New Year Reflection

Another year has come and gone. Did we meet new friends? Did we start or finish any new projects? Did we take a class or learn anything new? Did we read any books? Did we bless those around us--our family, our neighbors? Did we share our faith? Did we pray more or less? Did we draw closer to God?

Years come and go. Are we growing and making a difference in the time God has given us? The questions raised above are not intended to elicit guilt, but they are the kind of questions that help us determine how much we are making our lives count. Consider writing down a highlight of our year before we even begin thinking about goals for this year. We can do this thoughtfully and prayerfully. We should ask God to convict us in areas that need to change. Let Him affirm us in areas where He is pleased with our life. Let this account of our year challenge and encourage us to live our best life yet in the days ahead.

"God, as I sit down to take stock of the year, I want to thank You for Your blessings and ask for Your guidance. Help me to make this year count for You. Amen."

Click here for some encouragement to make this year count. a video presented by The Simple Truth.

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This song has released my heart every time I remember my late brother Agus Prihandoko and my father Imam Sujono. I thank Yunita Phillips (from Ohio) for sending the link of this video from Youtube and a card content its lyrics.   All the way my Savior leades me   vs.1

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

vs.2

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

vs.3

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.


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Complete Independence!!!

Today, August 17, Indonesians are celebrating their 66th Independence Day! Happy Independence Day to all Indonesians around the world!!!

What I would love to share in this special day?
From e-Daily Devotion written by Indonesians, I got a really good source for all Indonesians who confess that they are the part of the nation who put God in number one in their way of life should read this, especially for Christian. Attached, I tried to translate it in English. For Indonesian version, you can visit this link.

In 1942, in the early days of Japanese occupation, Amir Syarifuddin Harahap spoke in the Christmas celebration (of the Preparatory The Christian Unity). This Christian leader who later became RI's prime minister had appealed to Christians not only thinking about the afterlife, but must stand with both feet on a society in turmoil. Amir said that because most Indonesia's Christians at that time tended to apathy on the dynamics community. They prefered to focus on spiritual things.

Decades later, after Indonesia became independent, the same problem apparently still wrapped around Christians in Indonesia. Many churches claimed to "uphold the Bible", but unfortunately tends to apathy to the problems facing the nation. They prefered to focus on things related to spiritual worship and evangelism. The problems of filling Indonesia's independence with involvement in all areas were almost never studied or emphasized.

Of course, worship and evangelism are needed. But if that's all Christians do, we are not yet fully understood God's heart's content. In the book of Isaiah that we read today (Isaiah 58:6), God obviously wanted the worship of His people have an impact on social change. Issues of justice (verse 6) and poverty (verse 7), specifically concerning the political, legal, and economic, should be our concern.

Today, let Amir Syarifuddin appeal reminds us of Christian vocation in the ommunity. Let us be encouraged back to participate actively filling the nation's independence - ST

MAKE TRUE WORSHIP THE NATION BLESSED!!!

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Happy Easter

Dear Family and Friends,

Easter Means Eternal Life

A perfect God demands a perfect justice;
He cannot let us get away with sin.
We used God’s gift of our free will to trespass,
So heaven’s gates were closed; we couldn’t get in.

Our sin required our blood, a sacrifice,
To atone for all the wrongs that we had done.
"But I love them!" cried our Father, filled with sorrow;
"I’ll send my only Son to be the one."

Good Friday marks the slaying of our Jesus,
The unblemished lamb, the perfect sacrifice.
He took our guilt and blame upon Himself,
So we could be with Him in paradise.

On Easter morning, he came back from death;
He vanished from the tomb, the empty grave.
His resurrection means eternal life
For us, the ones he came to earth to save.

This summarizes all the Easter story
And because of it, we’ll be with Him in glory.

By Joanna Fuchs


Happy Easter from Fida Abbott and family


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REFLECTION (4): Two Days Before Christmas

Celebrating Four Years of My Car Accident
Today, December 23, I celebrated the 4th year of my big car accident by posting the pictures of my damage cars below as a reminder for all drivers of any kinds of vehicle they're driving.

Photographs by Grand Sport Auto Body


This is a link if you would like to read its story in English and this is a link if you would like to read it in Indonesian as I wrote an article at KabarIndonesia entitled "Sabuk Pengamanku" (My Safety Belt).

