy field, open field, village houses...Oh My! This was supposed to be an Ulu (remote) area! Yet all I can see was beauty and not the dreary, dense jungle as many thought it would be.

At some point, I was really surprised to find that I've actually 'been there' - in my dream. Call it what you want...deja vu?...but I've seen this place somewhere before. It's new yet familiar!

Before this trip we faced so many obstacles.
My nephew Shawn Davies fell ill & refused food. Then there's no Air Asia main office in Bintulu town (as far as this 'ex-Mirian' knows) and we had to purchase the sky-rocketing air ticket from the travel agent, costing each of us (me, Mom & Dad) RM181 each, one way. Due to this expensive air fare, I decided not to buy return tickets coz I'm afraid Dad would grumble coz we all know that he's the thrifty one (sorry to say this, but it's true).
We once planned to journey via land, but it will be troublesome to Dad who has weak bladder. So in the end, I thought the most economic way is to purchase the return air tickets on our arrival @ the airport that same day we flew (yesterday afternoon) since we were supposed to reach Kuching @ 1.30pm. But that was what could be perceived by the mind; what we never thought was that our plan went askew!

Our flight scheduled at 12.30pm was retimed to nightime @ 9.45pm. I thought the next plan was to buy the air ticket in the morning on the next day, but the journey to Simelatong took most of our time.

Despite all these obstacles & difficulties (including suffering from cold for 3 hours being stranded at the Bintulu Airport, after I carelessly left my jacket in the car), the journey & trip itself was a smooth one. According to my brother Anil, the last time they came (about a month before) they had to park the car & walk a good distance to the miraculous place, and there were throngs of people. Hundreds & hundreds of visitors.

This time when we arrived, thankfully the drizzle had stopped. The sky was bright blue and from afar I could see the coconut tree where the sightings occured. It was miraculous to think how on a Palm Sunday morning like that there were less than 10 people hanging around that vicinity. In fact we parked the car just a few metres away from the tree. Sweet.

God, knowing that I & my old aged parents couldn't afford to walk far - has made the path easy & walkable for us.
I could locate the CROSS easily, at the topmost part of the branch where the leaves formed themselves into the divine sign. It shone radiantly in the morning sun. I took photographs of the tree, the place like other visitors too.
Then I lighted the candle & prayed for healing.

I prayed for myself & my family, including my sick nephew back in Bintulu (He was healed a few days after we got back to Bintulu).
Lord, I know that I'm not worthy to witness Your Holyness or Miracle.
I just hope for a little faith.
I admit that I couldn't see Jesus, unlike some others who did.
I just want to keep trusting My Lord despite everything.

The journey itself was enough evidence, that the Lord was with us, Emmanuel.
It reminds me how narrow is the path to righteousness, and how easy is the path to destruction.
But He was with us all the way. PTL!

P/S: We went back to Bintulu on Monday i.e 17.3.2008. Fare - much cheaper i.e RM141 each person, Kuching International Airport Counter.

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Posted by Ruth72


Faith never gives up.

It knows that despite appearances, all is well.

It can wait without signs or significant indications that God is at work,

because it is sure of HIM,

Each delay is perfectly fine,

for we are within the safe hands of God.

Postponements are reasons to pray.

They're opportunities for GOD to build those imperishable

but hard-to-acquire qualities of humility, patience, serenity, and strength.

He doesn't delay UNLESS HE is planning to do something in our situations.

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