Your GRACE still amazes me

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see

-Phillips, Craig and Dean

*Work has been crazy crazy today. And on my way home, I even had this unfortunate accident that held me shocked and speechless for about 5 seconds.

But yes, HIS grace is still amazing. HIS grace made everything else better. HIS grace is infinitely bigger and stronger than any work stress that involves long hours. Brighter and deeper than any sickness on my physical body. It overcomes any temptations, and overtakes any trials that is coming my way.

It goes beyond any church activity that sometimes drain my physical being. It’s so personal and relentless that even though I have failed and forgotten HIM countless of times, HE still woos me with the most perfect LOVE I can only imagine. Oh yes, HE is AMAZING! *

In every Season…

He is GOD.

Yesterday, on our way home from church, me and ze Fiance’ had a sudden “GOD moment”. You know, a split second realisation of how AWEsome and how good He is that you can’t help but be thankful and teary and happy at the same time?

Yup, we had that.

We had a two minute pause as we quietly gave thanks to the Giver of it all. It was just a beautiful beautiful prayer time. What we shared was an amazing time of giving thanks to our Father who made it all happen- in HIS time.

And so this post is my random GOD moment tribute to my JESUS for HIS everlasting LOVE and for surpassing all my expectations on what I imagined this season of my life would be. And as I enter this new season in the next couple of months (15 weeks to be exact), I will forever be in awe for HE is the GOD of my every mundane and hectic season.

Where the heck have I been?!

It’s all Rhiza’s fault, she put up this post on her blogsite detailing my recent change of status that something clicked in me and I felt like I needed vent it out to online world too. Thanks Rhiz! *hugtyt* (You made me resurrect this blog after six long months! That’s a good feat!)

I looked at the last post that I have put up here for the 30 day LOVE challenge that I sorta started but didn’t get to finish and couldn’t help but smile as I look at where the Lord has brought me to this day. It has been a crazy/amazing/funny half a year of my life. I guess it is true about what our Heavenly Father said to His son Jeremiah back in the days:

I know what I’m doing.

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you,

plans to give you the future you hope for.

- Jeremiah 29:11

And I am not even talking about the fact that I am now engaged to the man has created just for me, it goes beyond that-God KNOWS what HE was doing when HE gave me a new job with this amazing company that made me so busy I don’t even have time for Facebook anymore. haha. God KNOWS what He was doing when HE delivered me from my WoW addiction (don’t get me wrong, the game is really fun but I think it’s not for me anymore). God KNOWS what HE was doing when HE decided that our season with this particular church is already finished and it’s time to glorify and serve the Lord outside the bounds of organised church.

lokevlyn

After all, I AM the church and so I will definitely BE the church that Jesus has established and will be coming back for.

God KNOWS what HE was doing when HE gave favour to my siblings as they finished high school with top honours. HE knows the perfect job to give to them and my heart soars with pride as I see them earn their very own hard-worked money.

Ken and Velle

God KNOWS what HE was doing when HE caused this sweet sweet guy to love and accept me for everything that I am-flaws and all. What makes me more dumbfounded is the fact that knowing that if we multiply this love that me and my fiance share for each other by a gazillion times, that how much my JESUS (aka My first Lover) feel for me. I am utterly in awe, and sometimes, I sometimes kick myself at the number of times I have let myself doubt His LOVE. Like seriously, what was I thinking back then?!

I don’t really have any clue as to what will happen in the next six months (or to the rest of my life for that matter) but I guess what’s important is that through whatever season or situation we are in, our GOD’s WORD will still remain: “I have never quit loving you and never will, expect love, love and more love!”

Grace Grace Grace!

Alo alo!

Not that I have run out of things to say my peoples, but I just want to share with y’all my favourite websites that give me grace and righteousness filled teachings that changed my life-LITERALLY. =)

(and I also kinda figured out that they have much better things to say than me…)

Grace Walk Ministries

Dynamic Love Ministries

Searching For Grace

Joseph Prince

Ungrind (this site is more for women though)

Have an awesome Thursday peoples!

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DAY 23

Make a hot chocolate/milk for your sibling  tonight. Sometimes, care can be shown without words too…=)

Dear YOU,

I’m not going to ask you where you are now. I’m not going to be impatient. This season, I will inhabit one day at a time. I will sail into the future on mystery’s wings and I will not look back. I have been too much like the man who asks, “Are you looking for me?” Our hearts yearn backward. We long to be found, hoping our searchers have not given up and gone home.