Four years ago I had a car accident. A big trailer truck hit my left car when I turned right in the green light. I just finished turning and would like to straight my car and suddenly "brakkk!!" I had no idea where that truck was coming from because when I did turning, I didn't see any vehicle on other left side and also it was red light for that line. I didn't want to retell again that story but I just would like to remember something that I need to share here.

When I got the report paper from the Police Officer, it didn't mention the truth. They said that after the accident, I didn't know anything (the statement from the Police Officer) and I was driving in other line (the statement from the truck driver).

As the route 30 I went through has speed limit 55 miles/hour. And I knew that truck drove over that limit and went through the red light. I was sure because it was too fast, he could not control his stirring wheels. You can see that damage!!! Even the stupid person would know that damage could not happen for the vehicle that run under 55 miles/hour. My car spinned many times so fast and finally hit the right curb. Thanks God, there wasn't any other vehicle behind me. I could not imagine if its condition was opposite. The police officer was a woman and she just came to me asking my driver license without asking anything.

You can imagine how I felt at that time when reading that report. My body at that time still had many brushes and my head still felt something--not right. Imagining my condition after that accident, in three days I was in pain badly, my head was so heavy and I could not sit or stand directly because it made me dizzy or something I could not describe. I thanked to my car insurance who had responsible for all medical expenses, even gave some money and we used it for buying other second hand car.

My husband and I went to a lawyer but we had to close my case two years later because of some reasons: I didn't show any problem as the result of that accident after two years of that accident, there was no evidence when it was happened, the report put me in the wrong place that mentioned I was driving in the wrong line and I didn't know anything after that accident-- which they weren't true.

When reading that report I really wanted to scream and meet them both--the police officer and the truck driver. I wanted to hear from them why they lied. I wanted to cry but I could not. My heart was really hurt. But something I had to learn at that time, I should forgive them. It wasn't easy for me but I had learned and I could. That made me happier because I was sure God would bless me abundantly by giving them forgiveness. And when I was feeling that, I was sure they both had gotten what they had done to me. God is fair!! I believe that!!

That car accident four years ago was my Christmas present--I thought. I thanked God for that so I would be more carefully when driving everywhere. I thanked God, He had saved me. I thanked God I was still alive and be with my family, especially for my little daughter who still needed me. I thanked God, I got the good service from my car insurance. I thanked God I got other car--bigger car than before. I thanked God I didn't lie. I thanked God I could forgive them.

And also I've learned two things from that accident:

1. What do I thank for in Christmas this year??? Have I prayed to the people who have sent the Christmas card/Christmas wishes to me?? . . .

2. If any of us still have hurt feeling to other family members, friends, coworkers, etc, would we forgive them??? If it seems so hard for us doing it, ask HIM to help us in doing it. He will make us able to do it--and we can celebrate Christmas this year with full of PEACE and JOY. Amen.(*)

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REFLECTION (3): Four Days Before Christmas

I Met A Psychic Person

Yesterday when I was working, a woman passed by. I greeted her as I did to all customers and she replied me. One thing that made me feel little bit different when seeing her eyes. I felt she seemed find something interesting in me. Anyway, I kept working and she just left. But several seconds later, she came back and met me. She asked something that I could not hear it clearly because of her dialect. It was between: "Do you work here?" or "Are you from here?" So, I just answered,"Yes, I work here. Can I help you something?"
And answered her, "Oh, no," then she confessed something about me proudly with her impressive expression, "I just want to say that you have a good energy, you have a good aura."
I was little shock getting unespected compliment by a stranger. I talked to myself, What the heck of this kind of woman told me about myself, even we never met before. I thought she could read what I was thinking, then she looked for something from her pocket and gave me her name card. She said again,"Do you know Psychic Readings?"
"No. I'm not familiar about that," replied me, then I read her name card.
"Oh . . . I can take your energy and read it." Then she lifted her both hands, trying to describe about my own face. "You have a really good aura. I see something good coming on your way." Then she smiled at me.
"Wow! Thank you." I could not say anything. I was very surprised but in my heart I could answer her that she was right. I just knew that day I got approval becoming a full time associate at my work and the new schedule would start on January 1, next month -- that was my first Christmas present and as a present for my New Year. And what else? . . . Oh yeah, next year, my book would also be published in my own country . . . what else??? . . . I didn't know. Something good coming on the way??? Wow . . . Thanks God!!! Amen!!!
"Yeah." She stared at me with her impressive eyes. I felt like she wanted me to believe her that what she had just said was right.
I could not say anything except to thank her.
"Keep that card. If one day you need me, you can call me anytime. Have a good night."
"Have a good night, too and thank you."
She left and I was busy again with my own thought. I was thinking perhaps it could be a trick of her to find a new customer and/or she also said something true about me.

