Of hard and easy days

With my WPY volunteer friends, on a short visit to the Philippines.

As I was washing the dishes one day, I began thinking...

Why is it that I'm always so much closer to God on the days when it's hard? The easier days when I don't have as much to do, or I can actually try and relax a little bit, is when my hold on God seems to loosen. I know that trials bring us closer to God, and I am learning to appreciate them for that purpose. But what of the days of peace? Why don't I connect with Him as well during those times? How can I change those days so they're a benefit instead of a hindrance?

Then another thought:

That's what praise and thanksgiving are for. 

I'm supposed to simply trust and hang onto God on the hard days, praising Him just the same. But on the seemingly easier days (when it's actually spiritually harder!), I can use that space to thank Him for all He's done in the harder times.

"We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history" (RH, October 12, 1905).

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

Photo credit: Erick Juanich

Under God's Eyes

We're currently learning and memorizing this poem in grade 10 English class. It's made us all stop and think about the things we think, speak, read, write, sing, do, and wear... God sees it all!


Whatever you think, never think what you feel
You would blush, in the presence of God, to reveal;
Whatever you speak, in a whisper or clear,
Say nothing you would not like Jesus to hear.

Whatever you read though the page may allure,
Read nothing of which you are perfectly sure
Consternation at once would be seen in your look
If God should say solemnly, “Show me that book."

Whatever you write, though in haste or in heed,
Write nothing you would not like Jesus to read;
Whatever you sing, in the midst of your glees
Sing nothing His listening ear would displease.

Whenever you go, never go where you fear
Lest the great God should ask you, “Why are you here?”
Turn away from each pleasure you’d shrink from pursuing
If God should look down and say, “What are you doing?”

Whatever you wear, can you be very sure
That the feelings it quickens are blameless and pure?
Would your face be unblushing and conscience be clear
Should your wardrobe be opened and Jesus appear?

When you think, when you speak, when you read, when you write,
When you sing, when you walk, when you seek for delight,
To be kept from all wrong when at home or abroad,
Live always as under the eyes of the Lord.

Photo credit: Francis Juanich

Prayer Journal

Here is Tim's latest update about Wat Preah Yesu:

Prayer Journal - November 2014

Please keep the work here in your prayers! There are many seemingly insurmountable obstacles, but God is still working.

Also pray for the students who have gone to PAFCOE and LIGHT school in the Philippines. It sounds like they are all doing well, and I am looking forward to seeing how God uses them in the future to reach their native Cambodia.

PAFCOE group. L to R circles: Khone, Tony, Gemma, Chhorvy, Sreiya, Hym.

We have 5 students at LIGHT school. Three of them are in this picture
(red skirt = Lin, white shirt on the R = Laihun, by the TIME sign = Ty).