But I no longer hope to be found. Do not follow me! Let’s just be fabulously where we are and who we are. You be you and I’ll be me, today and today and today, and let’s trust the future to tomorrow. Let the stars keep track of us. Let us ride our own orbits and trust that they will meet. May our reunion be not a finding but a sweet collision of destinies!

Until that time you can call me yours, I remain,

Lovee

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DAY 22

Choose to Forgive. Let’s put our LOVE challenge up a notch, shall we? Talk to the person that you have had an argument/tiff with in the past, and I am telling ya, PEACE will overflow in your heart!

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Authors Note: So sorry guys if I miss one day in this 30 day Love Challenge. I was a bit busy with some other things (namely: My JESUS, Family, Church Stuff, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and Word of Warcraft/Silly stuff).  And OMG! I can’t believe that September is almost up! Where have all the days gone?

Anyway, since I only got less than a week for this “Love Challenge” I have decided to bare my heart out for a bit (as if I haven’t done it in the past aye?), and share with y’all this old old old open letter to my future Claimer.

I know I haven’t met you yet but whoever, wherever you are…please know that I’m always praying for you. And one day, someday, “all these things will make sense and it will be the perfect moment”.

My GOD is a GOD of Romance

¹ If only you were to me like a brother,
who was nursed at my mother’s breasts!
Then, if I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.

² I would lead you
and bring you to my mother’s house—
she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the nectar of my pomegranates.

³ His left arm is under my head
and his right arm embraces me.

⁴ Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires.

⁵ Who is this coming up from the desert
leaning on her lover?

Under the apple tree I roused you;
there your mother conceived you,
there she who was in labor gave you birth.

⁶ Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.

⁷ Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned.

⁸ We have a young sister,
and her breasts are not yet grown.
What shall we do for our sister
for the day she is spoken for?

⁹ If she is a wall,
we will build towers of silver on her.
If she is a door,
we will enclose her with panels of cedar.

¹⁰ I am a wall,
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment.

¹¹ Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon;
he let out his vineyard to tenants.
Each was to bring for its fruit
a thousand shekels ^[e] of silver.

¹² But my own vineyard is mine to give;
the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon,
and two hundred ^[f] are for those who tend its fruit.

¹³ You who dwell in the gardens
with friends in attendance,
let me hear your voice!

¹⁴ Come away, my lover,
and be like a gazelle
or like a young stag
on the spice-laden mountains.

Song of Songs 8

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DAY 21

Try to help out your community by joining any feeding programs for the poor…

(If you’re from Sydney, let me know coz I can hook you up with people that does it every week)

Love Project V.1

Today was fun. It was really fun.

Touching. And Fun.

Most of us were teary eyed (I know I am). But we all had Fun.

Even though we had to do impromptu singing and play improvised games of dominoes, not to mention an instant presentation of our useless talents…all in all, it was a heart stopping experience with the Oldies at a Nursing Home in Stanmore, Sydney. Our “East meets West” Connect Group will be definitely coming back for sure. And this time, we’re gonna arm ourselves with more Nail Polish colours (would you believe that the hot oldies asked for a flaming red colour to polish their nails? LOL!), Guitar to make up for our ashy voices, and more “Useless Talents” to amuse them.

I could really get used to this Love Projects people. I am definitely looking forward to our next visit!

Oh before I forget, I just want to encourage you guys to think about some other ways to be able to serve the community around you. Don’t you think that it’s about time to share the overflowing Love of Christ to those who are needy? Seriously, looking at other people would make you refocus your priorities and remember how blessed you are in the Lord!

Let me know if you got any other Love Projects up your sleeves yea? We can feature them here to stir other people as well!

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DAY 20

Ever had a heart to heart talk with your parents/spiritual parents lately? Why don’t you start one today?…It’s NEVER too late to open up. You’d be surprised how wise they can be. =)

My Daddy’s got a song for me

…and it’s good. =) Check out the video too.