What I had experienced last night, it gave an idea to write something in this post. Probably that was like the shepherds feel when an angle came to them in the middle of the night and sent a good news about baby Jesus who had been born (And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”--Luke 2:9-12). They believed what the angle said and did like he had said. They went to see the baby Jesus.

Well, I believe what she said to me because it was my faith that God would bless me in the upcoming years.

Thank you, God for sending me a good message through a psychic person. Good or not, I believe everything has your own purpose to make me better and better every year and become blessing to other people. Amen!

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REFLECTION (2): Twelve Days Before Christmas

My sister in law sent a video yesterday and I thought it was suitable for the theme I would like to write for my second post of Christmas Reflection. So, below I attach it with its lyric.

What we have learned from this event? Togetherness in singing and the joy they had in the time when they sang that song. It reminded me when I was still in Indonesia. With my Vocal Group, several weeks before Christmas, we were busy practicing to prepare for the Christmas songs we would sing at some places. We got invitations from companies, churches and organizations that celebrated Christmas. Our service was free--no charge--even we spent our own money for transportation. Some of them sometimes gave us an envelope filled with some amount of money that we never asked for. We never counted the energy, time and money we had spent but the joy of giving into the song and togetherness among us were so sweet and impressive.

What we had done was one of the kinds of giving. Giving doesn't mean to be something that we can touch and see. Giving in singing is something that we can listen and sometimes it can touch our heart and bring us closer to our CREATOR.

That was one of the things I liked when Christmas came: the joy of singing together. I believe this video below will bring you the Joy of Having Messiah who has saved our life. Come on, we sing together! Praise to the Lord who has given us His own son to save the world. Hallelujah Hallejuah Hallelujah!!! . . . (don't forget to turn off the volume of my Christmas Song Box at the bottom of this blog before you click "play" to watch this video and listen how the joy when they sang)

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers. This event is one of 1,000 "Random Acts of Culture" to be funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation over the next three years.

Handel's Messiah (The Hallelujah Chorus) Lyrics


allelujah (Aleluya)

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
(For the lord God omnipotent reigneth)
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
(Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah)
Hallelujah

The kingdom of this world;
is become
the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ
and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords

And he shall reign
And he shall reign
And he shall reign
He shall reign
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever
and lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords
And he shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever and ever and ever
(King of kings and lord of lords)

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah




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Sing with me! Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah! . . .
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REFLECTION (1): Two Weeks Before Christmas

Christmas is coming!!! Well, I haven't prepared anything at all. I just found many pictures from Christmas last year. Two of them I attach here. They were taken when I woke up early in the morning and acted like a St. Claus, putting many Christmas presents under the Christmas tree and Christmas stockings. It was fun and my husband took several pictures of me when doing it.

By the way, what's the most special thing to celebrate Christmas for you???

That question makes me thinking. When I was still in Indonesia and when I was still a child, I felt everyday was a feast day. My Grandma was so busy since two weeks before Christmas. She made cookies and many other kinds of cakes and foods. Hmm . . . The night before Christmas, we used to go to church for Christmas Eve service. If not, then in the Christmas morning, we went to church. Since Christmas morning until a week of New Year, her house was full with many guests from neighbors, friends and family/relatives. We all ate what my Grandma had cooked. We also went to other family members to celebrate Christmas, too. There were no Christmas presents. I just got one Christmas present from Sunday school teacher. That was all.

When I was in the teenage age and the youth age, my Grandma was not as strong as before. She got stroke and only her right hand and her right foot were active doing everything, so my aunts, my brother and I who represented her in preparing everything for Christmas. We also didn't prepare many kinds of foods as my Grandma ever did before. I mean there were still many kinds of foods but it wasn't like a feast. And guess what . . . our guests came less, either. Sad. Yes. That's life!! When somebody was in the glorious condition, many people came but when it wasn't, who would come???

