I think Jesus is really special. I've never known anyone who can love me so
deeply despite knowing all my weaknesses, my mistakes, my ugliness; who
is willing to look beyond all that to see my potential; my strengths & what He
can do through me. How He never condemns me but would patiently guide &
love me as He changes me & picks me up when I fall. He's always by my side
-crying & laughing with me. He has really changed my life & has taught me so
many things. He's been the greatest thing in my life!

I recieved Jesus as my personal Lord & Saviour in 1992 when my cousin brought
me to church, Lutheran Church of our Redeemer, which is where I'm still worship-
ping at now. At that time, I'd a little knowledge about God & Jesus coz I had come
from a Catholic-based primary school. At that time, I just thought being a christian
was "cool" *grinz* & didn't really know what I was getting into. I felt rather afraid
after the decision too coz' I come from a Buddist family & wasn't quite sure how
they would react to it.

Initially, my parents thought that it's only a rash decision. After some time I'll lose
my interest & drop out of the religion. I remember my parents always advised me
not to be too serious about it or give my commitment lest I might regret it when I
find that another religion is "better". But guess what? After all this time, I still dun
want to change "religion" coz' God is so real! When you've learnt to experience in
your heart the depth of His love & forgiveness, how enjoyable His presence is, His
peace, assurance & joy when everything goes wrong - who would want to?

During this time, things have had not been a bed of roses. I've had my doubts too:
" Is God real?" "Does He really love me?""Does He care?" There were many times
I've felt rejection, loneliness, self-hatred, sense of loss of hope in life, depressed,
discouraged, self-pity. I dun know about you but I've experienced times when I'm
felt so down & people just didn't understand. They repproach me becoz they can't
feel the pain in your heart. They felt how I was behaving or feeling was wrong. It
only added to the hurts.

But at such times, Jesus was there to hold my hands, He believed in me, loved me,
cared for me, encouraged me & carried me through the years till I came out of it.
He didn't see what I failed to do, but what I became after that period. How I learnt
to have genuine kindness, patience, love, compassion for the people around me
becoz' of what I've been through. I remember a verse which applied to me:

"Simon Simon, satan has asked to sift you like wheat. But I've prayed for you that
your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
~Luke 22:31-32

I'm indeed grateful for the things God has done in my life - both the good & bad
experiences. I'm thankful for the friends He's provided along the way who've un-
knowingly encouraged me; for the opportunities He's given me to learn new things
& to serve Him; & most of all - to be loved by Him & to love Him.

The heart of the Father is always the same. He longs for those who are far off to
draw near to Him - to recieve rest for your souls - for those who've yet heard of
His love & salvation to get to know the truth & for us to have a living relationship
with Him & be free from fear. It's not something that we can earn through any
efforts of our own. It's through grace (underserved kindness & favour) that we can
come to Him & be His children because Jesus died on the cross to take away our
burdens, sins, fear & curses.

Make no mistake about it. If He can love me & make such a difference in my life,
why would He be any less willing to do the same in yours unless you don't want
Him too? If only we take just step to Him, He will RUN to us to EMBRACE us.
(Luke 15:20). Isn't He wonderful?:)

If you've been far off or have never known Him, why not go to Him right now?
He's just there waiting for you!! He loves you ! Have a blessed day!:)