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I have heard so many songs
Listened to a thousand tongues
But there is one
That sounds above them all

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart

Heaven’s perfect melody
The Creator’s symphony
You are singing over me
The Father’s song
Heaven’s perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you’re singing over me
The Father’s song

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart

It’s Heaven’s perfect mystery
The king of love has sent for me
And now you’re singing over me
The Father’s song

The Father’s song
The Father’s love
You sung it over me and for eternity
It’s written on my heart
It’s written on my heart
You sing it over me
The Father’s Song

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DAY 19

Write a post it note to everyone in your family and put it on their table, computers or even the fridge…Tell them something sweetly random.

As for me, how does “I love you to pieces” sound?

My Name is Agape Lovelle…

And I am a child of GOD (See John 1:12). HE loves me with an intensity that refuses to be diminished (Song of Solomon 8:7) HIS plans for me are always good. (See Jeremiah 29:11) HE loves me because HE has chosen to and not because of what I do or don’t do. (See Ephesians 1:4) HIS goodness and favour will chase me all the days of my life. (See Psalms 23:6)

Every blessing in Christ Jesus is already mine. (See Ephesians 1:3) By faith, I will enter into a path that is abounded by GRACE  that my Heavenly Father has prepared for me. (See Romans 5:2) I am everything HE says I am. (See 1 Corinthians 15:10) I can do everything HE has called me to do. (See Philippians 4:13) I can have all that HE has called me to have. (See Psalm 84:11)

My days will only grow brighter.(See Proverbs 4:18) HIS favour is upon me and will never leave me.(See Lamentations 3:22-23) Nothing that comes my way can harm me. (See Isaiah 54:17) HE orchestrates my circumstances so that everything works out for my good. (See Romans 8:28) Without respite and fear, I will hold tightly to the hope I say I have, because my GOD can be trusted to keep whatever it is that HE has promised. (See Hebrews 10:23)

I am LOVED with an everlasting LOVE (See Jeremiah 31:3). All my needs are already taken are of (See Phillipians 4:19), so there is no room for fear (See 1 John 4:18). Halelu YAH! =)

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DAY 18

Bake/Buy a cake and share half of it to your neighbour/flatmate/friend. Invite them to hang out with you once in the week. You would be surprised how many people needs a friend nowadays…

And sometimes, people don’t really care how much you know, unless they know how much you care.

Waffles and Frappe Talk

So a newfound friend and I had a heart to heart talk tonight.

While drowning ourselves with Waffles and Banana Frappe, we shared about the infiniteness of GOD’s grace and the miracles that entailed our coming to Sydney as we both came from the Philippines (we also laughed about our funny stories as “freshies” in this land). I praise Jesus for giving me another lady that is in the same grace walk as I am. We were both giggling like little girls as we talked about our heavenly Father sorting out our visa and heart problems. It truly is an amazing season for anyone who is in Christ!

She also shared with me this verse that sent our hearts soaring as we pondered upon God’s goodness in our lives:

“For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!” -Ezekiel 36:25-27

I read it again when I got home tonight and I was like WHOA! So much revelations! The whole time that the Lord was saying this to Ezekiel, there was never a mention of any effort on Israel’s part. He has taken care everything…omg, that is just too good! And since I am still in a “Lovee daze”, allow me to enumerate the things that my GOD has done for me (and to you too!):

• Took me out of my bondage and chains;
• Brought me back to my First Love (which is Jesus);
• Cleansed me! (Literally scrubbed me clean that no amount of blemish can be seen!);
• Replaced the old Lovee with a NEW one! (Thank you Lord);
• Transplanted a heart that is GOD-willed, not self willed;
• Put HIS Spirit IN me; and
• Bestowed upon me a new land (that represents prosperity and favour)

I just love it when Jesus takes over! All I have to do is BELIEVE that all these things is already given to me so there is no room for doubt and self condemnation. His GRACE empowers us to live a life that is at full dependence to HIM.

Grace Grace Grace for every moment!

Oh before I forgot, you know how the Love Challenge for today was to SMILE at people all the time. Well, there this one lady in the train station that thought I was trying to make fun of her (I don’t blame her, it’s not everyday that someone gives you a toothpaste commercial smile. LOL). So she gave me the dirties and walked away. hahaha. I just chuckled inwardly, may God bless her dear soul.

How about you? Was your Day 16 Love Challenge experience as challenging as mine?

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DAY 17

Is there anyone in your life that makes you cringe at the mere mention of the person’s name? Why don’t you pray for that person tonight and ask the Lord to give you the LOVE that forgives and forgets? =)