We can learn from my own story above, that was why Jesus came to the world in the very simple condition, even it wasn't suitable enough for His Mom to deliver Him as a baby. Do you know why? Because the people who will come to HIM, they have respect in their life to accept HIM as the King of the Kings and the Savior of their life.

Have you accept HIM in your heart???
Remember, HE will come just for every person who is willing open his/her heart for HIM and HE would fill him/her with the water of life.

So what's my answer for that question above?
It was food and guests, but wait . . . I think I still have more. But I will continue my sharing in the next post, so please, stay tuned. Thank you for your patience. ***

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Easter Poem by Fida Abbott

Easter Light

I see the cross
there is a deep darkness
nobody wants to come

I see the empty grave
there is a life
everybody is looking for

His resurrection is a sign
there is no darkness
but lightness

Everybody who believes in Him
can come to meet His Father
without any condition
only trust in Him
live in Him
follow His path
nothing we have to pay
it is free
because He had paid full for us
with His blood and love

Happy Easter!


Coatesville, April 3, 2010
by Fida Abbott

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Turning A Good Story into A God Story (2)

by Pastor Dan O'Deens

I'm sure you still remember well about Joseph's story. It is one of my favorite stories in Bible and we should learn from this story how God had used Joseph's life for HIS BIG PLAN!!!!

Review the story of Joseph's early life from Genesis 37, then discuss the family dynamics that are taking place here. Put yourself in Joseph's shoes, then his brothers, then his father. Mistakes made! What could have been done to better the family situation?

Remember, Joseph's dreams didn't place him in a pit, or in a slave caravan to Egypt. Then discuss this observation below:
"Although we like to achieve instant success. God often develops leaders in the crucible of prolonged suffering."

Consider other times when God's Mysterious Actions are displayed through the lives of people who choose to follow Him: Esther 4-8, Job 1-3. 42, Jonah 1-4, Philippians 1 and Hebrews 11-12

Review these principles from the life of Joseph (Genesis 39)

God is with me in the middle of my conflict.
John 14:16-17, Pslam 23:4

It is only when we trust God in the middle of our conflict that we will find Him.
John 16:33

Don't forget you should also review the story of Joseph's middle life from Genesis 42-45. Read Joseph's testimony in 45:8 (What do you do in your life, when God has seemed silent, but He has clearly not been absent?

Then discuss this observation below:
"You will never experience all the good that can come from the bad in your life until you are first willing to acknowledge that God was with you in the bad and then refuse to play God when things are good."

Below, there are three questions you should answer:
1. What conflict do I find myself in now?
2. Is there evidence in my life that shows my confidence of God's presence with me?
3. How will I respond in the middle of the conflict knowing that God is with me?










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Turning A Good Story into A God Story (1)

A day after Christmas, my daughter had fever then several days after that, I started having cough and sour throat. Today I still have cough but feel much better than last week. Thank to God when the weather is so very bad during last week and this week, my work schedule decreases. Of course I won't make much money in this period but I will have more rest and am ready for online writing class that will start next Monday. So everything is fine for me, especially I have to finish reviewing my manuscript this week in next several days.

As my promise before Christmas that I would like to post something interesting I got from church, below I will share it to all of you, Finding Our Hope in An Epic Story: Turning A Good Story into A God Story by Pastor Dan O'Deens.

References: Gen 37:2-5, 23-28, Gen 39:1-2, Gen 41:55, 42:1-7, 45:3-11, 50:15-20

"What would somene in our circumstances do if they were absolutely confident that God was with them?"
Emmanuel... God is with Us!
* Responding to your conflict as though you were confident that God was with you.

The Truth about Your Conflict

* God is with you in the middle of your conflict.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

* It is only when we trust God in the middle of our conflict that we will find Him.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

... Years later:

* God has seemingly been silent, but he has clearly not been absent.

* Yo will never experince all the good that can come from the bad in your life until you are first willing to acknowledge that God was with you in the bad, and then refuse to play God when things are good.

Editing Your Life Story

- What conflict do you find yourslef in wight now?
- Is there any evidence from those watching your story unfold that would suggest that you are confident that God is with you?
- How will you respond to your conflict knowing that God is right there with you?

Remember what God gives us; FORGIVENESS, GRACE and MERCY.

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Message of the Day

Message of the Day I got from church this morning, said:

Live is the Holy Spirit

Let Christ lives in you by replacing laziness with hard work, greed and selfishness with honesty, integrity and generosity, and faithless living with complete surrender.

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